1 month agoThe San Francisco 49ers expect safety Talanoa Hufanga (knee) to return from his ACL injury "sometime in training camp" this summer, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The head coach also sounded optimistic about Hufanga's ability to return to 100 percent of his old self. The Niners would like to add a safety, but they told recent visitor Julian Blackmon that a new addition wouldn't necessarily be guaranteed a starting spot in 2024. Hufanga probably won't be ready to go for Day 1 of training camp as he works his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 11 of 2023. The 24-year-old defensive back is one of the rising young options at his position in IDP fantasy leagues when healthy. Hufanga had 52 tackles and three interceptions last year before suffering his season-ending injury.Source: The Athletic - David Lombardi
1 month agoThe Las Vegas Raiders may be targeting a quarterback that can escape the pocket and pick up chunk gains with his legs in the upcoming NFL draft. When asked what type of QB gives opposing defenses the most problems from his experience as a former linebacker, head coach Anthony Pierce said, "A damn runner." The Raiders are scheduled to meet with LSU QB and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels on Wednesday after his pro-day workout. Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns for the Tigers last year and also ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. In order to snag Daniels, the Raiders will likely have to move up from 13th overall in the first round, and the team has expressed the willingness to do what it takes to make that happen. Pierce recruited Daniels out of Southern California five years ago to play at Arizona State, so he's very familiar with him.Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal - Vincent Bonsignore
1 month agoIt's clear that the Jacksonville Jaguars want to keep lead running back Travis Etienne Jr. fresh for the entire season in 2024. In the final six games in 2023, the Jaguars averaged just 79 yards per game on the ground. They finished 23rd overall with 96.8 yards per game on the ground. In an effort to keep Etienne fresher, part of the team's plan in the run game is getting second-year back Tank Bigsby more involved. He played just 141 snaps in his rookie season, carrying the ball 50 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. A couple of fluky turnovers ensured he didn't see much more time down the stretch. "We have to get Tank going, the bottom line. He is too good, that's why we drafted him. I think early he had some 'what is that' type plays for whatever reason right or wrong. Again, in and out of the lineup," said head coach Doug Pederson.Source: Florida Times-Union - Demetrius Harvey
1 month agoFormer Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds signed a two-year deal worth up to $14 million with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday, according to a source. The Broncos have been one of the most quiet teams in free agency this year, with Reynolds being their biggest addition by far. The 29-year-old will help replace Jerry Jeudy, who was traded to the Cleveland Browns. Reynolds caught 40 of his 64 targets last year in Detroit for 608 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games. Courtland Sutton will remain Denver's unquestioned No. 1 wideout, but Reynolds has a chance to be their No. 2 if he can beat out Tim Patrick (Achilles) and Marvin Mims Jr. in training camp. With either quarterback Jarrett Stidham or a rookie running the Broncos' offense in 2024, there won't be much fantasy upside for Reynolds in his new home.Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
1 month agoSeattle Seahawks president of football operations John Schneider said that both offensive tackle Abraham Lucas (knee) and linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (pectoral) are on track to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. Schneider is unsure if safety Jerrick Reed II (knee) will be ready, but he did say that Reed's rehab has gone well. Lucas, 25, had knee surgery at the end of last season, but he should be ready to go as the team's right tackle later this fall. Nwosu, 27, suffered a torn pectoral muscle in 2023 that limited him to six games. Getting the former second-round pick in 2018 out of USC back will be big news for Seattle's pass rush in 2024, as Nwosu picked up career-highs in combined tackles (66), sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (12) and QB hits (26) in 17 starts in 2022 in his first year in Seattle.Source: The Seattle Times - Bob Condotta
1 month agoDallas Cowboys nose tackle Mazi Smith (shoulder) carried a four- to six-month timetable after having shoulder surgery shortly after last season, but he is expected to be ready for training camp this summer. As long as Smith doesn't encounter any setbacks as he rehabs his shoulder this offseason, the 22-year-old should be ready for training camp at the end of the July and for the start of the 2024 season. After being taken 26th overall in the first round last year out of Michigan, Smith played in all 17 regular-season games (three starts) and recorded only 13 tackles (nine solo) and one sack in a depth role. He could carve out a bigger role on the interior of Dallas' defensive line in Year 2, but Smith isn't going to be on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues.Source: Dallas Morning News - Michael Gehlken
1 month agoDallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (shoulder) had shoulder surgery recently but is "all systems go" for training camp this summer, according to a person familiar with the situation. Schoonmaker played in all 17 regular-season games in his rookie season in 2023 after being taken in the second round out of Michigan, but he didn't do much behind Jake Ferguson, catching only eight of 15 targets for 65 yards and two touchdowns. However, his shoulder injury may have been partially to blame. The 25-year-old could have a bigger role in his sophomore campaign in Dallas, but as long as Ferguson stays healthy, it's hard to envision Schoonmaker being very attractive for fantasy managers on a weekly basis. As long as Ferguson is healthy, Schoonmaker will be a blocker over a receiver.Source: Dallas Morning News - Michael Gehlken
1 month agoThe Green Bay Packers feel that they have a better grasp of where wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) stands after he underwent a body scan at the University of Wisconsin-Madison this offseason with the hope of preventing future flare-ups. Watson has battled hamstring injuries in both of his two seasons in the NFL, with the 6-foot-4, 208-pounder missing eight games in 2023, playing just 446 offensive snaps. It hasn't just been hamstring injuries for the 24-year-old, and he's played in only 23 games in his first two seasons to quickly develop an injury-prone label. But when healthy, he's caught 69 of 119 targets for 1,033 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding two rushing scores. There's intriguing upside given the nature of Green Bay's improving offense under quarterback Jordan Love, but Watson's durability makes him a risk/reward fantasy selection heading into his third year.Source: Packers.com - Wes Hodkiewicz
1 month agoThe Detroit Lions and star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown have been discussing a contract extension that would likely make him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the league. St. Brown's agent and Detroit brass met last month at the NFL scouting combine to begin negotiations as it appears that both sides are motivated to get something worked out. St. Brown is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and will play at an absolute bargain price of $3.366 million in 2024. The team is making it a priority to get St. Brown and quarterback Jared Goff extended this offseason after they came just one win short of making it to the Super Bowl.Source: Detroit Free Press
1 month agoDetroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff and the team have been discussing a contract extension this offseason. Goff's representatives and the Detroit brass have been having ongoing contract discussions this offseason as the team looks to keep him in town for the foreseeable future. A Goff extension could make him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league if and when it gets done. Goff has just one year left on the four-year extension that he signed while still a member of the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions are also looking to extend star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown as the team looks to keep their offensive core together moving forward.Source: Detroit Free Press
1 month agoFree-agent running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) has been cleared for football activities, according to Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon early in the 2023 season but reportedly looks "outstanding" as he continues his rehab efforts. The veteran running back is expected to be making visits to NFL teams soon as he looks to latch on with another team after the Baltimore Ravens let him leave as a free-agent. Dobbins' days as a lead back might be over but he could still form part of a backfield committee moving forward.Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
1 month agoThe Los Angeles Rams and free-agent cornerback Tre'Davious White intend to agree upon a one-year, $8.5 million contract, according to White's agents. White will join a revamped LA secondary that recently added Darious Williams. The veteran cornerback has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons, having appeared in just 10 total games over the past two years. White's contract with the Rams has the potential to be worth up to $10 million with incentives as he looks to bolster the Los Angeles defense.Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
1 month agoCleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) is expected to begin load running in April, according to general manager Andrew Berry. The 28-year-old suffered a torn MCL and damaged ACL in the Week 2 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last season in what looked to be a potential career-ending injury. However, he is looking to bounce back and play again, but there is a lot of time before the start of next season. This will be an ongoing development worth following ahead of fantasy drafts for the 2024 campaign. Cleveland has Jerome Ford on the roster and recently signed veteran D'Onta Foreman, and if Chubb is limited upon his return, he could be utilized as a committee back moving forward.Source: Mary Kay Cabot
1 month agoNew Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) could miss the entire 2024 season due to lingering knee issues. The 29-year-old missed five games last year, and head coach Dennis Allen said his knee is not responding the way they had hoped. This is a cloudy situation for now, but there will be further updates as the 2024 campaign approaches. Ramczyk was selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft by New Orleans and has started 101 games for the organization. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time All-Pro. Needless to say, his absence from the lineup could negatively affect Derek Carr and the team's running backs and wide receivers.Source: Ian Rapoport
1 month agoThe Chicago Bears signing of former Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift was one of the first moves of free agency, and head coach Matt Eberflus suggested he will be a passing game weapon for the organization. "We just felt thatread more...