Justin Herbert May Be More Mobile This Season
2 weeks agoLos Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert may be asked to run more this season. During a recent gathering with the media, head coach Brandon Staley addressed the offense and how it can improve, with Herbert's mobility being a focal point. "It's certainly a weapon we need to take advantage of," Staley said while also referencing how new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore utilized Dak Prescott over the years. The 24-year-old had a down season in 2022-23, finishing with 4,739 yards and a career-low 25 touchdowns while adding 10 interceptions. Considering Herbert hasn't surpassed 302 rushing yards in any of his three seasons, it will be interesting to see how things work out with the philosophy change. However, the 2020 No. 6 overall pick, who is in line for a new contract, is still expected to be at least a top-five fantasy signal-caller, regardless of how often he uses his legs.Source: John Dillon
Carson Wentz Doesn't Plan On Retiring
2 weeks agoAccording to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, free-agent quarterback Carson Wentz doesn't intend on calling it quits anytime soon. The Commanders recently released the veteran signal-caller, saving the team just over $26 million against the salary cap. Wentz is coming off one of the worst years of his career, finishing the 2022-23 campaign with 1,755 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions (eight games). Another team will likely be interested in picking up the 26-year-old this offseason, especially since he's open to any role. However, his days as a productive quarterback are probably over, so he won't see much interest from fantasy managers.Source: Ian Rapoport
Taysom Hill Has Contract Restructured
2 weeks agoNew Orleans Saints quarterback/tight end Taysom Hill had his contract restructured by the team, according to ESPN's Field Yates. New Orleans also did the same for linebacker Demario Davis' current agreement, opening up nearly $13 million in salary cap space. Hill, who agreed to a hefty contract extension in November 2021, has done it all for the Saints over the last few seasons. He finished the 2022-23 campaign with nine catches for 77 yards and 96 carries for 575 yards, totaling nine touchdowns. He also added two more touchdowns as a signal-caller. While Hill isn't the most consistent fantasy option, he can get hot, especially when given an enhanced role. As a result, the 26-year-old is worth picking up toward the end of fantasy drafts heading into Week 1.Source: Field Yates
D'Onta Foreman Expected To Draw Plenty Of Interest
2 weeks agoImpending Free-agent running back D'Onta Foreman is expected to be a "hot commodity" on the open market, according to NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, citing various NFL sources. Foreman signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Panthers in March 2022 after unsuccessful stops in Houston and Tennessee. He had the most productive season of his career in Carolina, finishing with 914 rushing yards and five touchdowns off 203 attempts (17 games). The Panthers would love to have him back. However, the 26-year-old could be out of the team's price range, so he may sign elsewhere this offseason. That said, regardless of where Foreman lands, he should draw plenty of interest from fantasy managers heading into the 2023-24 campaign. But he's not the best pass-catcher, which will hurt his stock in PPR formats.Source: Aaron Wilson
Brian Hoyer Expected To Be Cut By The Pats
2 weeks agoAccording to Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio, the Patriots are expected to part ways with quarterback Brian Hoyer. The veteran is entering the second of a two-year, $4 million contract. While cutting him will cost $1.64 million against the salary cap, New England is confident in the duo of Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, although who will start in 2023-24 is seemingly up in the air. Hoyer has had three stints with the Patriots during his career while also suiting up for six other clubs, amassing 10,668 yards, 53 touchdowns, and 35 picks. Nevertheless, the 37-year-old is a competent backup, so he'll likely find work, assuming he doesn't retire. However, he's nowhere near a viable fantasy option, regardless of where he ends up.Source: Michael David Smith
Robbie Gould Plans To Test Free Agency
2 weeks agoImpending free-agent kicker Robbie Gould isn't returning to San Francisco, with the 40-year-old informing ESPN's Adam Schefter that he'll "be kicking elsewhere in 2023." Gould already scoffed at retirement rumors in February, so it appears he's in line to suit up for a new team for his 19th year in the National Football League. The veteran, who missed five of his 32 field goal attempts and made 50 of his 51 extra point tries last season, will go down as one of the best at the position when everything is said and done. Assuming Gould finds a new club during the offseason, he's projected to remain a starting fantasy option in 2023-24.Source: Charean Williams
Tua Tagovailoa Not In Miami's Long-Term Plans?
2 weeks agoMiami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa still hasn't had his fifth-year option guaranteed by the team. The Fins also haven't inked the signal-caller to a long-term extension. However, there may be a reason, with Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reporting that the "organization will explore all options at quarterback." The 23-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, amassing 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 64.8% of his throws. Yet, he has battled countless injuries over the years, including suffering multiple concussions during the 2022-23 campaign. Tagovailoa is due to make $9.6 million this season, and the Dolphins have until May 1 to decide on his option. But considering the number of available quarterbacks at the quarterback position, it appears Tagovailoa isn't a lock to remain Miami's starter moving ahead. Nevertheless, there will likely be further updates to this situation, so fantasy managers shouldn't overthink this latest report.Source: Josina Anderson
Odell Beckham Jr. Still On Cowboys' Wish List
2 weeks agoFree-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (knee) hasn't played since tearing his ACL in Super Bowl LVI. While there were clubs interested in signing the veteran wideout once he was healthy enough to return at the end of last season, it never happened. Instead, Beckham remained out to focus on his rehabilitation efforts. However, it appears the Cowboys are still toying with the idea of bringing Beckham to Dallas, with owner Jerry Jones confirming it during an interview with ESPN's Todd Archer. The 30-year-old finished his most recent season by amassing 44 catches for 537 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games during the 2021-22 campaign, suiting up for the Browns and Rams. Beckham likely has more gas left in the tank, although he'll have competition for looks from Dak Prescott, specifically from CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, if he ends up in Dallas.Source: Charean Williams
Donovan Wilson Deal Unlikely
3 weeks agoUpcoming free-agent safety Donovan Wilson isn't expected to return to Dallas, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The 28-year-old is coming off the best season of his career, finishing with a team-high 101 total tackles, adding five sacks and one interception. With the Cowboys looking to secure new agreements with Tony Pollard, Dalton Schultz, and Ezekiel Elliott, to name a few, keeping Wilson on the roster may be challenging. However, the 2019 sixth-round pick shouldn't be unemployed for long if he doesn't remain in Dallas, as many teams around the league will be interested in his services.Source: Charean Williams
Jessie Bates III Not Expected Back In Cincinnati
3 weeks agoCincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III isn't expected to return to the team, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. After months of unsuccessful contract negotiations, the 26-year-old played under the franchise tag during the 2022-23 campaign, finishing with 71 total tackles, the fewest of his career. While Bates was a primary defensive contributor in the postseason, Cincinnati is now focused on retaining Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, meaning he will likely be suiting up for a new team in 2023-24. However, the All-Pro has an excellent chance to bounce back wherever he ends up next.Source: Jordan Schultz
No Movement On Leighton Vander Esch Talks
3 weeks agoAccording to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys have made "no progress" with linebacker Leighton Vander Esch on a new deal. The 27-year-old signed a one-year, $2 million contract last offseason to remain in Dallas and finished the 2022-23 campaign with 90 total tackles, the second-most on the team behind safety Donovan Wilson. With Dallas facing some tough financial decisions in the coming months surrounding Wilson, Dalton Schultz, Tony Pollard, and Ezekiel Elliott, among others, Vander Esch may have already played his final game with the Cowboys. However, the 2018 No. 19 overall pick will draw plenty of attention on the open market, although his history of neck issues is a cause for concern.Source: Charean Williams
Dalton Kincaid Won't Do Drills At Combine
3 weeks agoUniversity of Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (back), who could be the top prospect at the tight end position this year, will not participate in any drills at the NFL Scouting Combine this weekend. Kincaid is dealing with a tiny fracture in his back that he suffered in the regular season finale last year. He is fine and didn't need surgery, but he'll play it safe and won't do any drills at the combine. The 23-year-old is expected to be fully cleared in a couple of weeks, so he shouldn't have any issues being ready for his rookie season in the NFL in 2023 unless he suffers a setback. Kincaid is expected to be the first tight end off the board in April's draft, possibly even in the first round.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Won't Run At Combine
3 weeks agoOhio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (hamstring) confirmed that he will do everything at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday except run the 40-yard dash. Smith-Njigba is feeling 100 percent healthy, but it's only been two to three weeks, so he hasn't gotten as many repetitions with the 40-yard dash as he wants. He will run the 40 at his school's pro day. Hamstring issues limited the 21-year-old wideout to just five games in his final season with the Buckeyes, but he's still expected to be a first-round pick due to his freakish physical skills on the football field. Smith-Njigba caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as a sophomore at Ohio State in 2021.Source: NFL Network - James Palmer
Bryce Young The Probable No. 1 Pick
3 weeks agoUniversity of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young will be measured at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, but whatever his results end up being, he's still likely to be the probable No. 1 overall pick in April's draft. When asked about concerns about his size, Young said, "I've been this size, respectfully, my whole life. I know who I am. I know what I can do." Some evaluators find Young to be a risky long-term prospect as one of the first players off the board strictly because of his size (listed around 5-foot-10), but Young checks all the other boxes off. Quarterback is obviously a premium position, so there will certainly be a handful of teams willing to trade up to No. 1 overall to take him.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Randall Cobb Undergoes Ankle Surgery
3 weeks agoGreen Bay Packers veteran wide receiver Randall Cobb (ankle) recently had surgery to clean out the back of his ankle to fix a persisting issue, according to sources. Cobb continues to weigh his future this offseason, but if he returns to play in 2023, he should be pain-free with his ankle. The 32-year-old will hit free agency in a few weeks, but he could also retire. In his second year back with Green Bay in 2022, Cobb caught just 34 passes for 417 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets in 13 games played (three starts). The 12-year veteran hasn't been a big part of the Packers' offense the last two years and probably won't have a big role with the Packers or another team in 2023 if he continues his playing career.Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport