The Raiders expect WR Tre Tucker to "take a big leap as their starting slot," per The Athletic's Tashan Reed. A third-round pick in 2023, Tucker managed just 19 catches, 331 yards, and 2 TDs as a rookie. At 5'9 and 185 pounds, Tucker brings exciting speed (4.40 forty time; 1.48 ten-yard split). This offseason, the Raiders added Brock Bowers to an offense that already includes Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers. Bowers is expected to see a good chunk of his snaps out of the slot.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes Aidan O'Connell "probably has the slight edge right now" in the Raiders' QB competition against Gardner Minshew. Fowler calls it "a real battle."
ESPN's David Newton says Panthers TE Ian Thomas "has stolen the spotlight [this spring] at a position that is featured in Dave Canales' passing game." The Panthers ranked just 28th in total TE receptions last season (59), with Tommy Tremble's 23 catches leading the group -- and ranking just sixth on the team. Thomas managed only 5 receptions on 9 targets over 12 games after getting a contract extension last offseason. Thomas has 116 career receptions through six years with the Panthers. But the 49 targets and 36 catches of his rookie year remain career highs. He hasn't topped 31 targets, 21 receptions, or 197 yards in a season since.
The Raiders selected New Hampshire RB Dylan Laube in Round 6 of the NFL Draft. Including a 2018 redshirt, Laube spent six seasons at New Hampshire. He'll turn 25 in December, making him one of the oldest prospects in the class. Not ideal – but the production speaks for itself. Playing against FCS competition, Laube led the nation in all-purpose yards per game in 2022 (194.3). Included in there: Three games north of 200 rushing/receiving yards, including a video game-like 12-295-2 receiving line against Central Michigan. Overall, he excelled as a receiver with 49 catches – good for second on the team. Per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Laube passed on transfer opportunities (and NIL deals) ahead of last fall. Still, his workload dropped (16 carries per game vs. 20.4), and he declined in yards per carry, yards after contact per attempt, and forced missed-tackle rate. Known as a high character kid, Laube ultimately wins with quick feet and a versatile skill set. He’s racked up a nation-leading 117 catches over the past two seasons. Going in the late sixth round is a bad sign, but Laube at least landed in a Raiders backfield with only Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, and Ameer Abdullah. We’ll see if he can push Abdullah for a passing-down role. Laube isn’t worth a pick in early best-ball drafts but is a viable flier in deeper dynasty leagues.
The Raiders added Georgia TE Brock Bowers in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. Bowers arrives after an uber-productive college career. He led Georgia in catches, receiving yards, and receiving TDs across all three seasons on campus. Bowers tallied a 56-882-13 line as a true freshman, ranking third among 45 qualifying TEs in both Pro Football Focus receiving grade and yards per route. He improved his yards per game each of the next two seasons (62.8 and 71.4) and led all 52 qualifying TEs in yards per route last year. Bowers won the Mackey Award as the nation’s top TE in both 2022 and 2023, becoming the first two-time winner of the award. He was deployed all over the formation at Georgia (53% slot, 37% inline, 10% out wide) and even carried 19 times over the last three years. That speaks to his skills with the ball in his hands: Bowers averaged a big 8.5 yards after catch per reception for his college career. He also boasts impressive ball skills and reliable hands, dropping just 4.4% of his career targets. Bower is a bit undersized at 6’3, 243 pounds and didn’t test in the pre-draft process. But it’s tough to worry about any of that after he dominated for three seasons in the SEC. In Vegas, he joins a squad that spent a 2023 Round 2 pick on TE Michael Mayer. The Raiders lack a QB of the future but offer a nice spot for Bowers to soak up targets long-term. He remains a fringe top-5 pick in rookie drafts.
The Dolphins and RB Raheem Mostert agreed to a one-year extension. He's now signed through the 2025 season on a deal that could be worth up to $9 million. It's a well-deserved raise for Mostert after an impressive 2023 campaign that saw him finish third among RBs in PPR points per game. That was fueled largely by his 21 total TDs -- but Mostert also ranked top eight in Rush Yards Over Expected Per Attempt, Elusive Rating, and Pro Football Focus rushing grade. He's a long shot to score as many TDs this season, and RB De'Von Achane could take more work. But this contract extension confirms that Mostert will remain a big part of Miami's offense. He's a solid value at his RB28 ADP.
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald stopped short of committing to QB Geno Smith as the 2024 starter in a Friday radio appearance. "We're always looking, always trying to figure out what’s best for the team all the time," Macdonald said. "I'm excited for Geno to come in here and start playing and start working. ... I don't want you to feel like I'm dodging this answer, but that's what I'm excited about, for him to come in here and start to build this team the way we envision building it." It's a rather cookie-cutter, coachspeak answer for early March -- but worth noting nonetheless. Smith is under contract for 2024 at a $26.4 million cap hit, and the Seahawks don't currently pick until 16th overall in this spring's draft. They'd likely need to trade up to land one of the top four QBs in the class. It's still more likely than not that Smith is under center for Seattle come Week 1, but don't consider him locked in at this point.
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.
Raiders HC Antonio Pierce said from the Combine that the team's starting QB job is Aidan O'Connell's to lose, per Levi Edwards of the team's official website. With QB Jimmy Garoppolo expected to be released within the next couple of weeks and Brian Hoyer the only other QB on the roster, we wouldn't expect Pierce to say anything different. O'Connell was just ok as a fourth-round rookie last year, completing 62.1% of his passes at 6.5 yards per attempt with 12 TDs vs. seven INTs. He ranked 23rd among 30 qualifying QBs in Pro Football Focus' passing grades. We fully expect the Raiders to make a relatively significant addition at QB this offseason -- potentially a trade for QB Justin Fields or a drafting a first-round rookie. We're betting against O'Connell leading Vegas in 2024 passing attempts and wouldn't target him in early best-ball drafts.
The Raiders removed the interim label from Antonio Pierce, naming the 45-year-old their new HC. Pierce took over as interim HC of a 3-5 Raiders team this past season and proceeded to go 5-4 the rest of the way. Vegas' points per game rose from 15.8 pre-Pierce to 22.9 after Pierce took over. While Pierce talked a lot about his love of running the rock, the Raiders' neutral run rate actually sunk from 43.1% to 41.4% in Pierce's nine games. He did ride a workhorse RB in all of those games, though -- first Josh Jacobs and then Zamir White. Jacobs is due to hit free agency in March, while White is signed for two more seasons. We'll see what the Raiders do in the backfield, and how Pierce fills out the rest of his coaching staff.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) is active for tonight's Wild Card game vs. the Chiefs. He got in three limited practices this week, so we're expecting him to be ready for something close to his usual role.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday night's Wild Card game vs. the Chiefs. He got in three limited practices this week. HC Mike McDaniel said Thursday that he's "optimistic" Mostert will be able to play in Kansas City. We'll look for further updates on his status and get Miami's inactives around 7 pm ET on Saturday.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) said Wednesday that he's feeling good but isn't guaranteed to play vs. the Chiefs on Saturday night. "Still a decision that needs to be made," Mostert said. “It is a one-game season. We’ll see how it shakes out. It’s been very difficult. The mental restraints. It’s a struggle. You live to fight another day. I feel like I thrive in the playoffs." Mostert got in a limited practice on Tuesday. We'll see how he progresses over the next few days, but it at least sounds like Mostert will be at less than 100% if he plays on Saturday.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) got in a limited practice on Tuesday. It's a good sign after he missed five of six practices over the previous two weeks. Mostert is expected back for Saturday night's Wild Card game vs. the Chiefs, but it's still unclear how big a workload he'll be ready to handle.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel said Monday that he's "optimistic" that RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) and WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) will be back for Saturday night's Wild Card game vs. the Chiefs. Both guys missed the final two games of the regular season. We'll track their progress throughout the week. We have more concern about Waddle, who will be returning from a high-ankle sprain.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) is inactive for tonight’s game vs. the Bills. He’s expected to be back for next week’s playoff opener. De’Von Achane should operate as Miami’s clear lead back tonight, with RB Jeff Wilson behind him.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) is not expected to play vs. the Bills tonight, NFL Network reports. Mostert is expected to be ready for next week's playoff opener. But his absence tonight should mean another big workload for RB De'Von Achane, who handled 14 carries and five targets with Mostert out last week.
Raiders TE Michael Mayer (toe) is out for Sunday’s finale vs. the Broncos. He wraps up his rookie campaign with a 27-304-2 line across 14 games. It felt underwhelming, especially compared to fellow rookie TEs Sam LaPorta and Dalton Kincaid. But we’ve seen plenty of TEs struggle in year one before going on to have strong careers. Dynasty leaguers should see if they can buy low on Mayer this offseason. Austin Hooper will close out this season as Vegas’ lead TE.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday night’s game vs. the Bills. He only got in a limited practice on Friday. We’ll look for an update on Mostert’s status on Sunday morning. We won’t get Miami’s inactives until a little before 7 pm ET.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. On the injury report for most of the season, Mostert missed his first game last week. We'll see if he can make it back for Sunday night's game vs. the Bills for the AFC East crown.
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