NFL Player News

We are begging Twitter to avoid talking about Campbell playing the “Deebo Role” in 2023 at this time. While Campbell seeing snaps at running back is certainly interesting -- especially when you consider the ongoing situation with Saquon Barkley -- it feels like there’s little to see here at this time. Campbell joined the Giants on a one-year contract after spending his first four seasons with the Colts, where he missed 34 games over that span. Campbell finally enjoyed a healthy season in 2022, posting career-highs as a receiver (63-623-3), and has a chance to earn a role with the Giants this offseason. While he may see some occasional touches out of the backfield, we wouldn’t anything significant enough to move the needle from a fantasy perspective.

Buggs has been arrested twice in less than a month after misdemeanor charges were filed against him on May 29 for cruelty to dogs in the second degree. According to an article by ESPN, Buggs was booked into the Tuscaloosa County jail and later released on a $5,000 bond. Buggs appeared in 10 games last season for the Lions and was signed to the Chiefs practice squad in January 2024, shortly after the Lions released him. We don’t know much about this incident outside of Buggs’ arrest and release, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs cut ties with him in the coming days given the recent string of events.

Currently in search of a new contract from the Steelers, Heyward said last week that he and his wife had discussed the possibility of needing to play elsewhere if he doesn’t re-sign with the Steelers beyond this season. Heyward, 35, appeared in 11 games for the Steelers last season, totaling two sacks and six TFLs. He combined for 20.5 sacks and 29 TFLs from 2021-2022, but he’s well past the age where we begin to see players decline. Heyward skipped OTAs but was present at minicamp, so we wouldn’t expect a holdout when training camp ramps up next month. With that said, we could be looking at the final season in Pittsburgh for a player who has long been a staple along the Steelers’ defensive interior.

“It’s like he’s been a four- or five-year vet,” Herbert gushed. “He understands the game. He understands leverage. He’s a smart player, and he’s very athletic. I’m really looking forward to getting him the ball.” Herbert’s assessment is matched by the Los Angeles Times’ Jeff Miller, who reports McConkey “displayed the most potential throughout the offseason program.” On the one hand, it’s not surprising a highly-experienced second-round prospect is looking good in shorts and t-shirts. On the other, McConkey is playing with a quarterback entering his prime and an exacting head coach in Jim Harbaugh. Standards are going to be high. So far, McConkey is meeting them. Although the situation is jumbled, McConkey is the modest favorite for No. 1 duties in L.A..

“I think it’s important,” Maye said. “It’s picking up little things every day.” This kind of story is often an offseason practice contrivance, but it’s easy to spot the significance in this instance. Maye is the Patriots’ new franchise player and Polk sits atop a ludicrously thin receiver depth chart. Any success they might have on offense this season is going to depend in large part on this connection. It’s a great sign they are already working overtime to establish it.

The 12-year veteran cornerback started all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2023 but was not re-signed following the season. Gilmore is not short on accomplishments during his illustrious career, having earned five Pro Bowl nods, two All-Pro honors, and a defensive player of the year award and even received above average grades across the board from PFF in his 12th season last year. Even so, Gilmore is likely looking at a veteran minimum contract at this point in the offseason unless he waits for injuries to start piling up once the season begins.

This had been a huge ball in the air for the Bengals as they look to bounce back from their sub-par, injury-marred 2023. Higgins will now be there on Day 1 of camp, presumably without a long-term agreement. The sides have until July 15 to hammer that out, but there has been little indication an agreement will be reached. Coming off by far his worst professional season — one where he missed five games — Higgins is looking to re-establish every-week WR2 status in fantasy.

It was reported earlier that the Lions were expected to sign Bates at the end of the NFL season. Now, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has confirmed that the kicking phenom will sign a two-year deal for a chance to compete with Michael Badgley for the starting job in camp. Bates was 6-of-10 on field goals of 50-plus yards during the UFL regular season and blasted a 64-yard game-winner in Week 1 for the Michigan Panthers. Before signing with the Lions, Bates also met with the Commanders and Packers.

Bates visited with the Commanders last week but appears set to join the Lions. Currently kicking for the UFL’s Michigan Panthers, Bates has turned into a spring football phenom after making multiple field goals of 60-plus yards and going 6-of-10 on field goals of 50-plus yards on the season. Bates converted on 17 of his 22 attempts (77.3 percent) in the regular season and first caught the attention of football fans when he converted a 64-yard game-winning field goal in Week 1 of the UFL season. He’ll have a chance to compete for the Lions starting kicker job against incumbent Michael Badgley, who made all four of his field goal attempts in his four games with the team. Badgley is a career 82.4 percent kicker and has made just five field goals of 50-plus yards.

The Commanders nabbed Sinnott with the No. 53 overall pick in the draft, making him the TE2 of the class. Sinnott is a versatile player who was a walk-on fullback for Kansas State before breaking out as a tight end later in his collegiate career. Zach Ertz, reunited with Kliff Kingsbury in Washington, should hold the starting tight end job for the Commanders, but Sinnott will see the field in a variety of roles as a rookie. He could emerge as a TE2 in the second half of the season but can be left off most redraft rosters for now.

Daniels’ deal is fully guaranteed and includes a $24.3 million signing bonus. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner has impressed early this offseason and he should close in on the starting job over Marcus Mariota at some point in training camp. Daniels threw for 3,812-40-4 in his final season with LSU and added another 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. The dual-threat quarterback hopes to help a new regime usher in a winning culture that’s largely been lacking in Washington since they won the Super Bowl in 1991. Daniels’ rushing ability makes him a legitimate threat to finish as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in his rookie season if he and the offense can gel in their first year under Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.