Guest of the League
League of Legends Dynasty Est. 2021
Dynasty $125 - FFL: Preseason | NFL: Week 1

Only two players receive franchise tag, lowest since ‘94

Tue Mar 4 5:09pm ET
Field Level Media

The 4 p.m. ET deadline came and went Tuesday with only two NFL players receiving the franchise tag: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith.

The most notable candidate not to be tagged: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who instead will test the open market while the team reportedly works on an offer to bring him back.

Per ESPN, this marked the fewest players on the franchise tag since 1994, when only two got the tag. It's sharply down from last year's total of eight players tagged around the league.

Higgins was tagged for the second straight year at $26.2 million, and he and the Bengals will work on a long-term contract between now and the July 15 deadline. Smith was tendered at $23.4 million.

Higgins, 26, played in 12 games in 2024 and caught 10 TD passes with 73 receptions for 911 yards. He has 34 career touchdowns, 330 catches and 4,595 yards in 70 regular-season games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Smith, 25, was a Pro Bowl selection at right guard in 2024 and has started 80 games -- 13 in the playoffs -- since being selected in the sixth round in 2021.

Darnold, 27, landed in Minnesota last winter on a one-year free agent deal, projected as the Vikings' interim quarterback, particularly after the team subsequently used a first-round pick on QB J.J. McCarthy.

Darnold won the quarterback job in training camp, during which McCarthy sustained a season-ending right knee injury. In the regular season, Darnold proved to be a revelation, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record while completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, all career highs. He was intercepted 12 times.

The surprise season earned Darnold a Pro Bowl selection, and he wound up 10th in MVP voting.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report

TFC Champion is Crowned

Player Notes
Michael Badgley Mar 4 2:20pm CT
Michael Badgley

The Detroit Lions recently cleared veteran kicker Michael Badgley (groin) from the torn groin that kept him out for all of last season, a source tells NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. While Badgley has made a full recovery, he's now set to become a free agent next week. With the 29-year-old out of commission all year, Jake Bates served as Detroit's regular kicker and was very reliable, missing only three of his 29 field-goal attempts in 17 regular-season games while missing three of his 67 extra-point attempts in his first year in the league. Because of how good Bates looked in 2024, it's likely that the Lions will let Badgley walk in free agency as he heads into his eighth year in the NFL. Badgley has a career 82.4 percent success rate on 119 field-goal attempts in 64 games played. In four games with Detroit in 2023, he made all four of his FGs and went 13-for-15 on extra points.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Mar 4 2:13pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Dynasty | The Jets have released wide receiver Davante Adams. Dynasty Analysis: This was always the most likely scenario after the Jets decided to move on from Aaron Rodgers. Adams will immediately become the best receiver on the open market and will have control over choosing who he'll play for next season. He's rumored to be interested in playing on the West Coast, with teams like the 49ers, Rams, and Chargers on his list. He'll also likely wait to see just what happens with Aaron Rodgers before making a choice. He's still a productive player and should still be a WR1/2 next season, regardless of where he lands and his dynasty value shouldn't crater too much with this move. On the plus side, you may be able to return those Davante Adams Jets jerseys.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

CeeDee Lamb Mar 4 1:40pm CT
CeeDee Lamb

The Dallas Cowboys restructured wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's contract on Tuesday, creating $20 million in salary cap space for 2025, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Dallas just signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a lucrative contract extension and is planning to extend Micah Parsons this offseason in the neighborhood of $40 million per year. Restructuring Lamb's deal gives the organization some flexibility with free agency and with the 2025 NFL Draft coming up in the next few weeks and months. Last offseason, Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million contract extension and is coming off his fourth consecutive campaign with at least 1,100 receiving yards.

From RotoBaller

Saquon Barkley Mar 4 1:30pm CT
Saquon Barkley

The Philadelphia Eagles are signing running back Saquon Barkley to a two-year $41.2 million contract extension, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This deal makes Barkley the first-ever $20 million per year ball carrier and locks him in through the 2027 campaign. The former New York Giants No. 2 overall pick dominated in his first season with Philly, racking up 2,005 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in 16 games. His new deal included $36 million in total guarantees, and he can earn up to an additional $15 million in incentives and escalators. The 28-year-old's new deal could signal a market increase for running backs moving forward after the position became devalued over the last half-decade.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Mar 4 1:13pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Dynasty | The Jets have granted wide receiver Allen Lazard permission to seek a trade. Dynasty Analysis: Lazard was always tied to Aaron Rodgers and while the Jets are saying the right things in terms of possibly bringing him back, that seems a little unlikely at the moment. He could fetch a late round pick swap at this point in his career, but is more likely to be released to join Rodgers at his latest stop. Lazard is no more than a roster clogger on dynasty rosters and has minimal dynasty value.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

James Bradberry Mar 4 12:50pm CT
James Bradberry

The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Tuesday that they will release veteran defensive back James Bradberry (leg), a source tells NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Eagles will designate him as a post-June 1 cut. Bradberry injured his lower leg before the start of the 2024 regular season and spent the entire year on Injured Reserve. In addition to Bradberry, Philly also released veteran cornerback Darius Slay earlier this week after rookie defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean proved more than capable of taking over the Eagles' secondary moving forward. The 31-year-old Bradberry will be playing elsewhere in 2025 and will need to prove to interested teams that he's past his leg injury from last year. In 2022 and 2023 with the Eagles, Bradberry had 98 tackles (78 solo), four interceptions (one for a TD), 30 pass breakups and a fumble recovery in 33 games started.

From RotoBaller

Davante Adams Mar 4 12:30pm CT
Davante Adams

The New York Jets are releasing wide receiver Davante Adams on Tuesday, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. Just several days ago, the Jets announced they were open to trading Adams, but everyone knew the most likely outcome was that they'd cut the 32-year-old wideout after deciding that they were moving on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler caught 67 of 114 targets for 854 yards and seven touchdowns from Rodgers in his 11 starts with the Jets, ultimately recording his fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign in 2024 -- he had 209 receiving yards in three games with Vegas before being traded. Adams' best bet for continued high-end fantasy production could be to follow Rodgers wherever he goes, but the future Hall of Fame QB may not be guaranteed a starting gig anywhere. By cutting Adams, the Jets will incur a $38.2 million salary cap hit in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Allen Lazard Mar 4 12:20pm CT
Allen Lazard

The New York Jets have given permission to veteran wide receiver Allen Lazard to seek a trade, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Jets are also open to bringing Lazard back in 2025 if he cannot find a trade partner. The 29-year-old probably won't have a robust trade market and is still more likely to be cut by the Jets after they overpaid for him on a four-year, $44 million deal prior to the 2023 season, mainly because he's best buddies with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Lazard had a mere 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown in 14 games in 2023 before going for a 37-530-6 line in 12 games in his second season last year. Especially because of the fact that quarterback Aaron Rodgers won't be back in 2025, Lazard will probably be on the move as well and could team up with Rodgers yet again, wherever he goes. The drop-prone wideout is unlikely to be a fantasy factor this fall.

From RotoBaller

Zach Wilson Mar 4 9:40am CT
Zach Wilson

Denver Broncos impending free-agent quarterback Zach Wilson figures to draw interest on the free-agent market this offseason as a player who could compete for a starting spot in training camp, according to The Athletic's Nick Kosmider. Wilson worked as Denver's third-stringer in 2024, but he's only 25 years old and has five years of NFL experience. In addition to Wilson, Jarrett Stidham is also a free agent, and Kosmider doesn't envision both QBs returning to back up Bo Nix for a second straight year. The Broncos would be interested in having one of Wilson/Stidham back in 2025 to back up Nix, though. Kosmider predicts the Broncos will re-sign Stidham on a one- or two-year deal and add a developmental QB prospect on Day 3 of the NFL draft or through college free agency. If Wilson leaves Denver, he'll most likely settle into a backup role somewhere else.

From RotoBaller

Alex Singleton Mar 4 9:30am CT
Alex Singleton

The Denver Broncos made it clear at last week's NFL Combine that Drew Sanders will be a permanent part of the linebacker room in 2025, especially with Cody Barton and Justin Strnad both set to be unrestricted free agents next week and Alex Singleton (knee) coming off an ACL injury. Head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton said Sanders will work this offseason at inside linebacker, and they have high expectations for him. "We think Sanders can be a starter in this league at linebacker," Paton said. It doesn't mean the Broncos won't add to the position in free agency, though, and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton could be targets for the Broncos. Baun was a former draft pick when Payton was with the Saints, so he could be the big free-agent splash Denver makes this offseason.

From RotoBaller

Courtland Sutton Mar 4 9:20am CT
Courtland Sutton

Outside of getting a long-term deal done with wide receiver Courtland Sutton, The Athletic's Nick Kosmider doesn't expect the Denver Broncos to make a big splash at the receiver position in free agency this offseason. Head coach Sean Payton said that he likes the trajectory of his young receivers in Marvin Mims Jr., Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin, who will all be entering their second or third seasons in 2025. Payton wants to get Mims and Franklin on the field more together so that the Broncos can take advantage of their collective speed. Denver is also eager to evaluate A.T. Perry, who they signed to a Futures deal in January. If the Broncos do make a move at receiver in free agency, it's more likely to be a deal similar to the two-year, $9 million deal they gave Josh Reynolds in 2024. Mims was the Broncos' second leading receiver last year behind Sutton and could generate some late-round fantasy appeal in deeper leagues this fall.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Mar 4 9:10am CT
Aaron Jones

The Minnesota Vikings want to re-sign impending free-agent running back Aaron Jones, but The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that even if they do, they are looking for more of a by-committee backfield approach. Lewis expects the Vikings to take a running back in the upcoming NFL draft in April. After signing a one-year, $7 million deal with Minnesota last offseason, the 30-year-old former Packers RB posted his fourth 1,000-yard rushing campaign and added five rushing touchdowns on a career-high 255 rushing attempts in 17 regular-season starts. He also added 51 catches for 408 yards and another two touchdowns. But Jones is now 30 years old, and the Vikings surely want to lessen his load as he ages if they bring him back in 2025. If Jones returns to the Vikings next season, he could end up being more of a shaky RB2 target in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Byron Murphy Mar 4 8:50am CT
Byron Murphy

The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that the Minnesota Vikings want to re-sign cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., which is precisely why they extended the void date of his contract recently, which bought them more time to negotiate a new deal with the pending free agent. Not only does Murphy adore the organization, but the Vikings love his versatile skill set that allows him to play outside, lineup in the slot, blitz, and drop into coverage deep. Because the 27-year-old is younger than some of the more experienced cornerback options in this year's free-agent class and the fact he's also more versatile, he'd have plenty of suitors if he makes it to the open market. If Murphy reaches free agency, his asking price will likely be for around $15 million per year. If Minnesota loses out on Murphy, they may be forced to seek several players to try and replace him.

From RotoBaller

Sam Darnold Mar 3 11:50pm CT
Sam Darnold

League sources think that the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders are the two likeliest landing spots for Minnesota Vikings impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold, but the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers could also go after him. Tagging Darnold and trading him for premium draft capital would be the best-case scenario but that's unlikely to happen now that the Vikings aren't expected to use the franchise tag on the 27-year-old. The Athletic's Alec Lewis writes that it only makes sense to re-sign Darnold if his free-agent market is more depressed than expected. It will be more of a luxury since they have plenty of other holes to fill on the roster and don't want to hinder quarterback J.J. McCarthy's (knee) progression after they took him in the first round of last year's draft. Lewis says that the Vikes think the better plan is paying Daniel Jones around $10 million instead of paying Darnold around $35 million.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Mar 3 10:13pm CT
Tee Higgins

Dynasty | The Bengals have used the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins. Dynasty Analysis: Cincinnati was stuck on this one as Higgins was set to hit free agency. Instead, he gets the tag for the second year in a row and will make $26.2 million for the 2025 season if he's unable to agree to a long-term contract with the Bengals by the July 15 deadline. The two sides seem open to working out a deal, but Cincinnati also has the challenge of getting Ja'Marr Chase under contract as well. Higgins could still be traded as well, but it seems the Bengals are much more focused on getting him in the fold long-term. This is the first significant domino to fall and will keep Higgins on the WR1/2 line for the time being.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Joe Burrow Mar 3 10:13pm CT
Joe Burrow

Dynasty | The Bengals have used the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, leaving the elite duo of Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase together. Dynasty Analysis: The Bengals seem dedicated to keeping both Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase together long-term and that's exactly what the doctor ordered for anyone with Joe Burrow as their dynasty QB1. After a career season, Burrow has cemented himself as an elite-level QB1 and keeping this group intact should ensure he has a chance to push for 5,000 yards and possibly even 50 touchdowns next season. In short, this is great news for Burrow.

From Dynasty League Fantasy

Trey Benson Mar 3 10:10pm CT
Trey Benson

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon has high hopes for running back Trey Benson as he heads into his second NFL season in 2025. James Conner re-signed with the Cardinals after posting a career-high 1,094 rushing yards in 16 starts in 2024, but Benson is expected to take on a bigger role and be more productive in Year 2. "If (Trey) takes the necessary jump from Year 1 to Year 2, I think we have two starting backs," Gannon said. "That's how I view those guys. You see certain teams out there with two '1s,' I would say, and I think we should have two '1s' next year." The 22-year-old Benson finished with only 291 rushing yards on 63 carries in his rookie season, but he was playing at his best when he injured his ankle late in the year. Benson's fantasy ceiling will be limited as long as Conner stays healthy in 2025, but fantasy managers that select Conner should look to handcuff him with Benson.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah McDuffie Mar 3 10:00pm CT
Isaiah McDuffie

The Green Bay Packers re-signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year, $8 million deal on Monday, sources tell ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. With incentives, McDuffie will have the upside to earn a total of $9.5 million. He will return to Green Bay after recording a career-high 97 tackles (46 solo), half a sack, three tackles for loss, three QB hits, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts in his fourth year in the NFL with the Packers. The 25-year-old former sixth-round selection in 2021 out of Boston College is expected to serve as the team's top backup inside linebacker again in 2025 behind Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper. He has a total of 228 tackles (129 solo), one sack, eight tackles for loss, six QB hits, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 63 games (26 starts) in his four years in Green Bay.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Mar 3 10:00pm CT
Tee Higgins

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Monday that they released offensive guard Alex Cappa. While Cappa has been solid for the Bengals, starting all 50 games at right guard that he appeared in since joining the team in 2022, the team simply has too many other free agents they are trying to retain this offseason. In addition to trying to spend big money to keep star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati has prioritized keeping offensive linemen B.J. Hill, Trent Brown and Mike Hilton. The 30-year-old was a third-round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2018 NFL draft out of Humboldt State and spent the first four years of his career with the Bucs before joining the Bengals in 2022. With seven years of NFL experience while playing at a high level, Cappa should generate plenty of interest on the open market.

From RotoBaller

DJ Turner Mar 3 9:50pm CT
DJ Turner

The Las Vegas Raiders are not tendering restricted free-agent wide receiver DJ Turner (knee) this offseason, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. While Turner will now be an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with any team, the Raiders are open to re-signing him. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent caught 16 of his 29 targets for 158 yards and a touchdown in 12 games (six starts) for Vegas in 2024 before landing on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. He added five carries on the ground for 33 yards and a touchdown. Although he didn't move the fantasy needle at all in his third year in the NFL, it was a notable increase in role for Turner after he had just a single target in 19 games (no starts) in his first two years with the Raiders. Regardless of where Turner ends up playing in 2025, he's likely to remain well off the fantasy radar.

From RotoBaller