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The New England Patriots tried to trade into the end of the first round of April's NFL draft for a wide receiver, according to multiple NFL sources, but they eventually settled on Washington's Ja'Lynn Polk at No. 37 early in the second round. Polk's toughness and relentless mentality reflected well on the culture that executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and first-year head coach Jerod Mayo hope to create. The 22-year-old's toughness and physicality have stood out since his days in high school. He caught 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns with the Huskies in 2023 and has a chance to carve out an immediate niche role in New England's receiving corps in his rookie season. Mayo referred to Polk as a "self-starter." Polk will probably go undrafted in most single-year fantasy leagues, but he's a name to watch in training camp this summer.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (lower half) missed some organized team activities and mandatory minicamp this offseason with an undisclosed "lower-half" injury, but Hall said it was out of precaution and he now feels "back to my old self." Hall was mostly rehabbing his torn left ACL last offseason and he admitted he returned a little tentative in 2023, but he still managed nearly 1,000 yards rushing and caught 76 passes for a league high 591 receiving yards in 17 games after quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury early in Week 1. The 23-year-old finished with 507 scrimmage yards in the final three games and is on the rise heading into 2024, especially with Rodgers now back healthy. In most fantasy formats, Hall is going to be the second RB off the board in drafts this fall after Christian McCaffrey.

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Los Angeles Chargers new head coach Jim Harbaugh named first-round rookie offensive lineman Joe Alt among the five offensive linemen that separated themselves during minicamp this offseason, likely solidifying Alt as the team's starting right tackle come Week 1 of the 2024 regular season. It's more of a formality for Alt, who was almost guaranteed to be a starter based on his draft pedigree alone, but having already been named a starter before the team was even in full pads indicates that Alt has made a positive impact in his first few weeks with the Chargers. "He's got all the right stuff," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. "He respects the veterans, guys that have done it before him; He's got a great demeanor about him, great work ethic, and he's the kind of guy you want in the foxhole with you."

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Dynasty | Early reports are indicating Drake Maye will not be the opening day starter in New England. Dynasty Analysis: New England is likely taking it slow with their new franchise quarterback as Jacoby Brissett took all the first team snaps in training camp. If anything, it seems Maye will need to earn the job through training camp. Regardless, his day is coming sooner rather than later and while there's still significant risk with him based on a poor supporting cast, he remains a solid dynasty asset moving forward.

Dynasty | Vikings rookie JJ McCarthy is reportedly unlikely to start on opening day. Dynasty Analysis: This is really no surprise to anyone following the Vikings this off-season. McCarthy has done nothing wrong, but Sam Darnold is just more NFL ready at the moment and Minnesota has playoff aspirations this year. McCarthy will likely make starts later in the season (earlier if Darnold struggles) but it seems Minnesota will take it slowly with their future franchise quarterback. McCarthy remains a solid early pick in Superflex leagues and a good third round selection in conventional formats this Summer.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas has put in extra work this offseason, hoping to be more productive in his second year in the National Football League. "I would say Andrei and Chase (Brown) made the fastest improvement of any players I've ever had in the program," said head coach Zac Taylor. "I've never had two players improve faster." The 24-year-old showed flashes of promise during the 2023-24 campaign, finishing the season with 15 catches for 116 yards and four touchdowns. With Tyler Boyd no longer in the equation and Tee Higgins uncertain to remain in Cincinnati beyond this season, Iosivas could find himself lining up opposite Ja'Marr Chase at some point in the near future. While he has a way to go before earning the trust of redraft fantasy participants, he's worth stashing in dynasty formats.

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San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk said he wants to stay with the team this season despite a contract stalemate with the Niners. Aiyuk is entering the final season of his rookie deal but told TMZ Sports at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday that he's ready to play for the 49ers although the two sides have yet to agree on an extension. In a video on TikTok this month, Aiyuk told Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, his former Arizona State teammate, that "they said they don't want me back." ESPN's Jeremy Fowler also reported that talks between Aiyuk and the Niners "have stalled a bit." He's slated to count $14.124 million against the 2024 salary cap. Coming off a 75-catch, 1,342-yard, seven touchdown season, Aiyuk should stick around in the Bay Area for at least this season and should be viewed as a low-end WR1 in fantasy.

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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson (Achilles) has recovered from an Achilles injury that caused him to miss his entire third season in 2023. McPhearson tore his Achilles in a preseason game last year against the Cleveland Browns. Before his injury, there was considerable buzz around the 26-year-old, who was getting a look at nickelback after two years primarily serving as a backup to starters Darius Slay and James Bradberry on the outside. "I'm 100 percent, man," McPhearson said. "It's been a long road to recovery, but I'm so thankful. Sitting out this year has just taught me so much, especially on the mental side of the game, allowing me to see the game from a different perspective." McPhearson appeared in 33 of a possible 34 regular-season games in his first two years in Philly and had 30 tackles (19 solo), one sack and two pass breakups.

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is hoping to reduce the workload of RB Christian McCaffrey during the upcoming season so that he can remain healthy and continue performing at a high level. In 2023, McCaffrey played a higher percentage of his team's offensive snaps than any other NFL running back, including every offensive snap in three regular-season contests and all but 11 snaps in their three playoff games.

Fantasy Spin: The 28-year-old McCaffrey won Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 and is coming off his first NFL rushing title, making him the most likely candidate to be selected with the top overall pick in 2024 fantasy leagues. RB Elijah Mitchell, who is the No. 2 running back on the Niners' depth chart, missed six games last season but could help lighten McCaffrey's workload this year if he can avoid the injury bug.

From TheHuddle

Dynasty | Jacoby Brissett looks to be the opening day starter for the Patriots. Dynasty Analysis: For now, at least. New England will eventually turn to Drake Maye but early reports are indicating Brissett is likely going to be the starter on opening day. Brissett could have some early season appeal in 2QB leagues but the journeyman won't have much room to flounder as his replacement waits in the wings.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Dynasty | At this point in time, Sam Darnold appears to be the QB1 in Minnesota. Dynasty Analysis: Of all the "rookie quarterback battles" (those are usually nothing more than fake competitions), this one seems pretty legitimate. JJ McCarthy still has some work to do and Darnold seems to be more than capable enough to hold down the fort until he's ready. Darnold clearly looks like he has one more chance to prove he's a starting quarterback in the league and while that may come in an early season audition for other teams while he keeps the seat warm for McCarthy, there is still dynasty value by having him on a roster.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Isaac Yiadom has impressed enough this offseason that he seems to have the early inside track on being the first corner on the field when the team needs more than their top two. The 49ers signed Yiadom in March to bolster the competition for the No. 3 cornerback job behind starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir. General manager John Lynch said that Yiadom reminded him of himself a little in that it took some time to get his feet under him, but once he did, things began to click. "Kind of just a mindset," Lynch said. "Stop doubting yourself, and let's go. And he was able to find that last season and have that belief in it, and it really flourished." The 28-year-old former third-round pick of the Broncos in 2018 out of Boston College has 158 tackles (113 solo), half a sack, two interceptions and 26 pass breakups in his six years in the league.

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ESPN's Sarah Barshop lists Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp as one of the team's most surprising offseason standouts, which even she admits is odd. Kupp, who was the 2021 receiving triple-crown winner, has played through significant injuries in each of the past two seasons. He finished 2023 with 59 catches for 737 yards and five touchdowns, his fewest receiving yards since 2018, when he played in only eight games. However, Kupp is healthy this offseason, and it showed on the practice field. Head coach Sean McVay said during organized team activities that he doesn't think "anyone really understands the amount of things [Kupp was] working through last season" with his injury and that the receiver has been able to build his body "from the ground up." Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting the 2021 version of Kupp anymore, especially with Puka Nacua in the fold, but if he's healthy, he can still deliver value as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy received a three-year, $52.5 million extension from the Browns less than a week after being acquired from the Denver Broncos in a trade this offseason. Jeudy didn't participate in the on-field portion of minicamp due to an undisclosed injury. He may not have been taking on-field reps during offseason practices, but he was at the facilities and has been seen as the receiver who could benefit the most from choice routes in offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey's scheme. Receivers coach Chad O'Shea said Jeudy has "made so much progress learning the offense" despite not getting on the field yet. The former first-rounder was a bust in his four years with Denver and will be the clear No. 2 behind Amari Cooper in Cleveland. He should see plenty of time in the slot and has a chance to bounce back with the Browns, but he's currently being drafted as more of a WR5/6 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

No NFL running back played a higher percentage of his team's offensive snaps last year than San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey. Elijah Mitchell, their top backup, missed six games in another injury-riddled season, and McCaffrey was simply too good to take off the field. CMC led the league with 1,459 rushing yards -- 292 more than the next best RB. His 21 TDs tied for the league lead and he also added 564 receiving yards, which ranked fourth on the 49ers. His 339 total touches were the second-most of his career. McCaffrey's efforts earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors and a two-year extension. The Niners would love a repeat performance in 2024, but perhaps with less wear and tear. A healthy Mitchell would help them accomplish that. "We have to protect Christian from himself. He doesn't like to ever come out no matter what the situation is and I do think that's something we could protect him with more," head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk appeared on The Pivot on Friday. Of course, the topic of his contract with the team was addressed. NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported a few days ago that both sides had a "good meeting." However, that may not be the case. "Throughout this process, there have been times when we're super close," Aiyuk said during the podcast interview. "There's days and times, like in the past month or so, where you could say we're pretty far apart." The wideout indicated that both sides were closer to an agreement when the negotiation process began. But recent deals for other wide receivers around the National Football League changed things. Aiyuk finished the 2023-24 campaign by amassing 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. He's also demonstrated his durability, missing just one regular season game in the last three years. The 26-year-old is entering the final season of his current deal, so his value to the other 31 teams in the NFL will increase if he continues to produce. Nonetheless, Aiyuk's fantasy stock is at an all-time high heading into the 2024-25 campaign, even though he'll share a field with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent CB Stephon Gilmore (Cowboys) seems to still be an option for the Dallas Cowboys, but it appears the team is not willing to match his asking price at this point, in the opinion of DallasCowboys.com's Nick Eatman.

From TheHuddle

Buffalo Bills WR Khalil Shakir may see increased targets from QB Josh Allen because he is the only receiver on the roster that has caught a pass from Allen in a regular season game, in the opinion of BillsWire's Nick Wojton.

Fantasy Spin: Shakir should be a regular contributor in the passing game for the Bills this season. He can be a late round pick in fantasy leagues but probably will not be a starting option most weeks.

From TheHuddle

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride enjoyed a solid season in 2023, hauling in 81 of his 106 targets for 825 yards and three touchdowns. He finished as the TE7 in PPR leagues, and he was the TE3 from Week 7 on after Zach Ertz was placed on Injured Reserve. However, Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing believes the best is ahead for the young tight end. "I certainly feel like he has another level that he can take his game to," Petzing said. "And we're gonna push him to try to get him there." The 24-year-old could enter the elite tier of fantasy tight ends in 2024, and many view him as the dynasty TE2 behind Sam LaPorta. McBride's ADP in 2024 FFPC best ball drafts places him as the third tight end off the board, and although he will compete for targets with Marvin Harrison Jr., he has overall TE1 upside.

From RotoBaller

The Baltimore Ravens signed free-agent wide receiver Keith Kirkwood on Friday, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Athletic. Kirkwood took part in mandatory minicamp on a tryout basis earlier this offseason and performed well enough to earn a roster spot ahead of training camp. The 2018 undrafted free agent out of Temple has played in 30 total games for the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints and has racked up 24 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns. He has also played significant special teams snaps during his career.

From RotoBaller