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Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb absent as voluntary workouts open

Mon Apr 15 12:03pm ET
Field Level Media

Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was absent at the start of voluntary workouts Monday as his contract situation in Dallas threatens to become a dramatic offseason subplot.

Lamb enters the final year of his contract, a fifth-year option worth a guaranteed $17.199 million, after being named first-team All-Pro in 2023.

Lamb broke Michael Irvin's single-season franchise marks with an NFL-high 135 catches and 1,749 yards, adding a career-high 12 touchdown catches in 17 starts in 2023.

Dallas faces difficult footing in contract talks with multiple key players from a group that includes Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott and pass rusher Micah Parsons.

Prescott is in the final year of a four-year, $160 million contract, and Parsons has one year left on his rookie contract but will be on the fifth-year team option in 2025.

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Player Notes
J.J. McCarthy Apr 29 4:20pm ET
J.J. McCarthy

The Minnesota Vikings have exercised the fifth-year option on standout offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The No. 23 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft has earned a Pro Football Focus grade of at least 82.4 over the last two seasons and is widely viewed as at least an above-average player at the position. With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy slated to take over the franchise at some point in the 2024 season, locking up key offensive linemen should be a priority. With this move, Darrisaw will be under contract with the Vikings through the 2025 campaign.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Waddle Apr 29 4:20pm ET
Jaylen Waddle

The Miami Dolphins have picked up the fifth-year option on star wideout and former No. 6 overall pick Jaylen Waddle, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. This is a no-brainer for the organization after he racked up 251 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns during the first three seasons of his career. Even with Tyreek Hill in town, Waddle has remained a 1000-yard receiver and is one of the best No. 2 options in any passing game around the NFL. Although Waddle set career lows in receptions, yards, and touchdowns last year, he should be primed for a bounce-back campaign if he can stay healthy. He missed three contests in 2023. He's now under contract through the 2025 NFL season.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Powell Apr 29 3:00pm ET
Brandon Powell

Following this year's NFL draft in which the Minnesota Vikings didn't take a single receiver, Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor and Trent Sherfield are all candidates to fill the No. 3 receiver role heading into the 2024 season. All-Pro Justin Jefferson is the team's unquestioned No. 1, with second-year man Jordan Addison settling in as the No. 2 after a strong rookie campaign in 2023. K.J. Osborn left for the New England Patriots in free agency this offseason. Tight end T.J. Hockenson is coming off a torn ACL, so Powell could see more looks early on in 2024 if he actually wins the No. 3 job in training camp this summer. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Florida set career-highs in catches (29) and receiving yards (324) with one touchdown in 17 games (two starts) in his first year in Minnesota in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Trey Sermon Apr 29 2:40pm ET
Trey Sermon

Since the Indianapolis Colts didn't address the departure of Zack Moss by taking a running back in this year's NFL draft, the team seems content with Trey Sermon, Evan Hull and Tyler Goodson fighting it out for the backup running back job behind starter Jonathan Taylor in training camp this summer. Of course, the Colts could also add a free agent at the position like Kareem Hunt, but as of right now, Sermon could be poised to be the team's No. 2. Seventeen of Sermon's 35 carries for the Colts last year came in Week 15. In total, the former third-rounder of the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 out of Ohio State had 160 rushing yards and no touchdowns while adding three catches for 13 yards. If Taylor misses time due to an injury again in 2024, the Colts will likely use a committee approach in the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Apr 29 2:40pm ET
Travis Kelce

The Kansas City Chiefs and All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce agreed to terms on Monday on an undisclosed two-year contract extension to make him the league's highest-paid tight end, according to sources. The deal was completed by his long-time agent, Mike Simon. Still one of the best tight ends in football at age 34, the former third-round pick in 2013 out of Cincinnati has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last nine seasons and finished the 2023 regular season with 93 catches (121 targets) for 984 yards and five touchdowns in 15 starts. The four-time All-Pro selection is still a high-end TE1 for fantasy purposes coming off back-to-back Super Bowl championships, but he's also much more of an injury risk than he's ever been.

From RotoBaller

Adonai Mitchell Apr 29 2:30pm ET
Adonai Mitchell

After the addition of rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round of this year's NFL draft, Indianapolis Colts wideout Alec Pierce will compete with Mitchell on the outside for the No. 3 role this season. Michael Pittman Jr, who signed a three-year, $70 million contract extension this offseason, will continue to see the lion's share of the targets, with Josh Downs manning the slot as the No. 2 option. The 23-year-old Pierce only had 32 catches for 514 yards and two touchdowns last year and will now be battling a much more dynamic pass-catcher for a role in the Colts' offense in 2024. Not only is Mitchell a superior athlete, but his production (55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023) speaks for itself.

From RotoBaller

Tom Brady Apr 29 2:20pm ET
Tom Brady

Standout defensive tackle Christian Barmore and the New England Patriots reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension with a maximum value of $92 million on Monday. The deal was negotiated and confirmed by agent Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports. The deal contains $41.8 million in guarantees in the largest deal that the Patriots have given out since Tom Brady. The 24-year-old former second-rounder in 2021 out of Alabama earned the big extension by recording 133 tackles (74 solo), 12.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, nine passes defended and one forced fumble in 44 games (11 starts) in his first three years in the NFL. He had a career-high 8.5 sacks in 17 games (six starts) last year and will stick around in New England as a key piece on the interior of their defensive line for years to come.

From RotoBaller

Jarvis Landry Apr 29 2:10pm ET
Jarvis Landry

Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry is expected to take part in the Jacksonville Jaguars' upcoming rookie camp, according to his agents. Landry sat out of the 2023 season and is fully healthy and ready to return at age 31 in 2024. The Jaguars added rookie Brian Thomas in the first round of this year's NFL draft and also signed Gabe Davis in free agency to help them account for the loss of Calvin Ridley. Jacksonville also has Christian Kirk returning from injury and Zay Jones, so even if Landry were to sign with the team, he'd be fighting an uphill battle for significant playing time in 2024. In nine games with the New Orleans Saints in 2022, Landry caught 25 of his 39 targets for 272 yards and one touchdown. If anything, he'd serve as receiver depth in the slot for Jacksonville.

From RotoBaller

Deuce Vaughn Apr 29 1:13pm ET
Deuce Vaughn

Dynasty | The Cowboys have signed running back Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year deal. Dynasty Analysis: Elliott spent his first seven seasons with the Cowboys before a rather unimpressive 2023 campaign with New England. He'll likely compete with Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman to form some kind of committee that could be effective in reality but a mess in fantasy. Elliott simply isn't the same player he once was and while this move makes him roster-worthy again, expectations should be realistic.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Ezekiel Elliott Apr 29 10:30am ET
Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back former Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. This has been a developing story in recent weeks, and after Dallas did not pick a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, their former first-round pick is back with America's Team. In seven seasons with Dallas, Elliott rushed 1,881 times for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns. The team let him walk last offseason and elevated Tony Pollard to the RB1 role, but Pollard was underwhelming and left for the Tennessee Titans during free agency this year. Although Zeke averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry last season, he could have RB2 value back in Dallas in one of the best offenses in the NFL. Assuming the Cowboys don't add more legitimate competition to the backfield, he should start, and Rico Dowdle should be viewed as a high-end fantasy handcuff in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Frank Gore Jr. Apr 29 10:00am ET
Frank Gore Jr.

Dynasty | The Buffalo Bills have signed UDFA running back Frank Gore Jr. Dynasty Analysis: Gore fell out of the 2024 NFL Draft but landed on his feet with the Buffalo Bills quickly after. He'll likely compete with Ty Johnson, Darrynton Evans and a few other runners for a spot behind James Cook and presumptive RB2 Ray Davis. Still, the draft capitlal just isn't there to keep him as anything more than a watch list candidate at the moment.

Devontez Walker Apr 29 9:59am ET
Devontez Walker

Dynasty | Adding speed on the perimeter with the addition of WR Tez Walker should soften coverage for Flowers. Dynasty Analysis: On paper, Rashod Bateman is the winner of the Baltimore Ravens' draft as they still haven't searched for his replacement. But the bigger development is the field-stretching abilities of fourth round pick Tez Walker, which would give everyone in the offense some additional breathing room. Top wide receiver Zay Flowers gets the largest increase in high quality targets, which could elevate him from his WR21 DLF ranking into the high end WR2 range... if all goes to plan.

Jarvis Landry Apr 29 9:23am ET
Jarvis Landry

Free-agent WR Jarvis Landry (Browns) is expected to work out at the Jacksonville Jaguars' rookie camp.

From TheHuddle

Ezekiel Elliott Apr 29 8:23am ET
Ezekiel Elliott

Free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott (Patriots) agreed to a undisclosed deal with the Dallas Cowboys Monday, April 29.

Fantasy Spin: Zeke figures to get short-yardage and goal line work, pegging him as an RB3 in fantasy.

From TheHuddle

Johnny Wilson Apr 29 1:13am ET
Johnny Wilson

Dynasty | Johnny Wilson was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles Dynasty Analysis: Wilson fell all the way down to the sixth round before being taken by the Eagles as the 27th receiver overall. It was a pretty disappointing result for Wilson, whose NFL Draft Combine performance proved to be disastrous. It's hard to say what his future will be but a move to tight end may be best for his career. Regardless, Wilson looks like a late-round dart throw who at least landed on a team known for being creative with players.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Brenden Rice Apr 29 1:13am ET
Brenden Rice

Dynasty | The Los Angeles Chargers drafted USC wide receiver Brenden Rice in the 7th round of the 2024 NFL Draft Dynasty Analysis: Rice dropped all the way down to the seventh round before being taken by the Los Angeles Chargers. It was a tough turn of events as he'll have an uphill climb for a roster spot. He's easy to root for as the son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice but it's hard to see him making an impact in the NFL any time soon. Rice is a watch list candidate or late round dart throw in rookie drafts at the moment.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dillon Johnson Apr 29 1:13am ET
Dillon Johnson

Dynasty | The Tennessee Titans signed undrafted Washington running back Dillon Johnson. Dynasty Analysis: The questions regarding Johnson's speed and athletic profile proved to be too significant for him to be drafted. Instead, he signed a free agent deal with the Tennessee Titans and will attempt the make the roster as a UDFA. Johnson likely chose a solid spot to attempt just that as the Titans aren't exactly stacked at running back. Still, the fact he dropped all the way out of the draft leaves him as a player to simply keep on watch lists.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Jaheim Bell Apr 29 1:13am ET
Jaheim Bell

Dynasty | The New England Patriots drafted Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Bell was drafted by the Patriots all the way down in the seventh round. He was likely knocked by most scouts because of his size, so he'll need to prove he has the physicality to make it. Unfortunately, the odds are long for Bell as a late round pick so he'll need to make a splash quickly. Keep an eye on him this off-season.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Michael Pratt Apr 29 1:13am ET
Michael Pratt

Dynasty | The Green Bay Packers drafted Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt. Dynasty Analysis: Pratt was a hot name going into the draft but fell all the way down to final round before being taken by the Packers. WIth Jordan Love established as the starter, Pratt could challenge for the backup spot eventually. However, the drop in the 2024 NFL Draft leaves him as a little more than a late round flier or player to watch this Spring and Summer.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Tank Dell Apr 29 1:13am ET
Tank Dell

Dynasty | Texans wide receiver Tank Dell was treated and released with a minor gunshot wound Sunday. Dynasty Analysis: Dynasty managers likely lost their minds when they saw headlines today that said, "Tank Dell has been shot." In the end, Dell was one of up to ten people who were wounded after gunshots were fired at a social gathering. It's a scary situation but one that looks to be free of anything worse. Dell is on his way back from a nasty leg injury from last year and remains a high upside player - this certainly won't change that.

From Dynasty League Fantasy