Los Angeles Chargers

The Carolina Panthers are releasing tight end Hayden Hurst (concussion) on Tuesday after just one season with the team. Hurst missed the final eight games of the 2023 season due to a pretty serious concussion, although he's recovered now and should be ready for training camp this summer. The 30-year-old signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal with Carolina prior to last season. Before his concussion, he wasn't really a factor in what was a pretty bad Panthers offense led by rookie quarterback Bryce Young last year. Hurst caught just 18 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown before suffering his head injury in Week 10. Fantasy managers probably won't be looking at Hurst in 12-team leagues in 2024, but depending on his health and where he lands, he could bounce back.

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said that door has not been closed on free-agent running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) returning in 2024. Edwards led Baltimore's backs in 2023 with a career-high 810 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns and has spent his entire five-year career with the team. Right now, the team has just two RBs under contract who played last year -- Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell, who is recovering from a season-ending torn ACL. But with a deep free-agent class at the position that includes Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekeler and Tony Pollard, it remains to be seen if Edwards or Dobbins will return. Edwards set a new career-high with his 13 TDs in 2023, but he also had a career-low 4.1 yards per carry, and his 2024 fantasy value will be clouded until we know where he'll end up in free agency.

Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins (Achilles) posted videos on social media on Thursday of him running on a field and on a treadmill five and a half months after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1 of last season. The 25-year-old will be hoping to get a new contract from the Ravens this offseason, but Baltimore could also bring back Gus Edwards, and they've been connected to some big-name impending free-agent RBs as well. Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell (knee) are still under contract with the Ravens. Even if Dobbins fully recovers from his injury and sticks in Baltimore, his extensive injury history -- he's played in only nine games the last three years -- and the fact that the Ravens will likely have plenty of competition in the backfield, doesn't inspire a ton of confidence in his 2024 fantasy value.

The Atlanta Falcons finished 21st in the NFL in 2023 in EPA per dropback with quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder, according to TruMedia. Only six teams threw more than Atlanta's 17 interceptions, and Ridder added 12 lost fumbles. The Falcons appear to be just a quarterback away from being true contenders, and the team is primed to search for an upgrade over Heinicke and Ridder in 2024, either through the draft, free agency or the trade market under new head coach Raheem Morris. Depending on the signal-caller that the Falcons add this offseason, their offense should be expected to be much more aggressive under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, which should benefit key offensive pieces such as running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, who disappointed in his first NFL season after being taken in the first-round out of TCU, believes he can break out in his sophomore season under new head coach Jim Harbaugh. Johnston struggled with drops (three) and finished 2023 with only 38 receptions for 431 yards and two touchdowns despite Mike Williams (knee) going down with a season-ending torn ACL early in the year. "I didn't really get a chance to show who I really was and what type of player I am, but I still got the world of confidence in myself even if nobody doesn't," Johnston said. "And so, you know, going into this next season, I can't wait. Like I said, I feel like I'm due for a breakout, so I'm very excited for that." Johnston has time to turn things around and will be worth a late-round fantasy flier now that Harbaugh is in LA.