NFL Player News

A top-100 overall recruit and Under Armour All-American participant, Johnson (6’2/198) has the ideal length and stature for an NFL safety. He played mostly in the slot during his first year as a starter, recording 603 of his 800 snaps there with 130 of his other reps coming in the box. The Second Team All-SEC safety held opponents to a suffocating 71.2 passer rating when targeted to go with a very respectable 8.4% missed tackle rate and 88.7 PFF cover grade in 2021. His role changed in 2022 as new DC DJ Durkin spread Johnson around a bit more, with the standout safety playing 280 slot snaps, 128 in the box, and 110 at free safety. He posted 28 stops last year, which was two more than he had in 2021 despite playing 218 less snaps. Despite playing in just nine games, he received AP First Team All-SEC recognition along with being named a Second Team All-American according to PFF. His 1.55 10-yard split (86th%) shows the twitch he possesses, though his overall 4.78 RAS gives pause in relation to his overall athletic traits. The Aggies’ team leader in tackles per game, Johnson is a long, aggressive safety who has the play recognition ability to fill the correct gaps, and the strength to blow up running backs in the hole.

Maye and Brown have already begun generating highlight plays together against Patriots defenders. Coaches and players from both sides of the ball are highly complimentary of the new receiver, and Brown has taken on a leadership role within the offense. It sounds like things are coming together for Brown and the Patriots. Treat him as a WR2 with upside.

Per Shipley, Koziol “will earn reps” in the regular season if he keeps making plays. The Jaguars drafted Koziol in Round 5 and fellow TE Nate Boerkircher in Round 2 this year, but Shipley believes it’s been a ‘relatively quiet offseason for Boerkircher,” and Boerkircher missed Thursday’s practice for an undisclosed reason. He missed a practice last week as well. Koziol has shown “a real ability to make plays on the ball.” He is unlikely to garner a fantasy-relevant workload playing behind TE1 Brenton Strange, but Koziol is a name to know moving forward.

The Jaguars acquired Meyers via trade in Week 10 last year. He then led the Jaguars in targets (63) and receptions (43) until their season came to a close with a Wild Card Round loss to the Bills. Fellow Jaguars WRs Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. have generated buzz in recent weeks, but Meyers should not be overlooked. He still has a chance to repeat as the team’s target leader this season.

According to a report from NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk, the Vikings parted ways with senior personnel executive Jamaal Stephenson, assistant director of college scouting Pat Roberts and pro scout Salli Clavelle as well. The moves come shortly after the team hired Nolan Teasley as its new general manager.

Thompkins will likely just contribute on special teams, if he makes the roster. Through four NFL seasons, he has returned 45 kicks and 42 punts. The Bills also waived RB Desmond Reid with an injury designation. He will probably revert back to the roster after passing through waivers. The Bills also waived CB Dorian Strong with a non-football injury designation. In February, GM Brandon Beane said Strong (neck) was “going to have a procedure that will determine whether he can play.” Unfortunately, this could be the answer.

The Cardinals have made a habit of signing receiving tight ends who once generated mild buzz in dynasty circles. Yeboah, 27, fits the bill. He is unlikely to play much, if at all, this season.

Morrison missed time in his 2024 college season after injuring the labrum in his hip. He almost missed time as a rookie last year, after suffering a hamstring injury in October. He totaled three pass breakups, 23 tackles and two quarterback pressures last year. Hopefully, he can return before long.

Norton is still recovering from the ankle injury that sidelined him last year. By placing him on the reserve/PUP list, the Falcons do not have to count him on their 53-player roster. He must, however, miss the first four games of the season. He will be eligible to face the Ravens in Week 5.

Spirits are reportedly high at Ravens practices. The veteran quarterback has attended more voluntary workouts than in previous years because he wants to learn the new system and terminology. Jackson believes Doyle’s creativity will lead to “a lot of explosiveness” this season, and they are reportedly keeping the defense guessing, thus far. We like to hear that. Ravens S Kyle Hamilton said Jackson, 29, “still moves like he’s at Louisville,” which is extremely encouraging, given the injury-impacted play we saw from Jackson last season. Jackson is a big-time bounce-back candidate heading into 2026.

Whether Croskey-Merritt can participate in the Commanders’ three-day mandatory minicamp, from June 16-18, is unknown. That said, Standig believes RB coach Anthony Lynn’s “positivity is notable.” Lynn thinks the team can take Croskey-Merritt’s game “to another level and get him potentially in the lead role.” To do this, Croskey-Merritt must take on more responsibility in the passing game this summer. Lynn adds that the young back’s “hands are very good, his movement skills are very good, and there’s no reason why he couldn’t win routes.” The staff is happy with its new-look backfield, but Standing writes that RBs Rachaad White, Jeremy McNichols and Jerome Ford “are not high-volume playmaking threats,” like “Bill” is, and rookie RB Allen is still getting up to speed. Once Croskey-Merritt arrives, he must prove that he can meaningfully contribute as a receiver and as a pass protector. Doing so would unlock a fantasy-friendly role.