NFL Player News

Ponds will join a New York coverage unit that was by far the NFL’s worst in 2025. No team allowed a higher drop back EPA than the Jets last season and six teams gave up a higher drop back success rate. Ponds (5’8/182) is a hyper-competitive, zone-savvy ball-hawk who pairs elite production with high-end speed metrics (4.38 forty, 8.25 RAS). He logged 778 snaps in 2025 with an 89.9 overall grade and 89.5 coverage grade, allowing just 32 receptions on 64 targets (50.0%) for 379 yards while consistently driving on throws from off leverage. Ponds’ three-year résumé shows steady ball disruption with strong efficiency at 0.41 yards per coverage snap in 2025 and a career 6.1% missed tackle rate. His play style is defined by excellent route recognition, spacing, and vertical carry speed, enabling him to stay in-phase and contest downfield targets despite a 5’8/182 frame. However, his lack of length and play strength shows up at the catch point and versus physical route stems, where bigger receivers can displace him and limit his finishing radius.

We’ll likely get an update on this soon, but it’s a concerning development for the second-year pass rusher who is hoping to build on a rookie season that included 43 tackles, four sacks, and seven TFLs. According to Leonard, Carter eventually made his way indoors and was seen leaving the field without his shoe. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan later reported that the “initial belief” is that Carter is okay, but we will provide an update when we receive one.

The Chiefs now have both of their 2026 first-rounders under contract after signing DT Peter Woods just hours before announcing Delane’s deal. Delane spent four seasons in college and closed out his career at LSU after transferring from Virginia Tech. He joins a secondary that was dealt two key losses this offseason in Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, and projects as the Chiefs’ top corner to start the season. Last season, Delane earned a PFF coverage grade of 90.7 and allowed just 14 receptions for 165 scoreless yards on 35 targets.

In an 11-second video posted to X by ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Skattebo can be seen running a route down the left sideline before hauling in a long pass. The second-year running back is working his way back from a fractured ankle he suffered in Week 8 of last season, and looked to be running at or close to full speed in the clip. Speaking last month, Skattebo said he expects to be healthy for Week 1, and he appears to be trending in that direction. We’ll get a better sense of his availability when training camp starts, but if Skattebo can avoid the PUP list at the start of camp, we can safely assume he’ll be all systems go, barring any setbacks. Skattebo projects as an RB2 in what is expected to be a run-heavy offense in John Harbaugh’s first season.

Josh Sweat is also present and accounted for after the pass rusher, like Brissett, opted out of voluntary OTAs. Brissett was rumored to be planning to attend camp, in part to avoid any fines that would come with staying away, but how much he participates in drills will be worth keeping an eye on. Brissett continues to hold out hope for a pay bump after earning the QB1 job with his 2025 performance. His 2026 base salary of $4.88 million puts him in range with most backups across the league.

Cooper was arrested last week and charged with two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief. The 28-year-old linebacker now has a jury trial set for July 22nd, which could cut into the beginning of training camp. Whether Cooper faces any disciplinary action from the league will likely be determined once his case is settled, but he could be in line for a suspension at some point in 2026 or 2027. Cooper totaled 50 tackles, eight TFLs, and eight sacks for the Broncos last season.

The Chiefs used both of their first-round picks to bolster their defense, selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane with the No. 6 overall pick and Woods with the 29th overall pick. Woods, a former top-10 recruit, spent three seasons at Clemson and racked up 30 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and two sacks in his final season with the Tigers. Woods figures to make an early impact for the Chiefs in his rookie season and should pair nicely with three-time First-team All-Pro DT Chris Jones. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Woods has received the highest upfront percentage of his signing bonus of any Chiefs first-rounders.

Yes, it’s only seven-on-seven drills, but for a player coming back from a late-season ACL tear who is hoping to be ready in time for Week 1, it’s a step in the right direction. The Chiefs remain optimistic that their QB1 will be ready to go at the start of the season, and Mahomes himself has said he’s hopeful he’ll be a full participant in training camp. With nearly two months to go until training camp begins, Mahomes has plenty of time left to continue his recovery before the real work begins. In the event he isn’t ready for Week 1, Justin Fields will likely start in his absence.

Proche is a sixth-year vet who spent last season with the Titans. The former sixth-round pick has caught 34 passes for 364 scoreless yards in his career and also has 68 punt returns to his name. The veteran receiver could catch on to the Eagles’ roster as a special teams contributor, but given the current depth of the Eagles’ receiver room, it’s hard to imagine him having any role in the passing game if he were to earn a spot.

Brissett has been away from the team while hoping for a new contract ahead of this season. Despite his decision to stay away from voluntary activities, Brissett is expected to attend this week’s mandatory minicamp to avoid any fines the team may levy against him should he not report. Brissett is due $4.88 million base salary this season and is in the final year of the two-year deal he signed last offseason. The 33-year-old vet is hoping for an increase in pay after playing his way into a starting role last season, and has already been named the starting QB for this season. It’s possible that when Brissett reports to minicamp, he keeps his activity to a minimum, but we’ll see whether his decision to report helps his negotiations before training camp begins. Brissett profiles as a mid to low-end QB2 in fantasy next season, but could provide plenty of spike weeks to elevate rosters in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

Smart. Henderson was viewed as a potential passing game contributor as a rookie last year, but veteran RB Rhamondre Stevenson continued to lead the way on passing downs throughout the year. Over the course of the playoffs, Stevenson out-snapped Henderson 54-to-6 on third down and 20-to-17 in the two-minute drill. If Henderson has meaningfully improved pass protection and receiving, he could challenge Stevenson for that role in training camp. Henderson adds that after being tested “physically and mentally” by playing through consecutive extended seasons, at Ohio State and with the Patriots, he has been “refreshed as a full participant in the team’s voluntary offseason program.”