ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes Aidan O'Connell "probably has the slight edge right now" in the Raiders' QB competition against Gardner Minshew. Fowler calls it "a real battle."
SI.com's John Shipley calls LB Devin Lloyd the biggest defensive "winner" this offseason among Jaguars. "He looked like he got noticeably bigger in terms of muscle mass," Shipley writes. "Lloyd looked and sounded significantly more confident and aggressive as well, which could be the key to him having a breakout season."
ESPN's David Newton says Panthers TE Ian Thomas "has stolen the spotlight [this spring] at a position that is featured in Dave Canales' passing game." The Panthers ranked just 28th in total TE receptions last season (59), with Tommy Tremble's 23 catches leading the group -- and ranking just sixth on the team. Thomas managed only 5 receptions on 9 targets over 12 games after getting a contract extension last offseason. Thomas has 116 career receptions through six years with the Panthers. But the 49 targets and 36 catches of his rookie year remain career highs. He hasn't topped 31 targets, 21 receptions, or 197 yards in a season since.
ESPN's Marc Raimondi singled out Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud III as a "surprise" performer through the team's spring workouts. McCloud signed a two-year, $6 million deal with Atlanta in free agency and was generally expected to primarily return kicks. But McCloud reportedly also worked in with the first team at WR in spring and "performed well, catching passes from [Kirk] Cousins for big plays." McCloud will compete with Rondale Moore and sixth-round rookie Casey Washington for snaps behind lead duo Drake London and Darnell Mooney.
The retirement of TE Darren Waller leaves obvious opportunity at the position among Giants. And there might be a surprise candidate for significant target share. ESPN's Jordan Ranaan writes that "it looked this spring like [Lawrence] Cager and fourth-round pick Theo Johnson will be asked to fill that pass-catching role." He added that HC Brian Daboll called Cager "probably one of the most improved players throughout the offseason." Not mentioned in the brief write-up: TE Daniel Bellinger.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11 of last season. Surgery followed for the former top pick. Now, according to NFL Network’s Bridget Condon, the Bengals are comfortable with his health outlook for 2024. Note that Burrow’s only one season removed from finishing top-five in passing yards, TDs, and completion rate. 2022 also turned up a QB4 fantasy finish (16 games).
ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that Jaguars TE Evan Engram "plans to become a bigger downfield threat than ever before" in 2024. The TE says he wants add explosive plays to his profile and become more of a red-zone option. Will his situation support that?
Chad Graff of The Athletic says Patriots WR Demario Douglas had an impressive spring. "Douglas was by far the Patriots’ best and most explosive playmaker in practice this spring," Graff says. "Every time he got the ball in his hands, good things seemed to happen for the offense."
Cardinals insider Bob McManaman writes that WR Greg Dortch's "role is expected to expand in 2024." McManaman projects Dortch as the team's starting slot receiver.
The Patriots have agreed to a four-year, $36 million extension with RB Rhamondre Stevenson, according to multiple sources. The pact includes $17 million in guarantees, indicating he'll play through at least two years of it. The extension also gives Stevenson the seventh-highest annual average salary among RBs, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb skipped offseason workouts ahead of what’s currently a contract year. Just note: That could change at any moment. Considering potential new deals for Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons, The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf believes Lamb is the Cowboy “most likely” to get paid before training camp. Yousuf writes that the contract “framework” is already in place following Justin Jefferson’s extension.
Chad Graff of The Athletic says Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye "is going to have to be the obvious winner" over Jacoby Brissett in their training-camp competition to take the starting job at the beginning of the season. "If the competition between them is even close, Brissett is probably under center in the opener."
Panthers Edge D.J. Wonnum missed all of spring workouts with "complications" related to his December quad surgery, according to The Athletic's Joseph Person. The report adds that Wonnum "likely will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list." Wonnum signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Carolina this offseason after playing his first four years in Minnesota.
Second-year LB Trenton Simpson looks like he's ready to take over the starting job vacated by Patrick Queen's free-agent departure.
The Ravens have wrapped up offseason workouts, and Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic highlighted TE Isaiah Likely as a spring standout. "Likely's work in OTAs and minicamp gave Monken even more reason to polish those multiple tight end sets," Zrebiec writes. "From making highlight-reel, one-handed catches in the middle of the field to finding openings underneath to pulling away from defenders after receptions, Likely looked like a player who will be hard to keep off the field."
The Athletic's Jon Machota highlighted Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks as one of the team's standouts in spring workouts. Cooks has shown improved chemistry with QB Dak Prescott in their second offseason together.
Panthers WR Xavier Legette missed the last three weeks of spring workouts with a hamstring injury. “We’ve gotta get him back out there,” HC Dave Canales said, “so we can work him through that.”
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel plans to diversify RB De'Von Achane's role and get him the ball in more ways this season. Smart idea. Achane averaged an NFL-record 7.8 yards per carry last year. There's seemingly still meat on the bone in the passing game, though, where Achane averaged just 7.3 yards per catch.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic highlights Jets TE Tyler Conklin as a "notable standout" in the team's offseason program. "He made highlight reel catches all spring," Rosenblatt writes. "If Rodgers can stay healthy, Conklin is in line for a big season."
The Athletic's Mark Kaboly named Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth one of the team's winners coming out of spring workouts. "Nobody performed better and more consistently for four weeks than Freiermuth," Kaboly wrote. "He had an instant connection with Russell Wilson and came across as a potential playmaker in Arthur Smith’s tight-end-heavy offense. ... Freiermuth might not have dropped a pass all month, and he’s talented enough to take a short pass and turn it into something big. Entering his fourth season, it’s the best he has looked."
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