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.Jahdae Barron Primarily Working at Cornerback
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Legwold
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.Browns Sign Andre Szmyt to One-Year Deal
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.Source: Jeremy Fowler
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Cleveland Browns have signed free-agent placekicker Patriots Waive Wilfried Pene
Source: New England Patriots
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.Aaron Rodgers Lauds DK Metcalf as "Big Reason" Behind Move to Pittsburgh
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.Source: Nick Shook
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Emeka Egbuka to Have Big Role in the Offense
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.Source: ESPN.com - Jenna Laine
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie first-round wide receiver Grey Zabel in Line to Start at Left Guard
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
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.Bengals Still High on Shemar Stewart
Source: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
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.Bengals Staying in Downtown Cincinnati Through 2036
Source: Bengals.com
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.Bucky Irving Improves Footwork and Pass Protection
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.Source: The Athletic - Dan Pompei
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Justin Tucker Receives 10-Game Suspension
Justin Tucker received a 10-game suspension from the NFL on Thursday, according to league insider Ian Rapoport. The eight-time All-Pro was released by the Baltimore Ravens this offseason after allegations of sexual misconduct by numerous accusers. The 35-year-old suspension will begin on the NFL's roster cutdown day (August 26), and he will be eligible for reinstatement following Week 10 of the 2025 campaign (November 11). His suspension can be served whether he is with a team or not. Tucker is one of the best kickers in NFL history, but the off-the-field developments are sure to negatively impact his legacy and his chances to be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the future.Source: Ian Rapoport
Free-agent kicker Will Levis Has Been "Good Teammate" this Offseason
Will
Levis
finds
himself
as
the
backup
quarterback
to
No.
1
overall
pick
Cam
Ward,
just
one
season
after
he
was
looking
to
establish
himself
as
the
franchiseread more...
Tennessee
Titans
quarterback