NFL Barometer: High on Hyde

TRENDING UP

Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens - After missing all preseason, Flacco returned to practice Saturday, just in time for Week 1 prep. Joining him were key offensive pieces Danny Woodhead and Breshad Perriman, potentially giving the Ravens their full array of offensive weapons for the season opener. The one potential snag? Offseason acquisitions Woodhead and Jeremy Maclin has yet to play with Flacco, so it could be some time before we see this unit is running on all cylinders.

Tarik Cohen, RB, Bears - Cohen averaged 6.4 yards on 19 rushing attempts this preseason and worked with the first-team offense every preseason game he played. This following a stellar college career where he rushed for more than 1,500 yards each of his last two seasons and scored 59 total touchdowns. With Jeremy Langford released, Ka'Deem Carey on IR and the Bears a bit shaky on downfield receiving weapons, Cohen could certainly create some havoc as a pass catcher in space and occasional change-of-pace rushing option.

Kevin White, WR, Bears - Speaking of the Bears receiving corps, it's inevitable that White sees a boatload of targets, particularly while presumed No. 2 Markus Wheaton (finger) remains sidelined. A lackluster preseason and uneven training camp are of some concern, but the ball has to go somewhere, and White could prosper.

Kendall Wright, WR, Bears - Wright stands to benefit from Wheaton's absence as well, bumping up a notch in the passing attack. He hasn't played a full season since 2013, but the results he generated then (94-1,079-2) certainly impressed. He won't see that type of volume in Chicago, but he should be busy to open the season.

Ted Ginn, Jr., WR, Saints - Ginn already projected as a high-upside, big-play threat on turf and in Drew Brees' offense, but his prospects got even brighter with the news of Willie Snead's three-game suspension. Ginn can work out of the slot when necessary, and, even while playing in a run-heavy Panthers offense the last two seasons, he averaged 49 receptions, 745 yards and seven touchdowns.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams - Those paying attention this preseason already have the former Eastern Washington standout on their radar. Kupp reportedly stood out from Day 1 of OTAs and didn't let up until a groin injury felled him for the final two preseason contests. He grabbed eight receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown during the first pair of exhibitions while working as a first-team slot receiver. He should be healthy for Week 1 and an important part of the offense right from the jump, following a college career in which he set Division I records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns.

Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers - Despite a new regime in town, Hyde is still atop the depth chart, and the release of the one back who could have cost him first- and second-down carries – Tim Hightower – puts him in an even better position. Talented rookie Matt Breida is his primary backup to open the season, which should leave Hyde with plenty of touches.

Jermaine Kearse, WR, Jets - After being traded to the Jets last weekend, Kearse has the chance to be the No. 1 receiver for the first time in his career. He should see plenty of targets from Josh McCown and whoever else lines up under center for New York this season. Kearse had a down year last season, catching only 46.1 percent of his targets for 5.7 YPT, but in 2015 he posted 10.1 YPT and caught 72.1 percent of his targets. Bouncing back to anywhere close to that could make him an upside volume play.

Kareem Hunt/Charcandrick West, RB, Chiefs - The two backs are likely to see hefty but shared volume right from the jump. Hunt is the starter, but West, along with veteran C.J. Spiller, will have a role in the offense. Considering Hunt's rookie status and West's experience in the offense, there could be more of a timeshare at play than what most expect.

Danny Amendola, WR, Patriots - While Chris Hogan is also in the mix, Amendola could see the highest uptick in volume as a result of Julian Edelman's absence. Amendola has more than enough history with Tom Brady the last four seasons to capitalize on the opportunity. One thing appears certain – he'll see much more than the 29 targets he was the recipient of last year if he's healthy.

TRENDING DOWN

Samaje Perine, RB, Redskins - Perine was a fantasy darling for a brief time this preseason, but his potential takeover of the Redskins' No. 1 running back job is on hold. Rob Kelley reasserted himself late in preseason while Perine had a couple of rough exhibitions. He's clearly Kelley's backup, while Chris Thompson will see plenty of third-down work.

Jordan Matthews, WR, Bills - Matthews has carried a bit of an underachiever tag despite some serviceable stat lines his first three seasons. His trade to Buffalo afforded him a fresh start and chance to be the No. 1 option, but a chip fracture in his sternum suffered in his first practice has sidelined him since. That prolonged absence equates to zero rapport with Tyrod Taylor (concussion) – or any other Bills quarterback for that matter – to open the season, which could in turn lead to a considerably slow start.

John Ross, WR, Bengals - A stellar junior season at Washington and an elite Combine showing earned Ross plenty of hype heading into training camp, but post-Combine shoulder surgery and a sprained knee suffered in the exhibition finale conspired to significantly reduce expectations. Ross isn't even expected to take the field until Week 3 and will then have to begin working his way up a depth chart that features A.J. Green, Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd as its top three options.

Latavius Murray, RB, Vikings - Murray was expected to be the Vikings' lead back when he signed in free agency, but that changed once the team drafted Dalvin Cook in the second round. Offseason ankle surgery delayed Murray's debut until the third preseason game, putting him further behind in his acclimation to the offense. He'll begin the season as the backup to Cook and could see limited opportunity if Cook lives up to his potential.

Marqise Lee, WR, Jaguars - Lee took a major step forward last season with a 63-851-3 line on 105 targets, but a couple of factors are depressing his outlook for 2017. The first is injury, as a high-ankle sprain suffered Aug. 13 could potentially keep him out Week 1. The second is quarterback play, as neither Blake Bortles nor Chad Henne inspire much confidence. While Lee certainly has the potential to put together another strong season, he's a wait-and-see fantasy commodity.

IN LIMBO

Ezekiel Elliott/Darren McFadden, RB, Cowboys - Elliott's legal situation is uncertain, putting both he and McFadden in a neutral category as far trends are concerned. Elliott will play in Week 1, but must serve his six-game ban beginning in Week 2, unless a temporary restraining order is granted by U.S. District Court. A decision on that isn't likely before next week.

Jeremy Hill/ Joe Mixon/Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals - Hill suffered an ankle injury in the third preseason game but is expected to start Sunday. However, if he is limited or out, rookie Joe Mixon could see primary work on early downs in tandem with Bernard. Both Hill and Mixon had their moments this preseason, and there could be a timeshare on early downs throughout the season when both are healthy.