NFL Player News

Rapoport reports the Jets are between the two pass rushers for the second pick of this year’s draft. The Jets recently cancelled a top-30 visit with Bailey, presumably due to having enough information on the Texas Tech EDGE and needing the visit for another prospect. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is also in heavy consideration. Much of the draft after pick No. 2 will be determined by which pass rusher the Jets select; pick No. 3 is currently with the Cardinals but could be moved depending on the selection at No. 2.

It was a rough day for Tagovailoa. The Falcons quarterback was greeted by booes in his former home stadium this evening. He maintained his relatively low level of play, throwing short and, at one point, fumbling a snap, which was recovered by a Dolphins defender. It was not his worst showing, but it is unlikely to earn him the starting job either.

Bell played in the preseason for the first time this evening. He got involved early and looked good. He snagged a four-yard catch on the first play from scrimmage and hauled in an 18-yarder on the next drive by finding the soft spot in the Falcons’ zone coverage on a post route. Bell got shaken up by a hard hit while unsuccessfully attempting to bring in another pass, but he remained on the field and came back out for the next drive as well. Bell’s return from an ACL tear seems to be going well, and the Dolphins’ wide receiver depth chart has open roles. He should be targeted as a last-round pick in 12-team fantasy drafts.

Douglas has seemingly secured a starting role in his rookie season. The big-bodied downfield wide receiver looked good in the first preseason game and played just three snaps in the second one. The Dolphins are expected to field a run-heavy offense, but Douglas could warrant FLEX treatment before long. He should be targeted late in drafts.

Taylor stops short of declaring Allen a starter in three-wide receiver sets, so he is likely still stuck in the No. 4 wide receiver spot. The fifth-round rookie has at least carved out a role for himself, and Taylor dubs him “the biggest winner in camp.” Allen is a worthwhile late-round pick at this time.

The Vikings hoped that McCarthy’s ankle injury would heal, but ultimately the 23-year-old quarterback isn’t ready to play. The injury is considered minor and McCarthy is day-to-day, according to Lewis. While minor, McCarthy’s injury has cost him valuable reps as he now finds himself battling Carson Wentz for the QB2 job.

Dehner has been covering the Bengals’ intent to increase the number of plays run from under center all summer. Last season, “the Bengals ran from under center 120 times on early downs. The league average was 210.” Per Dehner, it has become clear “over the weeks that the under-center offense would not be going away.” The Bengals are committed to changing their ways in pursuit of more explosive gains. Starting RB Chase Brown is a locked-in RB1.

Appearing on NFL Live Friday afternoon, Fowler said that people inside the Raiders’ building and around the league still expect Cousins to be named the starter. Raiders HC Klint Kubiak declined to name a starting quarterback Friday morning. Following the loss of Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers, Kubiak said rookie Fernando Mendoza needs another three preseason games before going as far as mentioning that Mendoza’s practice reps will decline once the regular season begins. While Kubiak continues to drag his feet when it comes to the official announcement, all signs still point to Cousins being named the starter at some point eventually.

The Steelers also waived CB Jaylon Guilbeau, S Jack Henderson, DB Brandon Hill, DB Tamon Lynum, DB Daryl Porter, OL Gregory Crippen, RB Alex Tecza, WR Jakobie Keeney-James and WR Isaiah Winstead. The Steelers released WR Cornell Powell

The Bengals sent the No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft to acquire the disgruntled former Giant. Per Dehner, Bears coach Ben Johnson described him as “a menace” in joint practices, and QB Caleb Williams referred to him as “an All-Pro guy” and a “force to be reckoned with.” It sounds like things are panning out for Lawrence. Whether he can spark a defensive turnaround in Cincinnati remains to be seen, but the 28-year-old defensive tackle could pose problems this season.

This might not matter, but it is worth noting. The Florida Times-Union recently reported that Jaguars WR Jakobi Meyers (thumb) is sidelined, as is WR Brian Thomas (shoulder). Both picked up minor injuries recently, but according to Shipley, the team does not “seem overly concerned” about either issue. Cameron and fellow sixth-round rookie WR CJ Williams have had good training camps. Cameron is evidently the name to know for waiver wire purposes in-season.