1 day agoBuffalo Bills All-Pro safety Micah Hyde has officially retired from professional football after 12 seasons in the NFL, The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov reports. Hyde entered the NFL back in 2013 as a fifth-round pick of the Green Bay Packers out of the University of Iowa. The 34-year-old spent his first four years in the league in Green Bay before joining the Bills in 2017. He ended up playing the final seven seasons of his career in Buffalo, with his lone Pro Bowl appearance coming in 2017. Hyde did not play at all in 2024 but returned to the Bills practice squad late in the season. The Ohio native finishes his career with 644 total tackles (482 solo), 18 tackles for loss, eight QB hits, 24 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 66 pass breakups, five forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries in 158 career regular-season games (128 starts).
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
2 days agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that some in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization are comfortable with
Justin Fields as the starting quarterback in 2025. Fields has upside and more mobility than impending free-agent QB
Russell Wilson. However, an NFC executive said that Fields didn't have much chemistry with wide receiver
George Pickens, so that could play a part in who the Steelers choose to move forward with in 2025. Both Fields and Wilson will be free agents in March, and the Steelers are only expected to keep one of them moving forward. The 25-year-old Fields may be a better rushing asset than Wilson, but what he gains in mobility, he lacks in downfield passing and accuracy. The former first-rounder of the Chicago Bears in 2021 went 4-2 as a starter for Pittsburgh in 2024, throwing for 1,106 yards, five TDs and one pick while also rushing for 289 yards and five more scores.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
2
days
agoESPN's
Jeremy
Fowler
writes
that
the
Minnesota
Vikings
haven't
made
a
firm
determination
on
impending
free-agent
quarterback
Sam
Darnold's
future
with
the
organization.
Darnold
exceeded
all
expectations
in
2024,
and
bringing
him
back
is
a
stronger
possibility
that
it
was
five
or
six
read more...
2 days agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that team personnel that he spoke with think Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent wide receiver
Tee Higgins' market is $30 million per year, with most of them thinking he'll hit or clear the over on that mark. The lowest estimate is somewhere slightly above
DeVonta Smith's three-year, $75 million deal. Higgins should do very well for himself in free agency because of his status as a No.1-caliber wideout and the fact that plenty of NFL teams are desperate for pass-catching help this offseason. If the Bengals wanted to, they could put the franchise tag on Higgins for less than $30 million in 2025, but the expectation is that they'll either sign him to an extension or let him walk. The 26-year-old has played in only 12 regular-season games in each of the last two years due to injuries, but when healthy, he's been productive. Higgins had a career-high 10 TDs and 911 receiving yards in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
2 days agoESPN's Pete Thamel writes that no player produced more chatter during Senior Bowl practices last week among executives and scouts than North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel, according to a scout. Zabel's draft stock has risen after he played both center and guard spots last week. He played the majority of his snaps at right tackle in 2023 and was a first-team All-American in the FCS at left tackle for the Bisons in 2024. After creating a ton of buzz among scouts and executive last week during the Senior Bowl, Thamel thinks it's very realistic that Zabel could turn into a top-50 pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft in April. Zabel turned down "high six-figure offers" to stay with the Bisons to win a national championship with his senior class, which he accomplished.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Pete Thamel
2 days agoESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart looked to be more comfortable as the week progressed during Senior Bowl practices last week. Dart's draft stock could be rising after Alabama's Jalen Milroe struggled during the week. "I could see him getting pushed up in the draft, maybe not in the first round but close," a scout said. "He shouldn't be a first-rounder, but it's a weak class and that's how these things go sometimes." Fowler thinks the safer bet for Dart would be early on Day 2 of the draft, and an NFC executive said that Lane Kiffin's system at Ole Miss is a "mess" for incoming NFL quarterbacks. There's a case to be made that Dart is the QB3 of what is considered a weak QB class behind Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. In his final season at Ole Miss, Dart threw for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns and only six interceptions.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
2 days agoESPN's Pete Thamel writes that University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is likely to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft over Colorado's Shedeur Sanders based on sentiment from scouts and executives at the Senior Bowl last week. Ward's versatility at the position and ability to run have separated him from Sanders. "The reason I thought
Jayden Daniels had a great rookie season is ... when it wasn't there, he could make a play," said Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. "And Cam has that same ability." If the Tennessee Titans keep the No. 1 pick, they could roll with Ward to take over after
Will Levis flopped in 2024. The 22-year-old Ward started at Incarnate Word and then moved to Washington State before settling in at Miami in his collegiate career. Dawson also said that Ward is "obsessed with the game."
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Pete Thamel
2 days agoTexas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart wowed scouts during last week's Senior Bowl with his power off the edge, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Stewart stands at 6-foot-5 and 281 pounds, and his 83-inch wingspan is the same as Jadeveon Clowney. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler says that Stewart received the most "wow" responses of all the first-round talents for this year's NFL draft. However, he doesn't come without risk, as he only had 4.5 sacks in three years and 1.5 sacks in 2024. "He stamped himself as the best player," an NFL personnel evaluator said. There's no denying Stewart's physical prowess, but many NFL teams could be torn on draft day between his production at the collegiate level and his potential at the next level. Either way, someone will be taking a chance on him in the first round in April.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Pete Thamel and Jeremy Fowler
2 days agoWhen asked about potentially expanding the regular season to 18 games, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said, "We haven't had any formal discussion on an extension." Goodell has had preliminary talks about it with the NFL Players Association and said an 18-game schedule is a possibility because of the "safety of our game." "We know that fans love football and want more football, but we have to be incredibly sensitive and smart about it," Goodell added. If the NFL were to approve an 18-game schedule down the road, they'd likely cut the preseason down to potentially just two games. The league and the Players Association could have more discussions on the topic during the annual meetings on March 30. Because of all the additional revenue the NFL could bring in with expansion, an 18-game schedule down the road feels inevitable.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
2 days agoThe Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye reported last week that Carolina Panthers offensive guard Robert Hunt (knee) was set to take part in dodgeball and tug-of-war during Pro Bowl festivities. Hunt was held out of the Week 18 regular-season finale due to a knee injury, but it obviously wasn't serious enough to keep the 28-year-old offensive lineman from taking part in Pro Bowl week. He also should be ready for all offseason workouts and training camp this summer. The Panthers signed Hunt to a five-year, $100 million deal last March before he started in all 16 games that he appeared in over the course of his first season with the team. Hunt was originally a second-round selection by the Miami Dolphins in 2020 out of Louisiana, and he spent the first four years of his NFL career in Miami. He will be a starter on Carolina's O-line this fall.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
2 days agoLos Angeles Rams wide receiver
Cooper Kupp wrote on his X account on Monday that he was "informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships." The 31-year-old wideout said after the Rams were eliminated in the postseason that he planned on continuing his playing career into 2025, but it looks like that won't be back in L.A. Kupp is under contract with the Rams through the 2026 season. If the Rams cannot find a trade partner, they could save $15 million in cash by releasing him. Another injury early in the 2024 season caused Kupp to miss some time, and he finished his eighth year in L.A. with a 67-710-6 line in 12 regular-season contests. Kupp has not played a full season since leading the league in catches, yards and touchdowns in 2021, making him a big injury risk, regardless of where he winds up in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cooper Kupp on X
2 days agoDespite suffering a hip injury in 2024, Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (hip) participated in the relay race and the flag football game in this year's Pro Bowl festivities last week. Horn was a first-time Pro Bowl participant after a strong 2024 campaign in which he had a career-high 68 tackles (49 solo), his first two career sacks, five tackles for loss, one interception and 13 pass breakups in a career-high 15 regular-season starts. The former eighth overall pick by Carolina in 2021 out of South Carolina has dealt with his fair share of injuries in his first four NFL seasons -- he's played in only 37 games over four years -- but the Panthers could be considering giving him a long-term contract extension this offseason as he enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
2 days agoUniversity of Iowa star running back Kaleb Johnson declared his intentions of entering the 2025 NFL draft back in December. Johnson chose to skip the Hawkeye's Bowl game and enter the draft after going off in 2024 with 1,537 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns. He had 240 rushing attempts and also caught 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Johnson's quickness as a ball-carrier stands out more than his straight-line speed, and he stands at 6-foot, 225 pounds. The 21-year-old could see his draft stock continue to rise if he performs well at the NFL scouting combine at the end of February, making him potential sleeper selection in Rounds 2 or 3. Johnson lacks elite speed at his position but showed last season that he has a knack for breaking tackles and finding the holes to exploit on the ground.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Eliot Clough
2 days agoESPN's Jordan Reid reports that University of North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton has declared for the 2025 NFL draft. Hampton finished second in FBS in rushing yards (1,660) and yards after first contact (1,026) in 2024 and added an impressive 15 touchdowns for the Tar Heels. The 21-year-old running back was extremely impressive in his final two collegiate seasons, putting up two straight 1,500-yard rushing campaigns. He also added 67 catches for 595 yards and three touchdowns in his career at North Carolina as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. There's a case to be made that he will be taken in the first round of the upcoming draft this April, although concerns about his abilities in pass-protection could make NFL teams wary of making him a Day 1 selection. Still, he could be the second RB off the board behind Ashton Jeanty in 2025.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jordan Reid
2 days agoThe New England Patriots signed free-agent tight end
Giovanni Ricci (knee) to a Reserve/Futures deal on Monday. Ricci was on the Cleveland Browns' practice squad in 2024 but never was active for a regular-season game and was cut in August due to a knee injury. The 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Western Michigan made his NFL debut in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers, with all 36 of his career games coming with Carolina. In three NFL seasons, Ricci has caught only nine of 12 targets for 102 yards and no touchdowns with the Panthers. Ricci is more of a blocker than a pass-catcher and will now represent tight end depth for the Patriots throughout the offseason and into training camp this summer. The most likely scenario is that he'll effective serve as a fullback for new Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New England Patriots
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