June 26, 2025
Per the team, the New England Patriots have waived rookie defensive lineman Wilfried Pene. The 24-year-old signed with the team as an undrafted free agent on May 12 after four collegiate seasons with Virginia Tech. Pene played in 34 games for the Hokies and accrued 73 total tackles, ten for loss, and five quarterback sacks. He started all 13 games for VT last season and will be free to sign with another organization if he goes unclaimed off waivers. Currently, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, and Christian Barmore are slated to start along the Patriots' defensive front.
--Alex CiullaSource: New England Patriots
June 26, 2025
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers noted newly acquired wide receiver
DK Metcalf as a big reason he chose to land with the team. "DK is a lead-by-example guy," said the veteran. "He's a big reason I'm in Pittsburgh as well. Conversations that we had, and just the kind of person that he is." Metcalf may not be of the same ilk as Rodgers' two-time former teammate,
Davante Adams, but he's one of the more explosive pass-catchers in the league and gives the 41-year-old a target unlike he's ever had. Rodgers is unlikely to have a significant fantasy impact, given that the Steelers are expected to be a run-centric squad. However, Metcalf could be a huge beneficiary as the team's far-and-away No. 1 option, and prove to be one of the better values amongst the top 50 picks in drafts.
--Alex CiullaSource: Nick Shook
June 26, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka is expected to have a big role in the offense in his first year in the NFL, especially with
Chris Godwin recovering from ankle surgery, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Egbuka is already helping the Bucs stretch the field horizontally and has looked like a running back at times while showing up in the short passing game. However, the 22-year-old from Ohio State has also made big plays down the field during offseason practices. "The thing that sticks out is how cerebral he is," quarterback
Baker Mayfield said. "He's so smart. Right now, I think we could plug-and-play him at every [wide] receiver spot; he understands the offense that well. That's just him being a pro already." Egbuka is extremely attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues, but his redraft fantasy value in 2025 could depend on whether injuries in front of him open up more opportunities.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine
June 26, 2025
ESPN's Brady Henderson writes that it's become clear that Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round offensive guard Grey Zabel is in line to start at left guard in his first year in the NFL. Zabel has taken all of the first-team reps during offseason workouts and has building chemistry with left tackle Charles Cross. "Really excited about Grey," head coach Mike Macdonald said. "He is what we thought he was up to this point. ... [He's] hitting his spots, communicating, being decisive with Charles on the left side. I think those guys are working really well together, so I'm really fired up to see him in the fall." The 23-year-old North Dakota product went 18th overall to Seattle in April's NFL draft. He has experience at both tackle and guard, but the Seahawks will use him inside, primarily because of his shorter arms.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
June 26, 2025
Despite the fact that Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart was the only first-rounder that didn't take part in any offseason workouts due to a contract dispute, the coaching staff remains high on him. "It's a lesson for him in the NFL -- control what you can control," defensive coordinator Al Golden said. "From our standpoint he's done a good job in terms of the learning. We are as excited as anybody to get him out there." The 21-year-old pass-rusher was taken with the 17th overall pick and could take on an even bigger role in his first NFL season if the Bengals end up trading All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. However, despite the fact that Stewart seems like an eager learner, the lack of on-field reps during offseason workouts will most likely shorten his learning curve in 2025. It would be a surprise if Stewart doesn't sign his rookie deal before training camp.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
June 26, 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County agreed to principle terms for a new lease that will keep the Bengals in Cincinnati playing home games at Paycor Stadium through June of 2036, with 10 additional option years that could extend the lease through June of 2046. Included in the agreement is an approach to modernize the 25-year-old stadium that will be a $470 million renovation project. The Bengals will invest $120 million into the renovation project, which will cover 75 percent of new improvements to the stadium. It's a big win for the Bengals franchise as they look to get back to the Super Bowl in 2025 with one of the best offenses in the league.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bengals.com
June 26, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Bucky Irving, who is expected to see more opportunities in 2025, has improved his footwork and pass protection, according to head coach Todd Bowles. "He got to where he needed to be, but his footwork wasn't always the cleanest last season," Bowles says. "He's cleaned that up." Despite only "starting" three games in 2024, Irving finished as the RB13 in point-per-reception scoring in fantasy in his rookie season by racking up 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 207 rushing attempts. He added 47 receptions on 52 targets for 392 yards through the air. The 22-year-old makes up for his lack of size and athleticism with excellent vision and a knack for breaking tackles in open space. The primary concern with Irving as it pertains to being a true RB1 is the question of whether he can be a true workhorse back and withstand all the physical punishment between the tackles.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Pompei
June 26, 2025
Free-agent kicker
Justin Tucker received a 10-game suspension from the NFL on Thursday, according to league insider Ian Rapoport. The eight-time All-Pro was released by the Baltimore Ravens this offseason after allegations of sexual misconduct by numerous accusers. The 35-year-old suspension will begin on the NFL's roster cutdown day (August 26), and he will be eligible for reinstatement following Week 10 of the 2025 campaign (November 11). His suspension can be served whether he is with a team or not. Tucker is one of the best kickers in NFL history, but the off-the-field developments are sure to negatively impact his legacy and his chances to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the future.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ian Rapoport
June
26,
2025
Tennessee
Titans
quarterback
Will
Levis
finds
himself
as
the
backup
quarterback
to
No.
1
overall
pick
Cam
Ward,
just
one
season
after
he
was
looking
to
establish
himself
as
the
franchise
read more...
June
26,
2025
New
Orleans
Saints
quarterback
Tyler
Shough
was
selected
in
the
second
round
of
the
2025
NFL
Draft,
and
veteran
signal-caller
Derek
Carr
(shoulder)
announced
his
retirement
shortly
after.
This
leaves
Shough
as
the
read more...
June 26, 2025
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Devontez Walker was a fourth-round selection in last year's NFL Draft, but the North Carolina product only played in nine games and caught just one pass for 21 yards and a touchdown. Entering his sophomore campaign, the 24-year-old said he feels more comfortable and ready to play at full speed. Head coach John Harbaugh is optimistic about the speedster's future. "Every day, all he does is show up and go 100 miles an hour," Harbaugh said. "He's got a chance to be really good." While Walker figures to open the season as no better than the WR4 behind
Zay Flowers,
Rashod Bateman, and
DeAndre Hopkins, he could be worth a final-round dart throw in best ball formats based on the offseason praise. However, it would be a surprise if he's a consistent fantasy producer and worth rostering in 12-team setups.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
June 26, 2025
The Cleveland Browns released defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The veteran was set to enter the final year of his three-year, $19 million contract in 2025 but is now set to hit free agency. In 30 games as a Brown, the Oklahoma product tallied 52 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one pass deflection, and 16 run stuffs. He began his career with the Los Angeles Rams after being selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft before a one-year stint with the Houston Texans in 2022. Defensive line depth is key at this level, so there should be plenty of suitors for his services.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
June 26, 2025
Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round defensive tackle Walker Nolen III has impressed coaches and teammates right away during OTAs and minicamp and looks the part while fitting into a veteran defensive line room from not only a physical perspective, but also while standing out on the field at practice, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "He has unbelievable lateral quickness. Very few players can go kind of backdoor and to come down the line and make a [tackle for loss]," veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. "He's one of those guys that has that unique ability where he has quickness. His quickness is different level, and he has good instincts." The 21-year-old 6-foot-4, 296-pounder had 14 tackles for loss and a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2024 at Ole Miss. Nolen won't be on the IDP fantasy radar in 2025, but he could be a key pass-rusher on the interior in Arizona before long.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
June 26, 2025
ESPN's Marc Raimondi writes that people have done nothing but rave about Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker, from his physical abilities to his football acumen. The Georgia Bulldog alumni has made a seemingly seamless transition so far at the NFL level at the Falcons' team facility, which is around 43 miles northeast of where he played his college ball. "The human, the character, the person, the player, the all-in mentality," head coach Raheem Morris gushed. "He has those captain-like traits, and when you first meet him, you get that feel, you get that vibe from him, and he'll be one of those guys." The 21-year-old was the 15th overall pick in this year's NFL draft and could be used as both an off-ball linebacker and as a pass-rusher off the edge in Atlanta. Eventually, he should be a three-down linebacker, but in 2025, his playing time could be spotty as the Falcons figure out the best way to use him.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
June 26, 2025
ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques writes that Miami Dolphins rookie first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant has impressed during offseason workouts with his work ethic and mentality away from the football field. Head coach Mike McDaniel said that Grant "works endlessly" at the stuff he's asked to do. "You're hitting a home run with the team when a first-round draft pick comes in with that mindset, so we can work with that and veterans know you can count on that," McDaniel said. "There's been ebbs and flows like for every rookie, but what I've seen from him, I've seen production where he wins based on technique and fundamentals early in the snap, and I've seen late-down wins where he's straining and utilizing grit and finish to make plays." The 21-year-old is a hulking figure at 6-foot-3, 331 pounds and should quickly settle in as a full-time starter on the interior to help replace Christian Wilkins.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
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