Latest news with #NFLDraft2025
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ESPN's Louis Riddick Talks Cam Ward, Underrated NFL Rookies and More On 'Best Podcast Available'
ESPN's Louis Riddick Talks Cam Ward, Underrated NFL Rookies and More On 'Best Podcast Available' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 NFL Draft was full of compelling storylines, but it kicked off with a No. 1 overall pick that was surprisingly underappreciated. Advertisement Miami quarterback Cam Ward went to the Tennessee Titans with this year's top pick, but his selection was quickly overshadowed by other moves and selections, leaving him without the typical fanfare you see surrounding franchise quarterbacks taken at that spot. On the latest episode of "Best Podcast Available," I sat down with ESPN's Louis Riddick to talk about this year's rookie class, including how such a talented prospect like Ward still feels like he's flying under the radar, despite being the No. 1 overall pick. "If you've ever sat with him, or even just watched his interviews, Cam is not a guy who is a self-promoter," Riddick said. "He's not the 'show-biz' type dude. He's a baller, period." Cam Ward has all the traits to be a superstar for the Tennessee Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Riddick also rattled off some of his other favorite prospects in the NFL's 2025 rookie class, from big names like Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, to hidden gems like Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith and Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa. Advertisement "That's a guy who, people are gonna go, 'Who the hell is Brashard Smith?' You'll know him, I promise. You'll know him soon," Riddick said of the seventh-round pick out of SMU. "You don't typically see guys with that kind of size, who can run 4.3, with that kind of wiggle, who can play in the slot," Riddick said of TeSlaa, a surprise third-round pick many expected to go in the later rounds of the draft. "He was under-utilized at Arkansas. Detroit will find a way, I promise you that." Isaac Teslaa should thrive in a talented, dynamic Detroit Lions Lee-Imagn Images A proud University of Pittsburgh alum who spent nearly a decade in the NFL as a defensive back, Riddick couldn't resist the opportunity to shine a spotlight on his alma matter, pointing out one prospects NFL teams and fans should be watching when the Panthers take the field this fall. Advertisement "Everybody wants to know about the playmakers, and Desmond Reid, he's a multi-purpose back in the same mold as a Brashard Smith," Riddick said of Pitt's star running back. He's probably the guy everybody's eyes are gonna be on. He's a little bit smaller, but super fast, tough as hell, great vision, doesn't back down from anybody. That's the dude everybody's gonna want to see." To see the entire conversation, watch the full episode of BPA here: Related: Dan Marino Just Can't Quit Football Related: How Joy and Purpose Are Defining Ryan Leaf's Second Act This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills' First-Round Pick Predicted to 'Disappoint' in Rookie Season
Bills' First-Round Pick Predicted to 'Disappoint' in Rookie Season originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills selected cornerback Maxwell Hairston out of the University of Kentucky with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, but some are already doubting the young defensive back. Advertisement In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, he puts together a list of this year's first-round picks who have the "potential to disappoint" in their rookie season, and one of the players he lists is the young Bills cornerback. "Hairston did deal with a shoulder issue throughout the 2024 campaign. Though this fact doesn't excuse his lack of physicality. Instead, it highlights his slight frame at a mere 183 pounds and how it'll handle an NFL pounding," Sobleski wrote. "The rookie will compete with veteran Tre'Davious White to start opposite Christian Benford. Hairston will get his far share of opportunities. When he does, expect some outstanding play and some head-scratching ones as well." Hairston used his speed at Kentucky to make his impact felt, but some scouts believe his decision-making is not quite as fast. But his stats in college show a bit of the reason the Bills took a chance on him in the first round. He played just seven games in his final season with the Wildcats, but his second season with the team was fantastic. He racked up an SEC-leading five interceptions, and he was also able to show his speed by taking two of them back to the house. Advertisement He might have to bulk up a bit to do so, but Hairston could be in a solid position to prove the doubters wrong and make an impact in his first year in the league. Related: Bills Predicted to Cut Former First-Round Star in 53-Man Roster Projection Related: Bills 'Staple' Tight End Predicted To Have Poor Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL.com has 3 Broncos on way-too-early All-Rookie Team
The Denver Broncos' 2025 draft class is making waves before the season even starts. Gennaro Filice recently named three of the newly drafted Broncos to his way-too-early All-Rookie team for 2025. On offense, Filice named running back RJ Harvey as his second All-Rookie RB behind No. 6 overall pick and AFC West rival, Ashton Jeanty. Advertisement "Harvey weighs 205 pounds, but his thighs appear to account for at least 100 of them," Filice wrote on "This helps explain the 5-foot-8 back's exceptional lateral agility and burst, traits that have many comparing him to last year's top rookie rusher, Bucky Irving. Running behind a premium offensive line and for an elite play-caller, Harvey has the opportunity to be a fantasy league winner in Year 1. Denver has a crowded running back room, especially after the free-agent signing of J.K. Dobbins, but that's nothing new for Sean Payton. The savvy schemer consistently finds ways to get the ball to his best players, and I think Harvey could be one of those on an offense I'm extremely high on." On the defensive side of the ball, Filice named Denver's first overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft, Jahdae Barron (20th overall) to his All-Rookie team as a nickel defensive back. "Denver's first-round selection of Barron took many by surprise, but defensive coordinator Vance Joseph called it a 'no-brainer' move for the franchise. 'He's a very mature, smart football player. My cousin (former Texas secondary coach Terry Joseph) actually coached him for three years in college, so I watched him play for a long time,' Joseph said last week. 'His ball skills, his combine workout -- entire process was really buttoned up, you know, so he was a can't-miss prospect for us.' "Helming a defense that emerged as one of the league's best last year, Joseph has plenty to be excited about this offseason. After adding linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga in free agency, the Broncos spent their top pick on a multifaceted cover man who should slot right in as the unit's starting nickel. NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah comps Barron to one of the most versatile and impactful defensive backs in the game today: Detroit's Brian Branch. Advertisement The Broncos had one more player appear on the All-Rookie team: punter Jeremy Crawshaw, who was the only punter selected in April's draft. "So, you're telling me the only punter drafted this past April is A) from the positional hotbed of Australia and B) now in the positional paradise of Denver," wrote Filice. "Lock it in! Crawshaw's going to send balls into orbit in the mile-high air -- I know Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi agrees. 'He is as talented as a punting prospect that I've ever had,' Rizzi said last week." If these three players perform as well as Filice projects, Denver will have a successful season indeed. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: has 3 players on way-too-early All-Rookie Team
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What are reasonable expectations for Jets' Armand Membou's rookie season?
The New York Jets selected offensive tackle Armand Membou at No. 7 overall in the 2025 NFL draft. The former Missouri standout will be the starting right tackle this season. Membou possesses the qualities necessary to enjoy a terrific rookie season. Membou especially impressed the Jets at the NFL combine. The 6-foot-4, 332 pound blocker ran the 40-yard dash in an absurd 4.91 seconds. Membou also posted 31 reps on the bench press, and leaped a 34-inch vertical and 9-foot-7 broad jump. Eight offensive tackles went in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Five of them played 600-plus snaps as a rookie to varying degrees of success. JC Latham and Taliese Fuaga were solid all things considered. Joe Alt was outstanding. Tyler Guyton and Amarius Mims struggled. Advertisement Among the three first-round tackles who played fewer snaps was Jets blocker Olu Fashanu. Ironically enough, Fashanu will be the starting left tackle as a sophomore while more pressure is placed on Membou to contribute right away. Membou won't have the benefit of learning behind a veteran. Several rookie offensive tackles have hit strides in recent years, Alt and Rashawn Slater included. The 2024 draft welcomed many high-level instant contributors, Fuaga and Latham included. Membou projects as a potential All-Rookie Team selection in 2025. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets rookie class: Setting reasonable expectations for Armand Membou
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL insider: Matter of when, not if Jaxson Dart will start for New York Giants
The New York Giants traded up for Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft in hopes he can turn into the future of the position in East Rutherford. While there's certainly a path of development that needs to take place for the young quarterback out of Ole Miss, it wouldn't be a surprise at all if his debut came at some point during his rookie season. Advertisement Even though Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston are both expected to begin the season higher on the depth chart than Dart, the rookie's upside may be too much for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen to keep on the bench for an entire season. That notion was echoed by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport recently, who believes it's a matter of when — not if — in terms of Dart starting. "It is clear that this is Brian Daboll's guy. After years and years of running out not his guy, he now gets his guy. I expect Russell Wilson to take the first snap with the first team in the first game for the Giants," Rapoport said. "You listen to everything Brian Daboll says, you get an understanding of how far along Jaxson Dart is and where you think he's going to go. It's clearly a matter of when, not if. Advertisement Meanwhile, during an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," Daniel Jeremiah made his prediction for when Dart will take over the starting role. "Look at that Week 6-to-Week 7, 10-day gap there after the Thursday night game against Philly, which by the way, with that group in Philadelphia, I'd be okay with him missing that game," Jeremiah said. "But that's kind of where it would be. It would at Denver in Week 7. That's my early prediction." Though that seems a bit early for Dart, anything can happen when a team is coming off a 3-14 season and used a first-round pick on a quarterback prospect. Advertisement Because both Daboll and Schoen are on the hot seat before the season even begins, it's fair to assume they will use Dart's debut as their final move to save their jobs if things continue to trend the way they have over the last few seasons. It wouldn't be an outlandish scenario for Dart to make that early of a debut, but the Giants could also wait until after the Week 14 bye to give the reins to the rookie for the entire final month of the season. Either way, it seems to be increasingly likely that Dart will make his debut at some point in 2025. This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL insider: Matter of when, not if Jaxson Dart will start for Giants
