Facing the New York Giants during the preseason hasn't always been kind to New York Jets quarterbacks. But Jets head coach Robert Saleh is confident that playing Aaron Rodgers in Saturday's exhibition contest between the two teams is the right thing to do with Week 1 just around the corner."You can't coach scared, you can't play scared," Saleh said Tuesday, confirming the reports that Rodgers will start versus the Giants, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "You can slip out of your car and have something happen to you. Knock on wood, everyone will be fine."In 2003, Jets starter Chad Pennington suffered a fracture to his non-throwing wrist during a preseason contest versus the Giants and was forced to miss the first six games of the regular season, according to Cimini. Mark Sanchez also suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2013 during another preseason matchup between the two clubs.Rodgers didn't play in the Jets' first three preseason games this year. Though the four-time NFL MVP hasn't taken a snap in an exhibition game since 2018, Saleh noted that New York won't be the first NFL team to put its most important players on the field with the 2023 regular season just weeks away."You see some of the great ones out there," Saleh added. "Kansas City is playing their guys, Buffalo is playing their guys. It's not uncommon. You can always play the hindsight game, the fearful game, but what's in the best interest of our team is going out and playing some football together and preparing ourselves the best way we can for Sept. 11."The Jets acquired Rodgers in a blockbuster trade from the Green Bay Packers during the offseason, adding a future first-ballot Hall of Famer to a team that hasn't made the playoffs since the 2010 season."There's going to be a lot of anticipation and excitement in the building," Saleh said of Rodgers' preseason debut. "I just didn't want the first time that he goes out with his new team, new colors, new teammates, new stadium. ... I didn't want it to be the first time on Sept. 11."New York has been one of the league's most aggressive teams this year. In addition to Rodgers, the team also brought in running back Dalvin Cook and wide receivers Mecole Hardman and Allen Lazard, among others. Cook, as well as second-year running back Breece Hall, won't face the Giants on Saturday. They're both expected to be on the field in Week 1 versus the Buffalo Bills.The Jets' offensive line has reportedly struggled in recent weeks, but the unit is welcoming back guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker. New York also plans to start 2020 first-round pick Mekhi Becton at right tackle Saturday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will miss three-to-four weeks due to a wrist fracture, head coach Pete Carroll said Tuesday, according to FOX13 Seattle's Curtis Crabtree.Smith-Njigba injured his wrist during the Seahawks' preseason matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday. The incident occurred during a second-quarter play in which he almost scored:

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone was first overall in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019 and finished among the top seven each of his last seven years in the contest.Follow the links below to see his 2023 rankings.Half PPR

Eagles center Jason Kelce is taking responsibility for a brawl that cut short the joint practice Tuesday between Philadelphia and the Indianapolis Colts.A melee broke out between the two teams after Kelce sprinted an estimated 50 yards to land a blindside hit on Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. The incident occurred after Kelce appeared to take exception with Franklin for his hits on Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell. However, the lineman expressed regret for his actions, calling his hit a "cheap shot.""We try and keep things civil on the field, and I pride myself on being a guy that sustains the emotions and level of play out there, and I let my emotions get the better of me," Kelce said, per ESPN's Tim McManus. "That certainly doesn't belong out there on the field, and a little ashamed that it got to that level."Kelce said he didn't speak with Franklin following the incident, saying tensions currently may be a "little bit too high."Franklin chalked up the dustup as a typical occurrence during joint practices. However, the veteran linebacker said he's looking forward to meeting Kelce on the field when the two teams play in the preseason Thursday."I thought the OGs would at least look me in the eye before (hitting me), but it's all good," Franklin said. "I might get a chance to look him in the eye Thursday, so we're going to be OK."The practice-ending fight wasn't the only scuffle that took place Tuesday. Another confrontation between the two teams transpired after Eagles defensive end Derek Barnett knocked the ball out of the hands of Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson near the sideline.The hostilities between the two clubs marred Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen's return to the Eagles' facility. He'd served as the team's offensive coordinator from 2021-22.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The "race" for the fewest points scored in the NFL last season was a barn burner. The Texans scored just 289 points, living up to their preseason billing as favorites to be inept. The Colts' (50-1) season-long fiasco meant they finished at the same number. The Broncos, who seemed more like a candidate to lead the league in scoring, finished two points worse despite a 31-point explosion in Week 18, paying out tickets at 75-1.Strangely, the Texans and Colts played a 32-31 shootout in Week 18, as if trying to avoid the infamy of being the league's worst offense. From a betting standpoint, though, it goes to show that it's easier to be surprisingly woeful than it is to be surprisingly electric. This is certainly a market in which you can find a long shot.Fewest points scored oddsTEAM ODDSCardinals+600Buccaneers+850Commanders+1000Colts+1100Packers+1200Texans+1200Titans+1200Panthers+1400Rams+1400Patriots+1600Saints+2000Steelers+2200Falcons+2500Bears+2500Raiders+2500Giants+2500Browns+3000Broncos+3000Ravens+6000Jets+6000Lions+7500Jaguars+7500Dolphins+7500Seahawks+750049ers+7500Cowboys+10000Chargers+10000Vikings+10000Bills+15000Bengals+15000Eagles+20000Chiefs+30000The Cardinals are the favorite to be inept, but what if Kyler Murray shows up at some point? That still might not be enough to win more than a few games, but the Cardinals weren't even in the bottom 10 in scoring last year despite Murray missing the final eight games.Best betsRams (+1400)The Rams had just 307 points last season as the electric Matthew Stafford-Cooper Kupp duo missed nine games. Despite optimism following their return to health, it's worth noting the Rams were averaging just 16.4 points in the first eight games of 2022. That pace would put Los Angeles at 278 points on the season - a total bad enough to have been the fewest in 2022.Kupp's already injured his hamstring this season. Stafford - familiar with bumps, bruises, and worse over his career - isn't getting any younger or more mobile behind a devolving offensive line.Panthers (+1400)The Panthers hope to have found their franchise quarterback. They certainly paid enough for him. Having Bryce Young to build around is certainly a step up in Carolina despite some inevitable growing pains. Whether it's a still-developing depth chart on offense that should feel the loss of D.J. Moore in the immediacy or how things have looked in limited action in the preseason, it might be a second season of offensive headaches for Frank Reich - this time in Carolina.The Panthers used scoring spurts against the Seahawks, Lions, and Falcons (twice) to find their way to the middle of the pack in scoring last year, but Seattle and Atlanta have made concerted efforts to revamp their defenses. If Carolina's new offense, which will suffer from understandable issues with a rookie quarterback, can't take advantage of the few soft defenses on the slate, then the Panthers might end up paying out a decent price in this market.Jets (+6000)If we're looking for long shots, the reality is we're betting on something bad to happen. It's just a fact of life. An injury to a 40-year quarterback isn't out of the question, especially one playing behind a shaky offensive line. Aaron Rodgers is also coming off the worst healthy season of his career and fits the profile of Russell Wilson's bad 2022 season.Speaking of the 2022 Broncos, Nathaniel Hackett, the Jets' new offensive coordinator, was prominently involved in the Broncos' offensive dehydration last year. While Rodgers' arrival is exciting for New Yorkers, last year's offense scored just seven points more than the Texans and Colts. So whether it's another step back from Rodgers or one bad hit, the Jets are too close to reverting to last season's production to not bet at 60-1.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tabbed their replacement for Tom Brady on Tuesday, naming Baker Mayfield as starting quarterback ahead of the 2023 season.

For the first time since 2018, the Chiefs led the NFL in points scored last season. Given the explosiveness of the Andy Reid-conducted offense with supreme first chair Patrick Mahomes, that's something of a surprise.There are no surprises atop the oddsboard for most points scored in 2023. It's difficult to envision a team with long odds lighting up the scoreboard. We should be looking for a reliable offense versus crossing our fingers that a team will make a significant leap.Most points scored oddsTEAM ODDSChiefs+500Eagles+600Bills+800Bengals+900Cowboys+1200Lions+1400Chargers+160049ers+1600Vikings+2000Seahawks+2000Ravens+2200Dolphins+2200Jets+2200Jaguars+2500Bears+4000Broncos+4000Raiders+4000Browns+5000Saints+5000Falcons+6000Giants+6000Rams+7500Patriots+7500Steelers+7500Panthers+10000Packers+10000Titans+10000Texans+15000Buccaneers+15000Commanders+15000Cardinals+20000Colts+20000Not surprisingly, the history of teams that have scored the most points in a season is littered with Hall of Fame-bound quarterbacks. One exception came two years ago when the Cowboys' defense had an inordinate amount of return touchdowns to boost the total. The other example featured a passer who might be ready to repeat the feat.Best betDetroit Lions (+1400)Jared Goff has been at the helm of the highest-scoring offense before.However, the 2017 Rams offense was largely known for Sean McVay's offensive play-calling and an outstanding ground game headlined by Todd Gurley. This season, a further developed Goff has offensive mastermind Ben Johnson calling the plays. The quarterback also has a fully healthy offensive line with Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, and Penei Sewell.Detroit should be in plenty of back-and-forth games that go down to the wire this season thanks to a defense I'm not convinced is good enough to shut opponents down. Playing all 60 minutes with urgency is helpful for any volume stat.Finally, the Lions will play just five games outdoors, with four of those coming Week 7 or earlier. Just a trip to Chicago on Dec. 10 could have grim weather conditions. However, the Lions scored 31 points against the Bears in mid-November last season, and Chicago hasn't exactly revamped a defense that gave up the most points in the league in 2022.Detroit scored the fifth-most points last season despite three offensive hiccups. The Lions were shut out against Bill Belichick's Patriots in Week 5, then had chilly trips to face the Jets' defense and Green Bay in the season finale. Detroit goes to Green Bay in September, and there are no Jets or Belichick defenses in sight. That should help the Lions make up the 2.5 points per game they finished behind Kansas City last year, making them a good bet at decent-sized odds to lead the NFL in points scored.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Just days after Ron Rivera named Sam Howell the Commanders' starting quarterback for the 2023 season, the Washington head coach left Monday's preseason game feeling validated by his decision."I thought Sam did exactly what we were expecting him to do," Rivera said postgame, according to Kevin Patra of NFL Network. "He went out, executed, took control of the offense, took control of the huddle, and did a good job at the line of scrimmage."Howell completed 19 of 25 passes in the first half while recording zero turnovers and two scores, including a touchdown throw to Dyami Brown to give the Commanders a halftime lead. The passer's performance helped snap the Baltimore Ravens' 24-game preseason win streak.

Despite being excited about his preseason success, Kenny Pickett knows it doesn't mean much ahead of Year 2 in the NFL."It is preseason, man," the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback recently said, according to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. "Nothing counts, so it is kind of easy to remain motivated because we haven't done anything yet. Everybody understands that."Pickett has put on a show in two exhibition appearances this year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills, completing 9 of 11 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Pittsburgh has scored a touchdown on all three preseason drives with Pickett under center.The recent performances strongly raised the expectations surrounding a Pittsburgh offense that received a lot of criticism under offensive coordinator Matt Canada in 2022."I am not going to lie, it's been good," Pickett added. "We have been keeping (the offense) basic, but we just want to keep executing the offense at the level we are. We just want to continue to do that until we get the full playbook. We have been very vanilla, and we are going to do that until it is time to go."The 25-year-old also had solid preseason games as a rookie last year. He's now thrown five touchdowns against no interceptions in five career preseason appearances.This will be Pickett's first full season as an NFL starter. The 20th overall pick in 2022 posted a 63% completion rate with 2,404 yards and seven touchdown passes against nine interceptions in 13 appearances last year. Pickett, who took over as QB1 in Week 5, also scored three touchdowns on the ground and led four game-winning drives.Several Steelers players praised Pickett during the offseason, including veteran wide receiver Allen Robinson, who said the second-year passer has an "awesome" command of the team's offense. Pittsburgh averaged 18.1 points per game in 2022, the 26th-best mark in the league.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor might be heading toward a split now that the star running back can reportedly seek a trade.Taylor is just 24 years old and one year removed from a first-team All-Pro nod, but he also finished the 2022 campaign on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. Whichever team acquires Taylor will need to be OK with his medical status, as the Colts are asking for a first-round pick or a package equivalent to one in return, a source told ESPN's Stephen Holder.Here's a look at five teams that could take a swing to acquire the explosive playmaker:Miami Dolphins Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / GettyThere might not be a better match than Miami when you consider scheme fit and team need. Taylor would fit in perfectly with coach Mike McDaniel's wide zone scheme, and his elite speed would mesh perfectly with the team's other explosive weapons. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and rookie De'Von Achane would fill complementary roles behind Taylor.The Dolphins showed a willingness to trade away premier picks for offensive weapons when they acquired Tyreek Hill ahead of the 2022 campaign, and the immediate returns were excellent as Hill topped 1,700 yards and scored eight touchdowns.Miami's main roadblock is its projected cap situation. Taylor's on the last year of his rookie deal and will be looking for an extension, but the Dolphins are projected to be $32 million over next year's salary cap, per Over the Cap. General manager Chris Grier would likely need to restructure some contracts and extend other key players to create the necessary room.Philadelphia EaglesThe Eagles have franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts locked up for the foreseeable future, an excellent offensive line, and are slated to have about $47 million in cap space in 2024, according to Over the Cap. Those are all of the necessary ingredients for a great fit, and the team is in the middle of a Super Bowl window.General manager Howie Roseman may not be willing to give up the capital required to acquire Taylor with the Colts' current asking price. But if that price goes down, Philadelphia could pull the trigger to bolster a running game that was fifth in yards per contest (147.6) in 2022, with Miles Sanders leading the way. The Eagles own the New Orleans Saints' second-round pick in next year's draft, which could play a factor.Sanders departed for the Carolina Panthers in free agency and was replaced with Rashaad Penny and D'Andre Swift, both of whom have dealt with injury struggles in their careers. If Indy is willing to take a Day 2 draft pick and one of those two runners, we could see Taylor taking handoffs in the City of Brotherly Love.Chicago Bears Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyChicago's a bit of a dark-horse candidate after finishing with the worst record in the NFL a year ago, but this team is committed to running the ball, and Taylor would upgrade its biggest strength. The Bears led the league in rushing yards per contest a season ago with 177.3, in large part due to quarterback Justin Fields' explosiveness.Taylor would offer an instant boost to the team's backfield talent. The Bears are projected to use some combination of D'Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert, and rookie Roschon Johnson to handle the bulk of their running back touches this year. Foreman's never reached 1,000 yards from scrimmage, and Herbert's career high is 788. Taylor's totals through three seasons are 1,468 in 15 games in 2020, a league-best 2,171 in 17 games in 2021, and 1,004 in 11 contests a year ago.The Bears have the requisite salary cap room and draft ammo to make the move, too. They're scheduled to have almost $86 million in cap space next year, according to Over the Cap, and have both their own and the Panthers' first-round pick in the 2024 draft.Kansas City ChiefsDefensive coordinators around the NFL would suffer many sleepless nights if Taylor made his way to Kansas City. The Chiefs haven't ranked worse than sixth in points per game since Patrick Mahomes took over the starting job in 2018. Adding Taylor to a backfield that already includes 2022 breakout runner Isiah Pacheco, third-down back Jerick McKinnon, and 2020 first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire would all but guarantee that streak continues.This move would take some salary cap gymnastics to accomplish, as Kansas City has just under $750,000 in cap space for 2023, according to Over the Cap. However, the team is projected to have a healthy $52 million to play with in 2024. General manager Brett Veach traded for Kadarius Toney last year, albeit for far less than a first-round pick, so he could be willing to make an offer if the Colts' asking price comes down.Another, arguably more important, roadblock is Chris Jones' lack of an extension. The All-Pro defensive tackle has held out of offseason activities thus far as he looks to secure a contract commensurate with the upper echelon of interior defensive linemen. Veach and the Chiefs could prioritize getting an extension done with Jones before trying to acquire Taylor.Los Angeles Rams Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / GettyLike the Dolphins, Taylor is a seemingly perfect fit in Sean McVay's offensive scheme. Taylor's vision and speed could also help make up for the team's lackluster offensive line as the Rams look to retool and make their way back to the playoffs.The team's 5-12 finish a year ago was disappointing after winning Super Bowl LVI the year prior. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald all missed significant time a year ago but are expected to be healthy and ready to go for the 2023 campaign. Adding Taylor to that group would give the Rams an excellent core.General manager Les Snead has proven his willingness to trade away picks for superstars in the past, and doing so for Taylor would provide a massive upgrade. Los Angeles' backfield is currently comprised of Cam Akers, who has flashed potential when healthy, Kyren Williams, and rookie Zach Evans. With about $47 million in 2024 cap space, per Over the Cap, the Rams could acquire and extend Taylor for the foreseeable future.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts gave running back Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Conversations to find a landing spot are reportedly ongoing.Indianapolis is looking for a first-round selection or an equivalent package of picks, a source told ESPN's Stephen Holder.Taylor is in the last year of his rookie contract, which carries a cap hit of approximately $5.1 million, according to Over the Cap. The Colts selected him with the No. 41 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.The 24-year-old is coming off an ankle injury that limited him to just 11 games in 2022. He recorded 861 yards and four touchdowns on the ground and also hauled in 28 receptions for 143 yards last season.Taylor has been publicly disgruntled with the Colts over his lack of a contract extension. His agent, Malki Kawa, accused owner Jim Irsay of "bad faith" for not extending Taylor in July.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.*If anything noteworthy happens in the Monday night matchup between the Ravens and Commanders, we'll add it below.Giants' offense has serious potentialWith Saquon Barkley not suiting up, the Giants didn't bother calling run plays while Daniel Jones was on the field. Instead, they attempted to throw on each of those downs, and the results were extremely positive.Jones completed eight of nine passes for 69 yards and a score, scrambling for another six yards on the ground.Just as the beat writers noted all offseason, tight end Darren Waller was the focal point of the attack - drawing four targets and catching three of them for 30 yards. Parris Campbell also had two grabs for 18 yards on the drive, while Jones targeted Isaiah Hodgins and Jalin Hyatt each once.As it stands, Campbell, Hodgins, and Darius Slayton are positioned to start in three-receiver sets. But Hyatt is making a strong case for playing time. The rookie's deep speed adds a dangerous element to this offense and was on display during a 33-yard score from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.It remains to be seen whether the four Giants wideouts can emerge with enough volume to be fantasy stars, but they deserve to be drafted in fantasy given their late-round price tags. Slayton and Campbell have the most value, with Hodgins and Hyatt offering more upside than other players taken in their range.If Waller can stay healthy, he might be on the verge of returning to the elite ranks at tight end. He's a must-target in the fifth or sixth round.And after being a top-10 fantasy quarterback last season, Jones has an excellent chance to finish there again. He has incredible value at his current ADP as the QB15 in the 10th round.Instant impressionsRobinson is ready - Bijan Robinson looking like a difference-maker in his first preseason action shouldn't surprise anyone who followed his college career or scouted him entering the pros. There's a reason he was a top-10 pick in this year's draft and why he should go in a similar range in fantasy drafts. The 21-year-old effortlessly avoided defenders to pick up extra yards on his first carry and later flashed good hands on a poorly thrown ball. His 26 yards from scrimmage on one drive is a sign of things to come. He's the third RB in my 2023 rankings and the most valuable dynasty back by far.Pitts plays, but not enough - Seeing Kyle Pitts on the field and making a reception helps ease fears about his recovery from the MCL injury. Now the concerns shift to his usage after he only took the field for nine of the 17 snaps with the Falcons' first-team offense and ran a route on five of 10 Desmond Ridder dropbacks, according to Pro Football Focus. We could normally chalk this up to the team easing him back if we hadn't witnessed a similar scenario early last season before he got hurt. But we're not overreacting to this one - and Pitts is still on the short list of tight ends with elite upside. It's worth monitoring, though.Sorting out the Dolphins' backfield - Raheem Mostert got the start Saturday and quickly collected 30 yards on six carries. Jeff Wilson has missed some practice time each of the last two weeks, so we've yet to see him this preseason. Exciting rookie De'Von Achane again operated way down the depth chart and looked good against weaker competition before suffering a shoulder injury. Meanwhile, Salvon Ahmed stole the show with 131 yards and a touchdown, in the same fashion Myles Gaskin (who was held out) did a week ago. That's a good reminder of how productive Miami's rushing attack can be. With Dalvin Cook no longer available to play spoiler, the trio of Mostert, Wilson, and Achane are all worth drafting in fantasy. Mostert gets the edge over Wilson due to his speed and explosive playmaking ability. Achane's stock will likely drop with his Week 1 availability now in doubt, which might cause him to be more of a mid-to-late-season riser for fantasy.Eagles' backfield update - After veterans Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott got the night off last week, it was D'Andre Swift's turn to watch from the sidelines. Gainwell played over Rashaad Penny last week, and he appears to be no worse than second on the depth chart. Swift remains the most talented back in this group and should be the first one drafted based on his potential upside. Unfortunately, the most likely outcome remains a committee approach involving Gainwell and Penny. We moved Gainwell ahead of Penny as the second most valuable fantasy RB in Philly.Pierce not leaving the field - Dameon Pierce's limited role as a pass-catcher last season was one worry holding back his fantasy projections. If usage this week is a sign of things to come, he needs to move up my rankings. Pierce was on the field for all 14 of C.J. Stroud's snaps and ran a route on 100% of his dropbacks. While he didn't catch a pass and his rushing numbers were kind of muted, this would be a huge development for his breakout potential.Seahawks' rookies shining - First-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba flashed his star power with three receptions for 58 yards, including a 48-yarder on a beautiful ball from Drew Lock. JSN will be an excellent NFL receiver for a long time - the only question is how high he can rise when sharing the field with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in 2023. Charbonnet is in a similar spot behind Kenneth Walker on the RB depth chart in Seattle. But the rookie back is doing everything he can to win over the coaching staff. Saturday's highlight was a well-blocked 29-yard run that nearly turned into a trip to the end zone if he had kept his balance along the sidelines. It feels like both rookies will be fantasy starters at some point this season.Javonte Williams returns - Regardless of how the season plays out for him in Denver, the fact Williams has returned to the field so quickly following a serious ACL tear is impressive. In his first game action since the injury, Williams ran three times for 12 yards and caught four passes for 18 yards. Williams' receiving stats were encouraging, but as I mentioned in my 2023 bust candidates column, Samaje Perine will have a role in this backfield. That was the case Saturday, with Perine playing 48% of the snaps with the starting group and featuring heavily on third downs, according to PFF. While we'll continue to watch this situation closely, Williams still carries plenty of fantasy risk.Roll the dice on Chiefs' WRs - Aside from Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who consistently runs the most routes but lacks fantasy upside, Kansas City's receiving corps is still very open-ended regarding playing time. Skyy Moore appears to be creating separation from the rest of the pack and is the highest-ranked Chiefs wideout in my 2023 projections. After that, we're dealing with a heavy rotation from which any number of players could emerge. Rookie Rashee Rice has looked the part in his opportunities and finished with eight catches for 94 yards Saturday. The injured Kadarius Toney should be back early in the season and could have a significant ceiling if he stays healthy. There's also longer shots like Justyn Ross and Richie James to consider. Bottom line, keep drafting the Chiefs' WRs at their ADPs.Jaylen Warren making a strong case - Despite playing just two snaps with the Steelers' offense, Warren made his presence felt with a 62-yard touchdown run. One preseason highlight shouldn't move a player's fantasy value, but the drumbeat around Warren has been steady throughout the offseason. He'll be a weekly fantasy flex option with the potential for so much more if Najee Harris struggles or gets injured.Keaontay Ingram is back - After missing time with an injury, Ingram returned to record 48 yards from scrimmage and a score on nine touches. More importantly, he served as the clear No. 2 back behind James Conner - a role that could be especially valuable given Conner's age and previous durability issues. Keep Ingram in mind as a key late-round selection in fantasy drafts.Spears stands out again - Even with the great and powerful Derrick Henry as the star of Tennessee's attack, it'll be hard for the Titans to keep Tyjae Spears off the field this year. The third-round rookie earned a lot of praise in offseason practices, and that's translated to strong preseason performances, including the 60 yards he posted Saturday. He now has 96 yards and a score on 15 touches over his first two outings. If the 29-year-old Henry breaks down at any point, Spears will swing fantasy leagues.Bigsby continues strong play - Tank Bigsby got a significant workload in his second preseason game, earning 14 touches for 68 yards. Despite his one reception going for minus-2 yards, it's great to see him run 10 routes, something he wasn't asked to do a week ago. While the rookie could be a fantasy flex play right out of the gate, his real value will only be unlocked if Travis Etienne misses time at some point. In that situation, Bigsby would have week-winning upside.Kincaid hype continues - Dawson Knox sat out with a finger injury. Still, his role in the Bills' offense might not have much of an impact on Dalton Kincaid's rise to prominence in Buffalo since the two are almost playing different positions. The rookie was a near full-time player with the starting unit Saturday, catching one pass from Josh Allen and finishing the day with three receptions for 45 yards. If you're going with a late-round tight end approach, Kincaid should be at the top of that list.Mingo will be a factor in Year 1 - The second-rounder getting starter snaps for the second straight week is very encouraging for his rookie season fantasy outlook. Jonathan Mingo appears to be behind veterans D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen when the team goes to two-tight end sets, but Mingo has the highest ceiling of that trio. The 22-year-old should only see his target share grow as the season progresses and his chemistry with fellow rookie Bryce Young develops. He's an intriguing late-round stash.Bengals' No. 2 RB battle - Though none of the Bengals' backup running backs have looked particularly impressive in the preseason, it seems like Chris Evans is ahead of rookie Chase Brown on the depth chart. Beat writers have indicated this has been the case in practice, with some suggesting Evans could have a passing-down role alongside Joe Mixon to start the season. Unless Trayveon Williams can return from his mid-ankle sprain and retake that spot or the team signs a veteran free agent before Week 1, Evans will be a sneaky stash in deep leagues.Wilson earns starting job - Third-round rookie Michael Wilson is firmly entrenched as a starting receiver in Arizona across from Marquise Brown. That's great news for the first-year wideout, but it's safe to question how many pass-catchers will be effective with Kyler Murray sidelined for the opening month or two. Rondale Moore appears to have won the slot role and could outproduce Wilson as more of a short to intermediate target.Dulcich concerns growing - After playing behind Adam Trautman in the first preseason game, Greg Dulcich continued to operate in that role the following week. It's possible Dulcich can have fantasy production from that spot, but it's a major hit to his breakout potential. He'll move down my rankings in the next update.New injuries to monitor - Commanders WR Terry McLaurin, Dolphins RB De'Von Achane, Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard, Jets RB Israel Abanikanda, Titans WR Kyle Philips, 49ers WR Danny Gray, Dolphins QB Skyler Thompson, Buccaneers QB John WolfordOther preseason standouts who caught my eye this week - Falcons WR Drake London, Commanders WR Jahan Dotson, Commanders QB Sam Howell, Ravens WR Zay Flowers, Texans WR Nico Collins, Bears RB Roschon Johnson, 49ers QB Brock Purdy, Steelers QB Kenny PickettDeeper rookie standouts who caught my eye this week - Buccaneers RB Sean Tucker, Buccaneers WR Trey Palmer, Browns WR Cedric Tillman, Bengals WR Andrei Iosivas, Giants RB Eric Gray, 49ers WR Ronnie Bell, Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Raiders QB Aidan O'Connell, Eagles QB Tanner McKee, Bills WR Justin Shorter, Buccaneers WR Rakim Jarrett, Packers RB Emanuel Wilson, Dolphins RB Chris BrooksCopyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone discusses his biggest takeaways from the second week of preseason games.

We're almost there, football fans. In one week, the preseason will have wrapped and the next NFL game will count.It's hard to make any grand proclamations or predictions based on the preseason, but it does provide a first look at rookies with their new teams. Last week, we evaluated the top rookie receivers. It's now time for the rookie quarterbacks.Three first-round rookies are slated to start in Week 1, meaning others will have to wait for their chance as the season goes on.Rookie with most regular-season passing yardsPlayer OddsBryce Young-110C.J. Stroud+120Anthony Richardson+1000Will Levis+5000Clayton Tune+10000Hendon Hooker+10000Stetson Bennett+10000Odds via theScore BetBryce Young is the favorite to throw for the most yards after putting up eye-popping numbers in college. He also has the second-best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at +500 - behind only running back Bijan Robinson (+290) - and will be well-positioned if his college success immediately translates to the next level.The Carolina Panthers will hope the trend of Alabama products becoming NFL franchise quarterbacks continues with Young - although the jury is still out on Mac Jones.Young's arm strength is undeniable. He threw for 3,328 yards as a junior in 2022. In 2021, he threw for 4,872 yards. He maintained a completion percentage of over 64% in both seasons. After enduring a miserable quarterback situation in consecutive seasons, Carolina needs Young to be its savior.Young started both preseason games for the Panthers, albeit while playing very few snaps. In the opener, he went 4-for-6 for 21 yards. He played two drives in the second game, completing 3 of 6 passes for 35 yards.Young's combination of speed and escapability separated him as a prospect. He hasn't had much of a chance to showcase that in the preseason, only carrying the ball once Friday for 1 yard.C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick, can give Ohio State some prestige if he emerges as a high-caliber NFL quarterback. Despite the Buckeyes' status as a college football powerhouse, their quarterbacks haven't found the same success as Alabama's, though rising star Justin Fields is beginning to put a knife in that trend.Stroud immediately took over as the Texans' starting quarterback. It may take some time to turn around the sinking ship in Houston, but Stroud illustrated an uncanny talent during his time at Ohio State.He threw for 3,688 yards last season and 4,435 the year before. Stroud combined to throw 85 touchdowns in 25 games over those two seasons.Like Young, Stroud played limited drives in both preseason games. He had a rough preseason debut, completing 2 of 4 passes with an interception and a sack. Stroud showed improvement in his second outing, though, going 7-for-12 for 60 yards against the Dolphins.The Colts selected Anthony Richardson at fourth overall but pit him against Gardner Minshew, who has starting experience, in an open competition before naming him their starter.Richardson emerged as a potential top draft pick last season when he threw for 2,549 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, the Florida product also threw nine interceptions. His raw talent is evident, although many draft evaluators were surprised he was drafted as high as he was.In the preseason opener, Richardson threw for 67 yards on 7-for-12 passing and an interception in one quarter of action. Richardson sat the Colts' second preseason game.His long odds and college stats prove Richardson isn't the talent that Young or Stroud is. Despite oddsmakers giving him much longer odds than Stroud to throw for the most yards, he has the third-best odds to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at +650. Stroud has the fifth-best odds at +900.The rest of the quarterbacks on the list aren't long shots because of their skillset, but because none are scheduled to start Week 1. While some could eventually earn the starting job as the season progresses, the chances they'd catch the top three guys in passing yards with a massive head start are slim to none.Will Levis was the next quarterback taken off the board this past draft. He fell out of the first round, but the Titans grabbed him with the 33rd pick. Ryan Tannehill remains the starter in Tennessee. Levis is competing with Malik Willis for the backup job, so it might be some time before he gets the chance to prove all the teams that passed on him wrong.Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins could miss time in the first month of the season after suffering a leg injury, sources told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.The 25-year-old Jenkins was briefly absent earlier in training camp with an undisclosed ailment. He didn't play in the Bears' second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.Jenkins shifted from right guard to become the Bears' starting left guard after they signed Nate Davis.Jenkins has been hampered by injuries since being selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in only six games in his rookie campaign due to back surgery and missed the second half of last season because of hip and stinger ailments. Overall, Jenkins has only played 100% of the offensive snaps in six of a possible 34 contests.Former first-round pick Alex Leatherwood, Ja'Tyre Carter, Logan Stenberg, Dieter Eiselen, and Gabriel Houy round out the Bears' depth chart at guard.Chicago kicks off its season Sept. 10 against the Green Bay Packers.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After he was found not guilty in an aggravated menacing case last week, Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon is opting not to speak to several media members from here on out.In his first media availability since being cleared of charges, Mixon refused to speak with reporters following Sunday's practice and said he wouldn't talk with specific media members from ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Network, and The Cincinnati Enquirer, according to ESPN's Ben Baby."It's not happening," Mixon said in a brief exchange before heading to the team's locker room, Baby reports.The 27-year-old tailback cited disrespectful behavior as his reason for spurning certain reporters.Peter Schaffer, Mixon's agent, shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, asserting that Baby was part of the problem."You know exactly why we don't talk to you," Schaffer tweeted. "You consistently look for the negative and always are putting the players down. We have given you ample chances to correct the situation, and you refuse. You made your bed, now sleep in it. Don't tweet to people that you don't know why."Mixon was accused of pointing a firearm at a woman on Jan. 21 in Cincinnati, the day before the Bengals' playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. A judge acquitted Mixon of the misdemeanor aggravated menacing charge last Thursday following a four-day bench trial.However, the former Oklahoma product is facing another legal issue. Mixon's sister and her boyfriend were indicted in March after shots were reportedly fired from Mixon's property at neighborhood teenagers. Mixon was named in a lawsuit filed by the parents of a 16-year-old who was shot in the foot. The civil action accuses Mixon of being negligent.Cincinnati negotiated a restructured deal with Mixon that reduced his salary in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, per Over the Cap.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed confidence in Zach Wilson leading the franchise when he's done in New York."I think we're gonna be competitive here for a long time. I'd like to be able to play a few good years here and then hand it right back off to Zach (Wilson) and let him go for the next 15," Rodgers told Otis Livingston of CBS Sports. "It'd be a really special 18-20-year run of great quarterback play."Wilson has started the Jets' first three preseason games, completing 26 passes for 258 yards and one touchdown. The BYU product had a highlight-reel play Saturday, spinning out of the pocket to avoid a defender before picking up a huge gain with his legs.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will start in the team's final preseason game on Aug. 26 against the New York Giants, a source told Brian Coz of the New York Post.Head coach Robert Saleh said after Saturday's contest versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he'd speak with Rodgers about potentially playing against the Giants, per Coz."I wouldn't mind playing in the preseason," Rodgers said early in training camp. "I wouldn't mind if Robert (Saleh) said, 'Hey, we are going to go. Let's do it.' Most coaches have that fear where they want to get you to the Week 1 and not risk it, but I believe there is a chance for the last one."Rodgers spent the previous 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before the Jets acquired him in a trade this offseason. The four-time MVP has a 147-75-1 record in 223 career starts.The Jets open their season on Sept. 11 against the Buffalo Bills.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is in no rush to name a starting quarterback."We don't have a timetable on it," Bowles said, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN. "We'll name it when we name it. We feel comfortable with where we're at, so we'll go from there."Baker Mayfield didn't play in the Bucs' second preseason game against the New York Jets. Quarterback Kyle Trask got the start, completing 20 passes for 218 yards and one touchdown.The original plan was for Mayfield to come in after Trask, but Bowles made a last-minute decision to sit Mayfield for the entire game, according to Laine. Bowles said he wanted to see Trask run the two-minute drill at the end of the first half.John Wolford played in the third quarter, but Trask re-entered the game after Wolford suffered a neck injury.Mayfield got the start in the Bucs' first preseason contest, throwing for 63 yards and a touchdown on eight completions. However, Bowles indicated he'd factor in the passers' practice reps, as well as their game performances into his decision.Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans said earlier in the week that he wants to know "soon" who the starter will be so the quarterback can take control of the offense, per Laine. Bowles, on the other hand, isn't concerned about continuity."They've had it all camp; they've had it all spring," Bowles said. "We don't worry about the continuity part - everybody has gotten plenty of reps together. Two weeks will be fine for us."Mayfield and Trask are both expected to play in the team's final preseason game, Laine adds. Tampa Bay kicks off its season Sept. 10 against the Minnesota Vikings.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Myles Jack has informed the team he plans to retire after playing seven seasons, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.Jack signed a one-year deal with Philadelphia in early August after being released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in March. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $16-million deal with Pittsburgh in 2022.Philadelphia now has Nakobe Dean, Zach Cunningham, Christian Elliss, Nicholas Morrow, Ben VanSumeren, and Tyreek Maddox-Williams left on its linebacker depth chart.The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up in the second round to select Jack with the 36th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Jack was touted as a potential top-10 selection but slipped in the draft due to a knee injury.Jack spent six seasons with the Jaguars and was a key player on the team's 2017 AFC Championship squad. Jacksonville signed Jack to a four-year, $57-million contract extension in 2019 before releasing him three years later.The UCLA product finishes his career with 617 tackles in 103 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are two games to go in Week 2 of the preseason. After a huge Saturday slate, the NFL scheduled two prime-time games to wrap up the weekend - one on Sunday and one on Monday night.Let's dive into the matchups, odds, and what to watch for.Sunday (7:05 p.m.), Saints @ Chargers (+3), O/U 37.5The Saints opted to start newly-acquired quarterback Derek Carr in their preseason opener against the Chiefs. He gave Saints fans a brief glimpse of his efficiency, completing six of eight passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.Justin Herbert, on the other hand, didn't see the field for the Chargers in Week 1 and likely won't on Sunday, either. Backup Easton Stick threw for over 100 yards and a touchdown in a dominant win over the Rams.Rookie wideout Quentin Johnston showed why he was first-round worthy, hauling in a touchdown just before halftime.It's fair to expect Stick and Johnston to play a couple of drives on Sunday.As for the Saints, coach Dennis Allen hasn't announced his plans but is expected to start Carr again, with Jameis Winston coming in for relief. For a preseason game, that's an elite quarterback tandem. I'd lean toward laying the points with the Saints on the road and expect them to improve to 2-0 in the preseason.Pick: Saints -3Monday (8 p.m.), Ravens @ Commanders (+3), O/U 38.5The record-breaking, rule-defying, improbable streak continues. The Ravens narrowly escaped the Eagles last weekend, 20-19, to win their 24th straight preseason game.It's a streak that means nothing but is so random and so remarkable that people care. The Commanders are the next challengers, hoping to play spoiler.The DMV matchup is set for prime time Monday night on ESPN as a standalone game.While the Ravens' streak is a fascinating storyline, the Commanders' roster faces some pressing questions.Second-year quarterback Sam Howell started the preseason opener and played three drives. Earlier this week, coach Ron Rivera refused to officially name Howell the starter, but the team made it official on Friday.Jacoby Brissett is the backup. Howell was 9-for-12 for 77 yards in the opener, while Brissett was 6-for-10 for 75 yards. Both quarterbacks will likely play a few drives Monday.The Commanders' running back battle is intriguing, with Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson splitting first-team reps in the preseason opener. As that competition plays out, both backs should get early opportunities against the Ravens.Expect Lamar Jackson to sit for the second straight preseason game, along with most of the Ravens' starters. The Commanders have more questions on their roster than the Ravens, so preseason reps matter more to Washington.That could lead to the Commanders finally snapping the Ravens' unprecedented win streak. I'm not willing to take Washington on the moneyline, but for the second straight week, I'm fading the Ravens against the spread.Pick: Commanders +3Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After playing in the Packers' first two preseason games, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is excited for the campaign to start."I'm definitely ready for Week 1 and carry on throughout the season," Love said, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I think these first two games, we did a lot of good work, getting the practice in with Cincinnati and the Patriots as well."Love has played well in the preseason, completing 12 passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns. In the first quarter of Saturday night's contest, Love stepped up in the pocket and threw a solid 19-yard pass to rookie wide receiver Jayden Reed for a score.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is excited for the return of star running back Jonathan Taylor and wants to put the differences between the two sides in the past."We're excited to have Jonathan Taylor back," Irsay said Saturday during the Colts-Bears preseason game, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "I know these things are always difficult. I respect any time people are trying to fight for their position for their families and all those things, and I've been around it so long that the biggest thing that I preach is timing is everything. We're really looking forward to him playing his way into being the Jonathan Taylor he was."And we're really excited to have him, and we want to do everything we can to support him and embrace him as a Colt, 'cause he's a great young man. I can't say enough about him and his family. Look, you have these problems, you know how it is. You never go in with no problems at all. These days you hope you have less contractual problems because the way the CBA is, and they work a lot of things through. But you have them, and I know (general manager) Chris Ballard is going to work hard to try to get the waters as calm as they can and go forward."Taylor, who left the team to attend to a personal matter last week, is expected to rejoin the team on Sunday, according to IndyStar's Joel A. Erickson. Colts head coach Shane Steichen is unsure if Taylor will participate in practice. The former All-Pro halfback previous left the team to focus on rehabbing his ankle before returning to the team facility.The NFL's 2021 rushing champion has missed all of training camp while on the Colts' physically unable to perform list due to a high-ankle sprain that he sustained during his 2022 campaign. Taylor underwent surgery in January to address the ailment.Irsay's comments are the first from the team owner on the subject since he held a private meeting with Taylor on his luxury bus nearly a month ago. The meeting took place on the same night that Taylor publicly requested a trade amid stalled negotiations on a contract extension. The 24-year-old tailback is entering the final year of his rookie contract that will see him earn $4.3 million, per Over the Cap. Taylor is looking for a new deal similar to those negotiated for teammates Quenton Nelson, Shaquille Leonard, and Braden Smith.Ballard has been adamant that Taylor's health has been the issue keeping off the field and that he needs to be completely healthy before anything is done.The Wisconsin product has rushed for 3,841 yards and 33 touchdowns with a 5.1 rushing yards per attempt average.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has drawn satirical criticism from Snoop Dogg, Will Ferrell, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after going viral earlier this week.After the Seahawks posted highlights of Carroll embarrassing the team's defense during practice sessions Thursday, the head coach shared the trio's joking responses.

New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham experienced a medical episode Friday night that a team doctor "believes to be a likely seizure."

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore staff took part in a 12-team, 12-round mock fantasy draft to offer some insight on what to watch for in each round.This is a half PPR (point per reception) scoring league with the following roster spots: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, FLEX, BN, BN, BN, BN. We omitted defenders and kickers, as they're normally selected in the final two rounds.Draft participants: Justin Boone, Brandon Wile, Dane Belbeck, Gianluca Nesci, Gordon Brunt, Navin Vaswani, Caitlyn Holroyd, Branden Deeg, Caio Miari, Dan Wilkins, Taylor Rohaly, Mike Dickson.Round 1PickPlayerTeam1Justin Jefferson (WR1)Boone2Ja'Marr Chase (WR2)Wile3Christian McCaffrey (RB1)Belbeck4Tyreek Hill (WR3)Nesci5Travis Kelce (TE1)Brunt6Austin Ekeler (RB2)Vaswani7Cooper Kupp (WR4)Holroyd8Bijan Robinson (RB3)Deeg9Stefon Diggs (WR5)Miari10Nick Chubb (RB4)Wilkins11Garrett Wilson (WR6)Rohaly12A.J. Brown (WR7)DicksonRound 1: There isn't anything overly notable to discuss from the first round, other than Garrett Wilson sneaking in as the sixth receiver taken. It's two WR spots higher than I have him ranked, but after a breakout rookie campaign and the addition of Aaron Rodgers, Wilson is on the verge of becoming the next superstar at the position. Would anyone be surprised if he's mentioned in the same breath as Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase by the end of this season?My pick: Like most of the opening-round picks here, I went with the chalk and took Jefferson first overall. The 24-year-old has had a storybook start to his NFL career and is the safest fantasy selection entering his fourth season.Round 2PickPlayerTeam13Saquon Barkley (RB5)Dickson14Tony Pollard (RB6)Rohaly15Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR8)Wilkins16CeeDee Lamb (WR9)Miari17Davante Adams (WR10)Deeg18Derrick Henry (RB7)Holroyd19Jaylen Waddle (WR11)Vaswani20Patrick Mahomes (QB1)Brunt21Jonathan Taylor (RB8)Nesci22Chris Olave (WR12)Belbeck23Jalen Hurts (QB2)Wile24Calvin Ridley (WR13)BooneRound 2: Tony Pollard continues to be a first-round value who's consistently available outside the top 12. Enjoy it while it lasts, because if this draft is any indication, his ADP could creep into the late first before the season arrives.My pick: There's a lot of risk in investing in a player who's missed most of the last two seasons with injuries and a gambling suspension. However, to Calvin Ridley's credit, he's returned in peak form and is already establishing himself as Trevor Lawrence's No. 1 receiver. While his ADP on some platforms says he's going in the early fourth round, we can assure you the training camp hype is pushing his value much higher.Round 3PickPlayerTeam25Jahmyr Gibbs (RB9)Boone26DeVonta Smith (WR14)Wile27Josh Jacobs (RB10)Belbeck28Josh Allen (QB3)Nesci29DK Metcalf (WR15)Brunt30Tee Higgins (WR16)Vaswani31Mark Andrews (TE2)Holroyd32Lamar Jackson (QB4)Deeg33Deebo Samuel (WR17)Miari34Amari Cooper (WR18)Wilkins35Aaron Jones (RB11)Rohaly36Keenan Allen (WR19)DicksonRound 3: There are some very interesting builds shaping up through three rounds, with Team Wile, Team Brunt, and Team Miari steering away from running backs. While you'd always prefer to be the only team waiting at a specific position, plenty of talented ball carriers are still available since only 11 have been selected so far.My pick: I was close to joining the RB-less teams, with Josh Allen, Mark Andrews, and DeVonta Smith all being considered as potential options at 3.01. In the end, I went with a more balanced approach and bet on the upside of rookie Jahmyr Gibbs. Early-first-round running backs have a strong history of Year 1 production. The 12th-overall pick in this year's draft will be the next success story, propelled by his usage as a receiving threat out of the Lions' backfield.Round 4PickPlayerTeam37Travis Etienne (RB12)Dickson38Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR20)Rohaly39Najee Harris (RB13)Wilkins40Joe Mixon (RB14)Miari41Breece Hall (RB15)Deeg42Rhamondre Stevenson (RB16)Holroyd43Jerry Jeudy (WR21)Vaswani44Christian Watson (WR22)Brunt45DJ Moore (WR23)Nesci46Mike Williams (WR24)Belbeck47Alexander Mattison (RB17)Wile48Brandon Aiyuk (WR25)BooneRound 4: Team Wile and Team Miari found their RB1s in this round, snagging a pair of worthwhile options in Joe Mixon and Alexander Mattison. That leaves Team Brunt as the only roster on a zero-RB trajectory.The real story in the fourth round was Jaxon Smith-Njigba being selected 38th overall, which looks like a massive reach. It's possible the first-rounder could emerge as the next star rookie wideout, but volume could be an issue in a receiving corps that already features DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. This is at least one round, and maybe two, earlier than you'll need to take him in most drafts.My pick: Going with a quarterback in this range was a difficult decision, but based on where we're picking, we likely won't have a shot at anyone from the current QB tier if we don't act now. From Week 5 on last year, Justin Fields was on par with the elite fantasy quarterbacks, averaging the third-most FPPG (24.1). Even if he can't match his impressive rushing numbers from 2022, the addition of wideout DJ Moore will help elevate the Bears' passing attack and keep Fields as a weekly difference-maker in fantasy.Round 5PickPlayerTeam49Justin Fields (QB5)Boone50Kenneth Walker (RB18)Wile51Terry McLaurin (WR26)Belbeck52Miles Sanders (RB19)Nesci53Cam Akers (RB20)Brunt54J.K. Dobbins (RB21)Vaswani55DeAndre Hopkins (WR27)Holroyd56Drake London (WR28)Deeg57T.J. Hockenson (TE3)Miari58Kyle Pitts (TE4)Wilkins59Justin Herbert (QB6)Rohaly60Christian Kirk (WR29)DicksonRound 5: Team Brunt finally broke the running back seal by drafting Cam Akers. Though Akers isn't without flaws, his performance in the second half of last season provides hope he can get his career back on track. Over the last eight games, the 24-year-old averaged the eighth-most fantasy points among RBs and posted four straight outings with at least 100 yards from scrimmage. If he maintains that kind of usage, Akers will be a smash in this spot.My pick: Another draft and another share of Brandon Aiyuk. It shouldn't be a shock that I continue to select one of my favorite players, but it's also understandable if people are sick of hearing me sing Aiyuk's praises. Just note, getting him as your WR3 is the perfect scenario.Round 6PickPlayerTeam61Darren Waller (TE5)Dickson62Zay Flowers (WR30)Rohaly63Dameon Pierce (RB22)Wilkins64D'Andre Swift (RB23)Miari65Dallas Goedert (TE6)Deeg66Chris Godwin (WR31)Holroyd67Joe Burrow (QB7)Vaswani68James Conner (RB24)Brunt69George Kittle (TE7)Nesci70Javonte Williams (RB25)Belbeck71Diontae Johnson (WR32)Wile72Alvin Kamara (RB26)BooneRound 6: George Kittle has been sidelined with an adductor strain, which must be why he's fallen behind the likes of Kyle Pitts, Darren Waller, and Dallas Goedert. While all three of those tight ends are strong fantasy starters, you're rarely going to see Kittle drafted as the TE7. A nice steal for Team Nesci.My pick: With just one running back on my roster after five rounds, we need to make up ground at the position. Alvin Kamara's ADP is on the rise after he received just a three-game ban, but he still stayed on the board until the end of the sixth in this draft. With the short suspension and him apparently looking more explosive in practice this year, he's an incredible value in this range.Round 7PickPlayerTeam73James Cook (RB27)Boone74Marquise Brown (WR33)Wile75Trevor Lawrence (QB8)Belbeck76Tyler Lockett (WR34)Nesci77Mike Evans (WR35)Brunt78Rachaad White (RB28)Vaswani79David Montgomery (RB29)Holroyd80Khalil Herbert (RB30)Deeg81George Pickens (WR36)Miari82Rashod Bateman (WR37)Wilkins83Elijah Moore (WR38)Rohaly84Jahan Dotson (WR39)DicksonRound 7: The seventh and eighth rounds have become one of my favorite stretches this year thanks to all the value that remains on the board in the form of upside young players and underrated veterans. Every running back and receiver selected in this frame has a path to a top-24 fantasy season at their position.My pick: We continue to fill out our RB depth chart with a breakout candidate in James Cook. The Bills' lead back is another ADP riser over the last few weeks after a strong showing in training camp and a steady drumbeat about his involvement in the offense. There are still concerns about his TD ceiling with Josh Allen, Damien Harris, and Latavius Murray possibly vulturing goal-line carries, but that's all baked into his current draft price.Round 8PickPlayerTeam85Isiah Pacheco (RB31)Dickson86Zach Charbonnet (RB32)Rohaly87Kadarius Toney (WR40)Wilkins88Dalvin Cook (RB33)Miari89Gabe Davis (WR41)Deeg90Michael Pittman (WR42)Holroyd91Brandin Cooks (WR43)Vaswani92Skyy Moore (WR44)Brunt93Jordan Addison (WR45)Nesci94Michael Thomas (WR46)Belbeck95AJ Dillon (RB34)Wile96Quentin Johnston (WR47)BooneRound 8: As we mentioned in the last round, the eye-popping values continue well into the eighth. Seeing Isiah Pacheco drop to this point was odd considering his ADP is almost a full round earlier. The fact that he's been rehabbing from offseason surgery might have made people forget what he accomplished down the stretch in 2022. Pacheco had at least 80 yards from scrimmage and/or a touchdown in his last nine regular-season outings. He's a great value as the 31st running back taken.My pick: Sadly, none of the players I was targeting fell to me at the end of the eighth round. But when in doubt, aim for upside, and a first-round rookie receiver attached to a franchise quarterback like Justin Herbert fits that description. Quentin Johnston is one Keenan Allen or Mike Williams injury away from vastly outproducing his ADP.Round 9PickPlayerTeam97Treylon Burks (WR48)Boone98Antonio Gibson (RB35)Wile99Courtland Sutton (WR49)Belbeck100Brian Robinson (RB36)Nesci101Devon Achane (RB37)Brunt102David Njoku (TE8)Vaswani103Anthony Richardson (QB9)Holroyd104Odell Beckham (WR50)Deeg105Tyler Boyd (WR51)Miari106Rashaad Penny (RB38)Wilkins107Dalton Kincaid (TE9)Rohaly108JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR52)DicksonRound 9: Anthony Richardson in the ninth round could be a league-winning pick given his dual-threat skills. Team Holroyd also did a nice job pairing him with Michael Pittman, who she got one round earlier.My pick: The signing of DeAndre Hopkins mixed with an LCL sprain with a multi-week recovery timeline has pushed Treylon Burks down draft boards. With the option to take a luxury pick in the ninth, we'll stash Burks on our bench and hope he can get back to 100% health early in the season and continue his anticipated sophomore leap.Round 10PickPlayerTeam109Tua Tagovailoa (QB10)Dickson110Samaje Perine (RB39)Rohaly111Jameson Williams (WR53)Wilkins112Dak Prescott (QB11)Miari113Tank Bigsby (RB40)Deeg114Jamaal Williams (RB41)Holroyd115Jaylen Warren (RB42)Vaswani116Elijah Mitchell (RB43)Brunt117Kenneth Gainwell (RB44)Nesci118Evan Engram (TE10)Belbeck119Pat Freiermuth (TE11)Wile120Raheem Mostert (RB45)BooneRound 10: We've officially hit the high-upside backup running back phase of the draft, as seven ball carriers get their names called in this round. Every one of them offers weekly flex potential while also providing a significant ceiling if their starter gets hurt.My pick: Raheem Mostert is being overlooked in the Miami backfield and arguably should be selected a round or two before this. With the threat of Dalvin Cook gone, Mostert has as good of a chance as anyone to lead the Dolphins' backfield in fantasy production this year. He could also be a nice early-season flex option for me, while Kamara serves his suspension.Round 11PickPlayerTeam121Roschon Johnson (RB46)Boone122Nico Collins (WR54)Wile123Jerick McKinnon (RB47)Belbeck124Marvin Mims (WR55)Nesci125Jonathan Mingo (WR56)Brunt126Ezekiel Elliott (RB48)Vaswani127Allen Lazard (WR57)Holroyd128Damien Harris (RB49)Deeg129Rashee Rice (WR58)Miari130Jakobi Meyers (WR59)Wilkins131Michael Gallup (WR60)Rohaly132Tyler Allgeier (RB50)DicksonRound 11: Nico Collins and Jonathan Mingo stand out in this round as young receivers who could become No. 1 options in their passing attacks this year. Collins is already being billed as C.J. Stroud's top target in practice. Meanwhile, the second-round rookie Mingo is consistently running with the starting unit and only has D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen to beat out. Finding an impact fantasy wideout this late would be a big win for your fantasy roster.My pick: Non-first-round rookie running backs often don't hit their stride until the second half of the season. Roschon Johnson is likely heading in that direction, with Khalil Herbert and D'Onta Foreman handling more work in the opening month. If you're drafting Johnson, make sure you're ready to wait for him to return value - which we can do since he's the fifth RB on our roster.Round 12PickPlayerTeam133Aaron Rodgers (QB12)Dickson134Jerome Ford (RB51)Rohaly135Geno Smith (QB13)Wilkins136Tyjae Spears (RB52)Miari137Darnell Mooney (WR61)Deeg138Zamir White (RB53)Holroyd139Romeo Doubs (WR62)Vaswani140Jeff Wilson (RB54)Brunt141Zay Jones (WR63)Nesci142Devin Singletary (RB55)Belbeck143DJ Chark (WR64)Wile144Sam LaPorta (TE12)BooneRound 12: After bypassing the position early, Team Brunt did well to fill out his RB depth with Akers and James Conner as his starters, as well as De'Von Achane, Elijah Mitchell, and Jeff Wilson on his bench. Achane and Wilson give him two shots at hitting on Miami's lead back, while Mitchell when healthy has been a flex option even with Christian McCaffrey in town.My pick: Waiting on tight end can be a dangerous game. While veterans like Tyler Higbee or Dalton Schultz might have a higher floor, we're putting our chips down on Lions' rookie Sam LaPorta in hopes he can catch lightning in a bottle and turn into an immediate producer while Jameson Williams serves a six-game suspension. If that doesn't occur, we haven't taken on much risk and there'll be plenty of tight ends on the waiver wire to stream.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens signed three-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, the team announced Friday.Baltimore and the veteran linebacker are inking a one-year contract worth up to $6 million, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Ravens head coach John Harbaugh praised Clowney on Friday."He's a high-energy player," Harbaugh said. "He's a very physical player. He's a guy when he plays, he's kinda reckless with his body. He throws it around, he's heavy-handed, he's a power-rusher. He's a really good pass-rusher. I think he's a little underrated as a pass-rusher."Clowney was one of the top free agents at his position still available in the market. The former No. 1 overall pick, who recently visited the Jacksonville Jaguars, will add immediate depth and experience to a Ravens team that's been looking for help up front in recent years.Baltimore's pass rush also features 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh, 2022 second-round selection David Ojabo, and Tyus Bowser, who's currently dealing with a knee injury. Veteran Justin Houston, who led the Ravens with 9.5 sacks last year, recently signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers."I'm excited," Harbaugh said. "Jadeveon is a tough, hard-nosed, throws-his-body-around kind of player. We played against him so many times. We understand how he plays, and we're excited to have him. ... I think he's a good fit in this defense."Clowney spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, appearing in 26 games. The 30-year-old racked up just two sacks last season after amassing nine in 2021. He also finished 2022 with 28 tackles (four for loss), four QB hits, and one forced fumble.Though the South Carolina product has yet to record double-digit sacks in a single season throughout his career, he's been a solid run defender. Clowney was the 19th-best edge rusher against the run in 2022, according to PFF.Though Clowney earned three Pro Bowl berths across his first five NFL seasons, he hasn't fully met expectations after entering the league as the top prospect in the 2014 draft. The Ravens will be the fifth team of his NFL career, as he's also played for the Houston Texans (2014-18), Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020), and Browns (2021-22).Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht wants wide receiver Mike Evans to finish his career in Tampa."I can't see Mike playing anywhere else," Licht said, according to Dan Pompei of The Athletic. "I hope and think we can figure something out so he can retire a Buc. We want Mike to be here long term."Evans is set to enter the final year of a five-year, $82.5-million extension he signed in 2018. The 29-year-old has a $23.6-million cap hit in 2023, according to Over The Cap.The Buccaneers and Evans reportedly began negotiating a new contract in June. He's been with the team since Licht selected him seventh overall in the 2014 draft.The four-time Pro Bowler is the only wide receiver in NFL history to start his career with nine straight 1,000-yard seasons. He had 127 targets last campaign, his most in a single season since 2018."I expect him to get a lot of targets," Licht said. "His production could go up in terms of volume. I can tell these quarterbacks both really like Mike a lot."Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are competing for the starting quarterback job. Mayfield outplayed Trask in the first preseason game, throwing for 63 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions.Evans has 683 catches for 10,425 yards and 81 touchdowns in 137 career games.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and Stitcher.In this episode, Boone opens up the fantasy mailbag to answer your questions.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst says he isn't planning to move three-time Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari any time soon."First of all, we're not going to trade David," Gutekunst said Friday, according to USA TODAY's Ryan Wood. "So just get that out of the way."Bakhtiari, a former All-Pro, was seemingly recruited by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers on his Instagram story Thursday.Bakhtiari and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams were tagged alongside Rodgers' current teammate, Garrett Wilson, driving speculation that Bakhtiari could be on the move.

The Washington Commanders named Sam Howell their starting quarterback Friday.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone breaks down the best ways to approach your draft depending on where you're selecting in the order.Draft position

Week 2 of preseason means one thing: We're closer to meaningful football. With just three scheduled preseason games, the second week of exhibition games is often the most important for teams. More starters suit up and play longer than Week 1 or Week 3.But don't get too excited - much of the sloppy play and stale drives we saw the first weekend will repeat itself, with backups getting most of the workload.Here's the schedule for Friday's and Saturday's games, along with our best bets:Day (Time ET)Game (Spread)O/UFriday (7 p.m.)Panthers @ Giants (-3)38.5Friday(7:30 p.m.)Bengals @ Falcons (-6.5)38.5Saturday (1 p.m.)Jaguars @ Lions (+4)39.5Saturday (4 p.m.)Dolphins @ Texans (-3)39.5Saturday (6:30 p.m.)Bills @ Steelers (-2.5)42.5Saturday(7 p.m.)Bears @ Colts (-3.5)40.5Saturday(7:30 p.m.)Bucs @ Jets (-2.5)36.5Saturday(8p.m.)Chiefs @ Cardinals (+7.5)40.5Saturday(8p.m.)Patriots @ Packers (-3)36.5Saturday(8p.m.)Titans @ Vikings (+2)37.5Saturday (8:30 p.m.)Broncos @ 49ers (+4)38.5Saturday (9 p.m.)Raiders @ Rams (+3.5)39.5Saturday(10p.m.)Cowboys @ Seahawks (-7)40.5Odds via theScore BetCowboys @ Seahawks (-7), O/U 40.5Pete Carroll is one of the best active coaches against the spread in the preseason, moving to 27-19-1 after last week's 24-13 win over the Vikings. It shows Carroll prioritizes preseason more than most coaches. Now, that doesn't mean he gives his starters endless reps. In fact, it was mostly second-stringers who started the preseason opener.Backup quarterback Drew Lock threw for 191 yards on 24 attempts - a solid showing. He also threw two touchdowns and one interception. He got help from his receiving core, which featured rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who caught three passes for 25 yards.Preseason is a chance for young players to showcase their talents while veterans watch from the sideline. The Seahawks have youth at skill positions, along with their defense. It's why they outlasted the Vikings last week and will outlast the Cowboys on Saturday.The Cowboys sat their starters in the first preseason game, and the expectation is they'll do the same this weekend, at least their most impactful offensive players. Dallas is a veteran group at most offensive positions, so there's little value in risking injury by playing them in the preseason.It's hard to lay a touchdown spread in a preseason game, but considering I don't expect the Cowboys to play their starters and Lock proved what he's capable of in Week 1, it's worth taking the Seahawks.This game is also the second-highest total of the weekend. When the first half line comes out, which should be around 3.5, it's worth taking that, too.Pick: Seahawks -7Titans @ Vikings (+2.5), O/U 37.5Kirk Cousins didn't play in any preseason games last year, and it'd be a surprise if he plays in any this year, although he and head coach Kevin O'Connell haven't completely ruled it out.Without Cousins, the offense struggled against the Seahawks last week, only scoring 13 points. Nick Mullens took a majority of the snaps. He played well, as did backup running back Ty Chandler, who rushed for 41 yards and had 29 receiving yards. But the Vikings still failed to move the ball against the Seahawks' backups.Unless Cousins and the rest of the starters play, the Vikings will look similar to how they did last week. They host the Titans on Saturday, another team coming off a loss in the preseason opener.Ryan Tannehill didn't play in the 23-17 loss to the Bears. The Titans' defense struggled, but their offense looked good, with sophomore Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis assuming the majority of snaps. They combined for 246 yards and two interceptions, including a costly one by Levis late in the fourth quarter.Levis and Willis are competing for the backup job - and possibly the starting job eventually - so every opportunity they get is paramount.They each flashed their potential while also showcasing their youth. With one game down and now facing a weaker Vikings defense, I expect both quarterbacks to have better showings and lead the Titans to a road win.Pick: Titans -2.5Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on Twitter @soshtry for more betting coverage.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott isn't bothered by the team's two scuffles in practice Wednesday."That's a credit to everything that we've really put into this team and into both units - feeling like we're nobody's little brother," Prescott said Thursday, according to team reporter Patrik Walker. "I told the offense the other day that I grew up being a little brother, and that's not happening anymore."Prescott was adamant the recent fights haven't fractured the locker room, adding that "it's a pleasure to be able to practice with those guys, with that passion."Prescott said he agrees with head coach Mike McCarthy in not wanting to see punches exchanged among teammates but that he's also bought into the intensity of this year's squad."It's been 10 padded practices and a lot of time going against one another is what that is. It means you're ready to play somebody else," Prescott said. "You're ready to unleash your passion."The Cowboys will get their chance to do that in a preseason tilt against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday before opening the campaign on Sept. 10 against the New York Giants.Safety Jayron Kearse echoed a similar sentiment to Prescott on Wednesday, saying this year's Cowboys team "ain't taking shit from nobody.""We're trying to show we're the best in the business, so it gets spicy out here," Kearse added. "It's gonna get spicy on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays; whenever we line up, that's how we're gonna come."Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone breaks down the best ways to approach your draft depending on where you're selecting in the order.Draft position

Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead is hopeful that he'll be available for the team's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10.Armstead injured his right leg on the first play of team drills during a joint practice on Thursday with the Houston Texans, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. The 6-foot-5, 304-pound offensive lineman was carted back to the locker room. He was seen walking around with the aid of crutches after the practice session.The injury to the four-time Pro Bowler isn't believed to be serious, a source told Louis-Jacques. Armstead still needs further testing and evaluation to determine a recovery timetable.Armstead offered his own account of what led to his injury on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson hasn't given a second thought to the Jacksonville Jaguars passing on him in the 2022 NFL Draft."Nope," Hutcinson said with the Jaguars visiting the Lions for joint practice, according to MLive's Kyle Meinke. "I'm happy here. Very thankful. Very thankful. I mean, it all worked out. It was divine timing. The way things went were the way things were supposed to go."Jacksonville opted to select Travon Walker with the first overall pick. The decision allowed Detroit to keep the Michigan product in-state. Following a slow start, Hutchinson found rhythm on his way to 9.5 sacks to lead all rookies last season. He added 52 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three interceptions during his rookie campaign.Hutchinson finished as the runner-up for the league's Defensive Rookie of the Year behind New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.The second-year pass-rusher admitted that he wanted the Lions to select him leading up to the draft."The whole draft process, I wanted them to pick me," Hutchinson said.Expectations for the Lions are fairly high after the team finished with a 9-8 record, narrowly missing out on a playoff berth. Hutchinson believes that he's barely scratched the surface of his potential entering the 2023 season."I think the sky's the limit for me. I really feel that," he said.Hutchinson leads a deep pass-rushing group that features young contributors James Houston and Josh Paschal and tallied 39 sacks in 2022.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone breaks down the best ways to approach your draft depending on where you're selecting in the order.Draft position

The Baltimore Ravens are signing veteran cornerback Ronald Darby to a one-year deal worth up to $3.2 million, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The move comes a day after Ravens' three-time Pro Bowl corner Marlon Humphrey underwent foot surgery that'll reportedly sideline him for the start of the regular season. Head coach John Harbaugh didn't provide a timeline for Humphrey's return but said Wednesday that his recovery won't be a "long-term deal."Darby, one of the top free-agent cornerbacks still available in the market, played the last two seasons for the Denver Broncos. The 29-year-old battled injuries and appeared in just 16 games with Denver, including five last year.The Ravens will be the fifth team of Darby's career. The former second-round pick began his NFL journey with the Buffalo Bills (2015-16) before spending time with the Philadelphia Eagles (2017-19), Washington Commanders (2020), and Broncos (2021-22).The Florida State product, who's racked up 90 pass breakups and eight interceptions in 89 career appearances, had a career-high three picks in 2017. Darby also helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII that season, playing every defensive snap in the big game against the New England Patriots.Baltimore's cornerback depth chart also features Rock Ya-Sin, Arthur Maulet, and Jalyn Armour-Davis, among others. The trio has also been dealing with injuries, but Harbaugh recently said he expects all three corners to return soon.The Ravens kick off their 2023 regular season on Sept. 10 against a Houston Texans team that boasts an unproven passing attack led by rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Baltimore then visits the Joe Burrow-led Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets have been one of the NFL's most active teams this year, and they didn't have to go out of their way to pursue four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook to join them."When I came on my visit, I think I've pretty much seen everything I needed to see," Cook said Thursday during his first press conference with the team. "It was good vibes with the coaches, the players, everybody around the building."When you dig deep and look into the roster, I think all the pieces are put together. I think I can come help these guys. You look at the running back room with (Michael Carter), Breece (Hall), (Israel Abanikanda), all those guys, and me just adding to it, I think we can be something special."After spending his first six NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Cook agreed to join the Jets on Monday on a one-year deal reportedly worth up to $8.6 million. The 28-year-old specifically mentioned quarterback Aaron Rodgers - who arrived in a trade from the Green Bay Packers during the offseason - as one of the main reasons he signed with the AFC East club."I've been on the other side of that for the last six years. I couldn't be on the other side no more," Cook said in reference to his previous matchups against Rodgers as a member of the Vikings. "I got the chance to go join him, go help him win again. That was a big thing (for me) to come over here."Cook played a full regular season for the first time in his career in 2022. He finished the campaign with 1,173 rushing yards - his fourth straight 1,000-yard year - to go along with eight touchdowns on the ground. The Florida State product also caught 39 passes for 295 yards and two TDs.The 2017 second-round pick joins New York with 7,787 scrimmage yards and 52 total touchdowns in 73 career appearances.The Jets enter the 2023 season surrounded by sky-high expectations after flashing a lot of potential in 2022. Rodgers and Cook, among other additions, will join a New York team that boasted an elite defense last year and rosters several promising young players, including wide receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner.The Jets kick off the regular season at home against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 11. It'll be a special matchup for the Cook family, as Dalvin's brother, James, is one of Buffalo's top running backs.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was found not guilty on an aggravated menacing charge stemming from a road rage incident in January, according to ESPN's Ben Baby."Knowing the facts, knowing Joe as a person, and having tremendous faith in the legal system's ability to get to the truth, we had no doubt of the eventual outcome," Joe Mixon's agent, Peter Schaffer, said in a statement Thursday, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "This vindicates Joe as a person, and that is what's most important. Back to the business of football."The Cincinnati Police Department refiled a charge of aggravated menacing against Mixon in April. The 27-year-old faced a first-degree misdemeanor charge punishable by up to six months of jail time and a maximum $1,000 fine, according to James Rapien of Sports Illustrated.Mixon was accused of pointing a firearm at a woman on Jan. 21 in Cincinnati, the day before the Bengals' playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. Police issued a warrant for his arrest on Feb. 2, but the charge was initially dismissed the following day.The Bengals addressed the jury's decision in a statement Thursday."Since he joined the organization in 2017, Joe Mixon has been a valuable part of the Cincinnati Bengals," the statement read, according to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. "Joe has been a top-level running back with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons, and he has been an even better teammate enjoying real popularity among his peers. During the past seven years, Joe has been active with the community, and his constant smile and energy have made him a favorite among thousands of fans."The organization is pleased that this matter is now behind everyone, and we look forward to an exciting season with Joe being an important part of the football team."Mixon has spent his entire NFL career with the Bengals, who drafted him in the second round in 2017.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is content with the rushers on his roster despite missing out on Dalvin Cook."I'm very happy with our running back group," McDaniel said, according to Kevin Patra of NFL Network. "There's been a ton of development since camp started for already talented guys that I very much believe in. So overall, I'm really pumped with the running back group."Cook signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets earlier this week worth up to $8.6 million. The Dolphins negotiated with Cook but never got close to the contract he signed, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network.Miami ranked 27th in rushing yards per game last season and is bringing back the same group in 2023 with one addition. The club re-signed Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, Salvon Ahmed, and Myles Gaskin and drafted De'Von Achane in the third round.Achane tallied 1,298 scrimmage yards in his final season at Texas A&M and ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.Mostert led the team with 891 rushing yards last campaign but missed Miami's wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills with a thumb injury. Wilson was the Dolphins' rushing leader in their lone 2022 playoff contest, carrying the ball 10 times for 23 yards and one touchdown.Miami kicks off its season Sept. 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson says the offense is making significant progress heading into the season."The biggest thing is trying to get the ball to our playmakers' hands, in whatever way that is," Wilson said, according to team reporter John Riker. "We've got a lot of ways to do that. (Head) coach (Sean) Payton really knows how to do that and dial it up. I think that it's all coming together, and we're working our butts off."Payton's offense will be the third different system Wilson will run in as many years. Shane Waldron was his offensive coordinator in Seattle in 2021, and former Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett brought in his own system last season.Denver's offense ranked among the worst in the league in 2022, finishing 30th in points per drive and last in points per contest.Wilson played until midway through the second quarter in the Broncos' preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. Payton said he kept the starters in because he wanted the team to score before changing to the backups."We've gotten a lot of reps this offseason together here at practice and also off the field as well," Wilson said. "I think all the film study that we're doing together is really helping as well. I've gotten a lot of time with the guys. They can really make a lot of great plays, so it's really fun."Denver will get running back Javonte Williams back for its second preseason game on Aug. 19 against the San Francisco 49ers. This will be Williams' first game action since tearing his ACL in Week 4 last year.The Broncos open their regular season on Sept. 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers and Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby exchanged punches during Wednesday's joint practice.Akers was angry with Crosby chasing the tailback nearly 25 yards and attempting to strip the ball at the end of a play, according to the Los Angeles Times' Gary Klein. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Akers took umbrage with 6-foot-5, 255-pound Crosby for his effort.A skirmish ensued and both teams clashed before being separated. Akers and Crosby spent the remainder of practice on the sidelines."I didn't see exactly what happened when there was a little bit of a skirmish but, got it separated, it wasn't an issue and we were able to get everything that we wanted accomplished and that's the important thing," Rams coach Sean McVay said.When asked what led to the fracas, Crosby provided a straightforward response for his actions."S--t, I was just doing what I do, and he didn't like that," Crosby said, per NFL.com's Nick Shook. "So, he got what he got. It is what it is."While Akers wasn't made available to reporters after practice, he took to X, formerly known as Twitter, appearing to disagree with Crosby's account of what happened before the dustup."Somebody ask him what it was I got? Anybody with eyes saw what happened," Akers tweeted.Crosby might have stirred things up to spark life into what was, up until that point, a listless session for the Raiders."I was just doing what I do," he said.The Rams have garnered a reputation for fighting during joint practice sessions over the years. Ram star defensive tackle Aaron Donald swung his helmet during a practice brawl with the Cincinnati Bengals last year. However, fights between teams at joint sessions are now a common occurrence.McVay isn't happy about the melees, and the Rams coach is implementing a rule that any player at the center of a fight will be tossed from his practice.The Rams will host the Raiders in Week 2 of the preseason on Saturday.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks suffered an LCL sprain during practice Wednesday, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Burks, 23, is expected to only miss a few weeks.The 2022 first-rounder appeared to sustain the injury after making a deep catch against Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans, causing him to stumble to the ground, per the Associated Press. Burks was carted off the field for further examination.Teammates expressed immediate concern upon seeing Burks in obvious distress."You hate seeing that. ... Hopefully, he is going to be alright," quarterback Ryan Tannehill said, per team reporter Jim Wyatt."He is a big part of what we do as an offense and as a team, so obviously you want everything to be OK," safety Kevin Byard added.Burks is expected to have a bigger role on offense entering his second year in Tennessee. The Arkansas product is projected to be a key contributor alongside DeAndre Hopkins and Derrick Henry.The 6-foot-2, 225-pound wideout hauled in 33 catches for 444 yards and one touchdown as rookie in 2022.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is aiming for a more successful outing in his second preseason game after his team was shut out in his debut."We're competitors at the end of the day," Young said Wednesday, according to ESPN's David Newton. "There's no excuses for what's going on. For us, between the lines, we want to compete. We want to win. Things aren't always going to go as planned, but 100% every time we go out there, we want to score, we want to be successful.""It's on me to get the ball to the right guys in the right spots," he added.Head coach Frank Reich echoed Young's desire for more offensive success in the Panthers' matchup against the New York Giants on Friday."This isn't just Bryce, but (we need to) be better on third down, get our run game going a little bit. Just overall, on offense, we need to have a better outing," Reich said.Young completed 4 of 6 passes for 21 yards in a 27-0 loss to the New York Jets last Saturday. The 2023 first overall pick led Carolina to just one first down in the three series he played and finished 0-for-2 on third down. The Panthers were the only team in the league to be held scoreless in the first week of the preseason.Reich said Young will likely take the same total of snaps as he did last week, but he hopes the rookie passer will enable the offense to move the ball more, pick up first downs, and put points up on the board.The head coach also considers the matchup with Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, who employs a blitz-heavy scheme, a good challenge for Carolina's offense."If they're going to bring all pressures, which they probably will, they may get us on one or two, but somewhere along the line, we need to make some big plays," Reich said.The Panthers will need to find a spark on offense without receiver Terrace Marshall Jr., who's still under evaluation after being carted off the field with a back injury Monday. Running back Miles Sanders will also be sidelined and could miss the entire preseason as he continues to rehab a groin ailment.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers is aware of the New York Jets' offensive line issues but he doesn't think it's time to hit the panic button. At least not yet.Following a six-sack joint practice versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday, the superstar quarterback said his worry about New York's O-line is "pretty low," according to Rich Cimini of ESPN."I don't get concerned about things I don't have a huge role in - yet," Rodgers added. "That might change. At some point, I might say, 'Hey, I need the five who are going to be in there to be in there with me for a solid week,' but I don't think we're at that point ... because I don't think there are five guys that have earned those spots. So, I have some patience."The Jets' O-line also struggled during last week's practice against the Carolina Panthers, and head coach Robert Saleh voiced his thoughts in the latest episode of "Hard Knocks.""You can have a Hall of Fame quarterback. You can have two $10 million-plus receivers. You can have a reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. You can have all kinds of skill in the running back room. None of it f-----g matters until the big boys up front change who the f--k we are," Saleh said, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.On Wednesday, New York practiced without starting guards Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker, as well as left tackle Duane Brown. All three are dealing with injuries. Despite the absences, Rodgers liked what he saw at practice after the unit reportedly struggled Tuesday."I thought we played a lot better up front today," Rodgers said, according to NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "It's a work in progress."The Jets currently have an active position battle between centers Connor McGovern and Joe Tippmann, a second-round rookie. Max Mitchell and Billy Turner are also competing for the starting right tackle role. And, former first-round pick Mekhi Becton is practicing at left tackle."(Someone) asked a question about the continuity of the guys playing together, and I was thinking maybe we'd start to figure some of the stuff out," Rodgers said. "Obviously, it hasn't happened yet."There's jobs up for grabs. So that's the beauty in camp but also the struggle. In talking with a couple of the guys, we just need some continuity, I think, at some point, so guys can feel comfortable playing together."The Jets traded for Rodgers this year after struggling offensively and missing the playoffs last season. New York allowed 42 sacks in 2022 while starting three different quarterbacks.Copyright (C) 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Antonio Gates is officially being inducted into the Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame.The Chargers shared a video Wednesday announcing that the longtime tight end has been named a Hall of Fame inductee for the team in 2023. Gates' official ceremony will take place Dec. 10 during halftime of L.A.'s divisional matchup against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium.Gates got emotional during a team meeting after learning of his induction.