NFL Player News

Woerner, a sixth-round pick last year out of Georgia — the only Niners tight end besides Kittle who was drafted — enters OTAs amid a jumble of tight ends behind the dominant Kittle. Woerner caught a grand total of 34 passes during his time at Georgia, and was used primarily as a blocking tight end. Ross Dwelley has usually functioned as the Niners’ pass-catching tight end when Kittle is sidelined with one of his many injuries. Woerner’s background suggests he wouldn’t take on that role if Kittle once again misses time in 2021.

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 today. Now, one of the premiere talents in the draft will put his route running on display for the scouts and quarterback Sheduer Sanders, who will throw 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 in this month’s draft and could go as high as No. 2 to the Browns if they prefer to pass on a quarterback.

Robinson was a fourth-round pick of the Vikings in 2021, but injuries slowed him early in his career, and he didn’t make his NFL debut until 2023. He appeared in six games for the Raiders in 2023 and played in 10 games while making one start last season. In 16 career games, Robinson has totaled 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. It’s safe to say he’ll need to battle to make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster this offseason.

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 veteran quarterback provides a viable backup to second-year starter Caleb Williams in addition to the experience to serve as a mentor to the young quarterback. Keenum missed the entirety of the 2024 season after being placed on injured reserve in late August but should be near full health heading into the NFL Draft.

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.

It’s a minor reunion for Edwards, who spent the 2023 season in Kansas City and won a Super Bowl. Edwards signed with the Bills last offseason but only appeared in three games before being cut. The Titans then took a shot on Edwards but also cut him. He ended the year back in Tampa Bay after originally entering the league as a Buc in 2019. Edwards was a third safety for the Chiefs in 2023 and will likely hold a similar role this year.

The 2024 sixth-round pick made one appearance as a rookie, taking over for Drake Maye mid-game in a meaningless Week 18 affair. Milton played extremely well in his brief time in the spotlight, throwing for 241 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 16 yards and another score. The Pats signed Joshua Dobbs to a two-year deal in free agency, locking him in as the backup to Maye for 2025. In turn, the team got what it could for Milton and gave him a chance to be a QB2 behind Dak Prescott. With Prescott under contract through 2028, Milton doesn’t have much fantasy value, even in deep dynasty leagues.

Rapoport made it surprisingly clear that Derek Carr is not the long-term option for New Orleans, even if he is penciled in as the starter for most of the 2025 season. The Saints hold the No. 9 pick, putting them in position to grab Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders if he falls a few picks. As Rapoport noted, they could also move back into the first round to grab a passer, potentially Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart, at the end of night one. The Saints have been active in their scouting of the rookie quarterbacks so far, hosting Texas’s Quinn Ewers for a visit after having a notable presence at Dart’s pro day. Carr’s days as the team’s starter are numbered.