Latest news with #NFLAnnualMeeting
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ravens Signing Lamar To New Contract Would Solve $74.5M Problem
It seems like just yesterday the offseason was filled with drama and speculation about where Lamar Jackson would play after his rookie contract with the Baltimore Ravens expired without a long-term extension and just a $32.4 million franchise tag on the table. But just about six weeks after the franchise tag was placed on Jackson, he and the team came to terms on a five-year, $260 million contract to make him the highest-paid player in NFL history. That was on the day of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Advertisement Ahhhh, memories. It didn't take long for Jackson's title as the highest-paid player to disappear, and now, two years later, he barely cracks the top 10 in average pay per season. Will the Ravens let his contract get to drama status again? Or will they extend him too early? Coach John Harbaugh addressed this at the NFL Annual Meeting in March. "There has been conversations about that internally, I know," Harbaugh said. "How far along that is or whatever, I don't know, but I definitely think it's an obvious point that you're making. That's going to continue to have to be addressed, really with all those guys. You just have to kind of manage that dance – the salary cap dance – and Lamar is the main part of that, because he's the franchise player. That's a possibility. Sooner or later, that's definitely going to have to happen." Advertisement The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec says the team "would love" to get it before the new season kicks off. "His cap number balloons to $74.5 million next year," Zrebiec wrote. "The Ravens would love to reach an agreement on an extension with Jackson before the start of this season." The team could save substantial money on the salary cap by extending him now and pushing some of that $74.5 million back. And it sounds like there's a good chance of that happening sooner rather than later. Related: Ravens QB Breaks Into Sports Ownership Role Related: Ravens Draft Could Shock NFL By Producing Multiple Starters
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Detroit Lions Big Winner in Latest Post-Draft Power Rankings
The Detroit Lions and their head coach Dan Campbell set an ambitious publicly stated goal of making it to the Super Bowl during the 2024-2025 NFL season, only to watch helplessly as injuries took their toll late in the season. The result was a second round playoff loss to the Washington Commanders that shocked fans and caused Campbell to shed tears in a postgame press conference as the end of his dream had hit an impasse. Advertisement Last month, the Lions selected seven new players at the 2025 NFL draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, adding size, skill and talent to a team that was already expected to challenge for the NFC crown in 2025-2026. Dan Campbell (left) shares a coffee with two others at the NFL Annual Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida. © Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Recently, NFL insider Dave Helman shared his post-draft NFL power rankings, placing the Lions second in the league behind the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. The Lions were followed up by three AFC teams, the Bills, Ravens, and Chiefs, and ranked four spots ahead of Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. The other three NFC North teams came in 10th, 14th and 16th with the second place Vikings falling to last in the division according to Helman's picks. Fans reacted with excitement. "Vikings not in the top 8 is a crime and pure hate," another added. Advertisement "Lions are too low," another fan added about Detroit, indicating he believed they are Super Bowl Championship bound. Related: Dan Campbell Performs Dad Duties Well for Daughter in Heartwarming Video
Miami Herald
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Dolphins GM Chris Grier not worried about fans who want him fired ahead of NFL Draft
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has heard the noise. He knows fans are upset. He knows fans want changes. And, even more accurate, he knows that fans want him fired. 'We see how many people are calling for me to get fired after a season like that,' Grier said Monday. 'It's just the nature of the beast. The NFL is one of the most popular leagues in the world.' The 2025 season will be critical for the future of the franchise's current regime. After back-to-back playoff appearances, the Dolphins finished the 2024 season 8-9 without a trip to the postseason. The significance of 2025 was likely further ingrained into his psyche after he received a gift from a loyal fan. 'I get this package that comes so open it,' Grier said. 'It's like the nicest letter that's like 'Chris, hey keep doing what you're doing. Blah, blah, blah. Wishing you guys all the best, you and Mike, from a longtime fan.' And then I pull out the shirt in it, open it up and it says, 'Don't f this up.'' Added Grier: 'I appreciate the fans. I love the passion of Dolphins fans. We want to win as much as they do and we understand it.' As of Tuesday afternoon, the Dolphins' laundry list full of needs just got a bit longer now that the franchise and All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey agreed to seek a trade. The Dolphins could potentially enter the draft in need of several starters including two corners, a defensive tackle and a guard. Throw in the loss of leaders such as defensive tackle Calais Campbell to the Arizona Cardinals and tackle Terron Armstead to retirement and it's worth wondering whether or not the Dolphins are in rebuild mode. Grier, however, refused to use the 'r' word. And despite owner Stephen Ross' refusal to accept the status quo, Grier ha not been given an ultimatum when it comes to wins. 'No,' Grier said of a potential rebuild. 'That has not been brought up at all. We have a lot of really good players on this roster, at places that impact games. Our goal is to win this year and have sustained success in the future.' Grier's response echoed that of coach Mike McDaniel, who faced a similar question during the 2025 NFL Annual Meeting. 'Every year to me, if you're not feeling heat on the seat, you have the wrong urgency,' McDaniel said March 31, adding that he and Ross haven't discussed anything of the sort. 'It should be that way every year, because this is not my gift. This is an incredible responsibility that I only sign up for because I think I'm the best person suited for it.' McDaniel later quipped that he wants 'to be on that hot seat' that Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was on prior to winning Super Bowl 59. 'This is the fastest-changing world in sports,' McDaniel added. 'Again, Nick Sirianni was on the hottest seat.' With all of the holes, however, the Dolphins will need to rely heavily on the draft, something that Grier expected to do. The franchise does have 10 picks in the upcoming draft, five which are in the first four rounds. 'The strength of the draft aligns with where people would say our need are,' Grier said, later adding that 'if we chose to stay at [13], we'll have options.' Grier also praised what's left of the free agent class. 'There are more good street free agents on the streets than a long time,' Grier said. 'A lot of veterans are waiting to see where they're going to sign.' With the draft less than two weeks away, the picture of the 2025 Dolphins will become a bit clearer. That day, however, can't come soon enough as the holes just seem to grow.
USA Today
14-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking and evaluating the top-10 running backs in 2025 NFL draft
Ranking and evaluating the top-10 running backs in 2025 NFL draft It's a good time for the New England Patriots to be in the market for a running back considering the 2025 class has one of the deepest pools of talent at the position in recent memory. There will be opportunities in every round to add to the offensive backfield in New England. Even Patriots coach Mike Vrabel hinted at the possibility of the team acquiring a "good young runner." "I think so, having a good young runner, that's potentially something we would like to do," Vrabel said at the NFL Annual Meeting, via Evan Lazar. If they decide to address the running back position, these are the top-10 options at the 2025 NFL draft. For those following this series, I broke down the quarterback position last week. Now, we're turning our attention to a solid group of running backs in this class. Let's dive in. 10. Jordan James, Oregon Jordan James is a compact, powerful runner with a well-rounded game that often flies under the radar due to his time in committee backfields. He's got strong burst, impressive leg drive, and a veteran-level sense of patience and pacing. James excels in short-yardage and red-zone situations, consistently finding ways to move the chains and punch the ball into the end zone. He plays with great pad level and lateral agility, and his ball security is rock solid. Because of his limited usage in college, he enters the league with minimal wear and tear — a plus for a position that often takes heavy punishment. There are some concerns, though. He lacks elite top-end speed, isn't much of a receiving threat and needs development in pass protection. There are also questions stemming from a 2024 head injury and other missed games that scouts will need to clear. Still, James offers late-round value as a change-of-pace or rotational power back who can thrive in a downhill scheme. 9. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State Cam Skattebo is one of the most energetic downhill runners in this class. At 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds, he brings elite contact balance and a natural feel for the flow of the defense. He's a patient runner who presses the line of scrimmage well, then bursts through creases with power and vision. As a receiver, Skattebo has natural hands and is a reliable target in the passing game, adding to his versatility. His jitterbug style and relentless energy make him a perfect change-of-pace back. He thrives in short-yardage situations and is a dependable option near the goal line. That said, his flaws are clear. He has fumbled 10 times over the past three years and lacks true long speed (4.64 40-yard dash). His pass protection is inconsistent, and he's shown a tendency to try too hard to make something out of nothing — often leading to negative plays. Durability is a concern due to his heavy usage in college, but Skattebo has the grit and skill set to carve out a meaningful NFL role. 8. Trevor Etienne, Georgia Trevor Etienne — younger brother of NFL standout Travis Etienne — is one of the smoothest runners in this class. A transfer from Florida to Georgia, Etienne (5'9', 198 pounds) put up impressive testing numbers and shows electric burst, vision and cutting ability. He draws natural comparisons to Kenneth Walker with his ability to maintain speed through direction changes and create in tight spaces. Etienne's receiving ability is highly underrated. He dropped just one of 63 career targets, catches away from his frame with ease and transitions into a runner almost instantly after the catch. His pass protection is solid for his size — he's willing and technically sound, but still developing. At just 20 years old, he's still filling out physically and may not project as a true bell-cow back. However, his upside as a dynamic runner and pass catcher makes him one of the more exciting prospects in a deep class. Teams looking for an explosive, dual-threat back will love what Etienne brings. 7. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee Dylan Sampson is an electric runner in a compact frame. At 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, he packs a punch, with burst, agility and short-area quickness that make him a nightmare in open space. He excels in zone schemes thanks to his vision and decision-making. Sampson has an 80 percent conversion rate on third-and-short attempts, and he understands leverage well in pass protection. He's a slasher — capable of making defenders miss with quick cuts and sharp spins. His size does raise concerns about his ability to handle a full workload. He also lost four fumbles in 2024 and has limited experience catching passes out of the backfield. There's some projection needed in terms of his role at the next level, but if used correctly, Sampson could thrive as a change-of-pace back or third-down option with explosive upside. 6. Devin Neal, Kansas Devin Neal is a highly versatile back who brings fluidity, burst and polish to his game. He's got a quick first step and a natural feel for zone blocking schemes. Neal's change-of-direction skills are impressive. He's able to cut with minimal speed loss and stay balanced through traffic. He's fumbled only four times on 760 touches and has experience in both gap and zone concepts, adding to his pro-readiness. He's shown steady improvement as a pass-catcher, though his hands still aren't considered natural. He lacks elite contact balance and can be brought down by first contact more than you'd like. He also needs work in pass protection, especially in identifying blitzers and staying square. But the upside is clear — Neal is a smooth athlete with home-run ability and the versatility to fit into a variety of NFL schemes. 5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State Quinshon Judkins is one of the most explosive backs in the class. At 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds with a 4.48 40-yard dash, he posted elite vertical, broad jump and 10-yard split numbers — and that athleticism shows up on tape. Judkins runs with power and precision, bouncing off tackles and making defenders miss with stiff arms and subtle cuts. His vision and awareness at full speed are excellent. Judkins thrives in short-yardage and high-leverage situations. He has incredible ball security (just three fumbles over 800 collegiate touches), and he consistently grinds out extra yards. His top-end speed isn't elite, and he can get a bit tight when trying to string multiple cuts together. He also needs improvement in pass protection — both in terms of technique and recognition. Still, he's one of the best power backs in this class with enough wiggle and explosiveness to be more than just a short-yardage option. 4. Caleb Johnson, Iowa Caleb Johnson brings old-school toughness to the position. At 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds with a 4.57 40-yard dash, he's a strong, physical runner who embraces contact and gets stronger as the game goes on. Johnson displays excellent vision and tempo — often leaning into contact and maximizing every yard. His pad level is consistently low, and he does a great job of pressing the hole before exploding through it. He's not flashy, but he's dependable. Johnson isn't much of a receiving threat, and he lacks top-end breakaway speed. His hands are average, and his pass protection needs improvement. But what he lacks in finesse, he makes up for in grit and reliability. He's the type of back that can earn a role early as a rotational power back and has long-term starter potential for a downhill scheme. Teams looking for a steady between-the-tackles presence will like what Johnson brings to the table. 3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State TreVeyon Henderson is a dynamic home-run threat with elite acceleration and the vision to make defenders miss at every level. He's one of the most explosive backs in this class and brings value both as a runner and a pass protector. Henderson excels in space, using his burst and lateral agility to create big plays. His second-level vision is exceptional, helping him set up blockers and find lanes in the open field. He's a well-rounded player with soft hands, strong pass-blocking skills and rare quickness. Henderson's cuts are sudden and sharp, and his contact balance makes him a nightmare in one-on-one situations. That said, there are a few areas of concern. He missed extended time in both 2022 and 2023 with injuries, and there's a tendency for him to get overly creative — dancing in the backfield instead of just hitting the hole. He can also bounce runs outside prematurely, which may not work as consistently in the NFL. Still, Henderson's upside is undeniable. 2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina Omarion Hampton is a powerful, explosive runner with a rare blend of size (6'0", 221), speed (4.46 40-yard dash) and athleticism (38-inch vertical). His tape is violent in the best way — constantly churning through tackles and running with a downhill, punishing style. He showed a strong ability to find tight seams and explode through them, even behind a poor offensive line. Hampton has strong burst and decisive running instincts. Once he identifies a hole, he hits it hard and finishes his runs. His hands are soft, and he catches well through contact. He thrives when building momentum and is tough to bring down when he gets going. However, he still needs refinement in pass protection. He tends to rely on cut-blocking techniques and doesn't always square up with his hands and pad level. His route tree is also limited, consisting mostly of swing passes and screens. Still, he's one of the most complete backs in the class and will push for a first-round selection. 1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State At 5-foot-8 and 211 pounds, Ashton Jeanty may not blow you away with his physical build, but his tape says it all — he's a special, potentially generational talent. He's the closest prospect we've seen to Saquon Barkley in quite some time. Jeanty has elite contact balance and vision, with the burst and long speed to break away once he finds daylight. He's a legitimate threat as both a runner and pass-catcher, featuring soft hands and an impressive catch radius. Despite his size, Jeanty shows incredible durability and thrives under heavy workloads. He's built like a workhorse, with the pad level and leg drive to power through contact. In pass protection, he's well above average for a college back, capable of diagnosing blitzes and holding his own. There are a few holes in his game. The only knocks are his compact frame and a somewhat limited route tree. Load management could be a concern given how heavily he was used in college, but even that is minor when compared to his upside. He's a top-10 pick in this class and should make an instant impact in the NFL. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Brian Daboll's evaluation process reveals about NY Giants quarterback quest
PALM BEACH, Fla. - Brian Daboll isn't going to Colorado Pro Day on Friday. Don't take that as a lack of interest from the New York Giants in Shedeur Sanders possibly being their next franchise quarterback. It's just part of a calculated evaluation at the position for Daboll that has evolved over the past 14 years from when he was the offensive coordinator and general manager Joe Schoen was a national scout for the Miami Dolphins. Advertisement "We like the process we have in place for quarterbacks in the NFL Draft," Schoen told and The Record after the season. "Daboll put it together a while ago, we believe in it and how we go about it." Team brass has promised to take swings for a quarterback this offseason, and that certainly applied with the trade interest in Matthew Stafford before he went back to the Rams and their pursuit of Aaron Rodgers before landing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Whether Daboll and Schoen will do the same in three weeks beginning with the No. 3 selection of the 2025 NFL Draft remains to be seen. But they have done everything they would have if there was a mandate to take a quarterback for the future - just as they did last year. The reality is the same every year, unless you have the No. 1 pick - circumstances "You do the work, you build the board," Schoen said. "Then you see what happens, and you trust all you did to get to that point." New York Giants coach Brian Daboll talks to reporters during the NFC Coaches Breakfast at the NFL Annual Meeting on Tuesday morning in Palm Beach, Fla. The late Tony Sparano, as head coach of those 2011 Dolphins, tasked Daboll with coming up with a plan to evaluate QBs. They had Pat Devlin, J.P. Losman and Matt Moore on the roster, so the need was there. Opportunity did not present itself in that class, however, with Cam Newton going No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick going in the second round, Tyrod Taylor in the sixth round and the rest turning out to be a who's who of journeymen and busts featuring the likes of Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert, Christian Ponder, Ryan Mallett, Ricky Stanzi and T.J. Yates. Advertisement "A lot of guys evaluate – it's not the right or wrong way," Daboll said. "We do a variety of different things with these players. Put them in a lot of different situations, no different than I'm sure a lot of teams do. You just got to try to check of the boxes with the things you ask them to do and touch points and people that you talk to." The Giants believe Daboll gives them an edge. Even though they have yet to draft a quarterback in three previous years, the behind-the-scenes intel of what they thought and how their board was set has boosted the confidence. Now it's a matter of actually turning the card in. Here's how the Giants get to that point with strong emphasis on private workouts for quarterbacks. As far as Pro Days, Daboll has only been to a handful through the years. Last season, he was at LSU Pro Day - which featured Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers, of course - and at Washington Pro Day featuring Michael Penix and Rome Odunze. Advertisement For Daniels, the current Commanders quarterback chose not to do a private workout for teams outside the top three picks. That was a big reason Daboll was there in Baton Rouge. And for Penix, he had dinner with the Giants the night after his Pro Day. The homework starts prior to the team's contingent arriving on campus. Daboll develops tests for each quarterback featuring formations, motions, defensive fronts, run concepts and pass concepts. Those exams are sent to the quarterbacks and returned before the workouts so Daboll and the Giants can get a baseline for the prospects' football knowledge. "I would say, you're doing work all the way up until the draft and you're trying to cross every T and dot every I," Daboll said. "There is so much information you've got to weed through. Some of the stuff that you listen to or hear and you've got to trust your meetings with the players, and you got to trust the time that you were on the board with them and how they were at the Combine, the East-West game, or the time you got to meet them, what the athletic trainers had to say or what did the graduate assistant have to say." Advertisement He paused before adding: "You know, the face of a franchise is the quarterback. It's not an easy position to evaluate and it's not an easy position to coach or to play, so you do the best job you can to try to find the right one for your team." Schoen and members of his scouting and personnel staff schedule the workouts, which are typically held on the player's college campus. The Giants connect the quarterbacks with Daboll, but intentionally leave certain details of the visits open-ended, suggesting the prospects make the dinner reservations or plan the car service for pick up at the airport. That's to test both their maturity and willingness to follow through on things that might normally be taken care of outside their purview. If the Giants select Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter or pass rusher Abdul Carter at No. 3, expect the focus to shift to any number of potential QB targets who can, at the very least, join the roster as developmental prospects with upside. The Giants were at Pro Days for Tyler Shough at Louisville and Quinn Ewers of Texas, and they have scouted Alabama's Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss, Kyle McCord of Syracuse and Will Howard of Ohio State. The Giants are expected to hold workouts with a good number of those prospects, including Sanders, and Daboll said they already have had several since the Combine in early March. The hope is that, as Schoen and Daboll helped the Bills secure reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen, the Giants will eventually reap the reward of that process, too. Advertisement In Year 4, the clock is ticking, and no one can be sure these Giants will get their chance at the plate if more wins don't start to come. "We're going to go through the evaluation of all the guys that have been on my list to look at and talk to," Daboll said. "Again, everything has to fall in the line too, relative to draft picks, where you're picking, if somebody gets picked ahead of time. ... You don't know when they're going to get taken. If there is an affinity you have for a player, if you feel like that player is the right player and they're sitting there at whatever pick you have, is it a reach, not a reach, I'm not going to get into that - it's how you feel about the player and does that player match where you want to take them." That's a swing Daboll and the Giants have yet to take. We'll find out if this is the year where the evaluation process Schoen continues to laud helps Big Blue finally land a franchise quarterback of their own. This article originally appeared on What Brian Daboll NY Giants QB evaluation process reveals about quest
