Panthers edge Brian Burns had surgery last Wednesday on his right ankle, the team announced Monday. Burns missed Week 18 with what was deemed an ankle sprain, but he returned to participate in the Pro Bowl games. Panthers.com's Darin Gantt reports that Burns continued to feel soreness as he began the offseason program, however. Tests revealed a "small fracture," which Dr. Robert Anderson repaired. Carolina expects Burns to be ready for training camp and play the season with "no limitations." This obviously adds a challenge for a rising, young pass rusher, though. We'll be watching Burns' progress this summer. Don't be surprised if we're a little cautious with his initial projections, coming in mid-May.
The long-awaited trade is finally across the finish line. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jets acquired QB Aaron Rodgers, the 13th overall pick, and a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft from the Packers in exchange for the 15th overall pick, the 42nd overall pick, a sixth-round pick, and a conditional second-round pick in 2024. To simplify the terms, the Jets brought in Rodgers by swapping first-round picks with the Packers, giving up a second-rounder in this year's draft and a second-rounder next year that could become a first if Rodgers plays more than 65% of the Jets' offensive snaps this coming season. This is a fairly big haul for the Packers as they look to move forward with QB Jordan Love at the helm. As for the Jets, Rodgers brings the franchise up immediately into contender status in the AFC with such talented weapons as WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall. We've recently released our complete 2023 fantasy point projections with Rodgers fixed as the Jets' starting QB. Check out how we see him performing this coming season in this revamped offense.
Per Bob McGinn, formerly of The Athletic, Syracuse RB Sean Tucker was found to have "an ongoing heart issue" when he was evaluated in Indianapolis ahead of the NFL Combine in February. An anonymous executive said, "This sounds like it's not going away ... essentially, he could be done." Tucker didn't participate in drills at the Combine due to an undisclosed medical issue and notably recorded and released his independent pro day video via social media last month. There hasn't been much clarity surrounding the nature of this ailment until recently. We'll see how much validity this report has as time evolves. Tucker is set to hold an official pro day for NFL teams at Syracuse on Monday. Be sure to check back for updates tomorrow, but in the meantime, take a look at our evaluation of the 21-year-old's profile.
Lions WR Jameson Williams is one of five players to be suspended for violating the NFL's gambling policy. Williams, along with Lions WR Stanley Berryhill, have been suspended six games. Lions WR Quintez Cephus, Lions S C.J. Moore, and Commanders DE Shaka Toney are suspended indefinitely. We'll see if Williams appeals this ruling, but fantasy drafters should work under the assumption that he'll miss the first six games of the 2023 season. Williams, of course, appeared in just six games as a rookie last year after tearing an ACL in January of 2022. This suspension will make him tough to roster in standard redraft fantasy leagues and just a late-round option in best ball. Williams' absence leaves Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones, Josh Reynolds, and Kalif Raymond as Detroit's top 4 WRs. Jones and Reynolds pick up a bit more fantasy appeal with this news.
Update: The Lions released WR Quintez Cephus and S C.J. Moore.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa admitted that he considered retiring after sustaining multiple concussions last season. “Yeah, I think I considered it, you know, for a time, having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kind of conversations,” he said. Tua ultimately opted to keep playing, citing his love for the game and his desire for his son to grow up watching his dad play. He's spent part of this offseason doing jiu-jitsu to "learn how to fall." Tagovailoa explained, "Learned some grappling techniques. Learned some other things too that I don’t think I should disclose. But for the most part, learned how to fall. You think it’s easy. Just don’t fall and hit your head. But a lot more to it.” The head injuries add risk to Tua' short- and long-term fantasy outlooks. But he was excellent last year in his first season under HC Mike McDaniel, ranking 8th among QBs in fantasy points per game.
Broncos GM George Paton said Thursday that RB Javonte Williams (knee) will be back at some point during the 2023 season but doesn't know exactly when. That's a much different tune than Paton was singing back in February, when he said Williams was “on track” to be ready for Week 1. Williams tore his right ACL, LCL, and posterolateral corner in October -- a much more complicated injury than a standard ACL. We'll continue to track his rehab. But, at this point, fantasy drafters should not be expecting Williams to be ready for the start of the season. We currently project him to play 14 games.
"Several teams" have called the 49ers to check on the availability of QB Trey Lance, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport adds that San Francisco is not actively shopping Lance and that "no trade is imminent." But it certainly makes sense that there's interest from other teams after the 49ers publicly called QB Brock Purdy the favorite to start in 2023. We continue to believe that there's a good chance that Lance is a Week 1 starter this season -- whether it's for the 49ers or another team.
The Rams are finalizing a trade to send WR Allen Robinson to the Steelers, pending Robinson passing a physical. No word yet on the compensation, but the Rams probably aren't getting much. Robinson is set to count $18 million against the 2023 salary cap and has been one of the least efficient WRs in the NFL over the past two seasons. He ranked 86th out of 101 qualifying WRs in yards per route run in 2021 and 90th out of 96 last year. Robinson figures to slide in as Pittsburgh's #3 WR behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. He's not an exciting fantasy pick. The Rams, meanwhile, are left with Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, and Ben Skowronek atop the WR depth chart. We'll see if they add to the position.
Update: Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers are getting Robinson and the 251st overall pick of this year's draft in exchange for the 234th overall pick. The Rams are also paying $10.25 million of Robinson’s salary. The Steelers will pay the remaining $5 million. If you needed confirmation that Robinson's tank is empty, there you go.
Browns WR Amari Cooper revealed on Tuesday that he underwent surgery this offseason for a core-muscle injury that he played through last year. Cooper was on the injury report with a hip late in the season, although it's unclear if this is related. Regardless, he said that he's "doing well now," per ESPN's Jake Trotter, so it doesn't sound like it'll impact his 2023 campaign. Cooper is coming off a 78-1,160-9 line and WR10 PPR finish in his Browns debut last year -- which now looks even more impressive considering he did it while dealing with this core-muscle injury.
Bills QB Josh Allen wants to get WR Gabriel Davis in more "catch-and-run" situations this season. Davis was used largely as a deep threat last year, with 29.2% of his targets coming 20+ yards downfield -- the 9th highest rate among 74 qualifiers. His 2.7 yards after the catch per reception ranked 70th. That's likely somewhat a function of Davis' skill set -- but at least partly due to how the Bills deployed him. More catch-and-run opportunities certainly wouldn't hurt his fantasy value. Davis is coming cheaper in fantasy drafts this year than last, with an FFPC best-ball ADP currently sitting in Round 9.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is excited by WR Justyn Ross' progress this offseason. “The talent is through the roof,” Mahomes said. “I think anyone can see that. He’s getting better and better. Even though he wasn’t active all year he was in the building and he was able to see the guys and how we do things. Listening and being in the meetings and some of the stuff like that. I’m excited for him, man. To be able to get out there and get the reps in practice, get the little fine details that we like to do in this offense.” Ross went undrafted last year due to medical concerns and then missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. But he was awesome early in his Clemson career, racking up 1,865 yards and 17 TDs over his first 2 seasons. Ross is still a long shot for tangible fantasy value this season, but he's worth keeping an eye on if for no other reason than the offense he plays in. Ross is also worth stashing in deeper dynasty leagues.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes conceded that the right ankle he injured in the Divisional Round of the playoffs still isn't back to 100%. “Now, it’s been more about just kind of managing it, but getting the mobility back as best I possibly can,” Mahomes explained. “I wouldn’t say I’m 100%, but I’ve had no, necessarily, limitations. When you go through the grind of the week of training, you’re trying to push it and go through the rehab process, but at the same time, you want to make sure you’re still building. You might be a little sore on the weekends, but I think we’ve done a great job of pushing it to the right limit to where now I’m throwing and stuff like that and having no limitations there. Running and cutting, there will still be a few limitations going for the next few weeks.” Mahomes added that he expects to be at 100% come training camp. We'll continue to keep an eye on the situation, but the ankle is not impacting our 2023 projections for Mahomes.
49ers QB Brock Purdy ultimately avoided Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, instead undergoing a UCL report with an internal brace, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. The procedure is expected to have Purdy back on the field quicker than initially suspected, although there's still no concrete timetable for his return. "I think like a lot of those things, timelines are just guidelines," GM John Lynch said. "Every person is different. There probably is some amount of time in talking to the docs that you want to make sure you get to that point before he's out there, but our hope is he's ready to go in training camp." The 49ers have called Purdy the "leader in the clubhouse" to be the team's 2023 starter -- and being ready for training camp would give him a good chance to hold on to that title. We'll continue to track Purdy's rehab.
The Eagles and QB Jalen Hurts have agreed to a five-year contract extension, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The deal reportedly includes $255 million in total money, with $179.304 million in guarantees -- plus an extra $15 million in incentives. The pact also comes with a no-trade clause, the first the team has ever given out, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. This obviously locks Hurts in as Philly's starter for the foreseeable future, which is good news for his spot in the dynasty rankings. This could also be a key move in the Lamar Jackson saga. Hurts' deal -- along with other recent second QB contracts -- seems to set the market.
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson won't be attending the team's voluntary offseason program, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. No surprise here. Jackson has not signed his non-exclusive franchise tag and remains in a contract standoff with the team. We're ultimately expecting Jackson back in Baltimore for at least 2023 and won't be moving him down the QB Rankings unless this situation bleeds into August.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs won't report for the start of the team's voluntary offseason program on Monday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Jacobs has yet to sign his franchise tender, ultimately hoping for a longer-term deal. He's unlikely to get it, but at this point we don't expect a holdout into the summer. We'll keep an eye on the situation. Giants RB Saquon Barkley and Jaguars TE Evan Engram are also skipping voluntary workouts after getting franchise-tagged earlier this offseason.
The Dolphins signed WR Chosen "the-artist-formerly-known-as-Robbie" Anderson. A valuable deep threat early in his career, Anderson has been one of the least efficient WRs in the NFL over the past 2 seasons. He ranked 97th among 101 qualifiers in yards per route run with the Panthers in 2021, and then finished 94th out of 96 last year in Carolina and then Arizona. In Miami, Anderson will duke it out with WRs Braxton Berrios and Cedrick Wilson for action behind target hogs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. You can continue to ignore Anderson in early best-ball drafts.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler hears that the Vikings might cut RB Dalvin Cook before the NFL Draft at the end of this month. Cook compiled 1,468 total yards and 10 TDs last year, finishing 10th among RBs in PPR points. But he ranked just 41st among 48 qualifying RBs in rush yards over expected per attempt, turns 28 in August, and is recovering from shoulder surgery. Cook carries a $14.1 million cap hit in 2023, although releasing him would save Minnesota just $5.9 million. The Vikings have also talked to at least one team about a Cook trade, Fowler adds. (The Dolphins have previously been rumored to be interested.) We'll see where this goes over the next couple of weeks, but Cook is a risky pick in current best-ball drafts. His departure would leave RB Alexander Mattison atop Minnesota's depth chart -- barring a significant addition in the draft.
Broncos HC Sean Payton gave a pretty chilly response when asked about TE Greg Dulcich at the league meetings in late March. "We'll see," Payton said. "Some of it was hard -- the evaluation [on Dulcich.] Some of it was hard." Dulcich flashed between injuries as a rookie last year, tallying a 33-411-2 line across ten games. He ranked 17th among TEs in PPR points per game and 19th among 32 qualifiers in yards per route run. But the fact that he's now playing for a brand new coaching staff adds risk to his 2023 fantasy football outlook. Denver still has TE Albert Okwuegbunam, a popular breakout candidate this time last year. And The Denver Post's Kyle Newman believes the Broncos could add a TE in the draft later this month. The good news with Dulcich: He's just TE15 in recent FFPC ADP — a fine shot to take at that price.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley has no immediate plans to sign his franchise tag, making him ineligible to participate in the team's offseason program beginning next week, Newsday's Kim Jones reports. The Giants, meanwhile, are not interested in signing Barkley to a long-term deal, according to Fox Sports' Ralph Vacchiano. "There’s no real crisis until training camp begins and from what I hear no camp holdout is expected — at least not yet," Vacchiano adds. This will certainly be a situation to monitor into the summer. But, for now, we're not adjusting our 2023 fantasy outlook for Barkley. He's most likely to play out the 1-year deal with the Giants before hitting free agency next offseason.
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