The draft is under three months away, and interior defensive line is one of the easiest positions to misunderstand if you only look at statistics. Sack totals can be misleading, and even tackle numbers don’t always tell the full story. Some interior defenders are asked to penetrate. Others are asked to eat double teams. Some […] The draft is under three months away, and interior defensive line is one of the easiest positions to misunderstand if you only look at statistics. Sack totals can be misleading, and even tackle numbers don’t always tell the full story. Some interior defenders are asked to penetrate. Others are asked to eat double teams. Some are there to collapse the pocket, while others exist to keep linebackers clean and shut down the run game. Two players can have very different box scores and still both be doing their jobs at a high level. That’s what makes defensive tackle such an important position to study closely on film. Interior defenders have to win in tighter spaces, against constant contact, and usually against bigger bodies than edge rushers see. They need strong hands, real play strength, leverage, balance, and the ability to diagnose what’s happening around them almost instantly. The best ones don’t just make plays. They wreck the structure of the offense. For this installment, the goal is to break down what actually matters when scouting interior defensive linemen. Not just who flashes on Saturdays, but who has the traits, discipline, and physical tools to survive and make an impact on Sundays. Get-Off & First-Step Quickness Explodes off the snap. How quickly does he get moving once the ball is snapped? If you pause the video the second the ball is snapped, is his head the first one across from his defensive line. Wins the first step. Can he beat guards and centers out of their stance? Creates immediate stress. Quick penetration forces the entire play to speed up. Times the snap well. Anticipation matters even more inside because space disappears fast. Hand Usage & Violence Violent hands. Clubs, swipes, rips, forklifts, and arm-overs all matter inside. Wants to attack. First strike matters. Interior defenders who land first usually control the rep. Active throughout the rep. Doesn’t stop working after initial contact. No wasted motion. Tight, efficient hand work is much more valuable than flashy movement. Leverage & Pad Level Plays low. Low man usually wins inside. Keeps hips under him. Good base and balance allow strength to transfer. Doesn’t pop upright. High pads get washed out quickly. Wins leverage battles. Especially important against double teams and short-yardage looks. Play Strength, Balance & Anchor Absorbs contact. Doesn’t get moved off his spot easily. Anchors against doubles. Holds firm when two blockers come at him. Strong lower half. Power starts in the legs and hips. Plays through contact. Doesn’t die on first engagement. Stays on his feet. Doesn’t get driven into the ground or fall easily. Run Defense & Gap Discipline Owns his gap. Doesn’t freelance and create running lanes. Reads blocking schemes. Knows the difference between zone, duo, trap, and power. Holds point of attack. Doesn’t get reached or sealed too easily. Makes life easier for linebackers. Sometimes the best rep is just staying square and eating space. Pass Rush Ability & Pocket Collapse Collapses the pocket. Interior pressure can be just as valuable as sacks. Wins one-on-one. Guards and centers can’t hold him all game. Has a move package. Bull, swim, club-rip, arm-over, push-pull. Can finish. Pressure is good, but sacks and hits still matter. Block Shedding & Double-Team Resistance Gets off blocks. Doesn’t just survive contact, sheds it. Plays through doubles. Holds ground or at least narrows running lanes. Finds the football. Eyes stay active while engaged. Doesn’t get stuck. Strong interior defenders eventually free themselves. Motor, Effort & Pursuit High motor. Same effort in the fourth quarter as the first. Chases outside the box. Doesn’t stop because the play moves away. Second-effort pressure. Many big plays come after the first rush fails. Plays hard every snap. Effort stands out quickly on defensive line tape. Positional Versatility & Scheme Fit Can line up at multiple techniques. 1-tech, 2i, 3-tech, 4i, maybe even 5-tech in some fronts. Fits different fronts. 4-3 tackle, 3-4 end, sub-package rusher. Can play nose or penetrate. Some guys are pure pluggers, others are disruptors. Scheme flexibility raises value. More ways to use a player means more value on Sundays. Frame, Length & Physical Traits Carries mass well. Big enough to survive inside without losing movement. Length helps. Long arms keep blockers off his chest. Strong frame. Built to absorb punishment every snap. NFL body type. Can survive a full season of trench warfare. Special Teams Value Field goal block threat. Length and burst can matter here. Extra-point pressure. Interior push can affect kicks. Effort role early. For non-stars, this can help earn a game day role. In the end, scouting interior defensive linemen isn’t about counting sacks and calling it a day. Some of the most valuable interior defenders don’t always fill up the stat sheet, but they consistently wreck blocking schemes, collapse pockets, and make the offense uncomfortable. The best ones win with quickness, leverage, strength, discipline, and effort. When you watch tape with those traits in mind, the picture becomes much clearer. The players who consistently fire off the ball, strike with violent hands, hold their gap, and create interior chaos are the ones most likely to become real NFL contributors. The flashy plays matter, but the repeatable disruption matters more. Other Instalments: Quarterbacks Running Backs Receivers Tight Ends Offensive Linemen Edge Rushers See More:
Position Mastery: Interior Defensive Linemen
Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Free Agency Is Chugging Along
As I was preparing this, the Wentz signing popped. This is very interesting and curious to say the least. Is it a precursor to a trade of JJ? I don’t think so but I would not be surprised. The latest new in free agency was the signing of Johnny Hekker and Ryan Van Demark. The […] As I was preparing this, the Wentz signing popped. This is very interesting and curious to say the least. Is it a precursor to a trade of JJ? I don’t think so but I would not be surprised. The latest new in free agency was the signing of Johnny Hekker and Ryan Van Demark. The interesting thing about the signing is that neither the Bills or Vikings can modify his deal that he signed until after he plays one full season. It will be 4.25M against the cap for both teams. I am still waiting on something to happen with O’Neill and Greenard. Minnesota Vikings News and Links Minnesota Vikings do have a plan, but will it continue? Without a general manager outside of interim Rob Brzezinski, there have been a lot of questions about what is going to happen with the future. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote about why they have been so quiet in free agency, with some interesting quotes from Brzezinski. “We had a plan that we devised together,” Brzezinski said, “and I’m just really proud of the way everybody worked together, identifying some targets that we were able to reach agreements with. There’s others we weren’t, but I think I’m really most proud of the patience. … Really grateful also for [Hockenson and Jones] reworking their contracts to find a middle ground. These were two players and two people that are really important to our football team and to [coach Kevin O’Connell] in our locker room. “So I feel like we’ve navigated responsibly the future versus being competitive this year. And I feel like we’re in a really good spot, but like we keep saying, there’s a long way to go.” It’s great that the Vikings have devised a plan and are executing it, but what changes with a new general manager in May? Will they want to follow the same direction that Brzezinski is seemingly laying out? They will likely want to achieve some form of what Brzezinski wants to get back to: drafting and developing. “Brzezinski said last month that he envisioned the Vikings as a franchise that looks to draft and develop and to retain our core, and supplement in free agency.’” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert said. “That served as a reminder that teams don’t just use cap space on free agency, but also — and often more importantly — on signing their existing players to contract extensions. Right tackle Brian O’Neill and receiver Jordan Addison are among the upcoming deals the Vikings have budgeted for. It’s also worth noting that Brzezinski described the Vikings’ 2026 roster build as being ‘barely out of the gate here,’ implying there are other ways than free agency to make substantive roster improvements.” Wednesday afternoon brought the first news that the Minnesota Vikings had an extension for right tackle Brian O’Neill budgeted into their future plans. “Brzezinski said last month that he envisioned the Vikings as a franchise that looks to “draft and develop and to retain our core, and supplement in free agency.” That served as a reminder that teams don’t just use cap space on free agency, but also — and often more importantly — on signing their existing players to contract extensions. Right tackle Brian O’Neill and receiver Jordan Addison are among the upcoming deals the Vikings have budgeted for.” The latest on Greenard comes from Alec Lewis of The Athletic, who revealed two potential landing spots that make sense for the Vikings pass rusher. “I think over the course of the last week or last two weeks, it probably seemed more imminent than it was,” Lewis said on the March 18 edition of “The Alec Lewis Show.” “I would say that the Minnesota Vikings have been very clear from the outset that they are doing this on their terms. So they are not going to trade a talented player that they’ve really liked having, Jonathan Greenard, unless it makes a lot of sense for them to do that. “I would say the Philadelphia Eagles definitely still need edge rusher talent. I mean, they have Jalyx Hunt, they signed Arnold Ebiketie, they have Nolan Smith Jr., but to have another elite edge rusher, it’s part of the reason they were in on Jaelan Phillips. And then I think the Indianapolis Colts are kind of in a similar vein.” Lewis isn’t the only one who has recently provided an update on Greenard’s future. On March 13, NFL insider Jordan Schultz offered the latest regarding the Vikings veteran. “[The Vikings are] trying to trade him,“ Schultz said during an appearance on 105.3 The FAN. “They’ve got multiple suitors, but the issue with him is he’s going to want a new deal. Anytime you have a guy that you’re trading for, you have to give up draft capital. That’s one part. “But it becomes a lot more complicated when that player is going to want a new contract. He’s got a lot of stuff to him. He’s a very good player, and I think has a lot of really good football left.” Moreover, Schultz notes that the Dallas Cowboys should consider a move for Greenard, especially if a team within their division, like the Eagles, decides to make a move on the Vikings standout. “To me, that’s the type of player that Dallas should go after,“ Schultz added. “I still think they need more juice coming off the edge. He can rush, he’s a really good tackler. I would be surprised if he wasn’t moved, but I also know that you’re going to have to pay him a big salary on a multi‑year deal, and that’s probably why it hasn’t happened just
Dolphins to host top defensive back on top-30 visit prior to 2026 NFL Draft
New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has been busy tearing the team down to the screws so he can then remake the squad in his image. Multiple mainstays of the last few seasons have departed Miami recently, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and pass rusher Bradley Chubb — to […] New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has been busy tearing the team down to the screws so he can then remake the squad in his image. Multiple mainstays of the last few seasons have departed Miami recently, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and pass rusher Bradley Chubb — to name a few. Soon, Sullivan will have the opportunity to add a slew of new players to the team when the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on April 23rd, and the team has 11 picks at their disposal. Currently, the team is doing their homework on many draft prospects — including those who could be selected with the Dolphins’ first first-round pick at number 11 overall. On Wednesday, NFL analyst Ryan Fowler reported that the Dolphins have a top-30 visit lined up with premier defensive back Mansoor Delane out of LSU. Fowler also reports that the New Orleans Saints will host Delane prior to the NFL Draft. The Saints are slotted to pick at #8 overall. Delane played three seasons with Virginia Tech before transferring to LSU. During his four years of college ball, the cornerback totaled 191 combine tackles, 27 passes defensed and 8 interceptions. He was named a Consensus All-American for his 2025 season. The Dolphins could use a high-level cornerback on the roster, especially since their top-two options from last season — Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones — remained unsigned. However, Miami could use a lot of different positions as well, as their roster is lacking talent in a bunch of different areas. We’ll see which direction they go in with their two first-round picks (11 and 30) once the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off in just over one month’s time. See More:
Lions roster impact: Damone Clark gives LB group depth, competition
On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions announced that they have signed linebacker Damone Clark, a young, high-potential linebacker with ties to defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Terms of the deal were not disclosed at the time of this article’s publication. Origin story Born in Louisiana, Clark stayed home and attended LSU from 2018 through 2021. During his […] On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions announced that they have signed linebacker Damone Clark, a young, high-potential linebacker with ties to defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Terms of the deal were not disclosed at the time of this article’s publication. Origin story Born in Louisiana, Clark stayed home and attended LSU from 2018 through 2021. During his time at LSU, Clark won a National Championship in 2019-20, connected with Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard (who was LSU’s Director of player development at the time), and donned the famous No. 18 jersey during his final two seasons in Baton Rouge. LSU’s No. 18 is given to the player on the team who best represents elite leadership, high character, and mental toughness (Lions Mekhi Wingo was honored with this jersey number in 2023). “No. 18 means a lot to me,” Clark said at his presser with the Lions on Wednesday. “It’s an honor to be able to represent the No. 18 with the guys that wore it before me. It exemplifies the standard of LSU both on and off the field. That’s what I live by.” Following his senior season, Clark sparkled during the pre-NFL Draft evaluation process. He was invited to the Senior Bowl and was named his team’s starting MIKE linebacker. At the NFL Combine, Clark earned the top spot among my linebacker “winners,” posting a RAS score of 9.86, excelling in on-field drills, and prompting me to gush over his potential fit with the Lions, as one of my favorite players in that draft cycle. Unfortunately, medical tests at the Combine revealed that Clark was playing with a spinal injury that required “spinal fusion surgery,” and he was projected to miss his entire rookie season. And just like that, his draft stock plummeted, shifting from a Day 2 pick all the way down to the middle of Day 3. The Dallas Cowboys ended his fall in the draft, selecting him in the fifth round with the No. 176 pick in the draft. Despite the grim diagnosis, Clark beat the odds and was able to return to game action over the final 10 games of 2022, and even started five. The following season, Clark started all 17 games for the Cowboys, registering 109 tackles on the season. In 2024, Clark was surpassed on the depth chart by DeMarvion Overshown, leading to only two spot starts. Last season, Clark started two of the Cowboys’ first three games, but was a surprising mid-November release, and was quickly claimed by the Texans. In Houston for the back half of last season, Clark saw his role on defense decline, while his special teams’ role expanded. Clark would play 175 of his 313 special teams snaps in Houston, earning an impressive 78.7 special teams grade from PFF. “My role last year, it decreased on the defensive side, but it increased on the special teams side, and that’s okay,” Clark explained. “You have to make the most of every opportunity, and you got to put that at the forefront of your mind.” Relationship with Sheppard 2020 was a pivotal season for Clark. Not only was LSU coming off a National Championship, but he was given a leadership role and was an uncontested starter at MIKE. At the same time, Sheppard accepted a job in player development at LSU, and as a former MIKE for the Tigers himself, there was a natural connection between the two individuals. “He was a guy that would give us coaching points,” Clark said of Sheppard’s time at LSU. “He wasn’t the linebacker coach, but he still went outside of his job, helping the linebackers in whatever way that he could.” Fast forward a year, and Clark is invited to the Senior Bowl. In a fun twist of fate, he is assigned to the team coached by Dan Campbell’s Lions, with Sheppard coaching the linebackers. “Damone Clark, that’s like my little brother,” Sheppard told Jeff Risdon on the Detroit Lions Podcast at the Senior Bowl. “That’s the guy that I mentored all last year. You talk full circle. When he found out he was playing on our team, he was beyond ecstatic.” Clark earned a starting MIKE role at the Senior Bowl, illustrating the ability to take coaching points from Sheppard and apply them quickly. And now that he is back with Sheppard once again, he provides the Lions with a fifth-year linebacker with the upside to expand his game once again under his mentor, but also understands that nothing will be handed to him. “I’m blessed just to be able to be in this position to be able to come here and be coached by Shep,” Clark continued. “Because I know how he is outside of ball, and it ain’t no different; he’s always going to shoot straight, to you. It doesn’t matter if I know Shep; at the end of the day, I need to do what I need to do. “There’s no ‘homeboys’ in this business. You need to come in here, put your head down, and go to work.” Expected role in 2026 While Clark is a natural MIKE, he certainly has the athleticism and instincts to play other positions in the Lions’ defense. When asked about which position he might play in Detroit, Clark implied that he didn’t want to be limited to one label. “Ball is ball at the end of the day,” Clark told the Lions media. “Trust your preparation, listen to your coaches, trust your coach’s preparation, and just go out there and do it. So, I don’t look at it like a MIKE spot, WILL, SAM—I don’t look at it like that. I look at it like football
Eagles restructure Jake Elliott’s contract, free up more cap space
The Eagles haven’t had a lot of opportunities to free up cap space this offseason, but Howie Roseman has been making it work with re-signing players, restructuring contracts, and adding many void years to incoming contracts. His latest move was to restructure Jake Elliott’s contract in a win-win for the player and the team — […] The Eagles haven’t had a lot of opportunities to free up cap space this offseason, but Howie Roseman has been making it work with re-signing players, restructuring contracts, and adding many void years to incoming contracts. His latest move was to restructure Jake Elliott’s contract in a win-win for the player and the team — he gets a fully guaranteed $5 million deal, and the Eagles reduce the kicker’s cap hit by nearly a quarter of a million dollars. Despite outside concerns about Elliott after a 2025 season in which he struggled, internally, the team has continued to voice their confidence in the kicker. By restructuring Elliott’s contract, the Eagles are signaling that he’s likely still their guy in 2026. At the end of last season, Elliott couldn’t point to one specific thing resulting in his eight missed kicks — seven field goals and one point after attempt —, but didn’t think it was something related to the mental aspect of the game. Perhaps more concerning than the total field goals missed, was where he was struggling, because he was only 4-of-8 from 50-plus yards, which is a distance he’s historically been really solid from. Hopefully, he’s able to figure out what went wrong in 2025 and is able to come back and be the reliable kicker Philadelphia is used to, and needs him to be. See More:
NY Giants 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
The offensive tackle class in the 2026 NFL Draft is not considered a strong one. There are several players who could step in and start right away, however there’s generally considered to be a drop-off after the initial group of tackles. Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu is on the periphery of the offensive tackle conversation. Depending on the board, he could be a sleeper who should be a part of the upper tier of tackles, or he could be the best of the lower tier. The New York Giants have their tackle bookends locked in for the immediate future, and probably aren’t considering one right now. But could they consider Lomu as a developmental tackle? At the very least, we should be aware of him in case he lands with a division rival. Prospect: Caleb Lomu (71)Games Watched: vs. UCLA (2025), vs. Texas Tech (2025), vs. West Virginia (2025)Red Flags: None Measurables Strengths Best traits Versatility Play strength Mobility Run blocking Caleb Lomu is a good-sized, athletic, and versatile offensive tackle prospect. He has good size for the position at 6-foot 5 ¾ inches, 313 pounds, with 33 ⅜ inch arms and 9 ½ inch hands. He’s also a good all-around athlete with solid quickness and agility, balance when engaged, and play strength. He also has experience at both tackle positions, as he was primarily Utah’s left tackle, but also moved to right tackle in jumbo packages in short yardage situations. Lomu is able to execute both zone and man-gap blocking schemes, though he seems a bit better fit as a down-hill blocker on man-gap runs. He does a good job of engaging defenders with leverage, extending his arms and seeking their chest plate, then uncoiling to drive them back. He blocks with good toughness and has enough strength to drive edge defenders off the ball. He also has good-enough feet to mirror most of the pass rushers he saw at the collegiate level. He plays with a wide base, allowing him to absorb bull rushes with the minimum ground lost, and doesn’t over-stride his kick-slide so he can redirect to account for inside rushes. Weaknesses Worst traits Consistency Experience Technique vs. speed Lomu is a well-rounded tackle prospect, however he also isn’t a finished product just yet. He still needs to play with greater consistency in pass protection, particularly against speed rushers. Lomu can be a bit prone to lunging or dipping his head against athletic defenders, making it relatively easy for them to slip his blocks. He can also stop his feet against them, which in turn stops his hands, allowing them to take control of the rep. Lomu is a good athlete, but not quite an elite one. That narrows his margins for error, and increases the importance of playing with excellent technique against NFL caliber pass rushers. In particular, he doesn’t quite have the quick, light feet possessed by the best tackle prospects and can appear to lumber a bit on occasion. He’s also a relatively inexperienced tackle as a red-shirt sophomore and has just two years of starting experience. Game Tape (Lomu is the Utah left tackle wearing number 71. This is a condensed game and you will need to skip past Texas Tech’s possessions.) Projection Caleb Lomu projects as a developmental tackle at the NFL level. Lomu’s experience on both sides suggests that he can be developed to be either a left or right tackle at the NFL level. He may only top out as a swing tackle, but even so quality and versatile depth is a valuable thing at the NFL level. Some teams may view Lomu as a potential guard convert thanks to his frame and play strength, however he should be given the opportunity to win a starting job at tackle first. Lomu’s potential starting upside should get him selected by the end of the third round, and he has the potential to be a good value pick for a team with the environment to develop him. Does he fit the Giants? Probably not Final Word: A later Day 2 pick. See More: New York Giants Draft
2026 NFL Free Agency: Examining the surplus of one-year contracts
Bradley Locker breaks down the trend of young, top free agents receiving one-year contracts in the 2026 free agency cycle. 2026 NFL Free Agency: Examining the surplus of one-year contracts Several young standouts weren’t given lucrative contracts: Rasheed Walker, Rachaad White, Riq Woolen and others didn’t land multi-year commitments in free agency. A drying market based on recent history: NFL teams are growing skeptical of handing out extensive deals over multiple seasons, especially with longer pacts not aging well. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated Reading Time: 18 minutes As NFL teams navigate the waters of free agency, they typically search for lodestars that will direct their franchises for years to come. While improving rosters for the upcoming season is important, so too is establishing pieces for multiple campaigns down the line. In the cases of players like Alec Pierce, Tyler Linderbaum, Trey Hendrickson and Jaelan Phillips, organizations did just that. Not only did front offices pay them each upward of $27 million per season, but their new teams also tethered themselves to those players for at least three years (based purely on contractual terms). It’s true that both market-topping names and a slew of other standouts have been rewarded with multi-year commitments in free agency. But a predominant — and interest-piquing — trend has been the plethora of one-year contracts doled out. With the first wave of free agency complete, at least 56 players have inked a pact for just the 2026 season, excluding the three players who were given the franchise tag. That number is inflated by a combination of aging veterans who may only play for one more season (e.g., Khalil Mack, Tony Jefferson), quarterbacks on veteran minimum deals (e.g., Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa) and players who were released prior to the start of the new league year (e.g., Dalvin Tomlinson, Darnell Mooney). All of that feels relatively standard in the context of the last few years of free agency. However, a more stunning development pervading the 2026 market has been the number of both young and touted free agents who have signed one-year contracts. Of those aforementioned 56 players on one-year arrangements, 34 are currently 28 years old or younger. That’s a rather staggering figure, considering that age group tends to be prime territory for receiving more lucrative and/or longer contracts. In some situations, these younger players have witnessed declines in production or usage, which explains why they received a one-year “prove it” contract. But in many others, it’s difficult to entirely understand why their markets were so dry. Consider Rasheed Walker, the top tackle in PFF’s Free-Agent Rankings. While Walker’s 2025 season wasn’t as terrific as his prior work, he still sports a 76.8 career PFF pass-blocking grade. The projected market for a 26-year-old tackle who stays on the field and is strong in pass protection far surpasses the one-year, $4 million contract he signed with the Panthers. Another prime example comes via running back Rachaad White. While not an every-down back for the Buccaneers, White still shined by earning an 87.2 PFF rushing grade in 2025 while contributing in pass protection. Even then, the 27-year-old signed with the Commanders for only one year and $2 million. Along similar lines, it’s understandable why some older yet productive players garnered a contract for just 2026. Even then, the likes of Kevin Byard, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Chidobe Awuzie were worthy of longer contracts based on the effectiveness they showed throughout the bulk of last season. In 2026, perhaps more than ever, the majority of players who didn’t sign on the first day of the legal tampering period proceeded to ink a one-year contract offer. Further, the veterans still available — like Stefon Diggs, Kevin Zeitler and Taylor Decker — will almost assuredly follow suit in the coming weeks and months, with their past pedigrees likely not equating to agreements beyond next season. Subscribe For Full Access Subscribe For Full Access How can this spate of short-term deals be explained? A few theories come to mind. First, the market for non-premium players clearly was not as promising as anticipated. That’s especially true at positions like safety, running back and tackle, where large contracts are either rare or can age poorly. The struggles of high-priced 2025 free agents like Dan Moore Jr., Jevon Holland and Trevon Moehrig likely caused teams to be leery of overpaying at those spots. Moreover, many of these sub-28-year-old players seem content to bet on themselves, parlaying one-year pacts into more money down the line. For someone like Riq Woolen, whose PFF coverage grade sat below 66.0 in 2024 and 2025 after finishing above 74.0 in his first two years, taking a flier with the Eagles makes sense. The same can be said about names looking to stay healthy and play at a more consistently elevated level, such as Jaquan Brisker, Isiah Pacheco and Darnell Mooney. Another school of thought is that front offices are less likely to overcommit resources via free agency, especially considering how badly big paydays can develop. Of the 25 players who inked a deal worth at least $15 million last offseason, just nine garnered at least a 70.0 PFF overall grade while playing at least 500 snaps. A multitude of those names — like Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen and Diggs — have already been cut, and it’s fair to assume that teams are waving some caution flags. Of course, both trades and the NFL draft affect the perception of the current free-agent pool. NFL teams have continued to pursue big fish via trade, seeming more willing to part with high capital to acquire game-changing stars rather than adding a more average veteran for a high sum. Likewise, in 2025, 18 rookies were picked outside of the first round but produced at least a 65.0 PFF overall grade while playing 500 or more snaps. From a financial perspective, it’s more sound to
Bengals News (3/19): A.J. Green’s plea to NFL for better mental health support
Bengals legend A.J. Green proposes brilliant idea in his heartwarming tribute to former teammate Rondale MooreHaving known Moore throughout his three-year stint in the league, Green was intimately aware of what the former second-round pick was going through mentally. He had suffered two major knee injuries almost exactly one year apart in 2024 and 2025. […] Bengals legend A.J. Green proposes brilliant idea in his heartwarming tribute to former teammate Rondale Moore Having known Moore throughout his three-year stint in the league, Green was intimately aware of what the former second-round pick was going through mentally. He had suffered two major knee injuries almost exactly one year apart in 2024 and 2025. He entered the 2026 calendar year not having played a game since Jan. 7 of 2024. Quick Hits: Bengals Believe Ryan Rehkow’s Long Bombs Can Turn Into Pro Bowl If … “That’s definitely an area of emphasis so far during this offseason,” said Rehkow Wednesday after a rare offseason gathering of The Operation in a session at the I.E.L Indoor Facility. “That’s going to continue to be it.” Ex-Bengals, Cowboys LB Logan Wilson retires at 29 “After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to officially retire from the NFL,” Wilson, 29, wrote on Instagram. “From being a Wyoming kid with big dreams to hearing my name called in the 3rd round of the 2020 Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals… football gave me more than I ever could have imagined.” Height, who has an NFL-ready frame at 6-3, had a productive senior season at Texas Tech as he recorded 21 solo tackles and 10 sacks while tacking on two forced fumbles. Height had an unusual collegiate career, as he played meaningful snaps for four different programs in four seasons, starting with Auburn in 2021, USC in 2023, Georgia Tech in 2024, and Texas Tech in 2025. Besides Mafe, they also signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and safety Bryan Cook. All three additions look to be impact starters for the Bengals defense, but they still need more. They were the worst defense in the league against the run last year while being one of the worst overall units in football, too. See More: Cincinnati Bengals News
Vikings Re-Signing QB Carson Wentz
In a significant departure from how they handled things last season, it appears that the Minnesota Vikings will have their quarterback room settled well in advance of the 2026 season. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Vikings are re-signing quarterback Carson Wentz, presumably to fill out their quarterback room alongside J.J. McCarthy […] In a significant departure from how they handled things last season, it appears that the Minnesota Vikings will have their quarterback room settled well in advance of the 2026 season. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Vikings are re-signing quarterback Carson Wentz, presumably to fill out their quarterback room alongside J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray. The Vikings signed Wentz just before the start of the 2025 season and wound up putting him into the starting lineup in Week 3 following McCarthy suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 2. Wentz then started the next five games for the Vikings, leading the team to a 2-3 record in those games. He ended up suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the team’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8, a game in which he took as much of a beating as any Vikings’ quarterback has taken in recent memory. In his five starts in 2025, Wentz completed 65% of his passes for 1,216 yards and threw six touchdown passes to five interceptions. As Pelissero mentions, with Wentz back in the fold, the Vikings quarterback room now has three players who were top ten overall draft picks. Murray was the #1 overall pick in 2019, Wentz was the #2 overall selection in 2016, and the Vikings took McCarthy at #10 overall in 2024. What do you think of the Vikings bringing back Carson Wentz, folks? Let us know what you think in the comments! See More:
Lions LB Damone Clark praises Kelvin Sheppard, knows he won’t play favorites
New Lions linebacker Damone Clark’s arrival in Detroit is anything but a surprise. Detroit needed depth after several linebackers left for free agency, and Clark’s connection to Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was obvious. Back when Clark played for the purple and gold at LSU, Sheppard was the program’s director of player personnel. That LSU […] New Lions linebacker Damone Clark’s arrival in Detroit is anything but a surprise. Detroit needed depth after several linebackers left for free agency, and Clark’s connection to Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard was obvious. Back when Clark played for the purple and gold at LSU, Sheppard was the program’s director of player personnel. That LSU bond never breaks, and when it comes to Clark and Sheppard, it’s only expanded since they both found their way to the NFL in their respective roles. “I keep in touch with him, obviously just to sharpen my game,” Clark said of Sheppard during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. “My biggest thing with me, I always want to get better. I don’t want to stay the same. And he tells me when I’m doing good things, he tells me when I need to work on things, and that’s all part of it. I’m a sponge, I want to learn as much as I can, because I know the player that I can be and I know the player that I want to be.” Clark is looking for his career to take the next step after he’s hit a bit of a plateau. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, Clark managed to beat the odds and quickly find his way on the field. He started five games in his rookie season and was the full-time, 17-game starter with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. He was reduced to a reserve role the following year, and when regime change hit Dallas in 2025, he was waived and picked up by the Houston Texans, where he played almost entirely as a four-core special teamer. “My role last year decreased on the defensive side, but it increased on the special teams side, and that’s okay,” Clark said. “Like I say, every morning I wake up, and I just thank god for the opportunity, because I got homeboys and people back at the crib that would do anything just to be on practice squad, something like that. So, you have to make the most of every opportunity and put that in the forefront of your mind, that guys wish to be in this position.” Looking to Detroit, he sees an opportunity to compete and an opportunity to grow. And that starts with working alongside Sheppard, who Clark has seen develop Detroit’s linebacker room into a point of strength. “You’re seeing guys that Shep has coached and developed, like, who wouldn’t want that to be them?” Clark said. “Who wouldn’t want that to be them, just to get that opportunity to get that coaching. And you go out on Sundays, you’re out there flying around, making plays. That makes yourself proud, it makes your family proud, but it also makes your coaches proud, too.” But Clark knows everything still needs to be earned. One thing he’s always loved about Sheppard is his ability to talk straight with you. He knows that just because he and Sheppard go way back, the Lions’ defensive coordinator won’t be playing favorites. “There’s no homeboys in this business,” Clark said. “Like, you need to come in here, put your head down, and go to work, and the best man will win.” See More:
