Leon's List - 2022 Week 1
Welcome to the first edition of Leon’s List!
The NFL season is opening in just a couple of days. The Rams will be taking on the Bills in what Vegas is predicting to a high scoring affair. The over/under on the game is 53 points. I’m looking forward to this the game but am even more excited for Sundays filled with RedZone and Koa Pancake House.
We don’t have anyone on waivers at the start of the season. But I still have my eyes on three players that could make an impact. You might consider picking up one of these players if you don’t like the end of your bench:
KJ Osborn (WR - MIN)
The Vikings got rid of Mike Zimmer this offseason and hired Kevin O’Connell as the new head coach. Kevin O’Connell served as the offensive coordinator for the LA Rams in the past 2 years. He’ll be bringing that patented high octane McVay offense to Minnesota this year. To answer Kirk Cousins: Yes, I like that.
The buzz has mostly centered around Justin Jefferson filling the Cooper Kupp role. However, the revamped offense should trickle down to everyone on the roster. KJ Osborn caught 50 passes for 655 yards and 7 TDs last year. The receiver above him on the depth chart, Adam Thielen, is a year older and entering his 9th NFL season. In the last three seasons, he missed 11 total games. Durability is a concern. If Thielen were to miss time, I expect Osborn to shine, as he did last year.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR - NYG)
The Giants receivers’ room looks a medical clinic.
Kenny Golladay had an “unspecified offseason medical procedure” and “didn’t seem to be moving well” during training camp. Kadarius Toney had an up and down season last year because of injuries. He currently has a Q next to his name. Sterling Shepard is coming back from an Achilles injury suffered last season. And Darius Slayton is buried in the depth charts.
So there’s really only one shining star for Danny Dimes and new head coach, Brian DaBoll: Wan’Dale Robinson, the 2nd round rookie from Kentucky.
Jaylen Warren (RB - PIT)
Jaylen Warren, rookie from Oklahoma State, completed the improbable task of making a 53 man roster as an undrafted free agent. But his dream doesn’t end there. Reports from camp is that Warren beat out Benny Snell as RB2 on the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’ll still be behind Najee Harris, so Warren is more of a stash play. However, as I always say, it’s better to have someone else’s handcuff than your own.
Best Thing I Saw This Week
Poe, the Raven’s mascot, was injured during halftime of a preseason game. John Harbaugh holds a press conference to discuss his status. He almost makes it all the way through without breaking character.
Tags: #football