Fantasy News, Player Stats, Rumors and Rankings (2024)

Commanders' Quan Martin: Headed for starting safety job

6m ago

Martin is on track to start at free safety this year, according to independent Commanders reporter Mark Bullock.

Martin started his college career as a perimeter cornerback but ultimately spent a lot of time in the slot and also played safety a bit. The Commanders drafted him in the second round last spring, 47th overall, and then installed Martin as their slot corner for most of an up-and-down rookie season. New coach Dan Quinn wants Martin to move to free safety, perhaps because it frees up the nickelback job for rookie second-round pick Mike Sainristil, who was dominant guarding the slot in his final two seasons at Michigan. Martin might face a learning curve at safety, but his 4.47 time and 44-inch vertical jump suggest few players at the position league-wide have similar athleticism.

Packers' Josh Jacobs: Dealing with groin injury

17m ago

Jacobs isn't practicing Thursday because of a groin injury, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

A hamstring injury limited Jacobs during the offseason program, but this seems to be his first health issue since the start of training camp. His absence leaves AJ Dillon as the Packers' top running back, with rookie third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd also a candidate to take first-team reps.

Commanders' Percy Butler: Unlikely to start this year

25m ago

Quan Martin has been getting most of the first-team reps at free safety ahead of Butler and Darrick Forrest, Hogs Haven's Jamual Forrest reports.

Butler and Forrest both made starts under the previous coaching staff but now appear headed for backup roles under Dan Quinn. Moving Butler to free safety frees up the slot corner role for rookie second-round pick Mike Sainristil, who was one of the top collegiate players at that spot for Michigan the past two seasons. Butler and Forrest might even end up competing for a single roster spot.

Commanders' Darrick Forrest: Working with backups

27m ago

Quan Martin has been getting most of the first-team reps at free safety ahead of Forrest and Percy Butler, Hogs Haven's Jamual Forrest reports.

Forrest and Butler both have starting experience, but Martin is an early draft pick (2023 second-rounder) with first-rate athleticism (4.46 40, 44-inch vertical). After mostly defending the slot as a rookie, Martin will move back in the secondary to facilitate rookie second-round pick Mike Sainristil becoming the new nickelback. With Jeremy Chinn expected to start at strong safety, Forrest and Butler look to be the odd men out.

Commanders' Mike Sainristil: Locking down slot role

37m ago

Coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that Sainristil is settling in as the Commanders' top slot cornerback, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

It's not exactly a surprise after Washington drafted the 5-foot-10, 182-pound cornerback with the 50th overall pick this spring. Sainristil was arguably the best slot corner in all of college football his final two seasons, recording 102 tackles (10.5 TFLs) and seven interceptions for dominant Michigan defenses. His 4.47 40 time and 40-inch vertical hint at long-term potential to take perimeter snaps in the base defense, but he may be limited to a pure slot role for now under new Commanders coach Dan Quinn.

Commanders' Emmanuel Forbes: Puts on 17 pounds

42m ago

Forbes told reporters last week that he gained 17 pounds in the offseason, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

If that's accurate, it would mean Forbes's weight has increased by about 10 percent since he checked in at 166 pounds at the 2023 Combine. He was one of the more polarizing CB prospects in recent memory, sporting a thinner build than any current NFL starter at the position. The Commanders took a shot on Forbes with the 16th overall pick, betting that his absurd playmaking track record at Mississippi State (14 INTs, six returned for TDs) would translate to the NFL. It didn't work out that way as a rookie, with Forbes picking off just one pass and getting benched for performance reasons Week 6. He re-entered the starting lineup thereafter but was often picked on by opposing quarterbacks, and it seems the new coaching staff in Washington is hopeful Forbes will fare better with a more conventional build for a corner. That said, he's still among the thinnest players at his position, now listed at 6-foot, 180 pounds (though it sounds like he reported to training camp a few pounds heavier than 180).