As a freshman in 2021, Burke (5’11/186) immediately established himself as a high-level collegiate player, becoming the first freshman to start the opener for OSU since Andy Katzenmoyer. His play crested in 2023 when he earned First Team All-B10 recognition with eight PBUs 23 stops three interceptions and an 81.7 cover grade. Despite starting all 16 games of Ohio State’s National Championship run, Burke allowed a troubling 72.3% catch rate for 413 yards with a meager 7.2% forced incompletion rate. Enthusiastic in run support, the four-year starter recorded 48 tackles with 3.0 TFLs last season. He ran a 77th percentile 4.48s 40, but opted out of any further testing at the Combine. Burke is a little sluggish mirroring receivers through their breaks and has difficulty with double moves on vertical routes. This deficiency was exploited by Oregon with Burke getting smoked for seven receptions on seven targets in a 162-yard baptism by fire, allowing the only two touchdowns he would surrender all season. More comfortable in zone (81.0 zone grade) than man (58.5 grade), Burke should be able to carve out a role in the zone-heavy NFL.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.

Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.

Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.

Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.

Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.

Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.