NFL

Fangio, 67, has considered retiring over the last few years, but he says his thought process “never really got serious to where [he] would have done it.” The Eagles’ brass hired Fangio ahead of the 2024 season. Since then, the Eagles’ defense has allowed the sixth-lowest offensive success rate and the second-fewest EPA per play. It’s a talented unit, no doubt, but Vangio’s scheme and playcalling have had a big impact. The defense ranked 25th and 29th, respectively, in 2023.

This theoretical contract includes $25 million guaranteed. Earlier this offseason, Shipley said that the four-year, $78 million contract with $38 million guaranteed signed by Titans WR Wan’Dale Robinson “makes sense.” In his most recent projection, Shipley accounts for Washington’s value as a returner by referencing the contracts signed by Packers WR Jayden Reed and Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed. Both players got three-year deals, giving them “another chance to cash in sometime in the future.” Reed’s deal is worth $50.25 million with $20 million guaranteed. Shaheed’s is worth $51 million with $34.7 million guaranteed. Washington ($18.3 million) would make slightly more than the other three, on an average annual basis ($16.75-$17.5 million), while keeping him under the $20 million per-year that WR Jakobi Meyers got from the Jaguars in December. Shipley believes Washington could surpass that number, with a good year, if the Jaguars allow him to test free agency next offseason.

Williams also focused on building lower-body strength this offseason, adding “about 5 to 8 pounds to put his weight in the 190-193 range.” He believes this strength could help him develop as a centerfield target, which is the primary thing to note for fantasy purposes. A 2019 Rotoworld study showed that targets thrown over the middle, 10-plus yards downfield, are more valuable than those thrown along the sideline at an equivalent depth. Williams went 0-for-5 on centerfield targets as a rookie. Improving his play over the middle will help him challenge for a role in the Patriots’ starting three-wide receiver set. Williams also said he hopes to be more consistent, build chemistry with QB Drake Maye and master the playbook this offseason.

Reiss spoke with TE Hunter Henry and former Patriots QB Brian Hoyer about how McDaniels’ scheme “demands a lot” from the quarterback position. As simple as it sounds, learning the “what” under McDaniels can happen quickly. Learning the “why” takes time. Hoyer notes that reports on Maye’s development last spring and summer were hardly glowing, but the young quarterback made strides in-season and defenses had a harder time fooling him with “different looks, fronts and blitzes” as the season progressed. Patriots newcomers, FB Reggie Gilliam and WR Romeo Doubs, are reportedly impressed with Maye’s mastery of the offense as well. Maye was the MVP runner-up last year, completing 72% of his passes and finishing as the overall QB2 in total fantasy points. Continued development only reinforces his spot in the QB1 tier’s highest echelon.

Per Wolfe, the Panthers have had “a great start” at organized team activities (OTAs), which is somewhat confusing because the Panthers’ first OTA session is scheduled for May 26th. Young is apparently impressing someone on the field somehow, though. Regardless, Wolfe believes the Panthers’ offseason has made them “true contenders” capable of winning 10-12 games. They have won 13 over the past two years. If Young really is stepping up his game, that is good news for WR1 Tetairoa McMillan’s potential second-year leap. He posted a 70/1,014/7 receiving line en route to earning OROY honors last year. Young has a long way to go before we can view him as anything more than a fantasy QB2. Hopefully, the positive reports continue to roll in. If the Panthers really can win double-digit games, Young will ostensibly play a key role in the effort.

Buried in an article comparing Bucs RBs Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell, Stroud notes that RB3 Sean Tucker “morphed into the Bucs’ short-yardage and goal-line specialist a year ago and led the club with seven rushing touchdowns.” Many teams employ two-player backfields. Stretching it to three makes things tough for fantasy purposes. Stroud does not definitively state that Tucker will again operate as the short-yardage and goal-line specialist, but he shares that tidbit just before forecasting a balanced approach. Tucker’s role in the rotation must be monitored closely this spring and summer — not just for his fantasy value, but for Irving and Gainwell’s as well.

Brissett has one year left on his deal, which includes $1.5 million in guarantees. He can make up to $5.39 million. Fellow Cardinals QB Gardner Minshew signed a one-year deal with the team this offseason that netted him $5.14 million in guarantees. The front office also invested a third-round pick in rookie QB Carson Beck. It’s easy to see why Brissett is seeking increased financial security, but he may not have the leverage required to attain it. It is unknown whether Brissett will attend next week’s voluntary organized team activities. A mandatory minicamp for veterans and rookies is scheduled to take place June 8-10. Things could become even more contentious if he refuses to attend the mandatory events. Hopefully, the dispute will be resolved soon. Brissett, 33, showed last year that he has the ability to distribute the ball in a fantasy-friendly manner for Cardinals pass catchers.

Rhim caveats the thought by adding that increased tight end usage “is not a guarantee.” The key takeaway for second-year TE Oronde Gadsden is that Rhim thinks recent free agent signee, TE David Njoku, could take on the TE1 role, noting Njoku possesses “valuable experience that a guy like Gadsden can learn from.” That said, in a piece where Rhim highlighted the tight end position’s importance in the new scheme, he referenced only Gadsden and Njoku, seemingly indicating this is a two-player race for the TE1 job. Njoku’s play has declined recently, as has his health. Gadsden might currently be the TE2, but we have to get through spring and summer practices first.

Rhim specifically cites former Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith, who posted an 88/886/8 receiving line, while totaling 505 yards after the catch under McDaniel in 2024. McDaniel and TEs coach Chandler Henley plan to create a “run-pass conflict” for opposing defenses, which starts at the tight end position. The offense will expectedly use two-tight end sets often. Rhim notes that Njoku, 29, has “been one of the league’s best tight ends at yards after catch for the past decade,” although he “is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro” and has been bothered by lower-body injuries recently. Whether Njoku has enough left in the tank to handle TE1 duties remains to be seen. It is worth noting that Rhim never once mentioned TE Charlie Kolar in the article, suggesting he is stuck in the TE3 spot behind Njoku and second-year TE Oronde Gadsden.

Speed will undergo surgery to repair his injured tissue. Per Wilson, Speed faces “at least a three-month recovery followed by rehab.” He has no exact timetable. The 30-year-old linebacker suffered the partial tears while lifting weights at the Texans’ offseason workout program. Speed totaled 37 tackles and seven quarterback pressures on defense last year. His 12 special teams tackles ranked second on the team. It’s an unfortunate loss for the team.