1 month agoNew York Giants tight end
Lawrence Cager has hauled in just 19 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns through the first 20 games of his NFL career, but after the retirement of
Darren Waller, he could earn legitimate playing time in 2024. According to Giants reporter Jordan Raanan, Cager has capitalized on his opportunities this offseason. "It looked this spring like Cager and fourth-round pick
Theo Johnson will be asked to fill that pass-catching role," Raanan wrote. "Both received some first-team reps and made plays in what primarily serves as a passing camp. Coach Brian Daboll even mentioned that Cager was 'probably one of the most improved players throughout the offseason,' which could open the door for him to make a significant contribution this season." Expectations should be tempered for the 26-year-old, but there are unexpected tight-end breakouts every year, so his performance at training camp later this summer should be monitored.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1
month
agoHouston
Texans
wide
receiver
John
Metchie
III
has
had
a
slow
start
to
his
NFL
career,
but
there
have
been
plenty
of
factors
to
cause
the
quiet
start.
The
Alabama
product
missed
his
entire
2022
rookie
season
coming
off
an
ACL
tear
read more...
1 month agoAtlanta Falcons wide receiver
Ray-Ray McCloud signed with the team this offseason, but he largely went unnoticed since the Falcons had a busy offseason of new acquisitions. However, ESPN Falcons reporter Marc Raimondi said McCloud could be more involved in the offense than expected. "Most figured McCloud, a veteran going into his seventh year, would make his mark primarily as a return man," Raimondi said. "But he also got reps with Atlanta's first team this spring and performed well, catching passes from Cousins for big plays. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson figures to use many wide receivers. McCloud will be in that mix." The 27-year-old has just 768 receiving yards and one touchdown through his first 77 games, so it's tough to get too excited about him. However, this report should at least put him on the fantasy radar in deep leagues.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Marc Raimondi - ESPN
1
month
agoWith
no
clear
replacement
for
Zack
Moss
after
he
left
in
free
agency
this
offseason,
the
likeliest
option
to
ascend
to
the
No.
2
running
back
spot
behind
starter
Jonathan
Taylor
appears
to
be
Indianapolis
Colts
RB
read more...
1 month agoCincinnati Bengals cornerback Dax Hill entered the offseason in a precarious spot. The first-rounder in 2022 was the starting free safety last year in an experiment that didn't go well. As a result, Hill was moved to outside cornerback, where he appears to be taking charge in a position battle with
DJ Turner, a second-rounder from 2023 who started 12 games his rookie season. Hill has taken the position change in stride and was disruptive in 7-on-7 drills during mandatory minicamp earlier this month. He is shaping up to remain a useful player for the Bengals' secondary as they enter training camp this summer. The 23-year-old had 110 tackles (72 solo), 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, five QB hits, two interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 17 starts last year, but he may be less productive in IDP fantasy formats with the move to corner.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
1 month agoNew England Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo mentioned defensive lineman/edge rusher Keion White when asked if there was a player this offseason that has surprised him so far. "Keion has kind of taken that step forward as far as being a leader -- not as much vocally, but you see him actually leading the groups and working well," Mayo said of the 2023 second-rounder. White played 45.8 percent of the defensive snaps as a rookie last year and looks primed to increase that number in his sophomore campaign in 2024. In 16 games played (four starts) in his rookie season in 2023, White compiled 26 tackles (12 solo), one sack, three tackles for loss, five QB hits and three pass breakups for the Patriots secondary. Look for him to have a bigger role this year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
1 month agoThe Miami Dolphins signed veteran
Jonnu Smith this offseason to provide a receiving threat at tight end, but
Jody Fortson Jr. stood out during spring practices. Fortson has a wide catch radius and has flashed the ability to pick up yardage after the catch. The former Kansas City Chiefs tight end has a challenging road to a meaningful workload in 2024 with both Smith and
Durham Smythe on the roster, as well as the plethora of pass-catchers in Miami's offense, but the early returns on Fortson say he will be able to contribute when called upon. The 28-year-old spent all of last year on the Chiefs' Injured Reserve after having shoulder surgery, but he's healthy now and is a tight end to watch for now as we approach training camp this summer. The fifth-year pro could become an intriguing waiver-wire pickup this year if one of Smith or Smythe miss time due to injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
1 month agoUnless something unforeseen happens, quarterback
Russell Wilson will be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting QB in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons this fall. It's his job to lose in training camp and the preseason. "I'm really pleased with what I heard coming (out) of there with Russ," NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said on the Rich Eisen Show. "I know there's been a lot of talk with him and
Justin Fields. It's Russell Wilson's gig. Everything I've been told, they've been impressed with how he's thrown. Throwing with anticipation." The Athletic's Mark Kaboly also listed Fields as a "loser" in OTAs and minicamp because he feels Wilson has a chokehold on the starting gig right now. It doesn't really change anything from when head coach Mike Tomlin said Wilson would be in pole position as the starter earlier this offseason. Wilson is also embracing a leadership role and has embraced the city of Pittsburgh.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Steelers Now - Chris Ward
1 month agoTampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Baker Mayfield showed significant progress during mandatory minicamp as he learns new offensive coordinator Liam Coen's scheme. It helps that Mayfield has a good amount of continuity among the team's offensive personnel, from his supporting cast of skill-position players to most of the offensive line. "He has a lot more audibles on his plate than he did in the past and he's getting them down very [well]," head coach Todd Bowles said of Mayfield. The 29-year-old Mayfield had a career year under Dave Canales, now the head coach of the Panthers, in 2023. Mayfield has plenty of playmakers around him and is great at pushing the ball downfield, but his lack of rushing upside pushes him down to low-end QB2 territory in fantasy as he looks for an encore in Tampa in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Buccaneers.com - Scott Smith
1 month agoLos Angeles Rams new cornerback Tre'Davious White (Achilles) signed a one-year deal with the Rams on April 9 after being released by the Buffalo Bills. White continues to rehab this offseason after tearing his Achilles in Week 4 of last year. He was working off to the side with trainers for the majority of organized team activities before participating in the walkthrough in the final week. It remains to be seen how much White will be able to do in training camp this summer. "He's making good progress. He was able to partake in the walkthrough. It's obviously a significant injury that he's overcome. He's gotten a lot of good stuff done on the side. You could see he's really locked in and engaged in the meeting setting," head coach Sean McVay said. White's 18 career interceptions are tied for 11th-most among active cornerbacks, per Pro Football Reference.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: TheRams.com - Stu Jackson
1 month agoThe New York Jets released cornerback Tae Hayes on Monday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. The 26-year-old was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana charge early Sunday morning in Alabama, which led to his release from the organization. After being undrafted in 2019, Hayes spent time with nine NFL organizations, mostly on practice squads. In 12 total game appearances, the Appalachian State product has tallied 18 tackles and two passes defended with the Dolphins, Panthers, Patriots, and Jets.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Rich Cimini -- ESPN
1 month agoSan Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Brandon Aiyuk is meeting with the organization on Monday, according to Adam Schefter. The 26-year-old has been in trade rumors all offseason as he seeks a new contract following a career-best 1,342 receiving yards in 2023. Wideouts
Justin Jefferson,
A.J. Brown,
Amon-Ra St. Brown,
Jaylen Waddle,
DeVonta Smith, and
Nico Collins all signed lucrative deals this offseason, and Aiyuk wants to be next in line. The 49ers and the 2020 first-round pick have reportedly been far apart in contract negotiations, and Aiyuk has hinted at the team "not wanting" him. This is a situation worth monitoring, and hopefully, a move will be made soon to bring clarity to the 49ers' pass-catching group in fantasy football.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter
1
month
agoBuffalo
Bills
wide
receiver
Bryan
Thompson
went
undrafted
in
2023
following
a
six-year
college
career
that
included
four
seasons
at
Utah
and
two
seasons
at
Arizona
State.
The
second-year
pro
is
already
25
years
old
and
likely
has
an
uphill
battle
to
make
the
read more...
1 month agoBaltimore Ravens tight end
Isaiah Likely said he's focused on learning all of the receiving positions in Year 2 of offensive coordinator Todd Monken's scheme. "It's being a chess piece, being anywhere 'Monk' needs me to be in this offense – whether it's in the slot, in-line, in the backfield, split out wide by myself," Likely said. "The more you know, the more you can stay on the field." The Ravens already have All-Pro tight end
Mark Andrews, but the team wants to get both Andrews and Likely on the field more at the same time in 2024. In eight games after Likely stepped in for the injured Andrews last year, he caught 25 passes for 372 yards and six touchdowns. With an expanded role in 2024, Likely could be a TE2 in fantasy, but his ceiling will remain limited as long as Andrews stays healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: BaltimoreRavens.com - Ryan Mink
1 month agoFree-agent linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who was released by the Indianapolis Colts last year in late November, intends to sign with a team and play in 2024, but he's also not ruling out retirement if the right opportunity doesn't come along. Since earning All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors in each of his first four seasons with the Colts in 58 games, Leonard only appeared in 17 games during his two most recent seasons due to injuries derailing his once-promising career. "If it happens, it happens. If it don't, it don't. I think throughout my career I've had a great career, even if I do step away from it. I'm enjoying life and just waiting on that opportunity," Leonard said. The 28-year-old played in 14 games (12 starts) last year with the Colts and Philadelphia Eagles and finished with 88 tackles (46 solo), one sack and four tackles for loss.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Indianapolis Star - Kyle Smedley
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