It's hard to deny that the aggressive style of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz played a role in his ACL and LCL tears last season. With that in mind, the third-year pro recognizes he'll need to make some better decisions on the field, but doesn't want the injury to completely alter his game."I think there is always things I can learn from - 'OK, maybe I shouldn't have been so aggressive there,'" Wentz said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Tim McManus. "There is a time and a place for it. Injuries happen."I believe this one was kind of a freak incident and that is just part of the game. There is always a learning curve."Related - Ex-Eagles' coach: Wentz wouldn't listen when told to avoid contactSome may disagree with Wentz calling his ailment a "freak injury," as he hurt his knee diving headfirst into the end zone for a touchdown (which was called back due to a penalty) against the Los Angeles Rams in one of the many impressive but dangerous plays the franchise quarterback made in 2017.After meeting with new offensive coordinator Mike Groh and quarterbacks coach Press Taylor, Wentz believes all parties are "on the same page" in terms of being more conservative, but he admits he'll still do what got him to this position."Overall, as an aggressive player, I am not going to change in that sense, I am just going to keep learning," Wentz said. "I'm going to be learning how to preserve myself, how to be smart, when to take those chances, when it's worthwhile, it's a constant learning throughout my career, but it's definitely something I am taking seriously at the same time."Overall, Wentz has attempted 110 rushes in 29 games while taking 61 sacks, and regularly flees the pocket as a passer, making himself vulnerable to bigger hits. Following his knee injury, he missed the final three game of the Eagles' regular season and their entire playoff run, but those were the only games he's sat out to date. He's now targeting a return by Week 1 this season, but there's no certainty he'll be ready.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The elderly man who was rescued by running back Christian McCaffrey while hiking was surprised with tickets to an upcoming Carolina Panthers game.Dan Smoker took to Twitter on Tuesday to share a letter his family received from the Panthers along with signed jerseys and an invitation to one of the team's home games."We are so happy to hear the good news about Dan Sr. leaving the hospital in good health," the letter reads. "We would like to invite you into the Carolina Panthers family by attending a home game this upcoming season on behalf of Christian McCaffrey and Academy Sports. Can't wait to see you in the black and blue."

It's rare to spot John Dorsey not wearing his signature grey Cleveland Browns sweatshirt.The Browns general manager wore similar sweatshirts during his time with the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, and revealed Wednesday on NFL Network's "Good Morning America" that he now has one for each day of the week.

The Jacksonville Jaguars declined the fifth-year contract option on defensive end Dante Fowler Jr., the third overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft."We do like Dante and we feel that he's on the verge of having a great season, but we did not pick up the fifth-year option at this time," executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin said in a statement."He is making good progress and we like how he practices and how he plays, as he did in the AFC Championship game, and we want him to have a great season and earn a new long-term contract with us this year."Fowler racked up eight sacks last season and was an important member of Jacksonville's vaunted defense. He'll turn just 24 in August, and could parlay another strong showing in 2018 into a lucrative long-term deal with either the Jaguars or somebody else next year.Fowler is one of three players taken in the top 10 of the 2015 draft to have his fifth-year option declined, joining Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White and New York Giants offensive tackle Ereck Flowers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A trip to Costa Rica for a calendar shoot in 2013 crossed a line for several members of the Washington Redskins cheerleading squad.Upon arrival at the team's resort, the cheerleaders had their passports collected by team officials, Juliet Macur of The New York Times reports, based on interviews with five cheerleaders involved. Details were corroborated with others who had heard details of the trip.Some of the cheerleaders said they were required to be topless for a photo shoot at the adults-only Occidental Grand Papagayo resort on Culebra Bay - an act in itself the cheerleaders say they would have been OK with as the calendar would not show nudity and the resort was in a secluded setting, if not for the team inviting male sponsors and FedExField suite holders as spectators for the shoot.One evening following a 14-hour day of posing and dance practices, the squad's director told nine of the 36 cheerleaders they would be required to escort male sponsors to a nightclub."They weren't putting a gun to our heads, but it was mandatory for us to go," one of the cheerleaders said. "We weren't asked, we were told. Other girls were devastated because we knew exactly what she was doing."The cheerleaders interviewed said they were not required to have sex as part of the arrangement, but they were still being used by the team as sex symbols to please the male sponsors.When leaving the nightclub around 3 a.m. local time, the women were stopped by police officers asking for their passports, which they did not have."I guess they thought you were prostitutes," a man affiliated with the cheerleading squad told them after they were allowed to leave.The cheerleaders had their transportation, meal, and lodging costs covered for the weeklong trip, but received no compensation beyond that."It's just not right to send cheerleaders out with strange men when some of the girls clearly don't want to go," one cheerleader who was there said. "But unfortunately, I feel like it won't change until something terrible happens, like a girl is assaulted in some way, or raped. I think teams will start paying attention to this only when it’s too late."The cheerleaders' descriptions of the trip were refuted by Stephanie Jojokian, director and choreographer of the team's cheerleading squad."I was not forcing anyone to go at all," Jojokian said. "I'm the mama bear, and I really look out for everybody, not just the cheerleaders. It's a big family. We respect each other and our craft. It's such a supportive environment for these ladies."The cheerleaders also detailed further inappropriate interactions with fans and sponsors that include a listener contest that would reward "five lucky winners" by having team cheerleaders wash their cars, and a "hot or not" game on the team website.The Redskins provided the following statement in relation to the trip to Costa Rica."The Redskins' cheerleader program is one of the NFL's premier teams in participation, professionalism, and community service. Each Redskin cheerleader is contractually protected to ensure a safe and constructive environment. The work our cheerleaders do in our community, visiting our troops abroad, and supporting our team on the field is something the Redskins organization and our fans take great pride in."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets fans may not have to wait long to see quarterback Sam Darnold under center, as general manager Mike Maccagnan told "The Rich Eisen Show" on Wednesday the rookie will have a chance win the starting job out of training camp."We're going to basically expose him to everything," Maccagnan said. "We're going to give him the opportunity to go out there - learn, earn, and learn the position. But, of course, our focus is not necessarily to throw him into the fire until he's earned it."But we're very excited about him and his upside and potential. We have a lot of football to be played this spring and in training camp and we'll see how it comes along. He's going to have every opportunity to go out there and hopefully fulfill every potential we see in him."The Jets picked Darnold third overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, anointing him their gunslinger of the future. The former USC star will battle veterans Josh McCown - last year's starter - and Teddy Bridgewater for the starting gig."Nothing's been predetermined one way or another," Maccagnan said. "There's a chance for anything on the table. Nothing's been sort of set in stone in terms of how we're going to do this in terms of a firm time frame. But he's going to have every opportunity and we'll see how it develops going forward."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Witten has yet to decide between the Monday Night Football broadcast booth and continuing his playing career, and the Dallas Cowboys are affording him as much time as he needs to decide.The veteran tight end has reportedly been offered north of $4 million to become the lead analyst on Monday nights. The 35-year-old has been mulling a switch to broadcasting since April.He remains a reliable receiver for the Cowboys, however, and one of Dak Prescott's favorite targets.The Cowboys aren't pressuring Witten to make a decision anytime soon."He wants to make the right decision here for himself and his family. He needed his time," vice president Stephen Jones said at a news conference for a boxing event on Wednesday, per Clarence E. Hill of the Forth-Worth Star Telegram."If it takes two more weeks, it takes two more weeks; if it takes a month, it takes a month. He deserves it. So he can make the best decision for Jason Witten."A career Cowboy, Witten is scheduled to make $4.735 million this year after restructuring much of his salary in March.After learning of the possibility they might lose Witten ahead of the season, Dallas drafted tight end Dalton Schultz in the fourth round of this past weekend's draft. But it doesn't mean they wouldn't welcome Witten back."We support what's best for him. We don't need to be talking him into something," Jones said. "He knows we are a much better football team with him. We would love to have him. At the same time, we are going to be so supportive of him."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Players from the 2018 NFL Draft class are beginning to choose their numbers for the coming season.Some jersey numbers are more common than others, potentially making it difficult for this year's rookie crop to stand out in team lore.Here's who this year's top rookies will be compared against early in their careers.Baker Mayfield, Browns - No. 6

The Pittsburgh Steelers placed linebacker Ryan Shazier on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and confirmed he won't play football in 2018.The move was expected, but allows the Steelers to add another player to their 90-man offseason roster.Shazier appeared at the 2018 NFL Draft last week, where he walked out to the podium and announced the Steelers' first-round selection.He required spinal stabilization surgery Dec. 6 after an attempted tackle went wrong during a game versus the Cincinnati Bengals.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dez Bryant's market has been noticeably quiet ever since his release from the Dallas Cowboys. The wideout reportedly had a three-year offer from the Baltimore Ravens on the table but turned it down as he seeks a large one-year payday that will allow him to hit free agency in 2019.However, it sounds like Bryant will be lucky to get another deal anywhere close to that of the Ravens' $7-million-a-year proposal.ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that there are "far more" teams unwilling to pay Bryant the league-minimum salary than there are teams that would consider signing the pass-catcher to any level of contract, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk.Bryant has made it clear he'll prioritize finding the right team over money, and called for the rest of the NFC East to come calling so he can play the Cowboys twice a year.But with the draft in the rear-view mirror, he might have to put his revenge on hold if he wants a job in 2018.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears elected not to pick up the fifth-year team option on wide receiver Kevin White, who they drafted seventh overall in 2015, a source told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.White has battled injuries throughout his first three seasons in the league, appearing in only five contests and collecting 193 receiving yards with no touchdowns.Chicago's decision not to exercise the option means White will become a free agent after the 2018 campaign.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent indicated Tuesday that the league will first try and modify kickoffs before considering eliminating the play altogether, and now details of the proposed changes have been revealed.According to Jenny Vrentas of MMQB.com, the rule alterations in the proposal - which was collaborated on by special teams coaches - would include stopping kicking teams from having a running start, no wedges, and only three players allowed deep.

John Dorsey sees the writing on the wall.The Cleveland Browns general manager knows that with drafting first overall and using the pick on Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield comes increased interest in his club. It also means fans will lobby for his Browns to appear on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series in the next training camp."I don't think there's anything good that comes out of 'Hard Knocks,' but we'll see," Dorsey told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.The Browns meet the requirements to be selected for the cable series. The only teams that can avoid selection are those that have a new head coach, have made the playoffs in the last two seasons, and have already appeared on the show in the last 10 years.Dorsey doesn't know if the Browns have already been selected, but he'll make do if they are."You know what, they'll do that, but it's OK," he said. "I'm OK with it. I mean ... it is what it is, but I'm OK with it."The Browns were unwatchable on the field last season, when they finished 0-16. But Mayfield's quarterback competition with Tyrod Taylor for the starting job may be reason alone to select Cleveland for the series' next edition.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ben Roethlisberger felt blindsided when the Steelers shipped Martavis Bryant off to the Oakland Raiders during the draft. This, despite the fact the star wideout briefly attempted to force a trade out of Pittsburgh earlier in the season."When I heard about Martavis, I was like 'Oh, man.' I really enjoyed playing with Martavis," Roethlisberger said, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I think he was a great weapon, he helped our offense, did some great things by attracting attention and making plays for us. I was kind of caught off guard, but teams have reasons for doing things."I think part of it was him expressing trade things that we all heard so much about. I think he's probably pretty happy. For him and his family, if you're in a good happy place, then good for him."The Steelers replaced the troubled Bryant, who was suspended for the entire 2016 campaign due to multiple violations of the NFL's drug policy, with second-round receiver James Washington, who averaged over 20 yards per catch over his last three years at Oklahoma State.With Washington joining a receiving corps that already boasts arguably the best pass-catcher in the league in Antonio Brown and 2017 breakout rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster, Roethlisberger apparently has no plans to walk away from football and the uber-talented Pittsburgh offense.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL announced in April that 10 helmet models will be prohibited from being worn after performing poorly in lab testing. And that's just fine with Tom Brady."It's a good thing. They're trying to find helmets the players will wear that will absorb force better. I think that's a positive," the New England Patriots quarterback said Monday at the Milken Institute Global Conference, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.Six models were immediately removed from circulation, while four others can only be worn by players who used them in 2017. Brady will get one more season with his preferred helmet, Reiss writes."I still wear a very old helmet, probably out of habit," Brady said. "You talk about behavioral changes are hard; I've tried new helmets and I'm like, 'Doesn't work, get that out of here!' You just have to get comfortable with it."Diagnosed concussions increased by 13.5 percent from the 2016 season to the 2017 campaign, the NFL announced in January. The league's chief medical officer said at the time that the NFL won't be satisfied until those numbers are greatly reduced.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first round of the 2018 NFL Draft featured some interesting quirks not seen every year: a 6-foot quarterback going No. 1, a running back taken second overall, an early run on interior offensive linemen, and a top prospect tumbling into the third round.theScore polled three veteran league personnel men to get their perspective on the first round, including the big hits and misfires. All three work in scouting departments of NFC teams and have at least nine years of experience working in NFL scouting departments. Two of them have worked in NFL front offices for at least 15 years.Here are their thoughts on a variety of draft-related topics:Should the Giants have taken a quarterback instead of Saquon Barkley?Personnel man 1: "They got the best player in the draft. He has a chance to be special. I don't think they wanted to pass on that. Without being in the Giants' building, I would say they have a lot of trust in Eli (Manning) that he has several good years left."Personnel man 2: "If it were me, a lot of it depends on how long you think Eli's got. If you think he's got three years left, you get the best player available. If you think he's got one year and you like Sam Darnold, then you take him there. But they want to win. I think they're kind of built to win right now, so I totally get it."Personnel man 3: "I wouldn't have (taken a quarterback). I'm not a full believer in any of those guys - from (either a durability, accuracy, or character standpoint). I think Barkley was the safest pick - from character (to) dynamic playmaker, can't go wrong with it. Even though he's a running back and it's not a premier spot, I think it's safe to say he'll be in that mold of Zeke (Elliott) or (Todd) Gurley-type impact."Which first-round quarterback will have the best career?Personnel man 1: "If I had to guess, I would say Darnold. I think he's got the most upside. He's got all the tools to be successful and he's pretty well grounded. I would probably have taken him No. 1 overall."Personnel man 2: "Darnold. I just think overall combination of above-average arm talent, good accuracy, mobile enough, tough, played in big games, good character. He checks the boxes enough. I just don't think he's special in any one area."Personnel man 3: "If I had to guess, I wouldn't be surprised if it's (Baker Mayfield). I just like what they're going to build there. It's just a matter of the owner giving them time. I think (Josh) Rosen can, I just don't know if he's going to last."What was the most head-scratching first-round selection?Personnel man 1: "Rashaad Penny (27th overall, Seattle). Could have got him in the second round. Just had questions on him mentally as well, his learning ability. They didn't ask him to pass protect (at San Diego State) but he's got a long way to go in that aspect. He's a talented running back, I was just surprised that he went that high."Personnel man 2: "Kolton Miller (15th overall, Oakland) stands out to me as the most head-scratching pick just because you're really just betting on the come. It seemed kind of like a forced pick. It didn't seem like good value for guys available at that spot. He has upside but you don't know if he's going to be able to reach it."Personnel man 3: "Kolton Miller, probably. I just think he's more of a tester right now, his film just wasn't consistent. Got edged a lot. You really didn't hear about him at all until the combine. People would be lying to you if they told you different."Who is your favorite first-round player?Personnel man 1: "I would probably say Saquon. He was just so fun to watch. All the tools he's got - from the size to the speed to the hands out of the backfield. Go back and watch that game against Iowa. He put on a clinic. He showed everything he can do and what kind of player he can be."Personnel man 2: "I'm gonna say (Bradley) Chubb, just because I think Chubb is going to be as well-rounded of an edge guy as there is."Personnel man 3: "(Quenton) Nelson. He's a throwback, old-school player. You don't take guards in the first round but he's the best guard I've ever watched. No bulls--t about him, he just loves ball. Never seen anything really like him."Compare Barkley (second overall) to Ezekiel Elliott (fourth overall, 2016) and Leonard Fournette (fourth overall, 2017) coming out of college.Personnel man 1: "Saquon is faster than both. He has better hands. I think Ezekiel and Fournette are more powerful and those guys are better running between the tackles than Saquon is now. I think Saquon is better on the outside than those two. I would have Saquon No. 1, Ezekiel No. 2, Fournette No. 3."Personnel man 2: "So, both of those guys (Elliott and Fournette) are better between-tackles runners, with Zeke being the best between the tackles. However, Saquon has by far better receiving skills than either one of them. He's got better dynamic ability to create plays on his own, which, in today's NFL, makes him the best of the three to me. It's Barkley, it's Ezekiel, with Fournette ... just a little behind."Personnel man 3: "I thought Zeke probably was the best all-around - blocking, catching the ball, and running - but Barkley is that plus he has better character and the return game over both Fournette and Zeke. I would (rank them) Barkley, then Zeke, then Fournette."Why did LSU running back Derrius Guice slide from first-round hype into the third round?Personnel man 1: "Yeah, he was kind of a jerk to everyone in the pre-draft process, in visits and the combine. Just his whole attitude was very poor. He's got some character concerns that obviously teams knew about and he slid to where he did. The way he handled himself throughout the whole pre-draft process was very poor and he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. I saw him tweet about, "Why me?" When you can't figure out you're treating people as poorly as you are, there's a problem. The only person he should be blaming is the person in the mirror."Personnel man 2: "I don't know. But I will just say, to me, with running backs, running backs are specific to each team's preference. You could shake up those top six, seven running backs in a bag and almost every team might have a different order for them - outside Barkley. The thing I've heard is he's just a different guy. You hear that about a lot of LSU players. Not like 'Bama, where they have more of a type they go for."Personnel man 3: "Just interviews. It's a big part of the process. Just talking to a lot of teams at the combine and personal visits, accountability, and how he came across mentally and all that in him killed him."Geoff Mosher is an award-winning sports reporter, radio host, and TV personality with more than 20 years of experience covering all major sports and leagues. He also hosts regularly on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia and is co-host of "The Sports Shop" on Facebook.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Unemployed safety Eric Reid, who protested during the national anthem alongside Colin Kaepernick in 2016, has filed a collusion grievance against the NFL after failing to find a new team this offseason, as first reported by ESPN's Dan Graziano.Reid is being represented by Mark Geragos, the same lawyer hired by Kaepernick in his own lawsuit against the league, added Graziano.Despite producing a solid season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, the 26-year-old has received minimal interest on the open market.Related: Eagles' Jenkins: Eric Reid's activism played role in lack of offers

The 2018 NFL Draft has come and gone and some teams were more successful than others at using the occasion to fill an obvious need.Here are five teams who exited the weekend by ameliorating an area of weakness:Titans - Pass-rusherThe Titans are led by a powerful defense that produced the fifth-most sacks (43) in 2017, but linebackers Brian Orakpo and Wesley Woodyard are both over 30 years of age. Tennessee needed an infusion of young talent to serve as the next guard.Enter Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry. The Titans left the draft floor with just four draft picks, but their first two will fortify their pass-rush for years to come.An ascending team, the Titans got better in the immediate future and for the long run with their use of two top-45 picks.Packers - CornerbackThe Packers' decision to use the 18th overall pick on Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander drew murmurs, especially considering Iowa's Josh Jackson was still on the board. Not to worry. The Pack waited patiently for nearly 30 picks before taking Jackson as well.Corner was Green Bay's most glaring area of need entering the draft and the team took care of it with its first two picks, landing two of the consensus top three corners available.It was a stroke of genius for new general manager Brian Gutekunst, who also received a 2019 first-round pick from the Saints to move back from 14th to 18th in the first round. The bold draft moves also represent a departure from typical Green Bay protocol, and a breath of fresh air for cheeseheads hoping the team can capitalize on the back half of Aaron Rodgers' career.Ravens - Tight endThere's reason to question the strategy of using a first- and a third-round pick on tight ends, but going forward, at least there will be no more questions about the position group.The Ravens used the 25th pick of the draft on Hayden Hurst out of South Carolina, then doubled down by adding Mark Andrews out of Oklahoma with the 86th overall selection.Since Dennis Pitta, a favorite target of Joe Flacco's, began missing games due to injury in 2013, the team has been searching for a suitable replacement. An aged Dallas Clark, Ed Dickson, Owen Daniels, Crockett Gillmore, Maxx Williams, Nick Boyle, and Ben Watson all fell short of that task. By taking two 6-foot-4-plus tight ends within three rounds, Baltimore is hoping those questions have been put to rest.Chargers - SafetyJahleel Addae and Tre Boston have been fine starters at strong safety and free safety, respectively, but the Bolts found their safeties of the future in first-round pick Derwin James and fourth-rounder Kyzir White.The Chargers' pass defense ranked third in the league last season, on the power of Pro Bowler Casey Hayward and his lockdown defense. James figures to start right away and will be expected to be the final piece of a young, talented secondary.White figures to be the hard hitter of the troupe and the long sought-after replacement to Eric Weddle who departed in 2015 after nine years with the team.Redskins - Defensive tackleThe Redskins could have gone a number of ways with the 13th overall pick. Instead, they chose to address their league-worst run defense by installing human hole-fillers Da'ron Payne and Tim Settle.Washington's front office stuck with a tried and true method of pulling from Alabama's conveyor belt of talent for Payne, then waited until the last day of the draft to add Settle, an athletic prospect with high upside.The Redskins had the NFL's ninth-ranked pass defense in 2017. If the run defense improves immediately with the presence of Payne, it would go a long way toward building on their 7-9 finish of a year ago.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Big Apple's newest star is expected to make some big noise during his first NFL season.New York Giants first-year running back Saquon Barkley opened as the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018, with Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield the only player within reach of the former Penn State standout, according to OddsShark.PlayerTeamOddsSaquon BarkleyGiants+150Baker MayfieldBrowns+275Josh AllenBills+800Josh RosenCardinals+1000Rashaad PennySeahawks+1400Derrius GuiceRedskins+1800Lamar JacksonRavens+2000Sam DarnoldJets+2000Ronald Jones IIBuccaneers+3000Sony MichelPatriots+3000DJ MoorePanthers+3300Calvin RidleyFalcons+4000Barkley should slot in as the Giants' primary running back from Day 1, while none of the five quarterbacks taken in the first round - Mayfield, Darnold, Allen, Rosen, and Jackson - have a clear path to their respective starting jobs.However, as we saw last season with Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt, it's nearly impossible to predict which first-year player will make the biggest impact.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dez Bryant was far from his usual dominant self in 2017. The wide receiver's inability to win the kind of one-on-one matchups that made him into a star was one of the reasons the Cowboys opted to let him go, according to a Dallas front-office executive."It was a collective deal," Cowboys vice president of player personnel Will McClay said Tuesday, according to Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "The (inability) to win one-on-one, to win downfield. There was inconsistency as well as some huge things in his play. So what's best moving forward for Dez Bryant (and) the Cowboys, we just made that decision. It's a production-based business."Bryant posted the lowest yards-per-catch average of his eight-year career and produced just 838 receiving yards - his third straight season without eclipsing 1,000 yards and his lowest output for a 16-game campaign.Related: Romo: 'Dez is a good teammate'The 29-year-old decided not to sign before the draft, reportedly turning down a multi-year offer from the Baltimore Ravens as he seeks a big one-year payday that will allow him to reenter the market in 2019.However, if other teams agree with the Cowboys, Bryant may find it difficult to get the level of contract he desires.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL Power Rankings are selected by a panel of theScore's NFL Editors, including Jack Browne, Michael McClymont, Mitch Sanderson, and Arun Srinivasan.1. Philadelphia EaglesBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan1st1st1st1stPost-FA Rank: 1stThe reigning champs only had five picks, but they made them count and added even more depth to what was already maybe the league's best roster. Snagging highly athletic edge rusher Josh Sweat in the fourth round is just unfair considering the defensive-line talent Philly already owns. - Browne2. New England PatriotsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan2nd6th2nd2ndPost-FA Rank: 3rdThe Patriots filled their only major needs on offense by grabbing Isiah Wynn and Sony Michel in the first round. The former should offset the loss of Nate Solder, while Michel has the potential to be a star in New England's system thanks to his versatility, big-play ability, and receiving skills. Tom Brady is one happy man. - Browne3. Los Angeles RamsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan3rd2nd4th3rdPost-FA Rank: 4thThe Rams' draft class was nondescript, but for a roster loaded with stars, they needed only to plug small holes. For a team lacking picks in the first and second rounds, L.A. came out of the weekend with plenty of depth for its offensive and defensive lines. - McClymont4. Minnesota VikingsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan6th3rd3rd5thPost-FA Rank: 2ndThe Vikings added depth at several positions in the draft, including the offensive line and cornerback, but didn't come away with many prospects who will make an immediate impact, which just speaks to how solid the roster already is. - Sanderson5. New Orleans SaintsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan7th7th5th4thPost-FA Rank: 5thNew Orleans was panned by some for trading a 2019 first-round pick to select Marcus Davenport. Worry about that later. The Saints now have a formidable front-seven that pairs well with their talented offense, stoking their bid for a Super Bowl run. - Srinivasan6. Jacksonville JaguarsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan5th4th8th7thPost-FA Rank: 7thJacksonville strengthened what was already arguably the best defensive line in the NFL by selecting Taven Bryan, then added depth across the board in the later rounds. It's a sign of the changing times that the Jaguars could afford to go with the best player available as they look for a measure of revenge against the Patriots. - Srinivasan7. Pittsburgh SteelersBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan9th5th6th8thPost-FA Rank: 6thThe Steelers added enough pieces at the draft to remain a strong contender in the AFC, though they looked to be preparing for the future more than 2018 - a sign of a successful, sustainable franchise. - Sanderson8. Green Bay PackersBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan4th8th7th10thPost-FA Rank: 8thThe Packers went from having one of the league's worst secondaries to putting together the brightest group of young defensive backs while also retooling their receiving options. Don't expect a second straight playoff miss. - Sanderson9. Atlanta FalconsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan8th9th9th6thPost-FA Rank: 9thCalvin Ridley injects life into a Falcons offense that inexplicably struggled for large stretches of the 2017 season. Julio Jones must be salivating at the prospect of single coverage. - Srinivasan10. Carolina PanthersBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan10th12th14th9thPost-FA Rank: 10thCarolina opted to get Cam Newton some help by using its first-round pick on receiver D.J. Moore. Don't look now but the 2015 Panthers may be back. - Srinivasan11. Los Angeles ChargersBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan11th13th10th12thPost-FA Rank: 13thThe Bolts move up a few spots in our rankings for landing perhaps the biggest steal of the draft. The Chargers held firm at No. 17 and watched as Derwin James fell into their laps. L.A. gets bonus points for nabbing one of the top prospects at one of its biggest areas of need. - McClymont12. Houston TexansBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan13th11th11th13thPost-FA Rank: 12thDeshaun Watson's devastating injury put a halt to one of the NFL's most entertaining teams, and though they barely had any draft capital, the Texans are poised to contend for the AFC South title once again. - Srinivasan13. Tennessee TitansBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan14th10th13th16thPost-FA Rank: 15thTennessee bolstered its pass rush by obtaining Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry in the first two rounds, then sat back and watched the rest of the league during the draft. With only four picks, it's almost an incomplete class, but the Titans' rookies may end up being among the most impactful. - Srinivasan14. Kansas City ChiefsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan15th15th12th11thPost-FA Rank: 11thAfter focusing much of their attention on the offensive side of the ball during free agency, the Chiefs went all defense in the draft. Raise your hand if you'd heard of Breeland Speaks, Derrick Nnadi, or Dorian O'Daniel before this past weekend, though. Didn't think so. - McClymont15. Baltimore RavensBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan16th16th16th15thPost-FA Rank: 18thHow exactly all the Ravens' picks will slot in with the team is a little confusing, but they certainly added some potential difference-makers in Ozzie Newsome's last draft. It's on John Harbaugh and Co. to ensure their longtime GM can be proud of his final class. - Sanderson16. San Francisco 49ersBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan12th23rd15th14thPost-FA Rank: 14thThe Niners remain a sexy pick to make a big jump in 2018, but a roster short on talent could have benefited greatly from a strong draft. Instead, John Lynch and Co. used their first-round pick on a tackle and waited until the fifth round to draft a corner. Jimmy G can't do it all himself. - McClymont17. Detroit LionsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan19th14th18th19thPost-FA Rank: 16thThe Lions addressed needs on their offensive line, at running back, and in their secondary, but not with players who drum up excitement around the league. Maybe they know something we don't. - Sanderson18. Dallas CowboysBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan17th17th22nd17thPost-FA Rank: 19thThe board fell nicely for Dallas, helping it fortify its linebacking corps and offensive line while finding a much-needed target for Dak Prescott in the third. However, the Cowboys still may not be good enough to challenge the Eagles for the divisional crown. - Browne19. Denver BroncosBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan18th20th17th18thPrevious Rank: 21stThe defense must be happy. The Broncos didn't take a QB at No. 5, just as Chris Harris had hoped. John Elway had one of the strongest drafts. Aside from snatching Bradley Chubb, the Broncos found a handful of prospects who should contribute in their first year. - McClymont20. Washington RedskinsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan22nd21st20th22ndPost-FA Rank: 17thFirst-round DT Da'ron Payne was a reach, but Washington desperately needed to address its 32nd-ranked run defense. Guice may prove to be a major steal, but after him, there's little in the Redskins' draft class to suggest they'll be able to compete for a playoff spot in 2018. - Browne21. Tampa Bay BuccaneersBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan21st18th25th26thPost-FA Rank: 25thThe Buccaneers did well to obtain a ton of draft capital from other teams and may have ended up with their running back of the future in second-round pick Ronald Jones. They still have a long way to catch the rest of their division, however. - Srinivasan22. New York GiantsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan24th25th19th23rdPost-FA Rank: 23rdSaquon Barkley is guaranteed to be a star, but that's the floor for a running back taken No. 2 overall. The Giants are betting big that their defense can rebound and Eli Manning still has enough juice to help his elite weapons excel. If the QBs in this class hit, the Giants could look back at this draft as a franchise-changing mistake. - Browne23. Seattle SeahawksBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan23rd26th21st21stPost-FA Rank: 24thWhile the Seahawks were (rightfully) celebrated for drafting one-handed linebacker Shaquem Griffin, they did almost nothing to improve their starting lineup. Taking what many believed to be the sixth- or seventh-best running back on the board at No. 27 overall was one of the biggest head-scratching moves of the draft. - McClymont24. Oakland RaidersBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan25th22nd24th25thPost-FA Rank: 20thThe Raiders take one of the biggest drops in our rankings. Jon Gruden and Reggie McKenzie all but ignored their weak secondary and added to a position of strength, their offensive line, with their first-round pick. They found talent in the later rounds with the likes of Arden Key and Maurice Hurst, but few of their picks are expected to contribute immediately. - McClymont25. Chicago BearsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan20th27th27th27thPost-FA Rank: 30thSlowly but surely, the Bears are building a talented offense around Mitch Trubisky and while their defense added Roquan Smith as the next great Chicago linebacker, the club is still a work in progress. - Sanderson26. Arizona CardinalsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan26th28th26th24thPost-FA Rank: 28thJosh Rosen and Christian Kirk are Arizona's stars of the future, but in the present, this team is much less intimidating than the Cards of years past. - McClymont27. Miami DolphinsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan28th19th31st28thPost-FA Rank: 31stMinkah Fitzpatrick could be the steal of the first round and should be the leader the Dolphins' defense needs. However, not landing one of the top quarterbacks means Miami has tied its 2018 fate to the returning Ryan Tannehill. This team still has a lot to prove in a make-or-break year for Adam Gase. - Browne28. Cincinnati BengalsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan27th24th29th29thPost-FA Rank: 27thGive Cincinnati credit for finding value with most of its 11 draft picks, but Andy Dalton is still the quarterback and Marvin Lewis is still the head coach. - Sanderson29. Buffalo BillsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan30th31st28th20thPost-FA Rank: 29thBuffalo went all in on upside, taking two of the draft's rawest top prospects in Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds. The reward could be two franchise-level players, but the Bills don't have the talent right now to ease the rookies into the lineup. It could be a long few seasons before this risk pays dividends. - Browne30. Indianapolis ColtsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan29th30th23rd30thPost-FA Rank: 26thIt's not a sexy pick but the Colts selected the best guard prospect in years when taking Quenton Nelson. It doesn't raise the profile of the team significantly, however, and it's looking to be another long year in Indianapolis. - Srinivasan31. New York JetsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan31st29th32nd31stPost-FA Rank: 32ndSam Darnold could be well worth the price New York paid to move up three spots (three second-round picks), but the Jets' roster desperately needed an infusion of talent and the quarterback likely won't be ready for 2018. The future is brighter, but there will be significant growing pains until then. - Browne32. Cleveland BrownsBrowneMcClymontSandersonSrinivasan32nd32nd30th32ndPost-FA Rank: 29thBaker Mayfield and Denzel Ward may very well end up as solid pros, but considering the consensus pre-draft rankings and the team that selected them, it feels like the Browns overthought their top picks again. Prove us wrong. - SandersonCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is altering the language to a new rule that would see players penalized 15 yards and potentially ejected from the game for lowering their heads while initiating contact, following a meeting Tuesday.The rule was ratified five weeks ago for the 2018 season after a series of dangerous hits left numerous players with serious injuries. After a meeting Tuesday that was attended by coaches, the NFL is expected to finalize the language for the rule over the next week."I want to know how the officials are going to officiate this in real speed. We’re sitting here watching all this stuff on video. And that’s easy. I’ve asked six times, ‘Can you rewind that back?’ Well, they (officials) don’t have that option on the field. I just want to see how they’re going to do it - the language and how we’re going to do this and how they’re going to officiate it when it’s full speed on the field," Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said to Mark Maske of The Washington Post.Several players - mainly defensive players - argued it would take some time to acclimate to the new rule. After another meeting, Lynn is confident the rule will be clearly understood by players and enforced correctly by officials."When we left Orlando, I thought there was a little bit of a rush,” Lynn said. “So I wanted to be here at this meeting. I was glad to see that we slowed this thing down. We’re trying to do it the right way. I think how we’re going about it now is really good.”Lynn was among several head coaches who attended the meeting, including Todd Bowles of the New York Jets, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions, and Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Maybe there is such a thing as having too many pass-rushers.After drafting edge rusher Bradley Chubb at No. 5 overall last week, the Denver Broncos are not expected to exercise their fifth-year option on linebacker Shane Ray, a team personnel source told Mike Klis of 9News.The option would make Ray's 2019 cap hit $9.232 million. He was selected 23rd overall in 2015, and recorded just one sack over eight games in 2017. The 24-year-old underwent his third wrist surgery in December. Denver has until Thursday afternoon to decide whether or not to exercise Ray's option.The Broncos finished 22nd in sacks last season, and added Chubb to their pass-rushing group with their highest draft pick since nabbing Von Miller second overall in 2011.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has launched a campaign to help build a state-of-the-art sports complex in Haiti.Wentz announced Monday on Twitter that he'll match every dollar - up to $500,000 - that is donated to his AO1 Foundation over the next two weeks for the construction of the Haiti Sports Complex.

Ben Roethlisberger has contemplated retirement in recent years, but the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback now believes he has several seasons still in front of him."... I plan on playing for three to five more years, depending on how the line goes and staying healthy, if I can stay healthy," he told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.Roethlisberger, 36, was responding to a question about Steelers draftee Mason Rudolph eventually succeeding him as the starter. Pittsburgh spent a third-round pick on Rudolph at the 2018 NFL Draft and used a fourth-rounder last year on Joshua Dobbs, with the anticipation that Big Ben's career could soon be over."I went and talked to Art (Rooney II) and coach (Mike Tomlin) and (offensive coordinator) coach Randy (Fichtner)," said Roethlisberger, "And basically said, 'Listen, I can't control - barring major injuries, barring things at home, and things out of your control - the way my body feels. The way our O-line is put together, as good as they are, they kept me healthy as can be the last couple years. I really feel I can play this game another three to five years.'"I'll still take it one year at a time and give it everything I have that one year, but that's what I felt comfortable in telling them."Roethlisberger ranked fifth in the NFL last season with 4,251 passing yards, to go along with 28 touchdowns against 14 interceptions.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Russ Brandon, who served as the president of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, resigned from his position with both teams, Terry and Kim Pegula announced Tuesday. Brandon also resigned as Pegula Sports and Entertainment president.Brandon's exit reportedly follows an internal investigation into his workplace behavior and allegations of personal misconduct, two sources told Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.Kim Pegula will immediately take over as president of the Bills, Sabres, and Pegula Sports and Entertainment."We have a tremendous amount of confidence in the strong leadership teams we have built within each of those entities over the last several years," Terry and Kim Pegula wrote in a statement. "We are excited about the direction of our teams, especially after this past weekend's NFL draft and NHL lottery results. Our focus remains on building championship teams on and off the field for our fans and community."Brandon told Graham he'd been thinking about moving on from the organization for "some time.""My goal when the Pegulas purchased the franchise was to reach 20 years with the Bills ... which I achieved this past November," Brandon said. "Given where we are from a timing standpoint, particularly with the conclusion of the NFL draft, now seems like the time to make that transition."Brandon joined the Bills in 1997 and was named president in 2013. He was appointed Sabres president in July 2015 after the Pegulas dismissed Ted Black.The executive also served as president of the AHL's Rochester Americans and the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse franchise.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Sam Bradford is doing his best to create a welcoming environment for the player who's expected to eventually replace him.The Cardinals traded up to select quarterback Josh Rosen with the No. 10 overall pick on Thursday, and the former UCLA standout will compete for the starting role during his rookie year.But despite facing new competition for his job, Bradford sent a warm text to Rosen on Friday, which the rookie immediately read aloud to his agent in a documentary produced by the Cardinals."(Bradford) said, 'Josh, what's up, man? Welcome to Arizona,'" Rosen says in one of the scenes, as transcribed by Darren Urban of the team's official website. "'Just wanted to let you know that I look forward to playing with you. I'll be an open book, so if you ever need anything or have any questions, feel free to ask. Hope all is well.'"Bradford, who went first overall in 2010, knows the unique challenges and perils of being a top draft pick, and it's certainly beneficial to the Cardinals that he's seemingly willing to use his expertise to aid his new teammate - and his potential replacement.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The oldest active defensive player in the NFL, 39-year-old cornerback Terence Newman, plans to finally hang up his spikes following the 2018 campaign."I think this will be my last year no matter what happens," Newman told reporters Tuesday, a day after re-signing with the Minnesota Vikings, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.The upcoming season will mark Newman's 16th in the NFL and fourth with the Vikings. Despite his advanced age, Newman is still a relatively effective and dependable player.A former fifth overall pick of the Dallas Cowboys all the way back in 2003, Newman has never appeared in fewer than 10 games in a season, and has never finished a season without at least one interception."After 15 years, I've soaked as much as I can in," Newman said of his career. "It's been a heck of a ride. I understand when it's time for me."Newman became the oldest active defensive player in the NFL after linebacker James Harrison announced his retirement in April.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Undrafted rookie J.T. Barrett signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, marking a huge development for the former Ohio State quarterback who initially accepted a tryout invite from the Indianapolis Colts, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The deal doesn't contain any guaranteed money, according to The Advocate's Nick Underhill, but it still gives Barrett a chance to earn the backup job behind Drew Brees in New Orleans.Barrett reportedly garnered plenty of league-wide interest as a rookie free agent, though it's rare for any player to land a long-term contract after going through all seven rounds of the draft unclaimed.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cleveland Browns executive Alonzo Highsmith was turned off by quarterback Josh Rosen before the NFL draft for a reason that seemingly has nothing to do with anything."I was at an airport," he recounted to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com. "UCLA's volleyball team was in front of me. You heard so much about Rosen - he's this or that - we all know how people talk. So I asked one of the volleyball coaches, 'What's Rosen like?' He said, 'Aaaaa, you should probably ask his girlfriend. She's one of the players. She's over there.'"I'm like, 'Alright, coach. That's good enough.'"I don't know what all this means, but there was something about him that bothered me."There's no indication that Highsmith - who serves as the Browns' vice president of player personnel - made an attempt to figure out what it meant.The Browns ultimately selected fellow pivot Baker Mayfield first overall in the draft. Mayfield and Rosen both had attitude concerns coming into the draft, though the former also has an arrest on record while the latter doesn't.Related: Browns' Darnold-loving exec explains how Mayfield changed his mindRosen wound up being drafted 10th overall the by the Arizona Cardinals, who traded up to get him.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Championship-caliber quarterbacks are an incredibly scarce commodity in the NFL, with some teams searching for years to find an answer at the position.Fortunately, that's not an issue for fantasy owners, who are given a plethora of high-end starting options to choose from each year. Even those who wait until the late rounds can easily employ a quarterback-by-committee or weekly-streamer approach.Situations and supporting casts do change, however, and getting adjusted to the new landscape goes a long way toward helping you decide the right time to secure your fantasy QB1.It's important to remember that these primers are not intended to be tiers for drafting. You can view our complete quarterback rankings here.Never in doubtAaron Rodgers, Packers - Rodgers has been a top-two fantasy quarterback six times in the last nine years, with injuries being the only thing capable of slowing down his fantasy production. A broken collarbone cost him most of the 2018 campaign, but if you take Rodgers' numbers from the six full games he started, his on-pace stats would have left him second among fantasy passers.Russell Wilson, Seahawks - Wilson led all QBs in fantasy points last season and has finished as a QB1 every year he's been in the league. His passing attempts have also risen every season, and with the Seahawks' defense likely taking a step back, Wilson could find himself in more shootouts - which is exactly what fantasy owners want to hear.Injured starsDeshaun Watson, Texans - No player was more exciting to own in 2018 than Watson, before a torn ACL ended his season in Week 8. To give some perspective on his uncanny streak, Watson threw for 18 scores in his final five games, which would work out to 57.6 touchdowns over a 16-game schedule. You shouldn't draft Watson expecting that level of production, especially coming off the injury, but just knowing that stretches like that are within his range of outcomes makes him a highly-coveted fantasy asset.Carson Wentz, Eagles - A torn ACL also brought the season to an abrupt end for Wentz, but the Eagles' franchise quarterback suffered his injury six weeks later in mid-December. So while Watson could participate in OTAs, Wentz's recovery timeline puts his Week 1 in doubt. This could make Wentz, who was an MVP candidate before his injury, a draft-day value for savvy owners willing to take the risk or stream QBs early in the year.Andrew Luck, Colts - Each day that Luck fails to throw a football, his future becomes a little more uncertain, causing his fantasy stock to plummet. It's hard to imagine the talented 28-year-old not returning to the field as an elite passer, but he hasn't thrown a live pass in over 16 months. Still, it's easy to forget that prior to missing the 2017 season, Luck had three top-five fantasy finishes in the previous four years. Come back to us Captain Luck.Defying timeTom Brady, Patriots - This is the second straight year this trio gets grouped together as the village elders. Despite what he says, if Tom versus Time showed us anything it's that even Brady finally acknowledges his career can't last forever. Brady will enter the season as a 41-year-old, but after throwing for 505 yards and three touchdowns in the Super Bowl, there's no reason to bet against him yet.Drew Brees, Saints - The Saints no longer need Brees to do it all himself, instead choosing to lean on their outstanding rushing duo of Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. This shaved some of the elite upside off Brees' stats in 2017, however, the 39-year-old remains a steady mid-range QB1 for fantasy owners who want to set it and forget it.Philip Rivers, Chargers - Rivers is the young buck in this group at just 36 years old and is coming off his best fantasy finish since 2013. A big part of Rivers' continued success is the team's willingness to invest in top-notch targets. Few teams are as deep at receiver as the Chargers and the biggest beneficiaries are Rivers and his fantasy owners.Steady startersCam Newton, Panthers - After a quiet 2016, Newton clawed his way back into the fantasy ranks, finishing second in scoring at the position behind only Wilson. With Devin Funchess' breakout in 2017, Greg Olsen back to full health, and the additions of first-rounder D.J. Moore and veteran Torrey Smith, Newton is poised for another monster campaign.Matthew Stafford, Lions - Stafford doesn't seem to get the respect that other top quarterbacks draw. The Lions signal-caller hasn't finished lower than 13th among fantasy quarterbacks dating back to 2011.Risk vs. RewardBen Roethlisberger, Steelers - A brief offseason flirtation with retirement was classic Roethlisberger, creating drama where it need not be. The bigger issue with Ben is his injury history, which has caused him to miss seven games over the last three years. When he's in the lineup, especially at home, he's a high-level fantasy play.Jared Goff, Rams - It's tough to truly trust Goff as your starter. But with Sean McVay pulling his strings, the former first overall pick projects as a borderline QB1 once again. This, after finishing 12th overall at the position last year.Change of sceneryKirk Cousins, Vikings - Learning a new system is never easy, but joining a Super-Bowl caliber Vikings team with Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph, and Dalvin Cook will make the transition much smoother for Cousins. Barring injury, Cousins will be an excellent target for fantasy owners in the middle rounds.Alex Smith, Redskins - Traditionally, Smith was a risk-adverse quarterback in Kansas City, before the arrival of Patrick Mahomes forced him out of his shell. Now in Washington, in a new scheme with a weaker receiving corps, a new contract, and no one threatening his job, Smith will fade back into 2QB and streamer territory.Case Keenum, Broncos - Keenum isn't getting much attention in the fantasy community, but the Broncos' offense could surprise this season. Denver added a pair of talented rookies (Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton) to receiving corps that already featured Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Keenum will be a useful streamer with his new club.Tyrod Taylor, Bills - With all the attention being paid to the No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, people might be discounting Taylor's history as a fantasy star. Playing in Buffalo, with a run-first offense and a subpar group of receivers, Taylor was still able to produce. With Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry, and the rest of the Browns weapons, Taylor is a streamer's dream for as long as he holds the starting job.Delayed launchJameis Winston, Buccaneers - Winston dealt with an injury to his throwing shoulder that hijacked part of his season, and the arrival of DeSean Jackson didn't catapult the Bucs' offense the way many expected. The emergence of Chris Godwin as another receiving threat helped Winston finish strong over the final month and gives hope that a fantasy breakout could be coming in 2018.Marcus Mariota, Titans - No one needed a new coaching staff more than Mariota, who toiled under the previous regime. New OC Matt Lafleur says he wants the offense to be more aggressive, which bodes well for the 24-year-old Mariota, who has yet to crack 3,500 yards as a pro.Derek Carr, Raiders - Carr's performance fell off a cliff in 2017. Excuses range from a poor offensive system around him to a back injury that he fought through. Either way, Carr's ascent to fantasy star isn't as certain as we once thought. With Jon Gruden's new scheme and several new pieces on offense, it may take time for Carr to adapt, resulting in a slow start to the year.Breakout yearJimmy Garoppolo, 49ers - Garoppolo was a top-10 fantasy quarterback over the final five games once he took over the starting role in San Francisco. With an offseason to familiarize himself with Kyle Shanahan's offense, Garoppolo is a top-15 fantasy QB, with a solid chance at holding a spot in the top 10 for years to come.Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs - While Garoppolo lacks top-shelf talent at the skill positions, the Chiefs have surrounded Mahomes with one of the best supporting casts in the league. Mahomes is one of the highest upside picks late in drafts.Mitch Trubisky, Bears - Everything is set up for Trubisky to be this year's Jared Goff. Trubisky showed more as a rookie than Goff did, and the Bears brought in all the components to help him take the leap as a sophomore, including a new offensive-minded head coach (Matt Nagy) and improved receiving options (Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Taylor Gabriel, Trey Burton). Trubisky will likely go undrafted, but could be a waiver-wire star early in the year.On the rebound?Matt Ryan, Falcons - Life comes at you fast. One year after a 38-touchdown MVP campaign and a Super Bowl appearance, Ryan barely reached 20 scores. Of the players in this section, Ryan has the best chance to bounce back, especially after the team invested a first-round pick in receiver Calvin Ridley. He's an intriguing late-round option for owners who are streaming or going the committee route.Eli Manning, Giants - The offensive playmakers around him are impressive. The offensive line in front of him, not so much. Eli's demise has gone hand-in-hand with the line's struggles to keep him clean. Saquon Barkley should help relieve some of the pressure by improving the running game, but Eli is still a long way off the path to being a fantasy starter.Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins - If you're here in search of a good reason to draft Tannehill, you've come to the wrong place. The Dolphins were reportedly open to drafting a rookie QB if one had fallen to them in the first round, which tells you all you need to know about Tannehill.Too hard to trustDak Prescott, Cowboys - Losing Dez Bryant isn't as bad as some believe, but the Cowboys' receiving corps has a lot to prove before we can put our faith in their passing attack. With so many quality fantasy options at quarterback, Dak isn't as appealing in 2018.Blake Bortles, Jaguars - At the end of every season, there seems to be a disconnect between Bortles' overall fantasy numbers and how he actually performs in games. The Jaguars made it to the AFC Championship with dominating defense and a strong rushing attack, so there's no reason to risk anything on Bortles' questionable arm.Andy Dalton, Bengals - A.J. Green is as elite as they come, but for Dalton to get back on the fantasy radar he'll need Tyler Eifert to stay healthy and John Ross to emerge after a disappointing rookie campaign.New kids on the blockBaker Mayfield, Browns - The Browns claim they plan to start Tyrod all season, letting Mayfield learn from the bench. It's hard to imagine that plan will last long when the losing starts. When he does get the nod, Mayfield has an outstanding offensive roster around him, which will give him as good a chance as any to sneak into the fantasy conversation.Josh Rosen, Cardinals - Rosen is the most pro-ready of this year's quarterback class, and it's unclear how long Sam Bradford's knee will allow him to play. You should plan for Rosen to see action in Year 1, playing with a solid group of skill players, but behind an offensive line which will limit his production.Lamar Jackson, Ravens - Of all the rookie quarterbacks, Jackson has the highest fantasy ceiling if he's able to get on the field. Running quarterbacks are instantly fantasy relevant and if Joe Flacco continues his subpar play, it's possible the Ravens turn to Jackson for a spark on offense.Sam Darnold, Jets - After a surprisingly competent 2018 campaign, Josh McCown should start the year under center for the Jets. McCown hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout his career, which means it's only a matter of time before we see Darnold, who is an exciting dynasty prospect, but isn't likely to be a fantasy option at any point as a rookie.Josh Allen, Bills - Due to the Bills' thin QB depth chart, Allen might have the best chance of any rookie to start Week 1. That doesn't mean he, or teammate AJ McCarron, are worth considering in fantasy. Buffalo's receiving corps is one of the worst in the league and the team's offense will be built around the run once again.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Emmy-nominated broadcaster Tony Romo understands the difficulty Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is having in deciding whether to continue his NFL career.The 15-year veteran, who remains in relatively good health, has a reported offer to join ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcast, but still wants to achieve his career goal of winning a Super Bowl."That's something that's hard. I don't think you ever really - that's never something you're OK with," Romo said, according to Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram. "I just think you have to make choices with where you're at in life and what's going on around you. Your family at your side, they're a big part of those decisions that you make. I think that you could chase that thing forever and it might be the next year, but it might be 10 years away. It's a tough decision."Related - Jerry Jones: Witten hasn't made final call on retirement yetInjuries pushed Romo out of the league and into an analyst role with CBS, where he excelled in his first year.He says Witten's experience and dedication would make him a tremendous asset both as a broadcaster and in his 16th season with the Cowboys."Jason's going to do well," Romo said. "He's as hard-working a guy as you're going to find. He'll be well-prepared for whatever environment he decides to be a part of next year."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Now this is dedication.Reddit user BigEppyW is such a big fan of the Cleveland Browns that he decided to paint the outside of his house orange and brown.

Free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant has received a strong endorsement from another one of his former quarterbacks.Related: Prescott laments Bryant's release, says he wasn't part of decisionFormer Dallas Cowboys' signal-caller and current CBS analyst Tony Romo offered a referral for Bryant to teams that may have interest in the star receiver."There's a ton of teams he could help," Romo said, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. "One thing, I don't know how many teams will do their homework on it, but Dez is a good teammate and I think sometimes that might get lost in the way that the emotional aspect of things. If I was talking to any of the GMs or coaches, I would tell them he's not going to hurt the locker room in any possible way."Bryant was released from the Cowboys on April 13, following a 2017 season in which he caught 69 passes for 838 yards and six touchdowns. Romo was his quarterback for the last season he topped both 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.While Bryant reportedly turned down a multi-year contract offer from the Baltimore Ravens, interest in the eight-year veteran has seemingly been rather low. Now that teams can reevaluate their needs following the draft, Romo expects the market to pick up."He's going to come out and he'll be a great teammate when he gets there. I think he'll have a couple options here soon," he said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears there were even more suitors for the services of quarterback Baker Mayfield than were reported before the draft.The Cleveland Browns used the first overall pick on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, but if they hadn't, another team had apparently indicated to Mayfield's camp that it was prepared to make a stunning move to nab the quarterback with the next selection."We had another team which is going to surprise you. Another team had said, 'You may get a big surprise on draft day, at No. 2, if he's available.' And it was the Patriots," Mayfield's agent, Jack Mills, said on Andrew Brandt's 'Business of Sports' podcast.New England entered Day 1 of the draft loaded with picks and with a perceived need for a new heir to Tom Brady following the midseason trade of backup Jimmy Garoppolo last year. The Patriots were also rumored to be interested in trading up for a quarterback."They had 23 and they had 31 and they had two seconds. We thought, 'That's gonna be a heck of a move, to get up that high from where they are,'" Mills added. "And of course he wasn't available so we never knew if that was reality of not."The Patriots made repeated attempts to land an interview with Mayfield ahead of the draft, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. However, the quarterback initially declined to meet with them as he believed the team didn't pick high enough to select him.Howe added that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels later told a member of Mayfield's camp that the team was considering making the requisite moves to be in a position to draft him. That led Mayfield to meet with New England a week before the draft.Meanwhile, Mills said he knew the New York Jets - who held the No. 3 overall pick - would be "the bottom line" for Mayfield, and never thought the New York Giants would stay at No. 2, instead expecting another team would trade up to select a quarterback at that slot.It certainly appears Mayfield knew something that many others didn't when he said he was "not going later" than the fifth overall pick, according to Robert Klemko of The MMQB.- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Speaking at the NFL's two-day coaching summit on new proposed rule changes, NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent indicated the league is not looking to eliminate kickoffs, but rather revise them with an eye toward player safety, according to NFL.com's Judy Battista.Battista added Vincent does not want to erase the impact of the kickoff on the game, but still sees a number of dangerous hits during returns, even on kicks that result in a touchback.The kickoff rule has long been under consideration for altering in an attempt to make one of the games' most dangerous plays less hazardous. During the league meeting in March, members of the NFL's competition committee threatened to eliminate the play if it doesn't become safer. Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week the league would look into creating alternative ideas instead.Vincent is hoping to build a new kickoff proposal during the two-day summit and present it to the league owners during their May meetings, which take place in Atlanta from May 21-23.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

To the horror of 31 other teams, Tom Brady isn't going anywhere.Few thought the New England Patriots star quarterback's status was in doubt for the upcoming season, and despite admitting that the situation is less than ideal for his family, Brady confirmed he'll return for 2018."Part of this offseason for me is certainly about still preparing for what's ahead in my next journey, my next mountain to climb with this group of teammates, but it's also (acknowledging) that a lot of people are getting the short end of the stick in my life - certainly my wife and my kids," Brady said during an appearance at the Milken Institute Global Conference, per ESPN's Mike Reiss."Football is year-round for me. It's a lot of thought, a lot of energy and emotion put into it, but I need to invest in them, too. My kids are 10, 8, and 5. They're not getting younger, so I need to take time so I can be available to them, too. ... I've really spent the last two or three months doing those things, and I think I'm really trying to fill my tank up so that when I do go back, I can go back and I think I'll actually be, in my mind, a better player, a better teammate, because I'll be really rejuvenated."Related: Brady praises Belichick, says coach is 'very respectful to me'The reigning MVP certainly has nothing left to prove but spoke about what he feels he needs to accomplish to round out his career."I have personal goals. I want to keep playing. I've said for a long time I want to play to my mid-40s. I was told three years when I was 36-37, 'You can't keep playing; no one wins Super Bowls (at that age).' It's a great challenge for me. I think I've been challenged my whole life. I feel like I can do it."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady lauded Bill Belichick as the "best coach in the history of the NFL" on Monday, and added that the two share a "very respectful" relationship despite reported tension between them."He's very respectful to me," Brady told sportscaster Jim Gray and an audience of listeners at the Milken Institute Global Conference. "We've had a great relationship. A very respectful relationship for a long time and I feel like he's the best coach in the history of the NFL."Brady's bond with the New England Patriots seemingly took a hit last year, and reports of discord between the quarterback and his coach led to a postseason meeting with the pair and team owner Robert Kraft.Brady, though, called Belichick an "incredible coach" and an "incredible mentor." He acknowledged the notoriously grumpy Belichick is "not the easiest coach to play for," but added that "he's the best for me."The five-time Super Bowl champion was less direct when asked if he feels appreciated by the Patriots."I plead the Fifth," he said.The answer drew laughs until he offered a slightly more insightful response."I think everybody, in general, wants to be appreciated more at work," Brady said.Brady was equally unconvincing at first when asked if he's happy."I have my moments," he replied.However, he gave a more resounding "absolutely" when pressed to answer whether he's happy with the people he works both with and for."There's no people I'd rather play for or be committed to than the team that I've been with for a long time," said Brady.He noted that his partnership with the Pats - like every relationship in life - has gone through its ebbs and flows.The 40-year-old skipped the Patriots' voluntary team workouts in April, fueling rumors that there's still some sour feelings between Brady and the only franchise he's ever played for.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's possible a deal involving Seattle Seahawks star Earl Thomas was closer to fruition than we could've imagined, only for the Dallas Cowboys to flinch.Thomas fueled rumors about a potential move to the Cowboys after greeting members of their staff following a Dec. 24 victory and has been the subject of trade rumors since.The Cowboys reportedly balked at the notion of giving up their second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft in a deal involving Thomas, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported live on the broadcast Monday. Dallas used the pick on offensive lineman Connor Williams. It was previously reported that both teams discussed a second-round pick for Thomas.During the draft, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones remained coy about a potential deal, telling reporters he couldn't speak about Thomas.For the time being, the idea of Thomas reuniting with his boyhood club appears to be a distant possibility.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Jets safety Jamal Adams is eager to face new Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, the polarizing prospect who was picked seventh overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.After seeing this highlight of an ugly Allen interception to a safety in college ...

PLANO, Texas (AP) Tony Romo didn't get out of the opening stage in another failed attempt to play in the U.S. Open.Romo three-putted his opening hole at Gleneagles Country Club, made only two birdies and shot a 5-over 77 on Monday in the 18-hole local qualifier. The top eight finishers from Gleneagles advance to 36-hole sectional qualifying on June 4.Romo, the retired Dallas Cowboys quarterback and NFL analyst for CBS Sports, failed to get through local qualifying for the second straight year.He was tied for 24th among the first half of the field, meaning he would miss advancing by at least five shots.Romo played his first PGA Tour event in March in the Dominican Republic and had rounds of 77-82, missing the cut.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills would've strongly considered using the 22nd overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft on former Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph had they not been able to trade up for Josh Allen earlier, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Rudolph was thought to have a slim chance of getting picked in the first round and wound up falling to the third round when he was scooped up by the Pittsburgh Steelers.The Bills moved up from No. 12 to No. 7 on draft night to secure Allen's services, rendering their alleged interest in Rudolph moot.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After the scouting combine, it was widely assumed that the Cleveland Browns had zeroed in on Sam Darnold as their man at the top of the 2018 draft. However, Cleveland made a late pivot to Baker Mayfield that shocked the NFL world.Asked Monday what the Browns saw in Mayfield that they didn't see in Darnold, vice president of player personnel Alonzo Highsmith explained that the 2017 Heisman winner's 'it' factor swayed him from his original top grade on Darnold."Here's the honest to God's truth," Highsmith said, according to CantonRep.com's Steve Doerschuk. "From the start of his college football season to the end of the season, I had Darnold No. 1 and Baker No. 2, (Josh) Rosen No. 3, (Lamar) Jackson No. 4, and (Josh) Allen after that."On our way through everything, you couldn't tell me Darnold wasn't the best. I did all my evaluations of the season. Then comes the part where you meet them off the field. You watch their workouts. You watch everything. And Baker blew me away. Highly, highly intelligent. Highly competitive."And he had a trait that some of the good ones have. I call it efficacy. That includes the power to (affect) other people. I thought that of all the quarterbacks I watched, he stood out far and above the other guys. When he walked into a room, you knew he was there."Darnold didn't have to wait long to hear his name called, as the New York Jets jumped on the talented quarterback at No. 3 overall.Josh Allen was also in contention to go the Browns but ultimately went seventh overall to the Buffalo Bills. Highsmith said Mayfield's ability to succeed regardless of his supporting cast pushed him ahead of the former Wyoming passer."Baker Mayfield lost two receivers and he was the same quarterback,” Highsmith said. "Josh Allen ... big arm ... he could throw the ball from here to the moon. When they have to make excuses ... why are they not completing passes? That's a problem."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sam Darnold is quickly getting acquainted with his new community.The New York Jets quarterback made a surprise visit to the Goryeb Children's Hospital in New Jersey on Saturday, two days after he was selected third overall in the NFL draft. He spent the afternoon with several young patients, including 14-year-old Raymond Schwartz, who was scheduled to announce the Jets' fourth-round pick before technical difficulties got in the way.

The Philadelphia Eagles exercised their fifth-year option on wide receiver Nelson Agholor, the team confirmed Monday.Agholor was a key contributor to the Eagles' Super Bowl victory, and recorded 62 catches for 768 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2017 season.Philadelphia selected Agholor 20th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.Agholor is expected to play a significant role in the Eagles' passing game once again as the offense continues to stockpile playmakers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady addressed the widespread protests by NFL players during the national anthem, saying everyone's beliefs are worthy of respect.Reporter Jim Gray asked him about his feelings on the demonstrations during a Q&A session at the Milken Institute Global Conference on Monday."You have to have respect for everyone's opinions. Sports for me has been the most unifying part of my life. Never forget that," Brady said, according to Curtis. S. Chin.The anthem protests were kickstarted by Colin Kaepernick in 2016, and numerous other players rallied behind the cause last season with the quarterback out of the league. Brady never kneeled for the anthem, but he did participate in the leaguewide protests in Week 3, linking arms with teammates following criticism of the NFL by President Donald Trump.The New England Patriots' star quarterback also succinctly described his thoughts on losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII, which also dropped his Super Bowl record to 5-3."Last year sucked," said Brady.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants sought a mid-round pick in return for former first-rounder and embattled offensive tackle Ereck Flowers during the NFL draft, a source told Jordan Raanan of ESPN.The Giants were believed to be shopping Flowers both ahead of and at the draft, but no trade came to fruition. The 24-year-old struggled mightily through his first two seasons in New York, and the Giants replaced him at left tackle with the signing of Nate Solder in free agency.Flowers was absent from voluntary team workouts in April, to the chagrin of head coach Pat Shurmur.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a newly released clip from the Amazon series "All or Nothing: The Dallas Cowboys," owner Jerry Jones is heard in the locker room orchestrating the team's collective pregame kneel on Monday Night Football.Jones asks the players to join him in a display of "unity" before their contest versus the Arizona Cardinals, but tells his players to stand for the playing of the "Star-Spangled Banner."Jones was outspoken against those who knelt for the anthem last season, saying at one point that anyone from his team who didn't stand wouldn't be allowed to play.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings re-signed 39-year-old cornerback Terence Newman on Monday, bringing him back for his 16th NFL season.He'll enter his fourth campaign with the Vikings. He began his career with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003 and had a three-year stint with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2012-14 before heading to Minnesota.Newman, who will be 40 years old at the beginning of the 2018 season, is the oldest active defender in the NFL.He had an interception and five pass breakups last year while appearing in all 16 regular-season games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are investigating an online threat aimed at general manager Jason Licht.During the NFL draft on Friday, a Twitter user posted a number of angry tweets in response to the team's selections, including a GIF depicting a murder scene from the movie, "King of New York." The GIF was accompanied by the caption, "When I see Jason Licht the next time I roll through Tampa."The user insists there was nothing serious to the tweet and that he was angry the team didn't select Florida State safety Derwin James."That was a total exaggeration," Mike Rogers, the man responsible for the tweet, told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "Just caught up in the moment. It was just a tasteless tweet. I'm not a psychopath."Licht is aware of the now-deleted tweet but offered no comment in response.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.