Dont'a Hightower A Sneaky Pass Disruptor

New England Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower isn't your typical pass-rushing linebacker, but he had a 15 percent disruption rate in 2019 despite rushing the passer only 253 times last year. He finished with 71 combined tackles, 33 stops -- tackles that result in a successful play for the defense based on yards to go by […]

Shaquil Barrett Was A Constant Problem For Offenses

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett, 2019's NFL sack leader with 19.5, had 5.5 more sacks in his first year with Tampa than he did in 61 games with the Broncos. He had 78 total disruptions last season and capitalized on his opportunities more often than anyone else. Barrett also played a ton of snaps […]

Charges Against DeAndre Baker Could Be Dropped

New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker's attorney, Patrick G. Patel, said he still expects charges against Baker to be dropped, possibly by the end of the week. The 22-year-old cornerback is out on bail after being arrested in connection with an armed robbery in early May. In the meantime, Baker continues to train on his […]

Aaron Donald Remains Highly Effective

Even though Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald ranked sixth on NFL.com's Nick Shook's top-10 pass disruptors of 2019, the five-time All-Pro is still one of the best all-around pass-rushers in the league. He played more total snaps (882) than anyone else on the list, which is why his 15.7 percent disruption rate is […]

Giants, Jets Reopen Team Facilities

The New York Giants and New York Jets resumed operations at their headquarters on Wednesday in a limited capacity amid the coronavirus pandemic. A "small number of employees" returned to the Giants facilities. New York and New Jersey are among the states that have been most affected by COVID-19. New Jersey governor Phil Murphy didn't […]

Josh Allen Will Face More Of A Test In 2020

Jacksonville Jaguars edge-rushing linebacker Josh Allen had an incredible rookie season in 2019, being selected to the Pro Bowl with 54 total disruptions and 10.5 sacks. He had a disruption rate of 16.2 percent and a sack rate of 3.1 percent, but how much of his success had to do with fellow pass-rushers Calais Campbell […]

Nick Bosa Already Elite Going Into Second Season

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa made the Pro Bowl and was named the 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year while racking up the fourth-most quarterback pressures in the NFL (60) while finishing with a pressure percentage of 13.9, good for fourth-best in the league. The younger brother of Chargers pass-rusher Joey Bosa, Nick […]

Robert Quinn Looks To Stay Successful In Chicago

Chicago Bears defensive end Robert Quinn earned his five-year deal on the free-agent market with an excellent season in 2019 with the Cowboys. Working opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence, Quinn pressured the quarterback on 14 percent of pass rushes, the third-highest rate in the NFL with a minimum of 250 pass rushes. He had 49 QB […]

Wilson Ramos Working Out At Team Facilities

The New York Mets' Port St. Lucie spring complex officially opened to local players on Monday for the first time in more than two months. Catcher Wilson Ramos has been among the group of around half a dozen players to work out this week. The 32-year-old hit .288/.351/.416 with 14 home runs and 73 RBI […]

Trent Taylor Running Routes

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Trent Taylor (foot) has been sprinting, cutting and catching passes from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo while the team waits for the green light to return to their practice facilities. Taylor missed all of 2019 with a foot injury, but he's been part of a group of receivers running routes for Garoppolo […]

Emmanuel Sanders Looking Forward To Working With Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders said on NFL Network's Total Access on Tuesday that playing with quarterback Drew Brees will be similar to his days with Peyton Manning in Denver. "Like I said in '14, that's wide receiver heaven. To be back in the situation with another Hall of Fame quarterback and trying […]

Harold Landry To See Less Playing Time?

Tennessee Titans linebackers coach Shane Bowen said that linebacker Harold Landry played too many snaps last season and that he needs to do a better job of watching Landry's snap count in 2020 in order to get the biggest bang for the buck. A second-round pick by the Titans in 2018, Landry has 13.5 sacks, […]

Za'Darius Smith An Elite Pass-Rusher

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Za'Darius Smith provided immediate returns after the Packers signed him to a lucrative free-agent deal before the 2019 season. He pressured the quarterback on 19.4 percent of pass rushes when lined up on the interior, which was the highest rate among all defenders rushing from the interior with a minimum […]

Myles Garrett Listed As 2019's Best Disruptor

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett played in just 10 games last year because of a suspension, but when he was on the field he was the league's most efficient disruptor with a league-high disruption rate of 18.5 percent. The Browns had a 32.9 percent pressure rate with Garrett on the field, but without him, […]

Players Not Expected To Return To Facilities Until Training Camp

NFL players aren't expected to return to their team facilities until training camp, according to sources. Most teams have reopened their facilities on a limited basis for essential employees during the coronavirus pandemic, but healthy players aren't allowed to return yet. Commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams on Tuesday that they must hold training camps at […]

Phillip Lindsay Thinks New Offense Fits His Style Of Play

Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay, who is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons under two different offensive coordinators, thinks new coordinator Pat Shurmur's offense fits him even better. "I just think that it's what fits my style, and I've been able to adapt to every style, but I think that this style right here […]

Timmy Jernigan, Texans Agree To Part Ways

Free-agent defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan had reached an agreement on a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Houston Texans, but the two sides have agreed to part ways and Jernigan is not expected to sign with the team, according to sources informed of the situation. Jernigan didn't take a physical with the Texans and isn't […]

James Conner Not Worried About Health After Cancer Scare

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner, who is a cancer survivor, isn't worried about COVID-19 when teams eventually return to the field prior to the 2020 season. "I'm 100%," Conner said. "I had a weak immune system four years ago. It's not weak anymore, thank God. I'm OK. I'm young and healthy. I went through […]

Luke Kuechly Officially On Reserve/Retired List

Former Carolina Panthers star linebacker Luke Kuechly officially was placed on the Reserve/Retired list on Tuesday, according to a source. By waiting until after June 1, the Panthers can spread Kuechly's salary cap hit over the next two years and save around $6 million against the cap in 2020. Only 29 years old, Kuechly was […]

Baker Mayfield Can Improve On Deep Throws

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield's deep-ball passer rating was significantly worse in 2019 (72.9) than it was in his rookie season (106). However, he still had a positive completion percentage on his deep attempts last season, despite attempting tight-window passes down the field on 40.6 percent of his attempts. Mayfield also had the luxury of […]

Matt Ryan's Numbers May Be Deceiving On Deep Throws

On the surface, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan's 3:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 69.3 passer rating on deep passes looks very mediocre or even below-average. Atlanta's offense didn't live up to expectations in 2019, and Ryan threw into tight windows on 34.5 percent of his deep attempts. That partly helps explain his five picks. However, he […]

Ryan Fitzpatrick Not Afraid To Take Deep Shots

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick led the team in rushing last season, but he was also surprisingly effective taking shots deep down the field. The grizzled veteran wasn't afraid to throw the ball downfield, even if the coverage was tight, as 56.6 percent of his 53 deep pass attempts were into tight windows. Fitzpatrick had […]

Kirk Cousins Was Very Efficient On Deep Passes

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had a 9:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio on deep passes in 2019 and the highest passer rating (121.5) on such throws among NFL.com's Nick Shook's top-10 best deep passers last season. But his deep shots weren't nearly as risky as other QBs, as Cousins attempted deep shots into tight windows just 20.4 […]

Will Fuller V Critical To Deshaun Watson's Success Downfield

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson enjoyed throwing the ball deep in 2019, attempting a deep pass on 14 percent of his throws last year, the fifth-highest mark among signal-callers. With receiver Will Fuller V on the field, Watson attempted a deep pass on 17 percent of his throws since 2017, as opposed to 11 percent […]

Kyler Murray's Dual-Threat Ability Makes Him The Real Deal

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray benefitted from open receivers deep down the field in his rookie season and also had a very low pressure rate (13.1 percent) on his deep attempts, but it was his own dual-threat ability to use his legs as a rusher that afforded him the chance to excel deep down the […]

Tom Brady Was Fourth-Best Deep Passer In 2019

Despite having a down year in 2019 overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was actually the fourth-best deep passer, per Next Gen Stats. He had seven touchdowns and only two interceptions on deep balls with Julian Edelman as his top target. Brady was pressured often (40.7 percent) and was throwing to receivers that were […]

Trent Williams Praises Jimmy Garoppolo

San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams blocked for nine different quarterbacks in the last decade with the Redskins, but he thinks quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is among the best he's played with heading into the 2020 season. "I think Jimmy G is awesome," Williams said. "I think he has proven that he's a […]

Raheem Mostert Could Land Extension Soon

San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert could land a contract extension before tight end George Kittle does, in the opinion of The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is another player that could be looking at an extension in the near future. Mostert stepped up down the stretch and in the postseason for […]

Boston Scott Expected To Compete For Offensive Role

Philadelphia Eagles running back Boston Scott is expected to compete for an offensive role in training camp instead of just competing for a roster spot. Miles Sanders will be the team's lead back in 2020, but even if the team adds a veteran backup, Scott is expected to compete for a role in Philly. The […]

Patrick Mahomes Has The Weapons To Beat Defenses Deep

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes' expected completion rate on deep passes is higher than most QBs in the league because of his speedy weapons, namely receiver Tyreek Hill, whose 18 touchdowns on deep targets since 2016 is second-most in the NFL behind Antonio Brown. Mahomes had a 30.3 percent rate of targets considered to […]