The roster cuts have begun.A day before NFL teams need to cut their rosters from 90 to 53, the New Orleans Saints released journeyman receiver Michael Floyd and former second-round draft pick Hau'oli Kikaha, Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune reports, citing a source.The Saints signed Floyd in July and he made one reception this preseason.Kikaha was the 44th overall pick in the 2015 draft. He recorded four sacks in both the 2015 and 2017 seasons, but he's battled injuries throughout his career, including tearing his left ACL on three occasions.Among the Saints' other reported cuts are defensive end George Johnson and receiver Brandon Tate.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peyton Manning admits he was initially uncomfortable with the idea of hitting kids with a football during his time as host of "Saturday Night Live."The retired quarterback spoke about his memorable 2007 United Way sketch at the annual Colts Kickoff Luncheon on Wednesday, revealing that it took some convincing from one of the child actors' parents before he agreed to do it.

The Houston Texans released punter Shane Lechler on Friday, the team announced.

When Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston was handed a three-game suspension in June for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, it was believed the team may struggle to fill his shoes.General manager Jason Licht thinks differently, admitting that Winston's job is up for grabs if either Ryan Fitzpatrick or Ryan Griffin perform well in his stead. Come Week 4, Winston could be the odd man out."I don't think it's fair to say right now that he's going to be the guy," Licht said on the WFLA TV broadcast of the Buccaneers' preseason game on Thursday, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.Fitzpatrick is the team's presumptive No. 2 under center, while 28-year-old Griffin is listed third on the team's official depth chart."(If) Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, whoever it is, is playing lights out, I don't think it's fair right now just to say, 'Yes, automatically, Jameis is going to be the guy,'" Licht said. "Now, he may be. Dirk and I - Dirk in particular - he's got some time to think about that."The Buccaneers open the season on the road against the New Orleans Saints before returning home for games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 and 3.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's inexplicably lengthy preseason has mercifully come to an end. The next time the league's modern-day gladiators suit up to compete for glory, financial gain, and our amusement, the points will actually count.Though the final scores in the preseason are inconsequential, the quartet of contests can affect the course a player or team traverses through the fall months. Below, we run down the summer's biggest winners and losers.Winner: Teddy BridgewaterOnly two summers ago, Bridgewater was rushed to hospital after a major knee injury as doctors raced to save his leg and preserve hope he might one day continue his playing career.He's officially back.

LA Gear, the shoe brand that became famous for its light-up sneakers in the early 1990s, has launched a trademark dispute against the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.The company asserts that trademark filings for "LA Rams" and "LA Chargers" are too similar to LA Gear because they share "LA," according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.

The Los Angeles Rams and superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald have finalized a six-year contract extension reportedly worth $135 million, including $87 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The Rams confirmed the length of the agreement, but not the financial terms.Donald's reported average annual salary of $22.5 million would be the largest for a defensive player in NFL history. His $87-million guarantee would be tied for the fourth-highest of any current contract.Donald had been holding out of all preseason activities while demanding a new contract. It was the second straight year he was holding out, though last season he reported to the Rams on the eve of the regular season.The 27-year-old is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and has been named an All-Pro in three of his first four seasons.Donald registered 41 tackles, 11 sacks, and five forced fumbles in 14 contests last year. He'll join free-agent acquisition Ndamukong Suh, also a three-time All-Pro, in the trenches upon reporting to the Rams.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone is coming off his fifth top-10 finish in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition.Scroll down to see his 2018 rankings for both standard and PPR leagues.Standard

Robert Griffin III hasn't received any indication on whether he'll crack the Baltimore Ravens' opening day roster after he was held out of Thursday's preseason finale against his former team, the Washington Redskins."I put my best foot forward," Griffin said, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "You go out there and you're effective, and that's all you can ask for. There's no stress or worry on my end because I know I went out there and showed them that I'm ready to go. We'll see what they decide."Griffin is bidding to make the Ravens as a third quarterback behind Joe Flacco and 2018 first-rounder Lamar Jackson. He's facing an uphill battle, though, as Baltimore hasn't kept three pivots on its roster since 2009."If I get that call (being cut), I'm sure it will be an emotional call," said Griffin, who was out of football last year. "But it's because it's been a long journey back. But I've enjoyed the journey, and I've tried to stay resilient and tough through it all."Griffin, a former No. 2 overall pick and Rookie of the Year, played well in his three preseason outings. Ravens coach John Harbaugh endorsed Griffin's roster candidacy after the Redskins game, but acknowledged he's still very much on the bubble."There's no doubt that you want Robert Griffin on your team," he said. "He makes our quarterback room better and stronger. He looks like a starter to me. He has been a starter. Certainly a backup in this league, without question. I mean, that's not even close. I would like to have him on the team. We'll just have to see how the math works."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Though he didn't outright commit to sticking with the New Orleans Saints long term, Teddy Bridgewater seemed content Thursday with biding time on the bench before succeeding Drew Brees at quarterback."I definitely do not mind waiting," Bridgewater said at his introductory press conference when asked about his desire to start again. "For me, I get to take advantage of this opportunity." ... You watch the tape, you look at the numbers and things like that, and you say, 'Wow.' You get the opportunity to be a part of something like that. So for me, I don't mind waiting. I get to learn from one of the best players to ever play this game and get to be in the room with a great group of guys. I get to learn from coach (Sean) Payton also, so I look forward to that."The Saints seemingly tabbed Bridgewater as the heir apparent to Brees when they traded a third-round pick Wednesday to acquire the 25-year-old from the New York Jets.Bridgewater, though, has been open about wanting to start, and will be a free agent at season's end. Brees has two years on his contract, and is still one of the league's most prolific pivots."If we could all predict the future, I think we'd all probably be millionaires or something like that right now," said Bridgewater, a multi-millionaire, of his future in the Big Easy. "But for me, I just have to live in the now and take advantage of this opportunity I have today. I can't live too far down the road. I'm gonna continue to grow and want to be the best football player I can be for the New Orleans Saints."A former first-round draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings, Bridgewater established himself as a capable starter before a devastating knee injury in the 2016 preseason sidelined him for nearly two full years. He's thrown just two passes over the last two regular seasons, but dazzled in his preseason tenure with the Jets."You get a young, talented player who is accurate," Payton said in his evaluation of Bridgewater, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett. "He's an outstanding kid - he's not a kid anymore, but he's got great makeup, great football IQ. We liked how he played in the preseason. We think a player like that's valuable. So we're excited to have him."When asked whether the Saints will try to sign Bridgewater to an extension, Payton responded: "We'll see. We don't have to decide any of that right now."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The preseason has provided a month's worth of tape on the first-round quarterbacks selected in this year's draft.Here's how we rank those five passers entering the regular season:5. Josh Rosen Preseason: 16-for-29, 148 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTsIf this were a grading system, Rosen would receive an "incomplete" on his paper. We just have not seen enough of him to properly evaluate his game at the NFL level.Rosen saw his most work in Week 2 of the preseason. He was then held out of Week 3 after hitting his right thumb on a helmet in practice. He expressed hope he'd play in the exhibition finale, however, head coach Steve Wilks chose to exercise caution with his prized possession.Although he'll begin the year backing up veteran Sam Bradford, Rosen showed the skills capable of leading the Cardinals in his limited preseason action.4. Josh AllenPreseason: 24-for-44, 210 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTsAllen isn't solely to blame for his poor performance in Week 3.Handed the start for the regular-season dress rehearsal, Allen was under siege all day behind a leaky offensive line. The rookie absorbed five sacks and completed just six of 12 passes for 34 yards in one half of play.When he did have time to throw the football, he continued to showcase his rocket arm. Accuracy was an issue, though, as Allen lacked the touch needed in situations that required better ball placement.The afternoon was a disappointment and a step back in Allen's development."He didn't have any help. Guys weren't going for contested balls, poor blocking all the way around," Bills head coach Sean McDermott said to FOX's Pam Oliver at halftime.But Allen put the onus on himself, admitting he could have done a better job of getting the ball out on time.Before the game, Allen was challenging for the No. 1 job. He was held out of the preseason finale, having seemingly done enough in exhibition action. Ultimately, Allen remains too raw to start in the NFL.3. Lamar JacksonPreseason: 34-for-69, 408 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.Every game night during the preseason, theScore's Justin Boone gets you caught up on the most important fantasy performances from around the league.With the vast majority of starters sitting out on Thursday night, there aren't as many notable fantasy takeaways despite every team being in action. But here's what you need to know from the final evening of preseason play.Invest in SaintsA day after trading for Teddy Bridgewater to finally secure a quality backup behind Drew Brees, the Saints showed off impressive roster depth at their skill positions. Jonathan Williams, who played late in the game, turned 17 touches into 71 yards, including a three-yard touchdown. Rookie Boston Scott had 71 yards and a score on 13 touches. Williams remains an intriguing early-season fantasy option as a fill-in during Mark Ingram's suspension, but it's possible he could split the role of Alvin Kamara's sidekick with Scott.Cameron Meredith continued to work his way back from injury with a pair of catches for 72 yards and a score. A 56-yard grab was the highlight of his night. Rookie Tre'Quan Smith continued his stellar preseason with four receptions for 42 yards. It wouldn't be surprising to see both players become key contributors as the season goes on, making them solid late-round stashes.Don't forget about Aaron Jones Aaron Jones, who is healthy after a hamstring injury sidelined him for part of August, reminded everyone that he's the most talented running back on Green Bay's roster. He rushed nine times for 34 yards and a score, adding another 21 yards on three receptions. We won't see Jones until Week 3 due to his suspension, but he'll make it hard for the Packers' coaching staff to keep him off the field once he returns.Definitely forget about Ronald Jones IIThis is your final warning not to draft Ronald Jones II. The Buccaneers' second-round pick rushed 10 times for just four yards on Thursday night, which seems almost impossible considering he had one run that went for five yards. Jones has played himself out of fantasy relevance. Peyton Barber is locked in as the Buccaneers' starter, and he's worthy of a sixth-round selection in fantasy drafts.Nick Chubb is a work in progressCarlos Hyde won the Browns' starting running back job handily, meaning second-rounder Nick Chubb had to work on Thursday night. His five-carry, 30-yard evening wasn't overly impressive, but Chubb's nifty jump cut on a three-yard touchdown run was a sign the rookie is getting more comfortable in Cleveland's offense. A quiet start to the year is likely, though Hyde's injury history could make Chubb an overnight fantasy star at some point this season.No rest for Gallup In a bizarre move, the Cowboys decided to play rookie wideout Michael Gallup, a player who could make an immediate impact on their offense, more than expected. Perhaps head coach Jason Garrett wanted to get the young receiver more experience before games actually matter, or Gallup may still have a spot or two to climb on the depth chart before he's a weekly starter. For what it's worth, Gallup hauled in four passes for 29 yards, and he's on my list of late-round fantasy breakout candidates at WR, a group we discussed on the latest episode of theScore Fantasy Football Podcast.Divvying up the Lions' shareKerryon Johnson, LeGarrette Blount, and Theo Riddick all sat out Thursday's contest, robbing us of a chance to see some clarity develop in Detroit's backfield. A committee remains the most likely scenario to start the year, with Johnson offering the highest upside as the season goes on. Blount could be a sneaky fantasy starter in the first month thanks to his goal-line prowess and a soft schedule.Kelley ahead of PerineWashington's running back depth chart has been a roller-coaster ride this preseason, with Derrius Guice suffering a season-ending injury and Adrian Peterson signing on for what appears to be a significant role. Chris Thompson will return as a dynamic threat, especially in the passing game, leaving only one important question: who backs them up? Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine battled it out in August, and Kelley has seemingly emerged victorious. He ran hard on Thursday night, gaining 49 yards on 11 carries, while Perine fumbled, drawing the ire of head coach Jay Gruden. If a 33-year-old Peterson is sidelined, Kelley will be the back to pick up off the waiver wire.Previous Takeaways

Little has been heard from Khalil Mack during his holdout from Oakland Raiders camp while in pursuit of a new contract.On the final night of the preseason Thursday, Mack shared three words. They came in response to an old highlight video of Mack shared by Ted Nguyen of The Athletic:

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list Friday, head coach Doug Pederson told ESPN's Tim McManus.Jeffery's recovery from offseason shoulder surgery is still likely to extend into the 2018 campaign, as he's reportedly expected to miss at least two weeks of action. Rejoining the active roster is a positive sign for his status, however. Remaining on the PUP list to start the regular season would have required him to sit out the first six games.Jeffery was a key contributor for an explosive offense upon joining the Eagles in 2017, hauling in 57 receptions for 789 yards and nine touchdowns.The strong contributions en route to a Super Bowl title earned him a four-year, $52.25-million deal to re-sign in Philadelphia this past offseason.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2018 NFL season is a week away, and the league is still trying to resolve issues surrounding its anthem policy.There's been little movement in negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA, and discussions are expected to continue into the season, sources told Mark Maske of the Washington Post.The NFLPA released a statement on Monday saying the two sides are still having "productive dialogue."

Stephen Burbank, the system arbitrator assigned to Colin Kaepernick's collusion case, denied the NFL's request to dismiss the quarterback's complaint against the league.Burbank did not provide a conclusive victory for Kaepernick but decided there was enough evidence for the case to continue and potentially go to trial.The NFL did not provide comment on Burbank's decision.Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal outlined the legal process before Kaepernick's case can go to a federal courts appeal, with the court trial and ensuing decision happening before. The decision can then be appealed to a three-person panel under the provisions of the collective bargaining agreement. Afterward, the decision could go to federal court.Kaepernick's grievance against the NFL was filed in October under the premise that the NFL's owners colluded to keep him out of the league due to his protests against police brutality and racial inequality during the national anthem. He attended the depositions of commissioner Roger Goodell along with the depositions of several NFL owners.The signal-caller opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017 when it became apparent that they had no interest in re-signing him.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's the last tuneup before the 2018 season kicks off.The curtain will close on the NFL preseason Thursday, as all 32 clubs dress for their final rehearsal before selecting a 53-man roster. There's no shortage of opportunities for bettors, either, seeing as the final slate carries 16 games to choose from.Here's where some of the sharp money (large, line-moving wagers by expert bettors) is coming in.(Lines courtesy: Will Bernanke, lead analyst at CG Analytics in Las Vegas)Denver Broncos at Arizona CardinalsOpen: ARI -3, O/U 35Current: ARI -1, O/U 35The Cardinals opened as a field-goal favorite at home versus the Broncos, with the two set for a regular-season showdown back in Glendale in October. That number has since dropped to just a point as sharp money has come in on Denver, per Bernanke, with 95 percent of money on account coming in on the Broncos.Fans hoping to get a final glimpse at rookie quarterback Josh Rosen will apparently have to wait until sometime during the regular season. NFL.com reported Wednesday that Rosen, who missed the third week of the preseason with a thumb injury, will be out for the finale. That would leave the reps to quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Chad Kanoff.Philadelphia Eagles at New York JetsOpen: NYJ -4, O/U 36Current: NYJ -1, O/U 33.5Given the state of both franchises, it might be a while until the Jets are favored over the Eagles again. But New York might not even be worthy of a preseason consolation game.After opening as four-point chalk over Philly, the Jets have since dropped to one-point favorites after both public and sharp money came pouring in on the Eagles. Bernanke acknowledged that 94 percent of the total handle has come in on Philadelphia.The Eagles are expected to give a majority of the reps to both Joe Callahan and all-of-a-sudden journeyman Christian Hackenberg.Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans SaintsOpen: NO -4, O/U 36.5Current: NO -6, O/U 33.5As two short favorites see their number close, another's goes up.New Orleans has attracted 97 percent of the money for the final preseason game against the Rams, while Bernanke noted that sharp money has also flooded in on the under - the total dipping from 36.5 to 33.5.Los Angeles will sit backup quarterback Sean Mannion on Thursday. Set to start the first half is Arkansas product Brandon Allen, who will be relieved by Luis Perez for the final two quarters.Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from Rounders and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots added $4.3 million in incentives to Rob Gronkowski's contract Thursday, allowing the star tight end to earn as much as $13.05 million this season, his agent told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The 29-year-old Gronkowski can collect $1 million in per-game bonuses and another $3.3 million if he hits three of four performance incentives. No additional years were tacked onto the end of his existing deal, meaning he's still on track to become a free agent after the 2020 season.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone and David P. Woods.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and Anchor.Topics for this episode include:

It's no wonder why NBA athletes are more marketable than their MLB and NFL counterparts. It starts with how each league is managed from the top - even down to the seemingly minor details.On Tuesday, ESPN's Nick DePaula reported that the NBA lifted all restrictions on footwear colorways. Players will no longer be mandated to match their shoes with their uniforms on game nights. They're free to be as imaginative and expressive as they like.This change was merely a formality, as the previous policy was so lax that LeBron James rocked 51 different designs of his signature sneakers last year. An entire economy has already emerged around shoe designs, as artists like Kickstradomis have ported everything from Dragon Ball Z to Supreme onto the feet of NBA players. The days of Michael Jordan being fined for wearing Air Jordans are long gone.Removing restrictions was a no-brainer for commissioner Adam Silver and Co. The players feel empowered, the brands have more products to market, sneakerheads have more designs to gawk at, and the NBA yet again receives positive press for being the most progressive major sports league in America. Everybody wins.On the other hand, the NFL and MLB handle these issues with a lot less common sense. Both would prefer their players remain uniform and indistinguishable as part of a larger strategy to market the league over the individual.The NFL would sooner bench its best players then break with convention. Pittsburgh Steelers superstar Antonio Brown was informed by a league official that he wouldn't be allowed to re-enter a game last season if he continued to pay homage to Muhammad Ali with his cleats.In another instance, New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was fined $18,000 without warning for wearing cleats in honor of late sideline reporter Craig Sager. Those cleats were later auctioned off for charity.MLB has held a similarly stubborn line with regards to footwear. Chicago Cubs infielder Ben Zobrist was told to cease and desist for wearing black spikes as a nod to his team's storied history. Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger faced similar pushback over his tie-dyed sunflower cleats.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers discussed a pair of innovative contract models before he put pen to paper on a mammoth four-year, $134-million extension.In a conference call Thursday, Rodgers said he and the Packers considered inserting a player option into his deal, allowing the quarterback to terminate his contract and become a free agent early. They also looked into the possibility of tying his deal to a percentage of the salary cap, allowing it to increase annually."Those things were definitely talked about," Rodgers said, according to The Athletic's Michael Cohen. "Ultimately, I don't think the NFL is ready for those types of contracts."Favorable contract structures was a hot topic among players earlier in the offseason. In March, Kirk Cousins signed the first fully guaranteed contract in NFL history - a three-year, $84-million pact with the Minnesota Vikings."Obviously, this is a potential last or second-to-last contract for myself and my career," Rodgers added. "Wanting to think about my legacy, contract is a part of that for sure. It was definitely something (my agent) Dave (Dunn) and I talked about and why we were exploring a nontraditional contract."Rodgers secured $103 million guaranteed over the course of his extension - the largest ever for an NFL player. Between base salary and bonuses, the two-time MVP will receive $67 million by the end of the 2018 calendar year.He's now signed with Green Bay through the 2023 season and will be 40 years old when his contract expires.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Looking for a new reason to pray for the most improbable outcome in football history? NFL survivor pools might be for you. And theScore is here to help.It's hard enough wishing for Albert Wilson to go for 150 receiving yards and two touchdowns on Monday Night Football to win your fantasy week, or needing the Bears to march 88 yards in 1:04 to backdoor that +10.5 ticket. Imagine all your hard work preparing for a deep survivor pool run being for naught after one week.While we can't make every pick for you, keep these tips handy on your quest for bragging rights and, hopefully, money.Ride Andy Reid's post-bye week successI hate to say it, but I'm a big situational guy, and Andy Reid presents one of the coolest situational stats to consider in survivor pools.In his head coaching career, Reid's teams are 16-3 straight up following a bye. If you buy into the importance of a team's preparation during a week of downtime, keep the Chiefs in your back pocket.But beware: last season, they lost 12-9 to the three-win Giants as 10-point road favorites after their bye. This season, Kansas City is on the road at Oakland in Week 13. (When Jon Gruden runs 39 fullback dives for 282 yards to win by 50, I'll gladly accept your criticism.)Avoid teams playing back-to-back road games in Weeks 1 and 2Hey, more situational stuff!Gambler @WhaleCapper dished out a really interesting nugget on a podcast last week, acknowledging how teams starting a season with back-to-back road games have been dismal against the spread over the last three seasons. This could be handy intel for survivor pools, seeing as teams aren't just losing against spreads, they're losing period.Since 2011, teams opening the season with consecutive road games are 4-20 straight up in those games, with an average of 10.4 points per loss. (Tired legs!) Of the four wins, two were three-point overtime victories, and the Patriots were responsible for another - a 23-point win over the Saints.Three teams - the Chiefs, Texans, and Seahawks - play their first two games on the road. Stay far, far away.Don't rush to submit your pickFor a couple of reasons outside the obvious ones, such as injury reports:

The preseason is all but done, yet there remains at least one burning question for every NFL team with the 2018 season around the corner.Arizona CardinalsWill the franchise overhaul pay immediate dividends?The Cardinals overhauled both their coaching staff and roster during the offseason. Eleven regular starters from last year are gone, the most of any team in the NFL.Arizona isn't expected to compete right away, but don't tell that to Larry Fitzgerald, Patrick Peterson, and David Johnson.Atlanta FalconsWill Steve Sarkisian make a marked improvement in Year 2?In one year under the direction of Sarkisian, the Falcons went from the highest scoring team in the league to the middle of the pack offensively. The decline meant a divisional-round playoff exit following a Super Bowl appearance.Sarkisian was an easy scapegoat for last season's woes. All eyes will be on him in 2018.Baltimore RavensHow will Lamar Jackson be utilized?Baltimore believes it's done everything necessary to shore up a meager receiving corps and Joe Flacco has created a strong rapport with his new weapons.But the X-factor is rookie first-round pick Lamar Jackson. John Harbaugh has hinted at using the former Heisman winner in intriguing new ways. His involvement could give the Ravens the spark they need on Sundays.Buffalo BillsWho's the quarterback and who's protecting him?The Bills got a glimpse of life with Josh Allen as the starter on Sunday and the beating he took behind a suspect offensive line may cause the coaching staff to reconsider its plans.In consecutive weeks, a Buffalo quarterback was injured behind the first-string offensive line. AJ McCarron suffered a shoulder injury in Week 2 and Allen had to be evaluated for a head injury in Week 3. He took four sacks before sustaining a blow to the head.Whoever wins the starting job will have to deal with life behind the unit ranked second last in theScore's offensive line rankings.Carolina PanthersIs the offense primed for a breakout?More carries for Christian McCaffrey? Less work for Cam Newton? A new target in D.J. Moore? The Panthers put it all together this preseason.McCaffrey appears every bit an every-down back, averaging 7 yards on his 21 preseason carries. Moore and Curtis Samuel have also established themselves as downfield threats.Now, if only they can keep Cam from taking these kinds of hits.Chicago BearsWill Mitch Trubisky make the sophomore leap?The Bears are ready to make their move and Trubisky will be in charge of making it happen.Ample resources were used to bring aboard Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, Anthony Miller, and Trey Burton. It's up to the quarterback to make the most of them.Carson Wentz and Jared Goff each benefited from improved arsenals in their second seasons. Chicago hopes the same will be said for Trubisky.Cincinnati BengalsIs Joe Mixon ready for a feature role?The lead-back workload is all Joe Mixon's entering his sophomore season.Much will be expected of Mixon after he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry while struggling with drops and fumbles in his rookie year.Cincinnati was last in yards per game and second-last in rushing yards per contest in 2017. With the additions of Cordy Glenn and Billy Price on the O-line, Mixon will try to turn around the Bengals' offensive misfortunes.Cleveland BrownsDo the Browns finally have the talent to compete?Cleveland spent the offseason bringing aboard known commodities to help get the team out of football purgatory. It's easily the most talented roster in Hue Jackson's tenure, but if it doesn't translate to wins, he may not be around to see how it plays out.The starters have provided a reason for optimism during the preseason, but as the team learned after going undefeated in exhibition games last year, preseason success doesn't translate to regular-season victories.Dallas CowboysCan they overcome the injuries to the O-line?What are the Cowboys without their celebrated offensive line? The coaching staff was so concerned about replacements for Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, and Tyron Smith that Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott were held out of the team's third preseason game.Frederick is out indefinitely with an autoimmune disease and Martin will miss the entire preseason with a knee injury.The Cowboys are already operating with a revamped receiving corps after the departures of Dez Bryant and Jason Witten. If the run game is affected by the losses on the O-line, the defense will have to do some heavy lifting.Denver BroncosIs Case Keenum the answer?The quarterback position has been unsettled in Denver since Peyton Manning's retirement. After dalliances with Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, and Brock Osweiler, the franchise has tabbed journeyman Case Keenum as the answer to their offensive problems.It's a mighty risk made by general manager John Elway, particularly with no veteran backup on the roster.At least if Keenum turns back into a pumpkin, he'll fit in with all that orange.Detroit LionsWhere will the pass rush come from?The Lions are scrambling to find someone to pair with Ziggy Ansah on the defensive line.The team traded for 49ers linebacker Eli Harold earlier in the week, then, on Tuesday, Robert Ayers was cut a day after he was signed.At least the club is making strides to address a glaring concern.Green Bay PackersWill the youngsters make an immediate impact?Aaron Rodgers isn't getting any younger. If he's to challenge for another Super Bowl, the talent around him needed to improve. So new GM Brian Gutekunst spent the offseason overhauling the roster.After a tongue-lashing from Rodgers, the young receiving corps featuring J'Mon Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Wisconsin native Jake Kumerow have impressed this preseason.First-rounders Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson have made even more of an impact at corner. The true test will come in the regular season, however, when the new guys will either sink or swim.Houston TexansAre Watson and Watt healthy enough to make a run?On paper, the Texans have the stuff of title contenders. On the field, they're banking on quarterback Deshaun Watson and three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt to return to their pre-injury forms.They're not the only ones returning from serious ailments. Jadeveon Clowney, Tyrann Mathieu, and Whitney Mercilus will also be rebounding from lengthy layoffs. Houston needs 16 games from its best players in order to get out of the competitive AFC South.Indianapolis ColtsDoes Andrew Luck have enough talent around him?Luck's return to action from a near 600-day absence is more than welcome, but what good is it if he's returning to the same barren roster?As the preseason has proven, the offensive line is still an area of concern for the Colts. The team committed ample time and resources into Luck's recovery. Indianapolis can't afford for him to take the same type of beating that put him on the shelf in the first place.When it comes to the talent around him, Marlon Mack may not be ready for the season opener. That leaves T.Y. Hilton and Eric Ebron as the primary playmakers. The team's fortunes rest heavily on Luck's reconstructed shoulder.Jacksonville JaguarsDo the Jaguars have enough on offense?The Jags are no doubt banking on the emergence of "Playoff Blake" for an entire campaign, but will Bortles have enough weapons?No. 1 receiver Marqise Lee is out for the year with a knee injury, leaving Jacksonville with Keelan Cole, DJ Chark, Dede Westbrook, and Donte Moncrief at receiver.The defense won't need much in the form of offensive support, but they'll need something. Can Bortles and Leonard Fournette provide it?Kansas City ChiefsIs Patrick Mahomes ready for primetime?Not since Brett Favre has the NFL seen a gunslinger the likes of Mahomes.He's prone to highlight-reel plays, such as his preseason bomb to Tyreek Hill, but with one regular-season start under his belt, his game also requires some refining.Nonetheless, it's Mahomes' turn at the wheel and he'll be driving a vehicle capable of winning a wide-open AFC West.Los Angeles ChargersWho will fill the hole at tight end?Since Hunter Henry went down with a season-ending injury in the spring, the Chargers have yet to name his replacement.Antonio Gates was allowed to walk in the offseason and talks of a reunion haven't come to fruition. The preseason has yielded no answers as none of the remaining tight ends on the roster have come to the fore.Henry was expected to provide another element to the Chargers offense this upcoming season and, to this point, he's proving irreplaceable.Los Angeles RamsWill the stars align in L.A.?The Rams were the busiest team of the offseason, adding the likes of Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, Brandin Cooks, and Aqib Talib to an 11-5 squad.But marquee signings don't guarantee team success. The best example of such trappings is the "Dream Team" Eagles of 2011 that made a big splash in free agency after a 10-6 season only to finish 8-8.Miami DolphinsWill the roster turnover lead to better results?Drastic change was necessary in Miami and it's yet to be seen how the roster turnover will take.The team said goodbye to Jarvis Landry, Ndamukong Suh, and Julius Thomas and welcomed veterans Danny Amendola, Frank Gore, and Robert Quinn.Add to the mix Ryan Tannehill's return from a knee injury and it makes for an intriguing 2018 season.Minnesota VikingsWill the offensive line be the Vikings' downfall?You know it's bad when you're asking the New York Giants for O-line help.That's exactly what the Vikings did this week when they traded for Brett Jones. If Minnesota has an Achilles heel entering the regular season, it's the beat-up offensive line.The Vikings have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, and protecting $84-million man Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook's ACL is of the utmost importance.New England PatriotsWho will play receiver for the Patriots?Julian Edelman: suspended. Jordan Matthews: released. Malcolm Mitchell: released. Kenny Britt: released. Eric Decker: retired.Tom Brady may be back for more at the age of 41, but outside of Rob Gronkowski and Chris Hogan, his receiving corps has been a revolving door. As things currently stand, much will be expected of Phillip Dorsett and Cordarrelle Patterson, who have been disappointments at previous stops.New Orleans SaintsHow will Mark Ingram's suspension impact the running game?The tandem of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara produced the fifth-best running game in the league last season and nearly helped propel the Saints to the NFC title game.Ingram will begin 2018 serving a suspension, putting the onus on Kamara to pick up the slack. Is the 2017 Rookie of the Year capable of a full workload? Will Ingram be welcomed back in Week 5?New York GiantsIs Saquon the difference?Which is a truer representation of this Giants team: the 2016 playoff outfit or the 2017 cellar dwellers?While ownership installed a new general manager and coaching staff, the roster remains mostly unchanged from a year ago - aside from the addition of Saquon Barkley.New York is banking on the inclusion of a franchise running back making the greatest difference of all between pretender and contender.New York JetsIs Sam Darnold ready?The Jets' trade of Teddy Bridgewater all but confirms the team will turn to rookie Sam Darnold as its Day 1 starter.As such, Darnold will become the NFL's youngest starting quarterback since the merger in 1970. Throughout the preseason, the No. 3 overall draft pick has looked wise beyond his years, but even Hall of Fame quarterbacks suffered through embarrassing rookie seasons.This scenario is nothing new to the Jets, however. They threw Mark Sanchez into the deep end and he led New York to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.Oakland RaidersCan Gruden adapt with the times?The Raiders offense fell from a top-six unit in 2016 to 17th overall last year. The slide was one of many factors that prompted the dismissal of the coaching staff.Jon Gruden is back aboard to oversee the development of Derek Carr and Amari Cooper. But after 10 years away from the sidelines, it's fair to ask whether Chucky can keep up with today's NFL.Philadelphia EaglesCan the Eagles overcome their multitude of injuries?Jay Ajayi, Nelson Agholor, Nick Foles, and Corey Clement are among the Eagles dealing with nagging injuries. Nigel Bradham is suspended for the first week of the season, while Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffrey are questionable for the season opener after offseason surgeries.That's no way to begin a title defense.Pittsburgh SteelersWill Le'Veon Bell's contract dispute be a distraction?Le'Veon Bell isn't expected to miss any regular-season games after being slapped with the franchise tag for a second season. But his agent hinted that 2018 could be Bell's final year in Pittsburgh.The Steelers are once again among the favorites in the AFC. If Bell's contract situation acts as a distraction, it could derail a Super Bowl contender.San Francisco 49ersCan Garoppolo keep the magic going?The 49ers ended 2017 as the hottest team in the NFL, winning their final five games with Jimmy Garoppolo as the starting quarterback.Pundits have tabbed the Niners as a favorite to contend in 2018, but the reality remains that Jimmy G has seven career starts to his name and a nondescript set of backs and receivers flanking him.Was the winning streak fool's gold or a signal of San Francisco's re-emergence?Seattle SeahawksHow will the Seahawks respond to a new defensive identity?Gone are former stalwarts Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril. Earl Thomas is holding out for a new contract - or a new team - and K.J. Wright is out with a knee injury.For the past six years, the defense has been the identity of the Seahawks. With the "Legion of Boom" torn down and a new defensive coordinator in-house, that's no longer the case.Russell Wilson is now the unquestioned leader of the team. The onus is on him to keep the team flying straight while the defense finds its way.Tampa Bay BuccaneersCan the Bucs overcome Jameis Winston's 3-game suspension?Tampa's franchise quarterback has been fantastic this preseason, completing 30 of his 41 passes for 388 yards and three touchdowns. But he'll miss the opening three games of the regular season due to a violation of the league's code of conduct.Ryan Fitzpatrick, the starter during that stretch, was unable to find the end zone during his three preseason stints.If the Bucs open the year 0-3, a seemingly realistic possibility with games against the Saints, Eagles, and Steelers out of the gates, consider them buried in the uber-competitive NFC South.Tennessee TitansIs Mariota prepared to make the next leap?Marcus Mariota got the Titans to the playoffs last season and now he's backed by a new coach and offensive coordinator to help him take the next step in his development.With the addition of Dion Lewis to the run game and an expectation that Mariota will utilize his own wheels more often, he's set up to succeed.Washington RedskinsCan AP save the season?The 2018 campaign appeared lost after the season-ending injury to Derrius Guice. After all, what else did Redskins fans have to look forward to?Enter Adrian Peterson. The former NFL MVP and future Hall of Famer has been strong in minimal preseason action and looked capable of holding down the fort to start the year. He'll get the first crack at turning around the No. 28-ranked running game of a year ago.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eric Decker had some fun with a Twitter user who says he made an erroneous pick in his fantasy football draft.The former wide receiver announced his retirement from the NFL in an Instagram post on Sunday, but at least one fan didn't get that memo. After being asked to return for "one more year," Decker seemed to indicate that won't be happening.

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey cemented himself as one of the NFL's premier trash-talkers this offseason when he called out a handful of the league's quarterbacks.Ramsey, the No. 5 pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, is also showing that he can hold a grudge, particularly against a Dallas Cowboys team that passed over him in favor of selecting running back Ezekiel Elliott."I will never play for them," Ramsey told ESPN's Mina Kimes in an interview released Thursday. "Unless the Joneses leave," he added.Ramsey explained to Kimes that he believed the Cowboys' coaching staff wanted to choose him at No. 4 but owner Jerry Jones (and executive vice president Stephen Jones) stepped in and made the push for Elliott.Elliott garnered Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors as a rookie while leading the league in rushing attempts (322) and yards (1,631).It took Ramsey until his sophomore season to collect his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl credentials. He has recorded six interceptions and 31 passes defensed while starting all 32 games over his first two years with the Jaguars.Feeling spurned by the Cowboys, Ramsey said it took him some time to appreciate the Jaguars, a franchise for which he's now the face."I wasn't expecting to come into the NFL and essentially be the best person on my team," he said. "This is going to sound really bad, but ... I didn't like that team. They were so used to losing. It didn't affect them."But after helping lead the Jaguars to an impressive turnaround and their first trip to the AFC Championship since 1999 last season, Ramsey now says he's confident in the team and much-criticized quarterback Blake Bortles, of whom he said "Playoff Blake is good," in his previous breakdown of the position."The Jaguars can win a Super Bowl with Blake Bortles at quarterback," said Ramsey.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Elvis Dumervil announced his retirement Thursday after a 12-year career split between the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens, and San Francisco 49ers.

Adrian Peterson didn't take kindly to doubts from Hall of Famers Shannon Sharpe and Cris Carter over his ability to produce for the Washington Redskins.Sharpe and Carter, both co-hosts of debate shows on FS1, have opined that Peterson's days of being an effective workhorse are over as the 33-year-old enters his 12th NFL season."Watching some of the things they said about me, man, it really hurt me to the core," Peterson told USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell. "Not only are they black men, but these are people I looked up to. And these are people that made mistakes, especially Cris Carter. So some of the things that came out of his mouth, not only personally, but about me as a player – aw, he's washed up and this, that, and the other, and he should just retire – how dare you."Then Shannon Sharpe, the same thing. He said some things and I'm just like, 'Wow, I can't believe that would come out of your mouth.' I understand that people are entitled to their opinions. That's the way of the world. But they are in a position where millions of people are watching them."Sharpe and Carter are far from the only ones to suggest Peterson's gas tank is running low on fuel. Interest in the former MVP as a free agent was scant throughout the summer.In 10 games split between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals last year, Peterson tallied 529 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 3.4 yards per carry."What I'm going to do when I ball out this year, I'm going to have all my fans … look up all the people who (said) something negative about me and put them on blast and prove that when they are on TV, they don't know what they're talking about," Peterson said.Related - Peterson: Critics who think I'm too old 'don't know football'A seven-time Pro Bowler, Peterson sits 12th among the NFL's all-time rushing leaders. With 464 more yards, he'll move up to ninth on the list, surpassing Marshall Faulk, Jim Brown, and Tony Dorsett along the way.In response to Peterson's anger, Sharpe said he doesn't take the brush-back personally, explaining that he was in AP's position at the end of his career.Carter offered a more spirited reply: "Did you see me in a Dolphins uniform? I had no business playing that season. I wouldn't have admitted it, either. These guys get so sensitive about everything. Adrian had better get over himself. We were all great. But at the end, we all smelled like a baby's diaper."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Week 4 of the preseason doesn't garner much attention, but Thursday's games are incredibly important to players fighting for their NFL lives.For a number of youngsters on non-guaranteed contracts, and veterans at risk of being replaced, this week is the last chance to break through to the 53-man roster.Here are six players who must impress in their final tune-up for the regular season.Robert Griffin IIIGriffin will get his final chance to impress the Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff against the team that drafted him: the Washington Redskins. Upon signing a one-year contract in April, the former No. 2 overall pick has shared second-team reps with 2018 first-rounder Lamar Jackson.After a year away from football, Griffin's play has made head coach John Harbaugh's selection process a difficult one. He's shown solid arm strength, impressive accuracy, and strong pocket presence under pressure during his four preseason contests to date.The Ravens traditionally keep just two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man squad, so Griffin could be playing for more than just a job in Baltimore. With Jackson and starter Joe Flacco locked into the opening-day roster, the 28-year-old may be hoping a good game against the Redskins will lead to interest from other teams.Rashaad PennyPenny's NFL career hasn't kicked off the way he had likely hoped. The Seattle Seahawks selected the productive collegiate ball-carrier in the first round this past April (No. 27 overall), but he's accumulated just 18 preseason snaps due to a broken finger.It had originally appeared as though Penny would be questionable for Week 1, but he's recovered quickly, returned to practice, and is set to fight for early- season carries. Unlucky for the running back, though, his absence has allowed Chris Carson to emerge as Seattle's top ball-carrier heading into the regular season.The rookie has the talent to eventually take over as Seattle's every-down back but needs the spotlight to illustrate his skills. Thursday against the Oakland Raiders is a good start.Corey ColemanA former first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, Coleman was dealt to the Buffalo Bills for a future seventh-round pick earlier this month. He was on the roster bubble in Cleveland and he may be in the same situation in Buffalo.Injuries and drops have plagued Coleman during his first two years in the league, and the receiver has failed to impress since the trade, primarily running with the second-team offense in practice. The young wideout is not a lock for the Bills' 53-man squad despite his first-round pedigree, but his guaranteed money from his rookie contract could force the Bills to keep him.Even if Coleman makes the team, he could struggle to solidify a meaningful role behind Kelvin Benjamin, Andre Holmes, Jeremy Kerley, and Zay Jones. He'll make a last-ditch effort Thursday against the Chicago Bears. There isn't much talent standing in his way, so Coleman has run out of excuses.Ronald Jones IIAn exciting second-round pick out of USC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back has not lived up to the hype thus far. Jones was thought to have the inside track to the starting job, but he's struggled mightily as a runner this summer. With just 18 yards on 18 preseason carries, he's yet to flash the explosion and gap awareness that made him such a dangerous weapon in the Pac 12.Jones has also disappointed as a receiver and pass-blocker, which may be the main reason he isn't close to being named the starter. The young running back hauled in a 37-yard reception Friday against the Detroit Lions but has otherwise looked lost in the passing game. His lack of college receiving production and questionable fit in an NFL passing scheme were his biggest knocks as a draft prospect, so he'll have to show improvement there before he can be trusted by Tampa Bay's coaching staff.In the midst of Jones' struggles, Peyton Barber has emerged as the Buccaneers' lead back. If Jones fails to at least secure the third-down back position, it may be a while before we see him star on an NFL field.Paxton LynchIt's only Week 4 of the preseason, but Thursday's game against the Arizona Cardinals may be the biggest of Lynch's career. One step away from being officially labeled a first-round bust, the quarterback is on his last legs with the Denver Broncos. Chad Kelly has been promoted to backup behind Case Keenum, while Lynch has again struggled in his third offseason.It is essential for Lynch that he displays marked improvement as a passer. His height and arm strength are his most valuable assets, but the inexperienced pivot must illustrate a better grasp of coverage concepts and blitz packages.Denver almost certainly doesn't view Lynch as its long-term solution at quarterback, so he may have to convince other teams to take a flier on him if he's released. He has the talent but has never been able to shed his "raw" label and develop consistency as an NFL passer. Thursday's game will go a long way in determining what Lynch's next steps will be in his NFL career - if there are any.Ameer AbdullahAfter an inconsistent first three seasons, Abdullah is a victim of a numbers game in Detroit. The team added LeGarrette Blount in free agency and Kerryon Johnson in the draft, so the former second-round pick finds himself squarely on the roster bubble.Abdullah is expected to see significant playing time in Detroit's preseason finale versus the Browns. The Lions will almost certainly dangle the 25-year-old in trade talks, so they'll want to showcase his skill set as much as possible to drive up his return price.Abdullah has reportedly impressed his coaching staff during training camp practices, but it has yet to translate into preseason success. Whether it's on Matt Patricia's squad or somewhere else, he'll have one final chance to prove he's worthy of a roster spot and offensive role.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski spoke to reporters and addressed the contract given to New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr."He's a great player, he comes up clutch in many situations and just his talent is second to none," he said Tuesday, via Patriots.com.When asked if he would like tight ends to be referred to as pass-catchers when it comes to contract negotiations, Gronkowski smiled and said, "That would be pretty cool."The four-time All-Pro tight end added he's "always open" to receiving a new deal of his own, but doesn't seem to be in any serious rush."I mean, it is what it is," Gronkowski continued. "That's not really my focus. I got a long season ahead, and just trying to focus on what I need to really do and just let everything else play out."Related - Gronkowski: Who wouldn't want a new dealThe 29-year-old is due to carry a cap hit of $10.9 million for the 2018 season. That number bumps up to $12 million for 2019, the final year of a six-year, $54-million extension he signed in 2012.Gronkowski was the subject of many trade and retirement rumors for much of the offseason, but he ultimately took part in the team's training camp ahead of his ninth NFL season and denied the notion that he ever considered holding out.With h/t to NFL NetworkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wide receiver Robert Woods and left tackle Andrew Whitworth restructured their contracts to give the Los Angeles Rams an additional $7 million in cap space for the 2018 season, a source told ESPN's Field Yates.Presumably, the extra wiggle room will help the Rams consummate a new deal with reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, who's been a preseason holdout.If and when the Rams ink Donald, the new deal is expected to make him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Donald has earned spots on the All-Pro team in three of his first four campaigns and is widely viewed as the game's best defensive tackle.Related: Surprise phone call has Rams' McVay hopeful Donald deal nearly doneThe Rams had approximately $1.1 million in cap room before restructuring the two contracts, which was the least amount of space of any team in the league, according to Over The Cap.Whitworth and Woods both joined Los Angeles last year as free agents and played significant roles in helping the Rams reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2004 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders don't seem intent on trading edge rusher Khalil Mack with the season inching closer unless they receive an offer they can't refuse, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Mack has held out of training camp while searching for a massive contract extension and several teams have reportedly inquired about his availability in a trade, including the New York Jets.The Raiders don't appear immediately interested in negotiating, however, and would require a massive sum to move Mack, beginning with two first-round picks."(Raiders GM) Reggie McKenzie has had multiple offers to him - a first-round pick and another high pick. I've been told he's been offered a player for Khalil Mack. To this point, none of that has gotten anywhere," Pelissero said on NFL Network's "Total Access Live" on Wednesday. "So what people around the league believe is that to even start the conversation, you're talking about having to offer two first-round picks on top of needing to give (Mack) a top-of-market, $20 million-plus per year contract."The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year is scheduled to make $13.846 million during the last season of his rookie deal.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns released linebacker Mychal Kendricks on Wednesday, the team announced in a statement.Federal authorities announced at a news conference earlier in the day that Kendricks has been charged with insider trading.Browns general manager John Dorsey released the following statement:

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2018 Fantasy Football Draft Kit.At the rate injuries strike the running back position, knowing who's next in line for carries is critical for fantasy owners.Not all backups are created equal, however, and while players like Tevin Coleman and Latavius Murray carry clear league-winning potential, there are many handcuffs who aren't getting the respect they deserve in fantasy drafts.Here's a look at some of the handcuffs you should be targeting, with emphasis on the upside they would bring to your lineup if their team's starter is sidelined:FalconsStarterHandcuffDevonta FreemanTevin ColemanColeman is the rare handcuff that offers Week 1 value as a potential low-end RB2 or flex play. That's where he's finished in fantasy the last two seasons, and on the rare occasions when Freeman missed time, Coleman delivered RB1 production.Vikings StarterHandcuffDalvin CookLatavius MurrayAfter Cook tore his ACL in Week 4, Murray emerged as a top-15 back while splitting touches with Jerick McKinnon. With McKinnon gone, Murray would be the lone beneficiary if Cook goes down again.PackersStarterHandcuffJamaal WilliamsAaron JonesJones flashed his elite upside during the four 2017 contests when he saw double-digit touches, posting the sixth-most fantasy points among running backs during that stretch. Unlike many of the other names on this list, he has a chance to steal the starting job once he returns from his two-game suspension.BengalsStarterHandcuffJoe MixonGiovani BernardBernard has always answered the bell when the Bengals' starter is on the shelf. Mixon is a prime breakout candidate, but if an injury strikes - like it did last season - Bernard would vault into a borderline RB1 ranking.ChiefsStarterHandcuffKareem HuntSpencer WareHunt led the league in rushing after Ware missed the season due to injury. If the tables were turned, Ware has nearly the same level of upside in what projects to be an explosive Chiefs offense.49ersStarterHandcuffJerick McKinnonMatt BreidaBoth McKinnon and Breida missed the majority of the preseason due to calf and shoulder ailments, respectively. The good news is they're expected to be ready for Week 1. Alfred Morris, who was added due to the injuries, will likely be No. 3 on the depth chart, and could be a factor here.PanthersStarterHandcuffChristian McCaffreyC.J. AndersonIf we learned anything in the preseason, it's that the Panthers are actually going to give McCaffrey a monster workload. That hurts Anderson's immediate value but helps his long-term outlook, since the chances of McCaffrey getting injured or wearing down are far greater now.SteelersStarterHandcuffLe'Veon BellJames ConnerBell is expected to end his holdout leading into Week 1, which is how the same situation unfolded last season. In his absence, Conner looked like a back capable of carrying the team's rushing attack. Jaylen Samuels is also intriguing due to his TE eligibility in many fantasy leagues, but Conner is the handcuff to own in Pittsburgh.ChargersStarterHandcuffMelvin GordonAustin EkelerEkeler flashed explosive skills in 2017 despite frustrating his coaches with ball-security issues. In the preseason, he was as dynamic as ever, locking down his spot as the Chargers' change-of-pace weapon, as well as Gordon's handcuff.RamsStarterHandcuffTodd GurleyJohn KellyIf you take a single thing away from this article, it should be that Kelly is one of the highest-upside handcuffs in 2018. His path to fantasy stardom would require a Gurley injury, but if that occurs, he would be launched into RB1 range playing on a team built to dominate games. If you want to get excited about his potential, go back and watch Kelly beast in the preseason.EaglesStarterHandcuffJay AjayiCorey ClementAjayi has an opportunity to dominate the Eagles' backfield touches, but he's already been banged up in the preseason. If he's forced to miss time this year, Clement has an all-around skill set and a nose for the end zone.BrownsStarterHandcuffCarlos HydeNick ChubbThe training camp battle between Hyde and Chubb never materialized, as the veteran quickly distanced himself from the rookie. Hyde will enter the year as the unquestioned lead back, but his injury history could turn Chubb into a late-season league winner.CardinalsStarterHandcuffDavid JohnsonChase EdmondsWhen Johnson was lost for the year in 2017, Arizona struggled to find a consistent starter to replace him. Now, the team appears to have found an answer with Edmonds, who could be a star in the making.CowboysStarterHandcuffEzekiel ElliottRod SmithSmith is facing little competition for backup duties in Dallas, though the injuries to the Cowboys' offensive line are worrisome for the running game regardless of who's starting in the backfield.RaidersStarterHandcuffMarshawn LynchDoug MartinIt's hard to trust Martin as a fantasy option, but the reports out of Oakland suggest the coaching staff has been impressed by him. Lynch is 32 years old, which increases the odds of him wearing down deep into the season.GiantsStarterHandcuffSaquon BarkleyWayne GallmanJonathan Stewart doesn't appear to have much left in the tank. He's been passed by Wayne Gallman as the handcuff to own behind Saquon Barkley. It's worth noting Barkley dealt with a hamstring injury during the preseason.Handcuff Notes

Aaron Rodgers is now a very rich man, and the Green Bay Packers star quarterback took to Instagram on Wednesday to express his gratitude to those who helped him down the path to earning what is being reported as the largest deal in NFL history.

A surprise phone call has Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay hopeful that the end to Aaron Donald's holdout is near.McVay, general manager Les Snead, and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff spoke at a charity luncheon Wednesday, fielding questions from interested fans awaiting Donald's every move.Demoff received a call from Donald's agent during the event and eventually stepped out of the room, sending McVay into a frenzy minutes later."Where’s Demoff at?! Did he get Aaron done?!?!? I think we are close, I think we're very close to getting this thing done," McVay said, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.Donald, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, is imperative to the Rams' Super Bowl ambitions. With the season quickly approaching, McVay, Snead, and Demoff are working furiously to lock him up and get him on the field.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stephen Jones often acts as his father's right-hand man, but, this time, he disagreed with the Dallas Cowboys owner's contention that the regular season should be extended to 18 games and the preseason reduced to two.Jerry Jones argued Tuesday that the notion would make for a safer game. The elder Jones also said he made a presentation during the last collective bargaining agreement, advocating for this proposal.Stephen Jones, who serves as the Cowboys' CEO, executive vice president and director of player personnel, presented his opposition to his father's proposal Wednesday.“Here’s my problem: At the end of the day, it’s so important for these young players to play the game and play on a big stage and play in stadiums," Jones said, advocating for the current four-game preseason, via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "I know sometimes the fans may not love it as much, and that’s Jerry's point. Would they rather see a regular game? But that’s part of the fun of the game is watching these young guys come up and play. It’s not for everybody. I understand that. But there's a group of fans out there who really enjoy watching these young players develop."Jones also hinted that the preseason gives fans opportunities to attend games that they otherwise couldn't."We're certainly going to dynamic pricing in the preseason. They certainly are being priced less than our regular-season games. I'm sure we’ll continue to see that more and more. I just think we need these games to develop these football players."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sam Darnold is about to make history.After Teddy Bridgewater was reportedly traded to the New Orleans Saints, the New York Jets are expected to name Darnold their Week 1 starting quarterback, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft will become the youngest starting quarterback in NFL history at 21 years and 97 days old when he takes the field against the Detroit Lions, per the New York Daily News' Manish Mehta.Darnold has looked developed beyond his years during the preseason, tossing two touchdowns to one interception and 244 yards over three games. He also completed over 70 percent of his passes in two of the three games.With Bridgewater now headed to New Orleans, veteran Josh McCown will act as Darnold's backup.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints have apparently found Drew Brees' heir apparent.The New York Jets have traded quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to New Orleans for a 2019 third-round pick, New York announced Wednesday. The Saints will also receive a 2019 sixth-rounder.Bridgewater apparently found out about the trade in dramatic fashion:

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed a record-breaking four-year, $134-million extension with $103 million in guarantees on Wednesday.Rodgers is now the highest paid player in NFL history, and the Twitter universe was both shocked and pleased with his new deal.

The Seattle Seahawks and wide receiver Tyler Lockett have agreed to a multi-year contract extension, the team announced Wednesday.Lockett's new contract is a three-year deal worth a base salary of $31.8 million, with a maximum value of $37.8 million, and $20 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.The Seahawks drafted the speedy receiver in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Kansas State. The 26-year-old accumulated 45 receptions for 555 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.Lockett is also a valuable player on special teams, utilized as a dynamic punt and kick returner. He has three career return touchdowns.The young wideout has the tools to succeed but has yet to put them together consistently over the span of one full season. Seattle is banking on this happening in 2018.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Federal authorities announced at a news conference Wednesday that Cleveland Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks has been charged with insider trading, per NBC News.Kendricks released a statement admitting to the the scheme.

Evaluating quarterback prospects is a two-fold process for NFL scouting departments.At the outset, scouts are tasked with identifying and grading each player's individual traits - for example, a strong arm or quick decision-making. Beyond that comes the scheme question, which can be more difficult. NFL coaches and executives must decide if and how a player will be able to use their traits to run a professional offense effectively.Now, after watching each of the 2018 first-round rookie quarterbacks in preseason action, we have a clearer picture of how their new offensive coordinators intend to maximize their current skill sets while supporting their transitions to life in the NFL.Baker Mayfield: Air Raid touchOne of the bigger questions last draft season was how Baker Mayfield would adjust to running a more "pro-style" offense. That's because Mayfield spent his collegiate days in the wide-open Big 12, running a spread-heavy offense that relied on a lot of Air Raid concepts. While the Air Raid is becoming a bigger part of NFL offenses, there are still many who question the scheme's future in the league.But after three preseason games, it's clear that Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley will try to ease Mayfield's transition with familiar plays.Mayfield's first touchdown pass as a pro? It came on a "mesh concept" - a staple of Air Raid systems relied upon by giants of the scheme like Hal Mumme and Mike Leach:The critical aspect of the mesh concept is the pairing of two shallow crossing routes, which we see in the play above. Then, coaches can add different route combinations both outside and down the field. On this play, the Browns implement a wheel route from the running back - one of the more common additions - plus a post route from tight end David Njoku (No. 80). Mayfield first reads the crossing routes underneath before finding his tight end on the post route deeper in the end zone.Having a young quarterback run plays they're familiar with is a great way to improve their transition to the NFL. Expect the Browns to do more of the same going forward.Sam Darnold: West Coast kidAt the University of Southern California, Sam Darnold displayed strong anticipation and athleticism. On the other hand, his inconsistent ball placement and his unorthodox footwork and mechanics made it more difficult to project him at the next level.More specifically, there were questions about Darnold's scheme fit in the NFL, and how the New York Jets could maximize his skills early on.First-year Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates is a disciple of the West Coast system - an offensive philosophy predicated on the quick passing game. And that system might make the most sense for Darnold right now. For example, look at this play against the Redskins from a few weeks ago:This is a dual-read passing concept that consists of two different West Coast core concepts. The Jets run a slant/flat combination on the right side of the formation and a "tosser" concept - a multiple-slant-route pattern - on the left.Before the play, the defense shows a two-high-safety look, and Darnold wants to work the slant/flat combination. But as the play begins, one of the safeties crashes down toward the line of scrimmage to cover the flat route. So, Darnold uses his strong anticipation to identify that, flips his field of vision to the left, and makes a strong throw to move the chains. Plays like this illustrate the fit for Darnold in the West Coast offensive system.Josh Allen: Getting verticalWhile Darnold's scheme fit was more of a question mark, anyone who studied Josh Allen came to a similar conclusion: Get him in a downfield passing system and let him work with that huge arm.And you can often get a sense of how a team views a rookie when you see their first offensive play. The Buffalo Bills and Allen were no exception:While Allen failed to connect on this throw, you can see the pure talent in his right arm. There's a reason the former Wyoming quarterback flew up draft boards over the past two years. He's a perfect fit for an offense seeking to push the ball vertically, and will get opportunities to make plays that other quarterbacks can only imagine executing. A prime example came on Allen's first touchdown pass, when he challenged a narrow throwing window in the red zone that other quarterbacks would shy away from:On this play, Allen throws a vertical route against a Cover 2 defense - between the cornerback in underneath coverage and the safety rotating over from the inside. With his powerful arm, the young pivot could give the Bills a chance to truly extend secondaries in the vertical passing game.Josh Rosen: All about timingOne of the more fascinating pairings of a rookie quarterback with an offensive coordinator comes to us courtesy the Arizona Cardinals.Last draft season, it was fascinating to see the "too smart" narrative develop around Josh Rosen. The former UCLA pivot was derided by some for being a "millennial" and for having opinions and interests outside of football. He now finds himself under the tutelage of Mike McCoy, an offensive coordinator often criticized for the complex nature of his systems. McCoy's schemes incorporate a variety of downfield concepts and West Coast elements, but regardless of the throw distance, he always stresses timing.One example of this came against the Saints, when the Cardinals faced a 3rd-and-goal in the red zone. On the play, Rosen has a "sticks concept" to choose from, with each receiver running a curl route at the "line to gain" - or the end zone, in this case. The timing is critical, because if the ball is thrown too late, especially with a short field, the defenders can close in and break up the pass. Instead, the timing is perfect and Christian Kirk comes down with the touchdown:Here's another example of critical timing with a more vertical concept. The Cardinals run a four-verticals route combination against a Cover 2, and Rosen throws an inside seam route:If Rosen waits too long, he'll lead his receiver right into contact with the safety. But the rookie gets it out quickly and throws it low to protect his receiver, and the Cardinals have a fresh set of downs.Rosen and McCoy might make for a perfect pairing, given how they both approach the mental side of the game. Plays like these illustrate the importance of timing in McCoy's offense, and how Rosen can deliver on that.Lamar Jackson: On the moveLast draft cycle, a story that simmered below the surface - perhaps reaching a full-blown boil - was whether Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson should consider a position switch. However, Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore Ravens' front office took a different view. The traded into the first round to select the former Heisman Trophy winner, and their plan is clear: Jackson is the quarterback of the future.Similar to Allen, Jackson's first NFL play gave us insight into how the Ravens are looking to acclimate him early on. Specifically, the Ravens will look to use Jackson's big-time athleticism to get him on the move early and often. On his first offensive snap, Jackson ran a standard play-action rollout passing play, and then tucked away the football to pick up yards with his legs.The rookie's running ability will be a big part of his transition, as highlighted by his 19-yard touchdown run this past weekend on a zone-read play. But Jackson's athleticism will also allow the Ravens to move the pocket side to side, giving the young pivot a pass/run decision on the edge of defenses. While Jackson took off with his legs on his first offensive play, he completed a touchdown pass on a similar design later in the preseason:On this red-zone play, Jackson rolls to his right and makes a strong, accurate throw on the move.Looking ahead, there are murmurs that Baltimore will give Jackson a package of plays to run each week, or will even get him on the field with Joe Flacco at the same time. If that does happen, you can expect to see more of Jackson on the move.We still don't know which of these quarterbacks will be Week 1 starters, and which ones will have to wait. However, at this point in their inaugural seasons, we're beginning to see how their coaches are easing them into NFL life. Between identifying their traits and uncovering their best scheme fits, it looks like these five organizations truly did their homework.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks was front and center during Cleveland's preseason preparation for the Philadelphia Eagles - his former team.On Tuesday's episode of "Hard Knocks," Kendricks gave a personal scouting report to his fellow defenders on the Eagles' offense. During the clip, he took shots at tight end Zach Ertz and offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who was filling in for Jason Peters."(Ertz) I think is the best receiver on the team," Kendricks said. "Notice I said 'receiver.' When it comes to blocking, you hit his f---ing ass over and over, he doesn't want any smoke."Big V? Vaitai. He's so big that his size allows him to do what he does. You see, but he doesn't have the quickest feet and he's not the strongest. He doesn't trust his feet at all. You get on him, his confidence will go down."The veteran linebacker also provided a scouting report of quarterback Nick Foles."Playing with Nick Foles, I realized on his long balls, his deep balls, he has like a teardrop effect," Kendricks told the team, via Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "He's tall and he likes to drop it literally from the sky. So, corners, the timing's just a little slower on the ball coming."Kendricks claimed HBO did not air his entire scouting report, which revolved around Cleveland needing to harness their talent like the 2017 Eagles did, per The Philadelphia Inquirer's Jeff McLane.The Browns defeated Philadelphia 5-0 last Thursday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Green Bay Packers have traded backup quarterback Brett Hundley to the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Green Bay will receive a sixth-round draft pick in 2019 from Seattle in the deal, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Hundley was entering the final year of his rookie deal and will slide in as Russell Wilson's backup for the 2018 season.The trade also signals that DeShone Kizer will serve as the Packers' backup quarterback behind starter Aaron Rodgers.Hundley started nine games after Rodgers injured his collarbone last season. He threw for 1,836 yards, nine touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.The 25-year-old may not be the last quarterback dealt before the regular season begins, according to Rapoport. The Arizona Cardinals' Mike Glennon, New Orleans Saints' Tom Savage, and Pittsburgh Steelers' Josh Dobbs have also been discussed in trade talks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay had some fun with reporters on Tuesday before finally getting down to business and addressing the hottest topic surrounding the team.After joking multiple times that an extension with Aaron Donald was close, McVay finally seemed to offer something real in terms of how contract talks are going with the three-time All-Pro defensive tackle, two weeks after saying there had been no change from earlier in the offseason."There is a level of increased optimism ... we're working in a positive direction," McVay said.Donald, 27, is due to enter the 2018 season on the final year of his rookie contract with a cap hit of $6.89 million.Related - Report: Rams' Donald could secure $80M guaranteed in extensionThe 2017 Defensive Player of the Year has 39 career sacks in 62 games since being selected with the 13th overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first episode of the documentary detailing quarterback Kirk Cousins' free-agent and offseason experience revealed that the New York Jets offered him more than the Minnesota Vikings' winning bid of a fully guaranteed $84 million over three seasons.In the documentary, shortly after the NFL's "legal tampering" window opened, Cousins gets off the phone with agent Mike McCartney and tells his wife, Julie, that the Jets offered a three-year, $90-million fully-guaranteed deal.Cousins tells McCartney to go back to the Vikings in an attempt to get them to up their offer from $25 million per year and close the gap.McCartney later calls and tells Cousins the Vikings offered a guaranteed $28 million per year on a three-year deal."It's done as long as I go to Minneapolis and everything checks out," Cousins said.The deal was officially announced March 15.With h/t to Yahoo! SportsCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dez Bryant landed himself in a strange Twitter feud after mistakingly sending a message to YouTube personality Jake Paul.The free-agent wide receiver intended to message Jake's brother, Logan Paul, following his boxing match against fellow YouTuber Olajide "KSI" Olatunji over the weekend, which ended in a controversial draw, but DM'd Jake instead. After Bryant explained the mixup, Jake - a Cleveland native and Browns fan - took a shot at him.

Running back Le'Veon Bell seems to have refuted a report stating that he'll return to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Labor Day ahead of the upcoming regular season.The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac reported that Bell told teammates he would be reporting to practice on Labor Day. Dulac also noted that the Steelers expected Bell to attend practice Monday.Bell appears to have shot down the report on Twitter:

The ballad of Dez Bryant's summer has been well-documented by now, and with the season quickly approaching, it appears that the former Dallas Cowboys star is content with missing the start of the season.Bryant visited with the Cleveland Browns earlier this month but didn't sign a contract, remaining arguably the most high-profile free agent left on the market.The veteran wideout took to Twitter on Monday, possibly revealing his plans for the upcoming season.