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  • Competing for No. 3 role
    Nailor was the first player Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell mentioned when recently asked about the No. 3 receiver role, ESPN's Kevin Seifert reports.

    Advice: Nailor, Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield look like the top candidates for the job after Minnesota opted against bringing in a clear replacement for former No. 3 receiver K.J. Osborn (now with the Patriots). A 2022 sixth-round pick, Nailor has run just 77 routes through two seasons but has made the most of his limited opportunities with 12 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets. Hamstring and head injuries limited him to six games last year, and he took 67 of his 94 offensive snaps for the season during a Week 10 win over New Orleans. Nailor has enjoyed better health this offseason, apart from missing a few minicamp practices with an illness. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:30 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (801st)
     
  • Excels during OTAs and minicamp
    Tucker blew by the Raiders' defensive backs during spring practices, according to Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com.

    Advice: Granted, it's not unusual for small, fast receivers to excel in early offseason practices without tackling. The Raiders seem optimistic it will carry over in this case, with coach Antonio Pierce saying Tucker is a "different dude" who plays like "the biggest guy out there" despite being 5-foot-9, 185 pounds. Tucker opened last season as the team's fourth/fifth WR after being a third-round pick, eventually working his way up to the No. 3 role and then catching 11 of 15 targets for 170 yards and two touchdowns over the final four weeks. He now seems to be holding off Michael Gallup for that No. 3 role, but it probably won't come with too many snaps or targets in an offense that has Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers at wide receiver and Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer at tight end. Rotowire.com Sunday, 3:37 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    3.45 (294th)
     
  • Optimistic about Kingsbury's offense
    Dotson recently told reporters it's been "really nice" having a simplified approach under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, John Keim of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Dotson wasn't a good fit under former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whose scheme emphasized screen passes and other quick throws that relied on yards after the catch. That's not Dotson's strength, nor did it help that Sam Howell was one of the least accurate QBs on deep passes. Kingsbury and No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels may prove to be better fits for Dotson, but it would still be unwise to completely ignore his 2023 struggles. Out of 81 qualified wide receivers, he was 73rd in yards per target (6.2), 77th in yards per route (0.79), 78th in YAC average (2.1) and 78th in target rate (12.7 percent). Dotson had five more yards and three more TDs in five fewer games back in 2022, when he was the 16th overall draft pick and a Week 1 starter. The upcoming season will be his fifth in a row with a new coordinator/playcaller, dating back to his junior year at Penn State. Rotowire.com Sunday, 3:19 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    6.02 (219th)
     
  • Feels more comfortable in offense
    Agholor recently told reporters he and his teammates have a better understanding of Baltimore's scheme in the second season under offensive coordinator Todd Monken.

    Advice: The Ravens need to replace three starting linemen but mostly opted for continuity at skill positions, with the big exception being Derrick Henry replacing Gus Edwards in the backfield. They also lost WR Odell Beckham, who was a part-time player last season, and didn't bring in any early draft picks or pricey free agents at the wide receiver position, instead re-signing Agholor, extending Rashod Bateman and taking Devontez Walker in the fourth round. Coach John Harbaugh made multiple comments this offseason about viewing Bateman as the starter opposite No. 1 receiver Zay Flowers, which means Agholor profiles as the No. 3 heading into training camp. With FB Patrick Ricard and backup tight end Isaiah Likely both candidates to play 20-plus snaps a game, Baltimore almost certainly will rank near the bottom of the league in usage of three-wide formations, per usual. Rotowire.com Saturday, 12:51 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    1.82 (378th)
     
  • Picked up by Pittsburgh
    Copeland agreed to a deal with Steelers on Friday.

    Advice: Copeland spent some time on the Steelers' practice squad during his rookie campaign before signing a reserve/future deal with the Chiefs following the season. He was ultimately cut by the team in May and has now found a fresh start in Pittsburgh. He will compete with a plethora of pass catchers for a depth receiving role in the upcoming season. Rotowire.com Saturday, 11:27 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (1033rd)
     
  • Fails to impress during OTAs
    Smith-Schuster didn't look explosive at spring practices even though he says he's healthier than he was last year, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic.

    Advice: Graff notes that Smith-Schuster may end up competing with Kayshon Boutte, Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor for one or two roster spots, with the locks at WR likely being DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne (knee), K.J. Osborn and rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. The final math will partially depend on whether the Patriots keep Reagor as a kick return specialist or prefer to deploy a returner that also has a considerable role on offense (e.g. Douglas or RB Antonio Gibson). Either way, Smith-Schuster's guaranteed $7 million salary won't necessarily ensure him of a spot on the team after he had 260 receiving yards in 11 games last season. Knee surgery last offseason may have impacted his speed and strength, but it was head and ankle injuries that ultimately led to six absences. Rotowire.com Saturday, 11:09 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    2.87 (323rd)
     
  • Shines at spring practices
    Douglas was the Patriots' "best and most explosive playmaker" at spring practices, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic.

    Advice: Douglas led the team in receiving last season as a rookie sixth-round pick, albeit with only 561 yards and nary a touchdown. Around 65 percent of his snaps and production came from the slot, which presents a potential complication for a New England offense with three veteran WRs -- Kendrick Bourne (knee), K.J. Osborn and JuJu Smith-Schuster -- that are arguably at their best working inside. All three are at least 6-foot, 200 pounds, while Douglas is much shorter (5-foot-8, 192) but also the fastest (4.44 40) and most agile of the bunch. New Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt should find a way to keep Douglas involved, even if it means leaving Smith-Schuster and/or Osborn out of the rotation or bringing the team's rookie WRs along slowly (second-round pick Ja'Lynn Polk and fourth-rounder Javon Baker). Rotowire.com Saturday, 10:56 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    6.17 (212th)
     
  • Exiting Jacksonville
    McGowan was waived by the Jaguars on Thursday.

    Advice: The Jaguars opted to sign free agent pass catcher Denzel Mims and let McGowan go in a corresponding move. The latter suited up for two games in Washington as a rookie in 2022 before missing the entire 2023 season with an undisclosed injury. He will now look for a fresh start in a new city. Rotowire.com Saturday, 8:57 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (820th)
     
  • Pop Douglas ‘most explosive’ player in Pats camp
    The Athletic’s Chad Graff says DeMario Douglas “was by far the Patriots’ best and most explosive playmaker in practice this spring.”

    Advice: Douglas was a sixth-round pick of the Patriots last season and went on to lead them with 561 receiving yards. The speedy receiver played 67.7 percent of his snaps from the slot and has a chance to once again lead a receiver room that returns many familiar faces. Currently going in the later rounds of fantasy drafts, Douglas has the making of a PPR steal if the Patriots’ offense can take a leap in their first year under head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. Douglas had four double-digit PPR performances last season, playing in a broken Pats offense as a rookie. Rotoworld Friday, 2:16 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    6.17 (212th)