3 weeks agoUniversity of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (knee), who tore his ACL last November, received positive medical reports at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last week, according to sources. He is three months removed from surgery and is on track to be ready for the 2023 regular season opener. The 25-year-old unexpectedly took it slow at the combine last week and probably won't do much at his school's pro day later this month. Hooker is older than the other QB prospects in this year's draft, but he could become a solid starter under center at the next level if he lands in the right situation. In his final season with the Volunteers, he threw for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions while completing 69.6 percent of his passes.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoOregon State tight end Luke Musgrave (knee), who is one of the top players at the position in this year's draft class, received full medical clearance on his knee in Indianapolis last week during the NFL combine, according to sources. Musgrave had surgery from Dr. Neal ElAttrache last year and hasn't had any issues since. He ran the 40-yard dash at the combine and also did agility drills, but he will wait to do jumps at his school's pro day on March 13. The 22-year-old's combination of size and speed make him really attractive as he heads to the next level. Musgrave should be a Day 2 pick now that his knee injury doesn't appear to be an issue heading into April's draft.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoThe Arizona Cardinals are expected to release center Rodney Hudson, according to sources. Hudson had previously reduced his salary to $2 million, which often indicates that retirement is coming. He's expected to decide his future soon. The 33-year-old center played in his 12th NFL season in 2022, and it was his second year in the desert. He ended up playing only four games last year due to knee and rib injuries. Hudson has made the Pro Bowl three times in his career, most recently in 2019 with the Las Vegas Raiders. If he decides to continue his playing career, he'll be looking at a reduced role with another organization.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoThe Kansas City Chiefs and impending free-agent defensive end Frank Clark's agent Erik Burkhardt were unable to find common ground on a reworked deal during several conversations at the NFL combine last week, and the team is now expected to release the 29-year-old. Clark is the league's all-time sack leader in the playoffs, according to sources, but there's still a chance that he re-signs with the team in free agency. The release of Clark will save $21 million in salary cap space in 2023. Clark was a Pro Bowler for three straight seasons from 2019-21 for the Chiefs. In 15 regular season starts last year, he had 39 tackles (25 solo), eight tackles for loss, 13 QB hits, five sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery for KC.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

3 weeks agoThe Tennessee Titans are expected to release pass-rusher Bud Dupree, according to sources. The former big-ticket free agent was due $17 million in 2023, but the Titans are going to reallocate their resources elsewhere under new general manager Ran Carthon. Dupree played in only 11 games last year and ended the year with a pectoral injury that could cause him to miss offseason workouts with his new team. In total, he racked up just 18 tackles (14 solo), six tackles for loss, nine QB hits, four sacks and two fumble recoveries for the Titans in 2022. Dupree was a disappointment the last two years in Tennessee with only seven sacks, 27 solo tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 17 QB hits in 22 games (17 starts).--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Rams are expected to release outside linebacker Leonard Floyd if they can't trade him first, according to league sources. Floyd has had at least nine sacks in each of the last three seasons, so he'll generate plenty of interest on the open market if he makes it there this offseason. The 30-year-old has been with the Rams the last three years and was an integral part of their nasty defense in their Super Bowl run in 2021. He finished with nine sacks, 59 tackles (31 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits and a fumble recovery in 17 starts for the Rams last year. Floyd has been extremely durable as well and has missed just one game in the last five seasons.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter

3 weeks agoThe Minnesota Vikings released veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday, according to sources. Kendricks was a first-team All-Pro in 2019 and has been one of the league's most consistently productive linebackers, but he'll be up for grabs in free agency this offseason. The 31-year-old second-rounder in 2015 also hasn't missed a game since 2017, so he's been extremely reliable for the Vikings and fantasy managers in IDP leagues. He played a career-high 1,051 defensive snaps in 2022 and finished with 137 tackles (career-high 87 solo), eight tackles for loss, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 17 starts. Kendricks failed to reach the 100-total tackle mark just once, back in his rookie season in 2015.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

3 weeks agoThe Kansas City Chiefs will not use the franchise tag on impending free-agent offensive tackle Orlando Brown, according to a source. It was expected that the Chiefs would use the franchise tag on Brown for the second straight season, but that won't happen. The Chiefs now have until March 13 to try and re-sign the 26-year-old left tackle to a long-term contract extension. If they can't get anything done, Brown will hit the open market. Kansas City desperately wants to keep him around as quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind-side protector, so the fact that they aren't using the tag on the four-time Pro Bowler probably means that they are optimistic about getting something done long term.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

3 weeks agoNothing appears to be imminent with the New York Giants and impending free-agent quarterback Daniel Jones as far as a long-term contract extension goes on Monday night. It sounds like it will come down to the wire on Tuesday at the deadline to use the franchise tag. According to sources, Jones' agents traveled to New Jersey on Monday to meet with the team in person after talking many times during last week's combine. The Giants plan to slap the franchise tag on Jones on Tuesday if they can't work out an extension, which in turn could allow running back Saquon Barkley to hit the open market on March 15. Jones is reportedly seeking an extension worth over $40 million per season after a career year in 2022, but the Giants have been reluctant to go that high.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo

3 weeks agoNew York Giants general manager Joe Schoen briefly met with impending free-agent running back Saquon Barkley on Monday, according to sources. They had a positive meeting by all accounts, and their is continued hope from both sides that they can figure out a long-term contract extension. The goal is to get a long-term deal worked out with quarterback Daniel Jones, so that the Giants can then place the one-year franchise tag on Barkley at just over $10 million in 2023. If the G-Men have to use the franchise tag on Jones, there's a chance Barkley could hit the open market on March 15 if they can't reach a contract extension. The 26-year-old stayed healthy in 2022 and was the heart of the Giants offense, rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns on a career-high 295 carries while also catches 57 passes for 338 yards through the air.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Mike Garofolo

3 weeks agoCleveland Browns impending free-agent center Ethan Pocic, the No. 9 center in the league according to Pro Football Focus, played so well last year that he might have priced himself off the team's roster. According to Spotrac, his market will be around $7.2 million per year. The Browns also feel good about 2020 fifth-rounder Nick Harris, who is coming off a season-ending injury that he suffered in the preseason opener. Harris is on track to start the season on time, and the Browns still believe in him as a starter, so he could take over if Pocic signs elsewhere in free agency. Pocic missed four games with a knee injury but played great when he was on the field in 13 regular season games.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot

3 weeks agoCleveland Browns impending free-agent running back Kareem Hunt is unlikely to re-sign with the team after asking for a trade during training camp last summer. Along with Hunt, safety Ronnie Harrison Jr., defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and cornerback Greedy Williams are unlikely to return in free agency. Clowney's fate was sealed when he was benched late last season for being critical of the defensive coaching staff in the media. Hunt's touches diminished in the second half in 2022 and he finished with 123 carries for 468 yards and three touchdowns while adding 35 receptions (44 targets) for 210 yards and another score through the air in 17 games. If he can secure a job with a new team as the primary back, Hunt's fantasy value will obviously be on the rise.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot

3 weeks agoCleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is open to restructuring his contract in the next week to help the team get under the 2023 salary cap and to clear space to add quality veterans in free agency or trades, according to a league source. General manager Andrew Berry mentioned at the combine last week that a restructure for Watson "could be on the table." Cleveland is more than $13.415 million over the cap and must get under by March 15. Watson carries a $54.993 million cap charge for this year and for the next three years. The Browns could also look to lower the cap charges of Myles Garrett ($29.176 million) and Amari Cooper ($23.776 million), among others. The 27-year-old Watson returned to the field in 2022 for the first time in two years and had 1,102 passing yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in six starts.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot

3 weeks agoJacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram has been franchise tagged by the organization. The 28-year-old is set to earn $11.3 million next season unless the two sides can come to an agreement on an extension. Engram had a career resurgence with the Jaguars last season. He finished with career highs in receptions (73) and receiving yards (766), while scoring four touchdowns. After dealing with injuries early in his career, Engram has only missed two games since 2020. He should be a low-end TE1 heading into fantasy drafts, assuming he can stay healthy.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter

3 weeks agoThe Dallas Cowboys have placed the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard. As expected, the Cowboys won't let Pollard enter free agency yet. He'll get $10 million for the upcoming season, while tight end Dalton Schultz is likely headed to free agency. The return of Pollard is great news for the Cowboys offense. The 25-year-old was fantastic last season and should be a solid RB1 heading into fantasy drafts. It's uncertain what will happen with Ezekiel Elliott, but Pollard will have a prominent role in the Cowboys offense.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter