Live Cut Tracker: Cuts trickling in ahead of Saturday - Fred Warner update + Tips for Fantasy Season & Week 4 Preview

Bad news for Fred Warner + Fantasy football suggestions with 1 week left, and Carson Wentz comes to Santa Clara... a prediction for Week 4.

San Francisco 49ers/YouTube

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This next week going up to opening day will have massive implications for the entire league, and if this season will succeed. Why? It’s obvious. If the NFL can continue to keep COVID positive tests to a minimum throughout this next week, it will be a great sign for the rest of the season continuing without incident. They have done less than most other sports leagues in terms of their COVID-19 plan and response, yet somehow, it has worked out correctly. I don’t know whether to congratulate the NFL for doing this job so far or to chide them for doing less, but all I know is, chances are it does not last. There are too many holes in this plan for COVID-19 to not get in, especially with non-daily tests.

Updates:

The 49ers have flexed Friday into an off-day, meaning there will be no media availability before cut day on Saturday.

Jadeveon Clowney is now garnering interest from the Saints, Seahawks, and Titans, who are all pushing to sign him and get him on the field by Monday. We may see a signing soon.

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Live Cut Tracker:

• Tavon Austin -> IR

• Jamar Taylor -> CUT

• Richie James Jr. -> activated

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Staying on that topic, the fantastic community on r/49ers on Reddit had a massive breakthrough on the Fred Warner mystery. His girlfriend has received “Get well soon” cards and gifts via her Instagram page -

What does this mean? The chances of Warner actually testing positive for the virus - very high. If his live-in girlfriend is sick, 4 new players have tested positive for the virus, he is on the COVID-19 list - what else can be assumed? Not good. COVID-19 can cripple your lung capacity by up to 20%, even after recovery, and for a pro athlete, that is more than important. You can lose your senses, have trouble breathing, lose weight… hopefully he does not have the virus and rather only came in contact with his girlfriend.

Around The NFL

• Josh Gordon has signed a 1 year, incentive-based deal worth a maximum of $1,000,000 with… the Seattle Seahawks. Their WR corps is elite. Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett…

• Seattle has also signed Damontre Moore, the fan favorite edge rusher of the 49ers last season

• Miami is reportedly trying to deal Josh Rosen before the season starts. Whatever team he ends up on gets the #1 overall pick, so Jacksonville… In all seriousness, Rosen is a monumental bust. I can see a team like Detroit taking a shot on Rosen, especially with Matthew Stafford’s injury history.

• The Titans signed Stephen Gostkowski, the long-time Patriots kicker.

• On a familiar note, reports came out today that Colin Kaepernick had drawn interest but no offers from two anonymous AFC teams. Raiders owner Mark Davis had mentioned they were open to bringing him in, as was Chargers HC Anthony Lynn.

• Cuts have begun, with the Bears, Browns, Bengals, and more all cutting multiple players this morning and last night.

• Jadeveon Clowney is still an FA. Multiple teams have expressed frustrations with not being able to get in proper contact with Clowney specifically, and there is a growing sentiment that Clowney may not want to play. Personally: one way or another, Clowney will get signed.

• Former Alabama standout, S Ronnie Harrison was sent to Cleveland for an undisclosed compensation by the Jags. I know it’s early, but Trevor Lawrence jerseys are already being made by the Jaguars FO right now.

• Cam Newton has officially won the starting job in New England, and has been named a captain.

In 49ers news, a couple big roster moves:

• Tavon Austin is placed on IR with a knee injury. Devastating for Austin, who was playing great during camp. This smells like a stash move, especially with the suspiciously related news of…

• Richie James Jr. has been activated off the NFI list. An early return from a broken hand, the entire WR dynamic is changed by his return. Aiyuk and Deebo are expected to be ready for Week 1.

• Jamar Taylor was also cut today, likely meaning Marcell Harris just got a roster spot. We will see. Saturday is cut day.

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Fantasy Football: Stars and Sleepers

Disclaimer: I am not responsible if you lose your league because I was wrong. These are simply suggestions.

With the season in a week, fantasy lineups and drafts are in full-go, and with that, I wanted to offer some advice and suggestions to help you guys win your leagues. Let’s jump in.

Saquon Barkley, not Christian McCaffrey

McCaffrey is the consensus #1 overall pick in most if not all leagues. Why? Simply put, McCaffrey’s rushing production combined with his value in PPR leagues makes him easily the most valuable RB of last season. But Barkley is the better pick. Why?

Touches. McCaffrey is now on a team with a worse OL, a new, better QB, and good WRs. They will throw the ball a lot, and McCaffrey’s usage will likely drop with Bridgewater manning Matt Rhule’s offense. Barkley on the other hand has a new and improved OL, with Andrew Thomas entering the fold. Daniel Jones likely will not get a big responsibility this season as he continues to grow as a player, meaning Barkley’s usage is going to be sky-high. Basically: McCaffrey’s season last year was so big fantasy-wise because the Panthers were so bad. They won’t be that bad this season with Bridgewater, a legit starter, entering the mix now. Barkley on the other hand is going to get more touches as the only star on the Giants roster (at least that can stay healthy).

Rookie RBs, not Rookie WRs

Cam Akers, D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins, Jonathan Taylor all look to take big roles in their rookie season. While Swift and Taylor have stiff competition, they will get the opportunity as Josh Jacobs did last year. All of these guys join teams that pound the rock, and Akers and Dobbins especially look to make a big impact, specifically in PPR leagues. The main rookie WRs drafting right now include Michael Pittman Jr, CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy, Justin Jefferson, Aiyuk, and Jalen Reagor. Out of all of them, Jefferson, Aiyuk, and Reagor will get the biggest opportunity this season. Jeudy is slotted in at WR2 in a stacked offense, so he likely won’t start off fast. Lamb is the same scenario, but Jefferson directly replaces Diggs, Aiyuk does the same for Sanders, and Reagor is legitimately the only talented WR on the Eagles roster right now, he is going to have a huge role once healthy.

Odell Beckham Jr, not Amari Cooper

Beckham finally has an offensive coordinator that will utilize him correctly, and so far in training camp he has impressed. Even with Hooper coming in, Beckham is the #1 target for 3rd year QB Baker Mayfield, and I expect that connection to be big-time this season. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Amari Cooper is on a run-heavy team. Cooper now has to deal with both Michael Gallup and the explosive CeeDee Lamb, the latter of which has been the best WR in camp for Dallas.

Buy:

• David Johnson, RB, Houston Texans

• J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens

• Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons

• Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

• Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Sell:

• Le’Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets

• Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos

• Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Diontae Johnson, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

• Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Sleepers:

• Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons - Falcons TEs always play well, Ryan loves them. Hurst is a nice late flier who could likely get 5 TDs or more based on past seasons, and he has the talent.

• TJ Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions - Hockenson had a massive start last season and cooled off while also getting injured. Stafford should have a lot of fun with healthy TJ.

• N’Keal Harry, WR, New England Patriots - Newton likes big targets, his entire career is proof. Harry was already decent in limited snaps last season, leading the Patriots in targets per game at the last stretch of the season.

• Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals - Not a sleeper, but with a QB like Burrow, Boyd is going to have a massive season. Their connection is already good.

• Cam Newton, QB, New England Patriots - If healthy, Newton’s quick decision-making and short accuracy is a perfect fit, surprisingly, in the NE offense.

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Week 4 Preview: Philadelphia Eagles

The lights will burn bright for this Sunday Night matchup. And this will be a tough game. Philadelphia, once again, has had a very weird offseason. Just 2 years ago, they were in the big game, with now playoff hero Nick Foles leading them to a victory in a shootout with the Patriots. Since then, this team has been embroiled in off-field and on-field controversy that extends to locker room issues and more. This is a good team, make no mistake. They added Darius Slay, Jalen Reagor, Marquise Goodwin, Javon Hargrave, Rodney McLeod to an already good team.

But this team has been ravaged by injuries. Just recently, their star LT, Andre Dillard, tore his bicep and is now out for the season. Once again, Jason Peters steps in at LT, saving Carson Wentz again. But even then, Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, there are still injury prone guys all over this roster.

The Matchup

The Eagles matchup well with the 49ers, I’m not going to beat around the bush. Even with the Dillard injury, they still have a great offensive line with Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jason Peters. Carson Wentz when healthy is a top 10 QB in this league, he truly is something special. Alshon Jeffery is expected to be back by October, which could make him available for this game. Along with DeSean Jackson, Jalen Reagor, 2nd year Stanford product JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Dallas Goedert, and of course one of the best TEs in the league in Zach Ertz, Wentz has plenty of weapons and a good offensive line to support him offensively. Miles Sanders is one of the best young RBs in the league as well. Bosa and Ford will likely have a tough day with Johnson, Peters, and Kelce anchoring that OL, so the safeties in this game will need to step up. Ertz will be the primary target, so Jaquiski Tartt will be key to stopping him, and with the speed of Reagor and Jackson, Ward is going to have to be patrolling that back end because if he blinks, those two are gone.

Defensively, this is a very interesting matchup as well. The Eagles have an elite defensive line, chock-full of talent like Malik Jackson, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, the aforementioned Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, and of course Fletcher Cox. The 49ers OL, if Richburg indeed is only back by Week 6, will have a long day against these guys in the interior, although Trent Williams will stop anything on the edge. They also have good corners, so Aiyuk and Deebo will not be the targets to look for either. Running game will likely not work.. but the Eagles safeties and LBs are weaker than the rest of the defense. You are only as strong as your weakest link.

X-Factor: George Kittle

This will be a feast for Kittle. TJ Edwards, Duke Riley cannot cover Kittle one on one, and neither can any of Philly’s safeties. The only way they slow Kittle down is by putting Slay on him, in which case Kittle would overpower Slay anyways. Kittle will have a monster game, and Jimmy too, as the middle of the defense and intermediate areas are weak.

Prediction:
San Francisco 49ers - 34
Philadelphia Eagles - 28

This game is not as close as it looks, the Eagles likely get a late TD to make it look closer, but in reality, this game will be a win as long as Jimmy plays like he should. The run game will not work, but that won’t matter with the amount of play-action that I guarantee Shanahan will use. Expect a monster game from Kittle.

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Leave a like and comment to support us if you like the article and our content, or if you have criticism, or simply for discussion. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of an in-depth look into Jimmy Garoppolo, where we look at what his issues were last season. Take a look at our latest roster projection, and a in-depth look into the Kittle vs. Kelce argument.

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