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Ashton Jeanty will walk into the 2025 season as the favorite to win NFL Rookie of the Year, as he’s got the talent and opportunity to make a real impact in his first year in the league.
The Las Vegas Raiders, under head coach Pete Carroll, selected Jeanty sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and all systems are a go for him to handle a workhorse role as soon as the regular season begins. Jeanty had a historic season at Boise State last year after rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also recorded 138 receiving yards, though he is more than capable of catching passes out of the backfield.
The running back talent around the league is impressive, and Jeanty gives the Raiders their own home-run hitter out of the backfield. Jeanty is a threat to score on any given touch due to his compact frame, speed, contact balance and vision.
When asked who his favorite running back in the NFL is, Jeanty picked the best one in Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley via Austin C. Boyd of Athlon Sports:
“I’d say Saquon (Barkley),” Jeanty told Athlon Sports when asked who his favorite active NFL running back is.
Jeanty has been a long-time fan of Barkley, as he followed him when he was still in college:
“I’ve always watched him, even when he was Penn State,” Jeanty added. “He’s just explosive at his size. To be as explosive and shifty as he is is pretty rare.”
Barkley was the Eagles’ offensive engine last year as he had plenty of room to run behind the team’s stout offensive line. There were several instances where Barkley made a highlight play in the playoffs and is a big reason why Philadelphia captured Super Bowl LIX.
Barkley proved that running backs matter in the modern NFL, and Jeanty has the chance to make good on that thought as Las Vegas should give him all the opportunities he can handle. Carroll is well-known for wanting to establish the run, and Jeanty is the perfect bellcow.
It remains to be seen how Jeanty will perform once the regular season kicks off, but there’s legitimate hope he can elevate the offense.
Ashton Jeanty discusses Chip Kelly wanting him to adjust his stance
Ashton Jeanty became infamous for his stance in the backfield as he stands straight up. Las Vegas Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has already reached out to Jeanty about changing his stance, and the running back discussed his side of it.
More must-reads:
- Former top-10 pick expected to be released by Packers
- Packers releasing three-time Super Bowl champion
- The 'Season TD pass leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Browns releasing one-time Pro Bowl wide receiver
Diontae Johnson‘s efforts to find a stable NFL home will likely not include time with the Browns. The veteran wideout is being released today, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero report. The wide receiver’s tumultuous 2024 included a bevy of transactions and multiple aims to be traded and ultimately crushed his free agency value. Johnson was traded twice and cut twice last year, leading to a veteran-minimum Browns deal. Failing to make Cleveland’s 53-man roster represents another blow to a player who entered last season as a career-long starter. No other team made Johnson an offer this offseason. The Browns will not take on any dead money from this release as a result of the vet-minimum deal including no guarantees. The team did not add any other veteran receivers of note, but it will still move on from a former 1,000-yard player who had excelled for the Steelers over an extended stretch. The Steelers and Panthers traded Johnson last year after he grew unhappy with both situations. But Johnson then drew a team-imposed suspension in Baltimore after refusing to reenter a late-season game with the Ravens — who did not give the effective route runner a regular role. Johnson then grew unhappy with his Texans role following a subsequent waiver claim. The Ravens claimed him again for procedural purposes, wrapping a transaction-crazed (but largely inconsequential, productivity-wise) year for the six-year veteran. Cleveland has Cedric Tillman positioned as Jerry Jeudy‘s top complementary option, with 2024 fifth-rounder Jamari Thrash in the mix as well. The Browns also changed their receiver situation this month, signing Texas product Isaiah Bond after the rookie was not indicted on sexual assault charges. Johnson, 29, will pass straight to free agency as a vested veteran.
Key Darian Kinnard Trait Drew Packers to Trade for Super Bowl Winner
Darien Kinnard has won a Super Bowl each of the past three seasons, but that isn’t the only reason the Packers acquired the veteran offensive lineman in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend. While general manager Brian Gutekunst, head coach Matt LaFleur, and the Packers obviously would love to see Kinnard’s streak continue with the Lombardi Trophy returning to Green Bay, it was a key trait that sparked the trade. Kinnard’s versatility was a major drawing card for Green Bay, according to Packers reporter Mike Spofford. “Typical of offensive line prospects who interest the Packers,” Spofford writes, for the team’s official website. “Kinnard can play multiple positions. In the recently completed preseason with the Eagles, he played both right guard and right tackle, with more snaps coming at guard. “He also took some snaps at left guard in practice, according to media reports out of Philadelphia.” Kinnard’s versatility gives the Packers the chance to add quality depth across multiple positions, including as an insurance policy if Rasheed Walker or Jordan Morgan fail to perform at a high level at right tackle in the weeks ahead. The 25-year-old played 68 snas at right tackle last season and only allowed one sack, so perhaps the Packers believe he’s capable of providing some stability, when needed, during the upcoming season and beyond.
Giants to waive fan favorite QB
The Giants’ trio of new quarterbacks has pushed Tommy DeVito off the roster. New York is moving on, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. DeVito has made 12 appearances and eight starts across the past two seasons, but the Giants’ actions this offseason led to the expectation he would wind up on the wrong side of the roster bubble. New York added Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency before selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round of the draft. Each of those three signal-callers will be on the team’s 53-man roster, Dianna Russini of The Athletic confirms. DeVito’s showings during his regular season appearances as well as New York’s preseason finale last Thursday could make him an attractive option on the waiver wire. Teams will be able to put in a claim through Wednesday, the first day in which practice squads will be formed. If DeVito, 27, passes through waivers, he will become a free agent. As NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo notes, DeVito was the subject of trade talks in recent days. Winston has also been the target of a potential deal, but the Giants are prepared to move forward with the former No. 1 pick in a depth capacity. Wilson will handle starting duties to begin the year with Dart looming as a potential replacement depending on how the early portion of the campaign shakes out. This time of year often brings about shuffling at the QB position, and it will be interesting to see how strong DeVito’s market turns out to be. The Raiders found themselves in need of an addition, but their vacancy was filled with the Kenny Pickett trade. The Patriots, meanwhile, have only two passers in the organization at the moment. New England thus represents a candidate for a waiver claim or a free agent push in the event DeVito hits the market.
8 recently cut players who would be perfect for the Lions, including multiple former Lions players
This is such an interesting time for the Detroit Lions and the NFL. There are so many players who are being cut and looking for a new team. As we know, the Lions plan to be on the lookout for players who aren't currently in the building. With that in mind, we've been keeping an eye on all the cuts happening and have 10 players who would be perfect fits for the Lions. Here they are: Edge Nelson Ceasar The Lions had an interest in Ceaser and even met with him ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Ultimately, they didn't draft him, and he wound up signing with the Seahawks. He's bounced around in the NFL and UFL since. Now the Lions have a chance to take a closer look. Ceaser is not your big answer to the edge rusher questions you might have for this team, but he's an intriguing practice squad prospect worth taking a look at. QB Kyle McCord This one is one the Lions should be all over before any other team gets to him. The rookie got drafted by the Eagles in April, and they just did not need him. McCord could be way better off in Detroit with a great cast of quarterback whisperers and more opportunities to get over. McCord is just 22 years old. This is a chance for the Lions to take a prospect who was pretty good at Syracuse last year and grow him into a potential premium backup quarterback. Maybe more. CB Steven Gilmore The former Lions cornerback looked like someone who was going to have a bright future when he made the 53-man roster in 2023. Then he had a rough summer in 2024 and was cut. After a solid spring in the UFL, he was signed by the Cardinals. They cut him on Monday, and now he's back out there. The Lions could use some cornerback depth right now, and Gilmore could be good for that. Detroit could bring him in on the practice squad and see where things go. DL Kyle Peko The Lions had some hopes that Peko could be a strong interior defensive line depth for them last year, and they had him on the 53-man roster. It was going well until he suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 6. He spent the summer with the Patriots, but was released after their final preseason game. He would be a good veteran addition to the practice squad. TE Zach Kuntz The Lions spent a lot of time looking at tight ends this offseason, and I'm not sure they really ever found the guy they were looking for. Kenny Yeboah might have been that, but he got hurt, and then rookie Zach Horton didn't really turn out to be ready to go like it seemed like he might be early on. Kuntz is a solid blocking tight end who also has red zone catching ability that's worth taking a look at. Edge Jah Joyner Another young edge rusher who would be worth taking a look at. Joyner just didn't fit with the Raiders, but working with Kacy Rodgers might be a good defensive line coach to learn under for the former Minnesota pass rusher. This would be another practice squad guy. QB Tommy DeVito The Lions are pretty likely to be on the lookout for a practice squad quarterback since it seems pretty clear that Hendon Hooker won't be back in any way. DeVito has starting experience, and there's likely to be a lot of teams interested. If he clears waivers, this one might be worth taking a look at. TE Greg Dulich Here's a guy who could be on the Lions' 53-man roster as the TE3. Dulich is a stronger pass blocker than Shane Zylstra, and he can also be a strong receiving tight end. He caught three touchdown passes in the preseason this summer. There should be a lot of teams looking to claim him, so the Lions might be out of luck, but if they put a claim out there, you never know.
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