Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young (knee) is not expected to be ready for the beginning of the season. The former No. 2 overall pick is recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered in Week 10 of last season. Since then, the organization has not placed a timetable on Young and said he'll likely enter training camp on the PUP list. That being said, it seems highly unlikely that Young is ready by the regular season. It's possible that Young enters the new season on the injured reserve. That means, Young would miss at least the first four games of next season. The young stud pass rusher is expected to return at some point next season, but who knows when exactly that will happen.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield doesn't appear any closer to being moved, with one league source indicating things are "quiet." Josina Anderson recently reported the Seahawks are once again on the radar as a potential suitor for the Heisman Trophy winner. However, Mayfield's salary remains a significant hurdle. Also, with news that Deshaun Watson is potentially facing an "indefinite" suspension, Cleveland may not be as eager to deal him anytime soon.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones hasn't had the best NFL career thus far. Since entering the league in 2019, Jones has thrown for 8,398 yards, 45 touchdowns, and 29 picks while completing just 62.8% of his throws. However, legendary signal-caller Eli Manning recently spoke up in defense of the 25-year-old, indicating that constant coaching changes have severely hindered his development. Still, with New York declining Jones' fifth-year option, he will likely have one more chance to prove his worth under new head coach Brian Daboll. He will also have to convince fantasy managers in all formats he's worthy of a roster spot, which won't happen until he turns things around.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Blaine Gabbert is viewed by head coach Todd Bowles as a "security blanket." Although Gabbert and Kyle Trask are expected to battle for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart behind Tom Brady during training camp, it appears the former has the clear edge. The veteran, who inked a deal this offseason to return to Tampa, hasn't lived up to expectations since entering the league in 2011. However, with Brady potentially calling it a career (again) after this season, there could be a slight chance Gabbert may get some consideration to start for the Bucs moving ahead. That won't do anything for his draft stock heading into 2022-23. Yet, it may make him a stash option in dynasty formats.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is looking at an indefinite suspension. The league is pushing for it, and if successful, it would keep the signal-caller off the field for an undetermined amount of time, potentially for the entire 2022-23 campaign. Of course, the NFL Players Association will fight it. However, it likely won't do any good. The situation may also have contract implications, depending on the length of the sentence, meaning Cleveland could still receive his services for five years. Nevertheless, nobody knows when Watson will be back on the field, so it may be a good idea for managers to stay away from him altogether during fantasy drafts heading toward Week 1. A suspension could also mean the Browns may be unwilling to part ways with Baker Mayfield, who recently re-emerged on the Seahawks' radar.
The Chicago Bears signed second-round cornerback Kyler Gordon to a rookie deal on Saturday, which brings 11 of the team's 12 draft picks under contract. With the Bears in transition, especially on defense, Gordon figures to be a big part of their future, and he's already been impressing the coaching staff. "Kyler's been lighting it up the last two days, I'll just tell you that," head coach Matt Eberflus said following a practice during the Bears offseason program. "The guy's got tremendous ball skills. He's been playing defense the right way and we're very impressed with him." Safety Jaquan Brisker, who came off the board nine picks after Gordon, is the Bears' lone unsigned rookie from their 2022 draft class.
Washington Commanders wide receivers coach Drew Terrell said that he could not find any negative plays on rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson's college game film. The 16th overall pick in the draft stood out in both organized team activities and mandatory minicamp due to his refined skills and renowned hands. "He's a smooth cat," Terrell said. "He's what we expected him to be thus far in terms of his being a route-runner, his ball skills, his demeanor, not flinching from the moment and being able to come out here and gain confidence every day and execute every day." Dotson has developed instant chemistry with quarterback Carson Wentz as well, but fantasy managers need to keep in mind this has all been without pads and with top wideout Terry McLaurin holding out. The first-rounder's stock is certainly rising, but he should still only be a late-round upside pick in standard-sized leagues.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (shoulder) remains on schedule in his recovery from shoulder surgery and for his timetable to resume throwing, according to a source. The expectation is that Garoppolo will throw over the next few weeks, starting in early July per head coach Kyle Shanahan, and that plan remains in place. The 30-year-old had surgery in each March, but he's expected to be ready to take part in training camp, whether it's with the Niners or another team. He hasn't done any offseason workouts, but the 49ers are likely to get serious about trading him again once he resumes throwing. Although there have been whispers that second-year signal-caller Trey Lance might not be ready for the starting job, Jimmy G is still more likely to be traded than to remain with the team for the 2022 season.
New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (hip) sat out during the team's final OTAs while missing minicamp with an undisclosed injury. However, it was recently revealed the rookie sustained a "tweaked hip" this spring. Fortunately, the ailment isn't considered serious, although head coach Brian Daboll couldn't answer if the former Oregon Duck would be ready for training camp. Thibodeaux, who was selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, had 19 sacks throughout his collegiate career. While the hip injury is something for managers to monitor, it shouldn't stop anyone from taking him early in IDP fantasy formats, at least unless things take a turn in the wrong direction moving forward.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has more than enough hype as he enters his third year in the NFL. The former LSU Tiger had a spectacular sophomore season. He recovered from the season-ending knee injury that cost him the remainder of his rookie year and also led the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance. However, while the debate continues regarding who is the most promising up-and-coming signal-caller going, ESPN's Dan Orlovsky recently named Burrow the "best young-gun" in the league, age 25 or younger. Although Justin Herbert may have something to say about that, Burrow certainly has an excellent chance of being one of the most potent fantasy options in any format imaginable, especially with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Joe Mixon at his disposal.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield remains on the roster heading toward training camp. While the 27-year-old has been a desired commodity by clubs around the NFL, a deal hasn't gotten done. However, according to Josina Anderson, the Seahawks have expressed "a high-level of interest" in trading for the signal-caller and are also prepared to give him a contract extension. Seattle has remained one of the favorites to acquire Mayfield's services throughout most of the offseason. But it appears things may be moving in the right direction for all involved. Although anything can happen regarding Mayfield's future, a move to Seattle would be positive news for the former Oklahoma Sooner as well as D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Noah Fant, primarily since all three are currently in line to receive throws from either Geno Smith or Drew Lock in 2022-23.
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