San Francisco 49ers

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. was already on shaky ground heading into the offseason before the team selected receiver Xavier Legette with the final pick in the first round of this year's NFL draft while also adding Diontae Johnson via a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There's a reason the former second-round pick requested to be moved before last year's trade deadline. With the offseason additions, Marshall will likely be fighting to hang onto one of the final roster spots at the position in training camp this summer, especially if an undrafted free agent like Jalen Coker or Sam Pinckney sticks. Marshall, 23, had just 19 receptions for 139 yards and no touchdowns in Carolina's brutal offense a year ago and has just 64 catches for 767 yards and one touchdown in his three years in the NFL. He shouldn't be drafted in fantasy leagues this fall.

The New England Patriots signed undrafted free-agent running back Terrell Jennings and released veteran ball carrier Ke'Shawn Vaughn on Monday, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Jennings rushed 120 times for 674 yards and nine touchdowns and caught seven passes for 60 yards in his final season at Florida A&M last year. The 225-pounder isn't on the fantasy radar yet, but he will have a shot to compete for a roster spot this offseason. Vaughn, who was a popular fantasy football sleeper after being selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has a bleak future outlook following his release. In 43 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 27-year-old rushed 103 times for 384 yards and two touchdowns. He's unlikely to become a fantasy-relevant back based on what he's produced so far, but he could stick around the NFL as a depth option for another organization.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is unlikely to be traded entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2024, and the 49ers' focus remains on keeping the star wideout for the long term. Both sides are hoping that they can work out a well-earned contract extension eventually. The recent extensions for DeVonta Smith Amon-Ra St. Brown also give the Niners a little bit more clarity in what Aiyuk's next contract should look like. Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel were both available for trade before and during last month's NFL draft, but nobody came through with an offer good enough for the Niners to pull the trigger. With Aiyuk being the bigger long-term priority, the 2024 season is likely the last that they'll have both Samuel and Aiyuk around. The 26-year-old Aiyuk, a former first-rounder, finished tied as the WR12 in half-PPR formats in 2023 with Samuel.

The San Francisco 49ers were engaged in trade talks involving wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel leading up to the draft, but the team elected not to trade either of their star receivers, with all signs pointing toward both being on the 2024 roster. Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the assumption was that he'd be the odd man out after the team paid Samuel and other star players. Samuel still has two years left on the deal he signed before the 2022 season. San Fran has been to at least the NFC Championship game in four of the last five seasons, and losing Aiyuk or Samuel would almost certainly make the team worse in 2024. The 49ers can afford to keep both this year, but an Aiyuk extension would likely reduce his $14.124 million salary cap number for 2024. Samuel's fantasy value would have likely taken a hit with a move out of the Bay Area.

With San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings on the roster, The Athletic's Matt Barrows and David Lombardi write that it's hard to envision rookie first-rounder Ricky Pearsall having a bi role in his rookie campaign in 2024. Pearsall can also return punts, but so does veteran Trent Taylor and fourth-rounder Jacob Cowing, so Pearsall will have to beat them both out to return punts this year. However, if there are any injuries to Aiyuk, Samuel or Jennings, Pearsall could be a major factor in San Fran's offense. The selection of the young receiver late in the first round seemed to be more of a pick for 2025 than for this year. Pearsall will probably need a year to adjust to the demands of the position, so he'll merely be a late-round flier for fantasy managers in rookie-only dynasty drafts this fall.