2023 Fantasy Football Round Up May 26: Jayden Reed and Trey Lance Make News at OTA's
The 2023 NFL Draft is now firmly in the rearview and we’re finally seeing some actual football on the field. Yes, NFL OTAs (Organized Team Activities) are now underway so we can start obsessing over every minor story, tinkering with our fantasy football rankings, and reaching for guys in best ball drafts. Football is officially BACK so there’s no turning back now.
From this point forward and every Friday until the start of the season, we’re going to round up all the important NFL news and rumors as well as any practice highlights that will have you running to the trade calculator in your dynasty fantasy football leagues. From the new NFL 3rd QB and kickoff rules to Riley Patterson, here are all the stories from the past week that may or may not move the needle for ADP.
All Time NFL Great Jim Brown has Passed Away
- Jim Brown, legendary Cleveland Browns running back, passed away at the age of 87 this week. The 1964 NFL champion started his career as the NFL Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (an award he would win three times during his career). He went to the Pro Bowl every year of his nine year career and led the league in rushing for eight of them.
Cardinals Release DeAndre Hopkins
- The offseason was filled with rumors that he might be moved but I did not expect him to be outright released - especially BEFORE the June 1 deadline. But that's what happened. The Cardinals are clearly in rebuild mode.
Austin Ekeler Staying With Chargers
- The Chargers announced new incentives added to the contract of Austin Ekeler that will keep him with the team for 2023. The incentives come on top of the $6.125 million he was scheduled to make.
“Emergency Quarterback” rule approved
- After the 2022 49ers ran out of quarterbacks in the playoffs and had to start Christian McCaffrey at QB, a new rule has been instated this year to help prevent that. Teams are now allowed to dress a third emergency quarterback that can play only if the first two quarterbacks are injured during the game. The player has to be on the 53 man roster but does not count towards the 48 active gameday players.
Fair Catch Kickoff rule approved
- A less popular rule was also approved - any kickoff where a fair catch is called inside of the 25 yard line brings the ball out to the 25. It is a safety-based rule that’s been implemented at the college level but many in the special teams community have been outspoken against it, including former punter turned analyst Pat McAfee.
NFL to Begin Flexing Thursday Night Games
- Possibly the most universally disliked rule change of all, the NFL announced it will begin flexing games into the Thursday Night Football slot for weeks 13 to 17. The rule passed 24-8 with the Giants, Jets, Packers, Bears, Raiders, Lions, Bengals, and Steelers voting against it.
Kicker Carousel
- Sean Payton has been making a lot of moves and his most recent one was to release long-time Broncos kicker Brandon McManus. McManus was then quickly signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was announced that they then traded their kicker, Riley Patterson, to the Lions for a 2024 seventh-round pick.
Ben Roethlisberger has Honest Admission
- Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was “completely transparent” with his feeling about Kenny Pickett taking over for him as the Steelers play-caller, essentially saying part of him was rooting against Pickett to preserve his legacy. He says he has since apologized to Pickett and now he’s rooting for him to succeed.
Lamar Jackson is Embracing the Air Raid
- Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson says that “running can only take you so far” when asked about new offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s “Air Raid” offense. Under former offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the team was within the bottom five in the league in pass attempts in all but one year.
More Gambling Suspensions Potentially on the Way
- After five players, including Lions former first round pick Jameson Williams, were suspended for gambling earlier this offseasons. Multiple sources have now told ESPN that the NFL is investigating a second wave of potential violations of their gambling policy, which could result in additional suspensions.
Tom Brady Set to Buy Minority Share of the Raiders
- Brady already started dabbling in sports ownership when he bought a share of the WNBA, the Las Vegas Aces (who Raiders owner Mark Davis also partially owns). Brady will now join Davis as a partial owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Patriots Punished Again
- The New England Patriots are losing two days of voluntary organized activities due to a violation of offseason rules. Practice this Thursday was called off and they will miss another OTA next week as well, per Mike Reiss.
Packers Tapped to Host 2025 NFL Draft
- The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit and it was announced this week that the 2025 NFL Draft will be hosted by Green Bay at the iconic Lambeau Field.
Fantasy Football Camp Hype Has Begun
A tradition unlike any other. Here is a quick selection of the camp hype that could affect fantasy football ADP, whether warranted or not
- New Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery reportedly suffered a lower body injury at OTAs though we did walk back to the locker room under his own power.
- Packers rookie WR Jayden Reed was reportedly starting in the slot right away at OTAs.
- There are reports that Trey Lance has made a “substantial jump” after working with Patrick Mahomes this offseason.
- It was previously reported that Kareem Hunt will not be back with the Browns and there are now rumblings that Jerome Ford could potentially have a bigger role with the Browns in 2023. Our own Britt Flinn recently gave her thoughts on Jerome Ford and other ADP risers.
- Dan Campbell says Jameson Williams is “miles ahead” of where he was last year (he also wore a shirt with a picture of Brad Holmes wearing a shirt with a picture of him)
- Sean Payton further fueled the Samaje Perine flames saying he will have a “significant role” in the Broncos offense.
- That said, Javonte Williams was somehow already back running at OTAs after his 2022 season ended with a gruesome knee injury.
- The Devon Achane hype has also started in an ambiguous Dolphins backfield
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire hype part 3 is underway as he reportedly hauled in a nice catch in 7 on 7s and received praise from Andy Reid