NFL Player News

A transfer from Houston Baptist, Sterns (5'7"/178) exploded for a 150-1,902-17 line during his one season at Western Kentucky, finishing 45 catches and 198 yards ahead of the next closest FBS player. While that production is impressive, Sterns measured in at 5 foot 7, 178 pounds at his Pro Day and ran a 4.62 40. He did show well with a 40-inch vertical and 6.8 three-cone, and that short-area explosiveness is where he will have to win in the NFL. Still, his size and speed combination make for a tough Dynasty bet.

Hall was understandably blunt with reporters, saying he isn’t obligated anything but is going to prove he’s the best back on the roster every day. The Jets have openly talked about using a committee throughout the offseason. Head coach Aaron Glenn previously told reporters the team had three backs they planned on utilizing “as much as possible.” While Hall is clearly the top option in this backfield, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis could see more work in a combined bruiser role this year. Hall’s home run potential should keep him in the RB1 mix, but a committee approach would limit his ceiling.

The Athletic’s Ben Standig reports that Brown stayed on the ground for a while after making a catch. He was down “for a few extra beats” before walking to the sideline under his own power. Brown then rode the cart into the building. The fact that Brown was able to get up and walk off the field is a good sign, though you never want to see the cart come out for a player. Fourth-round rookie Jaylin Lane could mix in as the team’s No. 3 receiver if Brown were to miss any time.

Sinnott heads into his sophomore season after a rookie campaign that saw him play well behind veteran Zach Ertz, who re-signed with Washington in March. Sinnott, a second round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, caught all five of his targets for 28 yards and a touchdown in 2024; his touchdown came on a fake punt. It would appear Sinnott’s only viable path to real playing time in the Commanders offense would be Ertz missing time.

Azzanni heaped praise on Austin, who he deemed “a legit NFL receiver” who has been “overlooked” by the league and members of the media. Austin, according to Azzanni, will “bite your face off” as a run blocker and has show great toughness as a pass catcher. “Everyone else is battling for a spot and it’s going to be by committee,” Azzanni added. While Steelers coaches have talked up second-year WR Roman Wilson as a potential No. 2 wideout behind DK Metcalf, Azzanni made it sound like Austin as the WR2 is a done deal. Austin in 2024 had 36 receptions for 548 yards and four touchdowns. He was targeted on around 15 percent of his pass routes, a low rate by any standard. Whoever takes over as the No. 2 receiver in Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense will struggle to be fantasy relevant in a low-volume pass offense.

It would be a massive blow to rookie RB RJ Harvey’s fantasy prospects. Harvey has worked extensively as a pass catcher in offseason practices and Broncos coaches — including Sean Payton — have talked up Harvey as a pass-catching weapon out of the backfield. Legwold said Dobbins, who on Tuesday signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Denver, could replace Javonte Williams — now with the Cowboys — as the Broncos’ primary third-down back. Dobbins caught 32 passes for 153 scoreless yards with the Chargers in 2024. He ranked 53rd out of 58 qualifying running backs in yards per route run. While Dobbins (when healthy) certainly represents a hurdle for Harvey, the rookie could overtake the veteran with explosive playmaking out of the Broncos backfield this summer.

McVay told NFL Network that the Rams’ “first priority” was to re-sign Matthew Stafford, which they did in early May when Stafford inked a two-year extension worth $84 million. With Rodgers in Pittsburgh, McVay admitted that the team considered bringing in the 41-year-old QB as a Plan B if they couldn’t secure Stafford for another year or two. Stafford will be 37 this season and is coming off a year in which he threw for 3,762-20-7 while completing 65.8 percent of his passes. His 7.5 adjusted yards per attempt in 2024 was above his career average, as was his 50 percent drop back success rate. Stafford threw an interception on a lowly 1.5 percent of his attempts last season. He should continue in a game manager role as the head of McVay’s offense.

Dealing with a shoulder issue, Loveland was seen in a red non-contact jersey during Bears minicamp. The rookie has reportedly run routes and lifted weights, but hasn’t been given the green light to participate fully in Bears practices. “I think he’s going to fit in really well once we start getting him to go full speed,” Johnson said when asked about Loveland’s availability, adding that the rookie has taken mental reps in offseason practice sessions. Johnson is expected to use Loveland — the tenth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft — along with Cole Kmet as key red zone targets for Caleb Williams. It remains to be seen if Loveland will have a full-time route-running role in 2025.

It’s hard to imagine Tagovailoa being any quicker than he was in 2024, when he got the ball out an average of 2.3 seconds after taking the snap — the lowest mark in the NFL. That naturally led to a bunch of short throws; no QB had a lower air yards per attempt (5.8) than Tua in 2024. Wolfe said the renewed focus on quick passes was meant to guard the injury-marred Tagovailoa against big hits in the pocket. Last year he struggled with a hip injury that lingered into the offseason, and he has a long history of brain injuries. Tua shapes up as a potential top-12 fantasy QB with a sturdy floor and not much upside. Continued quick passing should benefit De’Von Achane and Jonnu Smith, if Smith remains in Miami amid a protracted contract dispute.

Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers last week, said he joined the team for 2025 because it was “best for my soul.” He’ll take over under center for the run-centric Arthur Smith offense that last season ranked 20th in EPA per play. “Rodgers, who still has some juice left in his right arm and displayed a quick release at practice, also is in a more stable and supportive environment for a QB than in New York,” DeFabo said. “Theoretically, he won’t have as much pressure to win games only with his right arm on a team that employs the NFL’s highest-paid defense and features a run-heavy offense that will limit his exposure.” Look for Smith and the Steelers to use plenty of play action — which Rodgers does not prefer — and ask Rodgers to make easy throws while leaning hard on the run. He’ll have precious little fantasy upside in 2025.

Though he missed OTAs, Slater was a full participant in the Chargers’ first practice of mandatory minicamp. The 26-year-old franchise left tackle is looking for a contract extension as he enters his fifth season. He is on his fifth-year option, worth $19.05 million on the season. The Chargers will extend Justin Herbert’s blindside protector soon, and Slater should join the ranks of the league’s highest-paid tackles.