Quentin 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 Wan'Dale Robinson Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Wan'Dale Robinson wants more opportunities to line up on the outside and make plays downfield, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Robinson almost exclusively received short-area targets in 2024, finishing the year with 93 receptions for just 699 yards. His 4.8-yard ADOT ranked 138th out of 141 receivers with a minimum of 100 routes run. For what it's worth, Duggan notes that Robinson's role did not appear to be much different during the Giants' spring workouts. Even if the 24-year-old Robinson gets a few more chances down the field, he still figures to be significantly more valuable to fantasy managers in PPR than in standard-scoring formats. He finished the 2024 season as WR46 in PPR per-game scoring but WR65 in standard leagues.Source: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
New York Giants wide receiver Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome could find himself on the trade block this season, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. A first-round pick back in 2021, Newsome will play the 2025 season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract and enter free agency next spring. Jackson writes that the Browns would incur no dead money against the salary cap if Newsome were traded before November, which could spur the team to act if they don't plan on re-signing him beyond 2025. Pro Football Focus gave Newsome an overall grade of 52.2 for his work in 2024, 177th out of 222 corners. The Browns' defense was a dynamic unit for fantasy in 2023 but took a step back last season. After finishing fourth in fantasy points per game two years ago, the Cleveland D/ST finished 27th in 2024.Zach Tom An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
The Green Bay Packers are "likely" to sign tackle Zach Tom to an extension before the start of the 2025 season, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Schneidman predicts that the 26-year-old should "command well into the $20 millions on his new deal." A fourth-round draft pick by the Packers in 2022, Tom has played multiple positions along the line for Green Bay. He found a home at right tackle in 2024, receiving the third most All-Pro votes at the position. Pro Football Focus gave Tom a 90.0 run-blocking grade, third-best out of the 140 tackles who were evaluated. As a team, Green Bay ranked sixth in rushing yards per game and third in total rushing touchdowns last season.Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Kyren Williams is known to be looking for a contract extension, but the team "will not pay top market for a running back," according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic. Williams is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract in 2025. He's coming off a highly productive 2024 in which he gained 1,481 yards from scrimmage and scored 16 total touchdowns. The Rams also leaned on Williams quite heavily, as he played over 700 more snaps than the team's next highest-usage back (Blake Corum). Los Angeles used a fourth-round pick in this year's draft on former Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter, but he seems unlikely to push Williams for RB1 status as a rookie. Rodrigue notes that Rams management has signed players to extensions during training camp in the past, so this is one to continue to monitor as the summer wears on.Source: The Athletic - Jourdan Rodrigue
Los Angeles Rams running back Christian Kirk the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Christian
Kirk
was
dealt
from
the
division
rival
Jacksonville
Jaguars
for
a
late-round
NFL
Draft
pick
this
offseason.
The
28-year-old
had
a
fantastic
first
season
with
Jacksonville
in
2022,
but
injuries
andread more...
Houston
Texans
wide
receiver
Jerome Ford the Likely Starter for Cleveland to Begin 2025
Jerome
Ford
is
likely
to
open
the
2025
season
in
the
RB1
role.
The
team
just
selected
former
Ohio
State
running
back
read more...
According
to
Zac
Jackson
of
The
Athletic,
Cleveland
Browns
veteran
running
back
Chig Okonkwo "Poised" for Best Season of Career
Chig
Okonkwo
has
flashed
on
occasion
during
his
three-year
NFL
career,
but
tight
ends
often
take
time
to
develop,
and
Tennessee's
offense
has
been
well
below
league
average
since
the
start
of
theread more...
Tennessee
Titans
tight
end
Falcons High on Xavier Watts
Source: AtlantaFalcons.com
The Atlanta Falcons selected former Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and many believed he could have been an early Day 2 pick after collecting 13 interceptions, 18 pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries in his final two collegiate seasons. Heading into his rookie campaign, it's safe to say the team is high on the 23-year-old. "X is one of the smartest players I have ever watched at safety," Falcons area scout Ryan Doyal said. "It's like, man, he's in the right place at the right time. But then he just keeps doing it. And then he comes back for another year, and he does the exact same thing again." Atlanta already has one of the premier safeties in the NFL, Jessie Bates III, so Watts panning out would form a dangerous duo for the Falcons' rebuilt defense.Xavier Restrepo Training With Star Wideouts
Xavier Restrepo is working out with NFL star pass-catchers Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and more at Chad Johnson's Wideout Workshop this week. The undrafted free agent out of Miami has impressed this offseason while catching passes from his college quarterback, Cam Ward, and learning from some of the best in the business can't hurt his chances to succeed. The 23-year-old logged back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to end his Hurricanes career, but his poor NFL Combine performance led to him going undrafted. While any UDFA has an uphill battle to make a 53-man roster, having previous chemistry with Ward gives him a leg up, and the Titans' wideout room is arguably the worst in the NFL behind Calvin Ridley.Source: Chad Johnson on X
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tristan Wirfs Undergoes Knee Surgery, Likely to Miss Start of Season
Baker Mayfield and his pass-catchers. Matchups against the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, New York Jets, and Philadelphia Eagles await the Bucs in the first four weeks of the season. All four teams have young, promising edge players or bona fide studs.Source: Adam Schefter
Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs (knee) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to begin the 2025 campaign on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list. This is a significant development for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offense early in the season, as being placed on the PUP list requires a player to miss at least the first four games. Wirfs has reportedly dealt with knee soreness, so the team decided to address it now. Since being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Iowa, Wirfs has been named to four Pro Bowl rosters and three All-Pro teams. His absence could significantly impact the fantasy prospects of quarterback Laken Tomlinson Confident in Texans Offensive Line
C.J.
Stroud
well
inread more...
Houston
Texans
veteran
offensive
lineman
Laken
Tomlinson
signed
a
one-year,
$4.25
million
deal
to
join
the
organization
this
offseason,
and
Houston's
offensive
line
is
a
significant
question
mark
in
2025.
After
protecting
J.K. Dobbins the Starter in Denver?
J.K. Dobbins "will likely be the starter" to open the 2025 campaign. Dobbins came back from a brutal run of injuries, including a torn Achilles, to rush for 905 yards and nine touchdowns for the Los Angeles Chargers last season. The Broncos signed him to a one-year deal following the 2025 NFL Draft. During the draft, the organization selected UCF running back RJ Harvey in the second round, and Roark said he will also have an extensive role. While this only adds more confusion to what could be a complicated backfield, early-offseason beat reports and camp information should be taken with a grain of salt. Both Broncos running backs have upside, but Harvey should be viewed as the high-ceiling pick. After all, Dobbins averaged just 3.8 yards per carry after Weeks 1 and 2 a season ago.Source: 32BeatWriters
According to Broncos beat writer Cody Roark of Mike High Sports, recently acquired running back