• Taking snaps as FB/RB
    Hill has taken snaps as a running back, fullback and tight end during OTAs rather than getting direct snaps as a dual-threat QB, Matthew Paras of The Advocate reports.

    Advice: While Hill presumably will take direct snaps at some point, early signs suggest new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak prefers to use his versatile weapon as more of a hybrid TE/RB/FB/H-back. Former Saints coordinator Pete Carmichael rarely put Hill in the backfield unless he was taking the snap, instead using him as either a power-formation QB or spread-formation TE. Hill scored between five and nine touchdowns each of the past five seasons, not including passing TDs, with last year's 692 yards from scrimmage representing a new career high (besting his 652 from the year prior). His occasional outbursts, often fueled by red-zone work, have made Hill rather useful in leagues where he has TE eligibility and the scoring is non-PPR and/or best ball. His lack of receptions compared to other TEs has made him far less valuable in PPR formats, especially those that set lineups weekly, and that'll probably continue under Kubiak even if Hill's role somewhat changes for his age-34 season. Many fantasy players will be less interested in Hill himself and more interested in how his role impacts the TD projections for QB Derek Carr, RB Alvin Kamara, TE Juwan Johnson, etc. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 11:13 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    5.38 (213th)
  • Dealing with tightness
    Legette missed practice Wednesday, with coach Dave Canales noting afterward that the rookie "looked tight" the day before, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: It sounds like the 32nd overall pick is dealing with a minor muscular injury in his lower body. Assuming he doesn't miss too much time, Legette is in a good position to earn rookie-year snaps, joining a Carolina offense that's badly in need of a downfield target to complement veteran possession receivers Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson. The Panthers didn't get much from 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo last season, but they went back to the well for a physically similar player this April, hoping Legette's 4.39 speed in a 223-pound frame will translate to the NFL in a hurry. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:55 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    5.56 (204th)
  • Returns healthy for OTAs
    McLaughlin (head) has been participating in OTAs, the Marietta Daily Journal reports.

    Advice: McLaughlin played all 17 games for the Broncos in 2023 after going undrafted last spring, averaging 5.4 yards on 76 carries and 5.2 yards on 31 receptions. He seems to be healthy after suffering a head injury Week 18, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll have a role in Denver's crowded backfield. The team still has Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine under contract and recently brought in fifth-round pick Audric Estime and UDFA Blake Watson. Listed at 5-foot-7, 187 pounds, McLaughlin is the smallest of the bunch, though perhaps also the quickest. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 10:47 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    4.76 (232nd)
  • Potential cap casualty
    Perine is competing for a role in Denver's backfield but could end up being a cap casualty if other running backs step up, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

    Advice: Perine has a non-guaranteed $3 million salary for the second season of his two-year contract. That's a reasonable number for someone who offers good pass protection and reliable hands while also playing special teams, but the Broncos could nonetheless cut/trade Perine if they feel comfortable with Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson or Tyler Badie as a passing-down specialist. None of those guys can match Perine for size, blocking or experience, but they'd probably all have him beat on speed and quickness. Meanwhile, Javonte Williams and fifth-round pick Audric Estime are more likely to get playing time on early downs. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:53 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    1.68 (362nd)
  • Exits practice early
    Corley left Wednesday's practice early with an undisclosed injury and returned without a helmet, Connor Hughes of SNY.tv reports.

    Advice: Hughes notes that Corley walked with a limp after the incident, giving another hint that the rookie won't return to practice Wednesday. It doesn't sound especially serious, as a player typically would stay inside rather than joining his teammates to watch the rest of practice if there were concern about a major injury. With Mike Williams (ACL) unavailable for offseason practices, the Jets seem to have a wide-open depth chart at WR behind No. 1 Garrett Wilson. Coming in as a third-round pick, Corley should get some first-team reps and may eventually win a role as the team's No. 3 receiver behind Wilson and Williams. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers apparently is a fan, having recently told reporters that Corley was his favorite wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:28 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    4.92 (227th)
  • Seemingly has minor injury
    Hall is working in the rehab area during practice Wednesday, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: While nothing has been reported so far this offseason, Hall's presence with the rehab group suggests he picked up some kind of minor injury during a previous OTA or workout. Any absence(s) from team drills could free up first-team reps for Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen or Isaiah Davis, with recent signing Tarik Cohen potentially an option for third downs and two-minute drills. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:20 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    12.45 (35th)
  • No timeline for practice return
    Coach Robert Saleh said Wednesday that he doesn't have a timeline for Williams (knee) returning to practice, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

    Advice: Williams has been at the Jets' team facility for their offseason program, mostly working indoors with the training staff. Reporters spotted him on a side field last week, but it sounds like the 29-year-old won't practice with teammates any earlier than training camp. Williams profiles as the Jets' No. 2 receiver once he makes it back from the left ACL tear he suffered Week 3 last season with the Chargers. His one-year, $10 million contract reportedly includes $8.3 million guaranteed, with an additional $5 million available via incentives, per Albert Breer of SI.com. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:10 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    5.83 (196th)
  • Adds muscle in offseason
    Head coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that Achane has made "some strength gains" and improved his understanding of Miami's offense, Andre Fernandez of The Miami Herald reports.

    Advice: Achane seems to be off to a good start to the offseason program, potentially allowing him to earn a larger share of the snaps in the backfield in 2024 behind returning starter Raheem Mostert. Both backs should have significant roles after the impressive work they did in 2023, while fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright is a wild card to earn occasional carries. Adding some weight might lower Achane's injury risk a bit and/or allow him to take on more touches, though he'll still be one of the smallest and fastest running backs in the league, at least among players competing for a significant number of carries and early down snaps. He ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at 188 pounds at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, then took 103 carries for 800 yards (7.8 YPC) and three touchdowns in 11 regular-season games as a rookie. Achane also drew 37 targets and recorded three receiving touchdowns, with the pass-catching work allowing him to stay involved even when Mostert was healthy and gobbling up carries. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:00 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    10.34 (52nd)
  • Signing with Gang Green
    Cohen agreed to a one-year contract with the Jets on Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

    Advice: Cohen will turn 29 years old in July and hasn't played in an NFL game since Week 3 of the 2020 season, when he suffered an ACL tear that derailed a promising career. He missed all of 2021 while rehabbing from the knee injury and all of 2022 after suffering a torn Achilles' tendon during the spring. Cohen then landed with the Panthers in 2023 and spent most of the season on their practice squad, but he struggled with a hamstring injury, never got a promotion and ultimately was released in early May. He's unlikely to make noise in a backfield that has Breece Hall and two incoming draft picks, but Cohen should get a look on kick and punt returns this offseason. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 7:39 am
    Week 1 Projected Points & Rank
    0.00 (823rd)