The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Friday that they signed third-round rookie running back Kale Johnson to his four-year deal. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Steelers took Johnson out of the University of Iowa with the 83rd overall pick. "Really explosive running back that we spent some time with on a 30 visit here," said offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. "One of the more instinctive backs that I've watched in a couple of years coming out of the draft." In 35 career games (22 starts) for the Hawkeyes, Johnson had 508 carries for 2,779 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 29 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The 21-year-old stands at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds and is a big bruising back with plenty of big-play potential. Johnson figures to eventually supplant Najee Harris as the Steelers' lead back after Harris left in free agency this offseason.

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The Atlanta Falcons signed rookie first-round linebacker Jalon Walker to his four-year deal on Friday, the team announced. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it's estimated to be $20.56 million in total value. He would carry salary cap number of $3.74 million this year before topping out at $6.54 million in 2028. In addition to Walker, rookie safety Xavier Watts, defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. and offensive tackle Jack Nelson signed their rookie deals. Atlanta took Walker with the 15th overall pick in this year's draft out of Georgia. It remains to be seen if the Falcons will use the 6-foot-1, 243-pounder as an inside linebacker or as a pass-rushing outside linebacker in his first year in the NFL. In 11 starts with the Bulldogs in 2024, the 21-year-old had 60 tackles (10.5 for loss), 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups.

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The New York Giants released wide receiver Lil'Jordan Humphrey on Friday, a source told The Athletic's Dan Duggan. Humphrey will head right back to the free-agent market after signing with the G-Men in late March. Humphrey posted career-highs in catches (31), targets (45) and receiving yards (293) while catching one touchdown pass in 17 regular-season games (seven starts) in his second year with the Denver Broncos in 2024. The 27-year-old was set to serve as wideout depth in the Big Apple this year, but he has lost his roster spot after the Giant recently signed five undrafted rookie free-agent wideouts. Humphrey should latch on with another team as receiver depth. In six NFL seasons, Humphrey has produced only 62 receptions for 770 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 targets over 58 games played (23 starts).

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While searching for a wide receiver, the Dallas Cowboys looked into a trade for Baltimore Ravens wideout Rashod Bateman, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. The talks between the two teams didn't go far, though, and Dallas ultimately ended up acquiring pass-catcher George Pickens after this year's NFL draft. Bateman attracted interest from a receiver-needy team after a career year in 2024 in which he caught 45 of his 72 targets for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (14 starts). It was nice to see from the 25-year-old former first-rounder, but fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect more growth in 2025, especially not in the touchdown department. The Ravens remain a run-first offensive operation, and the addition of veteran DeAndre Hopkins won't help Bateman's cause. Zay Flowers should once again lead Baltimore in targets if he stays healthy.

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Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) has been unavailable during practice during rookie minicamp while rehabbing from surgery that he had on his shoulder in January. While he's unavailable for on-field work, Loveland is focusing on the mental side of things, learning the offensive scheme and developing chemistry with quarterback Caleb Williams. The 21-year-old 10th overall pick in this year's NFL draft is expected to increase his activity by the time mandatory minicamp rolls around early next month, and he should be fully ready to go by training camp this summer as he enters his first year in the NFL. The Bears still have Cole Kmet at the position, but the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Loveland could be Chicago's top pass-catching TE by season's end. As he shares playing time with Kmet in Year 1, fantasy managers should temper expectations in 2025.

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The Minnesota Vikings have signed wide receiver Tai Felton, defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, linebacker Kobe King, and tight end Gavin Bartholomew to their rookie deals on Friday. As for Felton, his contract is a four-year, $6.13 million agreement after the team selected him with the final pick of the third round of April's draft. He'll join one of the better WR corps in Minnesota alongside starters Jalen Nailor, Jordan Addison, and Justin Jefferson. Furthermore, tight end T.J. Hockenson poses a decent target threat at tight end. The Maryland alum has a ways to go before he sees playing time, but he's uber-athletic (4.37 40-yard dash), and it wouldn't be surprising to see him surpass Nailor in the pecking order in due time. Felton had a strong final season at Maryland (94/1,124/9).

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Per the team's transaction logs, the Houston Texans have signed third-round wide receiver Jaylin Noel to a four-year, $6.46 million deal. Noel was the No. 79 overall pick and the second of two Iowa State wideouts selected by the Texans, joining second-rounder and fellow Cyclone Jayden Higgins. With the news that WR Tank Dell (knee) will likely miss the 2025 season, the door is open for both pass catchers to compete for snaps and impact the field. Veteran wideout Christian Kirk does pose a threat and significant target competition. Particularly for Noel, who profiles more like Kirk, considering he operated out of the slot in college. However, the rookie bolsters much more juice than the veteran (4.39 40-yard dash) and should eventually make his way to the starting roster. He caught 80 balls for 1,194 yards last season (eight TDs) and is also a seasoned returner.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New England Patriots have signed rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams to an undisclosed contract. The 22-year-old was selected with the fifth pick in the third round of April's draft, and projects to immediately compete for snaps in a Patriots' wide receiver corps that offers little behind veteran Stefon Diggs (knee). While Diggs is reportedly working back quickly from a torn ACL, Williams offers lethal playmaking ability as a deep threat. He gives New England's offense a new dimension as they continue to build around young signal-caller Drake Maye. Despite the Washington State product's more diminutive stature, he spent most of his time out wide during his final season in college. It seems likely he'll move into more of a slot role in the NFL, but it shows his versatility and only stands to benefit him as he adjusts to the pros.

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ESPN.com's Daniel Oyefusi reports that, per general manager Andrew Berry, it's becoming "increasingly unlikely" that the team will re-sign running back Nick Chubb, notably after they drafted two rushers in April's draft. "I wouldn't rule anything out, but I would say that it's probably increasingly unlikely," said Berry. The Browns' GM also noted that Jerome Ford will play a role. This was the expectation after Cleveland selected Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins in the second round, and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson in the fourth, and now it's all but confirmed. Aside from his injury-marred seasons, Chubb had a fantastic run as a Brown. If this is it for him at that destination, he'll end his tenure as the organization's third-leading rusher (6,843 yards). It remains to be seen if he'll find work again in 2025, though it seems likely he will at some point.

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The New Orleans Saints are hosting free-agent wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones for a tryout during minicamp, according to NOF's John Hendrix. Peoples-Jones totaled just 155 yards through 15 games in 2023, and he spent all of last season on the Detroit Lions' practice squad. However, we've seen glimpses of upside from the Michigan product before. He delivered a career year with the Cleveland Browns in 2022, catching 61 of 96 targets for 839 yards and three touchdowns. He has previously served as a big-play threat, making him an intriguing candidate to replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling in New Orleans. Valdes-Scantling, who landed with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason, caught numerous deep passes from Derek Carr last season, allowing the Saints to strike quickly with big chunk plays. Peoples-Jones can provide a similar spark, but even if he makes the team, he'll merely fill a depth role behind Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Brandin Cooks.

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The Miami Dolphins and first-round defensive tackle Kenneth Grant agreed to a four-year rookie deal on Friday, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The Dolphins decided to beef up the interior of their defensive line with the 13th overall pick in this year's NFL draft by taking Grant out of Michigan. The 21-year-old is big and powerful at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, but he's also extremely athletic and can succeed while being double-teamed. Grant can help bolster Miami's rush defense while also being disruptive in the backfield because of his quickness and athleticism. In his final season with the Wolverines in 2024, Grant had 32 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss. He will certainly help fill the void on the interior of Miami's D-line after Christian Wilkins left last season.

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The Indianapolis Colts signed rookie first-round tight end Tyler Warren to a four-year, fully-guaranteed $20.9 million contract on Friday that includes an $11.88 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Colts also signed six other draft picks, including cornerback Justin Walley, tackle Jalen Travis, running back DJ Giddens, quarterback Riley Leonard, defensive tackle Tim Smith and safety Hunter Wohler. The Colts took Warren with the 14th overall pick in this year's draft out of Penn State, and they're hoping he can be the standout pass-catching TE they've been searching for for quite a while. He has a huge frame at 6-foot-5, 256 pounds and has plenty of after-the-catch ability, but fantasy managers should probably pump the brakes on Warren being the next Sam LaPorta or Brock Bowers in his rookie season given the uncertainty at the QB position in Indy.

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According to the league's transaction wire, the Jacksonville Jaguars officially released wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) on Thursday with a failed-physical designation. A torn meniscus ended Davis' first and only season in Jacksonville last year after just 10 games. The 26-year-old had signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the team. The former fourth-rounder of the Buffalo Bills in 2020 out of Central Florida caught 20 of 42 targets for 239 yards and two touchdowns in his 10 games (nine starts) before tearing his meniscus last year. It remains to be seen if he'll be full speed and ready to go for the start of the 2025 regular season this fall as he looks to latch on with a new team. Davis has always been more of a boom/bust fantasy asset, but his value moving forward will depend on where he surfaces. Second-year man Brian Thomas Jr. is the Jags' clear WR1, with Dyami Brown and two-way rookie Travis Hunter now in line for bigger roles.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed first-round rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to a four-year, $18.1 million contract on Friday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Despite the fact the Bucs still have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin (ankle), they elected to take Egbuka out of Ohio State with the 19th overall pick in this year's NFL draft. The 6-foot-1, 202-pound 22-year-old is versatile and can move around the field, but he could struggle for volume in his rookie season in 2025 as long as both Evans and Godwin stay on the field. The addition of Egbuka is bad news for second-year pass-catcher Jalen McMillan. Egbuka was highly productive for the Buckeyes, setting a school record of 205 career catches for 2,868 yards and 24 touchdowns in 49 games. He should be the favorite to be Tampa's WR3 this season and will be a very attractive dynasty/keeper draft pick for the long term.

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San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said that running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) "looks awesome" this offseason and also said that "we're going to do everything we can to get him the ball as much as we can." McCaffrey was a big-time fantasy bust as the No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy drafts in 2024, as he didn't make his season debut until Week 10 due to bilateral Achilles tendinitis before spraining his PCL in Week 14 and being shut down for the rest of the year. The 28-year-old All-Pro has no restrictions during the team's offseason program, though, and should be fully healthy for Week 1 in 2025. It doesn't sound like the Niners plan to reduce his workload this year, but fantasy managers are surely skeptical about CMC staying healthy for a full season. McCaffrey is a league-winner if he stays healthy, but he's played fewer than eight games three times in the last five years.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) underwent a wrist procedure that involved the removal of his previously placed screws, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. The 31-year-old had his wrist surgically repaired this offseason, and this second procedure was pre-planned. Last year, Hill played a significant chunk of the season with a "ligament issue." Between his injury, Tua Tagovailoa's trip to the Injured Reserve list, and the Miami offense regressing overall, Hill posted his worst statistical season since his rookie campaign (minimum 13 games). In 17 contests, he hauled in just 81 passes for 959 yards and six touchdowns. He finished as the WR18 overall in PPR formats and the WR30 in fantasy points per game (minimum 10 games). His 2024 campaign could have been the start of a sharp decline, so fantasy managers should be cautious with him in the early rounds next season.

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter will "primarily" practice with the offense during rookie minicamp, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. The Jaguars plan to add defensive reps to his practice regimen eventually, but it's unclear if that will happen before the end of minicamp. Hunter is arguably the most athletic player in this year's rookie class, dominating as an offensive and defensive superstar at Colorado. As a receiver, he led the Big 12 with 96 catches and 15 touchdowns. While most fantasy members will only be able to get points for Hunter's offensive or defensive contributions (not both), he's still a high-upside fantasy option given his skill set and track record. Hunter's injury risk will have to be taken into consideration since he could be playing twice as many snaps as a typical player, but there's no denying his ability to produce when called upon.

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Dynasty | The Steelers have traded wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Dynasty Analysis: Despite Pickens saying he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh and the Steelers also saying they were fine keeping him, this marriage had simply run its course. Pittsburgh will reportedly receive a 2026 third round pick and a 2027 fifth round pick in exchange for their disgruntled wideout. Pickens will slide into the Cowboys offense as the clear WR2 next to CeeDee Lamb and should find it possible to post similar seasons as he has in the past with close to 60 catches, 1,000 yards and a handful of touchdowns as long as he stays engaged, which has always been a bit of a challenge.

Dynasty | The Jaguars have released wide receiver Gabe Davis. Dynasty Analysis: Davis had some solid seasons in Buffalo, scoring 27 touchdowns over his four seasons with the Bills. This led him to signing with Jacksonville last year as they hoped he could form a nice receiving duo with Brian Thomas Jr. That simply never happened as Davis posted just 20 catches for 239 yards and two scores over ten games. The Jags are taking a $20 million cap hit to release Davis but obviously find him to be unnecessary now that they have Travis Hunter, who now has an even easier road to targets. Davis should latch on somewhere in the coming weeks, but his dynasty value has evaporated.

The Carolina Panthers have signed rookie first-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to a four-year, $27.93 million contract. McMillan was the first receiver selected in April's draft, chosen No. 8 overall by Carolina. The hulking pass-catcher (6-foot-4) will reportedly operate as the team's X receiver with veteran Adam Thielen manning the slot and Xavier Legette rounding out the corps at the Z. It's a natural fit for the Arizona product, as his frame and metrics support the position. He was excellent during his final two seasons at college, amassing 174 receptions, 2,721 yards, and 18 touchdowns, and projects to slot in as a high-volume target for quarterback Bryce Young. McMillan is a superb selection early in rookie drafts, and could garner appeal in redraft leagues if Young's improvements from the tail end of 2024 stick.

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