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Bears | Fields Will Not Be 'Robotic' Passer (Sat Jun 10, 05:07 PM) [jump to this story] Seahawks | Jaxon Smith-Njigba a full participant (Sat Jun 10, 02:28 PM) [jump to this story] Commanders | Curtis Hodges generating optimism (Sat Jun 10, 02:28 PM) [jump to this story] |
Seahawks | RB Charbonnet Impressing Coaches Sat Jun 10, 05:09 PM
Gregg Bell, from TheNewsTribune.com, reports Seattle Seahawks rookie RB Zach Charbonnet could be more involved in the offense than some think.
Footballguys view: Charbonnet has drawn praise from Seahawks HC Pete Carroll - and for good reason. He's a talented runner who can gash defenses with an efficient style. Charbonnet is also quite capable as a receiver out of the backfield, and with his three-down skill set, he doesn't need to come off the field. We're looking at a full-blown RBBC with Charbonnet and second-year RB Kenneth Walker in 2023. |
Talking to the media this week, Chicago Bears OC Luke Getsy said he would not encourage Justin Fields to be a "robotic" pocket passer.
Footballguys view: Many are expecting Fields to make a jump in 2023 like we saw Eagles QB Jalen Hurts take in 2022. That's exciting to consider, but Hurts was naturally a better passer than Fields in college - so his development will likely be faster. Fields is so dangerous as a runner, and that gives him a ton of fantasy value. We'll see if his passing skill continues to grow. Adding WR D.J. Moore is going to help in a big way. |
Justin Fields player page
Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was limited early in offseason workouts because of a hamstring injury but appeared to be a full participant during the mandatory minicamp.
Footballguys view: Smith-Njigba is a speed merchant, so hamstring injuries can slow him down more than most - and you don't want that to linger. It sounds like he's over that minor injury, and we're expecting him to become a big-play specialist for the Seahawks. We should see plenty of 3-WR sets from Seattle to get D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Smith-Njigba involved as much as possible. |
Washington Commanders TE Curtis Hodges is 'a guy that's really stepped up' during OTAs, according to head coach Ron Rivera.
Footballguys view: We love monitoring a player like Hodges in deep dynasty formats. Undrafted out of Arizona State in 2022, Hodges is a huge target (6-feet, 8-inches, 240 pounds) with soft hands and the ability to use his size to box out smaller defenders. While not overly fast or physical, Hodges is a player to monitor as he continues to develop his pro game. |
Cleveland Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (foot) has been participating in OTAs after ending last season on the Reserve/Injured list.
Link to storyJeremiah Owusu-Koramoah player page
New York Jets OT Mekhi Becton (knee) has been working on the side during OTAs and is expected to be a full participant when training camp begins.
Link to storyLos Angeles Chargers CB J.C. Jackson (knee) participated in individual drills during practice Friday, June 9.
Link to storyJ.C. Jackson player page
Seattle Seahawks DT Myles Adams did not participate in the mandatory minicamp because of a non-injury reason, according to head coach Pete Carroll.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook was officially released Friday, June 9.
Link to storyDalvin Cook player page
New England Patriots third-round draft choice LB/S Marte Mapu signed a four-year contract Friday, June 9. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
Link to storyDallas Cowboys DE Takkarist McKinley was released Friday, June 9.
Link to storyTakk McKinley player page
Las Vegas Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow hasn't been a part of any trade offers this offseason, according to a league source, and 'nothing is imminent in terms of Renfrow being moved,' according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic.
Footballguys view: Renfrow's $6.5 millon salary would make him an unattractive trade target coming off of a down year, so it's not a surprise that trade talks haven't progressed very far. Jakobi Meyers should be ahead of Renfrow on the depth chart, making Renfrow undraftable outside of deep PPR leagues. |
Hunter Renfrow player page
Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert will be taking more shots down the field in offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's offense, according to WR Keenan Allen. 'Obviously Justin has a cannon,' Allen said. 'We're probably going to be going deep.'
Footballguys view: It's hard to know how much Joe Lombardi's offense was holding Herbert and his numbers back last year, but much of the league is in agreement that Kellen Moore is an upgrade. Matthew Stafford reportedly wasn't happy with the dink and dunk nature of Lombardi's approach, so we should expect Herbert's fantasy value to be up this year, with more downfield throws to Mike Williams among others. |
Justin Herbert player page
Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua has 'stood out' during practices, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, and head coach Sean McVay has praised Nacua. 'It's been really impressive, how quickly he has gotten up to speed,' McVay said.
Footballguys view: Nacua could easily be as high as the #3 receiver on the depth chart to open camp. He's tough and productive with the ball in his hands and should be a valuable short range target for Matthew Stafford. Nacua is one of the biggest risers among late round rookie sleepers since OTAs started. |
Green Bay Packers LB Rashan Gary (knee) 'looks angry' when he rehabs, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, and Schneidman believes Gary could be ready for Week 1.
Footballguys view: Gary had the look of a top 10 edge rusher last year posting six sacks and 21 solo tackles in only nine games before tearing an ACL. This is good news for a team that will have to rely more on their defense after trading Aaron Rodgers to the Jets. Expect Gary to be an IDP asset again sooner than later. |
Rashan Gary player page
Carolina Panthers WR DJ Chark Jr. (ankle) participated in seven-on-seven drills during practice Thursday, June 8.
Footballguys view: This is good news after Chark had offseason surgery to hopefully correct a problem injury area for him. Duce Staley recruited Chark to join him in the move from Detroit, so if he's healthy in camp, expect the veteran to play ahead of second round pick Jonathan Mingo. |
D.J. Chark Jr player page
Tennessee Titans CB Caleb Farley (back) is making progress in his recovery and has started lifting weights.
Footballguys view: The Titans took Farley at #22 in 2021 even though he had back problems and was considered an injury risk. Some had him as the best corner in the class on tape, so the Titans were willing to take the risk to fill a position of need. Farley suffered a torn ACL in his rookie year, and last year ended in Week 10 because of a herniated disc. |
Caleb Farley player page
Seattle Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet 'does everything well' and is 'just a complete ball player,' according to head coach Pete Carroll. In the opinion of The Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell, 'don't be surprised at the playing time and opportunities Charbonnet gets with returning 1,000-yard rusher Kenneth Walker III in Seattle's backfield this season.'
Footballguys view: Kenneth Walker should still lead the Seahawks in rushing touchdowns and carries and he should be drafted ahead of Charbonnet, but with the rookie adding value as a receiver, the 3-4 round gap between the two might look too big once the season opens. This offense should be even better than it was last year, so it's possible for both to be good picks at ADP, especially with Walker lasting until the fifth round of drafts. |
Updating a previous report, Atlanta Falcons CB Breon Borders was suspended by the NFL for the first two games of the 2023 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy Thursday, June 8.
Link to storyChicago Bears QB Justin Fields and WR DJ Moore 'look like they are best friends' with the chemistry they have shown throughout organized team activities, according to S Jaquan Brisker.'They (have) that chemistry going very fast, earlier than I expected. ... They look like they (are) best friends. Justin's definitely throwing (Moore) the ball. ... Justin looks good, though. He's going through his progressions. He's looking very smooth, making good decisions out there, and looking like the best quarterback in the NFL. I thought that last year, but this year it's different,' Brisker said Friday, June 9.
Footballguys view: Moore has been available as late as the fifth round in early drafts, but that could change if this connection carries over to camp. Moore won't have worse quarterback play than he had at Carolina, and even though this offense is run-first, Moore will be the clear #1 receiver. |
DJ Moore player page
Justin Fields player page
New York Jets TE C.J. Uzomah (leg) injured his right leg while running a route during practice Friday, June 9. He was noticeably limping but was able to walk off the field under his own power.
Footballguys view: Tyler Conklin was an underrated fantasy tight end last year. With better quarterback play in the form of Aaron Rodgers, he could be a legit top 10 option if Uzomah's injury is serious. 2022 third-round pick Jeremy Ruckert could get more work with the first team while Uzomah is out. |
C.J. Uzomah player page
Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta has been a favorite target, especially in the red zone, of Lions quarterbacks. He has gained separation from defenders effortlessly in OTAs.
Footballguys view: LaPorta was a huge part of the passing offense at Iowa, so if he makes an impact as a rookie, it will be as a receiver. The Lions offense should be one of the most prolific and productive in the league and tight end has a low bar for fantasy relevance, so put LaPorta on your late round target list, especially in tight end premium leagues. |
Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals) will visit the New England Patriots next week.
Footballguys view: Hopkins will meet with the Titans Sunday before visiting New England, where his former head coach Bill O'Brien is now running the offense. The way all that ended might make things awkward at first, but the Patriots badly need reliable receivers, and Bill Belichick is known as a big tent coach if players have football character. The early rumor of the Browns being a likely destination is losing a little bit of steam as Hopkins would be the clear #1 for Tennessee or New England. |
DeAndre Hopkins player page
Los Angeles Rams OT Joe Noteboom (Achilles) is being slowly onboarded following last year's Achilles injury, according to head coach Sean McVay, and McVay said he isn't sure what position Noteboom will play upon his return.
Link to storySeattle Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen (knee) said he expected to be ready for the start of training camp.
Link to storySeattle Seahawks CB Coby Bryant (toe) has been dealing with a toe injury but will not need surgery at this time.
Link to storyTennessee Titans CB Kristian Fulton (groin) has been working out this offseason and is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.
Link to storyKristian Fulton player page
Denver Broncos LB Baron Browning (knee) may not be ready for the start of the regular season because of his knee injury. The team is hoping that Browning will be able to return at some point during training camp.
Link to storyBaron Browning player page
Free-agent WR Brandon Smith (XFL) agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals Thursday, June 8. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyBrandon Smith player page
New York Jets S Will Parks was released Thursday, June 8.
Link to storyWill Parks player page
Atlanta Falcons CB Breon Borders was suspended by the league for the first two games of the 2023 season on Thursday, June 8.
Link to storyTampa Bay Buccaneers fifth-round draft choice LB SirVocea Dennis (Pittsburgh), fifth-round draft choice TE Payne Durham (Purdue), sixth-round draft choice DB Josh Hayes (Kansas State), sixth-round draft choice WR Trey Palmer (Nebraska) and sixth-round draft choice LB Jose Ramirez (Eastern Michigan) signed four-year contracts Thursday, June 8. Financial details of the deals were not immediately disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent CB Kyler McMichael (Bills) was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday, June 8. LB Marvin Pierre was released to make room for him on the roster.
Link to storyFree-agent DT Jalen Dalton and RB Tiyon Evans were claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, June 8.
Link to storyDenver Broncos LB Baron Browning (knee) recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus, according to 9News' Mike Klis. According to Klis, the expectation is that Browning will be ready to return at some point during training camp.
Link to storyBaron Browning player page
Free-agent QB Carson Wentz 'would seem to be the best option' for the Las Vegas Raiders if they are forced to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo (foot) because he is unable to pass a physical this summer, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Paul Gutierrez.
Footballguys view: This wouldn't be an upgrade from Garoppolo, but Wentz would be better for the offense than Brian Hoyer, probably, with familiarity with Josh McDaniels offense as a wild card. An injury to a starter is just what Wentz needs to get another chance to prove himself. |
Jimmy Garoppolo player page
Carson Wentz player page
Updating a previous report, free-agent DE Frank Clark (Chiefs) reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth $5.5 million and could be worth as much as $7.5 million with the Denver Broncos on Thursday, June 8.
Link to storyFrank Clark player page
Free-agent DE Frank Clark (Chiefs) reportedly agreed to terms on an undisclosed contract with the Denver Broncos on Thursday, June 8.
Footballguys view: Clark will give the Broncos a situational pass rusher, albeit one that is on the decline. The contract is worth 5.5 million with the potential for Clark to earn as much as $7.5 million. He'll stay in the AFC West after earning two rings with the Chiefs. |
Frank Clark player page
Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) returned to a full team practice for the first time this offseason Thursday, June 8.
Footballguys view: Kupp still costs a premium top 5 pick in best ball leagues. This helps the case for taking him that high, but the Rams offense has catastrophic collapse potential, so there is some risk, especially if Matthew Stafford misses time. If Stafford stays healthy, Kupp should be worth the pick. |
Cooper Kupp player page
Minnesota Vikings RB Ty Chandler 'probably has the advantage in the competition for the presumptive No. 2 running back spot behind presumptive No. 1 running back Alexander Mattison,' according to ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert. When Seifert asked offensive coordinator Wes Phillips if Chandler is ready for an increased role Tuesday, June 6, he responded: 'I think he is going to have to be.'
Footballguys view: Chandler is a good receiver, so he could have some standalone value in PPR leagues as the #2. He'll have to earn the job, and the Vikings could still sign a cheap veteran to bolster the young backfield. Expect Chandler's ADP to rise in best ball leagues. |
Alexander Mattison player page
Chicago Bears WR Chase Claypool is 'definitely in a much better place' this summer than he was in the weeks following his trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, according to offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.'To say where he is now, obviously, he's definitely in a much better place. That's what's most important. Like Flus (head coach Matt Eberflus) and those guys have said, I think that his positivity, his optimism coming into this thing, and his attack and his approach to how he's trying to learn this thing is really cool to see,' Getsy told NBC Sports Chicago.
Footballguys view: Claypool's fantasy fortunes are still somewhat dim with D.J. Moore added in a run-first offense, but we haven't seen what he can do when he is familiar with the offense. He's a late round pick in best ball leagues, but his dynasty prospects could bounce back if he makes a few big-time athletic touchdowns like he did early in his career with Pittsburgh. |
Chase Claypool player page
Pittsburgh Steelers DT Larry Ogunjobi (foot) said he feels healthy after dealing with a foot issue over the past two seasons. 'Obviously you play with your foundation and what you've been doing for years, but I think just being able to stay on that speed, stay on that trajectory that you've been trying to lay for a long time is important,' Ogunjobi said. Having that now, being able to practice, being able to do it full speed and fast, it all translates.'
Footballguys view: Between a healthier Ogunjobi and the use of a second-round pick on Keeanu Benton out of Wisconsin, the defensive line should be stronger after Javon Hargrave leaving in free agency and Stephon Tuitt retiring put a lot more on Cameron Heyward's shoulders. The Steelers team D/ST could be useful again soon. |
Larry Ogunjobi player page
Los Angeles Rams RB Tiyon Evans was waived Wednesday, June 7.
Footballguys view: Evans is a Matt Waldman favorite and there was a chance for the stout inside runner to make his way in an uncertain Rams backfield. The Panthers claimed Evans, so he'll have a chance to earn his way onto the practice squad or even active roster with a good camp after all. |
Tennessee Titans OT Dillon Radunz (knee) likely will not be ready for the start of training camp, according to head coach Mike Vrabel.
Footballguys view: Radunz was taken by the Titans as an offensive tackle in the second round of the 2021 draft, but probably has more of a future at guard. The team needs as much help on the offensive line as they can get, so hopefully Radunz will be ready to go for the season opener against the Saints. |
Free-agent WR Demarcus Robinson (Ravens) agreed to an undisclosed deal with the Los Angeles Rams, according to a source Thursday, June 8.
Link to storyDemarcus Robinson player page
Buffalo Bills S Damar Hamlin (heart) participated in practice Tuesday, June 6, and did not have any limitations.
Footballguys view: This is great news. It's time for Hamlin to add to his highlight reel so he won't just be remembered as the player who almost died on the field on Monday Night Football. He was playing a key role when injuries struck the Bills secondary and his return should be a welcome development for head coach Sean McDermott, who is also the defensive coordinator this season. |
Damar Hamlin player page
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young worked with the first-team offense at OTAs Thursday, June 8.
Footballguys view: Young should have value in superflex and best ball leagues, and might end up being a suitable QB2 in 1QB leagues if he has a smooth transition to the NFL. We'll be watching to see who he is riffing with out of the many possible options in the passing game. |
Cleveland Browns WR Amari Cooper has been a full participant during the mandatory minicamp this week. He expects to be fully healthy for the start of training camp.
Footballguys view: Cooper could have some major competition for targets if the rumored pairing of the Browns and DeAndre Hopkins comes to fruition. Being healthy for the offseason and open of camp is great progress, but Cooper doesn't have the history with Deshaun Watson that Hopkins does. |
Amari Cooper player page
Cleveland Browns WR Jakeem Grant (Achilles) has not been cleared to practice at this point but did catch punts Tuesday, June 6.
Link to storyJakeem Grant Sr. player page
Las Vegas Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow (undisclosed) did not finish practice Wednesday, June 7, because of an undisclosed reason.
Link to storyHunter Renfrow player page