Veteran TE Marcedes Lewis is meeting with the Chicago Bears on Monday, intending to re-sign with the team. (Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lewis is entering his 19th NFL season this year, still kicking it as a veteran TE with run-blocking prowess and a locker-room presence. At his age (40), Lewis should not be expected to have much relevance in fantasy football, but he'll have a more impactful role for the actual team. The Bears also have TEs Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett.
Justin Fields took some reps with the first-string offense on the last day of voluntary OTAs on Thursday. (Source: Zachary Smith on X)
Fantasy Impact: Fields was already announced as the backup quarterback behind fellow new teammate Russell Wilson, but it looks like he's already creeping into the first-string rotation. Whether this move is merit-based or the Steelers are just giving Fields some first-string experience, it is worth monitoring as offseason workouts progress.
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst hopes to extend QB Jordan Love before training camp. (Source: Around the NFL on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: "We're looking forward to getting that done, but it never goes fast," Gutekunst said. Love is one of a number of quarterbacks seeking an extension.
CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys are reportedly expected to "speed up" contract negotiation talks. (Source: Josina Anderson on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This report comes on the same day Justin Jefferson received a four-year, $140 million extension from the Vikings to become the highest-paid non-quarterback. Lamb is set to enter the final year of his rookie deal with an extension likely coming soon for him. Dallas also has to work on new deals for Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons soon.
Mon, Jun 3rd 9:12am EDT
By Garrett Ball
Darren Waller is expected to make the decision on whether he will retire or continue playing by mandatory minicamp next week. (Source: Adam Schefter via X)
Fantasy Impact: Waller struggled in his first season with the Giants as their primary target as well as dealing with injuries. On top of that, off the field issues have plagued him, leading many to believe he has had enough and will step away from football in 2024.
Wed, May 29th 8:37pm EDT
By Ari Koslow
Braelon Allen is reportedly the "early favorite" to be the backup running back to Breece Hall in the Jets backfield. (Source: Zack Rosenblatt on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Allen has reportedly flashed as a receiver in camp and is already known for his ability as a blocker in pass protection. He should remain the favorite to backup Hall as the offseason progresses.
Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins was not present at the beginning of the team’s voluntary OTA program. (Source: Kelsey Conway on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The reason behind Higgins’ absence is pretty clear, as it’s likely tied to his desire for a second contract and his pending trade request. Higgins has yet to sign his franchise-tag tender or reach a long-term deal, the only one yet to do so this offseason. The saga will likely continue throughout the offseason, and once mandatory practices begin, his situation should be monitored heavily for its impact on fantasy in 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase was absent from the start of the team’s voluntary OTAs. (Source: Ben Baby on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This part of the offseason is voluntary, and there are multiple reasons Chase could be absent. Most often absences are related to contracts, and Chase is expected to get his contract extension at some point soon, but he has been candid about wanting to wait for former teammate WR Justin Jefferson to sign his potential market-resetting extension first. At this point in the offseason, his absence should be of little concern.
Tue, May 28th 1:23am EDT
By Ari Koslow
Giants beat reporter Art Stapeleton suggested Tommy DeVito looks a lot closer to QB2 than QB3 early in camp. (Source: Art Stapleton on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Stapleton added that it is still very early, but it is at least noteworthy. The Giants brought in Drew Lock this offseason who was likely considered to be the clear favorite to backup Daniel Jones, but it appears it could be some sort of competition between Lock and DeVito as the offseason progresses.
Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson believes he found the source of his hamstring injuries, a muscle imbalance between his two legs, and is working toward remedying that going forward. (Source: Rob Demovsky, ESPN)
Fantasy Impact: Watson's legs had a 20% imbalance in muscle mass, according to the results he found at the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine and Public Health. Watson has worked toward getting the difference between 8-10%. On top of increasing his leg strength, Watson has time to fully heal during the offseason, and after missing 11 games in his first two years because of his right hamstring, he looks to play in full in Year 3.
Micah Parsons is reportedly expected to report to Cowboys camp next Tuesday for in house and national media responsibilities. (Source: Jane Slater on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Parsons was absent from OTAs this week as he seeks a new contract entering the the fourth season in his rookie deal. This will remain a situation to monitor, though it is a positive sign Parsons is reporting next week.
Jets coach Robert Saleh says it's a "possibility" that Sauce Gardner will travel with the opposing WR1 this season. (Source: Rich Cimini on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Saleh added that it won't be "exclusive," but it could happen more than last season. Gardner remains one of the top corners in the NFL heading into this year, earning first-team All-Pro honors last season.
Veteran RB Christian McCaffrey was not present at the start of the San Francisco 49ers’ voluntary OTAs. (Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Considering they are voluntary workouts, it shouldn’t be seen as a major concern yet. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he did not know the reason McCaffrey wasn’t present. However, money is not likely to be the issue, as he is still on his large contract he was given by the Carolina Panthers.
Rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd got the team’s first reps at kick returner on Tuesday during voluntary OTAs. (Source: Andy Herman on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lloyd, known for his dynamism with the ball in his hands, would be able to operate as a kick returner in space with the league’s new rules. As well, DB Keisean Nixon, WR Dimitri Stanley, RB Josh Jacobs and WRJayden Reed got reps as a returner.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said the organization has been working "tirelessly" on getting a contract extension done with QB Trevor Lawrence. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: "I’ve just got to coach Trevor and coach football and hopefully it gets done — and it will,” Pederson said. This will be a situation to monitor as the offseason progresses.
Tank Bigsby is expected to play a "bigger role" this season as the Jaguars backup running back. (Source: Around the NFL on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Travis Etienne figures to remain in his clear lead role, but Bigsby has a chance to step into a larger role behind him. As a rookie, Bigsby saw just 50 carries with one reception as a receiver. He could be an enticing handcuff to roster for Etienne managers.
The 49ers reportedly remain focused on keeping Brandon Aiyuk and getting a long-term extension done. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The rumors of Aiyuk being traded from the NFL Draft appear to be off the table, at least as of now. San Francisco views him as a crucial piece of its offense as they look to come to an agreement on an extension. This will remain a situation to monitor throughout the remainder of the offseason.
Free agent wide receiver Zay Jones is scheduled to visit with the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Jones was cut by the Jaguars earlier this offseason coming off a season that was marred by injuries. He played in nine games and caught 34 of 64 targets for 321 yards. However, he had 82 catches, 823 yards and five touchdowns the season before. Jones has met with the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys and could provide a reliable but unspectacular boundary threat to whichever team he lands with.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is reportedly under investigation for allegedly hitting a photographer at a Dallas nightclub early Monday. (Source: Rachel Snyder, Rebecca Lopez, Joe Trahan, WFAA)
Fantasy Impact: Dallas police say they are investigating witnesses about the alleged nightclub assault, but not much more information is available at this time. Rice currently faces eight charges for a multi-car accident that occurred in Dallas in late March. There have been reports that Rice could face a multi-game suspension for the accident, but as these two situations work their way through the legal system, the NFL will likely be weighing things to determine whether or not Rice could miss regular season action in 2024.
Veteran WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling is scheduled to visit with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. (Source: Ari Meirov on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: The Chargers completely reset at WR this offseason, moving on from WRs Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. With a WR room of Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston and DJ Chark Jr. — and rookies Ladd McConkey, Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson — the Chargers could use further veteran help. Not much more should be expected from Valdes-Scantling beyond vertical field-stretching and occasional splash plays, but it's a role the team could use within a rotation if they sign together.
