Rookies are one of the most fun parts of fantasy football, as they represent the kind of risks and gambles that can help create upsets in otherwise uneven matchups.Even the top projected talents are typically volatile in their first year as pros. Relative April unknowns like Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara can blossom into league winners in the fall.Fantasy managers should focus more on the situation a player is drafted into and less on their college tape and combine performances.While rookie quarterbacks should be avoided in most fantasy drafts - especially the early ones - here are the best landing spots for the 2018 NFL Draft's top offensive talents.Saquon Barkley, RB ➡️ Colts (No. 6)The buzz around Barkley - once considered a candidate for the Cleveland Browns' No. 1 pick - has died down a little since the end of his final college season and the combine. He could drop all the way to the Indianapolis Colts, who may be intrigued enough to forego their obvious needs on defense.Barkley would face little competition in the backfield. Sophomore Marlon Mack is currently atop the depth chart, but he carried the ball just 93 times for 358 yards in 14 games as a rookie. Barkley would be in position to surpass Leonard Fournette's 304 rookie touches with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season.Calvin Ridley, WR ➡️ Cardinals (No. 15)Ridley has long been viewed as the draft's top receiver. The excellent route-runner would provide the Arizona Cardinals with a long-awaited true No. 2 option across the field from Larry Fitzgerald for his final season(s), and he could later take over as the team's leading receiver.Ridley could have a very serviceable fantasy season in the desert under Fitzgerald's tutelage if quarterback Sam Bradford can stay healthy for a full season.Courtland Sutton, WR ➡️ Seahawks (No. 18)The Seattle Seahawks created a need at receiver by letting Paul Richardson leave via free agency after a breakout 2017 season. Doug Baldwin has consistently served as the team's unquestioned No. 1 receiver, but they need to add some size to the positional group.Sutton doesn't possess game-breaking speed (Seattle's got Tyler Lockett for that), but he does have great hands and an ability to win jump balls on the outside. He'd be a top option to replace Richardson and tight end Jimmy Graham as the Seahawks' red-zone threat.Derrius Guice, RB ➡️ Lions (No. 20)The Detroit Lions took a shot on LeGarrette Blount in free agency, but they should address what's long been their weakest position by taking a chance on Guice in the middle of the first round.The LSU product is a hard runner with little experience in the passing game, leaving that role to incumbents Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick. Guice could lose goal-line work to Blount, but he should be able to score from distance with long runs created by bursting through initial contact.Dallas Goedert, TE ➡️ Steelers (No. 28)The Pittsburgh Steelers have fantasy's top running back and wide receiver. But the team has long missed a play-making tight end, as both Vance McDonald and Jesse James are better served as blockers.Goedert caught 72 passes for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns in his final year at South Dakota State. He would have plenty of room to operate as defenses focus on his teammates.Sony Michel, RB ➡️ Redskins (No. 44)The Washington Redskins need an upgraded complement to Chris Thompson's abilities in the passing game. Both Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine have performed well at times, but have struggled with consistency and health.Michel would take control of the rushing attack and could serve as Alex Smith's emergency option whenever Thompson isn't on the field. Washington's versatile receiving corps can open up space downfield, where Michel is at his best.James Washington, WR ➡️ Colts (No. 49)The Colts would be ill-advised to use two of their top picks on offensive players, leaving their defense in disarray, but the collection of second-round picks obtained from the New York Jets will allow them to be creative if they miss out on Barkley in Round 1.Ryan Grant is currently penciled in as the No. 2 receiver across from T.Y. Hilton, and there's not much depth at the position. Washington offers big-play ability and similar speed to Hilton and Grant. That poses some risk of redundancy, but a healthy Andrew Luck would be able to utilize all three options.Mike Gesicki, TE ➡️ Cowboys (No. 50)Jason Witten's 2017 reception and yardage totals were his lowest since his rookie season, as the soon-to-be 36-year-old nears the end of an illustrious career.The Dallas Cowboys would allow Gesicki the freedom of running routes downfield with Witten playing closer to the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-5 combine star could be a significant red-zone threat and has the ability to win tightly contested jump balls - a role the team sorely needs to fill.Nick Chubb, RB ➡️ Ravens (No. 52)The Baltimore Ravens should be looking to add to a committee consisting of Alex Collins, Javorius Allen, and Kenneth Dixon that lacks a reliable presence. Chubb is accustomed to working in a timeshare, having split reps with Michel at Georgia.He'd have a very feasible path to the top of this group on a team that ranked 21st in pass-play percentage last season and still has a questionable receiving corps.Ronald Jones II, RB ➡️ Panthers (No. 55)The Carolina Panthers lost Jonathan Stewart in free agency, leaving them in need of a ground-based accompaniment to Christian McCaffrey.McCaffrey caught 80 of 113 targets last season, but he had just 117 rushing attempts at an average of 3.7 yards per carry. Jones averaged 5.9 yards over 261 carries while catching just 14 passes in his final year at USC. There'll be plenty of work for him should the Panthers decide to double down on early-round running backs.Christian Kirk, WR ➡️ Bills (No. 56)The Bills remain in desperate need of receiver help. Buffalo is a somewhat unstable landing spot with a yet-to-be-named starting quarterback, but Kirk would be able to rack up targets out of the slot with Kelvin Benjamin and Zay Jones operating on the outsides.He wouldn't have any red-zone presence, but he could fill the much-needed role of possession receiver, allowing him to be a solid option in PPR formats.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys released three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Dez Bryant on Friday.

The Seahawks are signing free-agent quarterback Stephen Morris, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The report comes a day after it was revealed Seattle postponed a workout with Colin Kaepernick because of issues related to his protests during the national anthem.Morris has never played in a regular-season NFL game.Kaepernick has remained unemployed since March 2017 despite superior production and experience compared to the vast number of quarterbacks signed since he left the San Francisco 49ers.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It would be rather difficult to follow this draft process and not be somewhat impressed by Saquon Barkley.The best running back prospect of the last decade. The two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. The combine monster. The 2017 consensus All-American and Paul Hornung Award winner. The Penn State record machine. The potential first overall pick.There isn't a scout or coach in the NFL who wouldn't want to have Barkley in their backfield, but that doesn't mean he's worth one of the top selections of the 2018 NFL Draft.No, there isn't a surprise injury or a troubling backstory or a grand misconception of his skill set. Barkley isn't worth a top-10 pick because he's a running back.Running backs have become a replaceable position in the NFL and a team having an elite rusher doesn't automatically translate to success. In the last three Super Bowls, only one team has possessed a runner who finished in the top 10 for rushing yards per game through the regular season.First-round selections should be used on the best of the best prospects who can have a high impact for a long period of time. According to Statista, the average career length for a running back is only 2.57 years. Though that is taking into account every running back, not just the top-drafted ones, it should be noted that taking a rusher with a high selection doesn't even guarantee getting the best one.Related - Looking for value: Which rookie will be this year's Kareem Hunt?Over the past decade, six running backs have been selected in the top 10. Retrospectively, every team who drafted one of these runners could have landed a more impactful player with the pick they used. And of those six players, only one has a strong argument to say he was the best running back in that draft.The first came in 2010 when the Buffalo Bills drafted C.J. Spiller ahead of the likes of Earl Thomas, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Rob Gronkowski with the ninth overall pick in a rather weak running back class. Even then, he still couldn't amass as many career yards or touches as Ryan Mathews.Trent Richardson was infamously taken third overall in the 2012 draft by the Cleveland Browns and played just 46 career games as he watched three running backs and a quarterback surpass his career rushing numbers.A run of success with top-selected backs started in 2015 when the then-St. Louis Rams took Todd Gurley with the 10th pick, though they had to pass on eventual First-team All-Pro defensive backs Marcus Peters and Landon Collins. After winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2017, an argument can be made that Gurley is the best back of his class, but David Johnson (86th overall pick) and his absurd versatility certainly have a case to be made.The Dallas Cowboys then took Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth overall pick in 2016. After two seasons, he appears to be the most talented running back of the class, but already Jalen Ramsey looks like he would have been a better pick, especially given Elliott's controversial off-field conduct that got him suspended six games. Given the Cowboys' struggles in the passing game, Michael Thomas might have been a better choice too.Last year's draft saw two runners go inside the top 10 - Leonard Fournette to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the fourth pick and Christian McCaffrey to the Carolina Panthers with the eighth selection. It's only one year into their careers, however, with neither player receiving a vote for Offensive Rookie of the Year while two other rushers - Alvin Kamara (67th) and Kareem Hunt (86th) - took the spotlight. The three players who received votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year - Marshon Lattimore (11th), Tre'Davious White (27th), and Reuben Foster (31st) - were all on the board when both Fournette and McCaffrey were taken.Barkley's arrival on any team should be reason for excitement initially; whoever gets the 21-year-old will receive an immediate boost to their offense that will make those who missed out jealous. But history shows that, in the long run, taking a player at a different position in the top 10 has a higher chance of success over a more extended period of time.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Chris Long came to the defense of Colin Kaepernick on Thursday, blasting the Seattle Seahawks for canceling a scheduled workout with the quarterback.Seattle scheduled a workout with Kaepernick but reportedly changed its mind when the free-agent quarterback told the team he wouldn't stop protesting police brutality and racial inequality during the national anthem.Long is among several players who believe Kaepernick is being blackballed from the league due to his social and political advocacy, and took to Twitter to voice his displeasure.

Johnny Manziel finished his stay in the Spring League on Thursday, and after two solid showings he's headed back to the drawing board as he ponders his future in football."I'm straight back to working out and doing what I did when I came here," Manziel said after the Spring League game, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. "Everything else will sort itself out. I'm trying to do what I can do to come back to playing football whatever capacity that is."Manziel went 10-for-16 with 188 yards and an interception in Thursday's contest, while adding 27 yards and two touchdowns rushing. His next step could involve going to the Canadian Football League, where he has an offer from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He could also choose to wait for an offer from an NFL club."We know when deadlines are," said Manziel, who'd be expected to report to Hamilton's training camp in mid-May. "We have another month or so to work out and not worry about anything."Regardless of where he decides to take his career next, the artist known as Johnny Football is thrilled to be back on the gridiron after spending the last two years out of the sport."It's been beyond my wildest dreams," he said of his budding comeback. "There was a time there I didn't know if I would actually do it. ... I'm extremely happy just to be healthy, just to get to throw the ball around. I've missed this."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman will be one of 10 contestants on the all-athletes version of "Dancing With The Stars," premiering April 30, a source told Desiree Murphy of Entertainment Tonight.ABC, which airs the show, will officially reveal the 10 participants Friday on "Good Morning America."Snowboarder Jamie Anderson, softball star Jennie Finch, and figure skaters Tonya Harding and Adam Rippon are among the other athletes expected to be named to the show."Dancing With The Stars: Athletes" will be a four-week, miniature version of the popular dance competition series.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady could miss the start of his team's voluntary workouts while in Qatar supporting Best Buddies, a non-profit organization, according to Albert Breer of The MMQB.The workouts are slated to begin Monday, while Brady is reportedly planning to fly back into the United States later that day.Brady has supported Best Buddies for several years, and is a global ambassador for the organization, which serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageDallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant stated Thursday he isn't upset by a recent flurry of criticism, albeit simultaneously declaring the media is out to destroy him.Bryant's contract status has been the subject of debate throughout the offseason and the Cowboys reportedly will ask him to take a pay cut for the upcoming season when both parties meet Friday.The three-time Pro Bowler has clearly taken issue with the media's coverage of his reported contract negotiations.

Following the death of her husband, Tom Benson, in March, Gayle Benson said she'll remain owner of the New Orleans Saints in a letter sent to the 31 other teams and obtained by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network."As is standard NFL practice, my husband provided a report to the Commissioner summarizing the Ownership Succession Plan of the New Orleans Saints. For clarity, my husband’s plan and desire was for me to have full voting control of the Saints and to serve as controlling owner of the team per NFL rules. I understood this and want to reassure you that I am fully prepared to assume this role. Moving forward, I too, will provide the commissioner my very own Ownership Succession Plan of the New Orleans Saints."Please rest assured, I will own and operate this franchise until my death and do so with the same drive and focus towards success that my husband displayed throughout his life."Until his death, Tom Benson owned the Saints since purchasing the franchise in 1985. He and Gayle were married in 2004.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brett Favre can't estimate the number of concussions he suffered throughout his football career because the number is too high for him to grasp in the first place."When you have ringing of the ears, seeing stars, that is a concussion," the Hall of Fame quarterback said Thursday, according to Richard Ryman of USA TODAY. "If that is a concussion, I've had hundreds, probably thousands, throughout my career, which is frightening."Favre, who played 20 seasons in the NFL, has spoken about the affects head trauma has had on him during retirement in the past. He noted Thursday his memory continues to decline, leaving him to ponder whether he has chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a dreaded degenerative brain disease that can only be diagnosed after death."It has gotten a lot worse in regards to short-term (memory); simple words that would normally come out easy in a conversation, I will stammer," he said. "And look, I am 48 years old ... could it just be, as we all like to say, as we get a little bit older, I forgot my keys and they were in my hand. Or, 'Where are my glasses?' and they are on my head. I wonder if that is what it is, or do I have early stages of CTE - I don't know."Additionally, with awareness on the rise over concussions and their potential long-term effects, Favre believes football should entail minimal contact for kids under the age of 16."The brain and just the skull itself, for (8-to-15-year-olds), and maybe even older, is not developed enough and they should not be playing tackle football," he said. "We should protect them, especially when there is no treatment solution out there."Favre is one of four prominent retired athletes who've invested in a company working to develop a drug called Prevasol to treat concussions. Fellow Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner is also in the group.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason has been endorsed for the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his advocacy in the battle against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, better known to some as Lou Gehrig's disease.Gleason was diagnosed with ALS in 2011 and has since worked tirelessly to promote awareness and help gain funding for research to find a cure for the condition.The medal is the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress, and Gleason was nominated by Louisiana senator Bill Cassidy."Steve Gleason was a hero for Saints fans and now he is a hero for all Americans as he finds hope and meaning in overcoming disability and creating greater opportunity for others who are disabled," Cassidy said to The Associated Press.Gleason is perhaps most famous for blocking a punt during a September 2006 game against the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints' first home game at the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict will sit out the first four contests of the 2018 season after the NFL upheld his suspension for violating its policy on performance-enhancing drugs, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer.Burfict unsuccessfully appealed the suspension on the grounds that he was prescribed medication to help deal with a concussion and a shoulder injury.The 27-year-old started 10 games last year, recording 69 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.Burfict was suspended for the first three games of the 2017 season for violating player safety rules.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2017 New Orleans Saints provided a ray of hope for all teams that missed the playoffs last season by getting all the way to the divisional round after finishing 7-9 and missing the playoffs for a third straight year in 2016.With Drew Brees entering the season at 38 years old, the Saints appeared to be in danger of wasting the quarterback's final years of elite play. However, general manager Mickey Loomis drastically turned things around in the draft, for both the immediate and long-term future.New Orleans' 2017 class was headlined by Rookies of the Year Marshon Lattimore and Alvin Kamara, and supplemented by standout first- and second-round selections Ryan Ramczyk and Marcus Williams, respectively.The rookies were instrumental in their first campaign, which culminated with a devastating loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the divisional round and may have convinced Brees to return for at least one more season.Here's a look at five non-playoff teams from 2017 that could follow suit and emerge as Super Bowl contenders as quickly as this season:Oakland Raiders(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)New head coach Jon Gruden will inevitably receive all the credit, or blame, for the Raiders' record in 2018, but general manager Reggie McKenzie has his own work to do to improve a team that fell well short of expectations at 6-10 last season.The main focus in the draft should be fixing a defensive unit that ranked 26th in passing yards allowed per game while recording fewer interceptions than any other team. Cornerback David Amerson regressed from the prior year and was subsequently released. Defensive backs Minkah Fitzpatrick, Denzel Ward, and/or Derwin James are likely to be available at No. 10 after the early run on quarterbacks.The Raiders reportedly had a free-agent visit with Ndamukong Suh canceled, showing a potential interest in addressing the pass rush beside Khalil Mack. Tremaine Edwards, Marcus Davenport, and Vita Vea will likely be the top available options.The team has a pick in each of the first four rounds, two in the fifth, four selections in the sixth round, and one in the seventh, allowing them to either take chances on high-upside bargains or move back up the board. Later picks should be used to gamble on intriguing running backs and receivers to address positional groups that are ill-prepared for injuries.New York Giants(Photo courtesy: Action Images)The Giants are in the unusual position of having to choose between sticking at No. 2 overall to address their long-term future and trading down for a collection of assets to help them right now.Should they stay at No. 2, they're likely to have their choice of all but one of quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen, and Baker Mayfield to be the heir to Eli Manning. Trading down with another QB-needy team could allow them to address other positions with a variety of picks and gear up for another title run in Manning's final seasons.They need help on the offensive line to keep the 37-year-old healthy and find some semblance of a running game. The second concern will be fixing up a defense that ranked 31st in yards allowed and 29th in sacks last season.San Francisco 49ers(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)49ers general manager John Lynch made a bold move last season that caused his team to plummet down the 2018 draft board. While doing so, he vaulted the team's rebuild forward by eliminating the need to use a top pick on an unknown quantity at quarterback.Jimmy Garoppolo's impressive winning streak to close out the 2017 season resulted in the 49ers having to win a coin flip with the Raiders to land the No. 9 selection on April 26. Lynch then shored up the offense with the free-agent signing of running back Jerick McKinnon. Center Weston Richburg was added in free agency and right guard Joshua Garnett, a first-rounder in 2016, returns from injury to bolster an offensive line that allowed more sacks than all but 10 teams.Lynch is left with nine picks, with two selections in each of the third and seventh rounds. The team is in position to take the best player available at No. 9, and address remaining areas of need with the second- and third-round selections. It'll need to strengthen a pass rush that recorded just 30 sacks last season.Los Angeles Chargers(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The Chargers were a dark-horse pick for Super Bowl contention last offseason, but an 0-4 start proved too much to overcome.Much of the same cast returns on both sides of the ball for 2018, setting them up for success in a competitive but wide-open AFC West.Finding Philip Rivers' successor should be a priority at some point, but the Chargers still have the luxury of waiting on a project or a higher draft pick than 17th overall in the coming years.Help at linebacker, in the secondary, and on the offensive line should be priorities, while an upgrade for Brandon Mebane at defensive tackle would help fortify one of the league's top pass rushes.Dallas Cowboys(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Ezekiel Elliott's six-game suspension was the biggest difference between the Cowboys' 13-3 record in 2016 and playoff absence last year.While Elliott's contributions can't be understated, his inactivity in a key part of the season showed flaws in the Cowboys' roster composition and several areas of weakness.An offensive line that has been the envy of the league in recent years ranked just 15th in pass protection by Football Outsiders. The right side of the line needs improvement, and while moving La'el Collins back to the left side could help, he's apparently uninterested.Meanwhile, Jason Witten needs an heir at tight end, Anthony Hitchens needs to be replaced in the linebacker corps, and Maliek Collins should be upgraded on the defensive line.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks postponed a workout for free-agent Colin Kaepernick this week after the quarterback declined to stop kneeling during the national anthem, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Seattle apparently contacted Kaepernick two weeks ago to arrange a visit, and the team is still considering bringing him in for a tryout, as no decisions are final, Schefter added.The Seahawks reportedly wanted to know the former 49ers' signal-caller wouldn't kneel in the upcoming season, and he was unwilling to make that promise.The news comes just one day after Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown reportedly initiated a discussion with Eric Reid about national anthem protests during his free-agent visit with the team.Related: 49ers' Reid expects teams to snub him in free agency after anthem protestsHowever, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Kaepernick's visit was not postponed because he declined to stop kneeling, but rather his lack of plans regarding how to handle his protests.Kaepernick has received little interest since he became a free agent after the 2016 season, with no workouts scheduled before the Seahawks' reported interest. Seattle doesn't have a backup quarterback on their roster.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It looks like Richie Incognito was serious about his retirement threat, as the Buffalo Bills placed the four-time Pro Bowl guard on the Reserve/Retired list Thursday.Incognito reportedly agreed to a pay cut in March that reduced his salary from $6.325 million to $3.65 million, then fired his agent via Twitter about two weeks later before telling reporters he planned to retire."I'm done. That's it. It's been a long career," Incognito said April 10. "Went to the doctor. My liver and kidneys are shutting down. The stress is killing me. It's just about doing what's right. I just want to be in the Hall of Fame."The 34-year-old spent 12 seasons in the NFL over 13 years, missing the 2014 season as a free agent. He made four Pro Bowls, including three straight from 2015-17, but he may be remembered more for creating controversy. Incognito was famously involved in the 2013 bullying scandal with Jonathan Martin, allegedly directed a racial slur at Yannick Ngakoue in 2017, and declared his support for Donald Trump.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL officially unveiled its 2018 NFL Draft hats Thursday, and they're a departure from what we normally see on draft night.The collection features slogans from all 32 teams - some better than others.We've ranked the five best and worst draft hats based on the likelihood of the hat actually being purchased and worn.Best5. Falcons

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster was charged Thursday with felony domestic violence against his live-in girlfriend, the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office announced.Foster faces additional felony charges of forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime and possession of an assault weapon, as well as a misdemeanor for possession of a large-capacity weapon magazine.He'd face more than 11 years in prison if convicted."Our focus is on holding accountable those who hurt their intimate partners," said prosecutor Kevin Smith. "Our office handles between four and five thousand domestic violence cases each year. We only hope that this case illuminates the tragic regularity of the rest."Related - CEO York: Foster's off-field troubles jeopardizing future with 49ersThe woman flagged down a stranger's car on Feb. 11 in order to call 911. She informed police that Foster "dragged her by her hair, physically threw her out of the house, and punched her in the head eight to 10 times," according to the DA's office. She suffered a ruptured eardrum.The 49ers released a statement via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport to indicate they are aware of the situation and it could affect Foster's status with the club:The 49ers organization is aware of today's disturbing charges regarding Reuben Foster. We will continue to follow this serious matter. Reuben is aware his place in our organization is under great scrutiny and will depend on what is learned through the legal process.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cleveland Browns and recently acquired wide receiver Jarvis Landry are close to finalizing a five-year, $75.5-million contract extension with $47 million in guarantees, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.The slot receiver's average yearly salary of just over $15 million is the fifth-highest at his position, according to Spotrac.Cleveland traded a fourth- and a seventh-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for Landry after he and Miami couldn't agree to a long-term deal.Landry has produced over 4,000 yards since being drafted in the second round in 2014, and his 400 receptions are the most by any receiver through their first four seasons in the league.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady has stoked the rumors that the New England Patriots are interested in quarterback prospect Lamar Jackson.Reports surfaced this week that the Patriots are the team most interested in drafting the former Heisman Trophy winner, and Brady added more fuel to that fire Wednesday night by responding to an Instagram comment from NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders.

Two weeks from the 2018 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns have yet to make a final call on which quarterback prospect they favor, reports Albert Breer of The MMQB, citing sources.The Browns will host Josh Allen on an official team visit Thursday. He'll be the fourth among top quarterbacks Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, and Baker Mayfield to visit the Browns' team facility."I know (Browns general manager John Dorsey) likes Darnold, and I know he likes Allen's talent," said a source who knows Dorsey well. "It'll come down to this: Who do they trust most?"Darnold was the favorite early in the draft process, but Allen is now believed to be the lead candidate to be taken with the No. 1 pick, Breer reports.It's a franchise-altering decision for an organization looking to move on from an 0-16 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If you asked any prospect evaluator to list their top-five NFL-bound offensive linemen before the combine in March, you certainly would have heard the name Orlando Brown Jr.The son of longtime NFL lineman Orlando Brown Sr., who went by "Zeus" due to his incredible size, made a name for himself in college at Oklahoma as Baker Mayfield's blindside protector. With even better size than his father, Brown Jr. used his 6-foot-8, 360-pound frame to bully defenders in a way that is uncommon for players his age.However, the narrative changed in those early days of March after he put up one of the worst sets of athletic testing at the combine in Indianapolis. He didn't just have the worst combine among top-rated prospects, or offensive linemen, or even just players in the 2018 group - he had an all-time stinker.EventResultOL Rank40-yd Dash5.85 secLastBench Press14 reps*LastVert. Jump19.5 inchesLastBroad Jump82 inchesLast3-Cone Drill7.87 sec24th (out of 34)20-Yd Shuttle5.38 secLast

One of the most beloved Buffalo Bills of the 21st century is trying to ensure he ends his career in Western New York.Fred Jackson, who featured at running back for the Bills from 2006-2014, is working on a deal to sign a one-day contract so he could retire as a member of the team. Jackson led the NFL in all-purpose yards during the 2009 season,"That’s the plan, to come back and show Buffalo that my career in Buffalo was the most important thing to me in my football career and I would love to retire as a Buffalo Bill," Jackson said to The Buffalo News."We're in the works of talking and trying to work something out that will benefit both myself and Buffalo in making it happen."Jackson finished his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks in 2015.- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The retirement buzz following Rob Gronkowski throughout the offseason hasn't caught up to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft."It's not even an issue for me," Kraft told Jeff Howe of The Athletic. "I didn't know about it until I read about it in the paper. I saw (Gronkowski recently at Gillette Stadium). We have a fun, good relationship. He is one of the most up people I know. I was impressed that he was coming in late and doing whatever he had to do to make himself feel right and get his body right."Gronkowski has appeared somewhat uncertain about his playing future since Super Bowl LII - which New England lost to the Philadelphia Eagles - with several factors potentially contributing to the tight end's reluctance to commit to a ninth NFL season."I think (Gronkowski) is the best tight end in the game, maybe in the history of the game, so we're privileged to have a quarterback (in Tom Brady) and tight end in those positions," Kraft added. "I do believe, though, people feel differently (after a loss). That was a tough loss. We'll let things sort out and see what happens."Though he's still in his prime and one of the NFL's most dominant players, Gronkowski has dealt with numerous significant injuries during his career that could be starting to wear on him. The 28-year-old also reportedly caught flak from Patriots coach Bill Belichick last year for working with Brady's personal trainer, Alex Guerrero.Despite missing two games, Gronkowski led New England in receiving during 2017 with 1,084 yards, and in touchdown receptions with eight.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to ask wide receiver Dez Bryant to take a pay cut when the two sides meet Friday, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Bryant has two years left on his current deal, and is due to have a $16.5-million cap hit in 2018, which would be the third highest among all NFL receivers, according to Spotrac. He would have a dead cap hit of $8 million in 2018 if the Cowboys cut him.The 29-year-old's production has slumped over the past three seasons, as he's dealt with injuries and the Cowboys' offense has become more focused on the run.Related: Jerry Jones wants Dez Bryant on Cowboys next yearBryant said toward the end of the 2017 season that he would not accept a pay cut from the Cowboys. Still, Rapoport added that he expects Bryant to remain on the team, although Friday's meeting will likely shed more light on the situation.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released its 2018 preseason schedule Wednesday, and while it can often be difficult to muster much enthusiasm before the real games kick off, there are still a number of contests worth watching.With a host of young players trying to make strong impressions, others returning from injuries, free-agent signings looking to impress with their new teams, and franchises looking to rebound from difficult 2017 campaigns, here are the key games to keep an eye on:Ravens vs. Bears, Hall of Fame GameAfter a long offseason, football will return with the annual Hall of Fame on Aug. 2. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky may see limited action for Chicago, but it'll be compelling to see if he made any strides as he enters his much-anticipated sophomore campaign. Meanwhile, the Ravens will be chomping at the bit after narrowly missing the playoffs in 2017.Browns vs. Giants, Week 1We don't know who the top picks in April's draft will be, but barring any trades, the Browns (first and fourth overall) and Giants (second overall) will be eager to trot out their prized prospects with both teams looking to escape the NFL's basement. Cleveland accelerated its rebuild with a series of aggressive trades, while a new regime in New York is hoping to rebound from an unexpected nightmare in 2017.49ers vs. Colts, Week 3 Jimmy "GQ" Garoppolo became one of the NFL's most interesting stories after the 49ers finally unleashed him, helping his new club close out the 2017 season on a five-game winning streak. While it's unlikely Jimmy Montana Garoppolo plays an entire half in this one, it'll be a chance to see one of the league's brightest young talents in action, setting the tone for what could be a resurgent 2018 season for the 49ers.Meanwhile, Andrew Luck's delayed recovery from shoulder surgery has the league breathlessly awaiting his return to the field. While Luck hasn't thrown a football since undergoing a series of operations, it's possible he'll be back in full force against the 49ers. This game is all about the quarterbacks, and will hopefully pit one of the established faces of the NFL against a player who's quickly ascending into a household name.Cowboys vs. Texans, Week 4 Deshaun Watson was quickly becoming everyone's favorite quarterback until he suffered a brutal non-contact knee injury in practice, ending his rookie campaign. It's possible Watson will be back in time for Week 4, and if he's at full strength, his excellent pocket presence and ability to take off for game-breaking runs will be a welcome development for football fans.Ezekiel Elliott was mired in controversy for most of the 2017 season, but he's an elite talent and will enter his third campaign looking to win the second rushing title of his young career. Meanwhile, Dak Prescott will be trying to break out following his sophomore slump - though it could be argued that 22 touchdowns against 13 interceptions was still a passing grade. Everything is bigger in Texas, even the preseason games.Jets vs. Eagles, Week 4 The defending Super Bowl champion could have Carson Wentz back by the end of the preseason, which would be a terrifying development for 31 teams. To recap: Wentz was a leading contender for MVP before tearing his ACL last season, but backup Nick Foles stepped up valiantly, leading the Eagles to the championship over the favored Patriots. It's still Wentz's job, however, and if he's healthy, fans everywhere should tune in to see if he's still in all-world form.Although the Jets signed Teddy Bridgewater in free agency, it's eminently possible they use the No. 3 overall pick on another pivot. If so, the team could have one of the most competitive quarterback battles this offseason, and this matchup could dictate who begins under center when the meaningful games begin.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants safety Landon Collins will undergo another surgery on his broken arm, which hasn't healed as quickly as doctors had hoped, he told Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com on Wednesday.The additional procedure will sideline Collins for six-to-eight weeks, meaning he should be healthy in time for the new season.Collins suffered the initial injury in late December, cutting his season short after 15 games. The two-time Pro Bowler had 104 tackles and two interceptions for the Giants last year.He said earlier this week that his arm was "100 percent," according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, who was also first to report the possibility of a second surgery for Collins.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders have every intention of hanging onto pass-rusher Khalil Mack, even though the two sides don't appear to have made significant progress in extension talks."This is going to be a big contract and all sides are trying to make everything work," general manager Reggie McKenzie told Steve Wyche of NFL Network on Wednesday. "It's about the end result. One thing I know is that we love Khalil Mack and we want to make him a Raider for life."We'll get through all the other stuff. We understand the business part of it. Everybody is aware of everything and nobody is surprised. Everything, on all sides, has been positive. I can't stress that enough."With one year remaining on his rookie deal and his contract situation unresolved, the 27-year-old has stayed away from the Raiders' voluntary portion of offseason workouts. The 2016 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time Pro Bowler is reportedly looking for at least $65 million guaranteed on his next deal.Related: Should Aaron Donald or Khalil Mack be NFL's highest-paid defensive player?Mack registered a double-digit sack total in three of his first four campaigns in the NFL.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Now he's retired, Martellus Bennett isn't too worried about revealing how many NFL players he believes use marijuana."I want to say about 89 percent (of NFL players smoke weed)," Bennett told the "Simms & Lefkoe" podcast.Bennett suggested players would rather take the healthier route of the natural drug marijuana than the opioids and painkillers prescribed by NFL training staffs."There's medical marijuana. So its like, there's times of the year where your body just hurts so bad that you don't want to just be popping pills all the time," said Bennett. "It ruins your liver, all these anti-inflammatory (drugs) that you take for so long that, like, it starts to eat at your liver and your kidneys and things like that."The human made (pills). God made weed."The former Super Bowl champion also discussed the global disparity in the access to and legality of marijuana."I think its crazy that guys have to do drug deals across the world, and then in California (where it is legal to purchase), you can just go to 'In 'N Out' and then right into the store."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released its preseason schedule on Wednesday, featuring 65 games.The exhibition schedule kicks off with the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens meeting in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 2 and will be followed by four weeks of preseason action.Here's the entire slate:Hall of Fame Game

Arizona Cardinals star running back David Johnson is hyped for the 2018 season.Appearing on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio, Johnson expressed confidence in his new quarterback, Sam Bradford, and his team's offense."We’re going to be great if Sam Bradford is healthy," Johnson told Adam Schein on Wednesday. "Not just with the addition of him, but also the linemen we got, the receivers, and everyone else that we have added to the team on the offensive side, we definitely will be the top offense in the league this year."Arizona's offseason quarterback addition was not met with acclaim in league circles, but Johnson is excited for what Bradford brings to the table."For me, watching him personally, I’ve seen him do some great things," said Johnson. "I think the biggest thing is just being healthy."The 2016 scrimmage-yards leader appeared in just one game in 2017, injuring his wrist in the Cardinals' Week 1 road loss to the Detroit Lions.A healthy Johnson will return to a new-look offense in Arizona with first-year head coach Steve Wilks and new offensive coordinator Mike McCoy. The team added offensive linemen Justin Pugh and Andre Smith, and receiver Brice Butler in addition to Bradford in free agency. The Cardinals owned the league's 25th-ranked scoring offense in 2017.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack are arguably the two most destructive pass-rushers in the league, and both Defensive Player of the Year winners are on the verge of becoming exceedingly rich men this offseason.Related - Report: Mack seeking at least $65M guaranteed from Raiders

It appears Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant will learn of his future with the team before their first official offseason workout Monday.Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Bryant will meet Friday to discuss the wideout's contract, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Jones will then make a decision about whether to release Bryant.Related - The Dez Dilemma: Should the Cowboys move on from Bryant?Bryant carries a $16.5 million salary-cap hit for the 2018 season after struggling in 2017, leading to rumors of his potential release. The three-time Pro Bowler accumulated 69 receptions, 838 yards, and six touchdowns last season, and hasn't surpassed the 1,000-yard plateau since 2014.The Cowboys signed Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson in free agency and have been linked to a number of wideouts in the draft.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams no longer believe the New York Giants will trade star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. before or during the 2018 draft, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Beckham was in attendance at the start of the team's offseason workout program Monday following trade speculation since the end of the season.The pass-catcher was reportedly a target of the Los Angeles Rams until they opted to trade for Brandin Cooks, and no new serious suitors have emerged. New York apparently wants two first-round draft picks in exchange for Beckham.The 25-year-old is reportedly seeking $20 million per season after producing 1,300-plus yards in each of his first three NFL seasons. His fourth was cut short by injury after four games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints are set to acquire wide receiver Cameron Meredith after the Chicago Bears declined to match the two-year, $10-million offer sheet the restricted free agent signed last week, a league source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Nick Foles has added "author" to his list of accomplishments.The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback co-wrote a book with children's minister and former sports writer Joshua Cooley that documents his "unlikely path to the Super Bowl, the obstacles that threatened to hold him back, his rediscovery of his love for the game, and the faith that grounded him through it all." The memoir, titled "Believe It: My Journey of Success, Failure and Overcoming the Odds" is set to be released June 26 through Tyndale.Foles revealed in February that he plans to become a high-school pastor once his football career is over."I took a leap of faith last year and signed up to take classes at seminary," he told The Associated Press. "I wanted to continue to learn and challenge my faith. It's a challenge because you are writing papers that are biblically correct. You want to impact people's hearts."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots are believed to be the team most interested in drafting former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, sources told Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman.Freeman added that teams around the league have been impressed by Jackson's "intelligence and football acumen" in meetings since the combine, where the signal-caller made headlines after reportedly being asked to work out at wide receiver.Despite the calls for a position change, he's expected to be taken toward the end of the first round. New England owns two first-round selections - 23rd and 31st overall - after trading Brandin Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams, so they have the ammunition to trade up for the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner if necessary.Tom Brady took home MVP honors at age 40, but after trading backup Jimmy Garoppolo at last season's deadline, Patriots owner Robert Kraft admitted his team "obviously" must consider drafting the future Hall of Famer's heir apparent.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin believes he's a new player after spending the 2017 NFL season out of the league.Speaking at an introductory press conference Wednesday, Griffin claimed he dedicated much of his time off to studying film and analyzing offenses."(The time off) helped me become a smarter player," he said, via ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "I tried to use that experience to grow. I feel like I have grown from that and I look forward to being able to show it."Griffin signed a one-year contract with Baltimore last week. His last regular-season start - a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers as a member of the Cleveland Browns - came in Week 16 of the 2016 season. The Browns released him in March of 2017."I'm not relying on what I did in the past," Griffin said. "I want to show (the Ravens) the player that I am and the player I can be moving forward. It's time to let that stuff go and move forward as a new player, a better player, a grown player."He's excited for the opportunity to secure an NFL roster spot once again, despite being the Ravens' clear backup behind Joe Flacco."I knew coming into this situation that this is Joe's team," he said. "I'm excited about the opportunity to learn from him. I'm here to compete and get better every single day. I think they realize that I'm ready for the opportunity and I'm ready for this role."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been an offseason of change for the Green Bay Packers, whether star quarterback Aaron Rodgers likes it or not.The face of the franchise was asked about the team's recent transactions, in particular its decision to cut longtime teammate and target Jordy Nelson."It's the tough part of the business, when you get close to guys and spend a lot of time with them and play with them for a long time and then not able to finish up with them," Rodgers said last week on 102.9 FM The Hog's "Bob & Brian" show.When asked if he'd be involved at all in draft preparations, Rodgers made it clear he's not kept abreast of the team's decisions and intentions."I think it's pretty clear that players play and coaches coach and personnel people make their decisions. That's the way they want it," he said.Though Rodgers lost Nelson and quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, who also was not retained by the team, he expressed his appreciation for the signing of tight end Jimmy Graham and the return of former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to fill the role again.- With h/t to Pro Football TalkCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Marquette King appears to have ignited a bit of a feud by signing with the rival Denver Broncos after he was released by the Oakland Raiders.The eccentric punter drew the ire of one of his former teammates, as Raiders linebacker Bruce Irvin directed a number of tweets at King following his move to the Mile High City.

Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown initiated a discussion with Eric Reid about national anthem protests during his free-agent visit to the team Monday, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Brown explained he intends to prohibit kneeling during the anthem and asked Reid for his response, which he wasn't willing to give on the spot. Florio described Reid as being "caught off guard by the line of questioning."The 26-year-old was the first player to protest alongside Colin Kaepernick - who also remains unemployed - in 2017 and the only known interest he's received this offseason is from the Bengals.While he previously stated he wouldn't kneel during the 2018 campaign as he focuses on social improvement through community work, he wasn't willing to do so as a command from Brown.Florio added that Reid "developed a clear sense" that the coaches were interested in signing him while reviewing film, but that head coach Marvin Lewis asked him if he wanted to "clarify anything that Reid told ownership regarding the anthem" later in the meeting.Reid again refused. The Bengals have yet to offer him a contract.Cincinnati has been criticized in year's past for overlooking off-field issues of several players, such as Adam Jones and Joe Mixon.The Bengals told Florio they don't comment on interviews the team considers "confidential."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here, we examine three contenders from each conference and identify a major weakness that could derail their playoff hopes in 2018 unless fixed through the upcoming draft.AFC - NFCLos Angeles Rams - Pass-rusherWhen you have the All-Pro combination of Aaron Donald and Ndamukong Suh at defensive tackle, as well as underrated stud Michael Brockers, you can afford for your edge rushers to be less than stellar.However, while Donald can be counted on to get close to double-digit sacks and be among the league leaders in quarterback pressures every single season, the Los Angeles Rams' newest interior monster saw his pass-rushing impact decline in his final season with the Miami Dolphins.Suh generated only 43 pressures in 2017 compared to his average of 59 from 2014-16, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. His production is likely to bounce back up to a higher level due to the superior talent around him, but after trading away defensive end Robert Quinn, the Rams can't simply hope Suh turns back into a top-tier pass-rusher.Matt Longacre and Samson Ebukam are solid rotational edge players, but not the level of athlete you'd want lining up next to Suh and Donald and taking advantage of the huge attention opposing offenses will need to give to the duo. Considering the massive investments L.A. has poured into its defense this offseason, it would be a disaster if the lack of pass-rushing options held the unit back.Green Bay Packers - Cornerback(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Aaron Rodgers would probably need to put up 40 points a game if the Packers went into the season with its current group of cornerbacks, arguably the worst in the league and Green Bay's biggest need since the previous offseason.Kevin King is arguably the only starting-caliber corner on the roster. The Packers brought back Tramon Williams after a solid year with the Arizona Cardinals, but relying on a 35-year-old is courting disaster. The only other experienced corner, Quinten Rollins, is coming off a torn Achilles.While there's little doubt Green Bay would have been a playoff team if Rodgers had stayed healthy for the majority of the 2017 season, it's hard to imagine its secondary - which gave up a franchise-record passer rating of 102.2 to opposing quarterbacks - holding up against the NFC's elite teams in the postseason.The Packers will need to find both quality and quantity in the draft after missing out on Kyle Fuller - or risk wasting another year of Rodgers' prime.Carolina Panthers - Wide receiver Another year, another season in which Cam Newton is set to carry the Carolina Panthers' offense essentially by himself.Beyond star tight end Greg Olsen, Carolina's top pass-catchers won't scare any offense. Torrey Smith - who was acquired via trade from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason - is a one-trick pony who was pushed from his No. 2 receiver role by Nelson Agholor last season, Devin Funchess is a good red-zone target but is still developing at age 23, and free-agent signing Jarius Wright has just 265 yards in his last 24 games.Running back Christian McCaffrey is a dynamic receiver out of the backfield, and fellow second-year man Curtis Samuel should cement a much larger role after injury robbed him of most of his rookie season. But, Newton still lacks top-tier downfield threats - especially after Carolina traded Kelvin Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills on deadline day.The Panthers finished last season as the 28th-ranked passing offense, which is unforgivable considering Newton's vast talents. The time has come for Carolina to give its franchise player the support he needs if a return to the Super Bowl is to happen anytime soon.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here, we examine three contenders from each conference and identify a major weakness that could derail their playoff hopes in 2018 unless it's fixed through the upcoming draft.AFC - NFCNew England Patriots - Left tackleNate Solder has been protecting Tom Brady's blindside since 2012, and he was rewarded for his solid play in free agency by the New York Giants, who made him the league's highest-paid left tackle.The Patriots were never going to match New York's huge offer, but Bill Belichick will still have to find a way to give a soon-to-be 41-year-old Brady the pass-protection he needs.While Solder was never a top-tier option, he's still far superior and experienced compared to New England's current options. Free-agent signing and former swing tackle Matt Tobin, right tackle Marcus Cannon, and 2017 third-rounder Tony Garcia will all be considered options, but each carries performance- or injury-related concerns.The Patriots could use one of their two first-round selections to ensure Brady's window stays open for as long as physically possible.Pittsburgh Steelers - Inside linebackerThe Steelers own one of the conference's most well-rounded rosters, but with Ryan Shazier already ruled out for the 2018 season after suffering a spinal contusion last year, Pittsburgh is in desperate need of more playmakers in the middle of its defense.The Steelers' scheme relies on having athletic inside linebackers who can play sideline to sideline, and current veteran starters Vince Williams and Jon Bostic aren't capable of coverage play close to Shazier's level.Williams struggles to consistently hold up in run support, while Bostic is a journeyman who had the best year of his career in 2017 as part of maybe the league's worst inside linebacking corps in Indianapolis.It was clear Pittsburgh was a far weaker team after Shazier went down - especially against the Jacksonville Jaguars, who dropped 45 points on Pittsburgh in the playoffs - and despite investing heavily in the linebacker position in recent years, the Steelers shouldn't hold back from filling one of the few holes on the roster.Kansas City Chiefs - Defensive lineThe Chiefs' defense was, quite simply, awful in 2017 despite playing with one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. Kansas City couldn't stop anyone, in any way, finishing the season 25th in run defense and 29th against the pass.The problems for the Chiefs' defense starts up front. Chris Jones is a budding star, but the defensive end appears to be a one-man band at this point. Run-stuffer Bennie Logan left for the Tennessee Titans in free agency, and the likes of Xavier Williams, Allen Bailey, and Rakeem Nunez-Roches fit better as depth players.Kansas City needs to find a player similar to Jones, who excels against both the run and the pass and rarely needs to come off the field. Adding some more athletically gifted younger players is a must, too, as the Chiefs can't allow first-time starter Patrick Mahomes to play from behind too often.Luckily, this year's draft boasts a strong defensive linemen class, and the Chiefs should start the retooling of their defense with at least two big bodies in the first three or four rounds.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Free-agent safety Eric Reid would take a one-year deal to return to the San Francisco 49ers for the same salary he had last season, a source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Reid earned $5.676 million a year ago. It's been a slow offseason for the 26-year-old, who was in the middle of the kneeling controversy last season and is close friends with Colin Kaepernick. He reportedly scheduled a visit with the Cincinnati Bengals the other day, which is believed to be his only meeting thus far in free agency.Related: Eric Reid says owners won't sign him because of protestsOverall, the safety market has been slow to develop, with prominent players like Kenny Vaccaro and Mike Mitchell among those still available for hire.Reid, a first-round pick of the 49ers in 2013, collected 67 tackles and two interceptions in 13 games last year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft visited his friend, rapper Meek Mill, at a Pennsylvania state prison on Tuesday.Meek Mill, also known as Robert Rihmeek Williams, is spending two-to-four years in prison after being sentenced in November 2017 for violating his probation by failing a drug test, traveling out of the region without permission, and getting arrested for fighting and other related offenses.Related: Robert Kraft lets Meek Mill try on his Super Bowl LI ring "Amazing young man. I know how I’d feel if I was in the situation he is," Kraft said to NBC 10 Philadelphia after the visit. "Every time I see him, I just come away more impressed. He's very intelligent. And makes it clear to me we have to do something with criminal justice reform."Meek Mill's attorneys are trying to get him released on bail."We are encouraged by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s steadfast stance in not opposing Meek Mill’s release on bail at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court level while the current legal proceedings continue, even in light of Judge [Genece] Brinkley’s vindictive and erroneous decision," said his attorney, Joe Tacopina.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Oakland Raiders pass-rusher Khalil Mack is looking to get at least $65 million guaranteed on his next contract, NFL Network's Steve Wyche reports.Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, was absent from the Raiders' first day of voluntary team workouts Monday. The former fifth overall pick is scheduled to earn slightly less than $14 million in 2018, the fifth and final season of his rookie contract.Mack tallied 10.5 sacks a season ago and has posted a double-digit sack total in each of the last three campaigns, establishing himself as one of the game's elite defensive players.An agreement between Mack and the Raiders doesn't appear to be close, and Wyche noted the two sides are unlikely to strike a deal before June, at the earliest.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Thursday Night Football will no longer feature the alternate uniforms known as color rush jerseys, and the weekly game will feature better matchups going forward, a FOX Sports official said Tuesday.Bill Wanger, FOX Sports' executive vice president of programming, delivered the news to Jason Barrett of Barrett Sports Media. It marks another step in the evolution of TNF, which has been broadcast on CBS, NBC, and NFL Network at various points in recent years.

While discussing the free-agent signing of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on "The MMQB Podcast," Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead revealed Aaron Donald's next contract will likely be the richest for a defensive player in NFL history."The nice thing about Ndamukong, at age 31 and somebody who's been the highest-paid defensive player in football, winning was very important in this phase of his career," Snead said, according to NFL.com's Chris Wessling. "He's well aware that when you can partner, be beside someone who is on the verge of being the highest-paid defensive player in football, then that's a really good thing."The Rams have maintained throughout the offseason that they expect to hammer out a new deal with Donald, who has one year left on his rookie contract.The 26-year-old was named to the Pro Bowl after each of his first four NFL campaigns, and was the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year.The tandem of Donald and Suh at defensive tackle next season could be one of the most prolific the league has ever seen.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rookie running backs have taken the NFL by storm in recent years, with a number of ball-carriers impressing despite not being chosen in the first two rounds of the draft.Jordan Howard - a fifth-round selection - ranked second in the league with 1,313 rushing yards in 2016, behind fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott. And just last season, third-round pick Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing.The 2018 NFL Draft is extremely deep at running back, so a number of teams will be looking for value between rounds three and seven. Every coach wants the next Kareem Hunt.You already know the consensus top prospects in this class - Saquon Barkley, Derrius Guice, Ronald Jones, Sony Michel, Rashaad Penny, and Nick Chubb - so here are four rushers who will likely be selected later in the draft, but could provide tremendous value for their teams.Mark Walton - Miami (FL)Walton will likely come off the board on Day 3, but could very well be a draft steal. Similar to Hunt, he's a below-average athlete with game tape that should quiet some concerns. Walton plays with incredible balance and burst, and while he battled an ankle injury last season, he averaged 7.6 yards per carry in the five games he was able to suit up for. The former four-star recruit is also an adept pass-catcher and blocker, making him a potential three-down back in the pros. His inside vision and decisiveness both need work - he gets a bit dancey behind the line of scrimmage - but that's easily fixable with good coaching.Royce Freeman - OregonOne look at Freeman's college production and measurables will illustrate why he can be a great value pick this year. An ideal fit for a zone rushing attack, he possesses an excellent frame and feel for running lanes. Freeman averaged over six yards per carry twice during his illustrious Oregon career and has shown the ability to catch the football. At 229 lbs, he's quick and athletic, and excels at churning out yards after contact. He's not the most elusive ball-carrier, but Freeman could provide his future NFL team with instant production, without needing much coaching.Kalen Ballage - Arizona StateBallage is not a finished product, but has the athleticism and potential that teams covet at running back. He's well built and plays the game with ferocity, frequently earning chunk yardage after initial contact. Scouts love his ability to line up in the slot and clean hands out of the backfield. Ballage's college production, however, was not among the best in this class. The Sun Devils seemingly benched their athletic ball-carrier last season, and he was usually part of in-game rotations early in his career. While an early-round selection is unlikely, Ballage simply possesses more upside than most other Day 3 targets at his position. He could easily be a better pro than college back.John Kelly - TennesseeThis is an interesting study. Criminally underused at Tennessee, Kelly was a broken-tackle machine in the SEC, with pass-catching ability. His final collegiate season left much to be desired, but he averaged 6.1 yards per carry in 2016. Kelly's fit as a potential 2018 Kareem Hunt is particularly interesting, in part because he profiles almost exactly like the Chiefs rusher from a height-weight-speed perspective. The former Volunteer is a tough, nimble runner who possesses more power than his size suggests. Amid a deep running back class, Kelly looks like the Day 3 pick who ends up being one of the best value selections this April.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.