Bryce Young Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Bryce Young has shown an increased comfort level in his second year in head coach Dave Canales' offensive system, especially when he carved up the first-team defense in the red zone during minicamp. Young's intensity also caught the eyes and ears of media members this offseason. Pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney said that Young needed to play with more energy last year, and the former first overall pick has engaged in trash-talk sessions with cornerback Jaycee Horn. The 23-year-old was pretty bad in his first year and a half, but he looked different down the stretch in 2024 after being benched and threw seven TDs and no picks in his final three games. He's going to need to improve his accuracy and decision-making to take the next step in Year 3, but Young at least showed some signs to give fantasy managers hope that he can be a solid QB2 with upside.Source: The Athletic - Joseph Person
The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Carolina Panthers quarterback Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Roman
Wilson
excelled
on
in-breaking
routes
over
the
middle
of
the
field
in
college
at
Michigan,
which
should
fit
quarterback
Aaron
Rodgers'
skills
nicely,
according
to
Theread more...
Pittsburgh
Steelers
wide
receiver
Josh Simmons on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Patrick Mahomes' blind side. There's still a chance Moore wins the job, but it's clear that Simmons is the future at left tackle for the Chiefs.Source: ESPN.com - Adam Teicher
Kansas City Chiefs rookie offensive tackle Josh Simmons (knee) worked as the starting left tackle during offseason practices despite coming off a torn patellar tendon in his final year in college at Ohio State. Per ESPN's Adam Teicher, barring a setback, it looks like Simmons is on schedule to be the team's starting left tackle when the 2025 regular season begins. "We weren't quite sure how much we were going to be able to get out of him, but he looks strong," head coach Andy Reid said. "You can tell that he rehabbed. He did a nice job with it." The 22-year-old will be tested more in training camp when the pads go on, and he'll primarily competing with Jaylon Moore for the right to protect quarterback Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb both negotiated four-year deals recently, so perhaps that's what Parsons is trying to do as well. Contract talks aside, Parsons has at least 12 sacks in four straight seasons and will remain a high-end IDP fantasy target going into 2025 drafts.Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons already had a handshake deal months ago on a new contract extension, but the length of the pending extension is where the current hangup is. The Cowboys and Jones have always favored locking up their stars on long-term deals for five or six years, but the trend in the league of late has been shorter contract extensions. Parsons, who is 26 years old, might prefer a shorter contract extension that would allow him another bite at the apple as he nears the end of his career. Both quarterback Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton isn't ready to project what the running back room will look like come September, writes ESPN's Jeff Legwold. Rookie second-rounderRussell Wilson Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Tyrone
Tracy
Jr.
said
that
quarterbacks
Russell
Wilson
and
Jameis
Winston
have
been
sharing
leadership
duties
this
offseason
in
theread more...
New
York
Giants
running
back
Jihaad Campbell to Begin at Inside Linebacker
Source: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
Philadelphia Eagles rookie first-round linebacker Jihaad Campbell (shoulder), who didn't fully take part in the offseason program after having shoulder surgery in March, will start at inside linebacker since "there's a lot more to learn there," according to defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. There's an opportunity for Campbell to carve out a substantial role once he's cleared to play in August with Nakobe Dean (knee) out for the foreseeable future due to a torn patellar tendon. "He's doing all he can in meetings; we're doing all we can with him on the field. I take him to the side and do an individual drill with him that's suited to what he can do right now," Fangio said. "So, he's working good and trying to pick it up." The Eagles have had great success with rookie defenders recently, but the 21-year-old Campbell has already missed valuable development time.Josh Conerly Jr. to Play Right Tackle for Now
Source: ESPN.com - John Keim
The belief is that Washington Commanders rookie first-round offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. could move to left tackle in the long term. However, he'll play right tackle for now, according to ESPN's John Keim. The Commanders have yet to hand him the job, but they are very excited about the 21-year-old after they took him 29th overall back in April's NFL draft. Conerly mostly worked with the second-team offense in spring workouts, but the Commanders are confident after showing good footwork and an ability to play in space. "He's going to be a dog," offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil said. "Just the way he moves, the way he bends, athletic, smart, very intelligent. He has all the tools to be a damn good player in this league." He makes up for his short arms with plenty of athleticism, but the Oregon product will be competing with Brandon Coleman at right tackle this summer.Tyleik Williams Expected to Fill Big Role Right Away
Source: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
ESPN's Eric Woodyard writes that Detroit Lions rookie first-round defensive tackle Tyleik Williams could play a big role right away as he's expected to fill in for starting defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee) as he recovers from a torn ACL that ended his 2024 campaign. "Knowing what we know and where he's at and what he can do, we like what he is," head coach Dan Campbell said. "He is smart. He can get lined up. I know he's been grinding in the rehab, the training, so that's good." The Lions were careful not to overwork Williams during offseason workouts after coming off a long championship season at Georgia, but when Week 1 rolls around, it sounds as though he'll be on the field often for Detroit's D-line. The 22-year-old also fell to the turf while running his 40-yard dash back in March, which was another reason Detroit took it easy on him during spring work.Malaki Starks Should Make an Immediate Impact
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
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.James Pearce Jr. Impressing the Falcons
Source: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
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.Jaxson Dart has "Excellent" Spring
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
selectread more...
New
York
Giants
rookie
first-round
quarterback
Donovan Jackson has Inside Track on Starting Job
Source: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
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.Matthew Golden Appears Set for Significant Role
Matthew
Golden
appears
set
for
a
significant
role
on
offense
with
the
likes
of
Romeo
Doubs,
read more...
ESPN's
Rob
Demovsky
writes
that
Green
Bay
Packers
rookie
first-round
wide
receiver
Derrick Harmon in Line to Start
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
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.