NFL Player News

Dallas used its fifth-round pick from Cleveland in the Amari Cooper trade to draft Waletzko, a three-year FCS starter with 95th-percentile size and athletic scores. Waletzko dominated the MVFC, allowing three sacks in 28 starts, and is expected to remain at tackle in the NFL, giving the Cowboys depth behind injury-prone LT Tyron Smith, who’s missed 20 games the past two seasons. Waletzko seems likely to open 2022 in a swing role as a backup to Smith and hedge to Terence Steele after Steele replaced La’El Collins as the team’s starting right tackle last season.

An abrupt retirement, to be sure, Darby hangs it up after signing a one-year contract with the Texans in March. Darby started his career as a second-round pick of the Bills, but was dealt to the Eagles ahead of his third season and won a Super Bowl with Philadelphia. From there, the oft-injured cornerback became a journeyman, playing one year each with the Commanders, Ravens, and Jaguars. He also played two years with the Broncos. When healthy, Darby was a steady outside cornerback in a league that always needed them.

It’s hard to fully unwrap what that means for the Jets offense without seeing it on the field. But if they are seeking to emulate the Lions and run Allen in a significant role “alongside [Breece] Hall,” it’s certainly possible Allen could have fantasy value this year. The 21-year-old second-year back already cut into Hall’s snaps in 2024, rushing 92 times to Hall’s 209. How effective Allen winds up being is probably more about the overall scope of the Jets offense with Justin Fields than it is about his play, but a significant role would certainly be enough to put him in the RB3 conversation.

Wills missed much of last season with a knee injury and per Schultz is “planning to sit out most — or possibly all — of the upcoming season to fully recover.” The former 10th overall pick of the Browns had a career-worst 52.9 PFF blocking grade in 2024 and both his playing time and grades have declined steadily since 2022. It’s possible he surfaces in-season ala D.J. Humphries in 2024.

It’s hard to imagine an instant path to playing time and fantasy value for Hunter behind Kyren Williams and Blake Corum, but after the Rams traded up for him in the fourth round he’ll likely have an inside track to a roster spot this year. Hunter will be more of a dynasty stash in 2025 than someone to have an eye on in redraft leagues, but should a rash of injuries hit the Rams backfield he’s a plausible contributor.

Any speculation about Ragnow missing OTAs due to contract-related issues can be put to rest. The four-time Pro Bowler took to Instagram on Monday, saying, “I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my families future.” Ragnow has appeared in 47 of the Lions’ 51 regular season games since 2022 but has dealt with a myriad of injuries throughout his career, Last season, Ragnow suffered a torn pectoral muscle, but missed only one game due to the injury. During the 2023 season he missed two regular season games while dealing with knee, back, and toe injuries, but managed to play in all three playoff games in their run up to the NFC Championship game against the 49ers. A true warrior of the sport, it’s apparent the injuries Ragnow has suffered over the years have taken their toll, even if he can still play at a high level. His absence creates a void at the center position that may be filled by 2025 rookie second-rounder Tate Ratledge.

In May, it was reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that “multiple people in the league” believed the Jaguars were “not so high” on Etienne. Their decision to select running back Bayshul Tuten in the fourth round of April’s draft certainly lends some credence to that thought, but according to Coen, Etienne has done “everything we’ve asked him to do” while dismissing any ideas of a split between the two sides. Etienne had his worst season as a pro in 2025, rushing for 150-558-2 in 15 games while catching another 39 passes for 254 yards and no touchdowns. The addition of Tuten certainly makes for an interesting development to watch as we draw closer to training camp, and could put Etienne on a short leash with the new regime if he’s viewed as the lesser of the three backs between himself, Bigsby, and Tuten. While the team may not be looking to move on from him, it’s safe to assume he’s far from a lock to be a 200-plus touch back in 2025.

After a week of social media buzz that featured a boat and a pink substance, Diggs is now in the building. It’s worth noting that these are voluntary OTAs, so Diggs’ decision to report could be in part to gain some good favor with a team that was rumored to be open to cutting the 31-year-old veteran. Head coach Mike Vrabel, when questioned about the video featuring Diggs last week, seemed to downplay the video while adding that he hopes Diggs is making good decisions both on and off the field. Where things truly stand with Diggs and the Patriots at this point is anybody’s guess, but it’s a good sign to see him at OTAs after a week that featured headlines neither side probably wanted. Diggs is still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 8 last season and is unlikely to be on the playing field before training camp. A stint on the PUP list could also be in order.

Smith has become the subject of trade rumors after it was reported last week that the Steelers could be targeting the veteran tight end. Last season, Smith broke the Dolphins’ tight end record for receptions (88), receiving yards (884), and receiving touchdowns (8), and is rumored to be seeking a new deal with his current one set to expire at the end of his season. Smith is due to make just $4.8 million this season, but the Dolphins may be more inclined to trade him to a suitor than dish out a new deal for the soon-to-be 30-year-old. Smith’s fantasy stock for the 2025 season would be at its highest if he were to remain with the Dolphins, but it wouldn’t be surprising if his numbers saw a slight dip if Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are both present and healthy for much of the year.

Bitonio, 33, has mulled retirement in the past, but the long-time Brown refuses to say when he’ll officially call it quits. He did shoot down any ideas of a retirement tour, however, as he prepares for what will be his 12th NFL season. Bitonio signed a three-year, $48 million contract extension with the Browns in 2021 that will keep him under contract through this season. Bitonio has started all 161 games he has appeared in for the Browns and earned a PFF blocking grade of 63.9 last season, playing more than 1,000 snaps for the eighth consecutive season.

A former third-round pick of the 49ers back in 2022, TDP’s career has barely gotten off the ground through three seasons. Davis-Price has appeared in just eight NFL games thus far, rushing for 127 scoreless yards on 43 carries. He spent last season with the Eagles and appeared in one game. The Titans giving him a two-year deal is interesting on the surface, but we wouldn’t assume he’s a lock for the 53-man roster after struggling to see action at this point in his career.