Latest news with #All-RookieTeam
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers officially release CB Jaire Alexander
Packers officially release CB Jaire Alexander The Green Bay Packers officially announced the release of cornerback Jaire Alexander on Monday. The roster move was initially reported on Monday morning and is now official with the league office as of Monday afternoon. Alexander's release ends a seven-year run for Brian Gutekunst's first draft pick as general manager of the Packers. "In his seven seasons with the Packers, Jaire established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at one of the game's most challenging positions," Gutekunst wrote in a press release. "His contributions to our organization were felt on the field, in the locker room and in our community, and he will be missed. We appreciate all he gave and we wish him all the best moving forward." Alexander, a first-round pick of the Packers (18th overall) in the 2018 draft, played in 78 games (76 starts) over the last seven seasons in Green Bay. He intercepted 12 passes, returning one for a touchdown, and produced 70 total passes defensed. Alexander was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2022, and he was named to the PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 2018. Alexander also appeared in seven postseason games. He intercepted three passes in the playoffs -- two on Tom Brady in the 2020 NFC Championship Game and one on Dak Prescott in the Packers' upset win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Round in 2023. Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million contract with the Packers in 2022. However, he played in only four games in 2021, seven games in 2023 and seven games in 2024 due to injuries or suspension. The Packers now have an open roster spot as mandatory minicamp -- the final event of the offseason workout program -- begins on Tuesday.
USA Today
30-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals rookie G Hayden Conner not projected to make All-Rookie Team
Arizona Cardinals rookie G Hayden Conner not projected to make All-Rookie Team Draft Wire projects the NFL All-Rookie Team on offense. As expected, Cardinals G Hayden Conner isn't among the projections. The Arizona Cardinals only selected one offensive player in the 2025 NFL with their seven selections. That was sixth-round pick Hayden Conner, a guard out of Texans. As a sixth-round pick, he is not expected to play much or at all in 2025 and there isn't a guarantee that he will make the roster. So it should be no surprise that he was not among the players that Draft Wire's Curt Popejoy predicted would make the All-Rookie team. Who is predicted to make the All-Rookie Team? Predictions for 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans RB Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers WR Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars WR Tet McMillan, Carolina Panthers WR Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets OT Armand Membou, New York Jets OT Will Campbell, New England Patriots G Donovan Jackson, Minnesota Vikings G Grey Zabel, Seattle Seahawks G Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins Analysis Johnson over Jeanty is a bold pick and it might be harder than you think for Hunter to make this team after Brian Thomas had the season he had in 2025. So the Jags will need to feed Thomas. Also Taylor over Tyler Warren, who landed in a perfect spot in Indianapolis is a surprise as well. If Conner somehow were to end up being one of the best rookies, that would be such a surprise. And it would have meant that one of the starters got hurt and he was a pleasant surprise. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys 1st-round replacement for Hall of Famer snubbed in All-Rookie Team projections
Cowboys 1st-round replacement for Hall of Famer snubbed in All-Rookie Team projections Despite being the top guard selected, Booker was overlooked while 3 other interior players made the cut. The Dallas Cowboys had what, in currently available context, many would consider a successful 2025 draft. Draft analysts near and far lauded their nine-player haul from late April, as they eschewed glaring needs and instead did what annually-competitive organizations do and drafted the best talent available, regardless of whether or not it met their most pressing needs. That all started with their first-round selection. After future Hall of Famer Zack Martin retired this offseason, the club spent a large chunk of their free-agency efforts in an effort to shore up the right guard position, beginning with re-signing RFA Brock Hoffmann who acquitted himself well in several games of relief for an injured Martin in 2024. They also went out and signed Robert Jones, a 16-game starter for the Miami Dolphins, as well as Saahdiq Charles and Hakeem Adeniji. But they were all put on backup status when the club used the No. 12 overall pick to select Tyler Booker out of Alabama. But despite being the first guard taken in the draft, Booker was not among the three guards projected to be on the All-Rookie Team by Draft Wire. Instead, somewhat surprise first-round selection Grey Zabel, along with Donovan Jackson, were the two guards projected to make the end-of-year team. To make matters worse, without a projected starting center from this year's class, a third guard was selected for the team as an "interior offensive lineman". That guy also wasn't Booker, but instead the honor went to second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea. Zabel, taken by Seattle at No. 18, and Jackson, selected by Minnesota at No. 24, are going to teams projected to finish better than the Cowboys in 2025. However Savaiinaea went to the Miami Dolphins, who finished below the Cowboys in ESPN's recently released FPI ratings. Here's what Draft Wire thought of the prospects taken after Booker. Offensive guard - Donovan Jackson, Minnesota Vikings Getting Jackson at No. 24 was a huge bargain for the Vikings. He's such a powerful, athletic interior offensive lineman and plays with such a head about himself for the game, he just can't fail. Offensive guard - Grey Zabel, Seattle Seahawks There are so many good guards in this draft, it was tough making this second pick but we love the fit of Zabel at left guard with the Seahawks scheme. He's going to be the guy Kenneth Walker wants to run behind. IOL - Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins We don't have any rookie centers projected to start right now so instead we opt for Jonah Savaiinaea who is already the best interior offensive lineman on the Dolphins. Booker isn't currently the best interior offensive lineman for the Cowboys, that honor goes to All-Pro Tyler Smith. He is, however, going to start for a team that made a concerted effort to maximize their offensive line, with new OC Klayton Adams a former line coach, and the addition of Kansas State OL guru Connor Riley to coach up that unit in Dallas. Time will tell whether or not Draft Wire got it wrong, or whether the Cowboys' front office did, as they've identified Booker's premiere leadership qualities as the mitigating factor to why he was picked over other interior options.
Los Angeles Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Sparks' Rickea Jackson continues a smooth transition to stardom
Rickea Jackson's smooth demeanor has the kind of magnetism the WNBA covets in a future star off the court — and her natural confidence delivers exactly what's needed when chasing wins. At Sparks media day, Jackson stepped to the podium fresh off a high-paced practice in front of spectators, radiating effortless composure. A silver Cuban link chain draped her neck, fuzzy slippers hugged her feet, her makeup precisely applied and nary a hair out of place — the embodiment of smooth. Jackson fielded questions with charm, holding court and drawing laughs from reporters as her personality was on full display. Her answers were measured and thoughtful, delivered with the poise of a seasoned veteran — yet she's only 24, entering her second season. 'She's a smooth person, smooth athlete, smooth basketball player,' head coach Lynne Roberts said of her rising star. 'She makes hard things look really easy … she makes things look effortless, and I know they're not.' One year removed from her rookie season, Jackson has emerged as one of the Sparks' young cornerstones heading into the season opener Friday at Golden State — with the accolades to match. She finished third among rookies in scoring with 13.4 points per game, trailing only Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese — and doing so in fewer minutes — earning a spot on the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team. Jackson was thrust into the starting lineup by the season's sixth game and never looked back. When fellow first-round pick Cameron Brink went down because of an injury, Jackson became a go-to option on a struggling team, finishing as the second-leading scorer. Her presence and scoring stood out — a level of maturity and production that belied her age. Yet it was Jackson's performance in the inaugural season of Unrivaled — the women's professional three-on-three basketball league — that turned heads around the WNBA. Averaging 13.6 points and 3.7 rebounds over 14 games for the Mist Basketball Club against fellow WNBA players, she sparked widespread anticipation of a breakout campaign, with many eager to crown the league's next big star. 'It's a good process,' Roberts said of Jackson's time in Unrivaled. 'She's playing with other pros in this league, where you're just going to naturally absorb and learn from that. That was probably huge for her mentality and work ethic.' Azurá Stevens has grown close to Jackson, frequently appearing in her TikTok videos, dancing and cutting up for an audience of half a million followers. Jackson has become like a little sister to her, and Stevens has had a front-row seat to her growth, from their bond during Jackson's rookie season to her impressive offseason heading into year two. 'Just seeing what she was able to do last year, and just the growth that I've seen at Unrivaled and even just so far this second year has been really cool,' Stevens said. That growth carried over into the preseason road win against the Golden State Valkyries, when Jackson led the Sparks with 13 points in 24 minutes. She flashed a wider scoring variety — drilling back-to-back three-pointers (a shot she struggled with last season at 34% but sharpened during Unrivaled), attacking the basket aggressively for layups and sinking a smooth midrange jumper. 'It's just been focusing on sharpening every tool in my toolbox,' Jackson said. 'The three, handles, defensive end — those are the things that I feel are on the top of my list, and just staying confident.' Roberts, who says the dynamic between her and Jackson has grown significantly over the few short months they've spent together, has high praise for the forward. She sees who Jackson wants to become and believes she has the potential to be a perennial All-Star — if she does the work needed to earn it. 'She's good,' Roberts said of her effort against Golden State. 'I don't even know if she broke a sweat. She just makes things look easy.' In any other draft class, Jackson would've been the focal point of national media — the surefire heir apparent to superstardom. But she was in one of the deepest draft classes in recent WNBA history — possibly ever — alongside Clark, Reese and Brink, all of whom have dominated national attention. Some of that spotlight is now beginning to shine on Jackson, with more expected to follow. 'It's coming,' Roberts said. 'Because of who she is, she's just a chill human. She doesn't demand that attention. She's not doing things to get that attention.' Brink believes the 'sky's the limit for 'Kea' as far as her potential. Going through the same transition from rookie to young veteran, Brink understands what Jackson experienced last year and what lies ahead for her. 'She's a really talented player,' Brink said. 'She made a lot of huge steps. … She's just going to continue to grow, and I'm excited to get back on the court with her.' This season will test Jackson under an even brighter spotlight. . Others are touting her as the WNBA's next breakout star. With a more defined role comes heightened expectations on a team built to win now. Jackson has her coach's full confidence. 'Pressure is a privilege,' Roberts said. 'That means you're doing something right. … Embrace it on one level and ignore it on another… She's going to have to learn how to manage it, because she is going to get more and more attention as her game evolves.'
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
WNBA star Rickea Jackson supports James Pearce Jr. as Falcons trade up to pick him in 2025 NFL Draft
Now that's a hard launch. Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and former Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. appeared to make their relationship public during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Jackson and Pearce were together when the Falcons traded up to select Pearce in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick, and ESPN cameras captured the moment virtually as they celebrated at a draft party in Charlotte, N.C. 3 Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and James Pearce Jr. at a party in Charlotte, N.C. when the Falcons traded up to select him in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24. X/ESPN Jackson, 24, was sitting alongside Pearce, 21, and rubbing his leg as he learned of his NFL dreams becoming reality after three seasons at Tennessee. The Sparks star also attended the school from 2022-24, playing two seasons for the Lady Volunteers. There was speculation on social media that Jackson and Pearce were dating, but the athletes have yet to address the matter publicly — until now. Many fans said they were shocked while reacting to the news on X. 'Is that Rickea??' one fan wrote. 'Fell to my knees when I saw Rickea Jackson sitting next to James Pearce Jr on draft night,' another added. 3 Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. AP Others said they couldn't wait to see Jackson on the sidelines in Atlanta. As a junior, Pearce recorded 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks for Tennessee. He was named First-Team All SEC in 2023 and 2024. Jackson played for the Lady Vols after three seasons at Mississippi State. 3 Rickea Jackson of the Los Angeles Sparks handles the ball during the game on September 17, 2024. NBAE via Getty Images She earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors this past season, and will begin her sophomore campaign when the Sparks open the 2025 WNBA season against the Golden State Valkyries — the league's newest expansion team — on May 17.
