Latest news with #edgeRusher
3 days ago
- Business
Bills Suspended Edge Rusher Still Thrilled To Join Team
Bills Suspended Edge Rusher Still Thrilled To Join Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Michael Hoecht knows he let his new team in the Buffalo Bills down. Shortly before coming to terms on a three-year deal in free agency, the defensive line tweener was notified that he was in violation of the league's PED policy - worthy of a six-game suspension. Advertisement Buffalo didn't care, though. They still signed him knowing that they will need a versatile player of his caliber to match-up against the top teams in the conference. That message of loyalty was important for Hoecht and a big reason why he wanted to come to Western New York. Playing for a Super Bowl contender certainly helps as well. "We've got loaded talent, top to bottom. So more than anything, more than money on [a] contract, I'm a football junkie," Hoecht said on the Ross Tucker Podcast. "I think, more than anything in the world, I think it's so cool going to a team that's going to be good. A team, hopefully, if all goes well according to plan, deep in the playoffs, and a chance to bring a Lombardi [Trophy] to Western New York. It couldn't be a more exciting team to be a part of." Advertisement It will be a little bit before Hoecht can suit up for the Bills. His six-game suspension, though, is perfectly placed in the team's schedule. Buffalo is on a bye week the following week Hoecht is reinstated - it will allow him to acclimate himself quickly to his new team. And prove to his new team why they were right to stand by him after all. Related: Bills Ex Stefon Diggs Caught In Patriots Controversy Via Boat Video Related: Bills' Sean McDermott Speaks Out On Tush Push This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
3 days ago
- Business
Edge Rusher Rankings Set High Bar for Giants
Edge Rusher Rankings Set High Bar for Giants originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In 2024, the New York Giants hoped that the combination of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and edge rusher Brian Burns would be enough to overpower opposing offenses and make a few extra games attainable. Advertisement Both played well, but the depravity of the Giants' offense cut that dream short. General manager Joe Schoen went back to the well in 2025, drafting Penn State's Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick, the second first-round edge rusher of his tenure. Carter is expected to start over Kayvon Thibodeaux and join Burns for one of the league's best pairings. With Lawrence between them, New York is once again supposed to wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines. If 2024's unit was promising, 2025's might be too big to feel. Subsequently, Pro Football Focus' top-32 edge rusher rankings set awfully high expectations for the Giants' pass rush. Burns, the most proven talent New York has along the edge, ranked 16th. Advertisement 'Burns' first season in New York was a success, as he posted a career-high 79.2 PFF grade, fueled by an 82.9 pass-rush grade and 61 total pressures — both the second-highest marks of his career,' Ryan Smith wrote. Carter, despite not having any NFL snaps under his belt, fell just four spots behind him. Thibodeaux took a step forward in 2024, but went unranked on this list. 'Projecting rookie production is always tricky,' Smith admitted. 'However, Carter led the FBS in PFF pass-rush grade (92.4) and total pressures (66), and he also ranked in the top five in pass-rush win rate (22.6%). He has all the tools to make an immediate impact at the NFL level. 'Carter has drawn comparisons to fellow Penn State alum Micah Parsons, who was elite as a rookie in 2021. Given his potential, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Carter crack the top 15 on this list next year.' Advertisement The Giants joined the Houston Texans (Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter), Pittsburgh Steelers (T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith), and Minnesota Vikings (Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel) as the only teams with two players in the top 20. Three other teams had multiple in the top 32, and the Steelers and Miami Dolphins each had a trio make the cut. Simply put, New York is supposed to have an elite pass rush. The organization has spent two first-round picks along the edge, another on Lawrence, trading a second-round pick for Burns, and drafted defensive tackle Darius Alexander in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Both Burns and Lawrence signed top-end extensions. Given its importance to the defense and the offensive struggles it will be asked to cover up, the Giants' defensive line is one of the most important units in all of football. This group needs to be elite, and its mix of electric talents and depth make that a fairly safe bet. Related: Carter Reacts to Joining Giants' Loaded Line Related: NFC East Defensive Tackle Rankings: Can Lawrence Carry Giants? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
27-05-2025
- Sport
What's one move the Commanders should make before training camp?
The Washington Commanders are finished with free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. While free agency never ends, the major moves occurred months ago. Fortunately, help can still be found in free agency for teams with specific needs. Everyone on the outside believes the Commanders need an edge rusher. Washington lost Dante Fowler Jr., who led the team with 10.5 sacks. The Commanders allowed Fowler to walk, knowing he has only reached that number of sacks twice in his 10-year NFL career and struggles against the run. Advertisement Most analysts believed Washington would target an edge rusher early in the draft. Not only did the Commanders not target a pass rusher early, but they also didn't choose one with any of their five selections. Could it be that general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn like their current crop of edge rushers more than those on the outside? Or, perhaps, Peters and Quinn want to see the current group throughout OTAs, minicamp, and/or training camp before choosing to sign a veteran. The good news is that there are some options available. Veteran pass rushers Von Miller, Za'Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney are the top pass rushers available. Bleacher Report recently named one move every NFL team should make before the end of the offseason. That move for Washington is signing Clowney. Last season, Dante Fowler Jr. led Washington in sacks with 10.5. In free agency, he signed with his former team, the Cowboys. The Commanders have tried to shore up the defensive end position, signing Deatrich Wise and Jacob Martin. They can continue to stockpile veterans to bolster their pass-rushing committee. At 32, Clowney can be productive in a rotational role. Last year, he recorded 46 tackles, nine for loss, 5.5 sacks and 22 pressures while on the field for 64 percent of the defensive snaps. Deatrich Wise was brought in to help solidify the run defense. Jacob Martin is more of a reserve edge rusher. Clowney makes the most sense of the veteran pass rushers that the Commanders could sign. He is solid against the run, still gets to the quarterback and offers the most upside of the available pass rushers. Advertisement Should Washington make this move? Well, that's up to Peters, but Clowney would be a logical fit, and he is comfortable signing one-year deals, which should make the Commanders happy. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Should the Commanders sign veteran edge rusher?
26-05-2025
- Sport
Michigan football in top 7 for 2026 four-star edge rusher McHale Blade, visiting June 6
Michigan football has had some stellar edge rushers over the years, and if you're the go-to guy getting at the passer wearing maize and blue, chances are you're going to hear your name called rather early in the NFL draft. Such has been the case for nearly a decade. The Wolverines have had several defensive ends go in the first round -- including Taco Charlton, Rashan Gary, Kwity Paye, and Aidan Hutchinson -- as well as others were ho have gone early, but not in round one, like Josaiah Stewart this year, as well as Josh Uche, Chris Wormley, David Ojabo, and others. Thus, the maize and blue are usually in high consideration for top recruits at the position. Top-tier four-star includes Michigan football in his top group On Friday, an elite edge rusher from an elite high school dropped his top seven schools, just a week before the official visit slate is set to begin. Advertisement 2026 Chicago (Ill.) Simeon four-star EDGE McHale Blade has long been recruited by Michigan defensive line coach Lou Esposito, and it looks like that's paid off, with Blade including the Wolverines in his top group. But Blade also included USC, Notre Dame, Purdue, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Stanford. Rivals is highest on Blade, listing him as the No. 110 player in the country, regardless of position. At the moment, it appears as if Notre Dame has the edge, according to the On3 recruiting prediction machine. Blade's visit and commitment date Blade is set to visit Ann Arbor on June 6, and it will be his fifth time on campus. He's also set to see Wisconsin, USC, and Notre Dame with the Irish getting the final visit on June 20. He plans to make his commitment on July 4. Advertisement He is listed at 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, according to On3. This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Michigan football targets top 2026 edge rusher McHale Blade
18-05-2025
- Sport
Spartans extend offer to elite, 4-star edge rusher Frederick Ards of Orlando
Michigan State football is one of the latest programs to extend an offer to an elite edge rusher in the 2027 class. Frederick Ards of Orlando, Fla. announced earlier this week that he's received an offer from the Spartans. Ards posted on his social media X account to announce the offer from Michigan State. Advertisement Ards is listed as a four star prospect with a recruiting rating of 93.71 in 247Sports' composite system. He is ranked as the No. 18 edge rusher and No. 11 player from the talent rich state of Florida. He is also ranked as the No. 153 overall prospect in the 2027 class. Michigan State is one of more than 20 schools to extend an offer to Ards, according to 247Sports. He also holds offers from Arkansas, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, Louisville, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Purdue, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, FIU, Marshall and UMass. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5. This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU football offers elite, 4-star Florida edge rusher Frederick Ards
