Thu May 2 4:51pm ET
Field Level Media
The Pittsburgh Steelers have declined to pick up the fifth-year team option for running back Najee Harris in 2025, according to multiple media reports Thursday.
Harris, 26, was projected to cost the team $6.7 million in guaranteed money. A Pro Bowl selection as a rookie in 2021, he is the first player in Steelers history to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons.
Thursday was the deadline for teams to exercise fifth-year options for first-round draft picks in 2021. As expected, Pittsburgh also declined the option for quarterback Justin Fields -- obtained in an offseason trade from the Chicago Bears -- that would have paid him a guaranteed $25 million in 2025.
The Steelers could be waiting to see how Harris plays in new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's offense while being open to working a new contract, according to an NFL Network report. His original rookie contract is worth $13 million over four years, including $2.4 million in 2024.
The 24th overall pick out of Alabama in 2021, Harris has started all 51 games he's played and rushed 834 times for 3,269 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also has 144 receptions for 866 yards and six TDs.
Last season, Harris had a career-low 255 attempts for 1,035 yards, making for a career-best 4.1 yards per carry. He played a career-low 53 percent of offensive snaps in 2023, compared to 84 percent when he made the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2021.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is present at OTAs. The veteran signal-caller wants more money, so there were rumblings he wouldn't attend. He finished last season by throwing for 3,965 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 62.6% of his passes. Stafford is due to make $31 million guaranteed this year. However, he is only guaranteed $10 million for the remaining two seasons after the 2024-25 campaign. At any rate, Stafford is predicted to be a semi-reliable fantasy option for at least a few more seasons. But his fantasy stock will fall if he doesn't report to training camp if a new deal isn't reached.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins isn't expected to attend OTAs next week. This isn't surprising, considering the wideout wants a new contract. He also requested a trade in March, although it doesn't appear that the Bengals are looking to move him. The 25-year-old had a down season in 2023-24, amassing 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns, all the lowest marks of his career. He was also limited to just 12 games due to injury. With that said, there's still a chance things will get resolved heading into training camp. If that's the case, Higgins could turn things around in 2024-25, especially if Joe Burrow (wrist) stays healthy. Yet, if both parties can't reach an agreement, he'll play on a franchise tag.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not expected to attend OTAs, which will commence on Tuesday. This isn't anything new, although the latest report indicates things seemingly haven't changed regarding Lamb's desire for a new deal. He's due to make nearly $18 million in 2024-25 on his fifth-year option. However, as expected, Lamb wants to be one of the league's highest-paid wideouts. The 25-year-old was a top contributor throughout the 2023-24 campaign, finishing with 135 receptions (181 targets) for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He's anticipated to be one of the first fantasy options taken in drafts heading into the new season. But that could change if Lamb doesn't get what he wants, especially if it means he doesn't show up for training camp in July.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVante Parker announced his retirement on Monday evening. The 31-year-old, who signed with the Eagles in March, was once one of the NFL's most promising wideouts. He spent most of his career in Miami, where he had the best season of his career in 2019 by amassing 1,202 yards and nine touchdowns off 72 receptions. Parker spent a few more years in Miami before suiting up for the Patriots over the last two seasons. However, he was nowhere near as productive as he was in 2019, so New England released him. The 31-year-old will finish his NFL career by totaling 690 catches for 5,660 yards and 27 touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will attend OTAs this week. Dynasty Analysis: It's never a good thing when we have a multitude of player updates for you in the off-season and virtually none of them revolve around football. Such has been the case with Rice, however, as he is currently facing what looks to be a potentially long suspension after a racing incident and most recently, a potential assault. Attending camp is good but he's nearly impossible to move in a dynasty league with a black cloud currently over his head. Rice will remain a hold as this whole thing unfolds over the next few weeks and months.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington is battling for a roster spot after the team brought in Brian Thomas Jr. Gabe Davis, and Devin Duvernay this offseason. Along with Christian Kirk, those three players are locks to make the final 53-man roster. Jacksonville began organized team activities on Monday, and Washington was a standout performer, according to John Shipley on the Jaguar Report. "Washington made several impressive grabs throughout the day in both individual and team drills, and he also showed off the quickness and explosiveness that makes his game stand out," Shipley wrote. "After (Christian) Kirk, he was probably the best overall performer in the receiver room on Monday." The 2023 sixth-round pick posted 16 receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign, and his special teams ability could help his chances to secure his spot on the active roster. Although he won't begin the 2024 season on the fantasy radar, he could be worth stashing in extra-deep formats.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson signed a three-year contract to join the organization this offseason, and early reviews from Patriots beat writer Brian Hines are encouraging. "Antonio Gibson's speed was evident in the no-contact setting, as well as his wide receiver background," Hines wrote for PatsPulpit.com. "Gibson should have a role for himself in this offense." It's the first day of organized team activities, and fantasy managers shouldn't be too high on the former Washington Commander yet, but he has a path to fantasy relevance as a pass-catcher behind or alongside Rhamondre Stevenson. The 25-year-old played wideout in his college career at Memphis and posted 172 receptions for 1,283 yards and seven receiving touchdowns through his first 61 NFL games. He's a solid late-round flyer in PPR leagues, as veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye could utilize him as a checkdown option often given the lack of high-end pass-catchers on the New England roster. Gibson's 13 fumbles since entering the league rank third-most since 2020, but if he can clean that part of his game up, he should be worthwhile on fantasy rosters.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was not spotted at the team's facility for the start of organized team activities on Monday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jefferson and the Vikings have reportedly been in discussions regarding a new contract for the superstar pass-catcher, and it would not be a surprise if he does not report until he inks a new deal. The 2020 first-round pick has three seasons of at least 1,400 receiving yards on his resume already, and he posted 1,074 yards in just 10 games last season. The 24-year-old holds the NFL record for the most receiving yards per game (98.3), so a hefty payday should be coming soon. Stud wideouts Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown signed deals this offseason that include an average salary of at least $30 million, and Jefferson is expected to become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history when he reaches a new agreement. 2024 will mark the first season he won't be catching any passes from Kirk Cousins, but his 192-yard performance in Week 18 with Nick Mullens at the helm proves he is quarterback-proof.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots guard Cole Strange (knee) is considered "month-to-month" with a knee injury, according to head coach Jerod Mayo. The 2022 first-round pick out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga injured his left knee in the Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve. Strange has made 27 starts in his first two seasons with the organization, and his recovery from the injury will be key as the team breaks in rookie quarterback Drake Maye. With the season set to kick off in roughly 15 weeks, there will be further updates on his status as Week 1 approaches.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. will start at left tackle in 2024 after spending his rookie season on the right side, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Johnson was selected with the No. 6 overall pick out of Ohio State in the 2023 NFL Draft and started all 17 games in his debut campaign. Veteran D.J. Humphries occupied the left tackle spot in the desert for nine seasons, but he was released this offseason. Newly acquired veteran Jonah Williams will begin the season at right tackle. Protecting quarterback Kyler Murray and carving running lanes for James Conner and Trey Benson will be key priorities in 2024 for a potential ascending offense. Johnson Jr. will play a key part in that effort, and hopefully, he'll take a Year 2 leap after allowing eight sacks in 2023.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle, knee) said he was around 60 percent healthy this time last year from his knee injury and was never fully healthy in 2023. However, he said he's at 100 percent now after resting this offseason. It's nice to hear that the 27-year-old is feeling better this offseason, but his role is a bit up in the air in 2024 after the Patriots added Ja'Lynn Polk in the second round and Javon Baker in the fourth round of this year's NFL draft. New England also signed K.J. Osborn in free agency, giving Smith-Schuster much more competition in the first year without Bill Belichick in Boston. Smith-Schuster had only 29 receptions for 260 yards and one touchdown in 11 games in his first year with the team in 2023. With Kendrick Bourne (knee) coming back from a torn ACL this year, Smith-Schuster's role is in question.
From RotoBaller
At the New England Patriots' first organized team activity practice on Monday, quarterback Jacoby Brissett took the first repetitions at the position, followed by Bailey Zappe, rookie first-rounder Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. The Patriots took Maye third overall out of North Carolina in last month's NFL draft, but Maye won't be guaranteed the starting gig from Day 1 in his first NFL season this fall. The expectation is that Brissett and Maye will compete for the job in training camp this summer and the preseason, but the Patriots aren't going to rush Maye into the starting role under new head coach Jerod Mayo right away, even though the team has been impressed with the work that Maye has put in so far in trying to learn a new offense. In the bigger picture in 2024, it would be a mild surprise if Maye doesn't at least get some playing time at some point if he opens the year as a backup to Brissett.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) will not be on the field this spring with the rest of the team, according to new head coach Jerod Mayo. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise after a torn right ACL forced Bourne to miss the final nine games of the 2023 season. The 28-year-old said that he expects to be full-go for the start of training camp this summer, though, but he's going to miss valuable time working with new quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett and rookie first-rounder Drake Maye during organized team activities. As long as Bourne doesn't suffer a setback during training camp or the preseason, he should be ready for the Week 1 season opener. Bourne had a career-high 800 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his first year with the Pats in 2021 before regressing to 434 yards and one score in 16 games (two starts) in 2022.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is in the team's building on Monday for the start of organized team activities, according to a source. Tagovailoa is slated to become the next signal-caller to receive a big payday, but the two sides remain in negotiations this offseason. Despite nothing being finalized, the former first-rounder said he was planning on attending the team's offseason workouts. The 26-year-old reportedly has not been with the team as much this offseason as he has been in previous years, but it's a good sign that he's now with the team for OTAs and remains committed to Miami. It should go a long way to both sides eventually working something out on a long-term extension. If no extension is reached, Tagovailoa would play the 2024 season on his fifth-year option. Contract issues aside, he's a rising midrange QB1 after a career year in 2023 with one of the best 1-2 punches at receiver in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will be attending and participating in all activities during organized team activities, which start on Monday, according to a source. Rice won a Super Bowl ring in his rookie season in the NFL, but the ensuing offseason has gone terribly for the 24-year-old pass-catcher. Rice is likely facing a suspension in 2024 for his involvement in a multi-car crash in Dallas in late March that caused injury after he left the scene of the accident. He's facing charges for aggravated assault, collision involving serious bodily injury and collision involving injury. We don't know exactly how long Rice will be suspended in his second NFL season, but his fantasy stock is trending down the offseason after he became quarterback Patrick Mahomes' most trusted receiving target last year not named Travis Kelce.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Free agent running back David Johnson is retiring from the NFL. Dynasty Analysis: Johnson had a monster 2016 season that featured more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and a whopping 20 touchdowns for the Cardinals but was never able to replicate that kind of production again. He spent some time with the Texans and Saints over the past few years but in the end, lasted just eight seasons in the league. Such is life in the NFL. If you still had Johnson on your roster, chances are you didn't win your league last season.
Dynasty | Steelers running back Najee Harris has apparently changed his diet in order to improve his performance. Dynasty Analysis: Well, it can't hurt. Harris is now in a contract year after having his option declined and appears motivated to perform at a higher level as he seeks a lucrative second contract in the league in Pittsburgh or elsewhere. Harris was much better towards the end of last season but Jaylen Warren continues to push for carries and it's hard to believe this won't end up in a timeshare. Harris is best served as a RB2/Flex at the moment but he does have a runway to move up in the rankings should he finally reach his potential.
Running back David Johnson officially announced his retirement on Sunday. The 32-year-old was taken in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played for three teams, suiting up for the Cardinals, Texans, and Saints. However, Johnson's most productive years were in Arizona, where he had his best season in 2016 by rushing for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns off 293 carries and adding 80 catches for 879 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, injuries didn't allow him to recapture the same magic from the 2016 season, although he still had a productive career, ending with 4,071 rushing yards, 2,805 receiving yards, and 57 total touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent RB David Johnson announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday, May 19.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints All-Pro pass-rusher Cameron Jordan thinks the offseason addition of former first-round defensive end Chase Young "is going to be great for our defense." "We already got Carl Granderson, who's stellar these last couple of years. I think with growth him being on the opposite side when he gets the right health, physically. He's going to be another piece we can add on," Jordan said. Young was traded from the Washington Commanders to the San Francisco 49ers on Halloween last year before signing a one-year deal with the Saints in free agency this offseason. The 2020 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year had neck surgery this offseason but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024 season. If the 25-year-old Young can get back to his rookie-year form, the Saints pass rush could be very dangerous this year.
From RotoBaller