The Cowboys locked in Tyler Smith through 2030 with a four-year, $96 million extension, including $80 million guaranteed—the richest ever for a guard. Smith, 24, anchors Dallas’ young OL core as they reshaped the roster with four long-term deals, including Ferguson, Bland, and Luepke. Dallas also reshuffled with a trade that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark, creating cap space and preserving a payroll that now leans on Smith as a cornerstone while eyeing more extensions like Aubrey, Pickens, and Williams.

Tampa Bay’s offense opened slowly as Grizzard’s new system and line changes bogged the attack. Baker Mayfield connected with Emeka Egbuka on a 30-yard TD to cap a quick 52-yard drive, giving TB a spark and a lead they would feed on as Egbuka steps in for Godwin during a four-game absence. Vita Vea punctuated the turnaround with a dominant 4th-and-1 stop that swung momentum. The combination hints at a rookie-fueled ceiling for TB’s fantasy appeal and a blueprint for Grizzard’s future play-calling.

The Falcons named six captains for 2025: Bates III, Elliss, Pinion, Penix Jr., Lindstrom, and Matthews. They’ll wear C patches with tenure stars, covering offense, defense and special teams. Penix Jr. is highlighted as a captain, a strong signal about his role as a potential franchise quarterback as Atlanta eyes a breakout season.

The selections emphasize veteran leadership on the line and in the secondary, plus Pinion’s steadying influence on special teams, forming a balanced leadership core as the team enters the regular season.

Protector of the Year debuts in 2025, naming the NFL’s top blockers. Penei Sewell leads at +600, Lane Johnson at +650, and Trent Williams at +800, with a clear tilt toward tackles as the marquee protectors. The Lions’ line is highlighted for its recent dominance, Sewell cited as the standout among the early favorites. Creed Humphrey stands out as the lone interior lineman among the top odds, underscoring a likely edge-role bias. For fantasy, elite protection often buys time for quarterbacks and opens running lanes, quietly powering scoring beyond obvious skill-position stars.

Odds shift as proponents expect tackles to hog the spotlight, though interior linemen like Humphrey could spike if a team prioritizes center play. The piece also flags FanDuel promos and reminders about responsible gambling. In fantasy terms, the strongest offensive lines tend to stabilize offenses, boosting QB longevity and efficiency, which can translate into steadier receivers and more reliable RB production.