0:00:00

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson signed a three-year contract to join the organization this offseason, and early reviews from Patriots beat writer Brian Hines are encouraging. "Antonio Gibson's speed was evident in the no-contact setting, as well as his wide receiver background," Hines wrote for PatsPulpit.com. "Gibson should have a role for himself in this offense." It's the first day of organized team activities, and fantasy managers shouldn't be too high on the former Washington Commander yet, but he has a path to fantasy relevance as a pass-catcher behind or alongside Rhamondre Stevenson. The 25-year-old played wideout in his college career at Memphis and posted 172 receptions for 1,283 yards and seven receiving touchdowns through his first 61 NFL games. He's a solid late-round flyer in PPR leagues, as veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye could utilize him as a checkdown option often given the lack of high-end pass-catchers on the New England roster. Gibson's 13 fumbles since entering the league rank third-most since 2020, but if he can clean that part of his game up, he should be worthwhile on fantasy rosters.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was not spotted at the team's facility for the start of organized team activities on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jefferson and the Vikings have reportedly been in discussions regarding a new contract for the superstar pass-catcher, and it would not be a surprise if he does not report until he inks a new deal. The 2020 first-round pick has three seasons of at least 1,400 receiving yards on his resume already, and he posted 1,074 yards in just 10 games last season. The 24-year-old holds the NFL record for the most receiving yards per game (98.3), so a hefty payday should be coming soon. Stud wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown signed deals this offseason that include an average salary of at least $30 million, and Jefferson is expected to become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history when he reaches a new agreement. 2024 will mark the first season he won't be catching any passes from Kirk Cousins, but his 192-yard performance in Week 18 with Nick Mullens at the helm proves he is quarterback-proof.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (knee) is considered "month-to-month" with a knee injury, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. The 2022 first-round pick out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga injured his left knee in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. Strange has made 27 starts in his first two seasons with the organization, and his recovery from the injury will be key as the team breaks in rookie quarterback Drake Maye. With the season set to kick off in roughly 15 weeks, there will be further updates on his status as Week 1 approaches.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. will start at left tackle in 2024 after spending his rookie season on the right side, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Johnson was selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2023 NFL Draft and started all 17 games in his debut campaign. Veteran D.J. Humphries occupied the left tackle spot in the desert for nine seasons, but he was released this offseason. Newly acquired veteran Jonah Williams will begin the season at right tackle. Protecting quarterback Kyler Murray and carving running lanes for James Conner and Trey Benson will be key priorities in 2024 for a potential ascending offense. Johnson Jr. will play a key part in that effort, and hopefully, he'll take a Year 2 leap after allowing eight sacks in 2023.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle, knee) said he was around 60 percent healthy this time last year from his knee injury and was never fully healthy in 2023. However, he said he's at 100 percent now after resting this offseason. It's nice to hear that the 27-year-old is feeling better this offseason, but his role is a bit up in the air in 2024 after the Patriots added Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round and Javon Baker in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft. New England also signed K.J. Osborn in free agency, giving Smith-Schuster much more competition in the first year without Bill Belichick in Boston. Smith-Schuster had only 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games in his first year with the team in 2023. With Kendrick Bourne (knee) coming back from a torn ACL this year, Smith-Schuster's role is in question.

From RotoBaller

At the New England Patriots' first organized team activity practice on Monday, quarterback Jacoby Brissett took the first repetitions at the position, followed by Bailey Zappe, rookie first-rounder Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. The Patriots took Maye third overall out of North Carolina in last month's NFL draft, but Maye won't be guaranteed the starting gig from Day 1 in his first NFL season this fall. The expectation is that Brissett and Maye will compete for the job in training camp this summer and the preseason, but the Patriots aren't going to rush Maye into the starting role under new head coach Jerod Mayo right away, even though the team has been impressed with the work that Maye has put in so far in trying to learn a new offense. In the bigger picture in 2024, it would be a mild surprise if Maye doesn't at least get some playing time at some point if he opens the year as a backup to Brissett.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) will not be on the field this spring with the rest of the team, according to new head coach Jerod Mayo. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise after a torn right ACL forced Bourne to miss the final nine games of the 2023 season. The 28-year-old said that he expects to be full-go for the start of training camp this summer, though, but he's going to miss valuable time working with new quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and rookie first-rounder Drake Maye during organized team activities. As long as Bourne doesn't suffer a setback during training camp or the preseason, he should be ready for the Week 1 season opener. Bourne had a career-high 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his first year with the Pats in 2021 before regressing to 434 yards and one score in 16 games (two starts) in 2022.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is in the team's building on Monday for the start of organized team activities, according to a source. Tagovailoa is slated to become the next signal-caller to receive a big payday, but the two sides remain in negotiations this offseason. Despite nothing being finalized, the former first-rounder said he was planning on attending the team's offseason workouts. The 26-year-old reportedly has not been with the team as much this offseason as he has been in previous years, but it's a good sign that he's now with the team for OTAs and remains committed to Miami. It should go a long way to both sides eventually working something out on a long-term extension. If no extension is reached, Tagovailoa would play the 2024 season on his fifth-year option. Contract issues aside, he's a rising midrange QB1 after a career year in 2023 with one of the best 1-2 punches at receiver in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will be attending and participating in all activities during organized team activities, which start on Monday, according to a source. Rice won a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season in the NFL, but the ensuing offseason has gone terribly for the 24-year-old pass-catcher. Rice is likely facing a suspension in 2024 for his involvement in a multi-car crash in Dallas in late March that caused injury after he left the scene of the accident. He's facing charges for aggravated assault, collision involving serious bodily injury and collision involving injury. We don't know exactly how long Rice will be suspended in his second NFL season, but his fantasy stock is trending down the offseason after he became quarterback Patrick Mahomes' most trusted receiving target last year not named Travis Kelce.

From RotoBaller

Dynasty | Free agent running back David Johnson is retiring from the NFL. Dynasty Analysis: Johnson had a monster 2016 season that featured more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and a whopping 20 touchdowns for the Cardinals but was never able to replicate that kind of production again. He spent some time with the Texans and Saints over the past few years but in the end, lasted just eight seasons in the league. Such is life in the NFL. If you still had Johnson on your roster, chances are you didn't win your league last season.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | Steelers running back Najee Harris has apparently changed his diet in order to improve his performance. Dynasty Analysis: Well, it can't hurt. Harris is now in a contract year after having his option declined and appears motivated to perform at a higher level as he seeks a lucrative second contract in the league in Pittsburgh or elsewhere. Harris was much better towards the end of last season but Jaylen Warren continues to push for carries and it's hard to believe this won't end up in a timeshare. Harris is best served as a RB2/Flex at the moment but he does have a runway to move up in the rankings should he finally reach his potential.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Running back David Johnson officially announced his retirement on Sunday. The 32-year-old was taken in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played for three teams, suiting up for the Cardinals, Texans, and Saints. However, Johnson's most productive years were in Arizona, where he had his best season in 2016 by rushing for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns off 293 carries and adding 80 catches for 879 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, injuries didn't allow him to recapture the same magic from the 2016 season, although he still had a productive career, ending with 4,071 rushing yards, 2,805 receiving yards, and 57 total touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent RB David Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, May 19.

From TheHuddle

New Orleans Saints All-Pro pass-rusher Cameron Jordan thinks the offseason addition of former first-round defensive end Chase Young "is going to be great for our defense." "We already got Carl Granderson, who's stellar these last couple of years. I think with growth him being on the opposite side when he gets the right health, physically. He's going to be another piece we can add on," Jordan said. Young was traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers on Halloween last year before signing a one-year deal with the Saints in free agency this offseason. The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year had neck surgery this offseason but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. If the 25-year-old Young can get back to his rookie-year form, the Saints pass rush could be very dangerous this year.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns defensive end Ogbonnia Okoronkwo (pectoral) is eyeing at least 10 sacks in 2024 after recording 4.5 sacks and a career-high 12 tackles for loss in 14 games in his first season with the Browns last year before getting hurt. He joined the Browns on a three-year, $22 million maximum-value deal last year. Okoronkwo suffered a torn pectoral but didn't need surgery and said he's "100 percent ready to go." The 29-year-old won a Super Bowl ring with the Los Angeles Rams and has 109 tackles (74 solo), 14 sacks, 26 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 64 games (eight starts) in his five years in the NFL. The Rams took him in the fifth round in 2018 out of Oklahoma. He's been more productive the last two years with the Texans and Browns, combining for 9.5 sacks in 31 games (eight starts).

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer, who is heading into his second year in the NFL, is excited to work with rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who the Raiders selected in the first round this year. Bowers fell to the Raiders at No. 13 overall. "He's fast. He's got great hands. He can block. He can do it all. I feel like we can both do it all," Mayer said. Mayer wasn't all that involved in the Raiders' offense in his rookie campaign, catching just 27 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games played. Given Bowers' pedigree, Mayer figures to be the No. 2 TE in 2024, even in 12 personnel, which the Raiders ran just 14.2% of the time last year. Unless Bowers misses time due to an injury in his first year in the league, Mayer is going to have a hard time standing out for fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton posted a video of himself on Thursday ringing the bell, signaling his last radiation treatment after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. Horton took a leave of absence from the team on Nov. 22 of last year, citing a "personal matter." He learned on Dec. 1 that he had Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma. It put an end to Horton's rookie season in the NFL in 2023, but he issued a statement in March that he was in remission and was trending in a positive direction with hopes of eventually returning to play for Houston. Horton was a fourth-round pick last year out of TCU. In his 10 games played for the Texans last year before learning of his cancer diagnosis, Horton had 13 tackles (one for loss) and two QB hits.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (leg) has made a speedy recovery from a gunshot wound, and his trainer Delfonte Diamond posted videos of him running routes and performing drills at the University of Houston on Saturday. Dell suffered a flesh wound in a mass Florida shooting, with the bullet piercing the back of his leg and going through the front of his leg, according to sources. The 24-year-old looked explosive on Saturday and appears to be full go as the offseason continues on. Despite Dell looking good, Diamond said he thinks head coach DeMeco Ryans and team officials will hold Dell out for the most part this offseason until training camp at the end of July. After catching 47 passes (75 targets) for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games (eight starts) in his rookie season in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury, Dell's fantasy arrow is firmly pointing upward.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent wide receiver Michael Thomas remains without a team. However, that could change, with Zachary Smith of the Steelers Afternoon Drive reporting that Pittsburgh has been in contact with the veteran. Thomas was once the NFL's top wideout. He's appeared in 83 regular season games, totaling 565 catches for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Thomas hasn't had a productive season in years. But there could still be gas left in the tank of the 31-year-old, and he might get plenty of work for the Steelers if he signs. With that said, there should be more updates, so fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation moving ahead.

From RotoBaller

According to 33rd Team's Marcus Mosher, Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is still viewed by some as the No. 1 option on the depth chart. Without question, Austin Ekeler's presence has many believing Robinson's role will significantly reduce. However, Mosher indicated this might not be the case, especially with a change in the coaching staff, including new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who helped James Conner remain a viable fantasy threat during his time as the head coach in Arizona. Robinson has appeared in 27 games for the Commanders over the last two seasons. Although the 25-year-old wasn't always consistent, he still amassed 1,530 yards and seven touchdowns off 383 carries. He also scored five times on the receiving end. Surely, Ekeler will get his touches. Yet, fantasy managers shouldn't dismiss Robinson, with his ceiling rising even more if Ekeler goes down with an injury at some point in the year.

From RotoBaller