Fantasy Football News
Michael Pittman Jr.'s Back Injury Is In The Past
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) said that his back injury from the 2024 season is in the past and he didn't require surgery on his back. He said he was cleared to play last month and thinks he's done the work necessary to get past the fractured back that he played through last year. In addition to shaky quarterback play and Anthony Richardson eventually being benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, Pittman battled a busted back to finish with only 69 receptions, 808 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 16 games, which were all the lowest marks of his five-year NFL career since his rookie campaign in 2020 in which he played in only 13 games. The 27-year-old might be better off from a fantasy perspective if Daniel Jones wins the quarterback competition over Anthony Richardson this offseason, but either way, fantasy managers are going to be more skeptical of Pittman as a WR2 in 2025.
3 hours ago
Steelers Appear Unlikely To Trade George Pickens
ESPN's Brooke Pryor writes that Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan shut down speculation that the team could trade wide receiver George Pickens, who is eligible for a contract extension this summer, to add a second-rounder in this week's NFL draft. "We're glad we have George and DK here," Khan said. "I think they're going to be exciting for everyone to watch." The Steelers have six picks in this week's draft, but they are without a second-rounder after using the No. 52 overall pick as part of the trade to land receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks. The 24-year-old Pickens fell short of 1,000 yards -- he had 900 yards and three touchdowns on 59 receptions -- and could be more volatile of a fantasy asset in 2025 with Metcalf now in the picture. That's especially true with Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson as the only quarterbacks currently on their roster.
4 hours ago
Steelers Believe Jaylen Warren Can Be Their RB1
Though there is good value in a deep running back class in this year's NFL draft, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he believes Jaylen Warren can be the team's top running back after the departure of 2021 first-rounder Najee Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. "I certainly feel comfortable with his ability to do so," Tomlin said of Warren. "He got hampered by injury some in 2024. He appears to be ready to answer that. I know he's really excited about his opportunity. I don't think myself or anyone within the organization question his talents in regards to managing the ability to manage potentially that role." The 26-year-old signed his one-year, $5.35 million restricted free-agent tender on Tuesday, but that doesn't mean the two sides won't work out a long-term extension. Warren's 2025 fantasy value will depend on whether the Steelers add a RB in this week's NFL draft.
4 hours ago
Jaylen Warren Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren has signed a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the organization on Tuesday. Warren signed as a restricted free agent as he enters his final year before free agency. Warren figures to be the lead back for the first time in his professional career this upcoming season. Najee Harris has departed via free agency, which opens a door for Warren to be the No. 1 back in this offense. It's possibly that the Steelers do draft a running back in the upcoming NFL Draft. Nonetheless, Warren should get the first chance to be the lead back in 2025. Last season, Warren finished with 511 rushing yards and 310 receiving yards in 15 games as the primary backup in Pittsburgh. The assumption is that his fantasy value is going to rise with a move to the lead back spot.
7 hours ago
Will Levis Unlikely To Be Traded
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is expected to stick with the organization a little bit longer. Recently, general manager Mike Borgonzi said Levis is a quarterback in their room. He continued saying Levis is still developing and learning, but he has experienced some good moments. It seems increasingly likely that the Titans are going to select Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. That means, Levis is going to be stuck as a backup going forward with Ward presumably viewed as the new franchise quarterback. It's never a bad idea to have depth, but Levis is only 25 years old and could potentially still help another organization. For now, the Titans seem interested in keeping Levis, but that might change over time.
9 hours ago
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Appears At Offseason Program
Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) has returned for the start of the offseason program. Owusu-Koramoah suffered a scary neck injury in late October when he collided with Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry. He was carted off the field and didn't see the field again after that. The fact that Owusu-Koramoah is back with the team on Tuesday is a good sign. General manager Andrew Berry said Owusu-Koramoah is progressing, but he doesn't have a timetable for his return. In 2023, Owusu-Koramoah recorded 101 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 16 games with Cleveland. He was limited to eight games last season, but is a stud when healthy.
9 hours ago
Christian McCaffrey Has No Restrictions
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) says that he has been participating in his offseason program without any restrictions. Head coach Kyle Shanahan noted that McCaffrey is healthy and doing great at the moment. The oft-injured back was only able to play in four games last season due to injuries. When healthy, McCaffrey is a stud, but he has only been healthy for two full seasons since 2020. The 28-year-old is a no-doubt RB1 when he's a full-go, so hopefully that will be the case in 2025.
9 hours ago
Brock Purdy Reports For OTA's Amid Contract Discussions
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy reported to the start of the team's offseason activities, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The 2022 seventh-round pick is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is slated to earn $5.35 million in base salary. Purdy, who has thrown for 9,518 yards, 64 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions in 40 career games, is making well below the starting quarterback market as a clear starter, and he could receive a lucrative extension this offseason. Entering 2025, Purdy will be without Deebo Samuel Sr., who was traded to the Washington Commanders. Additionally, Brandon Aiyuk (knee) could miss the start of the season after suffering a torn ACL in 2024. Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall could be his top two wideouts to begin the year, but the Niners could be aggressive in targeting a wideout in the 2025 NFL Draft.
12 hours ago
George Kittle Skips Start Of 49ers Offseason Program
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle did not report to the start of team offseason activities, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The six-time Pro Bowl selection is entering the final year of his contract and is set to earn a base salary of $14.4 million. The Iowa product put another fantastic season together in 2024, collecting 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. The 31-year-old is one of the best tight ends of his generation and has five seasons of at least 900 receiving yards on his career resume. If Kittle wants a contract extension and a raise, he has earned it. He currently ranks behind Trey McBride, Travis Kelce, and T.J. Hockenson in average salary among tight ends and is likely to take on a bigger workload after the departure of Deebo Samuel Sr.
12 hours ago
James Cook Not At Start Of Voluntary OTAs
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook did not report to the start of the organization's voluntary OTAs, according to general manager Brandon Beane. The former second-round pick out of Georgia posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024 and is seeking a contract extension worth $15 million annually. In 16 games last season, Cook posted 1,009 yards on 207 carries and caught 32 passes for 258 yards. He found the end zone 18 times. It remains to be seen if Cook is a candidate to hold out of mandatory OTAs or training camp, but for now, it's too early to have any significant takeaways. If he's the clear starter in Buffalo next season, he'll continue to have RB1 upside in an offense led by MVP quarterback Josh Allen.
13 hours ago
Kirk Cousins Reports To Voluntary OTA's
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins reported to voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. His arrival was a surprise to some Falcons staffers, but his presence in the building shows the relationship between him and the organization is still cordial. The Falcons have said they are willing to pay Cousins $27.5 million to back up second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but the veteran would prefer to be traded somewhere he can start. However, starting quarterback roles around the league are now scarce, and options will be further reduced following the 2025 NFL Draft. Cousins was benched for Penix last season after throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 14 games. It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but Atlanta could hold onto him in hopes of a fruitful trade offer at some point this offseason or during the 2025 campaign.
13 hours ago
Titans Officially Staying Put At No. 1 Overall Pick, Expected To Select Cam Ward
In a media availability on Tuesday, Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi confirmed the team will make a selection with the No. 1 overall pick rather than trading down. "We've come to a consensus," Borgonzi said. "We'll pick at No. 1 on Thursday night." Since at least the 2025 NFL combine, the belief has been that Tennessee will select Miami quarterback Cam Ward at the top of this week's draft, and Borgonzi's statement all but confirms that will be the case. After 2023 second-round pick Will Levis struggled in 2024 with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 12 games, Tennessee is poised to bring in its franchise quarterback of the future. Ward threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his lone season with the Hurricanes and finished fourth in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting behind Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Dillon Gabriel.
13 hours ago
Colts Expect Both Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones To Help Them In 2025
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will begin competing for the starting role in 2025 when their offseason program begins on Tuesday. Both Richardson and Jones are former top-10 picks that haven't lived up to their draft stock so far in their careers. Richardson has elite rushing upside, but he needs to improve as a passer and has missed 17 of a possible 34 games due to two injuries. "You don't want to begin with an end in mind," general manager Chris Ballard said. "If I'm a betting man, at some point, both of them will help us." Richardson was going through the draft process before his rookie year and was recovering from shoulder surgery last offseason, so he'll have his first normal offseason to prepare going into the 2025 campaign. He has more pure fantasy upside due to his rushing ability, but his draft stock is way down with the possibility that both Jones and Richardson are making starts.
14 hours ago
Aaron Rodgers Situation Won't Affect Steelers Draft Plan
When asked if the situation surrounding free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have any effect on what the Pittsburgh Steelers do in this week's NFL draft, head coach Mike Tomlin said, "It does not." "All options are on the table to acquire those last two [quarterbacks]," general manager Omar Khan said. The Steelers plan on taking four QBs into offseason workouts, but right now they only have Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. Pittsburgh has the No. 21 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, and it's very possible they'll select a signal-caller in that spot, especially if Colorado's Shedeur Sanders falls all the way down to them. Taking Sanders wouldn't necessarily prevent the Steelers from signing Rodgers to be their starting QB in 2025, though. While signs had been pointing to Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh a while ago, retirement also remains on the table.
15 hours ago
Falcons Have Had Trade Discussions Regarding Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons have said publicly that they aren't interested in trading quarterback Kirk Cousins but that they'd entertain offers if the right deal is on the table. According to sources, they've privately had talks with other teams and have asked for a lot in return. Specifically, the Falcons have asked any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $37.5 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins' contract. No team has been willing to do that to date, and no teams are expected to be willing to. However, what happens during this week's NFL draft could influence how much guaranteed money a team might be willing to take on from the 36-year-old veteran's contract. The Vikings or Steelers could be willing to pay down to around $10 million for Cousins. He did not look good in his first season coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and was eventually benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16 last year.
Yesterday
Seahawks Open To Trading Sam Howell
The Seattle Seahawks are open to trading quarterback Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams interested in landing the backup signal-caller, according to sources. The interest comes after Seattle reunited with former backup Drew Lock last week. Sam Darnold is the starter, but the Seahawks also have Jaren Hall as their No. 4 QB. General manager John Schneider said last week that the team is prepared to have Howell and Lock compete for the backup job behind Darnold this summer. Seattle acquired Howell in a trade last March with the Washington Commanders, giving up third- and fifth-round picks in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round picks. The 24-year-old didn't look great at all in relief of Geno Smith in December after he started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, throwing 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions.
Yesterday
Cam Jurgens, Eagles Agree On Four-Year Extension
Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a four-year, $68 million contract extension on Monday that includes $39.4 million guaranteed, according to the Eagles and his agent, Ryan Tollner. The deal ties Jurgens to the Eagles through the 2029 season. The move comes despite the fact that Jurgens had offseason back surgery in February. The 25-year-old is expected to be ready to go for training camp at the end of July. The former second-round pick (51st overall) in 2022 out of Nebraska helped the Eagles capture a Super Bowl ring in 2024 in his third year in the league and was able to start a career-high 16 regular-season games. Jurgens will hopefully continue to make the tush push a big success for the Eagles' offense in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He was a big part of Philly's success on offense last year in both the pass and run game.
Yesterday
C.J. Stroud Expects To Be "Running The Show" In New Offense
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he'll be "taking full ownership, running the show" in new offensive coordinator Nick Calley's system and appreciates how Calley is already putting trust in him. Stroud didn't look at all like a rookie in 2023 under previous offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, but he came back down to Earth a bit in 2024 in his sophomore campaign and finished as the QB17 in fantasy while throwing for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games. Protection was the biggest issue, as the former second overall pick took a whopping 52 sacks in 2024 after being sacked 38 times in 15 regular-season games as a rookie. Stroud could be more effective again with more control of the offense, particularly before the snap, leaving him as a fine midrange QB1 bounce-back target in fantasy.
Yesterday
"No Limitations" For J.J. McCarthy
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday that quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) is "full" with "no limitations" during the team's voluntary offseason program. McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear in his knee in the preseason last year that required surgery and caused him to miss his entire rookie campaign after being taken in the first round (10th overall) in 2024. But now that both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones left in free agency, the 22-year-old signal-caller will be given the starting reigns in 2025. Minnesota could revisit signing Aaron Rodgers later this offseason if they aren't happy with McCarthy's progress, but that's probably unlikely. McCarthy will have one of the best receiver duos in the league with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but fantasy managers should still expect ups and downs in his first full season as the starter. Those holding McCarthy in dynasty leagues have to be pleased with how this offseason has played out.
Yesterday
Fred Warner Could Stay Away From Offseason Program
There is some uncertainty as to whether San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner will take part in the team's offseason program (which begins on Tuesday) as he seeks a long-term contract extension, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. Warner and the 49ers have yet to have substantive contract talks this offseason, but Silver reports that he's likely to report for voluntary activities. The 28-year-old had another All-Pro season in 2024 and finished as a top-10 fantasy linebacker in IDP formats with 131 tackles (76 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), seven pass breakups and four forced fumbles in 17 starts. He was a Pro Bowler for the fourth time in his career and for the third straight season. Regardless of his contract situation, Warner should be an every-week IDP starter as long as he's healthy. He's had 100-plus total tackles in all seven of his NFL seasons.
Yesterday
Michael Pittman Jr.
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Colts
