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Player Notes

  • Lions want to use Jahmyr Gibbs downfield, in slot
    Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery said the team wants to use Jahmyr Gibbs more in the slot and down the field.

    Advice: Lions GM Brad Holmes said two weeks ago said the team is ramping up the second-year back for a heftier workload in 2024. Montgomery said the team needs Gibbs “to do from a passing game standpoint is go to the next level. ... I do think there’s a certain difference between being a really efficient check-down versus a great route-runner, a guy that can run all types of choice (routes). We know we’ve seen him do those things. But now can you go into the slot and a little bit more down the field, some intermediate stuff. Can we continue to grow him there, and that’s what we’re trying to do.” This is standard fare for offseason talk of a talented pass-catching running back. Gibbs in 2023 ran 9.2 percent of his routes from the slot. We could see a slight bump in that slot usage but it doesn’t change much about his statistical profile. Rotoworld Yesterday, 9:06 am
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    46th
  • Thriving at OTAs
    Coach Shane Steichen said Thursday that Mitchell is "making a lot of plays" at OTAs, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 the Fan reports.

    Advice: It sounds like the rookie second-round pick is getting a lot of first-team reps, in part because top wide receiver Michael Pittman has been out with a minor knee injury. Wearing a No. 10 jersey to signify the number of WRs drafted before him this spring, Mitchell has taken advantage of the early opportunity by catching a number of passes from starting QB Anthony Richardson. Still, it's unclear if Mitchell will head into Week 1 as a depth/rotation receiver or if he'll immediately supplant Alec Pierce as a starter alongside Pittman and slot man Josh Downs. There's also the question of how different that role might look if/when Mitchell replaces Pierce, as the latter was targeted on just 10.2 percent of his routes last year -- easily the the lowest rate in the league among regular starters at wide receiver. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:38 am
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    192nd
  • Gets incentives added to contract
    Slayton showed up to OTAs this week after the Giants added $650,000 of incentives to his contract, ESPN's Jordan Raanan reports.

    Advice: The 27-year-old is entering the second season of a two-year, $12 million contract, and while he might have been hoping for an extension or additional guaranteed money, it seems he'll settle for the boosted incentives. Slayton has led the Giants in receiving yards in four of his five NFL seasons, topping 700 yards each time without ever getting to 800. He'll likely be one of the team's top three WRs in 2024, along with sixth overall pick Malik Nabers and slot man Wan'Dale Robinson. Of the three, Slayton is least likely to draw a large number of targets, as he's never seen passes on a large percentage of his routes even when playing a lot of snaps in offenses with subpar receiving alternatives. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:20 am
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    243rd
  • Feels better in second offseason
    Mims said things are going "a lot smoother" for him in his second NFL offseason, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: In addition to having a much better understanding of Sean Payton's offense, Mims mentioned that he's "as healthy as I've been in a long time." The 2023 second-round pick was limited by hamstring injuries last spring and summer, though that didn't stop him from having a big impact early in the season, including four receptions of 38 or more yards and a kick-return TD within the first four weeks. While Mims remained effective on special teams apart from a pair of lost fumbles, he had only 135 receiving yards on 22 targets in his 12 appearances after Week 4. The NFL's new kickoff rules figure to make Mims even more important for Denver's special teams this year, and he should also be part of a competition for the No. 2 receiver job opposite Courtland Sutton. If not Mims, it'll likely be Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin or Tim Patrick (Achilles) stepping up as the No. 2 receiver, though a rotation also is possible. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:09 am
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    206th
  • Report: Smith-Njigba has improved practice habits
    ESPN’s Brady Henderson reports the “feeling inside the [Seahawks] organization was that Jaxon Smith-Njigba has really improved” his practice habits.

    Advice: New Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald agreed, describing JSN’s work ethic as “awesome.” The implication is that Smith-Njigba didn’t put in the necessary work during his disappointing rookie season, during which he caught 62 of 90 targets for 628 yards and four touchdowns. JSN would have to leapfrog DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett in the team’s pass-catching pecking order if he’s going to be a reliable fantasy option in 2024. That seems unlikely. Rotoworld Yesterday, 6:58 am
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    138th
  • Competition as primary returner
    Gipson is expected to have competition as New York's primary return specialist heading into the 2024 season, Andy Vasquez of The Bergen Record reports.

    Advice: Gipson operated as the Jets' kick returner and punt returner for the entirety of the 2023 season, but with the team signing running back Tarik Cohen on Wednesday, Gipson may not be a shoo-in for the role again in 2024. Head coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that Gipson will get "first dibs," but the returning job is an "open competition." Rotowire.com Thursday, 4:50 pm
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    403rd
  • Waived with injury designation
    The Buccaneers waived Thompkins (undisclosed) with an injury designation Thursday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Thompkins was re-signed to a one-year deal with Tampa Bay in March after appearing in all 17 of its regular-season contests and two postseason games in 2023, but he's now dealing with an apparent injury that could sideline him for the season. If the wide receiver clears waivers, he'll likely revert to the Buccaneers' injured reserve ahead of the 2024 campaign. Rotowire.com Thursday, 4:20 pm
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    409th
  • Undergoes knee scope
    Estime underwent a small scope on his knee last week, but he is expected to be ready for training camp, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

    Advice: Estime is expected to rehab his knee, so he will not be present at OTAs or mandatory minicamp in June. At 5-foot-11, 221 pounds, the Broncos' fifth round pick of this year's draft is projected to bring a physical style to the running back room. Assuming his health is back up to par by training camp, he will presumably be competing with the likes of Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson for a depth role behind Javonte Williams in this year's backfield. Rotowire.com Thursday, 2:34 pm
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    352nd
  • Makes switch to wideout
    Baltimore officially listed Cunningham as a wide receiver during OTAs, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

    Advice: Cunningham has gotten reps at wide receiver since the Ravens brought him on board back in December, and his transition to the new position (from quarterback) is now officially complete. He's part of a relatively thin wide receiver room, so he could very well find his way onto Baltimore's final 2024 roster if he impresses during training camp. Rotowire.com Thursday, 1:11 pm
    Week 1 Projected Rank
    955th