Photos: Chicago Bears receiver DJ Moore's Back-to-School Bash
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USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Bears' Luther Burden is second-best rookie WR in Madden 26
The Chicago Bears got a steal in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft when they landed Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III with the 39th overall selection. Many had Burden pegged as a first-round talent, given his impressive playmaking ability, but he slipped to the second round and right into the waiting arms of Bears head coach Ben Johnson. EA Sports has unveiled the Madden 26 player ratings for the NFL's 2025 rookie class, including the Bears, and Burden (76 overall) bested Chicago's first-round selection, tight end Colston Loveland (73 overall). Burden was the fifth (technically sixth) receiver selected in the 2025 NFL draft, and he trails only top wideout Tetairoa McMillan (drafted eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers) in Madden 26 rating. Burden is tied with Green Bay's Matthew Golden (drafted 23rd overall) for the second-best receiver rating. Note: Jacksonville's Travis Hunter is listed as a cornerback in Madden with an 84 overall rating. So, assuming Hunter does play both ways, Burden would be WR3 on this list. Burden had a better rating than Tampa Bay's Emeka Egbuka (75 overall)-- drafted 19th overall -- and Houston's Jayden Higgins (74 overall) -- drafted five picks before Burden in the second round. Chicago Bears Madden 26 ratings Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore makes the Jim Thorpe Award watchlist
Moore love for Leonard ☘️Leonard Moore has been named to the 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List#GoIrish☘️ After a huge freshman year, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore is expected to be one of the nation's best defensive backs. It should come as no surprise that on Wednesday, he was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watchlist. It's the latest pre-season accolade for Moore, as he continues to get plenty of hype entering the year. During his freshman season, he had 48 tackles, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. The numbers don't tell the whole story, as he consistently shut down the oppositions best wide receiver. It's a huge luxury for new defensive coordinator Chris Ash, as he can send Moore out to one side of the field all alone and not worry about giving up big plays. This enables the safeties to have a bit more freedom to make plays, again showing the elite ability of Moore. There is a very high chance that Moore is the next early-entry defensive back that Notre Dame sends off to the NFL. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Back Vikings To Repeat Last Season's Success Behind J.J. McCarthy
When you're bullish on a specific NFL team heading into a season, it's a necessary exercise to check yourself and test the temperature. That doesn't mean sending a text message to the group chat with your high school friends who persuade you to drink the Kool-Aid every summer. Hell, if you bet the Chicago Bears "Over" the last 12 seasons, you'd be 1-11. You need people to shoot you straight. Heading into this year, I find myself a big ol' believer in the Minnesota Vikings. They have one of the best 53-man rosters in the NFL, and head coach Kevin O'Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores do an exceptional job at maximizing their talent with proper schematics and execution. Whenever I'm feeling extra purple around August, I shoot my thoughts over to Thor Nystrom , football analyst at Fantasy Life. He's a Vikings guy through and through, and he's plugged into people close to the organization. He's also a straight shooter. "They have a real good shot to be a top-three defense this year," Nystrom told me earlier this week. "Sportsbooks were way too low on [the Vikings] when they dropped the new numbers after the Super Bowl." As long as 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy isn't a massive downgrade from The Ghost of Sam Darnold, Minnesota should be more than fine. Nystrom studied how McCarthy handled high-leverage situations at Michigan and came away extremely impressed with the results. "The kid is a killer," Nystrom analyzed back in February 2024 . "He's mobile and when he scrambles, he can throw on the run. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation under duress." Imagine the possibilities with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and T.J. Hockenson behind a bolstered line with O'Connell calling plays. Hey now. Here are three bets I like for the 2025 Vikings. J.J. McCarthy Comeback Player of the Year (+1000 at DraftKings) We'll find out soon if McCarthy is ready for the next level. Odds are good he will be after winning a national championship, then spending a full calendar year learning O'Connell's offense. Dak Prescott and Aidan Hutchinson are co-favorites, but the path is there for McCarthy. If he returns from a meniscus tear and helps Minnesota reach 10 wins or more, he's a surefire contender. Jonathan Greenard Defensive Player of the Year (+10000 at BetMGM) If the Vikings are a top-five defense, one of their best players is worth a pop. The front office added Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave up front, which should make life much easier for Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel off the edge. Both players recorded double-digit sacks last year and I think it's downright disrespectful that multiple books are offering Greenard at this price. Make the playoffs (-105 at FanDuel) As stated above, I believe Minnesota boasts one of football's most talented rosters. Staying healthy is important, of course, but I expect success if the team isn't ravaged by injuries. O'Connell and Flores have all the tools to ensure the Vikings remain one of the best seven teams in the NFC. Sam Panayotovich is a sports betting analyst for FOX Sports and the BetMGM Network. He previously worked for WGN Radio, NBC Sports and VSiN. Follow him on Twitter @spshoot. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
