Astros Sign Seven Undrafted Players

The Houston Astros have agreed to terms with seven college players who went undrafted last week, according to sources. The players include Southeast Missouri outfielder Justin Dirden, Concordia University Irvine pitcher Jimmy Endersby, Texas-Arlington pitcher Cesar Gomez, Houston Baptist pitcher Kyle Gruller, Tiffin University outfielder Cody Orr, Central Missouri pitcher Jonathan Sprinkle and Missouri infielder […]

Byron Leftwich, Tom Brady Bonding

Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich was playing for the Jaguars, Falcons, Steelers and Buccaneers when quarterback Tom Brady was becoming a star in the NFL with the Patriots some 15 years ago. "The history that he understands, the history that I understand, the ability for us to be able to talk top-level football, […]

Jalen Reagor's Role In Question

Philadelphia Eagles rookie wide receiver Jalen Reagor, who was selected 21st overall in the first round in April, is likely to take a back seat to DeSean Jackson in 2020, so the rookie might see most of his work out of the slot. Reagor was one of only two college players with at least four […]

Tee Higgins A True Deep Threat

Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Tee Higgins, drafted 33rd overall in the second round, had the third-most receiving yards on deep targets among Power 5 receivers last year with 565 and the third-most contested catches in the ACC since 2018 with 23, per Pro Football Focus. A high percentage of those numbers came against opposing […]

Laviska Shenault Jr. A Versatile And Physical Receiver

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., taken 42nd overall in the second round of the draft, aligned out wide on 107 snaps, in the slot on 75 snaps and in the backfield on 27 snaps at Colorado last year, per Pro Football Focus. Shenault had the most yards after the catch (1,060) among […]

Brandon Aiyuk Excels At Yards After Contact

San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who was drafted 25th overall in April, had the second-most receiving yards after contact last year with 378, per Pro Football Focus. Aiyuk also ranked fifth in yards after the catch with 710. Emmanuel Sanders led the team with 29.3 percent of the team's air yards after […]

Denzel Mims Has Opportunity In Jets Offense

New York Jets rookie wide receiver Denzel Mims, selected 59th overall in the second round, had 12 touchdowns on targets of 10-plus air yards last year, which was tied for third-most in college football. Jets receivers had only 10 catches of 20-plus air yards all year in 2019, tied for second-fewest. Robby Anderson had eight […]

Jerry Jeudy's Versatility Will Help His Cause

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, taken 15th overall in April's draft, has some volatility working with a second-year player at quarterback in Drew Lock on a team that invested in running back Melvin Gordon III in free agency. But Jeudy showed alignment versatility and precise route-running at Alabama, which will help him produce […]

Justin Jefferson More Than Just A Slot Receiver

Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson, taken 22nd overall in the first round, has a safe floor with a lot of upside in 2020. Per Pro Football Focus in 2019 out of the slot, Jefferson had 109 catches (second-most in a single season since 2014), 18 touchdowns (the most) and 1,518 yards (second-most). He […]

Michael Pittman Jr. Should Serve As Deep Threat

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., drafted 34th overall in the second round, logged the most deep catches (12) of 20-plus air yards and receiving yards (493) in the Pac-12 last year and the fourth-most yards after the catch in the Pac-12 since 2018 with 716, per Pro Football Focus. Colts receivers had […]

Henry Ruggs III Comes With Some Risk

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, the 12th overall pick in April's draft, has plenty of fantasy upside, but there is also some potential downside that keeps him from being NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund's top projected rookie wideout. Ruggs lined up wide in 80 percent of his snaps at Alabama last year […]

CeeDee Lamb Projected To Be Top Rookie Receiver

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, taken 17th overall in the first round, is projected to finish as the most productive rookie wideout in 2020 by NFL Network's Cynthia Frelund. Lamb was excellent from the slot at Oklahoma and has an elite ability to produce yards after the catch. He forced the second-most missed tackles […]

Tua Tagovailoa Begins Working With Team Doctors

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, selected fifth overall in April's draft, started training at the team's facilities on Monday following his serious hip injury last November. Team doctors and trainers now have access to the 22-year-old because of the loosened restrictions the NFL imposed on every team amid the coronavirus pandemic. Tagovailoa is a […]

Tarik Cohen's Body Wore Down In 2019

Chicago Bears running back Tarik Cohen set career-highs in rushing yards (444), receiving yards (725) and total touchdowns (eight) in 2018, but he disappeared last season. According to Cohen, the reason for his regression was due to the wear and tear on his small frame. "I’ve been doing yoga now, stretching more often and just […]

Matt Judon Wants Long-Term Deal

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Matt Judon, who received the franchise tag this year, wants to lock down a long-term contract with the team before the July 15 deadline. "I'm happy to be a Raven. I want to stay here for as long as I play, but I understand that it's a business and they kind […]

Colts Sign Michael Pittman Jr. To Rookie Deal

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that they have signed wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to his four-year rookie deal. The Colts have now signed eight of their nine draft picks from this year. Pittman, who is 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, was taken in the second round (34th overall) after compiling 171 catches for 2,519 yards […]

Brandon Brooks Tears Achilles

Philadelphia Eagles right guard Brandon Brooks tore his left Achilles tendon on Monday while working out at the team's complex and will miss the entire 2020 season, according to sources. It's a huge blow to an elite offensive line. The loss of Brooks may cause the Eagles to seriously consider re-signing Pro Bowl tackle Jason […]

Matt Ryan Organizes Offseason Workouts With Players

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, who also dealt with a unique offseason in 2011 during the lockout, has organized player-run workouts during the coronavirus pandemic this offseason. Ryan and the offense were productive that year, going 10-6. The veteran QB tried to keep the training "as normal as possible" amid a public-health pandemic. Ryan has […]

49ers Giving Kyle Shanahan New Six-Year Deal

The San Francisco 49ers are rewarding head coach Kyle Shanahan with a new six-year deal on Monday that will replace the three years he had remaining on his current deal, according to league sources. The new deal ties him to the 49ers through the 2025 season. It will make him one of the league's five […]

Jameis Winston Has Impressive Career Numbers

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston became the eighth quarterback in league history to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season with the Buccaneers in 2019. Winston, 26, has thrown for the second-most passing yards of any NFL QB through five seasons, trailing only Peyton Manning. He has more touchdowns (121) through his first […]

Chiefs Ranked As No. 5 Trench Team

The Kansas City Chiefs come in at No. 5 on the list of the best trench teams in the league, per NFL.com's Bucky Brooks. Mitchell Schwartz could be the best right tackle in football, and Eric Fisher is a stout blind-side protector for Patrick Mahomes. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif is an underrated blocker with a tenacious demeanor […]

Saints Offensive Line Has Become Elite

The New Orleans Saints homegrown offensive line has become one of the league's elite units. Terron Armstead, Andrus Peat and Ryan Ramczyk are young veterans with elite skills as run and pass blockers. Erik McCoy and rookie Cesar Ruiz are versatile interior blockers with plenty of athleticism and movement skills. On the defensive line, Cameron […]

Ravens Upgraded Their Trench Personnel In Offseason

The Baltimore Ravens upgraded their trench personnel in the offseason, mainly on the defensive side of the ball with Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe, who add size, strength and playmaking ability to a unit that is anchored by sack master Matt Judon. Brandon Williams and Pernell McPhee are also solid contributors at this stage of […]

Eagles Are Stacked On Offensive, Defensive Lines

The Philadelphia Eagles have a good shot once again to win the NFC East in 2020 behind a talented defensive line that features Fletcher Cox as the marquee name, but Javon Hargrave, Brandon Coleman and Derek Barnett are also blue-collar guys that have the ability to take over games in a committee approach. Offensively, Philly […]

49ers Ranked As Top Trench Team

The San Francisco 49ers were ranked as the No. 1 trench team by NFL.com's Bucky Brooks. Their dominance in the trenches fueled their run to Super Bowl LIV and it's why they are serious title contenders again heading into the 2020 season. Their defensive line features five first-rounders, including Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Dee […]

Rob Manfred Not As Confident Baseball Will Happen In 2020

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said on Monday that he's "not confident" that there will be a 2020 baseball season and that "as long as there's no dialogue" with the Players Association, "that real risk is going to continue." Manfred said "unequivocally we are going to play Major League Baseball this year" and estimated the likelihood […]

Justin Jackson Will Be On Short Leash

Los Angeles Chargers running back Justin Jackson won't have a long leash as the No. 2 back behind Austin Ekeler in 2020. Jackson played in just seven games because of injuries in his second season in the NFL last year, rushing for 200 yards on 29 carries (6.9 yards per tote), but he might fall […]

Alvin Kamara Was Slowed By Injuries Last Year

New Orleans Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas said that running back Alvin Kamara played through knee, ankle and back injuries in 2019. Despite missing two games and playing hurt for much of the year, Kamara had 171 carries for 797 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and five touchdowns, adding 81 receptions for 533 yards […]

Josh Allen Organizes Workouts

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen planned out two separate "camps" for his teammates this offseason during the coronavirus pandemic. The first one was staged in California, with rookie running back Zack Moss and rookie wide receivers Gabriel Davis and Isaiah Hodgins on hand. The second camp was a lot more detailed and took place in […]

Tua Tagovailoa Has Made Miraculous Recovery From Hip Surgery

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip), the fifth overall pick in April, has continued to make significant progress in his recovery from hip surgery. "He’s doing miraculously well," said Kevin Wilk, a renowned physical therapist. Tagovailoa was expected to move from Alabama to South Florida last weekend. He spends around three and a half […]