NFL Draft 2025 pro day roundup: Which prospects stood out in their workouts?
The 2025 NFL Draft is now just weeks away and the evaluation cycle is closing. As has been the case the last few years, many of the top prospects in this class chose not to perform any public workouts; several more chose not to run 40s, relying more on school-provided GPS numbers from the season.
Plenty still tested in front of NFL scouts and decision-makers, though. Here's a roundup of some of the more notable results from the pro day circuit:
GO DEEPER
2025 NFL Draft Big Board: Who are the top 100 prospects in this year's class?
The main event in Tuscaloosa was quarterback Jalen Milroe's 40-yard dash time. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound Milroe notched an official time of 4.40 seconds, with a 10-yard split of 1.44. For context, Milroe's time would be a bit behind the 4.33 mark both Robert Griffin III (223 pounds) and Michael Vick (210) notched and a touch ahead of Anthony Richardson's 4.43 at 244 pounds in 2023.
Milroe's speed, burst and agility in the open field are good enough to make a difference in the NFL tomorrow. His ability to play quarterback? Not so much. He'll need time.
.@JalenMilroe ran a 4.37u at @AlabamaFTBL's Pro Day 👀 pic.twitter.com/TH8avtC03u
— NFL (@NFL) March 19, 2025
The most notable score from Arizona was star WR Tetairoa McMillan's 4.48 40. That's not an elite time for a receiver, but it's still a bit above average for the position. If you add to everything McMillan offers — including a 6-4, 219-pound frame, terrific burst and short-area quickness — you still get an elite prospect. His tape is so much more important than his testing scores and he's still a scheme-versatile WR who can line up anywhere (X, Z or slot) and make plays.
Advertisement
Another note from Arizona's pro day: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, one of the top performers at the Shrine Bowl, ran a 4.45 40 with elite jumps of 41 1/2 inches (vertical) and 10 feet, 4 inches (broad). However, his three-cone (7.28 seconds) and short shuttle (4.48) times were average for a running back.
College Football Playoff hero Cam Skattebo (39 1/2-inch vertical, 10-3 broad at the combine) notched a 4.65 40. That's not an overwhelming time for the 5-9, 219-pounder — but it's also not really a surprise, given his tape. Skattebo's game is more about his explosion, effort and general leg drive. There's a role for him somewhere in the NFL.
babe wake up Cam Skattebo just broke five tackles on a 47-yard rush 😤#Big12FB | 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/HA759U7gpK
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 7, 2024
Edge Landon Jackson, (6-6, 264) followed up his combine work (4.68 40 and a 40 1/2-inch vertical) with a 7.13 three-cone and 4.55 short shuttle during the Razorbacks' pro day. His short shuttle time was a bit disappointing, given where he's at with everything else, but his three-cone time is above average for the position.
WR Keandre Lambert-Smith (4.37 40 at the combine) posted a 34-inch vertical jump with a 10-7 broad jump. Smith was also one of the best on-field receivers at the Shrine Bowl earlier this draft cycle.
His former teammate and TE Rivaldo Fairweather — one of the longest players at his position (34 2/8-inch arms) — did most of the drills at Auburn's pro day after not getting a combine invite. Fairweather (6-3, 242) ran a 4.72 40 with 17 bench reps, a 30-inch vertical and 9-2 broad.
DT Cam Horsley (6-3, 312 with 33-inch arms) ran a 5.04 40 with 18 reps on the bench, a 4.74 short shuttle and 7.67 three-cone. Horsley also had a 31 1/2-inch vertical and a 9-foot broad jump at the combine. Both were solid performances for one of the many high-floor DT prospects in this class.
Advertisement
Some notable agility times from LB Shaun Dolac (6-1, 225), who made 119 tackles with 69 run stops (No. 1 among FBS linebackers) last season. He ran a 4.21 short shuttle with a 6.94 three-cone (90th percentile for the position). He also benched 25 reps of 225 and ran a 4.55 40. Dolac is not big, but he's constantly around the football.
Luke Kandra, a sturdy 6-5, 319-pound All-Big 12 guard, posted a 5.17 40 with a 32 1/2-inch vertical and 9-5 broad jump. He also ran a 4.78 short shuttle and 8.33 three-cone. Those agility times are not good, but Kandra's jump was in the 96th percentile for his position. He's an explosive and powerful prospect but lacks short-area quicks and plays with sub-32-inch arms — not an ideal build, but a very productive player.
GO DEEPER
NFL mock draft: Shedeur Sanders goes early, Giants add second first-round pick
Linebacker Barrett Carter (6-0, 231) ran a 4.64 40 after posting a 34 1/2-inch vertical and 9-8 broad jump in Indianapolis.
A bit undersized, Carter had a solid 40 time and was able to put up 25 bench reps. His agility, however, is not great and his explosion doesn't really make up for his lack of size. Carter probably was looking for better scores across the board here.
Receiver Efton Chism III (5-10, 193), one of the surprises of the Shrine Bowl (after being a late add) earlier this winter, had a pretty interesting pro day. His size works against him, as does his speed (4.71 40), but he posted a 34 1/2-inch vertical and 9-10 broad. He also ran a 6.77-second three-cone and a 4.06 short shuttle. Both of those numbers are elite — the three-cone lands in the 91st percentile for WRs; the shuttle in the 95th percentile.
Chism will be in a training camp somewhere next year, one way or another.
Cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. improved on his combine 40, checking in at 4.43 during Florida's pro day after a 4.49 in Indianapolis. He also had a vertical jump of 37 1/2 inches at the combine and a 10-5 broad jump.
Advertisement
Cornerback Azareye'h Thomas (who did not run at the combine) ran a 4.56 40, then notched a 4.21 short shuttle at Florida State's pro day. Thomas (6-1, 196 with near 33-inch arms) had major flashes last year, including during his time at the Senior Bowl, and plays very long. He's not consistent, though.
Fellow corner Fentrell Cypress II (6-0, 182) had a better day: 4.43 40, 38-inch vertical and 10-3 broad jump. He also ran a 6.84 three-cone, well above average for cornerbacks.
Dean Clark (6-1, 206-pound sixth-year safety) had an impressive pro day, with a 41-inch vertical and an 11-foot broad jump. In addition to flashing elite explosion, Clark ran a 4.49 40 with a very good short shuttle time of 4.13. He played all over for Fresno State and is a very good athlete.
Projected first-round edge Mykel Williams (who did not test in Indianapolis) ran a 4.75 40 dash at his pro day after measuring in at 6-5, 260 with 34 3/8-inch arms. That time is considerably slower than that of former Georgia star Travon Walker, to whom Williams is often compared, but it's nearly the same time Aidan Hutchinson ran at his combine (4.74). Unfortunately, we do not have Williams' agility numbers — areas both Walker and Hutchinson aced.
TE Benjamin Yurosek ran a 4.64 40 with a 31 1/2-inch vertical and 9-7 broad. He's not an overwhelming athlete, but a solid one nonetheless.
Safety Dan Jackson (6-0, 194) ran a 4.46 40 with a 34-inch vertical, 10-3 broad jump, 4.36 short shuttle and 7.12 three-cone.
Two really good agility scores from two interesting Hawkeyes prospects: Linebacker Jay Higgins ran a 4.14 short shuttle, while TE Luke Lachey ran a 4.16. Each number in the 95th percentile for its respective position, showing a bit of why each prospect was more effective than their straight-line speed shows.
Advertisement
Another impressive Iowa workout came from guard Tyler Elsbury (6-5, 310): 5.15 40 (1.69 10-split), 4.62 short shuttle, 7.63 three-cone and a 30 1/2-inch vertical.
Junior TE Mason Taylor ran a 4.65 40, plus posted 28 bench reps, a 4.52-second short shuttle and 7.06 three-cone — respectable times for a tight end who plays much faster than he runs in shorts.
28 reps on the bench for @MasonTaylor52 💪 pic.twitter.com/ghrgBpvXPf
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) March 26, 2025
Edge Savion Jones (6-5, 283 with 34-inch arms) clocked a 4.74-second 40. He is one of the more versatile edge pieces in this class from a physical standpoint, as his size and length allow him to play a few different spots up front.
Guard Miles Frazier (6-5, 318) ran a 7.76 three-cone with a 4.84 short shuttle; LB Greg Penn III (6-1, 226) ran a 4.78 40, 4.51 short shuttle and 7.24 three-cone. WR Kyren Lacy turned in a disappointing 4.60 40, with a 33 1/2-inch vertical jump and a 4.43-second short shuttle. Garrett Dellinger, another guard, had a very good workout: 5.15 40, 4.66 short shuttle and a 32-inch vertical.
Mike Green (6-3, 248) turned in a scorching three-cone time of 6.85 seconds, landing him in the 98th percentile for edge defenders. His short shuttle of 4.25 is also an elite number, landing in the 92nd percentile.
The biggest headline out of Miami's pro day was the 4.81 40 from highly productive WR Xavier Restrepo. That's obviously not a good time for the 5-10, 209-pounder who finished his Miami career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 17 combined TD catches. The good news is that Restrepo ran a 6.83 three-cone and 4.21 short shuttle — the former time will help him. And his 17 bench reps at his size won't hurt.
Elsewhere at Miami, DT Simeon Barrow (6-3, 290) ran an impressive 4.88 40.
Advertisement
The main event at Michigan was 6-3, 330-pound defensive tackle Kenneth Grant. After telling reporters at the combine he wanted to run a 4.8 40-yard dash before promptly skipping the event in Indianapolis, Grant ran a 5.11 in Ann Arbor. That's nowhere near his target and stands as a relatively average time. His 31-inch vertical jump (80th percentile) was his best number, but Grant also posted disappointing agility times of 4.76 in the short shuttle and 7.65 in the three-cone.
It's going to be very interesting to see where he lands this month.
North Carolina's Willie Lampkin (5-10, 279) is one of the more interesting interior offensive linemen in this class. He'll almost certainly have to be a center at the next level, but Lampkin was able to overcome a bunch of physical deficits in college using excellent technique and hand work.
No one will confuse Lampkin with a stellar athlete, though — he ran a 5.21 40 with a 23 1/2-inch vertical and a 4.70 short shuttle. I do expect to see him in a training camp somewhere, though, as he's certainly been a get-it-done guy.
GO DEEPER
2025 NFL Draft consensus Big Board: Abdul Carter holds at No. 1; Armand Membou rises
Safety Xavier Watts ran a 4.56 40 with a 35-inch vertical and a 9-10 broad jump, while linebacker Jack Kiser ran a 4.62 40 with a 34 1/2-inch vertical, an elite 6.80 three-cone and an impressive 4.20 short shuttle.
TE Mitchell Evans (6-3, 253) ran a 4.69 40 with a 33 1/2-inch vertical, 9-10 broad jump and 7.13-second three-cone. DT Howard Cross (6-1, 283) did 24 reps on the bench, with a 31 1/2-inch vertical, 8-11 broad jump and 4.63 short shuttle.
Star edge JT Tuimoloau (6-4, 264) had a 35 1/2-inch vertical with a 9-11 broad jump. Tuimoloau also posted a 4.38 short shuttle and did 24 reps on the bench. Most impressive is his length: 34 7/8-inch arms and an 81 1/2-inch wingspan. Fellow edge Jack Sawyer only repped on the bench, putting up 21 reps, but his length (32 1/8-inch arms) is more problematic.
Advertisement
Elsewhere, possible first-round offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (6-3, 317) posted a 32 1/2-inch vertical jump with an 8-1 broad and 4.60 short shuttle. He also did 32 bench reps with 34 1/2-inch arms (83-inch wingspan). That's a lot of power and length for a very versatile offensive lineman. Fellow Buckeye OT Joshua Simmons continues to rehab a knee injury, but he showed off his power (34 bench reps, 34 1/8-inch arms, 81 1/4-inch wingspan).
CB Jordan Hancock (6-0, 195) had a 41 1/2-inch vertical with a 10-6 broad jump (and a 4.45 40). WR Emeka Egbuka, one of the class' safest offensive skill prospects, ran a 4.45 40 with a 38-inch vertical and 4.12 short shuttle — all good numbers for the projected first-rounder.
CB Korie Black ran a 4.35 40 and posted a 39-inch vertical. The 6-0, 190-pounder did not get a combine invite, but he more than made up for it.
We did not get any testing numbers from Abdul Carter at Penn State's pro day, though the potential No. 1 pick did weigh in (250 pounds) and measure (33-inch arms).
Linebacker Brandon George (6-3, 246) had a terrific day: 4.65 40 (1.59 10-split), 6.98 three-cone, 4.14 short shuttle and a ridiculous 42-inch vertical leap. He's one of the most athletic profiles of any linebacker in America.
Elsewhere, 5-11, 187-pound WR Konata Mumpfield (4.59 40 at the combine) posted a 6.77-second three-cone and 4.19 short shuttle. His three-cone is in the 91st percentile, elite for a very agile receiver with good burst and less than ideal size and speed.
Cornerback Robert Longerbeam followed up an incredible combine performance with another great workout. A physical, albeit undersized (5-11, 175), corner, Longerbeam ran a 6.76 three-cone (92nd percentile), showing off terrific agility to go along with elite speed and burst. Size could be an issue, but Longerbeam's numbers help his cause.
Advertisement
After running a 4.73 40 at the combine, long and experienced edge Kyle Kennard (6-4, 254, 34-inch arms) ran a 4.76 during South Carolina's pro day. He also benched 23 reps but did not do agility or jump testing.
Athletic DT Tonka Hemingway (6-2, 284) improved on his impressive combine, with a 5.01 40 — a tick better than the 5.02 he ran in Indianapolis. Hemingway also jumped 32 inches at the combine and notched a 7.36-second three-cone, both very good numbers for the interior pocket pusher.
TE Oronde Gadsden II, son of a former NFL receiver, turned in a 4.59 40 after running a 4.65 in Indianapolis. He also improved his vertical jump (34 1/2) and broad jump (9-9).
Syracuse WR Jackson Meeks logged an impressive 6.79-second three-cone.
GO DEEPER
Jordan Palmer wants to change how we evaluate QBs. Kyle McCord is his 2025 NFL Draft test case.
Dylan Sampson, one of college football's best big-play running backs last season, ran a 4.46 40 at Tennessee's pro day after skipping the event in Indianapolis. That's not a bad time, but it's not necessarily what scouts were looking for — he came in with sub-4.4 buzz after winning SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. Sampson will have to show he can handle an NFL offense at his size.
RB Jaydon Blue (5-9, 196) put up arguably the most impressive number of the 2025 pro day circuit: a 4.25 40. That's a big improvement from the 4.38 he ran at the combine. Size works against Blue, but his speed will be at the top of every team's mind.
Meantime, speedy WR Isaiah Bond — who'd hoped to break Xavier Worthy's 40 record in Indianapolis before falling short — followed his 4.39 combine 40 with a 4.34 at pro day. Fellow WR Silas Bolden ran a 4.38.
.@isaiahbond_ SPEED pic.twitter.com/JYeIm9eptX
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) March 25, 2025
WR Landon Parker (6-2, 211) had one of the best overall pro days. He ran a 4.40 40 (2.53 20-yard split) with a 6.68 three-cone and 11-1 broad jump. All those numbers, including Parker's 38 1/2-inch broad jump, are elite. The production doesn't match the talent here, but you'll hear this name again.
Advertisement
Speedy linebacker Kain Medrano (6-2, 222), who ran a 4.46 40 at the combine, added to his stellar athletic profile with a 6.96 three-cone and 4.26 short shuttle. Fellow UCLA speedster Carson Schwesinger, a projected top-50 pick, did not run at pro day but is expected to hold a private workout for scouts in April.
Versatile RB Woody Marks made a slight improvement on his 40 time, logging a 4.52 after a 4.54 in Indianapolis. The 5-10, 213-pounder is one of the best pass-catching backs in this class.
USC safety Akili Arnold (5-11, 196) posted a 6.90 three-cone with a 4.24 short shuttle. He also ran a 4.69 40.
CB Dorian Strong, a fringe top 100 prospect before the testing period, turned in one of the class' best three-cone times: 6.60 (98th percentile). The 6-1, 185-pound Strong ran a 4.50 40 in Indianapolis, along with a 36-inch vertical jump. He added a 10-foot broad jump at the Hokies' pro day.
Bhayshul Tuten, a 5-9, 206-pound RB who ran a 4.32 40 in Indianapolis, did 24 bench reps.
S Wyatt Ekeler, younger brother of NFL RB Austin Ekeler, measured in at 5-10, 199 pounds and ran a 4.44 40 (1.55 10-split), with some outstanding burst and agility scores. Wyatt Ekeler had a 41 1/2-inch vertical and 10-11 broad while posting a 6.80 three-cone and 4.24 short shuttle.
(Top photo of Jalen Milroe: Brooke Sutton / Getty Images)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
90 Buffalo Bills players in 90 days: RB Ty Johnson
The Buffalo Bills, like most other modern NFL clubs, use a committee approach to their offensive backfield. The days of 300-carry backs are largely gone, although there were as many players to hit the 300-carry plateau last season (six) as there were in the previous three seasons combined. That might signal a shift in usage for some teams, or might just have been an anomaly. For the Bills, their leading rusher hasn't topped 300 carries since 2005, when Willis McGahee rushed 325 times for 1,247 yards. Only once in head coach Sean McDermott's tenure has a running back even eclipsed 250 carries, and that was LeSean McCoy in the head coach's first season with the club, 2017. In short, it's good to familiarize yourself with the names on the depth chart at running back, because there's a good chance that each player is going to see time during the season. When certain business issues take place, the chances of seeing other faces increase. In today's edition of '90 players in 90 days,' we discuss a running back who may be in for a bigger workload this season. _____________________________________________________________________________ Name: Ty JohnsonNumber: 26Position: RBHeight/Weight: 5'10', 210 poundsAge: 27 (28 on 9/17/2025)Experience/Draft: 7; selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round (No. 186 overall) of the 2019 NFL DraftCollege: MarylandAcquired: Signed with Buffalo on 8/21/2023 Financial situation (per Spotrac): Johnson re-signed with the Bills this offseason, inking a two-year deal worth $5 million overall. For the 2025 season, he carries a cap hit of $1.975 million if he makes the 53-man roster. His entire base salary becomes guaranteed if he's on the roster for Week 1, so that's $1.17 million that guarantees thanks to his status as a vested veteran if he suits up against the Baltimore Ravens. If the Bills release him, they'll carry a dead-cap number of $1.99 million. 2024 Recap: Johnson spent the entire season as the team's third-down back, working into tight situations all throughout the year. He was an integral part of the team's offense both as a runner and as a receiver, but a sneaky value of his comes as a pass protector. Johnson was active for all 17 of Buffalo's regular-season games, starting one, and he was also active for all three of the team's postseason matchups, where he also made one start. In the regular season, he carried 41 times for 213 yards and a touchdown, adding 18 receptions on 25 targets for 284 yards and three touchdowns. That's an average of 8.4 yards per touch in limited asks. In the postseason, Johnson rushed 20 times for 94 yards, and he caught all four of his targets for 34 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown. Positional outlook: Johnson is one of five running backs on the current roster. James Cook, Ray Davis, Darrynton Evans, and Frank Gore Jr. are the others. Reggie Gilliam is the team's only fullback. 2025 Offseason: Johnson is healthy and participating in training camp activities. He was the team's leading rusher in their preseason opener against the New York Giants, carrying three times for 26 yards in the 34-25 defeat. 2025 Season outlook: I'd say that Johnson is a lock for the RB3 gig, slotting in as the third-down back and whenever offensive coordinator Joe Brady wants to give a defense a different look. But given James Cook's extended 'hold-in' this summer, that description of Johnson's role might actually be underselling him a bit. Johnson's floor is as a third-down back, but his ceiling in terms of usage is much, much more. He is a great receiver out of the backfield and an explosive runner who can quickly escape from 'the phone booth' and rip off long gains. His value as a pass protector can't be understated, either, as he allows offensive coordinator Joe Brady to call things that he really can't call with either Cook or Davis in the game. I don't expect Cook to hold out once the regular season begins, but I also don't believe that head coach Sean McDermott is going to put him back in immediately if he doesn't come back to practice before the season starts. I can see a scenario where Cook sits out multiple times throughout the year for various aches and pains that he otherwise would have played through, thereby giving Johnson a chance to see an increase in his workload. Johnson isn't going to join Willis McGahee as a 300-carry back, but then again, nobody on this roster is going to do that. What Johnson can be is a dynamic presence who breaks a big play to flip a game in Buffalo's favor. He's going to have plenty of chances to display that dynamic ability this season.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Most important developments from 1st week of NFL preseason, including Shedeur Sanders
We've now seen every team play this preseason. Or, at least there were players in all 32 team uniforms on an NFL field. As we know, some teams won't play starters at all in the preseason. In the first week of the preseason, half of the teams did not play their starting quarterback or many starters overall. Some starters played very little, like Patrick Mahomes who threw just one pass. At least it was for a touchdown. So we don't have interesting developments on every team. But there were some important news items from the first week of the preseason: Shedeur Sanders' critics don't have much to say Sanders hasn't played a real NFL game and he might be the most divisive player in the league already. He moves the needle both ways, but those tuning in to see him fail in his preseason debut didn't have much to work with. There wasn't much negative about it. Sanders was pretty good in his surprise start, and it was even more impressive considering it was a difficult situation. Sanders, who started due to injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel and also Joe Flacco being held out, did everything expected of him. He was safe early with short throws but got warmer as the game went on. He was comfortable and confident, and both touchdown passes were excellent in different ways. All in all, it was a successful debut. But with Sanders being the most discussed rookie fifth-round pick ever, the reactions weren't going to be measured. Sanders still is very unlikely to be QB1 before the season starts, and a half of football doesn't prove much for the long term either. But it was a promising beginning and it was a good step in a competition that does matter, and that's with Gabriel for the top rookie on the depth chart entering the season. Anthony Richardson's mistake isn't good for him The issue with Richardson in the NFL has rarely been physical. He is still incredibly inexperienced, and that was amplified in his first preseason action this year because his mistake ended up getting him injured. Richardson got blasted on an outside rush by Ravens linebacker David Ojabo, and plenty of former quarterbacks and film analysts quickly identified that it was an error by Richardson. He had to identify that the Ravens would have a free rusher to his right and hit the outlet, which was the running back. He also had a wide open receiver on a curl route to the right side. But he looked left, never saw Ojabo coming and took a sack that also dislocated his right pinkie finger. The injury doesn't sound like it will be a long term issue, but Colts coach Shane Steichen will take note that Richardson couldn't identify where to go with the ball on that play before it turned into a negative. It's just one play, but it will have to be in the back of the staff's mind when it decides if Richardson or Daniel Jones wins the job. Bengals defense didn't answer any questions The Eagles gained 432 yards on the Bengals without playing any starters, and Philadelphia backup quarterback Tanner McKee looked like an All-Pro. A lot of the game was taken by the Bengals' backups, but the starters did play some. And they did not play well. Cincinnati's issue isn't a mystery: The offense is great and the defense isn't. The Eagles backups scored a touchdown on the Bengals' starters, then they got a field goal against a Bengals defensive lineup that included many starters. The preseason doesn't matter too much, but the Bengals defense starting the preseason slowly (without last season's NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson, who is holding out) isn't the best news. Jaxson Dart plays well, draws praise Brian Daboll seemed to like what Dart did in his first preseason snaps. Dart was 12 of 19 for 154 yards and a very nice touchdown throw. "Efficient, effective, aggressive, confident in the pocket," Daboll said after the game "Some stuff we can work on, but he's doing good. "Look, there's things he can be better at, but we missed some opportunities on third down, some drops that would have even been better for him and for us. But he's a confident young player. He's improved since he's been here. Still have a long way to go, but I enjoy working with him. I like his demeanor on the sideline. He sees the game well." Often coaches want to tone down praise for first-round quarterbacks, especially those who might begin the season on the bench. No reason to fuel a controversy that will be there regardless. Daboll saying many good things about Dart is interesting. Dart did play well and if that continues this month, it will be harder to keep him out of the starting lineup early in the season. There's still time for Dart to at least make a strong argument to get the start in Week 1, too. Tetairoa McMillan is going to be good It's just one play, and a preseason play at that, but a story can be told from rookie Tetairoa McMillan's 30-yard grab from Bryce Young in the Carolina Panthers' opener. McMillan wasn't open, it's just that Young knew McMillan would be open for him and trusted him enough to drop a deep pass in the bucket. And McMillan, the eighth pick of the draft, made a great adjustment with the ball in the air and a very nice over the shoulder catch. Overreacting to one play is a bad idea. But that is a good preview for how that connection will click right away. Pair of important RB injuries Tyjae Spears and Rachaad White aren't starters, but they are expected to be high-usage backups this season. And both are already dealing with injuries. Spears, Tony Pollard's backup with the Tennessee Titans left on a cart after having his ankle rolled up on a tackle. It was a high ankle sprain and Spears' preseason is likely done, via Turron Davenport of ESPN. Even if Spears comes back for Week 1, high ankle sprains can often limit a player for weeks after he returns. White is behind Bucky Irving in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' running back depth chart, but he was going to play a lot. But a groin injury could change that. While Bucs coach Todd Bowles said White is day to day, we'll see when he returns. What this mostly means is Pollard and Irving might have to carry more of the load in September. Kyler Murray's bad INT The good news is Murray completed seven of his eight passes. The bad news was the other pass. Murray threw a poor interception that was easily picked off by Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks. Murray explained that he 'just didn't get enough on it," and while it's not the end of the world to make a mistake in the preseason, it's not the way the Arizona Cardinals want this season to get going. Murray's potential to be a top-tier quarterback is being hyped again this offseason. And mostly he played well in his preseason action last week. But he can't be making mistakes like that interception anymore. Abdul Carter will have an immediate impact Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins is one of the best in the league. The Bills pay him more than $20 million per season. And Carter, the New York Giants' top-drafted rookie, looked really good in a few snaps against him. Carter, the third pick of the draft, had three pressures on three pass-rushing downs according to Pro Football Focus. And the way he moved was eye-popping. Carter was already the most obvious pick to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. If his first preseason action was any indication, he might run away with the award.
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Hold-in' continues for Steelers DT Cameron Heyward
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got back to work in their penultimate practice of this year's training camp. One player who is there but not working is defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. Heyward was spotted out of uniform, walking the sidelines during Monday's practice. Heyward's "hold-in" continues with just three weeks to the start of the regular season. Heyward is sitting out voluntarily as he waits for the Steelers to tear up the contract he signed last season and give him a new deal with a big fat raise. Heyward signed an extension before the start of the 2024 season and, after coming off an injury-riddled season, was relatively modest. Heyward then followed up with a huge 2024 season and now he wants a raise. Seems pretty straightforward but with two years left on his current contract, it would be way out of character for the Steelers to do something like this. If the Steelers and Heyward cannot come to an agreement on a new contract, could Heyward sit out the regular season? Heyward falls into the category of one of those guys who should always be a Steeler, so this is a very sensitive situation. Heyward's age is working against him in this one and it doesn't appear Pittsburgh is going to budge. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 'Hold-in' continues for Steelers DT Cameron Heyward
