NFL Player News

By almost every measure, the Bucs in 2022 had the league’s worst rushing attack, as Leonard Fournette -- who will probably be released in the coming weeks -- and Rachaad White were terribly inefficient as runners and pass catchers. Tampa Bay was dead last in expected points added (EPA) per rush, with the third worst rushing success rate. White ranked 61st in yards per carry after contact, below backs like Latavius Murray and Ezekiel Elliott. Pro Football Focus graded the Bucs’ run blocking as the eighth worst in 2022. Look for the post-Brady Bucs to be a hyper-conservative offense led by Kyle Trask or a journeyman veteran who will compete with Trask for the starting job. There won’t be much fantasy appeal among Bucs players as the team enters a multi-year rebuilding project.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss was the first to report the move. The former Patriots wide receiver is reportedly joining the team as a personnel analyst but had worked as a receivers coach for the 49ers (2019-2021) and most recently with the Dolphins (2022-2024). Welker’s familiarity with GM Adam Peters and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury likely played a role in the move and gives Welker a chance to expand his resumé as a coach/front office member.

The Raiders won’t be using the No. 6 overall pick on Ewers, but it’s easy to envision them using their No. 37 overall pick on the Texas product on Day 2 of the draft in hopes of developing him into a franchise QB in the coming years. Ewers was the No. 1 prospect in the nation when he enrolled at Ohio State in 202 and moved on to Texas ahead of the 2022 season. In his three seasons with the Longhorns, Ewers threw for 9,128-68-24 while completing 64.9 percent of his passes. With Geno Smith already under contract for the next three seasons, Ewers would have plenty of time to sit and learn the pro game before taking the reins in his second or third season.

Between this quote and the one-year, $10 million fully guaranteed contract the Rams gave Atwell this offseason, it seems fair to assume he’ll be a key player in the offense next season. McVay said he hasn’t “done a good enough job of utilizing” the former second-round pick through the first four years of his career, but it sounds like that could change in 2025. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will still operate as the team’s top two receivers, but the Rams have been one of the most 11-personnel-heavy teams since 2021, per PFF, which means Atwell should see plenty of time on the field if McVay sticks to his word. Atwell has shown flashes over the last two seasons with the increased workloads he has received. Since 2023, he has caught 81 passes for 1,045 and three touchdowns, averaging 12.9 YPR. It’s a long offseason, which means there’s plenty that can change between now and training camp, but Atwell could prove to be a very strong late-round pick in early fantasy drafts.

Griffin was a third-round pick by the Seahawks back in 2017 and played the first four years of his career in Seattle. The veteran corner has since bounced around to the Jaguars, Texans, and Panthers before landing in Minnesota on a one-year contract last season. Griffin started three of the 17 games he appeared in for the Vikings in 2024, totaling 41 tackles, two interceptions, and six pass breakups while earning a PFF coverage grade of 62.4. The 435 pass coverage snaps he played were his most since 2021. Griffin hasn’t started more than seven games since 2022 and would likely be used in a depth role wherever he signs for next season.

Revel is a projected first-round pick who is also recovering from a torn ACL. According to Pelissero, Revel will also have a “combine medical recheck” while visiting with the Colts in Indy. Revel underwent reconstructive surgery on his ACL in October, with his doctor saying he expected him to be fully cleared by the summer. Revel forced two interceptions in three games last season and earned a PFF coverage grade of 83.5 or higher in 2023 and 2024.

Carter had breakfast with head coach Brian Daboll on Sunday and will have an official top-30 visit with the team on Thursday. The Penn State product is widely regarded as the top pass rusher in the league and is a virtual lock to hear his name called amongst the top five picks in the draft, with some believing he could go as high as No. 2 overall. The Giants hold the No. 3 overall in this year’s draft and could benefit from adding another pass rusher to play opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux, who is entering the fourth year of his rookie deal.

The 32-year-old retired last summer before returning late in the year. His rep, Drew Rosenhaus, said he will “definitely” play in 2025. It’s unclear if it will be with the Bucs. “We’ll never close the door on Shaq,” were the words of GM Jason Licht in February. “We’ll see where that goes. We never close the door on Shaq.” Barrett could be forced to wait until closer to camp to find out if he’s truly in the Bucs’ plans.

It’s not really news, though it’s further confirmation Golden is safety ticketed for Day 1. 21-year-old Golden’s overall collegiate production leaves something to be desired, but his 2024 breakout and confirmed 4.29 speed have understandably tantalized the league. Golden could be particularly coaching staff dependent as a prospect, but the right coach could make him a major fantasy contributor in a hurry.

This is a bit of an eye-brow raiser, as there has been very little media chatter on Milroe being a potential first-rounder. Either Milroe doesn’t mind, or the league is a lot higher on him than people think. Milroe is certainly a big name, so maybe he’s been convinced by the league and networks to attend despite seemingly low first-round odds.

Rhamondre Stevenson has 154 career receptions to his name, while Antonio Gibson, who remains on the roster, has 195 catches of his own. That said, head coach Mike Vrabel said adding a “young runner is potentially something we would like to do” when asked about addressing the position in this year’s draft, and Reiss believes a pass-catching back could be the focus for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Stevenson struggled last season after signing a four-year, $36 million deal, and while he’s expected to be the lead back for 2025, it’s fair to say the 27-year-old back doesn’t look like the same player who totaled 1,461 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in 2022. In a class that is rich with running back talent, a more explosive back who could provide more upside in the passing game could help an offense that’s hoping to improve on its 30th-ranked finish last season.