The Panthers' starting QB job is "up for grabs," GM Scott Fitterer said. Fitterer said that Sam Darnold "is the number one guy right now" and "has every opportunity to take it and run with it." But he also added that QB Matt Corral will play if he “gives us the best opportunity to win.” Frankly, it's a win for the rookie that the GM isn't fully committing to the veteran at this point of the offseason. If it's truly an open competition in training camp, Corral has a shot to be under center come Week 1.
Jets QB Zach Wilson — listed at 214 pounds — added weight over the offseason. "He looks beefy -- in a good way," HC Robert Saleh observed. Wilson took 44 sacks last year, 3rd-most league wide. So the added weight could be particularly helpful for his season-long durability. A much-improved supporting cast makes Wilson an enticing QB2 target.
Retired QB Drew Brees tweeted that he might return to football. “Despite speculation from media about my future this fall, I’m currently undecided,” Brees began. “I may work for NBC, I may play football again, I may focus on business and philanthropy, I may train for the pickleball tour, senior golf tour, coach my kids or all of the above. I’ll let you know.” Brees last suited up in the Divisional Round of the 2020-2021 postseason. He turned 43 in January.
UPDATE: Long-time Saints beat writer Jeff Duncan tweeted that Brees' comment was "100% in jest...[there's] nothing to see here."
In a video posted to Instagram, Titans WR Robert Woods appears to be moving around without issue. In the minute-long clip, the 30-year-old can be seen going through footwork drills and sprints at what looks close to full speed. Woods tore his ACL in mid-November, so he’ll be about 10 months removed from the injury come Week 1. We’ll track his rehab all summer long.
Cardinals GM Steve Keim gave a breakdown on rookie RB Keaontay Ingram. "A big, physical back. A downhill runner. A good special teamer. A guy that we think can certainly contribute," Keim said. "Thought he had a really nice year this year and a lot of good things to like about him.” In 2021, Ingram posted 156-911-5 (10 games) as a power back for USC. Across 4 seasons (2 at USC, 2 at Texas) Ingram collected 89 receptions. The 6th-round pick will battle Eno Benjamin, Jonathan Ward, Jaylen Samuels and UDFA Ronnie Rivers for a depth role behind James Conner.
Speaking at rookie minicamp, Lions WR Jameson Williams said he doesn’t have an update on when he’ll resume running routes. Williams tore his ACL on January 10 — 8 months prior to Week 1. “We’re taking it slow,” Williams said. “I’ve been out here getting some good rehab with the trainers two times a day. So everything’s been going good so far.” HC Dan Campbell passed on putting any sort of timetable on Williams’ return to the field, but it’s safe to call the ‘Bama stud questionable for Week 1. We’ll update his status throughout the summer.
Bills beat writer Jay Skurski believes there should be “minimal growing pains” in year 1 with OC Ken Dorsey. The former college football star just served as Buffalo’s QB coach/pass game coordinator, so there’s desirable continuity. Dorsey, who’s never called plays at any level, is taking over for new Giants HC Brian Daboll. Skurski mentions the possibility of using more 2-TE sets and throwing to RBs more frequently — obvious dot-connecting following the arrivals of O.J. Howard and rookie James Cook. Allen remains an elite QB1.
Speaking on the Move the Sticks Podcast, NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks said he believes rookie RB Isaiah Spiller is a “true #1” type of talent. “I would not be surprised to see him emerge as a star-quality player for the Chargers,” Brooks added. The long-time analyst pointed out Spiller’s size and pass-catching ability. (The 217-pounder caught 74 balls across 3 college seasons.) He’s the clear favorite for #2 duties entering the summer, but note that Austin Ekeler’s under contract for 2 more seasons.
Cardinals GM Steve Keim gave his scouting report on rookie TE Trey McBride. “The guy can do it all,” he said. “He can play in-line, he can flex, he can motion, he can play out of the backfield. He’s got tremendous hands and a great catching radius. He’s really strong in a crowd. And his character is off the charts. He’s a three-time captain, a phenomenal leader and we’re just thankful he was there [to draft].” Keim added that McBride was “by far the highest graded [prospect]” at pick #55. Zach Ertz’s contract makes it tough for the team to move on before 2024, so McBride figures to play a part-time role for the foreseeable future.
League insider Albert Breer believes the Cardinals will “find a way to get something done early in the summer” regarding a contract extension for Kyler Murray. Currently, the QB is under team control for 2 more seasons. Only 24, Murray will likely get Josh Allen money on his next contract.
Speaking at rookie OTAs, Steelers WR Calvin Austin said his weight fluctuates between 170-175 pounds. At 5’8 and even 175, he’ll likely struggle to see a full-time role — even a few years down the line. Pittsburgh also added Georgia WR George Pickens in Round 2, and he’ll join a strong top-2 of Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Johnson does enter a contract year, so Austin could be setup for a 2nd-year bump. Still, odds are, he’ll provide more real-life value than fantasy value. At Memphis, Austin returned 2 punts for scores on 29 opportunities.
Cardinals beat writer Bob McManaman expects the team to “squeeze even more” out of James Conner early next season. Conner signed a new contract this offseason, and Arizona will be without DeAndre Hopkins for the first 6 games. “We’ve got to be better at it,” HC Kliff Kingsbury said. “We didn’t run the ball great late last year when we needed to and when you look at those teams that made a run, they were able to still sustain the run, especially when you lose a top player like that [Hopkins]. So, we’ve got to be able to establish that early.” After losing Chase Edmonds in free agency, Conner’s current backfield competition includes Eno Benjamin and rookie Keaontay Ingram.
NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks considers Ravens WR Rashod Bateman a top breakout candidate for the 2022 season. Brooks calls the 2nd-year man a “nice fit” in the offense, adding that he can reach “8 to 10 targets” per game. We don’t disagree on the premise. But the latter point is perhaps a stretch; 8 targets per game adds up to 136 over a full season. Only 11 WRs hit that mark in 2021. Beyond that, the Ravens — minus Marquise Brown — simply don’t project for fantasy-friendly pass volume. For fantasy purposes, Bateman’s best drafted as a WR3 with upside.
Lions WR D.J. Chark said he’s not limited in offseason workouts. Chark, of course, is coming off a late September ankle fracture. "They’re always there to let me know like, if it’s bothering me I don’t have to push it as hard or things like that, cause they want me to be where I’m at my peak when the season starts," Chark, 25, said. "But no, I do everything that everybody else does. That’s just how I am. I wouldn’t feel good going home knowing that I didn’t do whatever because the other guys, and I feel like that’s how you earn your respect and your keep around here.” Chark signed a 1-year, $10 million deal back in March. He'll fill an intermediate/deep role in a suddenly-strong Detroit offense.
Falcons HC Arthur Smith commented on the arrival of WR Bryan Edwards. “He’s a guy who can win outside 1-on-1 and certainly has shown he can play in traffic inside the numbers,” Smith said. “This guy has made big plays. He’s not even 23 years old. When I was at the previous spot [Tennessee], we really liked him coming out.” A fantasy afterthought in Vegas, Edwards' move to Atlanta makes him a legit late-round flier in best ball leagues.
Jets HC Robert Salah called rookie RB Breece Hall a “home run hitter.” Salah went on to talk about the importance of explosive plays. New York traded up to land Hall, who posted 22 runs of 15+ yards last season (253-carry sample). He set a personal-best in YPC (5.8). Current projections have the Iowa State product clearing 250 touches.
Observing OTAs, 49ers beat writer Cam Inman writes that WR Danny Gray’s 4.33 speed is “obvious.” This is clear on Gray’s tape — and it also backs up what GM John Lynch had said post-draft. Target competition remains an issue for 2022, but the front office certainly has high hopes for Gray, a 3rd round selection last month.
Bills beat writer Matt Parrino writes that WR Khalil Shakir’s first step has been “noticeably difficult to contend with” in rookie OTAs. The 5th-rounder was a sharp route runner coming out of Boise State. And he posted an elite 1.49-second 10-yard split at the Combine, so his short-area burst is clear. A crowded depth chart makes Shakir a redraft long-shot, but the team’s WR3 role could be his as soon as 2023. See where he landed in our post-draft dynasty rookie rankings.
Falcons beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter writes that WR Drake London “appeared fine” in OTAs on Friday, “jobbing and running half-speed routes.” The rookie fractured his ankle ~6.5 months ago, so the fact that he’s even on the field is a positive. London, who turns just 21 in July, currently projects in WR3 range.
49ers 3rd-round rookie RB Ty Davis-Price said he plans to play this season between 220 and 222 pounds. He cut down to 211 to run a 4.48 forty at the Combine. According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, a heavier TDP “signals that the 49ers are indeed trying to add more thump to a backfield that might be asked to execute more inside-zone runs with Trey Lance.” The LSU product enters the summer looking to carve out a role alongside Elijah Mitchell.
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