NFL Player News

Carolina signed Mike Boone off their own practice squad and Boone will backup Chuba Hubbard today. Velus Jones Jr. is also on the depth chart, but will likely replace Blackshear on special teams. Jadeveon Clowney (knee), Josey Jewell (hamstring), and Jaycee Horn (groin) are playing on questionable tags. Also inactive for Carolina are: S Nick Scott, CB Shemar Bartholomew, CB Akayleb Evans, LB Trevin Wallace, OL Jarrett Kingston, and DT Sam Roberts.

With Jonnu Smith now in Pittsburgh, the Dolphins suddenly find themselves very thin at tight end. If the season started today, the starting job would likely come down to either Julian Hill or Pharaoh Brown, which is far from ideal. We would expect the Dolphins to find a new tight end in the near future, but where that comes from is anybody’s guess. An interesting veteran option could be Mark Andrews, who is entering the final year of his deal with the Ravens, and looked like a potential cap casualty earlier this offseason; while a younger option could be the Raiders’ Michael Mayer, who was selected No. 35 overall in 2023 only to lose his role to Brock Bowers the following season. This is all speculation for the time being, but we would expect some names to emerge as rumors of a potential trade ramp up.

Smith will also sign a one-year, $12 million extension with the Steelers, per Schefter, which puts him under contract through the 2026 season. Smith broke out for 88-884-8 in his first and only season with the Dolphins, which came a year after he went for 50-582-3 with the Falcons under current Steelers OC Arthur Smith. There was mutual interest between the two sides to reunite in Pittsburgh once it became apparent that the Dolphins were unlikely to offer Smith the new extension he wanted following his breakout. His arrival to the Steel City makes for an interesting one from a fantasy perspective. For now, Pat Freiermuth remains on the roster and is only a year from signing a four-year, $48.4 million extension. The lack of talent in the Steelers’ passing game could create an environment where both tight ends co-exist, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that the Steelers now have two tight ends who ranked top-12 in slot snaps last season. The departure from Miami likely means Smith’s fantasy stock will take a hit in Pittsburgh’s run-heavy offense, although his ability to lineup all over the formation should work to his advantage. It’s safe to assume Freiermuth’s stock takes a hit as well, but we would expect to see plenty of 12 personnel from the Steelers this season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report Fitzpatrick’s involvement in the trade. Fitzpatrick, who was selected No. 11 overall by the Dolphins in 2018, now heads back to his former team. The veteran safety totaled 96 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups in 17 games last season and was named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl. Fitzpatrick should provide immediate help to the back end of the Dolphins’ secondary, but the subtraction of Ramsey will leave the defense with plenty to prove heading into this season.

The Dolphins trading Ramsey was always a matter of when, not if. Now, the 30-year-old corner has a new home in Pittsburgh, where he will join veteran corner Darius Slay and the recently signed Aaron Rodgers. It was reported last week by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer that the relationship between Ramsey and the Dolphins was “past the point of no return,” which now stands to benefit the Steelers, whose pass defense ranked 22nd in PFF coverage grading (58.0) and ranked 25th in passing yards allowed per game. Ramsey appeared in all 17 games for the Dolphins last season and earned a PFF coverage grade of 71.9 while forcing two interceptions and breaking up 11 passes. While he may have lost a bit of a step as he enters his 10th season, Ramsey remains a solid presence on the outside and should pair nicely with Joey Porter Jr.

Sneed ultimately caveated the initial statement by saying he is as “healthy as [he’s] been,” effectively acknowledging that his balky knee will likely require continued maintenance. Overall, this is good news for both Sneed and the Titans’ defense, though. The veteran cornerback is capable of covering wide receivers both on the perimeter and in the slot.

The addition of rookie WR Tre’ Harris and TE Oronde Gadsden Jr., Popper said, is sure to make Ladd McConkey “even more dangerous” in 2025 as Justin Herbert’s clear-cut No. 1 pass catcher. Popper said LA’s passing attack looked different in offseason practices than it did in 2024. Harris, he said, “made plays outside the numbers in contested-catch situations” and Gadsden “was a threat down the seam and on big, sweeping over routes.” The team’s “passing game felt stunted at times last year because it lacked vertical threats. That will not be the case this year.” In an offense that got progressively more pass-heavy as the season wore on, Herbert in 2024 ranked fifth in adjusted yards per attempt, 24th in drop back success rate, and 15th in accuracy, just ahead of Daniel Jones. Herbert, entering his second year under OC Greg Roman, should have more viable pass-catching options if Harris and Gadsden stay healthy this season.

ESPN’s Nick Wagoner detailed Jones’ three-week offseason onboarding process, which transpired after the 26-year-old quarterback signed a two-year, $7 million contract in March. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, Kubiak and QB coach Mick Lombardi spent the duration breaking down cutups of Jones’ previous film and showing Jones a need to focus on things like the footwork needed to succeed in the offense. Learning and executing the basics of Shanahan’s famed offense is key. Per Wagoner, watching Darnold rewire himself appealed to Jones, who also wants to “rebuild from the ground up, starting with his confidence.” Jones won’t challenged Brock Purdy for a starting job, but he could make good on Kubiak’s starter comments elsewhere come 2027.

Per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, “Payton expects the depth chart to automatically reveal itself” during training camp, when all running backs on the roster are “going to get opportunities.” Reports immediately following J.K. Dobbins’ signing suggested the veteran back could snatch the starting role from rookie RJ Harvey. Legwold believes “Dobbins likely has the early advantage for the most snaps in the room because of his ability as a pass blocker and intelligence on third down,” but Payton’s comments indicate a true competition will take place next month.

Bair was responding to a reader who asked whether the Bears are “in trouble” with Burden having missed so much of the offseason after landing on a football awkwardly. In short, Bair does not think so. Bair referred to Burden as “an X factor,” saying he “is still a dangerous weapon, one that can be impactful outside or in the slot.” While the slot role will provide Burden with opportunities to run routes against linebackers and safeties, mastering the perimeter role is key for fantasy purposes. He must be able to play in two-wide receiver sets in order for us to rely on him. Bair does note that “Johnson doesn’t reward those who don’t give effort during the week, so Burden must prove himself” as a consistent and hardworking practice participant.

Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Pelissero explains that the Bengals’ participation agreement “did not provide the same level of protection as [what] other teams give their rookies.” The protection language ensures “that you are taken care of financially,” if “something were to happen, injury or otherwise.” Knight, the Bengals’ second-round pick, and the front office agreed to a contract after Knight skipped the first offseason practice, which caused less of an issue than Stewart’s ongoing saga has. Aside from the participation agreement language, Stewart also takes issue with the Bengals’ recent change in contract language. The team opted to bring their rookie contract language in line with the rest of the league, after constructing contracts uniquely in prior seasons.