News About the NFL

The league tabled a discussion about whether to ban the "tush push" until May.

Why It Matters: It seems like Roger Goodell wants to keep the chances of this play being banned alive, but multiple reports had the support of doing so at only 16 teams, eight short of what is needed. Goodell has suggested that the league ban any pushing of a player with the ball to couch the change in terms of player safety instead of taking away an advantage the Eagles have because they are better at converting short-yardage plays via Jalen Hurts being pushed from behind than any other team is. Hurts fantasy value would take a hit if the measure is revived and passed in May, while Saquon Barkley's value would get a bump, but perhaps not enough to overtake Ja'Marr Chase as the clear #1 pick in 2025 fantasy drafts.

News About AFC Teams

Baltimore Ravens News

Head coach John Harbaugh said he would like to see the team extend the contract of RB Derrick Henry.

Why It Matters: If you're looking for signs that the Ravens are planning for life after Henry, this certainly is not one. Henry has been an exception throughout his career, and he did not look like a running back in decline despite being 30 years old last season. Harbaugh also said he expects RB Keaton Mitchell to be on a "whole other level" in his second year removed from an ACL tear, and the team also signed RB Justice Hill to an extension last season. That means we shouldn't look for them to take a running back from this year's deep class at the position unless they have soured on Rasheen Ali, a fifth-round pick they kept on the roster last year despite his being injured going into the season. This comment should solidify Henry's early second-round ADP.

Cleveland Browns News

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that based on conversations she has heard, it would not be surprising for the Browns to trade for QB Kirk Cousins. 

Why It Matters: Cousins has a productive history with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski when they were together with Minnesota, and most speculation has the team passing on a quarterback at #2. That's important because the buzz is that Cousins doesn't want to have a repeat of 2024, when he joins a new team only for them to take another quarterback in the early first round before he even takes a snap as the starter. The Browns could still trade back into the first round to take their quarterback of the future, but if they don't, look for a trade after the draft that sends Cousins to Cleveland to start and a third- or fourth-round pick to Atlanta. Cousins is very cheap in Superflex dynasty leagues right now, but it's unlikely that his days as a starter are over, and he should be better two years removed from Achilles surgery. He was practically stationary in the pocket last season, which contributed to his eventual benching for #8 pick Michael Penix Jr..

Indianapolis Colts News

Head coach Shane Steichen said the team "needs a game-changer" at tight end.

Why It Matters: Mock drafts have been marrying the Colts and Penn State TE Tyler Warren all spring, and this comment will only increase the connection between the two. While landing with the Colts would be a hit to Warren's range of outcomes for fantasy because of the uninspiring passing game and quarterback play, as Steichen pointed out, a three-down tight end who can block and be a weapon in the passing game would increase the versatility of the offense. Warren is especially intriguing for fantasy because he was used as a short-yardage runner at times a la Taysom Hill, but it's hard to see the Colts preferring him to Jonathan Taylor at the goal line. Michigan's Colston Loveland is the other tight end projected in the first round, but his contributions are weighted more toward the passing game than the true three-down skillset that Steichen outlined.

Head coach Shane Steichen said the team will split reps between QBs Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones 50/50, and the more consistent player will win the starting job.

Why It Matters: It is unfair to expect Richardson to be more consistent in a practice setting after getting about two years worth of starting reps over the last five years, so we should expect Jones to start Week 1 unless this gambit lights a fire under the 2023 #4 overall pick. Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star confirmed this week that Richardson's two-week benching last season was because of a "lack of detail in preparation" and that he was only back on the field because of how poorly Joe Flacco played. Richardson will have to decisively win this competition to redeem himself in the organization's eyes. He may do that, but Jones is probably the better late-round speculative pick in best-ball leagues. If you want to acquire Richardson in your dynasty superflex league, wait until we see the outcome of this competition. Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield's career arcs remind us that sometimes a quarterback needs a change of scenery to find himself.

Jacksonville Jaguars News

GM James Gladstone said WR Dyami Brown has "untapped potential".

Why It Matters: If you were holding onto hope that Gabe Davis would break out in his second year with the Jaguars as the running mate for Brian Thomas Jr., it might be time to extinguish that prayer candle. The new regime made a point of getting Brown on a one-year, $10 million contract, which indicates that he'll be given a chance to beat out Davis to start. Head coach Liam Coen is also a fan of Brown's, saying he can attack at all three levels and that he'll make it so that Thomas doesn't always have to be "that guy on the top shelf". It's hard to project Thomas much higher after a revelation of a rookie season, but we should consider the growth potential for Trevor Lawrence if Brown is as good as Gladstone and Coen expect him to be.

Kansas City Chiefs News

Head coach Andy Reid said that WR Rashee Rice is on track to be ready for training camp.

Why It Matters: Rice's knee injury has been surrounded by mystery from the moment it happened because the Chiefs oddly waited to place him on injured reserve for a few days following the injury, and it was difficult to find specifics on the nature of the injury. Rice's surgery was to repair his LCL and hamstring tendon, and at least one report had the return to field timeline at 10 to 12 months. Being ready for training camp would be a best-case scenario and push his ADP up from its current place at the 47th pick in early Underdog drafts. Rice was outstanding last season before his injury, but Marquise Brown was injured, while Xavier Worthy was a green rookie. It's possible that Rice will be healthy but still disappoint in fantasy if Brown stays on the field and Worthy takes another step forward. The main beneficiary of that scenario would be Patrick Mahomes II, who would finally have enough weapons to put defenses on their heels after a string of underperforming seasons as a fantasy passer.

Las Vegas Raiders News

The Raiders signed QB Geno Smith to a two-year, $85.5 million extension.

Why It Matters: There shouldn't be any doubt now that the Raiders won't be in the market for a quarterback at #6, or otherwise early in the draft after committing to Smith as their quarterback for more than just this season. Smith should benefit from improved offensive line play, but the Raiders will surely invest in the backfield and running game in the draft. Boise State super RB prospect Ashton Jeanty should be in consideration at #6, but recent mock drafts have been pairing Georgia EDGE/LB Jalon Walker with the Raiders, so we could see the future leader of the Raiders backfield taken on the second day.

New York Jets News

Head coach Aaron Glenn said the team is looking to get WR Garrett Wilson the ball "as much as possible".

Why It Matters: When the team sent Aaron Rodgers packing, that was seen as good for Wilson, and this should also be a positive in his 2025 outlook. Wilson is being reunited with one of his college quarterbacks, Justin Fields, who fueled DJ Moore to a career year in Chicago in similar circumstances when Moore was the clear #1 option in the passing game. Wilson's ADP is down 15 spots from last season when optimism about Rodgers joining the Jets pushed the wide receiver into the late first round of drafts. This is the latest sign that the fantasy community was a year early and could be underestimating Wilson's 2025 potential.

Head coach Aaron Glenn said the team has "three running backs that we are going utilize as much as possible".

Why It Matters: Many have reveled in Breece Hall's ADP falling into the third round after he was in the running to be picked in the top 3 as the #1 running back off of the board this year. This could throw some cold water on that joy, although it is very early in the 2025 cycle. Glenn could revise his view of the backfield workload split after seeing Hall, 2024 fourth-round pick Braelon Allen, and 2024 fifth-round pick Isaiah Davis in person on the same field. Still, this is a reminder that new regimes are not beholden to divvy up reps based on a previous regime's investment of draft capital and preferences. 

Pittsburgh Steelers News

Owner Art Rooney II said things are "pointing in the direction" of the team signing QB Aaron Rodgers.

Why It Matters: The Steelers seem stuck waiting for Rodgers to make a decision, and many have speculated that Rodgers is waiting to see if the Vikings - his likely preferred team - sweeten their offer to him. Rodgers did have a throwing session with DK Metcalf, but if he was planning on joining the team, what's the holdup? Rooney also said the team won't wait forever for Rodgers but will wait a little longer. How much longer is yet to be seen. For now, the most likely outcome is Rodgers starting Week 1 for the Steelers, but Rodgers' decision-making criteria is essentially unknowable, so this situation remains unpredictable.

News About NFC Teams

Arizona Cardinals News

The Cardinals signed DL Calais Campbell to a one-year, $5.5 million deal.

Why It Matters: Campbell reportedly returned to the team that drafted him back in 2008 because they offered him more money than his previous team, the Miami Dolphins. The Cardinals have made significant additions on the defensive line, with EDGE Josh Sweat and DT Dalvin Tomlinson greatly improving a previously nondescript group of talents. The Dolphins, on the other hand, are basically cornered into taking defensive early and often in the upcoming draft. Look for a defensive tackle to be the pick at #13.

Dallas Cowboys News

The Cowboys traded a fifth-round pick to the Patriots for QB Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick.

Why It Matters: Milton has been rumored as a hot trade commodity all offseason, but the compensation says minor deal more than potential difference-maker. The Cowboys upgraded at backup quarterback, at least in terms of potential, after losing Cooper Rush to the Ravens this offseason and didn't have to give up much to do it after the 2024 sixth-round pick Milton showed off his considerable tools in the season finale win over Buffalo. Ironically, that game dropped the Patriots from #1 to #4 in the draft order, which might end up being a very significant drop if neither of the Browns or Giants take a quarterback. Currently, it appears they won't. Joshua Dobbs will be the backup to 2024 #3 overall pick Drake Maye, while Milton could get some first-team reps while Dak Prescott is eased back from hamstring surgery. Milton remains worth an end-of-the-bench roster spot in Superflex dynasty leagues, but the destination and trade capital return has to be seen as disappointing from a fantasy outlook perspective.

Minnesota Vikings News

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said that RB Jordan Mason will be a "1b" with RB Aaron Jones and that Mason will improve their performance in short-yardage situations.

Why It Matters: This shouldn't be a surprise, as the Vikings struggled in short yardage and leaned heavily on the passing game in the red zone last year. Mason's presence could ding the upside of JJ McCarthy, Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison by putting more touchdowns in the rushing column. While Jones does offer a lot more pass-catching potential, Mason's scoring potential on the heels of this statement means that maybe their ADPs should be closer than the current 50-pick gap in early Underdog drafts.

Philadelphia Eagles News

Head coach Nick Sirianni said "right now he's on our team" when asked about TE Dallas Goedert.

Why It Matters: Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson aren't long-term solutions at tight end, but they could be a band-aid for a position that was likely to be vacant when Goedert is due to become an unrestricted free agent next season at age 31. Goedert wasn't the future for the team, but this comment makes us think that the timeline to move on from him will be accelerated, perhaps even during the draft, when the Eagles could draft his replacement from a strong class of first- and second-day rated players at tight end. DeVonta Smith's current early Underdog draft ADP of WR22 and 42nd overall should rise on this news.

San Francisco 49ers News

GM John Lynch said WR Brandon Aiyuk is expected to remain with the team this season.

Why It Matters: Aiyuk received a $22.85 million roster bonus on April 1, which should end the lengthy speculation that he would be traded while the 49ers are in cost-cutting mode. Adam Schefter reported that Aiyuk should be back by "midseason", which is not exactly optimistic from a fantasy point of view. Jauan Jennings is going 20 picks ahead of Aiyuk, and 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall is going 10 picks ahead of Aiyuk, with all three in the 60-90 range of early drafts. While neither of Jennings and Pearsall will get a bump from an Aiyuk trade, the outlook is still for them to open the season as the starting receivers unless we get more rosy news about Aiyuk's recovery from a 2024 Week 7 ACL and MCL tears in the upcoming months.