The retirement of TE Darren Waller leaves obvious opportunity at the position among Giants. And there might be a surprise candidate for significant target share. ESPN's Jordan Ranaan writes that "it looked this spring like [Lawrence] Cager and fourth-round pick Theo Johnson will be asked to fill that pass-catching role." He added that HC Brian Daboll called Cager "probably one of the most improved players throughout the offseason." Not mentioned in the brief write-up: TE Daniel Bellinger.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11 of last season. Surgery followed for the former top pick. Now, according to NFL Network’s Bridget Condon, the Bengals are comfortable with his health outlook for 2024. Note that Burrow’s only one season removed from finishing top-five in passing yards, TDs, and completion rate. 2022 also turned up a QB4 fantasy finish (16 games).
ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that Jaguars TE Evan Engram "plans to become a bigger downfield threat than ever before" in 2024. The TE says he wants add explosive plays to his profile and become more of a red-zone option. Will his situation support that?
Chad Graff of The Athletic says Patriots WR Demario Douglas had an impressive spring. "Douglas was by far the Patriots’ best and most explosive playmaker in practice this spring," Graff says. "Every time he got the ball in his hands, good things seemed to happen for the offense."
Cardinals insider Bob McManaman writes that WR Greg Dortch's "role is expected to expand in 2024." McManaman projects Dortch as the team's starting slot receiver.
The Patriots have agreed to a four-year, $36 million extension with RB Rhamondre Stevenson, according to multiple sources. The pact includes $17 million in guarantees, indicating he'll play through at least two years of it. The extension also gives Stevenson the seventh-highest annual average salary among RBs, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb skipped offseason workouts ahead of what’s currently a contract year. Just note: That could change at any moment. Considering potential new deals for Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons, The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf believes Lamb is the Cowboy “most likely” to get paid before training camp. Yousuf writes that the contract “framework” is already in place following Justin Jefferson’s extension.
Chad Graff of The Athletic says Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye "is going to have to be the obvious winner" over Jacoby Brissett in their training-camp competition to take the starting job at the beginning of the season. "If the competition between them is even close, Brissett is probably under center in the opener."
Panthers Edge D.J. Wonnum missed all of spring workouts with "complications" related to his December quad surgery, according to The Athletic's Joseph Person. The report adds that Wonnum "likely will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list." Wonnum signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal with Carolina this offseason after playing his first four years in Minnesota.
Second-year LB Trenton Simpson looks like he's ready to take over the starting job vacated by Patrick Queen's free-agent departure.
The Ravens have wrapped up offseason workouts, and Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic highlighted TE Isaiah Likely as a spring standout. "Likely's work in OTAs and minicamp gave Monken even more reason to polish those multiple tight end sets," Zrebiec writes. "From making highlight-reel, one-handed catches in the middle of the field to finding openings underneath to pulling away from defenders after receptions, Likely looked like a player who will be hard to keep off the field."
The Athletic's Jon Machota highlighted Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks as one of the team's standouts in spring workouts. Cooks has shown improved chemistry with QB Dak Prescott in their second offseason together.
Panthers WR Xavier Legette missed the last three weeks of spring workouts with a hamstring injury. “We’ve gotta get him back out there,” HC Dave Canales said, “so we can work him through that.”
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel plans to diversify RB De'Von Achane's role and get him the ball in more ways this season. Smart idea. Achane averaged an NFL-record 7.8 yards per carry last year. There's seemingly still meat on the bone in the passing game, though, where Achane averaged just 7.3 yards per catch.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic highlights Jets TE Tyler Conklin as a "notable standout" in the team's offseason program. "He made highlight reel catches all spring," Rosenblatt writes. "If Rodgers can stay healthy, Conklin is in line for a big season."
The Athletic's Mark Kaboly named Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth one of the team's winners coming out of spring workouts. "Nobody performed better and more consistently for four weeks than Freiermuth," Kaboly wrote. "He had an instant connection with Russell Wilson and came across as a potential playmaker in Arthur Smith’s tight-end-heavy offense. ... Freiermuth might not have dropped a pass all month, and he’s talented enough to take a short pass and turn it into something big. Entering his fourth season, it’s the best he has looked."
Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports says Chiefs rookie TE Jared Wiley is "already getting a lot of play with the starters" in team workouts -- including red-zone opportunities. Wiley's obviously not going to challenge TE Travis Kelce's standing anytime soon. But there's room for him to compete with Noah Gray for the No. 2 spot. Gray played 52.4% of K.C.'s offensive snaps last season, thanks in part to Kelce missing two games. Gray also finished sixth on the team in targets and fourth in receptions.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins signed his franchise tag. He'll make $21.8 million on the one-year contract. Looking for a long-term deal, Higgins requested a trade multiple times this offseason and skipped last week's mandatory minicamp. But this should be the last we hear of his contract situation this year. Higgins will hit free agency next offseason.
New Commanders RB Austin Ekeler endured a forgettable 2023 season. It started with a Week 1 high-ankle sprain, one that lingered upon returning in Week 6. The now 29-year-old set career lows in yards per carry (3.5), yards after contact per attempt (2.64) and Pro Football Focus Elusive Rating (49.4). With better health, can Ekeler rebound in Washington?
Multiple Jets beat writers have WR Xavier Gipson ahead of WR Malachi Corley on the depth chart heading to training camp. Those two are battling for the slot role between boundary WRs Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams.
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