SNY's Connor Hughes writes that Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is a name to watch for the New York Giants as a trade-up option near the end of the first round of Thursday night's 2025 NFL draft. Sources are saying that head coach Brian Daboll is high on Dart as one of the top QB prospects in this year's class behind Miami's Cam Ward. Dart's toughness is something that Daboll values when he looks for a signal-caller. Other NFL teams are in on Dart, too, which is why the Giants may want to trade back into the first round if they really like him. At No. 3 overall, Hughes writes that there's not much out there connecting Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders to New York, and the hype has cooled dramatically from where it was in December. If the Giants were to land Dart late in the first round or early in the second round, he could push veteran Russell Wilson for the starting job in training camp this summer.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will begin competing for the starting role in 2025 when their offseason program begins on Tuesday. Both Richardson and Jones are former top-10 picks that haven't lived up to their draft stock so far in their careers. Richardson has elite rushing upside, but he needs to improve as a passer and has missed 17 of a possible 34 games due to two injuries. "You don't want to begin with an end in mind," general manager Chris Ballard said. "If I'm a betting man, at some point, both of them will help us." Richardson was going through the draft process before his rookie year and was recovering from shoulder surgery last offseason, so he'll have his first normal offseason to prepare going into the 2025 campaign. He has more pure fantasy upside due to his rushing ability, but his draft stock is way down with the possibility that both Jones and Richardson are making starts.

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When asked if the situation surrounding free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have any effect on what the Pittsburgh Steelers do in this week's NFL draft, head coach Mike Tomlin said, "It does not." "All options are on the table to acquire those last two [quarterbacks]," general manager Omar Khan said. The Steelers plan on taking four QBs into offseason workouts, but right now they only have Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. Pittsburgh has the No. 21 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, and it's very possible they'll select a signal-caller in that spot, especially if Colorado's Shedeur Sanders falls all the way down to them. Taking Sanders wouldn't necessarily prevent the Steelers from signing Rodgers to be their starting QB in 2025, though. While signs had been pointing to Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh a while ago, retirement also remains on the table.

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The New Orleans Times-Picayune's Jeff Duncan writes that he doesn't know who the New Orleans Saints are targeting with pick No. 9 in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night, but he thinks he can safely say that it won't be Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders if he falls that far. It's unclear if current starter Derek Carr (shoulder) will be ready for the start of the 2025 season this fall, but most people close to the Saints believe they will be prioritizing an offensive or defensive lineman with their first-round pick this year. There have been rumblings that the Saints are very interested in Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart and may even prefer him over Sanders, but No. 9 overall is considered too much of a reach for him in the first round. If the New York Giants don't take Sanders at No. 3 overall, there's a good chance that he could fall to the back end of the first round or out of the first round entirely.

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The Cleveland Browns, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, and the New York Giants, who sit at No. 3 in this year's NFL draft, both inquired about the possibility of trading up to No. 1 overall with the Tennessee Titans, but the Titans have resisted the overtures and are fully expected to hold onto their pick to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward. This has been the case for a while, with the Titans having fallen in love with Ward as their future franchise signal-caller after they saw former second-rounder Will Levis flop in a starting role in 2024. One of the biggest reasons for the lack of movement as far as trades before this week's draft is what evaluators perceive to be the lack of blue-chip QB prospects. While there is a lot of uncertainty as to what might happen outside of the top three picks in this year's draft, everyone is pretty certain the Titans will call Ward's name at No. 1.

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There is skepticism that the New Orleans Saints will take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders if he's available at their pick at No. 9 overall in this year's NFL draft on Thursday night, even with Derek Carr's (shoulder) availability in question for the start of the 2025 season this fall. The Saints are believed to be more interested in taking an offensive or defensive lineman with their first-round pick this year. However, there is a belief that they do want to select a QB this year, just maybe not at No. 9 overall. "I don't think New Orleans is taking Shedeur. I think they're hot and heavy on Jaxson Dart," a personnel executive said. Still, it would be a surprise to see New Orleans take Dart at No. 9 overall. The Ole Miss product could be squarely in the mix to be taken with the Saints' second-round pick, though, at No. 40 overall -- according to sources, the Saints have already made calls about trading up in the second round.

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The Atlanta Falcons have said publicly that they aren't interested in trading quarterback Kirk Cousins but that they'd entertain offers if the right deal is on the table. According to sources, they've privately had talks with other teams and have asked for a lot in return. Specifically, the Falcons have asked any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $37.5 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins' contract. No team has been willing to do that to date, and no teams are expected to be willing to. However, what happens during this week's NFL draft could influence how much guaranteed money a team might be willing to take on from the 36-year-old veteran's contract. The Vikings or Steelers could be willing to pay down to around $10 million for Cousins. He did not look good in his first season coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and was eventually benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16 last year.

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The Athletic's Josh Kendall thinks that it wouldn't be a surprise if the Atlanta Falcons select a tight end on Day 2 of this year's NFL draft, and he projects that they'll select LSU tight end Mason Taylor in third round at pick No. 81. Kyle Pitts, the former fourth overall pick in 2021, is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, and head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot have been clear that 2025 is a critical season for Pitts. Backup Charlie Woerner has just 18 catches in five NFL seasons. Taylor, who is 6-foot-5, 246 pounds, could be the eventual replacement for Pitts if he doesn't figure it out next season. He is Dane Brugler's No. 3 TE and the No. 33 overall prospect in this year's class. In his three seasons with the Tigers, Taylor had 129 catches for 1,308 yards.

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The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac said on The Rich Eisen Show that the Pittsburgh Steelers really like both Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders. "I will tell you Rich that they have a first-round grade on Jaxson Dart, and they really like Shedeur Sanders," Dulac said. "Despite whatever post was put out there that he had a terrible meeting (and) it did not go well. Nothing could be further from the truth. They like the guy. They had a great meeting with him." Pittsburgh has yet to sign future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers and have only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on their QB depth chart heading into the draft, so many are predicting that they will address the position with the 21st overall pick in the first round on Thursday night. However, Dulac thinks the team prefers to go with a defensive lineman with their first-round pick. There's a greater chance that Sanders is gone by pick No. 21.

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The Las Vegas Raiders have been heavily linked to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the 2025 NFL draft, and new general manager John Spytek made it clear that he's a big believer in taking a RB high in the draft. "I mean we just saw Saquon Barkley just change the Eagles in one year," Spytek said. "There's certain ways to build a team, and I don't know where we got to a place where we don't feel like running backs are valued." ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. has the Raiders taking Jeanty at No. 6 overall on Thursday night in his latest mock draft. The Heisman finalist had a "good formal" visit with the Raiders at the combine in February. Spytek was at the 21-year-old's Pro Day, and the Raiders held a top-30 visit with Jeanty. He ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Broncos in 2024 and would become Vegas' immediate starting RB if the Raiders take him in the top 10.

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The Seattle Seahawks are open to trading quarterback Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams interested in landing the backup signal-caller, according to sources. The interest comes after Seattle reunited with former backup Drew Lock last week. Sam Darnold is the starter, but the Seahawks also have Jaren Hall as their No. 4 QB. General manager John Schneider said last week that the team is prepared to have Howell and Lock compete for the backup job behind Darnold this summer. Seattle acquired Howell in a trade last March with the Washington Commanders, giving up third- and fifth-round picks in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round picks. The 24-year-old didn't look great at all in relief of Geno Smith in December after he started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, throwing 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions.

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Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, who has already had top-30 visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, will have two final visits with the Detroit Lions and Tennessee Titans, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 2025 RB draft class is a very strong one, but Skattebo has plenty of suitors after running for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns on 293 carries for the Sun Devils in 2024 while also catching 45 passes for 605 yards and another three scores through the air. The Lions hold the No. 28 overall pick in the first round, while the Titans wouldn't be considering Skattebo until pick No. 35 (third overall pick in the second round). The 23-year-old wouldn't have any real single-year fantasy value behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery if he were to land with the Lions. He'd have a more direct path to fantasy value in 2025 in Tennessee alongside Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears.

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Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer thinks there are a wide range of possibilities for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the first round of this year's NFL draft on Thursday night, with him possibly going as high as No. 3 to the New York Giants or falling out of the first round entirely. The Giants have done plenty of homework on Sanders and other top QB prospects, but they won't force a pick on a quarterback with the third overall pick, and they've reportedly had ups and downs with Sanders throughout the scouting process. Breer guesses the G-Men won't take the 23-year-old at No. 3, but they could get another shot at him at No. 34 overall in the second round or if they trade back into the first round. If New York doesn't take him at No. 3, Breer would be surprised if the Saints take him at No. 9. His next potential landing spot could be the Steelers at No. 21. Some sources think if Sanders goes in the first round, it will be because an owner gets involved.

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he'll be "taking full ownership, running the show" in new offensive coordinator Nick Calley's system and appreciates how Calley is already putting trust in him. Stroud didn't look at all like a rookie in 2023 under previous offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, but he came back down to Earth a bit in 2024 in his sophomore campaign and finished as the QB17 in fantasy while throwing for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 17 regular-season games. Protection was the biggest issue, as the former second overall pick took a whopping 52 sacks in 2024 after being sacked 38 times in 15 regular-season games as a rookie. Stroud could be more effective again with more control of the offense, particularly before the snap, leaving him as a fine midrange QB1 bounce-back target in fantasy.

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There is some uncertainty as to whether San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner will take part in the team's offseason program (which begins on Tuesday) as he seeks a long-term contract extension, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. Warner and the 49ers have yet to have substantive contract talks this offseason, but Silver reports that he's likely to report for voluntary activities. The 28-year-old had another All-Pro season in 2024 and finished as a top-10 fantasy linebacker in IDP formats with 131 tackles (76 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, two interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), seven pass breakups and four forced fumbles in 17 starts. He was a Pro Bowler for the fourth time in his career and for the third straight season. Regardless of his contract situation, Warner should be an every-week IDP starter as long as he's healthy. He's had 100-plus total tackles in all seven of his NFL seasons.

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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday that quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) is "full" with "no limitations" during the team's voluntary offseason program. McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear in his knee in the preseason last year that required surgery and caused him to miss his entire rookie campaign after being taken in the first round (10th overall) in 2024. But now that both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones left in free agency, the 22-year-old signal-caller will be given the starting reigns in 2025. Minnesota could revisit signing Aaron Rodgers later this offseason if they aren't happy with McCarthy's progress, but that's probably unlikely. McCarthy will have one of the best receiver duos in the league with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but fantasy managers should still expect ups and downs in his first full season as the starter. Those holding McCarthy in dynasty leagues have to be pleased with how this offseason has played out.

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There is some uncertainty as to whether San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle will attend voluntary activities as he seeks a new contract, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. Kittle is heading into the final year of a five-year, $75 million deal and is considered much more of a long shot to get something done because he and the team remain far apart in contract discussions. Even though Kittle is on the wrong side of 30 and is an injury risk, he was the TE2 in half-PPR scoring in 2024 thanks to 78 catches on 94 targets for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games played. It was even more impressive due to the fact that he played much of the season with cracked ribs. Because of his production last year, Kittle will continue to be a high-end tight end target in fantasy drafts this fall, but the risk is also high given his propensity for injuries.

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There is some uncertainty about whether San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy, who is seeking a new long-term contract, will show up for voluntary activities, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. The 49ers' offseason program begins on Tuesday. Silver also reports that there has been some progress toward a multi-year extension for Purdy that will likely pay him more than $50 million per season. However, it remains to be seen just how much progress has been made. If the 25-year-old shows up on Tuesday, it will be a sign that he and his agent think they are close to reaching a deal. If the former seventh-rounder is absent, it will probably indicate that some obstacles remain. Purdy wasn't quite as good in 2024, but the Niners also dealt with some key injuries to playmakers around him on offense. He could easily bounce back in 2025, though, and will be in play as a low-end QB1 in fantasy drafts this fall.

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The New York Jets are picking up cornerback Sauce Gardner's $20.1 million fifth-year option for the 2026 season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's no surprise after Gardner, the former fourth overall pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati, made two Pro Bowls and was named a first-team All-Pro in two of his first three NFL seasons. The 24-year-old defensive back has quickly become one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the league and could be in line for a long-term contract extension before he even begins his fifth year in the NFL next season. Gardner ended the 2024 season on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury, but he still started 15 games and recorded 49 tackles (36 solo), his first career sack, an interception and nine pass breakups. He should be ready for the start of the 2025 season and will be a tough matchup for opposing No. 1 wideouts when they face the Jets.

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The New York Jets are picking up the fifth-year option on wide receiver Garrett Wilson, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It will cost the Jets $16.8 million for the 2026 season. The 24-year-old former first-rounder (10th overall) out of Ohio State could work out a long-term contract extension this offseason that would make his fifth-year option basically a mute point, though. Despite dealing with inconsistent quarterback play in his three years in the NFL, Wilson has been productive with three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons and 14 touchdowns on 279 catches (469 targets) in 51 games played (46 starts). Even though there are questions about how much the Jets will throw the ball with dual-threat QB Justin Fields now in town, Wilson has excellent chemistry with Fields from their days at Ohio State and should be heavily targeted as the unquestioned WR1 in 2025.

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