Dane Belton Should Have a Role in 2025
Source: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
New York Giants safety Dane Belton was making plays seemingly every practice this spring and had three interceptions in the five workouts open to the media. ESPN's Jordan Raanan writes that the former fourth-rounder in 2022 will have a role as the third safety this year, even if he's not a starter. It appeared as though Belton was going to be an afterthought after the team signed Jevon Holland earlier this offseason, but that just hasn't been the case. "He has been really good for us here early. Like he's had a really good spring," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. "[We're] finding ways to get him on the field, what he can do for us to help us." The 24-year-old defensive back showed some progress in his third year in the league in 2024, finishing with 56 tackles (28 solo), one sack, one interception, six pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games (six starts).Kaiir Elam Flashes During Offseason Workouts
Shavon Revel Jr. (knee), who are both working their way back from knee surgeries. The Cowboys didn't exercise Elam's fifth-year option after the Bills took him 23rd overall in the 2022 NFL draft out of Florida, so perhaps he's extra motivated going into his first year in Dallas. That's what the Cowboys are banking on.Source: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kaiir Elam started only 12 games in three seasons with the Buffalo Bills with two interceptions before the Cowboys acquired him in a trade, but he flashed on numerous occasions in OTAs and minicamp, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Elam had multiple interceptions in offseason practices and dropped two more while showing an ability to run with receivers. Archer goes on to write that the Cowboys need Elam to be a factor in 2025 with all the uncertainty surrounding cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) and third-round rookie Oronde Gadsden an Active Pass-Catcher This Offseason
Oronde Gadsden was the most active pass-catcher during offseason workouts and became a favorite target of quarterback Justin Herbert. Gadsden's size (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) and speed (4.65-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine) makes him difficult to cover and one to watch at training camp and the preseason. The 22-year-old could become a receiving threat sooner or later for the Bolts, a team whose passing offense struggled mightily in 2024. However, they will continue to run the ball plenty under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, especially after drafting Omarion Hampton in the first round and signing Najee Harris in free agency. Gadsden, a converted wideout, has intriguing pass-catching abilities, but he'll need to block to find regular playing time eventually.Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
ESPN's Kris Rhim writes that Los Angeles Chargers rookie fifth-round tight end Brashard Smith's Speed Could be Put to Use
Brashard Smith was used in offseason practices, the Kansas City Chiefs have plans for him. The 22-year-old ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and could fit in nicely with other offensive skill players on the team, including receivers Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown and running back Elijah Mitchell. Smith was a receiver in college before moving to a RB at SMU in his final season, and the Chiefs got him the ball out of the backfield, from the slot and split out wide during spring workouts. Head coach Andy Reid knows a little something about finding ways to use speedy offensive weapons, so fantasy managers shouldn't complete turn away from Smith, even though it will be hard for him to secure a big role in his first year in the NFL.Source: ESPN.com - Adam Teicher
ESPN's Adam Teicher writes that judging from how rookie seventh-round running back Pat Bryant Off to a Good Start
Pat
Bryant
consistently
showed
physicality
to
win
contested
catches
during
the
team's
offseason
program,
according
to
ESPN's
Jeff
Legwold.
Additionally,
quarterback
Bo
Nix
showed
theread more...
Denver
Broncos
rookie
third-round
wide
receiver
Cody Barton Quickly Becoming a Leader With his New Team
Source: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
Tennessee Titans linebacker Cody Barton has already become a mentor to the team's young inside linebackers, especially second-year linebacker James Williams, according to ESPN's Turron Davenport. Barton is proving to be a much-needed savvy veteran for the Titans after signing a three-year deal worth $21 million in free agency this offseason. The 28-year-old has been a vocal presence on the field during offseason workouts for a Titans defense that struggled in coverage in 2024 and often found themselves out of position. He's been useful in IDP fantasy formats each of the last three seasons with three different teams -- Seattle, Washington and Denver -- racking up a combined 363 tackles (204 solo). Barton had an expanded role with the Broncos in 2024 and will likely be counted on to play an every-down role in Tennessee.Montaric Brown has Worked With Starters
Travis Hunter. Brown, 25, is also coming off a career year in 2024 in which he had 75 tackles (55 solo), six tackles for loss, an interception and eight pass breakups in 17 games.Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown worked with the starters during offseason workouts and consistently made plays during spring practices, including two end-zone pass breakups in red-zone drills in minicamp. ESPN's Michael DiRocco writes that he has the advantage heading into training camp as a starter opposite Tyson Campbell. Second-year corner Jarrian Jones played well at nickel late in his rookie season, but he's still learning the zone scheme, which is expected to be a staple of defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile's scheme. In addition to Jones needing plenty of schooling on the zone scheme, the Jaguars are still working through how many defensive snaps per game they'll be able to get out of rookie first-rounder Maxwell Hairston Facing Sexual-Assault Lawsuit
Source: WKBW.com
Buffalo Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston has been named in a civil lawsuit related to an alleged incident that happened in 2021, according to WKBW.com. Bryant Law Center and Meyers & Flowers filed the Lawsuit on Tuesday, and a woman is accusing Hairston of sexual assault while he was a student at the University of Kentucky. Hairston was selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 30 overall) after a stellar career for the Wildcats. In 32 games, he compiled 87 tackles, six interceptions, and 10 pass deflections. This is a situation worth monitoring as he heads into his first NFL training camp.Tai Felton's Rookie Season Likely to be Spent on Special Teams
Tai
Felton
was
a
third-round
selection
by
the
organization
in
the
2025
NFL
Draft.
Needless
to
say,
he
joined
a
crowded
pass-catching
group
consisting
of
Justin
Jefferson,
read more...
Minnesota
Vikings
wide
receiver
LeQuint Allen Jr. to Have Receiving Role for Jaguars?
LeQuint
Allen
Jr.
landed
in
a
crowded
backfield
after
being
selected
by
the
team
in
the
seventh
round
of
the
2025
NFL
Draft
out
of
Syracuse.
The
Jags
also
selected
Virginia
Tech
runningread more...
Jacksonville
Jaguars
running
back
Justin Walley Turning Heads Going into Rookie Season
Source: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
Indianapolis Colts rookie third-round cornerback Justin Walley has been turning heads throughout the offseason program with his aggressiveness and impressive instincts, giving him a chance to have a significant role on defense in his first year in the NFL, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. Walley has shown potential in dime packages during offseason workouts, and the Colts are expected to play a greater variety of coverages in 2025. Head coach Shane Steichen said the 22-year-old defensive back is "really sticky in coverage." "Has been making a ton of plays through OTAs. So, very pleased with where he is at." It was an interesting fit when Indy took Walley in the third round, as they already have Charvarius Ward and Jaylon Jones as starters on the outside, with Kenny Moore playing the slot. If Walley continues his rise, the Colts secondary could be nasty in 2025.Jamari Thrash Establishing Himself as Reliable Option
Jamari Thrash, who caught only three passes as a rookie in 2024 after being taken in the fifth round, took advantage of opportunities in an unproven receiver room during offseason workouts and established himself as a reliable option in the passing game. "He's had a really strong spring," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "He is here all the time working on his body. Very intelligent player, can line up in multiple positions which I think is valuable. And then he showed up, he's caught the ball well and you know the quarterbacks like how he gets open. He finds a way to get open versus zone, versus man." Since the 24-year-old isn't really an option on special teams, he's going to need to continue standing out in training camp and the preseason to win a spot on the 53-man roster heading into the regular season.Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi writes that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Grayson Murphy Could Provide Rotational Pass-Rush Depth
Source: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
Miami Dolphins linebacker Grayson Murphy could provide situational or rotational pass-rush depth if he continues his production from offseason workouts into training camp this summer, writes ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. Murphy made splash plays during spring practices on a team that features pass-rushers Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips and Chop Robinson. It's been difficult for Chubb, Phillips and Robinson to stay healthy, and Murphy also landed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury in August after signing as an undrafted free agent last year. The 24-year-old is healthy now, though, and appears primed to serve in a backup role at outside linebacker for Miami's defense in 2025.Joe Andreessen in a Good Position to Compete for Backup Job
Josh Allen. Andreessen saw action in 13 regular-season games (one start) for Buffalo in his rookie season and recorded 26 tackles (12 solo) with one tackle for loss and a QB hit. He saw extended run in Week 17 in a 40-14 win over the New York Jets and led the team with eight tackles.Source: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
Buffalo Bills linebacker Joe Andreessen has put himself in a good position to compete for the backup middle linebacker job in training camp this summer, according to ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg. Andreessen was mostly a special-teams player as a rookie in 2024 after being signed following a minicamp tryout. The 25-year-old saw increased time during minicamp due to Baylon Spector's injury and made multiple plys, including picking off quarterback Bhayshul Tuten Needs to Improve Pass Protection
Bhayshul Tuten was one of the fastest players in the 2025 NFL draft and ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, which was the fastest among RBs. Tuten has often been compared to Miami's De'Von Achane for his home run ability. However, he's on the small side at 5-foot-9 and 209 pounds, and head coach Liam Coen said that Tuten needs to improve in pass protection as he heads into his first year in the NFL. Barring a significant change in training camp and the preseason, Travis Etienne Jr. is expected to remain the team's starting back. The 23-year-old had 1,159 yards and 15 touchdowns in 183 rushing yards last year at Virginia Tech. He's raw and needs to improve his ball security and pass protection, but his elite speed could get him on the field sooner than later in Jacksonville.Source: Jacksonville Florida Times-Union - Demetrius Harvey
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back