Latest news with #ChrisTrapasso
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aggressive Draft For The Atlanta Falcons Could Result In One Defensive Rookie Earning DROY Honors
Aggressive Draft For The Atlanta Falcons Could Result In One Defensive Rookie Earning DROY Honors originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The inconsistency of the pass rush in Atlanta has been the butt of jokes for awhile now, but CBS Sports predicts that to change with one rookie winning DPOY. Advertisement The Falcons had the second-fewest sacks in the NFL last year and have been inconsistent at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks since John Abraham patrolled the edge. I'm sorry, Vic Beasley, but stats do not lie. James Pearce Jr. has his video board displayed after being selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL Draft. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso named rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. his pick to win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors at season's end. Atlanta would listen to the fans this year and be aggressive in finding that next great edge rusher to wreak havoc on opposing QBs. The team traded back into the first round to snag Pearce Jr. after drafting Jalon Walker with the 15th pick. Some fans and officials think that Atlanta may have given up too much to get back into the first round to draft Pearce Jr, but they wanted another dynamic rusher to set the tone for the offseason in addressing pressing needs. They would give up a 2026 first-round selection in doing so. Advertisement According to PFF, Atlanta would also finish third worst in pass-rushing defense. With the glaring needs on the defensive side of the football, Chris Trapasso was very high on Pearce Jr. coming into this year's draft. "With Pearce as my No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 class, I'm not backing away from that before any games are played,' said Trapasso of CBS Sports. 'Pearce is a sizable, athletic, refined, and deceptively powerful outside rusher who demolished the SEC the past two seasons with a cumulative pressure rate over 21%. I've written that statistic like 50 times the past four months, and I'm still astonished by it.' 'His situation in Atlanta couldn't be more conducive to DROY hype,' Trapasso said. 'Atlanta has finished 32nd in sacks twice (2015, 2021) and 31st a ridiculous five times (2013, 2014, 2019, 2022, and 2024) over the past decade. Any uptick in team pass-rushing production will be viewed as a ginormous win for the Falcons.' Related: The Dawn Of A Dangerous Contender In Atlanta Related: Are The Atlanta Falcons The NFL's Wildcard In 2025 With The Team's New Identity? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
10-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jaguars make surprise pick at fifth overall in latest 2025 NFL mock draft
Jaguars make surprise pick at fifth overall in latest 2025 NFL mock draft In Chris Trapasso's latest 2025 NFL mock draft for CBS Sports, the Jacksonville Jaguars make a surprise selection with the fifth overall pick. In Chris Trapasso's latest 2025 NFL mock draft for CBS Sports, the Jacksonville Jaguars make a surprise selection with the fifth overall pick, taking Boise State running back and Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty. "What if Jaguars new (and young) GM James Gladstone sees increased value in an uber-explosive running back on a rookie deal? This represents the ceiling for Jeanty and would be a big boost for Jacksonville's running back room," Trapasso wrote. After rushing for 1,344 yards at 6.2 yards per attempt in 2023, Jeanty put together a monster season in 2024. This included him averaging just shy of 7.0 yards per rush and totaling 2,595 rushing yards with 29 touchdowns, per PFF. Basically, pick any category--yards, yards per rush, missed tackles forced, rushes of 10-plus yards--and Jeanty wasn't only first among all running backs in college football, but he was first by a good margin. Coming into this year's draft, the Jaguars do need to add to the running back position. For one, they only have three running backs on the roster currently, not to mention that Travis Etienne is in the final year of his rookie deal. The running game under Liam Coen is also going to play an important role in getting this Jaguars' offense as a whole back on track. On Wednesday, when Coen mentioned providing Trevor Lawrence with "some balance around him," the rushing attack will be crucial in providing that. A strong running game keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations, which in turn, opens up opportunities in the passing game for Lawrence. However, with that said, and as good as Jeanty is, I don't know that this is the pick at No. 5 overall. Before adding any skill position players, a team should make sure it is stout in the trenches, and on both the offensive and defensive lines, the Jaguars have their unknowns currently.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins Land Top DT Prospect in New 2025 Mock Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft is about a month away, meaning NFL teams are in the final stages of determining which future rookies they want on their team ahead of the new season. The same goes for the Miami Dolphins, and despite making some under-the-radar signings, the South Florida-based team still has time to add a top player to its roster in the draft. The Dolphins have the No. 13 overall pick for the event, putting them in a decent position to land one of this year's top prospects. Miami can address different parts that need strengthening, such as the offensive line and defensive line positions. According to CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso, the Dolphins will be defensive-minded in the first round of the draft. Trapasso's latest mock draft predicts that Miami will select Ole Miss defensive lineman Walter Nolen with the No. 13 pick. Nolen, who is regarded as one of the best defensive players in the draft, can be an instant impact player for the Dolphins. He logged 26 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks with the Rebels in 2024. Trappaso described Nolen as a "speed" and "explosive" player. If the 21-year-old can replicate his dominant collegiate displays in the pros, he'll certainly be an entertaining watch alongside Zach Sieler. Miami have signed several defensive players in free agency, such as linebackers Willie Gay Jr. and K.J. Britt. The team already has Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson and Jalen Ramsey, but if Nolen is still on the board when it's the Dolphins' time on the clock, the team can be one of the best defenses in 2025.
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
CBS Sports projects a Vikings trade back in latest mock draft
CBS Sports projects a Vikings trade back in latest mock draft As it currently stands, the Minnesota Vikings will enter the 2025 NFL Draft with four picks. Those picks come in the first round (24th overall), third round (97), fifth round (139), and sixth round (187). After addressing numerous holes throughout the roster in free agency, the Vikings could look to trade down and acquire additional picks. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports believes the Vikings will do just that in his latest mock draft. He has the Vikings trading the 24th pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for their second-round (37th overall), third-round (68), and sixth-round picks (215). This would give the Vikings six total picks and a busy Day 2. Trapasso has the Vikings selecting Xavier Watts, a 6'0", 204-pound safety from Notre Dame, at pick No. 37. Watts was PFF's sixth-highest-rated safety during the 2024 season, and he intercepted six passes. He'd join fellow Golden Domer Harrison Smith in perhaps the Vikings legend's final season. With the 68th pick, the Vikings select Isaiah Bond, the speedy Texas receiver. Although he only stands 5'11" and 180 pounds, Bond brings an element of speed the Vikings could use with defenses keying on Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. And with the 97th pick, the Vikings take Zy Alexander, a 6'1", 187-pound cornerback from LSU. Quarterbacks had a passer rating of 53.2 when throwing in Alexander's direction in 2024. He could fight for playing time in a cornerback room that has tons of potential but few concrete answers behind Byron Murphy, Jr.
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Titans trade back, land elite DL in latest CBS Sports mock
With Super Bowl LIX in the rearview, all eyes have turned to roster building for the 2025 NFL season. For the Tennessee Titans, it is all about rebuilding their roster and improving on their disappointing 3-14 record. How the Titans decide to go about this process is still a bit of a mystery. New general manager Mike Borgonzi will bring a different approach to the organization as he looks to build a consistent winner. We will get a lot of answers in the coming months leading up to the draft where Tennessee holds the first pick. The dead time between the Super Bowl and the scouting combine is also prime time for analysts to put out their latest mock drafts. Some even like to project hypothetical trades. Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports did just that in his latest mock, with the Titans trading out of the top spot in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. In the trade, the Raiders would receive the No. 1 overall pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder (No. 168 overall). The Titans would receive the No. 6 overall, a 2025 second-rounder (No. 37 overall), and a 2025 third-rounder (No. 68), as well as a 2026 first-rounder and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Of course, this would take the Titans out of the running for the four prospects that have been somewhat linked to the organization since the offseason began, and in this case, go in a totally different direction. Tennessee Titans – Round 1, Pick 6: DL Mason Graham – Michigan The new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi had a front-row seat to the havoc that Chris Jones wreaked on a routine basis in Kansas City. He drafts a running mate for Jeffery Simmons up front. The idea of a trade is not outside the realm of possibility. The Titans' front office has quietly mentioned they are open for business, but this direction may not be the way. It's an interesting take and the compensation works, but the player selected probably won't resonate with fans. Graham is a good player and arguably the best defensive tackle in this class, but is that their biggest need at that spot with top offensive tackle Will Campbell on the board? Tennessee got a boost in 2024 with T'Vondre Sweat and he still has room to grow next to Simmons and will only get better while the Titans' offensive line was atrocious. If the Titans were to build in the trenches through the draft, Campbell would be the way to go. Even if they don't take an offensive tackle, wide receiver and edge are bigger needs and there are players available that would meet both value and need. The good thing is that this is merely an exercise and there is a long way to go before the 2025 NFL draft.
