Raiders RB Josh Jacobs said Saturday that he’d like to re-sign with the team. Per Jacobs, contract talks should begin next week. “This is where I want to be,” the 25-year-old said. “I feel like I’ve left my mark on this organization. With the guys in the locker room — obviously, it’s going to be shaken up next year, but I feel like this is home. For me, this is where I want to be, but I’m not going to discredit myself trying to be here, either. So, it’s just got to make sense.” Jacobs smashed prior career highs with 393 touches and 2,053 total yards in 2022.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith told Sirius XM NFL Radio on Saturday that he’s in talks with the team on a new contract and that things are “looking very good.” We’ve been assuming Smith would re-sign, as the move just makes sense for both sides. We’ll be tracking the process, of course. If you’re jumping into early best-ball drafts — or managing your dynasty rosters — treat Smith as though he’ll start for Seattle in 2023. The length of his new contract should help clarify how long he might stay beyond that
The misdemeanor menacing charge against Bengals RB Joe Mixon was dismissed by a judge on Friday, at the request of the prosecution. But the prosecution reserves the right to re-file the case after additional investigation. The legal side of this story isn't over yet. And the NFL can discipline Mixon even if he isn't legally found guilty. That has Mixon's 2023 and dynasty value in limbo for now. We'll keep you updated on the situation.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon is being charged with "aggravated menacing" for an incident that allegedly occurred in downtown Cincinnati the day before the Divisional Round game against the Bills. Mixon is accused of pointing a gun at a woman and saying, "You should be popped in the face, I should shoot you, the police can't get me." NFL Network's Tom Pelissero spoke Thursday night with Mixon's agent, who claims the charge will be dropped on Friday. We'll keep you updated on the situation. Remember that Mixon entered the NFL with red flags after he was caught on camera punching a woman at a restaurant in 2014.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid expressed optimism on Thursday that WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) will be able to practice next week and play in the Super Bowl. "He’s in a good place," Reid said. "The main thing is that we let that [injury] calm down. I’m very optimistic right now… We’ll just see where it goes.” Check back next week for updates on Smith-Schuster's progress.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid said Thursday that WR Kadarius Toney (ankle) is "close." He didn't practice on Thursday but did participate in the walkthrough. It sounds like Toney has a good chance to play in next weekend's Super Bowl. We'll keep you updated on his progress.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid conceded Thursday that WR Mecole Hardman is unlikely to play in the Super Bowl after aggravating his pelvis injury in the win over the Bengals. “I think it’ll be tough for him," Reid said. "I doubt he’ll make the Super Bowl… He was not going to be denied the other day [in the AFC Championship Game], and that’s a tribute to the kid. He’s a tough, tough kid.” Hardman is scheduled to hit free agency in March.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes said Thursday that his ankle is "in a good spot" coming out of the AFC Championship win over the Bengals. Mahomes ran for just 8 yards in that one but didn't seem impacted when throwing, finishing with a 326-2-0 passing line. He has another 10 days to get ready for the Super Bowl.
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts is "on schedule" in his recovery from November knee surgery to repair a torn MCL, TEs coach Justin Peele said this week. “It’s an ongoing process every day,” Smith added. “Ultimately, what matters is getting ready for training camp. Feel pretty good about where he’s at.” We never got a reported timeline for Pitts' recovery, but he should at least be ready for the start of training camp, if not some of the offseason program. Pitts was a major fantasy disappointment in 2022, posting a 28-356-2 line across 10 games. He still ranked 6th among 32 qualifying TEs in yards per route run, though, and remains a player to bet on long term. The big question for 2023 is whether the Falcons open up their passing game after finishing 31st in pass attempts last year.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy will take over play-calling duties from departed OC Kellen Moore, owner Jerry Jones said. Jones added that McCarthy will deploy a "version of the offenses he ran in Green Bay," according to The Dallas News' Calvin Watkins. McCarthy spent 13 years running the Packers offense, leading 10 of those teams to top 10 finishes in points, total yards or both. He was helped, of course, by having Brett Favre under center for his first 2 seasons and Aaron Rodgers for the final 11. McCarthy's offenses leaned pass, with 9 of them ranking higher in pass attempts than rush attempts. We'd expect a similar attack with QB Dak Prescott in 2023 but will keep an eye on McCarthy's plans throughout the offseason.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the concussion protocol after meeting with "several medical professionals," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "They are confident he’ll be 100% when the time comes for football," Rapoport adds. Tagovailoa sustained 2 concussions -- and appeared to sustain a 3rd -- during the 2022 season, ultimately missing 4 games and most of another. When he was on the field, he scored as a top 10 fantasy QB. It sets him up as 1 of the bigger risk/reward picks at QB in 2023 fantasy drafts.
After speaking with Bears HC Matt Eberflus, insider Albert Breer expects the team to do its due diligence on the 2023 QB class but ultimately trade the 1st overall pick and stick with QB Justin Fields for this coming season. "They love [Fields] as a leader. They love him as a person. ... The question is is he the right QB," Breer said on the Rich Eisen Show. "The great thing about the position they're in right now is that they can probably get something significant for the 1st pick and use whatever they get to put something great around Fields. ... We'll give Justin a better situation. We'll get a cleaner evaluation of Justin in 2023. And then in 2024 we'll either have our QB of the future in Justin Fields, or we'll have a high pick in a draft with [USC QB] Caleb Williams and [North Carolina QB] Drake Maye are gonna be coming out." We'll see how this situation plays out over the next few months leading up to April's draft, but it sounds like 2023 will be a make-or-break year for Fields in Chicago. He was obviously dominant as a runner this past season but averaged just 150 passing yards per game on a 60.4% completion rate and 7.1 yards per attempt. A better offensive line and better weaponry would certainly help his chances of improving as a passer in 2023. Regardless, Fields is a safe pick in early fantasy drafts because he'll be starting somewhere this coming season, whether it's Chicago or elsewhere.
Cowboys WR Michael Gallup underwhelmed this past year, posting 39-424-4 in 14 games. Recall that he was returning from a left ACL tear from Week 17 of 2021. Now, we have more information to help explain his difficult 2022. On Tuesday, the career-long Cowboy underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right ankle and right knee, per beat writer Michael Gehlken. He’s expected to be fine for team workouts in April. Gallup’s $11 million salary for 2023 is fully guaranteed, so he’ll return for a 6th season in Dallas. Still, it’s quite possible that the Cowboys add competition to the WR corps. Dallas picks 27th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes QB Lamar Jackson will get the exclusive franchise tag. The exclusive tag would allow Baltimore to set the price in a potential deal, while the non-exclusive variety would net the team only two 1sts. Rapoport makes clear that a trade is unlikely, although such an outcome isn’t totally dismissed. An exclusive tag for Jackson would cost Baltimore roughly $45 million.
Buccaneers QB Tom Brady announced his retirement Wednesday morning via social media, and he says it's "for good" this time. We'll all obviously be waiting to confirm that throughout the offseason after last year's 1st crack at retirement, but we're taking the 45-year-old at his word. Brady's retirement officially leaves the Bucs with only Kyle Trask under contract at the position. They'll pick 19th in the upcoming NFL Draft, which might prove a little low for selecting an immediate successor. NFL free agency holds some potential options, including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Jimmy Garoppolo. Daniel Jones and Geno Smith are currently set to hit the market as well, though they're generally expected to re-sign with their current teams. Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers also sit as potential trade targets, though Tampa Bay might not have the salary-cap space to fit either of them. We'll be tracking this situation closely for the sake of WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.
The Texans are hiring Demeco Ryans as HC, according to multiple reports. This has been assumed for at least a few days now, and it makes loads of sense for Houston. Ryans was a team leader across 6 years as MLB with the Texans, before finishing his playing career with 4 seasons in Philadelphia. He spent the past 6 years on San Francisco's coaching staff, including the past 2 as DC. Ryans piloted a 49ers defense that ranked 3rd and 1st in yards allowed the past 2 seasons; 9th and 1st in points allowed. He inherits a Texans roster that needs plenty of work. But Houston does hold 5 picks among the 1st 3 rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, including the #2 and #12 overall selections. Expect the Texans to select their next QB in Round 1, with Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud and Will Levis all in the current early-Round 1 discussion. The 49ers defense, meanwhile, should be fine. San Francisco ranked 6th and 2nd in Football Outsiders' defensive DVOA the 2 years before Ryans took the helm.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Broncos and Saints are "finalizing compensation" that would allow Sean Payton to become Denver's HC. The big potential winner here, fantasy wise, is QB Russell Wilson. He'll come off easily the worst performance of his career to work with the HC that helped Drew Brees become Drew Brees in New Orleans. Of course, Brees was just 27 in his 1st season with New Orleans, after the Chargers allowed his rookie contract to expire and Brees to hit the open market. Russell Wilson just completed his age-34 season. Plenty of surrounding talent should remain, with WRs Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy still under contract, TE Greg Dulcich entering Year 2, and WR Tim Patrick and RB Javonte returning from knee injuries. Among his 15 years as Saints HC, Payton had 13 consecutive offenses rank among the top 10 in total yards. His teams also finished top-10 in points 12 times.
Update: Schefter reports that Denver is sending its 2023 first-rounder and 2024 second-rounder to the Saints for the rights to Payton and New Orleans' 2024 third-rounder.
49ers QB Trey Lance (ankle) said Tuesday that he'll be fully cleared in 3-4 weeks and will be 100% for OTAs. He's rehabbing a fractured and dislocated ankle that required a 1st surgery in mid-September and a 2nd in late December. It sounds like that process has gone smoothly, though, and that Lance will be a full-go for the offseason program. Although he's entering his 3rd NFL season, he needs all the reps he can get. Lance has made just 4 pro starts after spending just 1 season as a starting QB in high school – and then just 1 full season as North Dakota State’s starter. The fantasy upside remains high here thanks to Lance's rushing ability combined with San Francisco's offensive scheme and weaponry.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported on Monday that 49ers QB Brock Purdy suffered a complete tear of his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right arm in the aftermath of the NFC Championship. Purdy will reportedly seek 2nd opinions as to whether or not he can avoid reconstructive surgery, more popularly known as Tommy John surgery. Should the rookie end up under the knife for reconstruction, he would stand to miss a considerable amount of time. A repair surgery would reportedly enable Purdy to be ready for activity in time for training camp. Dynasty managers can only hold their breath as we await further updates and the potential ramifications of a prolonged absence.
Update: Both NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter hear that Purdy is expected to be sidelined for about 6 months. That'd have him back for training camp but cost him the entire offseason program.
The Chargers are set to hire Kellen Moore as their new OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Although we just learned that Moore was done in Dallas on Sunday, the Chargers had been working on this hire "for a while," per Rapoport. It's a great get for QB Justin Herbert and Co. Moore helped the Cowboys to top-11 finishes in both points and total yards in 3 of his 4 seasons -- with the only exception being 2020, when QB Dak Prescott missed most of the year. That included a 1st-place finish in both points and yards in 2021. Moore's Dallas offenses were balanced to run-leaning in terms of Pass Rate Over Expected, although he certainly seems willing to adjust his play calling to the personnel. Moore also deploys a fast-paced attack, with the Cowboys ranking top 4 in both pace and situation-neutral pace in all 4 of his seasons.
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