Beat: Young competing for ‘passing target No. 3'

This doesn’t exactly sound like a fantasy-friendly role. Wagoner listed him as the 49ers’ player who was the “biggest surprise” of organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, “consistently making big plays down the field in team drills and 7-on-7.” Unfortunately, the wide receiver room is crowded. Despite the solid play, Cowing will have a tough time earning a reliable role in the offense.

It has been tough for some to accept that the former undrafted free agent will have a role this season, but reports continue to indicate that Seahawks coaches trust him. Henderson notes that Holani performed well as a fill-in for RB Zach Charbonnet (knee) as a passing game player during the playoffs. Charbonnet has received positive rehab reports, and a Week 1 return is considered possible. In that scenario, Holani could still rotate in as a backup. If Charbonnet is sidelined to begin the year, Holani should handle the passing down role. Whether that usage facilitates a FLEX-worthy workload remains to be seen.

Laine compliments Johnson for standing out among the Buccaneers’ wide receivers, competing in “arguably the most competitive room on the team.” The second-year wide receiver posted a 28/322/5 receiving line as a rookie and should turn in another usable, if volatile FLEX season while stretching the field for Tampa Bay in 2026.

Thomas turned in a 4.28-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine this year. Per Cronin, he has taken “ample reps as a punt returner this spring and showed that he can be more than a special teams star with his skill set on offense.” Bears coach Ben Johnson said Thomas was regularly making plays, but adds that they need to “make sure that we can trust him and he’s going to align where he needs to and run the route the way we need him to.” It sounds like Thomas is still in the developmental phase, but if he can refine his route running and prove himself reliable, he “could be a big weapon” for the Bears this year.

Per Cimini, Jets coaches thought Mitchell would take a leap this offseason, but he managed to exceed their expectations. Mitchell has reportedly “displayed a firm grasp of the new system,” while showing off his vertical speed and building chemistry with QB Geno Smith. Mental gaffes have been Mitchell’s biggest developmental issue. If he really has figured out that aspect of the game, Mitchell should return usable, if volatile FLEX numbers this season.

Dehner reports that the Bengals have rigorously practiced lining up under center in spring practices. He believes they will remain a shotgun-first team, but thinks they could improve on their 31st under-center ranking by more than 10 spots. Among the top-40 qualifiers from 2024-25, Brown averages 5.1 yards per carry (fourth) and a 12.3 percent explosive run play rate (third) on runs when QB Joe Burrow lines up under center. From shotgun formation, Brown averages 4.5 (24th) and 7.3 percent (22nd), respectively. Even a minimal increase in under-center snaps would benefit Brown. The Bengals believe TE Erick All’s (knee) return gives them the needed flexibility to do so. He is capable of motioning into the backfield as a fullback, and “setting the edge with vicious crack blocks and overall serving as a hammer in front of Brown in the run game.” Brown finished as the RB7 last year and is being drafted as the consensus RB10 in best ball. Beating that ADP seems plausible.

The Bengals have been unable to generate explosive pass plays as frequently as the NFL’s eight most explosive passing offenses do. Six of those teams made the playoffs last year and ranked 13th or better in under-center rate and under-center play-action rate. The Bengals ranked 31st and 30th in those to categories, respectively, and 22nd in explosive pass play rate last year. Over the past three seasons, the Bengals have generated just one explosive pass play after running play action from under center. Burrow, Bengals coach Zac Taylor and OC Dan Pitcher know that needs to change, but the trio has been hesitant to decrease their shotgun rate due to Burrow’s elite processing when allowed to survey the field. That said, Dehner writes that Burrow worked on under-center play-action dropbacks “no matter the day during the Bengals’ offseason program.” Dehner believes the shotgun passing game “will always be their identity,” but raising their under-center ranking to roughly 20th in the league is doable and will generate more fantasy-friendly explosive pass plays along the way.

Evans compares Mims to Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed, who recently signed a three-year deal averaging more than $17 million per year. Shaheed is a more accomplished wide receiver, but both players are decorated special teams returners. Per Evans, one agent who works with several NFL wide receivers believes Mims could earn $11 to $13 million annually as things currently stand. Should he contribute more offensively, those numbers could go up. Earlier this week, Mims publicly acknowledged that this may be his last year in Denver. Evans writes that Broncos coach Sean Payton wants to give Mims more offensive opportunities, but the offensive staff “has not always trusted Mims to run a full route tree.” If Payton really wanted to further incorporate Mims into the offense, we can’t understand why that hasn’t already happened, though. Mims should only be viewed as a late-round dart throw in best ball right now.

In a social media post, evidently streamed from a residence in Washington, D.C., Aiyuk asks his audience whether a warrant for his arrest has actually been issued. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office issued a warrant for his arrest on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speeding on June 3rd. We are surprised to learn that he is not fully aware of this. This situation presents a problem for him. Aiyuk has been placed on the reserve/left squad list, which means the 49ers do not have to pay him unless he applies for, and is granted, reinstatement. After that, he must return to the team facility. Once he does so, the 49ers must make a decision as to whether they pay him or release him. As long as he remains away from the team, the 49ers’ front office is not obligated to make a decision. If Aiyuk is set on avoiding California due to the arrest warrant, we see no reason to believe that this situation will be resolved anytime soon.

Last season, Wiggins was listed with groin and elbow injuries. As a 2024 rookie, he appeared on the injury report with a neck/concussion designation and later suffered a shoulder injury. In his recent interview with The Journey Media, Wiggins said he was also working through a groin injury when he participated in the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, and claims he has played at “60-70 percent” health ever since high school. Wiggins did not share details on his offseason surgery, but the multiple groin injuries obviously stand out in his injury history. Wiggins hopes to earn Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors en route to a Super Bowl victory this season.