The Giants will have to be careful to avoid putting too much on Reese too soon and force him to wear too many hats. However, he showed an aptitude for processing a significant amount of information in [Ohio State University’s] defense, so he might be able to handle more than the average rookie.
Reese’s length, athleticism, processing, strength, and spatial awareness all give him a very high upside as an off-ball linebacker. His upside as a blitzer should allow a dangerous Giants’ pass rush to be even more fearsome, even as he needs to hone his game in that area… it’ll be absolutely fascinating to see how a coach with as diverse a background as Dennard Wilson uses Reese.
Abdul Carter. Carter’s rookie season is a study in the box score vs. advanced stats. The box score shows an underwhelming 4.5 sacks (a half sack through the first 12 games), but the advanced stats reveal a disruptive presence who had the most quick pressures (a pressure in under 2.5 seconds) and ranked 11th among edge defenders in total pressures. The eye test lined up with the advanced stats, as Carter displayed an explosiveness off the edge that suggests a breakout second season is coming. The key will be Carter becoming more committed to doing everything it takes to be a great player, something he started to do late last season after multiple benchings for missing meetings.
10. Francis Mauigoa, G, New York Giants Initial Role: Starting RG. The New York Giants used their second first-round draft pick on Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. The 2025 consensus All-American was the second-ranked interior lineman on the final B/R board but was also deemed the draft’s best run blocker at the position.
Mauigoa, it would seem, wasted little time solidifying himself as a starter for the Giants. Barring a major setback in camp, Mauigoa will be a Week 1 starter for the Giants.
But if we truly appreciate how Harbaugh wants this offense to set the tone, there is going to be a tremendous burden placed on the backfield that still has something to prove. Saying there is concern is not to say this can’t be a talented group with Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy at the top with Motor Singletary as a solid reserve.
If Skattebo delivers on that promise, with Tracy expanding his game as well, the Giants won’t have anything to worry about. The question Harbaugh must be prepared to not only answer, but find a counter solution: what if they don’t? This is a huge part of the puzzle, which means Skattebo and Tracy will play enormous roles in the success of this offense.
Two former Giants were ranked in the Top 10 for the best interior game-wreckers based on votes from league executives, scouts and coaches: Seattle Seahawk Leonard Williams at No. 1 and Cincinnati Bengal Dexter Lawrence II at No. 7.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 10: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinal game against the San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena on December 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
You hear weird rumors when you work in basketball. That seems to be especially true if you cover the Cleveland Cavaliers and the subject of those rumors is LeBron James.
Back in March, I had a friend tell me that LeBron was coming back because he heard from someone, who knows a dentist, and that dentist said the James family booked appointments for later that winter. That friend swears on the story, but there’s obviously no way to actually back that up.
This rumor certainly isn’t one to put any stock in. Yet, it’s the type of thing you hear repeated around Northeast Ohio. LeBron has just been in the community for too long to avoid things like this. Everyone seems to know someone who knows someone else who claims to know what’s actually happening. None of it is worth reporting or believing from serious basketball insiders. But maybe there is some kernel of truth in it after all.
Let’s get into some of what people on the streets are saying in this massive game of telephone.
First, we have the baker from Cleveland’s Little Italy who told everyone back in May that LeBron was coming back because Charles Oakley told him that’s what Maverick Carter told him.
WE HAVE FAN SOURCES SAYING LEBRON IS 95% COMING BACK!!!!
The next one isn’t from Northeast Ohio. A New York Jets podcaster, Tony Vegas, said that his brother-in-law golfed with Bronny and told him LeBron was coming back to Cleveland. Vegas has since taken the tweets down due to being “yelled at.”
Returning to Northeast Ohio, someone told Emmett Golden of ESPN Cleveland that James was coming back. This person also told Golden of LeBron’s broken hand in the 2018 Finals, so maybe they actually are connected.
🚨🚨🚨The streets are talking and they're telling @egoldie80 that LeBron and Bronny are coming home 👀👀👀
"Someone who reached out to me in the past and was right… reached out to me yesterday, late last night… Bron and Bronny back to Cleveland" 😯😯😯 pic.twitter.com/7ZF0W3Dnlc
Then there was the infamous Cupcake Lady from 2014. Now they run Poke Fresh Ohio in Canton. They said LeBron was coming back, but with Bronny and Draymond Green as well. However, they then walked it back, saying they were just joking.
These aren’t the only ones that are floating around out there. I’ve heard stuff about local golf club pros confirming the return, rumblings from the local youth sports scene, and rumors from other local media members.
The main thread in these rumors is that they’re unreliable and probably shouldn’t be believed. Yet, here they are circulating and being published once again on the internet.
The lack of concrete noise, due to the tight operation LeBron and Rich Paul are running in free agency, has left a vacuum. Almost by design, fans are left to track Instagram photos, planes, and who’s playing golf with who. If the reporters aren’t able to get any actual updates, people are left to try to find out for themselves or create their own narratives.
We’ll find out soon enough what James is planning. All we can say now is either LeBron’s second return to Cleveland is the worst-kept secret in the world, or everyone is lying.
SANTA CLARA, CA - JUNE 03: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks with the media after a team OTA practice at SAP Performance Facility on June 3, 2026 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
K.J. Wright never planned to be a coach. Now, could he be the next DeMeco Ryans? (Paywall) “Norton said if there was an 8 p.m. team meeting the night before a game, Wright would show up at 6 p.m. On practice days, coach and protege would arrive at the facility at 6 a.m. The goal, Norton said, was to supply his mentee with as much information as possible, to give him total command.
“I wanted him to feel invincible out there,” he said.
Pretty soon, other teammates began coming in early for what Norton described as a daily breakfast club.
“What I loved most about Nort was he took the extra time with me outside of that block that we have as a football team,” Wright said. “‘Hey, meet me here at 6 o’clock in the morning.’ That ain’t on the schedule. But he met with me there. He was honest with me. He embarrassed me sometimes in front of the room. I didn’t like it. But when you push a player, they have no choice but to rise to the occasion, or they’re gonna fold.”
Wright, who turns 37 on July 23, said he’s started his own breakfast club with his pupils, especially Tatum Bethune and Jalen Graham, who are in his office every morning.
Asked if he shows the youngsters clips of himself — the 49ers’ defense is similar to what the Seahawks ran 15 years ago — Wright admits he nearly did when putting together a recent edge-setting montage.
“But I didn’t do it,” he said. “I probably do need to do it. ‘This is what it looks like, guys.’ … So that may come about. But I don’t want to be that coach, though.”
The 49ers’ breakout candidate in 2026 is also their secret weapon on defense “Stout will make his presence felt as a pass rusher in his second year. He only rushed the passer 39 times as a rookie. That number should triple under Raheem Morris. He generated a 23.1 pressure percentage. Eight of those were of the quick variety. Stout’s average time to pressure was 2.13 seconds. That’s a weapon that needs to be used more. Despite the low blitz volume, Stout finished eighth in quick pressures as a rookie….I’d argue that the more you use Stout as a pass rusher, the more his confidence grows. That should bleed into his coverage skills and help him become a more complete player as the season goes along.”
“I luv Johnny Holland, and my dawg John Lynch,” Foster wrote on social media. “Ppl dont always understand Kyle coaching style, but I’ve liv it. Tough coaching isnt hate it’s accountability. Saban built champs the same way. Kyle has a job to do, like he expects every player to do theirs. There are levels to this.”
Kawakami: 49ers can’t win Aiyuk Cold War if they never end it, the LeBron wait, and more (paywall) “Mostly, the 49ers’ leaders wanted to make it very clear that they didn’t have to do anything that would ease and quicken Aiyuk’s transition to his next team, loudly proclaimed by him to be the Washington Commanders. (Unless, say, the Commanders wanted to toss over a sixth- or seventh-round pick to make it happen.)
Until Aiyuk reports to the team and forces the 49ers to make a call on his future, they don’t have to do anything — he doesn’t count on their roster or salary cap, showing up only on the “reserve/left squad” limbo land.
And Aiyuk hasn’t shown up. He says he won’t show up, even if that’s the simplest solution. You can almost picture Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, and the rest of the 49ers’ leaders shaking their heads with a giant thought bubble over their heads: See what it’s been like dealing with this guy for the last few years?
But there’s not much of a point, anymore, especially after Aiyuk recently shifted some of his online barbs to Washington quarterback and (former?) pal Jayden Daniels.
Was this the goal? The 49ers have held onto Aiyuk long enough not only for him to burn all bridges with them but inevitably to start nuking his relationship with Washington before even getting there.”
May 8, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas (7) works during rookie minicamp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
As of right now, no one is sure who the starting wide receivers will be for the Miami Dolphins. There are plenty of able bodies in the room, so the opportunities will be there. The Dolphins drafted three receivers in the NFL Draft a couple of months ago and spent a third-round pick on Caleb Douglas. Many were shocked when the selection came through as Douglas was viewed as a day three selection. But Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley obviously saw something in the big receiver. Being such a high draft pick and with the starting jobs wide open, Douglas should get plenty of chances to earn one of those spots.
You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.
Chris Perkins: Can Dolphins trio of Achane-Brewer-Brooks outperform Marino-Taylor-Thomas? Here’s one of the understated storylines of the Miami Dolphins’ rebuild: It’s up to the nucleus of running back De’Von Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks to do something that previous leadership groups have failed to do for more than 30 years, which is bring the organization multiple playoff victories in a multi-year stretch.
dpatop - 24 January 2025, Berlin: A lion yawns relaxed at the zoo. Following the closure due to the foot-and-mouth epidemic, Zoo Berlin is open again after the precautionary closure. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa (Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Today I feel a bit unwell, so here’s a brief dose of links and notes.
You might have heard it already: Jalen Brunson underwent surgery to repair a tendon issue in his left hand/wrist. We even got a couple of contradictory reports on it. Summer days!
Brunson scored 45 points in Game 5 to close out the Spurs and win the Knicks’ first championship in 53 years with a bad shooting-side wrist. Let that marinate for a minute.
Knicks extraordinare Guerschon Yabusele is heading back to Europe, agreeing to one of the richest deals on the old continent to play for Panathinaikos in Greece, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Kevon Looney is off the Knicks’ board after agreeing to a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Lakers.
As part of a ginormous six-team trade, Washington is getting Khris Middleton and sending D’Angelo Russell to Memphis, the Mavericks are getting Marcus Sasser and Santi Aldama, the Bucks are landing Caris LeVert, and Detroit is getting John Collins, Taurean Prince and Gary Harris. Don’t trust me and check the details once again. Congratulations, Motown, you can now consider yourself a contender for the No. 7 seed in the East!
The LeBron James waiting game continues. ESPN published yet another story and featured an executive saying LeBron could still influence the balance of power in the East.
Donovan Mitchell, proud owner of the latest albatross deal to be signed in #thisleague, could have waited for a five-year, $353 million deal, but instead locked in long-term on the first day he was eligible. He would seemingly also approve of LBJ’s landing with the Cavs.
There was also a funny Kenny Atkinson wrinkle in the LeBron chatter. One executive wondered how James would fit with Atkinson, who claimed during the conference finals that the Cavs had “analytically” won two of the first three games while trailing the Knicks 3-0. I still think about that quote sometimes. Mostly when I need to smile.
“LeBron can influence the balance of power in the conference,” the executive said. ‘He’s not a driver, not on a night-to-night basis. [But] having him around, he picks and chooses his spots. ‘I wonder how he would fit with Kenny Atkinson?‘ (The executive wasn’t the first to wonder how James would react to Atkinson, who bizarrely claimed, ‘Analytically, we’ve won two of the three [games]‘ as his Cavaliers trailed 3-0 to the Knicks.)”
Miami has a jersey problem after landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, as the Greek decided it’d be cool to don No. 7 after the Heat started selling No. 34 jerseys.
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 17: Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne (94) sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere…
The 5 O’Clock Club
The 5 o’clock club is published from time to time during the season, and aims to provide a forum for reader-driven discussion at a time of day when there isn’t much NFL news being published. Feel free to introduce topics that interest you in the comments below.
Previewing Washington’s 14 opponents of the ‘26 season — one at a time
In 2026, the Commanders will, like every other team in the NFL, play 17 games against 14 opponents. With the amount of roster change that NFL teams undergo annually along with the unusually large number of head coach and coordinator changes in 2026, it seems useful to spend some time to review each of Washington’s regular season opponents.
By the time the Commanders reach Week 9, fans should have a strong sense of what this 2026 team is all about. In the first 7 games of the season, the Commanders will play 6 teams (they play Philly twice) with a combined 2025 season record of 56-45-1 (55%). More importantly, I think, 5 games will come against teams ranked in the top-11 of ESPN’s 2026 Power Index.
Week 9 versus the Rams at Landover could be the toughest game of the season. Not only were the Rams 12-5 a season ago, but they are also ranked No. 1 in the ESPN Power Index for the upcoming season and are currently the consensus #1 favorite to win the Super Bowl with betting odds hovering around +550. Following a blockbuster trade for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, they are the only team in the NFL with single-digit odds on major sportsbooks.
The result of this game should help clarify just how far the Commanders have come as legitimate contenders.
Date: November 8, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET Location: Northwest Stadium in Landover Maryland
The Rams are led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has had a career renaissance in Los Angeles. With the championship window possibly closing as Stafford reaches his 18th season at age 38, the front office acquired edge rusher Myles Garrett through a trade and signed cornerbacks Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to bolster the defense.
With respect to the coaching staff, Sean McVay promoted Nate Scheelhaase to offensive coordinator to maintain playbook continuity after Mike LaFleur’s departure to the Cardinals. The team also hired former Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury as assistant head coach, and Bubba Ventrone from Cleveland to lead the special teams unit.
All in all, analysts see this as a winning combination. The Commanders will need to be at their best against a Rams team that will come to Landover in Week 9 fresh off of three west coast games against the Cardinals, Raiders and Chargers, ranked 29th, 28th, and 7th, respectively, in ESPN’s 2026 Power Index.
General manager Les Snead made the biggest splash of the offseason when he traded for Myles Garrett, the reigning defensive player of the year. That acquisition, coupled with the additions of Chiefs cornerbacks Trent McDuffie in another trade and Jaylen Watson in free agency, could put defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s unit over the top. With a defense like that, Sean McVay’s potent offense could further torment opponents, and the Rams could win another Super Bowl in their stadium this winter.
Additionally, Snead raised eyebrows by drafting quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round, but picking Matthew Stafford’s understudy now could position Los Angeles for a smoother transition down the line while giving the Alabama product adequate time to develop before taking the field. The Rams have fortified themselves for both the short and long term.
The All-Time Series Numbers
The Commanders vs. Rams rivalry has been played 42 times (including 4 postseason games) dating back to 1937 when the two teams were the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Rams. Washington leads the overall series 26-15-1, but they have split the playoff matchups 2-2.
The Rams beat the Redskins in the 1945 NFL Championship game
The Rams also won the 1974 Divisional round playoff game
Washington beat the Rams in ‘83 & ‘86 in the wildcard round & divisional round, respectively
The two teams have been fairly evenly matched in recent times. They have split the 14 games played in this century, 7-7, and have split the 4 games played since 2015, 2-2, though the Rams won the two most recent games against Ron Rivera’s squads in 2020 and 2023.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has a career record of 2-1 vs the Rams, with all three games occurring during his tenure with the Falcons. He split two regular season meetings (1-1) winning in 2016 and losing in 2019, but beat LA in the NFC Wild Card game following the 2017 season.
Quinn is 1-1 against Sean McVay (the 2016 playoff game and the 2019 regular season game)
Rams Coaching Changes
The Rams underwent several coaching changes during the 2026 offseason, finalizing a restructured staff featuring eight new hires and multiple internal promotions.
The shake-up was primarily driven by the departure of former offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who left to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. However, with Sean McVay in his 10th season as head coach in LA, the disruption to the coaching staff should be limited.
Some of the key offensive staff changes
Offensive Coordinator:Nate Scheelhaase was promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Mike LaFleur. Scheelhaase previously served as the team’s pass game coordinator.
Assistant Head Coach: Former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury was hired as the new assistant head coach, replacing Aubrey Pleasant.
Senior Offensive Assistant:Brian Johnson came to LA with Kliff Kingsbury to bolster the passing strategy.
Special Teams Changes
Special Teams Coordinator: After firing Chase Blackburn mid-season, the Rams hired Bubba Ventrone (formerly of the Cleveland Browns) to lead the special teams unit.
The core of the defense remains stable, with Chris Shula returning for his third season as defensive coordinator.
Offense
The Rams offense in 2026 should look a lot like the Rams offense from 2025. Because McVay retains play-calling duties, the foundational West Coast-based scheme will remain the same; however, Scheelhaase’s elevation and recent roster moves could signal a shift in how the team plans to attack defenses.
Scheme Similarities and Differences
The main similarity between the 2025 and 2026 offenses is the retention of starting quarterback Matthew Stafford and the core passing game philosophy. The unit finished first in the NFL in points scored last season, and the overall framework will continue to prioritize play-action and timing-based concepts.
The primary difference under Scheelhaase is expected to be even heavier reliance on multiple tight end sets, specifically 13 personnel since, during his time as pass game coordinator, Scheelhaase frequently utilized these heavier packages to create mismatches. The team intends to double down on this approach for the 2026 season to create more physical run-blocking configurations while maintaining passing options out of heavy sets.
Key Roster Additions and Losses
Roster continuity is high for the Rams, who return their core offensive starting group. The main pieces of the passing game remain intact, including wide receiver Puka Nacua and veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford. The backfield also remains stable with Kyren Williams and Blake Corum returning to lead the rushing attack.
The most notable offensive addition is rookie tight end Max Klare, who was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft. His addition directly supports the strategic shift toward more frequent tight end sets. In short, the team avoided major personnel losses on the offensive side of the ball, allowing Scheelhaase to work with a familiar group of players.
Impact of Kliff Kingsbury
Kliff Kingsbury’s presence is expected to influence the weekly game planning. His integration into the staff provides McVay and Scheelhaase with an alternative perspective on spacing and passing concepts, which can be blended into the existing system to offer different looks out of the team’s standard formations.
Defense
The Rams defense in 2026 should feature schematic continuity alongside significant changes to the starting personnel. Defensive coordinator Chris Shula returns for his third season leading the unit, ensuring that the foundational scheme remain in place; however, a substantial increase in defensive spending and multiple high-profile acquisitions will alter how the system operates.
Scheme Similarities and Differences
The core approach under Shula should remain consistent with the 2025 season, with the Rams continuing to utilize a 3-4 base formation that relies heavily on complex personnel packages — specifically leading the NFL in dime packages with six DBs on the field. Shula will also maintain his use of sim pressures to disrupt opposing QBs.
The primary difference in ‘26 is likely to be a shift from scheme-reliant pressure to player-driven execution. In previous seasons, a lower positional budget required Shula to focus on out-scheming opponents to compensate for talent gaps. With an influx of premier defensive talent, the unit can now run more straightforward four-man rushes while trusting individual defenders to win their matchups.
Key Roster Additions and Losses
The Rams executed multiple major trades and free agent signings to upgrade the DL and secondary. The most notable addition is edge rusher Myles Garrett, who arrived via trade from the Cleveland Browns. To fix coverage issues from last season, the front office also acquired two former KC Chiefs CBs, trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson as a free agent in March. These acquisitions replace Jared Verse, Cobie Durant, and Ahkello Witherspoon (who signed with the Commanders) in the starting lineup.
On the interior DL, the team signed veteran DT Poona Ford to boost the run defense. The Rams also managed to retain former Washington safety Kamren Curl on a new contract to preserve stability in the deep secondary. These signings complement returning young players like Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske, giving Shula a significantly more experienced group for the 2026 campaign.
Summary of coaching changes
While the Rams are changing offensive coordinators this season, it’s really “more of the same” since Sean McVay runs the offense and the new OC got the role via internal promotion. Kliff Kingsbury and Brian Johnson may help add wrinkles to the passing game concepts, we are likely to see a Rams team that is basically just an enhanced version of the 2025 team’s offense and defense. The Rams may be the cream of the NFC in 2026, and Week 9 should be a challenging game against a very good coaching staff and outstanding roster.
Key statistical 2025 rankings
Key Offensive Rankings
Scoring Offense: #1 in the NFL (30.5 points per game).
Total Offense: #1 in the NFL (6,709 total yards / 394.6 yards per game).
Passing Offense: #1 in the NFL (268.1 yards per game).
Rushing Offense: #7 in the NFL (2,152 total yards).
Advanced Metrics: #1 in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play (+0.12) and offensive success rate (49.6%).
Key Defensive Rankings
Scoring Defense: #10 in the NFL (20.4 points allowed per game).
Total Defense: #17 in the NFL (5,568 total yards allowed).
Rushing Defense: #12 in the NFL (1,884 total yards allowed).
Passing Defense: #19 in the NFL (216.7 yards allowed per game).
Defensive Line Execution: #5 in the final positional rankings.
Roster Moves: Trades, Free Agency, and the Draft
Trades and Free Agency
Player & Draft day trades
The Rams made three trades during the ‘26 offseason — 2 veteran acquisitions and a draft-day move:
Trent McDuffie (March 4, 2026): The Rams acquired 2-time All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie from Kansas City. LA traded away their 2026 1st-round pick (29th overall), a 2026 5th-round pick, a 2026 6th-round pick, and a 2027 3rd-round pick.
Myles Garrett (June 1, 2026): The Rams acquired edge rusher Myles Garrett from the Browns. LA traded edge rusher Jared Verse, a 2027 1st-round pick, a 2028 2nd-round pick, and a 2029 3rd-round pick.
Draft Trade (April 25, 2026): During the Draft, the Rams traded up with the Eagles to select WR CJ Daniels at pick No. 197. To move up, LA packaged sent a 6th-round pick (No. 207) and two 7th-round picks (No. 251 and No. 252) to Philly.
While the Rams made some big trades, they felt pretty good about how complete their roster was otherwise, and were generally quiet in free agency.
Key Free agent signings
CB Jaylen Wastson
S Kam Curl (extension)
Free agent losses
While the Rams lost 7 veteran players to other teams in free agency and another 6 remain unsigned by any team, the only one of the 13 players of significance is RT Rob Havenstein, who announced his retirement after 11 years playing for the Rams, the team that picked him in the 2nd round of the 2015 Draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft
Round 1, No. 13 overall: Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama) The Rams drafted Simpson as the potential successor to starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, and he will compete for the primary backup role during the offseason.
Round 2, No. 61 overall: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State) Klare joins a deep tight-end position group to support the team’s heavy usage of three-tight-end formations, though he is not expected to see regular playing time until future seasons.
Round 3, No. 93 overall: Keagen Trost (OT, Missouri) Selected to provide versatile depth for an offensive line facing multiple expiring contracts, Trost allowed a highly efficient 1.5% pressure rate at Missouri last season.
Round 6, No. 197 overall: CJ Daniels (WR, Miami) The Rams traded up ten spots to select Daniels, a receiver who caught seven touchdowns last year and will compete for the team’s open third-receiver role.
Round 7, No. 232 overall: Tim Keenan III (DT, Alabama) The only defensive player chosen in this Rams class, Keenan is a three-year collegiate starter who projects primarily as a nose tackle.
A 4.5-point preseason spread represents a large margin for a road team, indicating that bettors are heavily leaning into the Rams to win this mid-season game in Landover en route to a possible return to the Super Bowl. The point total is set at 50.5, reflecting expectations of high offensive output from at least one of the offenses.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Should the Rams be Super Bowl favorites?
Which team will win this game?
Will you feel better or worse about Washington’s chances if they add a receiver like Aiyuk or Diggs before training camp?
INGLEWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 21: A.T. Perry #17 of the New Orleans Saints runs during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’ve finally reached the same month as Steelers training camp, with players reporting to Latrobe on July 28.
There, narratives will start to take shape regarding the team’s camp battles ahead of the preseason, and eventually, when rosters are cut down to 53 players on Aug. 30.
Before then, here are four Steelers players who have legitimate chances at the final roster, even if they currently remain somewhat “forgotten” on the current 90-man roster:
WR A.T. Perry
The Steelers’ top six at wide receiver seems fairly set entering training camp, but don’t rule out surprises. Maybe the new coaching staff doesn’t value Ben Skowronek or Roman Wilson as much as expected. Maybe Kaden Wetjen doesn’t run away with the starting return man job after all. And, of course, being six deep only lasts as long as all six can stay healthy.
The point is, while this might be an easy position room to map out for the 53-man roster at the moment, a lot could still change between now and cutdown day.
One wide receiver who would benefit from a spot opening up higher on the depth chart is A.T. Perry. A sixth-round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2023, Perry managed a respectable 246-yard, four-touchdown rookie campaign, but he’s failed to log an NFL catch since.
After spending most of 2024 and 2025 with the Denver Broncos, Perry is now hoping to keep his NFL career alive with the Steelers, who he signed a futures contract with in January.
Perry has impressive measurables: nearly 6’4 at 205 pounds with 33 1/4″ arms. He also ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine. Those are tools that can keep you in the league, and if Perry can add some sort of special teams aspect to his game (zero career NFL special teams snaps, which also explains his lack of roster time after his rookie year), he might suddenly become a contender for WR6.
TE Jaheim Bell
Outside of the well-paid duo of Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington, the Steelers’ tight end room is a bit of a mystery. Come cutdown day, could the Steelers simply roll with rookie Riley Nowakowski as a hybrid TE3/fullback? Or will the team keep three tight ends and a fullback?
Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys chose that latter in 2024. And if that’s the case again in 2026, it opens up an interesting roster battle behind Freiermuth and Washington. In that scenario, veteran tight end and former Packer Robert Tonyan seems to be the favorite for the roster spot, with 1,550 career receiving yards, special teams experience, and, of course, a past rapport with Aaron Rodgers.
I almost included Tonyan in this article, but there’s a bigger sleeper in the Steelers’ current group of tight ends: Jaheim Bell. And compared to the 32-year-old Tonyan, the 25-year-old Bell has more youth and possible upside.
Bell spent 2025 on the Steelers’ and Eagles’ practice squads, but with the Patriots in 2024, he played in 15 games as a seventh-round pick. He logged just two catches on 83 offensive snaps, but added another 176 snaps on special teams.
Bell is a bit undersized for a tight end, measuring pre-draft at 6’2, 241 pounds, but he ran a solid 4.61-second 40-yard dash coming out of college with noted positional versatility — something that’s carried on in his limited NFL snaps.
Jaheim Bell hasn't gotten many chances to show his strengths this preseason, but that could change on Sunday if Mitchell Wilcox isn't good to go
Right now, Bell is best utilized as an underneath receiver, sift blocker, 2nd-level blocker, and special teamer pic.twitter.com/FHubcdOVbt
The Steelers’ third tight end won’t be as heavily involved in the offense as the position was under Arthur Smith in 2025. That means that if Bell can prove himself as a reliable special teamer, and a capable blocker/receiver in a pinch, he has a shot at the final 53.
OT Jack Driscoll
The Steelers are impressively deep at tackle on paper: Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, and Dylan Cook — now joined by first-rounder Max Iheanachor. Still, Jones’ roster chances remain unknown following a neck injury in 2025. He participated in Steelers OTAs, but remains a possible candidate for injured reserve to open the season.
If Jones is initially unavailable for the 53-man roster, that could open up a spot for another lineman, such as offensive tackle Jack Driscoll. The Steelers still have a slew of roster-able names besides Driscoll, but the reserve tackle has a stronger resume than many realize. And Jones might not be the only Steelers lineman dealing with an injury to start the 2026 season.
A fourth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020, Driscoll has quite a bit of NFL experience, with 18 starts, 67 game appearances, 1,448 offensive snaps, and 291 snaps on special teams. Driscoll most recently played in 13 games with the Eagles in 2024. He spent some of 2025 on the Steelers’ practice squad, seeing a roster elevation.
Analyzed by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein as an undersized-but-athletic, zone-scheme blocker pre-draft, it remains to be seen how the 6’5, 306-pound Driscoll (33” arms) is valued by the Steelers’ new coaching staff. Still, his NFL experience and guard/tackle versatility could give him a shot at a roster spot, especially as NFL teams are seemingly always in need of reserve linemen.
DL Logan Lee
Did you know that Lee appeared in seven games for the Steelers last season? He even made the team’s initial 53-man roster in 2025.
Competing against names such as Dean Lowry and forgotten Steelers alumEsezi Otomewo for a reserve spot on the Steelers’ defensive line depth chart in 2026, Lee is rarely forecasted as the favorite to make the 53-man roster, even if he certainly has as good a chance as his competition.
A sixth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2024, Lee was stashed on injured reserve during his rookie season, and when he was healthy, he was often miscast as a backup nose tackle despite having a defensive end build at 6’5, 286 pounds.
In 2025, Lee saw just 47 snaps on defense, recording two tackles but showing a knack for knocking down throws, with two regular season pass deflections, including one that turned into a Jack Sawyer interception.
