Mike Vrabel: No limitations on Stefon Diggs in practice
Diggs tore his ACL while playing for the Texans late in October, but his rehab has gone well enough that he will be on the active roster for the first practices of the summer. Head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters at a press conference that it's a testament to how hard Diggs has worked and that he doesn't anticipate holding Diggs back on the field.
'I don't see any limitations right now,' Vrabel said. 'Is he going to take every single rep of every single period? No, and I don't think any player will. But we're off to a good start and encouraged by what we saw here in the last couple days.'
Wide receiver Mack Hollins, tight end Austin Hooper, tackle Vederian Lowe, and linebacker Jahlani Tavai did land on the PUP list. Vrabel said that he anticipates Tavai being back sooner than the other players. He also expects cornerback Carlton Davis to come off the non-football injury list in the near future.
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USA Today
44 minutes ago
- USA Today
NFL record predictions 2025: AI makes win-loss picks for all 32 teams
Artificial flavoring. Artificial sweeteners. Artificial plants. Artificial intelligence (AI). Technology has taken artificial to the forefront, making it so even a square peg can fit into a round hole, bridging the gap in all situations. Don't know what song to listen to? The algorithm will figure it out. Don't know how to find your destination? The self-driving car can handle that. Don't understand what you just read? AI can summarize it. Society soaks up everything artificial because it's more convenient or tastes better. Laziness or convenience? You be the judge. No matter how popular those fake things become, nothing can ever replace the original. As we embark on the early days of NFL training camp, it's important to have some fun, even if the robots continue to conquer more and more in some sort of ode to imperialism. Will Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs rebound after a Super Bowl beatdown? Which NFL team will surprise? Who will be the league's best and who will be the worst? While many speculate and debate how each NFL team will perform in 2025, we decided to get Google Gemini's artificial thoughts by having it predict every team's record. Here are the results. 2025 NFL record predictions: AI projections for all 32 teams Gemini isn't forecasting any surprises in the AFC East, predicting Buffalo to win the division for the sixth straight year. The chatbot noted that they have a strong foundation in place as the team dreams of reaching the Super Bowl. Josh Allen's crew should keep rolling without much resistance. Google's artificial intelligence is buying stock, however, in the Patriots next season. It's a big fan of Drake Maye and believes Mike Vrabel can get the team back to their winning ways. Conventional wisdom suggests that the Patriots are poised for a better season. Gemini subscribes to that line of thinking as well. Miami finds itself settling into the third spot in this division race, primarily because of concerns about consistency and health. Can Tua Tagovailoa avoid injury all season? Is there enough depth on the roster? The chatbot isn't sure of either, saying results for the Dolphins are mixed this season. Returning to the bottom of the AFC East is the Jets, who are certainly no stranger to being there. However, it's a 7-10 season for New York in what profiles as a significant question mark-style season, according to Gemini. The team has limited upside in its imaginary eyes, but likes the defense and is unsure about Justin Fields. Maybe the intelligence isn't that artificial after all. The Ravens are locked and loaded for another run in 2025, hoping this will be the year they get over their playoff woes to reach the big game in February. Gemini is forecasting another division-winning season for John Harbaugh's team, with a sprinkling of regression despite their all-in approach to the offseason. Regardless, it should come as no surprise that the Ravens lead the way here as Lamar Jackson looks to build off another MVP-caliber season. Cincinnati is a logical entrant for the second spot in the AFC North, but the Bengals are a wild card in the jungle. The contract situations for Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart have been a dark cloud hanging over the offseason in Cincinnati. That is in addition to a team that has underachieved each of the last two seasons. The Bengals have a wide range of outcomes, but Gemini lands on the more optimistic side of the spectrum. The Steelers also know a thing or two about a wide range of outcomes, especially after signing the 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers. After adding DK Metcalf to upgrade the receiver room, it remains to be seen whether Pittsburgh is better in 2025. The chatbot has taken Mike Tomlin's ability to avoid losing seasons into account, predicting a 9-8 record. In the AFC North basement, it's the Cleveland Browns. That comes as no surprise considering the state of their rebuild and the lack of a clear quarterback solution. Cleveland's defense can steal some games thanks to Myles Garrett, but don't expect a miracle in The Land. MORE: Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers are desperate to win big again. They are a perfect match It's been all chalk for Gemini in the early going, sticking with the favorite to capture the division crown. The Texans may have a few problems on their hands come playoff time, especially if C.J. Stroud is wounded behind that offensive line. However, the defense is good enough to carry them through a division that doesn't figure to have much resistance, leaving them as the clear team to beat. Liam Coen lived a life of luxury coordinating an experienced Tampa offense loaded with talent in 2024. Now for his next trick, he heads to the opposite coast of Florida to guide Jacksonville back to NFL relevancy. It's a much younger offense for the Jaguars, giving the rookie head coach a blank canvas to mold the roster as he sees fit. With that in mind, Gemini believes they can contend for a playoff spot this year. If Trevor Lawrence returns to form, Jacksonville is a frisky team that can be a threat. Everything for the Colts is tied to their quarterback situation, and the chatbot agrees. Anthony Richardson has to take a step in the right direction, but his shoulder injury is already dominating the conversation. There is still talent on this team that should keep them from bottoming out. However, the ceiling isn't particularly high and seven wins feels pretty close to it. The Titans hope they have their quarterback in Cam Ward, but it's unlikely that wins will follow in 2025. Tennessee has plenty of other issues that will hold them back next season, which is to be expected in a rebuild. An infusion of talent will continue in the coming years, but this year is all about making sure Ward is the answer going forward. Wins would be a bonus. The Super Bowl seemed to show some cracks in the armor for Kansas City, but the Chiefs remain inevitable in an AFC West desperate to dethrone them. As long as Patrick Mahomes is playing and Andy Reid is coaching, this is the Chiefs' spot until it's not. Gemini agrees, highlighting their consistency and top-end talent. Jim Harbaugh's first season back in the NFL was a resounding success, remaking the identity of the Chargers while still securing a playoff spot. Following an early playoff exit, Harbaugh now needs his team to take the next step. The chatbot has them finishing with one less win, but considers Los Angeles a serious contender if things break right. Gemini believes the Broncos will challenge for a playoff spot again this season, calling them a potential surprise in the AFC. The AI must've forgotten that Denver was the surprise of 2024 with Bo Nix delivering in a big way. It especially likes the addition of Trent Sherfield. Regardless, the Broncos will again be a pesky bunch next season. Perhaps the most surprising prediction in the AFC, Gemini isn't buying whatever the Raiders are selling. Vegas checks in at 6-11, which would be a disappointing win total after its offseason makeover. They've stabilized the organization by bringing in Pete Carroll and Geno Smith to work with a roster infused with young talent like Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. Gemini considers the division too tough for them to compete right away, but that won't make anyone in Sin City feel good if it comes to fruition. We've yet to see a team reach the 13-win mark and that won't happen here either with the Eagles. Maybe it's a Super Bowl hangover for the defending champions, but Gemini isn't going out on a limb for this prediction. However, this would also be the first time an NFC East champion was able to defend its crown since the Eagles last did so from 2001-2004. The Cowboys are a surprise entrant in the second spot, primarily because they profile as a team in transition. Dak Prescott is returning from a hamstring injury that ended his 2024 season. Brian Schottenheimer takes over as head coach and the offensive line will have to operate without the veteran presence of Zack Martin, who retired. The acquisition of George Pickens should take some pressure off CeeDee Lamb and Gemini likes the revamped running back room. Either way, Dallas is a wild card with a big gap between the floor and the ceiling. Surprises continue in the NFC East as the Giants check in at 8-9. Despite a new-look quarterback room headlined by Russell Wilson, the Giants don't profile as a team prepared to make such a vast improvement in 2025, considering the challenging schedule that lies ahead. Gemini is higher on them than most, but an offense led by Malik Nabers coupled with a pass rush featuring Brian Burns and Abdul Carter can certainly make even the most pessimistic see a ray of sunshine in the future. No matter what, Washington has always been a city that disappoints 50% of people at a given moment in time. In the case of the Commanders, this might be closer to unanimous – an unheard of conclusion in the district. Barring an injury to Jayden Daniels, it seems impossible for the Commanders to finish 6-11 after making the trip to the NFC championship a season ago. The chatbot pointed out that Washington is going all-in and could struggle to integrate those pieces. Color us skeptical. The Packers finished four games behind the NFC North champions in 2024 after totaling 11 wins. According to Gemini, that same win total will be enough to grant them a home playoff game in 2025. The chatbot is expecting a big year for Jordan Love and likes the Matthew Golden draft pick, adding that improving on a 1-5 record in division games will be enough to put them in the top spot. Detroit, on the other hand, is primed for a setback this season. That is thanks in large part to the staffing changes following the departures of both coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn. After injuries claimed many roster players last year, this will be a Lions group that faces some new challenges in a division that provides no soft landing spot. As if losing the coordinators wasn't bad enough, the Lions will have to watch as Johnson takes over for their rivals in Chicago. The Bears are a popular breakout candidate with the expectation of a second-year leap from Caleb Williams and now they are also armed with a capable offensive line. Protecting Williams is key, but the quarterback must also step up his play. If both things come true, the Windy City is in for an exciting fall. The Vikings bet on J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback of the future. It would've been easy to stick with what worked last year while the quarterback was sidelined. After all, 14-win seasons don't grow on trees. Yet Minnesota is making the move to the former Michigan man, hoping he can deliver the goods in the Twin Cities. Gemini isn't a believer, calling it a season of transition for the Vikings. Depending on McCarthy's season, decision-makers in Minnesota could end up wondering if Sam Darnold is the one that got away. Talent has never been the question for the Falcons. Atlanta's woes seem to be more a citywide sports issue, but Gemini is predicting the football team will respond in a big way this season, winning the division for the first time since 2016. They are loaded on offense with Bijan Robinson and Drake London, while the defense tries to catch up with a much-improved pass rush. Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. both enter the fold, representing the youth movement in the ATL. A big step forward from Michael Penix Jr. could be all they need to make some serious noise. The Buccaneers have become a factory for producing offensive coordinators in recent years, losing Dave Canales and Coen to head coaching jobs. Now it's Josh Grizzard's turn, but that lack of continuity can also be a problem. That is also Gemini's primary concern, suggesting that turnover could lead to a slow start. Tampa remains the team to beat in the NFC South, but the chatbot predicts they will fall short in 2025. Much like how Johnson left Detroit to join the division foes in Chicago, Canales did the same to Tampa Bay by leaving for Carolina. His Panthers are looking to turn a corner this year and Bryce Young is a big reason for that. He made strides in 2024, giving Carolina a reason to be optimistic. Despite being in the midst of a rebuild, the Panthers can be frisky in 2025. Unless some higher power intervenes, the Saints won't be winning many games this year. There is talent on the roster, even if it's often injured, but the quarterback spot is a complete unknown. Derek Carr retired, leaving Tyler Shough as the apparent starter in New Orleans. Kellen Moore, the team's new head coach, has his work cut out for him in what should be a year that isn't defined by wins and losses. MORE: Los Angeles Rams are 'right place' for wide receiver Davante Adams After a short stay at the bottom of the NFC West, Gemini has the 49ers back on top in 2025. Last year was ruined by injuries for San Francisco, leading to some new players emerging in different spots. Now they are loaded up for what they hope is a deep playoff run. Gemini has them tied for the league lead in wins, staving off tough competition from their Southern California neighbors. The Rams lost the snow globe battle in the playoffs against the Eagles, but proved they are Super Bowl contenders. It wasn't a guarantee that would remain the case after the offseason. Matthew Stafford was involved in trade rumors, but he is now back for another run in Hollywood. They made a big splash by signing Davante Adams. On paper, this should be a top team in the league. Gemini has them finishing second in the NFC West, but this is a squad no one will want to play in January. Gemini didn't specify how the Cardinals' season will play out, but we can only assume it expects a hot start followed by a limp to the finish line. Arizona's defense should make some significant strides; however, this team goes as far as Kyler Murray takes them. That is evidenced by the extreme highs and lows that the Cardinals seem to experience every year. If he can find some consistency, this team can be in the hunt. Our last stop on our tour around the NFL and the NFC West is Seattle. The Seahawks will have a new look in 2025, highlighted by the arrivals of Darnold and Cooper Kupp. It remains to be seen if Darnold can replicate the magic he found in Minnesota last season, leaving the Seahawks as an unknown. They are remaking the team with Mike Macdonald's vision in mind, turning the page from the Carroll era. The chatbot expects flashes, but not a lot of consistency. We tend to agree.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Eric Allen's late-career run with Raiders cemented Hall of Fame credentials
Everything was falling into place. After his three-year run with the New Orleans Saints turned sour, and he threatened to retire if he wasn't traded, Eric Allen landed with the Oakland Raiders in 1998. The team had started the season 6-3, and Allen was enjoying arguably his best season, even in a career that already included three All-Pro selections with the Philadelphia Eagles. Advertisement In Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks, Allen snagged his fifth interception of the season, and he thought he could return it for a touchdown. As he planted his foot and attempted to cut, however, he heard a zipper sound in his knee and immediately crumpled to the ground. Allen had missed just one game in 10 years and had no idea what happened. Once he walked off the field and talked to the training staff on the sideline, he told them to put a sleeve on his knee so he could re-enter the game. 'They were like, 'No, EA, you're injured,'' Allen told The Athletic recently. 'I was like, 'What are you talking about?' … They're like, 'Eric, we think you tore your ACL.'' Back then, a successful recovery from a torn ACL was far from guaranteed. Allen was a week from turning 33, and he was soon pestered with questions about whether he'd retire. With Allen out, the Raiders lost five of their final six games and missed the playoffs. Allen underwent surgery on his knee, but he wouldn't commit to playing again until he saw how his body responded on the practice field. 'A trainer who was still there, Scott Touchet, me and him were like married,' Allen said. 'And the training staff just really helped me always focus on tomorrow. Don't worry about yesterday. Don't worry today. Just worry about tomorrow.' Six months later, Allen returned to the field. And when the 1999 season began, he started in Week 1. He wasn't quite himself that season, but the 2000 campaign would be a special one. He tallied six interceptions — taking three back for touchdowns — and was one of the Raiders' best players as they made a run to the AFC Championship Game. Allen believes that season is why he's set to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next weekend. He produced a Hall-worthy prime with the Eagles, but his Raiders run displayed the longevity necessary to punch his ticket to Canton, Ohio. 'It just seemed like that season cemented what I'm about to do right now,' Allen said. Immortalized in football history.@EricAllen619 | @ProFootballHOF — Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) February 7, 2025 Allen felt like he was in a fever dream when the Eagles drafted him in 1988. They had a legendary head coach in defensive guru Buddy Ryan. That season, their roster featured three All-Pros in Reggie White, Randall Cunningham and Keith Jackson and other talented players such as Mike Quick, Cris Carter, Jerome Brown and Seth Joyner. The Eagles hadn't produced a winning season in years, but they were confident they had both the coaching and talent to end the drought. Advertisement Allen hit the ground running. He started from Day 1, and by his second season, he was a bona fide star. He notched eight interceptions in 1989 and earned first-team All-Pro recognition. The Eagles had turned the corner and reached the postseason for the second straight year. Although Cunningham was an MVP-caliber quarterback, the hallmark of the team became its 'Mean Green' defense led by White. 'It all started because we had maybe the best defensive lineman in all of football (as) our spearhead,' Allen said. 'We were just trying to make sure we didn't let him down.' The Eagles made the postseason again in 1990, but they lost their opening game for the third season in a row, and Ryan was fired. In Week 1 of the 1991 campaign, Cunningham tore his ACL and was out for the year. While it was a debilitating injury, the Eagles still went on to win 10 games on the back of a defense that surrendered the fewest yards in the league. 'I just remember going into every game and looking on the (opposing) sideline and just you feel the respect,' Allen said. 'I'm not saying (the other team's players) were fearful, but you felt the respect. Their offense is like, 'I'm not sure how we're going to get a yard.' It seemed like every series, Reggie would take over a series, (or) I would take over a series, (or) Seth would take over a series. It was just such a dominant group.' Those Eagles teams never maximized their potential, though. They reached the playoffs four times from 1988 to 1992 but never moved beyond the divisional round. White left in free agency in early 1993, and back-to-back losing seasons followed. As 'Mean Green' dissolved, Allen left to sign with the Saints. He maintains it was time to move on, but his next stop proved to be far more tumultuous. He's IN 👏 Former Eagles Cornerback, Eric Allen is a 2025 Pro Football Hall of Famer!@EricAllen619 | #FlyEaglesFly — Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 7, 2025 The Saints didn't sniff the playoffs in Allen's first two seasons, but things really hit rock bottom three games into the 1997 season. During halftime of an embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, Allen and new head coach Mike Ditka got into an explosive argument that had to be broken up by players. Allen made his trade request after the season. Advertisement 'I'm going in and basically saying, 'I'm not playing for you guys.' And, at that time, I am not sure if any position player had ever really done that,' Allen said. 'I was like, 'Hey, this is a mess. This is not where I want to be at the end of my career. I want to be in playoff games.'' Allen had his sights set on one destination in particular: San Francisco. But that was a non-starter for New Orleans, since they were in the same division, which led to a stalemate. Allen heard from former teammates and coaches who tried to convince him to consider other destinations, but he rebuffed them all. That was until Allen got a call from Willie Shaw, the Raiders' defensive coordinator. Shaw had recruited Allen to Arizona State in college, so they'd had a relationship for almost two decades. Allen didn't want to play for the Raiders, but out of respect, he agreed to visit Oakland. A San Diego native, Allen had grown up a Raiders fan who idolized Marcus Allen and Cliff Branch and revered John Madden and Al Davis. He figured meeting Davis alone was worth the trip. The first person Allen ran into at the facility was a young, red-faced man he didn't know. They had a 'great conversation' about football, but he left without getting his name. Next came Willie Brown, who at the time worked for the Raiders as the director of staff development. That meeting went well, too. Then came Shaw, who laid out his plan for Allen to start across from a rookie they planned to draft, a youngster named Charles Woodson. Last up was Davis. 'We were just talking about the history of the Raiders, and I (asked), 'Why didn't you draft me in 1988? You guys needed a corner,'' Allen said. 'And he's going back and forth. He's like, 'You played a little safety. We wanted a pure corner.' I was like, 'I was a pure corner.' So, we're going back (and forth). He says, 'Let me take you to go talk to the head coach.'' Advertisement When Allen walked into the office, he saw the same red-faced coach he'd met when he arrived: Jon Gruden. 'He looked so young, I didn't know who he was,' Allen said. 'So he was like, 'What are you going to do?'' The two had another football conversation, this time about who Allen would like the Raiders to target in free agency to improve the defense. One of the players he mentioned was safety Anthony Newman, whom he played with in New Orleans. Allen left the facility without committing to anything. Several days later, he got a call from Newman — the Raiders had signed him. 'I thought that was such an impactful moment. They believed so much in getting me there that they were willing to bring in a good player, but a guy who had been released,' Allen said. 'And so I tell my wife, 'That's where we're going. We're going to Oakland.' So, I flew up within the next couple of days. 'It was one of the best decisions football-wise that I made.' When Allen looked through the peephole and saw Randall McDaniel, his former college teammate at Arizona State, standing at his door, a wide smile immediately formed on his face. McDaniel had gone on to become a star guard with the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before being enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2009. For him to show up at Allen's home unannounced could only mean one thing — after 19 years of waiting, it was Allen's turn to become immortalized. Hall of Fame Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. Congrats @EricAllen619 who got to celebrate the news with his family! What a special moment. 👏 — Michael Yam (@Mike_Yam) February 7, 2025 Allen always thought Canton would come calling. He retired with 54 interceptions, tied for 21st in NFL history, while 16 of the 22 others with at least 54 interceptions have been inducted. He felt that, eventually, something had to give. 'I always had this calmness about it,' Allen said. 'I'm not a Bible-thumping dude, but God did give me a peace about this, so I was never really stressed.' Advertisement When Allen is inducted, Eagles and Raiders faithful alike will claim him as their own. He never won a Super Bowl, but he's beloved by both franchises. For the Eagles, he'll always be remembered as part of an iconic defense. With the Raiders, he helped make the team relevant again. Largely out of his affinity for the franchise, Allen still works as a personality for the Raiders' in-house media production team. The Eagles earned his fandom as a pre-teen when they drafted San Diego native (and eventual Pro Bowl returner) Wally Henry. Allen already had a passion for both clubs before he played a single snap in the NFL. He believes that came through on the field and played a role in him becoming a Hall of Famer. 'It wasn't just, 'Hey, I play for this team,' it was like, 'I'm playing for my team,'' Allen said. It's like that childhood dream. … I think a lot of the fans, if they had an opportunity to play, they would play like that.'
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
Patriots 53-man roster projection: Where do things stand after the first week of camp?
After four days of practice at the New England Patriots' training camp, it's about time for pads to come on. This week, we'll learn a lot more about the offensive line, which has shown some reasons for concern, even if it's tough to judge the group sans pads. Still, there has been enough to glean from the first few sun-soaked practices to offer up our first roster projection of the summer. There were some particularly tough decisions at running back (do you keep a fullback?), wide receiver (who has justified a spot so far?) and linebacker (has Marte Mapu done enough?). Advertisement Let's dive in. In: Drake Maye, Joshua Dobbs Out: Ben Wooldridge No surprises here. It would be a surprise if they kept Wooldridge on the 53-man roster. He's just competing for a spot on the practice squad at this point. So far, it seems like there's been a governor placed on Maye as the new staff prioritizes having him take what the defense gives, even if that's (often) short passes to running backs and tight ends. The question will be when (or if) that changes. The fear is that the O-line is so shaky that the offense has to be based on short passes. In: Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson, Antonio Gibson, Lan Larison Out: Brock Lampe, Trayveon Williams, Terrell Jennings A lot of the Patriots' offense so far looks like what you'd expect from a Josh McDaniels-led unit. Maye has been under center a lot. Two tight ends have been used frequently, even with Austin Hooper out. I wanted to put Lampe on the roster as a fullback to bulk up those big formations. But there are too many tough decisions, so Lampe narrowly missed out. In: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, CJ Dippre Out: Jaheim Bell, Jack Westover, Gee Scott Jr. There has been a lot of work to go around at tight end with Hooper out. In those sessions, Westover has probably fared the best. But this is a bet that Dippre, an undrafted rookie, can develop. This could also be a position where the Pats look to add someone in free agency after cutdown day when they see who becomes available. In: Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte Out: Kendrick Bourne, Efton Chism, Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, DeMeer Blankumsee, John Jiles, Jeremiah Webb No surprise, but this is the toughest position to project for the Patriots. They could keep as many as seven, with two of Bourne, Chism, Polk and Baker making it. But it's hard for me to put Polk on the roster since he hasn't practiced yet. Same for Chism, who hasn't quite matched his production from the spring, and Bourne, who has been just OK in a group of just-OK receivers. Still, Bourne was probably my last player cut in this projection, and maybe I should have put him on with one fewer linebacker. At the top of the depth chart, Diggs and Douglas have both been excellent, while the Patriots could use another receiver separating from the pack. .@DrakeMaye2 🎯 @popshotta3 — New England Patriots (@Patriots) July 26, 2025 In: Will Campbell, Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses, Jared Wilson, Demontrey Jacobs, Caedan Wallace, Marcus Bryant, Tyrese Robinson Out: Vederian Lowe, Sidy Sow, Jack Conley, Layden Robinson, Ben Brown, Yasir Durant, Mehki Butler There were some tough decisions here, too. So far, it looks like Jacobs is the swing tackle, with Wallace getting some work inside and Lowe being injured. So that gets Jacobs on the team. Advertisement The bigger question comes at backup guard. Wallace working there complicates things and could be a sign of what the coaching staff thinks of Sow and Robinson. In: Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, Keion White, Khyiris Tonga, Joshua Farmer, Jaquelin Roy, Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings, K'Lavon Chaisson, Bradyn Swinson Out: Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Elijah Ponder, Jahvaree Ritzie, Isaiah Iton, David Olajiga, Truman Jones The interior of the defensive line looks solid with Williams and Barmore, plus Tonga getting plenty of meaningful reps. The edge rushers are the ones who could make or break this defense. White and Landry are probably the top guys, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Chaisson keeps playing well and pushes for playing time. In: Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss, Jahlani Tavai, Jack Gibbens, Marte Mapu Out: Cam Riley, Monty Rice This group might be a bit bloated, but this is an important spot for special teams contributions, so we kept five instead of another receiver (Bourne). Still, Mapu would be the one to swap out for Bourne if you want more help at receiver. Mapu has spent most of his time at linebacker after being a hybrid safety/linebacker the last two years. He was beaten cleanly by Henderson during one rep at practice on Saturday. As for the top group, Elliss is pushing to get the starting reps alongside Spillane. In: Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones, Alex Austin, Kobee Minor Out: Isaiah Bolden, Brandon Crossley, Marcellas Dial, DJ James, Miles Battle, Jordan Polk Another cornerback would be nice on this roster, but it would have to come at the expense of someone on the D-line. The battle for the fifth spot here is wide open. Bolden could nab it if he can become the team's kick or punt returner, but for now, I have Henderson as the kick returner with Jones returning punts. Advertisement In: Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Marcus Epps Out: Dell Pettus, Josh Minkins This is probably the team's best overall position for a third straight year, especially if Dugger can return to his heights of 2023. He'll be a starter next to Peppers, but Woodson, Epps and Hawkins provide plenty of high-end depth and should also contribute on special teams. In: Andy Borregales, Bryce Baringer, Julian Ashby, Brendan Schooler Out: John Parker Romo It would be a big surprise if Romo wins the kicking job, so this quartet seems pretty safe. (Photo of Kendrick Bourne: Kris Craig / The Providence Journal / USA Today via Imagn Images)
