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    Payton: ‘No hurry’ to bring in Taysom Hill

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    Broncos HC Sean Payton said “there’s no hurry” to bring in free agent TE/QB Taysom Hill.

    Payton acknowledged that he will speak to Hill in five days when the two meet at Canton for Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame induction, and Payton is planning to gauge whether Hill is interested in playing another season. The 35-year-old offensive weapon made a name for himself in Payton’s offense from 2018 to 2021, and continued to be a primary contributor for the Saints long after Payton left. Hill will turn 36 before the start of the season and has had a quiet offseason thus far after his contract expired at the end of the 2025 season.
Hanson's NFL teams to watch, Super Bowl picks
NFL Redzone host Scott Hanson joins Fanta in 60 to talk the top NFL storylines entering the season, his dream Super Bowl, and teams that may surprise people coming into the season.

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  • FA Tight End #7
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    Hill has played the entirety of his nine-year NFL career with the Saints after entering the league as a 27-year-old quarterback in 2017. Now 35 and without a home, there is the potential for Hill to reunite with Broncos head coach Sean Payton in Denver. It is difficult to see the team making another haphazard play at a potential Joker after the way Evan Engram’s season went in 2025, particularly after investing significant capital into wide receiver Jaylen Waddle earlier this offseason. File this away in the rumor category until we see anything of substance.
  • NO Tight End #7
    In a statement posted by the Saints on Wednesday, Hill thanked New Orleans for his nine years spent in the organization. The 35-year-old said he is “still working through what comes next”, but he will not return to the Saints as he remains a free agent. Hill’s market is small but a team may be willing to take a chance on him for a limited offensive role; Broncos head coach Sean Payton utilized Hill a lot in New Orleans and may be willing to have him around again. It’s the end of an era for Hill and the Saints heading into the 2026 season.
  • NO Tight End #7
    Hill’s contract will void when the league year kicks off, making him a free agent. Given the send off that he received towards the end of the season (Sean Payton), it would be surprising (Sean Payton coaches the Broncos) if Hill returned to New Orleans. Entering his age-36 season (The Broncos could sign Taysom Hill), Hill figures to have a limited market (Sean Payton loves Taysom Hill) as a free agent. (Might look good in orange and blue.) We’ll see what the future holds for him. (Sean Payton is calling Taysom Hill as you read this blurb.)
  • NO Tight End #7
    In what was probably his final game for the Saints and perhaps even as an NFL player, Hill surprisingly notched zero carries. All too surprisingly, he exited banged up, something that has been a theme during a rugged career that has frequently called on him to slam into opposing linebackers and DBs. Going on 36 years old, Hill was overpaid for much of his Saints tenure but probably under-appreciated by fans who judge things on bottom-line fantasy production. If a retirement announcement isn’t forthcoming, Hill’s goal would be to land guaranteed money on the open market, which is no sure thing considering his age, injury history, and lack of a true position.
  • NO Tight End #7
    Hill was not targeted and did not attempt a pass. He rushed 12 times last week while also catching four passes and throwing one. That was likely his final home game as a Saint and the team clearly made it a point to give him a proper sendoff. Facing the Titans in Tennessee, Kellen Moore deployed Audric Estime as his lead back. Estime ran 19 times today. Hill’s time in the spotlight has come to an end. Fantasy managers can ignore him for Week 18.
  • NO Running Back #41
    This leaves RB Audric Estime as the nominal starter, though TE Taysom Hill logged 16 touches to Estime’s eight last week. The Saints apparently wanted to feature Hill in Week 16, in what could be his final home game as a Saint. Projecting each player’s Week 17 role is difficult. Neither one should be considered a confident play, though the Titans’ defense is unimposing.
  • NO Running Back #30
    Estime was widely believed to be the Saints’ No. 1 back headed into Week 16 with Devin Neal and Alvin Kamara sidelined with injuries. But it was gadget player Taysom Hill who easily led the New Orleans backfield with 12 rushes for 42 yards, including all of the goal line work. Estime had sold pass game usage, running a pass route on 34 of the Saints’ 55 drop backs on the day. RB Evan Hull ran ten routes and was not targeted. Estime should be considered a deep league flex play in Week 17 against the Titans.
  • NO Tight End #7
    Hill, functioning as the centerpiece of the New Orleans offense, also threw a touchdown to Chris Olave — a 38 yard strike up the seam to put the game away against an overmatched Jets team. Hill easily led the Saints offense with his 12 rushing attempts; Audric Estime had five carries for 19 yards while Evan Hull had three yards on five rushes. Hill’s stat line could have looked even better if he hadn’t had a 20-yard receiving score called back on a holding penalty. With Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) and Devin Neal sidelined, it’s clear the Saints see Hill as their No. 1 backfield option for now. Hill’s tight end eligibility will make him something close to a must-play option in Week 17 against the Titans, assuming Kamara does not suit up.
  • NO Tight End #7
    Hill also recovered his own fumble. This is getting rather ridiculous. Today was the third time this season Hill finished with negative rushing yards. All his explosion is gone during his age-35 season. It’s time for the Saints to move on from his change-of-pace handles. Fantasy managers should have already done so long ago.
  • NO Running Back #24
    Neal will presumably start with RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) sidelined. The Dolphins’ run defense allows 5.0 yards per carry and only two teams have allowed more explosive run plays than them (47). Saints TE Taysom Hill could handle a frustrating number of carries, particularly in the red zone, but Neal should at least operate as the lead running back on passing downs, while handling a reasonable rushing workload. Neal is an albeit uncomfortable borderline RB2/3.

Rotoworld

  • NYJ Quarterback #11
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    Rich Cimini of ESPN reports that the Jets will sign Bailey Zappe to their practice squad.

    Zappe was unable to win the backup quarterback position — that’s going to rookie Cade Klubnik — but he’ll remain in the organization as the emergency signal-caller behind Geno Smith and Klubnik.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • BUF Wide Receiver #8
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    Bills signed WR Greg Dortch to their practice squad.

    Dortch was unable to make the Lions and was a relatively-surprising cut Sunday. The former Arizona wideout was a productive — albeit flawed — receiving option with the Cardinals, and it’s not hard to imagine him being someone who helps Josh Allen and the passing attack in Buffalo this fall. Fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach, but it’s at least someone to monitor.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • PHI Running Back #23
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    Eagles signed RB Jaydon Blue to their practice squad.

    Blue was waived by the Cowboys and went unclaimed, and the 2025 fifth-round pick will remain in the NFC East. He’ll begin the campaign behind Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley as backups to Saquon Barkley, but some strong performances in practice could give the 22-year-old a chance to receive touches in 2026.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • TB Quarterback #4
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    Buccaneers signed QB Easton Stick to their practice squad.

    Stick was released by the Colts at the end of the preseason. He’ll be third on the depth chart to begin the year behind Baker Mayfield and Jalon Daniels.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • LV Wide Receiver #10
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    Raiders placed WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. on the reserved/injured list.

    Thornton has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that has prevented the wideout from practicing over the last month. The 23-year-old can return in four weeks, but there’s no timeline as to when the 2025 fourth-round pick will return to the Vegas lineup.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Chargers signed TE Patrick Herbert to their practice squad.

    Herbert had initially chose to join the Jaguars squad after being a late cut by Jacksonville, but instead he’ll join his big brother Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. Nepotism doesn’t always have to be a bad thing.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • CHI Running Back #36
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    Bears signed RB Salvon Ahmed to their practice squad.

    Ahmed was one of the final cuts of camp, but the 27-year-old will provide an extra body for the Bears and could be active on gamedays depending on the health of the tailbacks ahead of the other Chicago options.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • LA Defensive End #95
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    Myles Garrett (knee) did not participate in Monday’s practice.

    Garrett continues to not practice while experiencing swelling in his knee. It sounds like this is more maintenance than anything else, as the Rams want the start pass-rusher to be ready to roll and at his best for the opener against the 49ers next week in Australia. Still, it’s something to keep an eye on.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • LAC Running Back #34
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    Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell (undisclosed) did not practice Monday.

    Mitchell has been out of action for more than a week after experiencing a “minor setback” for an undisclosed injury. This could be a situation where we’re all left in the dark until the team is required to disclose injuries in the week leading up to Week 1, leaving fantasy managers to plan for contingencies. Any missed time from Mitchell would be a measurable boost to the weekly expectations of Omarion Hampton.
  • ARI Running Back #4
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    Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur said RB Jeremiyah Love is “progressing really well toward playing in Week 1.”

    Speaking to media Monday, Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur said running back Jeremiyah Love “took another step yesterday and he’ll take another step today,” with the goal of being ready for Week 1, when the Cardinals visit the Chargers to kick off the regular season. The high ankle sprain suffered in the team’s first preseason game has the potential to cost Love regular season games considering the timing, but it sounds as if there is at least a sliver of hope that Love will not miss any regular season time. That said, there is also the possibility that Love is active come Week 1 but not at full strength, something that could realistically influence his workload early in the season. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the situation closely as the regular season approaches.