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  • Isaiah Likely becoming ‘chess piece’ for Ravens
    Isaiah Likely said he’s focused on becoming a “chess piece” for the Ravens this season.

    Advice: The Ravens hope to get Likely on the field more in 2024. The third-year tight end said that it’s possible we see him line up “in the slot, in-line, in the backfield” or “split out wide” by himself. After the Ravens lost Mark Andrews in Week 11 of last season, Likely stepped up to catch 21-of-28 targets for 322 yards and five touchdowns over the final five regular-season contests. He was the overall TE5 in fantasy points per game over that six-game stretch. He’s caught 66 passes for 784 yards and eight touchdowns in his career and is one of just a handful of backup tight ends who could have good fantasy value this season. Going in the late double-digit rounds, Likely is worth a dart throw in best ball leagues but shouldn’t be counted on in redraft leagues as long as Andrews stays healthy. Rotoworld Monday, 11:04 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    4.09 (240th)
  • Impresses throughout OTAs
    Likely was one of Baltimore's standouts during spring practices, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.

    Advice: With Rashod Bateman positioned as their No. 2 WR and Nelson Agholor the No. 3, the Ravens may often prefer passing from two-TE formations using Likely and Mark Andrews together. Even if that's the case, Likely will have a hard time drawing enough targets to be a fantasy starter when Andrews is healthy, especially because Baltimore also has FB Patrick Ricard taking some skill-position snaps. Likely caught nine passes through his first 11 games last year before exploding for a 21-322-5 receiving line over the final six weeks of the regular season (28 targets) while Andrews was out with a leg/ankle injury. If nothing else, Likely should be a functional fantasy starter in the event Andrews misses games again. Rotowire.com Saturday, 12:28 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    4.09 (240th)
  • Wilson ‘clearly’ playing better than Fields
    The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo says Russell Wilson “has clearly been the better quarterback” during the Steelers’ offseason.

    Advice: DeFabo added that there doesn’t be much of a competition at quarterback at this time, noting that Wilson “has taken the overwhelming majority of meaningful reps, including on the final day of minicamp, when almost every veteran took off.” He also said Fields “doesn’t often shine in seven-on-seven situations,” which isn’t a great endorsement for him with training camp a month away. Both Wilson and Fields are in career-rebuilding mode after flaming out at their previous stops. Neither is going particularly high in fantasy drafts, with Wilson currently going outside of the top 24 in most best ball drafts. Fields’ rushing ability makes him a potentially high-upside fantasy stash whenever he gets a chance to start, but it sounds like Wilson has a good grip on the job heading into training camp. Rotoworld Thursday, 10:41 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    14.46 (32nd)
  • Frustrated with negotiations
    Aiyuk expressed frustration Monday with the progress of contract negotiations, and while the 49ers remain interested in re-signing him, it's only on a cheaper deal than what he's looking for, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

    Advice: Aiyuk posted a TikTok video in which he says, "They don't want me," in an apparent reference to the 49ers. Rapoport says he doesn't think negotiations are "completely dead," even though there seems to be a big money gap between the two sides. While Aiyuk's post may add fuel to the fire of trade rumors, it's still possible the 49ers keep him in a contract year even if they aren't able to work out a long-term deal. He was a holdout during June minicamp and may not show up for the start of training camp if he's still set to play out 2025 under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract for $14.12 million. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 7:10 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    11.68 (52nd)
  • Aiyuk: 49ers ‘said they don’t want me back’
    Brandon Aiyuk posted a video to his TikTok saying the 49ers “said they don’t want me back.”

    Advice: There’s a good chance this is a negotiation tactic by Aiyuk, who skipped out on mandatory minicamp amidst his contract dispute with the team. The veteran wide receiver is set to play out 2024 on the fifth-year option the 49ers exercised earlier this offseason, but he appears steadfast in his desire not to play without a long-term extension. Aiyuk caught 74 passes for a career-high 1,342 yards last season and found the end zone seven times. The 2020 first-rounder has strung together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and has been a focal point of the offense. However, the lack of movement on an extension, coupled with their selection of Ricky Pearsall in the first round of this year’s draft, could be spelling the end of Aiyuk’s time in the Bay Area. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the 49ers ‘’ to extend Aiyuk, “but the sense is things have stalled.” We’ll see what comes of this situation in the coming weeks, but with training camp a month away, it’s fair to say Aiyuk is a legitimate threat of a holdout if he and the team can’t agree to terms on an extension. Rotoworld Monday, 9:53 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    11.68 (52nd)