Bears WR Chase Claypool has missed the last "few weeks," according to The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. HC Matt Eberflus only said Tuesday that Claypool is "dealing with a few things," adding that the plan is to have Claypool healthy for training camp. We'll keep an eye on the situation but aren't adjusting Claypool's 2023 projections right now.
The Jets are signing former Packers S Adrian Amos to a one-year deal worth "up to" $4 million, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. That's likely enough money to give Amos a shot at winning a starting job. But it's less than the 2023 cap hit for S Chuck Clark, whom the Jets acquired from the Ravens in March for a 2024 seventh-round pick. S Jordan Whitehead got a one-year $5.25 million contract from the Jets in free agency. We'll see how the Jets sort their safeties through the summer, but we're not currently projecting Amos to start in our 2023 IDP rankings.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson reported for this week's mandatory minicamp, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Jefferson skipped voluntary workouts earlier this offseason, presumably because he's looking for a new contract. We'll see if he and the Vikings can come to an agreement before the start of the season.
Bills HC Sean McDermott said Tuesday morning that WR Stefon Diggs was not attending the team's mandatory minicamp and that he was "very concerned" about the situation. Diggs' agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter about an hour later that Diggs would be there for the minicamp. The team has since said that Diggs was present on Monday and on Tuesday morning but left before the start of Tuesday's practice. We'll continue to keep you updated on the situation. For now, Diggs isn't moving in the 2023 WR Rankings.
Colts WR Alec Pierce admitted that he hit the rookie wall in 2022. “I don’t know if I necessarily felt it. But I think looking back on the film [late in the season], I did feel like I just wasn’t moving as good as I was early in the season.” While bad QB play factored in, Pierce mustered only nine catches for 82 yards over the final month. The second-year deep threat also noted an offseason area of emphasis. “I definitely needed to work more on my route-running at the top of routes, creating separation,” Pierce said. He projects as a full-time outside WR for new HC Shane Steichen, but we’re not expecting Indy to resemble a pass-happy offense. Pierce isn’t someone we’re looking to aggressively target in best ball leagues — even with an ADP past WR70.
Ravens WR Rashod Bateman received a cortisone shot in his foot, per HC John Harbaugh. He’s only expected to be out for a couple of days. “We decided to let him keep rehabbing and make sure he's ready to go for training camp," Harbaugh said. We’re not concerned about the foot right now, but it’s worth monitoring after November surgery. Bateman’s missed 16 games over his first two NFL seasons.
The Patriots released RB James Robinson. This was always a distinct possibility considering Robinson had $0 guaranteed money in his contract, although it's a bit surprising that he didn't even make it to training camp. Robinson turns just 25 in August but hasn't been the same player since his 2021 Achilles tear. We'll see where he latches on next, but Robinson isn't worth a roster spot in redraft leagues and has very little dynasty value at this point. His departure leaves RBs Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris, Ty Montgomery, and J.J. Taylor behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley confirmed Sunday that he won't attend the team's mandatory minicamp this week. That won't subject Barkley to any team discipline because he's not currently under contract. He has not signed his franchise tender. Barkley said: "I'm not demanding to be the highest-paid player at my position. I understand the market. I've been in talks with the Giants throughout the offseason. If at some point there's a deal that is fair to both sides on the table, I'll be ready to sign." There's no reason to believe at this stage that Barkley won't start the regular season on time. If you see him slide in best ball drafts on holdout fears, be ready to pounce. We'll see where the situation sits once training camp begins.
Chiefs undrafted rookie RB Deneric Prince has made a nice first impression on teammates and coaches. “He’s a sharp kid,” HC Andy Reid said. “He’s got skills. He’s big, he can run and he has a good feel for things right now.” Added backup QB Blaine Gabbert: "For being a rookie, he’s doing a tremendous job. He’s a lot of fun to be around. He had a great catch on a deep ball that Pat [Mahomes] threw him. It was unbelievable to see a rookie running back, especially a big running back like that, jump, twist, and catch a back-shoulder. He’ll be a lot of fun to watch in training camp when we get the pads on.” Prince totaled just 316 carries and 17 catches across four college seasons (one at Texas A&M, three at Tulsa). But the 6'0, 216-pounder clocked a 4.41-second 40 time and earned a 96th percentile Relative Athletic Score. Prince isn't on the redraft radar just yet, but he's a name to file away -- and potentially stash in deep dynasty leagues.
Lions QB Jared Goff is feeling more comfortable in his second season in OC Ben Johnson's offense. "I think we're able to dial in a little bit more into the details and we're able to tweak things a little bit more as opposed to learning a new offense and really learning the basic stuff," Goff said. "We're able to get into the weeds a little bit and it's been fun." Tim Twentyman notes that Goff has been in "complete command" of the offense this offseason. "Watching him operate at minicamp it's clear he's 100 percent dialed into Johnson's scheme," Twentyman adds. Goff's lack of rushing production caps his fantasy upside. But he finished 10th among QBs in fantasy points last season and is capable of another lower-end QB1 season in 2023.
Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, the Patriots are being "cautious" with WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Reiss signaled that the move stems from JuJu's knee injury in the AFC Championship game. New England is also looking to get 2nd-year WR Tyquan Thornton back to 100% following a "soft-tissue-related injury." We'll keep an eye on both players as training camp nears. Thornton, given his elite speed profile, remains worthy of a late best ball pick. Just note: DeAndre Hopkins is set to visit the Patriots this week.
"There were no visible limitations, both in terms of workload and the type of throws" Chargers QB Justin Herbert made at Wednesday's practice, The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes. Herbert underwent surgery in January to repair a torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He resumed throwing in May. "Herbert is looking healthier and healthier, and he should enter training camp with minimal limitations physically," Popper adds. This should be a non-issue by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp participated in full team practice on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a season-ending high-ankle sprain last November that required surgery. Kupp, though, is still rehabbing and hasn't been fully cleared. "Playing football, you can't simulate this stuff. So I don't know if we'll really know," Kupp said. "I feel right now we've been pushing it pretty hard. I feel like I'm asking for more, wanting to do more and feeling like you're getting held back versus feeling like they're pushing you to do more. We're in a good place now where I feel like I want to get out there and play." We'll continue to keep an eye on Kupp's progress, but he should be back to 100% before Week 1.
The Vikings are releasing RB Dalvin Cook, according to multiple reports. The move (or a trade) has been anticipated all offseason. His departure leaves Alexander Mattison as the top candidate to lead Minnesota's backfield, and there's big volume upside. Cook ranked 11th among RBs in opportunity share last season, the team's first under HC Kevin O'Connell. Ty Chandler, DeWayne McBride and Kene Nwangwu will compete for roles behind Mattison. Cook now hits the open market, ready to significantly alter the RB projections for some new team. Check our fantasy football RB rankings for updated numbers.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson is preparing to take on a big workload this season. “Damien [Harriis] is out of here now, so I’m kind of the guy,” Stevenson said. “Just trying to make sure I’m ready for the end of the season this year... Taking care of my body, just trying to be proactive.” Stevenson averaged 12.4 carries and 4.1 catches per game last year -- and that spiked to 14.9 carries and 4.7 catches in nine healthy games with Harris out or limited. With only Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris, James Robinson, and Ty Montgomery behind him on the depth chart, Stevenson could dominate New England's backfield work this season. He sits aggressively high in our RB rankings.
The Athletic's Dan Duggan does not expect Giants QB Daniel Jones' designed runs to decline in 2023. Jones ranked fifth among QBs with 79 designed runs last year. "The zone read figures to remain a major piece of the offense," Duggan writes. "It’s an annual offseason talking point in Buffalo how quarterback Josh Allen needs to limit his carries. Invariably, Allen runs just as frequently when the games start in the fall. I’m expecting the same with Jones." The Bills comparison is apt because Giants HC Brian Daboll was Buffalo's OC from 2018-2021. It'd make little sense for Daboll to limit Jones' running considering how effective it's been. He used a 120-708-7 rushing line to finish 12th among QBs in fantasy points last year and has similar upside in 2023.
Ravens RB Gus Edwards will be "partially ready" for next week's minicamp, HC John Harbaugh said. Edwards played in just nine games last year after his 2021 ACL tear and subsequent hamstring injury. But he played in the final seven regular-season games and Baltimore's playoff loss, so it's unclear what's ailing him now. "No setback," Harbaugh said. "Maybe they're being a little cautious, but that's what they're doing." Harbaugh added that Edwards should be "fully ready" come training camp, but his health is worth monitoring this summer.
Bears WR Darnell Mooney (ankle) is expected to be ready for the start of training camp. "Darnell is working is butt off and he's right on track," HC Matt Eberflus said Wednesday. Mooney suffered a season-ending left ankle injury last November and has been sidelined for the offseason program so far. Barring a setback, it sounds like he'll be back to 100% before the start of the season. His fantasy value took a big hit when Chicago acquired WR D.J. Moore, but Mooney could still provide some spike-week value in best-ball leagues.
49ers WR Deebo Samuel admitted that 2022 contract negotiations contributed to a down season. The 27-year-old signed an extension last July. On Tuesday, Samuel described his play last season as “awful.” He performed at a WR3 level in PPR points per game. "We talked about it. We put it behind us, and [were] just going through the tape to just look how sluggish and how bad it looked on tape," Samuel said of a conversation with HC Kyle Shanahan. "I never will put nothing like that back on tape again.” Deebo currently profiles as a top-20 fantasy WR for 2023.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to be recovered from his foot surgery "long before training camp." The QB will need to pass a physical, of course, but it doesn't sound like there should be big issues on this front. Garoppolo has tumbled down best ball draft boards since news broke of his spring surgery, but he obviously remains the top bet to start for the Raiders this season. Treat him as a big late value, especially in formats where drafting three QBs makes sense.
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