Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who had the franchise tag placed on him earlier this offseason for the 2024 campaign, has still not signed the tag and is not present for the start of mandatory minicamp this week. Because he's technically not under contract yet, Higgins will not be fined. The 25-year-old either wants to be traded or wants a new contract from Cincinnati. He officially asked for a trade in March but now expects to play for the Bengals in 2024. The former second-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson had the worst of his four seasons in the NFL last year, playing in only 12 games due to injury and finishing with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. A bounce-back should be coming if he can stay healthy in 2024, but Higgins' fantasy upside as a WR2/3 will continue to be capped as long as he's playing in the shadow of teammate and WR1 Ja'Marr Chase.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) said it's "tough to say" what percentage health-wise he is right now during mandatory minicamp in June, but he reiterated "I'll be ready to go by the season." Burrow said last week that he's fully cleared to do everything that doesn't involve contact this offseason as he recovers from surgery to fix a torn ligament in his right wrist. The 27-year-old resumed throwing in April and is putting most of his focus on his mechanics as he looks to bounce back in 2024. We'll continue to keep a close eye on Burrow's progress in training camp this summer, but as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, fantasy managers should consider him a solid midrange QB1 target in drafts with two of the better receivers in the game in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal in the air attack.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Tuesday that quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) is not at mandatory minicamp, an unexcused absence that is subject to fines. Saleh said it was for an event "important to him." In the grand scheme of things, Rodgers' absence isn't a huge deal, especially since he was present for all of the team's voluntary organized team activities leading up to minicamp. Still, it's a missed opportunity for him to develop more chemistry with his receivers after missing all of 2023 with a torn Achilles tendon. The 40-year-old resumed practicing with the team late last season and should be fully ready to go by Week 1 of the regular season this fall. Rodgers could have some big games here and there if he stays healthy in 2024, but for fantasy purposes, he's firmly in low-end QB2 territory coming off a serious injury.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets linebacker Haason Reddick, who the Jets acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason to fortify their pass rush, is not present at mandatory minicamp this week. It makes Reddick officially a holdout, but head coach Robert Saleh indicated he felt Reddick would show up eventually. The 29-year-old didn't take part in any voluntary organized team activities last month, either, as he seeks a new contract with just one year remaining on his current deal. The Jets expected Reddick to take part in their offseason program when they traded for him, but apparently he's had a change of heart. The former 13th overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals in 2017 out of Temple has been a Pro Bowler in each of the last two seasons and has double-digit sacks in each of the last four years.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) is throwing the football in 7-on-7 drills on the first day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, which is something he didn't do at voluntary organized team activities last month. It's a big step for Watson, who required surgery last November to fix a displaced glenoid fracture in his right shoulder. The 28-year-old has tangible QB1 upside when healthy, but he hasn't really been healthy since returning from a suspension that kept him out for all of 2021. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks, Watson should be a full-go for training camp this summer and be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. Because he's dealing with a unique injury to his throwing arm, Watson should be considered a QB2 in fantasy in 2024 with upside for more if he proves he's completely past the injury.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper, who is entering the final year of his current deal, is not present for mandatory minicamp this week, which means he'll be subject to fines each day he's not in attendance. The 29-year-old is officially holding out for a new extension, but it remains to be seen if his absence will extend into training camp at the end of July. Cooper had a career-high 1,250 receiving yards and 17.4 yards per catch to go with five touchdowns in 15 regular-season starts in 2023, but he'll be missing valuable time gaining chemistry with quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) if he continues his holdout into training camp. With Jerry Jeudy now in town, Cooper will have a bit more competition for targets in the passing game, potentially making him a more volatile low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (undisclosed) is sitting out of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday with a minor undisclosed injury. Jeudy's injury doesn't appear to be serious at all, but the Browns aren't going to push their new receiver this offseason. The 25-year-old should be ready to rock for training camp at the end of July, but meanwhile, he's missing valuable repetitions with quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) as he learns a new offense. Jeudy signed a lucrative three-year extension with Cleveland after being acquired in a trade with the Denver Broncos this offseason. The former 15th overall pick by Denver in 2020 out of Alabama has yet to play a full season in four years in the NFL and should be viewed as more of a WR4/5 with a low ceiling and floor in fantasy heading into his first campaign with the Jets behind Amari Cooper.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is a three-time Super Bowl Champion and nine-time Pro Bowler, and retirement rumors have picked up steam over the last two offseasons. However, the 34-year-old is not putting a timeline on the end of his career, and he signed a two-year extension this offseason. "I really can't put a timeframe on (retirement)," Kelce said. "I love coming to work every single day. I know there's opportunities for me outside of football. I'm going to keep going until the wheels fall off. Hopefully, that doesn't happen anytime soon." For what it's worth, Kelce sits over 3,000 yards shy of passing Tony Gonzalez for the most receiving yards ever by a tight end, so he could be chasing that mark. Kelce's 984 receiving yards in 2023 were his fewest in a single season since 2015, yet he still finished second among all tight ends. The future Hall-of-Famer and clear top-five tight end of all time could fall off a cliff in production at any moment, but for now, he remains an elite player at the position. All that said, he is no longer the consensus TE1 in fantasy football thanks to emerging pass-catchers like Sam LaPorta and Trey McBride.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets running back Breece Hall (lower body) remained out of practice on Tuesday as he works his way back from a lower-body injury. The 23-year-old has been working off to the side during the team's offseason activities, but head coach Robert Saleh suggested the injury is minor. It's too early to worry about his injury considering the 2024 season is roughly three months away, but his status is worth monitoring throughout the remainder of the offseason. Hall is in play to be the first running back selected after Christian McCaffrey in 2024 fantasy drafts following an RB4 finish in half-PPR leagues last year. Despite starting the year slowly due to a lingering knee injury, Hall rushed 223 times for 994 yards and five touchdowns and caught 76 passes for 591 yards and four scores. With Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) back in action this year, Hall should have more touchdown equity in his third pro campaign. If he struggles to stay healthy, rookie fourth-rounder Braelon Allen could see plenty of action behind him.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets wide receiver Mike Williams (knee) will likely be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list when teams are required to do so in late July, but head coach Robert Saleh said Williams is on a similar recovery timeframe as Breece Hall from last season, who was activated off the PUP list in mid-August. This is good news for the New York offense that desperately needs wide receiver help behind Garrett Wilson. Williams suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 of last season, meaning he could realistically be ready for Week 1. That said, it could take a few weeks for the former Chargers first-round pick to get into game shape. The 29-year-old has been an up-and-down fantasy option for most of his career, and it'll likely be more of the same in his first season with Gang Green. He's an attractive asset in best ball formats, but fantasy managers should expect down weeks in "start 'em, sit 'em" leagues.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) told reporters on Tuesday that he expects to be ready for the first day of training camp next month, and his previously torn right ACL feels "really good." The 27-year-old suffered the major injury in the Week 9 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, meaning he will have had over seven months to recover when training camp begins. Jones is heading into a make-or-break year after throwing just two touchdowns and six interceptions in six games last season. Although he has been disappointing in his NFL career thus far, he could prove to be a value at his current cost in Superflex drafts. The former Duke Blue Devil is going around the QB29 spot, and he can easily push for low-end QB2 production if his rushing upside isn't zapped by his knee injury. He rushed for 708 yards and seven touchdowns in his last full season (2022). If Jones has another disastrous campaign, the G-Men will likely replace him in the 2025 NFL Draft.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hamstring) is dealing with a minor hamstring injury and has been limited this offseason, but head coach Dave Canales said he expects the rookie first-rounder to be a full participant in training camp. Legette, who was selected with the No. 32 overall pick in April's draft, will compete with Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Jonathan Mingo for snaps and targets in Year 1. Carolina's offense is one of the tougher units to evaluate for fantasy football, as everything depends on the growth of sophomore quarterback Bryce Young. Legette posted fewer than 500 total yards in his first four seasons at South Carolina but broke out in 2023 with a 71-catch, 1,255-yard, seven-touchdown campaign. For now, he should be viewed as nothing more than a late-round flier in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey was a big winner of the 2024 NFL Draft after being selected with the No. 34 overall pick to play with quarterback Justin Herbert. According to Chargers.com writer Eric Smith, McConkey and Herbert are developing strong chemistry this offseason. "As for Herbert's favorite target Tuesday, that seemed to be rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey," Smith wrote. "Herbert had eight total reps in 11-on-11 drills midway through practice, with five of those plays being passes.McConkey caught two of them as he continued to show a strong rapport with No. 10.The Bolts second-round pick later caught two other passes in full-team drills, both of which came when McConkey was working over the middle of the field." With Mike Williams and Keenan Allen departing this offseason, McConkey has a clear path to the No. 1 wide receiver role. Quentin Johnston was a complete bust in Year 1, while veteran Joshua Palmer profiles as a No. 3 option. Fantasy managers should be careful not to fall for "rookie hype," but McConkey could have legitimate weekly flex appeal in his rookie campaign.

From RotoBaller

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (lower body) walked off the field after suffering an injury during the early portion of 7-on-7 drills Tuesday, per Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. Shakir briefly stood on the sideline with a trainer before leaving the field. This is a significant development for Buffalo given that Shakir was competing for a starting role after the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason. The Boise State product showed flashes of potential in 2023, including over the final three weeks of the campaign when he caught all 13 of his targets for 189 receiving yards. Fantasy managers should monitor his injury status going forward, though he's not a super appealing option in typical 12-team redraft leagues anyway.

From RotoBaller

New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (undisclosed) suffered an apparent injury during practice on Tuesday. According to Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports, Slayton appeared to collide with at least one teammate. Slayton walked off under his own power while Chase Cota was carted off the field. Slayton's injury is a major concern for New York given that he was expected to have a substantial role on offense in 2024. He figures to draw the bulk of the snaps alongside first-round rookie Malik Nabers, but this injury could limit his reps in training camp while simultaneously giving other players extra opportunities to push for a starting job. Regardless of how camp competition breaks down, Slayton is worth considering with a late-round pick in fantasy drafts as long as he's healthy.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton impressed during practice on Tuesday. According to Bailey Adams of Pewter Report, Otton "was arguably the offensive player of the day" as he made a sideline catch in 11-on-11s and shortly after showed off a one-handed grab down the field. He was one of Baker Mayfield's most targeted and trusted pass-catchers, perhaps offering a glimpse into what the 2024 season could look like. The 25-year-old tight end is looking to build on a campaign in which he caught 47 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns. He's the top tight end in Tampa Bay, and although he'll lose plenty of volume to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rachaad White, he' still a mid-range TE2 for fantasy purposes.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki was the only player from his position in attendance for practice Tuesday, but he still had a strong showing and continued to push for a spot on the 53-man roster. Specifically, he delivered a big play in 7-on-7s when he beat linebacker DaRon Gilbert on a wheel route to gain several yards. In 11-on-11s, he beat linebacker Ben Niemann to pick up 10 yards. "Vaki was one of the most impressive players from the spring," Pride of Detroit's Jeremy Reisman wrote. "I believe if he can get some of the fundamentals down when it comes to timing and pass protection, he could carve out a role on offense, albeit a relatively small one." These comments are promising, but Vaki stays off the fantasy radar in redraft leagues given that he'll be stuck behind (at least) David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is "optimistic" that he and the team will agree to an extension before training camp begins, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Love noted that he expects talks to ramp up even more after this week's minicamp while Brian Gutekunst told 97.3 The Game, "We'd like to get this done before training camp, for sure." It certainly sounds like both sides have some urgency and would like to get a new contract done sooner rather than later. That way, Love's contract status won't be an issue as he enters his fifth pro season (but just his second as the Packers' starting quarterback). Coming off a big 2023 campaign, Love now ranks as a fringe QB1 option in most fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Updating a previous report, free-agent CB Parry Nickerson (Dolphins) signed a one-year contract worth $1.125 million with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday, June 7.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent OG Pat Elflein (Cardinals), C Corey Luciano (49ers), OG Ilm Manning (Panthers) and DE Takkarist McKinley (Cowboys) are participating the in New York Jets minicamp this week on a tryout basis. Undrafted free-agent DE Jeremy Lewis (Eastern Carolina) is also trying out for the Jets.

From TheHuddle