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Player News
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Michael Mayer LV TERaiders' Michael Mayer: Joined by Bowers in TE room
41m agoGM Tom Telesco said Thursday that he excepts Mayer to "take a leap this year" even though the Raiders drafted fellow tight end Brock Bowers at No. 13 overall, Nick Walters of KTNV Las Vegas reports.
The Raiders presumably plan to use a lot of multi-TE formations, but the new competition for snaps and targets is nonetheless terrible news for Mayer's fantasy value. He and Bowers were arguably the most productive tight ends in college football over the past half-decade, with Mayer recording 2,099 yards and 18 TDs in three seasons at Notre Dame and Bowers putting up 2,538 and 26 over three seasons for Georgia. While Mayer is both taller and heavier, Bowers is faster, more agile and an earlier draft pick (Mayer went 35th in 2023). On the bright side, Telesco said there's "no concern" about the foot injury that brought Mayer's rookie season to an early end after 14 games (12 starts) and a 27-304-2 receiving line, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.
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Xavier Legette 2005 WRPanthers' Xavier Legette: Carolina surprises at 32nd pick
1h agoThe Panthers selected Legette in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 32nd overall.
Legette (6-foot-1, 223 pounds) is a uniquely explosive athlete (4.39-second 40, 40-inch vertical) for such a heavy receiver, and in 2023 his production at South Carolina went crazy as he made big play after big play downfield. He's more comfortable running in a straight line than sideways, which limits the number of ways you can get him the ball and makes it easier for defenses to stop him once opponents determine which parts of the field he'll avoid. While he showed great hands and even yards-after-the-catch ability in 2023, Legette might face more jamming troubles from NFL corners, which would threaten to delay his otherwise compelling downfield speed. Indeed, it's a red flag that he was so athletically explosive all along but couldn't produce until his fifth collegiate season. Given Bryce Young's 2023 struggles, it is in any case difficult to see much fantasy opportunity for Legette in 2024 specifically.
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Ricky Pearsall 2005 WR49ers' Ricky Pearsall: San Francisco surprise at 31st pick
1h agoThe 49ers selected Pearsall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 31st overall.
This pick was very much unexpected and certainly won't do anything to quiet the trade rumors surrounding both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. The 49ers presumably wouldn't pick Pearsall in the first round to play the function of the WR3 role in San Francisco; they use the fullback position too much to make it worth it. Regardless of what the 49ers' front office might be up to, Pearsall is a very likable prospect out of Florida (and Arizona State before that). Pearsall (6-foot-1, 189 pounds) was an above-baseline producer for Florida and Arizona State on target shares in the low-20 percents, which are generally figures that imply WR2 or WR3 utility at the next level. Even if he's not a WR1, there's reason to think Pearsall can be uniquely explosive with WR2-type usage, especially after he dominated the combine with a 4.41-second 40, 42-inch vertical, 129-inch broad jump and 6.64-second three-cone drill.
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Nate Wiggins 2005 CBRavens' Nate Wiggins: Baltimore scoops up at 30th overall
1h agoThe Ravens selected Wiggins in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 30th overall.
Wiggins is awfully skinny at 6-foot-1, 173 pounds, and with such a light frame comes reasonable concerns about run defense. He won't turn 21 until Aug. 28, however, and his frame clearly has room to add some weight if necessary. Wiggins can add mass to his frame with time, but the other cornerbacks in this class can't acquire what Wiggins has innately: elite speed (4.28-second 40) and proven coverage ability. He was the top defender on a smothering Clemson pass defense in 2023, and the Ravens have to be one of the best teams in the league for developing defensive talents. Perhaps he's a slight project, but Wiggins should fully arrive for Baltimore at some point in the near future.
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Tyler Guyton 2005 OTCowboys' Tyler Guyton: Reeled in at 29th overall by Dallas
1h agoThe Cowboys selected Guyton in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 29th overall.
Dallas might have preferred a tackle target like Troy Fautanu or Amarius Mims, but both were off the board when Dallas originally went on the clock at the 24th pick. There's likely a drop-off from those two to Guyton, so Dallas did well to get some compensation for said drop-off. Guyton (6-foot-8, 322 pounds) is super toolsey (34.5-inch vertical) and has good reach (34 and 1/8-inch arms), so in terms of physical traits he checks all the boxes for a starting left tackle. What's less clear is whether Guyton has the skill element necessary to emerge as a standout starting tackle. Guyton transferred to Oklahoma from TCU and did not earn consistent playing time until late in his career, and even then only at right tackle. Dallas has little choice but to throw Guyton into the fire at left tackle, in any case, as they've otherwise done nothing to replace former left tackle Tyron Smith.
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Xavier Worthy KC WRChiefs' Xavier Worthy: Kansas City snatches 28th overall
1h agoThe Chiefs selected Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 28th overall.
The Chiefs traded up from the 32nd pick to secure Worthy, the owner of the fastest combine 40 time on record (4.21 seconds). Worthy (5-foot-11, 165 pounds) and free-agent pickup Marquise Brown are both tiny speedsters who are loath to face much physicality from a defense, so it remains to be seen how well the two coexist in 2024, but in the meantime it's clear that the Chiefs are hammering a speed emphasis this offseason. Despite Worthy's struggles with contact and his history of dropped passes at Texas, he could prove uniquely dangerous with a quarterback like Patrick Mahomes.
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Justin Verlander HOU SPAstros' Justin Verlander: Goes 4.1 scoreless
1m agoVerlander didn't factor into the decision Thursday, allowing three hits and four walks with seven strikeouts over 4.1 scoreless innings against the Cubs.
Verlander couldn't complete five innings Thursday, getting pulled after 95 pitches. His inefficiency and lack of control led to four walks, but he kept each baserunner from reaching home plate. Through two starts Verlander owns a 1.74 ERA with 11 strikeouts across 10.1 innings. He's expected to make his next start Thursday against the Guardians.
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Salvador Perez KC CRoyals' Salvador Perez: Clobbers first-inning homer
7m agoPerez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run during Thursday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Although Thursday's game was called after five innings due to poor weather, Perez managed to make an impact, swatting a two-run shot off Jose Berrios in the first frame. Over the Royals last two series', Perez is batting .435 with eight RBI and one strikeout across 27 plate appearances.
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Jose Berrios TOR SPBlue Jays' Jose Berrios: Takes loss against Royals
11m agoBerrios (4-1) took the loss Thursday against Kansas City, allowing two runs on three hits and three walks with a strikeout over five innings.
All of the damage against Berrios came via a Salvador Perez two-run home run in the first inning. Berrios failed to complete six innings for the first time this season, an impossible task considering Thursday's game was called after five frames. The outing snapped Berrios's scoreless inning streak that spanned 21.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled for another start against the Royals on Tuesday.
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Cole Ragans KC SPRoyals' Cole Ragans: Picks up win in rainout
17m agoRagans (1-2) earned the win Thursday against the Blue Jays, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over five innings. He struck out four.
Ragan technically pitched a complete game Thursday, with the outing being called after five innings due to rain. Regardless of the shortened game, Ragans managed to bounce back from a horrific start against the Orioles on Apr. 20 and got in the win column for the first time this season. Outside of his start against Baltimore, Ragans owns a 1.91 ERA with 33 strikeouts across 28.1 innings pitched. He's tentatively scheduled for a rematch with the Blue Jays in Toronto on Tuesday.
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Josh Naylor CLE 1BGuardians' Josh Naylor: Records first steal
2h agoNaylor went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox.
Naylor has gone hitless in his last two games -- it's just the second time this season he's been held without a hit in consecutive contests. He was able to pick up his first steal in three attempts this year with his lone trip on base Thursday. Despite the brief slump, he's slashing .295/.366/.557 with six home runs, 20 RBI, 13 runs scored and five doubles over 101 plate appearances in a starting role at first base.
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Brayan Rocchio CLE SSGuardians' Brayan Rocchio: Picks up steal in win
2h agoRocchio went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox.
Rocchio has gone 3-for-12 over his last four contests and continues to see a starting role at shortstop. He's yet to do much with the steady at-bats, slashing .205/.280/.301 with two steals on three attempts, four RBI, 10 runs scored, seven doubles and no home runs through 23 contests. With Gabriel Arias batting .280 in a utility role, it's unclear how much longer Rocchio will go relatively unchallenged for his spot in the lineup.
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Joel Embiid PHI C76ers' Joel Embiid: Being treated for Bell's palsy
33m agoEmbiid is being treated for a mild case of Bell's palsy, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. He finished Thursday's 125-114 win over the Knicks with 50 points (13-19 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 19-21 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and one block across 41 minutes.
Embiid delivered one of the best playoff performances of his career in Game 3 to keep the Sixers alive in the series, but the post-game news of his mild case of Bell's palsy turned out to be an unexpected and surprising outcome. Embiid revealed the condition started following the Play-In victory over the Heat, but the star big man wanted to keep it private to avoid distractions for his team. Bell's Palsy is a condition in which there is a facial weakness or paralysis due to injury to the 7th facial nerve, though it remains to be seen if that will limit him for Game 4 on Sunday. Based on his recent performances, though, Embiid won't be affected by this issue. He has scored 29 or more points in the three games of the first-round series against New York.
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Mitchell Robinson NY CKnicks' Mitchell Robinson: Departs arena in walking boot
41m agoRobinson (ankle) left the arena following Thursday's loss to the 76ers wearing a walking boot, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports. Further tests will be needed to determine whether he will be able to face the Sixers in Game 4 on Sunday.
Robinson left Wells Fargo Center walking with a noticeable limp, and the walking boot is never a good sign, especially with the next game being just three days away. Robinson has been playing off the bench in the series, but he has been making things difficult for Joel Embiid on the defensive end. Robinson ended Game 3 with two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 FT) and seven rebounds in 12 minutes.
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Reggie Jackson DEN PGNuggets' Reggie Jackson: Questionable to return Thursday
44m agoJackson is questionable to return to Thursday's game against the Lakers due to a left ankle sprain, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.
Jackson exited the game in the second half and was deemed questionable at the start of the fourth quarter, but given he was limping badly when exiting to the locker room, his chances of returning to the hardwood aren't very high. Jackson was spotted with his ankle wrapped in heat as well. If he can't return, then Christian Braun and Justin Holiday should see even more minutes off the bench.
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Anthony Davis LAL CLakers' Anthony Davis: Available to face Denver
3h agoDavis (back) is available for Game 3 against the Nuggets on Thursday, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
As has been the trend throughout the regular season and the playoffs, Davis appears in the injury report but then is listed as available closer to tipoff. Davis has averaged 32.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 blocks per game in the first two games of the series against the Nuggets.
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LeBron James LAL SFLakers' LeBron James: Available to play
3h agoJames (ankle) is available to play in Thursday's Game 3 versus the Nuggets, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
As is usually the case, James was carrying a probable tag prior to this update due to lingering left ankle soreness. James is not expected to have any restrictions as the Lakers attempt to pick up their first win of the series.
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Mitchell Robinson NY C
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Won't return Thursday
4h agoRobinson won't return to Thursday's Game 3 versus the 76ers due to a sprained left ankle, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports. He finished with two points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes.
Robinson carried a questionable tag into Thursday, and he seemed uncomfortable and a step slow for most of the evening before he left the game for good. Isaiah Hartenstein will likely be asked to soak up more minutes in the meantime. Robinson should be considered questionable for Game 4 Sunday.
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Sebastian Aho CAR LWHurricanes' Sebastian Aho: Scores again Thursday
2h agoAho scored a goal on three shots in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Islanders.
Aho extended the Islanders' lead to 3-1 midway through the second period, beating Ilya Sorokin with a wrister from between the circles, the eventual game-winner in Carolina's one-goal victory. The 26-year-old Aho now has two goals and three points in his last two games after tallying 36 goals and 89 points in 78 regular-season contests.
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Brock Nelson NYI CIslanders' Brock Nelson: Nets first of the playoffs
2h agoNelson scored a goal on two shots in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes.
Nelson cut the Islanders' deficit to 3-2 with 2:21 remaining in the second period, burying a rebound past Frederik Andersen, though New York would ultimately come up a goal short in the Game 3 loss. It's the first goal and second point for Nelson in the postseason. The 32-year-old center tallied 34 goals and 69 points in 82 games this year.
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Frederik Andersen CAR GHurricanes' Frederik Andersen: Another win in Game 3
2h agoAndersen stopped 29 of 31 shots in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Islanders.
After alternating starts with Pyotr Kochetkov late in the regular season, Andersen's now started each of the first three games against the Islanders, posting an excellent .922 save percentage while helping the Canes jump out to a convincing 3-0 series lead. The 34-year-old netminder figures to be back in goal Saturday as Carolina will look for an opening-series sweep in Game 4 on the road.
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Semyon Varlamov NYI GIslanders' Semyon Varlamov: Needed in relief
2h agoVarlamov stopped eight shots after entering in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the second period of Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Hurricanes.
After Varlamov dropped the first two games of the series, the Islanders turned to Ilya Sorokin on Thursday in an attempt to change the momentum. However, Sorokin allowed three goals on Carolina's first 14 shots before the Isles turned back to Varlamov midway through the second period. The 35-year-old Varlamov managed to hold the Canes scoreless over the game's final 30:33 minutes, though New York ultimately couldn't find a tying goal, leaving Sorokin with the loss. Varlamov figures to be back between the pipes for Saturday's do-or-die Game 4. Despite the Islanders' struggles thus far in the series, Varlamov's posted a solid .915 save percentage in three postseason appearances.
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Ilya Sorokin NYI GIslanders' Ilya Sorokin: Pulled in the second
3h agoSorokin allowed three goals on 14 shots before he was replaced by Semyon Varlamov in the second period of Thursday's 3-2 loss to Carolina.
Looking to climb out of a 2-0 hole in the series, the Islanders elected to switch things up and turn to Sorokin in net for Game 3. The 28-year-old netminder allowed two goals on the first six shots he faced in the first period and a third tally to Sebastian Aho 7:14 into the second before he was pulled in favor of Varlamov. Sorokin seemed to be the Islanders' unquestioned starter after signing an eight-year extension prior to the season. However, he was outplayed down the stretch by Varlamov, who took over the top goaltending job heading into the playoffs. Sorokin went 25-19-12 this year with a career-low .908 save percentage and 3.01 GAA.
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Jesper Fast CAR RWHurricanes' Jesper Fast: Likely out for postseason
5h agoFast (upper body) is unlikely to recover before the end of the playoffs, coach Rod Brind'Amour told Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal on Thursday.
Fast was injured during the Hurricanes' regular-season finale April 16. He had six goals and 19 points in 73 contests in 2023-24. Fast is in the first campaign of a two-year, $4.8 million contract, so even if he does miss the remainder of the postseason, he likely hasn't played in his final contest with Carolina. The 32-year-old serves in a bottom-six capacity when healthy.
