NFL Player News

Benton, the 49th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, signed a contract that includes guaranteed money in the third year -- an unprecedented deal, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Benton performed well at the NFL Combine after serving as the anchor of Wisconsin’s defensive line, recording 60 tackles in his final two collegiate seasons. He should be a plus for a Steelers defense graded by PFF as 2022’s tenth best run-defending unit.

“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.

Jefferson last played for the Giants in 2022, totaling 22 tackles and one pass breakup in nine games. The 32-year-old vet played four seasons with the Ravens under head coach John Harbaugh and will now join Jim Harbaugh as a member of the Chargers. Chargers GM Joe Hortiz also spent time with the Jefferson, as Hortiz worked with the Ravens in multiple roles from 1998 to 2023. Jefferson can provide a veteran presence to the Chargers’ secondary but is unlikely to earn a significant role outside of making the occasional spot start.

Corum, the 83rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has drawn consistent praise from LA coaches over the past couple months as incumbent starter Kyren Williams deals with a lingering foot injury that has cost him all of OTAs and minicamp. “On the offensive side, I’ve been pleased with a lot of guys but Blake Corum has really stood out,” McVay said. “Mature beyond his years. I love the way that he handles himself. I love even more how when there’s been a couple of things that didn’t go the way we wanted, how he responded the next play. The mental toughness that you see from him.” It would be something of an upset if Corum didn’t at least split backfield work with Williams to start the regular season — assuming Williams is fully recovered. Williams remains one of the riskiest picks in all of fantasy football.