NFL Player News

Brown going may cut into the viability of OJ Howard as a barebones TE streamer this week -- Brown bounced back from a Thursday DNP with a full practice on Friday. Both will have some freed up targets by the absence of Brevin Jordan (ankle), who was ruled out on Friday. Also inactive for the Texans are DL Kurt Hinish (foot), OL Austin Deculus (ankle), DB Isaac Yiadom (thigh), LB Jake Hansen, and WR Tyler Johnson. No practice squad elevation for Jeff Driskel means the Texans will actually use backup QB Kyle Allen for the first time all season.

An undersized but speedy receiver, Horn (5’8/174) spent four seasons as a role player while splitting time between USF and Colorado. In 2023, Horn finished second on the team in routes run and posted a 58-566-6 on 83 targets. Last season, he saw more competition for playing time, finishing fourth on the team in routes run (269), receiving yards (441), and receptions (37). Horn’s production took a massive dip in 2024, but the speedster has shown consistency throughout his career in creating yards after the catch (7.0 YAC/REC), and spent two seasons in an offense that allowed him to put these skills on display with short passes and screens. More of a gadget player than a prototypical receiver, Horn is a big play waiting to happen, but earning consistent snaps in the pros could prove challenging. Even if he is used more as a package player, Horn’s ability to contribute on special teams (33 career kick returns) will give him an added element to offer a roster.

Williams (6’6/317) was a blue-chip prospect who ranked as a top-10 offensive lineman from the class of 2022 according to On3. The heralded recruit logged just 148 reps as a reserve RT in his first two seasons but logged 975 snaps during Texas’s CFP Playoff run this year, earning 71st percentile grades in both passing and run blocking. His 84th percentile zone run block grade is light years better than the 52.3 grade he scored in gap scheme rushes. Williams had some missteps in pass pro, earning just a 55.7 grade on true pass sets, allowing 26 pressures while leading the class with 16 penalties called against him. He lacks the agility and brisk kickstep of many of his 2025 classmates which he will need to overcome with power and refined technique at the next level. As an early entrant, Williams could have benefited from working on his craft and making another run at the National Title with Texas.

A four-year starter with the Huskies, Lundt (6’8/303) was initially part of the 2019 class. He redshirted as a freshman and UConn’s 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lundt finally took over at right tackle in 2021 and never gave the role up for the next four seasons. He improved as a run and pass blocker in every season, earning a top-10 overall grade at tackle by Pro Football Focus in 2024. He was charted with zero sacks allowed on 449 pass-blocking reps in his final season. Lundt has quick feet when moving on run blocks but doesn’t have the necessary weight to be an anchor in pass protection. His ability to move makes him a better fit for zone blocking schemes, though he will need to bulk up no matter what his team asks him to do at the next level. Despite measuring in just shy of 6’8” at the combine, Lundt’s arms are surprisingly short at just 32-5/8’’. Lundt’s build could lend itself to guard duties in the pros, but he also has the tape of a capable swing tackle.

Medrano’s (6'3/222) 4.46-second 40-yard dash made him the Combine’s fastest linebacker, and he demonstrated elite overall athleticism (9.83 RAS) throughout the testing process. The 24-year-old Medrano was a two-year starter in Westwood. Although Medrano (6’3/222) is primarily a box defender, he also served as a part-time EDGE rusher and slot-coverage defender, tallying 22 quarterback pressures, three sacks, four forced incompletions and two interceptions. He gets downhill quickly in run defense but can be bullied by blockers and powerful ball carriers. His 27 missed tackles in 2024 were a positional high in the Power Five. He posted career bests in both solo tackles (63) and TFLs (14) last year. Medrano is perhaps best suited to a strong safety role while operating as a special teams fixture.

Operating as the No. 2 wideout to Travis Hunter, Wester (5’10/163) totaled 74 receptions for 931 yards and 10 touchdowns for Colorado last season, adding a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown. He began his college career with four seasons at Florida Atlantic and made an impact as a returner, receiver, and occasional rusher. Wester has a small frame, but is impactful with the ball in his hands. As a slot receiver, he is elusive and can be used as a gadget piece on offense. He is a limited pass-catcher and lacks the strength to break tackles while a chunk of his college production was manufactured touches close to the line of scrimmage. Wester has the tools to be a returner and gadget receiver at the NFL level.

The Harlem, NY native spent his first three collegiate seasons holding down the starting RT role at Rhode Island before transferring to Oregon for his final two years. He excelled for the Ducks in 2023 when he produced a 98.9% pass block efficiency rate with zero sacks and an 85.3 pass block grade. His performance slipped a little bit last season, allowing 29 pressures compared to just 11 a year ago with a 74th percentile overall grade. Cornelius uses his 33.5” arms and wide base to ward off edge rushers as he posted a solid 0.2% blown run block rate. However sluggish lateral movement and inconsistent pad levels likely limit his NFL upside to being a swing tackle.

A team captain at Pittsburgh, Bartholomew (6’5/246) was a starter in all four of his college seasons. He tallied 326 receiving yards and four touchdowns as a freshman, but was not able to exceed either total the rest of his college career. Bartholomew possesses speed with the ability to chew up yards over the middle of the field, but lacks explosive production. He is more likely to be a short-area target rather than a downfield pass-catcher. As a blocker, Bartholomew has size but will need to improve his strength to sustain blocks against bigger defenders. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler says Bartholomew’s “intangibles will make it tough for a coaching staff to cut him,” noting he had a “positive influence in the program” as team captain. Though he will need to demonstrate his skill set for an NFL team to keep him on the roster, Bartholomew’s intangibles will at least earn him a chance.

Celebrated for his hard-hitting, violent playing style, King (6’1/236) profiles as a potential two-down starter in the NFL. He lacks overall elite athleticism but was clocked at a 1.57-second 10-yard split (93rd percentile RAS) and pumped out 26 bench press repetitions at Penn State’s Pro Day. The latter sum would have tied for the positional high at the NFL Scouting Combine. King started for the Nittany Lions over the last two seasons and promisingly posted career highs in solo tackles (55), stops (38), TFLs (15) and quarterback pressures (nine) in 2024 regular season play. He thrived in the postseason limelight, racking up 19 solo tackles in Penn State’s three combined playoff and bowl games.

A four-year starter at Navy with 43 consecutive starts under his belt, Lane III is a battle-tested back-end defender with an elite football IQ and tenacious motor. Despite a compact 5’10”, 200-pound frame and a pedestrian 5.25 RAS, Lane’s instincts and ball skills pop on tape. He posted a stellar 89.1 PFF coverage grade in 2024 while snaring 2 INTs and 4 PBUs. Lane is a willing run supporter with inside-outside flexibility, though he’ll need to clean up his 17.3% missed tackle rate and shore up pursuit angles. He shines brightest on special teams, where he’s logged 23 career ST tackles and was a consistent force as a gunner. While his mundane athletic profile limits his man coverage upside, Lane’s play anticipation, fluid transitions, and closing burst make him an ideal depth safety and special teams ace.

Taylor (6’6/321) brings two years of starting experience and a power forward’s frame to the 2025 draft class. A late bloomer with basketball roots, Taylor kicked off 2023 at right tackle before moving to the blind side and locking down left tackle duties until a knee injury cut short his 2024 campaign. His tape reveals a tone-setter with legitimate pop in the run game and hands that land heavy, especially on base blocks. Taylor posted a strong 8.49 RAS, buoyed by elite agility metrics (4.62 shuttle, 7.40 3-cone), helping him climb in space and recover on inside counters. However, his sub-33” arms and overeager sets leave him vulnerable to speed rushers who press his edge. He surrendered 6 sacks and 15 pressures in 703 pass-block snaps, and his 2023 PFF grades (64.8 OFF, 76.4 PBLK) reflect those highs and lows. Ultimately, Taylor profiles as a developmental guard with tackle experience and a tough, team-first mindset.