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Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two former LSU wide receivers named to NFL's top 100 players list after rookie years
Former LSU wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers cracked top 100 players list. The pair checked in at No. 61 and No. 67, respectively. Both are coming off rookie seasons in which they garnered support for the offensive rookie of the year honor. In the 2024 NFL Draft, Nabers went No. 6 overall to the New York Giants while Thomas went No. 23 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Thomas played and started in 17 games and averaged 14.7 yards per reception. He set franchise rookie records with 87 receptions, 1,282 receiving yards and 10 receiving touchdowns en route to earning a Pro Bowl selection. His receiving yards and touchdowns led all rookies in 2024. Despite dealing with a revolving door at quarterback, Nabers became a consistent talent for the Giants. In 15 games, he totaled 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns on 109 receptions. He averaged 11 yards per catch. This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Two former LSU wide receivers named to NFL's top 100 players list
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson makes NFL.com's 'All-Under-25 Team' for 2025
'All-under-25 Team' features Falcons RB Bijan Robinson There's a lot to like about the Atlanta Falcons as they prepare to report for training camp on July 23. While the team has some major question marks on defense, the Falcons offense is loaded. Michael Penix Jr. will take over at quarterback after a promising finish to the 2024 season, and there are plenty of pieces around him. Not only does Penix have a true No. 1 wide receiver in Drake London, but Atlanta's offensive line is one of the better units in the NFL. Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts and Ray-Ray McCloud each present a threat of their own, however, running back Bijan Robinson is the straw that stirs the drink. The versatile playmaker finished third in the NFL with 1,456 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Plus, Robinson is a proven threat catching the ball out of the backfield (119 catches for 918 receiving yards in two NFL seasons). The former No. 8 overall draft pick was one of two running backs to make "All-Under-25 Team" for the 2025 season, along Jahmyr Gibbs of the Lions: While many kept their focus on Kirk Cousins in Atlanta last season, Robinson turned in an excellent campaign. He cleared his rookie total in rushing yards by nearly 500, finishing with 1,456 and 14 rushing scores. He also chipped in 61 catches for 431 yards and one touchdown and, most importantly, proved his first-round selection was not a reach. Since Robinson entered the NFL in 2023, he has forced 161 missed tackles on runs, more than anyone but Derrick Henry. Last season, Robinson led all players with 200-plus carries in rushing success rate, nearly cracking 50 percent, per Next Gen Stats, despite being a second-year pro in an offense led by a limited QB whose strengths as a signal-caller weren't maximized by the scheme anyway. Robinson has undoubtedly met the expectations that followed him into the league. -- Nick Shook, In many ways, the 2024 season was the year of the running back. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry both produced MVP-caliber seasons, but that award is generally reserved for the NFL's top quarterback (even though Josh Allen won the award over Lamar Jackson last year). Robinson's all-around skill set is what makes him so tough to stop. Trying to bring the third-year back down in the open field has proven difficult for even the surest of tacklers. Don't be surprised if Robinson tops 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2025. Check out our latest Falcons 53-man roster projection one week before training camp begins!
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texans WR Tank Dell voted 'player to root for' by NFL.com for 2025 season
Who is the "fan favorite" player for the Houston Texans? Most would assume Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud just to shut up the pundits who rank the second-year passer outside the top 10 of all polls. Others would say a revival of Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb might suffice. Then, a handful of others would love to see Houston native and Pro Bowl-caliber nickel defender Jalen Pitre return to top-tier form following a chest injury. Advertisement But none of those players come close to scratching the surface of the list for Houston entering the 2025 season, according to Dan Parr. He believes that after the outpouring of support following a second season-ending injury, Tank Dell is the top name people look at as the "fan vote" as he looks to return at some point this year. "Something that's still seared into my memory from last season: The image of Texans QB C.J. Stroud in tears after Dell suffered a severe knee injury on a touchdown catch against the Chiefs in Week 16,," Parr wrote. "The last update from head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated that the third-year receiver was 'in a really good spot' in his rehab from the torn ACL/MCL and dislocated kneecap, but unsurprisingly, the team hasn't shared any firm timetable for when Dell might be able to get back on the field." Part of the reason why Dell continues to be the fan favorite is because of the consistency of the injury. A third-round pick out of the University of Houston in 2023, Dell suffered a season-ending broken leg against the Denver Broncos in December, thus stopping his run toward a 1,000-yard season. After suffering another season-ending leg injury, that adds another level of volume toward his love from the fan base. "There can't be many (any?) players more deserving of a break from injury woes," Parr continued. "While Dell's NFL career got off to a very promising start in 2023, over the past 19 months, the wideout has suffered a broken fibula, a gunshot wound to the leg and wrist/ribs, chest, back and knee injuries. It hurt just writing that sentence. I'm pulling for a triumphant return for Dell, whenever he is ready to play again." Last season in 14 games while splitting reps as the No. 2 and No. 3 receiver, Dell collected 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns. He has also given back to the community after breaking out from his time with the Cougars. Advertisement Pairing his off-the-field presence with his on-field poise, it's easy to see Dell as the face of fandom. The expectation is for him to make that eventual comeback as part of Stroud's arsenal, though there's no timeline as to when he could take the field even for part-time reps. This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans WR Tank Dell voted 'player to root for' by for 2025
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans WR Tank Dell voted 'player to root for' by NFL.com for 2025 season
Who is the "fan favorite" player for the Houston Texans? Most would assume Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud just to shut up the pundits who rank the second-year passer outside the top 10 of all polls. Others would say a revival of Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb might suffice. Then, a handful of others would love to see Houston native and Pro Bowl-caliber nickel defender Jalen Pitre return to top-tier form following a chest injury. But none of those players come close to scratching the surface of the list for Houston entering the 2025 season, according to Dan Parr. He believes that after the outpouring of support following a second season-ending injury, Tank Dell is the top name people look at as the "fan vote" as he looks to return at some point this year. "Something that's still seared into my memory from last season: The image of Texans QB C.J. Stroud in tears after Dell suffered a severe knee injury on a touchdown catch against the Chiefs in Week 16,," Parr wrote. "The last update from head coach DeMeco Ryans indicated that the third-year receiver was 'in a really good spot' in his rehab from the torn ACL/MCL and dislocated kneecap, but unsurprisingly, the team hasn't shared any firm timetable for when Dell might be able to get back on the field." Part of the reason why Dell continues to be the fan favorite is because of the consistency of the injury. A third-round pick out of the University of Houston in 2023, Dell suffered a season-ending broken leg against the Denver Broncos in December, thus stopping his run toward a 1,000-yard season. After suffering another season-ending leg injury, that adds another level of volume toward his love from the fan base. "There can't be many (any?) players more deserving of a break from injury woes," Parr continued. "While Dell's NFL career got off to a very promising start in 2023, over the past 19 months, the wideout has suffered a broken fibula, a gunshot wound to the leg and wrist/ribs, chest, back and knee injuries. It hurt just writing that sentence. I'm pulling for a triumphant return for Dell, whenever he is ready to play again." Last season in 14 games while splitting reps as the No. 2 and No. 3 receiver, Dell collected 51 receptions for 667 yards and three touchdowns. He has also given back to the community after breaking out from his time with the Cougars. Pairing his off-the-field presence with his on-field poise, it's easy to see Dell as the face of fandom. The expectation is for him to make that eventual comeback as part of Stroud's arsenal, though there's no timeline as to when he could take the field even for part-time reps.
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2 Indianapolis Colts players make 'best NFL team money can buy'
Two Colts' players made the roster of the "best NFL team money can buy," which was constructed by NFL .com. Tom Blair set out to build the best NFL roster while staying under the 2025 salary cap, and included were two members of the Indianapolis Colts. "I embarked on a perfect July exercise," wrote Blair, "building The Best Team Money Can Buy, assembling the most imposing 53-man roster I could under the 2025 NFL salary cap." Tanor Bortolini provided center depth--and an option at guard as well--while Zaire Franklin was a part of Blair's linebacker unit. Neither Bortolini nor Franklin was a starter on this team. As noted by Blair in the article, Bortolini comes with a cap hit of $3.66 million this season, and Franklin $4.38 million. Bortolini is still relatively inexperienced with eight NFL appearances and six starts, but he performed well when called upon during his rookie season. He would rank 15th in PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric and was 22nd out of 40 centers in run-blocking grade. "I saw a young player that got better each time he went out there," offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. said. "The game wasn't too big for him. Athletically, he has a ton to offer in terms of what he's able to do on the move, in terms of how he's able to mirror people in pass protection." Franklin, meanwhile, made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 and was named a second-team All-Pro after leading the NFL in tackles. He also set a career high with 15 quarterback pressures, four sacks, and two interceptions. Also of note when discussing Franklin's spot on Blair's roster is that he has ample special teams experience, which is an important aspect of playing linebacker in the NFL, particularly for those who are backups.
