📝 News & Notes

The running back market just got blown up, so let’s start there.

Bijan Robinson (ATL, RB) and the Falcons agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million, a deal that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history with $51 million guaranteed and a $22.25 million average that tops Saquon Barkley’s mark. The camp hold-in is over and he’s back as the centerpiece, right where his 1.02 Underdog ADP says he belongs.
My take: there was never real risk here, and a back who finished as the RB2 in receiving yards last year (820 on a 1.83 yards per route run) is exactly the workload I want anchoring a build, so nothing changes for me at pick 2. The more interesting ripple is behind him: Schefter says the stage is now set for Jahmyr Gibbs, who’s still my 1.01, and Jonathan Taylor (1.08) heads into a contract year with the market resetting right above him.

Drake London (ATL, WR) has his own storyline brewing in Atlanta, where Tua Tagovailoa is believed to have a significant leg up on Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job, though both are working back from injuries (Tua a back, Penix an ACL).
My take: London’s a locked-in top-15 pick at his 2.09 ADP no matter who’s under center, and if anything Tua’s accuracy compared to Penix may be a small bump to his floor. His price is only dropping as people are RB-hungry but I think you could take London anywhere in the 2nd round.

Xavier Worthy (KC, WR) left practice with a shoulder sprain, but Andy Reid says he’s expected back at practice this week, with Jalen Royals and Tyquan Thornton soaking up first-team reps while he’s out.
My take: between the offseason labrum surgery and now this, you don’t love to see it in a year the Chiefs have talked up Worthy as a higher volume, get-the-ball-into-his-hands player. I still want to take him but hoping this drops his price a bit.

Josh Downs (IND, WR) is running as the Colts’ top wide receiver for the time being, with Alec Pierce on PUP after ankle surgery and Michael Pittman Jr. gone for good.
My take: Downs has always been a target magnet from the slot, and a full-time role with a clear No. 1 runway makes his 8.05 ADP look a round too cheap. The one caveat is that Colts beat writers think the team still has to add a receiver, which could cap the ceiling, but until that move happens I’m buying.

Ashton Jeanty (LV, RB) got the pads-on treatment in Vegas and was showing out in team drills, even if Maxx Crosby won a couple of reps in the trenches.
My take: I personally still like James Cook and Saquon Barkley above him but all the RBs in that range are so bunched together I’m often mixing it up to get exposure. Talent is not the question, and likely neither is volume. Just a question of if the offense can be good enough to support him.

🔗 Around the Web

A few reads and a watch to sharpen your board as the RB market resets.

📆 NFL Countdown

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