CLE - QB still an issue in Cleveland?
Source: ESPN.com - Pat McManamon
Cleveland Browns head coach Mike Pettine doesn't seem overly concerned with the Browns' current state at quarterback. Pettine said the quarterback position isn't the only position that wins football games. QBs Josh McCown, Johnny Manziel, Thaddeus Lewis and Connor Shaw are currently on Cleveland's roster.
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Of course QB is still an issue for the Browns...go ahead and remove the question mark from the headline. McCown is a journeyman starter and no long-term answer for Cleveland. Manziel is a great unknown because of his unorthodox skill set, bad rookie season and entrance into rehab this offseason. Lewis and Shaw are no more than reserve players at best. This team is built to run the ball, and we're not expecting much fantasy value to be had from their passing game.
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TB - Charles Sims likely to be featured
Source: PewterReport.com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Charles Sims is likely to be featured in the offense this season.
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The team is moving on from Doug Martin. They did not pick up Martin's fifth-year option, so he will be a free agent in 2016. The Bucs want to see what Sims can be as a featured back, and fantasy owners need to take notice. Coming out of college (West Virginia, Houston), Sims was a player often compared to Matt Forte (Bears) because of his ability as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.
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CIN - TE Tyler Eifert will be ready for camp
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Jim Owczarski
Cincinnati Bengals TE Tyler Eifert (elbow, shoulder) said he will be able to fully participate once training camp begins. Eifert has been running routes and catching passes as part of his rehab.
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Good news for the Bengals here. They went ahead and added Tyler Kroft (Rutgers) in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft to improve their depth at the position. We love Eifert's upside, but he's got to start staying healthy and producing at the expected level. In two pro seasons, Eifert only has 42 catches, 482 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. That's not what the team was expecting when they selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft.
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BAL - TE Dennis Pitta not in Ravens' future?
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Baltimore Ravens TE Dennis Pitta (hip) may have an unclear future in Baltimore if he is even able to play next season. TE Maxx Williams was selected in the second round and is primed to take over Pitta's role if necessary.
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When the Ravens selected Williams, it was a sign that Pitta could be done in the NFL. The hip injury he suffered is career threatening, and there's no guarantee that he ever plays football again. Williams was our favorite tight end in this year's draft, and he plays like a young Jason Witten (Cowboys).
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ATL - No talks between WR Julio Jones, ATL
Source: ESPN.com - Vaughn McClure
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones has not had any contract extension talks with the team at this time, but general manager Thomas Dimitroff said extending Jones is one of the team's priorities.
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Jones is set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2016. If the Falcons don't want to lose him, then they need to sign him to a new contract. They could also place the franchise tag on Jones next offseason. That number was $12.823 million for receivers this season.
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CIN - Cedric Ogbuehi may begin on PUP list
Source: Bengals.com - Geoff Hobson
Cincinnati Bengals OT Cedric Ogbuehi (knee) could start the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would keep him out for at least the first six weeks of the season.
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The Bengals knew this when they selected Ogbuehi in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He injured his knee in the Aggies bowl game, and it's probably best for him to start the season shut down. On the PUP list, Ogbuehi would be forced out of action for the first six weeks of the season. After that, the team would have three weeks to determine whether or not to activate him or put him on season-ending Injured Reserve.
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MIN - Two options picked up
Source: FOXSports.com - Alex Marvez
Minnesota Vikings OT Matt Kalil and FS Harrison Smith had their fifth-year options for 2016 exercised Monday, May 4.
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Kalil will continue to give the Vikings a strong presence on the offensive line with the extra year added to his deal. Smith has developed into a quality player for the Vikings and it's no surprise they didn't want him to hit free agency.
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TB - RB Doug Martin's option not picked up
Source: The Tampa Tribune - Roy Cummings
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin will be an unrestricted free-agent in 2016 after the team decided not to exercise his fifth-year player option Monday, May 4.
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Things have changed with Martin over the last couple of years. Mainly, he's struggled to stay healthy and impress when on the field. In 16 games as a rookie, Martin rushed for almost 1,500 yards (with almost 500 receiving yards) and looked like a star on the rise. Since then, Martin has played in 17 games over the last two years and hasn't rushed for 1,000 yards combined during that time. He'll have to see if a fresh start can help him get his career back on track next offseason.
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OAK - WR James Jones released
Source: CSNBayArea.com - Scott Bair
Oakland Raiders WR James Jones was released Sunday, May 3.
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This move saves the Raiders $3.5 million on the cap. Jones was getting squeezed out by the additions of Michael Crabtree through free agency and the selection of Amari Cooper in the 2015 NFL draft. We can't imagine Jones attracting a ton of interest on the open market, but he should be able to make a training camp roster.
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HOU - OLB Whitney Mercilus signs extension
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Houston Texans LB Whitney Mercilus signed a four-year contract extension worth $26 million Monday, May 4. The deal includes $10.5 million in guaranteed money.
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Instead of picking up his fifth-year option, the Texans went ahead and got a long-term deal done with Mercilus. He may not be the pass-rusher many envisioned when he came out of Illinois in 2012, but he's a strong run-defender and obviously a key piece to what Houston does defensively.
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SEA - OLB Bruce Irvin's option won't be picked up
Source: ESPN.com - Terry Blount
Seattle Seahawks LB Bruce Irvin will not have his fifth-year option picked up by the Seahawks, and Irvin was not happy about the decision, sending out several profane tweets Monday, May 4. The option would have paid him $7.8 million in 2016.
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This move was expected. Irvin will play the 2015 season at $1.5 million and become a free agent after the season. Head coach Pete Carroll said the team still hopes to re-sign the talented pass-rusher.
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Source: footballguys.com