Minnesota Vikings

Free-agent running back Cam Akers (Achilles) agreed to a deal with the Texans. Houston hosted him for a workout on Sunday. Apparently, things went well, so he'll join a team that already has Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, and Dare Ogunbowale on the roster. Akers spent four seasons with the Rams before suiting up for the Vikings in 2023. He appeared in six contests for Minnesota, rushing for 138 yards and a touchdown off 38 carries, adding 11 receptions for 70 yards. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old is coming off his second Achilles tear. At any rate, Akers' anticipated volume should help keep him on the field, assuming he remains with the team come Week 1. However, his reduced workload won't earn him a spot on most fantasy rosters.

The Houston Texans worked out veteran free-agent running back Cam Akers (Achilles) on Sunday, according to a source. The former second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams has also drawn interest from the Minnesota Vikings, where he played in 2023 after a trade and suffering another torn Achilles. Akers played in six games last year in Minnesota and rushed for 138 yards and one touchdown, adding 11 catches for 70 yards. Houston also worked out RBs Deon Jackson and Miyan Williams earlier this week as they look for additional backfield depth behind Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, among others. The 25-year-old is going to need to prove he's fully healthy to get a shot as a depth option in the Texans' backfield, and he can be ignored heading into 2024 fantasy drafts.

Minnesota Vikings No. 10 overall pick J.J. McCarthy signed a four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie contract on Friday that is worth $21.85 million and also includes a $12.71 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option, according to sources. McCarthy won a national championship at Michigan in his final season in college and is now hoping to be the Vikings' next franchise signal-caller, although it won't come right away. Former first-rounder Sam Darnold is fully expected to open the year as the starter under center in Minnesota, with McCarthy learning on the sidelines. Most evaluators don't see a ton of upside in McCarthy at the next level, but it doesn't mean he won't be making some starts later on in the 2024 campaign. McCarthy can be avoided in single-year fantasy leagues.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) is healthy and won't be placed on the PUP list ahead of training camp, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The former first-round pick is recovering from a torn ACL but has progressed nicely and is not expected to have any limitations going forward. Injuries have been an issue for Jones in the past, but he should benefit from a rebuilt offensive line and receiver corps in 2024. Their most notable addition was Malik Nabers, the standout LSU receiver selected sixth overall in April's draft. While it's still too early to label the Giants as contenders or argue that Jones' massive extension was worth it, we can at least find some optimism in the fact that Jones will be a full-go coming out of this offseason. His modest running ability allows him to rank as a low-end QB2 option heading into 2024 fantasy drafts.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (knee) said during an appearance on "Simms Complete" on the Bleav Podcast Network that he has had a "pretty smooth process" with "no real setbacks" while recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in 2023. "At this point," Jones said, "I'm doing pretty much everything running, cutting, everything I need to do." Once the former first-rounder returns to action during training camp this summer, he'll be playing for his job long-term, as his $47.8 million salary cap hit in 2024 is the fifth-largest in the NFL this year. If Jones gets hurt again in 2024 or disappoints, he could become a cap casualty with two years left on his four-year, $160 million deal. Even though the Giants added dynamic rookie wideout Malik Nabers this year, Jones will have to prove himself to both the G-Men and fantasy managers. Coming off a serious injury, he should be considered a low-end QB2 in fantasy.