NFL Player News

Howard (6’4/236) played the first four seasons of his career at Kansas State, starting 27 games over that span. He threw for 2,643-24-10 in 2023, but left for greener pastures at the end of the season, landing at Ohio State with a much-improved talent pool. Howard made the most of his situation with the Buckeyes, posting career highs in passing yards (4,010) and passing touchdowns (35) while averaging a career best 9.5 YPA. He started 16 games for them last season on the way to winning a national championship, leading an offense that ranked 14th in the nation in points and 29th in passing yards per game. Howard has the ideal size for a pocket passer and has displayed good escapability when it comes to avoiding pressure and beating the blitz. His career 63.5 completion percentage leaves much to be desired, but he showed steady improvement in his accuracy throughout his career, and saw his completion percentage balloon to a career-best 72.8 percent last season. The talent around Howard undoubtedly propelled what turned out to be a career year, and raises the question of whether or not he can show a similar level of play in the pros. Howard completed 60 percent of his passes in just two of the five seasons he played in and has three 10-interception seasons on his resumé. He’s drawn criticism for his limited ability to read a defense and average arm strength, but Howard could make just enough plays to stick around in the league for a while if his accuracy translates to the pros. The Steelers add Howard to an open quarterback room currently led by Mason Rudolph.

Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters last week that he expects Pickens to attend mandatory minicamp this week, which is scheduled to run from June 16-18. Schottenheimer quickly clarified that Pickens has not “committed” to doing so. When asked if he plans to attend, Pickens reportedly shrugged and said, “uhhh” before a representative stepped in to end the conversation. Pickens is set to make $27.3 million this season by playing on the franchise tag this season. He is still seeking a long-term extension, but the front office “has made it clear that it does not plan to extend Pickens this offseason.” Should Pickens skip minicamp sessions, he would be fined daily. It is tough to guess as to what will happen here, but minicamp absences would likely drive Pickens’ ADP downward. At this time of the year, we advise buying the dip.

Reports from mid-May indicated that the Buccaneers might use a running back committee, including Gainwell and incumbent RBs Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker. It seems as though a two-player backfield may be taking shape, with Irving slated for 1A duties ahead of Gainwell. Sources tell Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds that Gainwell “has quickly picked up” OC Zac Robinson’s playbook and is excelling as a receiver out of the backfield. As a runner, he has demonstrated the requisite speed to hit the edge in wide zone and an ability to see the cutback lanes, while also proficiently running between the tackles. Gainwell and Irving have reportedly gotten along “fantastically.” A friendly, split backfield could be in play this season.

The knee issue began bothering Landry in December, and cost him a couple of games. It remained a problem throughout the Patriots’ failed Super Bowl run, but across the Patriots’ full season, Landry still ranked second on the team with nine sacks. Reiss notes that Landry, 30, still projects as the starter, so this does not sound like an overly serious issue.

Shipley notes that the Commanders allowed Rodriguez to enter free agency for a reason. Although he is “an expert at getting downhill and breaking tackles,” his passing down abilities remain “underdeveloped.” With RB LeQuint Allen slated for the primary passing down role, Jaguars coach Liam Coen must choose between Rodriguez and RB Bhayshul Tuten for the starting role. In late April, Shipley said he expected Rodriguez to lead the team in carries. It seems as though Tuten now has a chance to do so. Rodriguez is currently sidelined after undergoing a procedure on his left foot. Shipley does not believe his absence is a big deal “at all,” but Tuten has been playing very well in practice. If one of them can meaningfully separate from the other, it will pay off in fantasy.

Allen played on 66.0 percent of the Jaguars’ third downs and 65.9 percent of the snaps in the two-minute drill as a rookie last year. Both situations are valuable for fantasy purposes, though the role is not big enough for Allen to offer standalone FLEX value. If Allen does maintain both roles, it might negatively impact RB Bhayshul Tuten’s target-earning potential.

Shipley names an MVP at the end of each offseason cycle. Last year, WR Parker Washington took home the honor, and while Washington “has been really good again” this year, as has QB Trevor Lawrence, Thomas’ showing at mandatory minicamp puts him in the lead. Per Shipley, Thomas was now just winning on nine-routes last week, he was also creating separation as a route-runner and winning “over the middle of the field against the Jaguars’ top available cornerbacks.” Thomas struggled as a centerfield receiver last year. Improving his performance in that area was high on the to-do list, and it sounds like he did it. The Jaguars have three more organized team activities sessions before going on break until training camp. Multiple Jaguars have turned in strong showings, and there are only so many touches to go around, but Thomas could end up being a best ball bargain at his current WR31 ADP.

A to Z Sports’ Mauricio Rodriguez detailed Blue’s offseason performance in two recent articles, labeling Blue “the biggest winner” at Cowboys OTAs. Early last week, we heard that Blue was rotating in behind RB Phil Mafah, so these new reports are very intriguing. Rodriguez notes that Schottenheimer tends to be transparent with the media, and the Cowboys’ coach was very complimentary of his second-year back. Schottenheimer and Blue had a “very candid” exit interview after last season, and Blue has shown up with a “night and day” difference in his demeanor this year. Schottenheimer also referred to Blue as being “football brilliant.” If he can continue to do his part, the Cowboys will use Blue’s “speed and explosiveness” as a complement to RB Javonte Williams this year. After a disappointing rookie season, Blue has seemingly bought himself another chance to earn the RB2 role in training camp. Stay tuned.

McDaniel runs a fantasy-friendly scheme, particularly for wide receivers. His play designs setup players to run for extra yardage after the catch. His frequent use of fullbacks, and moderate use of two-tight end sets, reduces the wide receiver position’s target competition quality. We can expect Chargers wide receivers to produce efficiently. Whether individual wide receiver produce voluminously comes down to whether two players can lock up the top-two starting roles. With WR Ladd McConkey likely operating as the WR1, Johnston and WR Tre’ Harris are set to compete for WR2 snaps. Martinez includes an intriguing clip in which McDaniel instructs Johnston to continue developing his already-strong “drive phase,” at the beginning of his routes. If Johnston can secure a dominant snap share as the WR2, he can easily return value on his current WR43 ADP in best ball.

Lloyd’s 2025 season ended with calf and hamstring injuries. The Packers held him out of team drills early on during OTAs, briefly causing a scare. Apparently, this was just precautionary. Lloyd’s successful offseason began in California, at the Meyer Institute of Sport, where Lloyd worked to prepare his body for his third NFL season. Evidently, his time there was successful. Lloyd will take a short break before resuming virtual work with Dr. John Meyer. Lloyd will also “practically have the undivided attention of the Packers’ training staff” from now until training camp. After a recent arrest, starting RB Josh Jacobs’ 2026 season outlook is clouded. If Lloyd can remain healthy, he will serve either as a capable No. 2 running back or, potentially, as a fill-in starter for the Packers this season.

Glenn reportedly wanted to use his backfield in a similar fashion last season before Allen went down in Week 4, according to an article published by ESPN. This would be potentially brutal news for fantasy managers eyeing Breece Hall in drafts, although it is worth pointing out that in the three complete games both Hall and Allen played together, Hall appeared on 59 percent of the team’s snaps while Allen played on 29 percent of snaps, and Davis just 15 percent. Hall also had 51 total opportunities over that span, while Allen and Davis combined for 22 opportunities. Time will tell if Glenn and offensive coordinator Frank Reich really do lean into this “three-headed monster” idea, but it’s hard to imagine Hall, who recently signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract, losing enough work to be forced out of the mix as a fringe RB1/RB2 given his three-down skillset. That said, both Allen and Davis could serve as viable late-round handcuffs for Hall should he ever miss time.