NFL Player News

Murray will be without DeAndre Hopkins to start the 2022 season after the NFL handed the wide receiver a six-game suspension Monday for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, The Athletic reports.

Murray's offseason thus far hasn't been lacking in drama, as the quarterback notably expressed dissatisfaction with both the Cardinals and his contract. The team picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal April 27 and then appeased him by acquiring wide receiver and college teammate Marquise Brown from the Ravens last Thursday. Brown was set to join Hopkins atop the depth chart at receiver, but the former now should serve as Murray's No. 1 option for the first six contests of the upcoming campaign. Aside from Brown, Murray will have wideouts A.J. Green, Rondale Moore and Antoine Wesley, tight ends Zach Ertz and Trey McBride and running James Conner to work with as pass-catching options once Week 1 arrives. Whether Murray can fare better sans Hopkins this year versus 2021 is uncertain, but as Field Yates of ESPN notes, the signal-caller's completion percentage dropped seven points (72 to 65), while his yards per attempt went down 2.2 YPA (8.8 to 6.6) when Hopkins wasn't on the field last season.

Hurts (ankle) said Wednesday that he's healthy following offseason surgery, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

As expected, Hurts is ready to go for the start of OTAs after electing to undergo surgery on the left ankle injury he battled late in the 2021 campaign. A healthy Hurts paired with newly acquired No. 1 wideout A.J. Brown should brighten the quarterback's fantasy prospects heading into 2022.

Mariota is expected to be the Falcons' starting quarterback to start the 2022 regular season, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.

Mariota signed a two-year contract with the Falcons at the end of March and was the de facto starter with Matt Ryan off to Indianaplis for a third-round pick. However, Desmond Ridder fell to Atlanta in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, sparking speculation that perhaps the rookie could compete for the No. 1 spot, but after the draft coach Arthur Smith said, "With Marcus being the veteran, that's the way it'll go for now." Even with the loss of Calvin Ridley (suspension), Mariota likely will have strong expectations in his first season with Atlanta after they drafted pass catchers with top-10 overall picks in back-to-back years, but the Falcons offense now features a trio of dynamic playmakers in Drake London (ankle), Kyle Pitts and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Goff is facing a make-or-break season after Detroit spent its offseason improving his supporting cast without acquiring a potential successor at quarterback, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

The Lions' front office not only steered clear of the quarterback market in free agency, they did not spend a draft pick on a developmental prospect, either. Instead, they bolstered Goff's receiving options with DJ Chark, first-round rookie Jameson Williams (knee) and tight end James Mitchell (knee). Now, Goff has a fantastic receiving corps to complement a highly-pedigreed offensive line and a capable backfield. If Goff can't succeed within this talented offensive roster, it seems highly likely that Detroit will look for someone who can next offseason, when Goff could be cut with relatively minimal salary cap implications.

Burrow (knee) reported for the start of Cincinnati's offseason workouts Monday, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

Burrow is recovering from a left MCL sprain, but he avoided surgery for the injury, and the Bengals haven't expressed any significant public concern about the star quarterback's health. It remains to be seen, however, whether Burrow's rehab has progressed enough for him to begin offseason activities without any limitations. In any case, Burrow now will benefit from another offseason to build chemistry with top wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the latter of whom is recovering from left labrum surgery.

Darnold remains the Panthers' starting quarterback for now, but rookie third-rounder Matt Corral could get an opportunity to play early in his career if Darnold struggles this season, ESPN's David Newton reports.

Darnold has not performed up to expectations since entering the league as the second pick four years ago. Even with his change of scenery joining the Panthers last season, Darnold completed under 60 percent of his passes for just nine touchdowns versus 13 interceptions in 12 games. He also lost a pair of fumbles. Although Carolina opting not to trade for Baker Mayfield signals some patience with their quarterback situation, Darnold now has Corral to watch in his rear-view mirror as he approaches the upcoming campaign.

Smith is expected to compete with Drew Lock and Jacob Eason for the starting quarterback job after the Seahawks didn't select a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

The Seahawks decided to use all nine of their draft picks to reinforce other positions, signaling that they're content with letting Smith, Lock and, to a lesser extent, Eason battle for the starting job this summer. Smith, 32, played four games (three starts) while Russell Wilson was rehabbing a finger injury last season. He won just one game and completed 68.4 percent of his passes for 702 yards (7.4 YPA), five touchdowns and an interception while adding another 42 yards and a score on the ground.

Lock is expected to compete with Geno Smith and Jacob Eason for the starting quarterback job after the Seahawks didn't select a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports.

There was only one quarterback drafted in the first 73 picks, and despite having four picks in that stretch, the Seahawks opted to upgrade their offensive line and add a high-end running back and edge rusher. That's good news for Lock, who was part of the trade package that the Seahawks received for Russell Wilson. Lock has a big arm but was mediocre over 24 games (21 starts) with the Broncos over the last three years, completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 4,740 yards (6.7 YPA), 25 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He also ran for 285 yards and five scores. Unless the Seahawks bring in Baker Mayfield via trade or a veteran in free agency, the main competition in training camp will be between Lock and Smith while Eason makes a longshot bid.

Wilson will be getting a prominent new target, as the Jets selected wide receiver Garrett Wilson 10th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

GM Joe Douglas has completely revamped New York's offense in just two offseasons. He signed Corey Davis before drafting Zach Wilson and Elijah Moore in 2021, then added Garrett Wilson (no relation) in the 2022 Draft. The Jets also added veteran tight ends C.J. Uzomah and Tyler Conklin as well as rookie Jeremy Ruckert (third round) this offseason, plus second-round running back Breece Hall to complement 2021 fourth-rounder Michael Carter. Even if the Wilson-to-Wilson connection takes awhile to take off, the recent influx of playmakers has put the 2021 second overall pick in position to succeed under center.

The 49ers selected Purdy in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 262nd overall.

And so Purdy becomes Mr. Irrelevant in this draft class as the former Iowa State quarterback heads to the Bay Area. Purdy had some hype as a potential early round selection after a strong start to his career with the Cyclones, highlighted by him throwing 27 touchdowns as a sophomore. Purdy didn't improve as an upperclassman, however, and his stock slid as a result. While he lacks starter-level traits for an NFL quarterback, Purdy could become a solid backup down the line.