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USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos roster: OLB Andrew Farmer (No. 53) seeking breakthrough
Broncos Wire's 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at third-year outside linebacker Andrew Farmer, No. 53. Before the Broncos: Farmer (6-3, 252 pounds) played collegiate football at Lane College, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in Jackson, Tennessee. After totaling 114 tackles and 17.5 sacks in his final two seasons with the Dragons, Farmer signed with the USFL's Michigan Panthers before ultimately changing his mind, deciding to join the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2023 season. In 2023, Farmer played in eight games, making three total tackles (two solo, one assisted). Farmer began the 2024 season on the Chargers' practice squad before being released by Los Angeles in early September. The Denver Broncos quickly signed Farmer to their practice squad later in September. Broncos tenure: Prior to being signed by the Chargers, the Broncos "spent considerable time" with the linebacker at the 2022 Hula Bowl, so he was not unfamiliar to the team. Farmer spent the rest of the 2024 season on the Broncos' practice squad. Chances to make the 53-man roster: Likely competing for a practice squad spot. The Broncos know Farmer's value, and he's likely a strong candidate to spend another season on the practice squad. If any injuries should arise to the starting OLB corps, Farmer could be a candidate to be elevated to the active roster in 2025. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears rookie outlook: Can LB Ruben Hyppolite II harness his speed within Dennis Allen's scheme?
Chances are, many Chicago Bears fans never had heard of Ruben Hyppolite II. When the Bears drafted Hyppolite at No. 132 in the fourth round in April, his name was relatively unknown. The Maryland linebacker wasn't among the 329 players invited to the NFL scouting combine in February. But his name certainly was one Bears coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles were interested in. Here's what Bears fans need to know about Hyppolite before rookies report for training camp July 19. After not receiving an invitation to the combine, Hyppolite's pro day at Maryland took on all the more importance. The 5-foot-11, 236-pound linebacker was clocked at 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash on March 28. That caught the attention of NFL talent evaluators. Among off-ball linebackers, Hyppolite's time would've been the fastest at the combine if he'd been invited. That set off a mad dash for Hyppolite, who visited with a number of teams suddenly interested at a pretty late stage in the process. He said he took 15 flights in two weeks to make all of those meetings. One visit was to Halas Hall. His speed is exactly what new Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is looking for at linebacker. '(Hyppolite's) a guy that is extremely smart, tough,' Poles said on draft day. 'And one thing talking with (Allen) is we want to continue to add our team speed — and he can fly.' Hyppolite grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and played at McArthur High School in nearby Hollywood. He became a top recruit as an outside linebacker and chose to attend Maryland over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Florida State, among others. Hyppolite appeared in 51 games for the Terrapins, and as a senior in 2024, he totaled 66 tackles, 6½ tackles for a loss, one interception and three passes defended. The numbers don't pop off the page, but he was a steady contributor over five seasons and emerged as a team captain late in his career. Not only did Hyppolite not receive an invite to the combine, but the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl also passed on him. The Hula Bowl was his only all-star game invitation. 'For anyone who's out there who thinks that they need things like the combine, an invite to the Senior Bowl, who thinks that they need that to get drafted — you don't,' Hyppolite said. 'You've just got to put your best foot forward. You've got to run fast and be your best self every day. I feel like I'm showing that.' Speed, obviously, is a huge part of it. Allen's defenses prioritize speedy linebackers. Hyppolite fits that bill. The Bears parted ways with linebacker Jack Sanborn during free agency. The Lake Zurich native followed Matt Eberflus to the Dallas Cowboys. Sanborn is a smart player and a reliable tackler, but the move was a clear indication that speed is a bigger priority under the new coaching staff. Veterans T.J. Edwards — who received a contract extension in April — and Tremaine Edmunds will remain the primary starters at linebacker. But finding a speedy third linebacker became a priority entering draft weekend. 'We need to increase our team speed and athleticism,' Allen said before the draft. 'We've got good size, but I think we can get a little bit more athletic and play the game at a little bit higher speed.' As the Bears wrapped up mandatory minicamp in June, Johnson was asked which players stood out over the three-day camp. He highlighted four players — and one of them was Hyppolite. Johnson commended Hyppolite's willingness to learn, even if he was swimming in the deep end, so to speak, as he learned the defensive scheme. 'There's a lot of moving parts there at linebacker play,' Johnson said. 'They're keying and diagnosing a few different details, and with (Allen's) scheme, the match mentality that we like to play a lot of our coverages with, things change quickly. 'He's done a great job adjusting to that speed as we've gone through, and that's going to have to show up once we do get the pads on. But he's been improving every single day and we're hoping that course continues.' There's no question Hyppolite has speed. The rookie has to learn how to use it properly within Allen's scheme. Hyppolite spent time learning various linebacker spots this spring. Edwards missed portions of the spring with an injury, which allowed Hyppolite to work with the first-team defense in place of the veteran. 'It's all about just understanding the tempo and understanding how to use (my speed) and when to use it, when to not,' Hyppolite said during the final week of organized team activities. 'So I've been able to gauge that over these six, seven weeks we've been here. It's been a great adjustment period for me. Now it's time to go full speed.' Learning the playbook quickly will be a big factor in whether Hyppolite plays much as a rookie. As things stand, Hyppolite and third-year pro Noah Sewell are likely to be battling for the third linebacker job. Like most NFL teams these days, the Bears spend the majority of the time with five defensive backs and only two linebackers on the field. But that third linebacker spot can be crucial against certain looks from the offense. That job previously belonged to Sanborn. Sewell has appeared in 22 games over his first two seasons but primarily on special teams. If Hyppolite can harness his speed and come to understand instinctively what his defensive coordinator expects of him, he could find himself on the field as a rookie.
USA Today
12-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 Seahawks UDFAs who can make the roster: offense
3 Seahawks UDFAs who can make the roster: offense The Seattle Seahawks originally agreed to terms with 17 undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL draft. Since then, general manager John Schneider actually waived two of them following unimpressive showings at rookie minicamp. Just five of the 17 UDFAs were on the offensive side of the ball. With a small sample size to consider, we've identified three who possess the best chance to compete for a roster spot. Amari Kight, OT, Central Florida Amari Kight is an interesting prospect. He originally committed to Alabama as a four-star recruit. After failing to earn consistent playing time, he entered the transfer portal and wound up at Central Florida. Kight impressed at the Hula Bowl, and has an opportunity to contend for a role as a reserve swing tackle. Federico Maranges*, IOL, Florida Atlantic Federico Maranges probably won't make the Seahawks' 53-man roster, but we're accepting a cop-out here. The Seahawks are bringing Maranges in as part of the league's International Player Pathway Program. That means he can join the practice squad without actually taking up a roster spot. Schneider will take advantage of that benefit to keep a developmental player around. Marshall Lang, TE, Northwestern Marshall Lang is undersized at 6-foot-4 and 246 pounds. The Seahawks will attempt to utilize him in a hybrid h-back role. There's a lot of competition for spots, for Lang will attempt to compete for a spot on Klint Kubiak's new-look offense.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions draft intel on WR Isaac TeSlaa forced GM Brad Holmes to make the trade up
Lions draft intel on WR Isaac TeSlaa forced GM Brad Holmes to make the trade up The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books. With the draft classes full, we have a sense of what a team's strategy was in the draft. Teams can lie all they want before the draft, but once the draft is complete, the proof is in the pudding. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler dove into the intel and shared some draft nuggets from all 32 teams following the draft. We'll dive into what he said about the Lions, including their move to select Arkansas WR Isaac TeSlaa. TeSlaa took part in the Hula Bowl and then the Senior Bowl and reportedly blew teams away with his character. According to Fowler, TeSlaa became Lions general manager Brad Holmes' favorite player. "One of the most compelling stories of Day 2 was Detroit trading up 32 spots to the early third round to take a receiver with 28 catches last season at Arkansas. "But Isaac TeSlaa is a prime example of why the predraft process matters. TeSlaa was off the draft radar and had to scramble to get an invite to the Hula Bowl, which led to an invite to the Senior Bowl. He performed well at both, then caught scouts' attention at the combine by running a 4.43-second 40 at 6-foot-4 and 214 pounds. "Had TeSlaa not gotten that Hula Bowl invite, his draft positioning would have looked far different. But once teams started to see him up close, they scheduled interviews with him and did their research on why he didn't get the ball at Arkansas. It wasn't because of attitude or work ethic issues -- his personality shined in the process, becoming Detroit GM Brad Holmes' favorite player in the draft. Some attributed his low production in college to lack of communication and inexperience at quarterback." The Lions moved from No. 102 to No., 70 to select TeSlaa, jumping over three teams that also had connections to the recevier, sending two 2026 third-round picks to the Jacksonville Jaguars to land TeSlaa. "TeSlaa also had great predraft processes with the New Orleans Saints (No. 71) and the Buffalo Bills (No. 72), so it wasn't lost on TeSlaa that Detroit traded directly in front of those two, plus Denver at No. 74, which went to receiver Pat Bryant." The Lions are clearly very high on TeSlaa, given the capital they spent to acquire him. It's easy to believe he can make an immediate impact in the passing game.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
6-Foot-9 Punter Turns Heads At Packers Rookie Minicamp
The Green Bay Packers' rookie minicamp is underway, with 38 players vying for a roster spot. Among them are the 2025 draft class, 10 undrafted free agents, 11 tryout players, and nine returning faces. For some, it is a shot to keep their NFL dreams alive; for others, it could be the end of the road. Competition is the driving force that brings out the best in every football player. General Manager Brian Gutekunst has ensured that every facet of the roster has capable talent. Whether you are an established veteran or a rookie, you should have to fight for your job. Advertisement Matt LaFleur expects fierce competition throughout the roster, including special teams. Punter Daniel Whelan was one of the most consistent players on Green Bay's roster last year, yet the team has brought in competition for him in the form of an unconventional player. Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur walks to the field against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field.© Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Montana State's Brendan Hall took the field at Green Bay's rookie camp. He is 6-foot-9 and brings uncommon length and impressive leg strength. Still, he must refine his hang time and sharpen his consistency to improve his odds of sticking in the pros. Hall started his career at SMU, handling kickoffs and punts for two seasons while earning Ray Guy Award Watch List honors. He transferred to Montana State in 2023 and quickly emerged as one of the top specialists in the FCS. Advertisement Over two seasons, he earned All-America and All-Big Sky honors, averaged over 45 yards per punt, and led the FCS in kickoff touchbacks both years. Hall was also selected for the Hula Bowl and named Big Sky Special Teams Player of the Week twice. You don't see a 6-foot-9 punter in the NFL every day, and Brendan Hall's presence adds an intriguing wrinkle to Green Bay's offseason. Still, there's no reason for the Packers to move on from Daniel Whelan. Special teams have been an Achilles' heel in recent playoff losses, and Whelan brought much-needed stability to the punting game. Why risk that progress now? Related: The Packers Found A Versatile Defensive Steal Late In the 2025 NFL Draft Related: Georgia DT Drops Three-Word Message After Signing With Packers
