NFL

Denver, after parting ways with Russell Wilson this offseason, goes into next week’s draft with the 12th overall pick. “I would just say if it’s a player that you think can change the landscape of your organization moving forward, like quarterback, then you do whatever it takes to get him,” Paton told reporters. “If there’s consensus in the building, a love in the building, you’re aggressive and you try to get him. It doesn’t mean you’re going to get him, but you try. So we’re open to everything. We’re wide open.” The Broncos would likely need to sneak into the top-10 if they are to have a legitimate shot at drafting McCarthy, whose draft stock has skyrocketed over the past month. Rotoworld’s Zachary Krueger has written extensively about McCarthy’s underrated collegiate production profile and his ability to avoid negative plays.

Chark, who had 35 receptions for 525 yards and five touchdowns in Carolina in 2023, would profile as a potential starter for LA. With one 1,000-yard season in seven years in the NFL, Chark, 27, functions strictly as a deep threat. Even if the Chargers take a top wideout in the NFL Draft, Chark could see significant playing time in Greg Roman’s run-first offense.

With his contract situation in limbo — Sutton is guaranteed only $2 million for 2024 — the veteran wideout is opting out of “voluntary” practice. Paton has opted for diplomacy instead of irritation. “It’s the first week of the offseason program. (Coach Sean Payton has) talked to Courtland. I’ve talked to Courtland. He’s in a good place and we’ll just leave it at that.” It is very much up in the air whether Sutton will return to the Mile High City for 2024, but the matter could be settled during next week’s draft.

“Should” is doing a lot of work here, especially since Dobbins’ 2023 injury is only one of multiple traumatic lower-body issues suffered during his four-year NFL career. Hortiz also admitted the obvious that Dobbins’ signing should not affect the Chargers’ odds of selecting a back in the draft. “You don’t want to turn away from a good player because you’ve signed someone.” At least in terms of fantasy, Dobbins is squarely in the realm of “any 2024 contributions will be a bonus.”

This comes less than a month after Payton said it’s “realistic” to think the Broncos could trade up from the No. 12. The Broncos’ need for a franchise quarterback after the failed Russell Wilson trade can’t be overstated. With Jarrett Stidham the only quarterback of note on the roster, Denver needs to find a solution that offers more than what Stidham has over his career. Denver holds two top 100 picks in this year’s draft and also has its 2025 first-round pick to use as a bargaining chip. If they were to attempt to trade up, these picks could prove valuable in facilitating a deal to land what they hope will be their franchise quarterback. The only quarterback the Broncos have held a top-30 visit with is Michael Penix, but we know they also met with Bo Nix at the scouting combine.

When last we left Cephus last April, he was receiving an indefinite ban for betting on NFL contests. He’s lucky he’s back in the league at all. Still only 26, Cephus might actually get a second chance, however, as a relatively experienced, versatile-ish veteran with 37 career grabs. We assume it won’t come in Detroit after last year’s unpleasantness.

Baalke said the team is trying “not to force anything” but acknowledged that he spoke recently with Lawrence’s agent. Lawrence is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal and will presumably have his fifth year exercised later this offseason. Lawrence has thrown for 11,770-58-39 through his first three seasons in the league, going 20-30 in his first 50 starts and 17-16 in a post-Urban Meyer world. He led the Jaguars to the playoffs in 2022 and led them to an inspiring comeback win over the Chargers in his first playoff game. It seems apparent at this point that both sides hope to get a deal done but with essentially two years left on his rookie contract, it’s no surprise that neither is rushing to get a deal done.

After spending four seasons with the Eagles, Dillard, a former first-round pick, signed a three-year, $29 million deal with the Titans last offseason. The Titans’ hope that Dillard would bolster a struggling offensive line was quickly dashed, as he started just 10 of the 16 games he appeared in while allowing a career-high 12 sacks on 41 pressures. The Titans released Dillard after his underwhelming performance, taking on a $7.8 million dead cap hit while saving just $2.8 million in cap space. Now, Dillard will get a chance to revive his career with the Packers on what will likely be a prove-it deal for the veteran tackle. Dillard will likely compete with tackles Rasheed Walker and Zach Tom for a starting role, but both should be viewed as having the inside edge at this time.

Flowers is eligible to participate in all team activities. The second-year receiver was temporarily under investigation for his alleged involvement in a domestic assault incident, but that investigation was ultimately suspended by the Baltimore County Police, and Flowers was never charged with anything. Flowers is coming off a rookie season in which he totaled 77 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns and is expected to take a significant leap forward in 2024.

It was reported in early March that Waller was considering retirement. A month and a half later, that still appears to be the case, and the Giants are in no hurry to get a decision from the veteran tight end. Schoen said the team is “giving him time and space to make a decision on what he wants to do” and didn’t have much else to say regarding the situation. Waller has battled numerous nagging injuries in recent years and appeared in just 12 games last season due to a hamstring injury. Waller was still serviceable when available, totaling 52-552-1 in those games while totaling 70-plus yards in three of his first eight contests. Waller will turn 32 shortly after the season begins. Clearly, on the back nine of his career, even if he does opt to play in 2024, he’s a long way off from being the player we saw in 2019 and 2020.