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.
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.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that when veteran QB Daniel Jones "gets back, he'll be the guy," but was noncommittal on a timetable or a Week 1 return. (Source: Coral Smith, nfl.com)
Fantasy Impact: Daboll seemed confident in newly acquired QB Drew Lock, saying that "he knows what his role is going to be." However, he did reaffirm that, for now, Jones is the QB1 in New York. However, Daboll reportedly "balked at committing to a Week 1 return" but said Jones continues to improve health-wise. The Giants may give Jones one more year before it's easier to cut him after 2024, though their draft choices will indicate their plans.
The Baltimore Ravens are meeting with free agent WR Michael Gallup on Thursday. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: While the Ravens' passing attack was improved from years past, it's still a thin group that's expected to lose Odell Beckham Jr.; with a three-wide grouping of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor, Baltimore could use another veteran. Gallup could provide a vertical threat that the team does not currently have.
Trent Brown is scheduled to visit the Bengals on Tuesday. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Bengals recently lost Jonah Williams in free agency. Brown started 33 games across the past three seasons with the Patriots before he had had his contract voided in February which made him a free agent.
Free agent RB Alexander Mattison is set to visit with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday. (Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Mattison, a third-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Vikings. Operating as the RB1 in 2023, Mattison combined for 892 scrimmage yards and three total touchdowns but averaged just 3.9 yards per rush attempt. With Josh Jacobs in Green Bay, the Raiders could take a bet on Mattison bouncing back, pairing him with RB Zamir White.
The Jets have made Allen Lazard available in trade talks this offseason. (Source: Dianna Russini on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lazard is due a $10 million salary this season. He was a healthy scratch for much of last year, and will now look for a fresh start if he can be moved.
The Cincinnati Bengals are bringing in DL Teair Tart for a visit on Thursday. (Source: Jordan Schultz on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Tart could join 2023 teammate Sheldon Rankins in Cincinnati after the two played together in Houston. In 11 games with Tennessee last season, Tart had eight tackles for loss but was waived and claimed by the Texans. Tart could help provide depth for Cincy's defensive interior.
The Minnesota Vikings reportedly have no plans of trading Justin Jefferson. (Source: Dianna Russini on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: With the departure of Kirk Cousins, rumors have heated up of Jefferson potentially being moved but it appears that won't be the case. Sam Darnold is currently the starter for the Vikings, but we still have a lot of offseason left including the NFL Draft. This remains a situation to monitor between Jefferson and the Vikings.
