49ers Expect Trey Lance To Struggle?

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance is likely to struggle in his first full season as the starting QB, and even some of the team's recent public comments indicate they think as much. The Niners have question marks at four of the five starting offensive line spots. The defense is one of the best in […]

A.J. Brown Poised For Big Year

ESPN's Dan Graziano wouldn't be surprised if Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown goes over the 1,000-yard mark in his first season in Philly. The Eagles haven't had a receiver go over 1,000 yards since Jeremy Maclin in 2014, and they ranked second in rushing attempts and first in rushing yards in 2021. No team […]

Wan'Dale Robinson Has A Big Opportunity

ESPN's Dan Graziano wouldn't be surprised if New York Giants rookie second-round wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson leads the team in receiving in 2022. The coaching staff and front office didn't sign Kenny Golladay and didn't draft Kadarius Toney or Sterling Shepard. Plus, Golladay can't separate from defenders, Toney continues to deal with injuries and Shepard […]

C.J. Ham Could Be Used In Multiple Ways

Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham was being talked up by the team in training camp this summer as a player that could contribute in multiple ways on offense in 2022. The new coaching staff and quarterback Kirk Cousins really see Ham as a player that can help in multiple ways. Head coach Kevin O'Connell could […]

Jaylen Waddle Could Remain Highly Productive

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle caught 104 passes last year as a rookie, and ESPN's Dan Graziano believes that Waddle could lead the team in receiving in 2022, despite the addition of All-Pro pass-catcher Tyreek Hill. Waddle already has a connection with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is likely to lean more on shorter, quick-hitting […]

Matthew Stafford's Elbow Could Be A Concern All Year

The Los Angeles Rams continue to say they have a plan for managing quarterback Matthew Stafford's elbow this year, and they don't expect it to be a problem. But this is Stafford's throwing elbow. The level of precision required to succeed at the QB position in the NFL is so high that even the slightest […]

Chargers Defense Is The Real Deal

The Los Angeles Chargers defense is being overlooked with all the hype surrounding quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense. They have legitimate superstars up front with Joey Bosa and on the back end in safety Derwin James. When James is healthy, he is the difference-maker for the Chargers D, and the big contract they just […]

Sam Howell Could Become A Draft Steal

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Sam Howell, who is third on the depth chart entering the 2022 season behind Carson Wentz and Taylor Heinicke, could end up affecting the team's future plans at the position. One college scout described Howell as "one of the steals of the draft." Some NFL teams had a second-round grade on […]

Michael Lorenzen Goes Six Innings In Rehab Start

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) tossed six innings on Friday night in his third minor league rehab start for Single-A Inland Empire, allowing two earned runs on four hits (one home run) while walking two and striking out five. The 30-year-old gave up six runs in just 3 2/3 innings in his second […]

Jameson Taillon Expects To Make His Next Start

New York Yankees starting pitcher Jameson Taillon (forearm, wrist) expects to make his next start after leaving his last start early after taking a comebacker off his right wrist. There was a little bruising and swelling on Friday, but he was able to throw in the outfield. Taillon believes he'll make his next scheduled start […]

Luis Severino Lights Up Radar Gun In Rehab Outing

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (lat) touched 97.3 mph with his fastball on Friday in his first minor league rehab start for Low-A Tampa. Severino threw two scoreless innings and tossed 22 pitches, allowing one hit while striking out three and walking none. The Yankees are hoping he can return to their starting […]

Mike Soroka Tosses Four Scoreless Innings In Rehab Start

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (Achilles) threw four scoreless innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday night in his minor league rehab start, allowing just one hit while striking out five and walking none. Soroka is trying to return to the Braves starting rotation after tearing his right Achilles twice. The 25-year-old is a must-roster […]

Ozzie Albies Has Two Hits In Rehab Game

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (foot) went 2-for-3 with an RBI in his minor league rehab game with Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday night. Albies went 0-for-4 to start his rehab assignment the day before, but he bounced back on Friday while serving as the designated hitter out of the leadoff spot. The 25-year-old has […]

Jake Odorizzi Scratched From Saturday's Start

The Atlanta Braves have scratched right-hander Jake Odorizzi (arm) from his scheduled start on Saturday against the Miami Marlins with arm fatigue. Bryce Elder will toe the rubber in his place. Instead, Odorizzi will start next against the Mariners in Seattle. It's not a serious situation for the 32-year-old, but the Braves don't want to […]

Brandon Drury Dealing With Head Contusion

San Diego Padres third baseman Brandon Drury (head) was removed from the game early on Friday night against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers with a "little head contusion," according to skipper Bob Melvin. The Padres wanted to be proactive in pulling him on Friday, and they'll know more after he undergoes some testing on Saturday. […]

X-Rays Negative On Salvador Perez

Kansas City Royals manager Mike Matheny said that X-rays came back negative on catcher Salvador Perez (hand) after he was forced to leave Friday's game early against the Detroit Tigers. He's dealing with a right hand contusion and is day-to-day with soreness for now. Perez was hit by a pitch on his right hand in […]

Derek Carr Could Be In Store For Big Year

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr now has All-Pro receiver Davante Adams and he still has Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller, plus a couple of pass-catching running backs. ESPN's Dan Graziano is suggesting that Carr could surpass 5,000 receiving yards in 2022 after he threw for 4,804 yards in 2021. There are question marks on […]

Breakout Year Coming For Clyde Edwards-Helaire?

ESPN's Dan Graziano wonders if this is the year that Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will break out. The Chiefs have to decide on his fifth-year option next May, and if he doesn't live up to his first-round pedigree, it will be easy for the team to cut ties with him after this […]

Davis Mills Has A Chance To Prove He's The Long-Term Answer

The Houston Texans like quarterback Davis Mills and want to give him every chance to prove that he can be their long-term answer at the position. Mills will need to show improvement on deeper throws, but offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton has a chance to improve his own resume by coaching a big year out of […]

Allen Lazard A Candidate For 1,000-Yard Season?

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Allen Lazard has already been referred to as the team's No. 1 receiver by quarterback Aaron Rodgers with Davante Adams now in Las Vegas. The coaching staff says Lazard looks at himself as that kind of guy and is ready to assume the mantle. Lazard was 11th in the league […]

Broncos Have Big Plans For Javonte Williams

ESPN.com's Dan Graziano writes that the Denver Broncos have major plans for second-year running back Javonte Williams in 2022. The fantasy community is concerned about a repeat of last year, when Williams and Melvin Gordon III split the workload down the middle. The Broncos were ready to let Gordon leave before he returned to them […]

Khalil Herbert Could Become Lead Back

The Chicago Bears coaching staff seems to like running back David Montgomery, but there is some skepticism about whether his style fits the new offense as well as Khalil Herbert's does. ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks Montgomery opens the year as the starter and gets the chance to prove that he deserves the job. But he's […]

Jonnu Smith's Contract Restructured

The New England Patriots converted $7.965 million of tight end Jonnu Smith's base salary for this year into a bonus on Friday, creating $5.31 million in 2022 salary cap space, according to a source. Smith was a disappointment in his first year in New England in 2021, catching 28 of his 45 targets for 294 […]

No Timetable For Jameson Williams' Return

The Detroit Lions haven't offered a timetable for the return of rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams (knee), but general manager Brad Holmes said the team will take it slow with Williams' recovery from an ACL injury in January. Williams will open the year on the Non-Football Injury list, meaning he'll miss at least the first […]

X-Rays Negative On Andrew Benintendi

X-rays on the right wrist of New York Yankees outfielder Andrew Benintendi came back negative after he left the game early on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Benintendi will go for an MRI exam on Saturday. The 28-year-old injured his wrist on a swing on Friday. It's good news that X-rays came back negative, […]

Sonny Gray Leaves Start With Hamstring Tightness

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Sonny Gray (hamstring) left his start early on Friday against the Chicago White Sox with right hamstring tightness. Before exiting, Gray allowed two earned runs on five hits while walking one and striking out two in four innings. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to make his next […]

Brandon Belt To Have Season-Ending Knee Surgery

San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (knee) will have season-ending arthroscopic right knee surgery on Saturday with Dr. Ken Akizuki. Belt continues to have problems with his right knee and will have another surgery. The 34-year-old struggled this year, as he hit just .213/.326/.350 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, 25 runs scored and […]

Robert Woods The Unquestioned No. 1 WR For Titans

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Robert Woods has been a joy for the Titans this summer in terms of his presence in the locker room, his recovery from ACL surgery with a full limitation-free training camp and his performance, writes The Athletic's Joe Rexrode. Woods and quarterback Ryan Tannehill have built chemistry quickly, and Woods will […]

Julio Jones Should Be Bucs No. 3 Option In Passing Game

The Athletic's Greg Auman thinks Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran wide receiver Julio Jones (if healthy) should be a strong No. 3 option this year behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Jones can be dangerous in the red zone. Russell Gage has been limited by a hamstring injury but should be in line for a higher […]

Rashaad Penny The Clear Lead Back In Seattle

At the moment, Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny is a better running back than rookie Kenneth Walker III (hernia), according to The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar. Whenever Walker is healthy enough to play, it may take him some time to get into a rhythm after missing time during training camp due to his injury. And […]