Fantasy Football News

Per the team, the Las Vegas Raiders have signed third-round rookie defensive back Darien Porter to an undisclosed contract. The Iowa State alum played six seasons with the team, but put up his best numbers in 2024 -- notching 18 tackles and three interceptions in 12 games. Although Porter was a one-year starter, he possesses elite athleticism and is a savvy special-teams player, positioning him to make an immediate impact on the field. While some seasoning on the defensive side of the ball is still required, his innate physical gifts should help to mitigate some of his faults. If everything breaks right for the 6-foot-3 DB, he could settle in nicely as a second or third cornerback. For now, look for him to get his start on special teams. Porter is listed second on the team's unofficial depth chart behind defensive back Eric Stokes.

Per the team, the Baltimore Ravens have signed undrafted rookie free agent linebacker Kaimon Rucker to an undisclosed contract. The 23-year-old started 36 games over five seasons at North Carolina, but he never recorded more than 34 tackles or 8.5 sacks in a single campaign. However, he got to the quarterback six times in 2024 in only eight contests and seemed well on his way to setting a career best in the metric before a broken fibula ended his season early. Rucker has the length and athleticism to make plays off the edge, but his smaller stature makes him liable to be pushed around at the point of attack. Still, he could do well as a rotational pass-rusher on the Ravens' defensive front. The former Tar Heel will join a unit that ranked second in the league last year in total sacks (54).

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Baltimore Ravens safety Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles) will miss most of, if not all, the 2025 season after his MRI confirmed a torn Achilles tendon. Per Rapoport, the injury occurred during conditioning. It's devastating news for the 25-year-old and the Ravens' defense, as 2024 was his best season as a pro. After appearing in just eight games (one start) over his first three campaigns with the team, Washington played in all of them last season, starting ten games and boasting career-highs in tackles (62) and securing his first two interceptions. Despite being listed as a second-string defensive back, the TCU product logged nearly 65% of Baltimore's defensive snaps in 2024. Teammates Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade currently project as the players who will benefit most regarding playing time, though the team could use a mix of assets to play in his stead.

The New York Jets are releasing veteran punter Thomas Morstead, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. The 39-year-old former Pro Bowler spent the last two seasons with New York as part of his 16-year NFL career. Overall, the SMU product and 2005 fifth-round pick has played in 255 career games, booting 960 punts. He has averaged 46.8 yards per punt with 352 kicks pinned inside the 20-yard line to just 67 touchbacks. Although he is likely in the last stages of his career, he is still a starting-caliber punter and should find a new home quickly, assuming he wants to continue playing.

The Houston Texans released cornerback Gregory Junior on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The 2022 sixth-round pick out of Ouachita Baptist by the Jacksonville Jaguars did not appear in a game in 2024 after collecting 17 tackles (11 solo), one pass deflection, and one run stuff in 10 games in 2022 and 2023. He was waived by Jacksonville with an injury designation last offseason and spent time with the Colts' and Texans' practice squads a season ago. While the 25-year-old could be given another opportunity to make an active roster, his chances of becoming a real contributor in a secondary are looking slim heading into 2025.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams notched his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2024, snagging 58 passes for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games. The former No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft looked to be headed toward a "bust" label after his first two seasons in the league, but his production last year was promising, and new Lions offensive coordinator John Morton expects a "huge" season from the speedster in 2025. While Williams is likely to continue to be a boom-or-bust player in a crowded offense, he has reportedly been great in meetings and has picked up his attention to detail. The 24-year-old finished as the overall WR19 in half-PPR formats a season ago and delivered seven top-24 weekly finishes. According to ESPN, he is being selected as the WR32 in early fantasy football drafts, so he could be a tremendous value pick if Morton's forecast comes to fruition.

The Tennessee Titans are working to make rookie quarterback Cam Ward as comfortable as possible in his new NFL offense, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Head coach Brian Callahan and company are integrating passing concepts from Miami's offense last season to help expedite the transition from college to the pros for its No. 1 overall pick. "We have it all broken down and put it all in our terminology," Callahan said. "We try to teach our system the way we run it, and then we take input from Cam." The team hopes to replicate the early success of CJ Stroud in 2023 and Jayden Daniels in 2024, and Ward has made a habit of having strong first years in new systems. The Texas native transitioned from a wing-T offense in high school to an air raid scheme as a freshman at Incarnate Word. He then had two fantastic years at Washington State before becoming a Heisman contender in just one season at Miami. While Ward appears to be pro-ready, it's still most common for rookie quarterbacks to have a healthy amount of ups and downs. Additionally, the Titans' pass-catching group, led by Calvin Ridley, is one of the worst in the NFL, so fantasy football expectations for Ward should be tempered in Year 1.

Rookie wide receiver Xavier Restrepo signed with the Tennessee Titans after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, and he has reportedly had a strong start to practice. The 23-year-old was quarterback Cam Ward's No. 1 wide receiver last season at Miami and tallied 69 receptions for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. His chemistry with Ward has been evident early, and he's looked like the best rookie wide receiver on the field, but Titans insider Easton Freeze writes, "it's still an uphill climb" for Restrepo to make the team's 53-man roster. "He was a UDFA, not a 4th-round pick like Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor," Freeze wrote. "He's situated to shine this time of year, with a practice-friendly skillset and built-in chemistry with Cam Ward. And his biggest obstacle to making this team is his lack of versatility as a slot-only receiver who doesn't offer much on special teams." While Restrepo is gaining buzz as a potential undrafted steal, expectations should continue to be tempered, as he has a lot working against him.

Fourth-round rookie running back Trevor Etienne officially signed his rookie deal with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. The former Florida Gator and Georgia Bulldog is the brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. He racked up 2,081 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground and 432 yards and one score as a receiver in 34 collegiate games. Etienne will have a chance to compete for touches with veterans Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle in a backfield that could shake out to be a pure committee. He could be on the fantasy radar in deep leagues, but he will likely go undrafted in most standard-sized 12-team setups. With Jonathon Brooks (knee) out for the season, Etienne should be monitored as a rookie as a potential late-season waiver-wire add.

Free-agent cornerback Rasul Douglas is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 30-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Buffalo Bills after being traded from the Green Bay Packers. Overall, the West Virginia product and former third-round pick has spent time with seven NFL organizations, appearing in regular-season games for four. He has compiled 441 tackles (356 solo), 19 interceptions, 79 pass deflections, three defensive touchdowns, two sacks, and three forced fumbles across 120 games. If he signs in Seattle, he'll provide depth as a versatile veteran behind Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, and Riq Woolen.

While with the Pittsburgh Steelers, opposing defenses often double-teamed wide receiver George Pickens or shaded a safety to his side. Now with the Dallas Cowboys, The Athletic's Ted Nguyen and Saad Yousuf think that teams will continue to double-team CeeDee Lamb, which will mean more one-on-one coverage for Pickens. The 24-year-old was dealt for a third-round pick because of his inconsistent effort on the field in Pittsburgh, but on paper, he's the perfect complement to Lamb as one of the league's best go-ball receivers that can really stretch a defense down the field. While his effort is lacking and Lamb will draw his fair share of targets, there's no denying that Pickens will be playing with the best QB of his career in Dak Prescott in an offense that should be pass-happy. If Pickens can stay healthy, he'll have a chance for a career year in 2025.

When asked by Cincinnati Bengals beat writer Paul Dehner Jr. if he envisions any scenario where he will play in 2025 on his current deal, All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson said, "No." Although Hendrickson is present for the team's voluntary practice on Tuesday, he voiced his displeasure with the team's lack of communication with him on a potential long-term contract extension since the NFL draft in late April. The 30-year-old said that the Bengals have been pushing a short-term extension with Hendrickson after giving him permission to seek a trade back in March. It doesn't sound like Hendrickson is interested in a short-term deal, and this situation could get even messier if no progress is made closer to the start of the regular season this fall. Hendrickson has a $15.8 million base salary for 2025 after recording 17.5 sacks in each of the last two years.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson was seen arriving at the team facility prior to Tuesday's voluntary workout. However, he was not in uniform, and there was no indication that he would take the field for practice. Instead, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Hendrickson is in Cincinnati so that he can speak with the media about his ongoing contract saga. Earlier this week, Hendrickson released a statement claiming that the Bengals have not shown interest in engaging in extension talks since last month's NFL Draft. This development prompted fans and media to criticize the Bengals, who are certainly better when Hendrickson is on the field. One of the best defensive players in the NFL, Hendrickson registered 17.5 sacks last season, made the Pro Bowl, and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

The New Orleans Saints have signed undrafted free-agent quarterback Hunter Dekkers, according to Anthony Mitchell of KCAU. The 23-year-old had participated in Saints minicamp, and he now earns a roster spot in the aftermath of Derek Carr's retirement. Dekkers originally played for Iowa State, where he backed up Brock Purdy before becoming the starting quarterback after Purdy was drafted. However, in 2023, Dekkers stepped away from the Cyclones after being indicted on charges related to sports gambling. He took a year off from football before joining Iowa Western as their starting quarterback in 2024. At Iowa Western, Dekkers completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 3,806 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He's currently fourth on the Saints' depth chart behind Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener. At this moment, he's projected to open the season on New Orleans' practice squad.

The Atlanta Falcons released wide receiver Phillip Dorsett on Monday, according to the team's official website. Dorsett's roster spot will go to Caleb Johnson, who recently inked a deal with Atlanta. The veteran receiver signed a futures deal with the Falcons earlier this offseason, but now he's off the team before even participating in camp. Dorsett hasn't played an NFL snap since 2023, when he appeared in two games for Denver. As a Bronco, he commanded three targets but didn't catch a pass. Dorsett's experience and veteran leadership could land him a deal somewhere else, but he still faces an uphill battle to earn a roster spot.

The Detroit Lions announced on Monday that they signed free-agent tight end Luke Deal, wide receiver Malik Taylor and defensive lineman Raequan Williams while waiving tight end Caden Prieskorn in a corresponding move. Deal, Taylor and Williams impressed Detroit's coaching staff enough after trying out in the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend. Deal will provide depth for the Lions behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright if he makes the team after recording 17 catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns in 65 games (19 starts) over six seasons at Auburn. Taylor was on Injured Reserve all of last year with the New York Jets due to an undisclosed injury, but evidently he's healthy now. The 29-year-old entered the NFL in 2020 with the Green Bay Packers and has just nine catches on 13 targets for 93 yards and one touchdown in 28 games (one start) over three seasons.

The Tennessee Titans announced on Monday that they signed undrafted rookie free-agent wide receiver TJ Sheffield and tight end Drake Dabney after they tried out in last weekend's rookie minicamp. In corresponding moves, undrafted free-agent cornerback Virgil Lemons and safety Jerrin Thompson were waived. Sheffield recorded 172 catches for 1,714 yards and 14 total touchdowns in his collegiate career at Purdue and Connecticut. Dabney started all 13 games at TCU in 2024 after previously appearing in 40 games (24 starts) at Baylor and catching 65 passes for 873 yards and eight touchdowns. Dabney set a single-season school record for the Horned Frogs last year in his senior season for most receiving yards (552) by a tight end. Sheffield and Dabney will be competing for a 53-man roster spot in training camp this summer.

The Denver Broncos signed free-agent tight end Cole Fotheringham, wide receiver Kyrese White and inside linebacker Jordan Turner after their rookie minicamp over the weekend, according to the team. The team also signed log snapper Zach Triner, who joined the team in April but was released ahead of rookie minicamp. In corresponding moves, the Broncos waived cornerback Kendall Bohler, nose tackle Christian Dowell, linebacker K.J. Cloyd and tight end Thomas Yassmin. Rookie punter Jeremy Crenshaw was placed on the exempt/international player list and won't count against the team's 90-man roster limit. Fotheringham has one career catch with the Raiders and also spent time on Houston's practice squad in 2024. White caught 44 passes for 526 yards and three touchdowns in 12 starts in his final season at Utah State last year. They will battle for 53-man roster spots this summer.

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (neck) is one of the top free-cornerbacks in this year's class, but he's still waiting to sign with a new team after he had neck surgery in April, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Samuel visited with the New Orleans Saints on Monday. The 25-year-old defensive back has a checkup scheduled in early July, after which he'll reconvene with several interested teams. Samuel plans on returning to the field in 2025 after making just four starts with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 due to neck and shoulder injuries. The former second-rounder (47th overall) in 2021 out of Florida State has 176 tackles (148 solo), six interceptions, 37 pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 50 regular-season games (47 starts) for the Bolts since entering the league in 2021. He should definitely latch on with a new team before training camp in July.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst met last week with wide receiver Jayden Reed's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to clarify Reed's status in Green Bay after the team took receivers Matthew Golden (first round) and Savion Williams (third round) in this year's NFL draft, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Packers told Reed it will not affect his status as their top receiver, according to a source. The 25-year-old caught 55 of 75 targets for 857 yards and six touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts) while carrying the ball 20 times for 163 yards and another score on the ground in his second NFL season. Reed dislocated his shoulder in the playoff loss to the Eagles and disappointed his fantasy managers in the second half of the season, averaging 29.6 receiving yards and 3.6 targets after the Week 10 bye. He's explosive with the ball in his hands, but he's a boom/bust WR3/flex play, at best.