Fantasy Football News

Eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson will be in Arizona on Monday to retire as an Arizona Cardinal, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Peterson, who hasn't been a Pro Bowler since the 2018 season, will hang up his cleats after a 13-year NFL career that saw him play for the Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. The 34-year-old also was named a first-team All-Pro three times. He did not play at all in 2024 and had 42 tackles (34 solo), two interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 17 games (16 starts) for the Steelers in his final season in 2023. Arizona took Peterson with the No. 5 overall pick in 2011 out of LSU, and he was named a Pro Bowler in each of his first eight years in the league with the Cardinals. In his prime, Peterson was one of the best lock-down corners in the NFL. He finishes his career with 652 tackles (571 solo), four sacks, 36 interceptions and 122 pass breakups in 201 total games.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (shoulder) is now dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for the start of the 2025 season, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Carr is currently weighing his options, which includes possible surgery. This is big news, especially with the 2025 NFL draft right around the corner. However, even if Carr was completely healthy, it wouldn't have been much of a surprise if the Saints were considering using a draft pick on a young signal-caller this year with Carr's future with the team beyond this year uncertain. Now that he could miss the start of the 2025 campaign this fall, though, QB should be a bigger priority. Carr, 34, missed seven games with hand and oblique injuries last year and was underwhelming as a QB2 in fantasy before the injuries. If Carr is forced to miss the early portion of 2025, a rookie QB could compete with Spencer Rattler for starts under center. UPDATE: The Saints have been preparing for the upcoming draft knowing about Carr's recent shoulder issue, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

The Cleveland Browns are hosting free-agent safety Rayshawn Jenkins for a visit on Friday. Jenkins most recently played with the Seattle Seahawks this past season. He finished with 53 tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery across 13 games (nine starts) in 2024. It was a down year for Jenkins who finished with 100-plus tackles in each of the two seasons prior to him joining the Seahawks. The 31-year-old could be a quality depth or rotational player on many organizations. The addition of Jenkins could be good for the Browns secondary to have him alongside Grant Delpit.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas has reportedly been bulking up over the offseason. The former sixth-round pick has reportedly added around 15 pounds of muscle. Iosivas is now at his ideal weight which is around 215-200 pounds. He says that he is feeling better, stronger, and moving faster than before. Iosivas quietly had a solid season with the Bengals this past season. He hauled in 36 receptions for 479 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 17 games (eight starts) in 2024. The Bengals obviously have Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins above him on the depth chart, but that doesn't mean Iosivas can't be an impact player. Hopefully the added weight will Iosivas feel more like himself as a receiver this upcoming season.

The Seattle Seahawks have signed free-agent quarterback Drew Lock on Friday. The veteran quarterback is back with the organization after spending the 2023 season with Seattle. During that season, Lock threw for 543 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in four games (two starts) with the Seahawks. He spent last season with the New York Giants, but he didn't have too much success there. He finished with a 1-4 record while throwing for 1,071 passing yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight games (five starts) with the Giants. The former second-round pick has failed to establish himself as a starter in the NFL. However, Lock could be a quality backup behind Sam Darnold in Seattle this upcoming season.

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Friday that they officially re-signed linebacker Jack Cochrane after he signed his right-of-first-refusal tender. Cochrane will make $3.263 million in 2025. The 26-year-old will return to Chiefs Kingdom for his fourth season after he originally went undrafted out of South Dakota. In his three seasons with the Chiefs, he has racked up 42 tackles (29 solo) and one pass breakup in 47 games (one start). In 15 regular-season games (zero starts) last year, Cochrane had only five tackles (three solo). His most productive season came in 2023, when he had a career-high 28 tackles (21 solo) and a pass breakup in 17 regular-season games (one start). Cochrane played 296 snaps on special teams last season and only nine on defense, so we should expect him to return to a similar role with the Chiefs in 2025.

Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Patrick Paul, who the team selected in the second round of 2024, is fully expected to take over as the team's starting left tackle after Terron Armstead announced his retirement this offseason. "It's his time. He knows it," Armstead said. "Pat Paul will do his part. I promise you that. He will work his butt off." Even though the Dolphins already have their replacement for Armstead at left tackle, ESPN's Matt Miller wouldn't be surprised if Miami takes an offensive lineman with the No. 13 overall pick in this year's NFL draft. Miller thinks that LSU tackle/guard Will Campbell would be an ideal selection for the Dolphins if he falls to this spot, as his versatility would give the team plenty of options across the offensive line. If the Dolphins pass on the O-line early, they could take the first safety in this year's draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders signed quarterback Geno Smith to a two-year, $75 million contract extension this offseason, but it's extremely team-friendly, and The Athletic's Vic Tafur thinks bringing in a young QB in this year's NFL draft to learn behind Smith makes sense. Tafur also thinks the Raiders might trade backup Aidan O'Connell on draft weekend. The Raiders have a clear out with Smith after 2026, as they guaranteed only $18.5 of his $26.5 million 2026 salary, and none of the $39.5 million he's due to make in 2027. Minority owner Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie QBs sitting and learning, and the Raiders will have some interesting options later in the draft in what is considered a down year for QBs. Tafur doesn't think it makes much sense to take Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 6 overall, and a good number of QBs could be off the board by the team's second pick at No. 37 overall.

The Indianapolis Colts have re-signed tight end Mo Alie-Cox to a one-year deal on Friday. Alie-Cox is headed back to Indy for a eighth straight season. In 2024, Alie-Cox finished with 12 receptions for 147 yards and one touchdown in 17 games (13 starts) with the Colts. At this point, Alie-Cox is mainly depth as the Colts are likely to target a tight end during the upcoming NFL Draft. Regardless, it's hard to imagine Alie-Cox having fantasy value considering he hasn't posted a season with over 200 receiving yards since 2021. This appears to be a depth signing as Alie-Cox knows the system and the organization well.

The Washington Commanders have agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent quarterback Josh Johnson. The veteran signal-caller is back with the organization after playing four games with Washington during the 2018 season. Most recently, Johnson played with the Baltimore Ravens during the 2024 season as the backup to Lamar Jackson. Now, Johnson is set to serve as the third string behind Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota. The 38-year-old is mainly a veteran presence at this point in his career considering he hasn't started a game since 2021. Johnson has played with seven different organizations since being traded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008. He won't offer much value on the field, but can be a helpful mentor on the sideline.

Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre has agreed to a new deal with the organization on Friday. The two sides have agreed on a three-year, $39 million extension, including $29.1 million in guaranteed money. Pitre was set to enter his final year of his rookie deal, but the Texans decided to lock him up before he could enter free agency. Pitre recorded 147 tackles, eight passes defended, and five interceptions during his rookie year in 2022. Since then, Pitre has seen his stats take a dip, but he has still been an above average defender on the field. This isn't a blockbuster move, but a reasonable one to keep a valuable defender on the roster for a good price.

The Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent quarterback Joe Flacco on Friday. They've agreed on a one-year, $4 million contract, including incentives that could earn up to $13 million for the upcoming season. The 40-year-old threw for 1,761 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions with the Indianapolis Colts last season. Before that, Flacco went 4-1 with the Browns while throwing for 1,616 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions during the 2023 campaign. The Browns already have Kenny Pickett and the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. That being said, it's unclear where Flacco is going to fall on the depth chart once the season begins. For now, Flacco is looked upon as a veteran presence who might still have a little bit left in the tank on the football field.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) posted an Instagram video this week of him working out in Browns gear with a message for the doubters. "Everyone don't think I can get back to where I was. But I know...I'm gonna be way better than before." Watson's time as a Brown has been forgettable, with injuries and off-field issues marring his tenure with the team, and we'll have to wait longer than expected to see him again. After re-rupturing his Achilles tendon in early January, the 29-year-old is slated to miss significant time in the 2025 campaign. The Clemson product was once on an early-career superstar trajectory with the Texans. However, he's yet to recapture even an iota of his former success since holding out with Houston in 2021. Whether Watson will be a viable fantasy asset again remains to be seen, and he'll have some work to do before getting another shot on the field. It wouldn't be surprising if we didn't see him return to action in 2025.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Haason Reddick told reporters that he's entering 2025 with a new mindset and is focused on what he can bring to his new team. "I know that everybody is worried about last year, but last year is last year, right?...just ready to put the past behind me and continue to move forward, and what better place to do it than here?" The 30-year-old was unproductive last season, limited to just ten games with the New York Jets following a training camp holdout. Reddick produced a career-low 14 tackles and one sack, a stark contrast to the 54.25 tackles and 12.63 sacks per year he averaged over the prior four seasons. Amid the controversy, it's possible the Bucs got a steal in the veteran's one-year $14 million deal. The Temple product could be in store for a resurgent season with Tampa Bay as they bolster their defensive front.

The Philadelphia Eagles agreed to terms with free-agent wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. on an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Marshall will not be anywhere near the fantasy radar as he looks to provide depth at the position behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. The 24-year-old is coming off a 2024 season with the Las Vegas Raiders in which he had only three receptions on six targets for 41 yards and no touchdowns in seven games played (one start). The former second-round pick (59th overall) by the Carolina Panthers in 2021 out of LSU caught a combined 64 passes for 767 yards and just one touchdown on 110 targets in his three seasons with the Panthers from 2021-23. Marshall will be competing with the likes of Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson, among others, for a 53-man roster spot.

The Los Angeles Rams are re-signing linebacker Troy Reeder to a one-year deal, according to FOX NFL reporter Eric Williams. Reeder began his career with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Delaware in 2019 and spent three seasons with the team before one year with the Chargers and two years back with the Rams. Overall, the 30-year-old has racked up 310 tackles (180 solo), five sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, 10 pass deflections, and 13.5 run stuff in 89 career games. He appeared in just six names last year and logged 46 total tackles. Depending on what happens during the 2025 NFL Draft, Reeder will likely enter next season as the backup to Nate Landman at inside linebacker.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2025, is currently negotiating a new deal with the team, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. For what it's worth, Watt revealed an Instagram post on Wednesday of him flashing a peace sign, perhaps indicating a rocky start to the negotiations. The 30-year-old was a Pro Bowler for the seventh straight season in 2024 and had 61 tackles (40 solo), 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits and a league-leading six forced fumbles in 17 regular-season starts. He dropped down in the sack department after leading the league with 19 in 2024, but Watt still led the Steelers in sacks and remained a must-start in IDP fantasy leagues, finishing third in fantasy points as a defensive lineman. Although Watt and the Steelers might not be close to an extension right now, we'd be surprised if they don't get something done.

The New York Jets and wide receiver Allen Lazard agreed on Thursday to a revised contract for the 2025 season that will result in $8.5 million in salary cap savings, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations. Lazard was scheduled to earn $11 million in 2025, but he'll be taking an $8.5 million pay cut to stay under contract with the team this year. $1.75 million of his salary for the year is guaranteed, and he'll become a free agent in 2026. The 29-year-old pass-catcher signed a four-year, $44 million deal with the Jets as a free agent in 2023, but he ended up being a bust and had a 23-311-1 line in 14 games in his first year. Lazard improved in 2024, catching 37 of 60 targets for 530 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games, but it wasn't enough to justify his salary. He has struggled with drops and won't be guaranteed a role as the No. 2 behind Garrett Wilson in 2025 without his buddy Aaron Rodgers in town.

The Indianapolis Colts released kicker Matt Gay on Thursday, just two seasons after signing him to a big free-agent deal, according to The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov. In his time with the Colts, Gay went 64-for-78 on his field-goal attempts (11-for-22 from 50-plus yards) and made 68 of his 69 extra-point attempts in 33 games. The 31-year-old signed a four-year, $22.5 million deal with Indy before the 2023 season. Gay made 31 of his 37 field-goal tries in 16 regular-season games last year, including only three of his nine attempts from 50-plus yards. While he was pretty consistent in his time with the Colts, it appears his success rate from long range wasn't good enough to keep him around. Spencer Shrader is currently the kicker on the team's roster, but they'll likely add competition for him heading into training camp this summer.

The Carolina Panthers showed plenty of progress once quarterback Bryce Young got back on the field in his sophomore year in 2024, and he said he's ready "to continue to build and grow" in 2025. It should help that he'll have the same offensive line, same set of receivers and the same coaching staff. It's the first time the Panthers have gone into a season with the same QB, coach and general manager since 2019, and the stability will be a good thing for Young. The 23-year-old former first overall pick looked like a different signal-caller when he returned as the starter in Week 8, completing 61.8% of his pass attempts for 2,104 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also had game-tying or game-winning drives in six of the final nine games. Young will be a QB2 with upside in fantasy, but he has the ability to take the next step in Year 3.