4 weeks agoIndianapolis Colts quarterback
Anthony Richardson (shoulder), who played in parts of just four games in his rookie season in 2023 before having season-ending shoulder surgery for an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, is making roughly 40 throws per day in his recovery this offseason. He has thrown more than 200 passes in all just five months post-surgery. The 21-year-old former fourth overall pick is on a mission to get ready for his sophomore season and should be fully ready for Week 1 this fall. "I've never waited this long to get back to playing football," Richardson said. "I'm just on a mission this year. Once that mission's complete, then I'll be good." While Richardson has plenty to improve on as a passer, he has considerable QB1 upside in fantasy football because of his sure athletic ability and rushing prowess despite not having played a full season in the NFL.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
4 weeks agoThe Indianapolis Colts need help at cornerback, which is why Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold makes sense for them with the 15th overall pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft. Arnold emerged as a star for 'Bama in 2023 with five interceptions and 17 pass breakups. The 6-foot, 190-pounder is more athletic than teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry but only ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February. "Kept getting better and better. Texas A&M ran by him earlier in his career, but he really developed. He's a dawg, a three-position player — corner, nickel and safety," one coach said. Arnold is not likely to garner tons of attention if he's taken in the first round later this month, but he'd be a big upgrade for Indy's secondary.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoNew Orleans Saints offensive tackle Trevor Penning, who was taken 19th overall in 2022, has struggled at tackle and has started only six games since he was drafted. It's why The Athletic's Bruce Feldman pegs the Saints to take Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick in this year's NFL draft. The 6-foot-6, 324-pounder played right tackle with the Beavers, but his coaches thought he was more than capable of playing on the other side and he could also end up being a dominant guard. "He's so physical and very explosive. He is a friggin' powerhouse. He really moves people in the run game. He's not super long, but he has quick feet and good awareness and balance. I thought he improved a lot last year, especially as a pass blocker," one coach said.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoTexas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat was arrested early on Sunday morning and was charged with driving while intoxicated in Austin, Texas, according to a source. Sweat was viewed as a potential Day 2 pick in this year's NFL draft, but this incident could very well change that. The 22-year-old stands at 366 pounds and recorded 45 tackles and two sacks with the Longhorns in his final collegiate season in 2023. He's currently ranked as NFL.com's Bucky Brooks' fifth-best defensive tackle prospect after a strong final season at Texas. He's the brother of Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Josh Sweat.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dane Brugler
4 weeks agoTexas wide receiver
Xavier Worthy, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash in the history of the NFL scouting combine in February at 4.21 seconds, is visiting with the Chicago Bears on Monday. The Bears have already traded for
Keenan Allen this offseason to pair with
DJ Moore in 2024, but they continue to look for additional offensive weapons for USC quarterback
Caleb Williams, who they are expected to take first overall in this year's NFL draft. Allen only has one year remaining on his current deal, so it would make sense for the Bears to add a receiver in the draft to pair with Williams if they are unsure if they can sign Allen to a contract extension. The 20-year-old Worthy is obviously a burner and will create problems for opposing defenses with his speed, but his small frame of 165 pounds makes him a big injury risk at the next level.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
4 weeks agoThe Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken suggests that Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb could be absent from offseason workouts this month as he seeks a new long-term contract from the team. If the two sides don't come to an agreement on a new deal this offseason, Lamb is in line to play the 2024 campaign on his fifth-year option, which would pay him $17.99 million. Holding out wouldn't start costing the 25-year-old until June, but it could happen. Fantasy football managers probably won't be concerned unless Lamb isn't present during training camp this summer. He's made the Pro Bowl each of the last three seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in 2023 after setting career-highs in catches (135), targets (181), receiving yards (1,749) and touchdowns (12) in 17 regular-season starts. Lamb is a no-doubt WR1 in fantasy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Michael Gehlken
4 weeks agoAccording to Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Pat Freiermuth, he recently got together with new quarterback
Russell Wilson in San Diego for throwing drills. Also in attendance were
Calvin Austin III and
Van Jefferson, who signed with the Steelers a few weeks ago. Interestingly enough, wideout
George Pickens reportedly skipped out on participating with the group. Although a reason hasn't been revealed, it's something to monitor ahead of offseason workouts and moving toward training camp. However, with Wilson looking to bounce back from an unproductive year, not having his No. 1 wideout join him for voluntary drills isn't ideal. It also isn't a good look for Pickens, who fell below expectations throughout the 2023-24 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Allison Koehler
4 weeks agoFree-agent defensive end Calais Campbell remains unsigned. Although the 2008 No. 50 overall pick hasn't said if he'd return for another season, it appears the Falcons are interested in bringing him back. He played in Atlanta during the 2023-24 campaign, and despite his advanced age, he appeared in all 17 games. Campbell totaled 56 tackles and 6.5 sacks, his most since his final season in Jacksonville in 2019. With that in mind, it's logical to assume serious talks between both sides may not happen until after the NFL Draft. But if the 37-year-old doesn't return to Atlanta, there should be at least a handful of teams interested in acquiring his services, especially if it's at a discounted price.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Charean Williams
4 weeks agoThe Athletic's Bruce Feldman isn't sold that Oregon quarterback
Bo Nix or Washington quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. are the right fit for the Denver Broncos at pick No. 12 overall in this year's NFL draft, which is why he's projecting them to take Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell instead. The speedy cornerback would be a great addition opposite Patrick Surtain in Denver's secondary after posting a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine in February. "He's a phenomenal football player. I'm actually showing a tape of him in our team meeting later this week. His technique, the aggressiveness that he plays with, are things you can study to help your game. He's a very physical player, plays with good anticipation, very good change of direction, good feet, great ball skills," one coach said about Mitchell.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoThe Athletic's Bruce Feldman predicts that the Arizona Cardinals will trade down to pick No. 11 in a swap with the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of this year's NFL draft to take LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas. The 21-year-old pass-catcher has been in the shadow of
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4 weeks agoThe Athletic's Bruce Feldman predicts that the New York Jets will give quarterback
Aaron Rodgers another receiving weapon in the upcoming NFL draft by taking Georgia tight end
Brock Bowers with the 10th overall pick. Bowers is the best skill player that Georgia has produced since head coach Kirby Smart took over in 2016. He was the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2021 and a first-team All-American. The 21-year-old had 21 touchdowns over three seasons for the Bulldogs, and the 6-foot-3, 243-pounder is a terrific athlete. "What separates him is on the 50-50 balls, he's just such a competitor. He seems to have that 'clutch gene,'" one coach said. The Jets haven't had a fantasy relevant tight end in what feels like ages, but Bowers could change that quickly in 2024 if he goes to the Jets and Rodgers can stay healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoThe Chicago Bears could upgrade at edge rusher in this year's NFL draft by taking either UCLA's Laiatu Latu or Florida State's Jared Verse with the No. 9 overall pick in the first round, but The Athletic's Bruce Feldman thinks they'll go with LSU wide receiver
Malik Nabers to give more firepower to rookie quarterback
Caleb Williams, who they are expected to take first overall. Nabers thoroughly impressed at his pro day workout and dominated for the Tigers in 2023, catching 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns. "He can separate like nobody else. He has super speed and explosiveness. He's got this big lower half and is so scary in the open field. He is elite with the ball in his hands," one coach said. Having wideouts
DJ Moore,
Keenan Allen and Nabers would give Williams some serious weapons in his rookie year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoThe New England Patriots and safety Kyle Dugger agreed to a four-year, $58 million contract extension on Sunday, according to sources. Dugger will get the long-term deal he desired after having the transition tag placed on him this offseason. The contract is worth up to $66 million and contains $32.5 million in guaranteed money. The 28-year-old former second-round pick in 2020 out of Lenoir-Rhyne had a career-high 109 tackles (71 solo), 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, five QB hits, two interceptions, seven passes defended and a forced fumble in 17 starts last year in his fourth season in the NFL with the Patriots. Coming off the best season of his career, Dugger will be in play in IDP fantasy drafts at the defensive back position this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo
4 weeks agoAccording to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, speaking on Friday's edition of NFL Live, the Dolphins are "trying pretty hard" to land free agent wideout
Odell Beckham Jr. "They've made him at least one contract offer, possibly two," reported Fowler. "There has not been that financial gulf bridged." The 31-year-old sat out in 2022 after injuring his knee in Super Bowl LVI. However, he returned for the 2023-24 campaign, amassing 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular season games. Nonetheless, Beckham could wait things out before signing with a team. But if he lands in Miami, he could have difficulty getting routinely involved.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Adam Stites
4 weeks agoAccording to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, free agent wide receiver
Tyler Boyd doesn't appear to be heading to the Steelers. "From what I have been told, Boyd was extremely interested in Pittsburgh at the beginning of the free-agency process," wrote Kaboly. "But the offer wasn't something he was comfortable with." It's only April, so it is possible both sides could revisit things after the NFL Draft. However, Boyd should have more than a few teams willing to sign him, with recent reports suggesting that the Chiefs, Chargers, Dolphins, Lions, and 49ers have expressed interest in bringing him in. With that said, the 2016 No. 55 overall pick is coming off a down year, amassing 67 catches for 667 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games. Yet, Boyd should still command attention from fantasy managers heading into the 2024-25 campaign, although his outlook is contingent on where he lands during the offseason.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Allison Koehler
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