Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With all 32 NFL teams back on the field, it's time to identify this year's fantasy breakout candidates.Last year in this space, we led you to Patrick Mahomes, Tarik Cohen, Aaron Jones, Corey Davis, George Kittle, and Trey Burton, with the only real miss being Josh Doctson. So, you may want to commit the names below to memory come fantasy draft day.Average draft position (ADP) data courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator and is based on 12-team leagues with PPR scoring.Mitch Trubisky, QB, BearsAndy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's almost impossible to follow up my Mahomes pick from 2018, which means you shouldn't expect Trubisky to finish as the top scoring fantasy quarterback. Securing a spot in the top seven is well within reach though, as long as the Bears' passer can stay healthy.In his first campaign under head coach Matt Nagy, Trubisky was the QB15 despite missing two games due to injury. For anyone who believes his year-long fantasy performance was inflated by a six-touchdown outing in Week 4, just take a look at Trubisky's numbers from Week 6 to 11, where he averaged 23.3 fantasy points per contest - third best in the NFL.The 24-year-old is far from a polished quarterback, but Nagy's arrival infused creativity into the offense and the Bears have surrounded the former second overall pick with a talented arsenal of skill position players. We're also discussing his fantasy outlook, not his Hall of Fame candidacy. For fantasy purposes, Trubisky checks a lot of boxes, including an underrated rushing ability, which resulted in 421 yards on the ground - fifth most among quarterbacks last season.Pair Trubisky with another high-upside late-round option like Jameis Winston, Josh Allen, or Kyler Murray and consider yourself set at quarterback. If both players hit, you may even end up with a valuable asset to trade early in the season.Star potential: ★★★★☆

The Dallas Cowboys have extended "generous" offers to quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and wide receiver Amari Cooper that would put each player in the top five at their respective positions, according to Jane Slater of NFL Network.Elliott has two years remaining on his current contract, while the other two stars have one. The Cowboys are reportedly ready to put pen to paper, but are also willing to let all three play out this season on prove-it deals.Meanwhile, Elliott continues to hold out from training camp, although Prescott and Cooper are attending.Last week, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said Dallas was "damn sure not going to be a market-setter" when it came to deals for their three offensive stars.Cowboys owner Jerry Jones later indicated that he was confident Elliott's holdout could be resolved, but added that his team won't hand out a big-money deal that "would disrupt and shake the base of our plans for how to keep the talent we've got here."Dallas is apparently looking to give Elliott a deal that's closer to Le'Veon Bell's four-year, $52.5-million contract ($27 million guaranteed) than Todd Gurley's four-year, $57.5-million extension ($45 million guaranteed), according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.Gurley leads all NFL running backs at $14.38 million per season.Russell Wilson ($35 million per year) tops the quarterback market in terms of annual salary, with Matt Ryan rounding out the top five at $30 million per year (not including Tom Brady's new reportedly voidable contract), according to Spotrac.Meanwhile, Michael Thomas' recent contract that pays $19.23 million annually made him the NFL's highest-paid receiver, though Julio Jones is all but certain to exceed that mark before the season begins. DeAndre Hopkins and Brandin Cooks are tied for fifth at $16.2 million.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It may be Freddie Kitchens' first preseason as a head coach, but he's already stamping his authority on the Cleveland Browns.In order to limit information coming out of Browns camp, Kitchens threatened to fire any employee caught leaking news to the media."The days of inside information and the days of unnamed sources and stuff like that have ended," Kitchens said Monday, according to CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo. "So you're not going to get any information like that, ever. Anybody. And I ever see it, they're fired, immediately. And that's how we're running this organization. I can take it. (general manager) John Dorsey can take it. We won't crack, I promise you."His comments come after former Browns offensive line coach Bob Wylie, who was not retained after last season, recently criticized Kitchens.Wylie said on "The Zach Gelb Show" that former Cleveland quarterbacks coach Kenny Zampese was responsible for the team's impressive second-half offensive run - not Kitchens. The Browns went 5-3 after Hue Jackson was fired and Kitchens was promoted to offensive coordinator. They began the season 2-5-1.Wylie, who was a hit on HBO's 2018 season of "Hard Knocks," stated he was notified of the franchise's decision not to renew his contract by his daughter when he was in the hospital dealing with knee and ankle issues.Kitchens, for his part, didn't want to dwell too long on the past."I know Bob Wylie to be a good person," said Kitchens, who worked alongside Wylie throughout the 2018 season. "And out of respect for his family, I won't get into any of that. Because he's a father, he's a husband, he's a granddad. (But) Bob knows what happened.""Bob wasn't under contract," Kitchens continued. "He forgot to tell everybody that. He wasn't under contract. He had talked about retiring forever, alright? So, sometimes when a person says something, they have to be made to feel relevant, OK? Bob's a good person, and I don't wanna lose sight of that."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ezekiel Elliott's representatives told the Dallas Cowboys that he doesn't intend to play in 2019 without a new contract, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson.The star running back informed Dallas he wouldn't suit up without a new deal in January.It's unlikely that Elliott's holdout continues into the regular season, Anderson adds, based on the belief that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will prioritize finalizing a new contract prior to Week 1.Jones previously expressed confidence that a deal with Elliott will be completed but also stated he doesn't believe there's a deadline for reaching an agreement.The 24-year-old tailback reportedly wants to top Todd Gurley's position-leading annual salary of $14.38 million.But the Cowboys don't seem willing to meet that demand, as COO Stephen Jones has said his team won't set the market in deals for Elliott, quarterback Dak Prescott, and receiver Amari Cooper.Elliott is currently holding out of training camp in pursuit of a new contract. He's reportedly training in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The famed Legion of Boom may have disbanded in Seattle, but Richard Sherman believes it can be replicated with the San Francisco 49ers.While appearing on "Inside Training Camp Live," the veteran cornerback said the current 49ers defense reminds him of the legendary Seahawks unit that he was a major part of from 2011-17."I see similarities now, obviously, with all the pass-rushers we have now, all the talent we have up front," Sherman said, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "The linebackers are versatile. They can run, they can cover. And then in the back end, we've got tall, rangy corners. We've got Jason Verrett now, who's very versatile. K'Waun (Williams) is a great slot (corner), and we've got a hitter in the strong safety box."So I think we're going to be similar. Obviously, it's the scheme, schematically, it's similar, but we'll see. We've got to be consistent. We've had some really good days out here. You've got to stack them, though, as you know."After ranking 28th in points allowed per game during 2018, San Francisco added a number of players this offseason including Verrett, Kwon Alexander, Dee Ford, and Nick Bosa. Whether via the draft, free agency, or trade, the front office prioritized adding players who can get to the opposing quarterback in order to make things easier for the secondary in coverage."It does make a huge difference," Sherman said of the improved pass rush. "No slight to anybody else that came before but these guys are getting to the passer, and they're putting pressure, making the quarterback uncomfortable in his footwork. So they are airing passes, they're off their back foot, they're not putting it exactly where they want it to be. So that gives DBs a chance."Meanwhile, the 49ers run a scheme that's similar to that of the former Legion of Boom. Robert Saleh, San Francisco's defensive coordinator, was an assistant with Seattle from 2011-13. Additionally, he worked under Gus Bradley - another former Seahawks defensive coordinator - with the Jacksonville Jaguars for three seasons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals worked out Michael Crabtree on Monday but have no immediate plans to sign the veteran receiver, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported late Monday.While an earlier report from Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams stated that Crabtree had signed with Arizona, the two sides could not agree to terms despite the team extending an offer, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 31-year-old wideout was released from the Baltimore Ravens in February, just one season into his three-year contract.Crabtree ranked second among Ravens in receptions (54), third in receiving yards (607), and tied for second in touchdown catches (three) in 2018. His production dropped after rookie Lamar Jackson took over as starting quarterback in Week 11. Crabtree didn't top three receptions or 38 yards in a game from that point onward.The San Francisco 49ers selected Crabtree 10th overall in the 2009 draft. He spent six years with the club before signing with the Oakland Raiders, with whom he played three seasons.Arizona's receiving corps is currently led by Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk, along with Kevin White and rookies Andy Isabella, KeeSean Johnson, and Hakeem Butler.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his sixth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition.Scroll down to see his updated 2019 rankings for both standard and PPR leagues.Standard

The Indianapolis Colts claimed running back D'Onta Foreman off waivers from the Houston Texans, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Foreman was released Sunday reportedly for poor work habits.The 23-year-old had 327 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 78 carries in his rookie campaign before suffering a torn Achilles in November 2017. He missed nearly all of 2018 while rehabbing but was expected to be the primary back this season behind Lamar Miller.The Colts' backfield is currently led by Marlon Mack, Nyheim Hines, and Jordan Wilkins.Indianapolis placed running back Spencer Ware on the reserve/PUP list on Saturday due to ankle surgery. He'll reportedly be released through an injury settlement and hopes to continue playing for another team in 2019.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent corner Morris Claiborne has been handed a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, according to ESPN's Field Yates.Claiborne started for the New York Jets in 2017 and 2018. He visited the Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings this offseason but failed to secure a deal.The 29-year-old was taken sixth overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2012 NFL Draft. He played with the team for five seasons.He had 57 total tackles, two interceptions, and 14 pass deflections last campaign.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Running back Spence Ware was placed on the Indianapolis Colts' reserve/physically unable to perform list on Friday, making him unavailable to play for the club this season.The 27-year-old is having ankle surgery, which has a five-to-six week recovery timeline, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Ware plans to have an injury settlement with the Colts, which will lead to his release and allow him to play for another team, Rapoport adds.The running back reiterated the sentiment in a tweet on Saturday, stating his plan is to "play this year."

The New York Jets have traded for Baltimore Ravens guard Alex Lewis, the team announced Monday.Although Lewis announced his release from the Ravens on Monday, New York sent Baltimore a conditional seventh-round pick to keep him from hitting the waiver wire, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Houston Texans pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney is planning to report to the team after its third preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 24, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra.Clowney would get a week to get in shape, although the Texans reportedly aren't worried about his fitness. He wouldn't play in Houston's preseason finale, according to Rapoport.The 26-year-old was hit with the $15.98-million franchise tag March 4 but didn't sign it. Houston and Clowney failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline.The former No. 1 overall pick hasn't attended any of the Texans' offseason activities and was initially expected to return to the team before its regular-season opener Sept. 9.Clowney totaled 47 tackles, nine sacks, and three fumble recoveries during 2018.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Last year, the NFC North was clearly the Chicago Bears' to win. Now, with the top three teams going through significant coaching overhaul, the division is wide-open.The Bears are still atop the oddsboards - though barely - with bookmakers showing less faith in Chicago than any other division favorite. The NFC North is the only division to feature three teams shorter than 5-2 to win, thanks to expected improvements from the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers.Even the last-place Detroit Lions received the second-shortest odds of any division bottom-feeder. Translation? There's value across the board in the NFC North.Here are our best bets, value plays, and picks to avoid in the wide-open division:TEAMWIN TOTALNFC NORTH ODDSMAKE PLAYOFFSBears9 (-110)9-55-6Vikings9 (-110)2-15-4Packers9 (-110)11-520-21Lions6.5 (-150)9-113-4Best betVikings to make the playoffs (5-4)The Bears, Vikings, and Packers feature identical win totals (nine, over -110), and Minnesota has been given the second-shortest division-title odds. So why are the Vikes the odd ones out when it comes to making the playoffs?Minnesota boasted the NFL's best record in 2017 and was one win away from the playoffs in 2018, which was, by most accounts, a disastrous year in Minneapolis. Still, the Vikings won seven games despite mediocre QB play, a rash of injuries along the offensive line, and a step back from their dominant 2017 defense.Retained offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski - who righted the ship late last year - and fabled offensive mind Gary Kubiak should get Minnesota's offense humming in 2018, with elite skill position players and a healthier offensive line powering the unit. The defense also keeps the core identity of a unit that fared well statistically in 2018, including star linebacker Anthony Barr.There aren't six rosters in the NFC that are better than Minnesota's, and the coaching staff is built to make the most out of this group. With the top of this division wide-open, play the plus-money value.Value playGreen Bay Packers under 9 wins (-110)The 2019 iteration of the Packers is littered with "Are we sure?" questions without concrete answers.Are we sure Aaron Rodgers is healthy after playing nearly the entire 2018 season through knee, leg, and head injuries? Are we sure Aaron Jones is the bona fide workhorse that fantasy owners seem convinced he'll become? Are we sure the defense is better than below average, which is where it ranked in nearly every category last year?There are questions surrounding new pieces, too. Are we sure Matt LaFleur is a good head coach? LaFleur parlayed his reputation as an offensive genius into a head coaching role despite failing with the Titans in 2018, which was his second stint as an offensive coordinator after guiding Sean McVay's Rams in 2017.LaFleur could be the next McVay. Jones could be the next Ahman Green, and Rodgers has already proven himself as a generational talent. The 2019 Packers have the ingredients for success. But they come with risk, too, leaving value on a mediocre season in a tough division.Bet to avoidBears to win the NFC North (9-5)I know, I know. Fading the division favorite in a tight division is nothing new. Yet it can be hard to stay away from a plus-money favorite coming off a 12-win season.And it's the smart play here. There are real questions about how the Bears' defense will fare without Vic Fangio's leadership, and that unit engineered the team's success last year. Despite all the praise Matt Nagy gets as an offensive guru, Pro Football Focus ranked the Bears' offense 23rd in 2018, which includes 27th in passing and 28th in rushing.The Bears' strength of schedule is tied for the fifth-toughest in 2019 as the incumbent first-place team. A massive leap for quarterback Mitchell Trubisky could be enough to stave off regression if you're willing to bet on his progress and the defense's continued dominance. Otherwise, stay away.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady's immediate NFL future was cleared up by a reported two-year extension that will give the New England Patriots quarterback an $8-million raise for the upcoming season.However, despite Brady's new $70-million deal running through 2021, the contract is apparently expected to be renegotiated every year he continues to play.The final two years of the pact - which would pay him $30 million in 2020 and $32 million in 2021 - will become automatically void on the last day of the current league year, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. That essentially leaves the star signal-caller playing year-to-year."I mean, it's really the reality for most guys in the NFL," Brady told reporters when asked about his contract Monday. "I don't want to think that I'm any different than everyone else. Football's a tough business. It's a production business, and I'm ready to go this year, and that's really what matters and that's where my focus is."It's a unique situation I'm in. I'm (in my) 20th year with the same team and I'll be 42 years old. So, (it's) pretty much uncharted territory I think for everybody, and I'm going to go out there and do the best I can this year and see what happens."As part of the new agreement, the Patriots reportedly won't be allowed to use the franchise or transition tags to retain Brady in 2020.That means Brady will officially become a free agent after this season, though if he opts to keep playing, he's all but certain to return to New England, according to Rapoport."Someone can call Tom Brady at 4:01 (p.m.) at the start of the league year in 2020 and try to sign Tom Brady," Rapoport said Monday on NFL Network. "All of this is factually correct. I would also add (that the) relationship between Brady and the Patriots is very good, I know the Patriots want to do everything they can to make sure that he plays for only them, so you have to think that they will figure this out."But still, Tom Brady will be, if for just one second, a free agent after this season."Rapoport explained the deal is essentially a compromise between the two parties.Brady gets a raise for 2019 and will be able to negotiate next year without the threat of a one-year tender, while the Patriots gain cap space and didn't hamstring themselves financially if the future Hall of Famer decides to retire after the upcoming campaign.When asked if he's relieved to get his extension done, Brady said he'd come to terms with the reality of the situation."It is what it is. That's a good line," Brady said after a pause. "So whoever said it, it's very pertinent. Like I said, there's a lot of guys who have one year left on their contract(s), so the situation - I've got one year to go and we'll see what happens."Brady will reportedly take home $23 million in 2019, tied for sixth among veteran quarterbacks, after leading New England to its sixth Super Bowl title.But it appears that he and the Patriots will back at the negotiating table this time next year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Forget the stress of a Super Bowl futures bet, which is dependent on the volatility of the playoffs.Instead, look for value in the NFL's best record bet, which cashed for Saints and Rams bettors a year ago. There's also value to be had in the league's worst record wager, with those betting on Arizona last year coming out as winners.Here are the odds for the best and worst records in 2019, with three of our best bets for each:Best recordTEAMODDSPatriots11-2Chiefs8-1Rams9-1Saints9-1Colts10-1Eagles10-1Chargers14-1Bears16-1Browns16-1Packers17-1Steelers17-1Cowboys23-1Vikings25-1Seahawks26-1Falcons29-1Ravens29-1Texans34-149ers34-1Panthers50-1Bills60-1Jets60-1Raiders60-1Jaguars80-1Buccaneers80-1Titans80-1Broncos100-1Redskins100-1Bengals150-1Lions150-1Giants150-1Cardinals250-1Dolphins300-1Odds courtesy of FanDuel SportsbookNew England Patriots (11-2)Love them or hate them, the Patriots have had a share of the league's best record in three of the past five years. No other team has done it more than once in that span.The reigning champs enter this year as the runaway favorites for league supremacy behind the NFL's easiest projected strength of schedule (based on 2018 win percentages). A season-ending slate against Cincinnati, Buffalo, and Miami could have the Pats claiming the top seed with relative ease.There's better value on the board, but New England is once again the safest bet.Los Angeles Chargers (14-1)The Chargers were tied for the AFC's best record a year ago and were one game back of the NFL lead. They now enter 2019 as a sleeping giant behind a powerhouse offense and a defense built on speed and versatility.Melvin Gordon's holdout looms, though five of L.A.'s first seven games come against non-playoff teams from 2018. If the Chargers can avoid the silly mistakes that seemingly haunt this franchise, 13-plus wins are in order.Minnesota Vikings (25-1)Remember the Minnesota teams that claimed the NFL's best record in 2017 and were hyped as an NFC favorite just a year ago? This is largely the same group, but with more investment along the offensive line and a full offseason under a coaching staff more tailored toward the team's strengths.There's simply too much talent to ignore at a 25-1 price, especially in a division with major coaching changes for Minnesota's two biggest challengers in Chicago and Green Bay.Worst recordTEAMODDSDolphins17-5Cardinals23-5Bengals11-2Giants15-2Raiders17-2Redskins17-2Buccaneers11-1Bills13-1Lions16-1Broncos17-1Jets20-1Panthers32-1Titans32-1Jaguars34-1Texans44-1Ravens50-1Steelers50-149ers50-1Seahawks50-1Falcons60-1Cowboys60-1Vikings60-1Bears75-1Browns75-1Packers75-1Colts100-1Chargers100-1Eagles100-1Rams200-1Saints200-1Chiefs250-1Patriots350-1Miami Dolphins (17-5)The Dolphins are the obvious choice here thanks to a deconstructed roster and an ugly quarterback competition in which Ryan Fitzpatrick is the clear front-runner. Yikes.Miami's front office essentially announced a 2019 tank job when it started stockpiling 2020 picks and hired 38-year-old Brian Flores - who had previously never been a head coach or a full-time coordinator - as the team's bench boss."Tank for Tua" should spell profits for those who fade the 'Fins this year.Cincinnati Bengals (11-2)Zac Taylor, the latest product of the Sean McVay coaching assembly line, takes over a Bengals team with little talent and even less optimism for 2019.A.J. Green and Joe Mixon are legitimate weapons, but the former can't stay healthy and the latter can't find room behind a patchwork offensive line. Cincinnati's defense was below average in nearly every way last year, and now it's led by a first-time NFL defensive coordinator in Lou Anarumo.The Bengals lack the punch to win many games this season, especially if Green is out with injuries.Oakland Raiders (17-2)The Raiders were one loss away from the worst record in 2018 and have the NFL's toughest projected schedule in 2019. They have two games apiece against the Chiefs and Chargers on top of division slates against the NFC North and the loaded AFC South.Oakland's roster clearly has more talent than it did a year ago, but are we sure about the coaching? Jon Gruden couldn't turn around former MVP candidate Derek Carr's downward spiral, and the defense needs reinvention.Maybe "Hard Knocks" turns this team around, but the better bet is a total collapse for our viewing pleasure.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the start of the NFL season just over a month away, there are plenty of futures being released at sportsbooks. While bettors can wager on anything from NFL MVP winner to which team will finish with the league's worst record, the NFL Coach of the Year award offers some of the best value.NFL Coach of the Year odds are appealing to bettors because the favorite rarely wins. Bill Belichick has taken home the award three times, but he hasn't won it since 2010. Only two active coaches - Belichick (three) and Ron Rivera (two) - have won the award more than once.NFL Coach of the Year typically goes to someone whose team isn't expected to be very good, and the club then exceeds expectations.In 2017, Sean McVay took home the award at 33-1 odds after the Rams improved from 4-12 to 11-5 in his first season. It was a similar story last year when Matt Nagy won after leading the Bears to a 12-4 record in his first year, a seven-game improvement from the previous season. Nagy opened at 20-1 odds, but he was bet down to 10-1 before the start of the season.This year, oddsmakers are expecting the 49ers to be one of the most improved teams. Kyle Shanahan opened as the 10-1 favorite to win the award, with Belichick, McVay, and the Browns' Freddie Kitchens following him, all at 12-1. However, if history is any indicator, the winner will come from further down the board.Here are the odds to win 2019 NFL Coach of the Year, along with some best bets and a value play to consider.CoachTeamOddsKyle Shanahan49ers10-1Bill BelichickPatriots12-1Sean McVayRams12-1Freddie KitchensBrowns12-1Frank ReichColts14-1Sean PaytonSaints14-1Andy ReidChiefs14-1Doug PedersonEagles16-1Matt NagyBears20-1Matt LaFleurPackers20-1Vic FangioBroncos20-1Bruce AriansBuccaneers20-1Dan QuinnFalcons20-1Anthony LynnChargers20-1Pete CarrollSeahawks22-1Doug MarroneJaguars25-1Bill O'BrienTexans28-1Adam GaseJets28-1Mike ZimmerVikings28-1John HarbaughRavens28-1Mike TomlinSteelers28-1Jason GarrettCowboys28-1Mike VrabelTitans33-1Ron RiveraPanthers33-1Sean McDermottBills33-1Kliff KingsburyCardinals33-1Zac TaylorBengals40-1Jon GrudenRaiders40-1Pat ShurmurGiants50-1Jay GrudenRedskins50-1Matt PatriciaLions50-1Brian FloresDolphins50-1Best BetsMatt LaFleur, Packers (20-1)LaFleur has an advantage over every other first-year head coach because Aaron Rodgers is his quarterback.The Packers stumbled to a 6-9-1 record in 2018. Mike McCarthy was fired in early December, and now it's up to LaFleur to fix what's wrong in Green Bay. LaFleur has never been a head coach before, but he was the Rams' offensive coordinator under McVay in 2017. If the 39-year-old can revitalize the Packers' offense and return Green Bay to the playoffs, he'll be in the conversation for Coach of the Year.Oddsmakers are expecting the Packers to improve this season. Green Bay is +800 to win the NFC, and Rodgers is the second-highest favored (10-1) to win MVP. LaFleur is worth a shot at 20-1.Adam Gase, Jets (28-1)Gase receives a lot of criticism from fans, but he did take the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2016 with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, and he's entering a good situation with the Jets.New York improved this offseason during free agency by adding running back Le'Veon Bell and linebacker C.J. Mosley. Quarterback Sam Darnold begins his second season with more weapons after finishing 2018 strong, throwing for 931 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions over his final four games.When betting on Coach of the Year, we're looking for teams with the pieces in place to make a big jump from the previous season. After going 4-12 in 2018 and adding some key players this offseason, the Jets are a strong candidate to be the NFL's most improved team, which would put Gase in the Coach of the Year discussion.Value PlayMatt Patricia, Lions (50-1)The best value on the board right now comes from Patricia, and it's not even close.It's absolutely crazy that Patricia has been given the longest odds along with Brian Flores, Jay Gruden, and Pat Shurmur. The Lions are more talented than the Dolphins, Redskins, and Giants. Don't be surprised if Detroit is the NFL's surprise team in 2019, with the club going from worst to first in the NFC North.The Lions finished 6-10 in Patricia's first season while losing three games by three points or fewer. Detroit faces the longest odds to win the NFC North at +900, but oddsmakers are undervaluing the Lions heading into the season. Patricia has built up the offensive and defensive lines since coming to Detroit, and Matthew Stafford, an established quarterback, leads the huddle.The Lions are in a much better position to make a playoff run than teams like the Redskins or Dolphins, and Patricia at 50-1 to win Coach of the Year is the top value play.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders announced on Monday that Allegiant Stadium will be the name of their Las Vegas home when the team relocates in 2020.The announcement was made during a topping out ceremony at the stadium's construction site in Paradise, Nev., with the Raiders marking the completion of the $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat venue."We're thrilled that our future home will be known as Allegiant Stadium," Raiders President Marc Badain said. "As the hometown airline, Allegiant is the perfect partner to showcase the incredible support we continue to receive from the southern Nevada community. We are grateful to all involved who worked diligently to make Allegiant Stadium a reality."Allegiant had been speculated as the sponsor for the stadium since May when the travel company sought a trademark on "Allegiant Stadium."The new venue will also be home to the UNLV football team and serve as the site of the Las Vegas Bowl beginning next year, in addition to hosting the 2020 and 2021 Pac-12 championship games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFC South looks to be in pretty good shape for the 2019 season.The New Orleans Saints are tied for the shortest odds among NFC teams, the sky is still the limit for the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers have a high ceiling, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should be more competitive to round out the division.Here are our best bets, value plays, and picks to avoid for arguably the best division in football.(Over prices in parentheses)TeamWin totalNFC South oddsMake playoffsSaints10.5 (+130)5-84-11Falcons8.5 (-135)3-18-5Panthers8 (+100)5-12-1Buccaneers6.5(+105)9-19-2Best bet - Falcons over 8.5 (-135)It always raises some red flags when the betting market loves or hates a certain middle-of-the-pack team. The anointed sleeper heading into this campaign appears to be the Falcons, who followed up the biggest Super Bowl collapse in 2016 with a third-place finish in the division in 2017 and missing the playoffs altogether last season.There's a lot to like about Atlanta heading into 2019. Talent's almost never been a problem, but the coaching recently has. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter isn't the be-all and end-all, but after watching Steve Sarkisian waste last year's potential, it's an immediate upgrade. In Koetter's first year as OC with the Falcons in 2012, Atlanta ranked No. 7 in points per game and Matt Ryan had one of his best overall seasons.Defensively, a unit like the Falcons' doesn't have the margin for error; we found that out quickly last year when two key cornerstones - Deion Jones and Keanu Neal - combined to miss 23 games on injured reserve. If Atlanta stays relatively healthy, I'd bet we see more of the 2017 defense (19.1 points per game allowed) than the 2018 defense (26.4).Value play - Falcons to make playoffs (8-5)The NFC wild-card race should be bonkers. Between the North and West, there are six dangerous teams on paper.But that's just on paper, and I think there are more question marks than answers when it comes to low-floor, high-ceiling teams, namely the Vikings, Packers, 49ers, and Seahawks. I already love the Falcons, and it only makes sense to have more skin in the game. Except I'd rather take them to clinch a berth in the postseason at 8-5 rather than bank on them fulfilling their ceiling and surpassing the Saints.Bet to avoid - Saints to win the NFC South (5-8)This has more to do with the state of the division than it does with disliking the Saints. New Orleans is 10-1 to win the whole thing for a reason, and even though Drew Brees looked out of gas down the stretch in 2018, it's one of the most talented all-around rosters in the game. But given how competitive the division is, I wouldn't want to lay -160 and put all my eggs in one basket.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camp in full swing, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

The Indianapolis Colts were set to enter the season as one of the NFL's most-hyped teams, but Andrew Luck's lingering calf injury continues to weigh on the expected Super Bowl contender.The quarterback's injury first surfaced in April, and he'll miss another week of camp and the Colts' opening preseason game on Thursday while recovering.However, Luck remains confident he'll be under center when Indianapolis opens the regular season on Sept. 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers."No," Luck told Peter King of NBC Sports when asked if he's worried about not being ready for Week 1. "I certainly believe I will (be ready). That's certainly the goal."The Colts have said they're being careful with Luck's injury, and the team is even citing Kevin Durant's NBA FInals injury as a cautionary tale. That approach comes after Luck missed the 2017 campaign due to a persistent shoulder issue.The signal-caller, who turns 30 years old in September, said the three-month wait for his calf to heal has been taxing."At times I do worry about it," Luck said. "It can be frustrating. The arc of an injury, whether it's a big surgical one or something you're rehabbing through.""... Maybe I'm not improving as fast as I want and missing things is no fun. It eats at you. But I do know at the end of the day if I'm getting the most out of myself, if I'm being the best I can that day, then that's what I need to do."Luck has undergone three MRIs on his calf, and only a strain has been revealed, according to King.Head coach Frank Reich is relying on the four-time Pro Bowler to know when he's ready to return."As a former player and as a coach, it's just always my instinct to trust the player," Reich said. "I really don't lay awake at night thinking about it. When our players have injuries, I'm not the guy who's asking every five minutes how they're doing. That's just the way I am."The Colts retained an insurance policy for Luck in Jacoby Brissett, the backup who performed solidly during the starter's absence two years ago and has received praise from the club's coaching staff while running the first-team offense during training camp.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn't seem worried about the fact that several players on his team are looking for long-term extensions.Jones said there are no "specific" updates on potential deals with quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, or receiver Amari Cooper, but he did reveal he's negotiating with seven or eight players. The 76-year-old believes the team will eventually reach agreements with the offensive trio."Just know that like so many things, it'll happen. It'll happen," Jones said Saturday, according to NFL.com's Adam Maya. "There literally is no concern on my part at all about any time frame. That'll happen. The results are too good for them and too good for the Cowboys. Think about it now. The results are too good for them and too good for the Cowboys. That always happens when it's that good for both of us."Both Prescott and Cooper are attending training camp while Elliott remains away from the team as his holdout continues. The quarterback said he's in regular contact with his running back, though they haven't discussed their respective contract situations."Friendship is friendship and business is business. You don't cross those," Prescott said. "I've talked to him. We've communicated. As I said, obviously we miss the player that he is but I know that he's getting better. I know that he's working on his game, he's in shape. He's going to make sure that he comes back, and when he's back on this team he's a better player than before camp, or before the spring. He's a good friend. Obviously we want him out here, but that's business."Jones said on Thursday that there's no deadline for when an extension for Elliot could be agreed upon, and he seemed to also send a message to the 24-year-old earlier in the week when he said NFL teams don't need a "rushing champion to win a Super Bowl."Cornerback Byron Jones and linebacker Jaylon Smith are also in contention for long-term agreements.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Whether he's posing shirtless in a weight room or standing on the field at training camp, DK Metcalf has the ability to make anyone look tiny.Metcalf went viral again last week after ESPN's Brady Henderson tweeted a photo of the 6-foot-3, 229-pound Seattle Seahawks rookie standing near fellow wide receiver Tyler Lockett, who's listed at 5-foot-10 and 182 lbs.

Tom Brady is set to receive a late birthday gift.The New England Patriots' star quarterback is signing a two-year extension that will pay him $23 million in 2019, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The total worth of Brady's new deal is $70 million, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.In addition to the $8-million raise in salary for this season, Brady is reportedly set to receive $30 million in 2020 and $32 million in 2021. However, his contract will be adjusted each year he continues to play, added Schefter.Brady, who turned 42 years old Saturday, had one year remaining on his former pact.The six-time Super Bowl champion was set to earn $15 million in 2019, and it was widely expected the Patriots would give him a new short-term deal to push his salary further toward the top of the market and reduce his $27 million cap hit.Brady's extension freed up $5.5 million, according to Schefter. New England previously had just over $9 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.Only five veteran quarterbacks are now set to take home more cash in 2019 than Brady, who is tied for sixth with fellow future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, per Spotrac.There is no precedent for extending a quarterback of Brady's age who is still performing at an elite level. The veteran pivot appeared to attempt to drive negotiations forward after Wednesday's practice."Have I earned it? I don't know. That's up for talk-show debate. What do you guys think? Should we take a poll? Talk to Mr. (Robert) Kraft, c'mon," Brady said. "No, like I said, we've got a great relationship. So we'll see how it goes."Brady threw for 4,355 yards and 29 touchdowns against 11 interceptions during last year's regular season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.With training camp in full swing, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:

The Houston Texans waived running back D'Onta Foreman, the team announced Sunday.The Texans were displeased with the 2017 third-round pick's work habits, according to John McClain of The Houston Chronicle.Foreman ran for 327 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie before suffering a torn Achilles in November 2017.The tailback missed nearly all of last season due to the injury but was widely expected to regain his role as Lamar Miller's primary backup.However, head coach Bill O'Brien recently hinted that Foreman wasn't meeting expectations during training camp.

Jordy Nelson is hanging up his cleats as a member of the Green Bay Packers.The receiver informed the team of his decision to retire with the Packers to officially end his 11-year career, general manager Brian Gutekunst announced Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has ended his holdout and was in attendance for Sunday's practice, head coach Doug Marrone announced.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown is considered day-to-day after visiting a foot specialist, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Brown has missed a significant portion of his first training camp with the Raiders. He began camp on the non-football injury list with an undisclosed injury, which was later reported to be sore feet.After Tuesday's practice, Brown posted a picture on Instagram of his feet covered in blisters but later deleted the post.Head coach Jon Gruden said Friday the team is frustrated its top weapon hasn't been able to get onto the field."I think we're all disappointed," Gruden said, per ESPN's Paul Guiterrez. "We think he's disappointed. We'd like to get the party started. We'd like to get him out here. He's a big part of the team."I want the guy out here as soon as possible. I'd like him to never leave and stay in the huddle every play. But life goes on and you've got to continue to work, and the other guys got to take advantage of these opportunities, and so far, they have."Brown was cleared July 28 but has yet to fully participate in practice.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders receiver Cliff Branch died Saturday at the age of 71, the team announced.Branch spent all 14 of his NFL seasons with the Raiders, winning three Super Bowls."Cliff Branch touched the lives of generations of Raiders fans," the club said in a statement. "His loss leaves an eternal void for the Raiders Family, but his kindness and loving nature will be fondly remembered forever. Cliff’s on-field accomplishments are well documented and undeniably Hall of Fame worthy, but his friendship and smile are what the Raider Nation will always cherish."Owner Mark Davis also posted a message from the team's Twitter account.

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown is visiting a foot specialist for the injury that has bothered him throughout training camp, The Athletic's Vic Tafur reports.The injury is not considered long term, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Brown missed practice Thursday and Friday after being limited Tuesday. The Raiders had Wednesday off.After Tuesday's practice, Brown posted a picture on Instagram of his feet covered in blisters. The post was later deleted.Brown began camp on the non-football injury list with an injury that was reportedly considered "very minor."The 31-year-old was the Raiders' signature acquisition of the offseason. Brown reeled in 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns last year for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His 15 touchdown catches led the league.Oakland landed the seven-time Pro Bowler in a trade with the Steelers and signed him to a three-year, $50.125-million contract.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will miss another week of training camp as he deals with a left calf injury.Luck has been battling the ailment since April. He missed the Colts' OTAs and minicamp, and after being limited in three days of training camp, the 29-year-old told the Colts on Monday that he wanted to sit out until he's back to full health."I feel good about where we're at," head coach Frank Reich said, according to ESPN's Mike Wells. "Just ramping it up from last week. That was so productive last week that we feel we're on the right track."When (Luck) has his throwing sessions, there is some movement in there and we are progressing in that."In order to maintain chemistry with the offense, Luck has continued to take snaps in walk-throughs.The four-time Pro Bowler has already been ruled out of the team's preseason opener against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 8 and the Week 4 exhibition game.Jacoby Brissett has been behind center with the first unit in Luck's absence.Luck said on Tuesday that he "absolutely" expects to be ready for Week 1.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jay Gruden dismissed rumblings Saturday that the Washington Redskins could end Trent Williams' holdout by trading him."I would seriously doubt that," the head coach said, according to John Keim of ESPN.A report Wednesday claimed the Redskins were discussing the possibility of trading their star left tackle. Williams hasn't attended team activities all summer. His discontent reportedly stems from the way the Redskins handled a medical situation of his. Williams had a growth on his head, initially feared to be malignant, removed in the spring.Gruden acknowledged he isn't sure how the Redskins can appease Williams, but said he's still "very optimistic" the holdout will end amicably.Williams has made seven Pro Bowls since entering the league as the No. 4 overall pick of the Redskins in 2010. He has two years remaining on the five-year, $68-million deal he signed in 2015 and is also believed to be seeking a new contract.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Josh Rosen could be building momentum in the Miami Dolphins' quarterback competition, which head coach Brian Flores said Saturday remains open."I think he's made some improvement, really across the board," Flores told reporters, according to Jelani Scott of NFL.com. "There's things that a lot of people don't see. Better footwork, mechanics in the pocket, decision-making. A lot of times people, all they see is the touchdown pass; they don't see the checkdown that's a positive play for the team. I think he's improved in those areas and I think those are the little things that go a long way at that position."Rosen entered training camp in a duel with veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting job. Flores declared Fitzpatrick the leader over Rosen early on.Miami sent a second-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL draft to acquire Rosen, who struggled through his rookie campaign after being selected 10th overall a year ago."He's very talented, has a big arm, is smart, communicates well," Flores said, according to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "But again, it's hard to not mention consistency in this environment."The Dolphins will play their first of four preseason games Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon has filed for reinstatement to the NFL, Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk reports.Gordon returned to the Reserve/Commissioner Suspended list on Dec. 20 for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement under the substance abuse policy.The 28-year-old's status has been up in the air all offseason. The NFL said on June 19 that it had no update on when Gordon's ban may be reviewed."We don't have anything to do with Josh Gordon," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters on Thursday at training camp, according to Deyscha Smith of Boston.com. "He's suspended. You need to talk to the league. We have no control over Josh Gordon."The Patriots acquired Gordon from the Cleveland Browns early last season. He posted 40 receptions for 720 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games before landing back on the suspended list.Gordon's past issues with substance abuse kept him off the field for 43 contests in a 48-game stretch when he was with the Browns.He signed his restricted free-agent tender that's worth $2.025 million in April.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon settled a sexual harassment lawsuit that a former employee of his sports marketing company brought forth.The lawsuit was filed in December 2017. Wendy Haskell accused Moon of grabbing her crotch and pulling off her bathing suit after slipping a drug into her drink during a trip to Mexico. She also alleged that Moon forced her to wear a thong and sleep in his bed on business trips.Moon denied the allegations through his attorney in 2017."Both sides realized the appropriate thing to do was to settle with my client," Haskell's attorney, Diana L. Fitzgerald, told Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post. "We're very pleased with the settlement and believe justice is served.""I consider it a win for my client and all women who have to endure any form of harassment in the workplace," Fitzgerald added. "I'm proud of my client's unwavering courage and clarity throughout this case."A cheerleader who claimed Moon offered to pay her for sex while he was a Minnesota Vikings quarterback also sued him in May 1995. That case was settled out of court.Moon co-founded Sports 1 Marketing in 2010. He was working as a radio analyst for the Seattle Seahawks and granted a leave of absence when the lawsuit was filed.The 62-year-old was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006 and also enshrined into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He was selected to nine Pro Bowls over a 17-year NFL career, the majority of which he spent with the Houston Oilers. A six-year stint in the CFL, which included five Grey Cup championships, preceded his time in the NFL.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks may have received a boost to their pass rush, as head coach Pete Carroll said Friday he expects defensive end Ezekiel Ansah to be ready for Week 1, according to NBC Sports' Joe Fann.Ansah is recovering from December shoulder surgery. He was cleared for training camp and has participated on a limited basis.Previous reports indicated the 30-year-old could miss at least the first month of the regular season.Ansah, who spent the previous six years with the Detroit Lions, battled through shoulder issues for much of the 2018 campaign. He played in seven games and landed on injured reserve late in the season.The veteran pass-rusher underwent surgery shortly after, which slowed his market as a free agent. He notched just four sacks last year but amassed 12 in 2017.Seattle will host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 on Sept. 8.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Friday that to honor the NFL's 100th season, the number of candidates for induction will increase to 20 next year.This group will include five players from the modern era (retired for fewer than 25 seasons), 10 seniors (retired for more than 25 seasons), three contributors (an individual other than a player or coach), and two coaches.The resolution was passed for the class of 2020 election cycle only. Since 2010, just six or seven candidates have been inducted annually.Five modern-era players will be elected by the Hall's Selection Committee before Super Bowl LIV, while the other 15 would be voted on as one bloc, not individually, by a 25-member committee that will include Hall of Famers, media members, historians, and industry experts.The Centennial Class will be formally inducted in September 2020.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Brown may have joined his Oakland Raiders teammates for practice Tuesday, but head coach Jon Gruden hopes to see his star wideout more involved in the team's camp after sitting out Thursday and Friday."I think we're all disappointed," Gruden said Friday, according to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez. "We think he's disappointed. We'd like to get the party started. We'd like to get him out here. He's a big part of the team."But for the time being we're going to continue to work hard and we're seeing the development of some other receivers we're excited about."Brown began camp on the non-football injury list with a reportedly minor undisclosed injury. He participated in a walk-through Sunday and was limited in Tuesday's practice before the team had Wednesday off, notes Gutierrez.Following the Tuesday session, the 31-year-old posted a picture of his feet covered in blisters in an Instagram post that has since been removed."I want the guy out here as soon as possible," Gruden said. "I'd like him to never leave and stay in the huddle every play. But life goes on and you've got to continue to work and the other guys got to take advantage of these opportunities, and so far, they have."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots have signed free-agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith, the team announced Friday.Meredith worked out for the Patriots earlier this week after the New Orleans Saints cut him.The 26-year-old doesn't lack talent, but he's suffered through plenty of knee issues. He underwent reconstructive surgery after a gruesome injury in the 2017 preseason while with the Chicago Bears, missing the entire campaign as a result.Meredith also played just six games last season with New Orleans due to another knee injury suffered in November.The veteran pass-catcher joins a crowded receiving corps in New England, but also an unproven group beyond Julian Edelman. Meredith will compete for snaps with N'Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, Maurice Harris, and Dontrelle Inman in training camp.New England has placed Meredith on the physically unable to perform list while he recovers from a knee issue, according to ESPN's Field Yates. Fellow receivers Edelman and Demaryius Thomas are also working back to full health.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Season 13 of "Hard Knocks," which featured the Cleveland Browns, was one of the most entertaining in the HBO series' history, highlighted by Bob Wylie's incredible anti-stretching rant and the team's quarterbacks-only RV.The Browns were such a hit that HBO considered returning to Berea, Ohio for another season, as revealed by "Hard Knocks" showrunner Ken Rodgers on the latest episode of the "Sports Illustrated Media Podcast.""It was very much a consideration. Something we talked about internally and externally a lot. And what it would mean for the franchise to repeat a team twice in a row - not just the Cleveland Browns franchise, but the 'Hard Knocks' franchise," Rogers said. "We've always felt like changing it up has really allowed the show to be on the air for 18 years now. The reason why the show, I think, stays relevant is that we change every year. That being said, if we were ever gonna repeat a team, it might have been this year with the Cleveland Browns repeating from last year."There certainly was enough change. The coaching staff has changed. Bob Wylie isn't there anymore so who's taking over the offensive line? Obviously, Odell (Beckham Jr.) coming in would be a big storyline. It was a top consideration. No doubt. At the end of the day, we felt like the Raiders were equal in terms of storylines and a bit fresher in terms of some of the characters."Rogers added that the Browns didn't show the same level of interest as they did last year, and they ultimately all agreed it would be best to go in a different direction this season.The new season of "Hard Knocks," featuring the Oakland Raiders, premieres Aug. 6. at 10 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2019 NFL preseason starts tonight - sort of - as the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons square off in the Hall of Fame Game. It will feature decidedly non-Hall of Fame performances from both sides, but that doesn't mean it's not a worthwhile venture for bettors to follow.How can seemingly meaningless football prove profitable? Much like betting on the NFL draft or NBA free agency, bettors and bookmakers are on relatively even footing in terms of access to information for the NFL preseason. It allows gamblers a chance to use research to find an edge as usual trends and statistical factors mostly go out the window.Here are five tips to placing bets during the NFL preseason:Dig for infoWe've said it before, and we'll say it again: betting during the NFL preseason is an information game.Teams tend to be more open with their strategies in the preseason than during the regular season, when doing so would be an obvious competitive misstep. Coaches aren't paid to win these games - they're paid to develop players and implement systems, so tipping their hands may even put a little added pressure on those oft-young players to perform.That's when a bettor can capitalize. If you know one team plans to play its starters for the entire first half while the other focuses on developing its young backups, there may be value on the former.Pick your spotsIf one thing holds true across all NFL preseason games, it's that full starting units never play the entire contest. Usually, they'll only see a series or two in Week 1, one or two quarters in Week 2, and maybe a full half in Week 3 before hitting the bench in Week 4.That can leave plenty of value if you bet the first-half or first-quarter line in a game that pits starters against backups. Do your research. If you know one head coach plans to play his starters for the first quarter, but the other is a one-drive-and-out type of guy, you've found a clear edge.Or perhaps one team is clearly better at full strength, but books are dealing a short first-half line despite both sides playing their starters for one half. That's a good chance to play the favorite, especially since preseason lines tend to be tighter than they are during the regular season.Bookmakers are obviously aware of how preseason football works, so don't go chasing a bad first-half line for the sake of tricking those behind the window. But if you're quick to see a team's first-half game plan or feel strongly about a first-quarter advantage, grab the value while you can.You also don't have to bet every week. Starters play more regularly as the preseason progresses, which provides more assurances for bettor and bookmaker alike. Bet early if you want to take advantage of the information race, or bet late if you'd rather rely on your knowledge of teams and starting lineups.Next man upWith starters shelved for much of the preseason, depth is the make-or-break element to winning games.Quarterback is a key positional depth chart to watch. If a team has an experienced veteran or talented rookie holding the clipboard, it might be worth putting down a few bucks. Likewise, if the QB room is barren outside of the starter, you may want to look elsewhere.Take the Broncos, for example. With Joe Flacco sidelined, Kevin Hogan is expected to get the start Thursday night against 38-year-old Matt Schaub, with second-round pick Drew Lock serving as Denver's backup. Lock is raw but was a potential top-15 talent in the draft, so he could provide some solid second-half value against Atlanta's third-stringers.The same holds true for other positions. The Broncos are loaded with young guns on offense, from Courtland Sutton to Royce Freeman to Noah Fant, and face a Falcons defense that is again dealing with injuries and looking to groom its rookies on a thinner depth chart. This doesn't mean you need to bet the house on Denver, but it's the sort of information worth eyeing in games like these.Know your coachesWhile it's important to know the roster situations, it can be equally valuable to recognize how coaches view the preseason.Take the Seattle Seahawks' Pete Carroll and the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh, who own the two most profitable records against the spread (with at least five preseason games coached). Both have lauded the value of these games, and the results don't lie: Carroll is 33-16 ATS (67.3 percent) and Harbaugh is 30-15 ATS (66.7 percent), including 13 straight wins.Conversely, Jason Garrett has been criticized for his risk-averse approach to the preseason. Sure enough, his Dallas Cowboys are 11-21-1 ATS (34.4 percent), the second-worst record among active coaches (with at least five preseason games) behind Atlanta's Dan Quinn (4-12 ATS).Don't fall for low totalsPreseason games typically have lower totals than regular-season contests - the highest preseason total in 2018 was 44, per RotoGrinders, with most falling in the mid-to-high 30s. Basic reasoning suggests backups struggle more and offenses are slower to implement game plans than defenses.Is there truth to that? The evidence is murky at best. Overs reigned supreme in the early 2010s when totals were artificially low yet teams still performed closer to regular expectation. Oddsmakers boosted totals in 2013 to slow the trend, and in recent years, under has seen its day - going 36-27-1 (57.1 percent) in 2016 and 41-23 (64.1 percent) in 2017 before a 32-33 record (49.2 percent) in 2018.So where does that leave the bettor? Give the under an extra look, but don't fall into the myth that preseason means poor offenses and no points. Defenses are pretty dismal, too.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you thought this year's NFL MVP field was volatile, try your hand at betting the Comeback Player of the Year award.The CPOY, awarded annually since 1998, is ambiguous in nature, which makes it fun yet frustrating for bettors. Some years, it's a player coming back from injury; once it was won after an 18-month prison stay.What can the past tell us about this year's potential winner? And which candidates have the best shot in 2019?Award historyThe Comeback Player of the Year award has been historically dominated by quarterbacks - 12 of the 22 winners have been signal-callers, including eight of the last 13. (The other winners: three receivers, three defensive linemen, a running back, a tight end, a linebacker, and a safety.)Recent years have seen a shift away from the QB. Andrew Luck's 2018 win broke a four-year drought for quarterbacks:YEARWINNERPOSITIONREASON2018Andrew LuckQBHealth2017Keenan AllenWRHealth2016Jordy NelsonWRHealth2015Eric BerrySHealth2014Rob GronkowskiTEHealth2013Philip RiversQBPerformance2012Peyton ManningQBHealth2011Matthew StaffordQBHealth2010Michael VickQBPersonal2009Tom BradyQBHealthIn the past 10 years, comeback has almost exclusively meant "from injury." Eight winners of the past decade have been rewarded for health-related reasons, including five straight.The award has almost entirely abandoned defense, too. While two of the first four winners were defensive players, Eric Berry is the lone winner of the past 11 seasons.Knowing those trends, let's run through this year's NFL Comeback Player of the Year odds (shorter than 20-1) and some of the top candidates to win:PLAYERPOSITIONODDSJimmy GaroppoloQB13-4Le'Veon BellRB9-2Devonta FreemanRB9-1Derrius GuiceRB12-1Carson WentzQB12-1Cam NewtonQB14-1David JohnsonRB16-1Earl ThomasS16-1Jason WittenTE16-1A.J. GreenWR18-1Cooper KuppWR18-1Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers (13-4)Garoppolo is the obvious favorite here and for good reason - he checks all the boxes of past winners. He's a quarterback, he missed 13 games last year with a torn ACL, and is also a fan favorite (Jimmy GQ, anyone?) in a distinctly narrative-based award.The only issue with laying short odds versus the field is knowing if Garoppolo is actually, you know, good at quarterbacking. He's shown signs in New England and San Francisco but is yet to string together meaningful performances, and his QBR in 2018 was a dastardly 26.9 - which would have ranked a hair above Josh Rosen (26.6) for worst in the NFL over a full season.Sample size looms large here, both on his rough 49ers debut and his flashes of brilliance. Even if he splits the difference, he's a solid bet at short odds.Derrius Guice, RB, Redskins (12-1)Guice's odds are tied for the fourth-shortest on the board, but the "rookie" feels like a clear No. 2 behind Garoppolo. The talented LSU product appeared primed for a big year in 2018 before tearing his ACL in the preseason, and the QB conundrum in Washington should leave him with a massive opportunity in 2019.Two people stand in Guice's way. One is Adrian Peterson, a 2018 CPOY finalist who will likely siphon away carries in 2019. The other is Guice himself. His recovery hasn't been smooth, though the team is saying the right things about his readiness come Week 1.He has the talent, the situation, and the narrative to literally run away with this award. Among those with longer than 10-1 odds, he's the best bet on the board.Cooper Kupp, WR, Rams (18-1)My favorite long shot is Kupp, who turned heads through eight games last year before tearing his ACL. The most common winners outside of QB are receivers and defensive linemen, and Kupp is carrying the torch for recuperating pass-catchers.The biggest problem facing Kupp is the bar he'll have to clear. The three WRs who won before him were Pro Bowlers, so the third-year receiver may need a stellar 2019 to win the award. Still, 18-1 is too cheap to not throw a dart at his chances.Other notable candidatesLe'Veon Bell (9-2): Bell is clearly the most talented player in the field, though it's hard to imagine voters rewarding him for a self-imposed year off.Cam Newton (14-1): He's a quarterback with injury woes, sure, but Newton still played 14 games in 2018 and is a risky bet to perform well in 2019.Earl Thomas (14-1): Thomas' dramatic end to his Seahawks tenure helps his case, and he'll get big-play opportunities in Baltimore. Can he be the same player he was in Seattle?Jason Witten (16-1): Witten would be a one-of-a-kind winner, that's for sure, but how good can he really be? He'd have to top 560 yards and five touchdowns, which was his 2017 output pre-retirement.Travis Frederick (30-1): Frederick actually offers intriguing value given his elite talent and road to recovery, but an offensive lineman has never drawn enough attention to win this award.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2019 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore staff took part in a 10-team, 12-round mock to provide a glimpse of what your drafts could look like and give some insight on what to watch for in each round.This is a PPR (point per reception) scoring league with the following roster spots: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, FLEX, BN, BN, BN, BN. We left off defenses and kickers, as they normally get selected in the final two rounds.Draft participants: Justin Boone, Caitlyn Holroyd, Mike Alessandrini, Alex Chippin, Gino Bottero, Taylor Rohaly, Ian Dalley, Dan Levine, Andrew Brennan, Sean Tomlinson.Round 1PickPlayerOwner1Christian McCaffrey (RB1)Rohaly2Saquon Barkley (RB2)Dalley3Alvin Kamara (RB3)Bottero4David Johnson (RB4)Boone5Ezekiel Elliott (RB5)Alessandrini6Le'Veon Bell (RB6)Chippin7DeAndre Hopkins (WR1)Levine8Travis Kelce (TE1)Brennan9Michael Thomas (WR2)Tomlinson10James Conner (RB7)HolroydRound 1: McCaffrey over Barkley with the No. 1 pick isn't that shocking given the state of the Giants' offense. The two backs are interchangeable if you're selecting first overall ... With Elliott's holdout scaring me, I went with Johnson in the fourth slot. Though Zeke will likely return better value, the Cowboys' star can't do that if he's not on the field, and I'm concerned enough about his availability to bump him down a few spots ... Bell goes a little earlier than usual, but after the first five picks, you can make an argument for about half a dozen players ... Kelce in the first round is starting to gain steam, though Tyreek Hill avoiding a suspension takes some of the shine off his monster upside. Still, in a 10-team league, you need elite talent to win, and Kelce provides a massive advantage at tight end.Round 2PickPlayerOwner11Davante Adams (WR3)Holroyd12Julio Jones (WR4)Tomlinson13Odell Beckham Jr. (WR5)Brennan14JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR6)Levine15Mike Evans (WR7)Chippin16Tyreek Hill (WR8)Alessandrini17Nick Chubb (RB8)Boone18Antonio Brown (WR9)Bottero19Joe Mixon (RB9)Dalley20Todd Gurley (RB10)RohalyRound 2: With concerns about Mixon's offense, Gurley's health, and Melvin Gordon's holdout, we see an early run on receivers in this round. It's hard to dispute any of the picks, but we'd normally see a few running backs mixed in during the first half of the second round ... Thanks to that string of wideout selections, I was happy to see Chubb fall to me at 2.07. Entering his sophomore year, Chubb is being undervalued after the Browns signed Kareem Hunt, even though the former Chief won't be available until Week 10, if at all. By then Chubb will have guided his fantasy managers to the top of their league's standings. He's a borderline first-round fantasy talent in my rankings.Round 3PickPlayerOwner21George Kittle (TE2)Rohaly22Melvin Gordon (RB11)Dalley23Dalvin Cook (RB12)Bottero24Keenan Allen (WR10)Boone25Adam Thielen (WR11)Alessandrini26Kerryon Johnson (RB13)Chippin27Aaron Jones (RB14)Levine28Amari Cooper (WR12)Brennan29T.Y. Hilton (WR13)Tomlinson30Damien Williams (RB15)HolroydRound 3: It was very disappointing when Kittle went off the board because he's a perfect target early in the third round. Kittle is one of the few tight ends who can offer similar upside to Kelce, and he comes at a cheaper price ... Gordon's slide ends at 3.02 as Team Dalley opens with Barkley, Mixon, and Gordon - a start that would have seemed impossible just a few weeks ago. If Gordon ends his holdout, that's a league-winning trio ... Team Rohaly and Team Dalley pass on receivers with their first three picks, which isn't as dangerous in a 10-team league. There's a lot of value at the position in the next few rounds.Round 4PickPlayerOwner31Zach Ertz (TE3)Holroyd32Stefon Diggs (WR14)Tomlinson33Devonta Freeman (RB16)Brennan34Marlon Mack (RB17)Levine35Tyler Boyd (WR15)Chippin36Phillip Lindsay (RB18)Alessandrini37Julian Edelman (WR16)Boone38Patrick Mahomes (QB1)Bottero39Brandin Cooks (WR17)Dalley40Robert Woods (WR18)RohalyRound 4: Ertz goes off the board with the first pick of the fourth round. With all the weapons in the Eagles' passing attack, fantasy managers are realizing Ertz is unlikely to repeat his 116-catch season from 2018, putting him a little further behind Kelce and Kittle, the top two tight ends. He's still a solid pick in this range ... Team Tomlinson is on a zero RB path, which is also slightly easier to pull off in a 10-team league. I prefer the receivers in the middle rounds to the running backs, but we'll see what Tomlinson can find in the next few rounds ... My receiving corps is coming along nicely with Allen and Edelman, two PPR studs. After his four-game suspension last year, Edelman was on pace for 99 catches, 1,133 yards, and eight touchdowns. He's one of just two proven pass-catchers in New England, along with running back James White.Round 5PickPlayerOwner41Kenny Golladay (WR19)Rohaly42A.J. Green (WR20)Dalley43Chris Godwin (WR21)Bottero44Mark Ingram (RB19)Boone45Tyler Lockett (WR22)Alessandrini46Josh Jacobs (RB20)Chippin47O.J. Howard (TE4)Levine48James White (RB21)Brennan49David Montgomery (RB22)Tomlinson50D.J. Moore (WR23)HolroydRound 5: After their zero-WR starts, Team Rohaly and Team Dalley end up with Woods-Golladay and Cooks-Green, respectively. Green is set to miss time early in the year and will be at an elevated risk of injury when he returns. However, Team Dalley is taking big swings with Gordon's holdout potentially ending, and Green's upside in the second half of the season. To win a shallow league, you need elite players at every position, and Team Dalley has a chance to hold one of the best rosters if it can survive the first half of the season ... Ingram is a major value in the fifth round. If Gus Edwards was the RB18 in PPR during Lamar Jackson's six starts in 2018, Ingram has a chance to be a low-end RB1 this season. Between the volume of the Ravens' rushing attack and the presence of Jackson's dual-threat abilities, Ingram is primed for a career year.Round 6PickPlayerOwner51Cooper Kupp (WR24)Holroyd52Evan Engram (TE5)Tomlinson53Alshon Jeffery (WR25)Brennan54Leonard Fournette (RB23)Levine55Calvin Ridley (WR26)Chippin56Derrick Henry (RB24)Alessandrini57Hunter Henry (TE6)Boone58Kenyan Drake (RB25)Bottero59Allen Robinson (WR27)Dalley60Sony Michel (RB26)RohalyRound 6: While Derrick Henry's fall to the sixth round is understandable in a PPR format, Fournette won't last this long in almost any league. Our staff has been reading my articles all offseason about Fournette being a bust candidate, mostly due to his injury history. He's generally coming off the board in the third round, according to his ADP, so don't expect to get him in this area of your draft ... After being sidelined due to injury, Michel has recently returned to practice, so his stock should begin to climb. If healthy, Michel is a top-20 fantasy back, especially if reports of the Patriots using him more as a pass-catcher are true ... Hunter Henry is in my third tier of tight ends, and as the final member of that group on the board, he's my pick in the sixth. While Jared Cook, Vance McDonald, and some other deeper options are intriguing, I prefer to come away with one of the top five at the position.Round 7PickPlayerOwner61Christian Kirk (WR28)Rohaly62Mike Williams (WR29)Dalley63Robby Anderson (WR30)Bottero64Dante Pettis (WR31)Boone65Geronimo Allison (WR32)Alessandrini66Jared Cook (TE7)Chippin67Deshaun Watson (QB2)Levine68Tarik Cohen (RB27)Brennan69Lamar Miller (RB28)Tomlinson70Chris Carson (RB29)HolroydRound 7: Remember that receiver value I spoke about earlier? Well, it's still going strong in the seventh round as Kirk, Williams, Anderson, Pettis, and Allison make up the first half of the round. All five wideouts have top-30 upside, making them ideal targets in this area of the draft ... Team Tomlinson, the squad that kicked things off with four straight receivers, was able to secure a quality tight end in Engram last round. At running back, Tomlinson's fifth-round pick of Montgomery has a high ceiling if the rookie can emerge from a crowded Bears' backfield. Tomlinson also scooped up Miller as his RB2 this round, a veteran who seems to overcome job security concerns every season.Round 8PickPlayerOwner71Jarvis Landry (WR33)Holroyd72Aaron Rodgers (QB3)Tomlinson73Sterling Shepard (WR34)Brennan74Austin Ekeler (RB30)Levine75Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR35)Chippin76Tevin Coleman (RB31)Alessandrini77Sammy Watkins (WR36)Boone78Miles Sanders (RB32)Bottero79Andrew Luck (QB4)Dalley80Rashaad Penny (RB33)RohalyRound 8: Shepard, Valdes-Scantling, and my pick Watkins still offer strong upside value at receiver in this round. As I pointed out in the Chiefs' projections post, Watkins was a solid fantasy asset in 2018 when he was on the field for at least 75 percent of the team's snaps. Unfortunately, that only happened eight times due to injuries. He's a boom-or-bust WR3 with week-winning potential every time he takes the field with Mahomes ... Ekeler, Coleman, Sanders, and Penny are the exact type of running back to aim for at this point in the draft. Each back will be given a path to production in a timeshare while also offering a top-20 ceiling if they see starter's touches at any point this season.Round 9PickPlayerOwner81Cam Newton (QB5)Rohaly82Marvin Jones (WR37)Dalley83Will Fuller (WR38)Bottero84Darrell Henderson (RB34)Boone85Carson Wentz (QB6)Alessandrini86Matt Ryan (QB7)Chippin87Larry Fitzgerald (WR39)Levine88Corey Davis (WR40)Brennan89Jordan Howard (RB35)Tomlinson90Dede Westbrook (WR41)HolroydRound 9: Here come the quarterbacks. Now that Newton appears to be recovered from his shoulder injury, we should see his ADP creep up. Wentz is one of my favorite passers to target because of the Eagles' talent at the skill positions, and the offensive line in front of him. Ryan will be playing behind an upgraded set of blockers, and the Falcons return a pass-catching corps that helped him finish as the QB2 behind Mahomes last year ... To drive this point home, take a quick look at the receivers still being selected: Jones, Fuller, Fitzgerald, Davis, and Westbrook. They're all capable of being a strong WR3 in your lineup ... Henderson is a pure upside pick for me. He'll sit on my bench until we see how Gurley performs early in the season.Round 10PickPlayerOwner91Baker Mayfield (QB8)Holroyd92Golden Tate (WR42)Tomlinson93Russell Wilson (QB9)Brennan94Peyton Barber (RB36)Levine95Royce Freeman (RB37)Chippin96Eric Ebron (TE8)Alessandrini97Curtis Samuel (WR43)Boone98Derrius Guice (RB38)Bottero99Vance McDonald (TE9)Dalley100DeSean Jackson (WR44)RohalyRound 10: Team Rohaly and Team Dalley have done a nice job filling out their receiver slots after avoiding the position early in the draft. Team Rohaly selected Woods, Golladay, Kirk, and Jackson, while Team Dalley is five deep with Cooks, Green, Robinson, Mike Williams, and Marvin Jones ... Guice, Freeman, and Barber are decent dart throws in this round, though each is locked into a backfield battle that could lead to limited touches ... Of my picks, Samuel was by far the one that stood out as the best value. He put up 70-plus yards and/or a touchdown in five of his last seven performances of 2018. Moore gets all the hype in Carolina, but Samuel isn't far behind.Round 11PickPlayerOwner101Kalen Ballage (RB39)Rohaly102LeSean McCoy (RB40)Dalley103David Njoku (TE10)Bottero104Kyler Murray (QB10)Boone105Keke Coutee (WR45)Alessandrini106Marquise Goodwin (WR46)Chippin107N'Keal Harry (WR47)Levine108James Washington (WR48)Brennan109Courtland Sutton (WR49)Tomlinson110Ronald Jones (RB41)HolroydRound 11: As talent starts to dry up at other positions, I've left selecting a quarterback until the end. With every team already owning its starter, I get my pick of two high-upside passers in the final rounds. Since this is a 10-team league, a double or a triple here isn't going to get you a title. So in an effort to hit a home run, I take Murray, who brings his rushing skills to Kliff Kingsbury's high-volume spread attack, giving him an unlimited ceiling if everything falls into place ... Despite their lack of top-end ability, Ballage and Jones are sneaky values in this range due to the uncertainty in their backfields.Round 12PickPlayerOwner111Emmanuel Sanders (WR50)Holroyd112D'Onta Foreman (RB42)Tomlinson113Nyheim Hines (RB43)Brennan114T.J. Hockenson (TE11)Levine115Tre'Quan Smith (WR51)Chippin116Devin Funchess (WR52)Alessandrini117Jameis Winston (QB11)Boone118Anthony Miller (WR53)Bottero119Michael Gallup (WR54)Dalley120John Brown (WR55)RohalyRound 12: Team Tomlinson wisely takes Foreman in the final round, pairing him with Miller to control the Texans' backfield ... Sanders could be the steal of the draft if he's fully recovered from his torn Achilles. All signs suggest he's well ahead of schedule ... Getting Miller, Gallup, and John Brown here again shows the depth at receiver ... To finalize my squad, I grabbed another high-upside quarterback in Winston. He'll join forces with Murray to give me two shots at hitting on a top-five passer. If they both flop, I can easily pivot to one of many quarterbacks who weren't selected, like Jared Goff, Drew Brees, Dak Prescott, Lamar Jackson, Mitch Trubisky, Ben Roethlisberger, Josh Allen, Philip Rivers, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady, Kirk Cousins, or Sam Darnold. That's how deep the position is this year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent wide receiver Brandon Marshall is working out for the Indianapolis Colts on Friday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Marshall began the 2018 season with the Seattle Seahawks but was released in October after appearing in six contests. The New Orleans Saints signed him two weeks later, though the veteran never played in a game before being cut in December.The 35-year-old hasn't completed a full season since 2016 when he was a member of the New York Jets. The New York Giants signed him a year later but an ankle injury ended his campaign in Week 5.Marshall would join a crowded receiver room in Indianapolis if signed. The Colts' top targets at the position include T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess, Chester Rogers, and rookie Parris Campbell.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears Lamar Jackson isn't ready to "bet the over" on his 2019 rushing attempts.Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that he expects the second-year quarterback to surpass Cam Newton's career-high 139 rushing attempts. Jackson, however, says he's more focused on working on his passing game."Not that I've been seeing," he said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I've been throwing the ball a lot (in practice), way more than running."Jackson ran the ball 147 times last season in only seven games started. Some believed the Ravens would limit his carries going forward to help him avoid injuries that are typically associated with run-heavy quarterbacks.Baltimore's offense promises to be a unique one this upcoming season, but Jackson's teammates don't want to force him to play a certain way."My thing with him is I don't want to get caught up in, 'You got to be a pocket passer, you got to be this,'" safety Earl Thomas said. "No, Lamar, you be who you are. Be special. If you have to take off, take off. Make the defense work."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles signed free-agent safety Johnathan Cyprien to a one-year contract, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Cyprien spent the previous two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He tore his ACL last August and missed the entire 2018 campaign.The 29-year-old is most comfortable in run support playing close to the line of scrimmage. He accumulated 57 tackles and one sack in 2017.Cyprien was a second-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013 and spent his first four years with the club, starting in all but four games.The veteran defender adds depth to the Eagles' secondary behind Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod, who's 2018 season was cut short due to a knee injury.Cyprien will compete for snaps with Andrew Sendejo, Blake Countess, and Tre Sullivan in training camp.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Although Thursday's Hall of Fame Game represented the first NFL contest of Drew Lock's career, the Denver Broncos rookie quarterback won't look back at his debut too fondly.In the seven drives he was under center, the Missouri product completed 7-of-12 passes for just 34 yards and saw the offense punt five times. Head coach Vic Fangio didn't sugarcoat things when talking about Lock's performance after the game."I was hoping for more, but not surprised," Fangio told reporters, as per Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com. "He's still got a lot of work to do. Thought his accuracy wasn't clean all the time, along with his reads. But you know, it's to be expected. We've got four more games. We've got to get him ready, more ready than he is right now."Lock, who was taken in the second round of the 2019 draft, agreed with Fangio's assessment but pointed to a couple of missed throws that could have changed things."I could have played better," Lock admitted to Mike Klis of 9News. "But, hit a couple of (deep) throws and might be feeling a little different. But that didn't happen and gotta learn from it and move on from this."While Joe Flacco was brought in during the offseason as the starter, Lock's been viewed as the leader to fill the backup role while learning under the veteran. That's likely still the case for the Broncos, but the 22-year-old will have to make steady strides over the rest of the preseason to convince Fangio he's the man for the No. 2 job.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones apparently won't be the first to blink in Ezekiel Elliott's holdout for a new contract.Jones said Thursday he's confident a deal with Elliott will be done, but added he doesn't believe there's a time by which an extension must be agreed to, even if his star running back is still not with the team for the start of the campaign."I don't see a point," Jones said, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "I don't see a point months into the season."While Jones won't let any perceived deadline force his hand, he has no doubt Elliott will remain a Cowboy."When have I ever not done one?" he said.Elliott reportedly wants to beat Todd Gurley's position-leading annual salary of $14.38 million.But the Cowboys don't seem willing to meet that demand, as COO Stephen Jones said Wednesday that his team was "damn sure not going to be a market-setter" in deals for Elliott, quarterback Dak Prescott, and receiver Amari Cooper.Moreover, Jerry appeared to send a message to Elliott by saying Monday that NFL teams don't need a "rushing champion to win a Super Bowl."The 76-year-old Hall of Famer reiterated that philosophy Thursday, saying the Cowboys must be mindful of how the big-money contracts they hand out impact their ability to contend for a Super Bowl."As far as doing something that would disrupt and shake the base of our plans for how to keep the talent we've got here, I'm not about to shake that loose," said Jones.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio coached in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday after spending much of the day in the hospital with a kidney stone.

It appears Michael Thomas won't hold the title of the NFL's highest-paid receiver for long.Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff told NFL Network on Thursday he's prepared to break the bank for Julio Jones, adding the team's "not worried" about the extended negotiations for the All-Pro's new deal."We know what Julio is in this league. We have a very good idea of approximately where he's going to be, which I won't share, specifically," Dimitroff said before the 2019 Hall of Fame Game between the Falcons and Denver Broncos."The good thing is we've never been held by our owner to be limiting someone and we're very good with our football players here. We feel very proud of how we approach it."And again, where we approach it with Julio, we look at everything, of course. We believe that he should be ... the highest-paid receiver in the league. And I know he believes that. It's just how we're going to approach this and how we're going to get it done. I believe it's right around the corner but I don't know when it is."The New Orleans Saints gave Thomas a reported five-year, $100-million extension with $61 million in guarantees Wednesday, ending Odell Beckham Jr.'s reign atop the market. It was the first of several receiver-contract dominoes expected to fall before the start of the season; Jones, Amari Cooper, A.J. Green, and Tyreek Hill are all widely anticipated to get new deals in the near future.Jones is by far the most accomplished of that group. The 30-year-old has twice led the league in receiving yards (2015 and 2018), and it seems the Falcons are more than comfortable paying him accordingly.- With h/t to NFL.comCopyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.