| Find your team on this list from Warren Sharp: % of drives ending in a punt or turnover 70% – CLE69%68%67%66%65%64%63%62% – TEN, NYG61% – CHI60%59% – CAR58% – JAX, NE57% – NO, SEA56% – IND, DAL55% – LV54% – NYJ, DEN53%52% – HOU51% – MIA50% – PIT, LAR49%48% – ARI47% – KC46% – LAC45% – GB, ATL, CIN, SF44%43% – TB, MIN42%41% – PHI40% – BAL39% – DET, BUF38% – WAS *2024 regular season |
| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITThe Lions take a blow to the offensive line as C FRANK RAGNOW is compelled to retire by a balky body. ESPN.com: Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowl selection in his seven NFL seasons, announced his retirement on social media Monday. “These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow posted to Instagram. “I’ve tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my families future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t. “I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process and I can’t emphasize this enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.” Ragnow battled through multiple injuries throughout his career. In 2021, following a season in which he played with a fractured throat, general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell made him the league’s highest-paid center at the time with a $54 million, four-year extension. The 29-year-old Ragnow played 16 games last season, missing only the team’s Week 4 game vs. Seattle with a partially torn pectoral muscle. He didn’t miss a start afterward and was named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season. He entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick by the Lions in 2018, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, 2023 and 2024. He received his first Pro Bowl nod in 2020 under then-coach Matt Patricia, and he played 96 career games — all starts. Rookie Tate Ratledge, a second-round pick out of Georgia, is the most likely replacement for Ragnow. Ratledge, 24, played guard in college but has been taking the first-team reps at center for the Lions during OTAs. Ragnow has had a history with serious toe injuries, missing 13 games in 2021 with what he called “the most severe degree of turf toe” and then had a separate injury to the same toe early in the 2022 season and played through it in what he called one of the toughest years of his career. In 2023, he told the Detroit Free Press that the toe injury had gotten to a point where surgery wouldn’t help, and it was just something he was going to have to navigate for the rest of his career. |
| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSBill Barnwell says the new Giants quarterbacks will test the defense deep, unlike the departed DANIEL JONES: The superlative: Most likely to throw deep more often Even the best versions of the Daniel Jones-era Giants offense were more about checking down and turning small profits than creating explosive plays. Jones ranked last in the league in air yards per pass attempt during his career-best 2022 campaign, and as the Giants tried to expand their offense to be more spectacular in 2023 and 2024, his propensity to hold the ball and a middling offensive line usually meant those attempts were futile. They ranked 24th in deep pass rate last season and were 26th in QBR on the deep throws they attempted. They rank 30th in deep pass rate over the past three seasons. We talk a lot about how teams respond to a disappointing coach by hiring his antithesis as a replacement, and perhaps the Giants have done that here in moving on from the Jones era. Their new veteran passers will push it downfield. Over the past three years, Russell Wilson has thrown 13.4% of his passes 20 or more yards downfield, the fourth-highest rate in football. Jameis Winston is just behind in sixth. Between them is Josh Allen, the quarterback New York coach Brian Daboll helped mold into a superstar in Buffalo. Those veterans will eventually give way to first-round pick Jaxson Dart, who also pushes the envelope. He ranked third in the nation in deep pass rate in 2024, with a whopping 21.9% of his throws traveling 20 or more yards downfield. He ranked 14th in Total QBR on those throws among passers with a minimum of 50 deep attempts. He wasn’t playing in the most pro-style offense at Ole Miss and wasn’t often asked to go deep through a progression, but there’s no doubting his ability to sling it downfield. The Giants will throw deep more often, but can they do it effectively? There are reasons to think the personnel should make that easier. Darius Slayton has been stuck for years as the nominal deep threat in an offense that doesn’t throw deep often or well, so the addition of these downfield passers should play to his strengths. Malik Nabers can win at all levels, giving New York two receivers who can concern other teams as deep playmakers. As usual, the offensive line looms as the biggest potential concern. The Giants have seemingly abandoned the Evan Neal experiment at right tackle, with the team confirming last week that the 2022 top-10 pick will move to guard full time. That leaves Jermaine Eluemunor on the right side and Andrew Thomas, returning from a season-ending foot injury, protecting the blind side. If they can give their new quarterbacks time to throw, expect Daboll & Co. to make the hard camera move more often. |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOThe 49ers have acquired EDGE BRYCE HUFF. Ian Casselberry of YahooSports.com: The Bryce Huff trade is confirmed. The Philadelphia Eagles announced Monday they’re dealing the defensive end to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a mid-round draft pick in 2026. The 49ers confirmed the deal minutes later, which is contingent on Huff passing a physical. In return, the Eagles will receive a conditional fifth-round pick that could become a fourth-rounder based on Huff’s performance, reports CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Huff, 27, signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Eagles before last season, but reworked his deal to help facilitate the trade, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The linebacker was set to make $17 million this coming season. Philadelphia will now pay $9.05 million of that, while San Francisco will pick up the other $7.95 million, ESPN reported. Reports of the deal circulated last week, as Huff was absent for the Eagles’ OTAs. However, the trade couldn’t be officially completed until June 1, per NFL rules regarding dead money on team salary cap In his lone season with the Eagles, Huff registered 2.5 sacks with 13 tackles and five tackles for loss. He appeared in 12 games, starting six while limited by a wrist injury that eventually required surgery before Week 12. Huff did not play in Philadelphia’s 40-22 Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. That was a steep decline in production from the 10 sacks Huff compiled (along with 10 tackles for loss and 29 total tackles) the previous season for the New York Jets. In four seasons with New York, Huff totaled 17.5 sacks with 65 tackles (17 for loss). He joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2020 out of Memphis. Going to the 49ers reunites Huff with Robert Saleh, who was the Jets’ head coach during three of the linebacker’s seasons in New York. Saleh was hired as San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in January, a position he previously held from 2017-20. |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSThe Rams tried hard to get up to #8 to draft a mysterious someone. But ultimately, the Panthers wanted too much. Jacob Camenker of USA TODAY: The Carolina Panthers selected wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, as the team revealed in an episode of “Panthers Blueprint,” they considered moving out of the selection and significantly down the board. Why? The Los Angeles Rams were interested in Carolina’s selection at No. 8. “There were some trade discussions going on at the time,” Panthers general manager Dan Morgan explained. “I was kinda hoping that the trade would fall through because I really wanted to take T-Mac.” Despite Morgan’s preference, the Panthers and Rams discussed the possibility of a trade before Thursday’s draft started. Carolina had an idea of what it would take for them to move from the No. 8 pick to the No. 26 pick – as executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis detailed – and Morgan proposed that package to Los Angeles ahead of the event. The price Carolina outlined was deliberately high. “They would have had to give us the moon for us to trade out of that spot,” Morgan said. Ultimately, the Rams declined the Panthers’ offer. As such, Carolina kept the selection and chose McMillan to partner with Xavier Legette and give Bryce Young a pair of talented, young receivers. That left Morgan – who was “convicted” about McMillan and didn’t want to lose him – happy. “I was kind of hoping that they would say no,” Morgan told the team’s official website. “So when they said no at the end, I was fine with it. I was actually like, ‘Sweet.'” Get the 4th and Monday newsletter in your inbox.Expert guide of the week’s NFL action, game results and must-see moments. Meanwhile, the Rams ended up trading down from the 26th pick and selected tight end Terrance Ferguson with their first pick in the second round, No. 46 overall. It isn’t clear who Los Angeles would have targeted had it moved up, but tight end Colston Loveland went off the board to the Chicago Bears 10th overall. |
| AFC NORTH |
| BALTIMOREThe return of RB KEATON MITCHELL could put the Ravens over the top. Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com: Keaton Mitchell set the NFL ablaze in 2023, when the then undrafted rookie running back ran through defenses nearly every time he touched the ball. Now a year and a half removed from a major knee injury that cut his explosive debut short, Mitchell feels even faster. Entering his third season but first full offseason, Mitchell was one of the standouts of the Ravens’ first week of organized team activities, showing improved burst and his trademark speed to turn the corner of a defense. Will Mitchell get back to cooking defenses when he gets the chance? “I feel like I’m back better than when I first got here,” he said. “It’s going to be a movie for sure.” Mitchell said he has set personal records in all of his speed tracking analytics this offseason. That’s pretty impressive for a player that hit 20.99 mph during his rookie season on a 40-yard touchdown run. It was the fastest speed of any Ravens ball carrier that season. Mitchell averaged 8.4 yards per carry on 47 runs in his rookie year – the most in the NFL among all ball carriers with at least a dozen attempts. He looked like he was going to be a difference-maker in Baltimore’s playoff push. But Mitchell’s magical debut was cut short on Dec. 17 by a major knee injury suffered in Jacksonville. He was a whisker away from breaking another long run when a diving defender clipped the back of his ankle, causing an awkward leg plant and ACL tear. Mitchell said there were “a lot of tough moments” on the way back from his injury, but “the alone part” was the toughest. “It’s just you, yourself, and the grind,” he said. Even when he got back on the field last season, making his debut on Nov. 7 against the rival Cincinnati Bengals, it was for just a taste of the action. Mitchell played just 61 snaps, including only 36 on offense. He had 15 carries for 30 yards in five games played. “They were just holding me back and telling me to chill. ‘You go out there and do what you can do,'” Mitchell said. “But hopefully this year I can help the team out in different ways.” With Derrick Henry leading the way and Justice Hill coming off a career year, there aren’t too many more offensive snaps for other running backs in Baltimore. Hill has proven himself as a valuable third-down weapon as a receiver (42 receptions) and pass protector. But Mitchell has proven he doesn’t need too many snaps to make a big impact with his big play ability. He could also be the Ravens’ leading kick returner, as he averaged 31.2 yards on his five returns last season. Mitchell ran a double move rail route down the sideline during last week’s OTA practice, dusting the defender and making a catch over his shoulder for a long gain. He also turned the corner a couple of times on outside runs for what could’ve been long gallops. It looked reminiscent of the player of a couple seasons ago. “It looked like he had the speed and then just the ability to adjust and track,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “Last year, probably, you could tell he was thinking through the knee [injury] a little bit it seemed like. I haven’t seen any of that so far this spring, so it’s good to see.” |
| PITTSBURGHIt’s not QB AARON RODGERS, but there is a report that the Steelers are expected to have a big contract done before the start of training camp. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Steelers have been discussing a new contract with outside linebacker T.J. Watt with the expectation they will come to some agreement with the four-time All-Pro and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year before the start of the regular season, sources have told the Post-Gazette. However, that doesn’t mean there might not be some resistance and not-so-minor stumbling blocks along the way — and for good reason. Watt is heading into the final year of the five-year, $112 million contract ($80 million guaranteed) he signed in 2021 that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league. But two developments in the offseason have likely upped his asking price. The first was when Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was given a four-year, $160 million extension with nearly $124 million guaranteed. The other came when the Steelers traded for wide receiver DK Metcalf and gave him a five-year, $150 million deal with $60 million guaranteed — the largest total contract the franchise has ever handed a player. So where does that leave Watt, their best defensive player and three-time team MVP? That’s what is going to be determined. The question, though, is how far are the Steelers willing to go? And for how long? Watt will be 31 in October, and age will likely be a factor in the length of the contract the Steelers are willing to offer. There have been examples of some of the league’s best edge rushers seeing their production drop once they hit the age of 30. Von Miller had seven consecutive 16-game seasons with at least 10 sacks — including three with at least 14 — before he was 30. Once he turned 30, the league’s leading active sacker saw his totals drop precipitously, averaging just 6.8 sacks in the next six seasons. DeMarcus Ware ranks 13th all-time with 138.5 sacks and averaged 13.9 sacks his first eight seasons in the league with the Dallas Cowboys. But, once he turned 30, he averaged 6.9 sacks his final four years in the league. Then there’s Khalil Mack, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and the league’s defensive player of the year in 2016. He had a career-best 17 sacks in 2023 with the Los Angeles Chargers at the age of 32. Watt had 11.5 sacks last season, but it was his fewest since his rookie season (outside his injury-interrupted 2022 season). His 27 quarterback hits were his fewest since his second season in the league. The holdup in the deal will be contingent on what Watt is seeking and how much and how long the Steelers are willing to guarantee his new contract. Right now, four edge rushers have contracts whose total value exceeds Watt’s once-record deal, including Garrett and San Francisco’s Nick Bosa. If there were arbitration in the NFL, Watt would likely receive a contract as least the equal of Garrett and probably more. He had led the league in sacks in three of the previous five seasons, including matching the NFL’s all-time single-season record (22.5) in 2021. Keep in mind, the Steelers reward their key players as much for past performance as they do future projections. They did that last season when they gave defensive end Cam Heyward a new contract at age 35 as he was approaching his 14th NFL season. But it was for three years at a significantly lower number ($45 million with $16 million guaranteed) than what it will cost to renew Watt’s deal. In all likelihood, the Steelers will come to some agreement with Watt, their all-time sack leader. But it might not be that easy. And this from Dulac on the reaction to some Steelers appearing with the President of the United States at a rally: The Steelers have sent an email to angry fans and season-ticket holders who complained about the appearances of quarterback Mason Rudolph and special teams captain Miles Killebrew at a rally for President Donald Trump on Friday. In the email, which was obtained by the Post-Gazette from a season-ticket holder, the Steelers said alumni and current players “make their own individual decisions” and do not represent the views of the organization. Former Steelers running back Rocky Bleier, a member of the team’s Hall of Honor, also appeared at the rally in West Mifflin, at which he presented the president a No. 47 Steelers jersey with Trump’s name on the back and proclaimed him an “honorary Steeler.” Bleier said the No. 47 jersey, which was worn by Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount, hangs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and referred to Trump as a “Hall of Fame president.” The appearances by Rudolph and Killebrew were not scheduled through the Steelers. Nonetheless, they caused outrage among many Steelers fans, who sent letters, emails and social media posts to the team. In the email, the Steelers said: “We appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with us. As valued fans, your voice is an essential part of what makes our Steelers community and fan base so strong. “We understand that a recent rally in Pittsburgh has generated a range of reactions from our fan base. Our alumni and current players make their own individual decisions that reflect their views, and they do not necessarily represent the view of the entire Pittsburgh Steelers organization. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your passion and your continued support of the team.” Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten confirmed the email was sent by the team. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONIs this something to worry about? QB C.J. STROUD has a sore shoulder. Nick Shook of NFL.com: It’s early June, but one notable player’s lack of participation is attracting attention in Houston. C.J. Stroud has been sitting out of throwing portions of organized team activities due to what was initially believed to be a pectoral issue and has since been reduced to what coach DeMeco Ryans described on Tuesday as “general soreness.” Most importantly, Ryans did not express worry about Stroud’s outlook as the 2025 season approaches. “There’s no concerns with C.J. It’s just general soreness,” Ryans said. “We’re taking extra precaution with him, but he’ll be good to go. No concerns on my end there.” Ryans was intentionally vague Tuesday when answering questions regarding Stroud, avoiding specifics almost entirely when asked if Stroud would be able to throw by minicamp. When pressed further with questions about a possible offseason procedure on Stroud’s shoulder, Ryans shut down the queries entirely. “That’s it for C.J., guys. On the questions, that’s it,” Ryans said. “What I said, that’s it for him. It’s general soreness, and we’re taking extra precaution with him. We’re not gonna rush him into anything. He’ll be fine. When the moment is for him to be ready to go, he’ll be ready to go.” 2025 NFL season: Bears, Bengals, Steelers among teams trying to nix negative narrativesAt this stage of the offseason, teams aren’t required to disclose injuries on weekly reports like they do during the regular season. Stroud doesn’t have a documented history of shoulder issues, either; he’s only landed on an injury report once due to a shoulder ailment in his career, which occurred in Week 2 of the 2023 season. Stroud struggled through stretches of the 2024 season while being forced to operate behind a very inconsistent and unreliable offensive line. The nearly constant harassment had a visible effect on the quarterback, but he never pointed toward any physical ailment as a reason for some of his mistakes. The Texans still reached the postseason, won a playoff game and pushed the Chiefs deep into the fourth quarter of their Divisional Round game before being eliminated. Stroud played a key part throughout. It is understandably concerning, though, to see a young star quarterback sitting out of throwing periods in June, a visual that might remind some of the arm fatigue Matthew Stafford dealt with during the same period in 2022 and was forced to endure throughout that season. Texans fans will hope Ryans is right and Stroud’s soreness is nothing more than that. |
| TENNESSEEWR CALVIN RIDLEY likes what he sees and hears from QB CAM WARD. Receiver Calvin Ridley has played with a few different quarterbacks in his career, so he has a good idea of what it takes for one to be successful. Now working with rookie No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, Ridley had one notable thing to say about the young quarterback’s mindset as he’s gotten to know him. He noted on Tuesday that Ward came to his house and got to meet his brother. And after Ward left, Ridley’s brother noted the calmness that exuded from Ward. “He’s relaxed,” Ridley said, via Turron Davenport of ESPN. “You need that at the quarterback position, man. You can’t just be an overthinker, a jittery guy. You’ve just got to kind of be OK with, you know, fucking up, doing good. “You’ve just got to have that ‘fuck it’ mentality. He’s kind of got that.” That’s good news for a Titans team that has lacked a franchise QB in recent years who can elevate the team in critical situations. The other thing Ridley is doing at this point is trying to make sure he and Ward are on the same page, and he’s doing it from the quarterback’s perspective. “I honestly want to hear what he thinks because I want to be in the spot where he wants me,” Ridley said. “So I ask him first, what did I do wrong on the play? No matter the throw, or the catch, or whatever it is — what do I need to do to make you feel better? And then I try to pick his brain of what do I need to do to make you feel better? So that’s pretty much what we’re doing. “Like I said, it’s easy to relate to him, for me. He’s fun, easy to talk ball with. I just like him a lot, man.” We’ll see how the budding chemistry between quarterback and receiver translates to the field in the fall. Last season, his first with Tennessee, Ridley finished with 64 receptions for 1,017 yards with four touchdowns. He also took eight carries for 55 yards with a TD. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIArthur Smith, Steelers OC, may have wanted TE JONNU SMITH – but Smith is perfectly content to stay with the Dolphins. ESPN.com: The Steelers are not expected to trade for Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith after engaging in talks with Miami but now will host free agent Gabe Davis on a visit this week in their search for receiving help, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday. Davis is scheduled to travel to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to visit with the Steelers on Thursday, the sources told Schefter. Davis had previously made free agent visits last month with the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. Smith, 29, expressed interest to the Dolphins in reworking the two-year deal he signed last offseason, which would pay him $4.8 million in 2025, sources told Schefter. Smith was not present for Miami’s voluntary OTA practices last week. Drew Rosenhaus, Smith’s agent, said Sunday night that his client’s “first choice” is to remain with the Dolphins. “Here’s what I will say on behalf of my client: Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami. That’s his first choice,” Rosenhaus said in his weekly appearance on WSVN-TV, according to the Miami Herald. “This is where he lives in the offseason. He had a record-breaking season last year. It was the best season ever for a Miami Dolphin tight end. … He broke the team record for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for a tight end and was the team’s single Pro Bowl player. He’s an incredibly valuable part of this team. … He went to college at FIU. His dream team is the Dolphins. “Hopefully, everything works out where he can stay in Miami.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| BEST FITS FOR FREE AGENTSTyler Dragon of USA TODAY explores the best first for some of the top remaining free agents: Best fits for top remaining NFL free agents 1. Amari Cooper, WR (2024 teams: Browns, Bills)The 30-year-old receiver never quite built a connection with Josh Allen after he was traded to Buffalo midseason. However, Cooper is still a smooth route runner and a possession receiver who can create separation. A total of 75% of his targets came on short and intermediate routes. Best fit (Cardinals): Marvin Harrison Jr. is a candidate to make a leap this season, but the Cardinals have Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch as their second and third wide receivers. Cooper would be a considerable upgrade and a mentor in Arizona’s WR room. 2. Aaron Rodgers, QB (2024 team: Jets)The Rodgers waiting game continues. All indications point toward Rodgers and the Steelers. Pittsburgh’s reluctance to use a top pick to draft a quarterback and their inactivity to pursue a passer serves as evidence the team believes Rodgers will ultimately land in the Steel City. Yet, the waiting game continues. Best fit: The Steelers have an obvious hole at the top of their quarterback depth chart. 3. Keenan Allen, WR (2024 team: Bears)Allen isn’t too far removed from breaking the Chargers single-season receptions record in 2023. However, there were signs of slippage in his lone season in Windy City. Some of his decline in production could be attributed to the difficulties of catching passes from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Best fit: The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel and Ricky Pearsall has a hamstring injury. Samuel would give Brock Purdy a nice security blanket in the slot. 4. J.K. Dobbins, RB (2024 team: Chargers)Dobbins rushed for a career-high 905 yards and equaled a season-high nine touchdowns in 13 games during his lone season in LA. However, he missed four games due to a knee injury, as various injuries have plagued Dobbins’ entire career; he has never started more than 11 games in a season. Best fit: A backfield-by-committee approach could help Dobbins remain healthy for a full season. The Dolphins have De’Von Achane as their lead back but lack a reliable option behind him after they released Raheem Mostert. Miami averaged four yards per carry last year, tied for the third worst in the league. 5. Justin Simmons, S (2024 team: Falcons)Simmons was regarded as one of the top safeties in the NFL just a few seasons ago. He’s produced at least 60 tackles and two interceptions in each of the past eight seasons. The 31-year-old safety is a four-time second-team All-Pro. Best fit: The Chiefs love veteran safeties. They had Tyrann Mathieu and most recently Justin Reid. The club signed Mike Edwards for his second stint in Kansas City, but the team is missing a captain at safety. 6. Julian Blackmon, S (2024 team: Colts)Blackmon’s coming off of back-to-back seasons with at least three interceptions and 85 tackles. His 73.5 coverage grade ranked 15th amongst qualifying safeties, per Pro Football Focus. Best fit: The Panthers’ defense allowed a league-high 35 touchdown receptions and allowed a 105.4 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. Carolina needs to shore up its secondary if it wants to be competitive in 2025. 7. Asante Samuel Jr., CB (2024 team: Chargers)Samuel played just four games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of 2024. He allowed under a 63% completion percentage when targeted in his first three seasons. He’s lined up mainly as an outside corner but can play in the slot. Best fit: The Saints had the NFL’s 27th-ranked pass defense a year ago. Are Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor both ready to be starting cornerbacks? The Saints did reportedly bring Samuel in for a visit. 8. Kyzir White, LB (2024 team: Cardinals)White produced 137 tackles in 17 starts in Arizona last year. He’s tallied four straight seasons of at least 90 tackles. Best fit: The Browns had an 83.7% tackle efficiency percentage, which ranked last in the NFL for the second consecutive season, per Next Gen Stats. Cleveland’s 2025 second-round pick linebacker, Carson Schwesinger, should help in that department. The team would double down on a weakness with the acquisition of White. 9. Za’Darius Smith, Edge (2024 teams: Browns, Lions)Smith registered nine sacks between the two teams he played with last year. The veteran edge rusher has produced at least 61 pressures in each of the past three seasons. Best fit: Smith is at his best when he plays opposite a standout pass rusher at this stage of his career. A sign that points right back to where he played last year in Detroit. Lions star edge Aidan Hutchinson was cleared to return for football activities in late May. 10. Gabe Davis, WR (2024 team: Jaguars)Davis had four straight seasons of at least 500 receiving yards before it was snapped in what was a down year with the Jaguars. Best fit: Davis is best suited as a secondary pass-catching option. He could play that role on a Giants team with Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton on the roster. Davis reportedly met with the Giants following his release from Jacksonville. |
| THE MADDEN CURSEAs RB SAQUON BARKLEY takes the cover, is there still a Madden Curse? JJ Post atESPN.com (we added the red for negative, green for positive, still black for neutral): For years, the “Madden curse” has loomed large over the iconic NFL video game franchise. Legitimate superstition? Simply a myth? The ethos of the curse is simple: If an NFL player appears on the cover of Madden in the summer, the ensuing season is destined to come with a decrease in on-field production or a limiting injury. But has the alleged curse held up in recent years? To celebrate Saquon Barkley being revealed as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26, here’s a look back at the past 10 Madden cover stars — not including Madden 23, whose cover art featured legendary coach John Madden — and their seasons that followed the game’s release. Madden 25 cover star: Christian McCaffreyThe result: Awarded with the Madden cover distinction after a career campaign that earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors, McCaffery struggled with injuries in 2024. The San Francisco 49ers star played in just four games and was placed on injured reserve twice. Madden 24 cover star: Josh AllenThe result: Allen’s season after being featured on the cover proved to be something of a mixed bag. The Buffalo Bills signal-caller combined for 44 touchdowns on the ground and through the air. However, he threw a career-high 18 interceptions. Madden 22 cover stars: Patrick Mahomes, Tom BradyThe result: The two stars sharing the cover each enjoyed strong seasons, though neither returned to the Super Bowl after squaring off against one another for the title the previous season. The 44-year-old Brady threw for 43 touchdowns, his highest total in over a decade. Mahomes wasn’t too shabby, either, throwing for 37 TDs. Madden 21 cover star: Lamar JacksonThe result: Jackson didn’t reach the same heights as his 2019 campaign that earned him his first league MVP honor, but the Baltimore Ravens star still had an impressive campaign. He threw 26 touchdown passes and rushed for 1,005 yards. Madden 20 cover star: Patrick MahomesThe result: Mahomes’ first nod as the game’s cover star proved to be a wise choice. He followed up his 2018 MVP campaign with another strong season, eventually capping things off with the first Super Bowl title of his career. Madden 19 cover star: Antonio BrownThe result: The release of Madden 19 preluded the final year of Brown’s dominant prime with the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing his time in the Steel City with a flourish. The four-time All-Pro wideout posted his sixth consecutive season with over 1,000 receiving yards and a career-best 15 touchdowns. Madden 18 cover star: Tom BradyThe result: The perennial Pro Bowler made for as safe of a cover selection as there could be, which he backed up with a strong 2017 campaign that included 4,500 yards passing and 32 touchdowns. Madden 17 cover star: Rob GronkowskiThe result: Another face of the New England Patriots dynasty, Gronkowski struggled with injury throughout the fall following the release of Madden 17, eventually ending his season on injured reserve. The legendary tight end earned a ring that season, however, as the Patriots came back to top the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Madden 16 cover star: Odell Beckham Jr.The result: One of the most electrifying players of the 2010s, Beckham found himself on the cover of Madden after his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. He followed that up with another great season, catching 96 passes for 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns. Madden 15 cover star: Richard ShermanThe result: The Legion of Boom ringleader put forth a stellar campaign after earning cover honors, intercepting four passes en route to a third consecutive first-team All-Pro nod. |
