NFL Player News

Cooper (6’2/230) arrived in College Station as a four-star recruit during the tumultuous 2020 pandemic campaign and took a redshirt before assuming a more prominent role the following year. His redshirt freshman year started slowly with Cooper recording just six stops and seven missed tackles through the first five games. He flipped the switch down the stretch though, posting 22 stops and just two missed tackles in his last seven contests to garner SEC All-Freshman Team recognition. He slid into a starting role in 2022 and was productive enough to accrue 61 tackles, 8.0 RFL and five PBU for a decent 66th% PFF defensive grade. However, that was just a warm-up act for his terrific 2023 with Cooper accumulating 17.0 TFL, 56 stops (5th in P5) and 27 pressures (7th in P5) while earning First Team All-American accolades for his accomplishments. His 91st percentile PFF defensive grade was the highest mark of any linebacker in the nation, with Cooper emphatically staking his claim as the top linebacker in the SEC. The Covington, LA product dazzled Combine onlookers with a blazing 1.54s 10-yard split (95th%) and 4.51s 40-yard dash (97th%). Cooper’s 34” arms are unnaturally long for off-ball duty, but his 7.20s 3-Cone is a middling 58th% time and he chose not to bench. Cooper Led LBs in sacks thanks to advanced quickness and get-off off which helps to offset his height. Despite verified elite athleticism, he could use another 5-10 pounds to handle the rigors of the NFL game. Very crafty when diagnosing run concepts and works around blocks efficiently, but isn’t going to stun blockers with his power. Born hitter with sideline-to-sideline speed and range who wants to deliver a crushing blow every play. Cooper is one of the premier linebackers in the 2024 group and is well-equipped to be a key cog in the middle of an NFL defense.

Stevenson was splitting the backfield workload with TreVeyon Henderson before Henderson sustained a potentially serious ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return. Stevenson was somewhat efficient with his opportunities, breaking a few tackles against a low-energy, low-effort Raiders defense. His touchdown came on a goal line carry in the first half. It was his second score of the year. Stevenson will be a top-12 fantasy option next week against the Jets if Henderson is sidelined.

Taylor added 37 receiving yards on three catches. As JJ Watt noted on the broadcast, the Steelers knew that the Colts love running off tackle, so they sent extra rushers and had their defensive ends bracket the tackles to force the Colts to run up the gut. It didn’t work out well for the Colts. Taylor had no running room all day and was stuffed inside the three-yard line three separate times. Things will likely be better next week against the Titans, but the Colts are going to need to fix their issues in the interior of their offensive line.

Freiermuth ran 27 routes on 38 dropbacks, which was a distant third behind DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard; however, Aaron Rodgers is far more effective when targeting the intermediate and middle areas of the field, which makes Freiermuth a more consistent target than either of the wide receivers. With Michael Pittman (foot) and Roman Wilson (finger) both hurt, Freiermuth could be a fringe TE1 next week against the Bucs.

Raridon, who was out last week, was very much involved in the revived New England passing attack. Hunter Henry, meanwhile, had three grabs for 44 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots have used two tight end sets at a high rate when Raridon is healthy. Unless Henry misses time, Raridon should remain on waiver wires in most 12-team formats. He had been targeted on ten percent of his routes headed into Week 5.

Jefferson didn’t miss a beat after returning from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury. He made several spectacular grabs in this game, the most amazing of which was a toe-tapping catch in the back of the end zone with three defenders covering him. Even at less than full strength, Jefferson is simply one of the best receivers in the league. He will remain near the top of the WR1 ranks when the Vikings face the Colts after their bye week.

Kiner’s seven touches came after TreVeyon Henderson went down with what could be a serious ankle injury in the second quarter. While much of his work came in garbage time, Kiner could work as the Patriots’ No. 2 back behind Rhamondre Stevenson if Henderson is sidelined in Week 6. Kiner is worth a look on waiver wires this week.

Perine was involved heavily against the Dolphins, a surprising development given his lack of touches to open the season. He trailed Chase Brown by just five snaps on the day, getting involved in short-yardage situations and seeing an increase in red zone snaps after Brown’s red zone fumble in the second quarter. He caught a touchdown running a route out of the backfield and finished with 78 total yards. We don’t expect Perine to consistently see this kind of usage, but he is back on the radar as a deep-league FLEX value.

45 snaps, one target. Helm has somehow grown less relevant than his 4/28 Week 1 showing would have even suggested. He can be dropped in most leagues at this point.