Team news: Atlanta Falcons | Page 24

According to Bills head coach Sean McDermott, Josh Allen has been practicing with the third team, while AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman split first-team reps.

It is not terribly uncommon for rookie quarterbacks to start the offseason program at the bottom of the depth chart, but it is still somewhat notable given the true disaster the rest of the quarterback depth chart is for Buffalo. Perhaps most notable is that Peterman and McCarron are splitting first-team reps, indicating that Peterman could be in line to open the year as the starter should he play well.

The Minnesota Vikings are beefing up the interior of their defensive line by signing DT Sheldon Richardson to a one-year deal. Richardson was considered one of the top defensive free agents, and the Vikings may have well added the top free agents on both sides of the ball (Kirk Cousins being the other). After recording eight sacks in 2014, Richardson has totaled 8.5 the last three seasons.

According to Adam Schefter, Kirk Cousins plans to sign with the Minnesota Vikings for three years (fully guaranteed). The terms of the deal have not been released yet, but some reports suggested it could be for up to $28 million per season.

Once the Cousins to Minnesota train got rolling it was full steam ahead. Cousins has been a perennial top-10 fantasy QB since taking over full-time in Washington, and he finished last season as the No. 5 scoring fantasy QB. Now he gets to play in an offense with playmakers at each position: Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen at WR, Kyle Rudolph at TE, and Dalvin Cook at RB.

Cousins should continue to put up impressive fantasy numbers and will be a solid QB to target in fantasy drafts.

Quarterback Alex Smith has a new home, as sources tell The Star that the Chiefs have reached agreement to trade their veteran starter of the last five seasons to Washington.

The Chiefs will receive a 2018 third-round pick and a player to be named on Wednesday, a source confirmed, though any trade involving Smith can’t be completed until the first day of the new league year, which begins at 3 p.m. on March 14. But the sources say the deal is in place and will definitely proceed.

Smith, 33, is coming off a stellar season in which he set career-highs in passing yards (4,042), touchdowns (26) and passer rating (104.7), throwing just five interceptions.

Related players: Kirk Cousins

The change in teams will force Smith to learn a new offense and develop a rapport with a new set of receivers, though he should remain a good value on draft day. Kirk Cousins will hit free agency as the best free agent quarterback since 2012, when Peyton Manning was signed by the Broncos.

It appears Taylor is healthy enough to earn the start this week. With Nathan Peterman still in the concussion protocol, Joe Webb will likely be the No. 2 QB.

In a neutral matchup versus a Dolphins defense allowing 15.8 scheduled-adjusted fantasy points, we have Taylor ranked as our No. 15 QB this week.