Titans WR Robert Woods was running through individual drills at Wednesday's OTA session. He's now close to 7 months removed from his torn ACL and seems to be on track in his rehab. Barring a setback, Woods has a good chance to be ready for Week 1.
The Vikings signed WR Albert Wilson. The 29-year-old has never topped 554 yards in an NFL season and is unlikely to climb higher than 4th on Minnesota's depth chart. Wilson isn't worth a pick in early best-ball drafts.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne looks fully recovered from last year's Lisfranc injury, according to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley. "Etienne's explosion and ability to quickly cut and make breaks stood out during pass-catching drills," Shipley wrote after watching OTAs. A healthy Etienne has breakout potential this season.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence looks better now than he did a year ago at this time, according to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley. Lawrence "looks more decisive and sure of himself when it comes to delivering the ball, especially in tight windows," Shipley observed. Lawrence is coming off a disappointing rookie season. But we're expecting a big year-2 leap under a new coaching staff and with an improved group of pass-catchers. He's a value in early best-ball drafts, going in Round 10 at FFPC and Round 13 at Underdog.
Based on OTAs so far, Patriots insider Evan Lazar believes "the early-front runners to dominate reps at wide receiver in 11-personnel are [DeVante] Parker (X), [Kendrick] Bourne (Z), and [Jakobi] Meyers (slot)." That'd leave 2nd-round rookie Tyquan Thornton and veteran Nelson Agholor as the 4th and 5th WRs. Lazar suggests that Agholor could be a trade or cut candidate if he doesn't climb the depth chart. None of these Patriots WRs are super exciting in fantasy drafts.
Seahawks beat writer Brady Henderson writes that “TEs could be a bigger part” of the offense in 2022. The Seahawks ranked a mid-pack 17th in TE target share last year, so there’s room for growth. Noah Fant arrived over the offseason to give this unit a boost in athleticism. And don't forget about Will Dissly, who somehow earned a contract worth almost $16 million guaranteed in March. For now, we’re treating Fant as a TE2 and Dissly as a fantasy non-factor.
The Cardinals have released RB Jaylen Samuels, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Arizona will move forward with Darrel Williams, Eno Benjamin and rookie Keaontay Ingram behind James Conner.
Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia described RB Dalvin Cook’s pass catching as “smooth” in OTAs.“It wouldn’t be a surprise to envision him having a role just a bit bigger than a normal complementary back,” Buscaglia wrote. All indications are that Cook’s off to a strong start in Buffalo. He checks in as a top-40 RB in redraft.
Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia reports that WR Khalil Shakir is dealing with an injury. Details are unclear, but Buscaglia observed the rookie with a taped-up leg and speculated that it might be soft-tissue related. It’s “to be determined” whether or not Shakir will be ready for the upcoming OTA or minicamp in mid-June. Regardless, Shakir remains an intriguing dynasty stash and a redraft long-shot.
49ers RB coach Anthony Lynn gave his assessment of rookie RB Ty Davis-Price. “We saw a body type that we don’t have right now.” Lynn said at OTAs. “A bigger back that can run, and physical, who can block. You want that thunder and lightning approach. We have some guys who can move around. We’ve got lightning. Hopefully Ty brings that thunder.” Added Lynn: “He’s made a couple cuts on the field that shows his natural running ability. And for a big man to be able move the way he can move, and he’s shown some soft hands. I will get him right pass protection-wise, but right now, in shorts, we have no idea.” The San Francisco backfield is certainly one to watch closely over the next few months.
The Buccaneers have agreed to a 1-year deal with former Bears DL Akiem Hicks. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it's worth $10 million, which clearly points to Hicks assuming a starting role with his new team. Tampa Bay had yet to re-sign DL Ndamukong Sun, and now has appeared to find his replacement. Hicks lost 8 games to multiple injuries last year and dealt with hamstring and ankle issues even in a healthier 2020. But the veteran has remained effective when on the field and sports some IDP upside, especially where he gets a DT or interior-lineman designation. Hicks will turn 33 in mid-November.
Steelers RB Najee Harris is currently tipping the scales at 244 pounds, according to The Athletic's Mark Kaboly. "He’s all quads and hamstrings," Kaboly adds. Harris was 230 pounds at last year's Combine, so it's a significant gain. We tend to not like when RBs add weight, although it's less of a concern for a volume, power back like Harris. Still, we'll be keeping an eye on him this summer.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that a judge has signed off on the district attorney's motion to drop charges against Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy. That aligns with the mid-May request by Jeudy's girlfriend to have those charges dropped. It also closes the case against Jeudy, almost certainly leaving no risk of further action by the NFL.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes called WR Justin Watson a "pleasant surprise" after throwing to him earlier this offseason. “That dude can roll," Mahomes said. "He came down to Texas. I threw with him the first day, and I called (general manager Brett) Veach and I was like, ‘Wait, how fast is this guy?’ He was running so fast that I was late on my throws. He’s had two great days.” Watson, a former 5th-round pick of the Bucs, has only 23 catches through 4 pro seasons. But he has a nice combination of size and athleticism and finds opportunity in a reshuffling Chiefs WR corps. We'll keep an eye on him this summer.
Per NFL insider Albert Breer, Saints QB Jameis Winston is nearing full clearance from his October ACL tear. Winston will meet with surgeon Neal S. ElAttrache around the end of next month. “End of June is when I’ll be fully cleared,” Winston announced. “Camp, I’ll be full go.” With Michael Thomas, Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry as top targets, Winston could supply some spot-start value this fall.
New Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell is excited about TE Irv Smith's potential in his offense. "I've said this before, going back and watching some of his tape even before the injury, I know there was a lot of folks excited about him last fall before that injury happened," O'Connell said. "Some of the success he's had -- both with how we're going to use him and ultimately where he is at in his career -- he's ready to absorb all of this and be in a position to go play fast, go play with a bunch of confidence that he's going to be a major part of what we do." Smith is still working his way back from August's meniscus injury, but the Vikings reportedly expect him to be at 100% for the start of training camp. After Minnesota failed to add a significant upgrade at WR behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, there's room for Smith to carve out a significant role this season.
Titans WR Treylon Burks has "no limitations" at OTAs, HC Mike Vrabel said. Burks reportedly had "breathing issues" that had him on and off the field at the team's rookie minicamp a couple of weeks ago. We'll keep an eye on that but won't consider it a concern for now. Burks has every opportunity to capture a major 2022 role.
Free agent WR Antonio Brown said he won’t play in the upcoming season. “Obviously, we live the game, but you can’t play forever,” Brown said. “I think I’m a great player that’s done everything in the game.” There’s always a chance he changes his mind. But given his character concerns and a likely lack of suitors, AB’s safe to avoid in summer drafts.
Bills beat writer Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News doesn’t expect RB Duke Johnson to make the final roster. Skurski’s expectation is that Devin Singletary, James Cook, Zack Moss and RB/ST ace Taiwan Jones will make the team. Johnson, 28, signed a 1-year deal this offseason with only $377K guaranteed.
The Athletic's Matt Barrows expects to see "plenty of rotation" in the 49ers' backfield this season. That wasn't the case last year, when RB Elijah Mitchell dominated carries whenever he was healthy. But Barrows believes "the 49ers are hesitant to give Mitchell or any of the running backs too great a load this season" after Mitchell dealt with a variety of injuries in 2021. Barrows expects rookie RB Ty Davis-Price to be part of San Francisco's RB rotation. Trey Sermon, Jeff Wilson and JaMycal Hasty are also on the roster.
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