The Commanders are signing RB Austin Ekeler to a two-year deal, according to multiple reports. NFL Networks' Tom Pelissero reports it's worth "up to $11.43 million." The exact terms aren't yet clear, but it looks like he'll get a larger annual average than the three-year deal Antonio Gibson agreed to with the Patriots. The new Washington staff likely views Ekeler as at least an upgrade over Gibson. And Commanders run-game coordinator Anthony Lynn is plenty familiar with the veteran RB, having served as Chargers HC through the first four years of Ekeler's career. Ekeler figures to share touches with Brian Robinson Jr., operating as the lead receiving back. We'll watch for more signals on Ekeler's expected role. For now, both Washington RBs make sense in RB3 range of best ball drafts. Check our best ball rankings to see exactly where they land.
The Raiders are signing QB Gardner Minshew to a 2-year, $25 million deal with $15 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. That contract doesn't guarantee that Minshew will be the team's 2024 starter, but it at least makes him the favorite. With QB Jimmy Garoppolo set to be released, QB Aidan O'Connell currently stands as Minshew's competition. We'll see if the Raiders add anything else significant this offseason. They currently hold the 13th overall pick of April's draft. Minshew is good enough to keep an NFL offense on track but will not be an exciting fantasy option in Vegas. He averaged 229 passing yards and 1.1 TDs in 13 full games for the Colts last season. The Minshew addition does bring some stability to the fantasy outlooks of Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Michael Mayer.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Chargers have agreed to a two-year deal with former Ravens RB Gus Edwards. There are several interesting points here: 1) The quick signing points to the Chargers specifically targeting Edwards. 2) New Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh should be fairly familiar with Edwards, who has played all his NFL seasons to date under HC John Harbaugh. 3) There's plenty of available opportunity. There's been no indication the Chargers plan to bring back Austin Ekeler (though we'll see) to what was one of the league's worst backfields in 2023. Harbaugh and new OC Greg Roman, meanwhile, bring run-heavy backgrounds. You shouldn't get excited about Edwards. But he makes plenty of sense later in best ball drafts. Just beware of him flying up the ADP board in the wake of this signing. Check our best ball rankings to see where Edwards lands.
The Giants are signing RB Devin Singletary, according to multiple reports. Singletary obviously can't completely fill the Saquon Barkley void, but he enters a backfield with lots of opportunity. And ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that New York is giving him $16.5 million over over three years, with another $3 million in incentives. That certainly points to Singletary most likely leading the 2024 backfield. Expect the Giants to add at least one more RB. But we'll be projecting Singletary to lead the group in touches. Singletary figures to remain a value in best ball drafts for at least a little longer, with a chance to remain a value. He's RB40 in Underdog Fantasy ADP right now.
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.
The Patriots are signing RB Antonio Gibson, according to multiple reports. Gibson primarily served as a receiving back for the Commanders the past two years, averaging 3.0 receptions across 31 games while sharing the backfield with Brian Robinson Jr. He arrives as a potential threat to RB Rhamondre Stevenson's upside. But Gibson's signing might sneakily be good news for the incumbent. Everyone should have expected New England to address a backfield that found Stevenson missing five games last year and Ezekiel Elliott leading the squad in carries and receptions. Gibson opened his career as Washington's lead back before steadily losing work over the past three years. We're not downgrading Stevenson for this addition. He might even turn into a sleeper for 2024 redraft and dynasty leagues, depending on how the market reacts to Gibson. As for Gibson himself, the former Commander remains a late option as a low RB3 to RB5.
The Eagles have agreed to a three-year contract with RB Saquon Barkley. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Barkley will get $37.75 million over three years, with $26 million of that fully guaranteed at signing. The pact could be worth up to $46.75 million. That money shows Philly plans to turn Barkley into the kind of lead back the franchise hasn't had for a long time. D'Andre Swfit ranked just 24th in PPR points per game at the position as Philly's top back last year. But he underperformed on TDs: five rushing scores vs. 8.2 expected, according to Pro Football Focus. Barkley should also do better than Swift's 3.06 targets per game. Philadelphia -- with QB Jalen Hurts -- isn't the optimal spot for Barkley's receiving volume. But it should present easily the best offense he's played in. No Giants offense has ranked higher than 15th in points or higher than 17th in yards since Barkley entered the league.
The Falcons have agreed to a four-year deal with QB Kirk Cousins, his agent announced Monday. That obviously gives Atlanta the best QB it has had since Matt Ryan left after the 2021 season. Cousins is coming off an Oct. 29 Achilles' tendon tear. We'll have to watch his progress through the summer. But the Falcons' commitment says they believe he'll be ready to lead the offense. Moving away from WR Justin Jefferson and TE T.J. Hockenson presents a challenge. But Cousins inherits arguably even more overall talent in Atlanta: WR Drake London, "TE" Kyle Pitts, and RB Bijan Robinson. As long as Cousins is physically ready, this will be an intriguing 2024 offense. London already landed among our fantasy football breakouts for 2024. Minnesota now has a big question to answer at QB, with Cousins and Baker Mayfield (who had been a potential free agent) off the market.
Former Seahawks TE Colby Parkinson will be signing with the Rams for three years, $22.5 million, according to NFL.com. That deal includes $15.5 million in guarantees and could void after two years if Parkinson reaches certain performance incentives. This pretty clearly positions Parkinson as the top pass-catching hope at the position for the Rams. So if you've been taking TE Davis Allen late in 2024 best ball drafts -- stop. And don't get your hopes up for Tyler Higbee's swift return from the double-ligament tear he suffered in the playoff loss to Detroit. Parkinson's interesting in the same range of best ball drafts as Allen's been going (TE28 in Underdog Fantasy ADP) -- especially if you already have QB Matthew Stafford.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Packers are expected to sign RB Josh Jacobs. It's a surprising development. Green Bay has been set to let RB AJ Dillon walk in free agency but had been talking with RB Aaron Jones to adjust his contract. This move could signal those talks have broken down and Jones will move on. That said, the Packers might also envision a potential Jacobs-Jones backfield. Either way, a healthy Jacobs should rebound vs. last year's struggles -- especially in a better offense. He sports upside into the top 12 at the position. Whether Jacobs' Underdog Fantasy ADP rises higher than its current RB14 level will likely depend on Jones' situation. Jacobs is worth a look in best ball drafts right now while the market tries to sort all that out. The Raiders, meanwhile, appear to have Zamir White in line to take over the lead job. He filled in admirably over the final four games last season and would be a fine fantasy option if he reaches the regular season in that role. There's still, of course, room for the Raiders to address their backfield in free agency and/or the draft. And it's worth remembering that White was a fourth-round pick who barely saw the field until Week 15 of his second season. Gauge your dynasty league to see if there's excitement over his opportunity and consider trading White if you can get a good return.
The Jaguars are signing WR Gabe Davis to a three-year deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That could signal the team doesn't expect to be able to re-sign WR Calvin Ridley, who reached unrestricted free agency today. Jacksonville would have trouble fitting Ridley and Davis contracts under the cap, especially with Edge Josh Allen currently on the franchise tag ($24 million in 2024 salary). It also wouldn't make much sense for the team to pay both guys plus WRs Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, both of whom remain under contract. TE Evan Engram also got a hefty extension just before last season. There's room for Davis to earn at least as much target share as he found in Buffalo. The crowded Jacksonville corps could keep him frustrating as a fantasy option, though. Davis has been a nice best ball value so far this draft season, going 62nd among WRs. We'll see whether his new contract delivers a big boost. But we'll likely keep buying Davis in best ball. Check our best ball rankings to see how his new home affects him.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston reports that the Titans are expected to sign RB Tony Pollard. That'll be a surprising move for a team that drafted RB Tyjae Spears in Round 3 last year -- and a GM who talked him up at the Combine. Pollard's coming off a disappointing season in his first turn as Dallas' lead back. But it has since been reported that he spent much of 2023 still working back from his end-of-2022 leg injury. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Tennessee is giving Pollard a three-year, $24 million deal. That obviously positions Pollard as the Titans' new lead back and crushes Spears' 2024 upside. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to hang on to the second-year runner rather than sell low in dynasty. Pollard has been going RB22 in Underdog Fantasy ADP -- four spots behind Spears in positional ADP. Expect both those numbers to change. Pollard should remain a fine best ball target at least up to RB15 range. Check our updated RB rankings to see where he and Spears settle.
The Bears have agreed to a three-year deal with RB D'Andre Swift, according to multiple reports. Chicago will pay Swift $24 million over that span, with $15.3 million of that guaranteed. That should position Swift as the backfield leader for at least the next two seasons -- assuming he stays healthy, of course. Swift opened his lone Philly season barely playing behind Kenneth Gainwell but then exploded when Gainwell missed Week 2. Swift worked as the lead back the rest of the way, averaging a career-high 41.3 carries per game but a career-low 2.4 receptions per contest. He should immediately step ahead of Bears incumbents Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson as both a runner and receiver. If the QB shift to Caleb Williams comes to fruition, then Swift would gain target upside over what Philly presented (or what Justin Fields would present). Swift has been a solid-to-good value in early best ball drafting. Expect his ADP to rise now that he has found starter money on the market. Swift's RB31 position in Underdog Fantasy to date gives him plenty of room to move up the board and still be worth targeting. Check our RB rankings to see where he lands.
The Colts have agreed to a three-year deal with WR Michael Pittman Jr. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports it'll pay $70 million ($71.5 million max), with $46 million of that guaranteed. The contract gets rid of the franchise tag, which Indy had applied to ensure the wideout didn't reach free agency. Pittman looks like a top-20 dynasty WR for the next few years. We'll see what a full season of QB Anthony Richardson means for his production. Richardson got just two full games in his rookie campaign. Check our dynasty WR rankings to see where Pittman fits in your format.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins has requested a trade, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Cincinnati used its franchise tag to keep Higgins for 2024, but Higgins is reportedly disappointed that the team hasn't made an effort to sign him to a long-term deal. We'll see how interested the Bengals are in meeting Higgins' demand. There'd be no shortage of trade interest in the 25-year-old if he becomes available. This could also result in a Higgins holdout if the Bengals choose not to trade him. We'll keep you updated on the situation, but Higgins carries elevated risk in fantasy drafts until it's resolved.
QB Russell Wilson announced late Sunday night that he'll be signing with the Steelers after his release from Denver becomes official. The vet will be signing for just $1.2 million, thanks to the Broncos being on the hook for about $39 million. That Pittsburgh number is far from guaranteed-starter money. But Wilson's quick decision on the Steelers almost certainly means they guaranteed him at least a chance to compete for the starting job. If Wilson can't beat out Kenny Pickett this summer, it'd be either the worst sign yet for his career or a huge step forward for Pickett. We'll head toward summer assuming Wilson will emerge as the starter. The landing spot, though, isn't exciting for his fantasy outlook. And Wilson's arrival -- after the way he performed the past two years -- doesn't elevate Pittsburgh's pass-catchers.
The Patriots and WR Kendrick Bourne have agreed to a new three-year deal ahead of free agency. It's a $19.5 million contract with a maximum value of $33 million, according to The Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan. Bourne is working his way back from a torn right ACL suffered this past October but should be ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. He averaged a career-best 50.8 receiving yards per game before going down last year, finishing 35th among WRs in PPR points per game. That feels like Bourne's ultimate fantasy upside this year. We'll see what else the Patriots do at WR this offseason, but Bourne is just a late-round option in early fantasy drafts.
The Buccaneers are finalizing a three-year extension with QB Baker Mayfield, according to multiple reports. The pact will reportedly pay him $100 million, with $50 million guaranteed and another $15 million available in incentives. The impact: Mayfield looks like the Tampa Bay QB for at least the next two years -- and probably the next three. He enjoyed a rebound 2023 and will continue to have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin as his top two wideouts. Mayfield delivered six top-12 fantasy finishes at the position last season and remains a nice value at his low draft cost. He should remain a solid late QB2 for 2024 redraft leagues.
The Bears have agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with S Kevin Byard, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That positions Byard to take over the starting spot vacated when the team released S Eddie Jackson in February. Byard, of course, spent the second half of 2023 in Philly after a trade from Tennessee. But the Eagles released him this offseason. Byard still finished among the top 15 fantasy DBs, his seventh straight year among the top 24. Byard should remain a solid bet to remain in that range heading into his age-31 campaign.
The Patriots are sending QB Mac Jones to the Jaguars for a sixth-round pick. That should be enough to set Jones as Trevor Lawrence's backup, given that he carries a $5 million cap number. It's also almost certainly just a one-year setup. Jacksonville must now decide this offseason on Jones' fifth-year option (for 2025) -- and that'll be an easy "no" on a year that would guarantee nearly $26 million in salary. We'll see whether Jones gets a shot to redeem himself in Jacksonville ... and where he lands in 2025. His only real dynasty value at this point is as a handcuff to Lawrence in superflex formats.
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