5 hours agoOhio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is projected to be one of the first off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft. But according to BetMGM, the signal-caller is the new favorite to be taken No. 1 overall by the Panthers. Alabama's Bryce Young was the favorite. However, the odds shifted in Stroud's favor after Carolina landed the top selection from the Chicago Bears. The 21-year-old has an impressive resume, so if he doesn't end up in Carolina, Houston will be knocking at the door. One thing is certain, Stroud has a clear path to immediate playing time with either club.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Nick Bromberg

5 hours agoAlabama quarterback Bryce Young continues to receive rave reviews ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. While many have the Houston Texans taking the signal-caller with the No. 2 overall pick, reports surfaced that seemingly have things going in a different direction. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Young "absolutely blew away" Panthers head coach Frank Reich when they recently "sat down and talked football." Only time will tell how this situation will culminate. However, it appears Ohio State's C.J. Stroud isn't a lock to be taken at No. 1. That said, Young has a chance to play immediately, regardless if he goes to Carolina or Houston.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Anthony Rizzuti

14 hours agoFree-agent running back Darrynton Evans inked a one-year deal with the Colts. Tennessee selected him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, he hasn't done much since then, appearing in just 12 games for the Titans and Bears in the last three seasons and totaling 125 yards off 30 carries. Of course, Jonathan Taylor is the No. 1 option on the Indianapolis depth chart. But unless Taylor gets hurt, Evans won't receive much work, assuming he's on the roster come Week 1.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com

14 hours agoAccording to Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, running back Rachaad White is expected to be a "complete three-down back" this season. The 2022 third-round pick had a productive rookie campaign, amassing 481 yards off 129 attempts and 50 catches for 290 yards. He also totaled three touchdowns. Of course, ball security was a significant issue, which Bowles knows the 24-year-old needs to address. However, White appears to have a firm grasp on the starting job, so his fantasy stock continues to trend north.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Scott Reynolds

14 hours agoSan Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) reported rehab is "going as planned." The signal-caller had surgery on March 10 to repair a torn UCL suffered in the postseason. The plan remains for throwing to commence in three months. Of course, Purdy will clearly need to prove he's ready to move to that phase of his recovery effort. There will be more updates surrounding the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant. However, he's currently viewed as the starting quarterback, assuming things go as designed. If not, there will be some hope for Trey Lance (ankle) to reclaim the job, at least until Purdy is 100%.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Michael David Smith

1 day agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins continues to operate without a new contract, despite months of extension talks. The wideout doesn't seem concerned, though, as he discussed the situation on The Pat McAfee Show. "I'm not really worried about the contract," said Higgins. "Obviously, I want to get a deal done." The 24-year-old had a productive 2022-23 campaign, amassing 74 catches for 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns. Cincinnati recently began contract negotiations with quarterback Joe Burrow, so it's likely he's the focal point. However, it would be surprising if the organization couldn't reach an agreement with a player who could easily be the No. 1 receiving option for nearly every club around the NFL.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Patra

1 day agoThe Seattle Seahawks have withdrawn the restricted free agent tender from safety Ryan Neal. The 27-year-old is now a free agent after being tendered by the team in mid-March. It's uncertain why the team decided to move on from Neal. Last season, he recorded 66 tackles, eight passes defended, and one interception in 14 games (10 starts) with Seattle. Neal has played well in each of the last three seasons. He should have a handful of suitors in free agency.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Field Yates

1 day agoFree-agent tight end Pharaoh Brown has signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. The 28-year-old has bounced between the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns since 2019. Over his career, Brown has 51 receptions, 478 yards, and two touchdowns in 55 games. He'll join Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, and Jelani Woods in the tight end room. None of these players have run away with a starting gig in Indy. Brown will probably end up as a depth player.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson

1 day agoFree-agent running back Darrynton Evans is scheduled to meet with the Indianapolis Colts this week. The 24-year-old was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Sadly, injuries and a lack of opportunity have held Evans back early in his career. Through 12 games, Evans has 30 carries for 125 scoreless yards. The Colts could certainly use another body behind Jonathan Taylor. That being said, Evans could have a real chance to compete for snaps in Indianapolis. His only real competition at a backup role is Deon Jackson. It remains to be seen if the two sides can come to an agreement, but Evans could do well with a move to Indy.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jeremy Fowler

1 day agoFree-agent wide receiver Laquon Treadwell worked out for the Dallas Cowboys on Friday. It appears the Cowboys aren't done adding to their wideout room after acquiring Brandin Cooks earlier this month. Treadwell was a former first rounder of the Minnesota Vikings in 2016. He hasn't really done much since entering the league. Treadwell posted his best season in 2021 with 33 receptions, 434 yards, and one touchdown in 12 games (seven starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 27-year-old is basically a depth option and probably won't be a factor in fantasy leagues.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson

2 days agoCincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said signing a running back in free agency this offseason is a "possibility," but he also likes the progress of running back Trayveon Williams, who recently re-signed with the team. "We have high hopes for him. He understands what it takes to compete in this league," Taylor said. The Bengals also have Chris Evans, who is entering his third year. Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt remain on the open market, but it sounds like the Bengals don't necessarily feel the need to sign them. As things currently stand, Williams is the direct backup to Joe Mixon in Cincy. The 25-year-old former sixth-round pick in 2019 has just 47 carries for 238 yards and no touchdowns in his four NFL seasons, adding eight catches for 64 yards in 34 games. However, he could be looking at a more prominent role in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

2 days agoThe Cincinnati Bengals have begun discussions with quarterback Joe Burrow on a long-term contract extension this offseason. Head coach Zac Taylor told the media that talks have started and "the process is underway," according to a team source. This could take a while to finalize, but the Bengals appear fully committed to securing Burrow's future. Burrow led Cincy to the Super Bowl in just his second NFL season in 2021 and was excellent again in 2023, completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 16 regular season starts. He led his squad to the AFC title game for the second straight season and will easily be a top-five fantasy QB1 in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

2 days agoNew England Patriots quarterback Bill Belichick remained non-committal during the owners meetings this week on whether quarterback Mac Jones will be the starter in 2023. "Everybody will get a chance to play. We'll play the best players," Belichick said when asked if it was fair to say that both Jones and Bailey Zappe will be competing for the job in training camp over the summer. Jones, a former first-rounder, took a big step back in 2022 in his sophomore season, but the fact that the team spent so much draft capital on him likely will mean he's still the favorite to start to open the 2023 season. The addition of offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien this year should have fantasy managers cautiously optimistic that Jones can bounce back, but he shouldn't be considered anything more than a low-end QB2.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MassLive.com - Chris Mason

2 days agoThe Baltimore Ravens have been fairly active in the wide receiver market this offseason. They have looked into free-agent Odell Beckham Jr. and have also discussed the possibility of trading for Arizona Cardinals receiver DeAndre Hopkins and Denver Broncos pass-catcher Courtland Sutton. Baltimore seems open to adding a quality outside receiver, whether they retain quarterback Lamar Jackson or not. Rashod Bateman (foot), who is coming off a serious injury in 2022, needs more help than just Nelson Agholor. The Ravens should also be expected to address the position via the draft next month, but adding a quality receiver on the outside would make this offense much more dynamic in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler

2 days agoTampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles called "game on" for Baker Mayfield versus Kyle Trask at quarterback in training camp this summer. "Some competitive juice to go along with Trask. Baker's won in college, he's been to the playoffs as a pro, and he brings us a lot of leadership. I think this style of offense will fit him really well. I think it will be a good battle between him and Trask to see who will win," Bowles said when asked what Mayfield brings to the team. The Bucs seem to really be high on Trask, but Tampa will make this a straight up QB competition in training camp. Mayfield, 27, is the higher-profile signal-caller as a former first-rounder and has much more experience, as Trask has only attempted nine pass attempts in his career.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler