Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Josh Metellus: J.J. McCarthy's poise, energy are very special
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy feels ready to take over the starting job after recovering from the knee injury that wiped out his rookie season and his teammates appear to agree that McCarthy has what it takes to handle the job.
The Vikings are still in the first phase of their offseason program, but several veteran Vikings players noted the energy that McCarthy is bringing to the building each day. Right tackle Brian O'Neill called it "infectious" and safety Josh Metellus said that McCarthy matches that energy with a great deal of poise.
"To have poise the way he does, I think it goes a long way, especially for a team — especially for the leader of a team," Metellus said, via the team's website. "For our quarterback to not even [have stepped] on the field yet and already have that poise, that energy when he walks in the building, is very special. I could talk about his abilities on the field all day . . . but for a guy to be the person he is in the building is something to look forward to."
The on-field skills will be another significant part of the puzzle, but McCarty seems to have the intangibles it will take for him to succeed in his new role.
from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/0vehLHk
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
George Kittle signs four-year, $76.4M 49ers NFL contract extension, source says
George Kittle signs four-year, $76.4M 49ers NFL contract extension, source says originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Tight end George Kittle and the 49ers took a major step toward their union extending through his entire NFL career.
Kittle signed a four-year extension that keeps him under contract with the 49ers through the 2029 NFL season, he disclosed on Tuesday morning.
Kittle’s new contract is worth $76.4 million over four years, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area.
Kittle announced the completion of his latest contract on the podcast, “Bussin’ With The Boys.”
The annual average of $19.1 million in new money again makes Kittle the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. The deal surpasses Arizona’s Trey McBride, whose recently signed contract averages $19 million annually.
Kittle’s previous deal, which he signed in 2020, averaged $15 million per season.
So Kittle, one of the most popular players in franchise history, isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
The finalization of the contract accomplishes one of the top offseason goals 49ers management set.
“We want George to retire a Niner,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said in February. “He’s a Niner through and through.”
The next major goal for the 49ers’ offseason is the signing of quarterback Brock Purdy to a multi-year extension.
But Kittle’s contract is one of the few bright spots for the 49ers after the early stages of free agency saw a mass exodus of players.
The 49ers cut future salary-cap costs in anticipation of signing Kittle and Purdy to lucrative contracts.
Kittle, 31, was a fifth-round pick by the 49ers in 2017 and the sixth drafted player of the John Lynch-Kyle Shanahan regime.
Through eight NFL seasons, Kittle has 538 receptions for 7,380 yards and 45 touchdowns. He has also distinguished himself as one of the NFL’s best-blocking tight ends.
He has more receiving yards than any tight end in 49ers history. He also holds the three highest single-game totals in 49ers history for a tight end.
And Kittle shows no sign of slowing down, as he led all NFL tight ends with a 14.2-yard average per reception last season while registering his fourth career 1,000-yard campaign.
Kittle caught 78 of the 94 passes of which he was the target. He accounted for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns.
Kittle is a six-time Pro Bowl performer and a two-time All-Pro. He appears to be on a path that could someday place him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
But Kittle was seen as anything but a sure thing when he entered the NFL. He was the ninth tight end drafted in 2018.
As a rookie, he caught 43 passes for 515 yards with the 49ers after accumulating 48 catches for 737 yards in 40 games over four seasons at Iowa.
In 2018, Kittle established the then-NFL record for receiving yards for a tight end in a single season with 88 receptions for 1,377 yards. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce broke the record in 2020 with 1,416 yards.
Now Kittle is under contract with the 49ers through his age-36 season.
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Monday, April 28, 2025
Don't be fooled: Eagles rookie has a definite mean streak
Don't be fooled: Eagles rookie has a definite mean streak originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Don’t be fooled by Ty Robinson. Don’t be fooled by his calm and friendly demeanor off the field. Don’t be fooled by clips of him helping up quarterbacks after a big hit. Don’t be fooled by the fact that he was pre-med at Nebraska and one day wants to go into pediatric medicine.
Because the Eagles’ newest defensive tackle has a mean streak.
His defensive line coach at Nebraska, former NFL lineman Terrance Knighton, has seen in plenty over the past couple of years.
“Don’t take his kindness for weakness,” Knighton said to NBC Sports Philadelphia by phone this weekend. “Off the field, he’s a really nice guy. You’d let him date your daughter. But when he crosses those white lines, he turns into a maniac. He knows how to flip the switch. I’ll say this: If I’m in a dark alley and I get into a fight, I’m taking Ty Robinson with me.”
Knighton, the former NFL defensive lineman whom you might remember by his nickname “Pot Roast,” spent the last two years as Nebraska’s defensive line coach before moving on to Florida State this offseason. When asked about a moment where Robinson’s mean streak really came out, Knighton said there was a game in 2023 where Robinson’s temper got the best of him against Minnesota and he ripped off an opponent’s helmet — he’s lucky he didn’t get kicked out of the game.
And Knighton laughed when thinking about how much Robinson would help up opposing quarterbacks and try to be a nice guy on the field as a sixth-year senior in 2024.
“That was a facade so he didn’t get any penalties,” Knighton said. “The referees in the Big Ten know he has an edge. You’ll see it. If they ever get into it at practice, you’ll see. He’ll be one of the first guys out there.”
Having played seven full seasons in the NFL, Knighton has seen plenty of “flip-the-switch” guys who have that kind of mean streak.
Knighton thought for a moment.
“DeMarcus Ware was like that,” he said. “Great guy off the field but on the field he was a psycho. Ty probably has a little bit more edge. He’s a badass. He’s going to fit in with those guys. They’re going to love him in that room.”
Sounds like the kind of mentality the Eagles like out of their defensive players. They’ll take some nastiness and their fourth-round defensive tackle provides it — along with an impressive athletic profile, pass rush production and versatility.
After making just two picks in the first three rounds of the 2025 draft, the Eagles used pick No. 111 on Robinson early in the fourth on Saturday afternoon. He checked off a lot of boxes for the Birds, including his play demeanor.
“I mean it doesn’t take long to put on the tape to like Ty Robinson,” general manager Howie Roseman said. “He’s got quickness, he can work edges, he’s strong with his hands, he’s got great elite character. He’s a Philly kind of player. So again, he was a guy that we really were targeting yesterday at 96, woke up and was really hoping that he was there at our pick and that was one we weren’t considering trading back from.”
Robinson, who turns 24 in a few days, is an older defensive line prospect but it’s hard to ignore his production in 2024. While Robinson had played plenty before last season, he had just 5 sacks and 14 tackles for loss in his college career (47 games) entering his final season.
But in 2024, Robinson put it all together. He led the Cornhuskers in sacks with seven and tackles for loss with 12 1/2. He also had a career-high in tackles with 37. Robinson credited Knighton for helping him have that kind of impressive final season.
“I think it was just going out to practice, knowing that you can work on one thing until you get good at it with each period,” Robinson said. “And then just honing in on the film as well, just watching it with whoever it may be. Myself, T-Knight, coach (Tony) White at the time. I think just being able to be cerebral about what you need to do and then when you go out to practice, being deliberate about what you want to do.”
When Knighton got to Nebraska in 2023, Robinson was already there and his new coach helped him live up to his potential. Knighton said it was obvious that Robinson had all the traits (size, quickness, athleticism, strength) but he just needed some refinement. Knighton’s goal was to help the game slow down for Robinson and he did.
With those natural skills and Knighton’s NFL experience, it didn’t take long for Robinson to make a jump. As much as Robinson credited Knighton, his coach said Robinson got better because of how hard he worked. Knighton called him a willing-learner.
In Philadelphia, Robinson will join a defensive tackle rotation that already includes Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo and he’ll be coached by D-line coach Clint Hurtt. Knighton thinks Hurtt will be able to get the most out of Robinson because he knows Robinson will take the coaching.
“You can MF him all day, you can yell at him, you can be nice to him,” Knighton said. “He’s going to respond to any kind of coaching.”
During their two years together, Knighton was able to teach Robinson a lot about being a successful defensive lineman. But there was one lesson he didn’t need to give.
Robinson came ready with the right temperament.
“He’ll get chippy,” Knighton said. “That’s part of being a D-lineman and that’s one thing that naturally already had when I got there. He already had some edge and he’s a guy that you’re not going to have to motivate to play hard.”
from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/09WqsT7
Sunday, April 27, 2025
'Game too far' for Glasgow & Edinburgh 'abject' in draw
We asked for your views on as Glasgow Warriors suffered defeat and Edinburgh drew in their weekend of URC action.
Here's what some of you said:
Glasgow Warriors 19-26 Bulls
Ben: After Glasgow's trip to South Africa last year, I felt very deflated and went into the play-offs feeling hopeful more than anything. I probably feel a bit worse this year. The only reason to be hopeful is that our missing players come back strong, but we will likely need to go away to South Africa in a semi-final, then away to Leinster in a final - tough ask!
Alistair: Warriors didn't have a plan B to counter Bulls' impressive defence. Tactical field kicking was poor as it simply returned the advantage to Bulls. I wouldn't criticise Tom Jordan for kicking the penalty dead but I would for the decision not to take the three points. Three on the board would have kept them in the game and have had the ball returned to them. Warriors looked the fitter of the two teams but just need to make better on-field decisions. The return of Huw Jones and Sione Tuipulotu can't come soon enough.
Anthony: It looked like a game too far for the injury-depleted Warriors squad. They struggled to break the gain line against a ferocious Bulls defence. Bulls coaching staff deserve credit for getting their tactics spot on and not allowing Warriors to play their normal, expansive attacking game. Bulls also had Johan Goosen as a very good goal kicker, while Jordan had a night to forget. Full credit to Warriors to show the heart and desire to claim an important bonus point right at the end. Worrying injuries to Kyle Rowe and Gregor Brown, but is was good to see Scott Cummings back on the field. This match was a brilliant learning curve for many of the younger squad members against a very good, physical Bulls team. Warriors have earned their two-week break before the Benetton match, which is a must win.
Bert: The Bulls scrum dominance was a major issue for Warriors. No matter how good your backs are they are going to struggle behind that weakness. While Warriors' penalty dogma of always going to the corner can be seen as positive, it surely has to be flexible for games like this where it was all about the win. The risks were fully evident when Jordan's second-half kick flew dead, scrum penalty again, and try scored from the lineout to effectively cost us nine points.
Zebre 25-25 Edinburgh
Steve: To put some perspective on Edinburgh's fairly abject draw with Zebre, there was one very depleted looking 23 versus a pretty well-stacked Italian outfit. Zebre are a different team this year but the feeling is that's another four or five points gone abegging. I have to question the nature of the squad rotation and perhaps it's a case that Europe is indeed being prioritised. We'll have to be very, very good to beat Bath, so I hope it's worth it. It has to be because the URC is effectively over unless three or four teams all do us a massive favour. Another frustrating season so far, but in our hearts we knew it was going to be.
Domenic: Edinburgh are a basket case. Inconsistent and at times appalling to watch. Quite simply successful teams beat those below them, unsuccessful ones don't. So, when do the SRU say enough is enough and clear out the hierarchy of Edinburgh Rugby from chief executive to coaching team? A £6m budget for this? Too many years of failing to reach potential, in any other walk of life you'd be shown the door.
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2025 NFL Draft grade roundup: Mixed reviews on Ty Robinson pick
2025 NFL Draft grade roundup: Mixed reviews on Ty Robinson pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
After making just two picks in the first two days of the draft, the Eagles selected eight players on Day 3.
Their first Day 3 selection was Nebraska defensive tackle Ty Robinson, who was selected with the No. 111 overall pick, which was viewed as solid value by many evaluators.
Since Robinson was the Eagles’ top pick of Day 3, let’s take a look at some grades for that pick:
What they said: “Robinson is slightly undersized for a defensive tackle at just 288 pounds but he’s very explosive and athletic enough to work on stunts and other games on the defensive line. He’ll be a great addition to the defensive line rotation as a rookie.”
What they said: “Pass-rushing DT with a thick, chiseled frame. Elite tester at the combine. Strong upper body. Needs to add more pop from his lower half. Rushes are often high. Demonstrated solid hand work. Sets a strong edge in run support. Nothing spectacular about his game, but the pass-rush glimmers and frame are intriguing.”
What they said: “Is anyone surprised that the Eagles drafted a defensive lineman? Ty Robinson has limited upside, so I don’t love this pick, but he has a relentless motor and could be a decent rotational backup in the NFL. I thought he’d go around this range.”
What they said: “The Philadelphia Eagles investing in their defensive front is old hat. They know what they lack and continue to add those types of players. Nebraska’s Ty Robinson is a lunch-pail type who’s a better athlete than expected after seeming a somewhat tight athlete on the field. He can provide some reps as a base end, but his real strength is a relentless motor working along the defensive interior.”
What they said: “I had the bull-strong Robinson in my top 100. He didn’t flash for me at the Senior Bowl but responded with a strong combine showing. Robinson is a workhorse up front but might never be a huge playmaker.”
from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/pIyG84q
Did the draft change Dallas Goedert's status with Eagles?
Did the draft change Dallas Goedert's status with Eagles? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
There were 16 tight ends drafted throughout the three days of the 2025 NFL Draft and the Eagles, despite making 10 selections, didn’t end up with one.
Did that do anything to change the situation between the Eagles and Dallas Goedert?
GM Howie Roseman was asked that question on Saturday night.
“Dallas is part of the team as we speak,” Roseman said. “Obviously, as we go forward, we’re going to continue to address things on this team and right now nothing further.”
If you haven’t been paying attention, the situation between Goedert and the Eagles is seemingly very unsettled as the veteran tight end enters the final year of his contract. And when Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni spoke at the NFL owners meetings last month, they were both non-committal about Goedert’s future with the team.
Goedert, 30, has been a really productive player for the Eagles but he has also struggled to stay healthy. On top of that, his deal is out of guaranteed money and he is set to earn around $15 million in 2025. The Eagles would presumably want Goedert to agree to a pay cut to facilitate a return. Earlier this offseason, the Eagles were listening to offers for their former second-round pick.
Roseman on Saturday night was asked if there’s a path for Goedert to return to the Eagles in 2025.
“Dallas is a heck of a player – a heck of a player, a heck of a person,” Roseman said. “Certainly don’t want to do anything publicly where we’re discussing anyone’s business, but I have so much respect for him. Been to two Super Bowls together and obviously would love him on this team. You always love having Dallas on this team, but we’re not there right now on any of that. But, love Dallas Goedert.”
Even if the Eagles entered this draft knowing Goedert would definitely be back for the 2025 season, it still would have made sense to draft a tight end. Because not only is Goedert entering the final year of his deal but he’s over 30 now and has struggled to play a full season. He’s now significantly older than Zach Ertz was when the Eagles used a second-round pick on Goedert.
The other tight ends on the Eagles roster are Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Harrison Bryant, Kylen Granson, Cameron Latu and Nick Muse. If Goedert isn’t on the team in 2025, that group might not be good enough.
Six different tight ends — Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, Mason Taylor, Terrance Ferguson, Elijah Arroyo and Harold Fannin Jr. — went in the first three rounds this year and then 10 came off the board on Day 3.
Were the Eagles surprised they didn’t draft a tight end?
“Just trying to be as true as we could to the board,” Roseman said. “Every time that we had the opportunity to pick, we were looking at the board and really trying to reflect what that worked to put those grades in really should be reflected in the outcome, so we didn’t want to kind of drop down at some points. There were some points where it was close, but it was never at the time we were selecting the best player.”
from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/G3xHqzU
Broncos drafted Caleb Lohner after he played just 57 snaps of college football
The most inexperienced player selected in the 2025 NFL draft was Utah tight end Caleb Lohner, who was drafted in the seventh round by the Broncos.
How inexperienced is Lohner? "Fifty-seven plays," Broncos General Manager George Paton said after drafting him.
That's it. In the same draft as No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, who once played 149 snaps in a single game, Lohner was selected despite playing just 57 snaps in his college career.
But Broncos head coach Sean Payton said the Broncos liked what they saw of Lohner, who played mostly basketball in college before joining the Utah football team for one season last year.
"We're late in this draft and you're rooting for some guys, and you see upside," Payton said. "He's 6-7, 245. You can see the basketball skill set — that's easy — at a high level. You're looking at a small amount of playing time, and yet enough to where you're watching him. I think the other thing that helped was watching him at the Big 12 Pro Day. There's just a few plays that you see movement skills — and man, there's a lot to work with."
Payton has experience coaching a college basketball player with limited football experience and helping him turn into an All-Pro tight end. That's what Payton did in New Orleans with Jimmy Graham, who played four years of basketball and one year of football in college at Miami before becoming one of the best tight ends in the NFL with the Saints.
Expecting Lohner to become another Jimmy Graham might be too much to ask, but the Broncos think he might just become an NFL playmaker, even if he takes longer to develop than most.
from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/JYo3pUK
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Best available draft prospects for Patriots on Day 3, with defense in focus
Best available draft prospects for Patriots on Day 3, with defense in focus originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Their intentions were obvious.
The Patriots were going to surround Drake Maye with as much talent as they could through the early portion of this year’s draft. And that’s exactly what they did, selecting four offensive players with their first four picks: LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell in the first round; Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson in the second round; Washington State receiver Kyle Williams and Georgia center Jared Wilson in the third round.
The team has six selections remaining on Day 3, which it will likely use to help its defense in some degree. Patriots executive director of player personnel Eliot Wolf suggested as much at the conclusion of the second night of the draft.
“Pretty excited about the players that we were able to add to the team,” Wolf said Friday. “Starting last night and continuing on tonight, obviously helped the offense out. As we move forward here, certainly going to look to address the defense.”
With that, let’s offer up our best players available on the final day of the 2025 NFL Draft. And let’s start with New England’s options on the defensive side of the ball…
Edge defender
Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Sawyer isn’t the longest (32-inch arms) or most powerful in the class. But the 6-foot-4, 260-pounder is going to bring a rugged playing style to the edge of someone’s defense on Day 3. He’s widely considered to have high-end leadership traits. And he should be someone who can chip in as an early-down rotational option.
He showed up in a big way in the College Football Playoff (4.5 sacks in four games), and his motor will make him a coach’s favorite at the next level.
Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Bradyn Swinson, LSU
Swinson has enough size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) and production (8.5 sacks, Second-Team All-SEC) to be added to this list. An Oregon transfer, he plays with the kind of suddenness that could make him an immediate contributor on third downs as a pro.
It may take some time before he’s a true three-down guy, but at some point on Day 3 he’d be a logical fit.
Barryn Sorrell, Texas
Sorrell ended up being voted the American Team’s top defensive lineman during the Senior Bowl week of practices, standing out as one of the best of the best in the offseason’s premier college All-Star showcase. At 6-foot-3, 256 pounds, he has good size and he brings plenty of pop at the point of attack. He’s also hard to keep off the field, which you would think Mike Vrabel appreciates.
Sorrell started 30 straight games at Texas in the last three seasons, racking up 16 sacks in that span. He’s not the quickest or the twitchiest edge defender on this list, but his strength and frenetic style could earn him a rotational role early.
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Defensive tackle
Jordan Phillips, Maryland
A competitive weightlifter during his high school days, Phillips is built like a fortress. At 6-foot-2, 313 pounds, Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List” noted Phillips has squatted nearly 700 pounds and performed two overhead presses of 365 pounds. He’s carried that dogged effort from the weight room to the field, exhibiting powerful hands to get into blockers and jar them upon contact.
While his instincts are unrefined, Phillips’ quickness and upper-body pop could allow him to contribute early along the line of scrimmage wherever he lands.
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Joshua Farmer, Florida State
Another bull-in-a-China-shop defensive tackle, Farmer reportedly visited the Patriots prior to the draft. Sensing a type here?
He’s not the biggest tackle in the class at 6-foot-3, 312 pounds. But he’s long (35-inch arms), and he has some shock in his hands to be able to eat up blocks and free his linebackers to make plays at the second level.
Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Ty Robinson, Nebraska
Energy, energy, energy. No need to worry about want-to with Robinson on the field. At 6-foot-5, 291 pounds, he’s relentless in his pursuit of ball-carriers. And on his way to his destination, he’ll do what he can to run through — or swat away, or swipe past — anyone who happens to get in his way.
On Day 3, buttressing the trenches with an all-out option like Robinson would make some sense for Vrabel and Co.
CJ West, Indiana
West is a squattier option (6-foot-1, 316 pounds), but his explosiveness is hard to ignore. His 4.95-second 40 time at the combine made him just the ninth defensive tackle to weigh at least 315 pounds and run under 5.0 seconds since 2003. His 10-yard split (1.73 seconds) was eye-popping, and he uses that initial snap out of his stance to violently jar opposing blockers.
West started for four years between his time at Kent State and Indiana, and he had just nine sacks in that time. But as a run defender, he’ll have real value.
Linebacker
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
He’s not the best coverage linebacker in this year’s crop. He’s not the most fluid athlete. But Stutsman has good size (6-foot-3, 236 pounds), and he aggressively pursues collisions near the line of scrimmage with backs and their blockers.
He’s confident, fast (4.52-second 40), and he’d certainly qualify as “violent.” Stutsman was also uber productive in college, having compiled over 100 tackles in each of the last three seasons. If the Patriots are looking for a future leader of their defense on Day 2, he seems to have traits they covet.
William Purnell-Imagn Images
Cody Simon, Ohio State
One of the most eye-popping numbers from this group in “The Beast” guide by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler is that Simon played 1,861 career snaps over five seasons and never committed a penalty. He helped the Buckeyes to a national championship last season, starting all 15 games, making 112 tackles (12.5 for a loss), and racking up seven sacks.
His length (31-inch arms) may hurt his ability to get to that level of productivity at the next level, but late on Day 3, you could see the fellow Buckeye in the head coach’s chair in Foxboro taking a chance on Simon as a special-teamer and an early-down ‘backer with real run-game recognition skills.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Smael Mondon, Georgia
Playing hurt is a prerequisite at this position, and Mondon did it in 2023, playing through a foot issue. Despite being lighter than some others on this list (6-foot-2, 224), he has the change-of-direction skill and range to cover ground and be a productive tackler.
A former five-star recruit, Mondon might slide in the draft a bit because of durability questions, but he was a three-year contributor at Georgia and has NFL-caliber athleticism.
Kobe King, Penn State
A two-year starter and 2024 captain for the Nittany Lions, King could eventually be someone’s starting middle linebacker as a pro. The 6-foot-1, 236-pounder has legitimate run-game instincts and plays like he loves contact.
He’s another core-four special-teams option with an old-school mentality. No, he’s not going to be a shutdown player in coverage. But his knack for finding the football on early downs, his football character, and his affinity for driving ball-carriers to the turf make him a fit for this list.
Jack Kiser, Notre Dame
Instincts. Instincts. Instincts. It’s easy to understand how Kiser developed his best trait at the second level. He set a Notre Dame record by playing in a ridiculous 70 games over six seasons. He’ll turn 25 early in his rookie season, but teams may be willing to overlook his age because of his processing power on the field.
He led the Irish in tackles last season (90) and was voted by fellow players as the best linebacker on the American Team during the week of Senior Bowl practices. Another special-teams no-doubter (975 kicking-game snaps), Kiser graduated cum laude with a business analytics degree and then earned his master’s in accounting.
Jay Higgins, Iowa
There are only two unanimous All-American defenders in this class, and Higgins (6-foot-1, 224 pounds) is one of them. (Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts was the other in 2023.) No one had more tackles over the last two years (295) than head coach Kirk Ferentz’s every-down leader from the second level.
Higgins is unafraid to get downhill and jar runners, and his engine always seems to run hot. His intensity and understanding of offensive concepts will give him an opportunity to stick on an NFL roster despite his lack of prototypical size.
Eugene Asante, Auburn
Explosive and unrelentingly tough, Asante is going to have special-teams coaches clamoring for him on Day 3 of the draft. He has over 700 kicking-game reps under his belt, and his 4.48-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-1 and 223 pounds would indicate he’ll continue to stand out in that area as a pro.
He spent three years at North Carolina before transferring to Auburn, where he led the team in tackles in 2023 (86, 8.5 for a loss, 5.0 sacks). With his impressive range, he’ll go sideline to sideline and try to run through anyone who gets in his way.
Can he hold up with that playing style at his size? Late in the draft, the Patriots may be willing to spend a pick on him and find out.
Cornerback
Mac McWilliams, UCF
Whether or not the Patriots have much interest in McWilliams could be determined by whether or not they view his tackling as something that can be cleaned up. There’s no doubt he’s willing to be physical, but over the last two seasons he’s been credited for 19 missed tackles.
The 5-foot-10, 191-pounder is a fluid athlete whose change-of-direction skills should play in the slot at the NFL level.
Jordan Hancock, Ohio State
Hancock is a little longer (6-feet, 195 pounds) than most of the options here, but he looks like a fit for the Patriots since he lived in the slot for Ohio State and was always around the football.
In 16 games for the national champs, he totaled eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles and an interception. Vrabel won’t have to worry about his fellow Buckeye getting ball-carriers on the ground because he’s a sure tackler, and against teams utilizing “big slots” offensively, Hancock could be a nice fit for what will likely be a heavy man-to-man scheme in New England.
Hancock’s teammate Denzel Burke (5-foot-11, 186 pounds) played almost exclusively on the outside, making his projection here a little more murky, but he’s a rugged tackler and could end up being a slot option at the next level as well.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina
If the Patriots are looking for slot defenders with upside, they may want to go elsewhere. Huzzie (5-foot-9, 193 pounds) just tore his ACL in January, and he has six years of college experience under his belt.
His confidence showed, though, when asked to play in man coverage or crash toward the line of scrimmage against the run for the Tar Heels. He also returned 36 punts in his career, including two for touchdowns, giving him some added value for a team in the kicking game if selected late in the draft.
Robert Longerbeam, Rutgers
Longerbeam is another slight defender who may be too light to make this list, but his intangibles make him difficult to leave off.
At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, Longerbeam won’t be anyone’s idea of an enforcer in the slot, but he’s considered to have brought high-end football character to a Rutgers program that pushes its players under head coach Greg Schiano.
Longerbeam clocked a 4.39-second 40 and jumped a whopping 11-foot-2 in the broad jump, indicating he’s an NFL-level athlete. A team captain in 2024, he had five career picks and five forced fumbles.
Marcus Harris, California
Harris is another corner who played primarily on the outside as a collegian but could kick inside and potentially make a name for himself as a pro.
The 5-foot-10, 189-pounder broke up 35 passes over four seasons and seemed to exhibit the kind of change-of-direction skills necessary to compete in the slot. He also proved to be a high-effort contributor after transferring from Oregon State to Idaho. He blocked a kick, forced a fumble and returned one of his two picks for a touchdown in 2022.
In 2023, he was a first-team AP FCS All-American after pulling down three interceptions and returning one for a score. Playing at a higher level of competition for the Bears last year, he picked off two more passes, broke up six total and made 2.5 tackles for loss.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Safety
Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
Seems as though none of our “Best Fits” lists would be complete without a rep from Vrabel’s alma mater. It goes beyond that for Ransom, though, who was a three-year starter at Ohio State and is coming off a season in which he recorded nine tackles for loss and three forced fumbles.
An aggressive tackler, the 6-foot, 206-pounder was a staple of Buckeyes special-teams units as well (two blocked punts on his resume).
Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
Size? Check (6-foot-2, 213 pounds). Explosiveness? Check (37-inch vertical). Quickness? Check (6.72 three-cone drille). Wohler qualifies as a safety fit in Vrabel’s defense for a variety of reasons. He also happened to play for one of Vrabel’s close friends in the business at Wisconsin in head coach Luke Fickell.
When the Badgers finished the season 5-7, and with criticism descending on Fickell in waves, Wohler had his coach’s back. “I love Coach Fick to death,” he said. “I have 100 percent faith that he is going to get this program in a good spot.”
He may not have the speed to play in the deep part of the field (4.57-second 40), but as a physical hitter and high-energy teammate, he could be a match for Vrabel’s program on Day 3.
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Kitan Crawford, S, Nevada
Crawford is another slightly-undersized option for this list at 5-foot-11, 202 pounds. But he was a workout star at this year’s combine, posting a 4.41-second 40, a whopping 41.5-inch vertical, and lightning-quick agility times of 4.03 seconds in the short shuttle and 6.81 seconds in the three-cone.
A former four-star recruit who played four years primarily as a special-teamer at Texas, he transferred to Nevada for 2024. With the Wolf Pack, he played all over the secondary — playing deep, in the box and as a slot defender — and posted a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown.
If the Patriots are looking for a core-four special-teamer who could eventually earn some work defensively because of his off-the-charts athletic traits, Crawford is an intriguing option.
Interior offensive line
Marcus Mbow, Purdue
The Patriots want to be violent on the defensive side of the ball, but if that attitude is something that will be respected on their offense, then Mbow would be worthy of a look as an interior option on Day 2.
There’s some projection involved here, but if the Patriots can take the Boilermakers right tackle and kick him inside to play guard — or even center, where he got some work at the Senior Bowl — he’d give them a hard-nosed grinder to help protect Maye.
Mbow knows how to use his hands to disable pass-rushers and quickly drive them into the turf.
Miles Frazier, LSU
Would be some kind of pairing to place Frazier (6-foot-7, 317 pounds, 9-foot broad jump) with his teammate at left tackle, Will Campbell. Both made Dane Brugler’s list of “Blue Collar Ballers” that he laid out for us on Next Pats earlier this offseason.
“From start to finish, you could tell, [Frazier] is wired differently, he plays differently,” Brugler said of Frazier. “The play demeanor, the competitiveness. We saw that at the Senior Bowl. He was outstanding during the week. He’s not a guy who’s going to blow you away with some of the testing stuff, but he gets the job done. He finishes the mission.
“The toughness factor, the power that he plays with, sometimes it’s a little out of control, but he likes to play physical, likes to play tough. If you’re looking to upgrade on the offensive line, there’s a couple guys on this LSU offensive line that I think will make a lot of sense for the Patriots.”
Jake Majors, Texas
The 6-foot-3, 306-pounder set a school record with 57 starts for the Longhorns. He may be a “center-only” type, but with his intelligence and toughness, the Patriots may still be willing to take a flier on him on Day 3.
The amount of football he’s played would make him a relatively quick study in Josh McDaniels’ offense, being able to help Drake Maye make pre-snap adjustments. Majors would also provide a level of leadership that would be welcome at One Patriot Place.
Jackson Slater, Sacramento State
Slater wouldn’t fit the trend of Wolf-tree draftees on the interior who hailed from big-time programs. But given his performance at the Senior Bowl, there shouldn’t be much question as to whether or not his game will translate from college to pro.
The 6-foot-3, 311-pounder dominated his level of competition to make himself draftable, not allowing a single sack or quarterback hit last season.
Joe Huber, Wisconsin
It’s worth giving Badgers a look this offseason since they’re coached by one of Vrabel’s best friends, Luke Fickell. A walk-on at Cincinnati under Fickell, Huber followed his coach to Wisconsin and started every game the last two seasons at left and right guard.
He doesn’t quite meet the athletic markers we sought for this list (8-foot-10 broad jump, 4.78-second shuttle) but has pro-ready size at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds. And if he gets the right kind of reference from Fickell, he could be a late-round target for the new Patriots head coach.
Drew Kendall, Boston College
Kendall could end up being a steal for a center-needy team thanks to his toughness and athleticism. A captain for Bill O’Brien’s squad, Kendall gets glowing football-character reviews from his former head coach that would likely go a long way with O’Brien’s good friend Vrabel.
Kendall also happens to be one of the best interior-line athletes in this year’s class, running an impressive 5.05-second 40 time at the combine while still recovering from a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Eli Cox, Kentucky
Cox may be a better center option, having started 35 games there over his career. But he has starting guard experience as well (12 games), and his athleticism should translate across positions.
He clocked a 5.03-second 40 at 6-foot-4, 302 pounds to go along with a 9-foot-1 broad jump and a 4.58-second shuttle. He was a two-time captain for the Wildcats and was chair of the SEC Football Leadership Council the last two years.
Connor Colby, Iowa
Vrabel might not have ties to the Kirk Ferentz program that were as strong as Bill Belichick’s, but Colby could fit what this year’s Patriots want. The 6-foot-6, 309-pound interior lineman jumped 9-foot-2 in the broad and clocked a 4.63-second shuttle.
He started all four years for the Hawkeyes and was an All-Big 10 honoree.
Offensive tackle
Logan Brown, Kansas
A former five-star recruit, Brown has some physical traits that are hard to teach. His 9-foot-3 broad jump is indicative of legitimate explosiveness and helped him record an impressive 9.44 RAS. Brown has managed Type 1 diabetes while turning himself into a legitimate tackle prospect. The 6-foot-6, 311-pounder has 34-inch arms and began his career at Wisconsin, where he was dismissed from the team for an “internal incident,” according to then-interim head coach Jim Leonhard.
He was a right tackle at Kansas last season, starting 11 games in his first collegiate season as a true starter, so there would be some projection involved if the Patriots had designs on playing him elsewhere. But his athletic traits could be worthy of a gamble so long as they’re comfortable with his football-character fit.
Carson Vinson, Alabama A&M
Another small-school prospect here with big-time athletic ability. His 9.44 RAS is one of the highest in the class, thanks in part to a 9-foot-3 broad hump and a 28.5-inch vertical. The 6-foot-7, 314-pounder has nearly 35-inch arms and over 10-inch hands, and he might be viewed as a developmental option late on Day 3, but he’s a coordinated athlete with the ability to get on the move in the running game, ready-made power, and an appetite for finishing blocks.
He’ll need some coaching as a pro, but perhaps Doug Marrone sees something in Vinson that would indicate he’s a future contributor if given time to blossom.
Myles Hinton, Michigan
Another mountain of a man for this list, Hinton measured in at the combine at 6-foot-7, 323 pounds and with 34-inch arms. His 31.5-inch vertical jump was among the best in this year’s class, and he displayed good athleticism in space for the Wolverines last season.
The Stanford transfer played on both sides of the line at Michigan, and he has the kind of reputation that would indicate he would be the culture fit Vrabel is looking for.
Jalen Travis, Iowa State
This Senior Bowl invite checks a number of boxes from a physical standpoint. His 9.91 RAS is sky high thanks to massive jumps of 9-foot-4 in the broad and 35 inches in the vertical.
Travis transferred to the Cyclones after finishing his undergrad degree in anthropology at Princeton, which would lead you to believe he’ll be able to comprehend whatever his coaching staff will throw at him as he adjusts to life as a pro.
Hollin Pierce, Rutgers
Pierce checked in at the combine at 6-foot-8, 341 pounds. Sensing a theme here? Late in the draft, it’s worth taking a crack at some hard-to-find traits, and there ain’t many linemen who look like Pierce.
He started at tackle for four years for the Scarlet Knights, using his 36-inch arms in an extraordinarily controlled manner, picking up just four penalties in over 3,000 snaps, according to NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein.
He won’t bring with him the kind of athletic traits the Patriots hold in high regard at the position, but his next-level size could make him worth a late-round flier.
Wide receiver
Tory Horton, Colorado State
Horton doesn’t have the most imposing frame at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, but he posted outlandish production at Colorado State before an injury cut his final season short. He racked up almost 2,300 yards in 2022 and 2023 combined, then suffered a knee injury that robbed him of seven games in 2024. He was, however, healthy enough to run well at this year’s combine (4.41-second 40).
A two-time captain, Horton could’ve left Colorado State for more NIL money at a larger program, but he stuck with the Rams. Perhaps he’ll be an outside-only option as a pro. But in the middle rounds, his speed and start-stop ability will be hard to find elsewhere.
Elic Ayomanor, Stanford
What if I told you there was a receiver in this year’s class who met the best corner in this class and came away from the night with a stat line of 13 catches, 294 yards and three touchdowns?
Ayomanor had the size and speed to give Travis Hunter all kinds of issues two seasons ago.
ELIC AYOMANOR OVER TRAVIS HUNTER IN OT 😱#SCtop10pic.twitter.com/5odnyQrttn
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 14, 2023
Ayomanor is physical, he’s unafraid to mix it up with opposing defensive backs, and he’s considered by NFL evaluators to be a safe mid-round pick thanks to his good-but-not-great on-field athletic traits.
The Deerfield Academy product clocked a 4.47-second 40 to go along with a 38.5-inch vertical in Indy.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn
It’s not often you come across a physical profile like Lambert-Smith’s. The Penn State transfer ran a 4.37-second 40 to go along with a hair-on-fire 3.98-second short shuttle at 6-foot-1, 189 pounds.
The straight-line speed is one thing. And it’s impressive. But that kind of change-of-direction skill as a more angular wideout is wildly impressive. Typically it’s the low-to-the-ground sportscars who can get into the sub-4.0 range on the shuttle. (Think Julian Edelman and Deion Branch.)
Lambert-Smith will need to get stronger at the next level to fight off jams at the line, and he’ll need to prove he can run a wider variety of routes than he did at Auburn. But his speed and length make him an enticing option for a team looking for juice at receiver.
Dont’e Thornton, Tennessee
I know, I know. A fast receiver named Thornton (4.30-second 40). You’re getting flashbacks you’d rather avoid. But don’t hold previous draft misses against the Patriots when it comes to this particular Thornton. He’s a sturdier player at 6-foot-5, 205 pounds and with a 79-inch wingspan, and his college production is hard to ignore.
Dont'e Thornton Jr. with a 4.30U!
HE'S 6'5 by the way! 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/sSLmT3iqq0
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) March 1, 2025
Among receivers who are projected to be drafted, Thornton had the best yards-per-reception figure on passes that traveled at least 20 yards down the field. He caught seven of 10 such targets and averaged a whopping 53.7 yards per pass.
Elijah Badger, Florida
If the Patriots wait until Day 3 for receiver help, Badger is an option worth considering. He had a back injury in 2023 that ended his final season at Arizona State prematurely. But he has real burst (4.43-second 40) and averaged 20.7 yards per catch last season (39 receptions, 806 yards).
Badger also could be a factor as a kick-returner under the NFL’s new rules that should encourage more returns moving forward. The Patriots could use an athletic presence on the outside, and if they miss on some higher-end targets early, Badger could provide value late.
Running back
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
If you’re looking for a big back (5-foot-9, 219 pounds) who gets every last inch of every carry, Skattebo is your guy. He may not last all that long as a pro with his running style, but that doesn’t make his physical approach any less impressive.
The former Sacramento State back racked up 69 catches for 891 yards and four touchdowns in two seasons at Arizona State. He also took 50 snaps at quarterback as he helped put the Sun Devils on his back and carry them to the College Football Playoff. He even has eight punts to his name. For a fan of versatility like Vrabel, Skattebo feels like a fit in New England.
Damien Martinez, Miami
Speaking of battering rams… Martinez (6-feet, 217 pounds) was a menace for opposing defenses last season. The Oregon State transfer ran for 1,185 yards and nine touchdowns.
He also forced 57 missed tackles — stepping through tackles, running through tackles, juking tackles with a nifty “dead leg” move in open space — on his way to being one of Miami’s most reliable weapons.
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
The 6-foot-1, 224-pounder certainly has the frame to hold up on early-down carries as a pro. The question is if he has the juice to be a bellcow type at the next level.
For our purposes, his 4.57-second 40 is good enough to be mentioned here. More importantly, he’ll fall forward for extra yardage, and he does just enough as a receiver to make him an option in the passing game. He’s not going to electrify Gillette Stadium on a regular basis, but he has a nose for the end zone, having scored a school record 23 touchdowns last season to go with his 1,537 yards rushing and 188 yards receiving.
Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
Gordon checked in at the combine weighing 226 pounds at 6-foot-1, but he was 233 at the Senior Bowl just before going to Indy. He’s the definition of a big back. He carried 537 times for almost 3,000 yards over his career, scoring 36 touchdowns. He also caught 80 passes, suggesting he could be used on all three downs in Foxboro.
He was arrested last summer on suspicion of DUI so Vrabel would have to feel comfortable with Gordon’s decision-making off the field, but he was the Doak Walker Award-winner two seasons ago (best running back in college football) and a First-Team All-American. If the Patriots want to bet on his talent, they could end up with a mid-round steal.
Kalel Mullings, Michigan
Mullings checks in at almost 6-foot-2 and 226 pounds, making the former Wolverines linebacker one of the biggest backs in the draft, and he didn’t fumble on 185 attempts last year.
From West Roxbury and Milton Academy, joining the Patriots would be a homecoming of sorts for Mullings, whose rugged style was apparent when he bounced off contact to essentially clinch The Game over Ohio State last season.
24 Top Plays from 2024 Michigan Football
#3: Kalel Mullings Huge 3rd Down Conversion vs. Ohio State pic.twitter.com/oEkYeQhYCg
— Swanky Wolverine (@swankywolverine) January 31, 2025
Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
Durability could be a concern with Sanders, whose 2023 was ended prematurely due to knee and shoulder issues. But the back nicknamed “Rocket” bounced back in 2024 after transferring from Arkansas. He was a second-team All-SEC player and a Comeback Player of the Year, picking up 881 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.
A hard-charging downhill runner, Sanders (6-feet, 217 pounds) would likely be an upside play on Day 3.
Tight end
Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska
At 6-foot-5 and 243 pounds, Fidone is lighter than the tight ends typically valued by the Wolf tree. But he has the frame to put on more weight (83-inch wingspan, 34-inch arms) and athleticism that can’t be taught. He ran a 4.29-second shuttle and a 7.01-second three-cone drill, indicating real movement skills to weave in and out of tight spaces in the middle of the field.
He also flashed explosiveness with his athletic testing at the combine, recording a 35.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-6 broad jump. He lost two seasons to knee injuries early in his career, but if he can stay healthy, add some strength, and maintain his burst, he could be one of the steals of the draft in the middle rounds.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
This draft is loaded with tight end talent that should be available in the later rounds. Evans is right up there among the best of the rest, measuring in at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds, and good enough quickness (4.4-second shuttle). He tore his ACL back in 2023, ending his season. He returned for the start of 2024 and improved over time, finishing the year with a team-leading 43 catches.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares Evans to gritty Chargers tight end Will Dissly, who finished last season with 50 catches. Evans could be a traditional “Y” tight end option for McDaniels, but he also had extensive experience at Notre Dame motioning and shifting.
Seventy percent of Evans’ catches in his career went for first downs or touchdowns, and even if he’s not a next-level athlete at the position, he projects as a reliable zone-puncturing target.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Luke Lachey, Iowa
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Hawkeyes are sending another impressive tight end to the NFL.
The 6-foot-6, 251-pounder isn’t George Kittle. But Lachey has the size to be an impactful people-mover and doesn’t mind physicality. Like Kittle (or the other countless NFL tight ends produced by Kirk Ferentz’s program) he’ll understand early on what he’s asked to execute in the running game at the next level.
A finalist for the Campbell Trophy (also known as the Academic Heisman) and the son of longtime NFL lineman Jim Lachey, he has plenty of qualities teams will appreciate. His injury history could drop him down the board a bit, however, as he missed most of 2023 with an ankle issue. Last season he caught 28 passes for 231 yards.
Robbie Ouzts, Alabama
Alabama’s CJ Dippre (6-foot-5, 256 pounds, 9.13 RAS) has the frame and testing numbers to make him worthy of a mention here. But it’s his teammate who seems like a better fit.
With McDaniels back as offensive coordinator, it’d be downright irresponsible not to include fullback options on this list. Ouzts might be the most intriguing of the bunch at 6-foot-3 and 274 pounds. He packs a punch at the line of scrimmage, and he has loads of experience as a lead-blocker for a hard-charging running game.
But he wasn’t exclusively a blocker for ‘Bama. He had 108 receiving yards last season and looked surprisingly smooth in the gauntlet drill at this year’s combine. His 34-inch vertical in Indy was the best by a tight end weighing over 270 pounds since 2003.
Ouzts also played for former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien when O’Brien was on the staff for the Crimson Tide, and he told 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth he considered O’Brien a “mastermind.”
If the Patriots are looking for a fullback to play for an offensive coordinator who has made good use of the position in the past, Ouzts would make a lot of sense.
John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
Gadsden’s father played receiver in the NFL in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which is where Gadsden began his career for the Orange.
He converted to tight end ahead of the 2022 season and was ultimately named a First-Team All-ACC honoree after racking up 61 catches for a school record 969 yards that season. He nearly cracked 1,000 yards again a season ago (934), and was named a third-team AP All-American.
Gadsden would fit for New England as a bit of an undersized athlete (6-foot-5, 243 pounds), like Okonkwo. If the Patriots are looking for another “move” option to add to 2024 seventh-rounder Jaheim Bell, Gadsden is an option.
Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
Wherever he lands as a pro, Conyers (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) will provide a rare combination of size and quickness. He’s not the tallest in this class, but he has plenty of length (33.25-inch arms, 10-inch hands) to help his catch radius. And his 4.27-second shuttle was the best in this year’s class.
Conyers spent time at three different schools (Oklahoma, Arizona State, Texas Tech), and he’ll have to check out for the Patriots from a football-character standpoint. But the second-team All-Big 12 honoree last season is an impressive athlete, who has even been used to throw the football at times. He completed six of seven attempts for 40 yards and a touchdown over the last two years.
Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
Hawes might be the best true blocking tight end in the class. He wouldn’t be an eventual replacement for either Henry or Hooper — both of whom have real receiving chops — but he could provide immediate depth as a road-grading option. The 6-foot-5, 253-pounder ran a 4.4-second shuttle time, satisfying one of the thresholds the Wolf tree has seemed to value over time.
Hawes spent five years at Yale before joining the Yellow Jackets, handling the dirty work asked of him after making the jump in competition level. The Patriots will have to determine if the man strength Hawes exhibited against younger defenders will translate at the next level. If they think it will, he could be worthy of a late-round flier.
Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh
For a team that is going to prioritize the development of a certain kind of culture under Mike Vrabel, Bartholomew feels like he’d have a positive impact in that regard. A captain at Pitt, he’s considered a grinder and a coach’s dream. In 2023, he was named to the Allstate Good Works Team for his work in the community.
He’s not an uber athlete, but he has good size (6-foot-5, 246 pounds) and could be a factor in the kicking game. He caught 38 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Moliki Motavao, UCLA
Not too many tight ends built this way anymore. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Motavao began his career at Oregon before transferring to UCLA in 2023. He led the Bruins with 41 catches in 11 games last season, showing some skills as a receiver to go along with a frame that looks like it’s ready-made for blocking duties in the NFL.
He’ll need to refine his in-the-trenches technique, but his size and quickness as a route runner are hard to find. As a traits-based flier, he could make sense for Vrabel late on draft weekend.
Quarterback
Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard’s hand size (nine inches) might make him a tough fit for Wolf, but the Patriots took Maye last year with his hand size bumping right up against the low end of the threshold we’ve pegged here (9 1/8 inches). Otherwise, Howard is a passer who looks like New England’s type.
At 6-foot-4, 236 pounds, he has the frame to be able to stand tall in the pocket and absorb a hit. He’s also accurate enough to be intriguing for McDaniels, compiling a 73 percent completion rate (second in FBS) last season en route to a National Championship. Howard is a good enough athlete to make plays on the move, too, picking up 57 yards rushing on 16 carries in the championship game to help him earn the game’s Offensive MVP award.
He may need time to develop his understanding of how to get through progressions, but he’d have nothing but time to sit and watch in Foxboro.
Kyle McCord, Syracuse
The player Howard replaced in Columbus had a renaissance of sorts in 2024. Kyle McCord went from managing games at Ohio State to trying to carry a less-talented complement of weapons at Syracuse.
His gun-slinging approach got him into trouble at times with the Orange (12 interceptions), but he completed 66 percent of his passes and set an FBS record with 4,779 yards in his 13 starts last season.
He’s not as dynamic an athlete as some others in this class, but the 6-foot-3, 218-pounder will bring with him to the NFL the kind of toughness that could help him stick as a backup on someone’s roster.
Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
Brady Cook, Missouri
Which Cook do the Patriots see when they evaluate him ahead of this year’s draft?
Is he the player he was in 2023, when he passed for 3,317 yards, 21 touchdowns and five picks? When he set an SEC record for passes thrown without a pick? Or is he the player he was when they last saw him in 2024, when he passed for 2,535 yards, 11 touchdowns and two picks?
The 6-foot-2, 214-pounder was a three-year captain for the Tigers, has a live enough arm, and is athletic enough to be considered for this list (9.72 Relative Athletic Score, per Kent Lee Platte). He played through injury last season, which impacted his overall performance, and if the Patriots liked what they saw from him two seasons ago, he looks like an enticing late-round flier.
Matt Bush-Imagn Images
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
If the Patriots want to add a little toughness to their locker room, it would be hard to find a tougher option than Rourke at the quarterback spot. He played through a torn ACL in 2024 after transferring from Ohio University and still set a school record with 29 touchdown passes.
The Ontario native’s athleticism may be limited early on, since he had his knee surgically repaired in January. But his size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), touch and skills to maneuver inside the pocket make him an interesting fit for McDaniels and the Patriots.
Rourke’s brother Nathan played under Bill O’Brien in New England briefly in 2023 and completed nearly 80 percent of his passes (78.7 percent) for the British Columbia Lions in 2022.
Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
from NFL News, Scores, Fantasy Games and Highlights 2020 | Yahoo Sports https://ift.tt/0oilsH3
6 players Giants should consider on Day 3 of 2025 NFL Draft
The Giants drafted another defensive lineman – Darius Alexander from Toledo – with their lone Day 2 pick on Friday night. New York has four more picks scheduled for Saturday, beginning with the third pick of the fourth round. At this stage, priorities tend to shift from needs toward value but, having only made three selections so far, the Giants have a few outstanding needs that could be addressed.
Let’s look at who the Giants could be considering drafting on Saturday.
Texas OT Cameron Williams
The Giants added plenty of offensive line depth in the offseason by signing James Hudson and Stone Forsythe in free agency and re-signing last year’s starting right guard Greg Van Roten. While many Giants fans wanted to bring in an upgrade, the team may be satisfied with their depth and more inclined to target a developmental project.
Williams is one player who could be an option who could be groomed to a potential starter at right tackle. Last season, he played well despite being limited by a heel injury, which has since been surgically repaired so there is some potential upside here.
Colorado State WR Tory Horton
The Giants would like to bring in another young player to compete for time alongside Malik Nabers and the 6-foot-3 Horton is a player who probably would have gone much higher had he not missed most of last season with a knee injury.
Horton had over 1,100 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in both 2022 and 2023 and brings some big play potential to the table, having run a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine. He also has some potential special teams value with a punt return touchdown in each of the last three years.
UTSA CB Zah Frazier
The Giants only intercepted five passes last season and nobody had more than one, so if a playmaking defensive back falls to them on Day 3, it could add a useful dimension to their secondary.
Frazier intercepted six passes last season, so he could be exactly the kind of player New York is looking for. He has excellent length at 6-foot-3 and is a terrific athlete who ran the fifth-fastest 40-yard dash for any cornerback at this season's NFL Combine with a 4.36.
Oklahoma LB Danny Stutsman
Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden are back in 2025 after combining for 200 tackles and five sacks at linebacker for the Giants last season. However, the Giants could be interested in adding a third linebacker to provide depth and to get reps in base packages when three linebackers are on the field with an eye on a full-time role from next year onward.
Stutsman has had plenty of experience and production at the collegiate level, as he racked up almost 350 tackles in three years as a starter for the Sooners. He has excellent length and has good potential against the run, in coverage and as a pass rusher.
Georgia G Xavier Truss
As noted earlier, the Giants added veteran depth on their offensive line during the offseason but could now be looking to add some youth and upside. The ability of Jermaine Eluemunor to be a reliable starter at guard or tackle affords them flexibility in terms of who they might look to add to the mix.
If they look to add to their interior depth, Truss could be an option. He could be a useful reserve because he started games at four different positions on a team with multiple other NFL prospects. Two of his linemates were drafted on Day 2, so Truss’s own contributions were potentially overshadowed.
FSU DT Joshua Farmer
The Giants already addressed their interior defensive line by drafting Alexander on Friday, but could they be compelled to “double-dip” in what is supposedly a historically deep defensive tackle class?If they do, the 22-year-old Farmer is regarded as one of the best available options still on the board and the Giants will have plenty of options because they have an early selection with just two other teams selecting ahead of them. Farmer has outstanding length and racked up nine sacks over the last two seasons.
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6 players Jets should consider on Day 3 of 2025 NFL Draft
The Jets filled a key need at tight end with the selection of Mason Taylor in the second round on Friday and then added cornerback Azareye'h Thomas in the third. New York currently has five selections scheduled for Saturday, including a fourth-rounder.
Let’s look at some prospects who could be on their radar:
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders
The obvious place to start is with the man who has arguably been the biggest story of the draft so far. Sanders was once considered by many analysts to be a lock to be selected within the first three picks but, as it turned out, he wasn’t even selected in the first three rounds.
The assumption is that teams may have been turned off by his attitude during pre-draft interviews but, at some point, the potential value becomes too good to pass up. Scouts clearly felt at some point that Sanders had the talent to be a future starting quarterback at the NFL level and not getting drafted until Day 3 could potentially have been a humbling experience for him. With a chip on his shoulder and the pressure of being a high draft pick no longer an issue, could the Jets be tempted to take a flyer on Sanders?
Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai
The Jets continue to insist that Breece Hall is not being traded but that wouldn’t necessarily prevent the team from bringing in a running back with a Day 3 pick, as they indeed have for each of the past four drafts.
Monangai, who played five seasons of college football in New Jersey but is still only 22, has been productive and durable, but could drop to the later rounds after only running a 4.60 at his combine workout. Aaron Glenn said after the Thomas pick that he values film more than workout numbers which could suggest he’d see value in a player like Monangai.
One thing Monangai brings to the table is an ability to pick up the blitz, which many rookies struggle with. This would mean he could step right into the line-up in the event of an injury.
Clemson S RJ Mickens
The Jets have a lot of players with positional flexibility in their secondary, but Tony Adams, Andre Cisco and Isaiah Oliver are all on one-year deals, so they will be in the market for someone who can be a potential starter in the long term.
Mickens makes sense because of his connection to Glenn, who was a teammate of his father – “Big Play” Ray Mickens – in the Jets’ secondary from 1996 to 2001. Unlike his diminutive father, the 24-year-old Mickens has adequate size, but he shares some of the same playmaking abilities with seven career interceptions for the Tigers. He also impressed at the Combine with a 41.5-inch vertical while also running sub-4.5 seconds.
Purdue G Marcus Mbow
The Jets could use some quality depth at the guard positions because their current primary interior reserve, Josh Myers, has only played center at the NFL and collegiate levels. They may also be keen to find someone to start in 2026 and beyond should either John Simpson or Alijah Vera-Tucker not return next year.
Mbow was a tackle in college but is considered to lack the length to play that position at the NFL level, so he’s likely to move inside. A year on the bench to sit behind Simpson and Vera-Tucker could make for a smooth transition to the guard position for the athletic 22-year-old.
Kentucky DT Deone Walker
The Jets were widely thought to have been looking to pick up an interior defensive lineman in the third round, but there was a run on defensive tackles, so they opted to go in another direction. It’s possible they are higher on their overall depth at the position than anticipated, which could mean that they will look for upside and development potential from this deep defensive tackle class, rather than someone who can start immediately.
One of the key contributors to Glenn’s defense last season was DJ Reader and Walker is another 330-pound plus run plugger like Reader who could potentially grow into a similar role with the Jets. At Kentucky, Walker also showed some versatility, lining up on the edge at times.
South Alabama WR Jamaal Pritchett
Xavier Gipson has been the Jets’ primary slot receiver and return specialist over the past two seasons, but he hasn’t necessarily been as reliable as expected in the return game, and his offensive production and playing time fell off last year.
If the Jets want to bring in someone to compete for Gipson’s role, Pritchett could be a good option in the later rounds. He had a 1,000-yard season last year with 91 catches and also averaged over 15 yards per punt return. He’s somewhat undersized at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, but could have some potential in a slot receiver role at the pro level.
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Hernández: Can the Lakers overcome their biggest vulnerability exposed during their Game 3 loss?
Somehow, the Lakers concealed the shortcoming in plain sight for months, enough to where the situation looked manageable.
That was then.
Now, in a postseason series against an athletic team with size, their lack of a big man has become a major problem. Now, as the Lakers find themselves with a two-games-to-one deficit in their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the absence of a reliable center could be why their season comes to a premature end.
Luka Doncic was said to be feeling awful on Friday night, and his play reflected it. However, an equal, if not greater, factor in the Lakers’ 116-104 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 3 was the team’s complete inability to protect the rim.
Considering how Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards practically skipped to their basket on Saturday night at Target Center, the Lakers might as well have replaced their free-throw lane with a red carpet.
The Timberwolves knew the Lakers couldn’t stop them, and the numbers reflected their lack of respect. They attempted 45 shots in the paint, compared to 28 for the Lakers. They scored 56 points in the paint, compared to 26 for the Lakers.
McDaniels scored 30 points, including 24 in the paint. Edwards finished with 29 points and a team-high eight assists.
“The fact is we don’t have rim protection,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “So if you give up blow-bys, we’re gonna give up something.”
Read more:With Luka Doncic ailing, LeBron James' historic night can't save Lakers in Game 3 loss
The Lakers technically have a center in seven-footer Jaxson Hayes, but Redick clearly doesn’t want to play him, evidenced by how Hayes has logged nine or fewer minutes in each of the three games of this series. The nine minutes Hayes played on Friday were particularly destructive, as he registered a plus/minus of minus-13.
Hayes was a backup before the Lakers sent Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks as part of the trade for Doncic, and Davis’ departure shouldn’t have changed that. Hayes is who he is.
The Lakers knew this could be a problem, which is why they had a deal in place to acquire center Mark Williams for the Charlotte Hornets before the trade deadline. But Williams underwent a physical examination, the Lakers were concerned with what they saw, and the trade was rescinded.
Perhaps general manager Rob Pelinka should have gambled on the 7-foot Williams, who was healthy for the remainder of the regular season. Or perhaps Pelinka should have lined up contingencies in case the trade for Williams didn’t work out. Or perhaps he should have gathered more accurate information on the injury-prone Williams beforehand, which could have saved the Lakers time and afforded them the luxury of redirecting their efforts elsewhere. Or perhaps there was nothing he could have done, given the shortage of available big men.
None of that matters now. What’s done is done, and the season autopsy can wait until the summer. The Lakers have a series to win.
Figuring out how to do that is the job of Redick, who said he believed his team could overcome its size deficit.
“We’ve done it all year,” he said. “When we’ve been at our best, we’ve been able to be physical on the ball and not allow blow-bys and also have sort of a cover mentality, multiple effort and it was there at times tonight.”
Forward Dorian Finney-Smith shared a similar view.
Read more:'Be a banshee': How the Lakers cultivated a winning spirit
“Just gotta do a better job of standing in front of the ball,” Finney-Smith said. “I feel like we were just giving up too many blow-bys, and it really ain’t had nothing to do with our size. It was just on-base defense and rotations outside of when we gotta scramble. I feel like we didn’t have the sense of urgency the whole game, and they did.”
Redick pointed to some of the other mistakes made by his team.
“I think we had two [plays] where we collected a rebound, we get backtapped, we give up a point,” he said. “Those things really, really accumulate, especially when you’re turning the ball over.”
Provided Doncic recovers from whatever made him vomit over and over in the hours leading up to the Game 3, the Lakers have two of the best players in the league in him and James. They have a dangerous No. 3 option in Austin Reaves. They have solid defenders in Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt. But they don’t have a big man, and at this moment, what they don’t have feels as important as what they do.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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Friday, April 25, 2025
NFL draft: Jags trade up for Travis Hunter as QB-needy teams pass on Shedeur Sanders
The first pick of the 2025 NFL draft went much as expected as the Tennessee Titans selected the talented Miami quarterback Cam Ward No 1 overall. It was at No 2 – and who wasn’t picked later – where things got a little more interesting on Thursday night in Green Bay.
Jacksonville, who had been sitting at No 5, traded up to take the Cleveland Browns’ spot at No 2, where the Jaguars selected Travis Hunter. Hunter is one of the most fascinating players to enter the NFL in years: a superbly talented athlete who can play both offense, at wide receiver, and defense, at cornerback. In return, the Browns received four picks, including the Jags’ second- and fourth-rounders this year and their 2026 first-rounder. Jacksonville also received a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder in return from the Browns.
But one man whose name wouldn’t be called all night was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Some scouts believe Sanders, who was coached at Colorado by his father and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, is a better prospect than Ward. Others had raised questions about his arm strength and readiness for the NFL.
Related: Travis Hunter wants to be the NFL’s Shohei Ohtani. Will anyone let him?
Pittsburgh were seen as a possible landing spot for Sanders but they opted for Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the 21st pick. The New York Giants then traded for the Texans’ pick at No 25. They did go for a quarterback, but instead chose Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss. Sanders will now have to wait until at least the second round, which starts on Friday, to learn his future.
“We all didn’t expect this, of course, but I feel like with God, anything possible, everything possible,” Sanders said after falling out the first round. “I don’t feel like this happened for no reason. All of this is, of course, fuel to the fire. Under no circumstances did we all know this was going to happen, but we understand we on to bigger and better things. Tomorrow’s the day. We going to be happy regardless.”
Ward had to endure no such wait. Titans fans cheered inside the draft theater after hearing his name called. An overlooked high school player out of Texas, Ward began his college career at Incarnate Word, an FCS school in San Antonio. He played two seasons at Washington State after transferring there in 2022 and then set school records in his only season at Miami, finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
The Titans are coming off a three-win season and have missed the playoffs for three straight years. Ward is the fourth quarterback Tennessee have drafted in the first round over the past two decades, joining Marcus Mariota (No 2, 2015), Jake Locker (No 8, 2011) and Vince Young (No 3, 2006). Mariota is the only QB drafted by Tennessee in that span who led the team to a playoff win, and that was back in 2017.
Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick in 2023, is 5-16 as a starter in his two seasons with the Titans. Ward, who is expected to be QB1 next season in Nashville, led the country with 39 touchdown passes and finished second with 4,313 yards passing while leading the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record. Ward also had only seven interceptions and completed 67.2% of his passes.
The top three was rounded out by the Giants, who went for Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter. Carter, who led the country with 23.5 tackles for loss and also had 12 sacks last season, bolsters a Giants defense that already has solid pass rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, plus a strong D-line that includes Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence.
The New England Patriots decided to add protection for Drake Maye, the promising quarterback they took in the first round last year, by selecting LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. At 6ft 6in and 320lb, Campbell was a three-year starter for the Tigers and a first-team All-America selection as a junior last season. Campbell played 37 of his 38 college games at left tackle and logged 2,451 snaps. He allowed just two sacks over the past two seasons, and now his job will be to protect the blind side of Maye.
The Browns, picking at No 5 after their trade with the Jaguars, chose Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, the defensive MVP in the Rose Bowl during the Wolves’ national championship season in 2023.
“We felt like it was a fantastic opportunity for our organization to go down three spots and add a player in the trenches,” the Browns GM, Andrew Berry, said of the trade with the Jags after selecting Graham.
The first running back off the board arrived when the Las Vegas Raiders selected Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick. Las Vegas averaged just 79.8 yards rushing per game last season – the worst rushing offense in the NFL – and Jeanty may remind Raiders coach Pete Carroll of Marshawn Lynch, whom he coached in Seattle. Jeanty often went his own version of “Beast Mode” at Boise State and was the only player, according to Pro Football Focus, to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season on plays that included a broken tackle.
In a first round short of quarterbacks, the New York Jets selected Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou with the seventh pick. Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan went to the Carolina Panthers with the No 8 pick. At No 9, the New Orleans Saints chose Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.
Michigan’s Colston Loveland became the first tight end off the board when the Chicago Bears selected him at No 10. Loveland set a school record for a tight end with 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns as a junior last season. Loveland gives the Bears a potentially potent tight-end tandem with Cole Kmet. New coach Ben Johnson liked to use two tight ends when he was Detroit’s offensive coordinator.
There was a roar from the home crowd in Green Bay when they took the talented Texas wide receiver, Matthew Golden, at No 23. It broke a long trend for the Packers: they had not picked a wide receiver in the first round since 2002.
NFL 2025 first-round picks
1) Tennessee Titans, Cam Ward, QB, Miami
2) Jacksonville Jaguars, Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado (from Browns)
3) New York Giants, Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
4) New England Patriots, Will Campbell, OT, LSU
5) Cleveland Browns, Mason Graham, DT, Michigan (from Jaguars)
6) Las Vegas Raiders, Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
7) New York Jets, Armand Membou, OT, Missouri
8) Carolina Panthers, Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
9) New Orleans Saints, Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
10) Chicago Bears, Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
11) San Francisco 49ers, Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia
12) Dallas Cowboys, Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
13) Miami Dolphins, Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
14) Indianapolis Colts, Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
15) Atlanta Falcons, Jalon Walker, LB, Alabama
16) Arizona Cardinals, Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
17) Cincinnati Bengals, Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&M
18) Seattle Seahawks, Grey Zabel, OG, North Dakota State
19) Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
20) Denver Broncos, Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
21) Pittsburgh Steelers, Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
22) Los Angeles Chargers, Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
23) Green Bay Packers, Matthew Golden, WR, Texas
24) Minnesota Vikings, Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
25) New York Giants, Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (from Texans)
26) Atlanta Falcons, James Pearce Jr, edge, Tennessee (from Rams)
27) Baltimore Ravens, Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
28) Detroit Lions, Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State
29) Washington Commanders, Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon
30) Buffalo Bills, Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky
31) Philadelphia Eagles, Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama (from Chiefs)
32) Kansas City Chiefs, Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State (from Eagles)
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