Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Bengals keep their long-snapper under contract. The Cincinnati Bengals have signed long-snapper Cal Adomitis to a one-year contract extension through the 2025 season, the team announced Friday. Adomitis, who will be a fourth-year player in 2025, was an undrafted free agent signee of the Bengals by way of the Pitt Panthers in 2022. He has played in 52 games (regular season and postseason) while delivering zero unplayable snaps on 432 attempts. The Bengals now have all of their specialists under contract through at least the 2025 season. They recently signed punter Ryan Rehkow to a two-year contract extension through the 2026 NFL season. Placekicker Evan McPherson is signed through the 2027 NFL season. Good to have you back @CalAdomitis pic.twitter.com/HZLFdVd5mg — Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 21, 2025
Bengals sign Cal Adomitis to contract extension
Colts officially announce four new additions to revamped defensive coaching staff
Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images The Colts confirmed four defensive coaching staff names who were previously nationally reported as imminent hires. On Friday, the Indianapolis Colts officially announced the four new additions to the team’s defensive coaching staff collectively: Our coaching staff is set for 2025. ⬇️ — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) February 21, 2025 In addition to new veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Colts are bringing in linebackers coach James Bettcher, defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, and pass game coordinator/secondary coach Chris Hewitt. All of these hirings had already been reported by members of the national media, although Henderson’s specific role was never actually indicated. However, it was speculated that it may be as the Colts defensive backs coach given Indy’s remaining key opening, and his wealth of experience coaching that position at the pro level. It appears as though holdovers from departed defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s staff such as defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and assistant linebackers coach Cato June will stay on staff under Anarumo for at least the 2025 campaign. The revamped Colts defensive coaching staff will be tasked to helping improve a Colts defense that ranked 24th in total points allowed (25.1 avg. ppg) this past season.
Film room: Malaki Starks; safety, slot corner, all-around quality defensive back
Malaki Starks | Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images With a need at safety, could the Georgia product be the Raiders’ answer? With Tre’von Moehrig, Marcus Epps and Isaiah Pola-Mao being free agents, the Las Vegas Raiders will likely be a big player in the safety market this offseason. One potential solution is Georgia safety Malaki Starks, who is widely considered the top prospect at the position in the 2025 NFL Draft class. While Starks may not be a great option with the sixth overall pick of the draft, The Athletic’s Vic Tafur posed an interesting scenario in a recent mock draft where the Raiders traded back to the 12th selection and took the former Bulldog. That would allow Las Vegas to gain extra draft capital to address other holes on the roster and give the defense an immediate starter in the secondary. Starks would also be a good fit in Patrick Graham’s defense as he can lineup at multiple spots and contribute to both phases of the game. Over the last two seasons, he earned 78.3 and 72.1 coverage grades from Pro Football Focus, respectively, and also posted marks of 84.8 and 85.6 as a run defender. So, let’s dive into what the Georgia product could bring to the Silver and Black. Malaki Starks is impressive in man coverage against slot receivers #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/kuloC9PoXV — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 20, 2025 Similar to 2024 Pro Bowler Brian Branch from the Detroit Lions, Starks is impressive in man coverage when covering the slot. That’s where both players stand out the most in coverage, either by staying in phase to take options away from the quarterback or by making plays on the ball. As seen in a handful of the reps above, Starks is pretty good at covering slot fade routes. He’s patient to avoid opening his hips too early, especially in press coverage, and has the speed to carry receivers down the field or recover if he does fall out of phase. Also, his football IQ/route recognition is impressive in this area as he finds and stays attached to his man against bunch sets and switch releases from the offense. That helps Starks be effective when playing zone match coverages, which have become more popular in the NFL recently and is, at a high level, essentially man coverage with more rules. A few coverage stops from Malaki Starks #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/wMyoxzcrgJ — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 20, 2025 The Georgia product racked up 16 defensive stops (tackles that result in a “failure” for the offense) in coverage over the last two seasons, per PFF. The two primary reasons for that are he accelerates well when coming downhill to reduce the space between himself and the receiver, and he’s a quality open-field tackler. The best example of Starks’ ability to close in coverage from the clips above is the second one against Texas. Initially, he stays deep in his zone to help take away the out route past the sticks. Then, when the quarterback checks the ball down, he quickly triggers downhill and makes a great form tackle with some force for a one-yard gain. So, he managed to cover over 10 yards in a hurry to set up third and long while keeping the offense out of field goal range. A few nice tackles against the run from Malaki Starks #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/oUXR6tptq5 — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 20, 2025 To be clear, Starks is still growing as a run defender when playing in the box. He’s gotten better at taking on blocks but could afford to use his athleticism to make offensive linemen and tight ends miss or slip blocks more frequently. But he doesn’t shy away from this part of the game and is willing to get involved in run fits. That allows him to make quality tackles near the line of scrimmage when unblocked either via blitzes or when the defense has a numbers advantage. When lined up at the former Bulldog’s more natural position of free safety, his speed gives him impressive lateral/sideline-to-sideline range or allows him to come from depth and make tackles near the line of scrimmage. Also, he does a good job of crashing downhill but knowing when to pull up to avoid getting caught in the trash. Positional value is a factor when it comes to drafting safeties in the first round. For example, Starks’ game is similar to Branch’s, and Branch has been an excellent NFL player over the last two years but was taken with a mid-second-round pick. So, that’s something to consider when drafting Starks. However, if a trade-back scenario is on the table like the one Tafur posed above, filling one of the Raiders’ biggest needs while acquiring more draft capital would be hard to pass up. Especially since Starks is an impressive talent who could be an immediate starter.
PFF: Bills’ Spencer Brown named among top-101 NFL players in 2024
PFF: Bills’ Spencer Brown named among top-101 NFL players in 2024 PFF: Bills’ Spencer Brown named among top-101 NFL players in 2024 Nick Wojton Spencer Brown’s breakout season with the Buffalo Bills has gained him national attention. The Bills showed their faith in Brown even before the start of the year by handing him a four-year extension. Pro Football Focus thinks he repaid that trust. The football analytics outlet named the top-101 players from the 2024 NFL season. Brown made his first appearance on the rankings, clocking in at No. 97 overall. After injuries held him back in prior seasons, Brown made 15 starts last season. Not only did PFF give him this recognition, he was named Buffalo’s breakout player of the year and his 77.9 overall grade in their metrics was the best of anyone on the Bills offensive line. In terms of league-wide, his final grade was good for the 20th best offensive tackle grade in the NFL out of 81 qualifying players. PFF’s full breakdown on Brown can be found below: Just prior to the Bills kicking off their 2024 season, Buffalo locked up Brown to a four-year, $72 million extension, and the Bills were certainly glad they did. While Brown had shown promise across his first three seasons, 2024 put him on the map. In the playoffs, the Bills tackle emerged as a true impact blocker, as he earned an 83.5 PFF overall grade — fourth highest among all offensive linemen this postseason. Read all the best Bills coverage at the Democrat and Chronicle and Bills Wire.
What They’re Saying About The Super Bowl Champion Eagles: Got Our LIX In (Quarter 3)
Breaking News THE EAGLES ARE SUPER BOWL LIX CHAMPIONS! What They’re Saying About The Super Bowl Champion Eagles: Got Our LIX In (Quarter 3) Love, Hurts Edition By Feb 21, 2025, 5:46pm EST Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images WHAT’S GOING ON BLEEDING GREEN NATION?! Catch up on the first quarter: What They’re Saying About The Super Bowl Champion Eagles: Got Our LIX In (Quarter 1) Catch up on the second quarter: What They’re Saying About The Super Bowl Champion Eagles: Got Our LIX In (Quarter 2) The Eagles are Super Bowl champions. For the entire season, nearly every week, we heard all the talking heads saying the same thing about the Eagles. “Stack the box to stop Barkley and make Jalen throw to beat you.” Credit where credit is due, the Chiefs made Saquon look mortal. Not a feat often seen throughout the season. In the first half they held Barkley to only 31 yards on 12 attempts, a 2.6 yard average. Against the NEW LEADER in full season rushing and scrimmage yards, that’s not too shabby. The only problem is, well… Jalen Hurts can still run and throw. Jalen Hurts finished the game going 17/22 for 221 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. A rating of 119.7. They said to make Hurts throw to beat you, and he took that personally. What They’re Saying About the Eagles: Love, Hurts Edition Eagles Defense Welcomes Mahomes Back to the Field Hurts Still Has Legs
Two Rams make PFF’s top 101 players from 2024
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images Puka Nacua and Jared Verse only Rams to make PFF’s list The Los Angeles Rams have built a solid young core over the last two offseasons, as evidenced by back-to-back playoff appearances. Pro Football Reference took notice as the outlet named two Rams to its annual ranking of the top 101 players from the 2024 season. First up was reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, who came in at No. 27. PFF writers Mason Cameron, Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick shared what made the first-year Florida State product so special: “As PFF’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, Verse rightfully earns his place on this list ahead of some more established names at the position. While many top edge rushers unleash their explosiveness primarily on passing downs, Verse’s relentless motor shows up on every snap. He finished in the top 10 among edge defenders in both pass-rush grade (85.5) and run-defense grade (81.0), proving his all-around impact.” Verse made himself known early and often and showed out in LA’s two-game playoff run against the Vikings and Eagles. Next on the list was Puka Nacua who landed two spots behind Verse at No. 29. Here is what Cameron, Wasserman and Chadwick had to say about the All-Pro wideout: “Nacua finished the 2024 season with the NFL’s highest receiving grade (92.6), leading the league in both yards per route run (3.23) — well ahead of the next closest qualifier (2.86) — and threat percentage (35.6%). He would have been a lock for the top 10 on this list if he had maintained that production over a full season. However, with just 350 receiving snaps — less than half of the league leader—his limited workload pushes him slightly further down the rankings.” The second-year playmaker was among four wide receivers listed in the top 30—Ja’Marr Chase (21), Justin Jefferson (24) and Nico Collins (25). Seeing Nacua ranked so high was surprising, considering he missed five games due to injury and still fell 10 yards shy of a 1,000-yard campaign. Then, I realized that his inclusion shouldn’t have come as a surprise whatsoever since he routinely made spectacular plays like this: PUKA NACUA WITH A MASSIVE PLAY!!! Watch Rams vs. Eagles on NFL Game Pass on DAZN | via @NFL pic.twitter.com/APjNF5JWDi — NFL on DAZN (@NFLonDAZN) January 19, 2025 Last season might not have ended how the Rams preferred, but Verse and Nacua are proof that the kids are all right in Los Angeles.
NFL announces schedule for coaches/GMs to speak at 2025 scouting combine
NFL announces schedule for coaches/GMs to speak at 2025 scouting combine glenn erby The 2025 NFL Scouting Combine will again take place in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium from Thursday, February 27, to Sunday, March 52. The yearly event allows prospects to participate in on-field drills in front of NFL evaluators and interview with NFL teams. NFL coaches and general managers will also speak throughout the week, with Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh scheduled to speak on Tuesday morning and afternoon. Over four days, college football’s elite prospects will take the field in Indianapolis to showcase their talents in front of NFL general managers, coaches, scouts, and player evaluators. Some of college football’s biggest names, such as Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward, and Abdul Carter, earned invitations to participate. Live coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine begins at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday and lasts until 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 2. With seven current picks in April’s selection process and 18 pending free agents, this week’s evaluation will start an almost 60-day process of assessing prospects and retooling on defense.
Twitter reactions and approval poll for Bengals cutting Sheldon Rankins
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images One and done. The Cincinnati Bengals cut defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins on Friday. The move was expected after Rankins played only seven games in 2024 after he was signed to fill the role of the departed D.J. Reader. Rankins played only seven games, missing the second half of the season with an illness. The illness was unknown until ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Rankins was dealing with viral meningitis. Rankins being cut will free up $9.6 million in salary cap space as the Bengals aim to retain their star players this spring. The Bengals will still need to address the interior of their defensive line this offseason, with only second-year players Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson set to return. Most people who follow the team saw this coming and supported the move, but it is no secret that the Bengals may need to look for not only one but two starting-level defensive tackles in free agency or the draft. Do you think the Bengals made the right call? Here’s how Twitter reacted to Rankins being let go. #Bengals releasing DT Sheldon Rankins saves $9.6M on the cap. Rankins, who signed a two-year free agency deal with Cincinnati last offseason, had a tough year while battling viral meningitis. — Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 21, 2025 The Rankins signing probably rankles the front office similarly to Antonio Bryant and Trae Waynes, if to a lesser degree. They paid him $14M for 7 games and he wasn’t a fit even in those games. They’ll save up to $10.5M cash in 2025. — Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) February 21, 2025 Bengals put in that Sheldon Rankins move EARLY (for them). Need the $$$ for something. Wonder what… — Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) February 21, 2025 Sheldon Rankins career highlights with the Bengals…. https://t.co/A3dQ1igoq1 pic.twitter.com/hXPjDuaPoC — RC (34inXXIII) (@34inXXIII) February 21, 2025 EVERYONE is frustrated with how the Rankins experience went, but chill the hell out with attacking him. Meningitis is no joke. It’s not some conspiracy to get paid not to play. He’s not lazy. It’s not his agent trying to save face now. The dude was SICK. Have some damn compassion https://t.co/AsihmLILA6 — The Fantom Menace (@Matt_513Fantom) February 21, 2025 Everyone is making this a cap thing. They had so much cap space to begin with. Cash is what matters. This helps pay higgins what he should earn this year as opposed to the tag. And in doing so you can minimize the cap hit anyways. — John Sheeran (@John__Sheeran) February 21, 2025 The #Bengals are now up to about $62M in salary cap space. — Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) February 21, 2025 #Bengals release Sheldon Rankins in what was a 100% certainty after a failed year in Cincinnati. Wrote this in our cap cuts piece this week pic.twitter.com/KgXQGU6xG2 — Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) February 21, 2025 Here’s a look at the Bengals cash and cap I track each offseason, updated for the Rankins cut. These numbers account for the rookie pool and practice squad, which OTC and Spotrac don’t include right now. $53.24M in cap space, about $103M in expected cash spending. Also… pic.twitter.com/xSW3NBYnoP — Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) February 21, 2025
Dolphins free agents 2025: Walk, tag, re-sign – Da’Shawn Hand
Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images As the Miami Dolphins make free agency decisions for 2025, what should they do with Da’Shawn Hand? The Miami Dolphins’ list of potential 2025 free agents features 32 players who may hit the open market on March 12 when the new league year begins. Will the Dolphins re-sign any of those players? Will they use the franchise or transition tag this year? Will they decide to let the players hit free agency? Each year, we work our way through the Dolphins’ upcoming free agents, allowing you a chance to weigh in on what you think the front office should do. Do you want the player to return? Are you ready for someone else to take that roster spot? Today we turn back to the defensive side of the ball with defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand. Should Miami bring him back? We break down his 2024 performance, what might be expected in 2025, and give you a chance to let us know what you think the Dolphins should do. Last five free agent reviews: Biography Da’Shawn Hand Position: Defensive tackle Age (when season begins): 29 Draft: 2018 fourth-round pick (114th overall) by the Detroit Lions Experience: 7 years Previous Teams: Detroit Lions (2018-2021) Tennessee Titans (2021-2022) Miami Dolphins (2023-2024) Note: Hand has a 10-day stint on the Indianapolis Colts practice squad during the 2021 season. Pro Bowls/All-Pro: None Expiring Contract 1 year, $1.3 million 2024 Review 17 games played (2 starts)31 tackles1 sack1 pass defensed1 forced fumble1 fumble recovery Hand’s 2024 campaign was exactly what the Dolphins needed from him. A solid player in the middle of the defensive line who can eat up blocks and snaps. Despite only two starts, he played over half the defensive snaps for the team. He provided a stabilizing presence when the Dolphins were dealing with injuries. He was not a dominating, household name type of lineman, but he is a player every team needs and he was that for Miami in 2024. 2025 Outlook Hand’s role in 2025 is likely exactly the same he played in 2024. He is that veteran who performs exactly as the team needs. He is a solid rotational player who can get spot starts when needed. You do not have to worry about the line when he is in, and, even if he is not recording sacks, his presence provides options for the edge rushers around him. He will be a target in free agency, if the Dolphins let him get there, as someone who can provide stability to the line. Walk, Tag, Re-Sign? Projected tag value (Defensive tackle): $24.1 million (franchise); $19.4 million (transition) (via OvertheCap.com) Re-sign. The Dolphins need defensive linemen. They have a solid one who can be counted on to start if needed. He should not cost a ton of money against the salary cap. He is familiar with the defensive system and compliments Miami’s other players. Everything seems to say keeping Hand makes sense.
New York Giants draft prospects – Howard Cross III, iDL, Notre Dame
Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Could the younger Cross be a second generation Giant? It’s starting to be a familiar sight to see the scions of familiar names from the NFL’s past as draft prospects. Notre Dame defensive tackle Howard Cross III is a name that will stand out to Giants fans in particular. After all, his father, Howard Cross Jr., spent 13 seasons (from 1989 to 2001) as a tight end for the Giants, and is currently a sideline reporter for the Giants Radio Network. It also just so happens that the Giants could certainly use an additional defensive lineman. Could the younger Cross follow in his father’s footsteps as a Giant? Prospect: Howard Cross III (56)Games Watched: vs. Texas A&M (2024), vs. Stanford (2024), vs. Navy (2024), vs. Ohio State (2024) Measurables Height: 6-foot (estimated)Weight: 290 pounds (estimated) Strengths Best traits Quickness Agility Hand usage Versatility Cross III is a good sized defensive tackle prospect with solid athleticism and technical foundation. Cross has a good frame to be a B-gap defender, likely a 3 or 4i-technique, at the NFL level. He has adequate size at 6-foot-1, 290 pounds (listed, though he appears bigger than that on the field), as well as good initial quickness and lateral agility. Cross typically times the snap well and has a crisp first step with little wasted motion or energy. He’s an experienced defender with six seasons at Notre Dame, and has a solid repertoire of pass rush moves as he enters the NFL. Cross mixes power and finesse with a bull rush, club-rip, arm-over, and push-pull moves when attacking individual gaps. He also understands how to work as a part of a larger play and uses his lateral agility to occupy blockers and allow his teammates to flow to the ball. Cross generally plays with good leverage and discipline, allowing him to control individual blockers – and occasionally double teams – in the run game. Likewise, he seldom overruns plays or bites too hard on misdirection. He’s typically quick to disengage in pursuit and shows good hustle when running down ball carriers. Weaknesses Worst traits Top end athleticism Technique consistency Cross is best described as a “good but not great” athlete. That isn’t a weakness in and of itself, but it does limit his game somewhat as he doesn’t have stand-out size or length. He doesn’t quite have the explosiveness or power to consistently overwhelm blockers, nor does he have elite length to have a big tackle radius. As such, he can miss tackles if the ball carrier makes sufficiently fast moves in close quarters. Likewise, because he isn’t particularly explosive or twitchy, he needs consistently good technique to be a consistent threat as a pass rusher. Cross’ hand usage is good overall, but it can be unfocused or sloppy at times, leading to blockers stymieing his initial rush or him struggling to neutralize blocks quickly. Cross also shouldn’t be asked to hold up to double-teams on a regular basis. He can do so occasionally, but he lacks the strength and mass to consistently control multiple blockers. He can also struggle to disengage at will or make plays off of blocks as well. Game Tape (Cross is the Notre Dame defensive tackle wearing No. 56) Projection Cross III projects as a rotational defensive tackle in a one-gap defensive scheme. He would likely be best as a B-gap defender in a 4-3 defense, or a Multiple defense that uses 3 or 4i techniques when in nickel packages. He could also play in the A-gap or as a defensive end in a 3-man front, though a B-gap penetrator is likely his best role. Cross has enough play strength to stand up to, and control, blockers when he plays with good leverage and technique. However, playing as a penetrator in an attacking defense is the best fit for his traits and skill set. Cross could still use reps polishing his technique to allow him to consistently neutralize blocks, but he should be able to find his way into a defensive line rotation relatively early in his career. And while he may never be an every-down player, teams would likely feel good about rotating him onto the field in most situations. Does he fit the Giants?Yes Final Word: An early Day 3 value
