Latest news with #TylerSullivan
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Puka Nacua's rise in L.A. has big money on the horizon for the Rams WR
Puka Nacua's rise in L.A. has big money on the horizon for the Rams WR From Day 3 pick to franchise cornerstone, the Rams' breakout receiver is in line for a huge extension. There's no mystery when it comes to which contract the Los Angeles Rams will need to prioritize next offseason, and the rest of the league will be watching closely. CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan recently broke down the top extension candidate for every NFL team, and when it comes to the Rams, the choice was a no-brainer in Pro Bowl WR Puka Nacua. After just two seasons, the 2023 fifth-round pick has more than earned the attention and a contract that could soon make him one of the highest-paid weapons in football, depending on his production in Year 3. The 23-year-old wideout shattered expectations from the jump. He set the NFL's rookie record for receiving yards in 2023, racking up 1,486 yards on 105 catches, and followed that up in 2024 with 990 yards in only 11 games. Had he stayed healthy, he would've become the first receiver in franchise history to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons to start a career In just 28 games, he's already tallied 184 catches for 2,476 yards, production that has him on a trajectory rivaling the league's elite. His hands, route running, and after-the-catch ability have transformed the Rams' passing attack and given Matthew Stafford a new go-to weapon. Given the current state of the wide receiver market and how quickly it's escalating, his next contract might not just make him one of the top-paid wideouts in the game. It could rival the biggest deals in the league outside the quarterback position. There's little doubt the Rams understand the value he brings, and based on how things are trending, they could be backing up the money truck very soon. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
USA Today
26-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts' top contract extension candidate
Indianapolis Colts' top contract extension candidate Which of the Indianapolis Colts players is considered their top contract extension candidate? Which of the Indianapolis Colts players is considered their top contract extension candidate? Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports recently made his extension candidate for each NFL team. When it came to the Colts, he selected left tackle Bernhard Raimann. "Raimann has started all 29 of his games played over the last two seasons and has done so at a high level," wrote Sullivan. "Last year, Raimann ranked as the eighth-highest graded offensive tackle in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus' metrics. So long as he continues that play in 2025, there's no questioning that Raimann will land a sizable deal." Raimann is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025 and will be a free agent in 2026. He is eligible to receive an extension at any time between now and when free agency opens next March. For some context around what the current tackle market looks like, Tristan Wirfs will enter the 2025 season earning $28.12 million per year--the highest mark for anyone at this position. Lane Johnson is fifth, earning $25 million per year. Dan Moore is 10th at $20.5 million per season, and Mike Onwenu is 17th at $19 million per season, according to Sportrac. Following a breakout year in 2023, Raimann built upon that performance in 2024. Out of 83 eligible tackles last season, Raimann ranked 24th in pass-blocking efficiency. In the run game, along with ranking 12th in PFF's run-blocking grade, running back Jonathan Taylor averaged nearly 5.0 yards per rush when running between Raimann and left guard Quenton Nelson. 'The progress that Berny has made from year one to now, it's been pretty incredible,' GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL Combine. This feels like one of those situations that the longer the Colts wait, the larger Raimann's next contract will be as he continues to get better and better.
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who was the Colts' 2024 team MVP? One NFL analyst weighs in
Who do you think was the Indianapolis Colts' 2024 team MVP? Recently, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports made his selection for all 32 teams, and when it came to the Colts, he selected linebacker Zaire Franklin. 'For the first time in his seven-year career, Franklin was named as an All-Pro (Second Team) and to the Pro Bowl. This comes after a league-leading 173 tackles to go with 3.5 sacks (career high), six pass breakups and five forced fumbles.' The 2024 season was certainly the most accomplished of Franklin's career. As Sullivan mentions, Franklin made his first Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro for the first time as well. He also led the NFL in tackles as a steady presence in the middle of the Colts defense and also had some splash plays as well, which included two interceptions along with the sacks, pass breakups, and forced fumbles that Sullivan mentioned. However, it's not as if it was all smooth sailing either. There were a number of games where the Colts run defense was run over, and while that certainly all doesn't fall on Franklin–it's a group effort–linebacker play is critical to limiting big runs. We again saw opposing tight ends have success against the Colts' linebacker unit as well–which, again, all falls on Franklin's shoulders. If we were truly sticking to the words 'most valuable,' while the production won't be there due to missed time with injuries, DeForest Buckner is a strong candidate for that title on this Colts team. By pass rush win rate and run stop rate, Buckner ranked among the best in football at the defensive tackle position. His presence on the field also immensely makes the defenders around him better with the attention he draws. Another candidate is Jonathan Taylor. While there were some blunders of his own, for an offense that struggled to move the ball with any consistency, Taylor often provided a stabilizing presence, totaling 1,431 rushing yards in only 14 games.
