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
July
2,
2025
Denver
Broncos
rookie
third-round
wide
receiver
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
the
read more...
July 2, 2025
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.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
July 2, 2025
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
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.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco
July 2, 2025
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.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: WKBW.com
July
2,
2025
Minnesota
Vikings
wide
receiver
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...
July
2,
2025
Jacksonville
Jaguars
running
back
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
running
read more...
July 2, 2025
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.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
July 2, 2025
ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi writes that Cleveland Browns wide receiver
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.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi
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