Tue Apr 16 9:03pm ET
Field Level Media
Veteran wide receiver and return specialist Trent Taylor has returned to the San Francisco 49ers, who have an opening after losing Ray-Ray McCloud last month to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
Taylor, 29, signed a one-year contact on Tuesday with the 49ers, who had selected him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Louisiana Tech.
After playing for San Francisco from 2017-20, Taylor spent most of 2019 on injured reserve (foot surgery), before playing for the Cincinnati Bengals (2021-22) and Chicago Bears (2023). He has 87 career receptions for 834 yards and three touchdowns in 78 games (three starts), with his best season as a rookie in 2017, when he made 43 catches for 430 yards and two scores.
Taylor didn't have a catch in 17 games with the Bears last season, but he did return 23 punts for 188 yards (8.2-yard average), with a long of 31 yards. McCloud returned 24 punts for 203 yards (8.4 average), with a long of 19, and also returned 10 kickoffs for a 22.5-yard average.
The Dallas Cowboys signed free-agent running back Royce Freeman to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, according to a source. The former third-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2018 out of Oregon spent last year with the Los Angeles Rams and had 77 carries for 319 yards and two rushing touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (zero starts) while adding a 13-yard catch on two targets. Even with Tony Pollard departing via Tennessee in free agency this offseason, it might be tough for Freeman to make a huge impact in Dallas' backfield in 2024 alongside the likes of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Malik Davis. The Cowboys could also add more competition at the position via the upcoming draft. At best, Freeman could be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex option in fantasy in 2024.
From RotoBaller
While Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (knee) has been working hard in the weight room, there's no timetable yet for his return in 2024. "I don't know that we'll go past today and this week at least that's the way I'm looking at it," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I can promise you he's working very hard early in the morning. He's here, he's attacking his rehab. That's the best way I can put it. When he's ready, he'll be ready." The 28-year-old suffered a gruesome season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of last year. While he'll be sticking around with the team in 2024, it's unclear if he'll be ready by training camp this summer or if the Browns will be forced to ease him into the fold in the opening portion of the 2024 campaign. Because of the uncertainty around how Chubb will bounce back, it will make him an extremely risky RB1 in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers signed free-agent wide receiver Trent Taylor to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday. It will be a reunion between the two sides after the Niners selected Taylor in the fifth round (177th overall) in 2017 out of Louisiana Tech. The 29-year-old pass-catcher spent the first three years of his NFL career in the Bay Area before two years with the Cincinnati Bengals. He went catchless on two targets in 17 games (zero starts) for the Chicago Bears in 2023. Taylor is most likely to pitch in on special teams for the 49ers after Ray-Ray McCloud left in free agency this offseason. In his six NFL seasons, Taylor has 87 receptions on 137 targets for 834 yards and three touchdowns, with most of the production coming in his first two seasons with the 49ers.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed just one game last season, but he dealt with multiple injuries to his lower and upper body that could have affected his play in 2023. In a media availability on Tuesday, the former No. 1 overall pick said he did not feel 100% healthy until March. "When March hit, I felt really good, like lifting and doing everything like totally normal," Lawrence said. "But until March, I'd say that's when I started to feel like 100%, do stuff that I normally do." The 24-year-old threw for 4,016 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, and the Jaguars lost a Week 18 game against the struggling Tennessee Titans that would have sent them to the playoffs. Ultimately, it was a disappointing season for Lawrence and the Jaguars alike, but a healthy Lawrence could yield better results in 2024. The team has uncertainty at the wide receiver position after the departure of Calvin Ridley, but they are likely to add weapons in the upcoming NFL Draft. Lawrence figures to have a low-end QB1 upside, though he's likely to produce mid-range QB2 numbers in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Veteran wide receiver Rashard Higgins and linebacker Christian Kirksey are signing one-day contracts with the Cleveland Browns to retire with the organization, the team announced on Tuesday. Higgins was selected by Cleveland in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and racked up 137 receptions for 1,890 yards and 12 touchdowns in 82 games from 2016 to 2021. He spent the 2022 season with the Carolina Panthers but did not log a snap. Kirkey was a 2014 third-round pick by the Browns and played for the team until 2019 before brief stints with the Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, and Buffalo Bills. Overall, he secured 779 tackles, 16.5 sacks, seven interceptions, and 34 passes defended in 114 career games.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said he is "not sure" when running back Nyheim Hines (knee) will practice with the team for the first time. The 27-year-old is rehabbing from a torn ACL that he suffered off the field last offseason as a member of the Buffalo Bills. Despite that, the Browns signed him to a one-year, $1.15 million deal after free agency began. Since being traded to the Bills in the middle of the 2022 campaign, Hines has rushed for negative three yards and caught five passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Cleveland has Nick Chubb (knee), D'Onta Foreman, and Jerome Ford on the roster. That said, it'd be surprising if Hines has a role in the offense this season, but he could be a factor in the kick return game if he can work his way back from the unfortunate injury.
From RotoBaller
The Atlanta Falcons secured quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason on a four-year, $180 million deal, setting them up to have above-average quarterback play for the first time since Matt Ryan parted ways with the organization. However, the team is not done adding to the quarterback room. "We're definitely gonna add a quarterback," Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said. "We're not going to into the season with two arms." The team has Cousins and Taylor Heinicke on the roster, but most teams carry between three and five quarterbacks in the offseason. It's unlikely that Atlanta will consider a first-round quarterback in this year's class, but they could begin to take fliers on signal-callers as soon as Round 2 begins. Cousins will turn 36 years old before the start of the 2024 season, so throwing a dart on players like Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix would make sense if they fall to the second round. On Day 3 of the draft, Spencer Rattler, Michael Pratt, and Joe Milton III are potential project options to consider. Although any quarterback Atlanta adds can be safely ignored in single-quarterback formats, they might be worth rostering in deep superflex and two-QB setups considering Cousins' age and the major Achilles injury he is coming off of.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle is having his fifth-year option exercised. Dynasty Analysis: Waddle has strung together three straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career, so this is hardly a surprise. While his 72/1,014/4 year was a bit of a disappointment in 2023, Waddle has still shown a lot of ability and could be a player who excels later in his career when Tyreek Hill moves on. While not in the elite level of receivers, Waddle still makes for a solid WR2 target in dynasty leagues and this move ensures we'll have at least two more seasons of him in Miami.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) told reporters on Tuesday that he is "throwing full speed" with no limitations on motion or velocity. The 28-year-old said he's making 40-yard and 60-yard throws while following his doctor's lead, and the plan is for him to participate in OTAs in late May or early June in some capacity. However, the former Pro Bowl quarterback and the organization are likely to be careful with him during that time and focus on getting him 100% ready for training camp. Watson was limited to just six games last year before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, and he has only played in 12 total games over the last three years. Although it's been a long time since he has delivered strong fantasy numbers, his QB21 price tag in early FFPC drafts makes him worth taking a flier on for the 2024 campaign.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb is not attending the latest series of voluntary workouts. Dynasty Analysis: This really isn't much of a story as few expected Lamb to be around until he gets a contract extension. He's entering the last year of his deal and is inevitably going to be one of the league's highest paid players after a 135/1,749/12 season. Lamb is quickly putting some heat on players like Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson to be the overall WR1. Dynasty managers shouldn't be concerned until the season draws closer.
Dynasty | The Eagles and wide receiver DeVonta Smith have agreed to a $75 million contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: Smith is now under team control through the 2028 season and Smth gets $51 million in guaranteed money as part of the deal. It's a hefty price to pay for a WR2 but Smith is clearly one of the best receivers in the game and is coming off back-to-back seasons featuring more than 1,000 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in each year. While AJ Brown gets a lot of the attention, Smith could hold more true value as our WR13.
Dynasty | Las Vegas wide receiver Davante Adams has recently indicated he wants to stay with the Raiders. Dynasty Analysis: Adams is coming off a decent 103-1,144-8 season but also one that saw his production come in peaks and valleys. As the article indicates, Adams is basically saying he'd already be gone if he wanted to be. The Jets have reportedly made some overtures but those were quickly extinguished. At this point, it would be a surprise to see Adams anywhere other than Vegas next season. However, finding a decent quarterback to keep his stats where they should be is another challenge altogether. Adams has dropped to our WR26 but is still a solid trade target for a contending team.
Dynasty | Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is not attending voluntary workouts. Dynasty Analysis: Jefferson is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is in line to possibly be the highest paid receiver of all-time. Minnesota has Jordan Addison as well but Jefferson is clearly one of the biggest difference makers in the league so it would be shocking to see him hit free agency. Regardless, Jefferson is playing it safe here and dynasty managers don't need to be too concerned at this point in the off-season. He remains our WR1 at this point in time.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit will be started off as a running back in his transition to the NFL game in 2024. Reid said it's "not an easy transition, but he seems to be wired" for the professional game due to his experience in rugby. Rees-Zammit is getting acclimated to the team by working with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and company in Texas during in-person work. "We'll start him off at the running back position, get him to feel comfortable with that going forward here," Reid said. The head coach also said Rees-Zammit will get looks from special teams coordinator Dave Toub in the return game once the team gets into offseason work. The signing of the rugby star was interesting this offseason, but Rees-Zammit will be a long shot to become fantasy relevant in 2024.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe threw cold water on the idea that the Miami Dolphins could take a quarterback in Round 1 of the upcoming NFL draft. Instead, Wolfe thinks the team will go after either an offensive or defensive lineman at pick No. 21 overall. Wolfe said he'd "be shocked" if the Dolphins took a signal-caller in the first or second round this year. In addition to their offensive and defensive-line needs, the Dolphins could also use help at tight end. Don't forget that the Dolphins have only two picks in the top 150 this year, so spending a luxury pick on a QB seems like a reach if they plan on eventually extending Tagovailoa for the long term. Although nothing is official with an extension for Tagovailoa yet, all signs point to him staying in Miami long-term, so it would make sense for the Dolphins to hone in on more protection for him early in this year's draft.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier told reporters on Tuesday that the team plans to pick up the fifth-year options for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips prior to the deadline. These moves don't come as much of a surprise, especially for Waddle, after he put up his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2023 to begin his NFL career. The 25-year-old is the first pass-catcher to do that in franchise history, and it's even more impressive doing it alongside All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill the last two years. Hill's presence limits Waddle's overall fantasy upside, but he's proven these last two seasons that there's still plenty to go around for Waddle in Miami's high-octane offense. Waddle will now be guaranteed to stick in Miami for the next two seasons.
From RotoBaller
There is "nothing imminent" on an agreement between the Miami Dolphins and free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., according to general manager Chris Grier. Beckham was in the facilities a few weeks ago to meet with the Dolphins and an offer was made, but it doesn't sound like the two sides are particularly close to getting anything done. OBJ would offer some more receiving depth for the Dolphins behind one of the best one-two receiver punches in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle if he were to sign with Miami. The 31-year-old former 12th overall pick of the New York Giants in 2014 out of LSU is clearly past his prime due to several significant lower-body injuries, but he can still splash for some big games as a deep threat. Beckham had 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 14 regular-season games (six starts) in Baltimore in 2023.
From RotoBaller
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton did not report on Monday for the start of voluntary offseason workouts as he seeks a new contract, according to a source. Sutton is going on his 10th starting quarterback in seven seasons in Denver and has only $2 million guaranteed left on his current deal. He had 10 touchdowns in 2023 while ranking 56th in the league in targets (90). The former second-round pick in 2018 out of SMU also had 59 receptions for 772 yards last year, but now that Russell Wilson is in Pittsburgh and the Broncos currently have Jarrett Stidham as their starter under center, Sutton is due for some big regression (mainly in the TD department) in 2024 if he sticks around in Denver. Even with Jerry Jeudy also gone, the 28-year-old Sutton could struggle to come close to another 1,000-yard season with more questions at QB.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions left tackle Taylor Decker (ankle, foot) said on Tuesday that he underwent surgery on his ankle and foot this offseason. The surgery was related to an injury that he's been dealing with since college. Decker said he feels great walking around now. He'll be limited this spring but should be fine for the start of the 2024 regular season this fall. Despite not being 100 percent healthy last year, the 29-year-old only missed two regular-season games for the Lions and played in all three of their playoff contests. The former 16th overall pick by Detroit in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State is one of the big reasons why the Lions' offense has soared in recent seasons as he's protected quarterback Jared Goff's blind side.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants restricted free-agent cornerback Nick McCloud signed his free-agent tender offer on Monday to officially return to the team for the 2024 season. McCloud played in all 17 regular-season games (three starts) but was injured in the regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 25-year-old finished his third year in the NFL with 28 tackles (20 solo), his first career interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He entered the NFL in 2021 with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame. In his three years in the league, McCloud has picked up 71 tackles (55 solo), 1.5 sacks, one interception, nine passes defended, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 33 games (11 starts).
From RotoBaller