Fantasy Sports

Regarded by many as the top defensive tackle in this year’s draft, Graham will meet with both the Browns and Raiders this week as he makes his rounds with potential landing spots. The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, which is currently the only first-round pick in their possession. It’s highly unlikely they would use that top pick on Graham, but the Raiders, who hold the No. 6 overall pick, could be more realistic suitors for the highly decorated Michigan man. Graham was a unanimous All-American last season and earned second-team All-American honors in 2023. In three seasons at Michigan, he totaled 108 tackles, nine sacks, and 18 TFLs. Wherever he lands, he should hear his name called very early on draft day.

Armstead ultimately decided to walk away after taking a pay cut back in February while still deciding on his future. The 33-year-old left tackle has decided to hang up his cleats after a dozen years in the NFL, which he split between New Orleans and Miami. The five-time Pro Bowl selection made 131 career starts, with 93 of those coming with the Saints. While it doesn’t come as a total surprise, Armstead’s retirement leaves the Dolphins with a significant hole to fill on their offensive line heading into the NFL Draft where they hold the 13th overall selection.

Jones finished his 13-year professional career with 914 receptions, 13,703 yards, and 66 touchdowns. He spent the first 10 years of his illustrious career with the Falcons before playing one year each with the Titans, Buccaneers, and Eagles, having gone over 1,000 yards receiving seven times while setting a career high in 2015 with 1,871 yards in a 16-game season. There aren’t many sure thing first-ballot Hall of Fame wide receivers in the present game, but Jones certainly did his part on the field to warrant significant consideration once eligible.

The hype has never fully materialized for Lance at the NFL level but the Chargers now take a low-cost gamble on the once promising quarterback. If nothing else, Lance offers an intriguing developmental option behind franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, with the potential for general manager Joe Hortiz to flip the investment down the road. Taylor Heinicke remains on the roster and is likely the preferred game day backup to Herbert once games begin to matter.

Beachum returns for his 14th season as a pro and his sixth season with the Cardinals. He started 12 of the 16 games he appeared in last season and has started just 14 of the 27 games he’s appeared in since 2023. Beachum is a former seventh-round pick with 161 career starts to his name but has been relegated to backup duty under head coach Jonathan Gannon. His ability to line up at both tackle spots bodes well for the Cardinals’ line depth. Last season, he allowed 16 pressures and four sacks on 418 pass-blocking downs, per PFF.

It’s not much, but at least it’s something. After skipping out on testing at the NFL Scouting Combine, Hunter was reportedly going to avoid all workouts at Colorado’s pro day, which is taking place on Friday. Now, one of the premiere talents in the draft class will put his route running on display for the scouts with quarterback Sheduer Sanders throwing at the event. How Hunter is deployed in the pros remains unknown, but the two-way star caught 153 passes for 1,979 yards and 20 touchdowns in his two seasons at Colorado and is viewed by some as the top receiving talent in the draft. He’s a virtual lock to go top five of this month’s draft and could go as high as No. 2 to the Browns if they prefer to pass on a quarterback.

It’s a statement that feels obvious, but in case there was any doubt as to whether or not the Cowboys’ backfield situation was settled following the signings of Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, it’s safe to say there is more work to do. While Yousuf points out that Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty may be available when the Cowboys are on the clock at No. 12, he notes that “it doesn’t sound like the Cowboys are drooling over the opportunity to pick him.” With running back being among the deepest positions in this year’s draft, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Cowboys kick the position down the road until Day 2 of the draft — especially when you consider the myriad of other needs they need to address along the o-line, and at receiver, to name a few. As far as fantasy is concerned, any running back taken by the Cowboys in the first three rounds could immediately threaten Williams and Sanders for snaps, with Sanders likely being the first odd man out once training camp starts.

The $19 million average value per year makes McBride the highest paid tight end in NFL history and includes $43 million in guaranteed money. The soon-to-be fourth-year tight end set career highs in targets, receptions, and yardage in 2024 but has still managed only six receiving touchdowns during his three-year professional career. Cardinals General Manager Monti Ossenfort said in late February that extending McBride was a priority this offseason, making good on his promise in spectacular fashion.

The max value extension includes $66.5 million in guarantees and ties him to the franchise through the 2027 season. Many had their doubts about the longevity of Smith in Las Vegas but it now appears the team will treat him as their clear starter for the coming three seasons before forced to address the position again. It’s a definite boost to the fantasy value of second-year phenom tight end Brock Bowers considering Smith’s hefty career tight end target rates.