Sam Darnold to start Sunday 'barring setback'

At the league meeting this week, 49ers GM John Lynch said he expected WR Brandon Aiyuk to stick in 2025. His 2026 option-bonus guarantee triggered yesterday. He’s owed $24.875m this year, $27m in ’26. The $76m that was effectively guaranteed at signing is now fully guaranteed.

Related Players: Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jacob Cowing

This is likely the best case sceanrio for the 49ers and Brock Purdy's fantasy aspirations, but it's hard to say if it's a positive for Aiyuk. That would have all depended on his eventual landing spot, but it seems like we'll have to wait at least one more year for that shoe to drop. Consider the vet somewhere in the back-end WR3 range for now, with Jennings a tier or two above that.

Dallas Goedert entering the last year of his deal with the Eagles. This has felt like it could go either way. Not a player they’re looking to dump but a possible tough decision on financials and what a trade might net. One of the players to watch as we get closer to the draft.

Related Players: Grant Calcaterra, Harrison Bryant, Kylen Granson

The Eagles went out to grab Bryant and Granson to add to what is now a pretty crowded tight end room, presumably in preparation for a possible Goedert trade. Though Goedert's fantasy value could possibly take a hit, it's worth pointing out that he hasn't caught more than four touchdowns since the 2019 season, and he could very easily go to a team with a higher pass rate than Philadelphia. It could end up being a net-neutral spot for the 30-year-old vet.

Wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk, a 2024 second-round pick out of Washington who had a rocky rookie season (12 catches, 87 yards, 2 TDs), is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Vrabel said he has been excited about how Polk has approached his rehabilitation, working on his lower-body strength.

Related Players: Kayshon Boutte, Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Javon Baker, Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins

There's no timetable for recovery here, but Polk certainly didn't need any setbacks after catching only 38.7% of his 31 targets as a 2024 rookie. He should be considered more of a Dynasty hold than a redraft option, particularly with the Patriots tied to a number of options in the '25 Draft class.