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FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

ESPN to acquire RedZone, other NFL properties

Fri Aug 1 3:41pm ET
Field Level Media

ESPN has reached a deal with the NFL to purchase RedZone, NFL Network and other league holdings, The Athletic reported on Friday.

The NFL will receive equity in ESPN that "is potentially worth billions" in exchange, according to the report. An official announcement is expected next week, ending a four-year period of complicated, on-and-off negotiations.

Both sides declined to provide comment to The Athletic.

In addition to RedZone and NFL Network, ESPN will gain access to seven more regular-season games and the NFL's fantasy football operations, as well as the potential to integrate sports betting and other special features.

The NFL's equity stake in ESPN could be as much as 10 percent, CNBC first reported and The Athletic confirmed.

An ESPN-NFL deal would require regulatory approval, a process that could take up to a year to complete.

The two sides already have a cozy relationship. ESPN pays the NFL about $2.7 billion per year to air a total of 25 games, including "Monday Night Football." The network also holds the rights to the Super Bowls in 2027 and 2031.

Friday's reported agreement comes as ESPN is preparing to launch its direct-to-consumer service, with subscribers paying $29.99 per month to bypass cable and satellite providers to view all of the network's programming through the ESPN app.

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Player Notes
Dyami Brown Aug 1 3:10pm ET
Dyami Brown

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown had the "best day of the wide receivers" in practice on Thursday and has shown "good chemistry" with quarterback Trevor Lawrence, according to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated. Brown is entering his first season in Jacksonville after spending the first four years of his career with the Washington Commanders. In 63 career games (10 starts) for Washington, he racked up 59 catches for 784 yards and four touchdowns. Brown has specialized as a downfield threat who can punish defenses over the top with his speed, which could be a nice fit alongside Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter in Jacksonville. The Jags are thin at receiver behind their two young stars, with Parker Washington and Austin Trammell profiling as Brown's main competition for the WR3 role.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Williams Aug 1 2:50pm ET
Kyle Williams

New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams has been "a big-play machine whose hands let him down too much" in training camp so far, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Graff writes that Williams has "more drops than any other Pats receiver" and has made "too many mistakes" to secure the WR3 role in New England. A third-round pick out of Washington State, Williams recorded 70 catches for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games for the Cougars last season. The Patriots have Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas penciled in atop their wide receiver depth chart, but they're looking for someone to step up on the outside. Williams' main competition in camp is likely veteran Mack Hollins, but Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja'Lynn Polk could factor in as well. It appears as though Williams will need to be much more consistent throughout the remainder of the preseason to earn consistent playing time as a rookie.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons Aug 1 2:40pm ET
Micah Parsons

Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons has requested a trade, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Reporting earlier today indicated that Parsons was considering this move as a result of messy negotiations between him and the Cowboys regarding a contract extension. The three-time All-Pro pass-rusher is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2025. In 63 career games for Dallas, Parsons has 52.5 sacks, 112 QB hits, 172 solo tackles, and nine forced fumbles. While the Cowboys are under no obligation to trade him, it's noteworthy that they've let negotiations break down with their best defensive player to such an extent. If Dallas continues to refuse to negotiate with Parsons on a new deal, it's possible that the 26-year-old could initiate a holdout.

From RotoBaller

Kenny Pickett Aug 1 2:30pm ET
Kenny Pickett

Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett (hamstring) will return to practice on Friday in a limited capacity, according to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Pickett has been out of action since leaving the team's practice on July 26 after suffering a hamstring injury. Pickett is battling veteran Joe Flacco for the starting quarterback role in Cleveland, with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders also on the fringes of the QB1 competition. A former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pickett spent 2024 serving as the backup to Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles. He got into five games (one start), completing 59.5% of his passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Reporting indicated that Pickett was trailing Flacco even before getting injured, so he needs to get back to full strength as quickly as possible.

From RotoBaller

Braelon Allen Aug 1 2:20pm ET
Braelon Allen

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen (knee) returned to practice on Friday, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Allen missed the team's practices on both Wednesday and Thursday due to knee soreness. The second-year back has drawn rave reviews thus far in training camp, and early reporting indicates that the Jets plan to use more of a committee approach in the backfield between Allen, Breece Hall, and Isaiah Davis. As a rookie in 2024, Allen rushed for 334 yards and two touchdowns on 92 carries. Provided he can stay healthy, all indications are that he'll significantly increase his workload in 2025. If that happens, he could be a value as a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Aug 1 2:10pm ET
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (head) was not diagnosed with a concussion and has been cleared by NFL and team doctors, according to Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. Worthy left practice on Tuesday with a head injury, but he appears to have avoided significant missed time. The second-year wide receiver is in line for a key role in Kansas City's offense, especially with fellow wideout Rashee Rice likely facing an early-season suspension. As a rookie in 2024, Worthy played all 17 games, racking up 742 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns. Chiefs coaches and quarterback Patrick Mahomes have been vocal about wanting to throw downfield more in 2025. That should benefit Worthy, whose speed is his greatest asset as a wide receiver.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Aug 1 2:00pm ET
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (back) is missing his fourth straight practice at training camp on Friday with back tightness, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. However, on the bright side, Smith warmed up with the team and also ran some sprints with trainers, suggesting that he could be close to rejoining team drills this weekend. While it's something worth keeping an eye on for the Eagles' WR2, it sounds like fantasy managers shouldn't be worried at all that it's something that will linger into the regular season. The 26-year-old former 10th overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama has been one of the best No. 2 wideouts in football since entering the league, and he has two 1,000-yard seasons and 27 total touchdowns in four years in the NFL. RotoBaller has Smith ranked on the WR2/3 borderline for the upcoming campaign.

From RotoBaller

Dontayvion Wicks Aug 1 1:40pm ET
Dontayvion Wicks

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (calf) took part in the early portion of practice on Friday at training camp, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. Fellow wideout Jayden Reed (toe), who was hurt in Thursday's practice, also returned with Wicks on Friday. Wicks, 24, is competing for a role in Green Bay's passing attack in a receiver room that is pretty crowded now, even with Christian Watson (knee) recovering from a torn ACL. The former fifth-rounder in 2023 out of Virginia took a step back in his second season in 2024 with 39 receptions on 76 targets for 415 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (five starts). He does have nine touchdowns in his first two seasons, but he disappointed in 2024 when both Watson and Romeo Doubs missed time with injuries. At best, he could be the team's No. 4 wideout behind Reed, Doubs and rookie first-rounder Matthew Golden.

From RotoBaller

Emanuel Wilson Aug 1 1:20pm ET
Emanuel Wilson

Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson (leg) went down near the end zone during Friday's training camp practice holding his right leg after a pass sailed over his head. Players were kneeling and Wilson walked off the field with help from trainers. It's unclear exactly how serious Wilson's injury is, but it certainly doesn't sound great. Second-year back MarShawn Lloyd (groin) continues to deal with injuries and hasn't been practicing, so Green Bay's RB room has thinned out behind starter Josh Jacobs. The 26-year-old Wilson saw an expanded role behind Jacobs last year alongside Chris Brooks with Lloyd playing in only one game, but it amounted to 103 carries for 502 yards and four touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (no starts). It remains to be seen if Lloyd or Wilson will be ready for the regular-season opener, but their injuries definitely give Brooks more opportunity for the RB2 role.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Reed Aug 1 1:20pm ET
Jayden Reed

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (toe) is practicing at training camp on Friday and made an amazing catch during 11-on-11 drills, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Reed suffered a minor toe injury in practice on Thursday but has returned the very next day, so he should be just fine moving forward as a key piece in Green Bay's passing attack with Christian Watson (knee) potentially missing half the 2025 season. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2023 was looking great in the first half of last year before slowing down in the second half, and he finished with a 55-857-6 line while adding 20 carries for 163 yards and another score in 17 regular-season games (10 starts). If Reed can get more playing time in two-receiver sets in his third year, he will absolutely be worth rostering as a WR3/4 given his efficiency and big-play ability.

From RotoBaller

Bryce Young Aug 1 12:10pm ET
Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and all of the team's starters will play in the first two preseason games, according to head coach Dave Canales. It's unorthodox, but the Panthers are hoping to see Young take the next step in Year 3 after he looked like a different QB following his benching in his sophomore season in 2024. In his final three games last year, Young threw seven touchdowns and no interceptions while also rushing for three TDs. The 24-year-old former first overall pick in 2023 out of Alabama doesn't have the strongest of arms, and his accuracy has also left a lot to be desired. However, the Panthers drafted receiver Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall this year to give Young a high-end aerial target that could take him to the next level. Nobody is rushing to draft Young in 2025, but he makes for a decent QB2 with some upside in superflex formats.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Tavion Sanders Aug 1 11:30am ET
Ja'Tavion Sanders

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders has been performing very well during the team's practice sessions. According to Alex Zietlow of The Observer, Sanders caught a tough pass on a flag route and was able to find the back of the end zone. Zeitlow described that Sanders is "still shining." This is an excellent sign for the second-year tight end as he looks to enjoy a breakout season. As a rookie, the former fourth-round pick (101st overall) caught 33 passes for 342 yards and a score. Sanders began to find his footing during Week 6 and would average a solid 43.5 yards per game over the next five games before suffering a neck injury, which limited him during the final stretch. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development as he could be worth a late-round flier in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Quinnen Williams Aug 1 11:20am ET
Quinnen Williams

New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (calf) is week-to-week with a calf injury, according to Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. Williams was not present at Friday's practice after hurting his calf on Thursday. Speaking to reporters after practice, Glenn said he will miss a week or two. While the three-time Pro-Bowler Williams carries huge name recognition, his fantasy production in IDP leagues is easily replaceable. His 12-sack 2022 campaign now appears to be an outlier, as he has failed to top six sacks in either of his past two seasons. Outside of leagues that require defensive tackle starters, he will not factor into most draft plans as the Jets look to build chemistry under new defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

From RotoBaller

Cam Skattebo Aug 1 11:10am ET
Cam Skattebo

New York Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo (undisclosed) has not seen action during team drills over the last few days of practice, according to beat reporter Evan Barnes. When asked about it multiple times, head coach Brian Daboll offered little more than "We're managing him." Skattebo was one of fantasy football's most polarizing prospects heading into the 2025 draft, and he lasted longer than some expected, with the Giants eventually taking him near the top of the fourth round. He entered camp in a positional battle with last year's fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr., and reports have indicated that he has flashed potential while running with both the ones and the twos. Any time missed will certainly hurt his chances of securing the lead role, but until further information emerges, he should be considered day-to-day.

From RotoBaller

Micah Parsons Aug 1 11:10am ET
Micah Parsons

Relations between the Dallas Cowboys and their star pass rusher Micah Parsons have reportedly gotten so bad that Parsons is considering drastic measures, as reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. The two sides remain far apart in contract negotiations heading into the second week of camp. There has reportedly been no engagement between the two parties since things fell apart during Parsons' direct dealings with team owner Jerry Jones. According to a league source close to the situation, Parsons is currently considering a trade request or even a declaration that he is severing his relationship with the team. Parsons is one of the most impactful players in IDP leagues, and the ramifications of how this situation plays out could shake up the top of IDP draft boards.

From RotoBaller

Calvin Ridley Aug 1 11:00am ET
Calvin Ridley

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (calf) will sit out Friday's practice. According to head coach Ben Callahan, this is a scheduled maintenance day for Ridley. The 30-year-old exited Wednesday's practice early after experiencing cramps in his right calf and will get Friday off to rest. The buzz around Tennessee is that Ridley has had a strong start to camp and has been building a natural chemistry with No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward since the first practices of Spring. Ridley is the unquestioned alpha in the Titans' receiver room, and he led the league in unrealized air yards last season while catching passes from Will Levis. If he can continue to earn the trust of his young QB and the Titans' passing game finds any semblance of rhythm this year, Ridley represents sneaky good value in the middle rounds in upcoming fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Dan Campbell Aug 1 10:30am ET
Dan Campbell

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was not happy with his team's mistake-filled performance in Thursday's 34-7 Hall of Game loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. In a game they lost by 27 points, the Lions turned the ball over five times. Although none of Detroit's presumed starters were in uniform, Campbell did not use that as an excuse. "You're wearing Lions gear, you've got to take care of the ball, or it's going to be hard to keep you around," he told reporters after the first NFL game ever played in July. The Lions will next take the field against the Atlanta Falcons for their second of four preseason games. After finishing last season with a record of (15-2), they enter 2025 as favorites to win the NFC North for the third straight year and have lofty aspirations to make a deep playoff run.

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Aug 1 10:30am ET
Drake Maye

Through eight training camp practices, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has yet to throw an interception. The 22-year-old signal-caller has stated publicly that cutting down on turnovers is a top priority heading into his second season. After throwing 10 interceptions in what was essentially a 10-game rookie season, he's taken remarkable care of the ball through the early stages of camp without necessarily playing it safe. "I'm not scared to throw it. I'm still not gun-shy," Maye told reporters following Thursday's walkthrough practice. By most accounts, he has continued to target tight windows and make off-schedule throws while keeping the ball out of harm's way. If Maye can play mistake-free football throughout the regular season, a top-10 fantasy season is not out of the question with his rushing floor and the improved talent around him in both the wide receiver room and offensive line.

From RotoBaller

Sean McVay Aug 1 10:30am ET
Sean McVay

Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (ankle) is week-to-week with an ankle injury after being stepped on during Tuesday's practice. As a precaution, he was carted off the field, but head coach Sean McVay says the team is "really fortunate" that the injury is not as serious as originally feared. With the Rams slated to play their first preseason game next Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys, it remains to be seen how much action McVay plans to give his starters before the regular season. However, it's safe to assume Curl will be held out of the game. When healthy, Curl should be viewed as nothing more than a deep flier in IDP leagues, as he saw his tackle numbers drop precipitously after moving from the Commanders to the Rams last season, and he once more projects to play away from the box.

From RotoBaller

Terry McLaurin Aug 1 10:20am ET
Terry McLaurin

The Washington Commanders are not interested in trading star wide receiver Terry McLaurin, despite his public request to be dealt. McLaurin and the team have been locked in a tenuous contract dispute for months, following the most productive season of his career. With McLaurin slated to make $15.5 million in base salary on the final year of his deal, the indication from his camp is that he's seeking a deal in line with that of DK Metcalf and the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the range of $33 million AAV. While the Commanders have not spoken publicly beyond saying they intend to keep McLaurin around long-term, the thought is that they're seeking a deal closer to the $23 million AAV recently agreed to by fellow 29-year-old Courtland Sutton and the Denver Broncos. Should the Commanders take the field without McLaurin in 2025, free agent addition Deebo Samuel Sr. would profile as the team's WR1, and quarterback Jayden Daniels would presumably see his sky-high second-year expectations take a notable dip.

From RotoBaller