Guest of the League
GSOFFL Est. 2010
FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

NFL Draft ratings dip after strong first round

Mon Apr 29 9:41pm ET
Field Level Media

After drawing around 12 million viewers on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network for the first round on Thursday, the NFL draft saw its worst ratings for the second and third round on Friday since 2012.

Thursday's viewership was up 6 percent from last year and was the highest it's been since 12.5 million watched in 2021. ESPN led the way this year with 5.6 million, followed by ABC (4.5 million) and NFL Network (1.6 million).

When the 2020 draft was remote during the pandemic, a record 15.3 million viewers tuned in for the first round.

Only 5.1 million tuned in on Friday, down 8 percent from last year's 5.5 million viewers.

Unlike NFL Network and ABC, which carried Day 2 of the draft in full, ESPN opted to carry Game 3 of the Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers first-round series on Friday, with ESPN2 broadcasting the draft.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

Fantasy Position SOS

Player Notes
Jalen Tolbert May 22 4:10pm ET
Jalen Tolbert

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert looks like he has added muscle this offseason, according to Nick Harris of DallasCowboys.com. The 25-year-old is expected to have a more significant role behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks this season, and his added bulk could help him take a step forward. After catching just two passes in just eight games as a third-round rookie in 2022, Tolbert caught 22 passes for 268 yards and two scores in 2023. After the team moved on from Michael Gallup this offseason, his path to the WR3 role is more clear. It's also worth noting the Cowboys will have to replace 67 targets vacated by Tony Pollard after he signed with the Tennessee Titans at the start of free agency, so there could be more targets up for grabs in the short and intermediate areas of the field for Tolbert.

From RotoBaller

Ashton Dulin May 22 4:00pm ET
Ashton Dulin

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (knee) did not practice on Wednesday as he works his way back from a torn ACL suffered in training camp last year. The 2019 undrafted free agent out of Malone University has had a limited role on offense during his five years with the organization, but he earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 for his special teams ability. Assuming he's healthy and makes the 53-man roster this year, he projects to open the season as no better than the team's No. 5 wide receiver behind Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce. For now, he's not worth fantasy consideration in any format.

From RotoBaller

Parris Campbell May 22 3:50pm ET
Parris Campbell

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell was a frequent target for quarterback Jalen Hurts during Wednesday's practice, according to Eagles reporter Brandon Lee Gowton. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith have occupied the WR1 and WR2 roles over the last two seasons and will continue to do so, but Philadelphia has lacked a legitimate No. 3 wideout during Hurts' tenure. Campbell, who has missed 39 games over his first five NFL seasons due to injury, has a chance to crack the starting lineup in three-wide sets. The former Ohio State Buckeye tallied 117 receptions for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns in four years with the Indianapolis Colts and one season with the New York Giants. Although he's been disappointing overall, he'll get a new opportunity in Philly, and his competition for the WR3 role became easier after the retirement announcement of DeVante Parker. Campbell won't begin the season on the fantasy football radar in traditional leagues, but he could be worth a late-round pick in best ball formats.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy May 22 3:30pm ET
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (hamstring) is not participating in OTAs on Wednesday after tweaking his hamstring earlier in the week. While it's concerning that the 165-pound wideout is already dealing with an aliment, it's too early in the offseason to have a takeaway from this report. The No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Texas is one of the most intriguing rookies for fantasy football this season, especially given the off-field concerns surrounding second-year wideout Rashee Rice. Worthy was an exciting prospect after posting 197 receptions for 2,755 yards, and 26 touchdowns in three collegiate seasons, and his stock grew after he set the NFL record for the fastest official 40-yard dash (4.21). Assuming he can get past his hamstring injury and stay healthy, he should have spike weeks catching passes from Patrick Mahomes in his debut season. All that said, his slight frame could mean he'll be more prone to injuries.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. May 22 3:30pm ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) left Wednesday's offseason practice early after taking a fall during team period. The 26-year-old limped off the field with trainers, but head coach Shane Steichen said he "should be fine." Pittman reportedly just bumped his knee, but organizations are going to be extra careful with their stud players at this point in the offseason. The 2020 second-round pick had an excellent 2023 campaign while playing mostly with quarterback Gardner Minshew. He caught 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. It's tough to know what to expect out of him with a healthy Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor to begin the 2024 season, and the team drafted Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell in the second round of last month's draft. Either way, he remains the No. 1 option in the passing game for the Colts, and another 1,000-yard season should be the expectation.

From RotoBaller

Keaton Mitchell May 22 3:10pm ET
Keaton Mitchell

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) is "on schedule" with his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in Week 15 of last season. However, the speedster won't take part in training camp this summer, and he's likely to miss at least a few games early in the 2024 campaign. This is no surprise given the usual timeline to return from a major knee injury. After going undrafted last year out of East Carolina, Mitchell rushed 47 times for 396 yards and two touchdowns. His sample size was small, but his 8.4 yards per carry led all running backs, and he flashed his splash-play upside. The 22-year-old should be stashed in dynasty formats, but he has a slim chance of being a significant fantasy contributor this year behind Derrick Henry. Justice Hill is slated to begin the season in the RB2 role, though fifth-round rookie Rasheen Ali could make a run at it.

From RotoBaller

Christian Kirk May 22 1:50pm ET
Christian Kirk

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (groin), who missed the final five games of last season with a groin injury, said he's feeling good and healthy this spring during organized team activities. The Jaguars receiving room lost Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones this offseason but added Gabe Davis via free agency and took Brian Thomas in the first round of the NFL draft. Especially with Ridley out of the picture in 2024, the 27-year-old Kirk is the team's most experienced pass-catcher who should be the favorite to be quarterback Trevor Lawrence's most trusted target. Before getting hurt last year, the former second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 out of Texas A&M had 57 catches (85 targets) for 787 yards and three touchdowns in 12 starts. In his first year with Jacksonville, Kirk had a career-high 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Trey Lance May 22 1:40pm ET
Trey Lance

The Dallas Cowboys are excited to work with backup quarterback Trey Lance this summer after trading for him before the 2023 season. Lance served as the No. 3 behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush last year and didn't play a single snap in his first year in Dallas. He hasn't played in a game since a preseason game on Aug. 19 of last year with the San Francisco 49ers. His last time in a regular season game came on Sept. 18 of 2022 in Week 2. Lance will enter training camp this year competing with Rush for the backup job. "We're excited to see him," executive vice president Stephen Jones said of Lance. "He's done nothing but impress around here. He's a pro, he works his ass off. No one gets to see him, because he hasn't been on the field (because) we got him late. But we're going to get to see him." Unless Prescott misses time with an injury in 2024, Lance will be off the fantasy radar.

From RotoBaller

Luke Schoonmaker May 22 1:40pm ET
Luke Schoonmaker

Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out throughout organized team activities. Schoonmaker had shoulder surgery this offseason, but his hamstring injury is what is keeping him off the field this spring. He missed all of his 2023 rookie spring with a foot injury. The Cowboys took Schoonmaker in the second round of last year's draft out of Michigan, and he caught only eight of 15 targets for 65 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in 2023 while working in a backup role behind Jake Ferguson. Schoonmaker has had trouble with injuries early in his NFL career, but as long as he's able to get back on the field for training camp this summer, he should have a chance to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. Barring an injury to Ferguson, Schoonmaker can be left to the waiver wire in most redraft fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey May 22 1:30pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey is already developing a connection with quarterback Justin Herbert at organized team activities this week. McConkey played both inside and outside on Monday, but the majority of his snaps with the first-team offense came in the slot. The 22-year-old from Georgia has a real opportunity to become a key piece of the Chargers' passing game in his rookie season with both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams moving on in the offseason. He should start in three-wide sets with second-year wideout Quentin Johnston and Joshua Palmer, and McConkey's speed and versatility could make him a reliable target for Herbert. The Bolts figure to run the ball more under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, but McConkey is in a situation to be worth taking a late-round flier on in deeper fantasy leagues this fall.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson May 22 1:20pm ET
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) threw on the first day of organized team activities on Tuesday but is scheduled for a day off on Wednesday, the only day of the week open to the media. Dorian Thompson-Robinson (hip) is still recovering from his hip injury and is also not expected to throw Wednesday. Watson threw during some individual drills on Tuesday and looked great after having offseason right-shoulder surgery. He said Dr. Neal ElAttrache wants him to be conservative during OTAs and minicamp so that he can be as healthy as possible for training camp this summer. Watson had his fractured shoulder socket and partially torn labrum fix in November. The 28-year-old said he's throwing full speed, and he should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season as long as he doesn't have any setbacks before then. Watson has QB1 appeal in fantasy, but he's also a big injury risk.

From RotoBaller

Brandon Aiyuk May 22 1:10pm ET
Brandon Aiyuk

San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings have not yet reported for the team's offseason program. Aiyuk is seeking a long-term extension that will make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league, while Jennings has yet to sign his one-year, restricted free-agent tender and is also interested in a long-term deal. Their absences this week have made receiver Deebo Samuel quarterback Brock Purdy's favorite target. Jennings will most likely show up for mandatory minicamp next month, but the 26-year-old Aiyuk could be a candidate for a holdout if the two sides can't make progress in contract talks by then. If he plays out his fifth-year option in 2024, he'll make $14.12 million. Aiyuk has now had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and put up a career-high 1,342 yards and seven scores in 16 regular-season starts in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Christian McCaffrey May 22 1:10pm ET
Christian McCaffrey

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has been absent for voluntary organized team activities this week, but head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wasn't worried bout McCaffrey given how hard he trains in the offseason. "It's like everyone else," Shanahan said. "It is voluntary, and I'm not too concerned about Christian." The 2023 NFL rushing champion was present for last year's sessions, but apparently he's taking more time to train on his own in his second offseason with the team. Fantasy managers considering taking CMC with the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy drafts this fall shouldn't be concerned at all after the do-it-all back had 272 carries for 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns while catching 67 passes for 564 yards and another seven scores in 16 regular-season starts in his first full season with the Niners.

From RotoBaller

Matt Landers May 22 9:27am ET
Matt Landers

Free-agent wide receiver Matt Landers has signed with the Cleveland Browns, the team announced on Tuesday. Landers went undrafted in the class of 2023 last year after two seasons at Georgia, one season at Toledo, and one season at Arkansas. The 24-year-old failed to make an impact at Georgia but racked up 47 receptions for 901 yards and eight touchdowns in his senior season for the Razorbacks. At 6'4", Landers has sub-4.4 speed and solid burst, but he could not stick on the Seattle Seahawks or Carolina Panthers' roster last season. He's likely a longshot to make Cleveland's roster, but the team continues to collect wide receiver flyers in hopes of finding an adequate WR2 behind Amari Cooper.

Ricky Pearsall May 22 1:30am ET
Ricky Pearsall

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall has generated significant optimism throughout the beginning of OTAs. According to David Lombardi of The Athletic, Pearsall "looked good, caught several passes, and generated some real separation" during 7-on-7 work Tuesday. A first-round pick out of the University of Florida, Pearsall primarily caught passes from No. 1 quarterback Brock Purdy on Tuesday, suggesting the rookie could at least have some sort of role on offense in 2024. Fantasy managers can take a flier on him in dynasty leagues, but he's just too hard to trust in redraft formats at the moment.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Whittington May 22 1:20am ET
Jordan Whittington

Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Jordan Whittington has quickly caught the attention of The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue, she wrote in an article on Tuesday. Rodrigue acknowledged that "it's a sample size without pads on," but she has been impressed by Whittington's play energy away from the ball despite contact being limited. The University of Texas receiver was selected in the sixth round of last month's draft, joining a very talented Rams receiving core. He won't be able to compete with the likes of Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua for a large target share, but it sounds like Whittington has still turned some heads and could be headed for a somewhat significant role in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Sauce Gardner May 21 10:30pm ET
Sauce Gardner

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh said it's a "possibility" that cornerback Sauce Gardner will travel with the opposing team's No. 1 wide receiver this year. It wouldn't be an exclusive setup, though, but it could happen more than it did last year. Gardner has quickly become of the better lock-down corners in the NFL after being taken with the fourth overall pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati. The 23-year-old was a first-team All-Pro in each of the last two years and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022. As such, opposing quarterbacks rarely chose to test him last year. He finished the 2023 campaign with 57 tackles (41 solo) and 11 passes defensed without an interception. Matching him up against more WR1s could give him more action in his third NFL season.

From RotoBaller

Tucker Kraft May 21 10:20pm ET
Tucker Kraft

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (pectoral) and offensive lineman Zach Tom (pectoral) are both dealing with pectoral injuries, and head coach Matt LaFleur said on Tuesday that both players will be out until at least the start of training camp. Neither Kraft nor Tom took part in organized team activities on Tuesday. Both Kraft and Tom were key contributors in 2023 for the Packers, with Kraft catching 31 of his 40 targets for 355 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (eight starts) in his rookie season. The 23-year-old had his arm in a sling on Tuesday and will miss valuable offseason reps heading into his second season in 2024. When Kraft returns to full health, he'll likely play second fiddle to Luke Musgrave, which makes him one to avoid in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons May 21 10:20pm ET
Micah Parsons

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons was not at organized team activities on Monday but said that he will be back for in-house and national media responsibilities next Tuesday, May 28, and for mandatory minicamp next month. This week's workouts are voluntary, and Parsons is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, so without a long-term contract extension, he's going to train on his own for now. As things stand now, it doesn't sound like the 24-year-old defensive star is contemplating a holdout this summer. Parsons has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three NFL seasons and was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2021. As long as he's healthy, Parsons is one of the most productive pass-rushers for IDP fantasy managers. He has 40.5 sacks in just three seasons with Dallas.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Farley May 21 10:10pm ET
Caleb Farley

Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley (back) was on the practice field during organized team activities on Tuesday and was moving around well. Head coach Brian Callahan said the group of trainers is working with Farley to get him in a position to help the team this fall. A back injury caused Farley to miss the entire 2023 season, but the Titans are hoping to have him available in their secondary this year. The 25-year-old former 22nd overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech has been a first-round bust so far for the Titans, as he's only played 12 games and made two starts in his first three years in the league. If he makes it to training camp this summer without any setbacks with his back, Farley figures to compete for the slot cornerback role.

From RotoBaller