Green Bay Packers cornerback Eric Stokes (hamstring) played just 12 games the last two seasons due to injuries, making it easy to write off the 2021 first-round pick as an injury bust who will never work his way back into the starting lineup. However, after battling knee, foot and hamstring injuries, he made it through the offseason program and is poised to win a starting job back in 2024. "I just say this is my story and I'm embracing it," Stokes said. "I'm embracing the full story. I ain't going to feel sorry for myself. At the end of the day, I'm blessed. I'm one of the people in this locker room. I'm definitely blessed just to have a story." It's no surprise that Green Bay declined the 25-year-old defensive back's fifth-year option, but Stokes could re-emerge as a valuable contributor in the secondary this year if he can stay on the field.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he's been impressed with defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike's (back) recovery from a back injury, describing him as "having a really good spring." Onwuzurike is looking for a bounce-back season in 2024 after needing spinal-fusion surgery for an injury he suffered in 2022. His strength and explosiveness have shown up during offseason repetitions, and he's hoping to be an asset once again for the Lions defense. The former second-rounder in 2021 has had his development derailed by injuries, as he's recorded just two sacks and made zero starts in his first three years with the team. "Redemption. I got to show people what I can do," Onwuzurike said during mandatory minicamp. "I got to show myself what I can do."

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders safety Darrick Forrest (shoulder) suffered a season-ending fractured shoulder last October is healthy and excited for the 2024 under new head coach Dan Quinn. A fifth-round selection (163rd overall) by the previous regime in 2021 out of Cincinnati, Forrest has played in 30 games (16 starts) for Washington in his three seasons, amassing 124 tackles (78 solo), four interceptions, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in his time in D.C. He went from being a special teams contributor in 2022 to being a key piece of the secondary, but his shoulder injury last year kept him replicating that success in 2022, in which he finished second on the team with 88 tackles and a team-high four picks. Forrest earned the starting safety spot last year before getting hurt.

From RotoBaller

It's unclear how much playing time Washington Commanders rookie linebacker Jordan Magee will receive in his first year in the NFL, but the fifth-round pick made a strong first impression during offseason workouts, enough to where a position of weakness the past several years for Washington can now be considered a strength. They already had Jamin Davis but also signed starters Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu in free agency. Because of the newcomers, the Commanders are trying Davis as an edge rusher in 2024. The team likes how Magee played in coverage this spring and they also think he showed he can be an effective blitzer. "He doesn't carry himself like a rookie," defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said. "You would not know that with the way he handles himself, the way he absorbs information. He doesn't [make] a lot of mistakes."

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) is a candidate to begin training camp at the end of July on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Even though Wonnum had surgery on his left quadriceps in December, the Panthers signed him to a two-year deal this offseason. The 26-year-old will not be ready for the start of camp, and his availability for the start of the regular season could also be in question. When he's fully healthy, though, he's expected to be a key pass-rusher at the linebacker position for the Panthers defense. The former fourth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020 out of South Carolina, Wonnum racked up 171 tackles (105 solo), 23 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, 49 QB hits, 11 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in his first four years in the NFL with Minnesota.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper told a representative from Betr that he's "trying to get paid this year." The 30-year-old continues to skip mandatory minicamp and pay the corresponding fines in order to build leverage as he seeks an extension from the Browns. He's due to hit free agency next year, and while he can presumably cash in on such an opportunity, he remains interested in expediting the process and signing a new deal with Cleveland. Just months removed from a 72-catch, 1,250-yard campaign, Cooper finds himself ranking as a very reliable WR2 option in most fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk had a "good meeting" on Monday and will continue to work toward a resolution amidst the 26-year-old's latest frustration, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. At this time, Aiyuk, who seeks a contract extension, has not made a formal trade request and the 49ers want him to be part of their team in 2024. The wide receiver is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and is due to hit free agency next offseason, barring an extension. He had a career year in 2023, catching 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns. Even in an offense that also includes Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey, fantasy managers should treat Aiyuk as a strong WR2 option.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant "appears primed to be in line for a bigger share of the pass-catching role at the position" in 2024, according to Zac Hereth of Seattle Sports. The expectation is that Fant will have more opportunities to catch passes, allowing the Seahawks to push the ball down the field while maximizing production at the tight end position. However, this may not lead to a massive bump in snaps for Fant as he'll likely lose some of his blocking duties to Pharaoh Brown. While fantasy managers would like to see Fant get on the field as much as possible, he's still trending up with the expectation that he's headed for a featured role in the passing attack. Expect him to rank as a mid-range TE2 during 2024 fantasy football drafts.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks tight end Pharaoh Brown is expected to have a significant role as a blocker in 2024, former NFL quarterback Brock Huard told Mike Salk of Seattle Sports. This news follows some whispers out of Seattle (also from Huard) that Noah Fant will receive increased attention in the passing game but could lose some blocking opportunities to Brown. When explaining how he'd approach the tight end position in Seattle, Huard noted, "I'm going to use that other guy, Pharaoh [Brown], that guy can block, and we believe he's one of the best run-blocking tight ends, so we're going to put that guy in many of those burden situations in the run game." This adds some important context to the Seahawks' depth chart ahead of 2024 fantasy drafts. Brown was never a legitimate fantasy option, but this latest update suggests that Fant could be trending up. Managers preparing for 2024 fantasy drafts should view Fant as a mid-range TE2 and Brown as a mid-to-low TE3.

From RotoBaller

The Miami Dolphins want to extend quarterback Tua Tagovailoa but are still evaluating a fair market value, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. As Schefter notes, the quarterback market shifted drastically this offseason when the Jacksonville Jaguars handed Trevor Lawrence a deal worth $55 million per year. Prior to that deal, the Dolphins likely couldn't have justified paying Tagovailoa $55 million per year, but now the former first-round pick can argue that he's worth even more than Lawrence. In the meantime, Tagovailoa is preparing to play out the final year of his rookie deal. He's coming off a strong season in which he earned his first Pro Bowl nod, threw for a career-high 29 touchdowns, and led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal, the 26-year-old signal-caller enters 2024 as a mid-to-low QB1 option in most fantasy football leagues.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers WR Adam Thielen is expected to play in the slot this season with WR Diontae Johnson and WR Xavier Legette starting on the outside, according to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer.

Fantasy Spin: Thielen was a security blanket for Bryce Young last year, topping 1,000 yards and logging 103 receptions. Even if Young pushes the ball down the field more in his second season, Thielen should still have a solid role. Consider him a potential flex option in PPR formats.

From TheHuddle

Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon said he believes offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik will be using all of his skill set this season.

Fantasy Spin: Mixon should receive a majority of the work in the running game and likely will also targets in the passing game during the season. He is still a reliable fantasy option and should be a weekly starting option in 2024.

From TheHuddle

Dynasty | Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson is fully recovered and ready for training camp. Dynasty Analysis: Music to the ears of dynasty owners but they all need to see some major progress on the performance and durability side before being "all in." Richardson is a tantalizing prospect who has overall QB1 potential but nagging injuries his rookie season have raised a serious red flag. He remains a top option in dynasty leagues but his value is bound to either rise or fall significantly based on his performance this season. Dynasty managers need to determine just how lucky they feel.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. missed the entire 2023 season after being suspended for violating the NFL's gambling policy. However, ESPN reporter Tim McManus said Rodgers has been impressive this offseason, and he's been splitting first-team reps with second-year cornerback Kelee Ringo. He's been making plays against the Eagles' strong first-team offense and is viewed as a surprise standout for the organization. "For a guy that has not played football for a year, coming back, he looks like he has been playing nonstop," All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown said. "He's flying around, and he's going to do special stuff for us this year." Rodgers spent the first three seasons of his career with the Indianapolis Colts and racked up 90 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 pass deflections in his first 45 games. Philadelphia allowed the third-most passing yards per game last season (255.7), so any boost they can get from Rodgers would be significant.

From RotoBaller

The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye projects Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen to remain as the team's slot receiver in 2024 despite the addition of Diontae Johnson and rookie Xavier Legette. The 33-year-old Thielen managed to stay fantasy relevant in his first year in Carolina in 2023 despite rookie quarterback Bryce Young and the offense being one of the worst in the league. Thielen caught 103 of his 137 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns in 17 starts. He should continue to be a safety blanket for Young this year, but the additions of both Johnson and Legette will inevitably take valuable targets away. Fantasy managers certainly shouldn't expect another 1,000-yard campaign for Thielen in 2024. You should be targeting Thielen as merely a late-round flier for receiver depth in deeper fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still might have been the most surprising player in the team's secondary during offseason workouts after the team's pass defense was their Achilles heel last year. Still was the team's fifth-round pick this year at 137th overall out of Maryland. He had an interception and had multiple pass deflections throughout minicamp. Safety Derwin James Jr. pointed to Still as a player who impressed him, while defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said he has appreciated how much Still has improved since the start of the offseason program. "He made a bunch of really nice plays out there," Minter said. The 22-year-old defensive back thrives in man-to-man coverage due to his aggressive and physical style of play. Still could immediately compete for a starting job with Deane Leonard this summer.

From RotoBaller

The Denver Broncos signed linebacker Cody Barton in free agency this offseason thinking that he would be a prime contributor on special teams and could carve out a niche on defense if things went well. However, Barton has put himself squarely in the battle for the starting middle linebacker job to replace the departed Josey Jewell. He will be competing with Jonas Griffith, who missed last year due to a torn ACL he suffered in training camp. Barton got plenty of work with the defensive starters this offseason in organized team activities and minicamp, so he will arrive to training camp this summer to compete for a starting job. The former third-round selection by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 out of Utah has had 100-plus combined tackles in each of the last two years with the Seahawks and Washington Commanders, so there's a chance Barton jumps onto the IDP radar if he seizes a starting job and runs with it.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on The GM Shuffle podcast that second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) will be "full-go" for the start of training camp at the end of July despite dealing with some shoulder fatigue during offseason activities. The shoulder soreness was something expected after Richardson had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder during his rookie season in 2023. Despite the fact that the 22-year-old former fourth overall pick played in just four games last year, his elite rushing abilities make him an attractive midrange QB1 going into his sophomore season. The 6-foot-4, 244-pounder also has above-average arm strength and has an incredibly high ceiling for fantasy managers if he can remain healthy. Once the elite names at the QB position come off the board in fantasy drafts, Richardson will be hard to pass up.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans undrafted free-agent cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally took full advantage of available repetitions during organized team activities and minicamp this offseason due to veterans Chidobe Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed having limited participation. Jeudy-Lally said his length and comfort in press coverage gave him confidence to play in defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson's aggressive scheme. "If I get up there and give myself the opportunity to win by getting my hands on guys and being in good position, it allows me to use my length to my ability, and everything falls into play from there," Jeudy-Lally said. He held his own in coverage against both receivers Treylon Burks and DeAndre Hopkins, so he could be a defensive back to watch in training camp this summer for the Titans.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Rams new cornerback Tre'Davious White (Achilles) signed a one-year deal with the Rams on April 9 after being released by the Buffalo Bills. White continues to rehab this offseason after tearing his Achilles in Week 4 of last year. He was working off to the side with trainers for the majority of organized team activities before participating in the walkthrough in the final week. It remains to be seen how much White will be able to do in training camp this summer. "He's making good progress. He was able to partake in the walkthrough. It's obviously a significant injury that he's overcome. He's gotten a lot of good stuff done on the side. You could see he's really locked in and engaged in the meeting setting," head coach Sean McVay said. White's 18 career interceptions are tied for 11th-most among active cornerbacks, per Pro Football Reference.