NFL Player News

Allen (6’3/241) hails from Baton Rouge, LA but spurned LSU for Alabama where he got to be part of two national championship teams. He played sparingly as a freshman before tearing his ACL and missing the entire 2018 season while recording just 19 tackles and 4.5 TFL the following year. Allen blossomed in 2020 by recording 41 tackles, 6.0 sacks and two forced fumbles while leading the SEC in TFL with 13.0. The Second Team All-SEC performer had big plans for 2021, but suffered a foot fracture just 10 snaps into the campaign. Although he possesses above average power and agility for his size, Allen didn’t show elite level athleticism before sustaining a foot injury that is notoriously sensitive and could slow down his development. He displays the flexibility and leverage to survive as a pass rush specialist at the next level, but is still somewhat unproven having only started five games in 34 appearances over his collegiate career. There is real potential for Allen to stick in an NFL rotation as a 3-4 linebacker if he can avoid the injuries he was plagued by in college.

The Bears took Thieneman 25th overall in this year’s draft in hopes of bolstering a secondary that allowed the fifth-most passing touchdowns and fifth-highest NY/A last season. The former Oregon Duck tallied eight interceptions in 39 games during his college career and was one of the most athletic players at his position (9.71 RAS) in the draft. He should slot in as an immediate starter for the Bears this season.

This comes almost a month after Rosenblatt said he believed Mitchell felt “pretty locked into the No. 2 receiver role.” The 23-year-old receiver spent part of last season with the Jets after being traded from the Colts at last year’s deadline. Mitchell saw 58 targets come his way in eight games with the Jets last season and posted a 24-301-2 line while going for 50-plus yards in two of those games. The upgrade from Brady Cook to Geno Smith should work wonders for Mitchell as far as target quality is concerned, and he’s reportedly shown good chemistry with Smith during OTAs. Currently going as a late-round draft pick in best ball leagues, Mitchell has the chance to be a nice value in deeper fantasy leagues if he can earn a meaningful role opposite Garrett Wilson.

Wolfe continues to beat the drum for Sanders, despite recent reports indicating QB Deshaun Watson was pulling ahead in the competition. Wolfe also believes that Sanders’ play is forcing head coach Todd Monken to postpone making a decision to name a starting quarterback. The battle may continue into training camp. Sanders has reportedly improved his downfield passing and processing, and has an “aura” about him that some in the building find compelling. Wolfe closes the segment by wondering aloud whether one of these quarterbacks can convince the front office to forego drafting a quarterback next year. We’ll believe it when we see it, but for now, it sounds like Sanders has pulled even with Watson.

Over the course of his career, Brown has openly discussed the maintenance his knees require. He underwent cleanup procedures in both knees in 2021. Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently acknowledged that Brown has managed a degenerative knee condition in one of his knees since entering the league in 2019. Despite receiving treatment regularly, Brown has been a 1,000-yard receiver in six of his seven NFL seasons. We expect him to continue playing at a high level, but he could fall into the WR1/2 range this summer. Regardless, he is the Patriots’ clear-cut WR1.

Kupp operated as the Seahawks’ WR2 last season, though The Athletic’s Mike Dugar reported in March that WR Rashid Shaheed’s new deal “suggests a demotion” could be on the way for Kupp. Regardless, Kupp loves “playing this game too much” to slow down now. If Kupp can retain his WR2 role on the Seahawks, he will likely only be a matchup-based FLEX option.

Barner was listed with calf, elbow and hip injuries last season. We don’t know which ailments required surgery. Barner said he is “definitely feeling better,” but he still has a few hurdles to clear before he can back out there. Barner finished as the PPR TE14 last season, operating as a big-bodied target for QB Sam Darnold and as the Seahawks’ tush push specialist in short-yardage situations.

Boerkircher sat out on Monday, but we do not yet know why. Koziol looks “smooth in space” and took the advantage of his opportunities. His stand out showings as a pass-catcher have “helped him make some real progress at the start of OTAs.” Kozial was a bit of a dynasty darling in this season’s rookie draft cycle. We do not expect him to be relevant in re-draft this season, but these reports are encouraging for his long-term outlook.

Rodriguez has now been out for more than a week. When asked for comment previously, coach Liam Coen simply said, “the injury report will come out at some point here.” The team is headed for a short break before mandatory minicamp begins next week, which run from June 9-11. Since OTAs are voluntary, allowing Rodriguez to rehab makes sense. Hopefully, he returns next week. Until then, RB Bhayshul Tuten gets to operate as the clear-cut top back.

Good for him. Do we expect Williams to contribute meaningfully in re-draft formats this year? No. But, the No. 203 overall pick in this year’s draft seemingly has strong odds of securing a spot on the final roster. Williams is a name to know for dynasty, and currently profiles as the Jaguars’ WR5 for 2026.