News From the NFL

The league is considering moving a kickoff touchback to the 35-yard line.

Why It Matters: The changes to the kickoff rules last year resulted in a 57% increase in returns. Moving the touchback to the 35 would encourage teams to keep the ball in play on kickoffs and boost kickoff return yardage totals across the league. If you are in a return yardage league, you might want to put in offers for top kickoff returners KaVontae Turpin, Marvin Mims Jr., and Rashid Shaheed before this possibility becomes more widely known.

News From AFC Teams

Baltimore Ravens News

GM Eric DeCosta said he expects an "amazing" season from TE Mark Andrews and that the team will "figure out all of the roster machinations" when discussing Andrews' standing with the team.

Why It Matters: Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic said the team will "listen" if teams call about Andrews and that they "could be compelled to deal him for the right offer," but he'd be surprised if they "move on" without a "legit" trade offer. That makes it sound like Andrews will be with the Ravens in 2025. However, Isaiah Likely should still have a big bump coming in the next year or two, so it's a good idea to "overpay" for him now, knowing that he'll become one of Lamar Jackson's primary pass catchers as long as the team signs him to a second contract. Likely and Andrews are both going to be free agents in 2026.

Buffalo Bills News

The Bills signed WR Khalil Shakir to a four-year extension worth up to $60.2 million with $32 million guaranteed.

Why It Matters: This looks like a bargain right now, and will become an even bigger bargain when we see wide receiver contract numbers come in over the next wo offseasons. Shakir is Josh Allen's most trusted receiver on third down and the most consistent fantasy option in the "everyone eats" Bills pass offense. Shakir is currently 79th overall in early Underdog drafts, which is a very reasonable price for a proven producer who is still on the growth side of his career arc.

Cleveland Browns News

GM Andrew Berry said the team views WR/CB Travis Hunter (Colorado) primarily as a wide receiver.

Why It Matters: The Browns pick second and could take Hunter, so this should relieve some worries about the amount of involvement he'll have on offense when calculating his fantasy value. Multiple people reporting from the combine have also said that the majority of scouts and analysts see Hunter as a wide receiver first and foremost and as the best wide receiver in the draft. Even if Hunter is a part-time player on offense, even the best wide receivers are only targeted on a small percentage of plays, so don't overthink his rookie draft and redraft value because of his two-way game. His current Underdog ADP of 132nd overall is screaming value. He's also undervalued if he falls past the 5th or 6th pick of early dynasty rookie drafts.

OL Joel Bitonio said he's uncertain about whether he will play in 2025.

Why It Matters: There's no clear signs that the Browns will trade Myles Garrett at this moment, but if Bitonio retires, it could create another source of heat. The core that made the team competitive at times since they drafted Garrett in 2017 is crumbling, making it more difficult to justify keeping the remaining members of the band together. Trading Garrett would signal a tear down and other veterans could ask their way out of town. Stay tuned.

Indianapolis Colts News

GM Chris Ballard said the Colts will have a quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and a player they bring in during the offseason.

Why It Matters: This can only be seen as an admission that the team erred when they took Richardson at #4 in 2023. The caliber of quarterback they'll add probably won't be much better than Gardner Minshew II or Joe Flacco - their backups last two years - so Richardson still has a lot of speculative value in both redraft and dynasty leagues. He's currently 142nd overall and QB21 in early Underdog drafts, which seems very reasonable considering his weekly upside and likelihood of starting. It's a buy-low moment for Richardson in superflex leagues if you still believe in him. If you're looking for hope, Richardson is going to work out with Josh Allen - the only NFL quarterback with tools comparable to his, and a quarterback who struggled with accuracy early in his career - this offseason.

Jacksonville Jaguars News

GM James Gladstone said TE Brenton Strange will have a role in the offense that "we haven't seen yet".

Why It Matters: The newly-minted 34-year-old GM clearly has opinions about the roster he has inherited after coming over following a very successful nine-year stint in various roles for the Rams. He might be lukewarm on paying Evan Engram $14.75 million in the last year of his deal after Strange replaced most of Engram's production in the last month of the season while Engram was sidelined with a torn labrum. Strange's value is headed up, and he is free in early Underdog drafts.

Kansas City Chiefs News

Despite some talk of retirement, tight end Travis Kelce confirmed he will return to the Chiefs in 2025.

Why It Matters: Kelce's ADP of TE10 and 116 overall in early Underdog drafts basically assumes that Kelce will play in 2025. He had a three-week outburst when the Chiefs' wide receiver group was depleted in the middle of the season, but otherwise was pedestrian most weeks. He's a player in decline and priced about right in redraft and dynasty. This could be a good moment to move him in dynasty leagues with a strong class at tight end that will give dynasty league players good options into the third round of rookie drafts. Noah Gray's speculative value for 2025 takes a hit with this news.

GM Brett Veach said the Chiefs will look to bring WR Marquise Brown back for the 2025 season.

Why It Matters: Brown barely played in 2024, but there were signs that he had instant chemistry with Patrick Mahomes II last offseason. He should come cheaply after an injury-marred season, and the Chiefs' interest is positive for Brown's 2025 fantasy outlook. Coming back to the Chiefs is among his best outcomes for fantasy in free agency.

The Chiefs have informed Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith that they will use the franchise tag on him.

Why It Matters: The Chiefs' offensive line was dominated by the Eagles' front four in the Super Bowl, so they are going to have to invest in the offensive line either way. Tagging Smith effectively keeps him off the free agent market. The Chiefs are now obligated to offer him a one-year contract worth about $23.4 million -- a number that will makes Smith the highest-paid guard in football. The two sides will have until July 15 to agree to a long-term contract. If no deal is reached by that date, Smith will play the 2025 season on his franchise tender. 

Las Vegas Raiders News

Tom Brady and Rams QB Matthew Stafford met at a ski resort in Montana.

Why It Matters: The Brady effect almost got Ben Johnson to go to Las Vegas as head coach, so we can't underestimate the effect this could have on Stafford's future. The Raiders should be more willing to break the bank on Stafford's next contract than the Rams. Just the possibility of Stafford ending up in Las Vegas should add speculative value to Brock Bowers' and Jakobi Meyers' stock. The most likely outcome remains that Stafford is a Ram for the 2025 season, but this is a curveball that caused a feud between NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Justin Schultz after Rapoport suggested that the meeting was a chance encounter after Schultz broke the scoop. The two also had a confrontation at an Indianapolis Starbucks to thicken the plot. 

Miami Dolphins News

OT Terron Armstead has taken a pay cut to the league minimum while he decides whether to play next season.

Why It Matters: Armstead has been the cornerstone of the Dolphins offensive line since 2022. The high-powered offense cratered last year, in part because of the offensive line, so this isn't encouraging for the 2025 outlook. Armstead's move is probably a precursor to his retirement and favor to the team to help them explore options to replace him.

Head coach Mike McDaniel said WR Tyreek Hill had surgery on his wrist injury.

Why It Matters: The injury is at least partially responsible for Hill's disappointing 2024, but not the only reason his production fell off. He's currently going at the end of the second round of early Underdog drafts, which is a huge dropoff from his top 5 draft status in fantasy leagues last year. McDaniel added that Hill should be able to start catching balls again in the summer before camp, adding some uncertainty to his outlook. Jaylen Waddle is going about 30 picks after Hill in early drafts and might be the better proposition if you want to get back in on the Dolphins passing game.

Pittsburgh Steelers News

GM Omar Khan said the team will tender restricted free agent RB Jaylen Warren, and it is possible that they will re-sign RB Najee Harris.

Why It Matters: Beat writer Mark Kaboly painted a different picture about Harris' possibilities of returning to the team, saying the "ship has sailed." Warren will get a boost in fantasy leagues if Harris signs elsewhere, although we should expect the team to take a running back in this year's very deep draft class. Warren is going 85th in early Underdog drafts and Harris 108th, so the fantasy community is anticipating Warren's role growing, with Harris still getting significant work wherever he lands. It's possible Warren's value takes a big hit during the draft with the Steelers in position to take a top back at the 21st overall pick.

GM Omar Khan said he would like to re-sign one of Justin Fields or Russell Wilson at quarterback this offseason.

Why It Matters: Don't look for the Steelers to make a big splash at quarterback this offseason, which means we should expect another year of mediocre offensive production in Pittsburgh. Fields is going 162nd overall in early Underdog drafts, so there is some belief out there that he will get a decent number of starts in 2025. Pittsburgh would be the most likely place that would happen.

Tennessee Titans News

The Titans have given EDGE Harold Landry III permission to seek a trade. 

Why It Matters: Landry is overpaid at $17.5 million and is probably just a rotational pass rusher whose best days are behind him. The Titans are unlikely to get more than a late round pick for him and a release is still the most likely outcome here. They were strongly connected to Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter at the #1 pick before news came out that Carter has a stress reaction in his foot and might need surgery. Some saw this development with Landry as connected to the team's interest in Carter, but they were probably going to move on from Landry in any event.

News From NFC Teams

Atlanta Falcons News

GM Terry Fontenot said the Falcons are comfortable moving forward with QB Kirk Cousins as their backup for the 2025 season.

Why It Matters: Cousins has a no trade clause and a $10 million 2026 bonus that becomes guaranteed in mid March, so no matter what Fontenot says, the most likely outcome here is Cousins getting his walking papers in a few weeks. He could start somewhere at the league minimum like Russell Wilson last year because his 2025 salary of $27.5 millon is already guaranteed by the Falcons. Cleveland has been frequently mentioned as a destination for Cousins because of his previous success with head coach Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota and the team's need for a starting quarterback.

Carolina Panthers News

GM Dan Morgan said WR Xavier Legette had foot surgery.

Why It Matters: Legette had an injury-riddled rookie year, so perhaps we should give him a pass for his disappointing production. The Panthers are expected to bring back Adam Thielen and 2024 UDFA Jalen Coker had a promising rookie year. The team could also take top tight end prospect Tyler Warren (Penn State) at #8, so Legette's fantasy stock is probably priced about right, if not a bit high at #129 overall in early Underdog drafts.

Dallas Cowboys News

OL Zach Martin announced his retirement from playing in the NFL.

Why It Matters: Start getting his bust ready for Canton. Martin was the signature player in a golden age of offensive line play for the Cowboys, one that unfortunately resulted in very little postseason accomplishment. The team has been drafting and developing well on the line and should return to a run first mentality this year under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, but there's no one on the roster that can come close to replacing Martin.

Green Bay Packers News

GM Brian Gutekunst said WR Christian Watson had ACL surgery and should be back mid-season, there is no long-term concern over WR Romeo Doubs' head health, and WR Jayden Reed's torn labrum from the loss to the Eagles might limit him during the offseason, but he should be fine for camp.

Why It Matters: Gutekunst also responded to RB Josh Jacobs comments (saying Jacobs desperately wants to win and he appreciates that about him) about the team needing a #1 receiver, which all of these injuries only underscore heading into next season. The Packers probably won't make a splash at wide receiver in the draft or free agency and will remain a run-first offense with Jacobs as the point of the spear. 

Los Angeles Rams News

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the Rams are "comfortable" with Jimmy Garoppolo as their starting quarterback.

Why It Matters: This posturing fits with a stance of maximizing Matthew Stafford's trade value, which became a much more relevant topic after Stafford met with Tom Brady this week in Montana. Garoppolo can operate competently within a highly structured system could be a bridge to a young quarterback not currently on the roster that would be the plan for the future. Garoppolo is a free agent, but would probably jump at the opportunity to start for the Rams to rehabilitate his NFL earning potential at age 33.

New Orleans Saints News

The Saints hired Brandon Staley as their defensive coordinator.

Why It Matters: Staley and new head coach Kellen Moore were on the same staff for the Chargers in 2023, but both ended up looking for new jobs when Staley was fired after the season. Expect the Saints defense to drop off from the high level they played at under Dennis Allen, who is now the defensive coordinator in Chicago under Ben Johnson. 

Philadelphia Eagles News

An NFL team (one source said the Green Bay Packers) proposed a motion for the NFL to ban the Eagles signature goal line "tush push" play.

Why It Matters: This would put a dent in Jalen Hurts' fantasy value and boost Saquon Barkley's, perhaps even pushing Barkley to the consensus #1 overall pick - which is currently Ja'Marr Chase. Hurts is going 43rd overall in early Underdog drafts as QB4, so while his overall ADP would take a hit, he might still be QB4 with QB5 Joe Burrow not adding a lot of value as a runner. We would still expect the tush push to remain legal for 2025 after the Bills among other teams showed that it is not exactly a league wide cheat code on short yardage plays with failures to reproduce the Eagles success.

San Francisco 49ers News

GM John Lynch did not shoot down rumors that other teams are "poking around" about a potential trade for WR Brandon Aiyuk.

Why It Matters: The 49ers are trying to cut costs in anticipation of QB Brock Purdy's new contract, and Aiyuk certainly represents a big cost after the team signed him to a massive four-year, $120 contract. Now that he's coming off of an ACL tear, he probably won't draw more than a third- or fourth-round pick as compensation, and that could be optimistic. The team has Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall ready to start at wide receiver, if they can trade Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel Sr. Expect at least one of the veterans to be on a new team next season.