1 week agoPer ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Detroit Lions are releasing veteran pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith after one season with the team. The 32-year-old kicked off the 2024 season with Cleveland and was traded to the Lions in mid-November in an effort to boost their pass rush after star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (leg) went down with a season-ending injury. Smith recorded nine sacks and 35 tackles across 17 games played. While he may not be the disruptive force he once was in years past, many teams in the league could use veteran help on the defensive edge. The ten-year veteran will now join a long, impressive list of edge rushers in free agency. Smith is no stranger to changing teams and could very well find himself on another squad come the start of the free agency period on Monday.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jeremy Fowler
1 week agoThe Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle Jarran Reed have agreed on a three-year deal worth up to $25 million. The former Alabama Crimson Tide was set to become a free agent this week, but Seattle opted to nip it in the bud and get a deal done ahead of time. Reed, drafted by Seattle in 2016, is on his second stint with the club after bouncing between Kansas City and Green Bay from 2021-2022. In 2024, he accrued the fourth-most sacks on the Seahawks' defense while racking up 45 tackles and five tackles-for-loss -- the fifth-most on the squad. Seattle was middle-of-the-road last season in terms of stopping the run (120.8 YPG) and can still use a little help on their defensive front. However, locking up a space-eating defensive tackle is a good start.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
1 week agoThe Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed linebacker Nick Bolton to a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million fully guaranteed at signing. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news. Bolton was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has led the Chiefs' defense in tackles in three of four seasons, including a whopping 180 total takedowns in 2022. The 24-year-old, who turns 25 on Monday, was an integral part of a Kansas City defense that ranked sixth in points per game (20.5) and 10th in yards allowed per contest (328.2) in 2024. He'll now anchor the Chiefs' front seven for at least the next three seasons and should continue to rack up tackles at an impressive pace.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
1 week agoTim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard reports that defensive end Joey Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers are having "good conversations" and it feels like it's "headed toward a deal." The Los Angeles Chargers recently released the 29-year-old after he spent his entire nine-year career with the team. While nothing is set in stone, reports have swirled that the former third-overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft wanted to play alongside his brother, Nick Bosa, and it appears that this could become a reality. Furthermore, San Francisco has been on the search for a complement to their star pass-rusher, and due to age and injury concerns -- with Joey Bosa appearing in just 28 games since the start of the 2022 season -- they'd likely get him on a discount. The Ohio State product has registered 72 sacks in 107 career games and was once a feared game-wrecker on the Chargers defensive front. If he can put the health concerns behind him, it stands to reason that 2025 could be a resurgent season for the veteran.
--Alex CiullaSource: Tim Kawakami
1 week agoESPN New York's Jordan Raanan writes that after talking to people around the NFL, soon-to-be free-agent quarterback
Aaron Rodgers joining the New York Giants in 2025 hardly seems like a slam dunk at this point. While Rodgers wouldn't have to go far once the New York Jets release him, the Giants aren't considered the most desirable situation. In addition, a new potential destinations for the future Hall of Famer opened up this weekend in the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings after the Seahawks traded QB
Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders. The 41-year-old tore his Achilles in 2023 and then disappointed last year by throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, so it remains to be seen how many QB-needy teams will even be interested in taking him on as a bridge starter for a year. Rodgers will come cheap, but he won't be much more than a low-end QB2 in fantasy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
1 week agoThe Washington Commanders are one of many NFL teams exploring a potential trade for Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, sources tell The Athletic's Dianna Russini. The Bengals granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade last Thursday as he seeks a long-term contract extension as he heads into the final year of his deal in 2025. An NFL executive said the Bengals are looking for "significant trade compensation in return." The 30-year-old veteran led the league with 17.5 sacks last year and also recorded 17.5 sacks in 2023, so it's certainly going to take a lot to pry him away from the Bengals. Cincy would love to sign Hendrickson to a long-term extension, but they are also trying to do the same with both star receivers
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins. Washington has plenty of salary cap space this year and is expected to make a splash on the defensive side of the ball.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
1 week agoThe Arizona Cardinals re-signed pass-rusher Baron Browning to a two-year deal on Sunday, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Browning receives $15 million in base salary over the next two years with upside to make as much as $19 million through incentives. The 26-year-old linebacker was acquired by Arizona from the Denver Broncos last November and he had 14 tackles (11 solo), two sacks and four tackles for loss in eight games (one start) for the Cardinals to close out the 2024 season. The former third-round pick by the Broncos in 2021 out of Ohio State will likely be a situational pass-rushing linebacker for the Cardinals again in 2025 in his first full season with the team. In his four years in the NFL, Browning has a total of 128 tackles (77 solo), 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 25 QB hits, one interception, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 51 games (29 starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
1
week
agoThe
Athletic's
Dianna
Russini
reports
that
the
Seattle
Seahawks'
asking
price
for
wide
receiver
DK
Metcalf
has
been
lowered,
according
to
sources.
The
Seahawks
would
now
be
open
to
a
return
that
centers
around
a
second-round
pick
for
the
two-time
Pro
Bowl
pass-catcher.
read more...
1 week agoThe Buffalo Bills released pass-rusher Von Miller on Sunday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Miller is set to turn 36 years old before the start of the 2025 season. Although the 35-year-old isn't the Pro Bowl player he once was, both sides are open to a return at a lesser cost this offseason. The former Super Bowl 50 MVP and eight-time Pro Bowler bounced back in 2024 in his third season in Buffalo by picking up 17 tackles (13 solo), six sacks, seven tackles for loss and eight QB hits in 13 regular-season games after failing to record a single sack in 12 games in 2023. With the move to cut Miller, the Bills will free up $8.4 million on the 2025 salary cap. The three-time first-team All-Pro and former Defensive Rookie of the Year is a rotational pass-rusher at this point of his career, but he can still provide veteran leadership and could wind up back in Buffalo.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
1 week agoThe Cleveland Browns and All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett reached an agreement on Sunday on a record contract extension that averages $40 million per year and includes $123.5 million guaranteed money, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. The new deal makes Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. After requesting a trade the week before the Super Bowl in early February, Garrett quickly changed his tune when the Browns offered him a four-year extension with $204,796,125 in total value. He will make $100 million in cash in the first three years of the new deal, and it also comes with $88,800,000 in execution guarantees. The former first-rounder definitely has earned the distinction of being the highest-paid non-QB (for the time being) after putting up at least 14 sacks in each of the last four years. Garrett remains an elite, high-end D-lineman in IDP fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
1 week agoVeteran tight end
Zach Ertz signed a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Washington Commanders on Saturday. The deal includes up to $9 million in incentives. Ertz returns to the Commanders after a productive season in 2024 as quarterback
Jayden Daniels' safety valve, owning 18% of Washington's target share. The three-time Pro Bowler caught 66 of 91 targets for 674 yards and seven touchdowns over 17 games. It was the first time since 2018 that Ertz played an entire season. With the Commanders trading for wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. in March, Ertz will have more competition for targets in 2025. Despite competing for targets with
Terry McLaurin and Samuel, Ertz remains a decent fantasy option in the tight end position. As Daniels' primary middle-of-the-field option, Ertz is a high-end TE2 heading into early best-ball drafts.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network
1 week agoWilliamson County authorities have declined to press charges against Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy in lieu of his most recent arrest. The second-year wideout was recently arrested on a domestic assault charge, though he will not be charged, according to the Austin-American Statesman. Worthy culminated a solid rookie season with an impressive eight-catch, 157-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Super Bowl, acting as the sole source of KC's offense. However, he's already made negative waves in the offseason. For now, it appears he'll steer clear of any legal action. Still, there is a possibility of repercussions down the line. The Williamson County Sheriff's office says, "We will continue to evaluate the case. As is our practice with all declines, should you develop additional information ... our office will consider that information and may present the case at that time to a Williamson County Grand Jury." Presently, the 21-year-old is free and clear, but fantasy managers may want to consider this ordeal when selecting him in drafts in the coming months.
--Alex CiullaSource: Austin Statesman
1 week agoThe Baltimore Ravens announced Saturday that they've agreed to terms with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley on a three-year deal worth $60 million. Stanley, entering his tenth season in the league, joined the club as the No. 6 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft. The 30-year-old was among the most coveted free agents on the market before re-signing with the team that drafted him. Now, he'll continue to protect the blind side of quarterback
Lamar Jackson as part of one of the NFL's top offenses. It's excellent news for Baltimore -- and Jackson -- as they'll continue to be a prominent source of fantasy output for the 2025 season. 2024 marked the first time in his nine-year career that he'd log an entire season's worth of games. Additionally, Stanley was named to his second Pro Bowl this past year.
--Alex CiullaSource: Bobby Kownack
1 week agoThe Carolina Panthers are re-signing tight end
Tommy Tremble to a two-year deal. Joe Person of The Athletic reported the news. Tremble spent the last four seasons with Carolina after being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, though he never eclipsed 23 receptions or 234 yards -- figures he reached this past season in only 12 games. The 24-year-old acted as the Panthers' primary TE for most of the 2024 season but split time pretty evenly with then-rookie
Ja'Tavion Sanders near the season's end. Carolina's offense ended last season on the up-swing. Still, uncertainty surrounding the Notre Dame product's role in the offense should cause fantasy managers pause before dumping a pick into him this offseason. Despite the potential upside of the Panthers' pass attack manned by an improving
Bryce Young, Tremble is worth nothing more than a late-round best ball flyer at this point.
--Alex CiullaSource: Joe Person
1 week agoPer NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the New Orleans Saints are expected to convert most of quarterback
Derek Carr's 2025 compensation into a signing bonus for salary cap purposes. According to Garafolo, Carr is lined up to receive all $40 million owed to him. It's a sure sign that New Orleans intends to keep the veteran on as their full-time QB this coming season. The 33-year-old appeared in just ten contests in 2024 while dealing with abdomen and hand injuries and failed to toss more than 20 passing touchdowns for the first time since 2018. However, he'll return as the Saints' signal-caller for the third straight season. He's proven to be a viable QB2/streaming option in the right matchup. Still, the team will need to surround the Fresno State product with a more feasible arsenal of weapons for fantasy managers to comfortably slot him into their lineups every week.
--Alex CiullaSource: Mike Garafolo
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