The Athletic's Matt Barrows writes that one of the themes among coaches and players this spring was that nobody took better advantage of the offseason than San Francisco 49ers second-year wide receiver Jacob Cowing. The 24-year-old was selected 135th overall (fourth round) last year but had a minimal role, catching just four passes for 80 yards in 15 games (zero starts). However, he trained with quarterback Brock Purdy and receiver Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) early in the offseason and had a prominent role during spring practices. It helped that Pearsall, Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf) were sidelined, but it's notable nonetheless. Cowing has great speed and is doing a better job of maintaining it throughout his cuts and breaks. He's good with the ball in his hands and could be a nice little gadget player in 2025, although it's unlikely to amount to much fantasy value.

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San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said that linebacker Dee Winters has "been impressive" this spring during offseason workouts. The Niners sent a message to Winters in April by taking weakside linebacker Nick Martin in the third round. Winters has looked more confident and aggressive than in previous years, both on run defense and in the passing game, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. He's now heading into the summer with momentum, but the 24-year-old will still have to hold off Martin in training camp. "I don't want to jinx him or anything, but if he stays on his trajectory and he attacks these next 40 days and he does things the right way, I think he's due for a heck of a season," Saleh said. The former sixth-rounder started 10 of 15 games in his second season in 2024 and compiled 44 tackles (26 solo) and four pass breakups for the 49ers.

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It sounds like San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson took advantage of Brandon Aiyuk (knee), Jauan Jennings (calf) and Ricky Pearsall (hamstring) sitting out of offseason workouts this spring. The 30-year-old filled in nicely as the reliable veteran, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Robinson isn't flashy but is well-versed in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense after spending the last two years with the Los Angeles Rams, which made him a frequent and trusted target for quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The former fourth-rounder (126th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 out of Florida is basically an insurance policy for Aiyuk this year. While he's getting extra reps now with three starting wideouts sidelined, Robinson isn't likely to see the field enough during the regular season as long as Jennings and Pearsall are ready for Week 1.

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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that he expects wide receiver Mike Williams (undisclosed) to b ready for training camp at the end of July after missing mandatory minicamp this week due to an undisclosed injury. It's not a great start for Williams this offseason after a rough first season in 2024 coming back from an ACL tear. He's returning to the team that drafted him seventh overall back in 2017 out of Clemson after catching just 21 of 34 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown in 18 games (five starts) in 2024 with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. The 30-year-old veteran could rebound another year removed from major knee surgery, but the odds are probably against it in a run-first offense at his age. RotoBaller has Williams ranked as the No. 86 fantasy wideout. He should go undrafted in leagues with only 12 teams.

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Denver Broncos second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin has had a good offseason, has looked more explosive and added about five pounds, according to head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos took the Oregon product in the fourth round (102nd overall) in last year's draft to pair him with college teammate and quarterback Bo Nix. The slim pass-catcher's chemistry with Nix didn't really translate in Year 1 in the NFL, as he finished with 28 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns on 53 targets over 16 regular-season games (six starts). The No. 2 role behind Courtland Sutton is up for grabs in Denver, with Franklin competing with Marvin Mims Jr., Devaughn Vele and rookie Pat Bryant for a bigger role in 2025. The addition of pass-catching tight end Evan Engram won't help. Franklin is worth keeping an eye on in training camp, but for now, he's outside of RotoBaller's top-100 fantasy receivers.

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Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Trey Benson said that he's added seven pounds this offseason but is also more explosive going into his sophomore campaign. "That's my mindset: Two RB1s," Benson said. The team's other RB1 is of course James Conner, who is a workhorse but is no stranger to injuries. The 22-year-old former third-rounder (66th overall) last year out of Florida State took a clear back seat to Conner in 2024, carrying the ball just 63 times for 291 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown while catching all six of his targets for 59 yards in 13 games (one start). He missed the final three games with an ankle injury. Benson has the size and speed to be a workhorse himself, but that's not going to happen unless Conner misses time with injury in 2025. He is still more of a dynasty stash than a redraft target, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 46 fantasy RB.

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After being carted from mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday with an undisclosed injury, Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) is undergoing an MRI exam on Thursday, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The good news is that Brown was able to walk off the field before being carted to the locker room, but it's unclear what exactly his injury is or how much time he might miss. We should have answers soon. The bad news is that the 29-year-old's injury was of the non-contact variety, which typically is bad news for a football player. If it's a significant injury, Luke McCaffrey, K.J. Osborn, Jaylin Lane and Michael Gallup (hamstring) would have additional opportunities in the competition for the No. 3 role in D.C. behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. Even at full health, Brown isn't really an option for fantasy managers in 12-team leagues.

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The Niagara Gazette's Nick Sabato writes that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) had a promising rookie season derailed in 2024 due to a chipped bone in his wrist that he suffered in Week 9. Coleman missed the next four weeks and had only seven catches on 21 targets for 139 yards and one touchdown in the final four games of the regular season. The 22-year-old former second-rounder (33rd overall) was used as a deep threat for quarterback Josh Allen and caught just over 50% of his targets on the year. He finished with a 29-556-4 line in 13 regular-season games (12 starts). Amari Cooper is now out of town, but Coleman will battle for targets alongside newcomer Joshua Palmer and Khalil Shakir. The addition of Palmer could actually open up Coleman for more of an underneath role, but he'll still be nothing more than a late-round flier in fantasy drafts as WR depth.

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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) said on Monday that he was fully cleared to participate in mandatory minicamp via a physical that the team gave all of their players this week. ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that McCarthy's surgically-repaired knee was cleared long ago for on-field work. A meniscus tear that the 22-year-old former first-rounder suffered last summer kept him sidelined for his entire rookie season in 2024, in which he saw Sam Darnold lead the team into the playoffs. He resumed on-field work back in January and hasn't had any limitations at all as he enters what will actually be his rookie year in 2025. With no real competition at the position with Darnold gone, McCarthy is the unquestioned starter heading into the season and one of the best WR duos in the league in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. He's a low-end QB2 with enticing upside in fantasy.

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Jacksonville Jaguars rookie first-round wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter played both offense and defense in the same day in front of the media on Thursday in the team's final day of mandatory minicamp, according to SI.com's John Shipley. It's a preview of what's to come in training camp this summer, and Shipley writes that Hunter seems to be handling the weight of the role well so far. The 22-year-old second overall pick started focusing on offense first early this offseason, but the Jags plan on using him on both sides of the ball in his rookie year in 2025. The Heisman Trophy winner is an elite athlete and should be Jacksonville's No. 2 wideout behind Brian Thomas Jr. right away, but it's unclear exactly how often he'll be targeted and how many snaps a game he'll be involved on offense. The upside is intriguing, but fantasy managers should consider him a WR4/flex, at best.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) went down with a shoulder injury earlier this week at mandatory minicamp and was held out of the rest of the practice for precautionary reasons. On Thursday, Thomas returned and looked perfectly OK while being a full participant, according to SI.com's John Shipley. The 22-year-old second-year wideout will be just fine for the start of training camp in late July and should be considered a strong low-end WR1 with plenty of upside going into Year 2. The former 23rd overall pick was a Pro Bowler in his rookie campaign after catching 87 of 133 targets for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts). Thomas shouldn't have anything to worry about as far as being quarterback Travis Lawrence's top target after the team took two-way player Travis Hunter with the second overall pick.

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Buffalo Bills rookie defensive back Maxwell Hairston (hamstring) missed Thursday's minicamp practice session due to a hamstring injury. General manager Brandon Beane said the Kentucky product "tweaked" his hamstring and is getting treatment. Per Beane, the expectation is that he'll be ready for training camp. Buffalo's No. 30 overall selection in April's draft, Hairston projects to eventually slot into the team's second cornerback spot that was vacated by the departure of ex-Bill Rasul Douglas. The 21-year-old is most likely in no danger of missing training camp, and figures to play a prominent role in the Bills' secondary at some point in his first professional campaign.

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According to head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Will Johnson (hamstring) has not participated in the team's mandatory minicamp because of a tight hamstring. Gannon also noted that the rookie will be ready for training camp. Arizona got a steal in the Michigan alum, who was regarded as a first-round pick but saw his draft stock fall due to injuries. Johnson is expected to contribute immediately to the Cardinals' defensive backfield, but he is unfortunately already missing valuable practice time in his inaugural campaign. It's excellent news that he's expected back by training camp, insinuating that it isn't a significant issue. He'll look to aid a defensive unit that ranked thirteenth-worst with 342.5 yards allowed per game last season.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Diontae Johnson is focused on changing the perception surrounding him this season after a tumultuous 2024, he told ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi on Wednesday. Johnson was all over the place last season, leading the Carolina Panthers in receiving through the first seven games before a mid-year trade to Baltimore -- and eventual release after he refused to play in Week 13. The Texans claimed him, and he caught two passes for them in Week 18, but was waived after their wild-card win over the Chargers due to his "visible frustration" after playing just 15 snaps. The 28-year-old will get a chance to prove himself in Cleveland, as the target competition behind fellow WR Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku isn't too daunting. Still, the offense's success will largely depend on who is calling signals for the Browns in 2025, and even that might not be a guarantee on a weekly basis.

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Per NFL.com's Grant Gordon, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Bo Melton took practice reps with the defensive backs during this week's mandatory minicamp. "Everybody turned and looked at me like, 'What are you doing?'" said Melton on Wednesday. Despite this week marking the first time that the 26-year-old ran with the DBs, it isn't the first discussion he and coach Matt LaFleur have had about it. Reportedly, when Melton joined the team in 2023, LaFleur inquired about his defensive prowess from the short time he spent in Rutgers' defensive backfield early in his collegiate career. The former Scarlet Knight hasn't just been an offensive asset for the Pack during his tenure with the squad, as he's also recorded four tackles on 154 career special-teams snaps. Whether he sticks remains to be seen, but it's a smart move for Green Bay to try to develop him at the position after the departure of his former teammate Jaire Alexander.

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The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Shedeur Sanders has positioned himself to make the roster this fall and eventually make the team's decision-makers think about where he might belong on the depth chart. Sanders has been good enough in spring practices to make Browns coaches think he's worthy of more chances in training camp this summer. That doesn't mean the 23-year-old is firmly in the mix to win the starting job for the regular season -- veteran Joe Flacco is still considered the favorite -- but he's shown accuracy and decisiveness this spring. Sanders still has a lot of developing to do, but so far, he has been impressive as he looks to prove to Cleveland that he belongs in the picture long term after his well-documented draft-day slide in late April. For fantasy purposes, he's merely a dynasty/keeper stash and hold in 2025.

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Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (leg) is sitting out of practice for a second straight day on Thursday on the final day of mandatory minicamp, according to ESPN's David Newton. McMillan was involved in a collision with a teammate in practice on Tuesday, and his le took a shot. It's purely precautionary, and the 22-year-old should be just fine for training camp at the end of July. The 6-foot-4, 219-pounder should be an immediate starter in three-wide sets in Carolina alongside Adam Thielen and either Xavier Legette or Jalen Coker. He's not extremely fast, but his size should make him an immediate downfield threat for young quarterback Bryce Young. If Young can continue to build on what he showed in the second half of last year, McMillan could have a fine rookie season in 2025. Draft him as a WR3/flex this fall.

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Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart remains unsigned and has left mandatory minicamp this week, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. Stewart had been attending offseason team activities, but without being signed and with the Bengals asking for certain clauses, he has left. Because he's not under contract, the 21-year-old pass-rusher won't be subject to fines for missing mandatory minicamp. This situation will most certainly be handled sooner than later, but the young defensive end is missing valuable reps as he heads into his first NFL season in 2025. Stewart was taken with the 17th overall pick back in late April, and the Bengals could need him even more if All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson's holdout extends into the regular season or if he's traded.

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New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers' injured toe is "good," according to head coach Brian Daboll, and he's "progressing." Nabers still isn't ready to practice in full yet, but he's participating in walkthrough during mandatory minicamp. The 21-year-old former sixth overall pick last year dealt with a toe injury in college and it also bothered him at times in his rookie campaign in 2024, but it never caused him to miss any games. The LSU product has not practiced at all this offseason, but he's expected to be a full-go for training camp this summer. Nabers impressed in his first year in the league and made the Pro Bowl after catching 109 passes on a whopping 170 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games (13 starts) despite New York's terrible QB situation. Even though things might not be much better with Russell Wilson under center, Nabers is a clear top-10 fantasy wideout.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love said specifically that tight end Tucker Kraft's usage is a major point of focus this spring during offseason workouts. Kraft took a big jump from his rookie season in 2023 to last year, catching 50 of 70 targets for 707 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts as Green Bay's primary pass-catching tight end. He had just 31 receptions for 355 yards and two scores in 17 games (eight starts) in 2023 while splitting snaps with Luke Musgrave. It helped that Musgrave missed 10 games with an ankle injury last year, but Kraft should operate as the team's TE1 in 2025, and he's certainly an intriguing low-end TE1 target in fantasy drafts with upside for more because of his yards-after-the-catch prowess. The 24-year-old former third-rounder (78th overall) in 2023 out of South Dakota State is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 11 fantasy tight end.

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