Latest news with #receiver
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets' Garrett Wilson Makes NFL's Top 10 List With Brutal Take From AFC Scout
Jets' Garrett Wilson Makes NFL's Top 10 List With Brutal Take From AFC Scout originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It has been some offseason for New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson. He's seen Aaron Rodgers be moved on, Justin Fields come in, he's signed a new long-term contract, and now he's been rewarded for his performances over the past three years with a top 10 receiver ranking in football in Jeremy Fowler's piece for ESPN "Wilson makes his top-10 debut after three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, beating Terry McLaurin, Puka Nacua and Brian Thomas Jr. for the final spot in this ranking," Fowler wrote. But it wasn't all good for Wilson, with an AFC scout stating that due to Wilson's route running, he isn't as good as what he could be. "All over the map -- does his own thing on the field," an AFC scout said. "Vast potential, [but he's] not close to what he could be." With Wilson now having yet another quarterback throwing him the ball in Fields, it will be an acclimation period with his former college teammate, but there's no denying that Garrett is odds-on to hit the 1,000-yard mark yet again. While his top 10 status might be a debate for some, with Puka Nacua and Brian Thomas Jr. named as honorable mentions, there is no denying Wilson's talent. Having never had over 1,104 yards, Wilson is lacking the monster season that many have been expecting from him. Will that come in 2025 with Fields, a regime change, and Tanner Engstrand? If it does, then expect Garrett to climb far higher in these rankings come next season. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
National Post
5 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Roughriders' WR Joe Robustelli enjoys breakout performance
Article content Robustelli said the comparison was first made early in training camp in 2024 when the receiver arrived on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Article content 'Last year coming into training camp, I remember the first day I was here, I didn't really get to do much during practice because I was new,' said Robustelli. 'There really wasn't much for me to do, but I stayed after and was throwing with one of the other quarterbacks. Article content 'And I remember looking over and seeing Trev just kind of standing on the sideline, looking at me with a (strange) face and I didn't know what he was thinking at the time. Article content 'But I guess he was watching me run routes and was just in shock about how much I reminded him of him. Article content 'I know they were really close, and he always told me how good he was, so to hear that from him it's the ultimate respect.' Article content Article content Robustelli said after learning of Ellingson, he decided to watch some film of the two-time Grey Cup champion and four-time divisional all-star, who played with Harris in Ottawa (2016-18) and Edmonton (2019-21). Article content 'We look like the exact same person on the field — it's crazy,' said Robustelli. Article content 'He runs really well,' added Harris. 'He has low centre of gravity. He can get in and out of cuts really, really well. Greg was able to cut off of his inside foot, which no other receiver I played with has really done a consistent job of that. Article content 'Joe does a great job of sticking in his routes and whatnot. And they're both very explosive, very strong, similar build, and they're both wearing No. 82 and they've both got to play with me, and so I've kind of just gone with that. Article content 'Greg's a hall of fame wide receiver here and so we'll slow the roll … but shoot, he's young, and he's an up-and-comer and I'm really excited for the future for Joe.' Article content Florida flashback Article content While Robustelli admitted he didn't know much about the CFL prior to coming to Saskatchewan in 2024, he did know one player on the Roughriders roster. Article content Fellow receiver Shawn Bane Jr. also hails from Sarasota and while Robustelli said he didn't personally know Bane, his older brothers did through football. Article content 'I think he knew of me, but we had never met,' said Robustelli, who is three years younger than Bane. 'He has best friends that I became best friends with later. So we have mutual friends and stuff like that. But no, we didn't meet until training camp last year. Article content 'It's been cool getting to know him. He's really good guy.' Article content Practising patience Article content When Robustelli signed with the Roughriders after just one year of college football, he knew he was going to have to be patient to make his debut as he learned the nuances of pro football. Article content While he got onto the roster for one game at the end of last season, the 2024 campaign was about learning as much as he could in hopes of getting a chance in his second season this year. Article content Article content And after starting this year on the practice roster once again, Robustelli was inserted into the lineup in Week 3 due to injuries at the receiver position and he has been enjoying it ever since.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
‘Long time coming': Robustelli's breakout performance Saturday capped with first CFL touchdown
Saskatchewan Roughriders' receiver Joe Robustelli made the most of an early season opportunity to crack the lineup. 'We knew when [Calgary] went four by one, I was going to have a one-on-one on the backside. [The coaches] challenged me to make some plays,' he told reporters after the Riders' 24-10 loss to the Stampeders. 'I'm just happy I got the opportunity to do so. The second-year receiver out of Tusculum College was targeted 12 times by quarterback Trevor Harris, making 11 catches for 191 yards. Robustelli also added his first professional touchdown reception in the third quarter – a major which at the time drew Saskatchewan within a score. 'It felt really good,' he said. 'You kind of blackout a little bit when it happens. But I was excited to get my first one.' In his three previous games with the Riders prior to Saturday, Robustelli had just 10 catches and 63 receiving yards. He more than quadrupled his total, breaking out for his best performance as a pro. 'That's what I've been barking about for the last year and half with Joe,' Harris said about his receiver. 'He reminds me a bit of Greg [Ellingson]: very twitchy, makes tough catches, good after the catch, strong.' 'And I thought he did a great job today,' he added. Robustelli joined the Riders at the start of the 2024 season and spent the majority of the year on the practice squad. After showing a glimpse of greatness during Saskatchewan's second pre-season game of 2025, he again started this year on the scout team. 'It's been a long time coming,' Robustelli said. 'So it felt really good to go out there and do my job.' 'We've seen it from him before,' head coach Corey Mace said. 'We're not shocked by that. He was out there competing his tail off and showed a little extra grit here and there.' 'Trevor found him, and not only just being open depending on what kind of coverage they were in but also being able to do it after the ball in the short stuff,' Mace added. Despite Saturday's game coming after a 19-hour delay to kickoff, Robustelli believed there was some comfortability in the situation. 'As the time went on, I was kind of like, 'Are we going to play, are we not?' he recalled. 'Then when you get to reset and you're coming in here for a day game, you're comfortable playing day games in college.' Still, the receiver says a win would have made the performance feel a little better. 'It's bittersweet, definitely,' Robustelli added. 'When you perform like that, you'd like to celebrate it. But, it's a team sport and we didn't come out with a victory.' With injuries to star receivers Shawn Bane Jr. and Samuel Emilus last week, Robustelli was slotted in to start for Saskatchewan Saturday. It is unknown if Bane Jr. and Emilus will return to the lineup for Saskatchewan in Week 7 this upcoming Saturday against the B.C. Lions. Updates on their status may come when the team returns to practice Tuesday.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets Urged To Sign Receiver 'Reliability' for Questionable Unit
Jets Urged To Sign Receiver 'Reliability' for Questionable Unit originally appeared on Athlon Sports. New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields will need to get the most out of a so-so group of weapons under Tanner Engstrand if he is to make something of his stay in the Big Apple. Advertisement With Garrett Wilson seen as the only reliable target, with Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard behind him, that doesn't scream a receiver room that can put up points consistently enough to win football games. As such, CBS Sports' Josh Edwards has named the receiver position as the biggest need for Aaron Glenn's team. "New York collected about a half-dozen competent pass catchers in the past few years after acquiring Aaron Rodgers, but then those players gradually moved on over the same period of time," Edwards wrote. "In terms of reliability, the room is essentially Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds." John Jones-Imagn Images But who could the Jets go after? Advertisement The top remaining free agents are Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, and Gabe Davis, and given the youth movement Glenn is undertaking, we aren't sure if any of those veterans for one year will give the offense more juice than what is already on the roster. Allen looms as the most productive option, coming off a 744-yard, seven-touchdown year with the Bears in 2024. So, for those wanting more weapons that will improve the offense, there aren't too many cost-effective options out there. So Fields might just have to make do with what he's got in Wilson, Reynolds, and Lazard for 2025 and lean on the run game to help ease the pressure needed to pass the team to a win. It's not ideal, but those are the cards Fields has been dealt. Advertisement Related: Breece Hall Offers Shocking Evaluation of Jets' 2025 'Ceiling' Related: Jets' Sauce Gardner Announced as NFL's Best by PFF This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
National Post
03-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Up Close: Meet Roughriders receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker
Kian Schaffer-Baker has been a popular target on the field for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and maybe just as popular off the field. Article content After being drafted out of the University of Guelph, Schaffer-Baker has turned into a fan favourite in Green and White not only for his playmaking ability but for his interaction with fans. Article content Article content With the Roughriders currently on a bye week and Schaffer-Baker recovering from a foot injury that has sidelined him for the last three games, we sat down with No. 89 to learn more about his journey in the CFL: Article content Article content Name: Kian Schaffer-Baker Article content Position: Receiver Article content Number: 89 Article content Age: 27 Article content Height and weight: 6-foot-4, 195 pounds Article content Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario Article content How did you get into football? Article content 'When I was nine years old, my older brother introduced me to it. Actually I was probably about eight when I wanted to play but back then in Canada, they had an age limit and a weight requirement, so I wasn't even over 100 pounds. Article content 'I had to wait till I turned nine to start playing, and I remember just counting the days down until I could get out there. I would play with my brother and his older friends. We've got a seven-year age difference, so they were beating up on me. That's probably why I could take a hit right now, and I don't fear anything going over the middle. I just know every time the ball is mine.' Article content Your road to the CFL? Article content 'I went to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School. I had a lot of influential people in my life that helped me get to even just university and where I'm at today. Article content 'One person that comes to my mind is Coach (Patrick) McCallion in high school. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't even be here today. So having someone like that and other mentors like Shea Pierre and so many other coaches that just helped me develop myself in high school that some other kids weren't exposed to. I was able to get that type of exposure. So that was a blessing. Article content Article content 'And then it led to my time at Guelph. Alright career. I was probably a little under the radar, not talked about a lot, didn't have a lot of catches or receptions, but still showed up and worked hard every day and had faith and just knew that one day I was going to be playing professional football. I didn't know how I was going to get there or what it looked like, but that was always a dream, and something I chase every day. Article content Article content 'I fell in the fourth round in the CFL draft. That was a tough process. In my mind, the entire time I thought was going to be the No. 1 overall, so watching each pick just go after one another was definitely tough but again, that's where I just leaned on my faith and just knew that everything was going to work out and just trust whatever happens. Article content Article content Typical game-day routine? Article content 'Wake up, give thanks, say my prayer, read the Bible. I'm a big energy guy, so I like listening to music that's just going to uplift my energy in the morning, whether that's some reggae or some gospel music. Definitely some reggae though, that's definitely my go to. That's going to have me dancing around and moving around.
