DeFabo: Bernard likely to play in ‘big slot’ role

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.

The league released a statement saying, “Upholding the integrity of the league and ensuring fair competition are paramount to the CFL. The allegations involving Brendan Sorsby are serious and concerning. At this time, the CFL will not register a contract for him, and no team will be permitted to add him to its negotiations list.” It’s yet another closed door for Sorsby, who learned earlier this week that the NFL was declining to hold a supplemental draft, which would have given teams a chance to select him as he makes his late departure from college to the NFL. While it’s still possible Sorsby sues the league in hopes of having that decision overturned, it seems increasingly likely that he won’t have many suitors at any level for the 2026 football season, meaning he will most likely be setting his sights on prepping for the 2027 NFL Draft.

The league announced in May that Washington, D.C., would be the host site for next year’s draft. Now, the league has announced that the three-day event will kick off on Thursday, April 29th, and conclude on Saturday, May 1st, with the National Mall serving as the primary backdrop for the weekend. This will be the first draft the Nation’s Capital has hosted since 1941 when it was hosted at the Willard Hotel.

The rookie second-rounder joins an offense that includes established veterans on the outside in D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., so a slot role may be his best path to early playing time. DeFabo is already on record as saying that he believes Bernard “has a good shot” at early playing time this season, a point he reiterated in his latest article. It’s hard to imagine Bernard having much fantasy upside this season given the veteran presence in the receiver room, but for those holding Bernard in dynasty leagues, it sounds like the rookie has gotten off to a good start ahead of his first NFL training camp, which is set to kick off next month.

Ertz suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 of last season. Now nearly six months removed from his surgery, the 35-year-old free agent is continuing to rehab in hopes of returning for at least one more season. In his second season with the Commanders, Ertz totaled 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns and posted a 116-1,158-11 line in his two seasons with the team. While a return to Washington seems unlikely at this point, when healthy, Ertz should have a little bit of a market for teams in need of help at the position. Even if he does land somewhere, it’s hard to imagine Ertz having any real fantasy upside beyond that of a matchup based streaming option.

Specifically, Coen said Lawrence “did a really nice job taking care of the football,” perhaps throwing fewer than five interceptions across organized team activities and mandatory minicamp. Lawrence also performed well when “running the whole operation, managing the protections and some of the concepts on the field.” With a year of experience in Coen’s system now under his belt, Lawrence said he feels more confident going through his progressions and is doing “a lot less thinking” as plays are unfolding. Jaguars OC Grant Udinski has been impressed with Lawrence’s recall and his ability to guide teammates through concepts that the team hasn’t practiced in quite a while. Positive reports on the Jaguars’ offense continue to roll in. Lawrence warrants QB1 treatment in 2026.

Caley adds that Stroud “looks good” and is “locked in.” These comments were made in relation to Stroud’s offseason work with his new QB coach, Jerry Schuplinski, who also happens to be Caley’s mentor. Former Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson left the organization this offseason after learning that the staff planned to reduce his role. Per Caley, Stroud and Schuplinski are working well together, and Schuplinski is focusing on getting Stroud back to his rookie season form. This report doesn’t give us a ton to go on, but the fact that the offensive coordinator is pleased with his quarterback’s offseason development is at least positive. For now, continue treating him as a starter in superflex leagues.