Mark Melancon Earns 23rd Save Of Season

San Diego Padres closer Mark Melancon earned his 23rd save of the season in a 5-3 victory on Wednesday to help the Friars sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time since 2013. Melancon allowed a leadoff single and a walk but was aided by a double play to end the contest. The veteran […]

Adam Trautman The Saints Projected No. 1 Tight End

New Orleans Saints tight end Adam Trautman is the team's projected No. 1 tight end as both a pass-catcher and standout blocker after the Saints parted ways with veteran Jared Cook and Josh Hill this offseason. The second-year pro said he has grown after a strong finish to last season in his first true NFL […]

Ian Thomas Has Had "Tremendous Offseason"

Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said that tight end Ian Thomas had "a tremendous offseason" after disappointing in 2020 (20-145-1). "He looks explosive. He looks athletic," Rhule added. "If you're talking about a guy that's really had a good offseason, I would say it would be Ian Thomas. He's more comfortable with what he's […]

Qadree Ollison Carving Out A Bigger Role?

Atlanta Falcons running back Qadree Ollison could be creating a spot for himself in the offense this year. The third-year back from Pittsburgh impressed the coaching staff during spring workouts, although lead back Mike Davis was not in attendance and players weren't going full speed. Ollison has just 23 career carries for 53 yards and […]

Juwann Winfree Making A Run For A Roster Spot

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Juwann Winfree, a former sixth-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2019, caught plenty of passes in organized team activities and minicamp this spring and looks to be making a strong run at a spot on the active roster. Winfree has played in just five career NFL games, though, and […]

Marquise Goodwin Still A Deep Threat

Chicago Bears wide receiver Marquise Goodwin only signed a one-year deal worth $350,000 in guaranteed money this offseason, but he still has elite speed. Goodwin took the top off the Bears defense on multiple occasions during offseason practices for what would have been long touchdown catches. Along with second-year receiver Darnell Mooney, Goodwin might give […]

Andre Dillard On A Mission

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Andre Dillard (biceps) says he has a fire in him like never before after he missed all of last season with a biceps injury. The former first-rounder scrapped his social media to eliminate all distractions and hit the weight room hard. Dillard is stronger and more confident and has drawn praise […]

Tyron Johnson Could Be No. 3 Receiver

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tyron Johnson is a 4.3-second 40-yard dash speedster that made the most of his 20 receptions for 398 yards last season. T-Billy impressed the coaches with his speed during offseason practices and is a qualified third receiver for the Bolts behind Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. The 25-year-old from Oklahoma […]

Noah Gray Has Impressed The Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs rookie tight end Noah Gray, a fifth-round draft pick this year, has impressed the team this offseason with his smarts, pass-catching and route-running. Gray could see a significant amount of playing time in 2021 as the Chiefs look to keep All-Pro Travis Kelce fresh over the 17-game season, both as Kelce's replacement […]

Kendall Hinton Has Shown Improvement

Denver Broncos wide receiver Kendall Hinton, who was forced to start at quarterback in an emergency situation in the 31-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints last year, has stood out in offseason workouts, according to head coach Vic Fangio. However, the former Wake Forest quarterback/wide receiver still faces long odds in a crowded depth […]

DeShone Kizer Ready To Compete For Backup Job

Tennessee Titans quarterback DeShone Kizer has looked good in organized team activities and minicamp this offseason, especially on midrange routes across the middle. Kizer worked only with quarterbacks coach Pat O'Hara last year as the team's "quarantine QB," and his quick decision-making in offseason practices is evidence that he has a strong understanding of the […]

Laviska Shenault Jr. Has Stepped Up This Offseason

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. has arguably been the team's best offensive player throughout organized team activities and minicamp this offseason. It's an important development due to the addition of Marvin Jones and presence of D.J. Chark. Rookie running back Travis Etienne has also been getting repetitions at receiver. The Jags are using […]

It's Been A Smooth Transition For Carson Wentz

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz didn't have a great relationship with his teammates while with the Philadelphia Eagles, but according to those inside the Colts organization, the transition this offseason has been a smooth one. "He comes in and asks about my family, my sister and things like that," running back Nyheim Hines said. "As […]

Tee Higgins Poised For A Big Season

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins seems poised for a big season after leading the team in receiving in his rookie campaign. Coaches and teammates have noticed Higgins' physical development this offseason, but he has flown under the radar due to the addition of wideout Ja'Marr Chase in the first round this year. The 22-year-old […]

C.J. Mosley Looks Slimmer And Quicker

New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley, who opted out in 2020 due to COVID-19 and played in just two games due to injuries in 2019, could have a bounce-back year in 2021. Mosley looked slimmer and quicker during offseason practices, which should help him transition to the team's 4-3 defensive scheme. He was one of […]

Isaiah Hodgins A Standout During Offseason Practices

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins was a standout during the first few days of last year's training camp, but a shoulder injury kept him out all season. Now healthy, Hodgins stood out again during organized team activities and minicamp and shed his red non-contact jersey. He has an uphill battle in a crowded receiver […]

Bears To Give Justin Fields A Lot Of Preseason Reps

The Chicago Bears are expected to give rookie quarterback Justin Fields a lot of work in preseason games this fall. The Bears plan is to start with veteran Andy Dalton under center to begin the season, but Fields is expected to take over at some point when he's ready. The 11th overall pick is fitting […]

Sammy Watkins Impresses In Minicamp

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Sammy Watkins was the team's best receiver at minicamp, but he's coming off the worst season of his seven-year career. "I'm not going to lie to you; it is fun," quarterback Lamar Jackson said of Watkins. "A big receiver, nice target, fast guy. Sammy is going to make our job a […]

Cordarrelle Patterson Could Be Used In Traditional Role

Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson, who will be a major part of special teams while also being used as a gadget guy on offense, could be used in more of a traditional running back role behind lead back Mike Davis. The only thing we really know is that Davis is expected to be the […]

Pete Carroll Predicts Breakout For Gerald Everett

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll sees big things for tight end Gerald Everett in his first year with the team. "This is I think the fanciest, sweetest-looking receiver/tight end mix that we've had. He's like a wide receiver, he's got terrific after-the-catch run ability, really aggressive and he's a good blocker, too," Carroll said. […]

Baker Mayfield's Extension Could Come This Summer

The agents for Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield don't plan to drag out a contract extension with their client and aren't opposed to getting something done this summer. "We pretty much know what's coming on down the road and what's been done. We don't have any particular reluctance about doing a deal. But I think […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Will Pass On Home Run Derby

Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said on Wednesday that he will sit out of the 2021 Home Run Derby after falling one home run shy in the Derby in 2019. Guerrero is tied for the major league lead with 23 home runs this year, but he told reporters he wants to "take care […]

Braves Likely To Stay Away From Will Smith Wednesday

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that the team will likely stay away from closer William Smith on Wednesday against the New York Mets after he's recorded a save in each of the last three days. Smith has been one of the few bright spots for Atlanta's bullpen this year, although his 3.82 ERA isn't […]

Hector Neris On The Hot Seat After Another Blown Save

Philadelphia Phillies closer Hector Neris blew his fifth save of the season in a 13-12 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs on three hits in his inning of work. Following the game, when asked about a potential change to the closer role, manager Joe Girardi said, "I'll take an off […]

Tomas Nido Has Clean MRI

New York Mets backup catcher Tomas Nido (wrist) received a clean MRI exam on his wrist, but he still has "some limitations," according to manager Luis Rojas. Consider him day-to-day for now, but it looks like Nido will avoid a trip to the injured list. The 27-year-old doesn't have much fantasy appeal, even in two-catcher […]

Jonathan Villar Could Come Off The Bench Wednesday

New York Mets infielder Jonathan Villar's (calf) MRI exam came back clean, and he could come off the bench on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. Villar is out of the lineup for a second straight game with right calf soreness, but it looks like he dodged a trip to the 10-day injured list. Luis Guillorme […]

Austin Gomber Could Be Back Sooner Than Later

The Colorado Rockies believe they caught starting pitcher Austin Gomber's (forearm) issue before it became a major problem. Gomber left his June 19 start after just two innings, and his June 20 MRI exam came back clean. The left-handed pitcher is likely to start playing catch on Wednesday. Manager Bud Black said Gomber's path back […]

Mychal Givens Making Progress

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Mychal Givens (back) is making good progress from his lower back strain after landing on the 10-day injured list on June 17. It's an injury that had been bothering him since before his placement on the injured list. Givens was able to play catch on Tuesday and has also been going […]

Matt Adams Almost Pain-Free

Colorado Rockies first baseman Matt Adams (elbow) hasn't been cleared for hitting or throwing yet, but manager Bud Black told reporters that the lefty slugger is almost pain-free and could take part in batting practice as early as Wednesday. At the very latest, Adams should take batting practice this weekend. The 32-year-old veteran has been […]

Jon Gray To Start On Friday

Colorado Rockies right-hander Jon Gray (forearm) will be activated from the 10-day injured list in order to start on Friday in the series opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. Gray allowed two runs on five hits while striking out six in four innings for Triple-A Albuquerque on June 20, throwing 62 pitches (38 for strikes). He […]