Latest news with #GennaroFilice
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arizona Cardinals CB Will Johnson, not DL Water Nolen, projected to make All-Rookie Team
As we wait for the start of training camps next month and see this year's rookie class in action, not only for the Arizona Cardinals but the entire league, we can project who we think will be the best first-year players this coming season. Gennaro Filice projected the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team and one of the Cardinals' top draft picks is expected to make an impact. Advertisement Who makes it? It isn't defensive lineman Walter Nolen, the Cardinals' first-round selection. It is cornerback Will Johnson, their second-round pick. As NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported during Johnson's draft slide, the cornerback's knee was red-flagged for longevity concerns during the combine. But I'm not here to project which players will make it to their second contract -- I'm trying to identify who'll thrive in their first season. And by that criterion, Johnson is a prime candidate. A highly pedigreed cover man with prototypical size and a mature game, the Michigan product projects as a Day 1 starter in Arizona. And his instinctive ball-hawking feels like a perfect fit in the Cardinals' zone-heavy defense. Johnson does have a chance to be a Day 1 starter. It isn't a lock, but with Sean Murphy-Bunting's season-ending offseason knee injury, Johnson now will compete with 2024 second-round pick Max Melton and third-year pro Star Thomas for the outside cornerback snaps. Was Nolen snubbed? Perhaps, but the two picks for the interior defenders were Mason Graham of the Cleveland Browns and Derrick Harmon of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both will be Day 1 starters and get significant snaps. Advertisement That might not be the case for Nolen and the Cardinals. Their defensive line room is loaded. He will play, but he will not get the snaps that Graham or Harmon do when he has Dalvin Tomlinson, Calais Campbell, Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols and 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson in the same room as him. A dark horse potentially is linebacker Cody Simon, drafted in the fourth round. He has a chance to be the Cardinals' starting 'Mike' inside linebacker. If he beats out Akeem Davis-Gaither for the job, he could pile up stats. Johnson, though, makes sense. Hopefully, he can be as good as he was in college and stay healthy. 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. This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Will Johnson pegged for All-Rookie team but not Walter Nolen
USA Today
13 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Arizona Cardinals to face 8 projected top rookies in 2025
Arizona Cardinals to face 8 projected top rookies in 2025 Arizona's Will Johnson is projected to make the All-Rookie Team in 2025. The Cardinals face 8 projected top rookies. Every team has high hopes for its rookie class. That isn't changing in 2025, but only a select few will earn All-Rookie honors this year. Gennaro Filice projected which rookies will make the All-Rookie Team. For the Arizona Cardinals, cornerback Will Johnson, their second-round pick, is projected to make that unit but not defensive lineman Walter Nolen III, their first-round pick. But which of these projected top rookies will the Cardinals face this season? Let's have a look. Top offensive rookie opponents These are the offensive rookies Filice puts in his projected all-rookie team. QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans WR Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars G Tyler Booker, Dallas Cowboys G Wyatt Milum, Jacksonville Jaguars The Cardinals will see Ward and the Titans a home in Week 5. They will play the Cowboys on the road in Week 9 on Monday night. They face Hunter, Milum and the Jags at home in Week 12. Top defensive, special teams rookie opponents These are Flilice's projected top defensive rookies on the Cardinals' schedule. EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys LB Demetrius Knight Jr., Cincinnati Bengals S Xavier Watts, Atlanta Falcons KR Chimere Dike, Tennessee Titans As mentioned in the offensive section, the Cardinals play the Cowboys on the road in Week 9 in prime time and the Titans at home in Week 5. They face the Falcons in their home finale in Week 16, followed by the Bengals in Cincinnati in Week 17. 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Offense Ranked Best in League Despite One Glaring Flaw
Bills Offense Ranked Best in League Despite One Glaring Flaw originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills have a league MVP at quarterback, a consistent offensive line, and a collection of quality skill players to build one of the better offenses in the league. Advertisement Is all their talent enough to be the best unit, though? That is the question that Gennaro Filice tackled this week. The analyst believes the Bills are the best offense in the NFL entering the 2025 season despite a glaring flaw. "Now, the weaponry beyond Pro Bowl running back James Cook and freshly paid receiver Khalil Shakir still leaves something to be desired, but I anticipate growth from second-year wideout Keon Coleman and third-year tight end Dalton Kincaid," Filice said. "And let's be honest: The 6-foot-5, 237-pound signal-caller (Josh Allen) can operate as a one-man army, making NFL men look like boys in his midst." Buffalo does not have a top-notch receiving target. That much is clear. However, their collection of wideouts, coupled with a league MVP at quarterback, means the need for a No. 1 receiver may not be as prevalent as on other teams. Advertisement Meanwhile ... Very few teams in the league have an offensive line that is as consistent as the Bills'. When it all gets added together, Buffalo's offense is easily one of the best in the league. What's next? The Bills must kick off the 2025 season with some dominant performances to land as the top overall group. If they can do that and come away with a few wins against some of the other true contenders, their claim as the best offense in football will be hard to argue with. Related: Hailee Steinfeld 'Stunned' Bills Josh Allen With Wedding Gown Related: Bills' Reason For Super Bowl Optimism Has Defensive Flavor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Analyst Predicts Commanders Schedule Gauntlet
The Washington Commanders, much like most teams in the NFC East, have a grueling schedule upcoming in 2025. Not only do the Commanders face off against the NFC North and AFC West, but they also must play a second-place schedule thanks to their success last year. It's no surprise, then, that several analysts have looked at Washington's schedule and saw one major issue midway through the year. Advertisement writer Gennaro Filice explained, in detail, where Washington's gauntlet currently sits. "Here's the gauntlet that will test the Commanders, starting in Week 5: at the Chargers, home against the Bears, on the road against the Cowboys and Chiefs back to back, home for the Seahawks and Lions and then in Madrid against the Dolphins. Whew. That's an intense, exhausting run that includes a cross country flight, three teams that were in the playoffs last year, a heated rival and a trip to Europe," Filice wrote. Of the seven games, only three of those teams made the playoffs last year. Despite that, the Cowboys, Seahawks, and Bears are all expected to be far better than what they were in 2024. Is that enough to make Washington's schedule considered a "gauntlet" though? Advertisement Probably not. You could make the argument that, despite perceived expectations, that Washington's schedule is nowhere near as tough. Even with matchups against the Chiefs, Cowboys, and Eagles, Washington should be able to come away with some extra wins this season. And there's a good chance they'll be back in the playoffs once again. Related: Commanders Brutal Late Stretch Will Decide Playoff Berth Related: Schedule Serves Up Commanders Chance For 'No-Surprise Hot Start'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Baker Mayfield's Buccaneers Bandwagon Filling Up
You can't not be happy for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield after his career resurgence over the past two seasons. On the scrap heap after stints with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, Baker came to Tampa Bay, potentially on his last shot at being a he hasn't looked back. Advertisement Back-to-back seasons of Pro Bowl nods, playoff appearances, and division titles, Mayfield's play has thrust the Buccaneers into the NFC contenders conversation. And while there are a host of skeptics about what Baker and the Bucs could do in 2025, they have one fan in Gennaro Filice, who named Mayfield as one player to hitch your bandwagon to this upcoming season. "Fresh off a career year that saw him tie for second in touchdown passes (41) while finishing third in passing yards (4,500) and completion percentage (71.4), Mayfield is about to play under his fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons," Filice writes. "Furthermore, Mayfield's protected by one of the best offensive lines in the league. And he's supported by a deep group of pass catchers and ball carriers, with the Buccaneers' first-round pick, Emeka Egbuka, only adding to those riches." Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker MayfieldNathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The Buccaneers' offense last season was explosive, and that was without Chris Godwin after Week 7. So we add him back into the mix and first-round draft pick Emeka Egbuka, and now the offense, on paper at least, could be seen as one of the best in football. Advertisement And we haven't added Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker in yet, as the run game was top five last season. It is easy to see why Mayfield's bandwagon is collecting fans. This Tampa Bay team has talent everywhere, and with a defense that got solidified in the offseason via free agency (Haason Reddick) and the draft, the Buccaneers are poised to do some damage in 2025. With Mayfield set to collect more bandwagon fans along the way. Related: Bucs Famous DB Signs Rookie Contract Related: Egbuka Offers Good News To Fans About Bucs No. 1 Strength
