May 9, 2025
The New Orleans Saints signed rookie first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. to a four-year, $27.7 million deal on Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Saints passed on a quarterback in the first round and instead took Banks with the ninth overall pick out of Texas. The 21-year-old should help stabilize the Saints' starting right tackle spot in the long term after Ryan Ramczyk retired. He has the size (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) and athleticism to be a Pro Bowl tackle in the long run, but it remains to be seen if he'll earn a starting gig at right tackle out of the gates in his first NFL season in 2025. It will all depend on how Trevor Penning, who has disappointed so far in his career, looks during training camp and the preseason.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
May 9, 2025
The Atlanta Falcons signed rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker to his four-year deal on Friday, the team announced. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it's estimated to be $20.56 million in total value. He would carry salary cap number of $3.74 million this year before topping out at $6.54 million in 2028. In addition to Walker, rookie safety Xavier Watts, defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. and offensive tackle Jack Nelson signed their rookie deals. Atlanta took Walker with the 15th overall pick in this year's draft out of Georgia. It remains to be seen if the Falcons will use the 6-foot-1, 243-pounder as an inside linebacker or as a pass-rushing outside linebacker in his first year in the NFL. In 11 starts with the Bulldogs in 2024, the 21-year-old had 60 tackles (10.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Terrin Waack
May 9, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Friday that they signed third-round rookie running back Kale Johnson to his four-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Steelers took Johnson out of the University of Iowa with the 83rd overall pick. "Really explosive running back that we spent some time with on a 30 visit here," said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. "One of the more instinctive backs that I've watched in a couple of years coming out of the draft." In 35 career games (22 starts) for the Hawkeyes, Johnson had 508 carries for 2,779 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 29 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The 21-year-old stands at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds and is a big bruising back with plenty of big-play potential. Johnson figures to eventually supplant
Najee Harris as the Steelers' lead back after Harris left in free agency this offseason.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Steelers.com - Teresa Varley
May 9, 2025
The New York Giants released wide receiver
Lil'Jordan Humphrey on Friday, a source told The Athletic's Dan Duggan. Humphrey will head right back to the free-agent market after signing with the G-Men in late March. Humphrey posted career-highs in catches (31), targets (45) and receiving yards (293) while catching one touchdown pass in 17 regular-season games (seven starts) in his second year with the Denver Broncos in 2024. The 27-year-old was set to serve as wideout depth in the Big Apple this year, but he has lost his roster spot after the Giant recently signed five undrafted rookie free-agent wideouts. Humphrey should latch on with another team as receiver depth. In six NFL seasons, Humphrey has produced only 62 receptions for 770 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 targets over 58 games played (23 starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
May 9, 2025
While searching for a wide receiver, the Dallas Cowboys looked into a trade for Baltimore Ravens wideout
Rashod Bateman, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The talks between the two teams didn't go far, though, and Dallas ultimately ended up acquiring pass-catcher
George Pickens after this year's NFL draft. Bateman attracted interest from a receiver-needy team after a career year in 2024 in which he caught 45 of his 72 targets for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (14 starts). It was nice to see from the 25-year-old former first-rounder, but fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect more growth in 2025, especially not in the touchdown department. The Ravens remain a run-first offensive operation, and the addition of veteran
DeAndre Hopkins won't help Bateman's cause.
Zay Flowers should once again lead Baltimore in targets if he stays healthy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
May 9, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end
Colston Loveland (shoulder) has been unavailable during practice during rookie minicamp while rehabbing from surgery that he had on his shoulder in January. While he's unavailable for on-field work, Loveland is focusing on the mental side of things, learning the offensive scheme and developing chemistry with quarterback
Caleb Williams. The 21-year-old 10th overall pick in this year's NFL draft is expected to increase his activity by the time mandatory minicamp rolls around early next month, and he should be fully ready to go by training camp this summer as he enters his first year in the NFL. The Bears still have
Cole Kmet at the position, but the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Loveland could be Chicago's top pass-catching TE by season's end. As he shares playing time with Kmet in Year 1, fantasy managers should temper expectations in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Marquee Sports Network - Scott Bair
May 9, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings have signed wide receiver
Tai Felton, defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, linebacker Kobe King, and tight end
Gavin Bartholomew to their rookie deals on Friday. As for Felton, his contract is a four-year, $6.13 million agreement after the team selected him with the final pick of the third round of April's draft. He'll join one of the better WR corps in Minnesota alongside starters
Jalen Nailor,
Jordan Addison, and
Justin Jefferson. Furthermore, tight end
T.J. Hockenson poses a decent target threat at tight end. The Maryland alum has a ways to go before he sees playing time, but he's uber-athletic (4.37 40-yard dash), and it wouldn't be surprising to see him surpass Nailor in the pecking order in due time. Felton had a strong final season at Maryland (94/1,124/9).
--Alex CiullaSource: Craig Peters
May 9, 2025
Per the team's transaction logs, the Houston Texans have signed third-round wide receiver
Jaylin Noel to a four-year, $6.46 million deal. Noel was the No. 79 overall pick and the second of two Iowa State wideouts selected by the Texans, joining second-rounder and fellow Cyclone
Jayden Higgins. With the news that WR
Tank Dell (knee) will likely miss the 2025 season, the door is open for both pass catchers to compete for snaps and impact the field. Veteran wideout
Christian Kirk does pose a threat and significant target competition. Particularly for Noel, who profiles more like Kirk, considering he operated out of the slot in college. However, the rookie bolsters much more juice than the veteran (4.39 40-yard dash) and should eventually make his way to the starting roster. He caught 80 balls for 1,194 yards last season (eight TDs) and is also a seasoned returner.
--Alex CiullaSource: Houston Texans
May 9, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New England Patriots have signed rookie wide receiver
Kyle Williams to an undisclosed contract. The 22-year-old was selected with the fifth pick in the third round of April's draft, and projects to immediately compete for snaps in a Patriots' wide receiver corps that offers little behind veteran
Stefon Diggs (knee). While Diggs is reportedly working back quickly from a torn ACL, Williams offers lethal playmaking ability as a deep threat. He gives New England's offense a new dimension as they continue to build around young signal-caller
Drake Maye. Despite the Washington State product's more diminutive stature, he spent most of his time out wide during his final season in college. It seems likely he'll move into more of a slot role in the NFL, but it shows his versatility and only stands to benefit him as he adjusts to the pros.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
May 9, 2025
ESPN.com's Daniel Oyefusi reports that, per general manager Andrew Berry, it's becoming "increasingly unlikely" that the team will re-sign running back
Nick Chubb after they selected two rushers in April's draft. "I wouldn't rule anything out, but I would say that it's probably increasingly unlikely," said Berry. The Browns' GM also noted that
Jerome Ford will play a role. This was the expectation after Cleveland selected Ohio State's
Quinshon Judkins in the second round, and Tennessee's
Dylan Sampson in the fourth, and now it's all but confirmed. Aside from his injury-marred seasons, Chubb had a fantastic run as a Brown. If this is it for him at that destination, he'll end his tenure as the organization's third-leading rusher (6,843 yards). It remains to be seen if he'll find work again in 2025, though it seems likely he will at some point.
--Alex CiullaSource: Daniel Oyefusi
May
9,
2025
The
New
Orleans
Saints
are
hosting
free-agent
wide
receiver
Donovan
Peoples-Jones
for
a
tryout
during
minicamp,
according
to
NOF's
John
Hendrix.
Peoples-Jones
totaled
just
155
yards
through
15
games
in
2023,
and
he
spent
all
of
last
read more...
May 9, 2025
The Miami Dolphins and first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant agreed to a four-year rookie deal on Friday, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Dolphins decided to beef up the interior of their defensive line with the 13th overall pick in this year's NFL draft by taking Grant out of Michigan. The 21-year-old is big and powerful at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, but he's also extremely athletic and can succeed while being double-teamed. Grant can help bolster Miami's rush defense while also being disruptive in the backfield because of his quickness and athleticism. In his final season with the Wolverines in 2024, Grant had 32 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss. He will certainly help fill the void on the interior of Miami's D-line after Christian Wilkins left last season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
May 9, 2025
New York Jets first-round offensive tackle Armand Membou signed his four-year rookie deal with the team on Thursday, according to the Jets. Membou's four-year deal is worth around $31.9 million, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. The 21-year-old out of Missouri was taken by the Jets with the seventh overall pick as they look to improve their offensive line further in front of new quarterback
Justin Fields in 2025. Membou is a mauler on the offensive line at 6-foot-4, 332 pounds and has a rare combination of brute strength and athleticism. His strength and mobility should make him an immediate asset for the Jets' ground game and passing attack in his rookie season, which is good news for both RB
Breece Hall and Fields. The Jets could have one of the better tackle combinations moving forward with Membou and Olu Fashanu.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN New York - Rich Cimini
May 9, 2025
The Indianapolis Colts signed rookie first-round tight end
Tyler Warren to a four-year, fully-guaranteed $20.9 million contract on Friday that includes an $11.88 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Colts also signed six other draft picks, including cornerback Justin Walley, tackle Jalen Travis, running back
DJ Giddens, quarterback
Riley Leonard, defensive tackle Tim Smith and safety Hunter Wohler. The Colts took Warren with the 14th overall pick in this year's draft out of Penn State, and they're hoping he can be the standout pass-catching TE they've been searching for for quite a while. He has a huge frame at 6-foot-5, 256 pounds and has plenty of after-the-catch ability, but fantasy managers should probably pump the brakes on Warren being the next
Sam LaPorta or
Brock Bowers in his rookie season given the uncertainty at the QB position in Indy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
May
9,
2025
The
Tampa
Bay
Buccaneers
signed
first-round
rookie
wide
receiver
Emeka
Egbuka
to
a
four-year,
$18.1
million
contract
on
Friday,
according
to
ESPN's
Adam
Schefter.
Despite
the
fact
the
Bucs
still
have
Mikeread more...
RADIO
