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.
49ers TE George Kittle -- along with LB Fred Warner -- is sitting out OTAs with what HC Kyle Shanahan called a "lower-half" issue. "Both have similar issues, so we’re being smart with them," Shanahan said. "Could go. Being smart. Good chance we’ll hold them out until training camp. ... They’ll be alright." It doesn't sound like this is something that'll impact Kittle's 2022 season, but we'll keep an eye on him when the 49ers open training camp.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence has been impressed by WR Christian Kirk this offseason. "He’s great. Just from a football IQ sense, I think he’s really quarterback friendly," Lawrence said. "The way he sees the field, different coverages unfold, the way he runs his routes, I just think he’s quarterback friendly. And then obviously his speed is something that we really needed and it’s going to help us a lot." Jacksonville gave Kirk a boatload of money in free agency -- $72 million over 4 years, with $37 million guaranteed -- making him the favorite to lead the team's WRs in targets this season. Kirk is a solid value at his 11th-round ADP in FFPC best-ball drafts.
Saints QB Jameis Winston was a limited participant in OTAs this week, according to The Athletic's Katherine Terrell. Winston took part in individual drills, 7-on-7s and some 11-on-11s but was sporting a "bulky" brace and had a noticeable limp, per Terrell. Winston just resumed running earlier this month after last October's season-ending left knee injury. “The biggest thing about my specific injury was the meniscus,” Winston told reporters. “It wasn’t the ACL and MCL. The MCL actually healed on its own before surgery and the ACL, Dr. Neal ElAttrache did a phenomenal job. … It was a pretty simple procedure. But the meniscus repair has been the biggest limiter for me right now, in terms of moving, rolling out, in terms of certain movements that I’m not able to do just because of the timetable of the recovery. But my ACL is very stable, my MCL is very stable. Right now I’m building around and fighting with the meniscus.” The fact that Winston was on the field at all in May is a positive sign. We're expecting him to be under center for the Saints come Week 1.
The NFL announced changes to the 2022 IR rules, the most notable being that designated-to-return players must miss at least 4 games. It was a minimum of 3 games last season. Also noteworthy: A player can now be designated-to-return twice per season, rather than just once. These changes will be worth keeping in mind as you make roster moves during this coming fantasy football season.
Niners TE George Kittle said this week that QB Trey Lance appears to be taking over the offense. “I definitely think he’s taken ownership, for sure,” Kittle said, via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “You can kind of tell that in meetings, he’ll talk. He’s assuming responsibility. … He’s letting his personality show a little bit. And he’s going to be out there slinging the rock around.” Jimmy Garoppolo remains on the San Francisco roster, but we'll be surprised if Lance isn't the Week 1 starter. The current uncertainty is keeping Lance outside the top 12 at QB in best-ball drafting.
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