NFL Player News

Baltimore took Devontez Walker out of North Carolina with the 113th pick in the draft after posting 699 yards and seven touchdowns over eight games in 2023. Jackson, per DeCosta, wanted a big outside wideout at the end of the first round. The team waited until Day Two to take Walker. “Just an explosive guy,” DeCosta said of Walker, who tested well at the NFL Combine. “I think with us, one of the things that we’ve been missing a little bit is that big, linear, outside, field-stretcher type of guy.” Look for Walker to function as the Ravens’ primary field stretcher while Zay Flowers works the short areas of the field alongside Mark Andrews.

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.

Hook (6’0/202) brings four years of consistent production and old-school toughness to the 2025 class. A three-time first-team All-MAC selection and two-year captain, Hook racked up 107 tackles in 2024 and posted an elite 83.8 run-defense grade. Hook thrives downhill, keying the run with urgency and closing space in a hurry. His 681 career special teams snaps and blocked punt reflect his blue-collar motor and value on coverage units. He displays good athleticism for the position, having run an 83rd percentile 6.92s 3-Cone and a 4.55s 40-yard dash (82nd percentile) for a commendable 8.51 RAS. Hook’s pursuit range and physicality pop on tape, but his aggressive angles led to missed tackles and eye discipline concerns. He’s scheme-versatile in box or two-high roles, but lacks the quick-twitch movement and man-coverage chops to handle NFL slot receivers. Ball production and blitz impact are also modest. Hook’s physical brand of football and reliable tackling (70 stops in 2024) should leave him a clear path to a core special teams role and backup safety duties.

Adams (6’2/182) is a long-armed, lanky cornerback who logged 48 career games at UCF, primarily playing outside in Addison Williams’ multiple-coverage scheme. A one-year starter, Adams shows glimpses of press-man potential, leveraging his frame to disrupt timing at the line. His length is ideal, but his tape reveals inconsistent technique and discipline, particularly when turning and transitioning in-phase — something reflected in his middling 4.70 RAS, with a 32.5-inch vertical and just a 9’9” broad jump. Despite some choppy footwork and a high-cut frame that can get awkward in transitions, Adams competes with urgency and flashes burst late when closing on the catch point. He allowed a 51.4 percent completion rate with only one touchdown and an 80.9 PFF coverage grade in 2024. His ball production (four PBUs in four seasons) remains concerning. Adams projects as a developmental press corner with special teams upside.