Team news | Page 132

The rookie third-rounder has impressed his coaches and teammates with his route running and talent. Wilson benefited from DeAndre Hopkins not taking part in any of the voluntary workouts before he was released and Marquise Brown not being involved much this offseason, either. That led to him getting a significant number of reps, which has helped him climb the depth chart to a point where he could be a factor in Arizona's offense from Day 1 of the season.

Related Players: Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, Zach Pascal

With Rondale Moore operating as a gadget player from a past regime, and Marquise Brown apparently still working his way back to health, there is a very real chance that Dortch or Wilson could lead the team in targets over the 2023 season.

That may end up being nothing more than a technicality, and not that exciting for a Cardinals team that projects to be pretty awful this year. We currently only have a single option ranked in the top-45 wide receivers (Brown - WR27)

Moreau isn't exactly an unknown quantity after four seasons and 12 touchdowns with the Raiders. Nobody quite knew when Moreau would be returning to football, however, after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in the offseason. It would be impossible to know that detail based on his play in OTAs and minicamp. Moreau was a frequent target of quarterback Derek Carr throughout practice and participated in 11-on-11 drills without limitations. He worked with both the first and second team during OTAs and could compete with Juwan Johnson for snaps as the team's No. 1 or No. 2 tight end.

As seems to be the case every season since the Jimmy Graham years, the Saints TE situation looks like it will be muddy once again in 2023. Taysom Hill likely has the biggest ceiling, being that he will line up all over the field. Moreau and Johnson will look to cannibalize fantasy production away from one another, making them both undraftable.

While Christian Watson got most of the attention for his big plays late last season, Doubs has seemingly become quarterback Jordan Love's go-to guy -- at least in the offseason practices. Whether it's in scripted team periods or move-the-ball drills like the two-minute simulation, Doubs has been targeted time and again. Don't forget, it was Doubs who starred last preseason when Love got all the No. 1 reps in the games because Aaron Rodgers didn't play. And Doubs was off to a strong start last year as a rookie until a midseason ankle injury changed his trajectory.

Related Players: Jayden Reed, Samori Toure

If Doubs becomes a target-hungry 1-2 punch with Watson, this inevitably pushes the rest of the Packers' options down the pecking order, most notably Jayden Reed. Reed was a second-round selection in this year's draft, but that doesn't automatically mean he will be an integral fantasy piece. This is a situation with fantasy ramifications that we need to keep an eye on.

Prince, a rookie undrafted free agent, took advantage of a thin running back depth chart and stood out as a receiver during offseason practice, making several difficult catches. With Isiah Pacheco recovering from offseason surgery, Prince has a chance to claim not only a roster spot but some playing time if he shows an aptitude for pass protection at training camp.

Related Players: Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Jerick McKinnon

While the UDFA Prince is most likely an addition for special teams purposes, any running back with a role in the Cheifs' offense is enough to perk our ears. After all, Pacheco was the team's second-to-last selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and the fantasy community drooled over him all of last offseason.

Keep Prince on your radar and maybe scour your Dynasty waiver wires just in case.

Devon Achane, a third-round rookie, has "already looked like one of the Dolphins' more explosive offensive players."

Related Players: Jeff Wilson, Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed, Myles Gaskin

Beat writer Louis-Jacques would continue, "Even in non-padded team drills, Achane showed prowess as a pass-catcher and home run ability after the catch. It's a crowded running back room in Miami, but it may not be long before the rookie has a prominent role. "

We already have Achane ranked clear tiers above Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, as the RB27. Those of us who have been grabbing Achane throughout best ball drafts continue to hold our breath that the team won't sign a veteran in the vein of Dalvin Cook or Ezekiel Elliot.

The ramifications of the Stefon Diggs minicamp drama could still be playing out, but a player who benefited from Diggs not taking part in OTAs and parts of minicamp was Sherfield, one of the Bills' acquisitions to add depth to the receiver room.

Related Players: Justin Shorter, Deonte Harty, Khalil Shakir

The article continues by saying, Sherfield got increased opportunities as the Z receiver for quarterback Josh Allen with Diggs not present and made an impression in that time, with Allen saying of Sherfield during OTAs, "I've loved what I've seen from Trent so far; the dude works extremely hard. He's one of the hardest-working guys on the team. Doesn't complain about anything. He's rolling right now."

Trent Sherfield is currently ranked in the stratosphere, all the up at WR148 in 4for4's most recent rankings update, but a steady drumbeat could move him into a more reasonable drafting range.

After months of sidestepping the question of a contract extension with the Colts, RB Jonathan Taylor has changed his tone, remarking that "it's kind of on (the Colts) right now." Beat writer James Boyd believes that Anthony Richardson's need for some offensive stability and, of course, the quarterback's rookie contract should open the door for that extension.

Taylor just wants "to be treated fairly," but the negotiations are likely tough after missing so much time due to an ankle injury in 2022. Taylor and Richardson could turn into a very interesting 1-2 punch if the quarterback can get up to speed quickly, which makes him a top-5 RB for the foreseeable future in Indianapolis.

Saquon Barkley said recently at his camp that he will not make a "definitive declaration" about what he's going to do for the 2023 season until we get to the July 17th deadline for franchise-tagged players to get a long-term extension. Per Rapoport, there is still room for a deal. Talks are "back on" for a possible extension beyond the franchise tag.

Related Players: Matt Breida, Eric Gray, Gary Brightwell

This is a positive spin after Barkley mentioned less than two weeks ago that he would consider sitting out the entirety of the 2023 season if he needs to. A long-term deal for the running back entering his sixth year seems unlikely, but there's no doubt that Barkley remains one of the most talented backs in the league when healthy.

Rams are bringing back veteran running back Sony Michel. It’s a one-year deal.

Related Players: Cam Akers, Kyren Williams, Zach Evans

While this may not seem like that big of a deal, this could turn out as bad news for Akers' between-the-20s and goalline ceiling. Michel could also be non-factor training camp release.

At the least, this probably puts a halt on Zach Evans as a late-round dart throw until we find out more details about the contract.

The Lions will be patient with Sam LaPorta, but he’s already shown enough physical tools to warrant immediate snaps. If the mental side catches up, he could be the starting tight end in Week 1.

Related Players: Brock Wright, James Mitchell

Rookie tight ends notoriously take a long time to get up to speed, but if LaPorta is starting in Week 1, he finds himself in a great offensive environment. Lions tight ends set the receiving touchdown record last season, despite trading away TE1 T.J. Hockenson.