NFL Player News

Patrick was spotted running routes and participating in team drills at Thursday’s OTAs. The veteran receiver is hoping to overcome a recent string of bad luck that saw him miss back-to-back seasons due to a torn ACL (2022) and a torn Achilles (2023) suffered in training camp. The Broncos kept Patrick around on a one-year deal earlier this offseason, but it remains to be seen how he could factor into the offense if healthy. Courtland Sutton remains on the team, and Marvin Mims and rookie Troy Franklin are both expected to factor into the offense to some degree. They also signed veteran Josh Reynolds in free agency. Assuming he makes the roster, Patrick probably doesn’t have much fantasy upside as long as the guys in front of him are healthy. Given his size and efficiency in the end zone in the past, it’s possible Patrick’s primary role will come in the red zone.

Wyatt and Walker have not been dominant forces, so the beat writer scuttlebutt has been that both may not have their fifth-year options picked up only due to cost. An extension ahead of the deadline to exercise the fifth-year option in a few weeks is a possibility. Wyatt has been an adequate pass rusher through his first three seasons with Green Bay, but his run defense has been questionable — he had a 52.0 PFF run defense grade in 2024.

Pittman Jr., who was dealing with a fractured back in an injury-hobbled 2024 season, did not have surgery on his back and “believes he’s done the work necessary” to get past it. We’d be wary of Pittman Jr. even with his target potential because back injuries can linger, but that price will likely be built into his ADP as we approach fantasy drafts in the summer. He and Josh Downs should vie for the lead target role in the Indianapolis offense heading into the year.

It’s the first known visit for Gilmore, who turns 35 in September. The veteran finished with a tough 59.2 PFF coverage grade in 904 snaps with the uber-aggressive Vikings last season. Perhaps a move to Matt Eberflus’ more zone-heavy scheme would benefit the ballhawk with 34 career interceptions, allowing him to read the quarterback and not asking him to keep up with young legs down the field.

Thuney is in the final year of a five-year, $80 million contract. He has a cap figure of $16 million this season. Entering his age-33 season, the Bears probably won’t go long on Thuney, but it’s possible he gets a two-year extension that guarantees him money into 2026.

Moss was entering the final year of his contract. The Bengals were reportedly open to releasing Moss while they figured out the extent of his neck injury, but NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the team is “confident in his return.” Moss should factor in as the main backup to Chase Brown on early downs, and with his status more certain, the Bengals appear less likely to draft a running back on Thursday.

Kittle is entering the final year of his contract with a $22 million cap hit. It’s always tricky to evaluate aging tight ends, and entering his age-32 season Kittle qualifies. He looked as fluid and as fast as ever last season. Ultimately we expect Kittle and the 49ers to bury the hatchet at some point in training camp, but this is quickly taking shape as a potential “hold in” scenario.

The Athletic’s Michael Silver speculated that Purdy could miss early offseason work as the 49ers worked through a contract extension with the 25-year-old quarterback. It appears that the sides are fairly close on most of the issues, as Purdy isn’t opting to hold out in any way. The 49ers have not typically been hasty to get deals done early in the offseason, but perhaps they will make an exception for their quarterback.

Dart, per Hughes, “is a name to watch for the Giants as a trade-up option on Thursday” during the first round of the 2025 draft. “Sources I touched base with said he’s someone Daboll is high on — most out of QBs other than Cam Ward. Among qualities Daboll values in QBs is toughness. Dart has that.” Hughes added that there’s “not much out there right now connecting Shedeur Sanders to Giants. That hype has cooled dramatically from where it was in December.” Dart, who earned 2024’s highest passing grade from Pro Football Focus, would challenge for a starting role against Russell Wilson in training camp. Dart is a former four-star recruit and amassed nearly 12,000 career passing yards in four seasons while throwing 81 touchdowns and 27 interceptions.

It’s still unclear whether either team is actively trying to trade out of their top-three selections. Schrager reported that teams reaching out to Cleveland and the Giants are “looking to trade up to the No. 2 or No. 3 pick are pursuing Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.” It’s clear, two days ahead of the draft, that very few league officials believe Hunter or Jeanty will fall outside the first five or six picks. Hunter has said he would rather retire from football than to play on one side of the ball in the NFL, and teams appear obliged to use him as a two-way player to varying extents. Look for Hunter and Jeanty to be off the board within the first five picks on Thursday night.

In a joint press conference Tuesday morning, Tomlin dismissed questions about Rodgers potentially signing with the Steelers if he feels like playing football in 2025 and general manager Omar Khan said the team, as usual, will carry four quarterbacks into offseason workouts. “All options are on the table to acquire those last two [quarterbacks],” Khan said, opening the possibility of the Steelers selecting a quarterback in the first round of the draft. With Shedeur Sanders likely to fall well outside the top ten picks, Pittsburgh could be a good fit, unless they intend to go into 2025 with Mason Rudolph as the team’s unquestioned Week 1 starter.