Carolina Panthers

The Dallas Cowboys are hosting Texas running back Jonathon Brooks (knee), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders and defensive tackle Byron Murphy for visits on Wednesday, according to a source. Brooks is recovering from surgery to fix a torn ACL that he suffered on Nov. 12 but said at the beginning of March that he's ahead of schedule and expects to be cleared by July 1. Despite coming off a serious knee injury, the 20-year-old running back could be the first player off the board at the position in April's NFL draft in what is considered a weak class for RBs in 2024. The Cowboys are in need of RB depth after seeing Tony Pollard walk in free agency. Brooks is expected to be a Day 2 pick this year.

The Carolina Panthers have agreed on a deal with running back Raheem Blackshear. The two sides have agreed on a one year deal worth $985,000 for the 2024 season. The 24-year-old will return to Carolina after spending each of the last two seasons with the organization. He has mainly been used as a reserve back and special teams player. Through two seasons, Blackshear has 37 carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games. There is unlikely to be fantasy value here unless Carolina loses one or two running backs due to injury.

Although LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. stands in the shadow of teammate Malik Nabers for the upcoming NFL draft, the 6-foot-2 7/8, 209-pounder is viewed as a possible top-20 pick in April. "He's about as naturally talented as you can find at the position," NFL Network's Bucky Brooks said. "Big, fast, physical. Runs great routes. Natural catcher. Does a really good job of watching the ball into his hands. He can shine." The biggest question for Thomas is whether he can step outside the shadow of Nabors and be an alpha dog for an NFL team. Because he didn't work out at LSU's pro day on Wednesday, Thomas may not have answered that question completely, but it doesn't mean that a receiver-needy team won't be willing to take him in the first round in 2024.

University of Texas running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) suffered a torn ACL on November 11 in a win over Texas Christian University. Brooks rushed for 1,139 yards and ten touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 212 yards and one score in his lone season as a starter before suffering the knee injury 11 games into the year. However, he still opted to leave Texas early and declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. Dr. Dan Cooper projects that he should be cleared by training camp, a great sign for his draft stock and potential rookie season. He won't be able to participate in any pre-draft testing, but that hasn't stopped him from being the No. 1 running back on several draft analysts' big boards. There's no clear leader for the top running back like in past years with Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall, so draft capital will be as important as ever for fantasy football purposes.

The Carolina Panthers went 2-15 last year and fired both their head coach and general manager. They have all kinds of needs this offseason, but The Athletic's Joe Person thinks that their biggest priority should be getting young quarterback Bryce Young some help in the passing game. DJ Chark Jr. ranked in the bottom 10 in the league in average separation and catch percentage, while Jonathan Mingo had the fifth-worst catch percentage (50.6) in his rookie campaign. Adam Thielen had a 1,000-yard season, but the 33-year-old can no longer stretch defenses at his age. It all caused Young to stand in the pocket waiting for someone to get open before eventually getting enveloped by the pass rush. Young has plenty to work on himself, but helping him take the next step in Year 2 will start with surrounding him with better playmakers.