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Texans | Joe Mixon consistent in 2024 (Tue Jul 1, 12:23 AM) [jump to this story] Commanders | Limited progress between WAS, Terry McLaurin (Tue Jul 1, 12:07 AM) [jump to this story] Steelers | Jonnu Smith coming to Steelers (Mon Jun 30, 10:44 AM) [jump to this story] |
Browns | Deshaun Watson to begin practicing around midseason? Tue Jul 1, 03:45 PM
Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson (Achilles) could be ready to practice sometime in October, according to a source via Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Link to storyDeshaun Watson player page
Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard finished with 250 carries in 2024 - the 11th most in the league and second most among all running backs who played 15 games or fewer. It is a number that will drop in 2025 in part because the Panthers want Hubbard to be fresh for four more seasons at a minimum, according to Alex Zietlow of the Charlotte Observer.
Link to storyChuba Hubbard player page
Denver Broncos WR Troy Franklin was 'playing with a much greater awareness (this spring)' and showed off to offseason workouts 'a little thicker,' according to head coach Sean Payton.'There's that (saying that) repetition is the mother of learning. You're seeing him play faster with a much greater awareness within each play. He's extremely explosive, and I think he's, I would say, five pounds heavier. A little thicker. He's had a good spring,' Payton told reporters last month.
Footballguys view: As USA Today pointed out, Marvin Mims made a significant leap on offense in his second year, and Payton believes Franklin could make a similar jump in 2025. "I think you're going to see those types of ascensions with players like Troy," Payton said. "There are a number of young players competing for not so much spots, but competing for touches. He's one of them." We'll see. Franklin is WR84 on the Footballguys projections, making him more of a late-round flier or waiver-wire watchlist candidate than a viable front-line player. |
New York Giants TE Darren Waller was acquired by the Miami Dolphins Tuesday, July 1, in exchange for a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick
Footballguys view: Waller was one of the league's best tight ends in 2019 and 2020, recording a combined 197 receptions for 2,341 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns for the Raiders, who rewarded him with a three-year, $51 million extension in 2022. However, they traded him to the Giants the following year, and Waller, who missed 21 games over his past three seasons, retired after just one season in New York. The 32-year-old is familiar with Dolphins' offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who coached the Raiders' tight ends from 2018 to 2020 -- Waller's prime, but fantasy investors shouldn't overreact here; he's not a front-line asset. |
Darren Waller player page
Free-agent WR Tyler Boyd (Titans) had conversations with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, according to team insider Mark Kaboly on 93.7 The Fan. Kaboly said he was not sure if a formal offer was made during those conversations. He added that the money that Boyd has been offered around the league this offseason from any team has not been in the neighborhood he's looking for and that he's continuing to wait to see if a better offer can come his way.
Footballguys view: While he might be waiting to see if more money becomes available, Boyd recently stated that he'd "absolutely" be interested in playing for the Steelers this season. DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek are the current wideouts for the Steelers. Boyd spent eight seasons with the Bengals before moving to the Titans last season. He had 39 catches for 390 yards in Tennessee. We'll watch for more. |
Tyler Boyd player page
Las Vegas Raiders TE Michael Mayer isn't a player the team is interested in trading.
Footballguys view: While reports suggested the Dolphins might be interested in acquiring Mayer after shipping Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh, Miami instead went with a former Raider, Darren Waller, who will come out of retirement to play for the Dolphins. For now, we'll assume Mayer remains the No. 2 TE in Las Vegas -- behind Brock Bowers -- until further notice. |
Michael Mayer player page
New York Giants QB Russell Wilson faces a daunting first four weeks with games against the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers. If Wilson looks 'competent' and wins 'at least one' game during that four-game stretch 'he could start all of 2025,' in the opinion of The Athletic's Jacob Robinson. If not, however, Robinson suggests that rookie QB Jaxson Dart 'could start earlier than anticipated.'
Footballguys view: Wilson's QB30 Footballguys projection is indicative of his job security here. Nobody should be investing in him -- or Dart, for that matter -- in redraft formats. We'll continue to monitor this situation and make necessary adjustments, but as Robinson suggests, a move is unlikely until well into the season. |
Russell Wilson player page
Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. has had 'a good offseason,' per head coach Dan Quinn, who added that you could feel the running back's 'urgency and intensity.' Robinson is healthy as well heading into a contract year.
Footballguys view: If healthy, Washington's lead runner could recapture his early-season form (he averaged 4.6 yards per carry through Week 9). The Athletic's Jacob Robinson advised readers to keep an eye on rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt, too, as he's the only back who could unseat Robinson. Meanwhile, Robinson is being drafted as RB30 in ongoing drafts. |
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley totaled 436 carries, including the playoffs, during the 2024 season, which matched the highest number of carries in a season since 2000 -- former Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray logged an identical 436 carries in 2014.
Footballguys view: Despite the massive workload, Barkley claims there are no aftereffects. "I feel really good," he said last month. "Like I'm entering my prime." But the concern is obvious. As Footballguy Gary Davenport pointed out, of the 30 running backs to surpass 370 carries in a season since 1980, only one, Eric Dickerson in 1984 (when he set the NFL all-time rushing record), gained more rushing yards the following year. Forty percent saw their production drop by over half. That said, Barkley is still this year's RB1, according to current ADP data, going with the second pick overall. |
Saquon Barkley player page
Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon rushed for 503 yards and five touchdowns during the first half of the 2024 season and rushed for 513 yards and six touchdowns during the second half of the season.
Footballguys view: Mixon's 1,016 rushing yards were his fourth time crossing the 1,000-yard mark, though they were the fewest of those instances. His 4.1 yards per carry were a step up from the season prior, and he added another 309 yards on 36 receptions. His 11 touchdowns were the second-most in his career. Still, with Mixon's age (he'll turn 29 this month) and previous workload, the Texans could mix in other backs -- including the recently signed Nick Chubb -- to keep the veteran fresh. Mixon, who was RB10 last year. He is being drafted as RB19 in early Round 5. |
Joe Mixon player page
Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard rushed for 803 yards and seven touchdowns on first down during the 2024 season.
Footballguys view: Hubbard proved to be a perfect fit for Dave Canales' offense. He set career highs in rushing attempts (250), rushing yards (1,195), rushing touchdowns (10), and receptions (43) while recording 171 receiving yards and an additional touchdown in his 15 starts. Hubbard, who finished 2024 as RB15 in total points (and RB13 in points per game), is being drafted as RB18 in Round 4 this year. |
Chuba Hubbard player page
New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara rushed for 505 yards and six touchdowns in the first eight games of the 2024 season but posted 445 yards and zero rushing touchdowns during the second half of the season. He did catch 28 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown during the second half.
Footballguys view: Kamara also set a career-high in rushing last year and had his best season in terms of yards per carry since 2020. He caught 68 passes and had almost 1,500 total yards. New coach Kellen Moore has discussed wanting to center the Saints' offense around Kamara in 2025, which could help ease the burden on rookie QB Tyler Shough, who is expected to win the starting job. Kamara, who finished last season as RB5, is projected to finish as RB14. He's currently being drafted as RB16 in Round 5. |
Alvin Kamara player page
Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin has not made much progress in contract extension talks with the Commanders at this point, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Footballguys view: Even without progress on a new deal, local observers still contend McLaurin, coming off a season in which he caught a career-high 13 touchdown passes and added three more in the playoffs, isn't going anywhere. The expectation is the Commanders will do right by him. As we approach camp, both sides will be increasingly eager to finalize a deal, which could lead to a new agreement for McLaurin. We'll be watching for more. |
Terry McLaurin player page
Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence recently participated in workouts with WRs Brian Thomas Jr., WR/CB Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown.
Footballguys view: As USA Today noted, one of the crucial elements of the Jaguars' offense under Liam Coen will be multiplicity. At the receiver position, this means having Thomas, Brown, and Hunter all able to line up across the formation, attack different levels of the field, and do so in various ways. There's a level of unpredictability that the offense gains when each wideout can fill a variety of roles. But the QB needs to be in sync with his receivers, and the extra work they're putting in together in June and July will ensure that's the case this fall. |
Trevor Lawrence player page
Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce is entering the final year of his current contract and is not have any contract extension talks with the team at this point, according to sources.
Footballguys view: Since Pierce entered the league in 2022, he leads all players in yards per catch at 17.6. One out of every 10 receptions in his career has produced a touchdown. And his seven catches of 40 yards or longer is second only to the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase (8) since 2022. But Pierce has long maintained he's more than just a deep threat, and he's looking to prove it in 2025. And if he does? The Colts might be more willing to be the team paying him when this deal expires. |
Free-agent WR Gabe Davis (Jaguars) reportedly enjoyed his visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers this spring and is still an option to sign with the team at some point, although 'he could take his time' doing so, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Footballguys view: While not as big a name as Jonnu Smith or Jalen Ramsey, who were acquired in a trade with Miami earlier in the day, Davis, still just 26, has 2,969 career receiving yards, 183 receptions averaging 16.2 yards each, and 29 touchdowns. The Jaguars released Davis last month. He also visited with San Francisco and the New York Giants. |
Gabe Davis player page
Philadelphia Eagles S Andrew Mukuba was the rookie who impressed WR DeVonta Smith the most during offseason workouts.
Link to storyPittsburgh Steelers TE Jonnu Smith reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension worth $12 million following his trade from the Miami Dolphins on June 30.
Footballguys view: It's no surprise to see the Steelers extend Smith. Last year, he set new career highs with 88 receptions and 884 yards while tying a career-high with eight touchdowns. Now, Smith is set to be another strong target for newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers. |
Jonnu Smith player page
Las Vegas Raiders TE Michael Mayer is a player that the Miami Dolphins have had their eye on for a while, according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald.
Footballguys view: As USA Today noted, Mayer has long been rumored to be a trade possibility for the Raiders. A recent former high second-round pick who is sitting behind arguably the best tight end in football in Brock Bowers, Mayer makes sense here. Other possibilities being discussed at Footballguys headquarters? Baltimore's Mark Andrews, Chicago's Cole Kmet, Cleveland's David Njoku, and Atlanta's Kyle Pitts are among the higher-profile candidates. Rams TE Tyler Higbee, Buffalo's Dawson Knox, and New Englan's Austin Hooper also fit the mold. We'll continue to monitor and report back as developments warrant. |
Michael Mayer player page
Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt skipped the team's most recent minicamp and remains unhappy with his current contractual situation. Although Pittsburgh has not shown any interest in trading him, ESPN's Adam Schefter - via multiple sources - believes that the June 30 trade that involved CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and S Minkah Fitzpatrick could lead to more outside team interest for Watt.
Footballguys view: There has been no indication from the Steelers that they are looking to trade Watt, and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that they remain focused on signing him to a contract extension. Profootballtalk.com notes that a report this month indicated they expect to finalize a deal before the start of the season. Watt signed his last extension days before the start of Week 1, and the Steelers have a long-standing policy of not negotiating during the season. |
T.J. Watt player page
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Jonnu Smith is expected to log snaps at tight end, slot receiver and as a fullback following his trade from the Miami Dolphins on Monday, June 30, according to sources.
Footballguys view: The Steelers' interest in Smith is rooted in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's longstanding relationship with the tight end. Arthur Smith was Jonnu Smith's tight ends coach and offensive coordinator in Tennessee, and Arthur Smith later traded for his former player during his stint as the Falcons' head coach. Should we be excited by this? Footballguy Jason Wood notes that Jonnu Smith was TE22 in 2023 with the Falcons playing under Arthur Smith, and before last year, was only relevant once in his Patriots career (2020) because of a massive outlier 8 TD season on 65 targets. |
Jonnu Smith player page
Updating a previous report, Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and a 2027 seventh-round pick were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick on S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Footballguys view: Ramsey, who has 24 interceptions in his career, joins a loaded cornerback group with the Steelers, who signed Darius Slay Jr. in free agency earlier this offseason and also have incumbent starter Joey Porter Jr. Ramsey was credited with 11 pass breakups last season but recorded only two interceptions -- his lowest total since 2020. |
Jalen Ramsey player page
Jonnu Smith player page
Minkah Fitzpatrick player page
Miami Dolphins TE Julian Hill receives an opening to start after the team traded TE Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, June 30.
Footballguys view: Trading away Jonnu Smith, who skipped Miami's offseason practices in pursuit of a new contract, leaves the Dolphins without a primary pass-catching tight end. Remaining in their tight ends room are blocking tight ends Julian Hill and Pharaoh Brown, as well as former undrafted free agents Tanner Conner, Hayden Rucci, and Jalin Conyers. We'll see if the Dolphins don't go shopping at the position in coming days. |
Pittsburgh Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick were acquired by the Miami Dolphins Monday, June 30, in exchange for TE Jonnu Smith, CB Jalen Ramsey and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
Footballguys view: Fitzpatrick, 28, was productive after being acquired by the Steelers in 2019, nabbing five interceptions in 14 games with his new team. He had multiple interceptions in each of the following three seasons, including a career-high six in 2022. However, he hit a slump in 2023 and failed to record a single pick as he battled injuries throughout that season. Still, Fitzpatrick has 20 interceptions in his career, and acquiring him is a significant step for a Dolphins team looking to replace its entire starting secondary from a season ago. |
Minkah Fitzpatrick player page
Updating an earlier report, Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and 2027 seventh-round pick were acquired by the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
Footballguys view: Smith, 29, led all Dolphins players in receptions (88) in his first year with the team and finished behind only Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and George Kittle leaguewide in receiving yards by a tight end (with 884). Smith will be paired with current Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth. We'll watch for more here, but as Footballguy Jason Wood suggests, it's hard to envision a scenario where you're comfortable starting either this year unless one of them gets hurt, freeing up the other for a featured role. |
Jonnu Smith player page
Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey was acquired by the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, June 30, for an undisclosed package. As a part of the trade, Ramsey will get a $1.5 million raise this season, which brings his 2025 compensation up to $26.6 million.
Link to storyJalen Ramsey player page
New England Patriots RB Antonio Gibson appears to be in line for the No. 3 role in the backfield, in the opinion of ESPN's Mike Reiss.
Footballguys view: Gibson ran the ball 120 times for the Patriots last season, but he only wound up with 538 yards and a touchdown. As MSN.com noted, although he made three starts, Gibson never seemed to be on the verge of overtaking Stevenson, and now, with the addition of rookie TreVeyon Henderson, is another rung down the ladder. |
Antonio Gibson player page
San Francisco 49ers QB Mac Jones has 'a lot of traits' the team looks for in a starting quarterback, according to offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak. 'I think Mac's capable of being a starter in this league,' Kubiak said.
Footballguys view: As an unrestricted free agent in March, Jones wanted a chance to play for a coach who has a track record of squeezing the most from his quarterbacks. Kyle Shanahan was the obvious choice. There are no guarantees for Jones, but before signing with the Niners, he noted the ascent of Sam Darnold, another former high draft pick who struggled elsewhere, went to San Francisco, subsequently enjoyed success with the Vikings, and signed a sizable free-agent deal with the Seahawks. |
Mac Jones player page
Free-agent WR Tyler Boyd (Titans) could be signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an insurance policy for WR Jahan Dotson, according to Aaron Schatz of ESPN.com.
Footballguys view: Boyd was a useful slot receiver for the Bengals, enough to get a $43 million second contract with the team. After Cincinnati didn't pursue re-signing him when that contract ended, Boyd signed with the Titans, but fizzled along with the rest of the offense. It doesn't appear that there is a lot of interest in the 30-year-old around the league, but he could compete with Dotson to be the #3 for the Eagles, who have struggled to build depth at wide receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Boyd has also said he would be interested in playing for his hometown Steelers, who also have an unimpressive group behind their starting wideouts. |
Tyler Boyd player page
Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. said Kirk Cousins has been supportive of him since he entered the NFL and that has not changed since he has taken over as the starter.
Link to storyCincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow threw for 2,925 yards and 28 touchdowns during the second half of the 2024 season. He threw for 1,993 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first eight games of the season.
Footballguys view: Burrow was without Tee Higgins for three of the first eight games, and only threw three passing touchdowns in those games. Burrow had a streak of eight straight games with at least three passing touchdowns that started in Week 9, six of those came when Higgins returned from his second injury absence in Week 11. After moving closer to the elite quarterback tier in fantasy drafts, it's clear Higgins will need to stay healthy for Burrow to live up to the highest fantasy ADP of his career. |
Joe Burrow player page
Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry rushed for 1,119 yards and eight touchdowns during the second half of games last season. He rushed for 740 yards and eight touchdowns in the first half.
Footballguys view: Defenses get weary dealing with Henry, Lamar Jackson, and a multi-faceted, ultraefficient passing game. The Ravens offense could even better this year with a line that will have four returning starters, three of which are still on their rookie contracts. Henry finished as RB4 in PPR leagues last year, a hair behind Bijan Robinson, but is going at RB5 and 11 overall in the latest Footballguys ADP. |
Derrick Henry player page
Kansas City Chiefs OT Josh Simmons (knee) is 'on schedule to be the starter' at left tackle to open the season, according to Adam Teicher of ESPN.com.
Footballguys view: This would be a quite a boon for the Chiefs, who drafted Simmons in the first round even though he suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee in October. Simmons was considered to be possibly the best tackle in a very good class at the position, but fell to the end of the first because of the injury. He'll compete with Jaylon Moore, who the Chiefs signed away from the 49ers on a two-year, $30 million deal. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans caught 34 passes for 512 yards and five touchdowns in December last season.
Footballguys view: Evans season was interrupted by a hamstring injury that cost him three games. This finish to 2024 should reassure you if you are considering Evans at or near his ADP of WR20 and 39 overall even though he'll turn 32 right before the season starts. Evans was WR10 last year in PPR leagues on a points per game basis, although he was WR21 when he and Chris Godwin went down in Week 7. |
Mike Evans player page
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving scored all eight of his rushing touchdowns in the red zone this past season.
Footballguys view: Irving is not a big back, but his combination of vision, decisiveness, contact balance, and agility make him a great back in close quarters nonetheless. He was a fantasy RB1 once the Bucs put him atop the depth chart, and both Irving and the offense can be better in 2025. There's still potential for Irving to surpass his current Footballguys ADP of RB9 and 21 overall. |
Free-agent WR Tyler Boyd (Titans) said he believes he can play a few more seasons and expects to receive interest from teams as training camp approaches.
Link to storyTyler Boyd player page
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr., WR/CB Travis Hunter and WR Dyami Brown are working out together leading up to training camp.
Footballguys view: Thomas and Hunter could be the next dynamic duo who both finish in the top 20 at wide receiver despite playing for the same team. New Jaguars head coach Liam Coen accomplished that with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans last year in Tampa. Hunter is a rookie and didn't focus on wide receiver at Colorado. There's some skepticism about his early contributions, as he's falling to WR29 and 60 overall in the most recent Footballguys ADP, but Thomas is at WR8 and 14 overall. If you want him, you'll need to take him in the late first. |
Dyami Brown player page
New York Giants WR Wan'Dale Robinson said that he expects to move around more frequently in 2025, after he played in the slot position for 77.7 percent of his snaps during the 2024 season.
Footballguys view: Robinson finished as WR44 in PPR leagues on a points per game basis last year, but he's going off of the board as WR68 this year. It doesn't seem like fantasy players believe he will reproduce his 93-catch 2024 season, perhaps in part because he was limited to very short passes that only resulted in 699 receiving yards. Robinson could surprise if the Giants turn to pass-happy backup Jameis Winston, or if first round pick Jaxson Dart takes over during the season and relies on Robinson frequently as a high percentage target. |
Pittsburgh Steelers TE Connor Heyward said that he has bulked up to 240 pounds this offseason, in preparation for a possible move to fullback this year.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Tyler Boyd (Titans) said he would be interested in signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, if the opportunity presented itself. Boyd played college football at the University of Pittsburgh and is a native of Clairton, Pa.
Link to storyTyler Boyd player page
New York Giants WR Jalin Hyatt said that his playing weight was 170-171 pounds last year but estimated that he has added 25 pounds during the offseason, which should increase his strength but is not expected to compromise his speed. Hyatt is also hopeful of moving around more in the offensive scheme, after lining up out wide on 86 percent of his snaps and all of his targets in 2024.
Footballguys view: Hyatt has reportedly had good chemistry with presumptive Week 1 starting quarterback Russell Wilson. His ability to get downfield behind his man and go up to win the ball was what set him apart at Tennessee, and it meshes well with Wilson's "moonball" deep shots. Hyatt is still behind Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, and Wan'Dale Robinson for targets, but he could show physical and skill development this year to put himself back on the dynasty fantasy football radar after a quiet first two years following his selection in the third round of the 2023 draft. |
Jalin Hyatt player page
Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin missed some of the offseason practices because of his contract situation, and the two sides are still believed to have a lot of work to do before they can reach an agreement on an extension, according to SI.com's Albert Breer.
Footballguys view: The two sides can get closer to a deal when training camp begins. Deals get done at deadlines as they say, and McLaurin has made his intentions known by leaving OTAs and missing minicamp. National reporters suggest McLaurin is likely seeking a contract extension averaging at least $30 million per year. |
Terry McLaurin player page
New York Jets RB Breece Hall was reassured earlier this offseason by head coach Aaron Glenn that the team is not looking to trade him, even though he is entering the final season of his rookie contract.
Footballguys view: Hall is a talented runner, and he's set to be the lead back for the Jets this year. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are there to complement him in the backfield, and the Jets will use them behind Hall. In addition to what he can do on the ground, Hall is a good receiving option out of the backfield. His workload and three-down skill set makes him an RB2 with upside. |
New York Jets WR Allen Lazard's name has continued to be mentioned in trade rumors but the team is unlikely to deal him before the end of the preseason, as long as they are comfortable with their depth at wide receiver, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Rich Cimini.
Footballguys view: Of course, Lazard's name is in trade rumors because Aaron Rodgers is with the Steelers. Could we see something happen before the start of the regular season? Well, anything is possible and everyone knows if Rodgers can get more of 'his guys' around him - he will. Let's see what the Jets think of their WRs behind Lazard on the depth chart, and that means this might string along through the preseason as evaluations continue. |
San Francisco 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall worked out with QB Brock Purdy multiple times this offseason, both in their native Arizona and also in Jacksonville, where Purdy works on his throwing fundamentals each year.
Footballguys view: Pearsall missed minicamp due to a hamstring injury, but he's working out with his quarterback. He needs to stay healthy, because his rookie season was held back due to injury problems. He compiled 31 catches, 400 yards, and three touchdowns in 11 games last year. This season, Pearsall looks like a WR5/deep flex option for Fantasy GMs. |
The Cleveland Browns are unlikely to trade QB Dillon Gabriel or QB Shedeur Sanders before the beginning of the regular season, even though neither of them is expected to win the starting job, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe.
Footballguys view: The team believes in Gabriel despite the limitations to his game, and Sanders has a great pure-passer skill set. It was an interesting approach to take both in the same draft, and that's a strategy that has worked before in various ways (Robert Griffin, Kirk Cousins anyone?). We think Joe Flacco begins the season as the starter, but there's a good chance that both Gabriel and Sanders see the field in 2025. This quarterback situation is a bit of a mess, so keep that in mind when considering all Browns skill position players for your fantasy team. |
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. is 'definitely more comfortable' this season, according to QB Kyler Murray. 'I can see it out there on the field, and I think that'll only allow him to play faster, be the guy that we all know he can be,' Murray said.
Footballguys view: That's great news for Harrison, Cardinals fans, Murray himself, and - oh yeah - Fantasy GMs out there. Harrison has dynamic talent, and he could end up becoming one of the best wide receivers in the entire league. Currently, Harrison's ADP is WR18 (consensus) but he ability and opportunity will be there for him to outperform that position. If/when he hits, Harrison has WR1 set-it-and-forget-it potential every week....it's just a matter of when it all clicks for him. |
Denver Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins' workload remains to be seen, according to head coach Sean Payton. 'Don't try to figure out the club right now,' Payton said. 'It's way too early.'
Footballguys view: This is a situation to monitor during training camp and the preseason. Dobbins will split time with rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey in the Broncos backfield. Who is the lead back? That's uncertain right now, but we could see Dobbins getting a majority of the work early in the season. As Harvey proves himself in pass protection, the electric rookie back could shoulder more of the load. This is a two-headed RBBC where value could vary as the season goes on, plus Dobbins has missed more games than he's played in his pro career. At this time, both backs are flex plays with upside in a Sean Payton offense as he looks for his new Mark Ingram/Alvin Kamara combination. |
J.K. Dobbins player page
Chicago Bears WR Luther Burden III could make an 'instant impact' for the offense, according to Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network.
Footballguys view: Anything is possible, and Burden is a talented player with the ball in his hands. He's a run-after-the-catch specialist who is tough to bring down in the open field. It will be interesting to see how the Bears use him in the new-look offense. Burden was sidelined through mandatory minicamp, but he'll be good to go for training camp and the preseason. Whether it's outside or from the slot, Burden gives HC Ben Johnson a versatile chess piece to attack defenses with. Burden is a depth piece right now with flex appeal in his rookie season. |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield threw for 1,123 yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions during the fourth quarter of games last season.
Footballguys view: Reports earlier this year indicated new Bucs OC Josh Grizzard "won't try to reinvent the wheel." Mayfield was fantastic last year with now Jagaurs HC Liam Coen running the offense. It should be a rinse-and-repeat program this year for Mayfield, and that's got the attention of Fantasy GMs. His 41 touchdowns and 4,500 passing yards helped make him the no.3 fantasy quarterback in 2024 (standard leagues). Mayfield is a low-end QB1 in 2025 with the ability to crack the top-5 again. |
Baker Mayfield player page