Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images A week ago, I asked the following question: If all things were equal on every NFL team, who would be the best NFL quarterback now? Is that the quarterback you would choose to start an NFL franchise with right now, and if not, who would it be and why? Unfortunately, it was one of those painfully slow nights on the site, but we still got a few solid answers. PA phinphan goes with the Commanders’ dynamic soon-to-be second-year starting quarterback. That’s a tough question. My first thought is Josh Allen but he makes some dumb plays. Then there is Lamar, however he seems to choke in the big moments. Mahommes might be the most obvious choice but I just can’t. It is as if he gets lucky pretty often. Burrow is injured too often or he would probably be my pick. So where does that leave me. I know he was a rookie but I might just have to go with Jayden Daniels. TBH, I am most intrigued by what Arch Manning is going to do. Since he is not in the league yet I can’t choose him. I do have a feeling he might just be the best Manning. ♂️ glen55, in response to PA phinphan is not sold on the newest edition of a Manning. I was pretty impressed with him in the limited playing time that he did have. I think Arch would’ve started by now if he was going to be better than Archie and Peyton. JKBMia chose an AFC East rival as his top dog. Allen would be my #1. Jayden Daniels would take that spot if he has a year 2 like he did his Rookie year. Unfortunately, as Yarg mentions below – it’s more likely he’s CJ Stroud than MVP candidate – but who knows. cyberflea would start his new franchise with Daniels, giving him his second nod of the night. The question is, which QB to START an NFL franchise. I would go with Jayden Daniels. Daniels is young, mobile which is a nightmare for defenses and ranked as one of the top QBs in 2024 as a rookie. Daniels had a fantastic rookie season and one of the big reasons the Commanders got to the NFC championship game. Pro bowl in his first season and offensive rookie of the year. 5416 total yards and 37 TDs in regular and post season as a rookie which is an NFL record. One season doesn’t make a career however, Daniels is looking like he will be the next superstar QB in the NFL. Yarganaught couldn’t choose. IDK, one could argue that Jim Kelly was better than Marino… While he never won, he did make it to the Super Bowl more often. In that vein, of the current QBs, Josh Allen seems to motivate his team pretty well. Mahomes too. Hurts seemed to turn things around this year, and has been fairly solid the past few years. I see below the Daniels comments, and they are legit. But we might have been saying the same thing about CJ Stroud this time last year. Thomas23059, in reply to Yarganaught doesn’t care which one from his short list. I recall a lot more hype about Stroud in here last year. Where Marino fit in was always a good question. Nobody threw the ball like he did. But when you start figuring in the other parts of being a QB, players like Kelly, Montana, and Elway certainly came into the conversation. I am going to go with everyone’s favorite executive, Chris Grier. When asked about Herbert and Tua, his response was you should be able to win with either. So I would have to think, all other things being equal, if I needed a QB for an NFL team, give me any of these guys, and I don’t care which: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow Well I’m not sure there is any such consensus with so few comments on this post. All were solid choices, but like some others, I am eager to see what Daniels manages to do in his sophomore season. Allen is also a solid choice, even if he is our Dolphins’ kryptonite. If you missed our original post, please throw your choice in the comments below. Thank you, as always, to each of you who took the time to participate and answer our questions of the day.
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Eagles Trade Rumors: Myles Garrett makes sense … to a point
Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images Adding the star edge would be an earth-shaker for the NFL, there’s only one reason not to do it. Over the past two weeks, the rumor mill has been churning with Myles Garrett reports following the All-Pro edge rusher’s demand to the Cleveland Browns that he be traded elsewhere, and some of those reports indicate the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles may be his ultimate destination. As BLG ably laid out in his article linked above, there are a number of reasons why a Garrett-to-Philadelphia scenario makes sense. Cleveland GM Andrew Berry is a former Eagles executive who worked directly under Howie Roseman, leaving just after the 2019 season for his current job with the Browns. While that relationship doesn’t guarantee the Birds move to the front of any perceived Myles Garrett trade line, negotiations are always helped when the two parties have a cordial, if not friendly history with one another. Cleveland insists they are not trading Garrett, but Garrett insists he is not interested in engaging in contract renegotiations with the Browns. He sees the team will be starting over again this off-season and, with 2025 being his age-30 season, he understands there may not be many more opportunities for him to contribute to a Super Bowl contender. The Browns don’t care about “helping” the Eagles repeat, as they play in a different conference and aren’t going to contend for a Super Bowl for at least a few years. Obviously, landing Garrett would be a coup for the Eagles, who will likely lose Josh Sweat and Milton Williams to free agency in a couple weeks. Replacing them with Garrett, whose 102.5 sacks since his 2017 rookie season is second-most in the NFL (T.J. Watt, 108), would instantly give the Eagles’ pass rush the best Edge they’ve had since, perhaps, Reggie White. Despite their incredible performance against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the Eagles’ defensive line didn’t specialize in sacks for most of the season. Their 41 sacks were tied for 13th-most in the league last year, but they turned on the jets when it mattered most. Bryce Huff’s future with the team remains cloudy, and with Brandon Graham set to retire, the top two Edge rushers on the defensive line next year are Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. Both showed tremendous improvement and production as the season went along, and hopes are high they will continue to ascend and become cornerstone players. But further additions are needed. And there is, of course, the added benefit of adding a highly motivated 30-year-old future Hall of Famer to a championship roster. The Eagles would be unlikely to suffer any complacency to repeat with Garrett in the fold. Adding new blood to the mix can only help with motivation and keeping things fresh. Roseman will likely add to the mix in next month’s draft as well, even if he deals away his first round pick for Garrett. But there are two things that cannot happen in order for a Garrett trade to take place. The Eagles cannot include Nolan Smith or Jalyx Hunt in the deal for Garrett. In order for this to make sense, Garrett needs to be added to that dynamic duo, not replacing one of them. If the deal costs you one of Smith or Hunt, then you might as well just add a depth edge in free agency and with your first round pick and hope Huff improves in Year No. 2 in Philadelphia. The Eagles cannot let a new contract for Garrett get in the way of re-signing Zack Baun to a new deal. Yes, I am prioritizing re-signing Baun over trading for Myles Garrett. Call me nuts, but we saw that you don’t need Garrett to win the Super Bowl. Without Baun anchoring the middle of the defense, there is no one left to replace him in ‘25. Oren Burks is great for what he is, but Nakobe Dean will miss a good portion of next year. We saw how vital having a star linebacker is to defensive cohesion, and the Eagles absolutely must retain Baun, even if they have to overpay. If that means they can’t trade for Garrett, so be it. Something tells me Roseman knows this and won’t do anything foolish to land him.
Finding the Rams defensive line “big” help in the draft
Last season, the Los Angeles Rams were a Bottom 10 team defending the run. Even though they made the playoffs and did show improvement over the course of the season, many fans thought a lack of mass at the point of attack made them susceptible to better NFL competition. Flash forward and it looks like theRams largest defensive tackle is not happy in L.A. To the Rams favor, in this year’s deep defensive tackle class, options abound. It just depends on how much draft capital you are willing to utilize. While you can never have enough pass rushers, L.A. currently has a handful of players that can get after the quarterback. What the Rams lack is a interior space taker, run clogger, or block eater. Any catchy descriptor you want to use. Please check out all my TST draft content. Big changes at running back? Little receivers, big rewards NFL Combine snubs Fastest prospects at the Senior Bowl Opening Top 300 Meet the prospects Kenneth Grant – Michigan – 6’ 4” 331 lb. 33 1/2” arms Only 21, the true junior is foregoing his final college season. One of the most-telling things about Grant is that he came to Michigan well over 350 lb. and through his work ethic, Wolverine coaches have declared him as one of their top conditioned players. Worked in all 41 games of his college career, with 17 starts. He racked up 69 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 12 passes batted down. Well put together, compact frame and outstanding move skills. Made the Feldman’s Freaks list for strength and athleticism. He shows power at the point of attack and stellar pursuit speed. Has the lower body mass and overall strength to stand up to the numerous double teams he faces, but could use some work consistently keeping his pad level down and sinking his hips/knees into blockers. He can be dominant when facing 1on1 reps Certainly a Day 1 selection. To me, his ability to win in both the pass and run game from the nose makes up a true Round 1 pick. Plus he has the versatility to be a three-down chess piece. Even though he’s still in the learning phase of his growth, Grant offers Day 1 readiness with both a high floor and ceiling. Tyleik Williams – Ohio State – 6’ 3” 334 lb. 32” arms Joined Ohio State as four-star prospect with over 350 lb. on his frame. Fell in love with the weight room and was named to the Feldman’s Freaks list for strength and athleticism. Although a part of a deep rotation and not becoming a full-time starter until 2024, Williams racked up 137 tackles, 27 for loss, 11.5 sacks, and 10 batted passes over 51 games. Proportionally-built and keeps low leverage. Understands keys, appears to have the nifty feet to navigate traffic in pursuit, and moves well laterally. Good upper body strength, keeps awareness of where the ball is going and controls/rides blockers to that point, where he can shed and tackle. His arms are shorter than the standard, but strikes are powerful and sure Well-rounded, plug-and-play prospect. I have him with a Round 2 grade and most experts consider him a probable Day 1. If he can muster up some quarterback pressure, he will be well worth it. Williams did not play as much nose as the other plus-sized prospects, Ohio State moved him around the interior spots. Deone Walker – Kentucky – 6’ 7” 331 lb. 34 1/4” arms Soon to be 21 years old, Walker came out after three college seasons. Became a starter as a true freshman and eventually started 36 of 37 games for the Wildcats. After strong freshman and sophomore campaigns, his final season did not continue the trajectory. All said, he recorded 132 tackles, 22 for loss, 10 sacks, and batted six passes. High ceiling developmental player, he’s massive with great length and strength. Can be a little Jekyll and Hyde. When Walker keeps his pads low and uses that quick first step, he can dominate anyone in front of him. He sets a massive anchor and has the strength to toss aside blockers. But when his first move is to stand up, and it happens too often, blockers get under his high-cut frame and with that base lost, he can be easily moved. His weak areas appear quite fixable with repetition and a strength/conditioning program. Before the season, his name was bandied about as a Day 1 possibility and now, after a tough season and ordinary pre-draft workouts, many have dropped him to the cusp of Top 100. I’m staying with a Round 2 grade, with Walker’s rare combination of size, length and agility, his potential is just too much to ignore. Alfred Collins – Texas – 6’ 6” 332 lb., 34 5/8” arms, and 10” hands Five-star high school recruit, played in a rotation for his first four season’s, 48 games with 12 starts. Totaled 87 tackles, 12.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, and six batted passes. Took the extra COVID year and broke out with 14 starts, 55 tackles, 5.5 for loss, one sack, and seven batted passes. Collins is a dirty work player, setting and defending gaps. Anchor comes from a wide, solid base, big lower half, and plus upper body strength. Does an adequately consistent job of staying low, despite his height. Strong upper body and grip strength to control and then shed blockers. Shocking punch and the push/pull are his go-to moves to shed blockers and wraps up tackles. Good feet and short area agility. High-floor run stopper. Has the size, length, and enough athleticism to be a versatile piece along the whole front. Although not a particularly gifted pass rusher, he does keep his eyes in the backfield, times his jumps, and gets his hand arms up to obscure passing lanes. The best quote about his game, “he makes the linebackers behind him better.” Jamaree Caldwell – Oregon – 6’ 2” 332 lb.
Twitter reactions and approval poll for Bengals tagging Tee Higgins
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images Higgins gave a brief post about it on Twitter. The Cincinnati Bengals have tagged Tee Higgins for the second straight season. Now, with $26 million owed to him for that tag, the two sides can ideally work out a long-term deal to keep him in the Queen City permanently. That’s at least the thought, but seeing that turned into reality will be a completely different story. That said, the Bengals have the cap space to make this happen, but with Ja’Marr Chase’s new deal on the horizon as well, the team is going to have to figure out a way to make sure the money works for all parties, a task easier said than done, especially with one of the worst defenses in the NFL needing upgrades this offseason as well. With Joe Burrow locked up for the foreseeable future, the hard part is now making sure everyone else can stay home and not be poached. Keeping Higgins for a year is a positive step. He went for 911 yards last season and has eclipsed 900 in four of his five seasons with the Bengals. While injuries have hurt his production in the past, he should be healthy and could be in store for a career year in 2025. Higgins was the team’s second-round pick in the same draft in which Cincinnati snagged Burrow. Vote below to see a gauge on how fans feel about Higgins’ tag and then also some Twitter reactions to the breaking news. Here is Higgins’ response to the tag. tag. — Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) March 3, 2025 Now, let’s see how the rest of the world reacted. “It’s just a matter of if they’re seeing things in a different light.” Duke Tobin has made it clear the Bengals want to keep Tee + Trey long-term & the comparisons they have are what’s guiding their offers. It takes two sides to agree on that value, though. The tricky part. — Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) March 3, 2025 my brain still has access to pessimistic channels, so the thought of them releasing rankins and cappa earlier than expected to absorb most of higgins’ 2nd tag has come to mind. but that’s not the dominant thought in my mind. — John Sheeran (@John__Sheeran) March 3, 2025 Tee Higgins legitimately left an agent that gets players crazy guarantees. Clearly a move indicating he wants to stay in Cincinnati. The Bengals can’t have a guy make a concession for them like that and still not get a deal done. Make. It. Happen. — Drew Garrison (@DrewGarrison) March 3, 2025 The Bengals’ second straight franchise tag of Tee Higgins will be worth about $26.179 million, a 20 percent raise from last season’s franchise-tag deal of $21.816 million. — MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) March 3, 2025 “You see Justin Jefferson getting $35M … if I’m Tee Higgins that’s the number I’m shooting for.”@BMac_SportsTalk is surprised the Bengals placed the Franchise Tag on WR Tee Higgins once again. pic.twitter.com/EbHii0VoZC — NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) March 3, 2025 Was the first to mention the double-tag option for Tee more than a year ago when I posted a contract projection for him. Both sides should work and negotiate in good faith to secure a long-term deal for Higgins. We can infer that this is Tee’s desire due to the agent change. https://t.co/PVG8GiXnTZ — Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) March 3, 2025 Bengals doing Tee Higgins dirty man — Jar (@Jarzhi) March 3, 2025 Bengals serious about not breaking up the band by tagging Tee Higgins. Didn’t think they would go there with having to pay JaMarr Chase and their defensive needs. Where there is a will there is a way. Salute to Cincy for trying to make things happen. — Steve Wyche (@wyche89) March 3, 2025 What was anticipated to happen from reports last week, is officially official. The #Bengals have franchise tagged WR Tee Higgins. @WDTN https://t.co/HgcjPfAmt8 — Joey DeBerardino (@JoeyDeBerardino) March 3, 2025 Bengals to Tee Higgins pic.twitter.com/Dtrx6yqCpW — SportsInChiTown (@Odunzesburner) March 3, 2025 Bengals Franchise Tagging Tee Higgins — DJ D-I-N (@Tuff86D) March 3, 2025 With Tee Higgins franchise tagged again, life is good for Chris Godwin, now likely the top WR available. A star with the #Bucs, Godwin is now less than two weeks away from being free and is in high demand. https://t.co/a7ReI0B6Hj — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 3, 2025 The Bengals hate paying their players. Tee Higgins somewhere punching the wall — Quaye (@quayeofficial) March 3, 2025 Tee Higgins: Man I can’t wait until free agency. Also Tee Higgins: https://t.co/uYFjihgOr3 — Ted Glover (@purplebuckeye) March 3, 2025 2nd year in a row, #Bengals wide receiver, Tee Higgins (@teehiggins5) has been franchised tagged. $26.2 million… marathon numbers pic.twitter.com/P1CXSNTblw — TDT Media (@ThirdDownThurs) March 3, 2025 Tee Higgins tagged. pic.twitter.com/8ZrxAMmqjP — Joe Burrow Fan Club (@JoeyBClub) March 3, 2025
Combine winners and losers: Dart’s stock continues to rise
Jaxson Dart | Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images Whose draft stock is trending up and down after the biggest pre-draft event INDIANAPOLIS — We’re creeping closer to the 2025 NFL Draft as the biggest pre-draft event, the NFL Combine, is officially in the books. So, it’s officially crunch time for the Las Vegas Raiders to put their final evaluations together on the prospects in this year’s class, as we’re less than two months away from draft weekend. So, let’s dive into who’s stock is rising and falling with some winners and losers from the combine. WINNER: Jaxson Dart The competition for the third-best quarterback in the 2025 draft class is tight, but Dart has been pulling away from the pack recently. He had a strong performance at the Senior Bowl and was the best quarterback during Saturday’s throwing session in Indianapolis. The Ole Miss product’s stock is certainly on the rise as we approach late April. LOSER: Jalen Milroe It’s baffling that Milroe decided not to run the 40-yard dash or complete any athletic testing drills at the combine. He’s easily the most athletic quarterback in this year’s draft class, so this was his event to dominate, and he missed an opportunity to regain some stock after a rough Senior Bowl performance. Instead, Milroe only participated in the throwing drills, where he continued to struggle with the consistency of his accuracy. WINNER: Alfred Collins Collins only did the jumps during the athletic testing and didn’t put up impressive numbers, but he looked smooth in the untimed position-specific drills. On top of that, he came in 12 pounds heavier than his roster weight at 332 pounds, which bodes well for his projection as a nose tackle at the next level. Also, the former Longhorn measured in with 34 5/8-inch arms. He’d be a great Day 2 option to replace John Jenkins in the middle of Las Vegas’ defense. LOSER: Jamaree Caldwell Caldwell gets some praise for his movement skills at his size, but his testing numbers weren’t exactly eye-catching with a 5.16-second 40-yard dash, 1.86-second 10-yard split and 27-inch vertical jump. Granted, that isn’t a major concern for a nose tackle. But the Oregon product also didn’t look sharp in the position drills and lacks length at 6-foot-2 with 32-inch arms. WINNER: Jihaad Campbell Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesJihaad Campbell Barring a trade back, Campbell might be out of range for the Raiders. He’d be a reach with the sixth pick but likely won’t be available in the second round, especially after his performance at the combine. Campbell ranked tied for third among linebackers with a 4.52-second 40 and had the second-longest broad jump at 10-foot-7. With Jalon Walker being a hybrid type of player, the Alabama product cemented himself as the top true off-ball linebacker in the class. LOSER: Jay Higgins Higgins’ athleticism was questionable heading into the combine, and the event only heightened those concerns. He had the slowest 40-yard dash time (4.82) among linebackers and underwhelmed in the explosion testing with a 33-inch vertical and 9-foot-2 broad. On top of that, the former Hawkeye measured small at just a shade over 6-foot tall, 224 pounds and 31-inch arms. All of that resulted in a 3.61 RAS score out of 10. WINNER: Darien Porter Pete Carroll will definitely be intrigued by a 6-foot-3 corner with 33 1/8-inch arms who runs a 4.3-second 40-yard dash. Porter also posted good times in the agility testing — 4.04-second shuttle and 6.71 three-cone — on top of showing some impressive explosion with a 36.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-11 broad jump. That gave the former Cyclone a 9.99 RAS score. LOSER: Cobee Bryant The only athletic testing drill Bryant participated in was the 40-yard dash, so it’s hard to put too much weight into his combine performance. However, he posted a time of 4.53 seconds while weighing in at just 180 pounds. Being on the lighter side while recording one of the slowest 40s of the position group is a tough combination. WINNER: Tate Ratledge There were several guards to choose from as the position group had a handful of standouts. But Ratledge posted the highest athleticism score (98), according to Next Gen Stats, to lead the pack. He clocked the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash (4.97 seconds) among offensive linemen, the best three-cone time (7.38 seconds) and ranked third in the broad jump (9-foot-5). All of that while rocking a sweet mullet, it’s easy to see why the Georgia product stood out on Sunday. LOSER: Tyler Booker Booker is a nasty blocker in the trenches, but his combine performance was rough. He ran a 5.38-second 40 with a 1.96-second 10-yard split, had just a 7-foot-10 broad jump and only hit 21 on the bench press. That resulted in the lowest athleticism score (56) of the position group by 11 points, which isn’t ideal for someone who is considered the top guard in the class and a potential first-round pick.
Lance Zierlein mock draft 2.0: The Giants get their quarterback
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images The Giants have to come away with a quarterback New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen committed to taking “swings” at the quarterback position when he spoke at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. The Giants attempted to take their first swing of the offseason with a trade for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. However, the ball was never thrown — or perhaps never teed up — as the Rams and Stafford came to an agreement on Saturday. But despite the false start, the Giants have to come away from this offseason with multiple quarterbacks. Their preference is a veteran quarterback who can hold the fort, as well as a rookie who can be the future. In his second mock draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com gave the Giants that player and has Cam Ward going third overall. 3. New York Giants – Cam Ward, QB, Miami He’s a serious-minded quarterback with a big arm and the ability to grow into a dangerous pitch-and-catch combo with Malik Nabers. Raptor’s Thoughts The Giants getting Ward without giving up any additional draft capital is an absolute dream scenario. Ward is the best quarterback prospect in the draft, and while his tendency to go big play hunting can get him in trouble, he has the traits and tools the Giants are looking for. The Giants made a number of concessions to Daniel Jones’ skill set that ultimately limited the offense as a whole from 2022 to 2024. Most notably, the passing offense was largely composed of quick-game concepts without significant progression reads (largely 2-man reads) or RPOs, and was read from shallow to deep. That allowed opposing defenses to play downhill and simplified their own reads so they could play faster. It also handicapped a collection of skill position players who were acquired to stretch the field and stress the defense vertically as well as laterally. The Giants’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts seriously complicated their offseason plan. But it also showed what the offensive scheme could do when the passing attack created room in the underneath area of the field. Ward’s propensity for attacking downfield should fit the scheme and philosophy well. It’s also notable that Ward has improved each year since transferring from Incarnate Word to Washington State in 2022. He’s raised his completion percentage, yards per game, yards per attempt, EPA, and QBR. At the same time he’s lowered his sack rate and interception rate. He’s still a work in progress, as he was essentially a running back who (very) occasionally threw in high school, and didn’t become a passer until he became the starter at Incarnate Word. My personal expectation is that the Giants don’t leave this up to chance and pursue a trade with the Titans to make sure they get Ward. And on that note, it’s interesting that Zierlein has the Giants staying put at third overall, but still landing Ward. He projects trades later in his draft, most notably the Browns trading back into the first round to select Shedeur Sanders at 29th overall. Personally, I could see Sanders slipping and Jaxson Dart coming off the board first (he doesn’t in this mock). But even so, I would be surprised to see the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and New Orleans Saints all pass on quarterbacks. But the number of teams who need a passer reinforces that the Giants need to secure theirs, or they may not get the chance.
Will Carter’s Old-School Grit Save or Destroy the Vikings O-Line?
Vikings hire Keith Carter as assistant O-line coach—savior or sinner? Gritty style boosted the Titans’ run game but flopped in pass protection (47+ sacks). Players like Lewan and Becton hate him. It’s a risky move for KOC’s player-friendly vibe—will it fix the interior or flop? | Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images Two Old Bloggers tackle the Vikings’ controversial Keith Carter hire, exploring whether his tough coaching style will fix the O-line or clash with O’Connell’s culture. Plus: NFLPA report card success, NFL Combine insights, and free agency strategy with a boosted salary cap. In this episode of Two Old Bloggers, a Vikings 1st & SKOL production partnered with the Fans First Sports Network, hosts Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano dive into the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason moves as of March 3, 2025. The centerpiece is the controversial hiring of Keith Carter, ex-Jets O-line coach, as assistant offensive line coach and with run game coordinator history under Kevin O’Connell. Campbell questions Carter’s fit given his old-school, abrasive style — criticized by players like Taylor Lewan and Mekhi Becton — while Stefano sees potential to toughen up a struggling interior line. The episode also covers the Vikings’ stellar NFLPA report card ranking (second overall), the NFL Combine’s draft implications, a $23.8 million salary cap boost, and an in-depth O-line positional review. Key Points: NFLPA Report Card: The Vikings rank second (behind Miami), with A+ grades in coaching and facilities and a B+ in nutrition, boosting free agent appeal. Keith Carter Hire: Hired to assist Chris Kuper, Carter’s Titans tenure saw top-six rushing but 47+ sacks in four of five years; Jets years were worse (64 sacks in 2023). Campbell calls it risky; Stefano defends it for grit. Combine Insights: The Vikings met prospects like Derek Harmon, Ashton Jeanty, and Cam Ward, hinting at draft focus on D-line and depth. Salary Cap: $279.2M cap (up $23.8M) may ease big signings like Cam Bynum or Teven Jenkins, per Campbell and Stefano. O-Line Review: Tackles Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw are set, but the interior needs urgent free agency fixes (e.g., Jenkins, Will Fries, James Daniels) over draft picks. Listen: Watch: Vikings fans, this Two Old Bloggers episode is a must-listen as Darren and Dave unpack whether Keith Carter can transform the O-line into Super Bowl caliber or if his hire is a gamble gone wrong. With free agency looming and the draft heating up, their insights on the trenches, cap space, and roster moves will keep you ahead of the purple curve. Tune in on Vikings 1st & SKOL via the Fans First Sports Network—subscribe, rate, and join the SKOL chant for more! Fan With Us! We have your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst the Two Old Bloggers, Darren @KickassblogVike, and Dave @Luft_Krigare. Join the conversation! Fan with us at Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and with our podcast partner Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL where you get sports takes for the fan, from the fan!
What should the Eagles do at cornerback?
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl season is over and the 2025 NFL offseason is officially here. We’re continuing our Eagles roster outlook series by examining the cornerback position. PREVIOUSLY: Quarterback | Running back | Tight end | Wide receiver | Offensive tackle | Offensive guard | Center | Edge rusher | Defensive tackle. QUINYON MITCHELL STATS: 955 snaps, 46 total tackles, 0 interceptions, 12 passes defensed, 87.2 passer rating allowed PLAYOFF STATS: 204 snaps, 14 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defensed, 33.3 passer rating allowed REVIEW: Mitchell finished the 2024 season second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, only behind winner Jared Verse. He also finished the season as Pro Football Focus’s eighth-highest graded cornerback. The Eagles’ first-round pick regularly locked down wide receivers to the point where quarterbacks avoided throwing his way. Q dropped some picks during the course of the season, which led to his first interception not coming until the Wild Card round. Even so, he was excellent. OUTLOOK: Mitchell’s future appears to be bright; the 23-year-old could conceivably earn All-Pro recognition as soon as his second NFL season. Converting more of his breakups into interceptions will go a long way towards helping his reputation. MY TAKE: Stay. Poll Quinyon Mitchell: Stay or go? 0% Stay (0 votes) 0% Go (0 votes) 0 votes total Vote Now DARIUS SLAY STATS: 699 snaps, 49 total tackles, 3 TFLs, 0 interceptions, 13 passes defensed, 81.9 passer rating allowed, 1 forced fumble PLAYOFF STATS: 248 snaps, 14 total tackles, 1 interceptions, 5 passes defensed, 92.5 passer rating allowed REVIEW: Despite turning 34 in January, Slay was able to stave off decline and turn in another strong season. He did deal with some injury issues that led to him missing two starts and going in and out of the lineup within games at times. Ultimately, the three-time captain was a major contributor to the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory season. OUTLOOK: The Eagles are reportedly going to release Slay with a post-June 1 designation. As of me typing this sentence, they have not made that move official. It’s still possible he’ll return to Philly. But the feeling here is the Eagles should move on. Not because Slay can no longer play … but because counting on a 34-year-old to continue to play at a high level isn’t a great bet, especially when there’s a prime opportunity to move forward with younger and less expensive cornerback options. Slay will always be remembered fondly in Philly but it’s time to move on. MY TAKE: Go. Poll Darius Slay: Stay or go? 0% Stay (0 votes) 0% Go (0 votes) 0 votes total Vote Now COOPER DEJEAN STATS: 627 snaps, 51 total tackles, 3 TFLs, 0.5 sacks, 0 interceptions, 6 passes defensed, 80.1 passer rating allowed, 1 forced fumble PLAYOFF STATS: 254 snaps, 18 total tackles, 1 interception, 4 passes defensed, 61.1 passer rating allowed, 1 defensive TD REVIEW: DeJean suffered a hamstring injury last offseason that caused him to miss most of training camp. That slow start led to Vic Fangio not trusting the rookie to play early in the regular season. DeJean finally got the nod at nickel cornerback in Week 6, taking over for a struggling Avonte Maddox. Though he wasn’t the sole reason for the turnaround, it wasn’t a mere coincidence that the entire defense started to play better once DeJean was inserted in the lineup. DeJean had a great rookie campaign, finishing 2024 as Pro Football Focus’s top-graded cornerback. He arguably made the biggest play of the season when he read Patrick Mahomes’ eyes for a pick-six to give the Eagles a 17 to 0 lead in Super Bowl LIX. OUTLOOK: It’ll be interesting to see where DeJean plays in 2025 and beyond. With DeJean having so much success as the Eagles’ slot cornerback, why move him out of that role? But maybe DeJean wants to move outside. And/or maybe the Eagles want him to move outside if there’s a need. Maybe DeJean plays on the outside in base defense (which the Eagles did not play much in 2024) and shifts inside in nickel. The feeling here is that the Eagles should ride with DeJean in the slot again in 2025. And though he has the skill set to be a good punt returner, it’d be ideal to not have him taking hits as a ball carrier. The Eagles should try to find a different primary punt returner with DeJean available as a backup option. MY TAKE: Stay. Poll Cooper DeJean: Stay or go? 0% Stay (0 votes) 0% Go (0 votes) 0 votes total Vote Now AVONTE MADDOX STATS: 345 snaps, 20 total tackles, 0 interceptions, 5 passes defensed, 77.4 passer rating allowed PLAYOFF STATS: 13 snaps, 1 total tackle, 0 interceptions, 1 pass defensed REVIEW: Maddox began the season as the Eagles’ nickel cornerback. Teams clearly picked on him from the jump, which eventually led to DeJean replacing him in the slot. Maddox then saw some occasional snaps as the dime cornerback but he even struggled in those appearances, leading to him losing that role as well. Maddox did move up the depth chart as a backup safety option later in the season. Maddox also did have a cool redemption moment with a huge fourth down pass breakup on a Patrick Mahomes pass in Super Bowl LIX. One play later, Jalen Hurts hit DeVonta Smith for the dagger that gave the Eagles a 34 to 0 lead. OUTLOOK: Maddox, who turns 29 this month, is set to be a free agent. If the Eagles want to bring him back on the veteran minimum to compete for a roster spot, fine. He’s a well-liked guy in the locker room and he gives good effort. But bringing him back will hardly be a priority. MY TAKE: Go. Poll Avonte Maddox: Stay or go? 0% Stay (0 votes) 0% Go (0 votes) 0 votes total Vote Now ISAIAH RODGERS STATS: 328 snaps, 26 total tackles, 0 interceptions,
PFF offers its ideal 2025 draft haul for New York Giants
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images PFF has Giants adding intriging options in first three rounds As the 2025 NFL Draft looms, the New York Giants find themselves in an exciting yet critical position. With the No. 3 overall pick, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has outlined a potential ideal draft haul for the Giants, offering a mix of future franchise stars that could drastically reshape the team’s fortunes. The proposed selections: quarterback Cam Ward, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and edge rusher J.T. Tuimoloau. Round 1 — QB Cam Ward The Giants have made no secret of their need for a high-profile quarterback, and the selection of Cam Ward could be a game-changer for the franchise. Ward, who has shown flashes of brilliance at Washington State and Miami, possesses a unique combination of arm strength and mobility that would be a welcome addition to Brian Daboll’s offense. At 6-foot-2, 223 pounds, Ward has the physical tools to be a top-tier quarterback in the NFL. His ability to throw with velocity and make aggressive plays out of the pocket is something that would undoubtedly excite Giants fans. While there is concern over his occasional over-aggressiveness leading to mistakes, Daboll’s guidance could help refine his decision-making and internal clock. As the Giants look to their future, selecting Ward would be an investment in the quarterback position that has plagued them for years. With his high ceiling and raw talent, the Giants would have the potential to build their offense around a franchise quarterback who could be a star for years to come. Rlound 2 — CB Benjamin Morrison Another glaring need for the Giants has been at cornerback. With Deonte Banks and Cor’Dale Flott’s futures still uncertain, adding a corner like Benjamin Morrison could provide the stability the Giants need on the backend. Morrison, considered one of the top cornerbacks in the 2025 draft class before a season-ending hip injury, has the traits to be a top-tier player in the NFL. His football IQ, competitive spirit, and versatility make him an intriguing prospect. Morrison has the size (6-foot, 190 pounds), athleticism, and technique to thrive in any coverage scheme, whether it’s man, zone, or press. When healthy, Morrison has shown an ability to shut down top-tier receivers, and his experience in various coverage schemes would make him an ideal fit in Shane Bowen’s defense. Should the Giants be fortunate enough to land him at No. 34 overall, they could be getting a player who provides immediate impact with the potential to be a cornerback anchor for years to come. Round 3 — J.T. Tuimoloau In addition to bolstering their secondary, the Giants’ defense would also benefit from an infusion of talent on the edge. Enter J.T. Tuimoloau, the imposing 6-foot-4, 270-pound pass rusher from Ohio State. With a physical presence that draws comparisons to elite NFL edge defenders, Tuimoloau’s combination of size, power, and agility makes him a force to be reckoned with. While the Giants currently have standout pass rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns, Tuimoloau’s potential to complement their skill sets and add depth to the defensive front would be a huge boost. With a strong run-defense grade from PFF and a pass-rush ability that can make quarterbacks uncomfortable, Tuimoloau would not only help the Giants against the run but could also take some pressure off their current edge defenders. The potential to pair Tuimoloau with Burns and Thibodeaux is a tantalizing thought. His ability to disrupt offenses and be a constant force on the field could make him one of the most impactful selections the Giants could make.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73931904/usa_today_25123993.5.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "New York Giants’ QB search: Everything we know about pursuit of a veteran quarterback")
New York Giants’ QB search: Everything we know about pursuit of a veteran quarterback
New York Giants’ QB search: Everything we know about pursuit of a veteran quarterback The Giants will land a veteran quarterback via trade or free agency, but which one? Contributors: The New York Giants’ pursuit of Los Angeles Rams’ veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford fell short, but the Giants are still on the trail of a veteran quarterback to at least begin the 2025 season and to mentor whatever rookie quarterback the team selects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Names most commonly associated with the Giants recently have been former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons and Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who would likely command the biggest contract of any available quarterback, has also been considered a possibility. With GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll under fire entering the 2025 season, the Giants are likely to take a big swing at filling the quarterback position. We have been covering the story throughout, and will continue to do so. Please keep coming back to this StoryStream for updates as we follow one of the most fascinating stories of the offseason.