NFL | theScore

A lot has changed over the last year for Puka Nacua, who went from being an unknown fifth-round receiver on the Los Angeles Rams to earning an All-Pro berth after a historic rookie season.The expectations are high for Nacua in Year 2, but the BYU product said he isn't feeling any extra pressure."Every week presented a different challenge and who we were playing against and also just trying to make sure I could prepare myself the best way to be able to be there on Sunday and perform my best," Nacua recently said, according to NFL.com's Grant Gordon. "I think coming into this year, I think it definitely presents a challenge of just trying to reset the standard."Nacua - the 20th wide receiver off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft - set single-season rookie records for catches (105) and receiving yards (1,486) last year while being targeted a team-high 160 times. The 22-year-old also had 15 receptions in a game (another rookie record) in addition to six touchdowns to help the Rams reach the playoffs with a 10-7 record."Last year, from what I put on tape and tried to improve in the ways I know I'm capable of and then being there for my team in every which way coach (Sean) McVay asks a lot of us from the offensive side of the ball. I'm super excited for the challenges that come up this year," Nacua added.The Rams fell short in the wild-card round against the Lions this past season, but Los Angeles will open its 2024 season with a rematch versus Detroit on Sunday Night Football."Being able to be back in Detroit is going to be a fun one in Week 1," Nacua said.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets have failed to meet expectations in recent years - including last season - but the NFL wasn't afraid of putting them in prime time in 2024.New York will have six prime-time games this season, tied for the most in the league. The Jets are the first team to have that many within the first 11 weeks in the Super Bowl era."Yes, it's an awful lot of prime-time games early in the season, but, obviously, I feel like Jets kind of owe us one," Mike North, the NFL's vice president of broadcast partners, said Thursday, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini.The Jets will kick off their 2024 slate on the road versus the San Francisco 49ers in the season's Monday Night Football opener. The matchup will mark the return of four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, who sustained an Achilles injury four snaps into his Jets debut last year during the first Monday night of the campaign.Rodgers was a big factor in determining N.Y.'s schedule once again, according to North."When we had this conversation a year ago, we were - all of us - all-in on the Jets, and for that guy to last four plays was disheartening for many of us," North added. "I feel like we could run it back, and certainly our broadcast partners, when they came to us early in the process talking about what storylines they want to focus on early in the season, obviously Aaron Rodgers' return was a key one for everybody."The Jets, who haven't made the playoffs since the 2010 campaign, went 7-10 in 2023. New York has had an elite defense over the last two years, but its offensive struggles - particularly at quarterback - have held the team back.The AFC East club had a busy offseason and added significant offensive players, including receiver Mike Williams and tackle Tyron Smith, among others. The team also traded for Pro Bowl pass-rusher Haason Reddick."Hopefully, (Rodgers) stays healthy and, hopefully, they're relevant," said North, who added that New York can still get more games in prime time because of the NFL's flex scheduling later on the season.Here are the Jets' 2024 prime-time games:Opp.WeekEventat SF1MNFvs. NE3TNFvs. BUF6MNFat PIT7SNFvs. HOU9TNFvs. IND11SNFCopyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams again got creative and stole the show while announcing their full schedules for the 2024 season. From the Los Angeles Chargers meeting The Sims to the Dallas Cowboys calling Eli Manning, this year's ideas are must-see.Here, we rank each team's schedule release video:32) New York GiantsA solid schedule release actually shows a team's schedule at some point, right? Not for the Giants this year.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson thinks he can get even better after a productive 2023 campaign."To me, I think I'm not even scratching my surface," Ferguson said, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. "There's so many things that I want to get better at and I know I can get better at. We watch film every day of different games, even the practices we're doing now and I'm like, 'OK, I can get a lot better still.'"He added: "In this league you can't be complacent. You've got to just keep going. You've got to keep getting better and that's what I aim to do."The 23-year-old emerged as the No. 1 positional option in 2023, hauling in 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns on his way to a Pro Bowl nod. His production far exceeded the 19 catches, 174 yards, and two scores he tallied as a rookie the season earlier.After the Wisconsin product made huge strides from his first campaign to his second, some within the team facility have drawn parallels to Cowboys legend Jason Witten. The retired tight end also earned a Pro Bowl nod after experiencing a sizeable leap in production in his sophomore season with the Cowboys. Witten praised Ferguson's willingness and chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott."I think he can do it all," the former All-Pro said.Ferguson is trying to add more weight to his frame this offseason to be a bigger factor in the Cowboys' run game. After winning a positional battle against Luke Schoonmaker and Peyton Hendershot last year, Ferguson will begin the 2024 campaign as the unquestioned starter at tight end this fall.The former fourth-round selection could also see more targets next season as Dallas attempts to sort out its receiving options behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jared Goff broke the bank when he landed his new extension, but the Lions quarterback focused more on controlling his future than squeezing every possible dollar out of Detroit."It was mostly security," Goff said Thursday when asked what was most important to him in contract talks, according to Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper. "You can go back and forth on the numbers and whatnot, and that wasn't really the thing that (I) was ever something extremely concerned with."The security, the no-trade clause, and all that stuff - knowing that was in there. Feeling secure and knowing that I can now put that behind me and be excited about what's to come."While Goff wasn't prioritizing money, he still became the NFL's second-highest-paid player behind only Joe Burrow. The deal, formally announced Thursday, is reportedly a four-year, $212-million extension that includes $170 million guaranteed.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.Following the slow-drip release of the NFL schedule Wednesday, oddsmakers put together point spreads for Week 1 and many of this year's most notable games.There's little risk in offering low-limit wagers for contests nearly four months away since bettors will anxiously register their opinion, giving oddsmakers an even better understanding of how the market feels about each team beyond how they've been bet in long-ago-released regular-season win-total markets.Team ratingsHere's a refresher on how we used the regular-season win-total market to create a power rating (out of 100) for each NFL team, accounting for their strength of schedule.TEAMWIN TOTALRATING (%)Chiefs11.5 (-120)71Ravens11.5 (+115)71Bengals10.5 (-125)7149ers11.5 (+115)67Lions10.5 (-115)65Bills10.5 (-130)63Cowboys10.5 (+100)62Eagles10.5 (+110)62Dolphins9.5 (-150)62Packers9.5 (-140)61Jets9.5 (+100)61Texans9.5 (-110)60Falcons9.5 (-140)58Browns8.5 (-120)58Steelers8.5 (-110)57Bears8.5 (-125)56Chargers8.5 (-135)55Rams8.5 (-120)54Jaguars8.5 (-125)52Colts8.5 (+110)49Seahawks7.5 (-125)48Buccaneers7.5 (-150)47Saints7.5 (-120)44Cardinals6.5 (-130)43Vikings6.5 (-140)42Raiders6.5 (-140)42Commanders6.5 (-130)39Giants6.5 (+110)38Titans6.5 (+115)37Broncos5.5 (-150)36Patriots4.5 (-145)30Panthers4.5 (-135)27Using a point-spread scale of 27 - the highest conceivable point spread for two teams in 2024 - each club's rating percentage is multiplied into 27. The difference, plus home-field advantage, should be the projected point spread.Week 1 opening linesMATCHUPRATINGOPENING LINERavens @ ChiefsBAL (19.2)KC (19.2)KC -2.5Packers vs. Eagles (Brazil)GB (16.6)PHI (16.7)PHI -1.5Steelers @ FalconsPIT (15.4)ATL (15.7)ATL -3Cardinals @ BillsAZ (11.6)BUF (16.9)BUF -7Titans @ BearsTEN (9.9)CHI (15.1)CHI -5Patriots @ BengalsNE (8.2)CIN (19.4)CIN -8Texans @ ColtsHOU (16.1)IND (13.1)HOU -1.5Jaguars @ DolphinsJAX (14.0)MIA (16.8)MIA -3.5Panthers @ SaintsCAR (7.4)NO (11.9)NO -4.5Vikings @ GiantsMIN (11.3)NYG (10.1)MIN PKRaiders @ ChargersLV (11.3)LAC (15.0)LAC -3Broncos @ SeahawksDEN (9.7)SEA (13.1)SEA -4.5Commanders @ BuccaneersWSH (10.5)TB (12.6)TB -4Cowboys @ BrownsDAL (16.7)CLE (15.5)DAL PKRams @ LionsLAR (14.7)DET (17.5)DET -3.5Jets @ 49ersNYJ (16.3)SF (18.0)SF -5.5The Chiefs opened as a 3-point favorite in their season-opening game against the Ravens. Instinctively, that line was deemed too high and was quickly adjusted to Chiefs -2.5 or Ravens +3 (-120).The Eagles are getting a little more credit than they deserve against the Packers considering the two teams have similar win totals and will play in a neutral-site game.The only reason to make a bet now is to secure a key number that seems valuable. The Steelers (+3) appear likely to draw enough money in their opener in Atlanta to take them off the most crucial number in football betting.Buffalo's win total has dropped by around 0.8 wins since the team traded Stefon Diggs. Like many of Week 1's games, extrapolating from the win-total market is fair for Buffalo's matchup with Arizona.It's a minor surprise that the Bears aren't lined higher against the Titans, the league's fourth-worst-rated team, given all the excitement about Chicago's offseason additions. However, laying a big number with an unproven commodity is rarely a good idea.Similarly, the Bengals are projected to win 11 games this season out of the tough AFC North based on their win total. Their -8 line seems short against the Patriots, unless Cincinnati's win total is too high to begin with.Betting on the Saints as a favorite was a losing proposition last season, which might be why their line seems a little short against Carolina. The Panthers have a fresh outlook with new head coach Dave Canales, which might prevent this line from moving closer to +6.Speaking of fresh looks, there's no reason not to grab the Chargers at -3 (-110) given the Jim Harbaugh-Antonio Pierce coaching matchup. Even with little-to-no home-field advantage, they're an estimated 3.7 points better than the Raiders.Aaron Rodgers brings the Jets into the Bay Area as more of an underdog than what each team's win total would suggest. However, bettors looking to back New York can wait and see if a +6 shows up this summer. Remember, 5.5 isn't a key number, and +4.5 isn't likely to be the difference between a win or loss.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We can begin to adjust our 2024 fantasy projections following Thursday's release of the NFL's regular-season schedule.While injuries can majorly impact a campaign's latter stages, you can gain an advantage by focusing on the first few weeks to draft players set for hot starts or avoiding those destined to struggle through a tough streak of opponents.Players with difficult schedules in the early going are prime trade targets after the first few weeks when managers begin to question their value.We'll also soon publish a detailed fantasy strength-of-schedule matrix for the entire year. For now, let's take a quick look at the teams with the easiest and hardest early-season slates.EasiestDetroit LionsWeekOpponent1vs. Rams2vs. Buccaneers3at Cardinals4vs. SeahawksDespite Jared Goff's sizeable new contract extension, he's nowhere near being considered one of the NFL's elite quarterbacks. However, with the strong supporting cast the Lions have surrounded him with and the protection of a dome in Detroit, Goff can be a high-end fantasy QB2 who flirts with low-end QB1 numbers.Fortunately for Goff and Co., the Lions play four dome games in the opening month, including three at home. That trend continues throughout the season with just three outdoor games, the first not occurring until Week 9 in Green Bay.Goff averaged 19.5 fantasy points per game indoors over the last two years while posting just 13.0 fantasy points outside, according to FantasyPoints.com.A favorable first four weeks will also help the Lions, as they face three defenses that finished last season inside the top seven for fantasy points allowed to opposing QBs.Early upgrades: Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Jameson WilliamsTampa Bay BuccaneersWeekOpponent1vs. Commanders2at Lions3vs. Broncos4vs. EaglesBaker Mayfield emerged as a competent veteran quarterback in the Buccaneers' system to help them become a surprise division winner in 2023. Now, Tampa Bay will have a chance to build off that campaign with one of the easier starting slates in 2024.All four of the Buccaneers' opponents in September ranked in the top 10 in passing yards and passing touchdowns allowed last year. While each defense has made attempts to address those issues in the offseason, it's an area that remains a projected weakness for those clubs.Mayfield is also lucky to get his top weapons back (Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rachaad White, Cade Otton) and have rookies Jalen McMillan and Bucky Irving added to the mix.Tampa's schedule toughens in the middle of the season before easing up down the stretch, including two matchups with the Panthers (one of which takes place in the fantasy championship week).Early upgrades: Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rachaad WhiteHonorable mentions

Mark your calendars, football fans.The NFL announced its full schedule for the 2024 regular season Thursday. Featuring nine 2023 playoff rematches, this year's slate starts with a bang and includes several high-profile matchups in the second-last week of the year.Here are the season's five best weeks.- Prime-time game

The NFL released its complete schedule for the 2024 regular season Wednesday evening.Follow the links below to see team-by-team schedules.NFC

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward won't attend offseason training activities as he eyes a contract extension, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Heyward hasn't missed a team offseason program before, Fowler notes.Heyward's contract expires following the 2024 season. The reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year is slated to make $16 million in base salary in his final year under contract, per Over the Cap.The 35-year-old has spent his entire career with the Steelers and has been a focal point of their defensive line. He has put up 80.5 sacks over his 13-year career and earned six Pro Bowl nods, which came consecutively from 2017-2022.Heyward played just 11 games last season due to a groin injury, and his two sacks were his lowest since 2012.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL announced the dates and matchups for five international games Wednesday.

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, and Google.In this episode, Boone discusses the biggest offseason risers and fallers for every NFC team.

Netflix will become the global home over the next three years for the NFL's annual Christmas Day games, the league announced Wednesday.The streaming platform will broadcast two Christmas Day games this year and will air at least one holiday matchup each season though 2026.The Christmas 2024 slate will include a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, as well as a rematch of last year's divisional round between the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens, Netflix confirmed. The full 2024 schedule is set to be unveiled Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. ET."Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live, tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports, and more," Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said in a statement. "There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We're so excited that the NFL's Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix.""We couldn't be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world," said Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President of Media Distribution. "The NFL on Christmas has become a tradition, and to partner with Netflix, a service whose biggest day of the year is typically this holiday, is the perfect combination to grow this event globally for NFL fans."Netflix has been proactive in adding NFL content to its platform in recent years. Following the success of its "Quarterback" series, which featured Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins, and Marcus Mariota, the broadcaster is set to air "Receiver," which will shadow some of the leagues most dynamic pass-catchers in Justin Jefferson, Davante Adams, and George Kittle, among others.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. wants to make a statement as he enters the twilight of his career."I'm always here to prove something," Beckham said during his introductory press conference Wednesday, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. "It's about finishing strong - ending my career on my terms, however long that is, one year, two years, three years. If this is my last year ... want to finish it on a high note."The 31-year-old agreed to terms on a one-year deal with a base salary of $3 million with the Dolphins earlier in May.In his sensational rookie campaign, Beckham recorded 91 receptions, 1,305 yards, and 12 touchdowns, earning him the 2014 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The former first-round pick went on to record at least 1,300 yards and 10 TDs in each of his first three seasons with the New York Giants.The LSU product, who's known for his one-handed grabs, has struggled to regain his Pro Bowl form after the Giants traded him to the Cleveland Browns in March 2019. Since his 1,035-yard debut season in Cleveland, Beckham hasn't approached 1,000 yards in a campaign.Beckham was a member of the Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI roster but suffered a torn ACL in the game that sidelined him for the 2022 season. In 2023, Beckham served as a veteran presence for the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal. He compiled 565 yards to go along with 35 catches for three scores.Miami boasts an offense that is predicated on speed. "I gotta get back on the track, because (there's) some speed down here," Beckham said. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are among the top pass-catching options for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.The veteran wideout credited head coach Mike McDaniel with selling him on joining the team. "It's just his energy. We speak the same language. The conversations we had about football," Beckham said, according to The Palm Beach Post's Joe Schad.Beckham said he's more at peace on and off the field after carrying anger and resentment earlier in his career and no longer needs to be the top option in the passing game. Having endured some setbacks in recent years, the veteran is eager to finish his career on his own terms."I'm a competitor," Beckham said of his career. "Forget the middle part. You read a book. The start is going to capture us. You read the body of the story. And how's it going to end? That's where I'm at. Let's have a great ending to this story."Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said quarterback Trey Lance's workload will increase this summer."The guy's obviously an unbelievable athlete, but we need to get him the reps," Schottenheimer said, according to Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "How do you learn to play the position of quarterback unless you're playing?""We know Dak (Prescott). We know (Cooper Rush). (Lance) is the question mark. ... It's gonna be all about getting him a ton of reps throughout OTAs, minicamp, and then training camp. You're gonna see him getting a ton leading into the preseason."Dallas acquired Lance for a fourth-round pick last August in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys declined to pick up his fifth-year option earlier in May, and he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2024 campaign.Lance, a former third overall pick, has only four starts in his NFL career. He went 2-2 with 1,032 total yards, six touchdowns, and three turnovers. The 24-year-old entered the NFL with little experience, attempting only 318 passes at North Dakota State."The best thing he does to this day is still improvise and move. So now, let's see what concepts he likes to see what he's comfortable doing," Schottenheimer said.He added: "Over the time, we're gonna get that figured out so we could put together a really good package for him."Prescott, Dallas' starting quarterback, is set for a massive 2024 season as he'll also become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. He has a $55.1-million cap hit this year, and the Cowboys will eat a $40.1-million cap hit in 2025 if he leaves in free agency.Dallas doesn't have a signal-caller under contract for the 2025 campaign.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.Following an interminable buildup, the 2024 NFL Draft has mercifully come and gone. Reports from early offseason workouts insist that all the incoming rookies are can't-miss. While we know where the coveted rookies will play, we'll find out more about their prospects when their teams aren't the only ones controlling the message.We do have one outside clue about rookie expectations, as a pair of award markets are up for betting: Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year, even if we should use these as a hint more than something worth investing into this far ahead of the season.Offensive Rookie of the Year oddsPLAYERODDSCaleb Williams+185Marvin Harrison Jr.+650Jayden Daniels+700J.J. McCarthy+1000Malik Nabers+1400Xavier Worthy+1500Bo Nix+1800Drake Maye+1800Keon Coleman+2200Rome Odunze+2500Brian Thomas Jr.+2500Ladd McConkey+2500Brock Bowers+3000Jonathon Brooks+4000Jaylen Wright+4000Adonai Mitchell+5000Ricky Pearsall+5000Trey Benson+5000Xavier Legette+5000Others listed at theScore Bet at 60-1 or longerThe favoritesReigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels (+700) has the same explosive, highlight-reel ability as his 2022 counterpart Caleb Williams but three times the payout as the No. 1 pick. Too large a discrepancy exists on the oddsboard between players with similar situations, pedigree, and potential. While the preseason doesn't mean everything, seeing how each quarterback fares with the offense around him in limited action can help us pinpoint a few targets.With four quarterbacks taken in the top five draft picks, a skill-position winner is unlikely. However, with Williams (35.1%), Daniels (12.5%), Drake Maye (5.3%), J.J. McCarthy (9.1%), and Bo Nix (5.3%) taking up well over half of the implied probability pie, that's built into the odds for the receivers and running backs.Mid-tier optionsIn this area, we'll be looking for players whose teams have a reason to make them a focal point and a quarterback capable of doing so. The Jaguars' Brian Thomas (+2500) can be almost instantly slotted into the role left by Calvin Ridley (76 receptions, 1016 receiving yards). If he can find some chemistry with Trevor Lawrence, he could surpass Garrett Wilson's 1,000-yard OROY season in 2022 and approach Ja'Marr Chase's, Justin Jefferson's, and Puka Nacua's 1,400-yard rookie years. The latter two were topped by standout quarterbacks (Justin Herbert and C.J. Stroud), but Thomas's odds of 25-1 are long enough for a small investment in the hopes this year's QBs don't have the stats of the 2020 and 2023 winners.A tailback hasn't won Offensive Rookie of the Year since Saquon Barkley in 2018, and it's become less and less likely as teams favor a committee approach at the position. However, the Panthers could provide the path for a long-shot OROY winner. They used a high draft choice to fill a hole at the goal line and are looking to protect a young quarterback with a run-heavy approach. Jonathon Brooks (+5000) has Chuba Hubbard (3.8 yards per carry and five touchdowns) in front of him on their depth chart. Meanwhile, new Carolina head coach Dave Canales increased the Buccaneers' carries per game by 3.3 as their offensive coordinator last year despite lacking an obvious bell-cow runner.Long-shot hopefulsWith so many viable candidates atop the oddsboard, all we're looking for is someone to get enough preseason attention for their odds to shorten before the season.As a tailback from USC often does, MarShawn Lloyd (+7500) has the talent to be a key player for the Packers, but Josh Jacobs is in his way. Jacobs has some significant miles on him though, and Lloyd's one injury away from being a big factor on a top-notch offense.Jalen McMillan (+15000) was overshadowed by Rome Odunze at Washington, but that might have been partly due to injuries in his final season. Playing on the opposite side of Mike Evans, with little in the way of youthful competition for playing time, a healthy version of McMillan might make an early splash.He's currently listed fourth on the Texans' depth chart, but it's not like any of those names lit it up last year. What if Louisville's Jawhar Jordan (+20000) can translate college production into NFL success? He may be available at 200-1 before a big preseason game drastically cuts his odds.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants will be featured on HBO Max's offseason version of "Hard Knocks," debuting on July 2.This is a new addition to the "Hard Knocks" brand and will run ahead of the traditional training camp series.

Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.The Offensive Rookie of the Year is usually more predictable than its defensive counterpart. Top rookie quarterbacks effectively have the right of first refusal, and if no one in the new crop excels, the award goes to the offensive threat with the best statistics. With the first 14 picks in this year's draft coming on that side of the ball, it was almost like the NFL deemed this year's class of defenders second-class citizens.In the Defensive Rookie of the Year betting market, it shouldn't matter where the eligible players were drafted. However, if there are no impact rookie defenders, the bar for stats needed to win the award is lower than usual, making a wide-open market.Defensive Rookie of the Year oddsPLAYERODDSDallas Turner+400Laiatu Latu+650Jared Verse+1000Quinyon Mitchell+1000Terrion Arnold+1000Byron Murphy+1200Chop Robinson+1500Cooper DeJean+2500Kool-Aid McKinstry+2500Nate Wiggins+2500Darius Robinson+3000Edgerrin Cooper+3000Payton Wilson+3000Tyler Nubin+3000Bralen Trice+4000Jer'Zhan Newton+4000Mike Sainristil+4000Others listed at theScore Bet at 50-1 or longerThe favoritesLast year, seven sacks were enough for Will Anderson as he continued a run where 12 of the previous 14 DROY winners were taken in the top 14 picks of the NFL draft. But what if, like this year, there are no top-14 picks on defense?Pass-rushers like Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, and Jared Verse are the best in this class, but if they're not surefire prospects like Von Miller, Aaron Donald, or the Bosa brothers, is backing any of them at a short price a good idea?Mid-tier optionsGiven the uncertainty with the defenders in this draft, there's very little on which to base the odds above. Bluntly, they're largely made up from thin air. As such, none of the players we're monitoring during the preseason are 40-1 or shorter.Chris Braswell (+5000) didn't start at Alabama, but he was productive, showing explosiveness and playmaking (key DROY criterion) with 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. The Buccaneers will use their second-rounder to fly off the edge, and he may be just as likely as the first-round pass-rushers to have nice rookie season statistics.Ennis Rakestraw (+5000) gives the Lions exactly what they need: a dangerous cornerback. If Detroit's pass defense improves, he may get some added credit as the new piece to the puzzle. Meanwhile, Max Melton (+5000) might do the same for the Cardinals. Cornerback provides the best chance for a few flashy plays (interceptions) to turn into attention, so finding the defensive backs who'll be on the field is half the battle in trying to get lucky with a long shot.Javon Bullard (+5000) qualifies under that criteria but from the safety position. Arguably the best safety in the draft, the Packers will be on national television enough that the Georgia product will be in the spotlight more than most while in a playmaking role.Long-shot hopefulsAfter a dramatic first round, the Falcons loaded up on defensive linemen. Who would you rather have: second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro at 200-1 or third-rounder Bralen Trice at 40-1? Either could earn most of their playing time from the defensive end spot in Atlanta's 3-4 scheme, but we'll play the odds that Orhorhoro, the versatile former Clemson player, makes enough of an impact in the preseason for his odds to shorten to the same tier as his new teammate.Matt Russell is the lead betting analyst for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on social media @mrussauthentic.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Bills signed free-agent wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a one-year contract on Tuesday, the team announced.Valdes-Scantling visited the Bills on Tuesday.The former Kansas City Chiefs receiver's deal with the Bills is worth up to $4.5 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The contract reportedly includes a $1.125-million signing bonus.Valdes-Scantling caught 21 passes for 315 yards and one touchdown in 2023 with the Chiefs. He also scored a touchdown in the team's Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers in February.The 29-year-old's best performance came in 2020 when he recorded a career-high 690 receiving yards and led the NFL with 20.9 yards per reception.The Bills have remodeled their wide receiver room this offseason following the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. In addition to Valdes-Scantling, Buffalo signed Curtis Samuel and drafted Keon Coleman.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The highly anticipated Super Bowl rematch between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs will take place in Week 7 on Oct. 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET, reports Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.Fox Sports will reportedly air the matchup from Levi's Stadium with Tom Brady in the broadcast booth. Brady - who grew up in the Bay Area as a 49ers fan - defeated Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in the Super Bowl in 2021.Kansas City won its second straight Super Bowl title this past season by defeating San Francisco 25-22 in overtime thanks to a Mecole Hardman walk-off touchdown grab. It was the second time in five years that the 49ers and Chiefs met in a Super Bowl; Mahomes lifted the Lombardi Trophy for the first time with a triumph over the Niners in February 2020.Mahomes has posted a 2-0 record with six touchdown passes to one interception in two regular-season meetings with San Francisco. The teams' last non-Super Bowl bout came in October 2022 when the Chiefs claimed a 44-23 victory.NFL teams will officially release their 2024 schedules Wednesday. The league, however, has already announced multiple high-profile matchups.The Chiefs kick off the regular season Sept. 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. Aaron Rodgers will make his return from an Achilles injury at Levi's Stadium in Week 1 as the 49ers host the New York Jets in the campaign's Monday Night Football opener.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Given the rate at which injuries strike the running back position, knowing who's next in line for carries is critical for fantasy owners.Not all backup rushers are created equal. And though the league-winning potential of a player like Zach Charbonnet appears obvious, many second-string ball carriers don't get the respect they deserve in fantasy drafts.Here's how we rank the top reserve tailbacks, broken down into tiers and based on their fantasy value:Co-starter/Overqualified backupRkBackupTeam1David MontgomeryDET2Raheem MostertMIA

Cleveland Browns safety Rodney McLeod says the 2024 season will be his final campaign in the NFL after returning to the franchise on a one-year deal this offseason."This is the last lap for me. It's been a long career," McLeod said on NFL Network, according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk."I'm looking forward to rocking out with my teammates this year, giving it all, and hopefully ending up where we want to be, which is the last dance at the end of the year."The St. Louis Rams signed McLeod as an undrafted free agent in 2012. He ultimately became a key pillar of the Rams' defense in his second season and started 48 straight games from 2013-2015.McLeod signed a five-year, $35-million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 and helped the club defeat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. After spending six campaigns in Philadelphia, he played one year with the Indianapolis Colts before landing with the Browns in 2023.The 33-year-old played in 10 games last year, including five starts, and tallied 29 tackles."This year is finishing unfinished business," McLeod said.McLeod boasts 61 passes defended, 18 interceptions, and 718 tackles in 166 career games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Plenty of speculation surrounded the Washington Commanders and what they'd do with the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, but wide receiver Jahan Dotson is happy the team landed quarterback Jayden Daniels."He's great," Dotson said Tuesday. "I don't know if I can say this, but that's the quarterback that I wanted. I was happy when we drafted him. I'm really looking forward to building a relationship with him - furthering our relationship, as I've known him in the past. ... He has big things coming for him."Dotson and Daniels worked out together during their college careers.Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, was the second quarterback off the board in 2024 after Caleb Williams, the class' top prospect whom the Chicago Bears drafted at No. 1. Williams and Daniels headlined a strong group of QB prospects that also featured Drake Maye, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix. A record six signal-callers were selected in the top 12.With Daniels in town, the Commanders kick off a new era in 2024 after posting a 4-13 record last year. Washington also hired Dan Quinn as its new head coach, and the 53-year-old assembled a new coaching staff that includes offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr."It has been a completely different energy," Dotson said Tuesday, according to John Keim of ESPN. "From the second we kind of walked into the first team meeting, coach Quinn really emphasized that we're really a team. It's been really good energy, really good vibes around the building."The quarterback position has been Washington's biggest issue in recent years. Sam Howell, who started all 17 games last year, was traded to the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. Howell passed for 21 touchdowns with a league-high 21 interceptions in 2023.A first-round pick in 2022, Dotson has played with four quarterbacks in two campaigns with the Commanders. The 24-year-old caught 49 passes for 518 yards and four touchdowns last season. He's posted 11 TD receptions since entering the league.Terry McLaurin - a four-time 1,000-yard receiver - has led Washington in receiving in each of the last five seasons.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson expressed his commitment to the Bengals on Tuesday, saying he hopes to play for Cincinnati for years despite requesting a trade in late April."That's a no-brainer," Hendrickson said, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. "I mean, I love this team. I'm in great shape. It's good to see the guys."Hendrickson has two years left on his contract and attempted to negotiate a long-term extension with Cincinnati this offseason. The two sides failed to agree to terms, however, which resulted in the 29-year-old requesting a trade on April 24. The Bengals said they have no intention to move their top edge rusher.The three-time Pro Bowler has a base salary of $14.8 million in 2024, but his contract doesn't include any guaranteed money over the next two seasons, according to Over The Cap."You kind of hope for the best," Hendrickson added. "(In), football, you get what you earn in some ways and in other ways, there's a business side of it.""This is where separating business and the team is difficult," Hendrickson recently told team reporter Geoff Hobson. "At what point am I contradicting what I want? Long term, winning games, all those things are what I want to do here in Cincinnati, and removing myself from the team doesn't help the team."Hendrickson attended the Bengals' voluntary workouts this week.

Frank Gore Jr. is eager to prove NFL teams wrong after going undrafted.Gore, the son of former running back Frank Gore Sr., told reporters recently that being passed over in the 2024 NFL Draft has given him added motivation as he competes for a spot on the Buffalo Bills' roster."It pushed me a lot," Gore said. "I feel like there's no way 257 people are better than me in this draft, but now that process is over, I'm a Bill, and I'm here to compete. I'm here to push my teammates and push the running back room and try to get on special teams."Gore played four seasons at Southern Miss, rushing for 4,022 yards and 26 touchdowns on 759 carries in 47 games. He earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2022, second-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2020 and 2023, and was named the offensive MVP of the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.The 22-year-old's dad also played in Buffalo, suiting up for the Bills during the 2019 season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady admitted he underestimated the impact Netflix's "The Greatest Roast Of All Time: Tom Brady" comedy special would have on his family."I loved when the jokes were about me," Brady said during an appearance on The Pivot podcast. "I didn't like the way it affected my kids."He added: "It makes you, in some ways, a better parent going through it. ... When I signed up for that, I loved when people were making fun of me."Despite calling the event fun, Brady said he wouldn't do the roast again because of its effect on those closest to him. It appeared that the 46-year-old took exception during the special to comedian Jeff Ross' joke at New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.An all-star lineup of comedians, including Kevin Hart and Nikki Glaser, hurled jokes and insults at the three-time league MVP during the live broadcast earlier in May. Former teammates Randy Moss and Rob Gronkowski also shared their best material alongside former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Kirk Cousins was blindsided by the Falcons drafting Michael Penix Jr., but the veteran quarterback says there's no lingering bad blood with Atlanta about the team's shock decision."No, I don't think there can be," Cousins said on the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast. "I don't think it's helpful. We're trying to win the Super Bowl, and it's hard enough. So let's all be on the same page, and let's go try to win the Super Bowl."Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, said on draft night that Penix's selection at No. 8 overall "was a big surprise," and that the Falcons didn't tell them about their plan until the team was on the clock.McCartney added that Cousins - who signed a four-year, $180-million deal with Atlanta in March after six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings - was disappointed Atlanta didn't use its first-round pick to help the team this season."You're reminded again that there are things you control, and there are a lot of things you don't control," Cousins said.Cousins also revealed that Minnesota warned him before the 2021 draft that the club was considering taking a quarterback in the first round. The Vikings ultimately didn't take a passer after five were selected in the first 15 picks, instead bringing in offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw at No. 23."This isn't like a foreign concept," Cousins said. "There's an awareness that this is the NFL. Anything can happen."The 35-year-old is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, but Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Friday the veteran signal-caller is "pretty much full go" in noncontact offseason workouts.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers will host the New York Jets in the 2024 season's Monday Night Football opener on Sept. 9, the league announced Tuesday.The Jets played in last season's first Monday night contest and lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a season-ending Achilles injury in his debut for the team.After being traded to New York in a blockbuster move from the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 offseason, Rodgers suffered the injury on the Jets' fourth offensive play of the game.The four-time NFL MVP attempted an improbable late-season comeback, but the AFC East club shut down the signal-caller after getting knocked out of playoff contention.Rodgers grew up in the Bay Area and was famously passed over by San Francisco in favor of Alex Smith at the top of the 2005 NFL Draft.San Francisco is coming off its second Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in five seasons. The defending champions will play against the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Cowboys will kick off their 2024 season on the road against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8 at 4:25 p.m. ET, the teams announced Monday.The matchup will air on Fox and mark Tom Brady's broadcasting debut. The seven-time Super Bowl champion recently joined the TV network as its lead NFL analyst on a reported 10-year, $375-million contract."I love covering (the Cowboys)," Brady said. "I've been obviously going against them for a long time, and now I get to tell everyone how great they are."

Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on Spotify, Apple, and Google.In this episode, Boone discusses the biggest offseason risers and fallers for every AFC team.

The Detroit Lions are signing quarterback Jared Goff to a four-year, $212-million extension that includes $170 million guaranteed, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter, citing sources.Goff is now signed through 2027, and his contract includes an option for 2028, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The reported deal makes Goff the highest-paid player in Lions history. The 29-year-old's new $53-million average annual salary now ranks second among quarterbacks behind only Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals ($55 million).Goff helped turn Detroit into an NFC contender after the Lions acquired him as part of the Matthew Stafford trade in 2021. The three-time Pro Bowler posted a career single-season high 67.3% completion rate in 2023 to go along with 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.The 2016 No. 1 overall pick has passed for 78 touchdowns and 27 interceptions in 48 starts with the Lions, who won their first-ever NFC North title with a 12-5 record last year and reached the conference title game.Goff's contract is the latest lucrative long-term deal in what's been a busy offseason for the Lions. Detroit recently rewarded wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown with a four-year, $120-million extension and offensive tackle Penei Sewell with a four-year deal worth $112 million.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers and franchise-tagged safety Antoine Winfield Jr. agreed to a record four-year extension worth $84.1 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The contract's reported value makes Winfield the NFL's highest-paid defensive back and the first safety ever to hold that title. The 25-year-old also received $45 million in guarantees, a record for a safety, adds Schefter.The Buccaneers announced Winfield's extension Monday, the pact running through 2027.With his new deal, Winfield headlines a defensive back market dominated by cornerbacks.Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander previously earned the top annual salary for a defensive back at $21 million, with cornerbacks also holding the next seven spots, per Over The Cap. Los Angeles Chargers star Derwin James' $19 million per season ranked first for safeties and ninth among defensive backs.Winfield, the 2020 No. 45 pick, stuffed the stat sheet in 2023 with 122 tackles, six sacks, three interceptions, and six forced fumbles to earn his first first-team All-Pro honor.The Buccaneers prioritized re-signing their players this offseason, notably bringing back quarterback Baker Mayfield (three-year, $100-million deal), receiver Mike Evans (two-year, $41-million deal), and linebacker Lavonte David (one-year, $8.5-million deal).Winfield was one of nine players to be franchise-tagged this offseason and was set to earn $17.123 million in 2024. Seven other tagged players have also received extensions, with Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins the only one without a long-term deal.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets made legitimate attempts to hire someone to a senior position who would overrule offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett this offseason, SNY's Connor Hughes reports.New York didn't part ways with the 44-year-old despite the offense's struggles in 2023. The team ranked 31st in yardage (265.3 yards per game) and 29th in scoring (15.8 points per contest) with quarterback Aaron Rodgers sidelined for all but four snaps due to an Achilles tear.Hackett was Rodgers' offensive coordinator with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-21. Rodgers apparently changed Hackett's calls repeatedly during practices last summer.The club finished with a 7-10 record for the second consecutive season but retained head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas.Hackett has been heavily scrutinized over the last two seasons. He was fired after just 15 games as the Denver Broncos' head coach in 2022 and later publicly criticized by current Broncos coach Sean Payton. Rumors suggested the Jets would fire him following the 2023 season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After an impressive showing at rookie minicamp, the Chicago Bears are crediting Caleb Williams' early development to his pre-draft prep.With Williams a lock to go No. 1 overall to the Bears, he asked Chicago to provide some footwork and cadence techniques to work on before the draft with his personal quarterbacks coach, Will Hewlett. The work has seemingly paid off for the rookie passer."Will did a great job with him of prepping him for what we're about to do now," Bears quarterbacks coach Kerry Joseph said Monday, according to Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago. "Coming into this minicamp, he was light years ahead of the information that he already had."The 2022 Heisman winner is entering the NFL with as much hype as any first pick in recent memory after a standout college career.Joseph said the star quarterback is doing everything possible to fulfill those sky-high expectations."He's one of those guys who want to know why," Joseph said. "You put something in, you put a play in, you talk about it, you give him the progressions, whether it's run or pass, he wants to know why. Last night, probably about 10:30 or 11 o'clock, he texts me, 'Hey, why are we doing this here? Why are we blocking it like that? Isn't that his guy to block?'"He just wants to know. He wants to know those answers. So, when you have a guy like that, he's hungry for it, and you love to know that because now he becomes a coach on the field for you. Once he gets it and learns this whole system, he'll become a coach on the field now."Unlike most quarterbacks picked at No. 1, Williams will join a loaded offense in Chicago, which went 7-10 last season but got the top selection as part of a 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers.The Bears used the No. 9 pick to land receiver Rome Odunze and form a talented trio that includes DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, who was acquired in a March trade. Chicago also boasts Cole Kmet - who had the second-most touchdowns among tight ends in 2023 - and 1,000-yard rusher D'Andre Swift.As expected, Chicago wasted no time announcing Williams as its starter for the 2024 campaign.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A rematch of the AFC Championship Game will open the NFL regular season.The 2024 campaign kicks off with the Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Sept. 5, the NFL announced Monday. The matchup will begin at 8:20 p.m. ET, and NBC is broadcasting the contest.The highly anticipated matchup is the first of several marquee games announced ahead of Wednesday night's full 2024 schedule release.The Chiefs defeated the Ravens 17-10 in the AFC title game in January to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LVIII. Baltimore entered the contest as the No. 1 seed, but its high-powered offense failed to score another touchdown following a first-quarter TD pass by Lamar Jackson.The Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers.Patrick Mahomes holds the edge over Jackson in head-to-head matchups, with the Chiefs quarterback owning a 4-1 record (including playoffs) over the Ravens.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's safe to say Broncos head coach Sean Payton is very pleased with what he's seen from quarterback Bo Nix at Denver's rookie minicamp."It's almost like watching a good golfer," Payton said Saturday, according to NFL.com's Bobby Kownack. "Sometimes when you watch his game over two years, there's a patience to how he plays. The ball comes out and - I don't want to use the term boring, that's not the right term - but pretty good decisions with each play. The efficiency with how he's operating. All of that."Payton particularly mentioned Nix's precision when addressing why the first-year signal-caller stood out on the practice field Saturday."Location of throws. He had two or three down-the-field throws today," he added.

The Los Angeles Chargers are adding another veteran to their front seven.Pass-rusher Bud Dupree is joining Los Angeles on a two-year contract, his agency told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Dupree's contract is worth $6 million with a maximum value of $10 million, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.The 31-year-old visited the Chargers this past week and was also reportedly in contact with two of his former teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons. Dupree strongly considered reuniting with the Steelers, but the idea of playing with Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa in L.A. impacted his final decision, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Dupree enjoyed a solid 2023 season with the Falcons, amassing 39 tackles (eight for loss), eight QB hits, and a team-high 6.5 sacks.A first-round pick in 2015, he played his first six seasons with Pittsburgh before joining the Tennessee Titans in 2021 on a five-year deal. Tennessee released him during the 2023 offseason, and the Kentucky product later signed with Atlanta.Dupree's best year so far came in 2019 when he had 17 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was on track to post a second straight double-digit sack season in 2020, but a torn ACL ended his campaign in Week 12.The Chargers reworked Mack's and Bosa's contracts this offseason to keep the veteran edge rushers. Mack, an eight-time Pro Bowler, had a career-high 17 sacks in 2023, while Bosa battled injuries once again and finished the campaign with 6.5 sacks. The 28-year-old has played just 14 games since 2022.Los Angeles also rosters pass-rusher Tuli Tuipulotu, whom the team selected in the second round last year.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jason Kelce just can't stay away from the Philadelphia Eagles.Even though the longtime center retired from football in March, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott revealed Friday on NFL Network's "Total Access Live" that Kelce still regularly visits the team's facility."You see little little hints of them throughout the locker room now," Elliott said of Kelce and former Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who also retired after last season. "They've made a huge impact that's gonna last a long time and those guys aren't gonna be far. I know Kelce's been in the building almost every day already, so they're always gonna be a big part of our organization."Kelce, a sixth-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, spent his entire 13-year career in Philadelphia. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro nods and helped the Eagles win their first Super Bowl championship in February 2018.The 36-year-old is set to take on a new gig in broadcasting, joining ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" crew for the upcoming NFL season.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New England Patriots coach Jerod Mayo knows Drake Maye is a work in progress but is confident the rookie quarterback will do everything he can to get up to speed."He has a lot to work on, but I have no doubt that he'll put the time in," Mayo said Saturday, according to team reporter Tamara Brown."He was here all night trying to get on the same page as everyone else."Maye took part in the opening day of the Patriots' minicamp Saturday alongside his fellow first-year players.The No. 3 overall pick was criticized during the pre-draft process for his inconsistent footwork in college, which occasionally led to erratic play. Improving his mechanics will be a focal point of Maye's offseason work with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt."It's been good. Kind of the first day, feeling it out and just getting more and more reps," Maye said, according to Mark Daniels of Mass Live. "That's all something new takes - getting more reps at it."There are some perks to the quick game, it's a lot quicker. Under center stance - I'm trying out two new stances that I'm getting used to. Just working it, repping it, and I felt pretty good here today. I just have to keep working."

The New England Patriots named Eliot Wolf executive vice president of player personnel Saturday.Wolf will act as New England's de facto general manager, overseeing the personnel department and controlling the 53-man roster.The 42-year-old led the team's personnel department this offseason following Bill Belichick's departure, but New England wanted to assess his fit with the team while looking at outside candidates."As I have stated multiple times during the offseason, the plan was to observe the working relationship and involvement between Eliot and (head coach) Jerod (Mayo) and see how they managed our offseason personnel decisions," said Patriots owner Robert Kraft."Then, following the draft, we would formally undertake a process for setting up the permanent structure of our personnel department. I have been impressed with Eliot's management style and experience and I'm excited that he has agreed to take on this new position."Wolf's role appeared secure when he was allowed to make a franchise-altering decision at the top of the draft, taking quarterback Drake Maye at No. 3 overall.The executive spent the last five seasons with the Patriots, serving the last two as director of scouting. He acted as the Cleveland Browns' assistant general manager from 2018-19 following a 14-year stint with the Green Bay Packers."It is an honor to accept this position with the New England Patriots," said Wolf. "I am grateful to the Kraft family for this opportunity and want to thank my family, especially my wife and children, for the support and strength they have given me as I move forward in my new role. I also want to thank all of the people I have worked with and learned from over the years."New England was previously one of the few remaining teams giving its coach front-office control, but will now move forward with a conventional setup after moving on from Belichick and hiring Mayo in January.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Mike McCarthy plans to employ a committee approach to the Dallas Cowboys' backfield despite Ezekiel Elliott impressing him since returning to the team."That's not going to be his role," McCarthy said Saturday, according to Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "We are going to be a running back by committee."McCarthy added it wouldn't be "fair" to ask the veteran running back to carry the same workload as his previous stint with the Cowboys.But the coach stressed that Elliott looks just as good as the team remembers."It's just like he never left," said McCarthy. "He's picked up right where he left off. He's old school."Dallas released Elliott after 2022 following seven seasons and four 1,000-yard campaigns. The 28-year-old spent last year with the New England Patriots.But with the Cowboys needing an experienced running back following Tony Pollard's departure to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, Elliott returned on a one-year deal reportedly worth $3 million with $2 million guaranteed.The former two-time NFL rushing leader will hope to regain his early career form after struggling in New England. Elliott finished with career lows in rushing yards (642), touchdowns (three), and yards per carry (3.5) in 2023.The Cowboys didn't select a running back in this year's draft, leaving the club with Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their rookie minicamp Friday, but first-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy didn't feel any pressure as he began his transition to the NFL."It didn't feel like my first day," McCarthy said, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "I've been going over the offense for a long time now. So, being able to (go) out there and perform and execute, that's new, but it was nothing that was overwhelming or too much."The Vikings - who saw their former starter, Kirk Cousins, sign with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason - drafted McCarthy 10th overall last month as the fifth quarterback off the board. The 21-year-old joined a Minnesota QB depth chart that has questions with Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall in the mix.Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell - a former NFL quarterback - liked what he saw from McCarthy on Friday."He's trying to have the best possible day that he can today and then try to do the same thing tomorrow," O'Connell said. "This guy is a process-driven guy and understands that there's a long road ahead of him, that we're just trying to make incremental gains that will be solidified as part of how he plays quarterback for a long time. So, I've been really impressed with him so far and look forward to get another full day tomorrow."McCarthy helped Michigan win the national title last year and significantly bolstered his draft stock this offseason. He passed for 22 touchdowns against four interceptions with a 72.3% completion rate in 2023.Injuries were an issue for the Vikings in 2023 and forced the team to start four different quarterbacks throughout the season. Minnesota finished the campaign with a 7-10 record and missed the playoffs for the third time in the last four years.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice wasn't happy that his son, Brenden, fell to the seventh round in the 2024 NFL Draft.The 22-year-old Brenden - considered a potential mid-round pick by multiple experts - wasn't called until the Los Angeles Chargers used the 225th overall pick to select him as the 32nd wideout off the board last month."My dad was hot," Brenden said Friday, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. "You guys get the Flash ... humble dude, right? Me, he's like, 'Hell no, we're going to take this to a different level. These guys going to feel us.'"Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said Los Angeles actually had a third- to fourth-round grade on Brenden, according to Rhim.Although he was only a seventh-round pick, the USC product presumably will have a chance to earn snaps on a Chargers team that parted ways with its main wide receivers this offseason. Harbaugh's outfit traded Keenan Allen to the Chicago Bears and released Mike Williams in March."I'm in the best position possible to go ahead and make my mark on and make my own legacy," Rice said. "I went from (quarterback) Caleb Williams to Justin Herbert, and I'm in a room that's going to allow me to compete day in and day out."Everything's upon me, so if you guys don't see me coming fall, that's on me. And if you guys see me out there, then I put in the necessary work to put my best foot in the door and go out there and produce."Rice set career highs with 45 catches for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns with USC in 2023 en route to earning a second-team All-Pac-12 nod. His father is regarded as the greatest receiver in NFL history, as he ranks first in career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22.895), and TD catches (197). The Hall of Fame wideout - who was a first-round pick in 1985 - was also named Super Bowl MVP in one of the three times he lifted the Lombardi Trophy.The wide receiver position was a priority for the Chargers in the 2024 draft. In addition to Rice, Los Angeles selected Ladd McConkey in the second round and Cornelius Johnson in the seventh.L.A. also rosters 2023 first-round wide receiver Quentin Johnston, Joshua Palmer, Derius Davis, and DJ Chark, who signed with the team last week.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peyton and Eli are bringing in a new permanent guest to the "ManningCast" this season.Peyton Manning said Friday on "The Pat McAfee Show" that former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will appear on every "ManningCast" in 2024.Manning added that Belichick - who parted ways with the Patriots this year after 24 seasons - is expected to be on air during the first quarter of games."It was an easy pitch to Bill," Manning added. "I said, 'Bill, we want you to come on, and, look, we'd love to go behind the ropes on the defensive side as to kind of what the (Philadelphia) Eagles are going to have to do to stop Patrick Mahomes, right? And if you ever run out of things to say, just make fun of Eli, right? That's always sort of a time-filler."Widely considered the greatest defensive coach in NFL history, Belichick and the Patriots faced teams led by Peyton and Eli several times. Peyton played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos from 1998-2015, claiming five NFL MVP awards and winning two Super Bowls. Meanwhile, Eli was the New York Giants' quarterback from 2004-2019 and also won a pair of Super Bowls, beating Belichick and the Patriots on both occasions.Belichick was considered a front-runner for the Falcons' head coach job this offseason, but Atlanta ultimately hired Raheem Morris as its new sideline boss.Belichick - a six-time Super Bowl champion head coach - most recently was part of "The Pat McAfee Show" for the program's coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Cardinals are signing wide receiver Zay Jones, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.The Cardinals will give Jones a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million, reports Rapoport.Jones spent the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played just nine games last year, hauling in 34 receptions for 321 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jones set career highs in 2022 with 82 receptions and 823 yards.The 29-year-old reportedly visited with the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys before joining Arizona.Jones will join a Cardinals wide receiver room that consists of Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, and Greg Dortch, among others. Tight end Trey McBride is also expected to be featured in the passing game after a breakout season in 2023.Jones has 3,028 yards and 18 touchdowns on 287 receptions since being drafted in the second round in 2017.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is "pretty much full go" as he continues to work back from a season-ending Achilles injury, head coach Raheem Morris said Friday, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi.The Falcons are in the middle of no-contact, dialed-down offseason workouts, enabling Cousins to participate without significant limitations."Kirk is every day improving," Morris said. "So, we are kind of right at the point where he's doing everything that we can do at this point at Phase 2, right? Which is nobody around him. There's no contact. He's all good with all those types of things. So, he's been doing all those things."Cousins suffered the injury near the end of October while playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the significant ailment, the Falcons signed the 35-year-old to a reported four-year, $180-million contract in free agency."It's not like training camp where I'm worried about people being around his feet, because the pace is so slow and ... we feel really good about where he's at right now," Morris added.The Falcons shocked the NFL world by selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall in April's draft, passing up the chance to bolster the team around Cousins to secure a potential long-term successor at quarterback.Cousins' agent, Mike McCartney, said the decision to draft Penix "was a big surprise," adding that the Falcons didn't pre-warn them and only let the veteran passer in on the plan when they were on the clock in the draft.Atlanta has since insisted there's no quarterback controversy, with Cousins' place as the starter secure.The four-time Pro Bowler was on pace to challenge his career-best numbers before going down with injury, throwing for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions in eight games.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers said Friday that he and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels have called off their $10,000 bet on who will be named Offensive Rookie of the Year, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.Nabers said he's been educated on the NFL's sports gambling policy since making the bet.The first-round wideout initially revealed the wager on an episode of "The Pivot" podcast."(Nabers) wasn't supposed to tell nobody," Daniels subsequently said on the "All Facts No Brakes" podcast. "We got a little something going on."The 2022 version of the NFL's gambling policy prohibited "private wagers between teammates, family and friends, or others." However, the 2023 version doesn't appear to have explicit rules on private bets, according to Nicki Jhabvala and Mark Maske of The Washington Post.The league office didn't respond to questions about whether the bet would violate its gambling policy, per ESPN's John Keim.Daniels was drafted second overall by the Commanders, while the Giants took Nabers with the sixth pick.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Matt Eberflus isn't wasting any time declaring Caleb Williams the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback."No conversation," Eberflus said Friday, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "(Williams) is the starter."Williams is set to start over Brett Rypien, Tyson Bagent, and undrafted free agent Austin Reed.Eberflus added that one of Williams' benchmarks moving forward will be having a "full understanding of the concepts" of the team's offense. The 53-year-old also lauded Williams' personal quarterback coach, noting the pair worked together to prepare for the club's rookie minicamp this weekend.Despite being named the starter, Williams said he'll likely have some "mess-ups" as the team starts its offseason program, Cronin reports. However, he added that he feels good about understanding the fundamentals of Chicago's scheme.The Bears selected Williams No. 1 overall in April's draft after the signal-caller produced a standout career at Oklahoma and USC, including a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in 2022 with the Trojans.Williams finished his collegiate career with 10,082 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on 66.9% passing.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is taking no prisoners heading into his rookie season."If my mom was a receiver, I'd jam her into the dirt," said Arnold on Friday, according to Nolan Bianchi of The Detroit News. "And she knows that."The first-round pick was attending rookie minicamp alongside other new Lions players, which included fellow cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr.Arnold expressed his excitement about forming a long-term pairing with Rakestraw, who was selected in the second round."They drafted both of us, so I would say (that) us just coming in here and being the young guys ... we're going to be here for a long time," said Arnold, according to team reporter Dannie Rogers. "We're going to grow together, we're going to excel together, take our losses together (and) take them on the chin."The Lions moved up to No. 24 to secure Arnold - who had been widely considered a likely top-15 selection - giving up No. 29 and a third-round pick. The former Alabama star was the second cornerback off the board behind Quinyon Mitchell, who went to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 22.Arnold established himself as a top prospect in his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He finished his college career with 74 total tackles, six interceptions, 20 pass breakups, and one forced fumble.Fresh off a surprising NFC Championship Game appearance, the Lions have spent significant resources this offseason to improve a secondary that was often the club's Achilles' heel in 2023.Detroit also acquired veteran cornerback Carlton Davis III, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and a 2025 sixth-rounder from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for a 2024 third-round draft selection.Copyright (C) 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce and general manager Tom Telesco addressed rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold's viral comments Thursday, denying that Las Vegas flipped a coin to decide who the team would select at No. 13 in April's NFL draft.Arnold - whom the Detroit Lions drafted 24th overall - said earlier this week that "the Raiders coach" called him after the draft saying the club "had a coin toss" between him and Brock Bowers in Round 1 before landing the Georgia tight end.