June 27, 2025
ESPN's Jamison Hensley writes that Baltimore Ravens rookie first-round safety Malaki Starks' maturity should make him an immediate impact player in his first year in the NFL. "You throw a situation at him, and he knows," head coach John Harbaugh said. "He's been studying and comes prepared. I've never seen him make a real mistake yet. He's very much a pro, probably way advanced beyond his years." Despite playing with the first-team defense from the first day of spring practices, Starks hasn't blinked. He also made a strong first impression by organizing walk-throughs at the team hotel during rookie minicamp. Ar'Darius Washington's torn Achilles definitely sets Starks up to have a big role in 2025 alongside Kyle Hamilton. Despite not showing elite athleticism at the combine, he has the ability to become fantasy relevant in IDP leagues sooner than later.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
June 27, 2025
Atlanta Falcons rookie first-round defensive end James Pearce Jr. has impressed the team as potentially one of the best pure pass-rusher's in this year's NFL draft. "Been really [pleased] at his willingness to really collaborate with the people that we hooked him up with, whether it's been strength coach, whether it's been nutrition," head coach Raheem Morris said. "Really his buy-in. Really smart, sharp, particular guy that asks a lot of questions." Morris said he "fell in love" with Pearce as a person during the pre-draft process. ESPN's Marc Raimondi writes that the 21-year-old's size (6-foot-5, 245 pounds) also stands out, and he's added muscle to go with his 4.47-second 40-yard dash time. There's a reason the Falcons traded back up into the first round to take Pearce at 26th overall, and they're hoping the combination of Pearce and linebacker Jalon Walker will pay immediate dividends.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
June
27,
2025
New
York
Giants
rookie
first-round
quarterback
Jaxson
Dart
had
an
"excellent"
spring,
according
to
head
coach
Brian
Daboll.
During
offseason
workouts,
Dart
confirmed
the
team's
decision
to
trade
back
into
the
first
round
to
select
read more...
June 27, 2025
ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that there is every reason to believe that Minnesota Vikings rookie first-round offensive guard Donovan Jackson has the inside track to emerge from training camp this summer as a starter. Jackson worked with the first-team offense at left guard for the majority of spring practices, but it's important to note that right guard Will Fries continues to recover from a fractured right leg. Blake Brandel, who was last year's starter at left guard and Jackson's primary competition, has filled in for Fries on the right side. "It does give you some real beneficial options to see guys progress through the learning phase," head coach Kevin O'Connell said, "and all of a sudden you've got three or four guys that maybe are a little more versatile than we thought." In addition to making 31 career starts at left guard at Ohio State, Jackson has experience at left tackle, giving Minnesota's O-line some much-needed versatility.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
June
27,
2025
ESPN's
Rob
Demovsky
writes
that
Green
Bay
Packers
rookie
first-round
wide
receiver
Matthew
Golden
appears
set
for
a
significant
role
on
offense
with
the
likes
of
Romeo
Doubs,
read more...
June 27, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie first-round defensive tackle Derrick Harmon is in line to start right away in his first year in the NFL. "He goes out there with the 1s," defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said. "He's our left starting defensive tackle. You can write that." However, Harmon won't necessarily be a starter alongside Cameron Heyward and Keeanu Benton in the team's base 3-4 defense. "I feel, like, comfortable," Harmon said of the defense. "[At] Oregon, we had the same defense, so I'm playing the same-for-same position. Biggest difference for me is really just learning the speed of the game." The 21-year-old was extremely productive at Oregon last year, racking up 45 tackles (27 solo), five sacks, 11 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries for the Ducks and could become a dominant defender for Pittsburgh sooner than later.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
June 27, 2025
Denver Broncos rookie first-round cornerback Jahdae Barron played outside corner, nickel, safety and dime linebacker in college at Texas, but right now, the Broncos are primarily working him out at cornerback -- both outside and in the slot -- according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. "He was a can't-miss prospect for us. He can tackle, he can cover, he has excellent ball skills ... it was a no-brainer to draft him," defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. It will be interesting to see how the 23-year-old is schemed into an already strong Broncos defense in 2025, and he'll no doubt give the team the ability to throw different looks at opposing offenses. Joining a secondary that already includes Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss should help Barron grow quickly, although we wouldn't expect him to be on the IDP fantasy radar right away.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
June 26, 2025
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent placekicker
Andre Szmyt to a one-year, $840,000 contract. Szmyt was on Cleveland's roster this offseason until the team waived him earlier in the month. However, he's back now with the release of defensive lineman Ogbo Okoronkwo earlier in the day. The Syracuse product has yet to attempt a kick on an NFL field but will compete with veteran teammate
Dustin Hopkins for the Browns' starting job. In college, Szmyt was 85-for-105 (81%) on field-goal attempts and hit extra-point tries at a stellar 98% clip.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jeremy Fowler
June 26, 2025
Per the team, the New England Patriots have waived rookie defensive lineman Wilfried Pene. The 24-year-old signed with the team as an undrafted free agent on May 12 after four collegiate seasons with Virginia Tech. Pene played in 34 games for the Hokies and accrued 73 total tackles, ten for loss, and five quarterback sacks. He started all 13 games for VT last season and will be free to sign with another organization if he goes unclaimed off waivers. Currently, Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, and Christian Barmore are slated to start along the Patriots' defensive front.
--Alex CiullaSource: New England Patriots
June 26, 2025
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers noted newly acquired wide receiver
DK Metcalf as a big reason he chose to land with the team. "DK is a lead-by-example guy," said the veteran. "He's a big reason I'm in Pittsburgh as well. Conversations that we had, and just the kind of person that he is." Metcalf may not be of the same ilk as Rodgers' two-time former teammate,
Davante Adams, but he's one of the more explosive pass-catchers in the league and gives the 41-year-old a target unlike he's ever had. Rodgers is unlikely to have a significant fantasy impact, given that the Steelers are expected to be a run-centric squad. However, Metcalf could be a huge beneficiary as the team's far-and-away No. 1 option, and prove to be one of the better values amongst the top 50 picks in drafts.
--Alex CiullaSource: Nick Shook
June 26, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka is expected to have a big role in the offense in his first year in the NFL, especially with
Chris Godwin recovering from ankle surgery, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. Egbuka is already helping the Bucs stretch the field horizontally and has looked like a running back at times while showing up in the short passing game. However, the 22-year-old from Ohio State has also made big plays down the field during offseason practices. "The thing that sticks out is how cerebral he is," quarterback
Baker Mayfield said. "He's so smart. Right now, I think we could plug-and-play him at every [wide] receiver spot; he understands the offense that well. That's just him being a pro already." Egbuka is extremely attractive in dynasty/keeper leagues, but his redraft fantasy value in 2025 could depend on whether injuries in front of him open up more opportunities.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine
June 26, 2025
ESPN's Brady Henderson writes that it's become clear that Seattle Seahawks rookie first-round offensive guard Grey Zabel is in line to start at left guard in his first year in the NFL. Zabel has taken all of the first-team reps during offseason workouts and has building chemistry with left tackle Charles Cross. "Really excited about Grey," head coach Mike Macdonald said. "He is what we thought he was up to this point. ... [He's] hitting his spots, communicating, being decisive with Charles on the left side. I think those guys are working really well together, so I'm really fired up to see him in the fall." The 23-year-old North Dakota product went 18th overall to Seattle in April's NFL draft. He has experience at both tackle and guard, but the Seahawks will use him inside, primarily because of his shorter arms.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
June 26, 2025
Despite the fact that Cincinnati Bengals rookie first-round defensive end Shemar Stewart was the only first-rounder that didn't take part in any offseason workouts due to a contract dispute, the coaching staff remains high on him. "It's a lesson for him in the NFL -- control what you can control," defensive coordinator Al Golden said. "From our standpoint he's done a good job in terms of the learning. We are as excited as anybody to get him out there." The 21-year-old pass-rusher was taken with the 17th overall pick and could take on an even bigger role in his first NFL season if the Bengals end up trading All-Pro pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson. However, despite the fact that Stewart seems like an eager learner, the lack of on-field reps during offseason workouts will most likely shorten his learning curve in 2025. It would be a surprise if Stewart doesn't sign his rookie deal before training camp.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
June 26, 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals and Hamilton County agreed to principle terms for a new lease that will keep the Bengals in Cincinnati playing home games at Paycor Stadium through June of 2036, with 10 additional option years that could extend the lease through June of 2046. Included in the agreement is an approach to modernize the 25-year-old stadium that will be a $470 million renovation project. The Bengals will invest $120 million into the renovation project, which will cover 75 percent of new improvements to the stadium. It's a big win for the Bengals franchise as they look to get back to the Super Bowl in 2025 with one of the best offenses in the league.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bengals.com
June 26, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Bucky Irving, who is expected to see more opportunities in 2025, has improved his footwork and pass protection, according to head coach Todd Bowles. "He got to where he needed to be, but his footwork wasn't always the cleanest last season," Bowles says. "He's cleaned that up." Despite only "starting" three games in 2024, Irving finished as the RB13 in point-per-reception scoring in fantasy in his rookie season by racking up 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 207 rushing attempts. He added 47 receptions on 52 targets for 392 yards through the air. The 22-year-old makes up for his lack of size and athleticism with excellent vision and a knack for breaking tackles in open space. The primary concern with Irving as it pertains to being a true RB1 is the question of whether he can be a true workhorse back and withstand all the physical punishment between the tackles.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Pompei
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