Kyren Williams may receive fewer opportunities, particularly in the red zone.
The Los Angeles Rams selected Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Last season, Kyren Williams carried a heavy workload while being one of the most productive running backs in the league. Corum stood out as a player at Michigan and was a huge part of their championship culture.
Head Coach Sean McVay said in a conference after the NFL draft. “Obviously I love Kyren and he’s been so important, and just the human being, but then also when you just look at the way he works at it, the production, and the things that he was able to bring to our offense last year, and even really some of the things that he worked through his rookie year. I think there’s a lot of similarities.”
McVay believes Williams will be a “great mentor” for Corum, and the Rams have the 1-2 punch they were missing last season.
Kyren Williams’ managers may have cause for concern with Blake Corum’s touchdown-scoring ability at Michigan, as he has scored 56 rushing touchdowns, the most in program history. Right now it sounds like Williams has the majority of touches in this backfield but fantasy managers shouldn’t be surprised to see Blake Corum come in the game near the goalline ultimately capping Kyren’s upside. This backfield situation will be something to monitor in the offseason as well as weekly, in the regular season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have decided not to pick up Najee Harris’ fifth-year option. Allowing the former Alabama running back to become a free agent in 2025.
For some, it may come as a shock to see Najee Harris as someone who may not be part of the future in Pittsburgh. He has rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first three years while carrying the ball over at least 250 times a season. With the emergence of Jaylen Warren in 2024 and his explosiveness (5.26 yds per carry), Najee’s lack thereof (4.06 yds per carry) gives reason for the Steelers to look at other options going forward. I do expect Najee Harris to have suitors in 2025 and could still resign with the Steelers as well depending on 2024 play.
The outlook for Najee Harris in the fantasy world has now become a bit clouded, especially in a dynasty aspect. Where Jaylen Warren’s value has risen going forward. Najee should still have low RB2 value in redraft and Warren as a great handcuff in 2024. Could the new quarterback play for the Steelers help or hinder Najee in 2024, that will yet to be seen.
The Minnesota Vikings signed South Carolina’s TE Trey Knox as an undrafted free agent.
Trey Knox went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. But was quickly signed as an undrafted free agent by the Vikings.
Knox is a smaller tight end standing at 6’3″ and 240 pounds. He did not preform the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine but at his pro day ran an underwhelming 4.91, his game speed looks faster than that but unfortunately his 40 did not reflect that speed. He does have athleticism for mismatches in the pros if given a chance like he did in college. Knox college production as senior and junior he had 63 catches for 607 yards. He also had QB rating when targeted of 95.3 his junior year, followed up better his senior year with 109.4.
For fantasy he will have to contribute on special teams and perhaps if T.J. Hockenson isn’t ready for the beginning of the season coming back from a torn ACL he may make the team, but not much use for the Vikings. He can be voided in rookie draft pick as he should be undrafted in most leagues.
The Tennesse Titans have signed undrafted free agent Dillon Johnson to a deal.
Dillon Johnson went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. But was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennesse Titans.
Johnson started his career with Mississippi State from 2019 to 2022. He averaged 5.2 yards per carry with 11 rushing touchdowns. But Johnson did most his damage out of the back field while at Mississippi State, he had 149 catches and 864 yards receiving.
For the 2023 season he transferred to Washington helping them to make a National Championship appearance. He helped by contributing 1,195 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns. This performance earned him Second-team All-Pac-12 Conference.
Johnson can try making the team through the special teams or perhaps carve out a role as the third on this Titans depth chart, as for fantasy implications he will have to have injuries to become fantasy relevance.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed UTEP WR Joshua Cephus as an undrafted free agent.
Joshua Cephus, younger brother of Quintez Cephus (just signed with Buffalo Bills), he played for UTEP. He measures at 6’2″ and 185 pounds, he unfortunately did not get invited to the combine this year but did participate in the Shrine Bowl. At his pro day he ran 4.62 40-yard dash and 32.5″ vertical jump.
His pro day isn’t eye popping, but his tape showed he was a quarterback’s best friend. In the last three years he played his QB rating when targeted of 125.9, 116.4, and 122.5. He averaged 80 catches, 940 yards receiving, and 7 touchdowns. He produced great college numbers; some compare his play to last year’s rookie stud Puka Nacua.
Jaguars have signed Cephus as an undrafted free agent. One of the main reasons Cephus did not hear his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft was due to his DWI back in 2022 and he was charged with a DWI in July 2023. In November 2023, he was given 15 months’ probation after pleading no contest. As for fantasy, one can pick him up after rookie dynasty drafts considering he’s not even on Sleeper. He will have his work cut out for him but look for him to make some noise in training camps.
The 49ers sign Missouri Running Back Cody Schrader as an undrafted free agent.
Cody Schrader went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. But was quickly signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers.
Standing at 5’8″ and 202 pounds Schrader ran an underperforming 40-yard dash with 4.61 and had 33″ vertical at the NFL Combine. Schrader a two-year starter at Missouri proved to be a good running back at the college level, in his final year he Led the team with school-record 1,627 rushing yards and led the team with 14 rushing TDs. He earned First-team Associated Press All-American. First-team All-SEC. Also, was a Doak Walker Award Finalist.
For fantasy Schrader can be left off most draft board being buried in the depth chart, behind Christian McCaffery, Elijah Mitchell, Jordan Mason, and 4th round rookie Isaac Guerendo. He will have to try carving out a role on special teams.
