• IDP Rookie Top-40 Tiered Big Board – Kyle Bellefeuil and Joseph Haggan deliver a tiered roadmap for the Top 40 IDP rookies. Lock in the right defenders — and leave your league chasing you.


• 2025 NFL Draft Rounds 5 Through 7 Dynasty Reaction – Corey Spala highlights which late-round rookies offer upside and where savvy dynasty managers should look for value.


• Biggest DL Winners and Losers from the 2025 NFL Draft – Gary Davenport breaks down which rookie and veteran defensive linemen gained or lost IDP value after the dust settled on the 2025 NFL Draft.

1. PIT: Pittsburgh feels good about Aaron Rodgers signing
2. MIN: J.J. McCarthy back to usual playing weight
3. CHI: Colston Loveland draws Sam LaPorta comp from coach
4. SEA: Jalen Milroe likely to have a package of plays
5. TEN: Cam Ward has to earn starting role
6. CLE: Shedeur Sanders' draft slide addressed
7. SF: George Kittle gets paid
8. LAC: Los Angeles Applies Unrestricted Tender To J.K. Dobbins
9. WAS: Matt Gay signs with Washington
10. TEN: No attempt to trade Will Levis during draft
11. WAS: Zane Gonzalez released

1. PIT: Pittsburgh feels good about Aaron Rodgers signing

Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

Free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets) remains unsigned, but the Pittsburgh Steelers 'are confident' that he 'will be a member of the Steelers,' according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.

Our view: While this report is a further indication of their confidence, we already got that message directly from the man who matters most in Pittsburgh. In a radio interview last Friday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II said that Rodgers "wants to come here" and could let the club know his intentions soon. "We're still kind of getting the same signals that we've been getting recently," Rooney said to Steelers Nation Radio. "He does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon." The Steelers passed on Shedeur Sanders twice in the first three rounds despite being linked to him before drafting Ohio State's Will Howard in Round 6. Rooney suggested Friday that drafting a Day 3 QB was possible, but he said it would be a developmental pick if the Steelers went in that direction. So, "Rodgers Watch" continues. Stay tuned.

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2. MIN: J.J. McCarthy back to usual playing weight

Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy told reporters he is back up to 215 pounds after getting as low as 'the high 180s' during his recovery from last season's knee injury.

Our view: It's now been over eight months since McCarthy, the tenth overall pick in last year's draft, suffered a torn meniscus that ended his rookie season before it could begin. Speaking to local reporters on Tuesday for the first time since before that injury, the 22-year-old said he's back to full strength and is excited about the opportunity this year. "Overall, I feel 110 percent because I feel better than when I got hurt eight months ago," he said. The question is, will McCarthy be ready to fuel the fantasy fortunes of teammates like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson? Head coach Kevin O'Connell is one reason for optimism. His offenses have been productive regardless of the quarterback since he arrived in Minnesota. And for the record, Jefferson's Average Draft Position in early best balls, he's going as WR2 with the fourth pick overall, is an indication that most drafters aren't worried.

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3. CHI: Colston Loveland draws Sam LaPorta comp from coach

Source: ESPN.com - Courtney Cronin

Chicago Bears first-round draft choice TE Colston Loveland (Michigan) was told by new head coach Ben Johnson that the No. 10 overall pick reminded him 'a lot' of Sam LaPorta.

Our view: The 6-5, 245-pound Loveland, who had 56 receptions, including five for TDs, last season, is viewed as a key to unlocking the potential of Johnson's offense. That same offense allowed LaPorta to catch 86 passes and 10 touchdowns as a Pro Bowl rookie in 2023 when he finished as the No. 1 tight end in fantasy. While Loveland opens as TE21 on the Footballguys 2025 projections, we'll all be looking for signs that he might play a role in Chicago similar to LaPorta's in Detroit.

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4. SEA: Jalen Milroe likely to have a package of plays

Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson

Seattle Seahawks third-round draft choice QB Jalen Milroe is expected to see 'a small handful of plays a game,' according to ESPN.com's Brady Henderson. Head coach Mike Macdonald made it clear that Sam Darnold will likely take over 90% of the snaps in regular-season games this season if things go according to plan.However Jalen ... earns the right to go out there, then we'll do that, if it's going to help the team, if it's best for us to move the ball and give these defensive coordinators some headaches. I'm really happy it's not going to be us,' Macdonald said.

Our view: While getting the super-athletic Milroe, who has high-end playmaking ability as a runner, into the mix immediately makes sense, fantasy managers should be looking at the long term here. As Sigmund Bloom wrote in his Post-Draft Bloom 100, Milroe landed on a team that could give him a chance to start in 2026. Sam Darnold's deal is basically year-to-year after 2025, and if you think Darnold bombs outside of Minnesota, then Milroe's immense fantasy upside could be unlocked. Bloom added, "[Milroe is] still a viable late first-round pick in superflex leagues and has as much upside as anyone going outside of the first in 1QB leagues."

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5. TEN: Cam Ward has to earn starting role

Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Myles Simmons

Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward won't be handed the starting job, despite being the No. 1 overall pick, according to general manager Mike Borgonzi on Monday, April 28. 'Yeah, it's a great room we have right now with those four guys,' Borgonzi said about QBs Will Levis, Brandon Allen, Tim Boyle, and Ward. 'And that'll be up to Brian [Callahan] and his staff in terms of reps as we go through the offseason and get into training camp. But, we'll take it step-by-step here. And that'll be up to Brian in terms of who takes what reps at some point. So, we're not going to name any starters here, though, right now here in the offseason.'

Our view: While their public stance makes sense, all signs point to Ward taking the reins as the Titans' franchise quarterback of the future. Levis went 2-10 during his 12 starts last season, finishing with 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Realistically, given those numbers, investing the first pick overall in Ward suggests the outcome is a foregone conclusion. Ward is QB26 on the current Footballguys 2025 Projections.

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6. CLE: Shedeur Sanders' draft slide addressed

Source: SI.com - Albert Breer

Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' fall into the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft was addressed by SI.com's Albert Breer, who cited several factors in the slide. Breer highlighted one coaching staff intentionally planted mistakes in a drawn-up play that Sanders didn't catch. When called out on it, the Colorado prospect's response didn't sit well with the unnamed organization. Sanders also reportedly didn't take responsibility at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine when a coaching staff asked him about his on-field mistakes, leading to Sanders saying maybe the two parties weren't a good fit. Breer went on to mention that NFL executives simply didn't hold Sanders' ability in as high regard as the general public, and once the draft-day fall began, many possible suitors may have opted to pass on Sanders as a backup to avoid an ensuing media circus.

Our view: It's hard to argue that Sanders' precipitous fall was solely about his level of play; he was widely viewed as one of the top prospects at his position heading into the week. So, the interest in all the behind-the-scenes pre-draft gossip is understandable. But it's time to put the post-mortems behind us. Sanders joins fellow rookie, third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, Joe Flacco, and Kenny Pickett in a four-way competition for the starting job in Cleveland. While his past attitude might offer insight into how Sanders will handle that competition, we'll keep most of our focus on the field, where we have Flacco currently projected as the starter.

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7. SF: George Kittle gets paid

Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million extension Tuesday, April 29. The deal includes $40 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Our view: Kittle caught 78 passes and posted 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. More importantly, for our purposes, while he was third in total fantasy points at the position behind Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, Kittle was first in points per game, with 15.8. This kind of finish is not new. Since his breakout in 2018, Kittle has been a top-five fantasy TE in six seasons where he played at least 14 games. With Deebo Samuel Sr. now a Washington Commander and with Brandon Aiyuk coming off a torn ACL, Kittle, currently TE3 on our 2025 projections, will continue to play a prominent role in the Niners' passing attack.

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8. LAC: Los Angeles Applies Unrestricted Tender To J.K. Dobbins

Source: Profootballtalk.com

The NFL's morning transaction report for Tuesday shows that the Chargers have applied the tender to running back J.K. Dobbins, who became a free agent at the start of the league year in March.

Our view: Under the terms of the tender, the Chargers will have exclusive negotiating rights with Dobbins if he has not signed with a team at the start of training camp. He would make $3.428 million if he played out the year under the tender. If Dobbins does sign with another team, the move will still count in the compensatory pick formula for both the Chargers and Dobbins' new team. The Chargers signed Najee Harris as a free agent and drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round, so a Dobbins return would give them a lot of depth in the backfield, which is likely more depth than fantasy investors would prefer.

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9. WAS: Matt Gay signs with Washington

Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero

Free-agent PK Matt Gay (Colts) agreed to a one-year, $4.25 million fully guaranteed deal with the Washington Commanders Tuesday, April 29. He can earn up to $5 million in incentives.

Our view: Gay, 31, was recently released by the Colts. If the contract figures reported hold up, this will be the most guaranteed money for a kicker on a one-year deal in league history. He played the last two seasons for Indianapolis, connecting on 82.1 percent of his field goals for the club. Gay has made 85.5 percent of his career field goals for the Buccaneers, Rams, and Colts in 90 games. Incumbent kicker Zane Gonalez was released in a corresponding move.

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10. TEN: No attempt to trade Will Levis during draft

Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Myles Simmons

Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis wasn't shopped during the 2025 NFL Draft, general manager Mike Borgonzi said on Monday, April 28. He went on to praise Levis for raising the level of competition, stating the QB adds value to the franchise.

Our view: With the selection of Cam Ward, Tennessee now has the rookie, Levis, Brandon Allen, and Tim Boyle at quarterback on their 90-man roster. "Yeah, it's a great room we have right now with those four guys," Borgonzi said. "And that'll be up to Brian [Callahan] and his staff in terms of reps as we go through the offseason and get into training camp. But, we'll take it step-by-step here. And that'll be up to Brian in terms of who takes what reps at some point." Despite Borgonzi's comments, Ward is fully expected to be a Day 1 starter in Tennessee. Any other outcome will be a surprise.

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11. WAS: Zane Gonzalez released

Source: ESPN.com - John Keim

Washington Commanders PK Zane Gonzalez was released Tuesday, April 29.

Our view: Gonzalez joined Washington midway through the 2024 season after not kicking in a regular-season game since 2021. He connected on 5-of-7 field goals and 19-of-19 extra points in the regular season, plus 7-of-8 field goals and 8-of-8 extra points in three postseason games. In 2024, Gonzalez was 31-of-37 on his field goal attempts, with all six of his misses coming from at least 50 yards out. He made all 33 of his extra points. The Commanders signed Matt Gay to fill their place-kicking needs this season.

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