Fantasy Updates: Latest news on Jameis Winston’s QB battle, Clyde Edwards-Helaire & Raheem Mostert injuries ahead of drafts

After a flurry of NFL news and injury updates this week, things seem to be slowing down. However, big news came out of New Orleans Friday morning about their quarterback competition between Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. Banged-up RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Raheem Mostert were also in the news cycle, with more clarity on their injuries. Week 1 is just two weeks away — and fantasy football drafts are even closer –so monitoring these updates are more important than ever.

For some other important draft-day considerations, get an updated look at Michael Thomas’ value here; for whether you should draft Deshaun Watson, go here; for position battle news, click here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy

DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2021 Cheat Sheet

Is Jameis Winston starting Week 1?

The godfather of NFL breaking news, Adam Schefter, reported Friday that Winston has won the QB battle with Taysom Hill and will start Week 1 for Sean Payton. After an impressive preseason, Winston ran away with the job, as many of us expected.

While he trades in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Tampa’s other talented receivers in 2019 for Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith, and (eventually) Michael Thomas this year, his upside is undeniable. In ’19, he was the QB3 in fantasy football despite throwing 30 INTs. He won’t see the ridiculous passing volume as he did in Tampa that year, but he still screams value if you can draft him at an appropriate point. He’s currently a 12th-round value in standard leagues on our top 200 cheat sheet.

Winston is our No. 18 ranked QB, but we acknowledge he could well outperform that spot. Of course, with Hill still around, Winston could also have a short leash.

2021 PPR FANTASY RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

Clyde Edwards-Helaire/Darrel Williams injury update

CEH and Williams both suffered injuries in the Cheifs Week 2 season game. CEH (ankle sprain) is getting limited work in practice, and Andy Reid said it’s safe to assume he’ll be ready for Week 1. Williams (concussion) is also participating in practice with some limitations. He’s expected to be ready for Week 1 as well. With CEH, the injuries are continuing to pile up early in his career. If you’re someone who tends to be conservative with injuries, he may take a spot on your ‘do not draft’ list.

Edwards-Helaire is our No. 11 standard RB  and No. 9 PPR RB. Darrel Williams is among one of the top handcuff RBs. If both remain out, Darwin Thompson and Jerick McKinnon would see RB touches for the Chiefs.

2021 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Each team

Raheem Mostert injury update

Mostert left Wednesday’s practice with what was described as back pain. The fantasy implication of Mostert missing time would be significant, but he returned to practice the very next day. It’s tough to consider him more than a low-end RB2 on draft day, but he will have big splashes some weeks as he does every season. That makes him an ideal RB3 or RB4.

2021 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker | Top 200

Mostert is our RB28 in standard and RB31 in PPR, but most fantasy owners seem to be more interested in rookie handcuff Trey Sermon. Sermon is being drafted about a round after Mostert in most fantasy drafts, according to FantasyPros’ ADP.