Steelers | James Conner not counting carries

Pittsburgh Steelers RB James Conner said Tuesday, June 2, he won’t be keeping track of how many carries he gets in 2020. ‘It’s our job to be at our best no matter how many carries,’ Conner said, via Ed Bouchette of TheAthletic.com. ‘We got to start fast, we have to hit first as a back. That’s what I’m going to take pride in this year, just to start fast, whether I’m the guy, however this year works. I said the goal is to win. We need to be ready at all times. Can’t warm up to it. That’s our slogan, that’s what we’ve been saying: ‘Can’t warm up to it.’ I’m not really paying attention to how many carries I need, I don’t really believe in that.’

Footballguys View: Conner is going to get competition from guys like Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell or rookie Anthony McFarland. He should be the starter, and Conner has low-end RB2 value for Fantasy GMs in 2020 due to his three-down skill set.

49ers | Charlie Woerner vying for spot

San Francisco 49ers sixth-round pick TE Charlie Woerner will battle for the third tight end spot. He was known for his blocking in college, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said Woerner will have to be able to catch passes if he is going to make the team. Woerner had Pro Football Focus’ highest run-blocking grade among all draft-eligible tight ends with at least 200 run-blocking snaps.

Colts | Marlon Mack still the guy

Indianapolis Colts RB Marlon Mack has inherent respect as the starter, according to head coach Frank Reich. ‘I see it as a 1-1 (punch),’ Reich said, referring to Mack and second-round pick RB Jonathan Taylor. ‘The way the league has gone and the way roleplaying has been elevated in our league, it’s made it prominent. We used to say in San Diego that when we had Danny Woodhead. He was not our starter, he was our ‘role-playing’ starter. He played such a significant role. He had 80 catches in a year. You look at a guy like Nyheim Hines. We talk about Marlon and Jonathan, but what about Nyheim? He’s such a good third-down back that he’ll play a prominent (role). In some ways, (Hines) is a starter. He’s a role-playing starter.’

Footballguys View: Mack may still be ‘the guy’ but that definition has changed. Drafting Jonathan Taylor is a clear indication of at least a RBBC…for the carries in this Colts offense. Hines is going to get the most use as a receiver out of the backfield. Fantasy GMs need to adjust accordingly.