The Cleveland Browns released running back Nyheim Hines (knee) on Tuesday. Hines has not played in an NFL game due to a torn ACL since 2022, when he split time with the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills. The Browns were hoping that the 28-year-old would be ready at some point in 2024, but that never came to pass and he spent all year on Injured Reserve. He'll now have to prove he's past his knee injury in order to get picked up by another team looking for a RB with pass-catching skills out of the backfield as depth at the position. The former fourth-rounder (104th overall) by the Colts in 2018 out of North Carolina State has 306 rushing attempts for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 240 receptions for 1,778 receiving yards and eight TDs in five NFL seasons. Even if Hines latches on with a new team for 2025, he won't be on the fantasy radar.

Rumors have been swirling about the future of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason. With Los Angeles continuing to rebuild a young roster, there has been speculation that he could be traded, with "several teams" having already called the Rams. However, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports league sources are "adamant" that head coach Sean McVay and the organization want him back in 2025. Trading the veteran would result in a $45.3 million dead cap hit in 2025 and a $23 million dead cap hit in 2026, and there's no evidence to support Stafford wants to leave, either. Stafford completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last season despite playing a significant stretch of the year without Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. Kupp is almost certainly going to be dealt, but it sounds unlikely that Stafford will be playing for a new team next season.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is due for a contract extension after leading the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17) in 2024. The former first-round pick out of LSU could command an average salary of $40 million, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. This would make Chase the highest-paid wideout in NFL history and $5 million ahead of former college teammate Justin Jefferson. Chase is off to one of the best starts for a wide receiver in NFL history, and the Bengals hope to lock him up long-term this offseason along with fellow wideout Tee Higgins.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not face discipline from the NFL for carrying an unlicensed gun, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. The 23-year-old avoided criminal charges after a gun was discovered by police during a traffic stop for speeding. Williams possessed a gun without a concealed pistol license to carry but later obtained one. Williams has been suspended by the NFL in the past for gambling, but he will not face any suspension for this incident. Williams, a former first-round pick, posted career highs in receptions (58), receiving yards (1,001), and receiving touchdowns (seven) in 2024.

Wide receiver Darius Slayton is the New York Giants' top free agent this offseason, but ESPN New York's Jordan Raanan writes that Slayton isn't a candidate to be franchise-tagged with the number being well over $20 million in 2025. Raanan compares Slayton more to Darnell Mooney, who got $13 million per year in free agency last year. The 28-year-old has proven that he's not a No. 1 receiver type that would typically command a franchise tag, and the last time New York let him test the market, they ended up re-signing him on a two-year, $12 million deal after the 2022 season. In his sixth year with the G-Men in 2024, Slayton had just 39 catches on 71 targets for 573 yards (the second-lowest total of his career) and only two touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). Given the Giants' uncertainty at the QB position, Slayton is probably better off going elsewhere in 2025.