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

Kicker Carousel

Ben Roethlisberger has Honest Admission

Lamar Jackson is Embracing the Air Raid

More Gambling Suspensions Potentially on the Way

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

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