Fantasy Football News

Free agent wide receiver Taylor Gabriel announced his retirement from the NFL. (Source: Taylor Gabriel on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Gabriel was an undrafted free agent out of Abilene Christian University when he was signed by Cleveland. Gabriel caught 35 passes for 579 yards and six touchdowns with Atlanta in 2016. He went on to sign a four-year deal worth $26 million in 2018 with Chicago where he caught 67 passes for 688 yards and two touchdowns that season. Gabriel was released by the Bears in February of 2020 before he eventually opted out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nick Bosa is expected to make a full recovery ahead of week one heading into the 2021 NFL season. (Source: Around the NFL on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Bosa suffered a torn ACL in week two of the 2020 season against the Jets. He is already posting videos of himself working out to social media. This should not come as a huge surprise, but Bosa appears to be well on track to be ready for the start of the upcoming season.

Former Cleveland Browns S Karl Joseph is reportedly signing a deal to return to the Las Vegas Raiders, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Joseph will reunite with his former team in a new city but familiarity amongst the coaching staff. The sixth-year safety out of West Virginia was the Raiders' first-round draft pick (14th) back in 2016 and is coming off of a solid 2020 season with the Browns. Joseph totaled 67 tackles, four pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and an interception in 14 games for Cleveland and will help shore up a Raiders secondary that was one of the worst in the league in 2020. He could pair nicely alongside Johnathan Abram and Damon Arnette, two of the younger and more raw talents that will benefit from Joseph's experience in multiple systems.

Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports that Jerry Jones is 'infatuated' with Pitts and is considering moving up from the 10th pick to get him. (Source: Michael David Smith on Pro Football Talk )

Fantasy Impact: Pitts is one of the hottest commodities in this years NFL draft. After posting a 4.44 40-time and an insane wingspan, Pitts started moving up teams draft boards instantly. Pitts could easily be a top-ten overall selection in the draft, but the Cowboys are determined to trade up for him. We will see if a trade gets done between now and the start of the NFL Draft.

Philadelphia Eagles RT Lane Johnson (ankle) is "doing well" with his ankle and is expected to be cleared within the next month. (Source: Rob Maaddi on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Johnson was placed on IR during the last month of the 2020 season to undergo surgery repairing an ongoing ankle injury, limiting him to just nine games. He also stated that his relationship with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman is "fine" and that he should be cleared by the team's medical staff in a month. Continuity along the offensive line will be crucial for the Eagles to avoid another disappointing season in 2021, as they return C Jason Kelce and RG Brandon Brooks. Johnson should be healthier than he has been across the last couple of seasons, helping solidify an offensive line to protect QB Jalen Hurts.

Former BYU QB and projected second overall pick Zach Wilson reportedly has zero issues with his shoulder after undergoing surgery on it in 2019, per Ian Rapoport. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The New York Jets are rumored to be targeting Wilson with the second pick in the 2021 draft set to occur at the end of April. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Jets have received information from trusted medical sources about Wilson's shoulder having zero issues despite undergoing surgery in 2019. In 2020, Wilson threw for 3,692 yards and an incredibly efficient 33:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio and impressed many with his Pro-Day workout a couple of weeks ago. With Sam Darnold being traded to Carolina last week in exchange for three draft picks across the next two seasons, many expect the Jets to draft the BYU prospect as their next franchise quarterback.

Demarcus Robinson appeared on NFL Network's Good Morning Football Thursday. The receiver expects more targets with Sammy Watkins now in Baltimore, saying, "I'm looking for the opportunity - not for them to give me the opportunity - but go in there and take the opportunity. Go in there and show that I am a guy who can put up 1,000 yards a year and 10 touchdowns. I'm ready to make that happen. They said they've got something in store for me. I'm ready to show them." (Source: NFL.com)

Fantasy Impact: Robinson posted career highs last season. He totaled 45 receptions on 59 targets, 466 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. Although those numbers were career highs, they are nowhere near Robinson's lofty goals for this season. Sammy Watkins, however, vacates a 13.9% target share (5.5 targets per game) and Mecole Hardman hasn't lived up to his second-round draft pick expectation. So, Robinson's an intriguing dart throw late in fantasy drafts with a viable path to become the Chiefs' No. 2 receiver and third passing option in the pecking order behind Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill.

Julian Edelman's chronically troubled knee is putting his career in jeopardy, according to the Boston Herald. The outlet writes: According to a source familiar with Edelman’s situation, it’s doubtful he will be able to play the entire 2021 season. The knee has already hampered him for the better part of two years. (Source: BostonHerald.com)

Fantasy Impact: Edelman played through the pain in 2019 - totaling 100 receptions on 153 targets, 1,117 receiving yards, and six touchdowns. Last season, though, he was limited to six games. With the guarantee of missed games, the additions of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, and the Patriots' run-first scheme - it looks like 2019 was Edelman's swan song as a fantasy-relevant receiver.

The Chicago Bears have been discussing a trade involving Anthony Miller with a slew of teams, according to Ian Rapoport. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Miller totaled 49 receptions on 76 targets, 485 receiving yards, and two touchdowns last season. The 26-year-old had just two games over 60 receiving yards. Depending on destination, a change of scenery may give Miller sleeper appeal in fantasy football.

The Carolina Panthers have signed free agent cornerback A.J. Bouye. (Source: Darin Gantt on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Bouye still has two games left to serve on his six-game suspension. He will be 30 years old at the start of the upcoming NFL season. Once his suspension is over, Bouye will likely start opposite of Donte Jackson in the Panthers secondary.

Per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Eagles have signed LB Eric Wilson to a one-year deal worth up to $3.25M. (Source: Mike Garafolo on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Wilson, 26-years old, is coming off his first year as a full-time starter for the Vikings during which he totaled 122 tackles, three interceptions, and three sacks. The one-year deal will be worth up to $3.25M and presents a good value for Philadelphia as they get a player coming off a career year with special teams experience as well.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Jordan Howard and the Eagles have agreed on a one-year deal. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Howard was used in a minimal role in 2020. He only carried the football seven times for 27 yards and no touchdowns. He is merely a depth-piece at the RB position. He has no fantasy value unless Miles Sanders or Boston Scott go down with injury.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Nate Sudfeld has signed a one-year deal with the 49ers. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Sudfeld has been a backup QB for his first three seasons in the NFL. He completed five passes on 12 attempts for 32 yards and one interception in 2020. 49ers have moved up in the draft with the intention of drafting a QB. Sudfeld has no fantasy value unless injuries start to pile up.

Matthew Stafford is part of the Rams' long-term plans, according to Rams General Manager Les Snead. The latter appeared on the11 Personnel Podcast Wednesday, saying, "I don’t think we did (the trade) thinking two years. Based on his age, you can legitimately think five to seven, eight years if you look at what Drew (Brees) has done." (Source: The Athletic )

Fantasy Impact: Snead doubled down, adding, "With quarterbacks of his pedigree, a lot of those guys have played into their late 30s, for sure. So that was definitely the vision with (Stafford).” Although there was no extension in place when Stafford was traded, Snead confirms the eventual plan is to hand him one. For fantasy football purposes, consider the quarterback a no-risk, all-upside draft target - currently in tier 3 as QB13 in FantasyPros' Expert Consensus Rankings.

The Cincinnati Bengals have released RB Giovani Bernard. (Source: Cincinnati Bengals on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: According to Mike Garafolo, Bernard asked the Bengals for his release two weeks into free agency when the team asked him to take a pay cut. He’ll likely find a suitor in the very near future, and the Bengals will move forward with Samaje Perine as their backup running back to starter Joe Mixon.

The Ravens had trouble recruiting wide receivers this offseason. Sammy Watkins is the one big name they were able to bring in, and he fully expects the offense to transform in 2021. The former Chiefs pass-catcher said that he believes Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, who has drawn criticism for the team's passing game, will move players around and truly open up the offense. It's worth mentioning that the two spent time together with the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and 2016. (Source: The Athletic)

Fantasy Impact: Specifically, Watkins said, "I just can’t wait. He’s going to utilize us in so many different ways. He’s got a complex offense. I know the world hasn’t been seeing that yet, but he’s definitely going to open it up this year, run the ball and do, I’m pretty sure, all types of things with this offense.” There has clearly been conversation between Watkins and Roman, and you can't help but wonder if the former's signing with Baltimore was contingent on knowing the team's plans. No matter the scenario, it is refreshing to see that at least one Baltimore receiver has his offensive coordinator's back. The Ravens have had a dynamic offense but lacked an elite passing game, so perhaps there is reason to believe they will take that next step in 2021.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, after trading up to the Number 3 overall pick, the San Francisco 49ers are likely to select Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in the 2021 NFL Draft. (Source: 49ers on NBCS on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: When asked on ESPN Radio Tuesday morning who the 49ers would select at Number 3 overall, Schefter confidently stated, “It’ll be Mac Jones.” San Francisco traded up to obtain the 3rd overall pick from the Miami Dolphins just a couple weeks ago, and it sounds like they have their eyes set on the former Alabama quarterback. The rumor mill will continue to swirl as to which quarterback Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch decide to ultimately go with, but Schefter at the moment believes it’s going to be Jones, not Justin Fields and not Trey Lance.

Raiders running back Kenyan Drake and head coach Jon Gruden both commented on Las Vegas' pursuit of the running back in a recent interview with ESPN.com. The former explained his appreciation for the team's aggressive courting of him and the opportunity to play alongside Josh Jacobs while the latter confirmed his fascination with Drake's playing style. (Source: ESPN.com)

Fantasy Impact: "He can run it, catch it and return it," said Gruden, once again offering up strong praise in regards to Drake's versatility. "He's a threat to make a big play with or without it." Meanwhile, Drake said that once his "name kind of got going [in free agency], Gruden was just head and shoulders above everybody, in terms of interest in my ability to kind of come in and be a playmaker in a lot of facets of the game." Drake, who could see time as both a running back and receiver, had a career year in 2020, rushing for 955 yards and 10 touchdowns over 15 games. He added 25 catches for 137 yards. The 27-year-old ranks 30th among running backs in the latest expert consensus draft rankings.

Arizona Cardinals C Rodney Hudson was recently traded from the Las Vegas Raiders on a one-year deal but has reportedly received a two-year, $21.2 million extension with $16 million guaranteed across the next three seasons, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Hudson is an All-Pro center deserving of the big extension with Arizona, who had trouble creating running lanes and engaging in good pass protection throughout the 2020 season. Hudson is a three-time first-team All-Pro center and will be an immediate upgrade to fortify the line. This will allow QB Kyler Murray to buy more time in the pocket to assess his reads while operating in unique motion and spread formations schemed by Cardinals' head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The zone-blocking schemes within Kingsburys' offensive system will allow Hudson to be a road grader in the trenches while using his speed to get out in open space on screens. The Cardinals will likely continue to add pieces to their offensive line through the draft at the end of the month but Hudson will lead the unit based on his experience and ability to communicate pressures based on defensive alignment.

Per sources, the Atlanta Falcons have received multiple trade offers for the Number 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and are “open to moving” out of that slot if the price is right. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: With the top three teams locked in to their draft slots, the Falcons have become willing to trade the Number 4 overall pick to a team that likely covets one of the top quarterbacks in the Draft. Atlanta has reportedly received multiple trade offers for the pick to this point.