Nathan Jahnke reveals Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s 2025 fantasy football player profile. Premium Content Sign Up Fantasy Football 2025: WR Justin Jefferson player profile 2YXJFD5 Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson celebrates after catching a 7-yard touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) By Nathan Jahnke Posted May 5, 2025 5:30 am EDT Justin Jefferson is the league’s best receiver: Jefferson has the highest receiving grade for all wide receivers since entering the NFL. J.J. McCarthy is his new quarterback: Jefferson’s fantasy value has taken a hit since losing Kirk Cousins in the middle of 2023. It will ideally rebound with McCarthy, but it could also take another hit depending on how well McCarthy plays. Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more! Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes PFF’s Fantasy Football Player Profile series delivers the most in-depth fantasy football analysis available for the 2025 season. Using PFF’s exclusive data, we evaluate player performance, competition for touches and how teammates and coaching staffs will impact each player’s fantasy football outlook. Last updated: 7:15 a.m. Monday, May 5 Click here for more draft tools: Player performance Jefferson has been the best wide receiver in the NFL since he was drafted in 2020, earning a league-leading 93.6 receiving grade. He also ranks first in receiving yards per game at 96.5 and yards per route run at 2.64. He’s ranked among the top five fantasy wide receivers in the last four seasons. No other wide receiver has accomplished that more than twice in those four years.
Fantasy Football 2025: WR Justin Jefferson player profile
Bengals News (5/5): What’s Next?
Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Bengals are assessing the status of their roster as workouts have commenced. Bengals News Sinatra And Strength: Bengals No Strangers To Draft Picks Demetrius Knight Jr. And Dylan Fairchild The Bengals welcomed rookies Demetrius Knight Jr. and Dylan Fairchild to Paycor Stadium Saturday. But it’s not exactly like they’re strangers. Former Bengals draft pick gets a tryout with Denver Broncos Plenty of former Cincinnati Bengals players have been in the news this offseason around free agency and the draft. Post-NFL Draft Bengals Mailbag: Defensive tackle rotations, undrafted free agency process, and who is starting at guard? The lull of the offseason is on the other side of the next five weeks for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Athletic Names Bengals Offensive Lineman Seth McLaughlin UDFA to Watch Following 2025 NFL Draft He was highly regarded following the draft festivities. Latest Trey Hendrickson update is massive news for Bengals’ future Some good news? NFL News 2025 NFL Draft: Ranking all 32 rookie classes; plus, overall grades, favorite picks and Day 3 sleepers A couple of days before the 2025 NFL Draft, New York Magazine published a Will Leitch take with a straightforward headline: The NFL Draft Is Actually Boring As Hell. NFL Teams That Improved The Most In 2025 NFL Draft The 2025 NFL Draft had more surprises than anyone predicted, making for a fun three-day event for fan bases. Ravens draft pick Mike Green says he was open with teams about sexual assault allegations Mike Green has been open about the fact that he’s faced multiple sexual assault allegations, but when it comes to details, he wasn’t discussing it further at rookie camp this weekend. Ranking NFL’s top 10 instant impact rookies for 2025: Travis Hunter, James Pearce Jr. high on list, RB No. 1 Which players taken in the 2025 draft are bound to hit the ground running this year? What Does the Path to Starting Look Like for the NFL’s Incoming Quarterbacks? Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders, and Co. all have very different roads in front of them in the NFL. Some will obviously get on the field in 2025, but others have trickier situations to navigate.
Giants news, 5/5: Draft reviews, Giants at the Derby, more headlines
New York Giants headlines for Monday Good morning, New York Giants fans! From Big Blue View 2 New York Giants’ draft picks named ‘perfect fits’ Survey results: Giants fans expect big things from Abdul Carter New York Giants parting ways with national scout Big Blue View mailbag: Draft fallout, more questions Did Jaxson Dart land in ‘tricky situation’ with New York Giants? Strike two! Abdul Carter won’t wear Phil Simms’ retired No. 11 jersey More Giants headlines Wan’Dale Robinson and Jaxson Dart at the Kentucky Derby https://t.co/3aVIPDTEYd — Madelyn Burke (@MadelynBurke) May 3, 2025 Deion Sanders prayed this NFC team would draft Shedeur Sanders, laughed at idea of his son going to Browns – CBSSports.comDeion Sanders made some interesting comments about one month before the draft 2025 NFC East offseason grades: Eagles come up aces once again; Cowboys, Giants, Commanders all improve – CBSSports.comHere’s how the NFC East fared with free agency and the draft over Top 10 rookie jersey sales after 2025 NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders only non-first-rounder on list; who’s No. 1? – CBSSports.comSanders, a fifth-round pick, sits third on the top-selling rookie jersey list Tony Pauline on NYG draft On the latest Draft Season @TonyPauline reviews the what NFC teams did in the NFL Draft in part 1 of our draft review. ️Web/app: https://t.co/KNKVfBPX1L Subscribe to the pod: https://t.co/WZiwqEjmd8 Youtube: https://t.co/awLju3iZsT pic.twitter.com/hMaivvkx9p — John Schmeelk (@Schmeelk) April 29, 2025 2025 NFL Draft’s 5 Best Draft ClassesAfter watching and scouting nearly every prospect selected, we’ve identified our five favorite draft classes before we turn the page to the 2026 NFL Draft. Ranking 2025 NFC Draft Classes: Giants Get Upside, Seahawks See Immediate Boost 5. New York Giants Grade: A+ • Round 1: No. 3: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State • Round 1: No. 25: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss • Round 3: No. 65: Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo • Round 4: No. 105: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State • Round 5: No. 154: Marcus Mbow, G, Purdue • Round 7: No. 219: Thomas Fidone II, TE, Nebraska • Round 7: No. 246: Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State The Giants’ 2025 draft class received the best grade from me because they added the best pure defender in Carter and addressed their need at quarterback by trading back into the first round to take Dart. But I’ll ding them a bit here for this story because there’s a chance Dart might not play at all as a rookie and there were a handful of concerns with him as a prospect. 5 key post-draft questions: Can Shedeur Sanders win Browns’ QB1 job? | FOX Sports Will Giants’ quarterback approach pay off? On the surface, New York’s quarterback plan — having No. 25 overall pick Jaxson Dart sit behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston — looks great. The Giants got their veteran starter (Wilson) and their hopeful QB of the future (Dart). We’ve seen way too many instances of first-round quarterbacks being pushed to play early, hurting their confidence and development in the long term. If all goes according to plan, Dart won’t have to play until he’s ready. But this plan only works if 1) Dart turns out to be a hit and 2) Wilson (and/or Winston) plays well enough to make the Giants competitive in the short term. If the veterans play poorly, and Dart either isn’t ready to step in and/or plays just as badly, coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen could be out the door. Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman slam Giants rookie Abdul Carter for asking to wear legend’s retired number | Daily Mail OnlineFrom time to time, high-value NFL Draft picks will ask permission from former team legends to wear their numbers if they’re retired. But that didn’t work out for a recent first-round draft pick. The ‘mistake’ that began Shedeur Sanders’ stunning NFL draft nosedive | New York Post “The NFL will humble anyone.” BBV mailbag Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to [email protected] and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag. BBV YouTube You can find and subscribe to Big Blue View YouTube from the show’s home page BBV on X: Follow @BigBlueView | Ed Valentine: @Valentine_Ed | Threads: @ed.valentine | Bluesky: @edvalentine BBV on Facebook: Click here to like the Big Blue View Facebook page BBV on YouTube: Subscribe to the Big Blue View YouTube channel BBV on Instagram: Click here to follow our Instagram page
Go big or go home – The Splash Zone 5/5/25
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. The Miami Dolphins went through a little transformation this offseason. Not only did they get younger, they added more size to their roster through free agency and the draft. The Dolphins first three selections in the draft were two big defensive tackles in Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips then added guard Jonah Savaiinaea to an offensive line. In a running back room that has thrived on smaller, faster running backs the team added Ollie Gordon II who will be a bruising running back in those short yardage situations which this team struggled with last year. You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below. Dolphins go big, get linemen in 2025 NFL draft – ESPNMiami considered size in the trenches its biggest weakness entering the draft., then did something about it last weekend. Dolphins Quarterbacks Dolphins Draft Breakdown: Texas QB Quinn EwersFilm breakdown of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, who the Dolphins selected in the seventh-round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Inside Quinn Ewers’ draft process and post-slide motivation – ESPNWe pull back the curtain on the ups and downs of Ewers’ path from Texas to the Miami Dolphins. Miami Dolphins Draft Pick Quinn Ewers Earns Strong Praise from AnalystsThe Dolphins selected Texas QB Quinn Ewers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft Dolphins Defensive Line Miami Dolphins DT Jordan Phillips Labeled a Mid-Round Gem by NFL Network AnalystThe Dolphins had three selections in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, starting with Maryland DT Jordan Phillips Phinsider News You May Have Missed Could Jalen Ramsey reunite with the Rams – Miami Dolphins News 5/3/25 – The PhinsiderWelcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Your take on the meaning behind drafting QB Quinn Ewers! – The PhinsiderMiami Dolphins fans share their perspective on the team selecting quarterback Quinn Ewers in the draft. Your favorite Miami Dolphins 2025 undrafted free agents – The PhinsiderMiami Dolphins fans share their favorites from the list of Miami Dolphins undrafted free agents.
Report: Chiefs sign first round selection Josh Simmons
What’s new at Arrowhead Pride Premier? If you want more Chiefs, our newsletter is the answer for you. Three times a week we deliver a new edition to your inbox. Don’t miss Tuesdays with the full hour of our video podcast, the Editors Show, with Pete Sweeney and John Dixon. Check out a free trial below.
Rams should make this move instead of trading for Jalen Ramsey
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images Asante Samuel, Jr. is still available and likely headed for a one-year, “prove it” deal The Los Angeles Rams haven’t done much to shore up the cornerback position—whether through free agency or the NFL Draft—and it’s easy to connect the dots on a Jalen Ramsey trade now that the Miami Dolphins have stated the parties agreed “to move forward separately”. Reportedly the Dolphins are potentially willing to eat money in order to facilitate a trade for the veteran. Fans must be weary of this report because that, in tandem, likely increases the compensation in order to acquire Ramsey. On the surface a reunion between the Rams and Ramsey make sense. LA renewed their vows with Matthew Stafford for seemingly a two-year run at the Super Bowl. Ramsey is better-suited to play for a team that is set to win now given that he’s into the late stages of his career. But are there better alternatives for the Rams than to bring back a player they have already moved on from previously? Should they throw nostalgia out the window and blaze a new path forward at the corner position? Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images Rams should sign Asante Samuel, Jr. instead of a Ramsey trade Ahead of free agency I wrote that Samuel fits LA’s corner profile based on his size and ball skills. He’s obviously a much different player than Ramsey and won’t contribute in run defense—something Ramsey still does at a high level. It was surprising to watch Samuel go unsigned during the free agent period, but now is the time of year that teams revisit the remaining pool and divvy out one-year, “prove it” deals so players can bet on themselves in hopes of getting a more significant pay day next offseason. Samuel seems primed for that sort of contract, though it’s also fair to wonder whether he remains available because of injury concerns that this NFL is privy to but the general media isn’t. Ramsey is on the wrong side of age 30 and seems discontent with his contract and compensation on a nearly annual basis. It’s fair to say that production equals tolerance; however, Ramsey could quickly wear out his welcome should decline set in. Perhaps the smarter bet would be to sign the age 25 corner and former second round pick. Injuries aside, Samuel also fell out of favor with the Los Angeles Chargers during the regime shift to Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter. There was little room left for undersized, zone corners who aren’t always eager tacklers. That’s less of a concern for the other LA team, as nearly every individual in the Rams’ corner room are of similar stature and are more adept in zone than man. Is Samuel a better play than Ramsey today? Probably not. Would Ramsey help the Rams win more games in 2025 than Samuel? Probably. To me the evaluation comes down to one key question: Is it better to trade away future draft compensation for a corner on the wrong side of 30 whose best days are behind him rather than to sign a relatively young free agent on a one-year deal? The signing is obviously less risky, but likely has nowhere near the upside that trading for Ramsey does. Which move will the Rams make?
Revisiting the Kyren Williams situation
Joseph Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Will the Rams extend Kyren Williams? It was reported earlier this offseason that the Los Angeles Rams and Kyren Williams were in conversation about a potential extension as the running back enters his final season on his rookie deal. It appears both sides are still far apart in negotiations and after drafting Jarquez Hunter with the 117th overall pick in this year’s draft, Williams and his agent may not have much to stand on as talks continue. Jordan Rodrigue of the Atlantic reported before the NFL Draft that “Agreeing to terms could take time. Snead said that no contract this offseason won’t necessarily mean no contract at all where Williams is concerned, even if that means he plays out the final season on his existing deal.” It seems likely that Williams will have to bet on himself and play through his final year after a mixed performance in 2024. He finished the season with 1299 yards rushing on 316 carries (the third highest attempts by a RB) but also only ran for 15+ yards six times and nearly led the league in fumbles (5) behind New England Patriot’s running back Rhamondre Stevenson (7). It is worth noting that he did finish tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns with 14 on the season and 81.2 yards per game. Dawg: Rams RB Kyren Williams does NOT think he’s reached his peak yet despite back-to-back 1.1K rushing seasons: “I don’t feel like I’ve touched my peak yet. I’ve gotten to where I wanted to be, but I’m determined to make this my best season.” Kyren wants to make HISTORY in the… pic.twitter.com/czO7mCF2mQ — Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 4, 2025 He may not get the same number of opportunities to prove himself with the addition of Hunter. When talking about the pick, Les Snead had this to say in an interview with Rich Eisen, “We do think the way this NFL season’s going — the amount of wear and tear that goes into playing running back — that having a committee, and a committee with different skill sets, only helps us continue being able to run the football like we want to run it.” Blake Corum will be back after fracturing his right forearm in the finale against the Seattle Seahawks last season and should be able to build off his rookie campaign. Corum had just 58 attempts in 2024 but was able to move up the depth chart to backup Williams by the end of the season. There were flashes of explosiveness from the rookie that could get him more time in 2025. Hunter should bring a different style to the running back room with 4.4 speed and a different kind of elusiveness than the other two RB’s ahead of him. He will likely also cut into William’s playing time if he can get up to speed with the playbook this offseason. Rams RBs in their 2024 seasons… Kyren Williams❌+ 0.13 MTF/Att (49th/70 RBs)+ 1.9% explosive % (57th)+ 4.65 40 Blake Corum❌+ 0.14 MTF/Att (40th/70 RBs)+ 0% explosive % (70th)+ 4.53 40 —JARQUEZ HUNTER✅+ 0.32 MTF/Att (5th/32 RBs)+ 12.4% explosive % (3rd)+ 4.40 40 — Dataroma (@ffdataroma) May 2, 2025 The Rams have switched up their philosophy in regard to how they handle the running back room. After signing Todd Gurely to a $60 million contract extension in 2018, they cut him in 2019 after a drop in performance and took a sizeable hit to their cap-space because of it. Instead of investing a large sum to the position, Snead has drafted a running back in each year of the draft in hopes of hitting on a talented player and get the most of them on a rookie-scale deal. Williams is the first to be worth extending since Gurley was on the team, but even then, it wouldn’t surprise me if LA decides to let him test the market next offseason and bet on the development of Corum and Hunter for the future. What would you do if you were in Snead’s shoes? Are you signing Williams to an extension this offseason or let him earn his contract during the regular season? Let us know in the comments below!
Your favorite Miami Dolphins 2025 undrafted free agents
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images Following the NFL draft, teams had their usual flurry of signings of the undrafted free agents that were left. Our Miami Dolphins were, as usual, fairly active in the UDFA market. In last week’s post, HERE, I highlighted the different signings for Miami. I then asked the following question: Which of the undrafted free agents are your favorite, and which of the list do you see having a real possibility to make this year’s Dolphins roster, and why? Below are some of your thoughts and answers to the PQOTD- SuperG! believes that Hibbett is Ferguson’s replacement. Considering whatever was truly happening with Blake last season, since it seems like some super secret secret, this seems quite likely. I just looked at Blake Ferguson’s contract and there’s no dead money in his contract if they cut him. There was something weird going on last year at the LS position and Blake Ferguson was on the NFI list for a good stretch of the year. I’m thinking they brought in the UDFA LS Kneeland Hibbett as his replacement. MIAMI235 is understandably excited about the possibility of more offensive line help. Encouraged by the idea of more OLine prospects that may contribute to the Team! Dolphster likes the Auburn linebacker and the corner from UCF, who could have possibly gone mid-round to late in the draft. The two I’m interested in are Asante and Adams. I think that Asante can make the team for his special teams play, but he has potential to be a WILL Linebacker in a couple years. I had him projected in the 5th round. For Adams, I had him projected in the 5th round also, but I think he went undrafted because of not playing since October and because he ran a 4.53, but I think he is a little faster than that. If he can put a little more weight on his 6’2” frame, I could see him handling bigger receivers after some deveopment. I think Hibbett will be the long snapper by game 1 of the regular season. tpl is on the please get rid of Eichenberg already bandwagon. Sadly, since all of his money is guaranteed, he might remain a lock to make the roster. Let’s hope the team is willing to eat the money. Then we can just continue to wonder why they gave the dude a fully guaranteed deal in the first place, or even a deal at all. I am hoping one of the 3 offensive lineman beats out Eichenberg as a backup offensive lineman. StanleyDoyle1 is excited about the offensive lineman from Western Michigan. West is the guy to get most excited about. His versatility should allow him to make the roster, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting at center by season’s end. Bill Moody likes four guys based on their solid bios. Based off the bio’s above, these are the 4 stand-outs to me. But of course, they need to deliver when given reps and opportunity. Josh Priebe OL, Michigan Andrew Armstrong, WR, Arkansas BJ Adams, CB, UCF Addison West, OL, Western Michigan finfanfromsiam wants the Dolphins to lead the league in Jalen’s, Jaylen’s, Jaelen’s, Jaelan’s, Jaylin’s, Jaelyn’s, Jaylynn’s, Jaylon’s, etc… Evening! TE Jalen Conyers! Will be our TE3 and we needed another Jalen!! MIAMI235 chimed in again with a solid tackler. Adams UCF We welcome a tackler! IWLU272 is another one excited about one of the offensive linemen who’s been labeled a “sleeper”. Seems like we might be a fan base super hungry for a half ass decent offensive line. “Tedi Kushi Western Michigan– If Tedi stays healthy someone is getting a good offensive lineman. Has good footwork and uses his hands decently. Not the cleanest but with the right coaching could be someone that could help an NFL team.” Justin Berendzen’s 2025 NFL Draft Sleepers. 610WIOD has five UDFAs making the final roster. It’s a plus from a financial/cap number standpoint since they are all on relatively small deals, but it’s concerning that our roster might not be that strong if five UDFAs make the final 53. Will make the 53: Conyers Either Armstrong or Wease will be the big bodied WR that EZ E never became Adams Saunders Hibbett as LS. Fins get sick of juggling practice squad guys due to whatever Fergusons’s health issue is. That’s our random ten comments for this evening. It seems that just about everyone likes some of the undrafted free agents and believes that at least a few have a solid chance of making the final 53. As always, I want to thank everyone who took the time to read and answer our PQOTD.
Will Noteboom become an NFL starter with new team?
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images The Rams overpaid Joseph Noteboom, but he’s getting a second chance with the Ravens Former L.A. Rams offensive lineman and third round pick Joseph Noteboom has finally found a new team, signing with the Baltimore Ravens after the draft on a one-year deal. The longtime Rams utility backup has now earned $35 million to date, which amounts to a payment of almost exactly $1 million per career start. Will the Ravens be the team that finally turns Noteboom into a starter, or will he continue to be one of the richest backups in NFL history who isn’t a QB? Just watched a few games of film on the @Ravens latest signing, Joseph Noteboom. Here are my takeaways: Good: In pass pro, once engaged he tends to win with sound pad level & body control. Creates movement in run game with leverage. Bad: Below average footwork. Not very fluid… pic.twitter.com/Da071oQ3Dg — Chris Cooper (@ChrisCooper_NFL) May 4, 2025 The Ravens have Pro Bowl tackle Ronnie Stanley on the left side (Stanley re-signed on a three-year, $60 million contract this offseason) and 2024 second round pick Roger Rosengarten on the right. It seems like the team will be happy with Rosengarten moving forward and tackle would be Noteboom’s absolute worst spot. Rookie Tackle Roger Rosengarten (@roger_70r) was 2nd among all OTs in run block win rate last season (84%). The @Ravens have struck gold with the 2nd round pick out of Washington! pic.twitter.com/xB4s4Ey8Rz — SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) April 10, 2025 The Ravens do perhaps have more competition at guard, where they have 2022 fourth round pick Daniel Faalele, 2023 seventh round pick Andrew Vorhees, and former third round pick Ben Cleveland. Baltimore also drafted Emery Jones in the third, Carson Vinson in the fifth, and Garrett Dellinger in the seventh. It would seem as though Noteboom, who got $6.75 million from the Ravens, is going to be an insurance policy for whatever might happen between now and the season. Which feels very familiar to his role on the Rams: Make more money than most of us will see in a lifetime in order to not start. Noteboom has appeared in 24 of a possible 51 games over the past three seasons and made 18 starts. He has averaged 5 starts per season in seven years. It’s great, amazing work if you can get it and congratulations to Noteboom for once again finding it in Baltimore.
Raiders 2025: Linebacker group light on experience post-free agency and draft
At 31 years old, Elandon Roberts is the most experienced linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s a young group overall and there’s potential for players to step up this coming season. | Amber Searls-Imagn Images Elandon Roberts, Devin White lead a young core in Las Vegas; A look at available options Elandon Roberts and Devin White. That duo are the elder statesmen of the Las Vegas Raiders linebacker group at age 31 and 27, respectively. Both were signed in free agency to one-year deals to add much-needed experience and veteran presences in the linebacker room — one that is young and light on NFL snaps. Of the seven linebackers officially on the Raiders roster — that number doesn’t consider the undrafted free agents Las Vegas reportedly came to terms with, mind you — five are 24 years old and under. Six are incumbents and only one is a brand-new addition: Cody Lindenberg, a seventh-round selection by the Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Minnesota. General manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll waiting until the final stanza in the draft and inking Roberts and White without any other moves is quite telling. It seems the starters are amongst the group of seven — including the undrafted prospects. And offseason competition will determine the finality of things. Considering all that, it’s not outside the realm of possibility for Roberts and White to impress and lead the pack this offseason and earn starting spots in defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s defense. One that used the 4-2-5 alignment extensively meaning there were rarely three linebackers on the field at the same time. Las Vegas Raiders Linebackers: Elandon Roberts, 31 years old, 10th season Devin White, 27, 7th season Amari Burney, 24, 3rd season Amari Gainer, 24, 2nd season Tommy Eichenberg, 24, 2nd season Brandon Smith, 24, 2nd season Cody Lindenberg, 23, Rookie #Raiders roster move: – Signed unrestricted free agent LB Devin White (@DevinWhite__40)@Raiders | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/hIJvgI3Q7r — Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) March 31, 2025 The “Old” Heads Between Roberts and White, the older duo brings a bevy of NFL games, starts, and snaps. Roberts has 140 career games and 105 starts to his name (17 games played, 14 started with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024) along with 4,223 defensive snaps over his nine-year career. White has 83 career games and 76 starts under his belt (a career-low seven games played with one start in 2024 with the Houston Texans). He’s got 5,042 defensive snaps over his six years in the league. You can combine the games played, starts, and snaps of the rest of the linebackers on the Raiders roster and it won’t even come remotely close Roberts’ and White’s tallies. Roberts is expected to be the starting middle linebacker this coming season due to his physical play style and aggressive demeanor. He’s a classic two-down thumper that punishes the offense and our Matt Holder did an excellent job of breaking down how much of a human battering ram the linebacker truly is. White, meanwhile, has the look of a classic Silver & Black first-round reclamation project. After having a productive first four years in the league with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (he was taken with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 draft — after the Raiders picked Clelin Ferrell), white began to drop off with career-low marks in 2024 with the Texans. Spytek was part of the Bucs front office that picked White, so familiarity is there. And if White still has the athleticism and tackle-machine capability, he can claim the other starting spot alongside Roberts. #Raiders roster move: – Signed unrestricted free agent LB Devin White (@DevinWhite__40)@Raiders | #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/hIJvgI3Q7r — Raiders PR (@RAIDERS_PR) March 31, 2025 Youth & Other Options Eichenberg, Gainer, Burney, and Lindenberg should be hungry and motivated this offseason. Eichenberg, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft has good size at 6-foot-2 and 239 pounds to be an inside linebacker. Burney, an athletic 6-foot-2 and 228 pounds and a 2023 sixth-round pick, has the speed to be an outside linebacker. Gainer also offers solid size at 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds with plus athleticism. And Lindenberg, who stands 6-foot-2 and 236 pounds, showcased the tackling ability and leadership skills to captain a defense with the Golden Gophers. But unless that group showcases the ability to operate in the scheme Graham and linebackers coach John Glenn are putting together and prove they can outperform the veterans in front of them, it’s an uphill climb for starting spots. Backups and special teams work appears on the horizon. There’s something about #45 Cody Lindenberg game. Noth of these plays are 3rd and 1 and 3rd and 2. He makes sure he communicates with everyone and you can tell based on formation and film study he knows the plays. pic.twitter.com/J7ZD4Vgu4y — Leger Douzable (@LegerDouzable) April 9, 2025 The free agent market is thin with veterans C.J. Mosely, Ja’whuan Bentley, and De’Vondre Campbell the top inside linebackers available. (Mosely does have a neck issue, though). It gets even thinner at outside linebacker where most are pass-rush types, however, Duke Riley, Nick Vigel, and Kamu Grugier-Hill are more off-ball types that are available. With the market being so barren, rolling with what the Raiders have thus far and awaiting camp cuts down the road is the best route. Carroll has preached competition and earning snaps ever since he was hired to right the Raiders ship alongside Spytek, so we’ll see how it plays out soon enough. An open competition can result in the entire group pushing each other giving Las Vegas the ability to pick the best two or three to start.
