Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images Good for a sixth round rookie, or a good NFL starting center? The jury is still out on Beaux Limmer. Los Angeles Rams rookie center Beaux Limmer was exposed by Jalen Carter in the team’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Carter sacked Matthew Stafford in the red zone on third down to put the Rams behind the chains on the potential game-winning drive. The following play, Carter pressured Stafford again to force an errant throw out of bounds. So close, yet so far—and that’s a lot on the shoulders of a young player. Just the absolute worst time to have protection botches with the season on the line. On both plays, Jalen Carter feigns like he’s on a DL twist, so center Beaux Limmer’s eyes look for a defender twisting towards him. But Carter works back (crazy agility from the big man). pic.twitter.com/kMTeeQdrUW — Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) January 20, 2025 While it’s impressive that Limmer was able to take the reigns and earn the starting center job for LA despite his sixth round draft status, the Rams must now be honest with themselves and assess exactly what they have in their rookie. Was Beaux Limmer simply good for a rookie and sixth round pick, or is he a good starting NFL center relative to his peers? How many starting centers have similar draft pedigree? These are the ten highest paid centers by draft round: 1 – Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs: 2nd 2 – Frank Ragnow, Detroit Lions: 1st 3 – Lloyd Cushenberry, Tennessee Titans: 3rd 4 – Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts: 1st 5 – Erik McCoy, New Orleans Saints: 2nd 6 – Tyler Biadasz, Washington Commanders: 4th 7 – Andre James, Las Vegas Raiders: UDFA 8 – Aaron Brewer, Miami Dolphins: UDFA 9 – David Andrews, New England Patriots: UDFA 10 – Ted Karras, Cincinnati Bengals: 6th While the highest paid centers in the NFL have a history of being selected in the first three rounds of the draft, the top 10 does include a few undrafted players and a former sixth-round pick. That’s a promising sign for Limmer’s long-term prospects and the idea that he may be on an upward trajectory as a still-developing player. PFF grading gives pause There are 29 centers that played at least 614 snaps this season. Of that group, Limmer ranks 26th in terms of Pro Football Focus (PFF) grading with a mark of 55.5. He’s 17th in run blocking with a grade of 65.4 and dead last in pass blocking at 40.2. Another discouraging sign is the fact that Limmer was tied for the second-most penalties at center with 10. Only fellow rookie Graham Barton had more at 13. Barton was drafted in the first round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jake Brendel of the San Francisco 49ers and Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens also were flagged 10 times. What are the Rams’ options? There seems to be a lot of overreaction to one game when it comes to Rams loss to the Eagles. Beaux Limmer is a prime example. Rookie center that played well all year. Give him an offseason where he is the guy, and I like his development path. — Blaine Grisak (@bgrisakTST) January 21, 2025 LA experimented with Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson at center during training camp and into the early part of the regular season. Limmer was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries, but he held his own and rightfully earned the first-string job. While the writing on the wall suggests that Jackson is on his way out of Los Angeles, would the Rams be willing to give him another chance to reclaim the starting role at center? Kevin Dotson and Avila likely aren’t going anywhere at the guard positions. The only other options to upgrade at center would be a veteran free agent signing or taking another dart throw in the draft. LA does not have a second round pick this year as part of last year’s trade up for Braden Fiske. Rams fans – do you have confidence that Limmer can improve on his rookie season where he played over 1,000 snaps for the team? Should the team seriously consider a potential upgrade after the disastrous end in the divisional round of the playoffs?
What do the Rams truly have in Beaux Limmer?
Ravens part ways with a key defensive coach
Ravens part ways with a key defensive coach glenn erby The Baltimore Ravens struggled early on to find consistency on defense, and it wasn’t until Zach Orr made multiple moves with personnel that that unit started to produce. After watching Trenton Simpson regress in his first year as a starter, the Ravens are parting ways with inside linebackers coach Mark DeLeone Aaron Wilson reports. DeLeone joined the staff last February after head coach John Harbaugh and first-year Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr had to fill three vacancies on his staff after he was promoted and the departures of Anthony Weaver (Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator) and Dennard Wilson (Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator). Assistant Offensive Line Coach Mike Devlin went to the Los Angeles Chargers. DeLeone, 36, has 17 years of coaching experience, most recently as a defensive analyst with the University of Kansas for the past two seasons. Before that, he spent 10 seasons (2012-2021) coaching in the NFL with the Detroit Lions (2021), Chicago Bears (2019-2020), Kansas City Chiefs (2013-2018), and New York Jets (2012). He was the inside linebackers coach for the Chiefs, Bears, and Lions from 2018-2021. That included two seasons working with Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith in Chicago, where DeLeone helped Smith establish himself in the NFL and earn second-team All-Pro honors in 2020. A University of Iowa graduate, DeLeone started coaching as a defensive student assistant under head coach Kirk Ferentz in 2007.
Colts hired Lou Anarumo to reinvent a more disciplined, physical defense
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo watches a formation from the sideline in the second quarter of an NFL Week 10 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Houston Texans at Paycor Stadium — Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. | Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK “When things are going well, everybody’s going to be on board,” Anarumo said. “Everybody’s pulling the rope (in) the same direction. It’s in those challenging times where we are 4-8. Not playing great and the leadership in the room, guys that we’ve been to war with, whether it’s a playoff game, a preseason game, whatever it may be, we would not allow anybody to let go of the rope.” The Indianapolis Colts hired a clever, inventive defensive coordinator to fix the glaring issues in a unit that failed to prevent opponents from having their best performance of the season. Lou Anarumo spoke with reporters at his introductory press conference Thursday after accepting the Colts DC job on Monday. Communication has become so sophisticated in the NFL, coordinators may change play sheets and verbiage on a week-to-week basis. Anarumo has been coaching football since 1989, so he recognizes it’s important to adapt and have flexibility with his play calls. The 58-year-old is notorious for disguising blitzes with a stampede lurking at the line of scrimmage and unleashing an arsenal of unique looks to keep opposing quarterbacks off rhythm. “It lends to not just, ‘Hey, you’re going to be in this coverage. You’re going to stay in that.’ It’d be a long day,” Anarumo said. “And then going through the playoffs and things like that and to the Super Bowl, you have to keep those great quarterbacks off balance.” The Colts finished among the bottom-five scoring defenses in two of Gus Bradley’s three seasons, so head coach Shane Steichen sought out a new voice with a different philosophy to be his new DC. Under Bradley, the Colts were constantly bailing in Cover 3 play after play in an attempt to limit opponents from burning them with explosive plays. Opposing coaches will find it is much more difficult to figure out Anarumo’s tendencies. The Mad Scientist Mindset. pic.twitter.com/lxHLGUjR5J — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) January 23, 2025 Moving to Indianapolis was not far for Anarumo, who spent his last six years just two hours away in Cincinnati. His six seasons featured the best era of Bengals football in the 21st century, restoring a franchise that suffered through 30 years without a playoff win before witnessing deep playoff runs in consecutive campaigns. Anarumo has prepared to battle the NFL’s best signal callers. The Bengals won five playoff games from 2021 to 2022, beating the Raiders, Titans, Ravens, and Bills, then split meetings against the Chiefs in back-to-back AFC Championship games. Anarumo has a proven track record with progressive results, evidenced best when he reconstructed a defense that reached the pinnacle of professional football. Though far too often this past season, the pressure was on Bengals QB Joe Burrow to rally an electric offense from behind as Cincinnati allowed 25.5 points per game, which ranked 25th in the NFL. The Bengals made a late surge in December, winning each of their last five games, but were still eliminated from the playoffs. Over the final three weeks of the regular season, Cincinnati allowed just 15.7 points per game, which was the second-fewest points allowed in the league during that span. I think the Colts got an excellent Defensive Coordinator in Lou Anarumo. We did many Cincinnati Bengals games over the last 3 years and his defenses were always well prepared and his players loved playing for him. I’m excited to see what Coach Lou brings to the Colts! pic.twitter.com/LGJ9ZFPMd5 — Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) January 22, 2025 Behind First-Team All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson’s NFL-best 17.5 sacks, Cincinnati finished top 10 in pressures and QB knockdowns. The Bengals blitzed at a 21.7% rate, compared to the Colts’ 17.5%, which ranked 30th in the NFL. By diversifying his game plan with multiple packages, Anarumo can be one step ahead of his opponent in the most significant scenarios. Anarumo will not hesitate to blitz a versatile nickel off the edge, so veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II, who has compiled 10 career sacks, may benefit the most from his hiring. One change Colts fans can anticipate is the defense will look different in 2025, but will it significantly change the results? Anarumo inherits a defensive unit that has struggled together for the past few seasons. Indianapolis missed 157 tackles in 2024, which was the most in the league. If the Colts can eliminate errors and force opponents to commit their own mistakes, Anarumo can lead Indy toward an avenue of success. The Colts need to discover critical thinkers and problem solvers who can fix the emanating issues this offseason, not reward mediocre players whose ego does not match their play with extensions. It starts with leadership and accountability from the players to shift the culture inside the locker room. “When things are going well, everybody’s going to be on board,” Anarumo said. “Everybody’s pulling the rope (in) the same direction. It’s in those challenging times where we are 4-8. Not playing great and the leadership in the room, guys that we’ve been to war with, whether it’s a playoff game, a preseason game, whatever it may be, we would not allow anybody to let go of the rope.” Over the next few months, Anarumo will assemble his defensive coaching staff, while designing a playbook with Colts personnel. His objective will be to identify the opposing players with game-breaking capabilities and aim to limit the damage. Anarumo will aid Steichen in evaluating potential free agent acquisitions and draftable college prospects who can add depth to the defense and put the Colts in the best position to succeed.
Breaking news: Raiders hire Pete Carroll as head coach
Pete Carroll | Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images 73-year-old coach takes over in Las Vegas The Las Vegas Raiders have found their new search as they have tabbed Super Bowl-winning coach Pete Carroll to replace the fired Antonio Pierce. Just in: Pete Carroll and the Raiders now have reached agreement on a three-year deal with a fourth-year team option, sources tell ESPN. Another veteran legendary coach has returned. pic.twitter.com/Jc2J0EPo7N — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2025 Carroll is the oldest coach in the league at 73. He turns 74 in September and will be the oldest head coach in NFL history when the 2025 season starts. Still, he is considered extremely energetic and is known a a solid CEO-type coach who believes in building a strong culture. Carroll was chosen after the Raiders were spurned by top target, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who become the head coach of the Chicago Bears. The other candidates were: Aaron Glenn, Steve Spagnuolo, Todd Monken, Robert Saleh, Vance Joseph and Ron Rivera. The Seattle Seahawks moved on from Carroll last year after he spent 14 seasons as head coach vice president of football operations. He had a 227-137-1 record there with a Super Bowl win, two Super Bowl appearances and 10 playoffs appearances. Carroll has 51 years of coaching experience counting college and the NFL. He also was the head coach of the New York Jets and New England Patriots. Overall, He has 18 years of experience in that role. He also interviewed with the Chicago Bears. There will now be three Super Bowl-winning head coaches in the AFC West as Carroll joins Andy Reid and Sean Payton. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, a rival of Carroll’s in both college and in the NFC West, has been to a Super Bowl.
Could the Bills be down two defensive backs vs. Chiefs?
Could the Bills be down two defensive backs vs. Chiefs? Could the Bills be down two defensive backs vs. Chiefs? Nick Wojton The Buffalo Bills could have a few untimely injuries ahead of facing the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game. Head coach Sean McDermott provided updates on two of his starting defensive backs during his weekly interview on the team’s radio partner, WGR-550. McDermott has ruled safety Taylor Rapp out and the status of cornerback Christian Benford could be in doubt. Rapp has been listed on injury reports this week with a hip injury he sustained in Buffalo’s divisional win over the Baltimore Ravens. Since that same game, Benford has been in the concussion protocol. Benford is set to miss practice on Friday, the final workouts before the Bills head out to Kansas City. However, McDermott said Benford is missing that workout due to personal reasons. Ahead of facing Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, being down two starting defensive backs is not ideal for Buffalo. The Bills intercepted Mahomes twice in their 30-21 win over Kansas City during the regular season. One of those two came via Rapp on Mahomes’ first pass attempt. Without Rapp, it’s expected that rookie Cole Bishop will start. Both teams will release their full final injury reports later on Friday. Bills Wire will provide updates when that information is made available.
2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images Could Paul’s athleticism help the Giants’ defense? Fans of the New York Giants have plenty to complain about lately. But one subject conspicuously absent from complaints has been the linebacker position. The Giants linebackers, notably Bobby Okereke and Micah McFadden, have played very well over the last two years, and the position is a strength for the first time in nearly two decades. However, McFadden is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Giants may look to reinforce the second level of their defense. Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. is an atheltic and versatile off-ball linebacker who’s coming into the NFL off a career year after transferring from Arkansas to Ole Miss for the 2024 season. Could he fill a similar role as McFadden should the latter leave via free agency? Prospect: Chris Paul Jr. (11)Games Watched: vs. LSU (2023, with Arkansas), vs. LSU (2024, with Ole Miss), vs. Arkansas (2024), vs. Georgia (2024Red Flags: none Measurables Height: 6-foot-1 (estimated)Weight: 235 (estimated) Strengths Best traits Athleticism Versatility Space play Competitive toughness Blitzing Paul Jr. is an athletic and versatile off-ball linebacker. He has adequate size for a modern linebacker at 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, and is a good athlete for the position. Paul is a smooth, fluid mover in space and is easily able to change directions as well as cover ground when he has to turn and run. He’s agile and twitchy in coverage, moving more like a big safety than a linebacker, as well as explosive when he has to come downhill. Ole Miss used Paul all over the second level of their defense, playing him inside and out, and as a strong and weak-side linebacker. He was also asked to defend the slot or play on the line of scrimmage on occasion. He generally takes an accurate first step toward the play and is faithful to his assignments. Paul is able to fly to the ball once he diagnoses the play and often arrives with bad intentions. He’s also comfortable dropping into coverage, getting good depth in his zone drops and generally showing good recognition and communication in coverage. He’s capable of playing man coverage on tight ends and running backs, following them through their routes as well as running with them down the field – though he shouldn’t be asked to drop into man coverage with wide receivers. Finally, Paul has upside as a blitzing linebacker. He generally times his rushes well and is able to use his athleticism to find open rushing lanes and challenge blockers with his speed. Weaknesses Worst traits Size Mental processing Physically, Paul is an excellent athlete with good play strength for his size. However, he doesn’t have a large frame and can be disrupted by incidental contact as he navigates the trash around the line of scrimmage. That led to a couple missed tackles on tape, as last-second contact with a lineman shoved him off course. Likewise, while he can stack and shed blocks from offensive linemen when he makes first contact and maintains good technique, he can be swallowed up if they initiate contact. Paul is also inconsistent in processing the offense. There are instances where he seems to bite too hard on misdirection or be a step slow in recognizing cut-backs. It’s possible that his faithfulness to his assignments and aggressiveness got the better of him at times, but teams will want to watch tape with him and put him on the whiteboard when they meet with him. It isn’t a consistent flaw in his game, and there were fewer dips in his play speed as the season progressed. Game Tape (PaulJr. is the Ole Miss linebacker wearing number 11, with a white sleeve on his left calf ) Projection Paul Jr. projects as an important rotational linebacker at the NFL level, who could potentially earn a starting job (or at least a significant share of the snaps) in the right situation. He probably fits best as an outside linebacker in most defenses, and he should have “three down” versatility in the pros. However, given how teams use subpackages to combat modern offenses, Paul might not be an every down player. Teams might also be hesitant to use him as a middle linebacker due to potential concerns regarding his processing as well as his size taking on blocks. That said, he has the potential to be an impact player in the right situation and is a constant presence around the ball when he’s able to play fast. Does he fit the Giants?Yes Final Word: A later Day 2 value
Open thread: Which Conference Championship teams will make the Super Bowl?
Tina MacIntyre-Yee / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images With the conference championship games being played this Sunday, which teams do you think will make it to the Super Bowl? We made it. After a long regular season, only two weeks of NFL football remain. And while our Detroit Lions are no longer playing this year, this Sunday’s conference championship games should be a couple of good matchups. In the AFC, we have the Buffalo Bills visiting the Kansas City Chiefs, and in the NFC, the Washington Commanders will take a short flight to Pennsylvania to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. That brings us to today’s Question of the Day: Which teams do you think will make it out of the championship round? Answer: This may be wishful thinking, but I am going with the Bills and Eagles. At this point, Kansas City has a bit of that Thanos feel to them, but I am hoping that Bills quarterback Josh Allen can put on a performance like the one he had here in Detroit a few months ago. If he can do that, I think Buffalo has a good shot at knocking off the two-time defending champions. On the other side of the league, I am picking Philadelphia to come out on top against a young Washington team. Since this game is the third meeting between the NFC East foes, I think this game has a chance to be a special one. Both teams are physical on offense, with each looking to impose their will on the opposing defense. However, the Eagles have a really talented team made up with veterans at many key positions, and in my opinion—that will be the difference in the game. How about you? Who do you think will make it to the Super Bowl in New Orleans? Let us know in the comments below.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73865849/2191426515.0.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "The Linc – Commanders DC says Washington will hit Jalen Hurts like a running back if he runs")
The Linc – Commanders DC says Washington will hit Jalen Hurts like a running back if he runs
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links … If Jalen Hurts runs, the Commanders plan to hit him like a running back – PFT On Thursday, Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. had a blunt assessment of how his players intend to approach Hurts if/when he chooses to become a runner. “The one thing is, is if he’s gonna run the ball and the coordinator makes a decision for him to run the ball, we’re gonna treat him like a running back,” Whitt told reporters. “And we’re gonna hit him that way. You know, so that’s their decision if they wanna get him hit the way he gets hit. If they don’t, they’ll keep him in the pocket. So that’s what we’re gonna do.” Eagles mailbag: Is Commanders LB Frankie Luvu a dirty player? – PhillyVoice I don’t know that Sirianni complaining to the officials pregame will do anything, but certainly players around the league get reputations for being dirty, and Luvu is probably on his way toward losing the benefit of the doubt on borderline plays. Eagles-Commanders Film Preview: This could be a huge A.J. Brown game – BGN This could be a huge AJ Brown game. This Washington defense is not afraid to play man coverage, and they trusted Marshon Lattimore to cover AJ Brown in one-on-one coverage the last time these teams met. AJ Brown dominated Lattimore. The numbers don’t look incredible due to the number of pass interference penalties, but if Washington wants to play this way again, then I look forward to it. Lattimore did play very well against the Detroit Lions, but I still fancy AJ Brown in this one. As long as he is healthy, that is! Analytics predicts winners for NFL playoff Conference Championship games – SB Nation Edge: Eagles – Unlike the AFC, the NFC has the team with more experience also ranked higher in the data. Philadelphia has not been a well-oiled machine this year but has still played well, especially on defense. At some point, Jayden Daniels’ lack of experience could become a problem but it hasn’t so far. In what feels like a mismatch, Washington has another chance to prove their doubters (and the analytics) wrong. Buying, selling narratives for NFL conference championship games – PFF Narrative: Jalen Hurts needs to play significantly better for the Eagles to win this week. Buy or Sell: Sell (for one more week). Perhaps Daniels and the Commanders will continue their offensive hot streak, but the Eagles still have the league’s highest-graded defense. They also still have Barkley, who amassed 348 yards across the first two matchups between these teams. Those assets bring about two clear advantages for Philadelphia. First, Washington ranks 29th in the NFL in PFF run-defense grade and 30th in yards per carry allowed. Second, the Eagles allow the lowest percentage of explosive pass plays in the league and the Commanders rank 27th in creating them as an offense. While it would be beneficial for Hurts to have one of his best games of the season in this spot, the Eagles are good enough throughout the rest of their roster to beat a still-flawed Washington team. Wulf’s Ten: A.J. Brown’s playoff woes, Tyler Steen’s big chance, raw sexuality & more – PHLY One particularly bothersome situation has been their willingness to throw in the towel on third and long. Excluding spikes, kneeldowns and scrambles, only the Indianapolis Colts called a higher percentage of designed runs on third and 7 or longer. “Wait!” you said, “Remember when it worked on that Saquon Barkley Coward’s Draw touchdown against the Jaguars?” I do. In fact, it is the only one of 16 designed runs on third and long situations, including the playoffs, that led to a first down. Meanwhile, the Eagles have converted 27.4 percent of their dropbacks on third and long into first downs, the ninth-best success rate in the league. And if you think this particular play-calling is about avoiding negative plays, know that Hurts has three interceptions and one fumble on those dropbacks, none of which came after Week 4. As Hurts prepares for a game in which the focus seems to be on whether he’ll be able to move around effectively and the impact that will have on the running game, don’t lose sight of the upside he can still provide as a passer. He has A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, after all. The Fangio Factor – Iggles Blitz Sunday will be Fangio’s toughest test of the year. Daniels will be facing the Eagles for the third time this year. That means Fangio has seen a lot of what they want to do, but it also means Daniels should have a good feel for what the Eagles want to do. Fangio was more aggressive in the December rematch. He blitzed more. That had mixed results. Washington used more empty sets and that proved to be very effective. Daniels also ran more and that was probably the difference in the game. What will Fangio do this time around? He probably won’t blitz as much. He could throw another wrinkle or two at Daniels. You hire a guy like Fangio for games like this. Jonathan Gannon could shut down crappy QBs when he was here. Fangio is the kind of smart, veteran coach who can slow down a good offense and affect a good QB. Sunday will be one heck of a chess game between Fangio and Kliff Kingsbury. 2024 NFC Championship Game: DVOA Preview – FTN Fantasy The weakest unit left in the playoffs is Washington’s defense. Every other platoon on the three other championship teams is in the top half of the league, but the Commanders’ 3.8% defensive DVOA ranks 23rd, significantly below average against both the pass and run. Fans are quick to point out that Washington was dealing with substantial defensive turnover and a new scheme, leading to early growing pains – they’ve been better over the back
NFL Draft prospects to watch during East-West Shrine Bowl week
Robert Longerbeam of Rutgers will be one of the players at the East-West Shrine Game trying to improve his draft stock. | Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Will any of these players be Giants? As the 100th Annual East-West Shrine Bowl approaches, a new class of NFL prospects is about to take center stage. For New York Giants fans, this game is a great chance to get a first look at some potential future stars, with key players that could impact the team’s future in the 2025 NFL Draft. The game will air on NFL Network at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 30, and practices will take place from Jan. 25-28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. With the Giants coaching staff watching closely, this year’s roster features a diverse group of prospects, with special attention on positions of need like defensive line, cornerback, and wide receiver, as well as a handful of intriguing quarterbacks. Here’s your breakdown of the East-West Shrine Bowl and the players who could help the Giants fill key roster spots in the coming years. Top prospects for Giants fans to watch 1. Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado) One of the most high-profile players in this year’s Shrine Bowl is Shedeur Sanders, the standout quarterback from Colorado. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, Shedeur has impressed with his leadership and performance at the collegiate level. In the 2024 season, Sanders threw for 4,134 yards, recording 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 75.5 QBR, ranking 20th in the nation. While the Giants may have to depend on other teams to pass on Sanders to get him it’s obvious the front office has major interest in the Colorado standout who they have been scouting since the 2023 season. 2. Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan) One of the most impressive players on the defensive line in the 2025 draft class, Kenneth Grant is a name that should be on the radar for Giants fans. The massive Michigan defensive tackle has the physicality and strength to be an immediate impact player on the interior line. A player like Grant could help solidify the Giants’ defensive front for years to come. His ability to control the line of scrimmage and disrupt the pocket will be on full display at the Shrine Bowl. Grant is currently ranked No. 20 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board. 3. Nazir Stackhouse (DT, Georgia) The Georgia Bulldogs are known for producing top-tier defensive talent, and Nazir Stackhouse is no exception. The Giants have been searching for a disruptive force in the middle of their defensive line to go alongside Dexter Lawrence, and Stackhouse could be the answer. Known for his motor and size, the 6-foot-3, 320-pound Stackhouse could help bolster the defensive line rotation and improve the Giants’ ability to stop the run. Stackhouse is currently ranked No. 150 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board. 4. Robert Longerbeam (CB, Rutgers) Robert Longerbeam, a standout cornerback from Rutgers, is a player to watch for the Giants as they look to build up their secondary. With the Giants’ secondary struggling to find consistency at cornerback, adding a physical and aggressive prospect like Longerbeam could give them another option in a defensive backfield with a lot of questions. His ability to match up against bigger receivers will be key, and a strong Shrine Bowl performance could push him into the Giants’ sights. Longerbeam is currently considered a late-round pick or undrafted free agent. 5. Shilo Sanders (S, Colorado) If the Giants are looking to add talent to their safety room, Shilo Sanders is a name to watch. The Colorado safety has been an impactful player for the Buffaloes, earning recognition for his versatility and leadership on defense. With the Giants continuing to search for an upgrade in their secondary, Sanders’ ability to cover ground and create turnovers will be something they’ll want to see first-hand. Sanders is currently considered a late-round pick or undrafted free agent. 6. Cobee Bryant (CB, Kansas) Another talented cornerback to watch is Cobee Bryant from Kansas. The 6-foot, 175-pound Bryant’s long arms and ball skills could make him an ideal fit for the Shane Bowen’s defensive scheme. Bryant is currently ranked No. 149 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board. 7. Ricky White (WR, UNLV) Wide receiver remains a position of focus for the Giants, and Ricky White could be a name to keep an eye on. The UNLV receiver has a unique blend of speed and ball-tracking ability that could make him a valuable asset for the Giants’ offense. With questions surrounding Darius Slayton’s future do not be surprised to see the Giants add another wideout to pair with Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. If White can showcase his explosiveness at the Shrine Bowl, he may find himself on the Giants’ radar as a potential late-round steal. White is currently ranked No. 142 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board. 8. LaJohntay Wester (WR, Colorado) If the Giants are looking to add more depth to their receiving corps, LaJohntay Wester from Colorado is another wideout worth watching. Playing alongside Shedeur Sanders, the 5-foot-11, 167-pound slot receiver showed his ability to make big plays and create separation from defenders. His speed and playmaking ability could give the Giants another weapon at wide receiver, especially if they happen to bring his college quarterback in as well. Wester is currently ranked No. 169 on the NFL Mock Draft Database Consensus Big Board. 9. Kyle McCord (QB, Syracuse) Another interesting quarterback prospect for the Giants is Kyle McCord, the former Ohio State QB who transferred to Syracuse and had a career year in 2024. McCord led the nation in completions and passing yards, and his development as a pocket passer may be something that intriugues the Giants. A solid Shrine Bowl week could solidify McCord as a top mid-round quarterback to keep an eye on. McCord is currently considered
Jalen Carter’s game-wrecking ability is ultimate test for Commanders’ short-handed offensive line
With right guard Sam Cosmi sidelined, the Commanders will have to reshuffle their offensive line to handle the Eagles’ Jalen Carter. Jalen Carter’s game-wrecking ability is ultimate test for Commanders’ short-handed offensive line 2S15FB5 Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) looks on between plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams) By Ryan Smith Posted Jan 24, 2025 8:45 am EST • Washington Commanders • Philadelphia Eagles Sam Cosmi’s season-ending injury creates a significant challenge for Washington: The right guard is out for the year ahead of a game in which the Commanders will need to stifle an elite Eagles interior pass-rusher. Some potential options: Head coach Dan Quinn could shift Andrew Wylie to right guard and insert Cornelius Lucas at right tackle, for one. 2025 NFL Draft season is here: Try PFF’s best-in-class Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2025’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders will meet for the third time this season on Sunday, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Commanders put the league on notice with their dominant 45-31 road victory over the heavily favored Detroit Lions, while the Eagles squeaked out a 6-point victory over the Los Angeles Rams at a snowy Lincoln Financial Field. One of the key storylines heading into this NFC Championship tilt is what Washington will do with the right side of its offensive line. The team will be without starting right guard Sam Cosmi, who tore his ACL last week against Detroit. Trent Scott stepped in and admirably filled the void, playing 45 snaps and not allowing pressure. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter put on an elite performance against the Rams, earning a 90.3 PFF overall grade, the second highest of any defensive player in the divisional round. He generated seven pressures in the game and came up big when they needed him most. The Rams were 13 yards away from clinching an NFC Championship game appearance in the final minute when he sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford on third-and-2 and then broke through the offensive line again the following play to force an incompletion on fourth down. Holding Carter in check will be crucial to the Commanders’ chances this weekend, something they were mostly able to do with Cosmi in the lineup. Carter’s PFF overall grade from the two previous matchups was 60.0 across 130 snaps, but he still displayed that always-present game-breaking potential It’s still unclear what Washington will opt to do at right guard against Philadelphia with Cosmi sidelined. Head coach Dan Quinn said there has been “a lot of thought” about ensuring the Commanders have their best five offensive linemen on the field, per The Athletic’s Ben Standig. Shuffling pieces along the offensive line is always risky, especially with a Super Bowl appearance in reach. Carter has lined up on the left side of the defensive formation for 95.7% of his snaps this season, so his preferred attacking position is no secret. Jalen Carter’s Snap Alignments in 2024 Subscribe to PFF+ to unlock the world’s most advanced football database! Realistically, the Commanders have three options to replace Cosmi heading into the game. First, they could start Trent Scott at right guard, fresh off his 45 snaps there last week in Detroit. Second, they could move Andrew Wylie from right tackle to right guard and insert Cornelius Lucas at right tackle. The logic behind that move is that Wylie has experience at guard (none since 2020, however) and Lucas is a tackle who has played well across 464 snaps this season (74.1 PFF overall grade). Third, they could move Brandon Coleman from left tackle to right guard with Lucas starting at left tackle (although this option seems less likely). At his best, Carter dominates games like few other defenders in the NFL can at just 23 years old. Whether Washington can formulate a game plan to slow him down will be one of the key matchups to watch this weekend in the team’s quest for its first Super Bowl appearance since 1991.
