Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports Mac Jones "has done enough in the spring to merit a real competition with Cam Newton in the summer."

Advice: Breer said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has never used May and June practices to determine Week 1 starters, but rather to clean up fundamentals and improve conditioning. "The real test, to me, was always going to be in training camp, and more specifically when the pads go on," Breer said. "If Jones is out there with the first offensive-line group then, even if it’s just a percentage of those snaps, then I’d say we know something is afoot." Last week, The Athletic's Jeff Howe reported Jones was the team's best QB during minicamp. Though Belichick has taken every opportunity to heap praise on Newton this offseason, there seems to be a real chance Jones is under center for New England's opener against Miami, making Patriots pass catchers and running backs far more appealing in fantasy football.  NBCSportsEDGE.com 9 minutes ago

ESPN's Adam Teicher said "it's easy to see" how rookie TE Noah Gray "could get a significant amount of playing time" in 2021. 

Advice: Teicher expects Gray -- a fifth rounder out of Duke -- to play in Kansas City's multiple tight end sets. The rookie could, per Teicher, see extended playing time if the Chiefs rest Travis Kelce during parts of the NFL's new 17-game season. Patrick Mahomes dropped back 96 times last season in multiple tight end sets, throwing for 899 yards and nine touchdowns with zero picks while taking just one sack. Gray, Duke's all-time leading tight end, has stood out in KC's offseason practices as a potential weapon in the team's already-explosive passing attack. He looks like a decent late-round flier in tight end premium formats this summer.  NBCSportsEDGE.com Today, 8:32 am

ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports Sammy Watkins "was the Ravens' best receiver at minicamp."

Advice: Hensley said Watkins impressed throughout minicamp, reeling in contested catches and burning Pro Bowl CB Marlon Humphrey for a long touchdown. The veteran receiver, Hensley added, has shown chemistry with Lamar Jackson this offseason. "I'm not going to lie to you; it is fun," Jackson said of Watkins. "A big receiver, nice target, fast guy. Sammy is going to make our job a lot easier." Watkins could be an overlooked late-round fantasy pick this summer as drafters eye rookie WR Rashod Bateman and Marquise Brown. None of the team's wideouts will offer much in the way of consistent fantasy production in the Ravens' run-heavy attack. Baltimore receivers in 2020 hauled in 137 catches -- the lowest total in the league by a wide margin.  NBCSportsEDGE.com Today, 7:43 am

Sports Illustrated's John Shipley reports Carlos Hyde could "see a legitimately high volume of carries" if James Robinson misses time in 2021. 

Advice: Shipley concedes "Hyde's value to the Jaguars will likely come from his leadership and veteran presence in the running back room," adding that the veteran -- who played for Urban Meyer at Ohio State -- would likely be the primary ball carrier should Robinson struggle with injuries in 2021. Shipley expects Robinson, the undrafted free agent who went for 1,414 total yards as a rookie, to function as the lead back while rookie RB Travis Etienne will function as Meyer's "slash" weapon, mostly used as a pass catcher. Though Hyde shouldn't be drafted in 12-team leagues this summer, he would become a top waiver add should injuries strike Jacksonville's backfield.  NBCSportsEDGE.com Today, 5:21 am

Bills WR Cole Beasley said COVID-19 protocols may force him into retirement

Advice: "I'd rather take my chances with Covid and build up immunity. Exercise and do what I think is necessary to be a healthy individual. That is MY CHOICE based on MY experiences and what I think is best," Beasley posted on Twitter. "If I'm forced into retirement, so be it." Beasley has been one of the NFL's most outspoken players on vaccination. It has potential to become a distraction for the Bills if Beasley and other anti-vax players continue to push back. Beasley, who participated in minicamp, will need to comply with COVID protocols throughout 2021. The slot receiver would forfeit his $4.7 million salary if he decides to retire. NBCSportsEDGE.com Yesterday, 6:56 am

Eagles rookie TE Jack Stoll has a "pretty strong shot" at a roster spot.

Advice: The Eagles signed Richard Rodgers this offseason, but don't have much else behind Dallas Goedert. Stoll, an undrafted free agent from Nebraska, could open the year as the No. 3 tight end if the Eagles trade Zach Ertz. Tyree Jackson, Hakeem Butler, Jason Croom, and Caleb Wilson are also competing for roster spots. NBCSportsEDGE.com Saturday, 8:06 am

Bills WR Isaiah Hodgins (shoulder) was a full participant at minicamp.

Advice: Hodgins missed his rookie year to shoulder surgery. With Buffalo adding Emmanuel Sanders and sixth-rounder Marquez Stevenson this offseason, he's competing for one of the final roster spots. Hodgins would give the Bills a depth receiver and special teamer if he makes final cuts. NBCSportsEDGE.com Saturday, 7:20 am

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said TE Tyler Conklin "emerged as a guy that's moving upward."

Advice: Zimmer expects a "bigger role" for Conklin this season. The Vikings moved on from Kyle Rudolph, leaving Conklin to pick up his snaps behind Irv Smith. That should lead to significant playing time, as Minnesota ran 12 personnel on 43.5% of plays last year. Conklin flashed late in 2020 with both Rudolph and Smith sidelined. The 2018 fifth-rounder doesn't have standalone value but is a hedge for Smith drafters. NBCSportsEDGE.com Saturday, 6:37 am

Nick Chubb said his agent has been in talks with the Browns about an extension.

Advice: Chubb's supporting cast and coach Kevin Stefanski's run-heavy offense are "among the reasons he prefers to stay in Cleveland." Even with missing four games to an MCL sprain, Chubb still ran for over 1,000 yards last year and had a career-high 12 touchdowns. The Browns, who gave Kareem Hunt a two-year contract in September, may look to extend Chubb before training camp. The two-time Pro Bowler is likely looking for a deal in the range of the $12 million APY Aaron Jones got from the Packers this offseason. NBCSportsEDGE.com Friday, 4:07 pm

Jaguar Reports' John Shipley believes James Robinson will lead Jacksonville's backfield in snaps.

Advice: "Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has shown a past tendency to give more of his offense's rushing focus to backs with skill sets similar Robinson in the past," Shipley writes. "Robinson should be expected to be the hammer of the offense, a role that is still supremely important." While that's not an ideal role compared to last year, Robinson could still provide value between the 20s and in goal-line scenarios over first-rounder Travis Etienne, who Shipley believes "the Jaguars have bigger and more expansive plans for." It's possible the former slips so far in drafts that he becomes a tremendous option as an RB2 in zero-RB builds. NBCSportsEDGE.com Friday, 9:02 am