NFL Player News

Leary (6'1"/212) is coming off a very strong year where he threw for 3,433 yards on 65.7% completion to go with a 35:5 TD:INT ratio. Big things are expected of Leary and the Wolfpack, who came in second to Clemson in the preseason ACC Champion poll. Leary loses elite tackle Ikem Ekwonu and a few of his offensive weapons, but should still have enough to keep the Wolfpack in contention, especially if he continues to develop. He’s already being mocked in the first round for the 2023 NFL Draft, and if he lives up to the hype he’ll certainly be in the mix as the top QB off the board.

In a social media post, the 26-year-old receiver explains that he “tore a ligament and tendon” in his second toe on his left foot and has “been rehabbing, working out, and recovering everyday for the past year.” This explains his extended absence. Following the injury, Claypool was briefly placed on injured reserve in August 2024 before being released with an injury settlement. He is “back to being the strongest and fastest” he’s ever been and is “excited to step back out on the field.”

Per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, “Pierre-Paul still believes he can help a team, that he can be a veteran closer.” The 36-year-old has continued training to remain NFL-ready despite failing to find a suitor for the 2024 season. He logged 22 defensive snaps, playing for both the Saints and Dolphins in 2023. His last sack occurred as a Raven, in a Wild Card Weekend loss to the Bengals in the prior season. Sitting at 94.5 career sacks, Pierre-Paul hopes to reach 100 as a part-time player in 2025.

There is no indication that Sanders is in contact with the Argonauts and we do not expect Sanders to leave the NFL for the CFL at this time. Every year in early July, just before NFL training camps begin, the CFL allows its teams to claim NFL players’ negotiating rights, on the off chance that the player is released or waived by his team and decides to pursue a career in Canada. Per the CFL’s Marshall Ferguson, “the CFL began releasing a few names here and there periodically, but now the full list is available for all to see from each of the nine teams.” Fans can rest assured that their high-profile, fifth-round rookie remains a Cleveland Brown.

The 34-year-old veteran visited the Cowboys pre-draft but left without a contract. Gilmore is no longer an above-average starter, but he did force eight incompletions and record one interception last year. A playoff contender could benefit from signing Gilmore as an experienced option, but teams tend to not have high valuations on older cornerbacks.

Ward is learning through trial and error, as many rookies do. The young quarterback is now aware that an open receiver in the NFL looks far different than it did in college, even when targeting a linebacker’s coverage. The NFL’s condensed field spacing has also reportedly required Ward to improve his awareness against the blitz. Per Davenport, Ward successfully showcased a lightbulb moment in this regard, which occurred “during team period when Ward recognized where the pressure was coming from and checked to a different protection to block it up.” Ward also notably signaled an audible to Calvin Ridley and connected with the veteran receiver for a touchdown. These are positive steps for a quarterback who currently profiles as a QB2 in re-draft formats.

Pelissero recently reported that the Steelers do not plan to trade Watt, and Watt’s record-setting goals are well known, so the most recent report makes sense. The team will do its best to ensure team-friendly outs exist later in the deal, but for now, Watt appears to be on track for a hefty payday sometime before September 7. Pelissero states succinctly, Watt’s expected extension “is going to be north of Myles Garrett—it is going to be upwards of $40 million per year.”

Pelissero made the comments on the Rich Eisen Show. Pelissero’s comments suggest an organizational reset of sorts could be in order if the worst-case scenario plays out and Tagovailoa once again misses significant time. Head coach Mike McDaniel has been unable to keep his team competitive during Tagovailoa’s repeated injury-related absences, and ownership may be looking for an all-around fresh start. Pelissero notes that the Dolphins’ front office created financial flexibility for 2026 via its two recent trades with the Steelers.

Khan was promoted to his current post in 2022. His successful draft picks include WR George Pickens, CB Joey Porter Jr., DT Keanu Benton, LB Nick Herbig and C Zach Frazier. Khan acquired veterans WR DK Metcalf, TE Jonnu Smith and CB Jalen Ramsey via trade this offseason. It’s hard to completely separate what Khan has done from the fact that ownership has wanted a consistent winner, but this does feel like a gesture solidifying that Khan will be in charge of finding the next Steelers quarterback of the future after Aaron Rodgers.

Lewis notes that Felton could see some snaps on offense if Jordan Addison is suspended in relation to his pending DUI trial. Otherwise, it sounds like Jalen Nailor will be back as the team’s third receiver. Nailor didn’t earn many targets in the WR3 role last year but did cash in with six touchdowns and 414 yards on 28 grabs. Nailor is on the menu as a dart throw in deep best ball formats while the third-round rookie is only intriguing as a dynasty stash.

Newell, of course, gives the caveat that health has been Mitchell’s main issue for years, so it’s far from a lock that he makes it to the season without a scratch. The Chiefs jumped on the opportunity to sign Mitchell this offseason, inking him to a one-year deal worth “up to” $3.5 million at the start of free agency. It’s a high-upside move given Mitchell’s past success in San Francisco. He ran for 963 yards and five scores on 207 carries as a rookie but has been plagued by injuries ever since. Mitchell appeared in 16 games over the following two seasons and missed all of 2024 with a hamstring issue. While a healthy Isiah Pacheco should be penciled in for the bulk of the carries to start the year, Mitchell could work himself into a committee role if he continues to look back to form in practice.