Latest news with #FieldYates
USA Today
13-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Field Yates likes one specific Vikings draft pick to make an impact in 2025
Field Yates likes one specific Vikings draft pick to make an impact in 2025 The 2025 NFL Draft is an important one for the Minnesota Vikings. Despite not having many picks, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made the most of them, and one of them is not getting some extra attention from a notable analyst at ESPN. Field Yates wrote up his most impactful non-Round 1 picks, and he brought up the Vikings' selection of Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins out of Georgia. Yates writes, "Minnesota overhauled its defensive line this offseason with a pair of big-ticket veteran additions in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, so Ingram-Dawkins does not have a clear path to a large role. But his versatility is key. . .Coordinator Brian Flores is among the most innovative defensive minds in the league and will throw out some wonky fronts that can confuse quarterbacks. Ingram-Dawkins has the traits to be a movable chess piece along the D-line as depth in Minnesota." The Vikings revamped their trench players, and Ingram-Dawkins is looking to play a part in the Vikings' defensive line. The Georgia Bulldog could play a role in the rotation with Jalen Redmond and Javon Hargrave, while Jonathan Allen and Harrison Phillips play the more prominent roles. The Vikings have the type of depth and rotations you see on Super Bowl winners in recent years. Consider it another box checked by the front office.
USA Today
05-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where the Texans' 2025 draft picks ranked on pre-draft big boards
Where the Texans' 2025 draft picks ranked on pre-draft big boards The Houston Texans welcomed nine new rookies during the 2025 NFL draft, which included some potential impact contributors for new offensive coordinator Nick Caley. Despite only adding one offensive lineman, most pudits believe the Texans walked away as a more improved team for 2025 en route toward winning a third straight AFC South division title. Afrer moving back nine spots in the first round to pick No. 34, the Texans added a pair of playmakers in Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel with two of their top three picks. Houston also shored up the trenches with the second-round selection of Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery. They also found some potential late-round gems with running back Woody Marks, defensive back Jaylen Reed, defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton and tight end Luke Lachey. Houston is slated to hold its rookie minicamp on May 9, where fans will get a first glimpse at the newcomers before the offseason program kicks into high gear. Texans Wire examined seven different big boards, including Pro Football Network's consensus ranking, to see if the Texans found good value or reached for a specific player in their rookie draft class. Draft Wire (top 250) :: PFF (top 350) :: Daniel Jeremiah (top 150) :: Field Yates (top 200) :: Mel Kiper Jr. (top 150) :: Dane Brugler (top 100) :: PFN consensus (top 300) Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins Draft Wire: 47 PFF: 37 Daniel Jeremiah: 46 Field Yates: 40 Mel Kiper Jr.: 53 Dane Brugler: 48 Consensus: 53 Houston ensured it'd give Nico Collins some breathing room on the outside with the selection of the 6-foot-4 standout from Iowa State. Higgins, who finished with over 1,000 receiving yards, was considered by some a late Round 1 addition and could have snuck into conversations for the selection on Thursday night. When looking at the draft board, only two receivers were consensusly in his range as "BPA" options. Regardless, Higgins has great hands, is physical in space and wins with size over route-runner. Caley gets his new version of Puka Nacua on the outside to complete the trifecta of pass-catchers for C.J. Stroud in 2025. Minnesota OT Aireontae Ersery Draft Wire: 33 PFF: 37 Daniel Jeremiah: 69 Field Yates: 56 Mel Kiper Jr.: 76 Dane Brugler: 50 Consensus: 84 Considered by many the best Day 2 tackle option, Ersery might have been a slight reach, but the need could outweigh the selection process. Houston had to target a potential long-term starting left tackle after trading away five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil to Washington. This pick could age in time should he become a Day 1 starter over Cam Robinson. Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel Draft Wire: 100 PFF: 79 Daniel Jeremiah: 50 Field Yates: 58 Mel Kiper Jr.: 56 Dane Brugler: 72 Consensus: 44 Perhaps the biggest steal of Day 2, Noel is a slot-only weapon who should add value on special teams. He's an exceptional route-runner and consistent chain-mover across the middle of the field. Houston might have gotten the better Cyclone nearly 50 picks after selecting Higgins. USC DB Jaylin Smith Draft Wire: N/A PFF: 241 Daniel Jeremiah: 114 Field Yates: 183 Mel Kiper Jr.: N/A Dane Brugler: N/A Consensus: 237 This one was far and away the biggest reach of Round 2. Smith was a projected mid-Day 3 pick who landed in the top 100. The hope is he'll be a Day 1 contributor on special teams to at least add value to the selection. USC RB Woody Marks Draft Wire: 245 PFF: 245 Daniel Jeremiah: N/A Field Yates: 166 Mel Kiper Jr.: N/A Dane Brugler: N/A Consensus: 188 Best used as a pass-catching option, Marks should be a factor through the air on mid-level downs while serving as the No. 2 behind Pro Bowler Joe Mixon. Penn State DB Jaylen Smith Draft Wire: N/A PFF: 134 Daniel Jeremiah: 74 Field Yates: 141 Mel Kiper Jr.: 104 Dane Brugler: N/A Consensus: 121 Given how most big boards had Reed falling into the early stages of Day 3, this ended up being a solid pick for the Texans. The best question now turns to how good will he be for Houston this fall with C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jalen Pitre locking down to starting spots? Get ready to learn special teams, Mr. Reed. Florida QB Graham Mertz Draft Wire: N/A PFF: 266 Daniel Jeremiah: N/A Field Yates: N/A Mel Kiper Jr.: N/A Dane Brugler: N/A Consensus: N/A When one publication has a draftable grade on you, that should answer whether a pick is a reach. Hopefully Mertz can become a solid backup and an overall quality locker room friend. Rutgers Kyonte Hamilton Draft Wire: N/A PFF: N/A Daniel Jeremiah: 141 Field Yates: N/A Mel Kiper Jr.: N/A Dane Brugler: N/A Consensus: N/A Hamilton entering the year should be a solid depth piece with upside to make the active 53-man roster. Nothing more, nothing less. Iowa TE Luke Lachey Draft Wire: 174 PFF: 254 Daniel Jeremiah: N/A Field Yates: 148 Mel Kiper Jr.: N/A Dane Brugler: N/A Consensus: 245 Given that multiple outlets were giving Lachey a draftable grade, adding him among the final 10 picks is actually quite promising. Houston might have found itself a blocking tight end with red zone upside.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
49ers Trade Prediction Makes Sense Under 1 Condition in NFL Draft
NCAA tournament brackets are very fragile. One loss or upset and a bracket is busted. The same holds true for NFL Mock Drafts. One trade in the first round and the whole scheme of the first round could be changed. ESPN's Field Yates predicts in the event the New York Giants select Shedeur Sanders with the third pick of the draft, the San Francisco 49ers will look to move up from the 11th spot. He has the 49ers looking to take an offensive lineman in the top 10. Advertisement "That means the top two offensive tackles -- LSU's Will Campbell and Missouri's Armand Membou -- could reach the eighth pick of the draft," Yates wrote. "Should that be the case, would San Francisco -- with its major offensive line need -- consider leapfrogging the Bears at No. 10 to draft one of them? "The 49ers have a lot of holes to fill throughout the draft, but they also have 11 picks to work with -- tied for the most." The 49ers stumbled to 6-11 last year after making it to the Super Bowl the year prior. They have seen a few of their offensive lineman leave via free agency and they need to be replaced. They also need to be replenishing their depth in the later rounds.. The 49ers starting guard Aaron Banks signed a four-year contract with the Green Bay Packers and tackle Jaylon Moore joined the Kansas City Chiefs. Four of last season's starters remain, but their offensive line lacks depth. Advertisement "It's really hard losing Banks and it's really hard losing Jaylon Moore, who has been a great swing tackle who got to play a lot with Trent [Williams] being down half of last year," 49ers general manager John Lynch said, per NBC Sports Bay Area's Jennifer Lee Chan. "So those are the things that we really need to look to replace." Related: 49ers 'Cheap' Owner Fires Back With Brock Purdy Contract Talk Related: 49ers Bolster Offensive Line in Latest NFL Mock Draft
USA Today
15-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's Mel Kiper, Field Yates pick CB, OL, WR in 3-round mock draft for Arizona Cardinals
ESPN's Mel Kiper, Field Yates pick CB, OL, WR in 3-round mock draft for Arizona Cardinals Field Yates and Mel Kiper alternate picks for three rounds. See who their picks for the Cardinals are. The NFL draft is nine days away and there is just enough time to get a few more mock drafts in before the actual even takes place. ESPN's Mel Kiper and Field Yates teamed up for a three-round mock draft where they alternated picks. Kiper had the even picks and Yates the odd ones. Since the Arizona Cardinals have the 16th, 47th and 78th picks, it means both got to make selections for them. In these projections, the Cardinals do not get a defensive lineman or edge defender in any of their picks, which, if that happened in the actual draft, would be a surprise. Here is what the mock draft has for the Cardinals 3-round Arizona Cardinals mock draft from Mel Kiper, Field Yates Round 1 (No. 16 overall): Texas CB Jahdae Barron Round 2 (No. 47 overall): Alabama G Tyler Booker Round 3 No. 78 overall): Maryland WR Tai Felton Analysis Barron: There is no doubting his talent and athleticism. A team can truly never have too many good cornerbacks. The question is fit. Barron is projected to be less of an outside boundary shutdown cover guy. He is a slot guy, a playmaker, a safety perhaps. The Cardinals already have a dynamic slot cornerback in Garrett Williams. Selecting Barron only makes sense if they believe that Williams can be dynamic on the boundary. Otherwise, you are either putting Barron or Williams in a position where they aren't going to be at their best, which isn't ideal for either player. Booker: Booker is a great pick at a position of need. His athletic testing at the combine raise concerns about his ability to move well enough to be great in the pros, especially in an offensive scheme like Arizona runs with guards pulling and moving, but in the second round, this isn't bad. And his work ethic is very good, as well as his character. Felton: Felton makes sense. He has length and elite speed, and he was very productive. He also offers some special teams upside. However, about half his production in 2024 came in the non-conference part of his schedule and against weaker competition. While he might be drafted on Day 2, he is more of a Day 3 prospect. 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
06-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Latest mock draft has huge Patriots shake-up trade with division rival
Latest mock draft has huge Patriots shake-up trade with division rival ESPN's Field Yates released a two-round 2025 NFL mock draft that saw considerable movement from the New England Patriots in the first round. Fowler has the Patriots trading up for two first-round picks. It all starts with the team staying at No. 4 and picking up cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. However, things get interesting later in the first round with the Patriots trading with the AFC East division rival Buffalo Bills for the 30th overall pick. Yates has the Patriots shipping a second-round pick (No. 38) and third-rounder (No. 77) to the Bills for a first-round pick (No. 30) and fourth-rounder (No. 109). With their second first-round draft pick, the Patriots selected Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Yates wrote: "The Patriots went with the best player available at No. 4, but that meant bypassing arguably their biggest roster hole. They can rectify that by getting back into the first round for another Day 1 pick. Meanwhile, Bills general manager Brandon Beane can slide down to acquire extra draft capital, similar to what he did in 2024. I have the Patriots trading a second-rounder (No. 38) and a third-rounder (No. 77) to the Bills for No. 30 and a fourth-rounder (No. 109)." Hunter would give the Patriots the best offensive playmaker on the draft board, while Conerly would strengthen the offensive line significantly as a franchise left tackle. The Patriots will have plenty of options on the board, but an aggressive trade-up approach would help them address two of their weakest areas right out of the gates. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
