NFL

“I feel like I’m ready to go,” Williams said. Although it is good news, “the plan” and “I feel like” aren’t exactly definitive statements. Williams got more into the gray area with a follow-up statement. “It’s just all about the evaluation, how the Broncos feel about it,’' Williams said. “Just seeing how I feel, moving, just trying to get my speed back to normal, things like that.” Even if Williams actually is close to 100 percent, it is difficult to believe the Broncos won’t take it slow and have him begin camp on the PUP list. If he avoids the PUP, it would mean he passed his physical and conditioning tests and is ready to rock. Even if Williams does land on the PUP list, he can be activated at any time up until final cuts. If he isn’t activated at final cuts, he would have to miss the first four games of the season.

Reiss noted that Hopkins isn’t in a rush to sign with a team, so we may not be getting a conclusion to this saga any time soon. New England and Tennessee appear to be the clear front-runners in the Hopkins sweepstakes. Both teams are in need of a true WR1, though the Titans could already have that on their roster if Treylon Burks takes the next step in his development. Hopkins’ landing spot will play a major role in his fantasy outlook, but it’s safe to pencil him in for a large target share no matter where he winds up.

Wyatt did note that Willis has looked better than Will Levis this offseason. He believes Willis ultimately makes the 53-man roster, though that isn’t a foregone conclusion. The former third-rounder was far from ready for the NFL as a rookie. He made three starts in place of an injured Ryan Tannehill and never topped 100 passing yards in a game. Willis also threw three interceptions with no touchdowns. With their playoff hopes on the line, the Titans gave Josh Dobbs the start in Week 18. Willis still has time to develop into a quality backup or even a starter, but the Levis draft pick indicates the Titans don’t see him as a long-term answer in Tennessee.

“Thielen is probably the favorite to catch more balls than anybody among that group of receivers,” Gantt said on a recent Rotoworld Football Show , breaking down Carolina’s pass-catching pecking order. “He’s going to be set up to catch a bunch of short touchdown passes this year.” Panthers head coach Frank Reich and team owner David Tepper have said Thielen’s precise route running should mesh well with Bryce Young. Gant said to expect Carolina’s passing attack to include plenty of shorter and intermediate passes — a potential boon for whoever is playing from the slot. Thielen, whose stats dropped off in 2022, could be an interesting PPR option in deeper formats if he indeed leads the Panthers in targets and/or receptions.

Huber, who joined the Bengals in 2009, was among the league’s most reliable punters over his lengthy tenure in Cincinnati. The Bengals released Huber, 37, last December after consistent struggles over the season’s first few months. Drue Chrisman and Brad Robbins will compete for the Bengals’ punting job this summer.

Per Florio, the Jets’ interest is all about Breece Hall’s recovery from his torn ACL. Although Gang Green has publicly projected optimism on Hall’s status, the truth is it is still too early to know what Hall might be ready for come Week 1. There is also the Aaron Rodgers factor, with the team needing to be all in on what could be Rodgers’ first-and-only season with the team. It is also believed the Dolphins remain interested. Cook figures to sign near the beginning of training camp.

“Tank’ Dell comes in, providing his route-running ability,” Ryans said. “He’s been open a lot in OTAs. So that’s exciting.” Ludicrously productive at the University of Houston, Dell forged an off-field friendship with new Texans QB C.J. Stroud, which surely played a part in his Day 2 selection. It is going to be easy to get overly excited about Dell at the expense of veteran Robert Woods, but there is no question Dell is where the upside resides. It is just a matter of if he can establish a PPR floor first. Dell is an interesting late-round flier in receptions-based formats.

We are talking about pad-less practices in May and June, but the Texans certainly need Collins to step up and serve as the primary boundary threat in an offense with smaller wideouts like Robert Woods, Tank Dell and John Metchie. Slowed by injury and terrible quarterback play, Collins posted just a 37/481/2 line in 10 games last season. Headed into his age-24 season, a good fantasy outcome for Collins would be emerging as a touchdowns-based WR4.

Also known as “BoPete,” Keyes appeared in five games between the Bears and Colts in 2021 before failing to make a regular season appearance in 2022. Heading into his age-26 campaign, Keyes is a pure depth signing, one who will struggle to crack the 53-man roster.

Fowler also reports “several teams in the AFC East are vying for Cook’s potential services.” The Jets have been projecting sunshine on Breece Hall’s ACL recovery, but signing Cook for the type of money he is likely to command would tell a different story. It’s also possible mercenary gunslinger Aaron Rodgers isn’t willing to bet on a sophomore ACL case at running back in what could be his final season. Cook to the Jets ultimately seems unlikely for a number of reasons, but it certainly cannot be dismissed out of hand.