4 weeks agoTennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz sees running backs
Tyjae Spears and
Tony Pollard as 1A and 1B in some combination at the RB position for the team heading into the 2024 season. Holz said both backs will get a lot of touches. It's clearly bad news for Pollard's fantasy value after he served as the lead back for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023, recording his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season with six touchdowns but a career-low 4.0 yards per carry in 17 regular-season starts. Expecting a third straight 1,000-yard season in his first year in Tennessee would be unwise. If both Spears -- who had 453 rushing yards and 385 receiving yards with three total TDs as a rookies last year, -- and Pollard split the backfield work evenly, they'd both be more of RB3/flex plays in fantasy on a weekly basis in an offense that could be transitioning to more of a balanced attack rather than run-heavy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: TitansInsider.com - Terry McCormick
4 weeks agoAn arrest warrant has been issued for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice in connection with his involvement in a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas in late March. The 23-year-old is facing eight charges in the case -- six counts of collision involving bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated assault, according to the arrest warrant. All of the charges are felonies. Rice already acknowledged he was driving the Lamborghini SUV involved in the crash after renting the vehicle. It's good that he's cooperating with the authorities, but the NFL is closely monitoring the proceedings and will surely investigate the matter themselves after the legal situation plays out. There's a good chance Rice could be subject to a suspension by the league in 2024, which puts a cloud over his 2024 fantasy value after a strong rookie season in 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: WFAA
4 weeks agoDuring a medical examination at the 2024 NFL Combine, Former Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (foot) was found to have a Jones fracture in his right foot. He did not participate in on-field work, but he did participate in Alabama's Pro Day before having surgery to repair his injury. According to sources, doctors deemed his recovery from surgery to be on track and as expected. This is good news for the 2023 first-team All-American, and hopefully, it will keep his stock from falling. Over the last two seasons, McKinstry totaled 67 tackles, 22 passes defended, and one interception for the Crimson Tide. He also racked up over 400 yards as a punt returner. The 21-year-old is expected to be a late-first-round pick later this month.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
4 weeks agoFree-agent kicker
Matthew Wright signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team announced on X on Wednesday. Wright went undrafted after his final season at UCF in 2018 and has spent time with eight NFL organizations, including three stints with the Steelers. In 20 NFL games, the 28-year-old has connected on 40 of his 47 field goal attempts and 35 of his 37 extra point tries. In all likelihood, veteran kicker
Chris Boswell, who has been with Pittsburgh since 2015, will remain the starter. If Wright surprisingly wins the kicking job this offseason, he could have streaming viability in 2024 fantasy football.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Steelers On X
4 weeks agoFormer LSU quarterback
Jayden Daniels is going on a top-30 visit with the New York Giants on Monday, reported by NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner is projected to be taken as high as No. 2 overall to the Washington Commanders, but New York has remained interested in meeting and visiting with him. In his fifth collegiate season, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns, and four interceptions and rushed 135 times for 1,134 yards and ten scores. Giants head coach Brian Daboll has had success with mobile quarterbacks like
Josh Allen and
Daniel Jones, so this could be a great fit. The G-Men are slated to pick No. 6 overall, meaning they'd likely have to trade up to acquire Daniels. Wherever Daniels lands, he has top-12 potential in fantasy football right away thanks to his elite rushing upside.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
4 weeks agoSeattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (pectoral) suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in October of the 2023 campaign, but he said he expects to be ready for training camp this offseason. The former Los Angeles Chargers second-round pick in 2018 had his best season as a pro in his first year with Seattle (2022), totaling career highs in tackles (66), sacks (9.5), forced fumbles (three), and run stuffs (12.5). The 27-year-old appeared in just six games last year and collected two sacks. Nwosu is projected to be a starter in the first season under new head coach Mike Macdonald, who is known for helping develop defenders.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Brady Henderson -- ESPN
4 weeks agoThe Philadelphia Eagles need help at cornerback, which is why The Athletic's Bruce Feldman predicts them taking Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins with the 22nd overall pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft. Kool-Aid McKinstry could also be their pick in this spot, but the 6-foot-1, 173-pound Wiggins has ridiculous recovery speed (4.28-second 40-yard dash) and tons of upside. The 20-year-old led the Tigers in pass breakups in 2023 with nine and also had two interceptions, one of which was run back for a touchdown. "I think he's the best kid we played. I love that kid. Love his effort, how he competes. Great speed. Great burst, and he plays hard. He's got the measurables. Two plays stuck out in my mind. They're playing Miami and he ran a kid down and stripped him on the goal line. Then, he did the same thing to a guy at Carolina. I think he's an All-Pro caliber player," one coach said.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoThe Miami Dolphins could be tempted to select Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton with the No. 21 pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft after Christian Wilkins went to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency this offseason. If the Dolphins decide to upgrade their offensive line, Oregon's Jackson Powers-Johnson or West Virginia's Zach Frazier could be the pick for Miami. Newton, who stands at 6-foot-2 and 304 pounds, was a force to be reckoned with for the Illini the last two years and had 114 tackles, 13 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in that span, which is a lot of production from an interior defensive lineman. He also blocked a school-record four kicks in 2023. "He is crafty and slick with some good moves and heavy hands. He's just got a great feel for things in there. This guy is a stud," one coach said.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoThe Athletic's Bruce Feldman has a hunch that the Pittsburgh Steelers grab Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu with the 20th overall pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft over JC Latham, Amarius Mims and Tyler Guyton. If they don't go with Fashanu, Oregon strongman center Jackson Powers-Johnson could be the pick. Fashanu was inconsistent in his final year with the Nittany Lions, but he has a lot of potential at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds. Feldman thinks the 21-year-old offensive lineman is a good bet to continue to polish his game at the next level because of his intelligence. "This is a big, great-looking dude. He comes off the ball well and is good with his hands, but there are times you'd expect him to finish better," one coach said.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Bruce Feldman
4 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Chargers have relied too heavily on the arm of quarterback
Justin Herbert in recent seasons, and new head coach Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff plan to change that trend quickly in 2024. They plan to lean on their running backs to keep defenses puzzled and Herbert's life easier. It's the only kind of offense that new coordinator Greg Roman has operated in his career. Run-game coordinator and tight ends coach Andy Bischoff said the team will strive for a "balanced offense that brings out the greatest strengths in everyone on the unit." They'll be looking to be more physical up front with the offensive line. While this type of offense will mean less attempts for Herbert, it could make him more efficient when he does drop back to pass. RB
Gus Edwards scored a career-high 13 TDs last year in Baltimore and should once again have plenty of fantasy appeal.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
4 weeks agoThe Jacksonville Jaguars and pass-rusher
Josh Allen agreed to a five-year, $150 million contract extension on Wednesday, according to a source. Allen is set to earn $88 million guaranteed as part of the deal. The Jaguars had placed the franchise tag on Allen before the start of free agency but now have locked the rising star into a long-term deal. The 26-year-old two-time Pro Bowler set a franchise record in 2023 by recording 17.5 sacks while adding 66 tackles (43 solo), 17 tackles for loss, 33 QB hits, one interception and two forced fumbles in 17 starts. The former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of Kentucky is one of the best young pass-rushers in the NFL and will be highly coveted on draft day in IDP fantasy formats at defensive line.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: CBS Sports - Jonathan Jones
4 weeks agoThe Arizona Cardinals are hosting former Texas wide receiver
Xavier Worthy on a visit on Tuesday. The speedster notably broke the NFL Combine record for the fastest 40-yard-dash (4.21) in February, making him a potential riser ahead of this month's NFL Draft. Arizona holds the No. 4 and No. 27 (via Houston) overall picks, and Worthy could be a potential target with their later selection. The 20-year-old posted 197 receptions for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns during his three seasons in college, including 981 yards and 12 scores as a true freshman. His slight frame (165 pounds) could be a concern for some NFL teams, but
DeVonta Smith and
Tank Dell have excelled in recent seasons, and he remains in the thick of the first-round discussion.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
4 weeks agoFlorida State edge defender Jared Verse is set to visit the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The 23-year-old has already met with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will meet with the Denver Broncos soon. Verse is a projected first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after posting 89 tackles (45 solo), 29.5 tackles for loss, and 18 sacks over the last two seasons in Tallahassee. Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Denver all have needs at edge rusher, so any of the three franchises could be a good fit. The two-time first-team All-American registered elite speed and explosion grades during his pre-draft athletic testing, so he could be picked as high as Denver's No. 12 selection.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Mike Garafolo
4 weeks agoThe New York Giants signed free-agent wide receiver
Miles Boykin on Tuesday, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. The former third-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame spent the last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers after three years with the Baltimore Ravens. In 73 NFL games, the 27-year-old has hauled in just 38 receptions for 498 yards and seven touchdowns. Although New York has one of the weakest wide receiver groups in the league, it's hard to find a path toward fantasy football success for Boykin based on his lack of productivity to begin his career. In all likelihood, he will be a backup wideout or fail to make the 53-man roster ahead of Week 1.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ari Meirov -- 33rd Team
4 weeks agoThe Kansas City Chiefs re-signed exclusive-rights free-agent safety Nazeeh Johnson (knee) and offensive lineman Mike Caliendo on Tuesday, the team announced. Johnson, 25, was taken by the Chiefs in the seventh round (259th overall) in the 2022 draft out of Marshall. He spent all of last year on Injured Reserve with a torn ACL and had only eight tackles (five solo) in 11 games (zero starts) in his rookie campaign in 2022 while only playing on special teams. If fully healthy this summer, Johnson could compete for a bigger role on defense in 2024. Caliendo, 26, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan last year with the Chiefs and played in eight regular-season games (zero starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Kansas City Chiefs
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