JC Latham Could be Looking at Big Improvement in Second Season

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle JC Latham struggled in his first year in the NFL in 2024 after being taken seventh overall out of Alabama. Although he played right tackle for the Crimson Tide in college, Tennessee was intent on using him at left tackle in his first year in the league, but that backfired, so […]

Tykee Smith Could be Every-Down Player for Bucs

Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year cornerback Tykee Smith, who also has experience at safety, could become an every-down player for the team in 2025, according to Dan Pompei of The Athletic. Smith's production as a nickel corner in his rookie season -- 54 tackles (38 solo), two interceptions, seven pass breakups and three forced fumbles in […]

Derick Hall has High Ceiling Going into Third Season

Seattle Seahawks third-year outside linebacker Derick Hall has a high ceiling going into 2025 after recording 37 tackles (20 solo), eight sacks, six tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in 17 games (14 starts) in 2024. The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar writes that Hall's combination […]

Kaleb Johnson an Ideal Scheme Fit in Pittsburgh

The Athletic's Mike DeFabo writes that rookie third-round running back Kaleb Johnson is an ideal scheme fit for Pittsburgh Steelers coordinator Arthur Smith's offense after Iowa alum excelled on wide-zone runs with the Hawkeyes. Although the Steelers weren't very efficient, only three teams ran the football more in 2024. The 21-year-old Johnson has plenty of […]

Kelee Ringo Will Get his Chance in 2025

The Philadelphia Eagles didn't make any external moves this offseason to replace cornerback Darius Slay, which shows the confidence they have in Kelee Ringo, according to The Athletic's Brooks Kubena. Despite his struggles in his second year in 2024, Kubena adds that Ringo has the physical tools to become a starter for the Eagles this […]

Kool-Aid McKinstry in Line to Start

New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry is in line to start in his second year in the NFL now that both Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo are out of town, according to Larry Holder of The Athletic. The former second-rounder (41st overall) out of Alabama became a starter for the Saints midway through his rookie […]

Double-Digit Sack Season Well Within Reach for Chop Robinson

The Athletic's Jim Ayello writes that a double-digit sack season for Miami Dolphins second-year linebacker Chop Robinson is well within reach in 2025. Robinsons, who was taken 21st overall in 2024 by the Dolphins, finished fifth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after producing 26 tackles (16 solo), six sacks, eight tackles for […]

Brian Thomas Jr. Could be Even Better in 2025

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. burst onto the NFL scene last year after being taken with the No. 23 overall pick out of LSU. Even on a bad team with spotty quarterback play, Thomas managed to catch 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts). The Athletic's Jeff […]

Laiatu Latu Primed to Take a Step Forward

The Athletic's James Boyd writes that Indianapolis Colts second-year defensive end Laiatu Latu is primed to take a step forward this year after starting defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo left in free agency to join the Chicago Bears. The Colts took Latu 15th overall last year, and he finished his first year in the NFL with […]

Lions Expecting Year 2 Jump From Terrion Arnold

The Detroit Lions coaches think that cornerback Terrion Arnold is set up to take a big jump forward in his second year in the league in 2025, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. Because the team thought he could handle it, they threw a lot at Arnold in his rookie campaign -- he played […]

Omarion Hampton Could Become Lead Back Sooner Than Later

The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that if Los Angeles Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris (eye) misses time in training camp with an eye injury that he suffered during a fireworks mishap on the Fourth of July, the possibility of rookie first-rounder Omarion Hampton beating out Harris for a lead-back role becomes even more likely. […]

Zion Johnson Moving to Center

Los Angeles Chargers offensive guard Zion Johnson started at left guard for the team last year, and his inconsistencies in pass protection remained unchanged. It's why the Chargers plan to test him out at center this year, a position he hasn't played in college or the NFL, according to The Athletic's Daniel Popper. The former […]

Travis Jankowski Becomes a Free Agent

Journeyman outfielder Travis Jankowski rejected an outright assignment to the minor leagues from the New York Mets on Sunday after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers. Jankowski only appeared in four games for the Mets before being cut, and now he'll be looking to join his fourth different MLB squad in 2025. The […]

Tekoah Roby Goes on Seven-Day Injured List

The Triple-A Memphis Redbirds placed St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitching prospect Tekoah Roby (undisclosed) on the seven-day injured list on Monday. While Roby has dealt with shoulder injuries in the past, it's unclear if this is related. The team's No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has gone a combined 7-4 this year with a 3.10 […]

Matthew Boyd Won't Pitch in All-Star Game

Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, who has already thrown 111 2/3 innings this season, will not pitch in the All-Star game for the National League on Tuesday. Boyd's 111 2/3 frames have already surpassed his total in each of the previous five years, and given his medical history, it makes sense for the Cubs to […]

Alek Manoah Shaky in First Rehab Start

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (elbow) battled poor command in his first minor-league rehab start on Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. Manoah only went one-third of an inning and allowed four runs (three earned) on one hit while walking two and striking out one. He threw only 10 of his 22 pitches […]

Jon Gray Goes Three Innings in Rehab Start

Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (forearm) allowed an earned run on six hits while walking none and striking out two in three innings on Monday in a minor-league rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. A rainout over the weekend forced the 33-year-old to skip making his second rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock. […]

Guardians Place Paul Sewald on Injured List With Shoulder Strain

The Cleveland Guardians placed right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 12) on Tuesday with a right-shoulder strain, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. A corresponding move is to be determined. Sewald went on the IL for the first time this season back in late April with a right […]

Marvin Mims Jr. Could be on Track for First 1,000-Yard Season

The Athletic's Nick Kosmider suggests that Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. could be poised for his first 1,000-yard season in 2025 with another year of chemistry with second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Mims was selected in the second round (63rd overall) in 2023 out of Oklahoma, and he's already been a Pro Bowl returner […]

Chargers Place Jaylen Johnson on PUP List

In addition to wide receiver Mike Williams, the Los Angeles Chargers placed receiver Jaylen Johnson (undisclosed), safety Elijah Molden (knee), linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips (undisclosed) and offensive tackle Savion Washington (undisclosed) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday for the start of training camp. The Chargers can activate Johnson at any time during training […]

Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte Fighting for Final Spots

There are as many as five wide receivers battling for one or two roster spots this summer with the New England Patriots, including Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, according to Patriots.com's Evan Lazar. Bourne could have a leg up, as he has a history with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, posting a […]

DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams "Locks" for Receiving Corps

Patriots.com's Evan Lazar writes that along with wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee), New England Patriots pass-catchers DeMario Douglas and third-round rookie Kyle Williams are "locks" to make the 53-man roster. Mack Hollins also has a very strong chance of making the team. Douglas, 24, was the highest-rated Patriots receiver in ESPN's receiver score metric, finishing […]

Chiefs, Trey Smith Finalizing Massive Extension

The Kansas City Chiefs and franchise-tagged offensive guard Trey Smith are finalizing a massive new contract extension on Tuesday that will make him the highest-paid guard in the league, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The four-year deal worth $94 million deal will be done by agents Tory Dandy and Jimmy Sexton. The deal includes […]

Colts Expected to Ease Anthony Richardson Sr. Back in

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said he expects quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (shoulder) back "at some point" during training camp this summer, and "when he does come back, we'll ease him into throwing and then we'll go from there." Richardson did not require another surgery on his troublesome right shoulder, but he will enter […]

Ryan Mountcastle to Start Rehab Assignment on July 22

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on July 22, according to MLB.com. Mountcastle was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right-hamstring strain and was moved to the 60-day injured list on June 23. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could be activated […]

Mike Trout Eyeing Return to Outfield

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is eyeing a return to the outfield after the All-Star break and is planning on resuming drills in the outfield, according to The Sporting Tribune's Thomas Murray. However, there's no exact timetable on when Trout will return to right field. Trout has been a full-time designated hitter for the […]

David Robertson Could Land With a Team Soon

Veteran right-handed reliever David Robertson is throwing for interested clubs this week, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon. Robertson has been a free agent since the end of last season, but he could land with a team looking for help in the bullpen soon. Several teams, including the New York Mets and New York Yankees, […]

Terry McLaurin Undecided on Whether he Will Report to Training Camp

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin said he hasn't decided if he will report to training camp next week, and he's taking things day by day, according to NBC Sports' JP Finlay. McLaurin has skipped all of the team's offseason workouts so far and could continue that into training camp as he seeks a long-term […]

Colston Loveland Says his Shoulder is 100 Percent

Chicago Bears rookie first-round tight end Colston Loveland (shoulder) says that his surgically-repaired shoulder is 100 percent, according to NBC Sports' Mike Berman. However, when asked if he'll be out on the field when training camp begins this month, Loveland said it's to be determined. Despite having surgery on his shoulder back in January, the […]

Sam Williams has Potential to be Elite Edge Rusher

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (knee) has the size and athletic ability to become an elite edge rusher, in the opinion of The Athletic's Jon Machota. Williams suffered a season-ending torn ACL and MCL in training camp last summer that caused him to miss the entire year. However, he was able to take part […]