Andre Johnson signed a two-year extension worth $38.5 million, including $13 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid receiver in the NFL – Johnson was underpaid yet still decided not to hold out, and the Texans rewarded him as a result. There's not a ton of fantasy relevance here (it's not like motivation was a factor), but at least he's now happy. Johnson is the consensus No. 1 WR taken in fantasy leagues this year, which is hard to argue against after averaging 108 receptions and 1,572 yards over the past two seasons, but he's yet to ever record double-digit touchdowns in his career. It sure would be nice if he benefitted more from looks in close (he saw just six targets inside the 10 yard line last season). Receivers like Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss have more upside.
Elvis Dumervil suffered a torn pectoral muscle Wednesday and is out indefinitely – It sounds like at least four months, and his entire season is in real jeopardy. Denver has been quite unlucky with injuries so far. Dumervil was a huge liability against the run and committed too many penalties last season, but he was one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, and LT Ryan Clady's torn patella tendon while playing basketball during the offseason doesn't help matters, nor does Knowshon Moreno's recent hamstring tear. The Broncos are my pick to finish last in the AFC West this season.
Harry Douglas (knee) has impressed Matt Ryan during the first week of training camp. "He has looked really good and really healthy," Ryan said. "I've been impressed with his work ethic during the offseason and that has continued throughout training camp." – Maybe it's a meaningless fluff piece, but remember, the Falcons were planning on using him as a slot receiver in 2009 before his ACL injury, and he could become more than that, as Atlanta has been looking for a strong WR2 seemingly forever. Douglas probably won't make much of a fantasy impact, but this is a team capable of being one of the best in the NFC, and one more viable option for Matt Ryan could make him a top-12 type fantasy QB option.
Brandon LaFell worked with Carolina's first-team offense Thursday and continues to impress – Same situation as Douglas in Atlanta. LaFell isn't likely to be a major fantasy contributor (especially as a rookie), but like Atlanta, Carolina has been desperate for a WR2 to step up for years, and we all know Dwayne Jarrett isn't the answer (in fact, I assume he'll be cut by Week 1). QB Matt Moore remains an underrated QB2 property.