NFL Player News

Mayfield (6'5/320) started 15 games in college, winning the right tackle job in 2019 and ultimately getting knocked out for the year with a high-ankle sprain two games into Michigan’s snake-bitten 2020 campaign. Mayfield detonates off the snap in the run game, striking with speed and ferocious power that uncoils out of his hips and sustains through contact because of his fabulous leg drive. But at this time in his development, Mayfield is more comfortable moving forward than settling back into a pass-pro base. He plays with less power in this phase, negating the advantage of his get-off. With average foot speed and a lack of ideal length, Mayfield cannot afford the technical gaffes we occasionally saw in Big 10 play, leading to power rushers getting into his pads or speed rushers taking the corner when he over-extended on the punch. If Mayfield can clean that up, he’ll have the potential to move to tackle down the road. Even if he doesn’t, he’ll be a run-blocking unit at guard. He has a very similar profile to Dion Dawkins coming out of Temple. The Falcons announced Mayfield as a guard so we’ll assume that’s where he’ll play if he gets to start in his rookie season. Atlanta lost two of their starting interior lineman in free agency so Mayfield will get the chance to start in Week 1 if he shows well in camp.

Tafur also notes that after examining Geno Smith’s recent contract extension through 2027, “the Raiders have a clear out after 2026.” Smith’s team-friendly deal keeps the Raiders in play for a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick, though fantasy managers may be forced to wait a year before drafting said player.

The Saints listed the right-armed Carr with a left-hand injury late in Weeks 15-18 but made no mention of a throwing-shoulder issue. There seems to be more to this story. Carr has not yet decided whether he will undergo surgery but, regardless, it seems clear that the Saints must select a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft at this point.

The individual suing Sneed reportedly alleges that either “Sneed or Sneed’s personal assistant shot at him while” parked at a car dealership. The individual’s lawyer also claims that there is video evidence to support the allegation. Other details are currently unknown. Sneed is also rehabbing a quad injury suffered in-season last year.

Though news of the injury broke only today, it appears as though the Saints’ have known “about this recent shoulder issue” for some time. The Saints brain trust evidently sprung a leak, though, and now the rest of the QB-needy teams know that leapfrogging the Saints’ No. 9 overall pick may be required to secure a high-end prospect. Carr’s 2025 availability remains unknown.

The Broncos added former Saints interim head coach and long-time special team coach Darren Rizzi to their staff this offseason. He holds both the special teams coach and assistant head coach roles. Beat reporter Chris Tomasson reports that Rizzi is said to have “pushed” for Franklin’s signing this offseason, after watching Franklin dominate NFC South special teams play as a member of the Panthers. Franklin has totaled at least seven special teams tackles in each of the last four seasons.

The former Chargers’ fourth-round pick has been unable to remain on-field over the last two seasons, suffering a season-ending foot injury in November 2023, followed by an undisclosed season-ending injury in August 2024. Rumph has flashed pass-rushing and tackling traits when available, posting a career-best 10.3 percent pass-rush win rate in nine 2023 games. He has 26 quarterback pressures, three sacks and 19 tackles to his name.

Peterson will head to Arizona on Monday to officially retire as a member of the Cardinals. Peterson was named to eight Pro Bowls while earning three first-team All-Pro nods. He finishes with 70 career passes defended, 37 interceptions, 608 tackles and three sacks.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Derek Carr’s new shoulder injury little more than an hour before Duncan broke the Shough news. This does not seem like a coincidence. With Carr’s 2025 season jeopardized, both by the shoulder injury and his poor play in 2024, the Saints must engage in an exhaustive pre-draft search for a long-term answer at the quarterback position.

King logged just 74 defensive snaps last season but had a career-best year as a special teamer. His 89.2 PFF special teams grade leads all Falcons players with at least 100 special teams snaps, and he totaled two qualifying tackles. On defense, he broke up one pass and notched six tackles.

The Cardinals already roster backups Jacoby Brissett and Clayton Tune. Bringing Huntley aboard would give them another proven, if unexceptional option. He started five games for the Dolphins in 2024, completing 86-of-133 passes for 831 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions and rushing 26 times for 135 yards and two touchdowns while fumbling six times.