News About NFC Teams
Carolina Panthers News
Head coach Dave Canales said he expected RB Jonathon Brooks to be able to practice in OTAs.
Why It Matters: Chuba Hubbard is projected to start in the Carolina backfield after they let Rico Dowdle walk and sign with Pittsburgh in free agency, but Brooks would be a compelling #2 option if he can stay healthy. After Dowdle was able to overtake Hubbard for early down work last season, it's not a stretch to predict Brooks could do the same. Early ADP reflects this, with Hubbard going in the 70s as one of the cheapest projected starters, and Brooks going in the 150s as a speculative upside pick.
Dallas Cowboys News
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he did not have assurances that franchise-tagged WR George Pickens will come to minicamp or OTAs.
Why It Matters: We would consider it a pleasant surprise for the Cowboys if Pickens does show. Jaxon Smith-Njigba's market-resetting contract probably puts the possibility of signing Pickens long-term out of reach, but the Cowboys could take a wide receiver at #12 or #20 in the first round. That would increase the chances that Dallas trades Pickens before the July 15 deadline to sign a tagged player to a long-term contract.
Los Angeles Rams News
WR Puka Nacua's attorney Levi McCathern said Nacua has been in rehab for a "substantial period of time" and "is scheduled to be there for a while longer".
Why It Matters: Nacua has been in the news for the wrong reasons twice in recent months. While the league is unlikely to levy a significant suspension, if any at all, it's a good sign that Nacua and his camp saw the incidents as a wake-up call. The Rams and Nacua are looking to finalize a long-term deal with the wide receiver, who hits free agency next season. There will likely now be clauses added to protect the Rams, but this shouldn't derail talks to get something done before the season. Hopefully, Nacua can change the behaviors that inspired him to do this in a meaningful and lasting way.
New Orleans Saints News
Head coach Kellen Moore's comments about RB Alvin Kamara's future with the team were not definitive. Matthew Paras of NOLA.com reports that there is "buzz" that the team still wants to "address" Kamara's contract, either via a pay cut, trade, or release.
Why It Matters: It's hard to know how to read these comments, but we can definitely say we are unsure of whether Kamara will be on the Saints roster this season. Free agent signing Travis Etienne Jr.'s early ADP in the third round, so fantasy drafters either don't believe Kamara will be back or that he's not a threat if he does return. Etienne scored six of his 13 touchdowns last year through the air, so even if all Kamara can do effectively now is catch the ball, he is a threat to Etienne's fantasy ceiling if he remains on the team.
Philadelphia Eagles News
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that team sources say QB Jalen Hurts "strong preferences" and "push back" on changes that would diversify the offense are among the reasons that he is part of the explanation for the "calcification" of the Eagles offense.
Why It Matters: In a related piece of news, team owner Jeffrey Lurie said that there would be "significant offensive changes" for Philadelphia this season. That there are team sources willing to speak out about Hurts isn't a great sign, and the team is only truly financially committed to Hurts through 2027. There are multiple cracks showing in the Eagles' offense, and we shouldn't assume things will get significantly better under first-time offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who was hired away from the Packers' staff. Hurts isn't considered an elite fantasy quarterback anymore, and his ADP will drop if the team trades A.J. Brown this offseason, as many expect.
Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Enquirer wrote that "The #Eagles did little to quell a growing sense from league insiders that an [A.J. Brown] trade has become more of an inevitability than an uncertainty."
Why It Matters: It's at least 50/50 that Brown becomes a Patriot in the next few months, and we should be factoring that into projections for both the Eagles and Patriots offenses. DeVonta Smith would get a big boost with Brown dealt, but we should also consider how much this could benefit Drake Maye and, really, the whole Patriots offense. This is the biggest "other shoe" left to drop in the offseason.
San Francisco 49ers News
Matt Barrows of The Athletic wrote that RB Jordan James "appears to be the frontrunner" for the backup running back job vacated when Brian Robinson Jr signed with Atlanta in free agency. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wants less wear and tear and more rest for RB Christian McCaffrey this season
Why It Matters: The 49ers could add a back in the draft, but it looks like James will go into training camp with the inside track to be the injury upside backup behind McCaffrey. McCaffrey's role and injury history dictate that anyone who drafts him should carry his backup as long as bench size allows.
Seattle Seahawks News
Brady Henderson of ESPN wrote that at the NFL team meetings this week, Seattle "continued to give the impression that it won't force one of four draft picks on a running back". GM John Schneider said running back is not a position with a scarcity of options. Henderson also thinks both Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald are higher on the backs on their roster than "observers might realize" and that as of now, Kenny McIntosh is their best option to replace Ken Walker III's explosiveness.
Why It Matters: At team meetings, head coach Mike Macdonald said RB Zach Charbonnet will not miss the entire 2026 season, which also helps reduce the team's sense of urgency about their backfield. Free-agent signing Emanuel Wilson was competent in place of Josh Jacobs last year, and the team was also very happy with George Holani's play when pressed into duty. Many expect the Seahawks to add a back on the first or second day of the draft, but we're not so sure.
