Cleveland Browns

The Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan suggests that quarterback Bailey Zappe could be a trade candidate after the team added Drake Maye and Joe Milton III in this year's draft. Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett are locks for the Week 1 roster, making it a three-way fight for the No. 3 job between Zappe, Milton and Nathan Rourke. Zappe would fetch the biggest return in a trade, especially if the Patriots wait until the summer when other QBs begin getting injured in training camp. If Milton isn't a complete disaster in spring practices and Rourke performs at a replacement level, Zappe could be out of town by Sept. 1. The 25-year-old Zappe appeared in 10 games (six starts) for New England in 2023 in his second season and threw for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that running back Nick Chubb (knee) is "progressing nicely" in his recovery from the gruesome knee injury that he suffered in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023. However, Berry also said Chubb "still has a long way to go" in his rehab. Chubb resumed running on land a few weeks ago, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready for the start of training camp this summer. The Browns didn't take a RB in this year's draft but added D'Onta Foreman and pass-catching back Nyheim Hines in free agency. Cleveland also has Jerome Ford as an option to help ease Chubb back into the fold if he's still not 100 percent early on in 2024. Before his injury, Chubb as a no-doubt RB1, but that will be in question this fall as he comes off his season-ending injury.

In a media availability this week, Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski spoke on the team's current running back situation. "I think Jerome [Ford] has done a nice job. He had some really, really, really big moments for our football team and he made big plays for us when we needed it." Stefanski said. "So, excited about that." Cleveland appears to have a crowded running back room heading into 2024, as Nick Chubb (knee), Ford, and D'Onta Foreman have all had their moments over the last two seasons. Of course, Chubb is recovering from a major knee injury that he suffered in Week 2 of last season, so he could be eased into action to begin the new campaign. "With Nick [Chubb], obviously, we'll continue to let him rehab, and when he's ready and the doctors tell me he's ready, he goes." Stefanski said," Until then, we like the guys we have." There will be plenty of updates on this situation as we inch closer to fantasy football season, but for now, his comments regarding Ford are promising. The Cincinnati product rushed 204 times for 813 yards and four touchdowns last year to go along with 44 receptions for 319 yards and five scores. Regardless of Chubb's status, Ford should at least be involved in the receiving game in his third NFL season.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney is still with the team and is participating in throwing sessions with quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Texas. Even though Toney was benched for the final three regular-season games and four more in the playoffs after his mistakes hurt the team earlier in the year, both general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid sound as if Toney is in their plans for 2024. "He is probably our most talented wideout now," Veach said. Along with mistakes, injuries have made it hard for Toney to stay on the field and consistent since being acquired in a trade from the Giants in 2022. The Chiefs are staying patient with the 25-year-old former first-rounder, though, especially with Rashee Rice facing a multi-week suspension for his involvement in a six-car crash.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said that running back Nick Chubb (knee) has started running on land within the last week and is progressing appropriately after he suffered a gruesome season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of last year. The next few weeks and months will be big for Chubb's return in 2024. The 28-year-old is entering the third and final season of his current deal in Cleveland, but there remains no timetable for his return after such a significant injury in 2023. Chubb had multiple surgeries last fall to fix ACL, MCL and meniscus injuries to his left knee. We don't know right now if Chubb will be ready for Week 1, but the best guess is that if he is, he'll be eased back in alongside D'Onta Foreman, Nyheim Hines and Jerome Ford.