NFL

After a strong showing in the 2026 UFL season, where he racked up a league-high 641 yards and three touchdowns on 29 receptions. The former fourth-round pick hasn’t played an NFL snap since 2020 and appeared in only two regular-season games after bouncing around the league for six seasons. Butler joins a relatively deep receiver room in Denver and should be considered a long shot to make the 53-man roster.

Tippmann, 25, started all 17 games at right guard for the Jets last season, allowing 29 pressures and six sacks while earning a PFF blocking grade of 66.0. The former second-round pick has become a staple along the Jets’ offensive line, missing just one game in his three-year career while appearing on over 1,000 snaps in each of the last two seasons. Tippmann’s new deal includes $34.9 million in guaranteed money and will keep him under contract through the 2030 season.

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.