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Dynasty $250 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

NFL schedule gives Chiefs, Jets major exposure

Wed May 15 9:59pm ET
Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs will open the season with a difficult one-two punch as they seek their third Super Bowl championship in a row.

The NFL released its full regular-season schedule on Wednesday night, when the Chiefs got a full look at the challenges in store for them in 2024. They will face Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL's "Kickoff Game" on Sept. 5, and one week later they will play a Cincinnati Bengals team that has beaten them in six of the past eight regular-season meetings.

Plenty of other tests await the Chiefs, such as a road contest on Oct. 20 against the San Francisco 49ers in a rematch of last season's Super Bowl.

In other highlights from the schedule release, Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets learned that they will be in prime time six times this season. The Jets' national slate includes a Week 1 matchup against the 49ers on "Monday Night Football," another Monday night matchup in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, and a Week 9 game against the Houston Texans on Amazon's Thursday night schedule.

Rodgers and the Jets also will travel to London, where they will kick off against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The league's international schedule includes four other matchups. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles will face off on Sept. 6 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in what will be the NFL's first regular-season game to be played in South America.

Two more London games feature the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the Chicago Bears on Oct. 13 and the New England Patriots vs. the Jaguars on Oct. 20, and the final international game showcases the New York Giants vs. the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 10 in Munich, Germany.

The NFL again will play three games on Thanksgiving. The action starts with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Bears visiting the Detroit Lions, and it continues with a midafternoon matchup between the Giants and Dallas Cowboys. The nightcap features the Miami Dolphins at Green Bay.

One day later, on "Black Friday," the Las Vegas Raiders will visit Kansas City. This marks the second year that the NFL has broadcast a game on the day after Thanksgiving.

On Dec. 8, Kirk Cousins will visit a familiar environment when his Atlanta Falcons travel to play the Vikings. Cousins left Minnesota during free agency in the offseason to sign with the Falcons, who guaranteed him $100 million and surprised him weeks later by selecting fellow quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with their first-round draft pick.

The schedule also includes a pair of games on Christmas Day, a Wednesday, that will air on Netflix -- a first-time broadcast partnership for the NFL. The streaming service will feature the Chiefs vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Ravens vs. the Texans.

"We couldn't be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world," said Hans Schroeder, NFL's executive vice president of media distribution.

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Player Notes
Kirk Cousins Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Kirk Cousins

The Atlanta Falcons will have their 2025 fifth-round pick revoked following the NFL's investigation into potential tampering. The Falcons violated the anti-tampering policy with quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and tight end Charlie Woerner. In addition to the pick loss, the team was fined $250,000, and general manager Terry Fontenot was fined $500,000, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. All things considered, this is a mild punishment. The Falcons have Super Bowl aspirations after signing Cousins to a $180 million contract this offseason, and the punishments will not affect their 2024 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Micheal Clemons Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Micheal Clemons

Free-agent edge-rusher Takkarist McKinley is signing with the New York Jets, according to NFL.com. The 2017 first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons out of UCLA is set to join his seventh organization in his seventh year in the NFL. He has appeared in games for the Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Rams and has racked up 98 tackles, 20 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass deflections in 64 career games. Although he's unlikely to ever live up to his draft status, he could contribute to a dominant defense as a rotational edge rusher. He'll look to compete with Micheal Clemons and Will McDonald IV to play behind Haason Reddick and Jermaine Johnson in 2024.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Carter Jun 14 12:20pm ET
DeAndre Carter

The Chicago Bears are signing wide receiver DeAndre Carter, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 2015 undrafted free agent has spent time with nine NFL organizations, including the Bears in 2020. Overall, the 31-year-old has tallied 108 receptions for 1,259 yards and six touchdowns. However, he has returned 132 punts and 118 kickoffs in 94 career games, so that's likely why Chicago was interested in bringing him in. Carter is likely to compete with third-year wideout Velus Jones Jr. for return-man duties, a role that could be more important following the updated kickoff rules in 2024. With DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze on the roster, it'd be a surprise if Carter makes an impact as a receiver.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) is scheduled to undergo foot surgery next week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Johnson suffered the injury during Wednesday's minicamp practice and is expected to miss a significant chunk of time. However, the team is hopeful he'll be ready for the start of the regular season. In Johnson's first year with Derek Carr, he caught 37 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. He's been a fantasy football sleeper for the last few years and will remain one in 2024, so long as he can recover and get back to action. In his absence, Foster Moreau will likely handle TE1 duties, though Taysom Hill could see more work at that spot for the remainder of the offseason.

From RotoBaller

Rashod Bateman Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Rashod Bateman

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman has struggled to begin his NFL career, racking up just 93 receptions, 1,167 yards, and four touchdowns in his first 35 games. According to Ravens reporter Jonas Shaffer, the former first-round pick has remained underwhelming this offseason. "Bateman has had a quiet start to minicamp. He had a short catch early in Tuesday's practice, but his snaps seemed to dwindle later in the session," Shaffer wrote. "On Wednesday, Jackson targeted him just once, when Bateman was well covered by Mullen on a shot play and his deep pass fell incomplete." Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said he expects a great year from Bateman, but the early reports from minicamp are less than ideal. Unfortunately, Bateman is likely capped as the No. 3 option in a low-volume passing attack, which limits his upside. The 24-year-old is a fine best-ball flier, but it would be a surprise if he's a weekly contributor in traditional fantasy football leagues.

From RotoBaller

Dylan Laube Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Dylan Laube

Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube has been impressing the organization this offseason, meaning the sixth-round pick has a realistic shot to make the 53-man roster for the 2024 campaign. "He's wise beyond his years. He shows up like a vet. He can take what he learns from the classroom and apply it on the field," running backs coach Cadillac Williams said. "He's always going to be in the right spots. Got really good hands, quick, explosive. Just a very cerebral player that can do a lot of things." The New Hampshire product has been flashing his receiving skills at minicamp, and he's taken reps on the kick return team. Laube caught 117 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in his final two college seasons, and he registered over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns in 2023. The 24-year-old is likely behind Zamir White and Alexander Mattison on the depth chart, but he could beat out Ameer Abdullah to earn at least a small pass-catching role in his rookie season. He's an interesting late-round flier in deep PPR fantasy football leagues.

From RotoBaller

Marcus Mariota Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Marcus Mariota

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota has been splitting first-team reps with first-round rookie Jayden Daniels this offseason, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The former No. 2 overall pick in 2015 by the Tennessee Titans signed a one-year deal with Washington at the start of free agency, and he could be the short-term starter if the team wants Daniels to sit for the first few weeks of the 2024 campaign. Although Mariota has struggled to keep a starting job, he has underrated fantasy football upside thanks to his rushing skill set. In 13 games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, Mariota averaged a respectable 15.8 fantasy points per game behind 2,219 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions, 438 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. He's a must-stash option in Superflex leagues, and fantasy managers might get one or two QB1 weeks out of him if he's the starter to begin the Dan Quinn era in Washington.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterbacks coach Tee Martin have made it clear this offseason that they plan to give quarterback Lamar Jackson more responsibility in the team's pre-snap operation this year. During practice on Wednesday, Jackson was challenged by an aggressive defense to change routes, run schemes and protections at the line of scrimmage, and Martin liked what he saw as the offense had one of its sharper practices of the offseason. Last year's NFL MVP will be given more freedom before the snap in 2024 to get the offense into ideal looks. The 27-year-old also showed up this year a little bit lighter as he looks for an encore performance. As long as Jackson is able to stay healthy again, the dual-threat signal-caller should be a top-five fantasy quarterback.

From RotoBaller

Najee Harris Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Najee Harris

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, who had his fifth-year option declined by the team last month, attended mandatory minicamp this week but didn't participate at all. Harris also declined every interview request and hasn't done interviews since January. He said he'd talk to the media next month at training camp. Harris isn't believed to be dealing with an injury this offseason, and head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the fact that the RB didn't take part in minicamp workouts this week. In a contract year now, the 26-year-old has slimmed down as he looks to show out before hitting the free-agent market next March. The former first-rounder will probably never be as productive as he was in his rookie campaign in 2021, but he's been durable and reliable in Pittsburgh's backfield. Jaylen Warren's emergence has capped Harris' fantasy upside, although the Steelers should remain heavily committed to the run in 2024 under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

From RotoBaller

Gus Edwards Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Gus Edwards

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that running back Gus Edwards (undisclosed) "has been on a really good track" and is "likely" to be back for training camp at the end of July. Edwards worked off to the side with trainers during mandatory minicamp with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old should be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season, but it's worth monitoring his health this summer as he enters his first season in LA. With Austin Ekeler gone, Edwards should be the primary RB in the Bolts' backfield in what will be a run-first offense under new coordinator Greg Roman. Behind him will be J.K. Dobbins, rookie Kimani Vidal and Isaiah Spiller. Edwards isn't much of a pass-catcher and has durability issues, but he managed a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in Baltimore in 2023. Don't expect double-digit TDs in his first year in LA, though.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Courtland Sutton

Even though Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton showed up for mandatory minicamp this week after being absent at voluntary organized team activities, he hinted that he could hold out of training camp next month as he seeks a long-term contract extension. He's entering the third year of a four-year, $60.8 million extension that he signed back in 2021. Sutton has a $13 million salary in 2024 with only $2 million guaranteed. The 28-year-old wants a bigger contract after scoring a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023. "You know we'll see, we'll see what happens," Sutton said when asked if he'll show up for training camp if his contract negotiations remain at a stalemate. Sutton will be the unquestioned WR1 in Denver now that Jerry Jeudy is gone, but the QB situation isn't ideal, and he will be facing major regression in the TD department in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Saquon Barkley Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Saquon Barkley

After a thorough review of the Philadelphia Eagles' signing of running back Saquon Barkley, the NFL informed the team on Thursday that the investigation did not discover sufficient evidence to support a finding that the anti-tampering policy was violated. The league reviewed phone logs, text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia's free-agency strategy and decision to sign Barkley. The NFL also interviewed several members of the organization, including Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni, as well as Barkley and Penn State head coach James Franklin. Unlike the Atlanta Falcons and their pursuit of quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, the Eagles will not face any fines or loss of future draft picks for their signing of Barkley.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara skipped the team's final mandatory minicamp practice this week due to contract-related reasons, according to his agent, Brad Cicala. Kamara was in attendance for minicamp but didn't take part in on-field workouts as he seeks a new contract. The 28-year-old veteran has two years left on his current deal, and not much progress has been made on a new contract. The former third-round selection in 2017 was a Pro Bowler in each of his first five seasons in the league and has surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards in all seven of his campaigns for the Saints. However, Kamara has never been a 1,000-yard rusher and had a career-low 694 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 13 games in 2023. Kamara is more attractive in PPR leagues for his pass-catching prowess. Keep in mind that he's averaged 4.0 yards per carry or less in the last three seasons.

From RotoBaller

Taysom Hill Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints restructured tight end Taysom Hill's contract on Thursday, converting his base salary for 2024 to free up some salary cap room. Hill's cap number went from $15.7 million to $6.8 million with the move. The 33-year-old continues to be listed as a tight end for fantasy purposes, but he's apparently being involved more as a running back/fullback in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's scheme during offseason workouts. Juwan Johnson's foot injury will also open up more pass-catching opportunities for Hill in training camp this summer as a traditional tight end. Most of Hill's production in 2023 came as a quarterback in wild-cat formations for the Saints. His versatile skill set makes him intriguing as a TE2 in fantasy, but it has been nearly impossible to predict how the Saints will use him on a weekly basis.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Lynn Polk Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Ja'Lynn Polk

The New England Patriots signed second-round wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk to a $9.694 million rookie deal on Thursday that includes a $3.87 million signing bonus. Polk had been relatively quiet in organized team activities open to the media before Monday of this week, when he caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Jacoby Brissett. He has come as advertised to the team's decision-makers and has embraced the steady installation of offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's playbook, showing a good understanding of a larger menu of plays. Coaches in the building have been impressed with his high-end physical skills that have them believing he'll be more than just a role player in the receivers room in his first NFL campaign. The 22-year-old will have the opportunity to earn playing time on a team without a clear leader at the position, making him worth a late-round flier in deep redraft leagues.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Trevor Lawrence

The Jacksonville Jaguars and quarterback Trevor Lawrence agreed on a five-year, $275 million contract extension on Thursday, which includes $200 million guaranteed ($142 million at signing), according to a source. The $55 million average salary in Lawrence's deal ties him with Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow for the top mark in that category in the NFL. The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2021 out of Clemson made his first Pro Bowl in his second season in 2022 and has had back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons, although Lawrence and the Jaguars offense struggled down the stretch last year as he battled through injuries. Overall, his 2023 campaign was a step back after he finished as the QB7 in fantasy the year prior. Lawrence lost Calvin Ridley but gained rookie Brian Thomas and Gabe Davis and has plenty of targets, but he's best drafted as a QB2 with upside in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Amari Cooper Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Amari Cooper

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper continued his holdout on Thursday for the final day of the team's mandatory minicamp while he seeks a long-term contract extension. Cooper is heading into the final year of his current deal in 2024 and is looking for more security on an extension after posting career-highs in receiving yards (1,250) and yards per catch (17.4) despite playing with four different quarterbacks in 2023. The 29-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2015 by the Raiders out of Alabama added 72 receptions and five touchdowns in 15 regular-season games. It's unknown if this holdout will extend into training camp next month, but if it does, Cooper's fantasy stock as a WR2 will dip further after the Browns added Jerry Jeudy in a trade with the Broncos this offseason.

From RotoBaller

Myles Garrett Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett (hamstring) tweaked his hamstring early in minicamp drills this week, but that "he'll be fine." The Browns and Garrett aren't going to take any chances in June, and the 28-year-old defensive end should be ready to go for the start of training camp at the end of July. Garrett should be one of the first five defensive ends off the board in IDP fantasy drafts this fall after winning Defensive Player of the Year honors in his seventh year in the NFL. In 16 regular-season starts, he accumulated 42 tackles (33 solo), 14 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Garrett is a pass-rushing beast and has had double-digit sacks in all but his rookie campaign for Cleveland back in 2017. He's hat at least 14 sacks in each of the last three years.

From RotoBaller

Darius Slayton Jun 14 12:20pm ET
Darius Slayton

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (undisclosed) left Tuesday's practice due to an undisclosed injury after appearing to slip while running a route. He got up and walked off the field gingerly. The nature of Slayton's injury still isn't known, but head coach Brian Daboll said he expects Slayton to be ready for training camp next month. Even though the 27-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be serious, it will be worth watching closely in training camp. Despite the addition of rookie Malik Nabers in the first round this year, Slayton projects to be a starter for the G-Men in 2024. However, he'll probably be hard-pressed to top his career-high of 770 receiving yards a season ago. Additionally, both Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt could have increased roles in an offense led by quarterback Daniel Jones, who is returning from an ACL tear. Slayton will go undrafted in standard 12-team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Austin Ekeler Jun 14 9:20am ET
Austin Ekeler

Washington Commanders new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury appears to be using some two-running back sets during mandatory minicamp this week involving Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. In what will be a vastly different offense under Kingsbury in 2024 with rookie first-round quarterback Jayden Daniels at the helm, Washington figures to use Robinson as more of the between-the-tackles, early-down back, with Ekeler serving as the primary pass-catcher out of the backfield. The 25-year-old Robinson had 43 targets in 2023, but he stands to lose a hefty amount of targets to Ekeler this year. With more competition from Ekeler, B-Rob is going to need to remain productive and hold onto the football to be a viable RB3/flex for fantasy managers in standard-scoring leagues. Ekeler should be more valuable as an RB3/flex in point-per-reception formats.