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USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Vikings fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Minnesota. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Vikings, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Vikings fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Francis Mauigoa School: Miami (FL) Height/Weight: 6-6/315 lbs. Player Background - 5-Star Recruit - Member of Feldman's Freak List - Just Turned 20 in June, Will Be 20 When He is Drafted - Second-Team All-ACC in 2024 Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 26 Career Games - 26 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 69.4 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 68.6 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 726 Run Blocking Snaps - 1,054 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Athletic ability to handle anyone who tries and face him - Powerful hands both in his leverage but also his strength - Great anchoring ability with a strong base - Quick feet to handle speed on the edge, doesn't lose balance - Can take defenders out of plays Player Summary Francis Mauigoa will be this year's Will Campbell in the sense that his size will dictate the conversation. That being said, he is twice the athlete that Campbell was, in my opinion, and because of that, I see him as a tackle. At worst, he will be a Pro Bowl-level guard from day one for a team that lands him. I love his athletic ability, but he also plays with a physical edge that not many tackles play with anymore. He has strong hands, a good punch, and a good base, and that trio of qualities spells trouble for most anyone who lines up across from him. He will be a must-watch again this Fall in a fast and tough ACC.
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Draft Summer Scouting Report: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
Summer is here, and it is everyone's favorite time of the year, scouting time. Every year, we do Summer Scouting to preview college football for Bucs fans, but also give them an idea of names to follow and watch in the fall as needs pop up for Tampa Bay. Are we going to write about quarterbacks? You know it, but why? Because other NFL teams will draft them, just as they will draft every other position. It all matters whether these players end up on the Bucs, the Bears, or the Steelers. We write these so Bucs fans can be the most informed fans. So if you are still with us, enjoy our latest Summer Scouting report as we prepare you for the Fall. Player Information Player: Francis Mauigoa School: Miami (FL) Height/Weight: 6-6/315 lbs. Player Background - 5-Star Recruit - Member of Feldman's Freak List - Just Turned 20 in June, Will Be 20 When He is Drafted - Second-Team All-ACC in 2024 Career Stats Heading into the 2025 Season - 26 Career Games - 26 Career Starts Notable PFF Numbers Heading into the 2025 Season - 69.4 PFF Run Blocking Grade - 68.6 PFF Pass Blocking Grade - 726 Run Blocking Snaps - 1,054 Pass Blocking Snaps Player Traits - Athletic ability to handle anyone who tries and face him - Powerful hands both in his leverage but also his strength - Great anchoring ability with a strong base - Quick feet to handle speed on the edge, doesn't lose balance - Can take defenders out of plays Player Summary Francis Mauigoa will be this year's Will Campbell in the sense that his size will dictate the conversation. That being said, he is twice the athlete that Campbell was, in my opinion, and because of that, I see him as a tackle. At worst, he will be a Pro Bowl-level guard from day one for a team that lands him. I love his athletic ability, but he also plays with a physical edge that not many tackles play with anymore. He has strong hands, a good punch, and a good base, and that trio of qualities spells trouble for most anyone who lines up across from him. He will be a must-watch again this Fall in a fast and tough ACC.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFC West LT rankings: Trent Williams remains class of division
The 49ers' Trent Williams remains No. 1. Where does Paris Johnson land this year? We are in the final stretch of the NFL offseason as the Arizona Cardinals open training camp on July 22. Leading up to then, as we have for several offseasons, go through the players and position groups in the NFC West and rank them. Next up, we look at the left tackles for the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks and rank them. NFL left tackle rankings: NFC West 1. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers Williams, despite missing seven games last season and now turning 37 years old this month, he is still considered one of the top tackles in the NFL. Coaches, scouts and executives voted him the No. 4 tackle in the league. He is likely going to be the No. 1 tackle in the division until he retires. 2. Paris Johnson, Arizona Cardinals Johnson had a solid rookie season in 2023 as the Cardinals' right tackle and moved over to the left side in 2024. He was good, although his play declined slightly in the second half of the season and he missed the final three games with a knee injury. He is healthy and appears ready to be a Pro Bowl-level tackle. He even got top-10 votes from coaches, scouts and execs. 3. Charles Cross, Seattle Seahawks Cross is the best part of the questionable Seahawks offensive line, and is is solid. he has been Seattle's starting left tackle since he was drafted ninth overall in 2022. The next step for Cross, like Johnson, is to get recognized as one of the better tackles. He is just a bit behind Johnson. 4. Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams Jackson is no slouch but he is clearly the caboose of the division. He is likely to miss at least the start of the season, as he has blood clots in his leg for the second time. In the meantime, former Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries will likely play in his spot, and he would fall to No. 4 in these rankings, too. 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
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jonnu Smith trade grades: Who won the Steelers and Dolphins deal?
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins were busy wheeling and dealing on Monday morning. First, Pittsburgh and Miami exchanged All-Pro-caliber defensive backs when Jalen Ramsey was sent off to the Steel City, while star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick officially made his return to Miami, the city he spent his rookie NFL season in. It's a fascinating deal, but it's the one we're here to talk about. Because in another trade stacked on top of that one, the Steelers acquired 2024 Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith. For the Dolphins, they avoid paying (or extending) Smith. From a football fit, it's an intriguing reunion for Smith and his former Falcons coach, Arthur Smith, who now coordinates the Steelers offense. Let's unpack this weird deal and see where the Steelers and Dolphins now stand. Trade details According to ESPN's Adam Schefter: Pittsburgh Steelers This kinda feels like ... a steal for the Steelers? I'm aware Smith is coming off a career season at the age of 29. He isn't guaranteed to replicate Pro Bowl-level production in any shape or form. However, sending him to Pittsburgh means he's going to work with Arthur Smith again, someone who coached him both in Atlanta and Tennessee. If there's anyone who understands how to make Jonny Smith a consistent focal point of an offense, it's Arthur Smith. And while he's pretty long in the tooth, Aaron Rodgers has always enjoyed utilizing a tight end up the seam as a pass target. The fit makes sense. Getting Smith for the princely sum of a draft pick swap and a short extension is a smart but underrated move for Pittsburgh. Grade: B+ Miami Dolphins Uh ... sure? In a make-or-break season for Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel, I don't think the Dolphins are in a position to be trading away reliable weapons. Tyreek Hill is clearly on the decline, Jaylen Waddle is a little overrated, and Smith was one of the few constants Miami could actually count on last year. As long as they kept feeding him the ball, it's not like his production was going to fall off a cliff. But it never seemed like the Dolphins were all that keen on keeping Smith long term. You see it in them barely acquiring any notable assets while trading him. I'm not sure how this makes Miami better other than saving a paltry sum of money for a good tight end. It's not like the Dolphins have a solid replacement plan. Alas, now the Dolphins can move on. I guess. Grade: C
USA Today
04-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Saints rank among the NFL's lowest spenders in undrafted free agency
Saints rank among the NFL's lowest spenders in undrafted free agency For years the New Orleans Saints were seen as an attractive team for undrafted free agents, giving long-shot rookies better odds of making the team than other outfits around the league. It goes back to the early days of the Sean Payton-and-Drew Brees era, when the Saints consistently found diamonds in the rough like running back Pierre Thomas and wide receiver Lance Moore. More recently, the Saints have found Pro Bowl-level talents after the draft like special teams ace J.T. Gray and returns specialist Rashid Shaheed (who has become a dynamite receiver in his own right). But 2025's rookie free agent class doesn't have as much momentum behind them. For one thing, it's one of the smaller classes around the league, with just 11 players. That's tied with four other teams to rank 23rd in the NFL, half the size of the Jacksonville Jaguars' 22-man class. Four more teams each signed 20 or more rookie free agents this spring. For another thing, based on the latest reporting, the Saints guaranteed just $904,000 between those 11 players. Six teams gave out at least $2 million in guarantees, each, while 14 teams got to at least $1 million. The Saints, at best, rank around the league's middle class. Guarantees are a useful yardstick because that's how teams outbid each other to recruit rookies after the draft. If a player was guaranteed a big portion of his contract, the team clearly expects him to win a roster spot, and they had to fight out competitors to get him. Which means other teams weren't banging on the door to get a word in with many of the Saints' rookie free agents. Former South Carolina guard Torriccelli Simpkins III received the highest guarantees on the team, at $259,000, but just two other players broke the $100,000 threshold -- Kansas State tackle Easton Kilty ($240,000) and Delaware running back Marcus Yarns ($120,000). The details aren't in on Hunter Dekkers' contract, but seeing as he only signed after trying out at rookie minicamp, we're guessing the Saints didn't guarantee him much money. Why did this change? When did the Saints go from a powerhouse in undrafted free agency to a team that's fallen behind? The main culprit would be a lack of opportunities in New Orleans. If all things are equal, young pros would rather go somewhere they have a real shot at competing for a roster spot than coming to the Saints, where they would be stuck behind older veterans on the defensive line like Cameron Jordan, Nathan Shepherd, and Davon Godchaux. It's a similar story at other positions. Young guys want to go where they can play, and the Saints don't have as many of those opportunities as other teams. Still, guys beat the odds all the time. Once the pads come on and practice intensity ramps up at training camp, we'll start to find out which of these rookies has a real shot at making the team. Maybe someone surprises us. But for now, it's probably best to keep expectations muted.
