NFL Player News

The Texans selected Watson in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 12th overall.

They traded up from the 25th pick to make the selection, giving up their 2018 first-round pick in the process. Bill O'Brien is generally known as a coach who prefers, tall, heavy quarterbacks with strong arms, but Watson decisively cuts against that mold. He also cuts against the mold of the likes of Brock Osweiler and Tom Savage in the sense that he can actually throw a football at the NFL level. Watson might initially struggle as he adjusts to the speed of NFL defenses, but his unparalleled success at Clemson (97 total touchdowns in his last 30 games) and consecutive National Championship appearances imply that he's capable of adapting. It doesn't hurt that he'll have a very good group of pass catchers waiting for him in Houston. If Tom Savage is the only competition the Texans can muster, it's hard to imagine Watson anywhere but the starting lineup in Week 1. As a talented runner with plenty of surrounding help, Watson could make a surprisingly big fantasy impact as a rookie with a little luck.

The Chiefs selected Mahomes in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, 10th overall.

They traded up all the way from 27th pick, trading an extra first- and third-round pick to make the deal. Alex Smith might begin the year as starter, but if the playoffs should look out of reach at any point or if he should miss any time with injury, that might be the end of him as a Chiefs starter. Mahomes (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) has the best throwing velocity in the class, and is extremely accomplished after playing at Texas Tech. He threw for 11,252 yards (8.3 YPA), 93 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in 32 career games, and also has excellent athleticism for a quarterback (22 career rushing touchdowns). His dual-threat skills and a plausible starting role in an Andy Reid offense no later than 2018 make Mahomes an enticing dynasty asset, and one to keep an eye on if he should see the field in 2017.

The Bears selected Trubisky in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, second overall.

The Bears traded up from the third pick, paying to switch picks with the 49ers. It's arguably a strange move generally, but particularly difficult to rationalize after signing Mike Glennon for $15 million per year over three years, all but naming Glennon the starter in the process. Trubisky (6-foot-2, 222 pounds) was a one-year starter in a system that didn't ask him to make NFL-type reads, but he is a superb athlete with a good arm who has the raw tools to develop into a standout starter in the NFL. After throwing for 3,748 yards (8.4 YPA), 30 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2016, Trubisky will evidently sit for a while before the Bears hand him the keys to their starting role. When he does see the field, Trubisky's standout rushing skills could give him a decent floor even as he develops as a passer.

The Vikings aren't expected to exercise Bridgewater's (knee) fifth-year option before the May 2 deadline, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

With Bridgewater still working his way back from a torn ACL and dislocated left knee that sidelined him for all of 2016, the Vikings aren't willing to guarantee his $11 million-plus deal for 2018. The former first-round pick remains without a timetable to return to full activities. Meanwhile, Sam Bradford is set to enter training camp as the team's starting QB, with Case Keenum on hand to serve as his top backup.

According to head coach Mike Mularkey, Mariota (lower leg) remains on track for recovery and could begin running next week, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com reports.

Mariota has been present for the Titans' voluntary offseason program and is recovering ahead of schedule. He is currently able to jog lightly, but running at full speed is a whole different beast the 23-year-old will have to tackle. Look for more updates to come sporadically throughout OTAs and rest of the offseason as Mariota returns to full strength.

Bridgewater (knee) is making progress in the first week of offseason workouts but is still without a timetable, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

It's good news for the 24-year-old, who is making his way back from a gruesome left knee injury suffered Aug. 30. General manager Rick Spielman said Bridgewater's recovery has been "incredible," but it appears as if the former first-round pick is still a ways away from taking the field in any sort of capacity. Look for more updates to come throughout the offseason as Sam Bradford prepares for his second season as the Vikings' starting quarterback.

While the Browns and/or Texans might make a late push to trade for Garoppolo, it's still unlikely the Patriots will part ways with their backup quarterback this offseason, The Boston Herald's Karen Guregian reports.

The Patriots clearly want a lot in return for Garoppolo, who is preparing for the final year of his rookie contract after thriving in his two starts last season. Cleveland has been the most frequently mentioned destination, but Houston might actually be a better fit, with the Texans boasting a playoff-caliber roster that doesn't have many weaknesses besides quarterback. Both teams are expected to select signal-callers in the early rounds of the draft, but one (or both) could make a late push for Garoppolo instead. The Browns have plenty of time to develop a young quarterback, whereas the Texans may be worried about wasting a talented roster because of poor play from Tom Savage and a rookie. While such a concern makes a lot of sense, it probably won't be enough to motivate Houston to meet the Patriots' lofty asking price.

Stafford said his finger, which was injured late last season, is now fine, Justin Rogers of The Detroit News reports. Stafford said of the situation, "It just needed rest. No surgery, no procedure, anything like that. It feels good, threw with it today. It feels fine. Been throwing with it for a month, month and a half, now. It just took some rest."

Stafford dislocated the middle finger in his throwing hand during Week 14's win over the Bears. He played the remainder of the season, including a wild-card loss to the Seahawks, but looked significantly affected by the injury, throwing twice as many interceptions to touchdowns during the span. After taking some time off, the quarterback, who is entering the last year of his contract, should be ready for the beginning of OTAs.

Savage likely will face competition from an early-round draft pick, John McClain of The Houston Chronicle reports.

Savage and Brandon Weeden -- both in the last year of their contracts -- are the only quarterbacks on Houston's roster ahead of the 2017 NFL Draft. While Weeden might nominally be a part of the competition, the starting job likely will come down to a battle between Savage and a rookie. The 26-year-old only has 92 pass attempts in three professional seasons, but he did appear competent in a late-season cameo last year before suffering a concussion in Week 17.

Carr (fibula) was able to complete Monday's workout, which marked the start of the Raiders' offseason program, USA Today's Lindsay Jones reports.

Carr broke his right fibula in Week 16 of last season but ended last month by stating his intention to be fully involved in Oakland's offseason work. Although the Raiders' exertions were likely on the lighter side to start off their program, the fact Carr completed all the tasks that his teammates did is certainly encouraging. According to all accounts, Carr's recovery has gone tremendously well, but given his massive importance, it's likely his status will continue to be updated until he's back in full football activities. In the meantime, Carr hopes to secure a new contract with the Raiders before training camp and said Monday his agent and general manager Reggie McKenzie have been in talks over a deal for months.