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Rams bringing back DB John Johnson III

Thu Jul 4 2:52pm ET
Field Level Media

The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to terms with defensive back John Johnson III, the team announced Thursday.

Johnson, 28, returned to the Rams in 2023 after an initial four-year stint there followed by two seasons with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 17 games last season (eight starts) and made 42 tackles with two interceptions and six pass breakups.

The Rams selected Johnson in the third round of the 2017 draft out of Boston College. He has 392 tackles, 10 interceptions, 38 pass breakups, eight tackles for loss and one forced fumble in 71 career regular-season games (56 starts) for the Rams.

He also has played in seven playoff games (all starts) for Los Angeles and made 42 tackles with one interception.

Johnson signed as a free agent with Cleveland in 2021 and he totaled 162 tackles, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and five tackles for loss in 32 games (all starts) from 2021-22.

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Player Notes
Michael Pittman Jr. Jul 24 9:20am CT
Michael Pittman Jr.

After a slow start to his NFL career as a rookie, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been productive, especially considering his quarterback situation. The USC product has averaged 98.7 receptions, 1,053 receiving yards, and 4.7 touchdowns over the last three seasons despite playing with six quarterbacks over that stretch. Heading into Year 5, Pittman Jr. is looking to enter the next tier at the position. "I need to get to that next level and reach that next tier, Pittman said. "And I think that starts with probably more touchdowns." Having a healthy Anthony Richardson all season could help, but a healthy Richardson and Jonathan Taylor could mean the team will be among the most run-heavy offenses in the NFL. Additionally, Pittman is likely to face the strongest target competition of his career alongside wideouts Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, and Alec Pierce. The 26-year-old should remain the clear No. 1 option for the Colts, but he'll need to be extra efficient and strong in the red zone to post WR1 numbers in 2024 fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Jul 24 9:00am CT
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was franchise-tagged this offseason, and he requested a trade early in the process ahead of free agency. He ultimately decided to sign the franchise tag and stay put in 2024, but he knows this could be his last season with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and the organization. "This could be the last ride for me and the guys," Higgins said. "You never know. Instead of holding out and waiting and just watching from afar, I'd rather be in the mix with the guys and grind it out with them. That's how I've always been." The former second-round pick out of Clemson has been productive since entering the league in 2020, but he has battled injuries often and struggled to deliver a truly elite season while sharing targets with Chase. While his ceiling is likely capped in the WR2 range, a healthy Burrow could make him a draft steal at his ADP around the WR30 spot heading into his fifth NFL season. If he enters free agency next year, expect him to be highly sought after given the booming wide receiver market in today's NFL.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Jul 24 8:40am CT
Daniel Jones

According to New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) has been cleared for contact ahead of training camp. The former No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft will participate in 11-on-11 drills this week, something he did not do in the spring. "He will play every snap the (first-team offense) is in," Daboll said. Jones suffered a torn ACL in early November of last year, so he's made a quick recovery and looks to be well on track to start in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Although Jones has been a below-average signal-caller for most of his career, he could be a value in Superflex drafts assuming his rushing upside is not completely zapped following the major injury. If Malik Nabers lives up to the hype and one of Wan'Dale Robinson or Jalin Hyatt can step up alongside the rookie and Darius Slayton, New York could surpass offensive expectations in 2024.

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Randy Gregory Jul 24 8:40am CT
Randy Gregory

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed edge defender Randy Gregory on the reserve/did not report list after he did not report to training camp this week. The veteran signed with Tampa Bay this offseason after spending time with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers in 2023, but there is now uncertainty surrounding him. Overall, the 2015 second-round pick has accumulated 106 tackles (78 solo), 22 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, three pass deflections, and 11.5 run stuffs in 60 career games with the 49ers, Broncos, and Cowboys. He's been somewhat productive, but he has been difficult to count on throughout his career.

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Jerod Mayo Jul 24 8:30am CT
Jerod Mayo

New England Patriots edge rusher Matthew Judon is expected to participate in training camp that starts on Wednesday as he remains in contract talks with the organization. The 31-year-old is reportedly close to reaching a new deal with the Patriots, and it's a good sign to see he will not hold out or "hold in." The four-time Pro Bowler played in just four games last season before suffering a torn bicep, but he delivered four sacks in limited action. Overall, Judon has racked up 66.5 sacks in 114 career games, including 32 sacks in 38 games with New England. With the Patriots headed toward a full rebuild under new head coach Jerod Mayo, Judon's presence in the locker room as a leader could be significant.

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Tyreek Hill Jul 24 8:20am CT
Tyreek Hill

Last season, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill looked to be on pace to be the first player in NFL history to post 2,000 receiving yards in a single season. However, his Week 14 injury against the Tennessee Titans limited him in that game and caused him to miss the Week 15 contest against the New York Jets. He ultimately finished the campaign with 1,799 yards. He was vocal about wanting to reach the 2,000-yard mark in 2023, but heading into 2024, he said chasing that individual goal would be "selfish." "That'd be great. Grand scenario, that'd be great," Hill said of reaching 2,000 this season. "But I feel like at the same time I have to understand that the position that I'm in and me being one of the leaders and just singling out an individual goal like that -- because I had time to go look at it and talk about it with my family; and that's very selfish of me." With Hill potentially entering the last few seasons of his career, a second Super Bowl is likely at the top of his goal list. All that said, the eight-time Pro Bowler should remain one of the most productive pass-catchers in the NFL and a high-end WR1 in fantasy football.

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Jonathan Allen Jul 24 8:20am CT
Jonathan Allen

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jer'Zhan Newton (foot) passed his physical this week and is being activated from the non-football injury list. The No. 36 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft underwent surgery in May to fix a Jones Fracture in his left foot, just four months after undergoing the same surgery on his right foot. The Illinois alum could be brought along slowly in his rookie season, especially since Washington has Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen operating in the interior of Dan Quinn's defense.

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Jakobi Meyers Jul 24 12:13am CT
Jakobi Meyers

Dynasty | Raiders wide receiver Michael Gallup has retired. Dynasty Analysis: Wait. What!?! Gallup signed a one-year deal with the Raiders and was expected to be a key player but dropped this bomb the day before the Raiders' first training camp practice. Gallup had his ups and downs with Dallas but the move to Las Vegas looked like one that could rejuvenate his career. He's still just 28 and could change his mind but at this point, it looks like he's out and the values of players like Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker may have just gone up in the process. You can give it a day or two but it seems Gallup can be dropped in dynasty leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

CeeDee Lamb Jul 24 12:13am CT
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Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb won't report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: As expected. Lamb is in search of a contract that will make him one of the highest paid wide receivers in the league and has dug in his heels. Dallas is stuck at this point as they're going to have to find a way to get him an extension without sacrificing their future too much. Such is life in the NFL after rookie contracts expire. Lamb is in line to be the top receiver in fantasy this next season and he's fully expected to be in uniform on opening day one way or another.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Brandon Aiyuk Jul 24 12:13am CT
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Dynasty | 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk will report to minicamp. Dynasty Analysis: It seems Aiyuk not only wants more money but values what he has as well. Not reporting to camp would have resulted in fines and Aiyuk isn't interested in paying them. The situation is still in flux and something is going to need to give. However, it looks like Aiyuk will be a distraction in person rather than on social media for the time being. He remains a hold in dynasty leagues.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Drake Maye Jul 23 11:10pm CT
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Aaron Rodgers Jul 23 11:00pm CT
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed uncertainty on his player future beyond the 2024 season while on Pardon My Take on Tuesday. When asked how many more years he will play in the NFL, Rodgers said, "I don't know. This one, for sure. I'd like to do -- I wanted to do two good ones and give us a chance to retire a Jet. Win two Super Bowls." The 40-year-old's willingness to play beyond the 2024 season will likely come down to how this season goes and how well he plays while coming off a torn left Achilles in Week 1 of 2023. The odds of Rodgers having another MVP-like season at this point in his career are unlikely, but if anything can do it, it would be him. He'll have plenty of weapons around him on offense as he attempts a successful return from a serious injury, but fantasy managers need to temper their expectations and treat him as more of a low-end QB2.

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Sam Darnold Jul 23 9:00pm CT
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Chris Olave Jul 23 8:40pm CT
Chris Olave

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From RotoBaller

Michael Gallup Jul 23 8:30pm CT
Michael Gallup

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday night that the team has placed wide receiver Michael Gallup on the reserve/retired list. After six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, the 28-year-old Gallup signed a one-year pact with the Raiders, where he amassed 266 receptions for 3,744 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gallup's 2023 saw his statistics take a sharp decline, with just 34 receptions, 418 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. The Raiders signed Gallup to add some depth to a receiving corps that, after Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, was short on experience and a veteran presence. Instead, Gallup has called it a career before Raiders training camp opens on Wednesday.

From RotoBaller

CeeDee Lamb Jul 23 8:10pm CT
CeeDee Lamb

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not expected to report to Dallas Cowboys training camp when it opens on Wednesday in Oxnard, CA. With the 25-year-old Lamb entering the final season of a deal that will pay him just shy of $18 million in 2024 under his fifth-year option, Lamb is looking for a long-term contract to secure him as one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL. The concern is minimal for fantasy managers unless the holdout extends deeper into July and into August, but Lamb firmly remains an early-first-round wide receiver in fantasy this season after setting career bests in targets (181), receptions (135), receiving yards (1,749), and touchdowns (12) in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Mills Jul 23 8:03pm CT
Jalen Mills

Updating a previous report, New York Giants CB Jalen Mills (calf) was placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list because of a calf injury, while CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (groin) was placed on the Active/NFI list because of a groin injury.

From TheHuddle

Michael Gallup Jul 23 7:33pm CT
Michael Gallup

Las Vegas Raiders WR Michael Gallup was placed on the Reserve/Retired list Tuesday, July 23.

From TheHuddle

Kendrick Bourne Jul 23 6:50pm CT
Kendrick Bourne

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (knee) is set to begin training camp on the PUP list. Bourne is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in October of 2023. Before his injury, Bourne was on his way to a mini breakout with 406 receiving yards and four touchdowns in eight games. Given the timeline of his injury, Bourne should be ready for thestart of the season, but don't expect him to display the same level of production. Players in their first year removed from an ACL injury tend not to fare well statistically. Not to mention, this projects to be a bottom-half offense with a potential rookie quarterback. Bourne is mainly an option in deep-league formats.

From RotoBaller

Antonio Gibson Jul 23 6:40pm CT
Antonio Gibson

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson (undisclosed) was placed on the active/NFI list to start training camp. The 26-year-old was added to the Patriots backfield as a depth piece and potential third-down running back. Gibson has been relatively durable throughout his career. He has played in at least 15 games in three straight seasons. Players are often placed on the NFI list during training camp, so this could turn out to be nothing, but it is worth monitoring. Gibson had a career-low in carries (65), rushing yards (265), and rushing touchdowns (1) in 2023 as he ceded the starting running back job to Brian Robinson Jr. Gibson is joining a Patriots team amid a considerable rebuild, especially on offense. Gibson's skills as a pass-catcher should come in handy in 2024, but the presence of incumbent Rhamondre Stevenson will likely once again limit Gibson's rushing upside. Generally, running backs on bad offense perform poorly for fantasy, so it may be best to look in another direction as you build out RB depth during your draft.

From RotoBaller