Tue Mar 18 7:53pm ET
Field Level Media
The Los Angeles Chargers signed former Las Vegas Raiders center Andre James on Tuesday.
James, 27, started 11 of the 13 games he played last season for the Raiders, appearing in 81 percent of the offensive snaps. He had spent his entire NFL career with the franchise, beginning in 2019 as an undrafted free agent when the Raiders were in Oakland.
He played 89 regular-season games (60 starts) and started one playoff game in 2021.
James returns to Los Angeles, where he played offensive line for UCLA in 36 games from 2016-18.
The Detroit Lions announced on Tuesday that they re-signed defensive lineman Pat O'Connor to an undisclosed deal. O'Connor will return to Detroit in 2025 for a second straight season. The 31-year-old veteran was originally drafted by Detroit in the seventh round (250th overall) in 2017 out of Eastern Michigan, but he debuted that same year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and stuck in Florida until rejoining the Lions organization last year. He had a career-high 18 tackles (five solo) and one sack in 12 regular-season games last year and will return as defensive-end depth for Detroit behind All-Pro Aidan Hutchinson (leg) and Josh Paschal. In O'Connor's seven years in the NFL, he has only compiled 42 tackles (19 solo), 2.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and six QB hits in 80 games (no starts).
From RotoBaller
The Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent wide receiver Tim Jones to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday, according to Vikings.com's Craig Peters. Jones heads to the NFC North after spending the last four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he caught just 17 of his 27 targets for 154 yards and no touchdowns in 51 games (three starts) -- he spent all of the 2021 campaign on the practice squad and didn't see any action in the NFL that year. The 26-year-old product of Southern Miss will now join a Vikings receiver room that already includes All-Pro Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor as well as Lucky Jackson, Thayer Thomas and Jeshaun Jones. He will most likely factor in for the Vikings on special teams and won't be guaranteed a spot on the 53-man roster out of training camp this summer.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams announced on Tuesday that they agreed to terms with free-agent inside linebacker Nate Landman on an undisclosed one-year deal. Landman will move to the NFC West after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, where he recorded 192 tackles (105 solo), two sacks, seven tackles for loss, five QB hits, one interception and six forced fumbles in 36 games (23 starts). The 26-year-old alumni of the University of Colorado had 110 total tackles in 2023 and produced 81 tackles (39 solo) in 13 games (nine starts) in his final season in Atlanta in 2024. He missed four games on Injured Reserve last year with a calf injury. Landman has shown that he can be a strong inside linebacker in the NFL, but he'll probably be competing for playing time in L.A.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent wide receiver/return specialist Mecole Hardman (knee) is signing an undisclosed one-year deal with the Green Bay Packers on Tuesday, a source tells ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Hardman will take his speed to the Packers while contributing both on offense and special teams as a kick returner. The 27-year-old former second-rounder (56th overall) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 out of the University of Georgia caught only 12 of 14 targets for 90 yards and no touchdowns while carrying the ball five times for 62 yards and a touchdown in 12 regular-season games before suffering a knee injury in December that landed him on Injured Reserve. The Packers could use the receiver depth with Christian Watson (knee) likely to miss around half of the 2025 season, but Hardman could struggle for consistent involvement in Green Bay's offense, much like he did in KC, behind Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent wide receiver Rondale Moore (knee) visited with the New York Jets on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Field Yates. Moore is making the rounds this offseason as a free agent after signing with the Atlanta Falcons last year before missing the entire 2024 campaign due to a non-contact knee injury that he suffered in a joint training camp practice last summer. In addition to the Jets, the 24-year-old wideout has taken visits with the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears as he searches for his next team. The Arizona Cardinals took Moore in the second round (49th overall) in 2021 out of Purdue, and he contributed 135 catches on 182 targets for 1,201 yards and only three touchdowns in his three seasons (39 games played). There's opportunity in New York behind No. 1 Garrett Wilson, but with questions surround QB Justin Fields as a passer still, Moore would likely go undrafted in most 12-team fantasy leagues if he lands with the Jets.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers are re-signing veteran free-agent wide receiver David Moore to a one-year deal, the team announced on X. Moore has previously been with Panthers head coach Dave Canales when both were with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before joining forces once again in Carolina last season. A season ago, Moore caught 32 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. Overall, the 30-year-old has 115 receptions for 1,608 yards and 17 scores in 72 games on his career resume. While he won't be a consistent fantasy producer, he's a familiar face for potential breakout quarterback Bryce Young and will continue to add depth to Carolina's offense.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers traded veteran wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. to the Washington Commanders this offseason, and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) could start next season on the Injured Reserve list as he recovers from a torn ACL. He could also be traded before the start of the 2025 campaign. That said, Jauan Jennings could open next year's campaign as the team's WR1, according to Athletic reporter Matt Barrows. Barrows listed Jennings ahead of Ricky Pearsall and Demarcus Robinson on his projected depth chart. Jennings, a 2020 seventh-round pick out of Tennessee, enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024. He registered 77 receptions for 975 yards and six scores. Had he not been ejected from the team's regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals, he likely would've notched his first 1,000-yard campaign. Jennings would have at least WR2 upside in Kyle Shanahan's offense if Aiyuk isn't available early on or is traded, though he would still have to compete with tight end George Kittle for targets.
From RotoBaller
The San Francisco 49ers are likely to pick a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to The Athletic reporter Matt Barrows. "Given the injury histories of Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo -- as well as the running back riches in this year's draft," Barrows wrote," Look for the 49ers to draft a runner at some point." Barrows listed Tennessee's Dylan Sampson, Virginia Tech's Bhayshul Tuten, and Texas' Jaydon Blue as potential fits for Kyle Shanahan's offense. All three backs are known for their speed, something 49ers brass have valued heavily at the position as of late. While McCaffrey and Guerendo will likely open the 2025 NFL season as the RB1 and RB2 for San Francisco after the team traded Jordan Mason to Minnesota, it's a smart idea for the organization to have depth behind them after McCaffrey was limited to four games in 2024 and Guerendo had an injury-riddled collegiate career at Wisconsin before transferring to Louisville.
From RotoBaller
According to Los Angeles Chargers reporter Daniel Popper of the Athletic, the team is likely to target a running back in April's 2025 NFL Draft. "The Chargers will be adding an explosive player to this group in the draft to complement Harris, Popper wrote." Perhaps as early as the 22nd pick in the first round." Harris signed a one-year, $5.25 million deal to join Justin Herbert's offense during the first week of free agency, but the depth chart behind him consisting of Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins leaves a lot to be desired. The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded at the running back spot, and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton or Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson could fit what L.A. is looking for. While Harris would have immense upside in the Chargers' offense in a workhorse role, he could be related to early-down work depending on if L.A. pulls the trigger on a ball carrier on Day 1 or Day 2. Harris has missed just one game in his NFL career and has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of his first four seasons, but his contract value and lack of explosive play-making signals he could be at risk of falling into a committee-back role.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent tight end Shane Zylstra is signing back with the Detroit Lions, according to NFL.com. The 2020 undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State began his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings before being released ahead of his rookie campaign. He signed on with Detroit ahead of the 2021 season and has been on and off the active roster ever since. Overall, Zylstra has appeared in 29 games for Detroit (three starts) and has collected 15 receptions for 116 yards and four touchdowns. Even if he makes the team's active roster in 2025, he's a longshot to see significant playing time behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright.
From RotoBaller
Free-agent cornerback Jeff Okudah is signing with the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL.com. The 26-year-old was originally the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions out of Ohio State but has not lived up to the draft capital. Okudah spent three seasons in Detroit before one year with the Atlanta Falcons and one year with the Houston Texans. Overall, he has accumulated 177 tackles (145 solo), 14 passes defended, and two interceptions in 44 career games. Okudah figures to compete for a roster spot and be a depth piece in Minnesota's secondary led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Adam Schefter says that with the Cleveland Browns being limited financially in what they can do since they have so much money tied up in quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles), they probably can't offer free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson what the Pittsburgh Steelers or New York Giants can. As a result, the Steelers and Giants sound a bit more plausible as landing spots for Wilson for the time being, per Schefter. There's currently no urgency for the Steelers and Giants to sign Wilson, especially as they wait to see whether the Minnesota Vikings will get involved with Aaron Rodgers. The best-case scenario for the 36-year-old Wilson from fantasy perspective would be a return to Pittsburgh, but that would mean Rodgers would have land in Minnesota or New York. Regardless of where Wilson is playing in 2025, the declining veteran will most likely be a low-end QB2 in fantasy if he's the starter.
From RotoBaller
FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano absolutely thinks it's a no-brainer move for the Minnesota Vikings to sign free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, especially after they let Sam Darnold walk in free agency. Vacchiano believes the Vikings are still one of the best teams in the NFC -- they won 14 games in 2024 before collapsing late -- and that handing over a team that good to an untested rookie QB in J.J. McCarthy would be foolish when they have a chance to land a future Hall of Famer. FOX's Henry McKenna believes it sounds good on paper, but when you consider the drama that Rodgers brings with him, the whole dynamic changes, and perhaps Minnesota doesn't want to go down that road. Vacchiano believes head coach Kevin O'Connell can find a way to adjust his system to fit Rodgers' skills. Landing in Minnesota would be the best-case scenario for Rodgers' 2025 fantasy value, but he'd still probably be no more than a high-end QB2.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham, who was a two-time Super Bowl winner, six-time captain and a Pro Bowler, has announced his retirement after 15 seasons in the NFL, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Eagles made Graham the 13th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft out of the University of Michigan, and he played all 15 of his seasons in Philadelphia. "I don't have no regrets," Graham said. He only played in 11 regular-season games (one start) in 2024 due to injury but returned in the postseason and helped lead the Eagles to a blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX for his second Lombardi trophy. Over the course of his 15-year career in Philly, Graham racked up 487 tackles (359 solo), 76.5 sacks, 126 tackles for loss, 153 QB hits, 11 pass breakups, 22 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries (one returned for a TD) in 206 regular-season games (106 starts).
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that free agent linebacker Azeez Ojulari is signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal worth $4 million. Fowler notes that Philadelphia "heavily recruited" the fifth-year pass-rusher. Ojulari recorded 28 tackles and six sacks for the New York Giants in 11 games last season and looks to give the Eagles a boost on their defensive front after seeing defensive linemen Josh Sweat and Milton Williams depart in free agency. The Georgia product has played just one full season in his four years as a pro. Still, he heads to a destination known to maximize their defensive front's talent. Ojulari projects to be a rotational piece for Philadelphia's pass-rush situations.
Ian Rapoport reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to terms with free agent safety Juan Thornhill on a one-year deal. The intricacies of the contract have not yet been reported. Thornhill spent the last two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, playing in just 22 games after missing time with a nagging calf injury. The 29-year-old will join his third squad after the Kansas City Chiefs took him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Despite missing time over the last two years, the Virginia product is a viable option in the secondary, and he recorded 71 tackles, one sack, and three interceptions in his most recent full season (2022). He's expected to compete with DeShon Elliott for a chance to play alongside incumbent starter Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Byron Cowart is signing a one-year, $1.362 million deal with the New York Jets. Ethan Greenberg of the team reported the news. The 28-year-old is joining his fifth team since being selected by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Cowart appeared in 15 games in 2024 (seven starts), recording 26 tackles and a career-high 2.5 sacks. The Maryland product has racked up 21 starts since 2019, appearing in 51 total games. He ranked third amongst Bears defensive tackles in 2024 snaps (335) and projects to serve as depth for New York on their defensive front. He'll join fellow defensive linemen Derrick Nnadi, Jay Tufele, and Rashad Weaver as new acquisitions on the team.
Despite just giving lucrative long-term contract extensions to both wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on Sunday night, the Cincinnati Bengals hope to get something done with All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson despite granting him permission to seek a trade, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Quarterback Joe Burrow publicly pushed for the team to sign Chase, Higgins, Hendrickson and tight end Mike Gesicki earlier this offseason, and Hendrickson is the only one that remains without an extension. It's not going to be easy for Cincinnati since the 30-year-old Hendrickson is going to command top dollar after recording 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons as one of the best sack artists in the NFL. Hendrickson is in the final year of his deal with the Bengals in 2025 but understandably wants a new deal after recording 35 sacks the last two years.
Dynasty | The Bengals have signed wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a four-year, $161 million contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: Well, better late than never for Chase, who is now the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. It's hard to argue with the logic here as Chase was flat-out dominant last season, posting 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. The challenge for the Bengals is the fact they're not getting better, just more expensive. However, dynasty managers won't care much as Chase is locked in as a top-three option in dynasty leagues and many have him as the top overall position player. With Joe Burrow, Chase and Tee Higgins all in the fold for the foreseeable future, this team will clearly score points.
Dynasty | The Bengals have signed wide receiver Tee Higgins to a contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: Higgins gets a four-year, $115 million contract and avoids playing on the franchise tag as a result. He is now the highest paid "WR2" in NFL history. It's fair to wonder if the Bengals are actually going to be better by paying Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins and Joe Burrow, but they have little choice. Higgins was solid again last with a 73/911/10 line in just 12 games and while some dynasty managers may be disappointed he's not moving somewhere else to be a true alpha receiver, Burrow is clearly good enough to make two different receivers WR1 worthy, so it may be hollow ask. Higgins remains a solid dynasty asset and his ADP should remain about the same.