Latest news with #Puni
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2 NFC West players named potential \
2 NFC West players named potential "best players at their position" The Seattle Seahawks are constantly jockeying for position in the NFC West. In 2024, the division was captured by the Los Angeles Rams, who possessed the tiebreaker over the Seahawks after both teams matched records of 10-7. Moving forward, which NFC West competitor possesses the more ascending talents will have the upper hand in the division-title race. Pro Football Focus recently compiled a list of which players have a chance to become the best at their respective position in 2025. Unfortunately for the Seahawks, none of their in-house talents qualified. Making matters worse, San Francisco 49ers guard Dominick Puni, and Rams EDGE Jared Verse both made the list. "Puni was a revelation for the 49ers last season, finishing with the sixth-best overall grade among qualified guards at 80.5," Dalton Wasserman wrote. "A major factor in that success was his effectiveness in Kyle Shanahan's outside zone scheme — his 82.1 outside zone run-blocking grade ranked fifth among all guards. With another year of development in Shanahan's system, both as a run blocker and pass protector, Puni could soon challenge for the top spot at the position." The Seahawks were out-gained by the 49ers 228-52 on the ground in a Week 6 defeat. Puni played a large role in that dominant showing. Furthermore, 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy was not sacked in that contest. Puni helped stonewall Mike Macdonald's defense. "Reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse is poised to build on his outstanding 2024 season," Wasserman continued. "His 89 pressures, including the postseason, led the NFL. He was also one of just two qualified edge defenders — along with T.J. Watt — to earn at least an 80.0 grade in both run defense and pass rushing. The only blemish on his resume was a league-high 21 missed tackles." Verse probably won't be the best EDGE in the league this season, given the elite talent at the position. Myles Garrett, Watt, Aidan Hutchinson, and Micah Parsons would like a word. Still, Verse's dominant rookie campaign spells bad news for the Seahawks moving forward. The Seahawks need to start stacking similar young talents throughout their roster, or they risk falling behind.
USA Today
12-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers duo among top 25 in NFL performance-based pay
49ers duo among top 25 in NFL performance-based pay Two San Francisco 49ers were among the top 25 NFL players in performance-based pay for the 2024 NFL season. 49ers guard Dominick Puni earned $898,036 in performance-based pay and San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy earned $857,842. Those two performance-based pay earnings ranked 11th and 16th in the NFL respectively. Puni, a third-round selection out of Kansas in the 2024 NFL draft, started all 17 games for the 49ers during his rookie campaign at right guard. According to Pro Football Focus, Puni earned an offensive grade of 80.5, including a run blocking grade of 81.5 and a pass blocking grade of 68.9. The 6-foot-5, 313 pound offensive lineman was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. Meanwhile, Purdy played in and started 15 games for the 49ers. Purdy completed 65.9% of his passes for 3,864 yards with 20 passing touchdowns against 12 interceptions. The 6-foot-1, 220 pound signal-caller also rushed for 323 yards and five scores. Purdy just completed his second full season as the 49ers' starting quarterback after taking over midway through the 2022 campaign where he guided San Francisco to the NFC Championship game before sustaining an elbow injury early in that contest against Philadelphia. Purdy returned from the injury in 2023 and garnered his first Pro Bowl nod, passing for 4,280 yards and 31 touchdowns as he led the 49ers to the George Halas Trophy and an overtime loss in Super Bowl LVIII.
