Fantasy Football Diehards | FootballDiehards.com

The Facts: GM Brandon Beane said last week the Bills would watch Diggs' highlights when the Vikings went on the clock with the first-round choice Buffalo traded for the receiver. On Monday, Beane said Diggs is more of a sure thing than anybody in the draft. “It’s just a more proven thing right now and what we’re dealing with did weigh into that,” Beane said on a video conference, via NFL Media. “I know this guy [Diggs] knows ball and will be able to understand the verbiage once he learns our system.” Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Even though the 2020 draft appears stocked with talented receivers, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more difficult to get a full picture of prospects in the absence of visits, pro days and private workouts. Meanwhile, in five seasons in Minnesota, Diggs averaged 73 catches, 925 yards and six touchdowns. The Bills pursued Diggs at the trade deadline in October, but the Vikings rebuffed trade talks. Beane tried again in March. The Bills outbid several teams with their offer of four draft choices, but Beane believes the price paid will prove more than worth it. “The key in this league is you’ve got to be able to throw when the other team knows you’re going to throw it,” Beane said.

The Facts: It seems unlikely there will be anything resembling a normal offseason program for any team. But if the Steelers would have had one, Roethlisberger would have been a part of it. The veteran quarterback told Ed Bouchette of TheAthletic.com that he would have been on the field in May, at least in some capacity. “I was going to be ready to go for OTAs and the minicamps,” Roethlisberger said. “That was going to be the plan. Now I don’t know how much I was going to do, I don’t know if I was going to be doing team stuff or stuff like that, but I would have been definitely going to be out there ready to go.” Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Of course, they’d have likely had to keep the reins pulled back on him as he recovers from right elbow surgery, though he’s continuing with his rehabilitation. He’s throwing at home, and has footballs that contain a microchip, so there’s data which he can compare to previous years. “It’s neat to have those tools because in your own mind you say, ‘Ok, that felt 50 percent, that felt 75 percent.’ I mean you can do that but it’s hard to really tell. We have this data and it’s making it easier and making it able to read these throws. Pretty much every throw we have data on. Right now I do like a 20-throw warmup at 10 yards and then we back up and we do 10 throws at 15, 10 throws at 20, 10 at 25 yards. I’m throwing it right now off the numbers and data, probably right around 60 percent. That’s just me choosing to be at that number. I know I can let it go and throw, but what’s the point, why? There’s no reason to throw as hard as I can right now. ..." Now, as PFT suggests, he should have plenty of time to ramp up his activity, whenever he’s able to get on the field with teammates again.

The Facts: Rodgers looks around at older QBs getting chances to keep playing, and he’s encouraged. Even if a couple of them changing teams late in their careers bugs him a little, as well. Rodgers said the examples of new Bucs QB Tom Brady, new Colts QB Philip Rivers, and Saints fixture Drew Brees, the 36-year-old Rodgers said he can imagine doing the same. “How do you not?” Rodgers said of considering playing into his 40s. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Rodgers continued: “I’m not some cliché guy that’s going to talk about taking it year by year. Of course, you look at what Tom’s doing and still able to play at his age and play at a high level, and obviously what Drew has done and Phil getting an opportunity to keep rolling in Indy. My thing is, legacy is really important. Having an opportunity to do it all in Green Bay would mean a lot to me. ... That’s my goal. I’ve got four years left on my deal. I’d like to play four at a really, really high level and if I feel like keep on keeping on from that point, to do it.” Rodgers’ contract runs through the 2023 season, during which he’ll turn 40. And, as PFT suggests, while it’s understandable to want to finish where he started, seeing Brady and Rivers (and Brett Favre because of Rodgers) have final chapters elsewhere has to give him pause.

The Facts: Jackson has a lot to prove this season, and he is confident he will do just that. “Man, I’ll always have a chip on my shoulder, but, yeah, I definitely have an extra chip on my shoulder,” Jackson said. “One thing I can say is I’m always going to have my hard hat on, and I’m coming to work, and I’m going to work hard and I’m going to give my best effort. We’ve got a lot of light left, and I’m going to shine on it.” Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Jackson injured his core muscle in Week 2. He missed six weeks, tried to return and made it through only three snaps before aggravating the injury and ending his season. Jackson, who made nine catches for 159 yards and two touchdowns in 65 snaps last season, said “everything happens for a reason.” He underwent surgery in November. “I’ll hopefully come back faster, stronger,” Jackson said. “I’m definitely ready to roll, man." Jackson hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2016. He last made the Pro Bowl in 2013. Still, he offers Philly's offense the kind of deep threat it otherwise lacks.

The Facts: The state of Florida has levied three formal charges against Brown for an alleged January assault that resulted in the former All-Pro wide receiver's arrest. Brown faces felony burglary conveyance, misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal mischief charges, according to a Broward County court document obtained by ESPN. Reported by ESPN.com

Diehards Line: Brown turned himself in on Jan. 23 after a delivery truck driver alleged Brown and his trainer assaulted him outside of Brown's South Florida home two days earlier. The driver was attempting to deliver Brown's household items from California, according to a criminal complaint.Brown was then charged with felony burglary with battery, which isn't included in the state filing from March 20. The misdemeanor battery charge, however, states that Brown was "actually and intentionally striking" the driver against his will. The criminal mischief charge states that Brown maliciously injured the driver's property of $200 or less. It's possible the state will offer Brown the chance to negotiate a plea deal. The latest charges will likely be reviewed by the NFL, which opened an investigation of Brown in the fall after his former trainer accused him of rape and sexual assault in a civil lawsuit. Brown has since filed a countersuit. Brown, who missed all but one game last season, has interest in continuing his football career but will undoubtedly face discipline from the league.

The Facts: According to Yahoo Sports’ Terez Paylor, the Chiefs have agreed to terms with former Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals TE Seals-Jones. Reported by USA Today

Diehards Line: Paylor’s report was later confirmed by The Athletic’s Nate Taylor. This is an intriguing signing because Seals-Jones is a move tight end. He’s more of a big receiver than a guy that will be in-line operating as a blocker. Seals-Jones originally signed with Arizona as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies, but he didn’t play the tight end position, he was a wide receiver.

The Facts: GM Ryan Pace started the offseason by insisting Trubisky was the Bears' starter. Now that they’ve traded for Nick Foles, the company line has changed. At a press conference this morning, both Pace and coach Matt Nagy changed their tune considerably. “With the addition of Nick Foles it’s exactly what we talked about from the start – we want to create competition,” Pace said. “We’ve talked to both players and it’s an open competition.” Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: As PFT suggests, an open competition between a former Super Bowl MVP (whom Nagy referred to as “a special person”) and the rapidly regressing Trubisky might not last long. The Bears have been careful not to commit to picking up the former No. 2 overall pick’s fifth-year option, tacitly acknowledging some degree of remorse for having traded four things to move up one spot to take Trubisky, at a time when they could have had either Patrick Mahomes or Deshaun Watson instead. “What we’re trying to do is what’s best for the Chicago Bears,” Nagy said. “Plain and simple.” Nagy added that the competition was “going to be very transparent and very honest. ...” And we'll be following along as it plays out.

The Facts: Before winning the Super Bowl, Watkins admitted he'd consider taking a pay cut to stay in Kansas City. That salary cut has finally come. Watkins announced Friday he's returning to Kansas City. Watkins agreed to a new one-year contract worth $9 million base salary with an additional $7 million in incentives that could get the deal to $16 million, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the deal. The new contract also includes a no-trade clause, per Rapoport. Reported by NFL.com

Diehards Line: The pay cut keeps Watkins in K.C. while adding a much needed $5 million in salary-cap space for a Chiefs team that was pressed as tight against the cap as possible ahead of the draft. After re-signing Demarcus Robinson, not jettisoning Watkins keeps the top four of the Chiefs receiver corps intact for another playoff run. Watkins earned 673 yards on 52 receptions with 3 TDs last season, his highest totals since 2015. The 26-year-old receiver wasn't worth the nearly $14 million he was set to make, but still plays a crucial role in Kansas City. Watkins led the Chiefs during their postseason run with 288 yards on 14 catches with a TD. In big playoff games the past two seasons, Watkins has stepped up huge, including in the Super Bowl comeback victory. In the end, his draft pedigree has made Watkins a good chunk of money. The redone deal represents the reality of his production while still earning a solid season's pay for his role in big games.

The Facts: Tom Brady's decision to sign with the Buccaneers answered the question of who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2019, but there’s still a question about who will be backing him up. Ryan Griffin remains on the roster and Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports he’ll have company on the depth chart behind Brady. Gabbert is returning to the team on a one-year deal. Reported by Profootballtalk.com

Diehards Line: Gabbert dislocated his shoulder during the preseason, but opened the regular season on the active roster before heading to injured reserve after a couple of weeks. He also played for Bucs head coach Bruce Arians with the Cardinals in 2017. Gabbert started five games that season and the 2011 first-round pick made his last three regular season starts with the Titans in 2018.

The Facts: Henry signed his $10.2 million franchise tender today, per ESPN's Dianna Russini and Adam Schefter. Reported by ESPN.com

Diehards Line: As previously noted, the two sides are still committed to working for a long-term extension before July 15 and GM Jon Robinson said the two sides are making progress in that regard. We'll continue to watch for more on that, but for now there will be no issues -- at least in terms of contract -- for Henry and the Titans when the 2020 season begins.