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Liam Coen To Aid Trevor Lawrence With Improved Run Game
Sunday, April 6, 2025 4:26 PM
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen recently told SiriusXM NFL Radio that he plans to aid quarterback Trevor Lawrence through the team's scheme and an improved run game in 2025. The new head coach intends to give his QB the "answers to the test." "Obviously, once we get into the building, some of the football aspects: the formations, the motions, the shifts," Coen said. "But for us to help him truly...man, we've got to be able to run the football a little bit better." Jacksonville has been in the bottom third of the league regarding yards on the ground per game over the last two seasons, and Lawrence hasn't been able to overcome the team's deficits on his own merit. It's possible all he needs is the right head coach, and Coen's offense in Tampa Bay was impressive in 2024 -- ranking fourth in points (29) and third in yards (393.2) per game. The Clemson product will be a cheap pick in drafts this summer.
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Vikings Have Lots Of Confidence In Jalen Nailor
Sunday, April 6, 2025 1:27 PM
The Minnesota Vikings don't know yet if wide receiver Jordan Addison will face a suspension in 2025 for a misdemeanor DUI citation in 2024, but if he ends up being suspended, the Vikings have expressed confidence in Jalen Nailor as a worthy short-term replacement, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. When Addison missed two full games and part of a third last year with an ankle injury, Nailor caught seven passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns and went on to set career-highs in catches (28), yards (414) and TDs (six) while appearing in a career-high 17 games. An Addison suspension to begin the 2025 campaign would make Nailor a much more intriguing sleeper pick in fantasy drafts this fall. "I think this is a massive, massive year for his career," O'Connell said. The former sixth-rounder in 2022 will be in a contract year in 2025.
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Julio Jones Announces Retirement
Friday, April 4, 2025 7:32 PM
Former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones has officially announced his retirement. The Alabama product had an incredible run as a Falcon, with whom he spent nine seasons before serving three consecutive one-year stints with the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Philadelphia Eagles. Jones tallied 914 receptions, 13,703 yards, and 66 touchdowns in 166 career games. The 35-year-old is the author of the third-highest single-season receiving yardage total of all time and ranks No. 16 on the all-time list of most receiving yards in a career. Jones was a spectacle on the field, with a rare blend of size, speed, and physicality that sought to give any defensive back fits. The former sixth-overall pick of the 2011 draft holds an excellent case for becoming a member of the Hall of Fame.
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Chargers Sign Trey Lance
Friday, April 4, 2025 7:16 PM
The Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to terms with free-agent quarterback Trey Lance on a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news. The North Dakota state product will join his third squad after the San Francisco 49ers selected him third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lance spent last season with the Cowboys and passed for 266 yards and one interception with no touchdowns in four games (one start). He added 41 yards on 11 rushes. He projects to compete with teammate Taylor Heinicke for the second-string QB job behind Justin Herbert. Due to injuries and inefficient play, the 24-year-old hasn't been afforded much playing time. However, his athletic, toolsy upside could give him a chance to unseat Heinicke as the QB2 in L.A.
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Miles Boykin Heading To Chicago
Thursday, April 3, 2025 8:00 PM
The Chicago Bears have reached an undisclosed agreement with veteran wide receiver Miles Boykin. Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team reported the news. The 28-year-old split last season on the practice squads of the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks, though he never made his way to the field. Boykin most recently contributed for the Steelers in 2023, appearing in 17 games, recording three catches for 17 yards on four targets. Though his playing time on offense was minuscule for Pittsburgh, he did play 316 snaps for the squad on special teams (70.07%). Boykin joins his fourth NFL team and will compete for the third WR spot behind returning starters DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. However, he'll likely serve as a special teams asset for Chicago.
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Tampa Bay Restructures Baker Mayfield's Deal
Thursday, April 3, 2025 7:26 PM
Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reworked quarterback Baker Mayfield's contract to free up cap space. The Bucs converted Mayfield's $30 million base salary to a roster bonus, freeing up nearly $15 million. The team also added a void year for proration purposes in 2029. Tampa Bay has been resourceful this offseason, moving money around for Mayfield in addition to offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. All in all, the Buccos saved $50.12 million over the next few seasons. It seems unlikely that the money moves are in anticipation of signing a big-ticket asset and more so for down the road. Mayfield is entering his third season with the squad and will look to build off his spectacular 2024.
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Chicago Signs Case Keenum To One-Year Deal
Thursday, April 3, 2025 7:13 PM
The Chicago Bears are signing former Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. Keenum spent the last two years as a Texan but missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a foot injury he suffered just before Week 1. Though he spent minimal time on the field over the prior two seasons (two appearances), the 37-year-old was reportedly a leader off the field and a mentor for young QB C.J. Stroud. He'll play a mentoring role again, in addition to potentially backing up second-year signal-caller Caleb Williams. Chicago has done an excellent job of addressing their team needs this offseason -- beefing up their offensive -- and they're doing right by their young QB. Things are looking up for Williams in his second season.
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Cardinals Making Trey McBride The Highest-Paid Tight End In NFL History
Thursday, April 3, 2025 4:43 PM
The Arizona Cardinals are making Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride the highest-paid tight end in NFL history with a four-year, $76 million contract extension on Thursday, according to his agents. The deal includes $43 million guaranteed and a $19 million average per year, which is the highest ever for any NFL tight end. The 25-year-old former second-rounder (55th overall) in 2022 out of Colorado State was a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024 while setting career-highs in receptions (111), targets (147), receiving yards (1,146) in 16 games. Despite only finding the end zone two times, McBride still finished as the TE2 in standard scoring in his third year in the league, with his 111 catches falling just one short of Brock Bowers' 112 for the league lead. He should score more in 2025 in his fourth year in the NFL, making him an elite TE1 target for fantasy managers.
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Raiders, Geno Smith Agree To Two-Year Extension
Thursday, April 3, 2025 4:07 PM
The Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Geno Smith agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension on Thursday to better compensate him for his play after the blockbuster trade this offseason in which they acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz is reporting that the deal is worth $85 million and includes $66.5 million guaranteed. The 34-year-old former second-rounder (39th overall) by the New York Jets in 2013 out of West Virginia has been a late-bloomer, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2022 and 2023 in Seattle. Smith threw for a career-high 4,320 yards with 21 TDs and 15 interceptions in 17 starts in 2024 and will reunite with head coach Pete Carroll in Vegas. He'll get to work with impressive young TE Brock Bowers, but his wide receiving corps will be a big downgrade from what he had in Seattle. Treat Smith as a QB2 target in fantasy in 2025.
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Joe Milton III Traded To Cowboys
Thursday, April 3, 2025 10:25 AM
The Dallas Cowboys are sending a fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for quarterback Joe Milton III and a seventh-round pick, according to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team. Milton has been in trade rumors all offseason long and is headed to Dallas to back up Dak Prescott now that Cooper Rush is with the Baltimore Ravens. Milton, a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee, flashed in his limited opportunity with New England as a rookie. In Week 18, the 25-year-old connected on 22 of his 29 passing attempts for 241 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He added 10 rushing yards and a score on the ground. While Milton still does not have a clear path to a starting role, he could be one of the top quarterbacks to stash in deep two-QB or Superflex leagues. Prescott has missed at least five games in three of his nine NFL seasons. Milton is arguably one of the most talented signal-callers in the NFL, but touch and accuracy have been a concern for the rocket-armed QB.
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