NFL Player News

Taylor Swift’s first career playoff game didn’t prove too big for Kelce, who looked like the player we’ve come to expect over the last decade. His 10 targets were second only to Rashee Rice (12) on the afternoon, but Kelce played an integral part in keeping the Chiefs’ offense on track throughout the day. Perhaps his biggest play was the one not made when he dropped a wide-open touchdown in the second quarter, but that proved inconsequential as the Chiefs ran away with a dominating win against a depleted Dolphins defense. Despite Rice’s high volume day, Kelce continues to be a force to be reckoned with. Whichever team he faces in the Divisional Round can expect to have their hands full.

Murphy’s deal guarantees him just over $16 million over the next four years. He attended Friday’s rookie minicamp and will now be tasked with solidifying a Seahawks defense that ranked 23rd against the run per PFF and 31st in tackling. In his final season at Texas, Murphy totaled five sacks and 8.5 TFLs — both career-highs. It’s possible he has more to offer as a pass rusher once he gets some NFL coaching and improved talent around him.

Miller’s time in the NFL feels dangerously close to being up. The former second-round pick has played a regular-season snap since 2021 and has spent time on the Steelers, 49ers, Colts, and Chiefs from 2022-2024. Miller signed a futures contract with the Chiefs in January but was likely released to make room for an incoming class of rookie picks and UDFAs. In addition to Miller, the Chiefs also parted ways with WR Shi Smith and DE Jordan Smith.

The Eagles signed Becton to a one-year contract at the end of April after losing Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta to free agency. Becton has dealt with a myriad of injuries during his brief career, appearing in just 31 games across four seasons. This likely played a role in the Jets’ decision not to bring him back after his rookie contract expired in 2023. If he can stay on the field, Becton can provide stability along the right side of the line when needed. He earned a PFF pass-blocking grade of 60.7 last season but made all but two of his starts at left tackle and faced several top EDGE rushers on that side of the ball.

As NFL Network’s Rich Cimini points out, phase three consists of 10 OTA practices. Saleh said, “Once phase three hits, we’re not anticipating any restrictions from what we can and can’t do with him.” We’d certainly hope that’s the case after Rodgers flirted with the idea of returning before the end of last season, and even found himself placed on the 53-man roster despite being a healthy scratch. Rodgers is still working his way back from a torn Achilles, but the majority of reports on his recovery have been positive. Back in February, Rodgers said his Achilles “feels good” and that he could “do everything except sprint at a top speed.” With an exciting group of receivers and offensive weapons, Rodgers could be in for a solid 2024 if he’s able to return to form heading into his age-40 season.

The team has not yet committed to Daniels — the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft — as their Week 1 starter, though it would be a massive upset if Marcus Mariota got the opening day call for Washington. Keim expects Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury to lean heavily on the rushing attack, which will be led by Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson. Ekeler is most likely to be the primary pass-catching back while Robinson functions as the team’s early-down back. A lack of passing volume could be an issue for Washington’s pass catchers. Terry McLaurin could still see a solid target share, however, as offenses that use lots of run-pass option plays tend to target their WR1 heavily.

OBJ’s deal is reportedly for one year and up to $8.25 million. His base salary will be $3 million. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said in late March that the team had made an offer to Beckham, but according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, base salary and incentives were sticking points between the two sides. Beckham was used sparingly in 2023, his only season in Baltimore. Operating mostly as a downfield threat, he had 35 receptions for 565 yards and three touchdowns as the third option in the Ravens’ passing offense. Beckham’s addition to the Miami wideout room is a potential complication for hyper-productive rookie WR Malik Washington. The rookie could see significant playing time in three-receiver sets if (or when) Beckham, 31, struggles with various injuries that have hampered him for years.

Claypool in 2023 had four receptions over nine games for the Dolphins after playing his way out of Chicago. He’s never reached the heights of his first couple NFL seasons, when he went for over 800 receiving yards and appeared to be a viable WR2 option. In both Miami and Chicago, Claypool reportedly had effort issues learning the playbook. Heading into his age-26 season, Claypool will look to carve out a role in Buffalo’s wide receiver room, which will be led by some combination of Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and rookie Keon Coleman. It’s certainly possible Claypool doesn’t make the team this summer.

“Ultimately, [Maye] still has to win that job and we’re not just gonna give it away,” Mayo said in a Thursday interview. “And I don’t think Jacoby — the type of player, the type of competitor that he is — is just gonna give it up, either. So, we’ll see what happens in camp.” Mayo said everyone would compete for Week 1 starting duties in training camp. Maye, the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, would have to struggle mightily in camp and during the preseason for the Patriots to consider starting Brissett in Week 1. Still, it will be a situation worth monitoring in the summer.

A 2023 fifth round selection, Gray had just 17 carries for 41 yards as a rookie. The Giants added explosive RB Tyrone Tracy in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, but Duggan suggested Gray would have first crack at operating as the team’s RB2 behind Devin Singletary. For now, Singletary appears to be the clear lead back. Gray and Tracy would likely split backfield duties if Singletary were to miss time in 2024.

Baltimore took Devontez Walker out of North Carolina with the 113th pick in the draft after posting 699 yards and seven touchdowns over eight games in 2023. Jackson, per DeCosta, wanted a big outside wideout at the end of the first round. The team waited until Day Two to take Walker. “Just an explosive guy,” DeCosta said of Walker, who tested well at the NFL Combine. “I think with us, one of the things that we’ve been missing a little bit is that big, linear, outside, field-stretcher type of guy.” Look for Walker to function as the Ravens’ primary field stretcher while Zay Flowers works the short areas of the field alongside Mark Andrews.