July 4, 2025
The New Orleans Saints didn't pick up offensive lineman Trevor Penning's fifth-year option, but they clearly believe in him enough after moving him to left guard, writes ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Penning came into the league with the expectation that he'd be a left tackle after being taken 19th overall in 2022 out of Northern Iowa, but he was benched in 2023 and moved to right tackle in 2024. He was the starting left guard throughout OTAs and minicamp this offseason, which is a sign that he could find his footing in a new role in 2025 with the Saints. The 26-year-old started just six games in his first two seasons in the NFL before making 17 starts at right tackle while receiving poor grades for pass protection. The Saints will be hoping he'll be more effective on the interior this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
July 4, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt is due to around $21 million in the last year of his current contract, but the question for the Steelers is whether they are willing to pay a player that will turn 31 this fall upwards of $40 million per year on a new extension. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero believes that the two sides will get something done before either training camp or the start of the 2025 regular season, and when it is done, it will reset the edge-rush market. Watt has made the Pro Bowl each of the last seven seasons and has been an All-Pro four times in his career while leading the NFL in sacks in three of the last five years. The downside is he has an extensive injury history and dropped to 11.5 sacks in 17 regular-season starts a year ago. The Steelers and Watt are currently in a stalemate, but with Pittsburgh all-in on 2025, it's highly unlikely that Watt will be traded.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
July 3, 2025
NFL.com's Coral Smith reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed general manager Omar Khan to a new three-year contract on Thursday. The financial details were not noted. Khan has been a member of the Steelers' organization since 2001, but took over his current role in 2022 from predecessor Kevin Colbert. The 48-year-old, known for his aggressive offseason moves, has undoubtedly been entertaining as the team's GM. However, despite continuing the franchise's winning ways, playoff wins -- particularly deep playoff runs -- have been the issue. The hope is that will change in 2025, with a revamped wide receiver room led by
DK Metcalf, veteran signal-caller
Aaron Rodgers at the helm, and the recent acquisition of tight end
Jonnu Smith. Still, they share a division with two of the more brutal AFC squads (Bengals, Ravens). Pittsburgh hasn't won more than ten games or sat atop the AFC North since 2020, but they're pushing their chips all-in ahead of the upcoming campaign.
--Alex CiullaSource: Coral Smith
July 3, 2025
ESPN's David Newton writes that it was obvious to teammates that Carolina Panthers second-year linebacker Chau Smith-Wade had a stellar offseason and will be a factor for the team in 2025. "Man, I think he's been the most impressive player," Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn said. "Chau took advantage of an opportunity," head coach Dave Canales said. "He made tackles. He had an opportunity on an interception, and he made it." Newton adds that Smith-Wade's ability to play corner, nickel and safety makes him even more valuable to a young defense that finished last in the NFL in 2024. The 22-year-old ended his rookie campaign on Injured Reserve in December due to an illness. The former fifth-rounder finished 2024 with 39 tackles (24 solo) an interception and a forced fumble in 14 games (four starts). Smith-Wade had taken over the slot role before his illness sidelined him.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - David Newton
July 3, 2025
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris thinks that linebacker Divine Deablo is capable of wearing the green dot as essentially the quarterback of the defense in 2025, according to ESPN's Marc Raimondi. Morris has been impressed with Deablo's size (6-foot-3), length and speed, and he has a realistic shot at winning a starting job at inside linebacker next to Kaden Elliss. The 26-year-old former third-rounder (80th overall) by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021 out of Virginia Tech had just 63 tackles (35 solo) and one sack in 14 starts in his fourth year with the Raiders in 2024, which was his lowest tackle output since his rookie season. It sound like Deablo will have a great chance for a bounce-back season in his first year with the Falcons, but he's probably not going to be on the fantasy radar in IDP leagues. Deablo has 100-plus tackles just once in his four years in the NFL.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marc Raimondi
July 3, 2025
ESPN's Kevin Seifert writes that Minnesota Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers showed playmaking ability while also showing off his speed as a kickoff returner during offseason workouts, demonstrating why the Vikings think he's a likely starter for them despite being a relatively obscure player since the Indianapolis Colts took him in the sixth round back in 2020. "He's been a great addition," defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. "He's got great football IQ and acumen." Flores said he's been tracking Rodgers since he played at the University of Massachusetts. The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $15 million contract this offseason. He was suspended for all of 2023 due to gambling but played in 15 regular-season games for the Eagles in 2024 and had 26 tackles (17 solo) and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season games (three starts). He should have a bigger role in Minnesota.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
July 3, 2025
With Green Bay Packers center Elgton Jenkins skipping the entire offseason program, second-year center Jacob Monk got the bulk of the work with the starters, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "He's done a nice job," head coach Matt LaFleur said of the 2024 fifth-round pick. "He's a lot more comfortable and confident in terms of going out there and knowing what to do. And for him it's just going to come down to those live reps." Jenkins is going to be the team's starter at center when games start, but Monk got some important time this offseason to show that he's a valuable backup. The 24-year-old was selected in the fifth round in 2024 out of Duke. He also has experience at guard and tackle, giving the Packers key depth and versatility on the offensive line.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
July 3, 2025
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he sees new defensive back Avonte Maddox as a guy who will "fit right in with us" after evaluating him during the offseason program, according to ESPN's Eric Woodyard. Maddox is a Detroit native and looked good during offseason workouts. The former fourth-rounder brings a lot of experience to help Detroit's secondary as a Super Bowl champion and veteran player that spent the last seven years with the Philadelphia Eagles. The 29-year-old signed a one-year deal in free agency with the Lions after starting last season as the starter in the slot for the Eagles before eventually losing the gig to impressive rookie Cooper DeJean. In Detroit, he's expected to be a key backup behind starter Brian Branch.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
July 3, 2025
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson singled out rookie fourth-round linebacker Ruben Hyppolite as the player that the coaches saw the most improvement from this spring, according to ESPN's Courtney Cronin. Hyppolite saw plenty of run with the starting defense at weakside linebacker -- a position he didn't have much experience at after playing middle linebacker at Maryland -- with veteran T.J. Edwards sidelined with a soft-tissue injury. "He's done a great job adjusting to that speed as we've gone through, and that's going to have to show up once we do get the pads on," Johnson said. "But I think he's been improving every single day, and really, we're hoping that course continues." The 23-year-old with 4.39-second 40-yard dash speed could be in the lead for the battle for the No. 3 linebacker job heading into training camp.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Courtney Cronin
July 3, 2025
The Washington Commanders' coaching staff noticed that defensive tackle Daron Payne showed more leadership and was more outgoing around the building this offseason, per ESPN's John Keim. Head coach Dan Quinn said Payne had "laser focus" this spring. "He just looks really good, really intent-ful. You can really see him taking that leadership role to the next step. He's been the guy that's really just stood out to me the most from that standpoint," defensive coordinator Joe Whitt said. The 28-year-old had 11.5 sacks in a contract year in 2022 but has posted eight total sacks the last two seasons. He had 96 pass-rush wins and a win rate of 11.6% from 2020-22, but he's recorded just 39 wins and a 7.6% win rate the last two seasons. Washington needs Payne to be more productive in 2025, and if he isn't, he could be cut next offseason for $16 million in savings.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - John Keim
July
3,
2025
ESPN's
Tim
McManus
writes
that
Philadelphia
Eagles
wide
receiver
Danny
Gray
made
an
impression
this
offseason
during
OTAs
and
minicamp
practices
open
to
reporters,
using
his
4.33-second
speed
to
stretch
the
field
and
accelerate
past
defenders
read more...
July 3, 2025
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).
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN New York - Jordan Raanan
July 3, 2025
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
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.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
July 2, 2025
ESPN's Kris Rhim writes that Los Angeles Chargers rookie fifth-round tight end
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.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
July 2, 2025
ESPN's Adam Teicher writes that judging from how rookie seventh-round running back
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.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Adam Teicher
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