3 weeks agoLos Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said that the team's plans moving forward involve quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has been the subject of some offseason trade rumors. "We're going to definitely rely on Matthew, he's definitely one of our pillars," Snead said. "He's definitely someone we're going to rely on … as we remodel this." The GM also called Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Aaron Donald "weight-bearing walls." The Rams plan to pick up the 35-year-old's 2023 option, and he'll be guaranteed quite a lot of money the next two seasons, which has fueled speculation that LA might want to get out from under his contract. Even if Stafford sticks around, he'll be a hard-to-trust low-end QB1 after playing in only eight games in 2022 due to elbow, knee and neck injuries.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jourdan Rodrigue

3 weeks agoSan Francisco 49ers impending free-agent pass-rusher Samson Ebukam isn't a household name, but he's getting some buzz in early March and could earn somewhere in the double-digit millions per year on the free-agent market this offseason. He had five sacks with the Niners last year and played really well in an expanded role. The 27-year-old outside linebacker also had 36 tackles (21 solo), seven tackles for loss, 13 QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 15 starts for San Francisco in his second year with the team in 2022. In his six years in the NFL, Ebukam has racked up 137 solo tackles, 23.5 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 52 QB hits, one interception returned for a TD, eight forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries (one TD) in 96 games (61 starts).--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

3 weeks agoThe Arizona Cardinals could have interest in Philadelphia Eagles impending free-agent cornerback James Bradberry this offseason. Bradberry was with new Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon in Philadelphia in 2022. However, the Cardinals are clearly in a rebuilding phase, so their spending plan in free agency this year remains a mystery. The 29-year-old had a crucial holding call go against him in the Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but overall he excelled on a one-year deal in Philly in 2022. In 17 regular season starts, he accumulated 44 tackles (39 solo), three interceptions (one returned for a TD) and 17 passes defensed.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

3 weeks agoMinnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith ($19.1 million salary cap hit in 2023) could be asked by the team to restructure his contract this offseason or take a pay cut. Smith is expected to remain with the organization in 2023, even if it's with a reworked salary. The biggest cap casualty for the Vikings could be two-time Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen. Smith remained valuable in IDP formats in 2022, posting 85 tackles (66 solo), 10 passes defensed and five interceptions in 14 regular season games. However, it was the first time since the 2016 season that the 34-year-old played in fewer than 15 games in a season. Smith is so valuable to Minnesota's defense because of his versatility as a defensive back.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

3 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Rams could be trading cornerback Jalen Ramsey this offseason as they look to shed salary, and several teams are pegging the Detroit Lions as a viable option for his services. However, the Lions have been a build-through-the-draft team under general manager Brad Holmes, so their true intentions aren't known. If he's traded, Ramsey wants to a new contract. He currently has three years left on his current deal. The Rams would have $19 million in dead money if they trade Ramsey before June, while a post-June trade would leave only $8.2 million in dead money. The 28-year-old has had surgery on both of his shoulders the last two years, but he didn't miss a single game in 2022 and had a career year with 88 combined tackles, two sacks and a career-high-tying four interceptions. When healthy, Ramsey remains one of the top shutdown corners in the league.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

3 weeks agoLos Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is fully available to be traded this offseason, and the Rams would love to do it, Michael Lombardi said on The Pat McAfee Show. However, it will be hard for the Rams to trade him away because of the $57 million guaranteed on his contract. Despite what the Rams have said publicly, it appears they want to get out from under the 35-year-old's contract now that he's expected to continue his playing career in 2023. The normally durable Stafford played in only nine games a year after winning the Super Bowl in his first year in LA due to thumb, neck and elbow injuries. All-Pro wideout Cooper Kupp is still in town, but the Rams need more help around him, and it's hard to imagine Stafford being a reliable QB1 for fantasy managers given all the punishment he's taken over the years.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pat McAfee Show

3 weeks agoThe Las Vegas Raiders re-signed running back Ameer Abdullah to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, according to a league source. Abdullah caught 25 passes for 211 yards and one touchdown in 17 games (zero starts) in his first season with the Raiders in 2022. He carried the ball only four times for 20 yards. The Raiders placed the franchise tag on Josh Jacobs, last year's leading NFL rusher, and the team also still has Zamir White and Brandon Bolden. With Jacobs locked in as the unquestioned bell-cow back in Vegas, Abdullah isn't expected to have anything other than a small role in the passing game once again in 2023, severely limiting his fantasy appeal to cavernous PPR leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson

3 weeks agoTampa Bay Buccaneers long-time great linebacker Lavonte David, who is coming off one of his most productive seasons, is expected to test the free-agent market this offseason, according to a source. A return to Tampa hasn't been ruled out, but it will be challenging to retain him given their salary cap situation this year. The 33-year-old veteran put up 124 tackles (80 solo), three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, three QB hits, five passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 regular season starts in 2022 in his 11th season with the Bucs. While he is no longer in his prime, David remains highly productive and should be in play in IDP fantasy leagues no matter where he winds up in free agency.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoThere's a real possibility that the Minnesota Vikings part ways with wide receiver Adam Thielen in the coming days, which would allow the two-time Pro Bowl wideout to become a free agent, according to sources. The two sides will talk in the coming days, but Thielen's time in Minnesota could soon be coming to an end. The 32-year-old has declined in recent seasons and has seen his role shrink. He's also set to make roughly $20 million in 2023 and is entering his age-33 campaign. If the Vikings move on from Thielen, it could mean big things are in store for slot man K.J. Osborn in 2023 in the team's pass-happy offense. In 17 starts in 2022, Thielen had 70 receptions on 107 targets for 716 yards (career-low 10.2 yards per catch) and six touchdowns.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

3 weeks agoThe Carolina Panthers restructured offensive tackle Taylor Moton's contract on Thursday to clear $11 million in 2023 salary cap space. Before the restructure, Moton was scheduled to count for more than $25 million on this year's salary cap. The 28-year-old former second-round pick in 2017 has spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Panthers and is fully expected to enter the 2023 season as the team's starting right tackle again. Moton hasn't missed a game in his career and has started in every game since his sophomore season in 2018.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

3 weeks agoThe Miami Dolphins restructured the contract of defensive end Bradley Chubb on Thursday to clear up $14.656 million against the 2023 salary cap. Chubb made the Pro Bowl for the second time in his young career in 2022. The 26-year-old pass-rusher started the year with the Denver Broncos but was then traded to the Dolphins. In 16 combined games, he racked up 39 tackles (20 solo), eight sacks, five tackles for loss, 20 QB hits and three forced fumbles. He's reuniting with new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for his first full season in Miami and has the potential for another very strong season for fantasy managers in IDP formats in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

3 weeks agoThe Cincinnati Bengals re-signed linebacker Joe Bachie and cornerback Jalen Davis to deals on Thursday, according to sources. Bachie will receive an undisclosed one-year deal instead of a restricted free-agent tender, and Davis receives an undisclosed two-year deal to return to Cincy. Neither player moves the needle at all for fantasy managers in IDP leagues, but they'll return to help the Bengals' depth on defense. Bachie, 25, had 10 tackles (four solo) in 10 games played for the team in 2022 in his third NFL season. Davis, 27, played in 13 games but had just two combined tackles and a fumble recovery in his third season with the team.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoThe New York Jets are expected to acquire safety Chuck Clark from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for late-round draft-pick compensation, according to sources. A starter for the Ravens since 2019, Clark will add veteran experience to an already strong Jets defense. The trade should become official when the new league year begins next week on March 15. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the Jets will send a 2024 seventh-round pick to Baltimore. The 27-year-old Clark has played every defensive snap for the Ravens the last three years, and he finished last year with a career-high 101 tackles (61 solo), four passes defensed, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 starts.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoThe New York Jets will release wide receiver Braxton Berrios at the start of the new league year next week on March 15, according to a source. The two sides have discussed a restructure of his contract, but they were unable to reach an agreement. Berrios' release will save $5 million against his year's salary cap. The 27-year-old pass-catcher had a career year in 2021 by catches 46 passes for 431 yards and two touchdowns, but he finished with just 18 receptions on 32 targets for 145 yards and no touchdowns last season. However, he added nine carries for 91 yards and two TDs on the ground in 17 games (two starts). Berrios will now look for work elsewhere as a depth receiver and return man on special teams.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

3 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Chargers restructured the contracts of wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams on Thursday. They cleared $8.9 million in salary cap space for 2023 on Allen and $5.46 million with Williams. Allen has been mentioned as a cap casualty this offseason after playing in just 10 games in 2022 due to injuries. However, this restructure says otherwise, so Allen should remain with the Bolts for the 2023 season. The 31-year-old should be able to bounce back this year with better health as a target hog in LA's offense, led by quarterback Justin Herbert. Allen had 66 catches for 752 yards in only 10 games. The 28-year-old Williams is a bit more hit or miss in fantasy and has also dealt with his share of injuries, but he also has plenty of upside under his belt with Herbert throwing him the ball.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero