AtoZSports.com's Easton Freeze reports that the Tennessee Titans may alter the role that rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike played on the field during his time at college. The 23-year-old has speed for days and was deployed on a steady diet of nine routes during his tenure at the collegiate level. Rightfully so, when you consider he averaged a whopping 18.6 yards per reception -- good for a top-20 mark in the FBS. However, Freeze notes that Tennessee could opt to use him as a big-slot asset and that it wouldn't be surprising to see him garner a role early on in the offense due to his versatility. Dike's athleticism makes him an enticing option, and the Titans' lack of legitimate receiving weapons only furthers the intrigue. The rookie's playing time could be sparse to start, but he should get a decent chance at snaps eventually. He's an interesting dynasty dart-throw.

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Per Jason Reed of BoltBeat.com, Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith is not guaranteed a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Reed reports that the fifth-round pick in April's draft is currently in a roster battle with four other wideouts for, presumably, the final spot in LA's WR corps. Lambert-Smith profiles as more of a developmental prospect, never having eclipsed 53 receptions or 1,000 yards across five years at two schools (Penn State, Auburn). However, he carries a leg up on fellow pass-catchers Jalen Reagor and Brenden Rice due to his status as a rookie. Reed notes the Chargers could decide to carry seven wide receivers on their active roster, though that'd be a rare occurrence. For now, the 23-year-old will have to show out during training camp to ensure his spot with Los Angeles.

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Despite the fact that Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Byron Young has already had two strong seasons in the NFL with 15.5 sacks, outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio said he's noticed how "intentional" Young has been going into his third season in the NFL. Coniglio said he's challenged the former third-rounder to continue to work on his "consistency," because "when he's at his best, it's a lot of fun to watch." "I think he's going to take another step forward in regards to his game, his ability to affect games, his ability to disrupt offenses and be the player that he's capable of being," Coniglio said. The 27-year-old has 123 tackles (76 solo), 15.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 34 games (32 starts) in his first two years. Young is one of the Rams' key young pass-rushers.

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ESPN's Jenna Laine writes that Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker SirVocea Dennis had one of the most impressive offseasons of any defender on the team. "First day of OTAs, made one of the best plays I've ever seen a linebacker make," linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. said. "He's special, man. Very cerebral and knows the game very well. Can really do everything on the field as a pass dropper, a blitzer and a run defender." Dennis only played in four games in 2024 due to a season-ending shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 4, and the middle of Tampa's defense was more vulnerable as a result. The 25-year-old was selected in the fifth round (153rd overall) in 2023 out of Pittsburgh. He looked like he was on his way toward a breakout season last year before his injury, as he had 22 tackles (14 solo) and a sack in essentially only three games.

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Arizona Cardinals rookie fourth-round inside linebacker Cody Simon has caught the attention of head coach Jonathan Gannon in a short amount of time this offseason, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "He's definitely flashed here," Gannon said. "We got him playing a couple different spots, so that's good. He is playing on fourth down right now, so he is learning all that. He's eager to learn. He doesn't make mistakes twice and he's got juice. He's physical, just like all those guys. Long way to go. But I like where he is at." The 23-year-old has also taken on the responsibility of wearing the green dot, which has added to the steep learning curve heading into his first year in the NFL. The Ohio State product was plenty productive on college for the Buckeyes, but even though he's flashed during the offseason program, he might have to wait for a full-time role in Arizona.

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Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt is due to around $21 million in the last year of his current contract, but the question for the Steelers is whether they are willing to pay a player that will turn 31 this fall upwards of $40 million per year on a new extension. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero believes that the two sides will get something done before either training camp or the start of the 2025 regular season, and when it is done, it will reset the edge-rush market. Watt has made the Pro Bowl each of the last seven seasons and has been an All-Pro four times in his career while leading the NFL in sacks in three of the last five years. The downside is he has an extensive injury history and dropped to 11.5 sacks in 17 regular-season starts a year ago. The Steelers and Watt are currently in a stalemate, but with Pittsburgh all-in on 2025, it's highly unlikely that Watt will be traded.

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NFL.com's Coral Smith reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed general manager Omar Khan to a new three-year contract on Thursday. The financial details were not noted. Khan has been a member of the Steelers' organization since 2001, but took over his current role in 2022 from predecessor Kevin Colbert. The 48-year-old, known for his aggressive offseason moves, has undoubtedly been entertaining as the team's GM. However, despite continuing the franchise's winning ways, playoff wins -- particularly deep playoff runs -- have been the issue. The hope is that will change in 2025, with a revamped wide receiver room led by DK Metcalf, veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers at the helm, and the recent acquisition of tight end Jonnu Smith. Still, they share a division with two of the more brutal AFC squads (Bengals, Ravens). Pittsburgh hasn't won more than ten games or sat atop the AFC North since 2020, but they're pushing their chips all-in ahead of the upcoming campaign.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni noted during the team's minicamp that he believes wide receiver Calvin Austin III is poised to step into the offense's No. 2 pass-catching role. "I think that '2' spot is all Calvin's right now," said Azzanni. The Memphis alum put together his best statistical season in 2024 with a decent 36/548/4 line as the team's third-leading wideout. However, even with the departure of ex-teammate George Pickens vacating 103 targets, it won't be an easy path to fantasy relevance. Pickens was replaced by DK Metcalf, who will garner his fair share of looks, and Austin III will now have to contend with two viable options at tight end in Pat Freiermuth and the newly acquired Jonnu Smith. The 26-year-old offers the most juice on the team, but Pittsburgh's propensity to run and productive teammates will likely limit his fantasy value outside of best ball formats.

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ESPN's David Newton writes that it was obvious to teammates that Carolina Panthers second-year linebacker Chau Smith-Wade had a stellar offseason and will be a factor for the team in 2025. "Man, I think he's been the most impressive player," Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn said. "Chau took advantage of an opportunity," head coach Dave Canales said. "He made tackles. He had an opportunity on an interception, and he made it." Newton adds that Smith-Wade's ability to play corner, nickel and safety makes him even more valuable to a young defense that finished last in the NFL in 2024. The 22-year-old ended his rookie campaign on Injured Reserve in December due to an illness. The former fifth-rounder finished 2024 with 39 tackles (24 solo) an interception and a forced fumble in 14 games (four starts). Smith-Wade had taken over the slot role before his illness sidelined him.

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris thinks that linebacker Divine Deablo is capable of wearing the green dot as essentially the quarterback of the defense in 2025, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi. Morris has been impressed with Deablo's size (6-foot-3), length and speed, and he has a realistic shot at winning a starting job at inside linebacker next to Kaden Elliss. The 26-year-old former third-rounder (80th overall) by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 out of Virginia Tech had just 63 tackles (35 solo) and one sack in 14 starts in his fourth year with the Raiders in 2024, which was his lowest tackle output since his rookie season. It sound like Deablo will have a great chance for a bounce-back season in his first year with the Falcons, but he's probably not going to be on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues. Deablo has 100-plus tackles just once in his four years in the NFL.

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ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers showed playmaking ability while also showing off his speed as a kickoff returner during offseason workouts, demonstrating why the Vikings think he's a likely starter for them despite being a relatively obscure player since the Indianapolis Colts took him in the sixth round back in 2020. "He's been a great addition," defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. "He's got great football IQ and acumen." Flores said he's been tracking Rodgers since he played at the University of Massachusetts. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $15 million contract this offseason. He was suspended for all of 2023 due to gambling but played in 15 regular-season games for the Eagles in 2024 and had 26 tackles (17 solo) and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season games (three starts). He should have a bigger role in Minnesota.

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Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he sees new defensive back Avonte Maddox as a guy who will "fit right in with us" after evaluating him during the offseason program, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. Maddox is a Detroit native and looked good during offseason workouts. The former fourth-rounder brings a lot of experience to help Detroit's secondary as a Super Bowl champion and veteran player that spent the last seven years with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal in free agency with the Lions after starting last season as the starter in the slot for the Eagles before eventually losing the gig to impressive rookie Cooper DeJean. In Detroit, he's expected to be a key backup behind starter Brian Branch.

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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson singled out rookie fourth-round linebacker Ruben Hyppolite as the player that the coaches saw the most improvement from this spring, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Hyppolite saw plenty of run with the starting defense at weakside linebacker -- a position he didn't have much experience at after playing middle linebacker at Maryland -- with veteran T.J. Edwards sidelined with a soft-tissue injury. "He's done a great job adjusting to that speed as we've gone through, and that's going to have to show up once we do get the pads on," Johnson said. "But I think he's been improving every single day, and really, we're hoping that course continues." The 23-year-old with 4.39-second 40-yard dash speed could be in the lead for the battle for the No. 3 linebacker job heading into training camp.

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The Washington Commanders' coaching staff noticed that defensive tackle Daron Payne showed more leadership and was more outgoing around the building this offseason, per ESPN's John Keim. Head coach Dan Quinn said Payne had "laser focus" this spring. "He just looks really good, really intent-ful. You can really see him taking that leadership role to the next step. He's been the guy that's really just stood out to me the most from that standpoint," defensive coordinator Joe Whitt said. The 28-year-old had 11.5 sacks in a contract year in 2022 but has posted eight total sacks the last two seasons. He had 96 pass-rush wins and a win rate of 11.6% from 2020-22, but he's recorded just 39 wins and a 7.6% win rate the last two seasons. Washington needs Payne to be more productive in 2025, and if he isn't, he could be cut next offseason for $16 million in savings.

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ESPN's Tim McManus writes that Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Danny Gray made an impression this offseason during OTAs and minicamp practices open to reporters, using his 4.33-second speed to stretch the field and accelerate past defenders on catches over the middle. The former third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2022 dealt with injuries and had just one catch on seven targets for 10 yards in his only season with the team back in 2022. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are the Eagles' clear top two pass-catchers, but McManus points out that there are roster spots up for grabs behind them. Gray will be competing with the likes of Ainias Smith, Avery Williams and Terrace Marshall Jr. in training camp this summer. The Niners cut Gray at the end of training camp last year and quickly signed with Philly, where he spent all of last year on the practice squad.

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New York Giants safety Dane Belton was making plays seemingly every practice this spring and had three interceptions in the five workouts open to the media. ESPN's Jordan Raanan writes that the former fourth-rounder in 2022 will have a role as the third safety this year, even if he's not a starter. It appeared as though Belton was going to be an afterthought after the team signed Jevon Holland earlier this offseason, but that just hasn't been the case. "He has been really good for us here early. Like he's had a really good spring," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. "[We're] finding ways to get him on the field, what he can do for us to help us." The 24-year-old defensive back showed some progress in his third year in the league in 2024, finishing with 56 tackles (28 solo), one sack, one interception, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games (six starts).

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kaiir Elam started only 12 games in three seasons with the Buffalo Bills with two interceptions before the Cowboys acquired him in a trade, but he flashed on numerous occasions in OTAs and minicamp, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Elam had multiple interceptions in offseason practices and dropped two more while showing an ability to run with receivers. Archer goes on to write that the Cowboys need Elam to be a factor in 2025 with all the uncertainty surrounding cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) and third-round rookie Shavon Revel Jr. (knee), who are both working their way back from knee surgeries. The Cowboys didn't exercise Elam's fifth-year option after the Bills took him 23rd overall in the 2022 NFL draft out of Florida, so perhaps he's extra motivated going into his first year in Dallas. That's what the Cowboys are banking on.

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ESPN's Adam Teicher writes that judging from how rookie seventh-round running back Brashard Smith was used in offseason practices, the Kansas City Chiefs have plans for him. The 22-year-old ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and could fit in nicely with other offensive skill players on the team, including receivers Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown and running back Elijah Mitchell. Smith was a receiver in college before moving to a RB at SMU in his final season, and the Chiefs got him the ball out of the backfield, from the slot and split out wide during spring workouts. Head coach Andy Reid knows a little something about finding ways to use speedy offensive weapons, so fantasy managers shouldn't complete turn away from Smith, even though it will be hard for him to secure a big role in his first year in the NFL.

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Denver Broncos rookie third-round wide receiver Pat Bryant consistently showed physicality to win contested catches during the team's offseason program, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. Additionally, quarterback Bo Nix showed the confidence to target Bryant in tight situations. Consistent playing time could be hard to come by with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr. and Troy Franklin getting most of the work with the starters, but Legwold thinks Bryant will be in the mix if he builds on his offseason work in training camp and the preseason. The 22-year-old from Illinois isn't a burner by any means, but the Broncos saw a precise route-runner who consistently created space with an explosive release off the line of scrimmage. Bryant has been compared to former Saints wideout Michael Thomas, who had quite a run in Sean Payton's offense in New Orleans. For now, Bryant is one to watch with training camp approaching.

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Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton has already become a mentor to the team's young inside linebackers, especially second-year linebacker James Williams, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Barton is proving to be a much-needed savvy veteran for the Titans after signing a three-year deal worth $21 million in free agency this offseason. The 28-year-old has been a vocal presence on the field during offseason workouts for a Titans defense that struggled in coverage in 2024 and often found themselves out of position. He's been useful in IDP fantasy formats each of the last three seasons with three different teams -- Seattle, Washington and Denver -- racking up a combined 363 tackles (204 solo). Barton had an expanded role with the Broncos in 2024 and will likely be counted on to play an every-down role in Tennessee.

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