• Ian Thomas standing out in Panthers’ passing game
    ESPN’s David Newton said Ian Thomas has “stolen the spotlight” at tight end during Panthers’ OTAs and minicamp.

    Advice: Rookie fourth-rounder Ja’Tavion Sanders was expected to be the Panthers tight end who would impress in the passing game. While that still may happen, Newton writes that in head coach Dave Canales’ “tight-end-friendly scheme [Thomas] has become a big target” at the position. The Panthers rank dead last in the league in tight end targets over the last four seasons, and Thomas hasn’t gone for more than 197 yards since posting a line of 36-333-2 as a rookie back in 2018. We’ll take this one with a grain of salt, but it’s possible the seven-year vet is the preferred tight end for the Panthers in 2024 if his strong offseason carries into training camp. Rotoworld Monday, 3:03 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.49 (746th)
  • Sermon ‘likeliest option’ to be RB2 behind Taylor
    ESPN’s Stephen Holder believes Trey Sermon is “the likeliest option” to win the Colts’ backup running back job.

    Advice: A former third-round pick of the 49ers in 2021, Sermon hasn’t seen much work as a pro, appearing in just 25 games during his three-year career while rushing for 78-346-1 over that span. With Zack Moss now in Cincinnati, Sermon, who joined the Colts last season, has a chance to earn a meaningful role heading into this season. Jonathan Taylor will still handle the large majority of the Colts’ touches, but whoever ends up as his backup could make for a solid stash in fantasy leagues. Sermon rushed for 88 scoreless yards on 17 carries in a Week 15 matchup against the Steelers last season and averaged a solid 4.6 YPC on the season. Rotoworld Monday, 2:55 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    1.93 (603rd)
  • Healthy Kupp an offseason standout for Rams
    ESPN’s Sarah Barshop says Cooper Kupp has been a “surprise offseason standout” for the Rams.

    Advice: It goes without saying that Kupp, 31, is a well-established name in football circles, but Barshop notes that the veteran receiver being healthy this offseason is “showing up on the practice field.” Head coach Sean McVay also said during OTAs that he doesn’t think “anyone really understands the amount of things” Kupp was dealing with last season as far as injuries are concerned. Kupp has a concerning injury history, appearing in just 21 games over the last two seasons. He also hasn’t cracked 1,000 yards since going for 145-1,947-16 in 2021. While we don’t expect him to be the player he was during that 2021 season, Kupp still remains a high-volume target in the Rams’ offense. He was targeted on an impressive 23.2 percent of his routes last season. Assuming he’s healthy, Kupp should be a high-end WR2 in PPR drafts and is still more than capable of providing a top-12 fantasy week. Rotoworld Monday, 2:32 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    11.73 (58th)
  • Aiyuk and 49ers scheduled to meet with one another
    Speaking on NFL Live, Ryan Clark reported that Brandon Aiyuk and the 49ers were scheduled to meet with one another on Monday.

    Advice: According to Clark, this is a meeting . He also added that Aiyuk has taken contract negotiations with the team as “personal” over the last several months. Aiyuk posted a video to his social media account last week of him telling Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels that the 49ers “said they don’t want me anymore.” The team when it was reported they still wanted Aiyuk, but not at the price he is asking for. At this time, Aiyuk is set to play out 2024 under the franchise tag, where he’ll earn roughly $14 million. The veteran receiver caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season and could likely get signed to his desired contract by another team if the 49ers were open to dealing him. Clark said Aiyuk would prefer to remain with the team but is open to playing elsewhere if the team opts to trade him. We expect to know more about this situation in the near future. Rotoworld Monday, 1:06 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    11.80 (56th)
  • Let go by Jets
    The Jets cut Hayes on Monday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Per the report, the move arrives a day after the cornerback -- who first saw NFL action in 2019 -- was arrested in Alabama for possession of marijuana. Hayes, who signed with the Jets' practice squad last October, recorded two tackles in Week 6 of the 2023 season and then spent the remainder of the campaign on the team's practice squad. Rotowire.com Monday, 12:42 pm
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (2371st)
  • Tae Hayes released by Jets after arrest
    Jets released CB Tae Hayes.

    Advice: Hayes was arrested in Morgan County, Alabama, over the weekend for marijuana possession. The 2019 UDFA has spent time with nine different teams over his six-year career but has appeared in just 14 games, playing primarily on special teams. Rotoworld Monday, 11:47 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (2371st)
  • 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
    4.03 (416th)
  • Informed of release
    The Chiefs informed Buggs of his release Monday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

    Advice: Buggs was arrested June 16 on charges of domestic violence and burglary, less than a month after he turned himself in for misdemeanor animal cruelty charges. He played for Detroit the past two seasons and was waived Jan. 2. Rotowire.com Monday, 8:50 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (2332nd)
  • Chiefs inform Isaiah Buggs he will be released
    Chiefs released DL Isaiah Buggs.

    Advice: This one felt inevitable. Over the last month, Buggs has been charged with misdemeanor cruelty to dogs in the second degree and was arrested last week on domestic violence and burglary charges. The sixth-year pro never played a regular-season game with the Chiefs and is unlikely to see action anytime soon as he sorts out these legal issues. Buggs played in 10 games for the Lions last season before being released, totaling 12 tackles, two TFLs, and one sack. Buggs after last week’s arrest. Rotoworld Monday, 8:00 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (2332nd)