NFL Player News

This will be a hotly contested position with Greg Toler and rookie Jamell Fleming also in the hunt. Michael Adams is the nickel back for now, although Gay could wind up covering the slot if Toler or Fleming wins the outside job. Patrick Peterson is the RCB in name, but he will shadow No. 1 receivers in 2012.

Stafford’s degenerative back issue cost him almost all of training camp last year, yet he “returned and cast those fears aside with the best season of his life.” The Rams have reportedly realized how well the time off served Stafford, as a “critical form of load management,” and plan to do some of that again this year. Per Atkins, this has been the plan for some time, and it explains why the Rams tried to sign veteran QBs like Jimmy Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins, “and why they valued the backup role enough to help justify spending the No. 13 pick on QB Ty Simpson.” In other words, don’t be alarmed if we see Simpson taking a few first-team reps this summer. Stafford remains a locked-in QB1. However, we will, of course, track all of his notable offseason developments here at Rotoworld.

Fowler notes that both Gibbs and Falcons RB Bijan Robinson are eligible for extensions right now. Both players will likely reset the market. Whichever player signs second could end up making more money. Fowler adds that some around the league believe Gibbs “is the very best, No. 1 running back in the entire NFL.” Both players are in contention for the overall RB1 spot in fantasy this year.

Olszewski, 29, now faces a lengthy and rigorous recovery. His return timeline is currently unknown. Olszewski functioned as the Giants’ primary kick and punt returner last year. He signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract this offseason, with $300,000 in guarantees. Olszewski is the third Giants player to rupture an Achilles tendon in spring workouts this year.

Last week, Ward told reporters that he lost 10 pounds this offseason because he wants to play “faster.” The comment rightly caught one astute Rotoworld analyst’s attention. New Titans OC Brian Daboll has incorporated quarterback rushing into his prior offensive schemes, and it sounds like Daboll and Tierney want Ward to run a bit more than he did last year. Tierney has coached under Daboll at every stop since 2017. The key is drawing a line “between being aggressive and being reckless.” Tierney does not want Ward to run as often as his former quarterback, Jaxson Dart, did last year. Dart averaged 6.1 attempts per game. Instead, Tierney hopes Ward might try “to gain that last necessary yard on a third-and-6 scramble,” yet refrain from trying to bowl through a defender, seeking 10 more yards. We should not expect Ward to suddenly become a true dual-threat quarterback, but he should average more than the 9.4 rushing yards per game that he produced as a rookie.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Price is expected to sign the fully guaranteed deal later today. A recent report suggested that Price will not operate as the Seahawks’ bell cow right away, but operating as the committee leader seems like a safe bet. Price is an explosive rusher, but lacks experience as a receiver and pass protector. He may be best viewed as an early-season FLEX, though more reports on Price’s development and potential workload will roll in this spring and summer.

The sale is not yet complete. Broncos ownership has until June 30, 2027, to exercise their option to buy the former railyard for $45.8 million. The deal is expected to close this fall. Ownership reportedly has plans to build a new stadium and an adjacent entertainment district. The state purchased Burnham Yard in 2021 for $50 million and hoped “to use some of the land for transportation-related purposes,” but those plans “fizzled.” Broncos ownership is hoping that the new stadium will be ready for the NFL’s 2031 season.

In his 2024 rookie season, Bowers caught 112-of-148 targets for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. His targets, receptions and yardage totals all ranked in the top 10 among NFL pass catchers. Per Edwards, the Raiders’ offensive staff is “in the process of concocting multiple ways to get Bowers involved in their scheme, with versatility being his greatest weapon.” This is the kind of stuff we want to hear. Finding a true difference-making tight end is rare. Bowers is firmly in play as fantasy’s TE1 this season.

Reese’s deal is worth about $47.831 million and includes a $31.2 million signing bonus. North Jersey’s Art Stapleton reports that Reese’s awareness and explosiveness have stood out at organized team activities, noting that Reese “always seems to be in the right position whether that’s in coverage or in the run game.” He reportedly showed off his burst on a blitz as well. The Giants’ do-it-all defender is evidently doing it all this spring.

McCarthy “has shown some things this spring that have been impressive so far.” Specifically, McCarthy is “layering the ball a little better” and is “not throwing a fastball all the time.” McCarthy’s accuracy and touch needed work, so this is good to hear. It still sounds like QB Kyler Murray is ahead of McCarthy in the battle for the starting role, but McCarthy is at least getting positive reviews at this time.

Sources tell Fowler that Murray is handling himself “like an alpha quarterback,” possessing “the experience and the swagger of a guy who has been to Pro Bowls and had success.” Recent interview clips involving Murray and fellow Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy reinforce Fowler’s sentiments, with Murray conducting himself with calm confidence. The coaching staff also complimented McCarthy’s development, but Murray seems to be winning the competition right now.