Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

According to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Reuben Frank, Eagles RB Miles Sanders has decreased his negative rushing plays each season. After seeing 22.9% of his carries go for no gain or a loss in his rookie season, Sanders cut that rate to 20.1% in 2020 and then just 13.9% last season. That decline has coincided with Sanders' rushing average climbing from 4.6 yards per carry in his rookie year to 5.3 and then 5.5. The 4th-year back faces workload challenges but also should lead Philly's backfield in carries and total touches. He carries attractive upside outside the top 24 RBs in ADP.

Steelers beat writer Brian Batko writes that “there’s no indication” the team is interested in trading WR Diontae Johnson. Recently, rumors popped up that Pittsburgh was interested in trading the contract-year WR, but there’s no substance here. While the Steelers are considered unlikely to re-sign the 26-year-old — he’ll command a pretty penny next offseason — the team will stick with a win-now approach. HC Mike Tomlin’s never gone worse than 8-8 in a given season.

Bears WR David Moore was arrested on July 4 in Texas on drug and weapons charges. We'll see where this goes and whether Moore draws a suspension from the league, but this obviously won't help his chances of making Chicago's roster.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders spoke about what it’ll take for him to have a breakout year in 2022. “Being consistent, being more consistent,” Sanders said. “I’m going to be honest, opportunities. I’ll just say it simple like that. I need to be more consistent but I need opportunities.” Sanders went a step further to mention the passing game. “For those who don’t know, I can still catch,” he shared. “Like I said, it’s just opportunities. Just leave that there.” We’d love to catch Nick Sirianni’s reaction to these comments. In Sirianni's first year as Philly's HC, Sanders saw 15+ carries in only 4 of 12 games. Of course, he battled several ankle injuries and a broken hand. Entering a contract season, the 25-year-old enters training camp looking to establish a consistent role ahead of Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott.

Panthers beat writer Joseph Person believes WR Terrace Marshall’s stock is on the rise. Person makes the call after observing minicamp, where the 2nd-year LSU product spoke confidently following a lost 2021. “It’s just a matter of time for the world to see what I can do,” he said. “Right now I’ve just got my head down grinding, taking it day by day, waiting on my turn.” Marshall is reportedly “more comfortable with his route running and processing,” according to Person. Only 22, Marshall deserves a look late in best ball drafts. Carolina's potential to swing a trade for Baker Mayfield only improves the WR's redraft outlook.

The Falcons announced Thursday that LB Deion Jones will miss the entire offseason program after undergoing shoulder surgery. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the team does expect Jones to be ready for the start of training camp. Assuming no setbacks in his rehab process, this may not be such a big deal for the 7th-year veteran. The most significant question on Jones is whether he makes it to the regular season on Atlanta's roster.

Falcons beat writer Jeff Schultz of The Athletic calls LB Deion Jones "almost certain" to leave the team as a post-June 1 cut this year. Schultz cites cap relief in 2023 as the primary reason to make such a move, rather than keep the veteran around until next season. Trading Jones at that point would help the team's cap situation even further, but it's tough to imagine another team taking on the bloated salary for a non-edge LB. We'll see, of course, whether this actually comes to fruition. And the decision (either way) should come well before most IDP leagues are drafting for 2022. One reasonable reaction now, though, would be to move 2nd-round rookie LB Troy Andersen up your dynasty fantasy football rankings.

The Browns have agreed to a 1-year, $11 million deal with DE Jadeveon Clowney, NFL Network reports. Ian Rapoport adds that Clowney turned down multi-year deals from other teams in the range of $14-15 million per year. Clowney will reprise his role as left DE opposite Myles Garrett. Clowney has double-digit upside but has yet to reach 10 in an NFL season.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson is not participating in Pittsburgh’s offseason program. Citing Johnson’s social media posts, beat writer Mark Kaboly concludes that the WR wants a new contract. The 25-year-old is set for a contract year following a 107-catch season. Per Kaboly, the earliest an extension would likely come is September. We’ll see on that, but there’s no cause for concern unless Johnson sits out training camp.

The Vikings are “excited” to see how 2nd-year WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette develops, per beat writer Chad Graff. Note that Minnesota didn't draft a WR until Round 6 last month (MSU's Jalen Nailor). According to Graff, Smith-Marsette is “part of the reason” new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah opted against adding an impact rookie WR. As things stand now, ISM will battle Bisi Johnson for the Vikings’ WR4 job.

The Saints signed QB Andy Dalton to a 1-year deal. It contains $3 million in guaranteed money and can be worth "up to" $6 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That's backup money, which is what Dalton figures to be behind Jameis Winston in New Orleans. The signing will allow Taysom Hill to focus on TE, as HC Dennis Allen said he would earlier today.

The Broncos are signing LB Josey Jewell to a 2-year, $11 million deal (with $6 million guaranteed), according to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver. Jewell saw some fluctuation in his role over his 1st 3 years with the team before tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 2 last season and missing the rest of the year. This contract points to Jewell retaining a starting gig for at least 2022. There have been reports of QB Russell Wilson recruiting former Seahawks teammate Bobby Wagner to Denver, but we'd bet on 2nd-year LB Baron Browning occupying the other off-ball LB post for the Broncos this season. Jewell figures to present some sleeper-type upside in LB3-4 range of IDP drafts this summer.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Panthers are signing S Xavier Woods to a 3-year, $15.75 million contract. Woods spent last year starting in Minnesota after 4 years in Dallas (3 as a full-time starter). In Carolina, he'll help solidify a position that has cycled through multiple starters over HC Matt Rhule's 2 years at the helm. Woods can be a solid IDP option, but his 2021 fantasy production checked in well above any of his previous campaigns. So expect regression from last year's finish.

The Panthers and TE Ian Thomas have agreed to a 3-year, $16.5 million contract with $8 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a surprisingly hefty deal for a guy with just 54 catches and 2 TDs over the past 3 seasons. Thomas had more snaps blocking than in a pass route last year and is unlikely to be a fantasy factor in 2022.

According to Ellis L. Williams of the Charlotte Observer, the Panthers “remain high” on 2nd-year WR Terrace Marshall. Williams writes that the team views Marshall as a good “outside target, slot receiver or zone-busting in-breaking target.” We simply didn't see it in 2021. Marshall garnered only 30 season-long targets (catching 17) and was a healthy scratch 4 times. Still, only 22 in June, it’s too early to give up on the LSU product. Marshall is essentially a no-risk pick in early 2022 fantasy drafts.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hand) put in a full practice on Friday and isn't listed on the final injury report for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Bucs. It'll be his first action since breaking a bone in his left hand back in Week 16. There's a chance that the issue impacts his pass-catching ability, adding some risk to Sanders' fantasy profile. RBs Boston Scott and Jordan Howard will also be available for the Eagles.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hand) remained limited in Thursday's practice. He's expected back for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Bucs, but we'll get another update on Sanders on Friday afternoon.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (hand) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. It's an estimation since Philly only had a walkthrough, but Sanders is expected back for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Bucs. RBs Boston Scott and Jordan Howard are not listed on the injury report.

The foot injury that sidelined Panthers WR Terrace Marshall for Week 18 is a "short-term deal," HC Matt Rhule said Monday. Marshall is expected to be ready for OTAs. He can use all the practice reps he can get after a woefully disappointing rookie season.

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni said Monday that he's "hopeful" to have RBs Miles Sanders (hand) and Jordan Howard (stinger) for Sunday afternoon's Wild Card game vs. the Bucs. It's surprising that he even mentioned Howard considering he played through that stinger in Week 17 before missing Week 18 on the COVID list. We'll keep you updated on the Eagles backfield throughout the week.