NFL Player News

Barton (6’5/313) was considered the 14th-best high school guard in the nation when he enrolled at Duke in August 2020. A former lacrosse player, Barton was awarded Duke’s Falcone Award for his commitment to strength and conditioning as a freshman when he played 430 snaps at C when their starter went down. He slid over to his permanent LT role in 2021, but struggled in pass protection allowing six sacks, 20 pressures and a 3.5% blown block rate in 747 snaps. 2022 is when it all came together for Barton, improving to 98.7% block efficiency with just two sacks and eight hurries to go with a sensational 88.2 PFF overall grade that ranked fourth among all FBS tackles that year. In fact, he was one of only two tackles nationally that earned 85th percentile grades in both run blocking and pass protection that season, which codified his excellence in both phases of the game. Last year a nagging lower body injury cost Barton four games and compromised him in multiple others, especially against UNC when he allowed four of his 11 total pressures on the year. The first-team All-ACC LT still managed to blow just 1.2% of his blocks and graded out at a 79th percentile level despite being hobbled. He didn’t test at the Combine, but Barton’s 32.875” length arms are amongst the shortest in the class and will likely relegate him to a guard/center role in the NFL, but since he played tackle for the last three years in college he’s grouped with the OTs in the ranks. Tampa in 2023 had the league’s 10th-best pass blocking unit, per PFF grades, and the third worst run blocking unit.

Vrabel was noncommittal about whether Gonzalez would participate in practice, instead saying he “would expect him to participate.” The fourth-year corner is in the midst of contract negotiations and could reset the cornerback market when he eventually agrees to an extension. Gonzalez reported to mandatory minicamp earlier this offseason but did not participate in full team drills, and there’s been some speculation he could opt to hold in at camp while waiting for a new deal. The Patriots will take the practice field for the first time on Saturday, whether or not Gonzalez joins them in full capacity will be something to watch for.

Hopkins said last month that he would “love to play for a competitor” at this point in his career, so this comes as a bit of a surprise. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told Reiss that Hopkins is considering a coaching career, but it was not specified whether he is looking to join the Patriots’ staff this season or is simply kicking the tires on a future career change. Hopkins, 34, caught 22 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns in a limited role with the Ravens last season and wouldn’t be much more than a role player on any team he would join for this season.

Things are just getting underway for the Giants as they open camp, so there’s a lot that could play out between now and then. Beckham, 33, signed with the Giants this offseason after pleading for one more chance with the team that originally drafted him in 2014, and got his wishes when he inked a one-year deal in June. Beckham did not suit up for a team last season and caught just nine passes for 55 scoreless yards in the nine games he appeared in for the Dolphins in 2024. We never expected him to make much of a fantasy impact even if he were higher on the depth chart, but Beckham securing the final spot in the WR room would all but cement his status as a lightly-used role player for the Giants this season.

This was expected after it was reported on Thursday that Scourton suffered a torn ACL in the team’s first practice. Scourton reportedly sought a second opinion on his injury, but the decision to place him on injured reserve on Friday officially signals the end of his season. The second-year pass-rusher was expected to make a nice leap this season after popping up for five sacks as a rookie, but will now spend this season rehabbing in preparation for 2027.

Brissett reported to training camp and was practicing with the team on Thursday. Brissett is entering this season as the Cardinals’ QB1 but is currently set to play out the season on the final year of a two-year, $12.5 million contract he signed last season when he was backing up Kyler Murray. Brissett is reportedly seeking a pay raise for this season rather than an extension, and it sounds like a deal will eventually be reached by the two sides before the start of the season. Brissett was fourth in Thursday’s practice rotation, but that will change as he continues to get up to speed with the team after missing OTAs and minicamp.

Earlier today, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe reported that “there will be no limitations” for Brooks (knee). First-team usage seemingly affirms that. The team hopes Brooks forms a one-two punch with RB Chuba Hubbard before taking over as the starter at some point. Backup RB Trevor Etienne “also got his fair share of reps, and he worked with the starters as well in the running back rotation.” This is somewhat surprising, and worth keeping an eye on. Regarding Brooks’ showing, Kaye says he “looked quick as he bobbed and weaved with the ball in his hands.” He notably took “a mild hit,” but “showed no signs of struggle afterward.” Brooks looks like a high-upside, risk-reward type of pick right now.

Great news. Wins were tough to come by for Brissett last year, but passing productivity wasn’t. During his Weeks 6-18 starting stretch, Brissett totaled top-four passing yards (3,366) and passing touchdowns (23) sums, while also tying for the eighth-most interceptions (eight). Brissett and the team are reportedly negotiating a pay bump for 2026. Getting him on the field is good news for Cardinals pass catchers.

This is the kind of thing we like to hear for QB Baker Mayfield and his pass catchers. Robinson did not feature play action during his two seasons as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator, nor did former Buccaneers OC Josh Grizzard, so Otton’s comments are reassuring. Per PFF, NFL offenses averaged 7.76 yards per pass play with play action and just 6.72 without it. Upping the play action rate should help the Buccaneers run a more efficient offense in 2026.

Robertson-Harris ruptured his Achilles tendon in May. He is expected to miss the 2026 season. The Giants also placed DL Sam Roberts and TE Thomas Fidone on the physically unable to perform list, though their injuries were not listed.

This is a positive update, and it seems fairly declarative, but there is still room for interpretation. A few Giants veterans were placed on the PUP list today, although veterans do not report to training camp until July 28th. The fact that Nabers avoided PUP today is good news, but it is still possible that he could land on the active/PUP list when he reports next week. Earlier today, Raanan reported that Nabers was “expected to avoid the physically unable to perform list” and that playing in Week 1 against the Cowboys is “a realistic possibility.” At the very least, this framing suggests he is not expected to be placed on the reserve/PUP list, which requires players to miss at least four games. We won’t know whether he officially avoids the active/PUP list until he reports next week, but keeping him off of it does have benefits. It allows the team more flexibility in how they integrate him into practices. If he lands on the active/PUP list, he can only do rehab work with the training staff. Long story short, this is a net positive, but next week could bring us another PUP-related update. Stay tuned.