PHOENIX ACQUIRES: RB SAQUON BARKLEY, WR JARVIS LANDRY & TE GREG OLSEN
NEW YORK ACQUIRES: RB TODD GURLEY, WR MIKE WILLIAMS & WR DEMARCUS ROBINSON
Saquon's injury will likely keep him out four to eight weeks, and New York decided not to gamble, moving the super talented back for former workhorse Todd Gurley. Gurley's load has been lightened in the early going, though he's shown much of the same tenaciousness that has made him a marquee playmaker the past four years. The Finest might be content to see him settle in as a RB2, or they may expect him to ramp up to RB1 status- either is preferable for the immediate future. Along with Gurley, the Finest upgrade their WR corps with Mike Williams (traded for the second time in two weeks) and Demarcus Robinson, who followed up his monster week two with a respectable sequel in week three.
Past Saquon, who should not be expected to return until he is 100% healthy, the Uprising add elder statesman Greg Olsen to solve their woes at tight end. Olsen has seen heavy targets through three weeks, though at 34 years old and coming off a pair of injury shortened seasons, how long he can withstand the intensity of the pro game is uncertain. After losing Hunter Henry in week one, and seeing Jimmy Graham post a couple of empty box scores since, Phoenix had to make a move. New York was compelled to sell high due to the presence of a younger, more explosive weapon named Darren Waller on their roster.
Meanwhile, while Mike Williams has the skillset and measurables of a number one receiver and the billing of a number two, Jarvis Landry is slot receiver with a penchant for YAC that has aquiesced to a lesser role this year. For two players with strikingly different games, they were drafted in the same neighborhood, with Williams at 44 and Jarvis at 56. Sources say this third player was the sticking point in negotiations, with the deal being arrived at when these names were exchanged.
Phoenix is tripling down on its early season injuries- having already shed Cam Newton, they have Saquon joining AJ Green on the uncertain timetable list, while Melvin Gordon holds out and Darius Leonard remains in concussion protocol, now on the shelf over a week; Meanwhile waiver claim Tevin Coleman is suffering from an ankle malady of his own. The Uprising, at 1-2 and 13th in overall points, are betting on themselves to survive the early season with a chance to claim a playoff spot late. Bold strategy Cotton!
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