NFL Player News - Week of 4/16/18

**mpaschal34** · 04-17-18, 10:51 AM

I really had high hopes for Mariota last year. He was one of my late round picks in a couple of leagues. Turned out to be a big disappointment.

**LT Profits** · 04-17-18, 11:00 AM

Tuesday Update

Packers | Aaron Rodgers disgruntled
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is 'frustrated and emotional' about being completely cut out of discussions that resulted in departures of WR Jordy Nelson and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, according to sources. It is a factor in his thought process when it comes to his contract extension.

Rams | Malcolm Brown signs tender
Los Angeles Rams RB Malcolm Brown signed his exclusive-rights tender on Monday, April 16.

Giants | NY Giants atop Dez Bryant's wish list?
Based on a recent conversation he had with free-agent WR Dez Bryant (Cowboys), 105.3 Dallas' Mike Fisher 'senses' the New York Giants would be his top choice, 'regardless of what the Giants themselves want.'

Footballguys view: Bryant would likely want to stay in the NFC East where he could get revenge on his old team twice a year. The Giants are likely to move on from Brandon Marshall in the near future, opening up a spot for a someone like Bryant opposite Odell Beckham Jr.

Bengals | Joe Mixon has dropped weight
Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon has decreased his weight to 225 pounds this offseason after weighing in at 238 pounds last offseason. The sophomore running back plans to lose five more pounds before the season begins.

Footballguys view: A lighter Mixon should help with his stamina and explosiveness. The team sees him as a no.1 running back and fantasy owners are hoping he can pay off on his RB1 potential this season. OC Bill Lazor has revamped the playbook this offseason, and he should feature Mixon in this new offense.

Jets | Nick Rose claimed by Jets
Free-agent PK Nick Rose (Chargers) was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets Monday, April 16.

Bills | Zay Jones on good terms with Buffalo
Buffalo Bills WR Zay Jones is in a satisfactory position within the Bill's organization, according to head coach Sean McDermott.

Footballguys view: That's good news for the second-year pro, but he's got to keep his nose clean from here on out. Both sides agreed they need to move on from Jones' off-field incident and subsequent arrest.

Dolphins | Miami signs Gavin Escobar
Free-agent TE Gavin Escobar (Browns) signed with the Miami Dolphins Monday, April 16. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Chiefs | Spencer Ware should be ready for camp
Kansas City Chiefs RB Spencer Ware's (knee) availability for the offseason workouts is uncertain, but he should be ready for the start of training camp, according to head coach Andy Reid.

Footballguys view: Reid backtracked on those comments later saying 'you never know' in terms of Ware's availability for training camp. The language of the NFL is money, and the Chiefs have added two RBs (Damien Williams, Kerwynn Williams) this offseason. We won't be surprised to see them select a RB in this deep and talented 2018 draft class.

Bengals | Cincinnati meeting with Lamar Jackson
Louisville QB Lamar Jackson is having a pre-draft visit with the Cincinnati Bengals Monday, April 16.

Footballguys view: An interesting visit to be sure. Andy Dalton is the starting quarterback but after years of falling short, Dalton may not have much more time to prove he can get this team to the playoffs and win. Jackson plays like a right-handed Michael Vick, but he could probably use a year of grooming before taking over as a starter in the NFL.

Buccaneers | Adam Humphries signs tender
Tampa Bay Buccaneers restricted free-agent WR Adam Humphries signed his one-year tender offer Monday, April 16, and is scheduled to make $2.9 million in 2018.

Footballguys view: The Bucs had a good feeling they could keep Humphries and tat's why they placed a second-round tender on him. He's going to compete for slot duties behind Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson once again in 2018.

Jaguars | Dez Bryant unlikely to be option for Jags
Free-agent WR Dez Bryant (Cowboys) is not expected to be pursued by the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, according to a source.
Footballguys view: The Jaguars have re-shaped their WR corps this offseason. Both Allen Robinson (Bears) and Allen Hurns (Cowboys) are elsewhere and the team is moving forward with guys like Keelan Cole, Marqise Lee and Dede Westbrook.

Source: footballguys.com

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 04-18-18, 07:59 AM

looking forward to the upcoming draft.

**LT Profits** · 04-18-18, 10:22 AM

Wednesday Update

Patriots | Tom Brady not a lock for 2018
New England Patriots QB Tom Brady still hasn't committed to playing in 2018, but people close to him believe he'll be back, according to sources. He wants to spend more time with his family, and there are people around him who would rather see him retire, sources said.

Footballguys view: The whole report makes this feel like a non-issue. The headline certainly draws attention and has some Patriots fans worried. We saw no worries here, but the negative buzz coming out of New England about how veterans may be tiring of Bill Belichick's way is interesting to say the least. Brady should play in 2018 and beyond, but fully expect the Patriots to select a quarterback with a premium pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

Patriots | Calvin Ridley visiting Patriots
Alabama WR Calvin Ridley is visiting the New England Patriots Wednesday, April 18.

Footballguys view: Ridley is widely regarded as the best WR in this draft class. He's a great route-runner who knows how to set up defenders with his movement. Ridley does have some concentration problems when hits are incoming, even though his hands and generally strong. He should be a first-round pick.

Texans | Houston takes a look at J'Mon Moore
University of Missouri WR J'Mon Moore visited with the Houston Texans on Tuesday, April 17.

Footballguys view: At 6'3" 204 pounds, Moore is one of the most interesting size/speed prospects at the WR position. He can out-muscle smaller defenders for the ball and does a good job of presenting the largest possible target to his quarterback. Moore is raw as a route-runner and needs to show that he can run the full tree in the pros. He should be a fourth-round pick.

Cardinals | Sam Bradford to be limited in offseason
Arizona Cardinals QB Sam Bradford was limited in the team's first offseason minicamp practice Tuesday, April 17, and head coach Steve Wilks said afterward Bradford will continue to remain limited for the time being.

Footballguys view: Bradford has a one-year $20 million deal with the Cardinals and there's an option to pick him up for 2019 for the same price. The Cardinals will slow play Bradford leading up to the season so they can see if he can be near full strength by the time the regular season rolls around.

Colts | T.Y. Hilton feeling good
Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton cut out fast food from his diet and worked closely with the team's new director of sports performance to map out a nutrition plan, and the changes he's made have him feeling like he's in the 'best shape of his life,' according to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star.

Footballguys view: Hilton needs a healthy Andrew Luck to have a bounce-back season in 2018. The Colts have made multiple changes to the team this offseason, but Hilton is still a key piece of the team's passing game. He finished last year as the no.25 fantasy WR but has top-10 upside if Luck is healthy and things are firing on all cylinders.

Cowboys | Jason Witten not ready to retire yet
Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten told the Dallas Morning News' Jon Machota he hopes he can play until he's 40 and has 'no interest in taking a TV job right now.'

Footballguys view: Witten turns 36 years old in May, so he must think there's plenty left in the tank. Last year was a down season for Witten, but he still finished the year as the no.10 fantasy TE in 2017. As the Cowboys offense gets back on track this year, Witten should post better numbers. Even with an uptick in production, Witten should still be considered a low-end TE1 for fantasy owners.

Eagles | Carson Wentz running again
Philadelphia Eagles QB Carson Wentz (knee) said he has started running in his recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and torn lateral collateral ligament.

Footballguys view: Wentz seems to be far ahead in his recovery. The quarterback added that he feels good and is happy where he's at in his progress. Even with this good news, his status for the start of the regular season is up in the air. If there are no setbacks, he should be good enough to play in Week 1.

Panthers | Greg Olsen at full health
Carolina Panthers TE Greg Olsen (foot) said his injured foot is completely healed and that his focus this offseason is securing a contract extension before the regular season begins.

Footballguys view: Olsen could get back to his 1,000-yard receiving ways at full strength in 2018. If an extension is not achieved then Olsen said broadcasting for Monday Night Football would be a viable option.

Bears | Jordan Howard won't be traded
Chicago Bears RB Jordan Howard's agent said the Bears will not be trading their star running back.
Footballguys view: There had been plenty of speculation that Howard had played his last down with the Bears, but that may not be the case now. Howard is a banger, and new head coach Matt Nagy may be looking for a more versatile feature back.

Source: footballguys.com

**JaimeMiro** · 04-20-18, 05:17 AM

Tom Brady retiring just doesn't make sense... Patriots will most likely make the Superbowl, again,.

**Otters27** · 04-20-18, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by mpaschal34

I really had high hopes for Mariota last year. He was one of my late round picks in a couple of leagues. Turned out to be a big disappointment.

I think if he stays healthy for the whole year his is going to have a big breakout year here soon.

**mr. leisure** · 04-20-18, 11:10 AM

Tom Brady retiring just doesn't make sense

Don`t think he is going anywhere .

**LT Profits** · 04-20-18, 12:16 PM

Friday Update

A look at news around the league and how it might affect your fantasy teams

AFC

Buffalo

Bills WR Kelvin Benjamin is participating in voluntary offseason workouts.
Why It Matters: The Bills offense is going to be one of the most underwhelming units in the league, but Benjamin is the closest thing the team has to a weapon in the passing game. His balky knee was a problem on and off all season last year, so this is the first good sign that maybe 2018 will be a better year.

The Bills signed WR Jeremy Kerley to a one-year contract.
Why It Matters: Kerley had a flash in 2016 as the 49ers most reliable target for a stretch, but was a non-factor last year for the Jets. He isn’t a lock to make the team, but if he does and outplays 2017 second-round pick Zay Jones coming off his bizarre offseason incident, he might lead the team in catches.

Cincinnati

Bengals QB Andy Dalton said there is going to be a lot of change and learning in the team’s offense this year.
Why It Matters: Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor immediately revived the offense when he took over last year, and now he’ll have a whole offseason install a scheme that matches his more aggressive philosophy. Dalton was a steady QB1 for fantasy teams once upon a time, and he could be again this year, especially if the Bengals add a starting center in the first round to continue to offensive line upgrade started with the trade for OT Cordy Glenn that moved them down nine picks in the first round to #21.

Bengals RB Joe Mixon weighs 225 pounds and intends to lose more weight before training camp.
Why It Matters: Marshawn Lynch and LeVeon Bell both hit new levels in their game by reshaping their bodies to be lighter in the offseason. The Bengals offense is trending in the right direction and Mixon will be the clear lead back. He might end up being a value in his second year.

Denver

The Broncos released RB CJ Anderson.
Why It Matters: The Broncos took their time after some speculation that they would ask Anderson to accept a pay cut. Reportedly, no pay cut was offered before the release. Anderson missed a window to sign with Adam Gase in Miami in a reunion, as the team signed Frank Gore instead after trying to trade for Anderson. He should end up being in a timeshare, but his fantasy value has taken a hit and Anderson might have to wait until after the draft to sign.

Kansas City

The Chiefs signed RB Kerwynn Williams to a one-year contract.
Why It Matters: Head coach Andy Reid has been non-committal about Spencer Ware, who is coming back from a tricky knee injury. The team also signed Damien Williams earlier this offseason. Connecting the dots, it doesn’t seem like Ware is a lock to be the complement to Kareem Hunt this season.

Miami

The Palm Beach Post reports that RB Kenyan Drake has added at least five pounds this offseason.
Why It Matters: Former Dolphins back Lamar Miller lost some of his explosiveness by adding weight to take on a larger workload with Houston. Hopefully, Drake doesn’t sacrifice his playmaking ability to address the Dolphins concerns about how he will hold up under a heavy workload. Drake will share with Frank Gore, but as long as he’s heavily involved in the passing game, he could still be a fantasy RB1.

The Palm Beach Post expects the Dolphins to exercise the fifth-year option on WR Devante Parker.
Why It Matters: Parker hasn’t lived up to his first-round pick status yet, and the option would only be guaranteed for injury, so it doesn’t mean that he’s a sure thing for the 2019 Dolphins roster. He should get a bump in targets with Jarvis Landry in Cleveland and have a chance to earn the 9.5 million dollar option. That’s about what Jacksonville paid Donte Moncrief this offseason, so it’s not an outlandish number even though Parker has been disappointing.

New England

Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski did not attend the start of the team’s offseason program.
Why It Matters: Retirement watch seems to be over for Gronkowski, but there has been some buzz that he wants to be traded. There is still a high probability that Gronkowski will be a Patriot, but this negative aura around the relationship between Gronkowski and the Patriots is something to file away as context for whatever comes next.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Patriots QB Tom Brady has not committed to playing in 2018.
Why It Matters: It probably doesn’t, but when Schefter reports something, it’s worth noting. NBC Sports Michael Giardi said Brady has continued his normal offseason regimen, and that his teammates haven’t said he plans to retire. The Patriots have been linked to quarterbacks in the upcoming draft, so a choice of Lamar Jackson or Mason Rudolph in the first round isn’t an indication that there is something to this item.

New York Jets

Jets TE Neal Sterling signed his one year, 1.9 million original pick level restricted free agent tender.
Why It Matters: Sterling is a pass-catching tight end on a team that doesn’t have an entrenched player at the position right now. He’s only worth remembering in very deep dynasty leagues, but if the Jets pass offense is as good as it was last year, Sterling could flirt with fantasy relevance with improved play.

NFC

Carolina

Panthers TE Greg Olsen said his foot is completely healed.
Why It Matters: Olsen didn’t look at all like his old self when he came back last year until the playoffs, but it sounds like we don’t have to worry about that this season. Olsen is a good bet to be Cam Newton’s leading downfield receiver and he could be a value if he is outside of the top five tight ends off of the board in drafts.

Chicago

Bears RB Jordan Howard said the team told his agent that they have no plans to trade him and head coach Matt Nagy confirmed that he will be featured.
Why It Matters: The Bears are undergoing a change in offensive scheme and philosophy under Nagy, and it should be very different from the run-heavy attack under John Fox, but Howard is still an RB2 with this confirmation about his place in the team’s plans, and any loss in volume could be offset by a gain in efficiency and scoring opportunities in a better offense.

Bears RB Tarik Cohen has added ten pounds of muscle in the offseason and is up to 190 and head coach Matt Nagy said he is going to use him as a receiver outside of the backfield and move Cohen around.
Why It Matters: Cohen displayed a ton of talent as a receiver last year, but was sometimes curiously underused by the Bears. Nagy is saying the right things about Cohen’s usage, and he could be an RB2 in PPR leagues if he is a core piece of the passing attack, even if Jordan Howard still dominates carries. Hopefully, Cohen doesn’t lose any of the suddenness and explosive he showed last year after gaining additional weight, and that development is no reason to bet against his growth as a player and part of the offense this year.

Dallas

The Cowboys released WR Dez Bryant.
Why It Matters: This isn’t surprising after it has been rumored all offseason, but the timing is strange, as the team could have used the cap room opened by his release in the first wave of free agency, and Bryant could have generated a lot more interest in March. Allen Hurns is the closest thing the team has to a #1 receiver now, and they are much more likely to go with a receiver on the first two days of the draft, if not at #19. Cole Beasley, or his superior eventual replacement, 2017 fourth-rounder Ryan Switzer have to be a bigger part of the passing game this year.

Detroit

Michael Rothstein of ESPN would not be surprised if RB Ameer Abdullah or Theo Riddick is “shopped”, especially if the team takes a running back early in the draft.
Why It Matters: Abdullah has underwhelmed despite a lot of opportunity with the Lions, and he might benefit from a change of scenery. LeGarrette Blount is the surest thing to lead the Lions in carries this year, but that could change in draft, which might also change Abdullah’s fate with the team.

Green Bay

Yahoo Sports Charles Robinson reports that Packers QB Aaron Rodgers is frustrated and emotional about decisions to no longer have WR Jordy Nelson and QB coach Alex Van Pelt in the organization.
Why It Matters: Rodgers only has two years left on his contract and this kind of news could affect how those negotiations go if the issues that make him unhappy are not addressed. There is a philosophical question here about a quarterback not being involved in coaching and personnel decisions no matter how important he is to the team and how well he plays.

Minnesota

The Vikings signed LB Eric Kendricks to a five-year, 50 million dollar extension with 25 million guaranteed.
Why It Matters: Kendricks is about to take off as an elite IDP linebacker for his prime years. The Vikings have still been able to keep their defense intact despite giving Kirk Cousins a fully guaranteed contract in free agency.

New York Giants

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported that it is not likely that the Giants will take a quarterback with the second overall pick of the draft and ESPN’s Todd McShay said “it feels inevitable” that the team will select Penn State RB Saquon Barkley.
Why It Matters: From a value standpoint, the Giants should be looking to take a quarterback or trade down to a team that needs a quarterback. Barkley is a “can’t miss” player in his draft, but running back is a devalued position. He would add a significant amount in the passing game as a blocker and receiver to offset that trend, but the Broncos and Bills would probably be pleased to see the Giants take Barkley and push quarterbacks lower in the top 5-10, and perhaps even cause a slide for UCLA’s Josh Rosen.

The Giants released WR Brandon Marshall with a failed physical
Why It Matters: Marshall was a dud last year anyway, but this confirms that he is not in the team’s plans going forward. Marshall won’t be signed to be a starter now, and he might be lucky to make a roster if his play doesn’t improve from the 2017 level. Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram give the team two excellent secondary options after Odell Beckham, so there shouldn’t be urgency to replace Marshall.

Jordan Schultz from Yahoo Sports and Mike Fisher from 105.3 Dallas believe former Cowboys WR Dez Bryant wants to play for the Giants.
Why It Matters: It won’t unless the Giants want him too. Bryant would have extra motivation with two games against Cowboys next season, and the Giants might want another veteran presence in the passing game. Some teams might wait until they see their draft results before making overtures towards Bryant, so this situation will require some patience.

Philadelphia

Eagles QB Carson Wentz has progressed to the running phase of the rehabilitation of his surgically repaired knee.
Why It Matters: Wentz had a multi-ligament tear, so when he does return, we shouldn’t expect him to have all of his abilities back. He won’t be as much of a running and scrambling threat and probably won’t resume as a top five fantasy quarterback right away, but this is obviously a step in the right direction.

Seattle

The Seahawks signed PK Sebastian Janikowski to a one-year contract.
Why It Matters: It didn’t seem likely that the team would go into camp with Jaguars castoff Jason Myers as their only kicker, and the other shoe has now dropped in their kicking game. Janikowski was replaced in Oakland last year, but he is surely better than Blair Walsh, who was one of the worst kickers in the league for the Seahawks last year.

Seahawks safety Earl Thomas was not present for the open of voluntary offseason activities.
Why It Matters: The team has said that they expect him at the open of camp and have been assured by his representatives that he will be there, but they were open to dealing him earlier in the offseason, and the Cowboys have newfound cap room. This could be a sign of a developing story and continued dismantling of the Seahawks defense.

Source: footballguys.com

**LT Profits** · 04-21-18, 08:21 AM

Saturday Update

NFL | Question marks for Derrius Guice
Louisiana State RB Derrius Guice is a 'high-maintenance kid' and will need structure to succeed in the NFL, according to an NFC executive.

NFL | D.J. Moore the top receiver?
Maryland WR D.J. Moore is preferred by 'more than one team' over Alabama WR Calvin Ridley, according to Albert Breer of MMQB.

Browns | Cleveland not targeting Sam Darnold?
Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey said 'hand size is important' when discussing quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft, and he referenced Southern California QB Sam Darnold's hand size and issues with fumbling in college. 'With that being said, hand size in November and December, when it's snowing, raining, it's getting muddy.'

Giants | NYG not interested in Dez Bryant
Free-agent WR Dez Bryant (Cowboys) is not receiving interest from the New York Giants at this point.

Patriots | Several Patriots WRs close to free agency
New England Patriots WRs Chris Hogan, Jordan Matthews, Phillip Dorsett, Kenny Britt and Cordarrelle Patterson are all entering the final year of their current contracts.

Raiders | Oakland in contact with Amari Cooper's agent
Oakland Raiders WR Amari Cooper's agent has been in contact with the Raiders about Cooper's contract situation, according to general manager Reggie McKenzie. The Raiders will have to decide this offseason whether to exercise the fifth-year option in Cooper's contract.

Ravens | Dez Bryant may no longer be option for BAL
Free-agent WR Dez Bryant (Cowboys) may no longer be a target for the Baltimore Ravens if the Ravens are able to add New Orleans Saints restricted free-agent WR Willie Snead this offseason, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley.

Eagles | More on Nick Foles' revised deal
Updating a previous report, Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles received a $2 million signing bonus as part of his revised contract, according to a source. Foles could also make millions in incentives if he is the starter and meets certain benchmarks in 2018.

Seahawks | Seattle still open to adding Colin Kaepernick
Free-agent QB Colin Kaepernick (49ers) has not been ruled out as a possible free-agent option for the Seahawks, according to head coach Pete Carroll.

NFL | Tyler Gaffney pursing MLB career
Free-agent RB Tyler Gaffney (Jaguars) has decided to end his NFL career after joining the Pittsburgh Pirates Class A affiliate last month.

Source: footballguys.com

**mr. leisure** · 04-21-18, 05:40 PM

No love for Dez Bryant .

**LT Profits** · 04-21-18, 06:23 PM

Originally posted by mr. leisure

No love for Dez Bryant .

He is no longer what he used to be and thus no longer worth the headaches that come with his baggage.

**LT Profits** · 04-22-18, 10:38 AM

Sunday Update

Texans | D'Onta Foreman not a lock for Week 1
Houston Texans RB D'Onta Foreman (Achilles') may have to begin the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Ravens | Baltimore targeting Hayden Hurst
The Baltimore Ravens would like to trade down from the No. 16 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and select South Carolina TE Hayden Hurst, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

Footballguys view: Hurst may not be considered the best TE in this draft class, but the former baseball pitcher (he spent years in the Pirates organization) may have the best upside.

Saints | NO unlikely to match Willie Snead offer
The New Orleans Saints do not plan on matching the offer restricted free-agent WR Willie Snead signed with the Baltimore Ravens.
Footballguys view: This was expected once the Saints were able to sign Bears RFA wide receiver Cameron Meredith earlier this month. Snead will go to the Ravens where they've got a new-look WR corps. He should compete for snaps/targets in a trio of receivers that include Michael Crabtree and John Brown.

Source: footballguys.com

**BigdaddyQH** · 04-22-18, 11:12 AM

Great work L.T. The Patsies are a mess. Sure, Brady and Gronc will most likely play this season, but they certainly will have a different mental attitude about the team and Coach Bill. Will they really try or just play out the season? 12/16 looms huge for the Patsies because they visit Pitt and the winner could win home field advantage in the AFC.

**mr. leisure** · 04-22-18, 11:39 AM

Originally posted by LT Profits

He is no longer what he used to be and thus no longer worth the headaches that come with his baggage.

Totally agree , If I was a coach I wouldnt want him near my team .

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 04-23-18, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by LT Profits

He is no longer what he used to be and thus no longer worth the headaches that come with his baggage.

exactly...time for him to get humbled this offseason with low offers.