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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Payton, Nix, Surtain sit with 'Scoop City,' talk Broncos expectations
During training camp, former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel and NFL insider for The Athletic, Dianna Russini sat down with a superstar trio for the Denver Broncos -- head coach Sean Payton, reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain and quarterback Bo Nix -- on their "Scoop City" podcast. (Timestamps where the interview begins are in parentheses.) Bo Nix (:32) Nix was first asked about what it has been like to transition from his rookie year to 2025. "It's a lot easier this year," said Nix. "It's the first time since my junior and senior year in high school I had the same (offensive) system back-to-back years." Nix returns to a Broncos offense that recently re-signed his No. 1 pass catcher, Courtland Sutton, the entire starting offensive line and head coach Sean Payton behind the mic. With that level of continuity coming back into the offense, and a few new weapons entering the fray in the form of Evan Engram, RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins and Pat Bryant, Nix may be set up for a special year under center. Pat Surtain (12:18) Surtain is coming off a dominating season in which he was awarded the Defensive Player of the Year award. As one of the top corners in the NFL today, Surtain was asked to name his top quarterbacks in the NFL. Some of his answers were expected: Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens), Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) and Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers). But one name on Surtain's list of top quarterbacks may be a little unexpected. "Bo Nix," said Surtain. "I'm telling you, Bo's gonna be a problem." Nix is the playcaller Surtain faces off with the most, but if Nix is getting that type of praise from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, it is something to take note of. Surtain was also asked about the challenge each week of going up against an opponent's top receiver. "I know my name is going to be called, you know what I mean," said Surtain. "Guarding the best. I strive for challenges. You know, I strive for those matchups because I know I'm going up against the best each and every week is only going to build the best out of me and bring out the best in me. And I accept that. I accept that role in this defense." Some of his toughest challenges will come in the first half of the season against Ja'Marr Chase (Week 4, vs. Cincinnati Bengals) A.J. Brown (Week 5, @ Philadelphia Eagles) and CeeDee Lamb (Week 8 vs. Dallas Cowboys). Sean Payton (23:27) Payton was asked about both the offense and the defensive sides of the ball, both of which received major free agent upgrades. Payton was asked about the state of the defense heading into 2025. "Confident," said Payton. "Swagger. You take and look, in big games last year, we saw them play and play, turn the ball over, sacks, and then you add (safety Talanoa) Hafunga and (linebacker Dre) Greenlaw, and you add a few of those pieces along with these young guys, and I would say the front, secondary -- I mean, Surtain, Defensive Player of the Year, Moss -- I'd say confident." If healthy, the Broncos could prove to be the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 2025, with plenty of reasons for optimism in the future. You can watch the full Scoop City podcast below: Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ex-NFL QB gives unconventional ranking for Rams' Matthew Stafford
Where Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford ranks in the pantheon of current NFL quarterbacks has been a point of contention for some time. He's clearly one of the best in the league at the moment, but there's a debate as to whether or not he's among the elite passers like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson. Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel believes Stafford is a top-five quarterback, though. He said on The Athletic's "Scoop City" podcast with Dianna Russini that Stafford is "underrated" and that "there might not be anyone better" than him when he's playing his best football. "I think he's probably one of the most underrated top-five picks of all time. Like, he's won a Super Bowl — and there's this whole thing, right: Is Matthew Stafford going to be a Hall of Famer? Is he? I think he is. I think he's excellent. Now, even though he had an epidural in his back, which is freaking crazy when he's playing at the top of his game, there might not be anyone better. Like, just a pure thrower of the football [and] what he means to that organization." Mahomes, Allen, Jackson and Joe Burrow ranked ahead of Stafford on Daniel's list, in that order. Stafford has been one of the best in the league since he was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009 and ascended to a higher level with the Rams in 2021 when he won a Super Bowl. But despite his accolades, Stafford isn't always grouped together with the players who've won MVP awards like Mahomes, Allen and Jackson. The Rams hope that the 37-year-old can reach his standard of play in 2025 on a Rams team looking for another shot at a Lombardi Trophy. They added Davante Adams in free agency, re-signed Kyren Williams and kept the offensive line intact as well in the hopes of keeping Stafford upright. The veteran's injury status is a bit of a concern, but there is still some time before the season starts.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Sean Payton would add Darren Sproles, not Drew Brees or Jimmy Graham, to the Broncos
Drew Brees? Jimmy Graham? Taysom Hill? Payton makes surprising choice If he could wave a magic wand and add a former New Orleans Saints player to his Denver Broncos team, Sean Payton's choice might surprise you. Payton appeared on the Scoop City podcast with Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel and discussed a variety of topics -- sitting down with one of his old quarterbacks and a longtime friend in the media seems to have helped him open up. But back to that question. Payton started by recognizing some of his favorites over the years: "There's so many Jimmy Grahams, (Jeremy) Shockeys, Brees. That's not the answer, I was giving honorable mentions. I'm so happy because (Graham) retired this year. ... I'm trying to apologize because I've had so many good players that I don't want them to see it." And when it came down to it, Payton's love for running backs won out. He named some of the great ones he coached in New Orleans, and whose game tape he still shows to his current players: Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, Alvin Kamara. One name stood out from the rest. "I think there was something about freakin' Darren Sproles," Payton began. "I'll never forget Drew saying every snap that he played with Darren, and I don't know how many snaps that was, obviously, it was a lot. The Chargers the same way. Drew said 'There wasn't one time on the field he surprised me with what he did.' And his football IQ was off the charts. "But he would do something every time like, even something you'd never cover (at practice). On a choice route, slip under an end, come up the field and it was always the right thing. And so Sproles is one of those unique guys that then you forget about his talent as a runner." It's easy to see why Sproles was his pick. While he only spent three years in New Orleans and two with Payton, Sproles was as close to automatic as it gets; he had a 76.3% catch rate across those three seasons while converting 90 first downs on 232 receptions. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry with the Saints and converted 50 first downs on 188 rushes, too. Sproles was chosen for three consecutive Pro Bowls after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, and for a while worked in their personnel department as a consultant after retirement. Payton added that Sproles has taken up coaching and will join the Broncos' staff as an intern next fall, which is a really cool opportunity for him. Plenty of former Saints coaches and staffers have joined Payton in Denver, ranging from Pete Carmichael, Darren Rizzi, Joe Lombardi, Zach Strief, Dan Dalrymple, Zach Line, Joe Vitt and Jim Leonhard to players like Wil Lutz, Lucas Krull, Malcolm Roach, Calvin Throckmorton, A.T. Perry, Michael Burton, and Jordan Jackson. Beau Lowery and Cody Rager work in the front office, too, among others. Payton has seemingly had his pick of personnel out of New Orleans, and soon Sproles will be joining him, too. Just not as a prime-time player.
Epoch Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Super Bowl Champion Darren Sproles Gets Coaching Gig
Super Bowl champion running back/returner Darren Sproles is set to enter the coaching ranks. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton revealed in an interview with The Athletic's ' Scoop City ' podcast that Sproles would be taking a coaching internship with the team next fall.
New York Times
05-08-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Six strategies to find football breakouts every season, plus Jake Ciely's must-draft players
Winning a fantasy football league is about more than prize money. Prove to your friends, colleagues and neighbors that you're better than them at life. Inside: Fantasy strategies, players to target and a note from rankings guru Jake Ciely, who'll join us as part of our fantasy coverage each Tuesday. This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic's NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox. Flipping the calendar to August is polarizing. On one hand, summer is nearly over, and I'll miss the simple joys of sunshine, golf scores over 100 and barbecues. But it's peak fantasy draft season, so forget about any of that. With four weeks until the Eagles and Cowboys kick off actual football, it's time to schedule your draft, collect league fees and lock in. There are plenty of questions at the top of most drafts: But rather than guess those specific answers, I'm sharing six timeless principles that will help you find league-winning picks this season. And next season. The season after that, too. And the season after the season I just mentioned, and even the season after the season after the season after next season. Advertisement After all that winning, it'll be time to find a new league (and probably new friends). A close reading of beat reports in the summer of 2023 hinted at Puka Nacua's record-breaking potential. Receivers can shine in training camp, as their talent translates better than almost any other position to practices. (A receiver beating a DB looks about the same even without full contact, but a running back rumbling up the middle doesn't.) This year, preseason risers include Lions rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa, as well as discounted veteran WRs like the Bills' Joshua Palmer, Raiders' Jakobi Meyers or Steelers' rising Scotty Miller — plus higher-priced standouts like Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka, Colts TE Tyler Warren or Packers WR Matthew Golden, who might be Green Bay's No. 1. Your bench should be filled with those aforementioned receivers and 'handcuff' (or backup) running backs. Why? To win your league, you need to outscore at least nine other teams on a consistent basis. That's only possible with some luck, so swing for home-run picks by drafting cheap backups who could become every-down starters. Each of these RB options is behind a starter who has either injury or contract concerns, or whom the team invested little draft capital for. In order, I'm drafting: the Bills' Ray Davis, Cardinals' Trey Benson, Bengals' Tahj Brooks, Chiefs' Brashard Smith, Colts' D.J. Giddens, Texans' Woody Marks and Seahawks' Damien Martinez. Joe Burrow threw for 18 more touchdowns and nearly 1,400 more passing yards than Jayden Daniels last season, yet the explosive rookie finished just 17 points shy of Burrow's total — despite playing one fewer game. That's the power of rushing yards (Daniels had 891 to Burrow's 201) and touchdowns (six to two). Advertisement The higher-priced rushing threats this year are Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Daniels and Jalen Hurts. But if you scroll down while drafting — which you always should, when it comes to quarterback — you'll find my preferred targets, starting with Kyler Murray (currently being drafted around 11th among QBs). There are also Caleb Williams (QB13), Justin Fields (QB15), J.J. McCarthy (QB16) and Drake Maye (QB19). Even Anthony Richardson (QB26) is worth stashing at that price, especially amid the newly glowing beat reports. In 2023, then-rookie receivers Rashee Rice, Jayden Reed and (once again) Nacua were among the top scorers at their position over the season's final five weeks. Each started 2024 strong, much like Amon-Ra St. Brown did in 2022 after his impressive ending in 2021. This year, that suggests Brian Thomas (23.3 fantasy points per week in that same span last season), Malik Nabers (20.8), Jalen McMillan (19.5), Ladd McConkey (18.8) and even Marvin Mims Jr. (16.9) could elevate. If I shrink the sample size to last season's final three weeks, Ricky Pearsall (18.2) looks like a buy. By that, I mean take a preseason faller or boring veteran in a new situation. Remember when a rookie Ja'Marr Chase struggled with preseason drops? Or last year, when we thought we knew the ceiling for Terry McLaurin, Chuba Hubbard or Courtland Sutton? These types are usually found in the eighth to 12th rounds. In 2025, that includes Chris Olave, Stefon Diggs, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Darnell Mooney — all of whom can't have much worse quarterback play or injury luck than in 2024. At running back, Travis Etienne Jr. and JK Dobbins feel like unexciting options for most people. So let them fall to you. While they tend to start slower than most — meaning you can trade for many around Week 2 — they are typically underrated in fantasy drafts, particularly because of their untapped upside. In 2024, seven rookies accounted for top-15 seasons at their respective positions, including Bowers, who finished as the TE1. In 2023, five rookies hit those marks, including Sam LaPorta, who also finished TE1. Advertisement This year's group could have multiple players with similar top-15 seasons. My guesses: RB Ashton Jeanty, RB Omarion Hampton, TE Tyler Warren, TE Colston Loveland and … WR Travis Hunter. Here's how The Athletic ranks this rookie class. Why listen to those? Last year, these principles led me to Bengals backup Chase Brown, typically the 35th running back taken. He finished RB10 and was one of the best values in football. I also recommended Nabers at his WR24 price (he finished WR6), Daniels at QB12 (he finished QB5) and Kittle at TE6 (he finished TE3). What about the misses? Plenty, but all were bad luck, so we can ignore them. For more, check out: Jake Ciely's rankings, breakouts for every position, and endless insights in The Athletic's full draft kit. Over to Jake now: The majority of my weekend was spent in New York City, where I hosted two fantasy drafts. With 24 of the industry's best drafting across multiple leagues, I learned plenty about where the market might move — or remain steady — on certain players: While I didn't draft this weekend, I recently shared the players you'll find on the majority of my rosters. That list includes: QB Dak Prescott: He has 30-plus touchdowns and at least 4,449 yards passing in each of his past three seasons of 16-plus games, and given his double-digit round cost, I'm taking the discount. RB Kenneth Walker: I was out on him until I talked to our Seahawks writer, Michael-Shawn Dugar, who told me to expect a bell-cow-like season. With that workload, Walker is pushing the RB1 tier. WR Roman Wilson: Mike Tomlin coached Wilson in Senior Bowl practices, where he tested the prospect against Quinyon Mitchell — you know, that really good corner for the Eagles — before drafting Wilson in the third round. Wilson lost his rookie season to injuries, but the No. 2 role is up for grabs in Pittsburgh. The full list has many more, some of whom Jacob mentioned above. Back to him. 🎙 Bo Nix on Year 2. The Broncos' 25-year-old sophomore joined the 'Scoop City' podcast to talk rookie nerves and his growth as a leader. As part of today's episode, Dianna and Chase shared the best five-minute interview of a quarterback you'll see. I don't say that lightly. ⭐ New-look Steelers. Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey are Pittsburgh's top performers so far, impressing teammates and reporters alike. They're chasing the Steelers' first playoff win since 2016. Advertisement 👀 If Terry McLaurin were traded, he might land with the Patriots, 49ers, Chargers, Steelers or Bills. The Athletic's beat reporters explained each of those offers, though none should tempt Washington. 2️⃣ Travis Hunter's position on the depth chart was a challenge for the Jaguars, who listed their star rookie as a starting receiver and backup corner. Yesterday's most-clicked: How Rodgers' connection with Mike Tomlin led him to the Steelers. 📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic's free NFL newsletter in your inbox. Also, check out our other newsletters.
