NFL Player News

According to Profootballtalk.com, teams were warned “at least six times” they would face “serious consequences” for using the uncapped year as an opportunity to dump salaries. The Cowboys will lose $10 million compared to the Redskins’ whopping $36 million hit. Dallas was reportedly $4.7 million under the $120.6 million cap while Washington was in better shape at $31.3 million under. The franchises have the option of splitting the damage over 2012 and 2013, but it’s still going to have a deleterious effect on the Cowboys’ speculated interest in major free agents such as LG Carl Nicks, DE/OLB Mario Williams, and CB Cortland Finnegan and the Redskins’ pursuit of Vincent Jackson.

Gutekunst said almost the exact same thing back in February while also acknowledging that the two sides could be headed for a split. Alexander, 28, appeared in just seven games last year due to injury but said he had “nothing good to say” about the organization after their playoff run ended in the NFC Wild Card Round. Speaking at the NFL owners meeting, Gutekunst said the team would like to get something in return for Alexander if possible, but with two years left on his deal and his recent injury history, a trade could prove difficult to pull off.

This is the first we’re hearing of Polk having a surgery, though he did miss time with a shoulder injury at the end of last season. Depending on the timeline, it’s possible he misses some offseason work with the team. We wouldn’t necessarily be concerned about it impacting his training camp yet, but after a failed rookie season, every missed chance to not impress the new coaching staff could potentially be killer for Polk’s rebound prospects. With Stefon Diggs in town, Polk is probably no more than a dart throw in best ball leagues at this point.

“He popped in the other day to see the doctors. When he walked into the training room, just his energy and presence, so I know that he’s feeling better,” Vrabel told reporters at the NFL owner’s meetings. Barmore played in four games last year before suffering a recurrence of his blood clot symptoms. If healthy, he would certainly complete a fearsome defensive front for the Patriots on paper with Milton Williams, Harold Landry, and Keion White. There’s still plenty of uncertainty around if he can shake the symptoms, unfortunately.

McLaurin turned in one of the best years of his career in his first season with Jayden Daniels at the helm. The veteran receiver caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns after never surpassing more than seven scores in his previous five seasons. McLaurin has one year left on the three-year extension he signed in 2022 and will turn 30 shortly after the start of next season. He has plenty left in the tank and is again expected to serve as the Commanders’ WR1 despite the team acquiring Deebo Samuel this offseason. He’ll make for a high-upside WR2 for those taking shots on him in fantasy drafts next season.

Eagles GM Howie Roseman met with the press at the Owner’s Meetings and said “There’s no update. Obviously, Dallas has been a tremendous player and person for us. ... I know certainly that Dallas is unique player. So really, that’s kind of where we’re standing.” The team has openly shopped Goedert for most of the offseason. His $12 million cap figure would actually cost the Eagles cap space to move on from unless the trade happened after June 1. It’s possible the Eagles move on from Goedert if they get the right offer, but it sure seems like the market isn’t there at this time.

“I’m excited,” Payton added. This was always the belief behind the signing, as The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider forecasted the role on Engram. But it’s good to see it affirmed by the man who created the terminology. Payton continued: “The vision is pretty clear. Obviously we feel like he’s someone who can run, gives us a passing threat on third down and in the red zone. He’s got good body control and I think he’s really good when he gets the ball in his hands. His run-after-catch numbers, statistically-wise, have been good.” As Denver’s “joker” — in football, anyway — Engram projects to be a high-volume target and should make for a low-end TE1 for fantasy purposes.

Harbaugh said Mitchell’s return to the field in 2024 was miraculous after the former UDFA made his way back from a torn ACL that ended his 2023 campaign. Mitchell rushed for 47-396-2 as a rookie but ran just 15 times for 30 yards after returning to action. While the presence of Derrick Henry undoubtedly affected Mitchell’s ability to get on the field, it sounds as if his limited snaps may have been partially due to the after-effects of his injury. Henry is still under contract next season, and Mitchell was never expected to dominate backfield touches. That said, if he flashes in offseason programs and during training camp, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Ravens found a way to get him more involved in 2025.

Now that’s what we want to hear. It would have been really silly given the current look of the roster for the Jets to not forcefeed Wilson — we’re talking about a depth chart where Allen Lazard is an easy second — but it’s always good to hear some validation behind the idea. The overall talent level of the Jets offense may cap Wilson’s ceiling, but he looks like a great bet to rebound from a down 2024 spent watching Aaron Rodgers throw at other targets.

Burks tore his ACL in Week 6, so this should leave him a as a PUP candidate in 2025. In theory Burks figures to be as good a bet as any of several UDFA and low-level signings on Tennessee’s roster behind Calvin Ridley. In actuality, Burks has done nothing with his opportunities and this injury has made it hard for him to impress coaches in camp. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he didn’t make the roster at final cuts.

Summers is entering his seventh season as a pro and has contributed primarily on special teams. He totaled the second-most tackles (29) and defensive snaps (113) of his career and will likely continue in his special teams role next season.