NFL Player News

The Patriots currently have Eliot Wolf as their de facto general manager. Robert Kraft is seemingly not using traditional titles for his new front office as Hunt is expected to be the team’s first external interview for this “lead personnel” position. Hunt would presumably work with Wolf to make front office decisions if hired. With new head coach Jerod Mayo and rookie quarterback Drake Maye, a new era will be underway in New England.

Hill, listed as a tight end but used through the years as a versatile offensive weapon, was seen taking direct snaps on offense and working with the special teams unit. Hendrix said Hill being deployed in the “backfield is starting to be a pretty exciting thing to see unfold. There was a play in team where he was the running back in shotgun and took the run left for a nice little gain. On that play, we also saw two players go in motion, with Juwan Johnson and Dallin Holker.” It appears new Saints OC Klint Kubiak is willing to retain always-shifting package of Taysom plays that have been intriguing and sometimes frustrating for fantasy purposes. Hill and Kubiak reportedly met in the offseason to discuss Hill’s role in the Kubiak system; Hill said the conversation was “super positive.” Taysom in 2023 finished as fantasy’s tenth highest scoring tight end, just behind Trey McBride. Continued backfield usage for Hill in 2024 would be decidedly bad news for Alvin Kamara’s touchdown upside.

Jefferson has plans to play this upcoming season, according to Schultz. He has been training and intends to talk to teams after he spent last season with the Ravens as a scouting intern. In his playing career, Jefferson spent four seasons with the Cardinals before becoming a full time starter with the Ravens for two seasons. After that, Jefferson spent 2020 out of football and bounced between the 49ers, Ravens again, and Giants for two seasons. He retired and joined the Ravens as a scouting intern, but is now looking to return. The safety market still has players like Jamal Adams and Justin Simmons available and Jefferson has thrown his name into the mix.

Collins’ breakout 2023 campaign (80-1,297-8) has paid off as he’s now contractually set as the Texans’ WR1. Even with Diggs being traded to the Texans, this comes as no surprise as Collins is the younger (and home grown) talent. Collins should be considered in the second round in all one-quarterback, redraft fantasy leagues.

It might go without saying, but it’s further confirmation that the Bills have finally accepted that the team must let Allen cook if they are to go anywhere in the competitive AFC. As recently as last offseason, Buffalo coaches talked openly about limiting Allen’s rushing role and encouraging him to take easy check-down throws instead of riskier downfield shots. Allen was fantasy football’s top scoring quarterback during Brady’s time as Bills play caller in 2023. He logged at least eight rushing attempts in six of his final seven games — including 12 in a season-ending loss to the Chiefs — after dialing down his running in the first half of the season. A fully unleashed Allen is a frightening prospect for Buffalo opponents.

Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tag tender as he seeks a long-term deal or a trade. The franchise tender would pay Higgins, 25, $21.9 million in 2024. Ja’Marr Chase, who had his fifth-year option picked up by the Bengals last month, was also absent from the voluntary workouts. Higgins’ situation is devolving by the week and could end up with a prolonged holdout later this summer unless the Bengals decide to deal him to another team before the regular season kicks off.

OL Trent Brown and Tee Higgins are also absent from the voluntary offseason practices. Probably it’s not a big deal that Chase, 24, entering his fourth NFL season, is not in attendance, though it is something to monitor in the summer months. The Bengals in April picked up Chase’s fifth-year option; he’s now signed through the 2025 season, slated to make a guaranteed salary of nearly $5 million this season. The superstar wideout is likely to show up to summer practices if and when the team can hammer out a lucrative long-term deal with him.

According to DiRocco, ESPN obtained court documents stating that McManus allegedly assaulted two women during the Jaguars’ flight to London last season. In the lawsuit filed on Friday in Duval County Circuit Civil Court, the women, who are identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, allege that McManus rubbed himself against them and was grinding against them. It also accuses the Jaguars of failing to supervise McManus and create a safe environment for the airplane staff. There is no comment from McManus at this time, and the Jaguars have reportedly declined to comment through a spokesman, according to DiRocco. The victims are reportedly seeking more than $1 million and are demanding a jury trial. McManus signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract with the Commanders earlier this offseason after going 30-for-37 on field goal attempts. We’ll likely know more about this situation in the coming days and will provide any additional updates as they come. Shortly after news of the lawsuit broke, the Commanders released a statement saying, “Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.”

Vea reportedly played 2023 at “a lot more” than his listed weight of 347, and the Bucs’ coaching staff thought it was affecting his game. He has spent this offseason working out with famed workout warrior Ndamukong Suh. Vea isn’t exactly the kind of player you want wildly slimming down, but he apparently crossed the fine line of getting too bulky. We would expect better this season.

Judon was absent from the team’s voluntary OTAs, presumably due to his desire for a new contract. Speaking at his football camp, he said, “Hell yeah, I ain’t giving no money away,” when asked about whether or not he’d be present for mandatory minicamp. The Patriots pass rusher signed a four-year, $56 million deal in 2021 and is set to earn $6.5 million this season, but has more than outplayed his current deal. In 38 career games with the Patriots, Judon has totaled 32 sacks and had four sacks in four games in 2023 before a torn biceps ended his season. Judon will be 32 at the start of this season but hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. While there’s likely some concern over his age and his latest injury, keeping Judon around on a short-term extension could work in the best interest of both parties. Last season, the Patriots gave Judon an extra $12 million in guaranteed money to move past some contractual differences. Perhaps a similar fix is in order for this year.

Whether or not Rodgers’ affinity for Corley translates to success in Corley’s rookie season is to be determined, but it’s high praise coming from Rodgers, who is known for latching on to certain receivers. Garrett Wilson will be the unquestioned WR1 in the Jets’ offense this season, but Corley’s ability to succeed in the short areas of the field and create after the catch could open him up for ample opportunity in his first season. Rodgers also said of Corley that he “really felt like [Corley] was going to fit in with what [the Jets] are trying to do” this upcoming season. The addition of Mike Williams only adds to the competition Corley will face for targets, but his skill set is such that he could be a weekly factor even if Williams and Wilson are seeing the majority of targets further down field. An injury to either receiver would immediately raise Corley’s fantasy ceiling.