Beat: James Jones emerging as WR1 'by default'

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

The Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker, Parris Campbell

Great news for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense as a whole. Smith will continue his 1b role in which he finished the 2023 season as fantasy's WR22.

Bengals franchise-tagged wide receiver Tee Higgins, who requested to be traded last month, anticipates playing for Cincinnati in 2024, he told reporters Sunday at his youth football camp.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase, Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas

While Higgins, understandably, wants to find a lucrative contract, he will be set for a big payday in 2025 on the open market if he plays out the franchise tag in '24. The Bengals are expected to add another pass-catcher through the NFL Draft, and that could come in the first round.