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USA Today
22 minutes ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bengals' x-factor for 2025 NFL season flying under the radar
Bengals' x-factor for 2025 NFL season flying under the radar When it comes to x-factors in 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals have a few who come to mind. Think, someone like rookie Demetrius Knight being able to step in and help on the defense right away. Or the front office when it comes to solving the contract standoffs with both Trey Hendrickson and rookie Shemar Stewart. Somewhat joking about the front office aside, another key x-factor is second-year offensive tackle Amarius Mims, who just found himself spotlighted as such by Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman: "The Bengals had the second-lowest-graded offensive line in the league, finishing above only the Patriots. The unit remains mostly the same from 2024, and the player whom most are expecting to make a jump is right tackle Amarius Mims. The 2024 first-round pick mostly had a rookie season to forget, placing 67th among all tackles with a 57.8 PFF overall grade. If he doesn't experience a sophomore breakout, Cincinnati's offensive line could struggle mightily once again." RELATED: Bengals UDFA is already turning heads at OTAs The Bengals are certainly counting on Mims to make a second-year leap and stay on the field. They could also trot out two new starters at guard with free-agent arrival Lucas Patrick and rookie Dylan Fairchild. Arguably more than anything, the Bengals hope that a new-look coaching staff overseeing the offensive trenches offers a big solution too, helping to get the most out of their guys while finally developing some of their own draft picks properly. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles dominate the top 5 of PFF's ranking of the NFL's top 32 offensive tackles
Eagles dominate the top 5 of PFF's ranking of the NFL's top 32 offensive tackles PFF ranked the top 32 offensive tackles in the NFL, with Jordan Mailata surpassing Trent Williams for the No. 1 spot, while Lane Johnson secured No. 5. The Top 10 Offensive Tackles in the NFL today 💪 — PFF (@PFF) May 31, 2025 The Eagles have the top offensive line in the NFL, and one of the most significant contributors to sustained success starts with the bookends at offensive tackle. Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson have cemented themselves as the top duo in the NFL, and the former Australian Rugby star has overtaken the future Hall of Famer in Pro Football Focus rankings. PFF ranked the top 32 offensive tackles in the NFL, with Jordan Mailata surpassing Trent Williams for the No. 1 spot, while Lane Johnson secured No. 5. Tristan Wirfs (Buccaneers), Rashawn Slater (Chargers), and Williams (49ers) were second, third, and fourth on the list, sandwiched in between the Eagles duo. What PFF said about Mailata: "Mailata was the most complete offensive lineman in the NFL in 2024." "Only two offensive tackles earned PFF pass-blocking grades above 90.0, and only two earned PFF run-blocking grades above 90.0. Philadelphia's left tackle was the only one to achieve both feats. His 95.2 PFF overall grade also led the position." What PFF said about Lane Johnson: "Johnson, the highest-ranked right tackle on this list, was one of just two offensive tackles to earn PFF pass-blocking and run-blocking grades over 85.0 in 2024 — with the other being his teammate Jordan Mailata." "Johnson did not surrender a sack and gave up pressure on only 2.2% of pass plays during the 2024 regular season, which ranked second among all offensive tackles and led right tackles."
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Browns DE Myles Garrett tops PFF edge rusher list
Browns DE Myles Garrett tops PFF edge rusher list Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett tops another preseason list. Pro Football Focus announced their top ten edge defenders heading into the 2025 NFL season. Garrett was number one, followed by the Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons, then arch rival, T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Garrett has been the undisputed best defensive player in the NFL since Aaron Donald retired, much to the chagrin of his contemporaries. Garrett had a very eventful offseason. The superstar spent the week leading up to the Super Bowl demanding a trade on media row. Garrett wanted the Browns to commit to winning as he entered the back half of his career. The Browns didn't commit to winning, but placated him with compliments, calling Garrett a 'Cleveland to Canton player' and giving him a new four-year extension that averages $40 million per year. The contract made him the highest-paid non-quarterback for a couple of weeks. Garrett is worth his weight in gold, and he'll have a chance to add some more hardware to his collection this season. The Browns committed themselves to Garrett with the contract and the draft. New defensive tackle Mason Graham is a great interior pass rusher. He's the ideal partner for Garrett. Graham can push the front of the pocket and stop quarterbacks from stepping up. Garrett will be able to tee off on quarterbacks. Garrett is trying his hardest to etch his name into the record books. He has a good shot at getting over 20 sacks with Graham by his side. Garrett has a great opportunity this season to chase quarterbacks and the records of all-time greats.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos' Dre Greenlaw ranked among NFL's best linebackers
Broncos' Dre Greenlaw ranked among NFL's best linebackers Pro Football Focus writer Mason Cameron recently released his list of the top 32 linebackers ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Although a free agent signing from the San Francisco 49ers, Cameron selected Denver Broncos newcomer Dre Greenlaw as one of the NFL's top linebackers. Cameron chose Greenlaw as the fifth-best linebacker, primarily based on his play before his Achilles injury in the Super Bowl in February 2024. While he played two games in 2024, his 247 tackles combined in 2022 and 2023 will help build an impressive resume while showing his reputation as a linebacker. Cameron quickly noted that Greenlaw, when healthy, is a top-tier linebacker; he did draw on the concern that there are questions about his health. 'Although he played just 34 snaps in 2024, Greenlaw was on his way to the upper echelon of linebacker play before his injury," Cameron wrote for PFF. "His profile as one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL was on full display from 2022 to 2023, when he posted a combined 88.9 PFF coverage grade. While there are questions regarding the level he can return to, Greenlaw's ceiling is high and worthy of this lofty placement.' Denver hopes Greenlaw can help further transform the Broncos' defense, which was among the NFL's best last fall. With Pat Surtain in the secondary, Greenlaw's presence in the middle can help Denver get over the hump in 2025, health permitting. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF names WR Michael Wilson as Arizona Cardinals' X-factor in 2025
PFF names WR Michael Wilson as Arizona Cardinals' X-factor in 2025 Can Michael Wilson become the consistent third offensive weapon in the passing game in 2025? The Arizona Cardinals will be counting on a few players to be top performers in 2025. Quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner, receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and tight end Trey McBride are the high rollers on offense. They will rely on many newcomers on defense. But who is the Cardinals' X-factor in 2025? According to PFF, that would be third-year receiver Michael Wilson. Arizona Cardinals' 2025 X-factor: WR Michael Wilson Marvin Harrison Jr. could soon be a star, and Trey McBride is one of the best tight ends in the NFL. The Cardinals need one more dynamic receiving weapon, though, and Wilson is the player they're counting on. His 64.5 PFF receiving grade last season represents a slight decline from his rookie season in 2023. He also recorded fewer than 60 receiving yards in every game after Week 5 in 2024. If Wilson can break out in Year 3, Arizona's offense could be a serious two-dimensional threat. The Cardinals do need a consistent producer as their third option in the passing game. Murray believes Wilson can be a 1,000-yard receiver. The team's belief in him and the receivers behind him show in the fact that they only added Simi Fehoko in free agency. Wilson is a factor as a blocker and has had good games. What he has not had in his two NFL seasons is consistency. Will Year 3 be the year? If so and he can be an 800-yard type player, the Cardinals will be great offensively. 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.
