6 days agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers are declining running back
Najee Harris' fifth-year option, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. This is somewhat of a surprise, but the 2021 first-round selection has not lived up to the hype as a prospect or matched his rookie-year production. In 51 games over three seasons, Harris has rushed 834 times for 3,269 yards (3.9 YPC) and 22 touchdowns to go along with 144 receptions for 866 yards and six scores through the air. Picking up the option would've cost the Steelers just $6.79 million, but he is now set to potentially become a free agent next offseason. This could put
Jaylen Warren in the clear RB1 role in 2025, but surely, the team will add to the position if they move on from Harris.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Ari Meirov -- 33rd Team
6 days agoThe Los Angeles Chargers officially picked up left tackle Rashawn Slater's fifth-year option for the 2025 season on Thursday. Slater, who was taken with the 13th overall pick in 2021 out of Northwestern, was a Pro Bowler in his rookie season before playing in just three games in 2022 due to a torn biceps. The 25-year-old returned last year to start all 17 games for the Chargers while protecting quarterback
Justin Herbert's blind side. The Bolts added offensive tackle Joe Alt with the fifth overall pick in this year's draft, but he will shift over to right tackle as long as Slater remains healthy. If he returns to his rookie-year form and Alt lives up to his draft stock, LA's new run-first offense should be in excellent shape to begin the Jim Harbaugh era in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
6 days agoStarting next month, the New England Patriots could cut wide receiver
JuJu Smith-Schuster at a cost of $9.6 million in dead money and no salary cap relief, per Over the Cap, while releasing him before then would incur $2.6 million more in dead money and take a small chunk out of their league-leading $54 million cap room. If the Pats traded Smith-Schuster after June 1, they'd save almost $7 million in cap space and clear room for their young receivers to see more playing time. New England could prioritize playing time for rookies
Ja'Lynn Polk and
Javon Baker, plus 2023 sixth-rounder
Demario Douglas. It all means that Smith-Schuster may no longer be the team's No. 2 receiver, especially with
Kendrick Bourne and
K.J. Osborn also on the roster.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan
6 days agoThe Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan suggests that quarterback
Bailey Zappe could be a trade candidate after the team added
Drake Maye and
Joe Milton III in this year's draft. Maye and veteran
Jacoby Brissett are locks for the Week 1 roster, making it a three-way fight for the No. 3 job between Zappe, Milton and
Nathan Rourke. Zappe would fetch the biggest return in a trade, especially if the Patriots wait until the summer when other QBs begin getting injured in training camp. If Milton isn't a complete disaster in spring practices and Rourke performs at a replacement level, Zappe could be out of town by Sept. 1. The 25-year-old Zappe appeared in 10 games (six starts) for New England in 2023 in his second season and threw for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald - Andrew Callahan
6 days agoThe Athletic's Kevin Fishbain wonders if running back
Khalil Herbert would be a trade candidate if the Chicago Bears bring in an undrafted rookie at the position and he impresses. Of course, this all depends on the development of
Roschon Johnson. Herbert is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
D'Andre Swift signed a three-year contract with the Bears this offseason, while Johnson has the same number of years remaining on his first contract after being drafted in the fourth round in 2023. Herbert is a solid back, but RBI is a position that changes often for teams. Chicago's coaching staff is high on Johnson, and the 26-year-old Herbert dealt with ankle and back injuries last year after leading the NFL with 5.7 yards per carry in 2022. The addition of Swift in this backfield obviously hurts Herbert's fantasy stock a great deal heading into the 2024 season.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Kevin Fishbain
6 days agoMinnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson (knee) is ahead of scheduled in his rehab this offseason, but the Vikings are committed to ensuring he is fully healthy before he plays. Last year's contract cemented the team's belief that he is one of its
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6 days agoCleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that running back
Nick Chubb (knee) is "progressing nicely" in his recovery from the gruesome knee injury that he suffered in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. However, Berry also said Chubb "still has a long way to go" in his rehab. Chubb resumed running on land a few weeks ago, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready for the start of training camp this summer. The Browns didn't take a RB in this year's draft but added
D'Onta Foreman and pass-catching back
Nyheim Hines in free agency. Cleveland also has
Jerome Ford as an option to help ease Chubb back into the fold if he's still not 100 percent early on in 2024. Before his injury, Chubb as a no-doubt RB1, but that will be in question this fall as he comes off his season-ending injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: 92.3 The Fan Cleveland
6 days agoThe New York Giants could look to add a veteran presence to their backfield before the 2024 NFL season, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. "This is a spot that could call for a cheap veteran reinforcement, even if that's just re-signing
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6 days agoIndianapolis Colts quarterback
Anthony Richardson will be more aware of the speed and violence of the football game around him so that he can better protect himself heading into his second pro season, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter told members of the media. Richardson was the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft but made just four starts as a rookie before he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Richardson's physicality and athleticism helped him become a top pick and budding NFL star, but these same qualities likely made him more susceptible to injury, too. Cooter's comments should provide Colts fans and fantasy managers with some optimism that Richardson can stay healthy in 2024. At the same time, though, they also suggest that Richardson may tone down his physicality, which could lead to fewer rushing yards and touchdowns, as well as more sacks. Fantasy managers should view the Indianapolis signal-caller as a fringe QB1 heading into drafts.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: James Boyd
6 days agoWashington Commanders tight end
Zach Ertz could face competition from rookie
Ben Sinnott heading into the 2024 season, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. Ertz landed with Washington during free agency as the Commanders looked to replace fellow veteran
Logan Thomas. While Ertz currently has a grasp on the No. 1 tight end role, Washington did spend a second-round pick on Sinnott, a Kansas State product, suggesting there could be some competition and turnover at the position. Standig writes that "Sinnott's unique versatility means he could carve out a role in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's attack," implying the rookie has an inside track to earning targets right away. Ertz might still be the preferred option to open the year, but Sinnott will get involved. As a result, both tight ends should be avoided in most redraft formats. Sinnott, however, is an intriguing depth name in dynasty leagues.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Ben Standig
6 days agoNew York Giants wide receiver
Jalin Hyatt has likely dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart after the team spent a first-round pick on
Malik Nabers, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Duggan notes that Nabers already has the inside path to being New York's No. 1 receiver and
Darius Slayton will likely start opposite him. With that said, there could be an opportunity for Hyatt to surpass Slayton on the depth chart. "The plan should be for Hyatt to take on a bigger role this season and eventually replace Slayton," writes Duggan. Such a plan would put Hyatt on the radar in deeper dynasty leagues, but he can be avoided in most redraft formats.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Dan Duggan
6 days agoNew York Giants wide receiver
Darius Slayton is expected to remain a starter despite the addition of first-round pick
Malik Nabers, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. Duggan notes that while Slayton has expressed frustration about his current contract status, the pass-catcher is expected to open the 2024 campaign as New York's No. 2 receiver behind Nabers. Such an alignment would push
Jalin Hyatt into the No. 3 role, at least to start the year.
Isaiah Hodgins,
Isaiah McKenzie, and
Gunner Olszewski would round out the depth chart. With uncertainty at quarterback and increased competition in the passing game, Slayton isn't a very enticing name for the 2024 fantasy football season. In all likelihood, he'll open the year on the fringe of rosters and waiver wires in most 12-team redraft formats.
--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Dan Duggan
6 days agoThe Dallas Cowboys expect cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) to be ready for the start of training camp this summer after he tore the ACL in his left knee during a Sept. 21 practice. He had surgery at the end of October. Fellow cornerback DaRon Bland, who set an NFL record with five interceptions returned for touchdowns last year, is expecting his teammate Diggs to make a full recovery. "I mean, a lot of people are not expecting what Tre is gonna come back with," Bland said. I know what Tre is gonna come back with. It's going to be something dangerous. Can't wait." The 25-year-old former second-round pick in 2020 out of Alabama as an All-Pro in both 2021 and 2022 and racked up 14 touchdowns (two returned for touchdowns). Providing he's fully healthy this fall, he should once again be a coveted defensive back in IDP fantasy formats because of his ball-hawking abilities.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Talk - Charean Williams
6 days agoTampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Trey Palmer had a good rookie season in 2023 considering his draft status and with
Mike Evans and
Chris Godwin in front of him, but he has far from secured the No. 3 spot in an offensive system that is sure to be 11-personnel heavy in his second season. However, Palmer should be a lock for the active roster out of training camp, as should rookie
Jalen McMillan, who the Buccaneers spent a Day 2 pick on in a deep receiver class. Palmer and McMillan are expected to battle for the No. 3 job in training camp this summer. With Godwin expected to move back into the slot in 2024, Palmer may struggle to match his rookie numbers (39 catches, 385 yards, three touchdowns), especially if McMillan impresses.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Pewter Report
6 days agoWashington Commanders rookie tight end
Ben Sinnott was taken with the No. 53 overall pick in the third round of this year's draft out of Kansas State, and he will have an opportunity for playing time right away despite the presence of
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