NFL Player News

“This will be one of the most important commitments of the class for the Crimson Tide,” Farrell writes. The analyst likes Alabama to win out for the 6-foot-1, 330-pound Jackson over fellow combatants LSU and Ole Miss (among others). While Rivals bestows a four-star rating upon the Lucedale, Mississippi, native (the outlet ranks him as the No. 72 overall prospect in the 2020 class), Farrell notes that Jackson has five-star talent. He would just like to see a “five-star motor” go with said talent.

Smith was already locked into 2025 starting duties, given his $40 million cap hit this season, so Carroll’s high praise should be expected. Still, for a head coach like Carroll, who embraces competition across his roster, it’s nice to see. Smith’s pocket passing proclivities will likely prevent him from achieving elite QB1 status in fantasy football land, but he should serve as a borderline QB1/2 capable of producing multiple positively volatile performances.

FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports that the fully guaranteed deal is worth $48.75 million and includes a $32.1 million signing bonus. Ward will now go back to competing with Will Levis for the starting role, a competition Ward should win soon enough. Ward’s 2025 fantasy prospects likely lie in the QB13-24 range, but it will be worth monitoring Titans training camp reports to see if he can sneak into the QB1 ranks.

Per the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, Goodell said that the owners instead discussed “potential CBA issues with the NFLPA, including costs and salary cap matters.” The failed vote to ban the Tush Push took center stage this time around, but adding an 18th game to the NFL schedule will surely be discussed by team owners soon enough. Perhaps as early as one year from now.

The Cardinals released LB Milo Eifler in a corresponding move. Both Russell and Eifler are special teams contributors, though Russell has been more productive in this regard, racking up nine special teams tackles in three NFL seasons to the two Eifler totaled from 2021-2024.

Per NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the deal is worth $16.458 million and comes with an $8.609 million signing bonus. Williams was an effective player at Ohio State, racking up 71 tackles, 20 TFLs and 13 sacks over four seasons. He joins a Lions defensive line rotation that was hit hard by injuries last season. Williams will be asked to meaningfully contribute in year one.

With just nine offensive snaps to his name through two NFL seasons, Broeker will likely be competing for a roster spot this summer. He earned a 62.4 PFF special teams grade last year, logging 42 special teams snaps, 40 of which as a member of the field goal and extra point blocking unit. The Steelers waived C Lecitus Smith in a corresponding move.

Bryant spent four seasons with the Patriots after signing on as a 2020 undrafted free agent. He signed with the Texans last offseason, debuting in Week 6 and logging 156 defensive snaps through their Divisional Round playoff loss to the Chiefs. He tallied 15 tackles and three forced incompletions during that span. The Texans also signed undrafted free agent DB Keydrain Calligan and waived OG Jerome Carvin and DE Kingsley Jonathan.

Johnson didn’t give a timeline for his return, only saying “it remains to be seen” when Burden will be back. Burden landed on the ball during a practice at the end of rookie minicamp and was checked out by trainers to close the session. The current soft tissue injury is presumably related to that incident. While it’s early in the summer and we fully expect Burden to be back sooner rather than later, it’s not a great start to the offseason for the rookie. Burden is entering a crowded receiver room with a quarterback learning his second offense in as many seasons. Even OTA reps are valuable for the newcomer. Burden will likely open the year as the Bears’ WR3, making him a bet on late-season production for fantasy purposes.

Wilson told reporters he has had contract talks “here and there” with the team. It doesn’t sound like anything is imminent, but at least some progress has been made. The Jets picked up Wilson’s fifth-year option this offseason, keeping him under contract through 2026 with a $16.8 million cap hit for the final year. Wilson has yet to have a true breakout season, peaking at 1,104 yards on 101 grabs last year. On the other hand, he has been plagued by subpar to downright awful quarterback play for three seasons, depressing his counting stats. It’s possible things turn around in that department with Justin Fields under center this year, though Fields has been an erratic, run-first passer for much of his career.