NFL Player News

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.

Gardner has just three career interceptions and, as ESPN’s Rich Cimini notes, Gardner is not expected to have the benefit of a zone-heavy scheme this season. Serving as the Lions’ defensive coordinator last year, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn used zone and man coverage at a near even split, which qualifies as being extremely man-heavy given the NFL’s current zone coverage rates. Gardner’s focus on increasing his interception total is a positive for fantasy managers who are smartly targeting turnovers and sacks when selecting defense/special teams units, though. Glenn is also notably mentoring Gardner in both on- and off-field leadership qualities, telling Gardner to let his “influence do all the talking” rather than taking on a phony “rah-rah guy” persona.

According to Collin County court records, the Cowboys’ wide receiver and special teams ace was arrested early Sunday on misdemeanor charges for marijuana and unlawfully carrying a weapon. We don’t know much more about his arrest at this time other than his bond was listed at $500. The 28-year-old receiver could face disciplinary action from the league once the legal process plays out, but for now, things remain wait-and-see. Turpin caught 31 passes for 420 yards and two touchdowns last season and also led the league with 904 kick return yards and an average of 33.5 yards per return.

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’s zero 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 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.