2023 NFL Pick Em Confidence Pools: Week 8 Predictions

Per ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, “Payton expects the depth chart to automatically reveal itself” during training camp, when all running backs on the roster are “going to get opportunities.” Reports immediately following J.K. Dobbins’ signing suggested the veteran back could snatch the starting role from rookie RJ Harvey. Legwold believes “Dobbins likely has the early advantage for the most snaps in the room because of his ability as a pass blocker and intelligence on third down,” but Payton’s comments indicate a true competition will take place next month.

Bair was responding to a reader who asked whether the Bears are “in trouble” with Burden having missed so much of the offseason after landing on a football awkwardly. In short, Bair does not think so. Bair referred to Burden as “an X factor,” saying he “is still a dangerous weapon, one that can be impactful outside or in the slot.” While the slot role will provide Burden with opportunities to run routes against linebackers and safeties, mastering the perimeter role is key for fantasy purposes. He must be able to play in two-wide receiver sets in order for us to rely on him. Bair does note that “Johnson doesn’t reward those who don’t give effort during the week, so Burden must prove himself” as a consistent and hardworking practice participant.

Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Pelissero explains that the Bengals’ training camp participation agreement “did not provide the same level of protection as [what] other teams give their rookies.” The protection language ensures “that you are taken care of financially,” if “something were to happen, injury or otherwise.” Knight, the Bengals’ second-round pick, and the front office agreed to a contract after Knight skipped the first training camp practice, which caused less of an issue than Stewart’s ongoing saga has. Aside from the participation agreement language, Stewart also takes issue with the Bengals’ recent change in contract language. The team opted to bring their rookie contract language in line with the rest of the league, after constructing contracts uniquely in prior seasons.

Browns DE Myles Garrett, Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt and Hendrickson entered the offseason seeking contract extensions from their current teams. Only Garrett, who signed a record-setting deal, averaging $40 million annually while netting him $88.8 million fully guaranteed, received one. The three players range from 29-to-30 years old. Per Pelissero, Hendrickson has “not been asking [to be paid more than] Myles Garrett,” however, “if T.J. Watt, and Micah Parsons for that matter, outshoot Myles Garrett, then suddenly, I think [Hendrickson has] to have a little bit of a recalibration.” The longer the Bengals delay paying the NFL’s two-time-defending sack leader, the more money they may ultimately have to pay him.

Pelissero broke down the potential extension’s annual value, saying, Parsons “knows [exactly the] type of contract” that he is going to get because, “by Micah’s own words, he and Jerry Jones had, essentially, a handshake agreement on a deal months ago.” The issue is that Jones “is a believer in doing long-term deals,” lasting up to five or even six years. Pelissero stopped short of putting a number to Parsons’ desired contract length but noted that both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb successfully negotiated four-year extensions with the Cowboys less than one year ago.

Tracy described Wilson simply as “Mr. Unlimited,” while referring to Winston as “the one that has the personality,” who "[connects] with everybody on the football team.” NFL’s Nick Shook acknowledges that “most expect Wilson to earn the job and trot out onto the field as the team’s starter in Week 1,” but Tracy’s commentary reflects an apparent lack of buy-in from Wilson’s teammates. Though it is reasonable to expect rookie Jaxson Dart to get the starting nod at some point this season, we may see Winston on the field before then.