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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL analyst reveals crucial battles defining Bears' 53-man roster
Chicago Bears camp battles are shaping the projected 53-man roster as the team prepares for its first padded training camp practice on Monday. As the players enjoy an off day today, let's look at some key position battles Chicago Sun-Times analyst Patrick Finley has projected. Here, we will focus specifically on quarterback, running back and wide receiver. According to Finley, the Bears are expected to carry three players at quarterback: starter Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent and veteran Case Keenum. The competition will be for the No. 2 spot. Finley noted, "The battle for the No. 2 job between Bagent and Keenum, who have rotated during camp. Bagent has believers in the Bears' front office, and the Bears are sure to keep Keenum to help guide Williams." Per Finley, the running back group could see an uncommon roster decision if rookie draft pick Kyle Monangai's strong camp convinces the team to carry four running backs. "With a strong training camp, can Monangai coax the Bears into keeping four running backs? Swift is the starter, Johnson the short yardage back, and Homer the special teams ace," Finley wrote. "Ben Johnson's Lions kept four running backs last season." The wide receiver battle centers on the kickoff return job, according to Finley. He said, "Who returns kickoffs? Devin Duvernay and Tyler Scott are fighting for the job, with the winner perhaps cementing their roster spot. The new kickoff rules mean that a successful kick return unit could yield big results." In the weeks ahead, Ben Johnson and Co. will have a clearer view of who can secure a spot on the team's 53-man roster. Some surprises are expected as the Bears look to begin a new era under their new head coach.
New York Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Jets roster breakdown: Locks, longshots and the bubble going into Aaron Glenn's first training camp
The time has come for observations, overreactions and quarterback stats in 11-on-11 drills. The entirety of the Jets roster — give or take an unsigned second-round pick — will report for training camp on Tuesday, the first of the Aaron Glenn era. If his comments during the spring are any indication, Glenn's first camp as head coach will be a physical one, moreso than Jets players have been accustomed to in recent years. The plan is to incorporate some form of actual hitting/tackling, something that former head coach Robert Saleh mostly avoided. Advertisement Adding to the intensity: There are more roster spots up for grabs this year than in the last few, when the Jets roster was (or at least appeared to be) deeper. So ahead of training camp, when roster battles will be won and lost, let's dive into the totality of the Jets' 90-man roster — which players can be considered locks, who is on the bubble and a look at the longshots to make it (there's usually at least one longshot who makes it, so those players shouldn't be ruled out). By my count, there are somewhere in the range of 15-23 roster spots to be won. (Note: In the Longshots, On the Bubble and Safe Bets categories, the players are listed in order from least likely to most likely to make the roster.) TE Neal Johnson: The Jets already have three tight ends pretty much locked into roster spots, though Johnson could stick on the practice squad with a decent camp. OL Obinna Eze, C Gus Hartwig, G Kohl Levao, G Marquis Hayes: Eze has some NFL experience, Hartwig is an intriguing UDFA, and both Levao and Hayes have spent time on practice squads — but there just aren't many openings on the offensive line. WR Dymere Miller, WR Ontaria Wilson: Miller is a speedy UDFA from Rutgers, and Wilson (nicknamed 'Pokey') has some CFL experience. Both made some plays in the spring. S Jordan Clark: He's longtime NFL safety Ryan Clark's son. The path to the roster is through special teams for him. TE Zack Kuntz: The 2023 seventh-round pick has all the athletic tools but just hasn't been able to put it together in the NFL. Maybe a new coaching staff can develop him into something. RB Zach Evans: The Jets only have three running backs locked into roster spots on what should be a run-heavy team — every running back in camp has a shot if the Jets ultimately want to hang onto four at the position. Evans was drafted by the Rams in the sixth round in 2023 and spent the last few weeks of last season on the Jets practice squad. Advertisement DE Michael Fletcher: The Jets are severely lacking for depth at defensive end, so a strong camp would go a long way for the UDFA. LB Jared Bartlett, LB Aaron Smith, LB Jackson Sirmon: The first two are UDFA rookies, Sirmon was a UDFA last year and spent the season on the practice squad. Linebacker might be the thinnest position on the roster, so anyone could emerge. QB Brady Cook, QB Adrian Martinez: Both are impressive athletes at quarterback but their accuracy is inconsistent. If the Jets opt to keep three quarterbacks on the 53, it would (as of now) be one of them. If not, they are fighting for the job on the practice squad. OT Leander Wiegand: The German-born Wiegand is unlikely to make the 53 but he's a near-lock to stick on the practice squad because the Jets can apply the international exemption, meaning he'd allow them to have an extra body on the practice squad. He's a prospect worth developing with his impressive strength and athleticism. WR Quentin Skinner: He's an intriguing prospect but really projects as a deep-threat only. Still, if he pops during training camp and the preseason, he has an outside shot to make the roster. WR Brandon Smith: Smith was productive last summer and looked good in the spring too. He's a near-lock for at least the practice squad. S Jaylin Simpson, S Dean Clark, S Jarius Monroe: The Jets have three safeties who are safe bets to stick around — four if Isaiah Oliver is considered a safety rather than a cornerback. That means there's, potentially, at least one spot open to stick around for depth at a position that Glenn has historically been great at developing. Simpson flashed during the spring, Monroe was a favorite of the previous staff and Clark is one of their highest-rated UDFAs in this year's class. DE Kingsley Jonathan, DE Braiden McGregor, DE Eric Watts: McGregor and Watts spent all of last season on the active roster but simply didn't produce (zero sacks between them). Watts was an intriguing prospect last year though, so perhaps he'll take a leap forward. Jonathan has some NFL experience, mostly on special teams — which isn't a bad thing to have on the résumé. Depth at defensive end is an issue. Advertisement DE Ja'Markis Weston: He might be the most intriguing UDFA in this year's class as a wide receiver-turned-safety-turned-linebacker-turned defensive end. The Jets signed him for his potential on special teams, where he thrived at the University of Florida. That gives him a real shot at making it. RB Donovan Edwards: He's the highest-rated UDFA in the Jets' rookie class after a productive career at Michigan. If the Jets keep four running backs, Edwards is the leading contender, and the preseason will be where he gets a real chance to prove himself. WR Jamaal Pritchett: Another UDFA who had a really good spring, Pritchett made plays as a receiver and pushed Xavier Gipson at punt returner. He'll have to beat out Gipson to stick around, but that's possible since Gipson didn't have a great 2024. DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse: He's an elite athlete but injuries kept him off the field as a rookie in 2023, and he was a healthy scratch for most of last season. Still, he has intriguing tools and can play both corner and safety — perhaps Glenn can tap into his talent. DT Fatormah Mulbah, DT Payton Page: The two UDFA defensive tackles play a position starved for quality depth behind Quinnen Williams. Mulbah was a standout during the spring but both will get a legit shot to stick around with a good summer. DT Leonard Taylor III: He showed flashes as an undrafted rookie last year but was mostly running with the undrafted rookies again in the spring — meaning Taylor still has a lot to prove to a new coaching staff. He's still more likely to stick than the aforementioned rookies, but he's far from a lock. FB Andrew Beck: The Jets are going to be a run-heavy offense, which is why Beck, as a fullback, should be seriously considered. The Lions used fullbacks on occasion in Detroit and the Jets will deploy an even more run-heavy attack. and Beck has significant experience (70 games) at both tight end and fullback. He'd be an obvious candidate to start the season on the practice squad and get elevated for a few weeks. Advertisement LB Jamin Davis, LB Zaire Barnes, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball: The Jets have basically no proven depth pieces behind Quincy Williams and Jamien Sherwood. Davis is a former first-round pick of the Commanders and was a starter from 2021-23 in Washington so he might be considered the favorite. Barnes has only played in four games since the Jets drafted him RB Kene Nwangwu, WR Xavier Gipson: They are the early leading contenders to be the Jets' kick and punt returners. Nwangwu feels like a safer bet at this point considering how good he looked last season before an injury ended things. If he returns to form, the kick return job should be his. Gipson has Pritchett pushing him. CB Qwan'Tez Stiggers: The previous staff was high on Stiggers' potential and he thrived in training camp last year. But the Jets also signed a free agent corner, drafted one early, and re-signed Oliver. This is a completely new staff — Stiggers will have to prove himself all over again. His ability on special teams should help. DB Kris Boyd: The Jets signed him to a deal greater than the minimum ($1.6 million) because they value his skills as a gunner on special teams. He's especially important with Irv Charles working his way back from a torn ACL. OL Xavier Newman: He can be a solid depth piece on the interior particularly because he can play both guard and center; the Jets lack depth on the interior. K Harrison Mevis, K Caden Davis, P Austin McNamara, P Kai Kroeger: It will be an all-out battle for the kicker and punter jobs in training camp. None of these players has kicked in an NFL regular-season game. OT Carter Warren, OT Max Mitchell: The two former fourth-round picks have had their ups and downs in the NFL. Mitchell's ability to play both tackle spots and at guard can't hurt. The previous staff liked Warren's potential but he hasn't shown much in NFL action. One of these two will stick — and possibly both. Advertisement DE Rashad Weaver: He hasn't recorded a sack since 2022 but Weaver had a stellar spring and the Jets badly need depth at defensive end. If he builds on his spring, he'll be safe. WR Malachi Corley: It would be a tough look if the Jets moved on from a third-round pick after one year, but this regime did not draft him, and it didn't hide its disappointment in his lack of availability during the spring. Corley needs to show some maturity fast, stay on the field and make progress as a route runner while also contributing on special teams. The talent is obvious and he brings a unique skill set, but nothing is guaranteed for him. WR Tyler Johnson: He's an intriguing player with plenty of NFL experience in a variety of offenses, and he has the versatility to play multiple receiver spots. He's not a lock but should stick around with a good camp. TE Stone Smartt: Before the Jets drafted Mason Taylor, Smartt was on track for a big role in the offense. He still could push for some reps in the passing game, where he's an intriguing athlete and flashed potential late last season for the Chargers. DT Jay Tufele: He'll sub in as a run stopper in the defensive tackle rotation. OT Chukwuma Okorafor: He left the Patriots last season after he was benched, but has a lot of experience as a starter in the NFL and will be a solid option as a swing tackle if he recaptures the form he showed with the Steelers a couple years ago. S Tony Adams: He had an up-and-down 2024 and there's a rookie pushing for his starting spot, but the Jets didn't really add much at safety; Adams should stick as the third safety, at worst. WR Irv Charles: He'll likely start the season on the PUP list coming off ACL surgery, but he's a valuable piece on special teams when healthy. LB Francisco Mauigoa, DE Tyler Baron: It seems highly unlikely that the Jets would move on from fifth-round picks they just drafted a few months ago, especially since they might need both players for depth this season. Advertisement DT Derrick Nnadi: The former Chiefs veteran is nothing more than a rotational player at this point, but the Jets need his experience on the interior. WR Allen Lazard: It remains a shocker that Lazard is still a Jet, though he clearly fell behind Josh Reynolds in the spring and his contract is now structured in a way that it wouldn't cost a lot to move on if they wanted to cut or trade him. If not, Lazard can be a valuable depth piece and contributor as a blocker in the running game. DE Micheal Clemons: Fans might not like it, but it wouldn't be a major surprise if Clemons not only stuck around but also wound up being, at worst, the Jets' No. 3 defensive end to start the season. He's perfectly fine as a rotational backup — he just played too many snaps in 2024. (These are listed in alphabetical order — most of them don't require comment.) RB Braelon Allen, CB Michael Carter II, S Andre Cisco, DT Byron Cowart, RB Isaiah Davis, OT Olu Fashanu, QB Justin Fields, CB Sauce Gardner, RB Breece Hall, LS Thomas Hennessy, DE Jermaine Johnson, DE WIll McDonald IV, OT Armand Membou, S Malachi Moore, C Josh Myers, DB Isaiah Oliver, WR Josh Reynolds, TE Jeremy Ruckert, LB Jamien Sherwood, OL John Simpson, WR Arian Smith, CB Brandon Stephens , TE Mason Taylor, QB Tyrod Taylor, CB Azareye'h Thomas, C Joe Tippmann, OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, LB Quincy Williams, DT Quinnen Williams, WR Garrett Wilson A few notes about this group… • Mason Taylor is one of many second-round picks who have yet to sign, and if that remains true then he won't be there when rookies report this weekend. He's going to be a crucial part of the offense immediately, so they need him back at work. • Cowart emerged as the favorite to start next to Quinnen Williams in the spring and it would be a major surprise if he didn't stick around at this point. • If the Jets had made more than one move of significance at tight end (drafting Mason Taylor) then perhaps Ruckert would be in a different category. But he had a solid spring and feels locked in at minimum as the No. 2 tight end. • Reynolds feels pretty locked in as the Jets' No. 2 receiver. Lazard didn't pose a real threat in the spring and Reynolds and Fields seem to have good chemistry already.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking Bengals' most underrated players ahead of training camp
The Cincinnati Bengals enter training camp this summer with plenty of roster battles set to unfold after another offseason of change. While there won't be many outright starting jobs up for grabs, plenty of depth roles remain undecided, as do 53-man roster spots. Advertisement Just look at last year, when a contention-ready roster still rewarded undrafted linebacker Maema Njongmeta with a spot. That sort of theme in mind, here's a look at some underrated players on the Bengals roster. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster projection following 2025 offseason DE Cam Sample Sample is the name folks keep forgetting about when looking at the contract drama for Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart, never mind the continued hope that former first-rounder Myles Murphy pans out. The Bengals made a point to bring him back after a torn achilles last year and he's extremely valued for his versatility across the line and ability to stop the run and rush the passer. He's a sleeper rotational standout in 2025. Advertisement LB Oren Burks Yes, we're already saying this about the new arrival. Much of the attention in the post-Germaine Pratt world has gone to rookie Demetrius Knight starting next to Logan Wilson. But Burks is a former third-round pick who was just the third-highest-graded linebacker in the playoffs while filling in for an injured player. He's got the versatility to help at multiple spots and on special teams, too. TE Drew Sample Talk about being a perfect summation of underrated. Sample carried the hype of being a second-round pick for years but never lived up to it, at least in terms of serving as a receiving threat in the passing game. But he's a stellar blocker who makes an impact in ways that don't show up on the stat sheet, at least for himself. To his credit, he's looked much more comfortable as a pass-catcher over the last few years, too. RELATED: Joe Burrow feelings on Trey Hendrickson contract standoff revealed This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Ranking Bengals' most underrated players ahead of training camp
