NFL Player News

“According to my colleague Brandon Huffman, the Buckeyes are in terrific shape (with Tuimoloau) at this point of the process with defensive line coach Larry Johnson’s track record a big factor,” Wiltfong writes of the 6-foot-4, 277-pounder. Beyond OSU, Washington, Alabama, Clemson and USC are additionally in the mix, here. The 247Sports composite board sees Tuimoloau home as the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2021 class. On the field, he plays with an easy, impressive glide.

Mitchell was a home run waiting to happen as a rookie, turning 56 touches into 489 yards and two scores in 2023 before going down with a torn ACL late in the season. He returned late in the following season but didn’t have the same burst. He ran 15 times for 30 yards in five regular season appearances and did not touch the ball on offense in the playoffs. Even if Mitchell returns to form in 2025, there isn’t much room for him to carve out a meaningful role. Derrick Henry put together a career year in his first season with the Ravens and just re-upped his contract with the team. Justice Hill is also coming off a high-water mark campaign, racking up 42 receptions as the team’s third-down back. Mitchell may pitch in the occasional splash play, but fantasy managers don’t need to dig that deep in most formats.

A former UDFA, Gardeck spent the first seven years of his NFL tenure in Arizona, working his way up from a special teams role as a rookie to pass-rush specialist duties later in his career. He broke out with seven sacks in 2020 and reached six sacks in 2023. Primed for a 2024 breakout, Gardeck notched three sacks before tearing his ACL in Week 7. Assuming his recovery goes well, Gardeck projects for a part-time role on the Jags defense to open the year.

For what it’s worth, McDowell also noted that Rice had a good day. Patrick Mahomes told reporters last week that Rice had “no limitations” after suffering a season-ending injury in 2024. Rice, however, was held out of practice with an illness but is back in action as of Wednesday. All signs point to Rice being a full-go heading into Week 1 if his legal situation remains in limbo. Rice caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two scores in three games before going down with the knee injury last year. Even with an ADP quickly making its way into the third round in early drafts, Rice looks like a clear breakout target this summer.

Johnson most recently signed with the 49ers on a reserve/future deal but was cut in May. His last NFL snap came with the Bears in 2023. He appeared in nine games and played primarily on special teams but did manage one interception.

“I’ll probably be one of those guys that it would be out of nowhere. I’ll probably just wake up one day, whether it’s next year or two years or four years and just be like, ‘Yeah, it’s over,’” Barkley, 28, said during a recent podcast appearance when asked about how he might end his playing career. Having a very public and active offseason, Barkley enters the 2025 season after leading the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 278 receiving yards and three additional scores. Barkley is signed with the Eagles through the 2028 season. He’ll be 32 years old headed into the 2029 season.

Wolfe said “both sides” want to keep Smith in Miami for the long run. The report comes amid various reports that the Steelers could acquire Smith after his breakout 2024 season with the Dolphins. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said on Tuesday that the Steelers have had “renewed conversations” about trading for Smith, who’s set to make $4.1 million this season. Smith in 2024 ranked fourth among all tight ends in both targets and receptions. He was ninth in yards after the catch per reception. His fantasy prospects would plummet if he ends up in Arthur Smith’s conservative, run-heavy offense.

After the Bears chose not to trade up in the 2025 draft in pursuit of Ashton Jeanty, Swift appears to be the team’s No. 1 back headed into 2025. Swift is coming off a disappointing 2024 campaign in which he notched a career-low 3.8 yards per carry and posted a lowly 44 percent rushing success rate. Swift, per Bair, said he “reviewed the tape and wasn’t happy” with his 2024 performance. Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who worked with Swift in Detroit before Swift left for the Bears, complimented Swift as a “fierce competitor.” “If you tell him that you’re going to need one yard, four yards, whatever that is, he’s going to find a way to put his shoulder down and move the pile and get that done for you,” Johnson said of Swift. Though Roschon Johnson could take valuable goal line touches in the Chicago offense, Swift should be the nominal lead back in the new-look Bears offense.

Ridley and Ward have spent the past couple months discussing route concepts, coverages, and taking extra reps together during Titans OTAs. “That man a dawg,” Ward said of Ridley. “He can win vs press, man. He knows zone. I think he’s one of the top five receivers in the NFL, if not the best. I’m blessed to play with him. ... He’s gonna’ make me look good every chance I get to throw the ball to him.” Ridley, who had the fifth most deep ball receptions in 2024 and led the league in air yards, struggled mightily to connect with big-armed QB Will Levis and backup Mason Rudolph. The Titans put Ridley’s locker right next to Ward’s locker this offseason in an effort to create chemistry between the rookie quarterback and his No. 1 wideout. Ridley said he’s been impressed by Ward’s arm strength and downfield accuracy. “I’ve seen a great arm, a great mind,” Ridley said. “Someone who believes he can make most of the throws and knows he can make the throws. Nice release. He can fit the ball pretty much wherever he wants. So it’s pretty impressive.” Ridley could be a valuable — if volatile — fantasy option in 2025.

Responding to a post on X, Parsons said, “I will be there...even though the contract is not done, I have teammates and a playbook!” The 26-year-old is awaiting a big contract extension from Jerry Jones and Co. and did not take part in much of the team’s on-field early offseason workouts. A hold out is possible as he waits to sign a new deal, but Parsons has not missed minicamp throughout his career and made clear his intentions to attend. Though contract negotiations have not progressed, he will avoid fines by attending. Parsons will return as leader of the defense under a new head coach to prepare for the season.

Diggs is rehabbing his knee in Miami, away from the Cowboys’ facility. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said, “no timeline for the return...all signs are positive.” Knee surgery could keep Diggs out through training camp, though rehabbing away from Dallas and not appearing at a portion of the team’s offseason program will cost him $500,000. The 26-year-old has had internal problems with the team’s training staff, so he may be willing to lose the money to rehab with his own camp. EDGE Micah Parsons has also not been working out amidst contract negotiations and the Cowboys’ defense has missed its two leaders throughout the offseason program thus far.