Cowboys VP Stephen Jones commented on the status of RB Ezekiel Elliott. “I want Zeke on my team,” Jones said. “Obviously, his contract, his money is guaranteed. He’s going to be here [in 2022], no question. We’re fortunate to have him.” Zeke carries a massive $18.2 million cap hit for the upcoming season, but moving on would cost Dallas ~$30 million. 2023 is the first year the guarantees in Elliott’s contract dry up, so it’s quite possible the team cuts him then. It’s worth remembering that the veteran played through a partially torn PCL from Week 4 on in 2021, which surely contributed to his decline in play. Still, it’s clear that the explosive Tony Pollard — who enters a contract year — deserves a bigger share of backfield touches. Zeke averaged 16.7 touches per game; Pollard was at 11.2.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll told reporters Wednesday in Indianapolis that RB Rashaad Penny wants to re-sign with Seattle and that the team wants him back. "His confidence just soared," Carroll said, referring to Penny's late-2021 breakout. "Hopefully we can get him back." Penny is set to hit unrestricted free agency later this month. Seattle still has Chris Carson, DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer under contract at the position -- with Darwin Thompson and Josh Johnson currently on board as well. We'll see what happens here. Penny currently sits in mid-to-low RB3 territory in best-ball ADP.
There have been some rumors of potential for QB Kirk Cousins to be traded this offseason. It doesn't sound like new Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell is on board with that notion, though. "Kirk is our quarterback," O'Connell said Wednesday in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I'm excited about that. I'm excited about building an offense for him." We wouldn't echo excitement for Cousins as a fantasy QB, but his production has outperformed his ADP for several years now. So we have no problem with Cousins as an early best-ball pick -- especially when stacked with WR Justin Jefferson or WR Adam Thielen.
When asked about RB Josh Jacobs on Tuesday, new Raiders HC Josh McDaniels praised the 24-year-old and called him a back who "can play on all 3 downs." That's obviously worth noting because it indicates that McDaniels likes Jacobs' passing-game ability. Jacobs has seen his targets and receptions increase each of the past 2 seasons. It remains to be seen, of course, what else the Raiders do with their backfield ahead of the 2022 campaign. But it can't hurt for the new coach to like the incumbent lead RB. McDaniels did also say he has already spoken with Jacobs about ball-security issues. Let's hope the 4th-year back works to decrease his fumbles as he begins life under a Bill Belichick disciple. Under McDaniels, fumbles could impact Jacobs' playing time.
Raiders HC Josh McDaniels said “there’s no doubt about it” when asked if QB Derek Carr will remain with Las Vegas for next season. "I really am excited about this opportunity to work together," McDaniels said. "I know what he's done. And I know what we might be able to do going forward together." McDaniels, speaking at the Combine, said that the team hasn’t yet opened extension talks with the veteran passer. Carr, 31, has often been floated as a potential trade chip in an offseason that's lacking even decent available starting QBs. He enters a contract year alongside the new HC and new GM Dave Ziegler.
The Giants are releasing RB Devontae Booker, saving ~$2.1 million in cap space. Booker, almost 30, played 16 games last year and played well en route to 861 total yards. He underwent surgery for a thumb issue that dogged him late in the year but will be “good to go” for 2022, per beat writer Pat Leonard. The versatile Booker will likely battle for a #2 job elsewhere.
The Giants are releasing TE Kyle Rudolph, according to multiple sources, a move that will clear $5.2 million in camp space for a team projected over the expected 2022 salary cap. This was a predictable decision given the team's cap situation and the fact that the 32-year-old TE is coming off a 26-catch 1st year with the Giants. With fellow TE Evan Engram on the brink of unrestricted free agency, New York's Week 1 TE starter probably isn't currently under contract with the team.
If you drafted Jaguars WR Laviska Shenault in 2021, then you know he let your fantasy football team down big time. But could things turn around in his 3rd year? "We're high on Laviska," GM Trent Baalke told reporters Tuesday in Indianapolis, ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine. "It's the coaches' job to get him the ball, but by no means has the ship sailed. I don't know where that idea would come from." Baalke is heading into his 3rd year as Jacksonville GM, so he was on staff when the Jags drafted Shenault. HC Doug Pederson, of course, heads into his 1st Jacksonville campaign. So we'll see what Pederson and his staff say about Shenault this offseason. We'll also see what else the team has at WR, with D.J. Chark and Laquon Treadwell facing free agency and Jamal Agnew coming off a hip injury (after his surprise emergence as a slot WR). Shenault is going in WR5-6 range in early best-ball drafting, which makes him a low-risk bet with upside.
Giants GM Joe Schoen told reporters at the Scouting Combine on Tuesday that he’s willing to listen to any trade offers. It doesn’t sound like he’s interested in moving 2021 first-round WR Kadarius Toney, though. "I don't think Kadarius is a tradable piece," the new GM said, per ESPN.com. “He's a good, young player who our coaches really like. We've been in constant contact with him and we're excited to see what he can do." This is noteworthy because neither Schoen nor the Brian Daboll-led coaching staff was around for Toney’s selection or rookie campaign. There’s opportunity available in a passing game that proved wildly disappointing in 2021, especially with TE Evan Engram heading for free agency and WR Sterling Shepard uncertain coming off an Achilles’ tear. We’ll be watching for offseason reports on Toney’s progress and role
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo will have surgery in the coming days to repair a torn capsule in his right (throwing) shoulder. Garoppolo then won’t be able to throw for 16 weeks, “but should be ready for the season if all goes well.” That nearly 4-month window would make it late June or early July before Garoppolo can even resume throwing. It’s tough to imagine another team trading for him ahead of that, given the QB’s big contract and no guarantee that “all goes well.” Don’t bother with Garoppolo in early best-ball drafting. We’ll see how his situation develops
Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians said Tuesday in a couple of ways that we shouldn't expect to see QB Tom Brady play for another team in 2022. When asked about the possibility of Brady changing his mind on retirement and asking to be traded, Arians said, "That ain't happening. That's not Tom Brady." But would the Bucs trade him if Brady did make such a request? "Nope. Bad business," Arians said, adding that it would take "Five No. 1's" to acquire the QB. For now, we're assuming Brady sticks to his retirement and not taking him in early best-ball drafts.
Asked about the possibility of trading RB Saquon Barkley this offseason, Giants GM Joe Schoen said Tuesday in Indianapolis, "I'm open to anything." NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, however, says a Barkley move "doesn't seem realistic." Why? Primarily money. According to Spotrac, the final year on Barkley's deal carries $7.2 million in guaranteed salary. That's not an enormous number, but it's significant money for a RB. We'll see what happens here, but whether Barkley stays or goes might not matter for fantasy purposes. If the Giants keep him, he'd likely operate as the clear lead back. And if another team acquires him, it would likely be doing so to feature Barkley.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are "in negotiations ... for what is expected to be a short-term deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL." Rapoport adds that Rodgers still hasn't decided if he'll continue playing in 2022 or if he wants to stay with the Packers. But the fact that the 2 sides are negotiating sure makes it seem like Rodgers will be back in Green Bay. That'd also mean that WR Davante Adams is very likely to return to the Packers.
Broncos GM George Paton said he’s had “really good discussions” with impending free agent RB Melvin Gordon. Paton added that he’d “like” to have Gordon back — no surprise given the veteran’s strong 2021. Gordon earned a top-10 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus and held up well on 231 touches, missing only 1 game. Denver’s currently flush with cap space, so the team has the means to bring Gordon back for year 3. Of course, such a move would hurt Javonte Williams, who’s currently being drafted as an RB1.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said Tuesday that QB Dak Prescott underwent offseason shoulder surgery. Described as a "clean-up," the procedure was done on his left shoulder. Said McCarthy: ”It's not a concern. We have no concerns. He is doing well." Prescott will be a full-go for offseason activities, but this news is certainly worth filing away. Prescott finished as the QB6 last year, missing only 1 game.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic believes free agent WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling will “probably” be “too expensive” for Green Bay to re-sign. Schneidman calls MVS’s production “too sporadic” for the anticipated cost. In 2021, the 27-year-old popped for games with 22 and 21 PPR points. But he remained unreliable on a weekly basis and missed time with back and hamstring injuries. Spotrac expects Valdes-Scantling’s free agent deal to be roughly $24 million over 3 years.
ESPN's Jordan Raanan says "it seems likely" that the Giants will decline the 5th-year option on QB Daniel Jones' rookie contract when that decision comes up this May. Raanan works the Giants beat and surely has more insight into the team's thoughts on Jones than we do. But this reads like a guess/assumption on his part rather than a report. It's certainly fair to say that the early returns haven't been great, and exercising the option would guarantee Jones a little more than $20 million for 2023. That could be a particularly big number for a Giants team currently strapped for cap space. Fortunately, we'll get the answer to this question well before the coming season starts. And Jones remains in line to at least start for the Giants in 2022. Jones told Raanan this week that new HC Brian Daboll has sought the QB's input in designing the offense.
Broncos GM George Paton told The Denver Post that WR KJ Hamler is a "long shot" to participate in spring OTAs. Hamler suffered an ACL tear back in Week 3, so it's not surprising that he isn't trending for early workouts. We'll see about his status for training camp and beyond. In addition to the knee, though, Hamler must compete with a crowded offense for targets. It's tough to envision him becoming much of a 2022 factor in redraft fantasy football leagues.
Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman writes that the “NFL stage was far too big” for rookie WR Amari Rodgers. That certainly shows in his production. A 3rd-round pick, Rodgers totaled only 4 catches in 16 games while handling 31 returns. Schneidman doesn’t believe Rodgers will have a “substantial role” in 2022 unless this WR corps undergoes a major overhaul. Prior to the quiet year 1, Rodgers exited Clemson on the shorter side (5’10) and never profiled as a downfield threat. He’s not a recommended pick in early best ball drafts.
The Panthers and TE Ian Thomas have agreed to a 3-year, $16.5 million contract with $8 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a surprisingly hefty deal for a guy with just 54 catches and 2 TDs over the past 3 seasons. Thomas had more snaps blocking than in a pass route last year and is unlikely to be a fantasy factor in 2022.
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