Fantasy Football News & Latest NFL Updates | Shark Bites

The Colts are using their franchise tag on WR Michael Pittman. The two sides have been working on a long-term deal and have until July 15 to get something done. If they don't, Pittman will play the 2024 season on a one-year, $21.8 million deal. The 26-year-old has scored as a top-20 PPR WR in each of the last three seasons, including a career-best WR14 finish last year. He's holding steady at 16th in our dynasty WR rankings.

The Panthers released TE Hayden Hurst, according to The Athletic's Joe Person. Hurst caught 18 balls over the first nine games of last season and then missed the final eight with a concussion that led to post-traumatic amnesia. Hurst has said that he wants to continue his football career, but he's not a good bet to be a fantasy asset in 2024 or beyond. We'll see where he lands next.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that TE Dalton Schultz has agreed to a three-year $36 million deal with the Texans, including $23.5 million "fully guaranteed at signing." That appears to lock Schultz in with the Texans for at least the next two years -- obviously good news for a TE who will turn 28 in July. Schultz isn't an exciting athlete even relative to his position and has yet to reach 11 yards per catch in an NFL season. But he has caught at least 57 passes in four straight years, averaging 3.8 or more per game in each. Schultz's 10.8 yards per reception last year marked a career high. And being tied to QB C.J. Stroud for the next 2-3 years is obviously a good thing. His re-signing means you can forget about any 2024 dreams you might have had for TE Brevin Jordan, who remains under contract with the Texans for one more year. Schultz has finished four consecutive campaigns among the top 10 TEs in total PPR points. He sits 15th among TEs in ADP for both Underdog Fantasy and FFPC drafting right now. That makes it a good time to get some Schultz on best ball rosters -- at least until/unless his ADP climbs.

The Giants will not use the franchise tag on RB Saquon Barkley, allowing him to hit the free-agent market later this month, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Barkley is coming off a RB9 finish in PPR points per game, compiling 1,242 total yards and 10 TDs across 14 games. He averaged just 3.9 yards per carry but ranked a solid 13th among 49 qualifying RBs in NFL Next Gen Stats' Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt. The 27-year-old might no longer be an elite RB, but he's still a good bet to capture a big workload wherever he lands next.

The Panthers have applied the franchise tag to Edge Brian Burns. That's no shock. Carolina reportedly declined sizable trade offers in the past for Burns, who will be just 26 for the 2024 season. Any team that believes the young pass rusher is worth two first-round picks could still sign him to an offer sheet in free agency. And the Panthers could still swap Burns to recoup some picks from last year's Bryce Young trade. But for now, we'll assume Burns sticks in Carolina and remains a solid-to-good IDP option.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio writes that he has "very credible indications" that QB Kirk Cousins is "seriously considering" a move to Atlanta to sign with the Falcons. Cousins' wife grew up near Atlanta, and the Falcons "have always been the top alternative to the Vikings for Cousins," per Florio. Cousins would be a nice fit playing indoors in new OC Zac Robinson's offense with WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, and RB Bijan Robinson. Likewise, a move for Cousins would be excellent news for the fantasy value of Atlanta's key weapons. We should know who Cousins will be playing for in 2024 within the next couple of weeks.

As expected, the Broncos are releasing QB Russell Wilson. The team will endure large cap hits this year and next but avoid having to pay Wilson in 2025. He remained decent last year, rebounding vs. 2022 in most stat categories. But it clearly wasn't good enough for the Broncos, who turned to Jarrett Stidham to start the final two games. We'd bet on the 35-year-old Wilson landing another starting gig -- or at least a chance to compete for a starting gig. Denver, meanwhile, has to find a new answer. Stidham has never looked like a long-term NFL starter. The Broncos pick 12th in the upcoming NFL Draft, which might prove too late for any of the top four QBs. We wouldn't be surprised to see Denver try to move up. The values of WR Courtland Sutton, WR Jerry Jeudy, WR Marvin Mims, TE Greg Dulcich, and others will depend heavily on that QB decision.

Ohio State TE Cade Stover measured in at nearly 6'4 and 247 pounds at the NFL Combine. He displayed enough speed with a 4.65 forty – plus a 1.59 10-yard split. A former DL/LB, Stover transitioned to TE in 2020. Following two developmental years, he popped from 2022-2023 with 77-982-10. He brings excellent play strength and the ability to make tough, contested catches. Already 24 (in June), he’s on the older side for a prospect. But the timing of his position switch suggests he could reach another level within the next few seasons. Round 3 draft capital is firmly in play here.

The Buccaneers have agreed to a two-year extension with WR Mike Evans. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports it'll pay $52 million over the span, including $35 million in guarantees. This always seemed the most likely path, though some recent reports suggested talks were breaking down and Evans might reach free agency. He'll now stay in Tampa Bay for his age-31 and age-32 seasons. Evans has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his 10 Bucs seasons. His 2023 felt like a rebound, but that was mostly because of bad TD luck in 2022. Evans did lead the league with 13 TD catches in 2023, his third season among the past four with at least 13 scores. His 15.9 yards per catch marked his highest average since 2019 and beat his career average. We'll see how Tampa's QB situation shakes out, with Baker Mayfield headed for free agency. But betting against Evans hasn't worked very well to date.

Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders measured in at nearly 6'4 and 245 pounds at the NFL Combine. Sanders underwhelmed in the 40-yard dash with a 4.69, but its certainly not a crushing number. His tape showed the play speed necessary to create chunk plays. Last year, it showed in the numbers with 15.2 yards per catch and 7.7 yards after catch per reception. Only 21, Sanders is a potential Round 2 draft pick with a runway to future TE1 value.

Georgia TE Brock Bowers measured in at 6’3, 243 pounds at the NFL Combine. That was pretty much the expectation for Bowers, who declined to participate in athletic testing. He delivered massive numbers across three college seasons (175-2,541-26). His tape is littered with dynamic run-after-catch ability and physical play. He stood out on screens at Georgia, where his versatility showed in various alignments. The potential top-10 pick will push for fantasy value early in 2024. Visit our dynasty TE rankings, and you’ll see him checking in as a mid-range TE1.

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy came in at nearly 6’3 and 219 pounds at the NFL Combine. It’s a win for the 21-year-old, who Michigan listed at 202 pounds. McCarthy averaged only 22.1 attempts per game in 2023, as former HC Jim Harbaugh leaned on an excellent defense and run game. While McCarthy wasn’t a big-time college producer, he displayed the live arm and athletic traits of a first-round talent. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah compared him to former Chief and 49er Alex Smith. Keep in mind that McCarthy is far from a finished product, so 2024 fantasy contributions are unlikely.

Consider Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. one of the winners of the 2024 NFL Combine. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Penix’s medical exams were “extremely positive.” That’s huge considering his injury history: two torn ACLs (both to his right knee), a separated A/C joint, and a fractured clavicle. The Indiana transfer excelled in an aggressive, downfield attack over the past two seasons. Throwing to top WRs like Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan, Penix led the nation with 4,903 passing yards in 2023. There's not much of a rushing ceiling to chase, however. So while Penix is a potential Round 1 pick come April, he’s not someone to prioritize in 1-QB dynasty rookie drafts.

Oregon QB Bo Nix measured in at just over 6'2, 214 pounds at the NFL Combine. He threw in front of scouts but passed on athletic testing. Nix stayed at college for five years, although his career took off following a 2022 transfer to Oregon. Over the past two seasons, he’s combined for 8,101 yards and 74 TDs (27 games). NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah believes Nix will start "pretty early on," citing his accuracy, decision-making, and experience. While Nix isn't a top-end athlete, he showed flashes of being able to evade heavy pressure on tape. Recent Round 1 buzz suggests at least a chunk of teams view him as a long-term starter. We're just not buying into a high-end fantasy ceiling here.

UNC QB Drake Maye measured in at nearly 6'5, 223 pounds at the NFL Combine. He declined to throw or complete athletic testing. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Maye "impressed" in team interviews. There was certainly a lot to show off in 2022, when the now-21-year-old burst on the national stage. He showed NFL-caliber arm talent en route to a 4,321-38-7 passing line. His play plateaued last fall when WR Josh Downs jumped to the NFL. Still, Maye’s 2023 tape showed enough to keep us interested in him as a future top-12 fantasy QB. See where he lands in the pre-draft dynasty QB rankings.

LSU QB Jayden Daniels didn’t throw or work out at the NFL Combine. He wasn’t measured, either, so we’ll have to wait until LSU’s March 27 pro day for official numbers. (The team lists him at 6’4, 210.) The slender, fifth-year breakout displayed a dynamic run/pass ability last fall alongside stud WRs Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Daniels’ raw stats really jump off the page: 3,812-40-4 passing, plus 1,134 rushing yards and ten scores. It’s the rushing that supplies an enticing fantasy ceiling. The 23-year-old could enter the spot-start QB1 mix as early as 2024.

USC QB Caleb Williams declined to throw or work out at the NFL Combine. He spoke to the media but passed on medical testing. “I’ll be doing the medical stuff, just not here in Indy,” Williams said. “I’ll be doing that at [individual team visits pre-draft]. You know, not 32 teams can draft me. There’s only one of me. And so the teams that I go to for my visit, you know those teams will have the medical and that’ll be it… I didn’t feel the need to go out and throw. I played around 30-some games, I believe. Go ahead and watch real live ball with me and see how I am as a competitor.” We’re fully behind Williams as a future dynasty asset. As of early March, he’s the heavy favorite to land No. 1 overall in Chicago.

Giants TE Darren Waller told the New York Post that he's "still undecided" whether he'll continue playing in 2024. He'll turn 32 in September and has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout his career, including a lingering hamstring issue last year. Waller is set to make $10.5 million this season and count $14 million against the salary cap, but the Giants have no intention of cutting him, according to the New York Post. We'll keep an eye on this situation, but Waller obviously carries elevated risk in fantasy drafts until he makes a decision on his football future. We've moved him down the fantasy football TE rankings for now.

Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright confirmed faith in his long speed by running a 4.38-second 40 time at the Scouting Combine on Saturday. That gives him a speed score well above average for the position and ranked second among RBs at this year's Combine. Wright delivered limited college production, including just 8 receptions before last season (when he had 22). Wright averaged only 5.7 yards per catch for his college career but averaged 6.2 per rush. That increased each year, topping out at 7.4 per carry in 2023. Wright's draft capital will be interesting. Be careful not to overrate him in early best ball drafting.

Florida State RB Trey Benson helped his NFL Draft case with a 4.39-second 40 time at the Scouting Combine on Saturday. At 216 pounds, that gives him 98th-percentile speed score for the position. That backs up Benson's 6.1 career yards per carry and 11.2 yards per catch -- nearly all compiled over the past two seasons with the Seminoles. We'll see about his draft capital, but Benson has carried a reasonable ADP in early best ball drafting.