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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Previewing Drew Shelton's final season with the Nittany Lions
Drew Shelton has a point to prove this year. As one of the longest-tenured Penn State O-linemen, he believes his work is not done. Not just with the group of five he's played with most of his career, or even the team. It's to most importantly better himself ahead of the NFL Draft as well as leave an indelible impact on the O-line as it retools without him. No matter what transpires this year for Shelton and Penn State, he will always be remembered as one of the best left tackles in school history. Here is how Drew Shelton can ride off into the sunset in 2025. 2024 in Review The former four-star recruit had to work for his position title over his career with the Nittany Lions. Initially behind Olu Fashanu on the depth chart when he arrived on campus, he waited his turn until last year, when he officially cemented himself as the protector of Drew Allar's blindside. He started all 16 games with a 90% snap share and only allowed two sacks across 462 pass-blocking snaps. While certainly impressive, Shelton feels there is still work to be done in terms of improving his draft stock. Shelton certainly has the ideal height and length to flourish at the NFL level and has stellar anchoring skills, he is still only seen as a early-to-late second round pick by scouts. His lighter frame could cause issues against much sharper NFL talent and his hand placement could improve. Thus, while 2024 was just a window into what Drew Shelton could be capable of, look for 2025 to finally open up new doors for Shelton and his potential. Biggest Question of 2025 There is not much left to conquer for Drew Shelton in 2025 outside of a national title. Like much of Penn State's unsung heroes though, he feels he needs to improve his draft stock drastically enough to the point where he could go in the first round. The question is how much can he improve it by? Shelton certainly is one of the best if not the best individual O-linemen for Penn State. Nonetheless, he could be overshadowed by the fact that the unit is more of a collective than anything else. With top O-line talent like Utah's Spencer Fano and Miami's Francis Mauigoa, Shelton has to be the undisputed best O-linemen for Penn State for scouts to truly consider him at that level. If he can replicate a season like last year's, the sky's the limit for where Shelton could potentially end up going. 2025 will be a success if... Shelton not only leads Penn State along the line and proves to be the ultimate tone-setter up front, but have it pay off with a first round selection in next year's draft. Chances are this will be the single toughest test in Drew Shelton's Penn State career: having a strong enough finish to where he can leave college content and enter the NFL primed and ready to go. In order to achieve first-round status, he must prove that he is willing to get stronger and more physical at the point of attack. He also must pay more attention to his technique as it still needs refinement. Most importantly, he must prove that he can do it for a championship caliber team. Penn State has some of the highest expectations in the country this year and as the left tackle, Drew Shelton will carry the weight of expectation with him more than anyone else. He has handled pressure throughout his entire college career. How he handles this kind specifically will help determine his success at the next level. 2025 will be a disappointment if... Shelton simply doesn't show the willingness to improve his draft stock and regresses significantly. Out of all the O-linemen in the 2026 draft class, Shelton is the most variable in terms of where he could go. He has the traits necessary to be a late first rounder, but because he has garnered little buzz thus far amongst scouts, combined with certain issues he must fix this season, Shelton could also drop and maybe even precipitously if his season is not successful. Shelton needs to prove he is a winner in every sense of the word the moment the '25 season begins. Nothing more, nothing less. If not, his NFL dreams may start to unravel a bit as his name slips down draft boards. He is certainly capable of not allowing that to happen, but until we see it on the field, his work is not yet finished. Realistic Outlook for 2025 Drew Shelton will almost certainly be at the forefront of Penn State's championship-caliber offensive capabilities. Combined with the returning talent in the backfield, supplemented by the tantalizing transfer receivers, gives this line one of the easiest jobs in college football. It's how easy guys like Shelton make it look however, that will help them more with their personal goals. Especially for someone like Shelton, who was forced to sit behind another great Penn State O-lineman to start his career, this year is pivotal for more than one reason. It's not just about leaving with a championship. Nor is it just about personal growth. It's about leaving his mark on Penn State's O-line so that younger generations can grow from his success. Drew Shelton needs to leave a foundation that someone like J'Ven Williams can protect and cement for his own career. That is way more important than anything else for Drew Shelton. He just has to take care of business as usual. This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Previewing Drew Shelton's 2025 season
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL tackle rankings: Paris Johnson considered but doesn't make top 10
The Arizona Cardinals have a left tackle they believe in with Paris Johnson. Entering his third season in the league and his second as the team's starting left tackle, he is approaching Pro Bowl level, even if that will be difficult to do with some of the other tackles in the conference. But he is beginning to get some recognition. Advertisement ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed who the top 10 tackles are in the league based on the votes of coaches, scouts and executives. Johnson did not make the top 10 and did not receive honorable mention, but he was one of the players who also received votes, so at least one coach or evaluator believes he is a top-10 tackle in the league. The top three tackles are no surprise — Tampa Bay's Tristan Wirfs, Detroit's Penei Sewell and Philadelphia's Lane Johnson. San Francisco's Trent Williams also makes the cut as well. Johnson played well in 2024 but did see a decline later in the year and he missed the final three games. But he is healthy and ready to go. We will see if he can elevate his play and garner some more respect around the NFL. Advertisement Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts. This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Cardinals LT Paris Johnson approaching top-10 status in NFL
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Must Answer One Glaring Question At Critical Training Camp
Chiefs Must Answer One Glaring Question At Critical Training Camp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the saying goes, if you have two quarterbacks, you have none, and for the Kansas City Chiefs, they have two left tackles, but right now, they have none. Advertisement Jaylon Moore, a four-year backup with the San Francisco 49ers, was signed in free agency, and then Josh Simmons was drafted in the first round but saw his college season end early due to a knee injury. Both are the main options to fortify Patrick Mahomes' blindside in 2025, but the critical thing is that many are unsure if both can adequately do it. And for CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan, how the left tackle position works itself out over the next few months is going to be interesting viewing. ... and all about critical work at training camp. "What does this offensive line look like for the Kansas City Chiefs coming off a season where Patrick Mahomes was sacked more than any other time in his career?" Sullivan said. Advertisement "This offseason, they signed Jaylon Moore in free agency. They used their first-round pick on Josh Simmons. Let us see how that battle plan works out. Simmons is coming off an injury. But the other thing is that, can any of these guys play? But can a rookie in year one be a legitimate blind slide left tackle?" © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Something's got to give in training camp, and with Moore signing a two-year deal, plus Simmons still working his way back to full health, we think Moore will get the first chance to stake his claim. It will be an interesting battle with the Chiefs' offensive line getting reworked this offseason because it isn't the left tackle position that will be new; the left guard will be, too, with Kingsley Suamataia shifting inside to replace star Joe Thuney. Advertisement So, there are a lot of moving parts for the Chiefs to get to grips with, and for most, the team's success in 2025 hinges on how well Mahomes is protected. And right now, we aren't sure if Moore or Simmons are the answer. But if the Chiefs have Super Bowl intentions, one of them has to be. Related: Chiefs' Travis Kelce Reveals Scouting Report on Stud Rookie Related: Chiefs Trade for 'Lonely' Tyreek Hill Urged By Reunion-Minded Oddsmakers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jason Kelce sees some Trent Williams in Kansas City Chiefs rookie left tackle Josh Simmons
Jason Kelce knows a thing or two about great left tackles. Before he played alongside Jordan Mailata, a second-team All-Pro this past season, Kelce shared a Philadelphia Eagles offensive line with a two-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler at the position: Jason Peters. When Kelce, a six-time first-team All-Pro center, talks line play, his words carry the weight he used to move around in the trenches. Advertisement During the latest episode of the "New Heights" podcast, Kelce didn't hold back when discussing one of the league's newest left tackles, Kansas City Chiefs first-round pick Josh Simmons. "I've watched a lot of these linemen coming out the last few years," Jason Kelce said to his co-host and brother Travis Kelce, as well as to their guest, Chiefs right guard Trey Smith. "This kid, I mean he is the closest thing I've seen to like a Trent Williams. ... That next-level strength and athleticism." Williams was the league's top left tackle not too long ago. The now-36-year-old and 11-time Pro Bowler made a run of three straight first-team All-Pro seasons with the San Francisco 49ers from 2021-23. Advertisement Before Simmons can even start his journey to that kind of prestige, the former San Diego State and Ohio State lineman will have to complete his recovery from last year's ACL tear that dropped him to the end of the first round of April's NFL Draft. Then he'll have to win a training camp position battle against Jaylon Moore, whom the Chiefs signed to a two-year deal this offseason. Moore spent his first four NFL seasons with the 49ers, mostly backing up Williams. The Chiefs are looking for an answer at left tackle this season after going through four starters at the position in 2024. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Simmons could fit the bill. "To me, watching the tape [from] college, it was absurd," Jason said of Simmons. "The athletic ability and size. Trav knows because I've been watching this dude, and I've been preaching." Travis interjected. "I've seen it," the Chiefs superstar tight end said on "New Heights," recalling a memory from Chiefs mandatory minicamp. "He was playing defensive end, just like a scout team defensive end. And he was just playing his gap. But he was being a pro. He was being locked in and being a pro, and I felt that man's hands grab me, and I was like, 'Alright! Alright!' I got to come with it, even when he's just giving the looks. I got to make sure I've got my feet planted, man. Advertisement Simmons was enjoying a breakout season at Ohio State last fall before going down with his season-ending knee injury on the road against Oregon on Oct. 12. He hadn't allowed a sack in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus, which also had him down for just one pressure conceded and one penalty committed in six games last season. "I haven't seen him in action, but I just heard that he is so strong, like unbelievably strong," said Smith, who made the Pro Bowl at right guard last season. "Obviously the talent is there, man. I've seen some of his film as well, and [he] obviously got a chance to win a natty last year. Shout out to him. But I think he is going to be a great asset to the team, and I'm looking forward to it."
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers' Broderick Jones isn't ready for LT yet: 'I think I need a couple more weeks'
Broderick Jones needs a few more weeks until he's ready to start at LT — and he'll be the first to admit it. After practice at mandatory minicamp, Jones was asked by reporters to share how the offseason practices have been going — and here was his response (courtesy of Steelers Live): Advertisement "I think it went as good as it could go," Jones said. "You know, with everything going on — with me moving back to [LT] from [RT]. I still got a couple more weeks to hone in on my skills and continue to develop on the left side — and come in ready for [training camp]." A few questions later, Jones was asked if he'd be ready to start games at LT tomorrow — and he was brutally honest about his current abilities: "If I'm being honest, I think I probably do need a couple more weeks," Jones said. "Not saying I'd be bad, but just for me. Just to feel like I'm in the mindset to play an actual game — versus somebody else other than going against Alex Highsmith or Nick [Herbig]." The Steelers are hopeful that switching Jones back to his natural position at left tackle will help get the 2023 first-rounder back on track — as he gave up the second-most sacks in the NFL last season from right tackle. Advertisement For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Broderick Jones says he needs few more weeks for LT switch
