DeMarcus Lawrence Making an Impression With his New Team
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
ESPN's Brady Henderson writes that Seattle Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence has managed to make an impression on his new teammates and to set a tone with the younger ones despite the non-contact nature of spring practices. "We haven't been able to play next to each other or anything like that, but I think just the type of leadership and mindset that he brings to the team is just phenomenal," defensive tackle Leonard Williams said. "He's a dog. He speaks a lot, he plays hard. He's going into Year 12 and he's out there practicing harder than some of the rookies. So we're getting on the rookies saying, 'OK, this is an example. This guy's going into Year 12. He's got nothing to prove, but he's out there working his craft as hard as he can every day.'" The 33-year-old hasn't appeared limited at all this offseason after playing in just four games with Dallas in 2024 due to a foot ailment.Isaiah Simmons Being Used Exclusively as a Linebacker
Source: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah Simmons, the former eighth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, was shuffled among linebacker, safety and nickel defensive back with the Cardinals and New York Giants and never excelled at any of those positions. Part of the reason he signed with the Packers was their willingness to let him play exclusively at linebacker. ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes that Simmons has had the chance to line up with the starters at linebacker during the offseason program, despite the fact that Green Bay is deep at the position. "Honestly I feel like this is the most comfortable in a system I've been since I've been in the league," Simmons said. It's a notable development for the former Clemson start, but it won't guarantee a career turnaround, especially if he's not playing regularly. The 26-year-old had a career-low 21 tackles in 17 games (one start) with the Giants in 2024.Travis Etienne Jr. the Jaguars Lead Back?
Travis Etienne Jr. opens the year as the team's lead back. However, Shipley also writes that Etienne, Tank Bigsby and rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen will get some run at some point. Under a new coaching staff, many believed that Etienne's stock would continue to fall after another disappointing showing in 2024, when he had career-lows across the board in carries (150), rushing yards (558) and touchdowns (two) while catching 39 of 52 targets for 254 yards through the air in 15 starts. That could still be the case, especially since the former first-rounder now has to fight off a pair of rookies in addition to Bigsby. Etienne has fallen all the way to No. 35 in RotoBaller's preseason rankings for 2025, but he still has a chance to prove himself in a new offense as the RB1.Source: SI.com - John Shipley
SI.com's John Shipley guesses that Jacksonville Jaguars running back Daniel Jones the Favorite in Colts QB Competition?
Anthony Richardson (shoulder) having a setback with his surgically-repaired right shoulder that caused him to miss OTAs and minicamp this spring, SI.com's Jake Arthur writes that it will still be an open QB competition in training camp this summer between Richardson and Daniel Jones. However, the Colts aren't going to rush Richardson back at the start of camp, which in theory gives Jones a leg up on the competition since he got all the reps at OTAs and minicamp. Arthur suggests Richardson would have to look outstanding in camp and the preseason, or Jones would have to lose control of the lead for Richardson to win the job outright heading into Week 1. With Jones having looked good, Arthur thinks it's hard to imagine how Jones isn't the current favorite. Richardson's injury issues are making it harder and harder for the Colts' staff to trust him.Source: SI.com - Jake Arthur
Despite Indianapolis Colts quarterback Emeka Egbuka "the Talk" of Bucs Minicamp
Emeka
Egbuka
has
been
"the
talk"
of
minicamp.
"Emeka
has
really
strong
hands,"
said
fellow
wideout
Mike
Evans.
"He
looks
like
a
running
back,
but
he
catchesread more...
Tampa
Bay
Buccaneers
rookie
wide
receiver
Jaxson Dart Working as No. 2 QB During Offseason Workouts
Russell Wilson is working as the starting QB in offseason workouts, but rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart has mostly worked as the QB2 ahead of veteran Jameis Winston. Dart has displayed some strong throws but also held the ball forever at times and was forced to scramble. The G-Men traded up to the 25th overall pick in April to grab Dart, so they obviously like his chances of becoming their franchise signal-caller. However, Wilson is going to get the first shot in 2025 while Dart sits and learns on the sidelines. But if Wilson struggles like he did at the end of last year in Pittsburgh, the 22-year-old from Ole Miss could get a shot sooner than later as head coach Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen try to save their jobs. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can avoid Dart for now, but he's a solid dynasty/keeper stash.Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
Unsurprisingly, New York Giants quarterback Xavier Gipson's Roster Spot Could be in Jeopardy
Xavier Gipson has been a non-contributor as a wide receiver on offense despite fighting his way onto the active roster in his first year in the NFL and then scoring a game-winning, punt-return touchdown in his first game in 2023. The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt write that Gipson's roster spot is in jeopardy heading into training camp with undrafted rookie wideout Jamaal Pritchett pushing him. The 24-year-old is currently the front-runner to be New York's punt returner, but it's not a lock. He caught 21 of 38 targets for 229 yards and no touchdowns on offense in 2023 but regressed last year and caught just six passes for 39 yards and a TD in 17 games (no starts). Gipson isn't anywhere near the fantasy radar heading into the 2025 season.Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
New York Jets former undrafted wide receiver Josh Reynolds the Front-Runner for WR2 Duties
Josh
Reynolds
is
the
early
front-runner
to
take
over
as
the
team's
No.
2
receiver
behind
Garrett
Wilson
this
year,
according
to
The
Athletic's
Zack
Rosenblatt.read more...
New
York
Jets
wide
receiver
Garrett Wilson's Stock Up This Offseason
Garrett Wilson's stock is up this offseason. Wilson was the best player on the field for all of the spring practices open to the media while making highlight-reel catches and rarely dropping any of quarterback Justin Fields' passes. The new coaching staff is highlighting Wilson's ability to improvise on routes while also making sure Wilson is where Fields expects him to be on any given play. Outside of running back Breece Hall, the team doesn't have a clear No. 2 pass-catcher, which leads Rosenblatt to speculate that Wilson could set a Jets record for targets and catches in 2025. Despite seeking a new contract, the 24-year-old was present for OTAs and minicamp. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 16 fantasy wideout, but if Fields makes strides as a passer, Wilson has clear WR1 upside this year.Source: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt writes that New York Jets wide receiver Breece Hall Motivated Going into 2025 Season
Breece
Hall
sounds
pretty
motivated
to
prove
himself
as
one
of
the
top
backs
in
the
NFL
going
into
the
2025
season.
"We
have
a
great
running
back
room,"
Hall
said,read more...
New
York
Jets
running
back
Brandon Aiyuk Making Good Progress From Knee Injury
Brandon
Aiyuk
(knee)
is
making
great
progress
in
his
rehab
from
a
torn
ACL
and
MCL
in
hisread more...
San
Francisco
49ers
general
manager
John
Lynch
said
on
the
Pat
McAfee
Show
this
week
that
wide
receiver
Keon Coleman Inconsistent at Minicamp
Keon Coleman showed inconsistency in mandatory minicamp practice this week, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. Coleman has shown the ability to make big plays occasionally, but then he'll have regrettable reps that question his ability to be a consistent playmaker for the Bills. The 22-year-old's on-ball concerns and his intermediate to deep separation skills are things that he will have to improve on if he wants to take the next step in 2025. He had only 29 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns in 13 regular-season games in 2024 but also dealt with a chipped bone in his wrist that affected his production down the stretch. The former second-rounder could be more effective in a bigger role this year, but the addition of Joshua Palmer could also be hindrance.Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Much like his rookie season last year, Buffalo Bills second-year wide receiver Mitchell Trubisky Not a Lock for Backup Job
Josh
Allen
is
up
for
grabs
this
offseason.
Mitchell
Trubisky
isn't
a
lock
to
remain
as
Allen'sread more...
The
Athletic's
Joe
Buscaglia
writes
that
the
Buffalo
Bills
backup
quarterback
job
behind
starter
Dalton Kincaid Adds Strength and Bulk
Dalton Kincaid added both strength and bulk to his frame this offseason after a disappointing second season in 2024. He caught 73 of 91 targets for 673 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games in his rookie season but had a 44-448-2 line in 13 games last year. The Bills have defended the 25-year-old's second season because of the knee injuries that defined how much he could play once he returned in Week 15 after missing three games. The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia says that the ultimate test for Kincaid will be if he can increase his snap percentage and stay on the field for more run-blocking reps. He has the natural pass-catching skills to rebound as one of quarterback Josh Allen's most reliable targets. Kincaid will come at a little discount this year and should be considered a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 with upside.Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said that tight end James Cook a Full Participant in Mandatory Minicamp
James Cook, despite seeking a contract extension, was a full participant in the team's three-day mandatory minicamp this week. General manager Brandon Beane said the "relationship's very good and I know [Cook's] going to be ready to roll when we get to [training camp in] Rochester." Cook said earlier this week that he plans to be at training camp this summer, but he didn't specify if he'd actually be taking part in workouts. Beane said Cook "looks good out there. You can tell he's been working." It sounds like the two sides are working towards a deal, but Cook could hold in during training camp. Cook was the RB8 in half-PPR scoring in 2024 with his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season and a league-high 16 rushing TDs. Regression is coming in the TD department after he scored four rushing touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons.Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg writes that Buffalo Bills running back