The Texans on Sunday signed RB Cam Akers.
Giants QB Daniel Jones (knee) is not expected to land on the PUP list to begin training camp, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones is working back from a right ACL tear suffered on November 5. He's on track to be ready for Week 1, barring a setback between now and then.
The Los Angeles Daily News reports that Vikings WR Jordan Addison was arrested Friday night on suspicion of DUI. Addison reportedly was caught sleeping at the wheel of his Rolls-Royce on a freeway near LAX.
The Vikings are expected to re-sign RB Cam Akers, according to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press. That depends, of course, on Akers passing a physical. He joined Minnesota last September but went down for the season in Week 9 with a torn left Achilles' tendon. Over his six games with the team, Akers reached 29% snap shares four times, with a high of 39% in Week 7. He worked ahead of Ty Chandler over that span but behind then-starter Alexander Mattison.
Giants HC Brian Daboll has been calling plays on offense so far this offseason, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. OC Mike Kafka handled those duties over the past two years. The team hasn't officially announced the change, but it looks like it'll be Daboll at the controls this season.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Sam Darnold will open training camp as the team's No. 1 QB. O'Connell did not commit to anything beyond that, though, saying that he plans for a "competitive" training camp.
The Athletic's Alec Lewis says fans should "be keeping their eyes on" Vikings RB Ty Chandler, coming out of the team's recent minicamp. RT Brian O'Neill called Chandler one of the most explosive players on the team. "I see us having a one-two punch at running back, almost like they have in Detroit," O'Neill said, pairing Chandler with import Aaron Jones. "I don't know if that's what's happening on the offensive side, but I know that we have two true No. 1 running backs. I'd buy stock in Ty Chandler if I could." If the starting RT doesn't know how the RBs will be deployed this season, then odds are that remains a developing situation. It's worth noting that Jones -- signed immediately after the Packers released him -- turns 30 in December, has averaged 12.1 carries per game for his career, and has only reached 13.0 in a season twice across seven years.
In recapping the Vikings' just-completed minicamp, The Athletic's Alec Lewis says QB Sam Darnold "looked calm, confident and prepared for what is likely to be another starting opportunity." Lewis also highlighted the inconsistency in rookie QB J.J. McCarthy's performance, adding that it should be expected for the first-round pick. Lewis added that Darnold took every first-team rep in the minicamp and that McCarthy didn't work with starters when the Vikings split into "starters" and "developmental" groups. Minnesota signed Darnold to a one-year, $10 million contract before the draft, with $8.75 million of that fully guaranteed. That doesn't lock in Darnold as the starter for any portion of the coming season. But it's enough money to suggest that we shouldn't be surprised if he opens the year behind center.
The Vikings are signing WR Justin Jefferson to a four-year extension, according to NFL Network. The $140 million deal includes $110 million in guarantees and will make him the highest-paid non-QB in the league.
Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson admitted recently that he has no timetable for return from last year's multi-ligament knee injury. Hockenson tore his right MCL and ACL on December 24. The MCL injury delayed the ACL surgery until January 29, pushing back Hockenson's timeline. He'll be just a little over seven months removed from surgery come Week 1.
The Vikings grabbed Edge Dallas Turner with the 17th pick of the first round. Turner brings plenty of excitement as a 21-year-old early declare who delivered a 99th-percentile speed score at 6’3, 247 pounds. He also delivered 0.86 tackles for loss per game and 0.6 sacks per game for his career at Alabama. Turner lands in a Minnesota defense that just lost Edge Danielle Hunter to the Texans in free agency. That plus Turner's Round 1 draft capital -- increased by the two trades that got the Vikes in position to draft him -- makes him likely to start early in his rookie season. Expect Turner to rank high in the rookie rankings for your IDP draft.
The Vikings selected Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. McCarthy won 27 of 28 starts over the past two seasons, but a run-heavy Michigan squad limited the raw production. He averaged only 23.4 passes per game from 2022-2023. He hit 300 yards three times over that stretch. Of course, counting stats make up a small piece of the overall evaluation. Look to the efficiency, and McCarthy thrived – particularly in 2023. He posted an elite yards per attempt (9.0) and adjusted completion rate (80.0%). Running a pro-style system under HC Jim Harbaugh, McCarthy also excelled on throws over the middle of the field. The plus athlete showed his movement skills at the NFL Combine with a 91st percentile 3-cone (6.82) and 72nd percentile shuttle (4.23). He tallied ten rushing TDs for his career. The 6’2, 215-pounder isn’t the most physically imposing QB, but his tape doesn’t give us any arm strength concerns. And he avoided missing time due to an injury. It’s also worth remembering that this Michigan offense wasn’t loaded like the ones Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. played with. Ultimately, the selection of McCarthy is a bet on traits, athleticism, and high character. He’s certainly matched with a bright offensive mind in HC Kevin O'Connell. Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson supply an excellent trio of weapons. McCarthy projects as the Week 1 starter over Sam Darnold, but it's far from a lock. The Michigan product looks no better than a low-end QB2 for redraft.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson did not report for the start of the team's offseason program on Monday. He's entering the final year of his rookie deal and is (rightfully) looking for a big contract extension. “I’ve had a lot of great dialogue with Justin throughout even the early part of this offseason and leading up,” HC Kevin O’Connell said. “My hope is we can get him around the team. Obviously such a special player, but it goes beyond that this time of year because of just the energy and flat-out way he goes to work.” We'll see where these contract negotiations go and how long Jefferson stays away from the team. We'll also see if the Vikings add a QB early in the draft later this month. Despite those issues, Jefferson still sits fourth among WRs in our current 2024 fantasy football rankings.
Giants QB Daniel Jones' goal is to be medically cleared for the start of training camp, he told the media on Monday. That'd be about nine months after tearing his right ACL on November 5. "Rehab’s going well," Jones said. "Making good progress. Coming along. I feel like things are going well." He added that he's now able to throw while doing "some QB movements," per Newsday's Tom Rock. We'll continue to keep an eye on Jones' rehab. But the knee is just one issue for a guy coming off an ugly 2023 campaign that saw him average just 5.7 yards per pass attempt while taking a sack on 15.8% of his dropbacks. Jones is no better than a QB3 in early best-ball drafts.
Giants HC Brian Daboll would not commit to QB Daniel Jones (knee) being ready for the start of the 2024 season. He's working his way back from a torn right ACL suffered in early November. Jones said in February that his goal is to be back for the start of training camp, but his progress will be worth watching closely this spring and summer. Daboll added that Jones remains the starter when healthy, despite the addition of QB Drew Lock and the Giants holding the sixth overall pick of next month's draft. "When he gets back he'll be the guy," Daboll said.
The Vikings acquired the 23rd overall pick of this year's draft -- plus pick No. 232 -- from the Texans in exchange for picks 42, 188, and a 2025 second-rounder. Minnesota now holds the 11th and 23rd overall picks in the draft. The obvious conclusion here is that the Vikings are stockpiling ammo to make a move up for a QB. They'd likely need to trade into the top three to land Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, or Drake Maye. Or they could make a smaller move up for J.J. McCarthy. Any of those guys would be good news for the short and long-term fantasy outlooks of WR Justin Jefferson, WR Jordan Addison, and TE T.J. Hockenson. QB Sam Darnold currently tops Minnesota's depth chart.
The Vikings have agreed to a deal with former Packers RB Aaron Jones, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini. This comes just a day after Jones' release and Green Bay's announced deal with RB Josh Jacobs. Minnesota finished last season with Ty Chandler leading the backfield, and he should still factor in a decent amount. Jones has averaged 12.1 carries per game for his career and reached 13.0 in just two of his seven seasons. But we're betting Jones will lead the Vikings in both carries and RB targets. He should be a top-24 RB across draft formats and carries upside into the top 12. Jones turned 29 in December but also closed out the season with five straight games of 108+ rushing yards (and 18+ carries in each of those). Chandler looks like an RB4 -- with handcuff upside behind a starter who has missed games in five of seven seasons. Check our updated RB rankings to see where the new teammates land.
The Vikings and QB Sam Darnold agreed to a one-year deal worth "up to" $10 million, NFL Network reports. That's more than "backup money" but doesn't necessarily guarantee Darnold the 2024 starting job. Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall are the other QBs currently on the roster, but Minnesota could certainly add a rookie in April's draft. It's been a popular landing spot for Michigan's J.J. McCarthy in mock drafts. Darnold attempted 46 passes for the 49ers last year, with 26 of them coming in a meaningless regular-season finale. He started 17 games for the Panthers across the 2021 and 2022 seasons, completing 59.5% of his passes at 6.7 yards per attempt -- right around his career averages. Darnold would be a significant downgrade from QB Kirk Cousins for Minnesota's pass catchers.
The Packers now plan to release RB Aaron Jones, according to multiple reports. This comes on the heels of the Josh Jacobs news, which makes the move unsurprising. Jones spent all seven of his pro seasons to date with Green Bay and remained effective when healthy in 2023. That included racking up 108+ rushing yards in each of the final five games, including both playoff outings. Expect the 29-year-old to land another gig with at least solid opportunity. And keep an eye on Jones to potentially slide in best ball ADP while he doesn't have a team.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy came in at nearly 6’3 and 219 pounds at the NFL Combine. It’s a win for the 21-year-old, who Michigan listed at 202 pounds. McCarthy averaged only 22.1 attempts per game in 2023, as former HC Jim Harbaugh leaned on an excellent defense and run game. While McCarthy wasn’t a big-time college producer, he displayed the live arm and athletic traits of a first-round talent. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah compared him to former Chief and 49er Alex Smith. Keep in mind that McCarthy is far from a finished product, so 2024 fantasy contributions are unlikely.
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