Tahj Brooks Likely to Remain the No. 3 Back on Depth Chart

According to James Rapien of SI, Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks is projected to occupy the No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Chase Brown and Samaje Perine. "Brown is locked in as the starter and will play a ton," wrote Rapien. "Perine will get plenty of snaps when Brown needs a break […]

49ers' Depth Being Exposed?

Rival NFL executives are skeptical about the San Francisco 49ers' "ability to continue surrounding Brock Purdy with elite talent after they paid their QB this offseason," writes The Athletic's Jeff Howe. The Niners traded away wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., and the strength of the roster was built on high-end contracts. Howe goes on to […]

Jared Verse a Defensive Player of the Year Candidate?

Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe, one rival NFL executive predicts that Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse will be the league's best defensive player in 2025. Verse already won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 by totaling 66 tackles (36 solo), 4.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, two forced fumbles and […]

Saints Excited About Kool-Aid McKinstry

The New Orleans Saints are excited about second-year cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. McKinstry showed up to training camp in terrific shape and has "shown strong ball skills, instincts and toughness." The former second-rounder out of Alabama could become the team's next stud cornerback after both Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo […]

Derrick Brown Should Continue to be a Force for Panthers Defense

Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown continued to impress during training camp this summer and "should be a force" again in 2025, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Brown has been a high-impact player for years now, and there doesn't appear to be a drop-off in sight for the former seventh overall pick in […]

Titans Thrilled With Cameron Ward's Work Ethic

The Athletic's Jeff Howe writes that the Tennessee Titans "have been thrilled" with rookie first-round quarterback Cameron Ward's work ethic early on. Ward has showed up around 5 am every day during training camp to start his workout and is frequently bringing other players with him. That leadership is an important quality, although it doesn't […]

Jarquez Hunter Likely to Open the Season as Rams' RB3

Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter is likely to open the season behind both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum in the team's backfield pecking order. Given how heavily Los Angeles has utilized Williams over the past two seasons, Hunter's RB3 status could mean that he is unlikely to see the field much as […]

Pat Bryant Could Contribute Immediately in Broncos Offense

Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant played well in training camp and the preseason and could be ready to contribute immediately in 2025. A third-round pick out of Illinois, Bryant recorded 54 catches for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final collegiate season. The 22-year-old will likely open the season as the primary […]

Mason Taylor Could See Significant Role as a Rookie

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor has a chance to emerge as a key contributor within the team's passing game this season. A second-round pick out of LSU, Taylor recorded 55 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns in his final collegiate season. The 21-year-old reportedly had an impressive training camp and is […]

Panthers Sign Hunter Renfrow to Active Roster

The Carolina Panthers are signing veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow to the active roster, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Renfrow will have a chance to be the team's primary slot receiver with Jalen Coker (quad) heading to injured reserve due to a quad issue. Renfrow did not appear in an NFL game in 2024. In 17 […]

Jalen Coker Placed on Injured Reserve

The Carolina Panthers have placed wide receiver Jalen Coker (quad) on injured reserve, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 23-year-old was in line for a larger role in the team's offense after Carolina traded away veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen, but Coker will now miss at least the first four games of the season. After going […]

Woody Marks a Late-Round Target in Drafts

Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks is poised to have a role in the team's offense early on in his career. Marks, a fourth-round pick of Houston back in April's draft, spent four campaigns at the collegiate level with Mississippi State, but didn't break out as a rusher until 2024 during his time with […]

Adam Thielen Takes Pay Cut

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Minnesota Vikings have reworked veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen's contract. Pelissero notes that the 35-year-old's salary will be cut by $2 million, while $4 million in incentives will be removed. It was seemingly never about the money for Thielen, who returns to the team that took a chance […]

Micah Parsons' Status for Week 1 Unclear

Per Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, he and the team are hopeful that edge rusher Micah Parsons can play "at least a little" in their Week 1 matchup with the visiting Detroit Lions. Gutekunst also noted that it's on the Packers to "be smart" with the 26-year-old. The Penn State product underwent his […]

Dont'e Thornton Jr. Loses Standing with Addition of Veteran

Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr.'s role in the team's offense is unclear with the addition of veteran wide receiver Amari Cooper to the fold. The University of Tennessee product has speed for days and garnered hype this Summer as the Raiders' legitimate WR2 alongside incumbent starter Jakobi Meyers. However, Cooper returning […]

Jordan James Unlikely to Produce in Year 1 Due to Brian Robinson Jr. Trade

Once a sneaky candidate to back up star running back Christian McCaffrey, stock for San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James has declined since the NFL Draft. The fifth-round pick broke a finger, forcing him to be sidelined for a few weeks. Then, the 49ers traded for former Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. […]

Devin Neal Buried On New Orleans' Depth Chart

New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal is listed fourth on the team's depth chart, but still made the most of his limited preseason opportunities. The sixth-round pick out of Kansas was sidelined with a hamstring injury for a large chunk of training camp, preventing him from winning the backup job to Alvin Kamara. Kendre […]

Contract Extension Coming Soon For Baker Mayfield?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield appears to be in line for a new contract this offseason, according to a report from The Athletic's Jeff Howe. The Buccaneers signed Mayfield to what is now viewed as a discounted three-year, $100 million deal in March 2024. Mayfield responded by setting career-high marks in completions (407), passing […]

Aaron Rodgers Adding Accountability To The Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is taking extra efforts to make sure the team's offense is doing things correctly, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. Unfortunately, teachings from the 41-year-old are coming often. The Steelers exchanged their starting quarterback, running back, and top wide receiver this offseason, so there's not much continuity on the practice […]

Ja'Tavion Sanders Shows Improvement In The Receiving Game

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders put together an impressive training camp, most notably as a receiver. Head coach Dave Canales recently spoke about his improvement as a pass-catcher. The second-year, fourth-round pick caught 33 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown during his rookie season. Interestingly, he did that on only 43 targets. Sanders […]

Braelon Allen Could Become Jets' Lead Ball-Carrier Early in the Season

The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt predicts that New York Jets running back Braelon Allen "will become the predominant ball carrier" in the team's running back room, "perhaps early" in the season. Rosenblatt also writes that he expects the Jets to finish in the top five in the NFL in team rushing attempts, so the team's lead […]

TreVeyon Henderson Impressing with Physicality?

New England Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson has "impressed Patriots brass with his ability to run between the tackles, not just to the outside," according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Graff also writes that Henderson "looks like easily (New England's) best offensive weapon" and has "outperformed both" of the team's veteran running backs, […]

Omarion Hampton Can Be a "Very Productive Workhorse"

The Athletic's Daniel Popper predicts that Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman "is going to feed" rookie running back Omarion Hampton this year and that Hampton can be a "very productive workhorse." Veteran running back Najee Harris (eye) is back in practice, but Popper writes that there are "still questions about how much Harris […]

Chase Brown Set for Significant Workload in Cincinnati?

The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. predicts that Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown's workload "won't be too far off" from the 23.6 touches he averaged per game between Week 9 and Week 17 of the 2024 season. Dehner Jr. writes that the team "restructured the run game specifically around (Brown's) skillset" and is "utilizing him […]

Tory Horton Could Contribute as a Rookie in Seattle

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton has been one of the hottest names this training camp and preseason, and the rookie receiver should be in a good spot to make an immediate impact. Coach Mike Macdonald said earlier this week that Horton has recovered from his ankle injury to return punts beginning Week 1. The […]

Harold Fannin Jr. Starts the Year as a Solid Sleeper Target

Cleveland Brows tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has played his way into a significant role with the team after a productive training camp and preseason. Quarterback Joe Flacco praised his rookie tight end by saying, "he's going to be...an important piece for us." Fannin worked out of the slot this preseason and played alongside veteran […]

Zach Charbonnet Could Have Larger Role in Seattle

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet had a great training camp, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe, and he could have a larger role in the team's offense after Kenneth Walker III missed significant time while dealing with a foot injury. With Klint Kubiak in place as the team's new offensive coordinator, the team will […]

Kyle Pitts Sr. Could Be a Midseason Trade Candidate

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. could be on the move this year, according to the latest report from The Athletic's Jeff Howe. Howe reported that if the Falcons struggle early in the season and Pitts isn't clicking with new quarterback Michael Penix Jr., he could be available before the trade deadline. Pitts is […]

Rome Odunze Taking on Leadership Role, Growing in Ben Johnson's Offense

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze has "taken on more of a natural leadership role, which has impressed those in every corner of (the team's) building," according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Howe writes that Odunze is "growing in new coach Ben Johnson's system on and off the field." The 2024 first-rounder is expected […]

Commanders "Blown Away" by Deebo Samuel Sr.'s Level of Commitment

The Washington Commanders have been "blown away" by wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr.'s "commitment to recapturing as much of his prime as possible," according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Samuel Sr. has reportedly shed weight over the offseason after being acquired by Washington from the San Francisco 49ers. The 29-year-old is coming off an […]