2 days agoThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers and star safety Antoine Winfield Jr. reached an agreement on a four-year, $84.1 million on Monday that will make him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, according to sources. It's the first time in modern NFL history that a safety has set this mark. The deal was negotiated and confirmed by agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First. The new extension for the 25-year-old means Winfield won't have to play the 2024 season on the franchise tag, which would have paid him $17.1 million this year. The All-Pro safety is one of the most productive players at the defensive back position in IDP fantasy formats and had 122 tackles (76 solo), six sacks, three interceptions, 12 passes defended, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 17 stars in 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
2 days agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers signed free-agent cornerback Anthony Averett to an undisclosed one-year deal on Sunday, according to a source. The deal for Averett comes after he worked out at the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend on a tryout basis. The 29-year-old split time between the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions last year but didn't play in any regular-season games. His last NFL action came in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders, when he recorded 13 tackles and a pass defended in seven games (six starts). He was originally a fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018 out of Alabama. In his four seasons in Baltimore, he had 101 tackles, three interceptions and 22 passes defended. Averett will have plenty of competition at the cornerback position in training camp this summer as he tries to make the final roster.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: DK Pgh Sports - Chris Halicke
2 days agoThe Cleveland Browns signed undrafted free-agent quarterback
Jacob Sirmon to an undisclosed deal on Sunday. Sirmon finished his college career at Northern Colorado and was signed by Cleveland after taking part this past weekend at the Browns' rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. He attended the University of Washington and Central Michigan before transferring to North Colorado in 2022. Sirmon went 133-for-236 for 1,355 passing yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season last year. He will strictly be a depth addition at the position this offseason for the Browns behind starter
Deshaun Watson,
Jameis Winston,
Tyler Huntley and
Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ClevelandBrowns.com
2 days agoThe New York Jets agreed to terms with first-round pick Olu Fashanu on his rookie deal on Monday. The deal is for four years and $20,510,710 fully guaranteed and includes the standard fifth-year team option. It was reported on Sunday that Fashanu strained his quadriceps while running the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and could miss some or all of the Jets' organized team activities this offseason. The Jets took the 21-year-old with the 11th overall pick in this year's NFL draft to give veteran quarterback
Aaron Rodgers some more protection in 2024. Barring a setback, Fashanu should be ready to go for the start of his rookie season this fall. So far, he's been working off to the side with trainers during the team's rookie minicamp.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
3 days agoThe Detroit Lions have signed wide receiver
Kaden Davis to a one-year deal on Sunday. The 25-year-old was waived by the Arizona Cardinals in April. Davis spent most of the season with Arizona but was only active for one game. He attended the Lions rookie camp and impressed the team enough to earn a contract. He'll have an uphill battle to make the roster but has a chance to hang on as a depth option heading into next season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Mike Garafolo
3 days agoThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed undrafted free agent running back
Ramon Jefferson on Sunday. Jefferson was one of 26 players that the Bucs brought in for tryouts over the weekend. It appears the Bucs liked what they saw as they've decided to ink Jefferson to a deal. The rookie back played at four different schools during his time in college. Most notably, Jefferson logged in 1,907 rushing yards on 299 carries across two years with FCS Sam Houston. He'll have an uphill battle in camp but has a chance to crack what is a thin running back group in Tampa Bay.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Greg Auman
3 days agoThe New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent guard Lucas Patrick on Sunday. The seven-year guard has spent each of the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears. He made 15 starts for the Bears last season and was a viable option for them. Patrick entered the league with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He played at both the guard and center spot while in Green Bay. He's a versatile player that can be a solid contributor for this offensive line next season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Nick Underhill
3 days agoCarolina Panthers rookie tight end
Ja'Tavion Sanders said his goal in the NFL is to be as good as former All-Pro Greg Olsen. Sanders, a converted receiver at Texas, averaged 49.5 catches a year with the Longhorns with an average of 648 yards and 3.5 touchdowns. His role with the Panthers is not clear yet, but head coach Dave Canales said on Saturday that Sanders will play both the "F" and the "Y" roles, dependent on pass plays versus 12 personnel. "He's a guy, you can move around a little bit more, maybe play him in the slot a little bit," Canales said, adding, "we look for those versatile type of tight ends." The 21-year-old was taken with the 101st overall pick in the fourth round this year but could immediately become the team's best pass-catching tight end over both
Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas. Still, fantasy managers in single-year leagues in 2024 should temper expectations for Sanders in Carolina's offense.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Panthers.com - Kassidy Hill
3 days agoDenver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said he liked what he saw from rookie quarterback
Bo Nix during practices at the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend. "He had two or three down the field throws [Saturday]," Payton said. "It's almost like watching a good golfer when you watch his game ... there's a patience to how he plays, the ball comes out." The Broncos took Nix 12th overall, which many thought was a massive reach, and hope he will become their next franchise signal-caller. With only
Jarrett Stidham and
Zach Wilson to compete with, Nix has a clear path to the starting job right away in his first season in the NFL, but the Broncos aren't getting ahead of themselves. "We'll figure it out, we'll figure it out ... We'll have a rotation and we'll go from there," Payton said when asked how the team's QB competition will unfold in the weeks ahead.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
3 days agoNew England Patriots first-year head coach Jerod Mayo said that rookie quarterback Drake May, who was taken third overall in last month's NFL draft, "has a lot to work on." Saturday's practice featured a heavy emphasis on footwork fundamentals, with Maye spending the first few periods of practice taking snaps directly under center instead of the shotgun, which he mostly used the last two years at North Carolina. "The guy can sling it, man," said wide receiver
Ja'Lynn Polk, the second-round pick from the University of Washington. "He's very confident. He's a leader, very vocal; he's setting the tone in practice, trying to get guys moving around and operating at a high level." Maye is expected to compete with veteran
Jacoby Brissett for starting duties in 2024. The Patriots aren't going to rush Maye's development, so he's more of a dynasty/keeper asset in fantasy this year than a redraft one.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
3 days agoFree-agent tight end
Tommy Sweeney signed an undisclosed deal with the Chicago Bears on Sunday after a tryout at their rookie minicamp, according to a source. Sweeney was with the New York Giants most of last year but sat out after he collapsed and had a "medical event" on the practice field. The 28-year-old was originally drafted in the seventh round (228th overall) by the Buffalo Bills in 2019 out of Boston College. All three of his NFL seasons came with Buffalo, and Sweeney has caught a total of 18 passes for 165 yards and one touchdown on 26 targets in just 24 games played (four starts). Sweeney will be competing for a roster spot in training camp this summer among a tight end group in Chicago that already includes
Cole Kmet,
Gerald Everett,
Stephen Carlson and rookie
Brenden Bates.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
3 days agoThe New England Patriots officially named Eliot Wolf as executive vice president of player personnel on Saturday. Wolf will oversee the overall direction of the personnel department, the management of the salary cap and is in control of the 53-man roster. He's effectively the Patriots' general manager under owner Robert Kraft after previously serving as director of scouting. Wolf will essentially be taking over the role that former head coach Bill Belichick had for so long. The 42-year-old Wolf is a veteran of 20 NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers (2004-17), Cleveland Browns (2018-19) and the Patriots (2020-23). He's entering his fifth season with the Patriots after originally joining the organization as a scouting consultant in 2020.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 days agoFree-agent linebacker Bud Dupree has reportedly signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Dupree met with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons in addition to the Chargers. The 31-year-old has played with both the Steelers and Falcons during his career so it appears Dupree was looking for a new home. The veteran linebacker still has something left in the tank. He recorded 6.5 sacks last season with Atlanta. Those 6.5 sacks were the most for Dupree since the 2020 season. His addition should be a solid boost for this defensive unit heading into next season.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Chargers
4 days agoThe Denver Broncos have released wide receiver
Phillip Dorsett. The veteran wideout was already a longshot to make the roster. The 31-year-old joined the Broncos last season and failed to make a catch during his two appearances. Dorsett has bounced around quite a bit throughout his time in the league. Dorsett is viewed more as a depth option than an actual impact player on a roster. He could sign elsewhere before the season starts, but his chances of having fantasy value are low.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Chris Tomasson
4 days agoFree-agent wide receiver
Albert Wilson has decided to retire from professional football after seven seasons. Wilson joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2014 season. He spent four seasons with the Chiefs, and Wilson achieved a career-high 554 receiving yards during his final season with the team. After that, Wilson joined the Miami Dolphins for the next three seasons. He was fairly lackluster during his time with the Dolphins. He bounced around with the Raiders and Vikings but hasn't seen the field since the 2021 season. Wilson will finish his career with 218 receptions, 2,499 yards, and 12 touchdowns.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Sports Illustrated
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