Latest news with #UDFA
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bengals breakout player prediction from NFL analyst is wild
When one thinks of breakout players for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025, common names come to mind. Joseph Ossai could enjoy a breakout with a bigger role. Myles Murphy could start living up to that first-round potential. Dax Hill could soar at cornerback if he can stay healthy. The list goes on and on. Advertisement Jermaine Burton, though, would be pretty far down the list. RELATED: Bengals UDFA is already turning heads at OTAs Even so, while picking every team's breakout player next season, that's who Steve Palazzolo went with on "Check the Mic" recently. To say it's bold would be an understatement. Earlier this year, Burton sounded like a guy just hanging on to a roster spot at all after a rookie season marred by the walkthrough incident and multiple reports of off-field hiccups. That doesn't even cover the on-field aspect. In order to break out, Burton would have to carve out playing time for himself on a depth chart featuring Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. That means beating at least Andrei Iosivas for snaps and Charlie Jones is back healthy as a primary returner on special teams. Advertisement Which isn't to say Burton can't do it. The vibes around his name over the last month have been positive. But it's a big uphill battle. And given the makeup of the entire Bengals roster right now, they would probably benefit from one of those defensive guys (or more than one) being the big breakout player. RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals players missing OTAs list ahead of training camp This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals breakout player prediction from NFL analyst is wild
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Here's how much guaranteed money Jacksonville Jaguars gave each undrafted rookie in 2025
After the final pick in the NFL draft is made, it becomes a race for NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, to sign their high-priority undrafted free agents. And with that, part of the negotiating process with multiple teams potentially vying for a player is offering these rookies guaranteed money. These payouts from player to player can vary quite a bit, as we'll see with the Jaguars. Also, how much a team is willing to pay its undrafted free agent class also varies from organization to organization. For example, the Jaguars had 12 undrafted rookies who earned at least 100,000 in guaranteed dollars, while the LA Rams didn't have any. 'I mean, that's a space that we want to continue to tap and make sure that the competition-level across the roster is as good as we can make it,' James Gladstone said after the NFL draft, via Jaguars on SI. 'I think with the idea that there will be so many undrafted college free agents that we bring in, that inherently creates a dynamic in which people are fighting for jobs, people fighting for spots, and you feel that when those guys get in the building, get on the grass. It's something that, as I think back to my experience with the [Los Angeles] Rams, we've gone into a draft with only 45 players on-roster. So, this is a healthier version of that, so to speak, if you're looking at more being healthy.' In total, the Jaguars brought in 22 undrafted rookies. While it is always an uphill battle for a UDFA to make the final roster, perhaps with the Jaguars being under new leadership and Gladstone looking to continue reshaping the roster and creating as much competition as possible, the opportunity for a UDFA to make the 53-man could be more in play with the new regime not tied to many of the returning back-end roster players. With help from Over the Cap, here is a breakdown of the Jaguars' 2025 UDFA class with how much each player was guaranteed at signing. Guaranteed money for Jacksonville Jaguars' 2025 undrafted rookie class
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle named undrafted free agent rookie to watch this summer
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle named undrafted free agent rookie to watch this summer One of the Indianapolis Colts' defensive tackles was named an undrafted free agent rookie to watch for this summer. Defensive tackle Devonta Davis was named the Indianapolis Colts' undrafted rookie to watch this summer by Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports. "Davis thrives dispatching blockers and sticking running backs close to the line of scrimmage," wrote Trapasso. "At over 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds with arms nearly 33 inches, he has the measurables to stand out in camp and in the preseason as an active run-plugger." After four seasons at Jackson State, Davis transferred and played at Florida Atlantic this past season. As Trapasso noted, Davis' pass rush production won't leap off the page, which contributed to him going undrafted. In 2024, he tallied just 13 pressures and had a career high of 20 during the 2022 season. However, Davis' greatest impact came against the run. Out of 200-plus defensive tackles, Davis ranked 53rd in PFF's run defense grade and 92nd in run-stop rate. Where Davis would fit within this Colts' defense is as a rotational run defender, seeing the field on early downs when Grover Stewart isn't on the field. "What a team would get in a player like me is a player that is always willing to learn new things and player that's always trying to get better no matter what it is," Davis said in an interview with NFL Draft Diamonds. We know that at the top of the Colts' defensive tackle depth chart are DeForest Buckner and Stewart, but how the rotation behind them shakes out remains to be seen. GM Chris Ballard did add Neville Gallimore in free agency and then drafted Tim Smith, along with claiming Eric Johnson on waivers recently. Those three will join Adetomiwa Adebawore and compete for playing time and the final three or so roster spots. Davis is at a position group where there are some unknowns around the depth, and that is a necessary part of the equation when it comes to any UDFA making a roster push. However, like any UDFA, not that it can't be done, we saw Dalton Tucker make the Colts' 53-man roster last season, but it's always an uphill battle.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Who is the Rams' most exciting UDFA addition?
The Los Angeles Rams signed a bevy of undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL Draft to round out their roster heading into summer workouts. These are players who, for whatever reason, weren't considered draftable prospects by any of the franchises. However, that doesn't mean they aren't exciting players. The Rams have had a lot of success in recent years with undrafted players, too, which players like starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and starting inside linebacker Omar Speights. Advertisement One of the Rams' newest additions could hit, and Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski predicts linebacker Shaun Dolac is L.A.'s "most exciting" UDFA heading into the summer. "The Los Angeles Rams failed to draft a linebacker until choosing Ole Miss' Pooh Paul Jr. in this year's fifth round," Sobleski wrote. "Considering the state of the position, the undrafted Shaun Dolac may have as much of a chance to make their roster and possibly contribute as Paul does. "'Tackling machine can be an overused phrase when it comes to describing linebackers. When discussing Dolac, it's appropriate. The Buffalo product finished first or second in total tackles during the 2022 and 2024 campaigns. Between the two seasons, he amassed 315 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 12 defended passes and five interceptions. He then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023. "Clearly, instincts and production are not a problem. The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American is undersized at 6'0" and 221 pounds. However, he has the athletic traits to remain productive as part of the Rams roster." Dolac has the experience, production and skillset to earn a role on Chris Shula's defense. He may not be an immediate impact starter, but he should compete with the other backups like Paul, Tony Fields II and Elias Neal. Troy Reeder is pretty injury-prone, too, so there could be ample opportunities to see snaps if Dolac makes a good impression during training camp. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams 2025 roster: Who is L.A.'s most exciting UDFA addition?
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is the Rams' most exciting UDFA addition?
Who is the Rams' most exciting UDFA addition? The Los Angeles Rams signed a bevy of undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL Draft to round out their roster heading into summer workouts. These are players who, for whatever reason, weren't considered draftable prospects by any of the franchises. However, that doesn't mean they aren't exciting players. The Rams have had a lot of success in recent years with undrafted players, too, which players like starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and starting inside linebacker Omar Speights. One of the Rams' newest additions could hit, and Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski predicts linebacker Shaun Dolac is L.A.'s "most exciting" UDFA heading into the summer. "The Los Angeles Rams failed to draft a linebacker until choosing Ole Miss' Pooh Paul Jr. in this year's fifth round," Sobleski wrote. "Considering the state of the position, the undrafted Shaun Dolac may have as much of a chance to make their roster and possibly contribute as Paul does. "'Tackling machine can be an overused phrase when it comes to describing linebackers. When discussing Dolac, it's appropriate. The Buffalo product finished first or second in total tackles during the 2022 and 2024 campaigns. Between the two seasons, he amassed 315 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 12 defended passes and five interceptions. He then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023. "Clearly, instincts and production are not a problem. The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American is undersized at 6'0" and 221 pounds. However, he has the athletic traits to remain productive as part of the Rams roster." Dolac has the experience, production and skillset to earn a role on Chris Shula's defense. He may not be an immediate impact starter, but he should compete with the other backups like Paul, Tony Fields II and Elias Neal. Troy Reeder is pretty injury-prone, too, so there could be ample opportunities to see snaps if Dolac makes a good impression during training camp.
