Packers at Ravens
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback
- Deshone Kizer: 5/10, 70 yards
- Tim Boyle: 12/21, 107 yards, 1 TD
The Packers’ QB stable did little to inspire fantasy owners on Thursday. Deshone Kizer looked shaky under pressure and had a few wildly inaccurate throws. He also had a bad overthrow on a deep pass attempt early on. Luckily for us, Aaron Rodgers is still the starter in Green Bay, but I’ll be leaving his backup on waivers if Rodgers misses time.
Running Back
- Tra Carson: 6 carries, 9 yards, 1 reception, 7 yards
- Dexter Williams: 3 carries, 5 yards, 1 reception, 4 yards
Without Aaron Jones or Jamaal Williams seeing action, we were left with Tra Carson as the starting RB for the Packers. Outside of looking huge, Carson did little to excite in the contest. I wish both Carson and Williams the best of luck, but they’re buried behind a talented pair of running backs and didn’t show enough against the Ravens to justify promotion beyond simple depth jobs.
Wide Receiver/ Tight End
- Geronimo Allison: 2 receptions, 29 yards
- Jake Kumerow: 3 receptions, 52 yards
- Allen Lazard: 3 receptions, 53 yards
Despite only catching two balls in the contest, Geronimo Allison looked like the #2 wide receiver behind Davante Adams. He ran his routes well and demonstrated great hands. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for him on draft day. Jake Kumerow did well in the contest but should definitely not be considered for any spot other than the waiver wire in your fantasy league. Take a flier if you’re feeling bold, but he’s in a tough spot on the roster behind more talented receiving options.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
- Lamar Jackson: 6/10, 58 yards, 2 rushes, 14 yards
- Trace McSorley: 8/13, 74 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Lamar Jackson might be the real deal. He only posted a 60% completion percentage, but he saw plenty of RPO action from the shotgun, and he looked poised in the pocket. He took advantage of short throws and a very quick release to keep his offense on the field and the chains moving. In one instance when his pocket collapsed, he took off and looked a bit like Michael Vick. I know the comparison is made often, but just watch:
However, the play got called back on an illegal block. Immediately afterward, the Ravens were called for a false start and pushed back to attempt a long third down. Jackson appeared frustrated and threw an ugly incompletion on the attempt. If he can keep his emotions in check, Jackson can be a very legitimate dual-threat and provide amazing fantasy production. I’ll be moving him up my board after tonight’s performance.
Running Back
- Mark Ingram: 4 carries, 18 yards
- Kenneth Dixon: 6 carries, 14 yards | 1 reception, 9 yards
- Gus Edwards: 2 carries, 13 yards
- Justice Hill: 10 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Mark Ingram came in and immediately picked up seven yards on a powerful run up the middle. He looked comfortable and decisive behind the Ravens’ o-line. He saw some I-Formation looks, which could benefit him as he loses some speed with age. While I don’t see him providing a ton of receiving value, he could be the primary beneficiary of the Ravens’ projected high run volume and the guy to punch it in on goal-line situations.
The only concern in regards to Ingram is the depth behind him. Kenneth Dixon saw action behind Ingram and looked good before returning to form and limping off the field with yet another injury in his career. There’s no way I’m touching him at this point.
Justice Hill did well with his touches, but one has to wonder how much value he’ll actually have considering he only saw touches after Ingram, Dixon, and Gus Edwards got theirs. I can understand the excitement for the young rookie, but the Ravens’ backfield is nothing short of crowded and it will be hard for him to see the volume needed to make a significant impact.
Wide Receiver/ Tight End
- Chris Moore: 4 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD
- Nick Boyle: 3 receptions, 30 yards
- Willie Snead: 1 reception, 17 yards
The Ravens’ wide receiver situation can be best described as frustrating. Nobody projects as an obvious WR1-type, so the Ravens will have to do the best they can with the pieces they have. The QBs spread the ball often and primarily threw short passes. Chris Moore connected on a beautiful throw from Trace McSorely for a 23-yard touchdown with 4:55 left in the first half. Moore simply beat his man on the route and took advantage of a surprisingly nice throw from McSorely in tight coverage. Moore may be worth consideration very, very late on draft day.
Look for the Ravens to utilize their TEs often in the passing game. Nick Boyle played well and took advantage of his few targets. Hayden Hurst tried his best to make a move and ran purposefully on his lone reception, but unfortunately got stopped in the backfield. He’s a great physical specimen, but he lacks upside given his relative lack of production behind Mark Andrews.
— Marshal Hickman
Haven’t played fantasy football in awhile just wondering…besides actual talent which positions should be drafted in the early rounds? Not sure I trust ANY bears fans to give advice but I’ll go with my gut for now.
Haha, thanks for reading Aaron. In the first 4 rounds I will only draft RB and WR and I base my choices on whoever is the best player available at the moment (even if the means I get 3 rb and only 1 wr or vice versa). Travis Kelce will likely go in the 2nd round and I personally would take him at the start of the third. Typically, I’ll draft a TE in the 7th or 8th round. I’ll then go for my QB somewhere in rounds 8-10. Hope this helps!