Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images What sort of outcome will we see with Tee Higgins? We are quickly approaching NFL free agency. That means there are plenty of mock signings and other offseason moves being projected, but Frank Schwab from Yahoo Sports recently wrote about the Top 10 storyline going into this phase of the offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals plans with wide receiver Tee Higgins sit at the top of the list: 1. Will the Bengals pay Tee Higgins? If Higgins hits free agency after the Bengals reportedly plan to franchise tag him again, he’s going to get a massive contract. Receivers of his talent level and age don’t hit the market that often. It will not be easy to pay Higgins and Chase, and perhaps Hendrickson too, but it can be done. What will the Bengals do? Higgins is easily the top skill position free agent when you also consider he is also only 26 years old. There have been reports he could command over $30 million AAV in whatever deal he gets and would be courted by nearly every team in the NFL. Even if the Bengals hit him with a franchise or transition tag there will be plenty of teams on the phone looking to give him a big deal as well as draft compensation. However, things keep shaping up to look more and more like Cincinnati not only can but will keep him. The salary cap is getting boosted to either $277.5 million or $281.5 million, and the Bengals don’t exactly have a ton of in-house talent in the near future that should command a deal like Higgins. The question is, will they extend Ja’Marr Chase, Trey Hendrickson, and also pay Higgins all in one offseason? The answer is simply they have to spend it somewhere. When your franchise quarterback Joe Burrow has listed each guy by name, it makes it easy to decide who to spend it on. Depending on other cuts/renegotiations, Cincinnati should still have plenty of space to also add in free agency beyond those big names. It would be a move that you would expect to change the narrative on the Bengals, but the national media would likely pivot to “Why would you put all this money in two wide receivers?” At least Bengals fans would get to appreciate a skilled group surrounding Burrow for a while longer.
What Bengals do with Tee Higgins tabbed as biggest storyline of NFL free agency
Silver Minings: Brock Bowers makes Pro Football Focus’ Top 101 players
Brock Bowers | Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images Bowers was the No. 2 tight end on the list Pro Football Focus released its Top 101 players of the 2024 season this week and the Las Vegas Raiders had one player make the cut, rookie tight end Brock Bowers, which should come as no surprise. Bowers was listed 40th overall as he put together a historic season using the site’s metrics. “Bowers’ first year in the NFL was one for the record books,” Mason Cameron, Dalton Wasserman and Max Chadwick wrote. “His 88.4 PFF receiving grade is the highest ever recorded by a first-year tight end in the PFF era (since 2006), highlighted with record-breaking marks in receptions (112), yards after catch (596), first-down receptions (61) and contested catches (16). The latter also ranks among the top eight all-time at the position, placing him alongside the likes of Travis Kelce (2018) and Jimmy Graham (2017).” The Offensive Rookie of the Year runner-up was ahead of tight ends Trey McBride (42) of the Arizona Cardinals and the Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews (75) but was the second-ranked player at the position behind George Kittle (13) from the San Francisco 49ers. PFF had Kittle graded higher as both a receiver (92.4) and run-blocker (70.8) as those figures led and ranked second among tight ends this year. In Other Raiders’ Links: Malaki Starks film breakdown: see what the former Georgia safety and 2025 NFL Draft prospect could bring to Las Vegas. Malcolm Koonce free agency preview: “There’s a high likelihood Crosby and the Raiders aren’t the only team to notice the work ethic and progression Koonce has made since being picked in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft,” Silver and Black Pride’s Ray Aspuria wrote. “Koonce is set to have no shortage of suitors and he’d be wise to see what the market dictates his value at while listening to any overtures the Raiders make for his return.” Raiders listed as “best fit” for Sam Darnold: “The former No. 3 overall pick has certainly restored his image since a tumultuous five-year start with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, parlaying a year of tutelage with the San Francisco 49ers into a full-blown breakout with the Vikings,” CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin wrote. “His poised and aggressive 35-touchdown showcase under Kevin O’Connell ultimately ended with a whimper, however, as he folded under pressure in Minnesota’s last — and most important — two games.” Las Vegas trades up for Shedeur Sanders in mock draft: “They have an extra third-round pick as a result of the Davante Adams trade, so they didn’t hesitate to ship one out to land their guy: Sanders,” The Athletic’s Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed wrote. “Sanders has a strong relationship (and had an NIL deal in college) with minority owner Tom Brady, has already met owner Mark Davis and should be comfortable in offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s system, which blends NFL and college concepts.”
Dolphins’ Chris Grier is one of three general managers not scheduled to speak at Scouting Combine
Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images General managers for the Bears, Cowboys, and Dolphins aren’t expected to meet with the press. 329 NFL Draft prospects step into the spotlight next week at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. With representatives from every franchise headed to Indianapolis in preparation for the draft, the week-long event also serves as a chance to kick-start trade discussions and hear from teams one final time before free agency begins next month. GM & HC podium schedule for Indianapolis. pic.twitter.com/wrViqnU7QD — Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 21, 2025 Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel will speak with the media at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. However, Chris Grier is one of three general managers currently unscheduled to speak in Indianapolis, joining Ryan Poles (Chicago Bears) and Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys). Grier hasn’t spoken publicly since the team’s end-of-season press conference on Jan. 7. “We had expectations created by the excitement of the last couple years and we had hoped to continue it and for various circumstances, didn’t happen this year and it was unacceptable,” Grier said. “No one is happy and we will get this fixed.” General managers aren’t going up to the podium at the combine to spill draft strategy or free agency plans, and schedules can always change. That said, it would be interesting to see if Grier’s perspective has changed with time to reflect on a disappointing 2024 campaign.
Vote for your favorite Pride of Detroit moment of 2024
What’s new at Pride of Detroit Direct? If you want more Lions coverage, our newsletter is the answer for you. There, we have weekly columns, deep analytical dives, and exclusive podcasts to offer comprehensive coverage of free agency, the draft, and everything in between as we prepare of a momentous 2025 Detroit Lions season.
NFL Combine preview: 10 interior DL the Lions should watch
Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Identifying which interior defensive linemen the Detroit Lions should be keeping an eye on during the 2025 NFL Combine. Our 2025 NFL Combine preview series continues along as we approach the big event, which is scheduled to be televised from Thursday, February 27 through Sunday, March 2. So far, we have already previewed which quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles, and interior offensive linemen the Detroit Lions should be scouting. In this article, we flip to the other side of the ball and start by examining the interior defensive line prospects that should be on the radar of general manager Brad Holmes. Of note: Defensive linemen will kick off the on-field drills on NFL Network on Thursday, February 27. Team need While it’s still a bit unclear if new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard will alter the Lions’ defensive front, what we do know is that he will continue to prioritize stopping the run while earning the right to rush the passer. “Everything you do on defense starts with the front,” Sheppard said in a recent interview with Fox News Dan Miller. “Just look at the final guys in the championship game. It’s not like I’m telling some secret. Everything you do on defense starts with the front. It starts in the trenches, in both the run and the pass game.” While the Lions return both starters, Alim McNeill is coming off an ACL injury and DJ Reader is in the final year of his contract. There are developing youth on the roster—Mekhi Wingo, Brodric Martin, and Chris Smith—but they all contributed less than Levi Onwuzurike, Pat O’Connor, and Kyle Peko who are all unrestricted free agents. This figures to be a position group that addressed their holes in multiple ways, including potentially adding via free agency and the draft, or even double dipping for depth. What skills to watch for during on-field drills When watching the interior defensive line players run through drills, the top things to watch for are balance through the hips, hand placement (especially evident with bag work), and if they play with their head up/eyes on target. Additionally, keep an eye on players’ feet. Do they keep their weight over them? Are they quick? How is their lateral movement? Do they shuffle or cross-step? This draft class is loaded with defensive line talent as a whopping 41 defensive tackles were invited to the Combine. Michigan’s Mason Graham figures to go off the board very early in the first round, but there are a few more prospects who could be great value for the Lions at the end of Day 1. First round consideration Walter Nolen, 3/5T, Mississippi (6-foot-3, 293 pounds) was the No. 1 overall high school player in 2022, but he didn’t come into his own until his Junior season after he transferred from Texas A&M to Ole Miss. This past season he rounded out his game, and while he’s still developing, the traits he possesses should get him drafted in the first round. While he’ll get most of his attention for his athleticism, first-step quickness, and ability to explode through gaps, his run defense may actually be the best part of his game right now. Nolan is an incredibly strong tackler, has fantastic range to run down any ball carrier, and has elite recoverability when he gets beat. His hands are active and quick, but he’ll need better counters and second pass rush moves to level up in the NFL. Fortunately, he looks like a player willing to put forth the effort to improve. Kenneth Grant, NT, Michigan, (6-foot-3 1⁄2, 342) is a dominant run stuffer, who acts as a massive anchor in the middle of the defensive line. He has light feet, displays nimble footwork, and ever-improving hand usage. His pass-rushing chops are underrated and highly effective, but they could be more consistent, as he has the potential to dominate every snap, but doesn’t always stay low in his pads. Derrick Harmon, 3T, Oregon (6-foot-5, 310) is from Detroit and initially attended Michigan State before transferring to Oregon. In East Lansing, Harmon was mainly a high-level run stuffer, but he dropped some weight when he moved to Eugene and worked on his interior disruption. He has a great first step, quick feet, and fast hands, but still shows off his power when bull rushing. With a strong level of football intelligence and a consistently high motor, he’s a complete 3-technique ready to challenge for a starting role. One trick DL… but it’s an elite trick Tyleik Williams, NT, Ohio State (6-foot-2, 322) is one of the best run-stuffing defensive linemen in this class but he’s not going to give you much as a pass rusher. Still, offenses need to run away from his gap because his anchor will ruin plays at the line of scrimmage. He’s NFL-ready due to his strength and run-stopping skills, but the lack of pass rush will likely negatively impact his overall stock. TJ Sanders, 3T, South Carolina (6-foot-4, 284) is a 1-gapping penetrator who uses his edge experience to create pressure up the middle. His power bull rush is often accompanied by a variety of secondary pass rush moves and counters. He does a nice job of staying locked onto the ball, and can often make plays that appear out of his range. He has several skills that point to him potentially expanding to the 5-technique as well, but he’ll need to improve his edge setting. Omarr Norman-Lott, 3T, Tennessee (6-foot-2, 295) doesn’t get the hype Sanders does, but he wins in a lot of the same ways. The Volunteers rotate their defensive linemen frequently which took Norman-Lott off the field more than it should have, and as a result, the production numbers are lower than anticipated. His experience versus the run is minimal due to the rotation, and it’s difficult to know how effective he really is in this area. However, if you look at
Random Ramsdom: Quarterback rumors aplenty for L.A.
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports Los Angeles Rams News and Links for 2/22/25 If you’re like me, then Thursday was a fun time to be on Turf Show Times. There was a slew of articles addressing Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers and L.A.’s quarterback position in general. It was a fun day, and there were plenty of comments, commenters and interactions to go around as various writers from the website shared information and some of their own takes along with the community at large. If you missed it you can get caught up with the links below! Is Florio right about Stafford and Rodgers? Enough with the Aaron Rodgers-to-LA talk Aaron Rodgers has always been a better QB than Matthew Stafford and still is ESPN says Rams could be good fit for this reclamation project at quarterback We’ll see what happens with Stafford, and the Los Angeles Rams, but this community continues to elevate the conversations surrounding the team, and I am honored to be a part of it. Thank you for checking out Turf Show Times, please have a great Saturday and comment on whatever you want! @TomPelissero Could Matthew Stafford really end up playing somewhere other than Los Angeles in 2025? When might a decision be made on his #NFL home?#NFLCombine #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/T4KFvFZHbN — Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) February 21, 2025 An unexpected twist in the Rams’ draft strategy as Les Snead considers trading No. 26 pick for Day 2 diamonds in the rough (motorcyclesports) “Renowned draft expert Daniel Jeremiah recently hinted at the possibility of the Rams trading out of their first-round spot, citing Snead’s track record of unearthing hidden gems in the subsequent rounds. Although Jeremiah’s mock draft places defensive tackle Darius Alexander as the potential No. 26 pick, he emphasizes Snead’s adeptness at identifying talent on Day 2. Snead’s past success in unearthing valuable prospects beyond the first round has fueled speculation about a potential trade scenario.” Should the Rams sign DE Joey Bosa if the Chargers release him? (ramswire) “One of those players is Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa, who ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes will “likely” be cut before his $12.36 million roster bonus hits in March. That would leave a big-bodied option on the table for some teams looking to bolster their pass rush. The nine-year veteran has some injury concerns but is still a premier sack artist with 72 career quarterback takedowns to his name. If Bosa hits the open market, could the Los Angeles Rams swoop in and keep one of the city’s homegrown players in Southern California? Let’s break down the pros and cons of signing Bosa in free agency.” A classic mic’d up moment. pic.twitter.com/Hyu3qAIhMY — Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 21, 2025 NFL columnist says Rams shouldn’t swap Matthew Stafford for Aaron Rodgers (ramswire) “While it would track as a splashy Rams move, Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke believes the aura around Rodgers would ultimately sink the culture of the team. “… It would be wholly unsurprising if they dumped Stafford for McVay-favorite Rodgers,” Plaschke wrote this week. “It also would be so, so wrong.” “The Rams don’t do distractions,” he added. “The Rams don’t do selfishness. The Rams wouldn’t work for Rodgers.” Rodgers, who is set to become a free agent with an expected separation with the New York Jets, wouldn’t necessarily even be an upgrade over Stafford. Rodgers is four years older and is coming off a poor year with an on-paper good Jets offense.” can’t spell Chromakopia without Ram pic.twitter.com/AmhvhIELia — Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 21, 2025
Could Mike Hilton leave the Bengals for a return to the Steelers?
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) celebrates his interception of a pass by Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Hilton has played four seasons each with the Bengals and Steelers. Besides Trey Hendrickson, there is, perhaps, no player more important to the Cincinnati Bengals defense than cornerback Mike Hilton. Both his on-field play and veteran leadership are crucial for a defense that has been in transition the minute Jessie Bates III left in free agency two years ago. So when something gets mentioned about Mike Hilton going back to Pittsburgh, where he played the first four seasons of his career from 2017-2020, Bengals fans should take notice. Pro Football Focus’s Mason Cameron had this to say about Hilton and a potential return to the Steelers: “Hilton may be reaching his age-31 season, but he hasn’t slowed down yet, still producing as one of the NFL’s best slot defenders. The Steelers will need slot help after Cam Sutton‘s departure, and given that Pittsburgh drafted Hilton back in 2017, a reunion may be in the cards.” Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson are the three most important players when it comes to contract extensions. But Hilton is also important, especially when it comes to the Bengals not letting key players leave to division rivals. Hilton had 73 tackles, five passes defended and an interception last year for the Bengals, his second straight season with at least 70 tackles. He has 13 interceptions in his career to go along with 56 passes defended and 520 tackles. In 2024, Hilton’s 75.9 PFF grade ranked 23rd out of 223 cornerbacks in the NFL.
Your daily Vikings trivia game, Saturday edition
Think you can figure out which Vikings player we’re talking about? You’ll get five clues to figure him out in our new guessing game! Hey Vikings fans! We’re back for another day of the Daily Norseman in-5 daily trivia game. Game instructions are at the bottom if you’re new to the game! Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form. Today’s Daily Norseman in-5 game Previous games Friday, February 21Thursday, February 20Wednesday, February 19 Play more SB Nation in-5 trivia games NFL in-5MLB in-5MMA in-5 Behind the Daily Norseman in-5 instructions The goal of the game is to guess the correct Vikings player with the help of up to five clues. We’ll mix in BOTH ACTIVE AND RETIRED PLAYERS. It won’t be easy to figure it out in one or two guesses, but some of you might be able to nail it. After you correctly guess the player, you can click “Share Results” to share how you did down in the comments and on social media. We won’t go into other details about the game as we’d like your feedback on it. How it plays, what you think of it, the difficulty level, and anything else you can think of that will help us improve this game. You can provide feedback in the comments of this article, or you can fill out this Google Form. Enjoy!
2025 Lions free agent profile: Marcus Davenport
What’s new at Pride of Detroit Direct? If you want more Lions coverage, our newsletter is the answer for you. There, we have weekly columns, deep analytical dives, and exclusive podcasts to offer comprehensive coverage of free agency, the draft, and everything in between as we prepare of a momentous 2025 Detroit Lions season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73921017/2171221618.0.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Mock Draft Roundup 5.0: Lions beat writers release pre-Combine projections")
Mock Draft Roundup 5.0: Lions beat writers release pre-Combine projections
Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images With the 2025 NFL Combine set to kick off next week, this week’s Mock Draft Roundup offers fans their last opportunity to check out which prospects are being mocked to the Lions before the big event—including several from local beat reporters. Officially, the Combine begins on Monday, February 24, but the first real event worth watching will be on Tuesday, February 25 when Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell will hold their annual press conferences. Prospects on-field drills begin on Thursday, February 17, and will conclude on Sunday, March 2. Let’s take a look at the latest players we’re seeing mocked to Detroit. Offensive skill players Tez Johnson, WR, Oregon Source: Nathan Jahnke (PFF) “The Lions are set with their skill players and only have Tim Patrick as a priority free agent. Detroit has kept undersized receiver Kalif Raymond on the roster during these last four seasons, but he will be 31 years old before the end of the season. Johnson is the most undersized player in this mock draft and could be Raymond’s long-term replacement.” — Jahnke Erik’s Thoughts: A quick note on this mock draft from PFF: Jahnke ONLY drafted offensive skill players. So, with this in mind, that means he’s estimating Johnson as the 28th-best skill player, which would put his draft projection roughly somewhere in the third round. While drafting a Raymond replacement in the third round may seem a bit rich, it does match up with where Johnson is likely to be drafted. Offensive line Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama Source: Kyle Crabbs (33rd Team), Ryan Roberts (AtoZ Sports) “The Lions are a team that will certainly be feeling out some transition thanks to the coaching exodus this offseason. But the best way to keep this transition smooth is to lean into the identity that got the Lions to this point. That identity is a mauling approach to all things — and with an upgrade opportunity over an aging Graham Glasgow and the potential departure of Kevin Zeitler gives the Lions the perfect chance to lock in a long-term asset on the inside in heavyweight guard Tyler Booker.” — Crabbs Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State Source: Matt Johnson and Andrew Buller-Russ (Sportsnaut), Jacob Camenker (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) “North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel is known for his physical mentality and he has starting experience at four different positions. He could be a starter at guard for Detroit in 2025 while waiting in the wings to eventually replace Ragnow at center.” Donovan Jackson, OL, Ohio State Source: Daniel Jeremiah (NFL.com), Devon Jackson (Philadelphia Inquirer) “Jackson would be a perfect replacement for Kevin Zeitler if the veteran departs in free agency.” — Jeremiah Erik’s Thoughts: After spending the last few days pouring through prospect film of offensive linemen, I would certainly entertain the Lions drafting any of the three players listed in this group. I have them ranked in the order I prefer heading into the Combine, but I’m still far from finalizing their rankings. Defensive tackle Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi Source: Brendan Donahue (Sharp Football Analysis) “The Lions defense was ravaged by injuries last year. That eventually caught up to them, so expect them to look to solidify that side of the ball early in the draft. Nolen earned an 88.9 overall grade from PFF last season, eighth out of 895 defensive linemen in the country.” — Donahue Kenneth Grant, NT, Michigan Source: Daniel Harms (The Draft Network), Lou Scatagliz (NFL Spin Zone) “After a season where injury after injury depleted the Lions’ defense, they need not only depth but talent along the defensive line. Kenneth Grant is a Michigan man and a stalwart against the run with massive athletic upside as a pass rusher. He’ll be right at home in Detroit.” — Harms Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon Source: Daniel Flick (Sports Illustrated) “Prior to landing at Oregon for 2024, Harmon spent three seasons at Michigan State, and he hails from Detroit. Beyond the allure of a potential homecoming, Harmon was one of college football’s best pass rushers this past season. He’s scheme-versatile, can play up and down the line of scrimmage and wins with both quickness and physicality. Harmon finished tied for third in the nation with 43 hurries, and he had 55 pressures. The Lions need immediate help up front, and Harmon, from their own backyard, is ready to deliver.” — Flick Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State Source: Josh Edwards (CBS Sports) “Levi Onwuzurike is set to hit free agency. D.J. Reader will be hitting free agency next offseason. Tyleik Williams affords them to retain depth along the interior this year, while potentially grooming Reader’s replacement.” — Edwards Erik’s Thoughts: After Michigan’s Mason Graham, my next tier of defensive tackles includes Nolen, Grant, and Harmon, who I believe are all in contention for the back half of the first round. Williams is another tier lower on my current draft board, because while he’s an elite run defender, I’m not sure he’s much more than that, and defensive linemen who don’t produce much in the passing game tend to fall to Day 2. Edge rusher Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia Source: Brianna Dix (Buccaneers.com) “The Lions need another pass rusher to join Aidan Hutchinson in Detroit. There is a lot of disparity among mock drafts regarding Jalon Walker’s placement, ranging from top-10 to late selection. He was named the Butkus Award Winner and concluded the 2024 campaign with 61 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Walker is currently undersized for full-time edge duties and is developing instincts off the ball. The former Bulldog is a hybrid player that has sensational closing speed. He could be utilized as a blitzer and split time between off-ball linebacker and edge. Walker has acceleration to attack the edge and is strong at the point of attack. He has the change-of-direction necessary to cover tight ends and running backs on option routes and Dan Campbell grabs the Georgia product.”
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73922881/1470825472.0.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "2025 NFL Scouting Combine: Joe Schoen availability, TV and workout schedule, more")