Latest news with #Moton
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Analyst suggests Vikings add more help in the secondary ahead of training camp
Analyst suggests Vikings add more help in the secondary ahead of training camp The Minnesota Vikings appear to have a Super Bowl-ready roster. However, one of the weaker position groups on the roster appears to be in the secondary, which could spark a move before training camp begins in two months. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report went through the 32 teams and addressed one move he believed every team still needs to address this offseason. He, like many, believes the Vikings need to address the secondary. Moton says Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III could be the perfect addition to the unit. At safety, the Vikings have Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus in starting spots and not much behind them. Fourth-year veteran Theo Jackson and third-year pro Jay Ward have played 285 career defensive snaps combined. Johnson has experience at both safety positions, and he can also take on assignments in the slot. Last September, he suffered a hairline fracture in his scapula. Now healthy, the 29-year-old can fill multiple roles. There are a few issues with this move. The Vikings gave Jackson a contract extension this offseason that was reminiscent of the one they gave to Metellus before the 2023 season, when Metellus took on a larger role with the defense. Jackson may not have many snaps under his belt, but the coaching staff and front office believe he is ready to contribute. Therefore, the needs within the Vikings' secondary lie at cornerback, not safety, before the season begins. More importantly, Moton wants the Vikings to sign Johnson. However, according to Spotrac, Johnson is still on the Rams' roster despite his injury. The Vikings would have to trade for Johnson, and that seems unlikely for a 29-year-old coming off injury who would be sitting no higher than fourth on the depth chart. Look for the Vikings to make another significant move between now and training camp. But John Johnson probably won't be the target.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is the most underappreciated player on the Panthers' roster?
Who is the most underappreciated player on the Panthers' roster? The most overlooked member on the Carolina Panthers roster should be hard to miss. NFL Media's Tom Blair and Gennaro Filice recently named the most underappreciated player for each of the league's 32 teams. Filice took the reins for the NFC squads, and highlighted longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton for Carolina. He writes: Moton is a rock-solid right tackle. That's really the best way to describe him. The last pick of the second round back in 2017, Moton took over the Panthers' starting RT job in 2018 and has capably manned it since. While he's never made a Pro Bowl, he has made 113 starts, including an ironman streak of 104 in a row that came to an end this past October, when Moton missed two games with a triceps injury. According to Pro Football Focus' charting, he has only allowed one sack in three of the past four seasons. To be clear, Moton is indeed appreciated by the Panthers, who gave him a four-year, $71.25 million extension back in July of 2021. But as the 30-year-old heads into a contract season, I question whether the wider football-watching public recognizes Moton's immense value as a reliable bookend in a league that just doesn't have enough quality offensive linemen. That contract season has become an interesting topic of conversation over the past few months. Moton is set to account for a massive cap hit of approximately $31.3 million in 2025. If they want to lighten that load and free up some extra money, the Panthers could rework the contract by adding more years beyond the upcoming campaign. But, in what's been a curious non-move to many, they haven't touched the pact this offseason. President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan was asked about Moton's future last month. "Yeah, we love Taylor," Morgan told reporters in April. "Taylor is, obviously, a really good player. We're excited about him and this season and from there, we'll get together and we'll figure out the future. But right now, we're focused on the now." Up to now, Moton—one of the surest presences this franchise has ever had—has been worth every penny. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Washington Worry As Regression Predicted For Commanders?
How can the Washington Commanders possibly do better than their historic turnaround from last season? After winning just four games in 2023, the Commanders saw a nine-win jump in the regular season and reached the Conference Title Game for the first time in 30 years behind a new owner, general manager, head coach, and quarterback. Advertisement Sustaining success is a new thing for the franchise, though. And it's why one reporter believes a natural regression is coming for the Commanders. Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton believes the team will finish 10-7 in 2025 due to the team's tougher schedule, and holes along the defensive line. "While the Commanders offense looks better than last year's group on paper, the club will struggle to match up against top offensive attacks with its lackluster pass-rushing unit," Moton wrote. "Washington lost its 2024 sack leader, Dante Fowler Jr., in free agency. The Commanders will need more than Dorance Armstrong Jr. and Deatrich Wise to collapse the pocket on the edges. "Frankie Luvu and Daron Payne must be active near the line of scrimmage on passing downs." Advertisement Should Washington worry? Washington possesses one of the oldest rosters in the league despite their young quarterback. They will be expected to at least make the playoffs this year as part of their growth as an organization. And while 10 wins is nothing to scoff at - especially compared to past years for the franchise - the Commanders still have a lot to prove under new management at this time. Related: Commanders' Harris Wins Championship After 164-Year Wait Related: Commanders Trade for Tyreek Proposed in Controversial Media Move
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN's last-minute mock draft yields stunning selection for the Panthers
ESPN's last-minute mock draft yields stunning selection for the Panthers Could the Carolina Panthers send shockwaves through the NFL tonight? Well, according to one league insider, that might end up being the case. ESPN's Field Yates turned in his final predictions for the first round of the 2025 NFL draft on early Thursday morning. And the Panthers, with the eighth overall pick in his mock, selected University of Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou. Yates writes: I know defense is an issue in Carolina; the Panthers allowed an NFL-worst 31.4 points per game last season. But the offensive line could become a big problem very soon, and I think the Panthers could look that way. Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu are entering the final years of their contracts (assuming Carolina does not pick up Ekwonu's fifth-year option), and Carolina has to improve Bryce Young's protection. Membou is a tone-setter who makes an impact in the run game and surrendered just one sack during the 2024 season. After allowing the most points in NFL history, the Panthers have been expected to zero in on defense with their first-rounder. But could their current offensive tackle situation, specifically the one pertaining to Moton, steer them towards a hog molly instead? Moton, who will turn 31 years old in August, is set to enter his ninth pro campaign. And as Yates noted, the 2025 season is the final one on the veteran's current contract. That final season will see the Panthers take on a $31 million cap hit for Moton, the highest of any offensive tackle in the league. But instead of extending the former second-round pick for additional years and alleviating the pressure of that cap hit, Carolina has left the deal as is. Does this suggest that we may be seeing the end of Moton's tenure in Carolina? Perhaps. If it does, then Membou—whether it be very soon or beginning in 2026—could squeeze in at right tackle to fortify the Panthers' offensive trench for many years to come. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucs trade away 2024 starter in new projection by Bleacher Report
Bucs trade away 2024 starter in new projection by Bleacher Report The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been rumored to make some sort of bold move this offseason in the form of a trade. Whether it was by making one to acquire some talent, or to send a player away, something seems like it is bound to happen. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report gave a prediction this week that sees the Bucs being the ones sending a player away. Moton gave his prediction of seven trades that could shake up the NFL offseason on Bleacher Report. One of those trades included the Bucs sending away cornerback Jamel Dean to the Bills who have a big hole at the position. He writes, "The Buccaneers need change in the secondary. Despite finishing within the top nine in pressure rate and sacks, they ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season, which points to an issue on the back end of the defensive unit. If Tampa Bay targets a cornerback early in the upcoming draft, Dean may be available for a Super Bowl-contending squad looking to fill a need." The Bucs have been tied to a lot of different cornerback prospects in mock drafts as of late, such as Maxwell Hairston, Darien Porter, and Shavon Revel. If they do draft one, it makes sense to move on from Dean, as the move would unclutter things and also save the team money. Time will tell, but there have been worse ideas than sending away a veteran player for a projected fifth-round pick, as Moton suggests.
