Ikem Ekwonu Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu appears to be next up for a contract extension after the team has locked up core players such as Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn to extensions since Dan Morgan took over as general manager in 2024. Carolina already picked up Ekwonu's fifth-year option for 2026 that's worth $17.6 million. The 24-year-old former sixth overall pick in 2022 is the same dominant run blocker that he was at North Carolina State, but he could still stand to improve in pass protection. Pro Football Focus had Ekwonu ranked 126th out of 140 tackles in sacks allowed (seven) last year, even though he gave up four fewer sacks than he did the previous year. He'll enter the 2025 season as the presumed starter at left tackle for the Panthers.Jalen Thompson Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Source: The Athletic - Doug Haller
Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, who turns 27 in July, is approaching the final year of his contract in 2025 -- he has a void year in 2026. Thompson has been a key defensive piece of Arizona's defensive backfield during his six years with the team, but The Athletic's Doug Haller writes that time is running out for him to get an extension. He finished third on the team in tackles in 2024 and has been productive and reliable in the desert, but Haller writes that the Cardinals seem to be grooming Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, a fourth-rounder last year, as Thompson's eventual replacement. Thompson had 100-plus combined tackles in 2021 and 2022 and almost returned to that mark a year ago with 98 tackles (61 solo). He could have some fantasy appeal in IDP leagues if he can stay healthy in what could be his last season with the Cardinals.Najee Harris Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Najee Harris (eye) suffered a superficial eye injury during a Fourth of July fireworks mishap that resulted in injuries to several attendees, according to his agent, Doug Hendrickson. However, Harris is fully expected to be ready for the upcoming NFL season. It's unclear if Harris will be forced to miss any practices once training camp gets underway later this month, though. When healthy, the 27-year-old former Pittsburgh Steeler is expected to be a big part of the Chargers' run-first offense in 2025, although rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton, who was taken 22nd overall in April, will command plenty of touches himself. Harris has had 1,000 yards rushing in all four of his NFL seasons to this point, but he lacks the big-play ability that Hampton should provide. Fantasy managers won't be able to count on volume for Harris, who has become more of an RB3/flex.Source: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
Los Angeles Chargers running back Nick Nash Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Nick
Nash
went
unselected
in
the
2025
NFL
Draft
despite
leading
all
college
wideouts
in
receptions
(104),
receiving
yards
(1,382),
and
receiving
touchdowns
(16).
The
Falcons
added
him
as
a
priority
undraftedread more...
Atlanta
Falcons
wide
receiver
Lane Johnson in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Hurts and company.Source: NFL.com
Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro and likely future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Lane Johnson is entering his 13th NFL campaign since being selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. The 35-year-old is one of the longest-tenured players in Eagles history, and his six Pro Bowls and five All-Pro selections demonstrate his elite level of play over a long period. During an interview with NFL Network's "Good Morning Football", Johnson spoke on his potential retirement plans. "I still feel young in heart, but you can't ignore Father Time. I'm still having fun and enjoying what I do. I love being around the guys, competing, and it's just something that I really love doing every minute of it." Johnson signed a one-year contract extension this offseason to keep him in Philly through 2027, so he could be looking to play at least three more seasons if he continues to perform at a high level, which is great news for Blake Corum has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Blake
Corum
was
a
popular
fantasy
sleeper
heading
into
last
season
after
being
selected
in
the
third
round
of
the
2024
NFL
Draft
out
of
Michigan.
However,
the
24-year-old
failed
toread more...
Los
Angeles
Rams
running
back
Jarquez Hunter Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Jarquez
Hunter
was
a
fourth-round
selection
in
the
2025
NFL
Draft
after
a
fantastic
final
season
at
Auburn.
This
offseason,
the
Rams
coaching
staff
is
pleased
with
his
attention
to
detailread more...
Los
Angeles
Rams
running
back
Kirk Cousins Feels Misled by Falcons
Kirk Cousins said in an episode of the Netflix series "Quarterback" that he felt "a little bit misled" when the Falcons took Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. It came just after Atlanta signed Cousins to a contract worth at least $100 million guaranteed to be their starter in 2024 and beyond. "I had no reason to leave Minnesota with how much we loved it there if both teams are going to be drafting a quarterback high," Cousins said. The 36-year-old led the team to a 6-3 start before injuring his right shoulder. After that, the Falcons lost four straight games, with Cousins throwing eight interceptions and no touchdowns in that stretch. He was eventually benched in Week 16 for Penix, who heads into 2025 as the unquestioned starter, with Cousins backing him up. Cousins could get traded during training camp, but for now he's useless in fantasy as a backup.Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Bijan Robinson Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Bijan
Robinson
said
that
the
team
has
"outlandish
goals"
for
the
rushing
totals
in
2025,
even
after
they
lost
20%
of
their
starting
offensive
line
from
last
year.
Robinson
was
thirdread more...
Atlanta
Falcons
running
back
Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Luther
Burden
III
(undisclosed)
will
be
good
to
go
for
the
start
of
training
camp
later
this
month,
according
to
The
Athletic's
Kevinread more...
Chicago
Bears
head
coach
Ben
Johnson
seems
confident
that
rookie
wide
receiver
Cole Kmet an Unlikely Trade Piece
Cole Kmet is a potential trade chip ever since the team took Colston Loveland in the first round back in April. The Bears' depth chart at TE might look top-heavy right now, but The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain says he's unsure why the Bears would trade Kmet at this point. Kmet is only 26, his contract isn't in the top 10 at his position, and new head coach Ben Johnson hasn't been coy about his excitement to use 12 personnel with Kmet and Loveland on the field together. Kmet had career-highs in yards per target and catch percentage in 2024 with 47 receptions, 474 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts). He was efficient, but the overall numbers regressed from his 2023 campaign. The addition of Loveland certainly adds more competition for targets and gives Kmet less fantasy intrigue, but he could still be a big part of Chicago's offense.Source: The Athletic - Kevin Fishbain
Folks have speculated that Chicago Bears tight end Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan is hoping for a more balanced approach to the running game in 2025 between running backsQuentin Johnston Not Assured of Starting Role
Quentin Johnston is "going to have to earn his chances," according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Popper notes that the team added significant competition at outside receiver this offseason, signing veteran Mike Williams as well as drafting Tre Harris (second round) and Keandre Lambert-Smith (fifth round). Popper previously reported that Johnston was working with the first-team offense during mandatory minicamp, so it appears as though he's still entering training camp as a starter. Johnston tallied 55 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games for the Chargers last season. He'll need regular playing time to be relevant in fantasy, so his role in Los Angeles is one to monitor over the remainder of the summer.Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Cordarrelle Patterson could be "on the outside looking in" in regards to the team's backfield mix, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. The 34-year-old Patterson appeared in 13 games for Pittsburgh last season, serving as both a kick returner and a gadget piece on offense (215 yards from scrimmage on 44 total touches). The Steelers added rookie Kaleb Johnson in the draft and former Philadelphia Eagles' back Kenneth Gainwell in free agency, so there is increased competition in the running back room. Patterson does have a history with Pittsburgh play-caller Arthur Smith dating back to their time together in Atlanta, which might make it more likely that he's still in the Steelers' 2025 plans.Source: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Shedeur Sanders Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel may be battling each other "potentially for a roster spot," according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Although the Browns have an open competition for starting quarterback duties entering training camp, Jackson writes he would be "stunned" if either rookie can win the job. Cleveland used a third-round pick on Gabriel and a fifth-round pick on Sanders in this year's draft, so it would be surprising to see either player fail to make the roster. However, the Browns have two veteran options in Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett who both appear to be ahead Gabriel and Sanders on the depth chart.Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterbacks