NFL Player News

Coach Sean Payton expects Estime (knee) to be "full go" for the start of training camp, Nick Kosmider of The Athletic reports.

The rookie fifth-round pick missed most of Denver's offseason program after undergoing a minor knee scope this spring. Kosmider suggests Estime could challenge Javonte Williams for lead-runner duties in an offense that also has Jaleel McLaughlin and Samaje Perine as strong candidates for backfield roles. It'll likely shape up as some form of committee again, with the 227-pound Estime a candidate to provide a power element if Williams fails to regain the explosiveness he showed early in his career before a multi-ligament knee tear in Oct. 2022.

Evans faces a difficult path to earning a spot on the final roster and is a candidate to be cut before the start of the 2024 regular season, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Evans, a 2023 sixth-round pick, logged only nine rush attempts for 19 yards across 10 regular-season appearances as a rookie, despite the Rams suffering a number of injuries to their backfield. A healthy Kyren Williams remains entrenched atop the depth chart and projects for a workhorse role, while rookie third-rounder Blake Corum projects as his top backup. Boston Scott and Ronnie Rivers are relatively established as capable depth options, so unless he can truly impress in training camp, Evans may find himself the odd man out.

Jaguars running backs coach Jerry Mack said Bigsby's offseason priority has been to "refocus," and that "now things are starting to slow down for him" entering Year 2, Juston Lewis of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union reports.

Coach Doug Pederson said back in May that the team hopes Bigsby will be able to spell starter Travis Etienne more often during the 2024 season, but for that to happen the 2023 third-round pick will need to improve upon a lackluster rookie performance. Last season, Bigsby logged just 50 carries for 132 yards (2.6 YPC) and two touchdowns across 17 games. Mack noted that as a rookie "everything was extremely fast for [Bigsby]," but said that this offseason "he's understanding the ins and outs of the offense a lot better." D'Ernest Johnson and rookie fifth-round pick Keilan Robinson could offer competition for the No. 2 role, but if Bigsby can indeed improve entering the 2024 campaign and retain a complementary role behind Etienne, he could provide value as a post-hype sleeper in the late rounds of fantasy drafts.

The Seahawks waived Williams on Monday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

Williams inked with Seattle as an undrafted free agent after the 2024 NFL Draft, but after spending OTAs and minicamp with the team he'll now need to search for a new opportunity. As a senior at North Dakota State in 2023, Williams rushed 125 times for 768 yards and eight touchdowns.

McLaughlin is working to earn an increased workload entering Year 2 while competing with backfield mates Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine, Ryan McFadden of The Denver Post reports.

McLaughlin has been one of the earliest to arrive throughout Denver's voluntary offseason workouts, and at mandatory minicamp he reportedly looked more explosive than in his rookie season, when he averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry. Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi praised McLaughlin's "speed, acceleration (and) explosiveness," saying "I don't know if there's anyone who works harder than him." Still, the Broncos' backfield is crowded, with Javonte Williams presumably still the No. 1 option and another year removed from his ACL injury, plus rookie fifth-rounder Audric Estime (knee) and undrafted free agent Blake Watson having been added to the mix.

Stevenson has agreed to a four-year extension with the Patriots, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Per Schefter, Stevenson's deal is for $36 million, of which $17 million is reportedly guaranteed. The move to extend the 2021 fourth-rounder beyond his current pact solidifies the Patriots backfield ahead of Jerod Mayo's first season as head coach, and with the team transitioning at the QB position, look for Stevenson and fellow RB Antonio Gibson to be key drivers of New England's offense in 2024. Over the course of 12 regular-season games last season, Stevenson logged 156 carries for 619 yards and four touchdowns to go along with 38 catches for 238 yards on 51 targets. As training camp approaches, the 26-year-old has moved past the ankle issue that cost him time down the stretch in 2023, with Stevenson's new contract terms reflecting his continued status as his team's lead back.

The Seahawks signed Person to a contract Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Person was waived by the Ravens with an undisclosed injury in March of 2023, and he returns to the NFL following a standout campaign with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. The 24-year-old rushed for 295 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 150 receiving yards for the Stallions. Person will likely need to carve out a role on special teams in order to stick around with Seattle in 2024.

Saylors has agreed to terms on a contract with the Giants, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Saylors joined the Bengals' roster prior to the 2023 season as an undrafted free agent before getting waived during final roster cuts. He ultimately landed with the Falcons' practice squad in October. He then suffered an undisclosed injury in November that landed him on injured reserve. With his addition to New York's roster, it looks like he is good to go heading into the 2024 season. There are five other running backs on the roster, so Saylors figures to have his work cut out for him going forward.

Achane has prioritized improving his route running this offseason and could earn more opportunities to line up out wide in Year 2, David Furones of the Sun Sentinel reports.

Achane said during June mandatory minicamp he's been "lining up at different positions, as far as like receiver, running routes and stuff," calling those drills "something that we're doing different this year." The second-year pro, who logged record-breaking efficiency during his rookie season, said that in addition to becoming a more versatile pass catcher, his priority this offseason has been adding muscle in order to better avoid injury. Achane will have to compete with position mates Raheem Mostert and rookie Jaylen Wright for touches during the 2024 campaign, so it would be encouraging to see him develop into a capable enough receiver to catch passes out wide, rather than only out of the backfield. Despite the Dolphins looking primed to deploy a backfield committee, Achane's explosiveness and big-play ability make it easy to project a high fantasy ceiling in 2024. If he's indeed able to improve his versatility and durability this offseason, that could also give him a more consistent floor.

Coach Sean McVay said Thursday in an OTAs recap video that Corum "has really stood out" early this offseason, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports.

Corum, a rookie third-round pick, had a chance to handle extra reps during OTAs while starter Kyren Williams dealt with a foot injury, though Los Angeles' backfield was fully healthy for June minicamp. McVay praised Corum's "mental toughness" and "the way that he handles himself," and said that the rookie will "definitely" have an opportunity to contribute as a pass catcher. Williams still appears entrenched as the clear top option in the Rams' backfield, but if Corum can keep his momentum up throughout training camp, he could have an opportunity to push for a notable role early in his career.