The New York Jets haven't made the playoffs since the 2010 season - the longest active drought in the NFL - but linebacker C.J. Mosley believes this is the year his team will finally play meaningful games in January."I'm really expecting playoffs or bust," Mosley said, according to Mark Inabinett of AL.com. "Obviously, that's my goal every year, but I think it's something that's a realistic goal for our entire team and our coaches."New York went 4-13 last year, ranking last in the AFC East for the fifth time in the last six seasons. It was the Jets' first campaign with head coach Robert Saleh, who joined the club last offseason to replace Adam Gase."Last year, everyone was kind of learning the system and learning each other," Mosley said. "This year, coming into the offseason, you can tell guys already know it, and we're two steps ahead of where we were last year as far as being in the playbook. We know what we have to do, guys are comfortable and now it's all about going out there and making plays and executing, so I think that's going to be the biggest step for us this year."Mosley played his first full season with the Jets in 2021. The 30-year-old joined the team in 2019 on a five-year, $85-million deal but was limited to two games that season due to injury. He then opted out of the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19."Being out pretty much two years, it put a lot of things in perspective," said Mosley, who amassed a team-high 168 tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles last year."Everybody's human, so when you're out that long of a time, a lot of things run in your head about how long you want to play, you're getting older, who's the next guy, those type of things. But at the end of the day, I had to come out here by myself and put in the hard work, and it paid off this past season."The Jets drafted four rookies who are expected to start: wide receiver Garrett Wilson, running back Breece Hall, defensive end Jermaine Johnson, and cornerback Sauce Gardner.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson has produced a historic start to his NFL career despite working in an offense that didn't always prioritize the passing game.However, head coach Kevin O'Connell's arrival is expected to spark a move away from the run-centric scheme Minnesota held under Mike Zimmer, and Jefferson can't wait for more opportunities to shine."Our offensive style, it's not a run-first offense anymore," Jefferson told NFL Network's Patrick Claybon on Thursday. "Just us being able to put different people in different positions and distribute the ball, really. I'm so excited in this offense. Us just being in OTAs, learning the plays, going through it with our defense, and stuff."We're all excited. We're all happy to have (O'Connell). It's definitely a different vibe, a different connection in the building with him there. We're just excited to start it up, really. We want to see how this season really turns out for us."Jefferson came second to only Cooper Kupp, the Offensive Player of the Year, in receiving yards last season with 1,616. Moreover, the wideout's 3,016 yards leads the NFL since 2020 and is the most of any player in their first two campaigns.The 23-year-old aims to eventually earn a bust in Canton, but he knows he's still an unfinished product heading into Year 3."I mean, I want to accomplish so much," Jefferson said. "It's an endless list that I want to accomplish. At the end of the day, I want to be a Hall of Famer. So, in order to reach that, that position is so much more that I have to accomplish, so much more that I have to set for myself to better myself and really to learn."I just can't wait to really just see how far I can really go. This is just the start of my career, and there's just so much more I have to learn, so much more I have to do for myself to really get on that platform of being a Hall of Famer."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is bracing for a suspension of at least six games due to a potential violation of the league's personal conduct policy, sources told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.Kamara was arrested following the 2022 Pro Bowl and faces a felony battery charge for allegedly injuring a person at a Las Vegas night club the Saturday prior to the game.A six-game suspension is the standard for felony battery in the NFL's personal conduct policy, Florio adds.Kamara's case is set for a hearing on Aug. 1, per Florio.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Darnell Mooney is excited with what he's seen from the Chicago Bears' new coaching staff so far this year.The third-year wide receiver said the coaches are significantly better than last season."It's night and day," Mooney recently said on "Red Line Radio." "Everybody knows where to go, when to do something, what's the expectation, what's the standard."He added: "It's not coming in and just like, 'Oh, what do we got going on?' Everybody knows exactly what the coaches want."Chicago hired former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus as head coach this offseason to replace Matt Nagy, who spent the last four seasons with the club. Eberflus brought in several new coaches with him, including offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.Nagy, the 2018 Coach of the Year, posted a 12-4 record in his first season in the Windy City but failed to register other winning campaigns. The Bears finished 2021 with only six wins.Mooney, 24, enters 2022 as Chicago's No. 1 receiver after setting career highs with 81 receptions and 1,055 yards to go along with four touchdowns last season. He recorded 61 catches, 631 yards, and four scores in 2020.Though the 2020 fifth-round pick headlines a wide receiver depth chart mostly featuring unproven players, he still believes that will be enough for quarterback Justin Fields to break out after a rookie campaign in which he struggled."He's locked in for sure," Mooney said of Fields. "He's gonna have a big year."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.More in this series

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.More in this series

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill said that he received death threats after he said that his new quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, was a more accurate passer than his former teammate Patrick Mahomes."I got death threats," Hill said on the latest episode of his "It Needed To Be Said" podcast. "Every social media account I own, I got death threats on."Hill said the observation wasn't meant as a slight toward Mahomes but was intended to build up Tagovailoa.On the first episode of Hill's podcast, he said he'd been frustrated with the Chiefs. Mahomes later said he was "surprised a little" by Hill's comments about the team, but the former MVP didn't take issue with the comparison to Tagovailoa."We all know Patrick Mahomes is great," Hill said. "We know that. But right now, I'm going into a new season with a new quarterback who's trying to head in the same direction as Patrick and do great things and lead this team to a Super Bowl championship - who's also great, in my opinion."Hill spent six seasons with the Chiefs' key member during their Super Bowl LIV title run. He racked up 479 receptions, 6,630 yards, and 56 touchdowns during his Kansas City tenure.The Chiefs traded Hill to the Dolphins in a blockbuster deal that came with a four-year, $120-million contract extension, making him the highest-paid wideout in the league.The three-time All-Pro said the trade to Miami was difficult because he enjoyed his time with the Chiefs. "It's tough leaving a situation like we had in Kansas City," he said.Hill called Mahomes arguably one of the best quarterbacks in the league and rated the pair as one of the top-15 QB-WR connections of all time. He also said he views Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and head coach Andy Reid as among the best at their respective positions.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said his failed drug test, which resulted in a six-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, is due to a contaminated sample."There was 0.1 percent found in my system," Hopkins said, according to the Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman. "If you know what that is, you know it's contamination, not something taken directly. I don't take any supplements. I've never taken supplements. I barely take vitamins."So for something like that to happen to me, obviously I was shocked, but my team and I, we're still trying to figure out what's going on," he added.Hopkins, a three-time All-Pro, said traces of an illegal substance found in his system during a November drug test turned out to be ostarine. The substance is a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) that is not approved for human consumption.The Cardinals star remains puzzled as to how a small trace of the substance entered his system. "I'm pretty much a naturopathic person," he said.Hopkins understands receiving a reduction in his suspension is likely a longshot after withdrawing his appeal. Arizona will lean on a pass-catching group that features Marquise Brown, A.J. Green, and Rondale Moore during Hopkins' suspension, but he remains confident the Cardinals can succeed in his absence."That's the NFL," he said. "It's next man up. I have no doubt in those guys to win those six games until I'm ready."Arizona expects Hopkins to be all set for training camp after he missed on-field drills this offseason to continue rehabbing his knee following surgery. The star wideout will be allowed to practice and dress for preseason games but must stay away from the team while serving his suspension.The five-time Pro Bowler is looking forward to putting the positive test and 2021-22 season behind him. Hopkins missed seven games due to a hamstring injury, forcing the team to place him on season-ending injured reserve with a torn MCL.Along with his eight touchdowns, Hopkins hauled career-lows in receptions (42) and yards (572) through 10 games last season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks still have a high level of interest in acquiring Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and are open to giving him a contract extension, a league source told Josina Anderson of CBS Sports HQ.Mayfield's status with the Browns has been unclear since the team acquired Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. The Seahawks and Carolina Panthers have been linked to the quarterback throughout the offseason, though no trade has materialized.The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is due just under $18.9 million this season, per Spotrac.Mayfield was plagued by a shoulder injury for much of the 2021 campaign. He threw a career-low 17 touchdowns to 13 interceptions across 14 starts while also posting an 83.1 passer rating, his lowest since 2019.The Browns reportedly have no plans to release the quarterback if he remains on the roster come training camp.Seattle's quarterback room is headlined by Drew Lock and Geno Smith after the club traded away longtime franchise passer Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Tony Siragusa has died at the age of 55, Colts owner Jim Irsay announced Wednesday."I'm heartbroken, as is all of Colts Nation," Irsay tweeted.A cause of death hasn't been revealed."This is a tough one. I love 'Goose' like a brother," Ravens legend Ray Lewis said in a statement, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. "From the first day we met, I knew that life was different. I knew he was someone who would change my life forever. He was a one-of-a-kind person who made you feel important and special. You can never replace a man like that."Lewis and Siragusa were teammates in Baltimore for multiple years.Siragusa, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 1990, enjoyed 12 campaigns in the NFL. He played for the Colts from 1990-96, appearing in 96 regular-season games. Siragusa then joined the Ravens, where he made 73 appearances from 1997-2001. Siragusa helped Baltimore win Super Bowl XXXV as a starter for one of the greatest defenses in NFL history.The Pitt product retired following the 2001 campaign with 564 tackles and 22 sacks on his resume across 169 regular-season games."Renee and I are stunned and heartbroken to learn about the sudden passing of Tony Siragusa," Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in a statement. "He was a special person and clearly one of the most popular players in Ravens history. Tony's larger-than-life personality made an enormous impact on our organization and throughout the Baltimore community."Bisciotti added: "This is a tremendously sad day for the Baltimore Ravens."After his playing career, Siragusa became an in-game analyst for Fox Sports from 2003-15.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone discusses the impact of Rob Gronkowski's retirement, the latest on Deshaun Watson, and answers listeners' mailbag questions on a variety of topics.

Head coach Mike Tomlin dismissed the possibility of a Pittsburgh Steelers reunion with wide receiver Antonio Brown."Y'all know that ain't happening," Tomlin said on the latest episode of "The Pivot" podcast."In terms of putting a helmet on and running out of the tunnel and playing ball and stuff like that, man, you know he's moved on, and we've moved on. We can sit around and chop that up like it's a realistic conversation, but we know that's not realistic."Brown recently expressed a desire to finish his career with the Steelers last month. He later clarified he would just like to retire with the franchise that drafted him in the sixth round in 2010.Brown developed into one of the most potent receivers in the league as a member of the Steelers, ranking second in franchise history with 837 receptions, 11,207 yards, and 74 touchdowns.While Tomlin disregarded the notion of bringing Brown back, he did express fond memories of the wideout's tenure in Pittsburgh."What I'll say about AB is this, man: We had nine great years," he said. "I appreciate that dude in ways that I can't explain to y'all. I won't even bother to attempt to explain to y'all because it sounds like I'm defending him in some way. And to me, from that standpoint, the nature of our relationship and what we all did together requires no defense."You could digest it however you want to digest it. I don't think enough gets said about the will of that dude. About the work ethic of that dude. About the fearlessness in which he played the game."The four-time All-Pro has since had stints with the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and most recently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Brown, who turns 34 in July, has experienced multiple run-ins with the law. His former trainer said he sexually assaulted her, and another woman said he sexually harassed her before sending her intimidating texts in 2019. He was charged with felony burglary in 2020 and then suspended eight games for multiple personal conduct violations.The Buccaneers cut Brown after he ran off the field during the team's Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. He currently remains a free agent.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson has died at the age of 26, the team announced Wednesday.Police arrived at Ferguson's home in response to reports of a questionable death and say they found Ferguson not breathing and receiving treatment from medical personnel."Ferguson never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on the scene by medics," Baltimore Police spokeswoman Niki Fennoy said in a statement, per Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Sun.There were no indications of trauma or foul play, according to police. A cause of death has not been determined."We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson," the Ravens said in a statement. "He was a kind, respectful young man with a big smile and infectious personality. We express our heartfelt condolences to Jaylon's family and friends as we mourn a life lost much too soon.""We are deeply saddened to confirm the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson," his agent, Safarrah Lawson, said in a statement, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "He was a wonderful young man full of love and life. He will be remembered not just as a football player, but as a great father, son, brother, and friend. The family asks for your continued prayers."The Ravens selected Ferguson in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He recorded 31 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks across nine starts during his rookie season. Overall, the promising pass-rusher tallied 67 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks during his three seasons with Baltimore.Ferguson was named CUSA Player of the Year in 2018 at Louisiana Tech. He also became the NCAA's FBS career sack leader (45) that same year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In this two-part series, theScore's football editors give a verdict on whether 2021 breakout players will continue their success in 2022.First up are the offensive stars, with defensive players coming Wednesday. Rookies from last season weren't considered.Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals2021 stats: 4,611 yards, 34 TDs/14 INTs, 70.4% completion rate, 108.3 passer ratingEveryone thought Burrow was worthy of the No. 1 pick in 2020, but some believed his ceiling wasn't as high as a few other young quarterbacks. He proved those doubters spectacularly wrong last season.Burrow's rookie campaign was cut short after 10 appearances due to a torn ACL, so his sophomore leap is best highlighted on a per-game basis. His yards per attempt went from 6.7 to an NFL-leading 8.9, his touchdown percentage jumped up from 3.2% to 6.5%, and his yards per game increased from 268.8 yards to 288.2. Simply put, Burrow became an elite player in just his second year, all while coming off a major knee injury.He then capped off an epic regular season by leading the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1988 season. The signal-caller's numbers weren't quite as impressive in the postseason - 1,105 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions - but he showed poise far beyond his years late in games while playing behind a bad offensive line (he took 16 combined sacks in the divisional round and Super Bowl).Another year removed from his ACL injury - and with a reinforced offensive line - Burrow's ascension is sure to continue in 2022.Verdict: BREAKOUTJonathan Taylor, RB, Colts Joshua Bessex / Getty Images Sport / Getty2021 stats: 332 carries, 1,811 yards, 18 TDs; 40 catches, 360 yards, 2 TDsTaylor made the leap to superstardom in 2021 thanks to much greater consistency. While he was explosive as a rookie, he sometimes left easy yards on the field due to vision or timing. But he became a first-down machine in 2022, moving the sticks on 107 of his 332 carries. His 32.2% conversion rate was by far the best among running backs.The 23-year-old broke opposing defenses' wills with game-changing plays week in and week out. He led the league in runs over 10 yards (51), 20 yards (14), and 40 yards (five). Taylor seemed to have found a new gear in 2022, earning the season's fastest recorded time on a 67-yard touchdown in Week 15, as well as two other spots in the top five.Taylor deserved his unanimous selection as a first-team All-Pro. While he benefited from playing behind one of the best run-blocking units, that advantage was arguably offset by the Indianapolis Colts' ineffective passing attack. With Matt Ryan replacing Carson Wentz, Taylor is set up for another monster campaign.Verdict: BREAKOUTRashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks2021 stats: 119 carries, 749 yards, 6 TDs; 6 catches, 48 yardsAfter three injury-plagued seasons, former first-round pick Penny finally broke out in the second half of 2021. Having again missed seven of the first 11 games, he exploded for an NFL-high 671 yards and six touchdowns during the final five games. But we aren't quite ready to believe in Penny.The running back averaged 7.29 yards per carry over that span, an unsustainable number over the course of a full season. He also feasted on bad run defenses in the form of the Houston Texans (31st against the run), Detroit Lions (28th), Chicago Bears (24th), and Arizona Cardinals (20th). He faced one good unit during his five-game explosion: the sixth-ranked Los Angeles Rams, who held him to 39 yards on 11 carries.Penny's also facing strong competition from rookie Kenneth Walker. While the veteran might be motivated by the prospect of earning a big payday after signing a one-year deal to return to the Seattle Seahawks, the team might favor Walker if he can get up to speed quickly and push Penny for playing time. And with Penny's long injury history (he already tweaked his hamstring at OTAs) and lack of receiving skills, it seems inevitable Walker will get a chance to shine.Verdict: FAKEOUTCordarrelle Patterson, RB, Falcons Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images Sport / Getty2021 stats: 153 carries, 618 yards, 6 TDs; 52 catches, 548 yards, 5 TDsArguably the most surprising breakout player of the 2021 campaign, Patterson became the do-it-all threat many believed he could be when he entered the NFL in 2013. Perhaps the veteran would've been a star in his prime if he'd entered the league a decade later, with teams much more willing to embrace versatile players and creative plays in 2022.Unfortunately, Patterson is now 31 years old. He's also playing for an Atlanta Falcons team that will likely be even worse on offense than it was in 2021, with Marcus Mariota starting for the departed Ryan. Patterson should still get a ton of work with wideout Calvin Ridley suspended for the year, but he was already showing signs of slowing down late last season, averaging just 2.74 yards per carry and 1.6 catches per game over the final five weeks.In his first year in Atlanta, Patterson nearly matched his total production from the previous four seasons - 136 carries for 684 yards and four touchdowns, 84 catches for 771 yards and three scores. He caught lightning in a bottle, and we're not betting on him to do it again.Verdict: FAKEOUTCooper Kupp, WR, Rams2021 stats: 145 catches, 1,947 yards, 16 TDsKupp was well-regarded prior to 2021, but few would've rated him in the top 10 receivers in the NFL. While 186 catches for 2,135 yards and 13 touchdowns from 2019-20 was a good return, it simply wasn't close to the output of the elite wideouts. But Kupp essentially racked up two seasons' worth of production en route to winning Offensive Player of the Year.This kind of enormous statistical leap could be seen as an outlier. However, as Kupp was finding his footing in the two years before 2021, then-Rams quarterback Jared Goff was significantly declining. The arrival of Matthew Stafford, who threw for 932 more yards and 21 more touchdowns in 2022 than Goff did in his final year in L.A, can at least partially explain Kupp's sudden rise.With Stafford under center, Kupp managed to excel through consistency. The wideout had several huge games, but his numbers weren't inflated by two or three 200-yard-plus performances. Rather, in his 21 appearances, the veteran had between seven and 11 catches in 18 games and between 90 and 130 yards in 14 games.A lack of secondary receiving options - Van Jefferson was second on the team with 802 yards - meant Kupp received an NFL-high 191 targets. With Allen Robinson joining the Rams, Kupp's workload from 2021 likely won't be replicated. Still, it's clear he's an elite player who was previously obscured by an offense in decline.Verdict: BREAKOUTDeebo Samuel, WR, 49ers Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty2021 stats: 77 catches, 1,405 yards, 6 TDs; 59 carries, 365 yards, 8 TDsSamuel starred as both a receiver and runner for the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 thanks to his otherworldly agility. He topped PFF's elusive rating after racking up 20 missed tackles forced on 77 catches and 20 MTF from just 59 rushing attempts. For context, Derrick Henry had 12 more MTF on 160 more carries, and Kupp had four more MTF on 68 more catches.There's no doubt Samuel's a special player, but there are several concerns - both on and off the field - that might impact his performance in 2022. First is his unhappiness in San Francisco. Samuel requested a trade earlier in the offseason, but the 49ers have consistently said they won't move him. His motivation is, therefore, in doubt.Furthermore, the standoff is reportedly motivated by Samuel's desire to exclusively play receiver. It's an understandable wish - receivers get paid more, take fewer hits, and have longer careers. While Samuel missed just one game last year, he racked up an extensive injury history in his first two campaigns, which is likely why he wants out of the backfield.He would, of course, still be great as just a receiver, but his skills as a runner are part of what makes him such an effective player.Samuel is a star, and he'll definitely be productive whether he's in San Francisco or elsewhere. But considering all his issues, it's easy to imagine 2021 being his peak in terms of overall production.Verdict: FAKEOUTHunter Renfrow, WR, Raiders2021 stats: 103 catches, 1,038 yards, 9 TDsRenfrow became Mr. Consistent for the Las Vegas Raiders and Derek Carr last season. With the rest of the offense falling apart, the slot receiver came up big time and time again, earning his first 1,000-yard season and Pro Bowl nomination.With no Darren Waller or Henry Ruggs late in the season, the 26-year-old racked up 43 catches for 501 yards and three touchdowns from Weeks 11 to 16. Renfrow was also historically sure-handed across the entire season.

In this two-part series, theScore's football editors give a verdict on whether 2021 breakout players will continue their success in 2022.We looked at offense first. Next up are the defensive players. Rookies from last season weren't considered.Trevon Diggs, CB, Cowboys2021 stats: 52 tackles, 11 INTs, 2 TDs, 21 passes defendedDiggs earned a first-team All-Pro nod in his second NFL season after leading the league in interceptions, interception return yards (142), and pick-6s (two). He was one of football's most exciting players and should continue to be this year.Some may wonder if opposing quarterbacks will avoid targeting Diggs, which would significantly hit his production - the answer is no. Though the 23-year-old punished several passers for throwing his way, he also made others look smart for doing so. He allowed 1,016 yards in the regular season, the most by any cornerback, according to PFF.Diggs' situation isn't unprecedented. Corner Marcus Peters led the league with eight interceptions, 280 yards in INT returns, two pick-6s, and 26 pass breakups as a rookie in 2015 while on the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet QBs kept testing him - after all, he allowed over 900 yards in coverage that year. He made them pay again, amassing six picks and 20 pass breakups in his second season. Peters, who didn't play last year, has more interceptions and pick-6s than any other player since 2015.It'll be hard for Diggs to post another 11-pick season since interception totals are unpredictable and often fluctuate. However, the Alabama product's proven to be the league's best ball hawk, and given the number of targets he's expected to have, he'll be in contention to top the NFL in interceptions and defensive TDs again.Verdict: BREAKOUTHarold Landry, LB, Titans Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty2021 stats: 75 tackles, 12 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumbleLandry captured the NFL's attention in 2021 after setting career highs in tackles, sacks, and pressures en route to clinching his first Pro Bowl nod. He hasn't missed a game over the last three seasons, and his versatility is important for the Tennessee Titans, too.But it's hard to say Landry's production won't fluctuate given how schemed up it was. The 26-year-old produced 68 pressures last year, but 42 of those were classified as cleanup or unblocked pressures. His sack on Joe Burrow in the playoffs is a great example of the "easy" plays he had. When opponents did their job, he didn't stand out as much, winning just 12.3% of his pass-rush snaps against blocking.Would Landry have put up the same numbers if the Titans' interior defensive line hadn't been one of the NFL's best? What if the defense isn't as good in 2022? Landry previously flirted with double-digit sacks, collecting nine in 2019. He followed that up by recording only 5.5 in 2020.Verdict: FAKEOUTA.J. Terrell, CB, Falcons2021 stats: 81 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs, 16 passes defendedTerrell was a must-watch player last year. He burst onto the scene in his second NFL season, becoming an elite lockdown corner who allowed only 29 catches on 66 targets for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Somehow, he was snubbed from the Pro Bowl.The Clemson product was the NFL's second-best corner in pass coverage, behind only Jalen Ramsey, according to PFF. Terrell allowed a ridiculous passer rating of 47.5 when targeted and an NFL-best 0.37 yards per coverage snap. And he did so despite Atlanta having arguably football's worst pass rush, which makes things more complicated for the secondary.This year, the Atlanta Falcons drafted defensive end Arnold Ebiketie and linebacker Troy Andersen in the second round. Plus, they signed veteran corner Casey Hayward, who's coming off a solid season with the Las Vegas Raiders.With a slightly improved defense and another year of experience under his belt, Terrell should pick up where he left off. Don't be surprised if quarterbacks stop throwing the ball his way in 2022.Verdict: BREAKOUTChristian Wilkins, DL, Dolphins Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty2021 stats: 89 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recoveryRun stops, sacks, funny celebrations, and even a touchdown catch. Wilkins did everything for the Miami Dolphins in 2021. We already knew his game was consistently improving, but it took a major leap last year. A proven solid run defender, Wilkins also impressed as a pass-rusher last season, posting career highs in pressures (31) and sacks after collecting only 3.5 sacks in his first two campaigns combined. Don't expect him to slow down now.Though Miami didn't make any offseason splashes on defense, another year of experience for Jaelan Phillips, who racked up 8.5 sacks as a rookie, should help. Plus, adding Melvin Ingram adds good depth and experience behind Phillips and Emmanuel Ogbah. Miami needs those guys to produce off the edge so Wilkins and Co. have easier matchups inside.Of course, the Dolphins will have an aggressive defense again, as new coach Mike McDaniel retained coordinator Josh Boyer. Miami blitzed on 39.6% of its opponents' dropbacks in 2021, the second-highest rate in the NFL. Defensive line coach Austin Clark, who joined the team last season and helped Wilkins post a career year, is also back.There are many reasons to believe Wilkins can replicate his 2021 output. In fact, based on his offseason workouts, the 26-year-old's already off to a hot start.Verdict: BREAKOUTRashan Gary, LB, Packers2021 stats: 47 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recoveryGary finally showed why the Green Bay Packers drafted him 12th overall. The Michigan product, who had only seven sacks combined in his first two seasons, led Green Bay in that category in 2021. He ranked second in the league with 81 pressures and a 26% pass-rush win rate. We aren't fully sold that he'll keep doing that, though.Nine of the 16 games Gary played last year (he didn't face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11) were against teams that ended the season in the bottom half of the NFL in sacks allowed. The 24-year-old piled up six sacks and 45 pressures in those contests.Things will get tougher in 2022 - the Packers play only six games versus opponents ranked in the bottom half of that list. Of their other 11 games, six will feature teams that were top-seven for the fewest sacks allowed, including the best three (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, and New England Patriots). Some of those O-lines obviously changed over the last several months, but it's clear that the Packers' pass rush has a harder schedule ahead.Plus, opponents will treat Gary differently now. Last year, he was a third-year player with a pair of unimpressive seasons on his resume. This year, Gary is Green Bay's best edge rusher. Will he be as disruptive while facing more double-teams? He didn't face many in 2021.

Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey underwent shoulder surgery Tuesday, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Ramsey, who played through tears in both his shoulders last season, is expected to be ready for the start of the season, added Rapoport.More to come.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi to a one-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.By joining Pittsburgh, the 28-year-old will continue playing exclusively for AFC North clubs. The Cleveland Browns drafted Ogunjobi in 2017 before he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021.The defensive tackle agreed to join the Chicago Bears early in free agency, but the reported three-year, $40.5-million deal fell through after he failed his physical due to a foot injury.Ogunjobi produced a career-high seven sacks and 49 total tackles during his lone season with the Bengals.The Steelers needed to bolster their defensive line after longtime starter Stephon Tuitt retired.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady bid farewell to Rob Gronkowski, one of his longest-tenured teammates, following the tight end's retirement Tuesday."Teammate, friend, brother, just a few of the words that come to mind when I think of Gronk," Brady said on Instagram. "Nobody has ever embodied the idea of 'leaving it all out on the field' like Rob has throughout his entire career. Every single snap, I knew that no matter how many people you put in front of him, he was going to get to his spot."Even more important is the person he was off the field. Focused when he had to be and fun the rest of the time. Having Gronk in your locker room was every NFL player's dream. I'm proud of all that we've accomplished together, and even more excited for all you have ahead of you. Congrats Gronk, you deserve it."Gronkowski, who ended his first retirement to join Brady in Tampa ahead of the 2020 campaign, had spent the offseason considering his future.It was assumed the star pass-catcher was intending to return after Brady unretired in mid-March. Two days after Brady's announcement, Gronkowski was captured on video saying he wanted to make his longtime quarterback sweat."I'll let him have a little scare," Gronk said. "He just did it to me for a couple of months, so I"m going to do it to him."The four-time All-Pro turned 33 years old in May. His injury issues returned in 2021, as he missed five games after playing a full regular season the campaign before for the first time since 2011.However, while Gronkowski says he's done with the NFL, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he "wouldn't be surprised" if his client was tempted back by Brady during the season, or for next season.The quarterback suggested on Twitter that he's willing to prove Rosenhaus right.

Rob Gronkowski is hanging up his cleats - again.The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots tight end is retiring after 11 combined seasons in the NFL, he announced Tuesday."I want to thank the whole entire first-class Buccaneers organization for an amazing ride, trusting me to come back to play and help build a championship team," Gronkowski wrote on Instagram."I will now be going back into my retirement home, walking away from football again with my head held high knowing I gave it everything I had, good or bad, every time I stepped out on the field. The friendships and relationships I have made will last forever, and I appreciate every single one of my teammates and coaches for giving everything they had as well."From retirement, back to football and winning another championship, and now back to chilling out, thank you to all."The future of the veteran tight end had been a topic of discussion throughout the offseason after Gronkowski said he'd take time to evaluate his options at the end of last year. He recorded 802 yards in 2021 but could only suit up for 12 games due to injuries.Gronkowski missed the 2019 season after riding into the sunset following the Patriots' victory in Super Bowl LIII. However, he returned the following year to team up with longtime quarterback Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.The 33-year-old served a familiar role as one of Brady's top targets in his two seasons with the Buccaneers. He helped the club win Super Bowl LV - the fourth championship of his career - by catching two touchdowns in the 31-9 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs."It is always difficult to see a great player walk away from the game when he is still enjoying that kind of success, but the overwhelming emotions I feel today are gratitude and respect for one of the greatest tight ends who ever played the game," Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said."While his on-field accomplishments will surely earn him a gold jacket and a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it is his humble attitude and team-first approach to the game that truly defined his career."Gronkowski's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said he was unsure if the tight end's retirement is final."It would not surprise me if Tom Brady calls him during the season to come back and Rob answers the call," Rosenhaus told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't be surprised if Rob comes back during the season or next season."Gronk built one of the most decorated playoff resumes in NFL history alongside Brady, who was his quarterback in each of his 11 seasons. The duo connected for an NFL-record 15 touchdowns in the postseason.Gronkowski's era of dominance began as a second-round pick by the Patriots in 2010. He earned five Pro Bowls and eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on four occasions during his nine-year tenure in New England.His 92 career touchdowns trail only Antonio Gates (116) and Tony Gonzalez (111) for most all time among tight ends.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings have had conversations with free-agent defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, a source told USA Today's Tyler Dragon.The 35-year-old Suh, who doesn't expect to re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, said Monday he'd welcome the possibility of joining Las Vegas."I like it, to be honest with you," Suh said about the Raiders, according to Sports Illustrated's Zach Koons. "Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby, exchanging messages with them the other day, it's an interesting opportunity, for sure. We'll see where it kind of ends up."Suh spent the last three seasons in Tampa Bay. The Bucs let him hit free agency and instead signed veteran defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, adding to a unit featuring Vita Vea, William Gholston, and second-round rookie Logan Hall.The Raiders have one of the NFL's top pass-rushing duos in Crosby and Jones, whom they signed this offseason. However, Las Vegas' interior defensive line is still a big concern. In March, the Raiders signed veteran defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, who joined a group with Johnathan Hankins, Vernon Butler, and rookies Neil Farrell Jr. and Matthew Butler.The Vikings released veteran defensive tackle Michael Pierce in March, leaving Dalvin Tomlinson, Harrison Phillips, and Armon Watts as their top defensive linemen.Suh racked up 112 tackles and 14.5 sacks in 49 regular-season games with Tampa Bay. The five-time Pro Bowler, who was a key part of the Bucs' defense during the club's Super Bowl run in 2020, amassed six sacks and 27 tackles last year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.More in this series

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson reached settlements with 20 of the 24 women who sued him and accused him of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massage sessions, the attorney representing the women announced Tuesday."Today I announce that all cases against Deshaun Watson, with the exception of four, have settled," attorney Tony Buzbee said in a statement, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter. "We are working through the paperwork related to those settlements. Once we have done so, those particular cases will be dismissed. The terms and amounts of the settlements are confidential. We won't comment further on the settlements or those cases."One of the cases still outstanding is the lawsuit of Ashley Solis, the first plaintiff to sue Watson."Ashley Solis is one of the heroes of this story," Buzbee stated. "Her case has not settled and thus her story and that of the other three brave women will continue. I look forward to trying these cases in due course, consistent with other docket obligations and the court's schedule."Watson remains subject to an NFL investigation into his conduct. The first lawsuit against the quarterback was filed March 16, 2021, and the incidents cited in the lawsuits took place between March 2020 and March 2021."Today's development has no impact on the collectively bargained disciplinary process," NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in a statement Tuesday, according to Trotter.Watson didn't play last year after requesting a trade from the Houston Texans. The Browns acquired him from the Texans on March 18 and signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230-million contract.The 26-year-old was traded days after a grand jury in Texas declined to indict him on criminal charges. A second grand jury did the same.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ndamukong Suh said Monday that he intends to continue his NFL career in 2022, but the defensive tackle doesn't expect to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers."It looks like the Bucs are out of the picture," Suh said on "NFL Live," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 35-year-old suggested on Tuesday that he'd like to play for the Las Vegas Raiders.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan believes quarterback Trey Lance can overcome heightened expectations ahead of his second year in the league."The biggest thing with Trey that people have to realize is he is younger," Shanahan said during a State of the Franchise event. "He has more horsepower inside of him than I think he even knows of. Just from the whole talent, but also what he's made of, how intelligent he is. I think he's going to be able to overcome adversity."The Niners invested heavily in Lance's future, trading three draft picks to select third overall in 2021.The North Dakota State product had an unremarkable start to his career in his debut campaign, going 1-1 as the starter. Lance threw for 603 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions with a 57.7% completion percentage last season.San Francisco stuck with Jimmy Garoppolo as its primary passer last year, and the veteran led the Niners to the NFC Championship Game. With Garoppolo currently rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery and awaiting a potential trade, Lance is expected to take a huge step in 2022.Shanahan recognizes that having a great supporting cast, including George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Elijah Mitchell, will help in Lance's progression from a rookie to a second-year veteran.The Niners bench boss believes that the real test for his young signal-caller will be how both he and the team respond to adversity during the season."We're going to put them through the wringer during the season, then you find if they can do it for the long haul," he said, according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Cohn.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It seems that veteran cornerback Trae Waynes has played his final snap in the league.When asked on the "Geary & Stein Sports Show" if he's still keeping the door open to other teams, the free agent said, "I mean, it's open, but I'm not really exploring anything, to be honest with you."Waynes continued: "Multiple teams have actually called, but in my head, I'm done. I'm not officially doing it, I'd say, just because I don't do that shit. I'm retired, but it's not like I announced it or anything."The Minnesota Vikings drafted Waynes in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with the NFC North club before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020. However, he only played in five regular-season games over the past two campaigns due to various injuries. Waynes appeared during the Bengals' Super Bowl run but was limited to special teams.The Michigan State product cited those health concerns as motivation for his retirement. Although he said he considered joining the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, Waynes also felt it was more important to spend time with his family."Could I easily keep playing several more years? Yes," he said. "But I got a family. I want to be around with my kids more."Waynes started 57 of his 79 career games. He tallied 259 tackles, 43 passes defended, and seven interceptions during his career.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Chase Claypool is entering his third season with the Pittsburgh Steelers feeling confident about his career progression and standing among his peers."I know for a fact I am not like the rest of the guys in the NFL," he said on the "I Am Athlete" podcast. "I know I'm a top-five receiver. I know I'm a top-three receiver."Claypool, who turns 24 in July, believes the Steelers will improve upon last season's 9-7-1 mark and win 13 games next season.He posted 59 receptions for 860 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games last season, a decrease from the 62 receptions for 873 yards and 11 total touchdowns in his rookie campaign.However, the 2020 second-round pick said he was a better player in 2021 than he was in his rookie year and has a better understanding of his overall responsibilities.Pittsburgh is expecting Claypool to fill a bigger role following the departures of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Ray-Ray McCloud during free agency. The third-year wideout is aiming to be more versatile within the offense, lining up at both slot and outside the numbers next season.It's still unclear who'll be throwing him the ball next season. The Steelers are set to hold a quarterback competition entering training camp between Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Kenny Pickett to determine Ben Roethlisberger's successor.The Canadian pass-catcher is among those convinced the Steelers have more than an adequate foundation despite the looming question of who'll start under center."We're going to have a rebuild at one point, but it's not going to be any time in the next 10 years."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rashod Bateman is aiming to make the most of his opportunity as the Baltimore Ravens' top wide receiver next season."That's the role that I've always wanted to be in," Bateman said, according to Matt Cohen of the Baltimore Sun. "I'm excited to take that role."The Ravens are turning to Bateman as their No. 1 wideout after they dealt Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals and opted not to re-sign Sammy Watkins this offseason. The Minnesota product hauled in 46 receptions for 515 yards and a touchdown in 2021 after missing the first five games of his rookie season due to a groin injury.Bateman is poised to lead a receiving corps that'll feature Devin Duvernay and James Proche. Although Bateman is only in his second year, All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews believes he's ready for the opportunity."He's a guy that's just gonna get better and better and better," Andrews said.For his part, Bateman - along with Proche - will work out with quarterback Lamar Jackson prior to training camp to work on their chemistry. Bateman is hoping to provide leadership to a young receiving group through his work ethic."Hopefully I can show that by the way I work, by being the first one here every day," he said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Running back Kareem Hunt is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to negotiating a contract extension with the Cleveland Browns."Right now, I'm just taking it day by day, man," Hunt told Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. "I'm going to see what they want to do with me, and I'm just taking it day by day. Hopefully, I can be here long-term. We'll see what God has in plan for me, that’s all I can say."Hunt is entering the final year of his current deal, which is worth up to $6.2 million, according to Over the Cap.The 2017 Pro Bowler would like to put his best foot forward after missing time last season with calf and ankle injuries, and he's optimistic that a healthier campaign will lead the Browns to believe he should be part of their long-term future."I'm just trying to go out there and show them I'm healthy, show them I'm ready to ball out for them as long as they want me to, so I'd love to be here for a long time."Hunt, a native of Willoughby, Ohio, would like nothing more than to remain close to home and help deliver a Super Bowl title.Cleveland has shown that it's willing to reward players based on production and potential. The AFC North club signed Nick Chubb to a three-year, $36-million extension last summer and awarded tight end David Njoku with a four-year, $56.75-million extension this offseason.Despite the Browns boasting a crowded tailback group that includes Chubb, D'Ernest Johnson, and rookie Jerome Ford, Hunt isn't worried about losing carries entering his fourth year in Cleveland."I'm just excited to be able to play the game of football," he said.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles are signing safety Jaquiski Tartt to a one-year deal, the team announced Friday.Tartt, 30, spent seven seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, starting 64 of 80 games. The 2015 second-round pick recorded 367 tackles with 21 tackles for loss and hauled in four interceptions during his tenure with the Niners.Last season, the Alabama native racked up 66 tackles, including five tackles for loss, and one QB hit.Tarttt also brings some postseason experience with six playoff appearances under his belt.The Eagles continue to be among the more active clubs in the league when it comes to free-agent additions. Haason Reddick, James Bradberry, and Kyzir White are among Philadelphia's key signings this offseason.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone finishes going over the most important takeaways from all the recent minicamps around the league.

Six NFL players skipped their team's mandatory minicamps this month - for a variety of reasons.Baker Mayfield, relegated to a backup role and on the trading block despite his $18.9-million fully guaranteed salary, was excused from attending the Cleveland Browns' get-together. Robert Quinn, fresh off an 18.5-sack season, steered clear of the rebuilding Chicago Bears because he's trying to force a trade. Rodney Hudson blew off the Arizona Cardinals for a reason that head coach Kliff Kingsbury chose not to disclose. And Orlando Brown Jr. hasn't signed his franchise-tag tender with the Kansas City Chiefs, so he's officially not under contract and therefore under no obligation to show up for minicamp.This brings us to Terry McLaurin and DK Metcalf, who respectively withheld their services from the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks for the most old-fashioned reason of all: They want more money. Both receivers are entering the final year of their rookie contracts, and they're sure to get paid handsomely on a future veteran deal. The real questions are when, how much, and by which team.Holdouts are more costly nowHolding out in an attempt to secure a better contract is far more rare in the NFL than it used to be, which is by design.Most of the NFL's offseason program is voluntary, which is a word with a specific meaning that the players negotiated into the collective bargaining agreement for a specific purpose. However, attendance at the non-contact minicamps that run for a maximum of three consecutive days in June is mandatory, and the same goes for the full-contact training camps later this summer. Every team except the Bengals and Eagles opted to have a mandatory minicamp this year. Patrick Smith / Getty ImagesLike Quinn and Hudson, McLaurin and Metcalf face fines totaling $95,877 for missing all three days. Those fines can be forgiven, though, and teams often do so as a gesture of good faith once a holdout situation is resolved.But keep this in mind once training camps roll around: Under the terms of the current CBA that was approved in 2020, players on veteran contracts (like Quinn and Hudson) must be fined $50,000 per day for training-camp absences, plus a regular-season game check for each preseason game missed. And those fines cannot be forgiven. But players on rookie contracts (like McLaurin and Metcalf) are subject to fines of $40,000 per day. Also, their teams can choose to waive those fines and cannot dock them a game check for missing a preseason game.In short, a player gets dinged for ditching minicamp, but management has made the price of missing training camp much higher. However, there's a bit more wiggle room for players on cost-controlled rookie deals. So where does that leave McLaurin and Metcalf? It depends on what they're willing to risk and how hard they're willing to bargain.Wildly underpaidBoth McLaurin and Metcalf have accrued three NFL seasons, so both became eligible to negotiate their second contracts at the beginning of this offseason. Yet even as teams around the league showered wideouts with cash - the number of receivers making an annual average of $20 million jumped from three to 11 since March, not counting Julio Jones, who was released - McLaurin and Metcalf continue to wait for their big paydays. Steph Chambers / Getty ImagesAnd both are terribly underpaid relative to their production, thanks to the constraints of the rookie-wage scale. McLaurin, a 2019 third-round pick, earned roughly $3 million total across his first three seasons, according to Over the Cap. A performance bonus that's also new to this CBA bumps his 2022 pay to $2.79 million, but that's still a fraction of what veterans with similar production are pulling down.The same is true for Metcalf, a 2019 second-round pick. He pocketed approximately $3.5 million total in his first three seasons, with a performance bonus boosting his salary for the upcoming season to $3.986 million.Via Stathead, let's compare McLaurin's and Metcalf's career production on a per-game basis to the other wideouts currently at or above the $20 million-per-year threshold:McLaurin and Metcalf are not quite at the top of that list, but they're comparable to more than a few members of the $20-million club. And McLaurin has missed just three of a possible 49 games in three years, while Metcalf has yet to miss a game and even played through a foot injury that required surgery after the 2021 season.McLaurin has been particularly sure-handed, too. Per PFF, he led the league with 25 contested catches in 2021 and has 49 contested catches since entering the league. McLaurin also has just 12 drops across his three seasons.Now consider the quarterbacks who've been throwing McLaurin the ball: Case Keenum, Colt McCoy, Dwayne Haskins, Alex Smith, Kyle Allen, Taylor Heinicke, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Garrett Gilbert. Washington has since added Carson Wentz as its QB1, and Wentz is on his third team in as many seasons. McLaurin has clearly produced despite less-than-ideal circumstances.Metcalf has mostly had Russell Wilson as his quarterback, but this fall he'll have either Geno Smith or Drew Lock in that role - a fact that no doubt increases the urgency for him to get a deal done before the 2022 season starts. For what it's worth, according to PFF, Metcalf has 39 contested catches in his career to go with 22 dropped passes. His production also slipped a bit last year as Wilson battled a finger injury, with his receiving yards per game falling from 81.4 to 56.9.What the market saysThe salary cap is expected to climb considerably in 2023 and then keep going up for the foreseeable future. Spotrac's market-value tool pegs Metcalf as worth $22 million annually and McLaurin at $21 million, but the numbers in their eventual deals could be even higher. Lachlan Cunningham / Getty ImagesThere are other factors at work. The San Francisco 49ers' Deebo Samuel and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Diontae Johnson are also due for veteran contracts, and the way those shake out could affect the market. Samuel showed up for minicamp but went public with a trade demand a few months back. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Mark Kaboly pointed out that with Minkah Fitzpatrick's big deal now out of the way, the Steelers can prioritize completing a contract with Johnson before the start of the regular season, as is their custom.Washington does seem to be playing hardball with McLaurin, as evidenced by drafting Jahan Dotson with the 16th overall pick. The Commanders also signed Curtis Samuel in free agency in 2021, and he's expected to carry cap numbers of $12.6 million and $13 million for the next two seasons.The Seahawks are using this year to clear the salary cap, and while they have Tyler Lockett under contract through 2026, it would make sense to have Metcalf locked up if they plan to select a quarterback toward the top of next year's draft.Don't overlook the fact that different teams have different views on the value of wide receivers, though. The Las Vegas Raiders and Miami Dolphins gave up major draft assets and market-setting money to acquire Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill, respectively. But the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs - two of the league's most successful franchises in recent years - were willing to part with Adams and Hill and to pursue more depth rather than pay them.Contract talks can be tough to predict, but training camp does have a way of presenting a deadline. If McLaurin and Metcalf don't have deals by then, they could press the issue - but it could cost them a substantial amount of money with each passing day. And if they can't come to an agreement with their teams at all, there's always next year - and the gilded pastures of unrestricted free agency.Dom Cosentino is a senior features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rumors linking Sean Payton to the Dallas Cowboys have circulated for years, and they reignited once again after the former New Orleans Saints head coach shockingly retired in January while leaving the door open for an NFL return.But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shut down the speculation Thursday, backing head coach Mike McCarthy to deliver in his third season in charge."Sean Payton shouldn't be out there," Jones said Thursday, according to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "For him, the Cowboys, that's just sheer out of the air. It's well known we're good friends and we think a lot of him as a head coach. But in this case, asking the way you're asking, he shouldn't be a conversation piece."He added: "Mike has got an opportunity here to win a Super Bowl. That's really the measurement that I look at. But it's also an eternity between right now and next year."Payton worked as the Cowboys' assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach under Bill Parcells before leaving for the Saints in 2006.The 58-year-old established himself as one of the NFL's premier head coaches and offensive minds during 15 seasons in New Orleans, winning the Super Bowl in 2009 and accumulating a 152-89 record.Payton is reportedly set to join Fox as an NFL studio analyst for the 2022 campaign.The ex-head coach was apparently pursued by the Miami Dolphins, who wanted to pair him with Tom Brady. Payton remains under contract with the Saints for two more seasons, so any team looking to tempt him back to the NFL would have to negotiate a trade with New Orleans.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL punished Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera and Houston Texans head coach Lovie Smith for violating offseason workout rules, a source told ESPN's Dan Graziano.Rivera was reportedly fined $100,000 and Washington docked two OTA practices in 2023 due to excessive contact in practice drills.Smith was fined $50,000 for running prohibited one-on-one offensive line versus defensive line drills.Washington and Houston are the second and third teams to draw the ire of the NFL this week for breaking workout rules.The Dallas Cowboys were penalized for a second consecutive year for having practices that were deemed too physical during OTAs. The Cowboys lost a 2023 OTA session and head coach Mike McCarthy was fined $100,000.The Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, and San Francisco 49ers were the teams punished for practice infractions last offseason.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints are focused on using Taysom Hill in any way possible next season."We talk all the time about position-less players on defense," said head coach Dennis Allen, according to NOLA.com's Luke Johnson. "I don't know if position-less is the right word for Taysom - he's a multiple position player."There's a ton of places Taysom Hill can help this team win, and we want to utilize him in all those different roles."The Saints expect Hill to primarily line up at tight end, with Jameis Winston penciled in to be the team's starting quarterback and Andy Dalton serving as his backup.The versatile athlete served as the team's quarterback following Winston's season-ending injury last year. He led New Orleans to a 4-1 record as a starter, throwing for 978 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions while adding 374 rushing yards with five scores.Hill played through several injuries during the 2021 season, including a concussion that forced him to miss multiple games. He also dealt with a mallet finger injury that required him to wear a splint on his throwing hand.The 31-year-old is currently working his way back into form after sustaining a Lisfranc fracture in the regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. He attended the team's minicamp this past week as he continues to rehabilitate ahead of his sixth campaign with New Orleans.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys were penalized for a second consecutive year for having practices that were deemed too physical during OTAs, team owner Jerry Jones announced Thursday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer.Head coach Mike McCarthy was also fined $100,000, Archer adds.In 2021, McCarthy was reportedly dinged $50,000, and the club was docked $100,000 due to the team's practice intensity.Dallas had to forfeit a week of practice this year. The Cowboys were one of three clubs that faced similar penalties for OTA infractions in 2021, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the San Francisco 49ers.Under the CBA agreement, all teams must film their OTA practices to allow the league to review and enforce the non-contact rule for voluntary sessions.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick knows what the record extension the Pittsburgh Steelers gave him Wednesday means for the franchise, and he's ready to embrace that expectation."The money is a blessing, the money creates opportunity for everyone around us and in our families, but it's more what they're saying with the money," Fitzpatrick said Thursday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "They're trusting you to be the best and prepare to be the best and compete against the best and play A-plus-plus on a consistent basis."He added, "It's more of that, that I'm trying to hold myself to, rather than say, 'I got paid, so now I've got to play well.' It's no, these guys trust me with this amount of money, this amount of responsibility, so now it's my duty to go out there and play at a high level and show them that I deserve this compensation."Fitzpatrick became the highest-paid safety in NFL history after inking a four-year deal worth over $18.4 million annually. The 25-year-old, who's earned two All-Pro nods since joining Pittsburgh in 2019, is signed with the club through the 2026 season."I'm one of the best at what I do," he said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "So obviously, you would like to be paid in that way and represented in that way. In a week from now or a year from now, somebody's obviously gonna pass it up, but you always want to raise the bar for the guys behind you, want to raise the bar for the people in our locker room."The Steelers rewarded linebacker T.J. Watt with a four-year extension worth more than $112 million last year. They're now one of just five teams with multiple defenders who currently own an average annual salary of at least $18 million, according to ESPN."The thing I appreciate most about this organization is its commitment to winning," Fitzpatrick said."It could've been a season where we lost our starting quarterback, legendary Hall of Fame quarterback, it could've been a season where they just tanked and decided to call it quits. But they went out and acquired me and acquired a few other guys and said we're going to do what we've got to do to win games."Watt, Fitzpatrick, and Co. have some work to do in 2022. The Steelers' defense ranked in the top five in both yards and points allowed in 2019 and 2020 but placed 24th and 20th in those categories last year, respectively.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson reiterated his intention of remaining with the Baltimore Ravens."I expect so," Jackson told reporters Thursday when asked if he plans to play his entire NFL career in Baltimore, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley.The 25-year-old passer said he had conversations with general manager Eric DeCosta about a new contract this week, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec.However, Jackson said he wasn't sure if he'd report for training camp in July or play in the upcoming season if he doesn't sign a new deal, per Hensley.Jackson, who negotiates his contract directly, is expected to become one of the highest-paid players in NFL history when he signs his extension. He added that the record contract the Cleveland Browns gave quarterback Deshaun Watson this offseason - a fully guaranteed five-year, $230-million pact - won't affect his negotiations with Baltimore."I'm a man of my own," he said. "I don't worry about what those guys did."Jackson said last year he'd love to be with Baltimore "forever," though Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said in March that the star signal-caller had yet to engage in extension talks with the team.The quarterback received criticism in May for not showing up to Baltimore's organized team activities for the first time in his career."I just wanted to stay away and just grind," Jackson said. "I just wanted to come back in and see how I felt. I feel good. I asked my guys how would they feel if I stayed home, and they were like, 'That's cool.'"The 2019 NFL MVP said he worked out with James Proche and Rashod Bateman in February and isn't concerned about chemistry with his receivers. He also plans to continue practicing with his receiving corps until training camp begins."I know that Lamar and the receivers and tight ends are going to meet in Florida at Florida Atlantic with Willie Taggart, the head coach down there. He's gonna host them for some throwing. That's gonna be good," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said Thursday.Jackson, who missed five games due to injury last year, tossed only 16 touchdowns against 13 interceptions across 12 games in 2021. Baltimore traded Marquise Brown, its former No. 1 wide receiver, to the Arizona Cardinals in April.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said Thursday that he was "surprised a little" when former teammate Tyreek Hill aired his frustrations about his time in Kansas City.Hill said the Chiefs failed to utilize him enough and weren't willing to negotiate near the $25 million-$26 million annual figure that he was looking for in an extension. The Miami Dolphins wide receiver made the comments on the first episode of his new podcast, "It Needed To Be Said," which was released last Friday."We loved Tyreek here, we've always loved him, we still love him," said Mahomes.He added: "I'm sure it had something to do with trying to get his podcast some stuff and get it rolling. But definitely, I still love Tyreek, he's a one-of-a-kind player. But as you know in coach (Andy) Reid's offense, it takes the whole team. ... It's an offense that's more than one player, and that includes myself."Mahomes said he hasn't spoken to Hill since the podcast came out, but noted that they ran into each other at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in May.Hill had a career-high 111 receptions for 1,239 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021.However, his workload declined as the season went on. After seeing 11.1 targets per game across the first 11 games, his average dropped to 7.2 targets per game for the final nine matchups (including playoffs).Hill also asserted that Tua Tagovailoa, his new quarterback with the Dolphins, had better accuracy than Mahomes. The former MVP said he didn't care about the perception of him as a gunslinger."It doesn't get to me at all," said Mahomes. "As long as we're winning football games and we're putting up points, I think I'm doing my job the right way."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While most NFL players are ready to enjoy six weeks away from football before training camps begin, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert can't wait to get back to work."I think the great thing about football, for me, is I need football," Herbert said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I love waking up and going to work and lifting, running, throwing, and watching film."I think too much off time can kind of be a burden to me sometimes, so I always look forward to having stuff to do, whether that's watching film or us throwing or being out here for OTAs. I think that's kind of what I look forward to."Herbert has enjoyed a record-setting start to his career. He set the all-time rookie mark for touchdown passes (31) in 2021 before throwing for over 5,000 yards as a sophomore.While the young quarterback's widely tipped to push the Chargers into playoff contention in 2022 after two years outside the postseason, he isn't feeling the pressure."I feel like I'm kind of on vacation right now," he said about ongoing minicamps. "I think that if you're taking a vacation, you're trying to get away from something. I always look forward to coming to this place and working and doing all of these fun things."Going home, I'll do the same thing, trying to have as much fun as I can with my family and things like that, but it is work and getting ready for the season."The Chargers return for training camp July 28 and are set to take part in joint practices with the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 17-18 ahead of their Week 2 preseason matchup.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Stitcher, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone goes over the most important takeaways from all the recent minicamps around the league.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport had part of his left pinkie finger amputated this offseason after breaking a plate from a previous surgery and experiencing an infection, he told ESPN's Mike Triplett.The 25-year-old is hoping he'll be fully healthy by training camp following the procedure on his finger and his January shoulder surgery.Davenport said the finger ailment has been an ongoing issue since he first tore ligaments in his junior year of college in a 2016 bowl game. Davenport opted to address the issue in 2021 as the condition of the finger continued to deteriorate. He underwent three additional surgeries before ultimately amputating the finger.The 2018 first-round pick isn't concerned about the impact the amputation will have on his play. He said he has grown accustomed to playing with a bent finger, according to Triplett. The UTSA product had a career-high nine sacks in 11 games last season.The pass-rusher has missed multiple games due to numerous ailments since 2018.Davenport is entering the final year of his rookie contract after the Saints picked up his fifth-year option that will cost $9.5 million next season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick reached an agreement on a record four-year extension worth over $18.4 million per year, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Pittsburgh announced the pact as a five-year contract, factoring in the final year of Fitzpatrick's rookie deal in 2022, according to The Athletic."We are very excited to sign Minkah to a new five-year contract," new Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in a statement. "Minkah is one of the top safeties in the NFL and we are thrilled he will be in Pittsburgh through at least the next five years. When we traded for him, we knew he was going to be an integral part of our defense and we look forward to that continuing as we prepare for the upcoming season."The record deal, which includes $36 million guaranteed at signing, makes Fitzpatrick the highest-paid safety in NFL history, topping Jamal Adams of the Seattle Seahawks, according to Spotrac.RankSafetyTeamAnnual salary1Minkah FitzpatrickSteelers$18.4M2Jamal AdamsSeahawks$17.65M3Harrison SmithVikings$16M4Justin SimmonsBroncos$15.255Budda BakerCardinals$14.75Fitzpatrick has become a cornerstone of Pittsburgh's defense since joining the team via trade from the Miami Dolphins during the 2019 season. The 25-year-old, who has two first-team All-Pro nods under his belt, racked up 203 tackles, 27 pass breakups, and 11 interceptions in 46 regular-season games with the Steelers."I am very excited," Fitzpatrick said Wednesday. "I am still kind of in shock right now. It's a blessing. I am really excited. It's just the beginning. I am appreciative. I am thankful. Now I just want to keep on chopping."I love the history here. What it stands for. The standard we are held to. The standard coach (Mike) Tomlin holds us to, on the field and off the field. The standard of winning playoff games, division titles, and championship games."The Alabama product entered the NFL as the 11th overall pick in the 2018 draft.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady provided more details about his decision to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason after a brief retirement, saying Wednesday that he wasn't able to stay away from football due to his "appetite to compete."The legendary quarterback can already see the end of the tunnel, though."I think mostly when I kind of told the team, 'Look, you know guys gotta make plans without me.' And then (GM) Jason (Licht) and (coach) Bruce (Arians) said, 'Just give it time,'" Brady said on "The Dan Patrick Show." "I said, 'Look, I feel pretty strongly.'"Then time went by, and you just get super competitive. I think I'm part crazy. ... Forty-five years old and I'm out here with a lot of young guys that are trying to take my head off. I see (Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman) Aaron Donald work out on my Instagram, and I'm like, 'Damn, maybe I should've stayed retired because he's a beast.'"He continued: "But I had the appetite to compete, and it's going to be gone soon. ... I gotta, you know, just really appreciate the time I have left because it's not a lot."Brady officially announced he'd play his 23rd NFL season March 13, less than two months after first announcing his retirement.It's still unclear when Brady will retire for good. However, the seven-time Super Bowl champion does know what's waiting for him once he hangs up his cleats."It's going to be a totally new career," Brady said of his agreement to become Fox Sports' lead NFL analyst after he retires. "It's a new opportunity for me to try something that I'm going to work really hard to prepare to be as good as I could possibly can be, knowing that the day that I walk on the set for the first time won't be my finest moment."There'll be a lot of growing pains and I'll have to learn to be really good at it, but I also think there's part of it that excites me."Brady, who turns 45 in August, has shown no signs of slowing down on the field. He led the NFL in completions (485), passing yards (5,316), and touchdowns (43) en route to finishing second in MVP voting last season.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson said Wednesday that he never really considered calling it a career despite stating in a since-deleted tweet that he was thinking about retiring last week."I was just thinking out loud, but I wasn't really that serious," Anderson said Wednesday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer.Reporters then asked Anderson if he still wants to be a Panther."I'm here, right?" Anderson said, per ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin.Panthers head coach Matt Rhule didn't discuss Anderson's tweet on Wednesday but said he expects Anderson to be an important weapon for the team, which hired new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo this season."I think in this offense, Robbie will have a ton of production," Rhule said, according to ESPN's David Newton."I believe this offense is perfect for him."Rhule added that Anderson didn't practice Wednesday after reporting to the trainers "that he didn't think he could go physically," according to The Athletic's Joe Person.Anderson, who's entering his third season with the Panthers, is coming off a down year. He caught only 53 passes for 519 yards in 17 games in 2021, down from 95 receptions and 1,096 yards in 2020.The 29-year-old previously spent his first four NFL seasons with the New York Jets.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Commanders backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke said he doesn't think he has a chance of beating out Carson Wentz for the starting job this year due to their respective contract situations."I don't think that's an option," Heinicke told reporters Wednesday. "You look at the NFL, and at the end of the day, it's a business. If you're paying someone $30 million and you're paying someone else $2 million, you're paying this guy $30 million to play, you know?"He added, "Carson's a great quarterback, and you see it through OTAs and minicamp. And I hope he goes out there and succeeds. And again, my job is just to back him up. Hopefully, he's on his deal, I help him out in whatever way I can, and if for some reason he goes down, I'm ready to go play. That's how I look at it. But, again, the NFL's a business. You're paying a guy a lot of money, you're paying him money for a reason. He's gonna go play."Wentz is set to earn $28.29 million in 2022, according to Spotrac. The 29-year-old played his first five NFL seasons in Philly before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2021. The Commanders acquired Wentz and a pair of draft picks from Indy this offseason in exchange for three draft selections.Heinicke is set to make $3.63 million this season as part of a two-year, $4.75-million deal he inked in 2021.The Colts went 9-8 last season with Wentz under center and missed the playoffs. Meanwhile, Heinicke took over Washington's starting role after Ryan Fitzpatrick suffered an injury in Week 1. Heinicke, who also missed one game due to COVID-19, logged 16 appearances last season, including 15 starts.2021 stats Comp.% Yds TDs INT QBRWentz62.4356327754.7Heinicke653419201539.9"You go out there and practice like you're the starter," Heinicke added. "The NFL is crazy, everyone gets hurt. In any given play, your number is gonna be called, so you just have to make sure that you're ready."Wentz has battled injuries throughout his career, including a foot ailment that sidelined him during training camp last year.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis is retiring from the NFL, he announced Wednesday on Instagram.The 26-year-old said he plans to "devote the remainder of my life to the further advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

Nearly two years removed from a compound fracture and dislocated right ankle, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is ready to run again."I expect to have about 20 carries a game," Prescott joked Tuesday, according to team reporter Rob Phillips."I think I'm so, so much further along than I was last year at this time," Prescott added. "Just being able to get the team reps and being able to move more, take care of my whole body, and just focus on everything, not just my leg. It's a huge difference."Prescott's rushing stats took a dive in 2021 due to his injury. He ran for 146 yards on 48 carries for one touchdown, marking the first season he failed to record more than three rushing scores in a single season.Head coach Mike McCarthy admitted that the Cowboys didn't call as many designed runs for Prescott last season because of the ailment."I think we tried to be smart when we used him. ... If you look at the history of this league, when a player has a major joint injury, it usually takes him a full year," McCarthy said.Now that he's feeling healthy, Prescott is focused on getting "good quality reps for me and for some of those guys we're going to actually need in the fall."Despite his lack of success on the ground last season, Prescott still threw for 4,449 yards and 37 touchdowns. He also recorded a 68.8% completion rate.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Veteran cornerback Richard Sherman is joining Amazon's Prime Video's Thursday Night Football coverage next season, the network announced Tuesday.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury would like nothing more than to have a new deal in place for his quarterback Kyler Murray."I'm praying before training camp," Kingsbury said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss.Kingsbury added, "Personally, I'm being selfish here, I would love for him to be there the first day of training camp."Murray, who turns 25 in August, rejoined the team's voluntary OTA sessions after letting the Cardinals know that he would like a new deal in line with those of the league's top-tier passers.The 2019 No. 1 pick was in attendance Tuesday for the first day of the team's mandatory minicamp.It's been reported that Murray won't show up for training camp without a new agreement.He's expected to earn $5.5 million next season and $29.7 million in the final year of his rookie contract in 2023.Kingsbury said he expects Murray's new deal to set a Cardinals record and emphasized the passer's value to the club by calling him the "leader of this franchise."Arizona general manager Steve Keim previously said the organization would like to work out an extension by this summer.Murray led the Cardinals to a 9-5 record as a starter last season, throwing 24 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and adding 423 rushing yards for five scores.Although Murray was on the field Tuesday, center Rodney Hudson missed the practice with an unexcused absence."We're working through something with him," Kingsbury said. "As soon as we know, we'll have that update."Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears linebacker Robert Quinn isn't expected to attend mandatory minicamp ahead of the first session Tuesday, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Quinn, who's training by himself, said in April he hopes to stay in Chicago. Teams reportedly inquired about the pass-rusher's availability at the time, and he's been subject to trade rumors throughout the offseason.The 31-year-old recorded 18.5 sacks in 2021 to set the franchise's single-season record.The Bears traded star pass-rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers in March for a 2022 second-round draft pick and a sixth-rounder in 2023.Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.