NFL Player News

Houston will only have O.J. Howard and Jordan Akins (an elevation) active at tight end with TE Brevin Jordan (ankle) also ruled out on Friday. WR Tyler Johnson is active for the first time this season. Also inactive for the Texans are OL Austin Deculus (ankle), CB Isaac Yiadom (thigh), LB Jake Hansen, DL Michael Dwumfour, and DL Demone Harris.

“I look at Najee and Omarion — both starters,” Harbaugh said. “He brings that same type of mentality Najee brings. Like I said last week, we’re looking for someone who complements but also offers the same,” Bolts GM Joe Hortiz added. These comments seem to paint this as more of a committee situation, at least for September. That probably makes Hampton more of a speculative mid-round pick than a sure-fire volume back, though we expect Hampton will eventually wind up seeing the majority of the volume. He is the better third-down back on paper, so long as his pass-protection credentials hold up in the translation to the NFL.

Both Paton and Sean Payton predictably gushed over their second-round back, with Payton telling reporters he had to tell himself to be quiet after watching Harvey. If Harvey is able to play in the passing game as Paton suggests, it’s possible he becomes a “joker” for Payton on Sundays. Harvey certainly would appear to be the favorite to lead Broncos backs in touches heading into OTAs and minicamps, ahead of Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.

The Broncos weren’t expected to be players for a wideout in this draft, but comparisons to Michael Thomas will surely help the third-rounder find a crease on a tough depth chart behind Devaughn Vele, Marvin Mims, and Troy Franklin. Bryant wasn’t widely projected as a high pick due to a 4.61 40-second dash that was the second-slowest at the NFL Combine. Thomas ran a 4.57s 40-yard dash coming out of Ohio State. Considering the kind of PPR monster that Thomas was — and how quickly it happened — we probably should not undersell the chances of Bryant becoming a fantasy factor sooner rather than later.

“The production that he’s had the last couple years there has been impressive to watch,” Steichen noted. With only Khalil Herbert ostensibly ahead of him on the depth chart to back up Jonathan Taylor, Giddens should have a chance to clear Tyler Goodson on the depth chart this offseason. Taylor will be entering the final year of his three-year extension in 2026, giving Giddens a little life in dynasty leagues even though it would likely take multiple injuries for him to see extended time in 2025.

Cleveland’s reporters were, understandably, more interested in asking questions about Shedeur Sanders than getting Berry to continue talking about Sampson. Berry also called Sampson “a bit undersized” for his “tough and physical style.” It sounds like Sampson will be groomed as a long-term third-down back for Cleveland, though it’s possible he isn’t able to beat out Jerome Ford for that role immediately.

While this isn’t exactly a surprising statement given they selected him 36th overall, it’s still worth pointing out that Judkins has landed in a backfield where he’ll only have to beat out Jerome Ford for playing time. Cleveland’s projected offensive ineptitude could lead Judkins to be available at a bargain price in fantasy drafts, and he may be a potential lightning rod selection for Zero or Hero RB formats this summer. Kevin Stefanski added that they want to use Judkins in “a bunch of different ways” and downplayed the idea that he wasn’t ready to be part of the passing game. Ford could be a third-down back for the team this season if Judkins isn’t ready for that role.

Reiss stacks Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, and third-round pick Kyle Williams as the top of the projected wideout depth chart. That leaves one or two spots for Polk, fellow second-year player Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte and Kendrick Bourne. Revamping the wideout room this offseason has left any non-Douglas 2023 Patriots receiver as a risky hold in dynasty leagues.

Fitzgerald (5’11/193) redshirted as a freshman and only appeared in five games as a sophomore. His next two seasons were marred by inconsistency. He missed three PATs and as many field goals in 2021 and went 12-of-20 on field goal tries in 2022. Fitzgerald turned his career around in the following season by connecting on 19-of-21 field goals with a spotless record on 58 PATs. He completed his arc by nailing all 13 of his field goal tries along with all 14 PATs for Florida State in his final season. He hit all five of his attempts from 50-plus yards in 2024 with a long of 59 in Florida State’s season opener versus Georgia Tech. Fitzgerald’s career numbers show cause for concern, but he was an entirely different player in his final two seasons. Fitzgerald has both the accuracy and the leg strength to be a long-term starter at the next level. He’ll challenge Matthew Wright for the Panthers kicking job in preseason.

The diminutive Castro (5’11/203) comes from Iowa’s well-reputed defensive back program, playing with good instincts and tenacity, but lacks ideal NFL size and athleticism (4.48 RAS) and is unlikely to lock down a starting free safety gig. Castro is best suited to the type of slot-safety hybrid role that earned him third-team All-American honors in 2023. Including regular and postseason play that year, Castro totaled 59 solo tackles, 36 stops, 14 TFLs, eight forced incompletions and three interceptions. He may have to work his way up from special teams, but his rapid processing in coverage should get his position coach’s attention.

A rangy boundary safety with prototype measurables (6’4/218, 32.5-inch arms) and a 9.15 RAS, Verdon boasts elite size and enough athleticism to turn heads. Iowa State’s 4-2-5 scheme saw him thrive in zone-heavy duties, posting an 80.5 coverage grade and 73.0 overall PFF defensive mark in 2024. While the tools are enticing, consistency remains elusive. He tallied 76 tackles, 5 PBUs, and 2 interceptions across 11 starts, even while wearing a cast for part of the season. His long-striding frame covers ground well downhill, but loose anticipation and questionable pursuit angles contributed to a 13.2 percent missed tackle rate and kept him from being trusted in man. Still, his 52 stops over three seasons suggest he can fill an alley and disrupt screens with burst. Verdon is a traits-based project with four-down potential. If special teams become his launching pad, teams may find a low-hole defender worth developing.