One thing that fantasy managers should always keep in mind is that information is key. Even in the offseason when football seems to at it’s most quiet, keeping track of the news is important. Keeping track of the latest news helps give fantasy managers the advantage of making proper moves. When their league’s fantasy draft starts, they already know the players’ locations. They are also aware of the players’ values.

A major source of the NFL offseason is the NFL Combine. During the combine, potential draft prospects hope to get more eyes on them, hoping to increase their draft stock. The main focus is on the new crop of players coming into the league. Nonetheless, the NFL continues to churn out story-lines.

Here are some of the latest headlines to come out of the NFL combine so far. And why fantasy managers need to be aware of what’s going on heading into free agency.

NFL Headlines At The Combine

The NFL is currently in the middle of the franchise tag window. Starting on February 17th, NFL teams have until March 3rd to apply the franchise tag to players. This maneuver allows teams extra time to work out long-term deals with players. Others may use the tag as a way to get compensation for a player who is looking to move on. One such player is New York Jets running back Breece Hall.

Jets GM Darren Mougey told reporters about their contingency plans regarding Hall. They will use the franchise tag or the transition tag. This action will occur if a deal can’t be reached by the March 3rd deadline. The main issue for fantasy managers is that should Hall be tagged he’ll be removed from the free agency pool. The Jets offense was one of the worst units in the NFL last season. The Jets ranked 29th in total offense last season and averaged just 17.6 points per game.

Hall was one of the only bright spots on the Jets offense in 2025. Hall finished the 2025 season with over 1,400 yards from scrimmage. He also averaged 4.4 yards per attempt. Hall’s usage in the passing game adds another layer to his abilities. This would make him a more dangerous weapon in a better offense.

But Breece Hall isn’t the only player who is expected to get the tag. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is expected to get the franchise tag, according to several reports. The Cowboys have stated repeatedly that they want to keep Pickens long-term. The franchise tag seems like a means to get more time to work out a long-term deal. However, the Cowboys negotiation practices do not lend to confidence.

Pickens has been the dividing discussion amongst Cowboys fans this offseason. But fantasy managers will want the Cowboys to get a deal done to keep Pickens with Dak Prescott. In his first season with the Cowboys and Dak Prescott, Pickens finished as the WR5 for fantasy football. He averaged 17.2 fantasy points per game (sixth-most), with 137 targets (eigth-most), 1,429 yards (third-most), and nine touchdowns (tied for sixth-most).

A few seasons ago, Cowboys fans witnessed Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb signing new contracts. These deals were made right up to the final hour before kickoff. Pickens’ tag is expected to take up $28 million of the Cowboys salary cap. It would make more sense to get a long-term deal done before free agency begins.

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is another player expected to be tagged this offseason. Pitts would have been a big-name player at the tight end position if he was allowed to become a free agent. According to league sources, the Falcons will use a non-exclusive franchise tag. This will allow the Falcons to match any offer within a five day window. If the team chooses not to, the new team would have to give up two first round picks for Pitts.

Pitts finished the 2025 season as the TE2 while averaging 12.4 fantasy points per game. Pitts went nuclear down the stretch from weeks 13-17, averaging 19.6 fantasy points per game. Pitts was second only to Cardinals TE Trey McBride over that span.

Some news was dropped about a few quarterbacks during the NFL combine as well. The Atlanta Falcons are planning to release quarterback Kirk Cousins on the first day of the new league year. Cousins jumped in for the Falcons once Michael Penix Jr was lost for the season. Cousins finished with 1,721 passing yards and a 10:5 touchdown to interception ratio.

Cousins can still play. The question is now, “Where will he play in 2026?”.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now floating in limbo as they wait for a decision to be made on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Steelers GM Omar Khan says that “the door is open” for Rodgers to return to the team. You could have done worse than Rodgers for fantasy football. Rodgers did finish the 2025 season with a 24 to 7 touchdown to interception ratio. He also averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game while throwing just over 3,300 yards.

While the expectation may be fore Rodgers to come back, it isn’t stopping the Steelers from finding their franchise guy. The Steelers could be a potential landing spot for a quarterback that is on the move.

Keep in mind that both the Arizona Cardinals and the Miami Dolphins have to make quarterback decisions too. Kyler Murray seems to have flamed out with the Cardinals after he was placed on injured reserve. That paved the way for Jacoby Brissett to take over as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season. The Dolphins may also release Tua Tagovailoa if they can’t find a trade partner.

Both quarterbacks could be useful to the Steelers. This applies if Aaron Rodgers ends up moving on or retiring.

And lastly, the Cleveland Browns are being the Cleveland Browns. Todd Monken spoke on the quarterback situation for the Browns this coming offseason stating:

“I’m excited about Shedeur, excited about Deshaun and Dillon,” Monken said. “I’m excited about the prospects, not only in free agency but also in the draft and we’ll see where it all falls. Ultimately you’ve got to do whatever you need to do, especially at that position, to put yourself in position to score points.”

Monken’s statements about the draft and free agency have some believing that the Browns could target a quarterback during the 2026 NFL Draft. With three quarterbacks already on the roster, it does not seem like a smart idea to target another quarterback. The Browns have their hands tied with Deshaun Watson’s contract as it is. Many fans did not approve of the handling of Shedeur Sanders during his start. This came after third-round rookie quarterback Dillion Gabriel bottomed out.

The Browns and Todd Monken have their work cut out for the 2026 offseason. But like the old Highlander movies used to say, “There can be only one.”

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