Saints RB Alvin Kamara had been due for a hearing Monday in the battery case against him, but that has been pushed to Aug. 1. The decision came after lawyers for Kamara and other defendants said they needed more time to review evidence, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The delayed timeline for the case likely helps Kamara's chances of opening the regular season on time. The NFL is notoriously slow to react with discipline in criminal cases, and even this scheduled date is just for a hearing. The uncertainty with Kamara has pushed him at least well into Round 2 of early best-ball drafting, and often even into Round 3. He's a high-upside target in that range.
The Raiders and QB Derek Carr agreed to a 3-year, $121.5 million contract extension, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That makes Carr the league's 5th-highest-paid QB and keeps him in Vegas through the 2025 season. WR Davante Adams is signed through 2026. Carr has finished between QB13 and QB16 in each of the last 3 seasons and has upside beyond that in 2022.
Saints S Malcolm Jenkins has announced he's retiring after a 13-year career that took him from New Orleans to Philadelphia and back. His departure means the Saints will hit 2022 without either of the safeties who started for them last season. (Marcus Williams left for Baltimore in free agency.) New Orleans has signed S Marcus Maye to a multi-year deal and S Daniel Sorensen for 1 year. As it stands, that could be the starting duo to open 2022, with slot CB C.J. Gardner-Johnson a candidate to compete with Sorensen. We'll see whether free agency or the draft adds competition.
New Saints HC Dennis Allen said Tuesday that QB Taysom Hill will have a role shift in 2022. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Hill will focus primarily on TE this year. Hill has just 34 career receptions, with more than half of those (19) coming in 2019. He, of course, has played varied roles for the Saints in his time. If you play DFS, you might remember 2 years ago when Hill got the surprise start over Jameis Winston at QB after Drew Brees went down and carried a TE designation on FanDuel. We'll see how league-hosting sites elect to treat Hill in 2022. We wouldn't bet on him attaining regular fantasy relevance at any position, though -- barring an injury to Winston and return to starting QB. Adam Trautman should be the team's lead TE.
The Chiefs are signing WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a 3-year, $30 million deal, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The pact reportedly includes $18 million in guarantees over the first 2 years and a max value of $36 million. Compare that with the mere 1-year, $3.25 million contract WR JuJu Smith-Schuster got from K.C. earlier this offseason, and it sure seems like the Chiefs plan for the former Packer to take on a larger passing-game role. We'll see whether the Chiefs are done adding significant pieces to this group, with wideouts still on the open market plus a strong incoming rookie class at the position.
The Dolphins have agreed to a 3-year, $22.8 million deal with WR Cedrick Wilson, according to multiple reports. Wilson, who turned 26 in November, has seen his role increase each year. He garnered 61 targets in 2021, logging 4 starts thanks to Michael Gallup's injury. The new contract says he'll join Jaylen Waddle and DeVante Parker among Miami's top 3 at the position. With TE Mike Gesicki also back (franchise tag), Dolphins targets could be spread a little thin.
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Chiefs and RB Darrel Williams have failed to reach a deal ahead of free agency, despite trying to work something out. So it sounds like Williams will hit the open market. With fellow RB Jerick McKinnon also set to hit free agency, we'll see how Kansas City fills out the backfield around Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
In addition to the rumored nearing deal with WR Michael Gallup, the Cowboys also believe they can retain WR Cedrick Wilson in the wake of moving WR Amari Cooper and his contract. Like Gallup, Wilson is set to hit free agency this month. Wilson set career highs with 61 targets, 45 catches, 602 yards and 6 TDs in 2021, benefitting from Gallup losing half the season to injuries. If he does re-sign with Dallas, Wilson should be the front-runner for the #3 role -- likely settling in as the primary slot guy. Wilson spent 90% of his pass snaps in the slot last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Raiders HC Josh McDaniels said “there’s no doubt about it” when asked if QB Derek Carr will remain with Las Vegas for next season. "I really am excited about this opportunity to work together," McDaniels said. "I know what he's done. And I know what we might be able to do going forward together." McDaniels, speaking at the Combine, said that the team hasn’t yet opened extension talks with the veteran passer. Carr, 31, has often been floated as a potential trade chip in an offseason that's lacking even decent available starting QBs. He enters a contract year alongside the new HC and new GM Dave Ziegler.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic believes free agent WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling will “probably” be “too expensive” for Green Bay to re-sign. Schneidman calls MVS’s production “too sporadic” for the anticipated cost. In 2021, the 27-year-old popped for games with 22 and 21 PPR points. But he remained unreliable on a weekly basis and missed time with back and hamstring injuries. Spotrac expects Valdes-Scantling’s free agent deal to be roughly $24 million over 3 years.
The Saints are sticking with OC Pete Carmichael, according to multiple reports. The team interviewed other candidates but ultimately decided for continuity with Carmichael, who's been with the team since Sean Payton arrived in 2006. Payton, of course, has been the mastermind of New Orleans' offense, so Carmichael has questions to answer.
The Raiders are prepared to give QB Derek Carr a contract extension that would keep him with the team beyond 2022, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Carr has 1 year left on his current deal, but new HC Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler reportedly want to commit to him long term. And McDaniels was Carr's top choice for HC, according to Rapoport.
Las Vegas police arrested Saints RB Alvin Kamara on Saturday, charging him with "battery resulting in substantial bodily harm." According to a police department release, the charges arose from a fight in Las Vegas night club. The investigation is reportedly ongoing, so we'll see how the situation develops and what it might mean for Kamara's status.
The Raiders are set to hire Josh McDaniels as their new HC, ESPN Adam Schefter reports. McDaniels has spent 13 of the past 16 seasons as New England's OC under Bill Belichick. In between his 2 stints with the Pats, McDaniels spent a little less than 2 years as Denver's HC. He went 8-8 in the 1st season and then 3-9 in the 2nd before getting fired after Week 13. We'll see if McDaniels fares better in his 2nd chance at a HC job.
Chiefs RB Darrel Williams (toe) is active for today's AFC Championship game vs. the Bengals. We're expecting him to 3rd in line for touches behind RBs Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. RB Derrick Gore is a healthy scratch for Kansas City.
Chiefs RB Darrel Williams (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship vs. the Bengals. He was limited on Thursday and Friday after a full practice on Wednesday. If he suits up this weekend, he figures to be 3rd in line for touches behind RBs Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Chiefs RB Darrel Williams (toe) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. That puts him on track to return for the AFC Championship after missing last weekend's win over the Bills. We're expecting Williams to be 3rd in line for RB touches behind Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
Saints insider Nick Underhill reports that HC Sean Payton is retiring. Payton has been at the helm in New Orleans since 2006, leading the Saints to an incredible 13 top-10 finishes in total offense. He's 1 of the best offensive minds in the game, so this is a big loss for guys like RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas. We're also curious to see what the new coaching staff's plans are for Taysom Hill.
Chiefs RB Darrel Williams (toe) is inactive for tonight's Divisional Round game vs. the Bills. Kansas City will roll with RBs Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon and Derrick Gore.
Packers WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (back) is doubtful for this weekend’s game against San Francisco. MVS was a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice but missed the next 2 sessions. Current projections have Davante Adams for nearly 11 targets; Allen Lazard #2 on the team with nearly 6.
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