Latest news with #TrevorSikkema
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Draft buzz is continuing to build for Oklahoma Sooners defensive leader as he plans to put himself in first-round conversation
NFL Draft buzz is continuing to build for Oklahoma Sooners defensive leader as he plans to put himself in first-round conversation originally appeared on A to Z Sports. The Oklahoma Sooners haven't produced a first-round defensive prospect in the NFL Draft since Kenneth Murray in 2020. Murray was Oklahoma's first defender to be selected in the first round since Gerald McCoy in 2010, a statline the Sooners would like to change moving forward. Advertisement They could begin turning around the process in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft with one of their best playmakers, who decided to return to the Sooners for this season after heavily weighing entering the NFL last year. Pass rusher R Mason Thomas has continued to build up steady buzz for next year's draft as summer scouting has gone on, and the NFL scouting world has taken notice. Pro Football Focus's Trevor Sikkema wrote up Thomas and described him as a "potential impact player in the NFL". "Thomas' measurables may seem as though they would pigeonhole him into a stand-up outside linebacker role. He can certainly shine there, and does align in that technique at times, but he also produces with his hand in the dirt pre-snap. That role allows him to get incredibly low and almost always win the leverage battle at contact, loading all of his weight onto his quads for maximum explosiveness in his first step off the ball. Big offensive linemen tend to struggle to mirror and stay in front of him. And his fast and active hands only compound the issue for helpless blockers, especially if he deploys a two-handed swipe to stay clean and attack the outside shoulder." Additionally, Sikkema noted that Thomas had hit 22 plays where he was clocked over 15 mph. Sikkema wasn't the only draft analyst to take note of Thomas this week, however. Advertisement Daft On Draft's Cory Kinnan also wrote about the standout Sooner, saying Thomas has him "reconsidering just how high he would draft his role." "The Oklahoma defensive line has the chance to be extremely good in 2025. They have explosive playmakers off the edge and absolute stalwarts along their interior. The headliner is R Mason Thomas, who may make me rethink how high I would take a designated pass rusher (DPR). He's explosive as heck off the ball and has not seen a corner he cannot bend and take. With quality wins against Will Campbell, Kadyn Proctor, and more, Thomas could be the next in a line of Oklahoma DPRs to make an NFL impact behind the likes of Ogbo Okoronkwo and Nik Bonitto." While no analysts have outright made the claim he should be a first-round pick, he's firmly put himself just on the outside fringe of round one. Both Sikkema and Kinnan called him a potential DPR in the NFL, but that role has evolved and been selected earlier and earlier in recent years. James Pearce Jr. was selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with Donovan Ezeiruaku following shortly after at 44th overall. In 2024, Chop Robinson was also selected in the first round, 21st overall. None of these players were considered particularly good against the run to be a true "three-down" pass rusher, thus falling into that DPR category. If Thomas stays healthy for another season and continues to grow his game, why can't he be next? Advertisement Related: Could the Oklahoma Sooners be getting a massive recruiting win for elite blue-chip talent sooner than later? View the original article to see embedded media. This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Jul 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Lightning Quick' USC Talent Earns Massive Pre-NFL Draft Title
'Lightning Quick' USC Talent Earns Massive Pre-NFL Draft Title originally appeared on Athlon Sports. USC loaded up on talent for the 2026 recruiting class. But will the Trojans field a strong '26 NFL Draft group? Advertisement USC already has Ja'Kobi Lane hailed as the top wide receiver for the next class. Lane has competition -- in the form of a teammate of his. Makai Lemon earned his own No. 1 WR label ahead of the next draft. Lemon rises as Pro Football Focus's top wideout for the 2026 rookie class. Trevor Sikkema of PFF plastered the top label for Lemon. What are the traits that convinced the PFF analyst to place Lemon at the top of the PFF wideout board? Sep 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Utah State Aggies during the second quarter at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Jonathan Hui-Imagn ImagesJonathan Hui-Imagn Images "At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Lemon is on the smaller side. I have him categorized as a slot receiver, not just because he played 354 snaps in the slot compared to just 54 out wide in 2024, but also due to how he wins and his strengths," Sikkema explained. Advertisement But then Sikkema explained what separates Lemon for other wideouts. "Lemon is lightning quick," Sikkema said. "He has short strides but moves his legs like pistons in an engine, firing out of his stance to eat up cushion in coverage or getting vertical before defenders can adjust." Sikkema concluded how Lemon brings strong fundamentals for the WR spot. "He is also a nuanced and technical route runner, despite being just a true junior entering 2025," he wrote. "He knows how to set up defenders against their leverage and can find soft spots against zone by tempo-ing his speed at different points in his route." Advertisement Lemon or Lane could become USC's second first round WR in a span of three years. Jordan Addison represents the school's last day one selection at the position. Related: USC Legend Amon-Ra St. Brown Takes Rare Jab at Chiefs, Kansas City This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
21-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF rank Steelers among bottom-five NFL teams in one key area
The Black and Gold faithful aren't the only ones aware of Pittsburgh's poor receiving corps heading into 2025 — as Pro Football Focus ranked the Steelers' unit near the very bottom of the NFL. PFF's Trevor Sikkema recently ranked NFL teams' receiving corps — and the Steelers came in at No. 29: "The Steelers traded for D.K. Metcalf in the offseason but then shipped off George Pickens," Sikkema said. "That profiles as only a slight upgrade for a team that finished 20th in PFF receiving grade in 2024. Pittsburgh should get more out of second-year receiver Roman Wilson, who was largely injured last season, and the backfield combination of Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell brings some third-down, pass-catching ability." Acquiring Metcalf to trade away Pickens was definitely a head-scratcher, but one that was seemingly explained by ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, who argued Aaron Rodgers' impending arrival played a role in the move. Still, the Steelers are clearly in need of some additional pass catchers — but who and when remain a complete mystery for Pittsburgh. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Given Mediocre Grade For QB-WR Duos in 2025
Bills Given Mediocre Grade For QB-WR Duos in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills know they have one of the best quarterbacks in football. Josh Allen's talent will always keep Buffalo in championship contention. Advertisement Who he ends up throwing the football to, though, remains something of a mystery. As things stand, Allen's top receiving target in 2025 is expected to be Khalil Shakir. He has grown into a very dependable player by totaling over 1,500 yards receiving combined in his first three years. But as quarterback and receiver duos come, the Allen-Shakir duo isn't one that is talked about as a top pair in the league. PFF writer Trevor Sikkema essentially argued that by placing the Allen/Shakir duo at just 18th in the league. "The Bills' passing offense is more by committee, but Shakir seems to lead the group with the highest threat rate (target rate on routes run) and most targets in 2024," Sikkema said. "Though their average target depth as a duo is on the lower side, at 6.1 yards over the past two seasons, Allen and Shakir have ideal efficiency scores with the highest completion rate (83.6%) on this list and no turnover-worthy plays." Advertisement Our view? It is surprising - and pretty ludicrous - to list Allen on any list with quarterbacks as anything other than a top-10 duo. It's just that simple. Despite that, Sikkema's argument is that Shakir's skill set isn't among the best across the league. And their 18th ranking will only give the duo a chance to show just how wrong PFF's rankings were. Related: Bills Coach Admits To Being 'Scarred' Toward New Experience on Defense Related: Bills Reveal New Plan In Search Of More Consistency from Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
31-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF names Broncos' top 3 players ahead of 2025 season
PFF names Broncos' top 3 players ahead of 2025 season Pro Football Focus writer Trevor Sikkema recently wrote an article about the three top players for each NFL team entering the 2025 season. Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns are some players who represent a sense of importance for their teams. For the Denver Broncos, Sikkema chose cornerback Patrick Surtain, wide receiver Courtland Sutton and offensive guard Quinn Meinarz as the three top players for the franchise. Below, he elaborates why, with the data to prove it. 'Surtain earned PFF's Best Coverage Defender Award in 2024 with an 87.4 coverage grade while allowing just 0.53 yards per coverage snap," Sikkema wrote. "Meinerz posted a 0.51 WAR in 2024, third-best among all guards, on the strength of an 87.5 run-blocking grade. Sutton followed with a 0.44 WAR and a 77.0 receiving grade, placing him among the top 20 wideouts league-wide.' The Broncos made their first playoff appearance since their 2015 Super Bowl-winning season in 2024. Hopefully, the three players mentioned can take the Broncos deep into the postseason -- and back to the Super Bowl -- soon. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
