NFL Player News

Before the Jaguars could release Patterson, the Lions swooped in. Patterson was usurped in Jacksonville by Brandon McManus, and now he heads to the kneecap-biters for what amounts to little compensation. Michael Badgley and John Parker Romo are kickers currently on Detroit’s roster that have now been put on notice. Patterson has hit 88% of his field-goal attempts through two seasons, one of which was in Detroit in 2021.

With former Buccaneers WR Mike Evans now a 49er, Godwin is the veteran leader in Tampa Bay’s wide receiver corps. Godwin was leading the NFL with 50 receptions when he fractured his fibula and dislocated his ankle in 2024. It was a significant, season-ending injury that required an intense offseason rehab program, and his lower leg remained an issue for much of 2025. This year, however, Godwin’s offseason has been spent training, not recovering. According to Godwin, this understandably makes “a huge difference.” A solid bounce-back season is within his range of potential outcomes. Godwin is currently the WR40 by PPR ADP. While he may lack the high-end upside he once possessed, that ADP sure looks like decent value.

Astute readers might notice that Evans did not put the Broncos’ longtime WR1, Courtland Sutton, on that list. The cost to acquire Waddle from the Dolphins was not cheap, so anointing Waddle as the WR1 makes sense. The former Dolphin spent his career in Miami playing sidekick to WR Tyreek Hill, so it was fair to wonder if he might be slated for a WR2 role in Denver as well. If anything, this could be a 1A/1B situation, with Waddle operating as the 1A. Regardless, Sutton appears unbothered by Waddle’s presence, saying the Broncos’ offense is comprised of “guys that are willing to put their pride aside,” and celebrated the importance of selflessness. Waddle profiles as a WR2 while Sutton is perhaps best viewed in the WR3/FLEX tier.

Wilson began today’s report by recounting a successful fade route Higgins ran from the slot at organized team activities. Per Higgins, the Texans view him as a versatile receiver and plan to deploy him at multiple spots this year. Per PFF, Higgins ran 79.2 percent of his routes from the perimeter and 20.4 percent from the slot. If Higgins can secure the WR2 role and gain frequent slot usage from 11 personnel, that would go a long way toward reliable fantasy productivity. In addition to improving his fitness, Higgins has focused on the game’s “intellectual” aspect as well this offseason. Wilson adds that Higgins has been a standout among the receivers thus far and has “shown upgraded timing and chemistry” with QB C.J. Stroud. He has a chance to return value as a WR3 or better this season.

Lohner did not play at all in his 2025 rookie season. He began his football career in 2024 at Utah, after playing basketball at BYU (2020-21) and Baylor (2023-24). He is unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar for the 2026 season. 9NEWS’ Mike Klis notes that head coach Sean Payton “singled out Lohner for his impressive second-year development” earlier this spring.

Thomas’ phrasing suggests he underwent multiple clean-up procedures over the past few months, in an effort to get “as close to 100 percent as possible.” It also sounds like he played through quite a lot of pain last year. He dealt with wrist, shoulder and ankle injuries while adjusting to head coach Liam Coen’s new offense in 2025. Thomas is already drawing positive reviews at organized team activities. If he can sustain good health throughout training camp, he has a chance to deliver a big-time bounce-back season in 2026.

He suffered a torn meniscus in Week 2 against the Texans. “Right away I’m just trying to get used to playing with a knee brace again, but I was talking to Ben today and it’s like, it already feels…you’re not thinking about the knee brace. It feels back to normal. It was a great day. I wasn’t worried about the knee one bit, so that’s good,” Mauch told reporters. We’re expecting Mauch to be ready to go for training camp based on this update.

The Raiders haven’t really put out a timetable for Miller to be fully healthy, but we’re assuming he’ll probably be ready for training camp based on this update that he’s “nearing full strength” at OTAs. Miller only played the first four games of last season after suffering a high-ankle sprain and hairline fracture against the Bears in September.

“But, obviously, it’s definitely nothing that prevents me from anything at the moment. I go 100%. I’m still out there doing everything I normally would do, but yeah, it’s just like an ongoing process for sure,” Harrison added. He had two heel injuries, appendicitis, and a concussion while missing five games last year. There doesn’t seem to be any specific reason for concern here, but this is not the type of thing you normally see an NFL player admit, so it’s eye-catching.

Berman notes that Barkley had 136 targets in his final two seasons with the Giants compared to just 93 with the Eagles over the past two years, and adds that new OC Sean Mannion was teammates with Todd Gurley when Gurley averaged 84 targets in 2017 and 2018 with “a similar offensive scheme.” A.J. Brown’s absence will absolutely leave a target vacuum that Barkley could step into. If so, that would be a major boon for his fantasy prospects in 2026.

The need is clearly there with second-round pick Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Micheal Clemons and Arden Key competing for the role next to Laiatu Latu at the moment. Boyd also mentions Cameron Jordan, Jadeveon Clowney and Leonard Floyd among others as possibilities. The veteran edge rusher and wideout markets are still unfolding ahead of training camp.