NFL Player News

Rashod Bateman remains out because of his foot issues, so Flowers and Beckham have gotten every opportunity to cement themselves ahead of him on the depth chart. Beckham has made a handful of highlight-real plays while Hensley’s review of Flowers, taken with the No. 22 overall pick this year, was glowing. Hensley noted his smooth route-running and mentioned a pair of red zone scores that came from Lamar Jackson. With Flowers catching the eyes of coaches plus media members and Beckham inked to a $15 million contract for just one year, it’s looking increasingly likely that Bateman is only seeing the field in three-receiver sets.

The Patriots’ Gillette Stadium served as a host site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup games. Scotland’s Tartan Army fans reportedly “brought spirit” to the point that it caught Kraft’s attention, prompting the Patriots’ owner to tell NFL commissioner Roger Goodell that he would like his team to play a game in Scotland someday. Reiss also notes that the “economic stimulus from record beer sales at some local bars probably made an impression on Kraft.” Reiss’ sources say that this isn’t yet an “active” situation, and instead falls in the “conversation” phase between league and owner, at this time. The NFL intends to continue its international expansion, and NFL teams that seek out international fan bases will only hurry that process along.

Gonzalez will make $2.259 million in 2026 and $18.11 million in 2027, via his contract’s fifth-year option. However, he is eligible for a contract extension and Reiss notes that the NFL’s top cornerbacks are making more than $30 million per year in some cases. Reiss believes Gonzalez “might have been sending a message to the team this spring” by sitting out the majority of the voluntary program and participating only in “the lower-speed/lower-tempo parts of mandatory minicamp.” We think Reiss is probably onto something here. Gonzalez turned 24 today and has already earned one second-team All-Pro nod and Pro Bowl honors. Gonzalez employs the same agent as Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon. Both players were drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft’s first round, and have had their fifth-year options exercised, though neither has signed a long-term deal. Witherspoon also has earned a second-team All-Pro and has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons. Perhaps extensions for both players could happen in rapid succession at some point. Stay tuned.

Per Fowler, Seahawks tight ends are “going to be moving all around” the formation this season. Whether Darnold targets TEs AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo more often remains to be seen, but we can take this as a net positive for the offense overall. Shifts and motion give the defense an extra item to monitor. Motion added 0.25 yards per play to the NFL average last year. The 49ers averaged the fourth-highest shifts and motion rate (74.3 percent) in the 2025 regular season, while Fleury served as their run game coordinator and tight ends coach. The Seahawks’ 67.4 percent rate ranked 12th. Fleury will call plays offensively for the first time in his career, and former OC Klint Kubiak will not be easy to replace. This is an encouraging report for the Seahawks’ fantasy-scoring prospects, though.

Shaheed reportedly had “major” performances throughout spring practices, “hitting it off” with QB Sam Darnold. Per Fowler, the Seahawks will continue to use WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba on those PPR-friendly short and intermediate routes that helped him finish as the overall WR2 in total PPR scoring. But, rather than keeping Shaheed stuck in a field-stretching role, they plan to “give more short-to-intermediate stuff” to Shaheed as well. Shaheed still has to go out and score more fantasy points this season, but this is the exact type of role change he needed to go from a frustratingly volatile performer to one with reliable WR3/FLEX potential.

This doesn’t exactly sound like a fantasy-friendly role. Wagoner listed him as the 49ers’ player who was the “biggest surprise” of organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, “consistently making big plays down the field in team drills and 7-on-7.” Unfortunately, the wide receiver room is crowded. Despite the solid play, Cowing will have a tough time earning a reliable role in the offense.

It has been tough for some to accept that the former undrafted free agent will have a role this season, but reports continue to indicate that Seahawks coaches trust him. Henderson notes that Holani performed well as a fill-in for RB Zach Charbonnet (knee) as a passing game player during the playoffs. Charbonnet has received positive rehab reports, and a Week 1 return is considered possible. In that scenario, Holani could still rotate in as a backup. If Charbonnet is sidelined to begin the year, Holani should handle the passing down role. Whether that usage facilitates a FLEX-worthy workload remains to be seen.

Laine compliments Johnson for standing out among the Buccaneers’ wide receivers, competing in “arguably the most competitive room on the team.” The second-year wide receiver posted a 28/322/5 receiving line as a rookie and should turn in another usable, if volatile FLEX season while stretching the field for Tampa Bay in 2026.

Thomas turned in a 4.28-second 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine this year. Per Cronin, he has taken “ample reps as a punt returner this spring and showed that he can be more than a special teams star with his skill set on offense.” Bears coach Ben Johnson said Thomas was regularly making plays, but adds that they need to “make sure that we can trust him and he’s going to align where he needs to and run the route the way we need him to.” It sounds like Thomas is still in the developmental phase, but if he can refine his route running and prove himself reliable, he “could be a big weapon” for the Bears this year.

Per Cimini, Jets coaches thought Mitchell would take a leap this offseason, but he managed to exceed their expectations. Mitchell has reportedly “displayed a firm grasp of the new system,” while showing off his vertical speed and building chemistry with QB Geno Smith. Mental gaffes have been Mitchell’s biggest developmental issue. If he really has figured out that aspect of the game, Mitchell should return usable, if volatile FLEX numbers this season.

Dehner reports that the Bengals have rigorously practiced lining up under center in spring practices. He believes they will remain a shotgun-first team, but thinks they could improve on their 31st under-center ranking by more than 10 spots. Among the top-40 qualifiers from 2024-25, Brown averages 5.1 yards per carry (fourth) and a 12.3 percent explosive run play rate (third) on runs when QB Joe Burrow lines up under center. From shotgun formation, Brown averages 4.5 (24th) and 7.3 percent (22nd), respectively. Even a minimal increase in under-center snaps would benefit Brown. The Bengals believe TE Erick All’s (knee) return gives them the needed flexibility to do so. He is capable of motioning into the backfield as a fullback, and “setting the edge with vicious crack blocks and overall serving as a hammer in front of Brown in the run game.” Brown finished as the RB7 last year and is being drafted as the consensus RB10 in best ball. Beating that ADP seems plausible.