Can an Eagles UDFA keep the momentum going after his breakout game against the Bengals?
Super Bowl teams are built through the NFL draft, but several legendary players in this league were undrafted and signed as free agents. The Eagles have done well finding key contributors after the draft, and most recently, safety Reed Blankenship, who came out of Middle Tennessee, played more snaps than any rookie in 2022, and has developed into a key contributor on a Super Bowl team.
Most of the success stories have involved defensive players. Still, Darius Cooper is looking to join Corey Clement and Chad Lewis as undrafted players who could carve out a role in Philadelphia.
The undrafted free agent from Tarleton State has become an Eagles training camp sleeper of 2025 after his six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. Cooper has looked good throughout training camp and could lock down the fourth, fifth, or potentially sixth wide receiver spot.
Attending a university tucked in the middle of Fort Worth and Waco, the St. Louis native made a name for himself after he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch.
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Indianapolis Star
a minute ago
- Indianapolis Star
Does a Trey Hendrickson trade make sense for the Colts? A look at the possibilities
UPDATE: This story originally posted March 7 but has been updated and republished with the latest report connecting the Colts to Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Trey Hendrickson as a trade partner. The best player Lou Anarumo has ever coached as a defensive coordinator is on the trade market. The Bengals are allowing NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson to seek a trade, according to multiple reports. The Colts are an easy dot to connect. But they'll be far from the only interested suitor. First-team All-Pros at premium positions don't become available in trades very often. Indianapolis is one of three teams that has reached out recently with interest in Hendrickson, along with Cleveland and Carolina, FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz reported on X. Ever since Myles Garrett and then TJ Watt reset the non-quarterback market with the Browns, Hendrickson became the top available player theoretically on the trade market. Hendrickson is worth exploring for the Colts, given the obvious connection with Anarumo, the defensive coordinator they hired this spring to replace Gus Bradley. Here are the pros, cons and likelihood of what a Hendrickson trade could look like: General manager Chris Ballard spent this spring lamenting the fact that he didn't bring in more outside players the past two seasons. He regrets not closing the deal on a couple of his dreamed-upon swings, including last year in free agency, when he fell short of a pursuit for five-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter. If he wants to prove that change in philosophy with a major swing, and if he wants to bring home that established star edge rusher he wanted a year ago, it'll be hard to top this. That puts Hendrickson at the top of the Colts' list in terms of best players they could possibly pursue. At 30 years old, he's already posted four double-digit sack seasons, including last year's 17.5 that led the NFL. Since he became a full-time player with the Saints in 2019, he's averaged 14 sacks per season. He hasn't missed a game since 2022, and he played 73% of the Bengals' defensive snaps last season. The underlying numbers are just as impressive as Hendrickson finished last season No. 2 in ESPN's pass-rush win rate metric, sandwiched between Hunter and Micah Parsons. His 85 pressures were 13 more than any other edge rusher last season, according to Sports Info Solutions. And there's no questioning that the Colts would know how to use him. Anarumo was the defensive coordinator Hendrickson signed with in 2021, and they went to the Super Bowl in their first year together. Last year, when seemingly everything else fell apart for the Bengals defense, Hendrickson turned in his best season. Anarumo needs much more than Hendrickson to be successful, as last season proved. But he does need a difference maker at a premium position, and the Colts don't quite have one to offer at the moment. Kenny Moore II is a terrific nickel cornerback, but teams have found ways to avoid him in recent seasons. The same can be said at times for DeForest Buckner, who sees more double teams than any interior defender in the game. In Indianapolis, Hendrickson could line up next to Buckner and terrorize the blind side of a quarterback. The Colts would still have work to do on that side of the ball, but one big swing like this could let them hunt in the second and third waves of free agency and look to the draft to build out the unit, rather than what they've done in the past, when they've placed so much of the upside on rookies. Hendrickson has one year left on his deal at what would be $16 million for the team that trades for him. An extension will be a must. But the Colts can offer one with a quarterback on a rookie contract, or opposite spot the Bengals are in. Indianapolis could be a good fit for one reason: It has a good, younger defensive end to offer back in Kwity Paye, though he is currently dealing with a groin injury. That could matter to a Bengals team still looking to contend with Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins but that will have lost both starting defensive ends in Sam Hubbard and Hendrickson. Could Paye and a 2025 second-round pick be a solid offer, or at least get them close? If Paye doesn't excite enough, could Laiatu Latu get a deal to come through, where Hendrickson would be the fully realized version of what they need that spot to provide right now? If the Colts were to trade Paye and then cut Samson Ebukam, whose role would be diminished and who is currently dealing with a back issue, they would actually save $4 million for 2025 on subbing in Hendrickson. They'll need an extension, but they could see Hendrickson as a more expensive substitute for the deal Dayo Odeyingbo signed in free agency. Hendrickson brings a few characteristics the Colts could really value right now: Trust and experience in Anarumo's system, elite play at a premium position and extensive playoff experience. As they search for new voices and credibility among their top players on this side of the ball. This could also be the time to go all-in on the pass rush since the offseason's model of building through the secondary has taken a hit. Third-round Minnesota rookie Justin Walley was the favorite to start at outside cornerback until he tore his ACL. The other options, Jaylon Jones and JuJu Brents, have missed weeks with hamstring injuries. And then the replacement, undrafted rookie Jonathan Edwards, left Saturday's preseason game against the Packers with a brain injury. The Colts still have their big splashes in cornerback Charvarius Ward and free safety Camryn Bynum healthy, for now. But strong safety Nick Cross is dealing with a hip flexor, and Moore missed last week with a knee injury. Indianapolis could use a secondary reinforcement right now, but if one isn't available, doubling down on the pass rush could be the next-best way to create a potent defense and to account for the weak spot at linebacker. It's hard to find a more impactful swing. Of the places on the Colts roster that need more attention and resources, edge rusher isn't exactly high on the list. In fact, it can be easily argued that the Colts have loaded up on too many expensive options at this spot and left a secondary too bare to play along with it. In an offseason that was supposed to be about evening out those resources to the back end, where Anarumo's scheme is really built, this move can feel a little luxurious. It's a swing that a contender like the Bills or Eagles or Rams might try, but that's because those teams know what they have at quarterback and are already planning on games in January that they need a game-wrecker for. That's not where the Colts are entering a third season with Richardson that they've built as an open quarterback competition with Daniel Jones, casting real doubt on the short- and long-term fit of their signal-caller. In an AFC run by monster quarterbacks, they don't feel close, as Ballard has pointed out. And as great as Hendrickson is, he won't make up for the lack of a passing game in the end. estimates Hendrickson's market value at a two-year deal for $29.5 million per season, but that was before Garrett re-set the market at $40 million per season. It makes sense that Hendrickson will push for around $35 million, which is what Maxx Crosby just inked with the Raiders. The Colts just spent the No. 15 overall pick on Latu, and with Paye on the fifth-year option, the position isn't exactly in need. And although they have a rookie quarterback contract right now, that could change in the coming months and seasons, making a $35 million annual salary difficult to swallow. It's also worth wondering if a defensive scheme built back to front can reach its ceiling with another edge rusher when the secondary injuries are as pronounced as they are. The Colts have had a hard time getting home in the pass rush with the weaknesses in coverage in recent years, and would that change if a waiver claim or street signing is starting at outside cornerback? The last time the Colts hired a defensive coordinator, Ballard made a trade for his trusted edge rusher. That was in 2022, when he sent cornerback Rock Ya-Sin to the Raiders for Pro Bowler Yannick Ngakoue to reunite him with Bradley. It's not the same situation, as Ngakoue wasn't part of a bidding war or nearly of the status Hendrickson is. But it does indicate the thought process in a general manager who is obsessed with the trenches. It's hard to know exactly what the Bengals are looking for in a trade like this, except that we know they want to shed salary while still contending, and the bar will be pretty high. Given the likely need to draft a quarterback in the first round next year, the odds that the Colts are at the top of the bidding market feel low. The Colts present a unique fit with Paye to offer in a trade. The Bengals could either iron out a more manageable extension with Paye than what Hendrickson could command or could let Paye walk and recoup a compensatory draft pick to keep managing their cap situation. The looming extension will allow Hendrickson to help navigate his trade destination, and that could help Indianapolis out, depending on just how strong his connection with Anarumo is. But he's also turning 31 in December, so if his top priority is to win a Super Bowl, he'll find quarterbacks and teams with more to offer him right now than Indianapolis, especially considering the coaching staff and front office he'd be joining could be on the hot seat. The Colts don't tend to win bidding wars. They have also struggled over the years to meet the bonus and guarantee demands of top free agents, and that would need to change since Hendrickson will have options. This would be the kind of swing on a publicly available asset the Colts haven't really made under Ballard. (Remember, the Buckner trade in 2020 was pretty closed-doors and not based on a trade request.) Thus, they won't be the favorites to land Hendrickson. But the fit and their desires for change make it more realistic than many would assume.
Fox Sports
30 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Bengals Reportedly Listening to Trade Offers on Star Trey Hendrickson
National Football League Bengals Reportedly Listening to Trade Offers on Star Trey Hendrickson Published Aug. 17, 2025 1:52 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link The Cincinnati Bengals are open to moving on from Trey Hendrickson. As Hendrickson continues to be a hold-in during training camp, the Bengals are listening to trade offers for the star edge rusher, NFL Media reported Sunday. No deal is imminent, and it's unclear if Hendrickson will wind up playing elsewhere in 2025, NFL Media added in its report. Hendrickson and the Bengals were in a contract dispute for virtually the entire offseason, with Cincinnati even allowing him to talk to other teams about a potential deal at one point. However, no deal came to fruition, and the Bengals and Hendrickson have failed to reach an agreement on a new deal as he enters the final year of his contract. With no contract extension coming to fruition this offseason, Hendrickson wasn't shy to share how upset he was with the team. He skipped essentially the Bengals' entire offseason program, including mandatory minicamp, before sitting out the first few days of training camp in July. Hendrickson eventually ended his hold out, returning to the Bengals on July 30. That led to some optimism that a deal could get done soon, but he hasn't practiced with the team at all. ADVERTISEMENT As Hendrickson is owed $16 million in the final year of his contract, the contracts for top edge rushers have grown exponentially this offseason. T.J. Watt became the latest to earn a rich deal at the position, agreeing to a three-year, $123 million ($41 million per year) deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. Micah Parsons seems like a possibility to break that mark as well, but he's also in a contract dispute with his team and requested a trade from the Dallas Cowboys earlier in August. Hendrickson, 30, might not end up breaking Watt's record for the largest contract ever for a non-quarterback, but he has a good case to receive a deal that would pay him at least $34 million per year, which would make him one of the five highest-paid edge rushers in the league. He's been named a Pro Bowler in all four seasons since he joined the Bengals in 2021. He's also recorded at least 14.0 sacks in three of his first four seasons in Cincinnati, including a league-high 17.5 sacks last season. Additionally, Hendrickson has also been good at generating pressure. He had 83 pressures and was second in pass rush win rate last season (24%). He's also finished in the top 10 in pass rush win rate among edge rushers in all four years he's been with the Bengals. 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! What did you think of this story? share
USA Today
30 minutes ago
- USA Today
10 players who stood out in Texans' win vs. Panthers: Cubb, Smith shine for Houston
No one is going to call the Houston Texans Super Bowl favorites after a 20-3 victory in the preseason against the Carolina Panthers. That doesn't mean that the back-to-back AFC South champions don't have anything to celebrate. Behind a C.J. Stroud 6-yard touchdown pass to Nico Collins in the first quarter, the revamped offense under first-year play-caller Nick Caley took flight at NRG Stadium. Even Kedon Slovis and Davis Mills led scoring drives in the second and third quarter before a British Brooks 1-yard touchdown run sealed the deal in front of the hometown crowd. "The goal we set out by playing the starters was just to see us go out and play real football. We haven't done that, I believe, in getting real reps in games," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Saturday afternoon. "It means a lot for our guys to be able to go out and be able to do that. I just wanted to see our guys to go out and play efficient, play fast and do the things we've been coaching the guys to do and execute." After next week's preseason finale, the Texans must trim their roster down to 53 players. About 40 of the roster spots should be locked up heading into the joint practice with the Detroit Lions, so 13 spots are up for grabs. Some might come as a surprise simply based on great play in the preseason. Here were the top 10 standouts from Saturday's contest against the NFC South foe. RB Nick Chubb Chubb probably isn't getting cut, but fans have wondered if the former Pro Bowler from Cleveland has any juice left in the tank. Asked and answered on Saturday as he totaled five carries for 25 yards and averaged 5.0 yards per play. Best of all, that physicality that made him a force with the Browns for seven years was on display as he was credited with forcing six broken tackles. "Chubb did a really nice job playing physical, running behind his pads," Ryans said. "I just like the way the whole team played a physical brand of football, the type of football I expect us to play." With Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce still sidelined, Chubb is going to start the season off working with the first-team offense. Runs like the ones on Saturday might not lead him back to a 1,000-yard season, but it shows he's still go something left in the tank. RB British Brooks Every play matters for Brooks, including the scoring drives. His 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter sealed the win, but it also showed his value as a fullback-type runner in the offense. Brooks, known for his lower-power and physical approach between the tackles, also made two tackles on special teams, so there's upside to one of the more underappreciated parts of the game. Right now, Jakob Johnson feels like the safe bet to make the team at fullback, but Brooks might push him down the pecking order if he can keep up the consistent work with the third-team offense. TE Irv Smith Jr. Brevin Jordan's season-ending injury has opened the door for another tight end to make the roster behind Cade Stover and Dalton Schultz. Smith was the favorite to win the tight end No. 3 job entering Saturday and he might as well locked it up after the third quarter against Carolina. The former second-round pick led the Texans with five receptions for 46 yards, which included were highlighted by a Kedon Slovis dump-off pass for 22 yards down the sidelines on third down. He's also been a promising blocker in the run game, so there's value to have him around for red zone opportunities. TE Luke Lachey Lachey isn't close to being ready for first-team reps, but the Texans are pleased with how he's played in two preseason outings. As a receiving threat, Lachey has been limited. On special teams, he made several reads that put him in position to make a play. 'Luke has done a nice job as a rookie coming in,' Ryans said. 'He plays the game the right way. He's tough, physical, plays with great hands, great catch radius. He does a really nice job.' The Texans have options at tight end, including stashing the seventh-round Iowa product on the practice squad to begin the season. Between Smith and Lachey, the latter has the highest potential, so if the Texans see him expanding his role beyond 2026, he's going to be a tough cut. OT Blake Fisher No, Fisher shouldn't be starting Week 1 against Los Angeles with the task of having to slow down reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse in pass protection, but after last week's unwatchable outing, it was a nice change. In 25 snaps, the second-round pick did not allow a single pressure from the right tackle spot. He also posted a 78.1 pass-blocking grade and 54.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, each being at least 30 points higher from the week before. "They're playing together," Ryans said. "That's the main thing. They're playing together. They're communicating well. They're picking up the pressures and stops really well. They're playing as one. They're resetting the line of scrimmage." Fisher should be Houston's top swing tackle if Cam Robinson returns before the start of the regular season. That's not a win when fans envisioned Fisher starting this season, but last week felt like he was on the verge of being cut one year into his NFL career. OL Ed Ingram Another winner on the offensive line for a player who could be starting Week 1. With Tytus Howard shifting over to right tackle, the former Minnesota Vikings castaway has been the primary right guard. On Saturday, led all offensive linemen with a PFF pass-blocking grade of 84.6. Ingram also finished with a 74.7 run-blocking grade, which was lower than last week but still a passable grade. 'Ed's continued to improve, his pass rush is being under control, playing better base, playing with his hands better, picking up the stunts and games better, I just like how he's progressed," Ryans said. "I think Cole [Popovich] has done a really good job with Ed, he's done a great job. So, I expect him to just continue to improve and we'll see where we end up." CB Jaylin Smith Earlier in the week, Smith struggled to win his one-on-one battles in team drills while guarding Xavier Legette. The former first-round pick leaped over him in practice to secure a no-dobut touchdown in the team's joint practice, but that was just the highlight of an underwhelming day for the former USC Trojan. On Saturday, Smith was in the right place at the right time to pick off Jack Plummer and return it 30 yards for the Texans' first takeaway. Multiple Texans defenders have raved about his ball-hawking skills, including 2024 interception leader Calen Bullock. That was certainly on display Saturday. CB Damon Arnette The former first-round pick is a long shot to make the active roster, but plays like Saturday at least should have him in line to be a difficult cut. In the fourth quarter, Arnette jumped a slant route perfectly to make a juggling interception deep in Carolina's territory. Three plays later, Brooks ran in Houston's nail in the coffin would come behind Brooks' touchdown run. Now again, Arnette will need another strong day to prove he's worthy of a roster spot over longtime special teams standout D'Angelo Ross. Saturday wasn't a perfect day for the former first-round pick, either. Arnette was penalized with a pass interference call on third down that gave Carolina's offense a second chance. In the end, you look for the game-changing moments to determine a player's afternoon. The interception was a positive play, so focus on that rather than the extra set of downs that led to a missed field goal. DE Solomon Byrd Right now, there's one defensive end spot up for grabs. Byrd might still be on the outside looking in, but his lone sack and fumble recovery has caught the attention of the defensive line room. Bryd, a former seventh-round pick and practice squad player, finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery on a strip caused by Arnette. Last week, he also finished with three tackles and three pressures. There's plenty to like about his potential after a successful close to 2024. He'll need one more big game to earn the praise of a potential active player this fall.
