4 weeks agoCleveland Browns quarterback
Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is throwing the football in 7-on-7 drills on the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, which is something he didn't do at voluntary organized team activities last month. It's a big step for Watson, who required surgery last November to fix a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder. The 28-year-old has tangible QB1 upside when healthy, but he hasn't really been healthy since returning from a suspension that kept him out for all of 2021. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Watson should be a full-go for training camp this summer and be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Because he's dealing with a unique injury to his throwing arm, Watson should be considered a QB2 in fantasy in 2024 with upside for more if he proves he's completely past the injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
4 weeks agoNew York Jets linebacker Haason Reddick, who the Jets acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason to fortify their pass rush, is not present at mandatory minicamp this week. It makes Reddick officially a holdout, but head coach Robert Saleh indicated he felt Reddick would show up eventually. The 29-year-old didn't take part in any voluntary organized team activities last month, either, as he seeks a new contract with just one year remaining on his current deal. The Jets expected Reddick to take part in their offseason program when they traded for him, but apparently he's had a change of heart. The former 13th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2017 out of Temple has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons and has double-digit sacks in each of the last four years.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: SNY - Connor Hughes
4 weeks agoNew York Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) is not at mandatory minicamp, an unexcused absence that is subject to fines. Saleh said it was for an event "important to him." In the grand scheme of things, Rodgers' absence isn't a huge deal, especially since he was present for all of the team's voluntary organized team activities leading up to minicamp. Still, it's a missed opportunity for him to develop more chemistry with his receivers after missing all of 2023 with a torn Achilles tendon. The 40-year-old resumed practicing with the team late last season and should be fully ready to go by Week 1 of the regular season this fall. Rodgers could have some big games here and there if he stays healthy in 2024, but for fantasy purposes, he's firmly in low-end QB2 territory coming off a serious injury.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 weeks agoCincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow (wrist) said it's "tough to say" what percentage health-wise he is right now during mandatory minicamp in June, but he reiterated "I'll be ready to go by the season." Burrow said last week that he's fully cleared to do everything that doesn't involve contact this offseason as he recovers from surgery to fix a torn ligament in his right wrist. The 27-year-old resumed throwing in April and is putting most of his focus on his mechanics as he looks to bounce back in 2024. We'll continue to keep a close eye on Burrow's progress in training camp this summer, but as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, fantasy managers should consider him a solid midrange QB1 target in drafts with two of the better receivers in the game in
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins at his disposal in the air attack.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
4 weeks agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins, who had the franchise tag placed on him earlier this offseason for the 2024 campaign, has still not signed the tag and is not present for the start of mandatory minicamp this week. Because he's technically not under contract yet, Higgins will not be fined. The 25-year-old either wants to be traded or wants a new contract from Cincinnati. He officially asked for a trade in March but now expects to play for the Bengals in 2024. The former second-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson had the worst of his four seasons in the NFL last year, playing in only 12 games due to injury and finishing with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. A bounce-back should be coming if he can stay healthy in 2024, but Higgins' fantasy upside as a WR2/3 will continue to be capped as long as he's playing in the shadow of teammate and WR1
Ja'Marr Chase.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 weeks agoCincinnati Bengals star wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase, who skipped offseason organized team activities and wants a new contract, is present for mandatory minicamp this week, according to sources. Chase was present for media day on Monday and is in the building on Tuesday. The 24-year-old pass-catcher isn't going to hold out after the team picked up his fifth-year option back in March. Chase is only currently under contract through 2025, but it would be a surprise if the two sides didn't eventually work out a long-term contract extension to keep him in Cincinnati for the long term. The former fifth overall pick in 2021 out of LSU managed his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2023 despite quarterback
Joe Burrow's (wrist) injury. As long as he stays healthy, he should be a lock for a fourth straight 1,000-yard campaign and is a top-five fantasy wideout.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
4 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Chargers officially signed rookie first-round offensive tackle Joe Alt to a four-year, $33.2 million deal on Monday after he was selected fifth overall in April's NFL draft. Alt was predictably the first offensive tackle off the board in 2024. Although he should eventually be a starting left tackle in the NFL, he'll initially start at right tackle in Los Angeles under new head coach Jim Harbaugh in LA with Rashawn Slater at left tackle. The Bolts are hoping Alt will be part of a much-improved offensive line this year with an added emphasis on the ground game to take pressure off of young quarterback
Justin Herbert. The 21-year-old Alt hails out of Notre Dame and stands at 6-foot-8 and 321 pounds. Alt showed in his college career that he can excel in both run-blocking and in pass protection.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Chargers.com
4 weeks agoNew Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle) is at the team's facilities and is expected to be in attendance for mandatory minicamp this week. Lattimore missed the final seven games last year due to an ankle injury but is back with the team and will stick around in 2024 despite trade rumors this offseason. The former 11th overall pick in 2017 out of Ohio State has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons, starting a combined 17 games since 2022. Before that, though, he was a Pro Bowler in four of his first five years in the NFL. If healthy, Lattimore remains a starter in New Orleans and will start across from rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry in what should be a pretty strong Saints defense. The 28-year-old has a total of 375 tackles (304 solo), 15 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 86 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries in his seven years in the league.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
4 weeks agoThe Miami Dolphins signed veteran free-agent safety Marcus Maye to an undisclosed deal on Monday, according to a source. Maye will return to the AFC East after being taken in the second round (39th overall) by the New York Jets in 2017 out of Florida and spending the first five years of his NFL career in New York. He spent the last two campaigns playing for the New Orleans Saints and totaling 69 solo tackles, one sack, two interceptions, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in 17 starts. The 31-year-old veteran defensive back started just seven games last year due to a shoulder injury but appears to be healthy now and will give Miami some secondary depth in 2024. In his seven years in the NFL, Maye has a total of 409 tackles (288 solo), 4.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, eight picks, 28 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 77 starts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
4 weeks agoFree-agent tight end
Marcedes Lewis agreed to a one-year deal with the Bears. The veteran, who will be entering his 19th NFL season, played for the Jaguars and Packers before spending last season with Chicago. However, he didn't do much for fantasy managers, amassing just four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. With
Cole Kmet and
Gerald Everett on the roster, Lewis should continue to have a tough time getting involved, meaning he won't see much attention from fantasy managers heading into the 2024-25 campaign.
--Dennis Clausen - RotoBallerSource: Courney Cronin
4
weeks
agoSan
Francisco
49ers
quarterback
Brock
Purdy
feels
better
positioned
for
success
heading
into
the
2024-25
campaign.
Unlike
last
offseason,
when
the
signal-caller
was
working
his
way
back
from
an
elbow
injury,
he
has
been
training
since
the
49ers
were
defeated
by
the
Kansas
read more...
4
weeks
agoPittsburgh
Steelers
tight
end
Pat
Freiermuth
enjoyed
immediate
success
when
he
entered
the
NFL
as
a
second-round
pick
out
of
Penn
State
in
2021.
As
a
rookie,
he
caught
60
of
his
79
targets
for
467
yards
and
seven
touchdowns.
In
Year
2,
read more...
4
weeks
agoPittsburgh
Steelers
wide
receiver
Van
Jefferson
signed
a
one-year,
$1.29
million
contract
to
join
the
organization
this
offseason,
and
Mark
Kaboly
of
the
Athletic
said
he
looks
like
the
team's
No.
2
wide
receiver
after
OTAs.
After
moving
on
from
read more...
4
weeks
agoArizona
Cardinals
wide
receiver
Michael
Wilson
finished
his
rookie
campaign
with
38
receptions
(58
targets)
for
565
yards
and
three
touchdowns
in
13
games
last
year.
It
wasn't
a
great
showing,
but
the
Stanford
product
posted
three
games
of
at
least
75
receiving
read more...
4
weeks
agoNew
England
Patriots
wide
receiver
Javon
Baker
(undisclosed)
was
a
limited
participant
in
Monday's
offseason
practice,
according
to
Patriots
reporter
Mike
Kadlick.
It's
unclear
why
the
rookie
isn't
practicing
in
full,
but
he
is
not
wearing
gloves
or
getting
the
ball
thrown
to
read more...
RADIO
