Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly working towards a new deal. (Source: John Shipley on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Jaguars GM Trent Baalke said he spoke with the reps for Lawrence on Wednesday. Lawrence is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal. This will remain a situation to monitor throughout the remainder of the offseason.
The New England Patriots are reportedly open to trading down but they ate comfortable with the No. 3 pick. (Source: ESPN.com)
Fantasy Impact: We are now less than one week away from the NFL Draft. The latest on the Patriots is that they're open to trading down, but they also like the quarterbacks they could select with the No. 3 pick. It is currently a toss-up based on the betting odds as to who the Commanders select No. 2 overall between Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels with Maye recently picking up more steam. It is possible who Washington selects will impact what the Patriots decide to do as they are on the clock.
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke said that the team will "need to calculate if there's someone we covet and need to make a run to get to 12, 13." (Source: John Shipley on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: While every team does preliminary work on their options for trading up and trading down, the latter of which Baalke has done in the past, he specifically brought up the 12-14 range in the NFL Draft multiple times in his press conference. That could be an indication of their willingness to move assets for the right player or a talent cutoff on their board. It's unlikely they make a pre-draft trade, but the Jaguars could prepare to move up if the right player is available.
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters said the team feels "great about staying at No. 2" and that they "don't see a whole lot of scenarios [where they trade] down." (Source: John Keim on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Commanders pick second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft and are in a prime position to get almost any player they want — outside of whoever gets selected No. 1. ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said he believes LSU QB Jayden Daniels will be the pick for Washington, and unless they get a massive trade offer, they'll likely stand pat and get the first- or second-best QB on their board.
Miami Dolphins edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is expected to get his fifth-year option picked up ahead of the deadline, per the team's general manager Chris Grier. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Phillips' season ended prematurely in 2023 due to an Achilles injury. Fortunately for the Dolphins, and unfortunately for Phillips, that will help make his fifth-year option more affordable, making this move a no-brainer for Miami's FO. Phillips has 22 sacks and 52 QB hits in three seasons and 146 tackles, 24 for a loss. Miami is betting on his ability to return from his late-season injury.
Rashaad Penny was in Seattle yesterday for a free agent visit. Penny was selected 27th overall by the Seahawks in the 2018 NFL Draft. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Penny is coming off a wildly disappointing season in Philadelphia where he totalled 11 carries for 33 yards across 3 games played. At this point in his career, it's hard to envision him getting consistent usage in any offence. His arrival will not impact the likes of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.
Tee Higgins anticipates playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024. The WR requested a trade earlier in the off-season after the team informed him that he would be franchise tagged. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: With Higgins back in the lineup, Joe Burrow has the benefit of working with arguably the league's best WR duo for yet another year. Higgins will likely return to being an inconsistent, high-upside fantasy asset as the second option behind Ja'Marr Chase. This Bengals offense should be an explosive unit next season.
Thu, Apr 11th 9:27am EDT
By Nino Lombardi
DeVonta Smith has had ongoing contract negotiations with the Philadelphia Eagles front office this offseason. The two sides are optimistic that a long-term deal can be finalized in the near future. (Source: ESPN )
Fantasy Impact: Smith is coming off a productive season where he eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. Staying in Philadelphia, where he has a very defined role in this high-powered offense, will ensure Smith's fantasy value remains high. Once this contract extension is finalized, QB Jalen Hurts' fantasy value (especially in dynasty leagues) will be more secure as his two superstar WRs will be signed long-term.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is facing eight charges due to his involvement in a car crash that occurred on March 30. The charges include six counts of collision causing bodily injury, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated assault. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: If Rashee Rice misses time due to legal issues and/or suspension, the other pass-catching options in this offence would see an increase in volume. Most notably, offseason addition Marquise Brown would step into a more prominent role. Brown would become an extremely fantasy-relevant asset as the top WR for the reigning Super Bowl champions. On the other hand, this would be slightly detrimental for Mahomes' fantasy outlook. Mahomes disappointed for fantasy last year with an underwhelming group of weapons. The Chiefs would likely need to address the WR position in the upcoming NFL Draft if Rice's situation becomes a long-term issue.
Ezekiel Elliott and the Cowboys could be heading toward a reunion. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Elliott and the team have "mutual interest" in him returning to Dallas. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Elliott played for the Patriots in 2023, the only season of his career that he was not a member of the Cowboys. He would presumably step into a large role right off the bat as the Cowboys allowed Tony Pollard to leave the team via free agency earlier in the month. Stay tuned as this would be a good fit for both parties involved.
J.K. Dobbins was scheduled to visit with the Chargers on Thursday. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Dobbins was cleared for football activities earlier in the week coming off a torn Achilles. He has been one of the most efficient running backs in the NFL when healthy, and could reunite with Greg Roman if he signs with the Chargers.
Former Washington Huskies WR Rome Odunze will not be participating at the Washington Pro Day on Thursday. (Source: Pete Thamel on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Odunze, a projected top-three receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, is standing firm on his outing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. In Indy, Odunze put on a show during the on-field workouts and also posted a 9.92 RAS along with a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, a 4.03-second short shuttle and a 39" vertical. He is set to meet with eight teams in the top 10, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Zach Wilson reportedly won’t be cut despite his struggling market. (Source: NFL.com)
Fantasy Impact: The Jets are looking to trade Wilson, but it appears he will remain with the team if they can't find a trade. He was granted permission to seek a trade back in February, but it is unclear what, if any interest he received.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the "most popular answer" at No. 2 he's heard from NFL executives in the know with Washington Commanders GM Adam Peters is Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. (Source: uStadium on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: McCarthy has been a late-process riser, elevating his stock from a late-Day 1/early-Day 2 QB to a top-10 hopeful. While many anticipate he could be a trade-up target for a team like the Minnesota Vikings, the reigning CFP National Championship QB seems to be a potential favorite to go No. 2, according to league circles. The Commanders traded away QB Sam Howell and signed Marcus Mariota.
Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and the front office reportedly have a mutual understanding that an extension might not be coming this offseason, locking him in for a contract year in Dallas. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said the two sides are "locked and loaded for this year," with Prescott set to become a free agent in 2025. With Prescott's current leverage (no-trade clause, can't be tagged, contract year), the Cowboys' only option was to give the veteran QB a top-end deal or let him test free agency. It's possible Prescott could command an elite deal next offseason, and even potentially from a new franchise.
The Dolphins reportedly have offered Odell Beckham. (Source: ESPN.com)
Fantasy Impact: It was reported last week that a meeting between Beckham and Miami went well. His market has been fairly quiet outside of the Dolphins, so it is unclear what other teams have shown interest in Beckham.
Chargers GM Joe Hortiz labeled Gus Edwards as a workhorse. (Source: Chargers.com)
Fantasy Impact: "I think specifically with Gus, I've seen him deal with the adversity of the [ACL] injury two years ago and come back from it," Hortiz said. "Grind, be physical, continue to play the same brand of football he's always played. Really excited to have him. He's the bell cow, the goal line [guy], the finisher." Hortiz added the Chargers want to play a more physical style of football on both sides of the ball and he helps them do that. It will be worth monitoring to see what the Chargers do at the running back position in the NFL Draft next month.
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Aidan O'Connell has "earned the right" to compete for a starting role. (Source: NFL.com)
Fantasy Impact: This comes with the rumors of the Raiders considering drafting a quarterback early next month. "At the end of the day, listen, Aidan O'Connell played his a** off. He did a hell of a job for us," Pierce said. in an interview. "You're talking about a kid that has the mental toughness to play in the National Football League. Whatever happens and whatever we do it has to go through Aidan O'Connell. Being honest with you because he's earned that right."
Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith will be the team's starter, new head coach Mike Macdonald confirmed, with QB Sam Howell to be the backup. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: In early March, Macdonald was noncommittal on whether or not Smith would be the team's starter in 2023. When new regimes come in, it provides the opportunity for starting roles to shift as loyalty is reset. Further uncertainty came when Seattle traded for Howell, albeit the acquisition was a low-cost move. However, Smith will be the starter, says Macdonald; the veteran passer has 7,906 yards and 50 touchdowns through the air over the last two seasons en route to consecutive Pro Bowl nods.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said that third-year QB Sam Howell "knows" he's the team's backup behind veteran passer Geno Smith. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Macdonald continued by saying that he believes Howell has a "bright future" that the team believes in. While that could be nothing more than coach speak, the Seahawks went out of their way to acquire the former fifth-rounder via trade. Howell has proven statistical production (3,946 passing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2023) but also was not efficient (21 interceptions and 23rd in EPA+CPOE composite in 2023). He could have a chance to develop behind Smith, who has two years left on his deal.
