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Ben Solak
They are saying Christmas is in December and it is 12 days lengthy. Codswallop, say I. Christmas begins in July, is 4 weeks lengthy and comes with a gift almost each single day: That your favourite third-string receiver made a troublesome snag over the center in double protection; that the undersized, small-school undrafted move rusher is as soon as once more terrorizing the backup offensive line; that everyone — and I imply everyone — is in the perfect form of his life.
It is NFL coaching camp, people. And it is proper across the nook, with veteran gamers for the Chargers and Lions reporting to camp later this week, forward of the Corridor of Fame Sport on July 31.
There’s little I look ahead to greater than the primary video to hit my timeline of some star gamers jogging out onto the observe area. Maybe the one factor I cherish extra are solutions to the next questions, winners of the next positional battles, well being for the next accidents and updates on the next rookies. Let’s get into it.
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Questions | Battles
Accidents | Rookies
5 unanswered questions that may very well be answered
What is going to the second act of Dan Campbell seem like?
Campbell is without doubt one of the finest coaches within the league. There isn’t any query about this, none in any respect. Two of his finest acts with the Lions have been as follows: hiring Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator, and selling Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator after his first hiring (Anthony Lynn) did not work out.
These are the one strikes Campbell has wanted to make at coordinator over his 4 years in Detroit — a uncommon factor for a crew as profitable because the Lions have been. After years of curiosity, each Glenn and Johnson have lastly taken head teaching jobs elsewhere, which raises a number of questions. The primary: Simply how good is Campbell’s eye for teaching expertise? New DC Kelvin Sheppard was promoted from the linebackers teaching job, however Campbell first labored with him again in 2014-15, when Sheppard was nonetheless a participant on the Dolphins. He is been the defensive coordinator-in-waiting for some time now. What does Campbell see in him? And can that imaginative and prescient be realized?
On the offensive facet of the ball, the place loads of candidates for inner promotion had been out there (Hank Fraley, Tanner Engstrand, Antwan Randel El), Campbell went for an exterior rent in John Morton. There may be some familiarity there, as Morton spent the 2022 season because the Lions’ senior offensive assistant. Does he have a very robust relationship with Jared Goff, who might want to shoulder a higher load now that Johnson has left the constructing? Can Morton carry the identical creativity, the identical situational excellence that powered the Lions’ fourth-down strategy of seasons previous?
The Lions are transitioning from a rebuilt upstart to a bona fide power, and meaning they need to fight mind drain. That is Campbell’s first crack at changing key employees departures, and getting it proper is crucial to finishing the whole crew turnaround.
What does Justin Fields do with this (final) likelihood?
When Fields lastly received out of Chicago final season, I used to be thrilled for him. Few franchises have been worse at QB growth over the previous a number of seasons than the Bears. The Steelers are one other such candidate, as they’ve struggled to modernize their offensive strategy or flood their roster with move catchers for a younger quarterback. After all, Fields joined Pittsburgh as a backup behind Russell Wilson, and he began solely six video games whereas Wilson recovered from a calf damage.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Jets gave him a starter’s deal and an unimpeded path to the QB1 job. The Jets are one other candidate for our “even worse than the Bears at quarterback growth” checklist, however it’s a brand new employees in New York — specifically, head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Each got here from Detroit, and Glenn particularly watched his defenses get ravaged by Fields’ legs twice a season. Fields’ final three video games as a Bear towards Glenn’s protection: 12 carries for 58 yards and a landing; 10 carries for 132 yards; 13 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
Now, the Jets have few move catchers behind Garrett Wilson, however they’ve a fairly stable offensive line. I do not suppose they’re going to tip their hand (and put Fields in hurt’s means) an excessive amount of throughout coaching camp, however I will be watching the reviews intently. And I will not be shocked if we see a 2022-like season for Fields. Again then, he posted 160 carries for 1,143 yards, the second most all time for a quarterback. If he can replicate that season along with his legs, whereas getting extra passing recreation assist from Engstrand and Wilson than he ever received in Chicago, there simply is perhaps one thing there.
There is not a coaching camp query with a much bigger vary of outcomes than the McCarthy query in Minnesota. I can draw two parallel universes for you. Within the first, a yr of rehab gave McCarthy the chance to arrange mentally, and he’s accordingly as sharp as a tack below middle — no rookie errors. Absolutely bodily recovered, he provides extra on the boot than Darnold ever did, creating a brand new layer within the already harmful Vikings offense. Minnesota hits the bottom working.
Within the different, Minnesota actually does hit the bottom working as a result of McCarthy is not prepared. He’s unsure on the knee and nonetheless adjusting to NFL velocity, and it is not like he was a pass-heavy maven in faculty both. The Vikings closely depend on a retooled offensive line, in addition to a working again by committee with Jordan Mason becoming a member of Aaron Jones. They preserve as a lot off their younger passer’s shoulders as potential as he works his method to NFL ball.
1:36
What to anticipate from Vikings, J.J. McCarthy subsequent season
Harry Douglas, Kimberley A. Martin and Damien Woody focus on what’s going to make a profitable season for J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings.
These two worlds, and each world in between, really feel potential for the Vikings. We should not overreact to something we get in coaching camp, particularly damaging. The McCarthy we get in August will not be the McCarthy we see in December, as a season’s price of NFL motion teaches some huge classes. However the Vikings are in a aggressive division and harbor deep playoff aspirations. They solely have a lot leash to present a rookie, particularly when you think about how simply Kevin O’Connell has made veteran quarterbacks shine on this offense. McCarthy’s well being and confidence are about as huge of a July storyline as you get within the NFL.
I stay assured that the 2 most blatant issues will occur in Cincinnati: The Bengals will attain an extension with Hendrickson that makes him a top-three highest-paid defensive participant in soccer, and they’re going to give Stewart the rookie contract language he seeks so he can begin training.
Nonetheless, there is a not-insubstantial (wonderful writing there; I am an expert) likelihood a minimum of considered one of these takes a left flip. Hendrickson appears to have extra inner locker room help for a protracted holdout than every other participant I can bear in mind. Everybody in a Bengals uniform is aware of he has carried that protection for a very long time, and in no season was that extra apparent than final yr. If Hendrickson flatly rejects each supply the Bengals give him and tries to reinvigorate commerce markets as different groups reevaluate their rosters throughout coaching camp, I shall be shocked. However not shocked.
The Stewart state of affairs feels tied to the Hendrickson state of affairs. If Hendrickson is holding out (or holding in, as that is the strategy lately), then the Bengals will swiftly revert their rookie contract language and get Stewart training — they want him much more than they thought. However what if the Hendrickson deal will get achieved earlier than camp? I can see the Bengals “dropping” the Hendrickson negotiation (i.e., paying him a bajillion {dollars}), and digging their heels in on the Stewart contract in consequence.
Once more: I nonetheless strongly consider we will get the anticipated final result on each of those offers, however I am not counting my chickens simply but.
Can Nick Caley get it going? And might Josh Grizzard preserve it going?
With each offseason, it seems like new offensive coordinators have greater and larger leverage in shocking crew outcomes. Evaluate the 2024 Eagles to the 2023 Eagles when you do not consider me — a playcaller can simply as simply tank a buzzing offense as he can resurrect a fallen one.
Within the latter case this season, we’ve got new Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who inherits a Texans offense that fell from lofty expectations in 2024. Houston’s strategy to move safety proved far too rudimentary, and opposing defenses simply discovered strain schematically. They discovered it towards personnel as nicely, so the Texans retooled their offensive line accordingly.
It is simple to poke holes within the 2025 Texans’ offensive personnel. Rookie receivers fill the depth chart behind Nico Collins. Christian Kirk is coming back from a collarbone damage; Tank Dell won’t be again this season in any respect. The offensive line is younger and shuffled. However I bear in mind how explosive this offense was in 2023 when the playcalling was sharp, and the core of that success — C.J. Stroud and Collins — stays. I am bullish on a Texans offensive bounce-back, as long as Caley is as billed.
Alternatively, Josh Grizzard is not seeking to rebound, however maintain. The new offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, Grizzard steps into Liam Coen’s sneakers because the playcaller for Baker Mayfield and a Bucs offense that returns each single starter from final season (and provides Emeka Egbuka, a first-round large receiver from Ohio State). However Grizzard has by no means known as performs earlier than, and he was a quick riser via the Dolphins’ offensive ranks earlier than his one season because the Buccaneers’ passing recreation coordinator final season. What’s his DNA?
The Bucs had been one bounce away from a wild-card win over the Commanders final season, and that was with an injury-riddled protection. If they’re more healthy on that facet of the ball, they seem like a bona fide NFC contender … as long as you assume the offense does not take a step again with Coen’s departure. An enormous accountability is on Grizzard’s shoulders.
Coaching camp battles to observe
Colts quarterback
The important thing fulcrum of this battle might have been in a later part, because the combat between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson for the beginning quarterback job in Indianapolis is difficult by Richardson’s lingering shoulder damage. Richardson initially injured his throwing shoulder in 2023 on a scramble and aggravated that AC joint throughout observe in Could. Coach Shane Steichen put no timetable on a return, however reviews point out he’ll be prepared for coaching camp.
If Richardson can throw unimpeded throughout coaching camp, we’ve got ourselves an actual battle. Jones, who signed a one-year deal in March, is a identified commodity — a low-end beginning quarterback with some speeding means however little arm expertise to raise a passing recreation. Richardson, who has missed 17 video games with accidents in his first two seasons, nonetheless has the requisite bodily expertise to not simply win the beginning job but in addition grow to be a extremely harmful NFL QB. Since he is youthful (23) and much more naturally expert, the Colts need him to win the job.
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Is Dak set for a ‘monster yr’ with the Cowboys?
Kevin Clark says that even when Dak Prescott has a “classic Dak yr,” it won’t matter for the Cowboys.
However the Colts’ dedication to Richardson is clearly skinny, particularly following the peculiar tap-out/benching fiasco final season. And if the oft-injured passer misses time in August, Steichen and common supervisor Chris Ballard can simply hand the beginning job to Jones in an argument for continuity and stability.
Jones did play below a powerful offensive thoughts in Brian Daboll whereas beginning in New York, however he by no means loved such a proficient cadre of move catchers as he does now: Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell and rookie tight finish Tyler Warren. Whereas it is unlikely Jones abruptly turns into a top-tier quarterback, he generally is a succesful level guard for such a harmful group.
Chiefs left sort out
Poor left sort out play appeared prefer it was going to sink the Chiefs’ offensive ship for months of the 2024 season, however nonetheless, that cussed and incremental offense made all of it the best way to Tremendous Bowl LIX earlier than the invoice lastly got here due.
With 2024 second-round decide Kingsley Suamataia kicked into the left guard spot vacated by Joe Thuney, the Chiefs redoubled their funding on the key spot. They grabbed Jaylon Moore in free company and Ohio State’s Josh Simmons in April’s draft.
Each choices include danger — Moore was solely ever a spot starter with the 49ers, and Simmons is coming off a patella damage and nonetheless recovering from surgical procedure. Simmons is anticipated to be full-go at coaching camp, which opens the job as much as a real battle.
Chiefs followers shall be accustomed to the uncertainty, because the left sort out job was up for grabs final season, too. The hope is that Simmons proves wholesome and succesful, such that Moore can function a swing sort out. I think about Simmons will take the primary snaps at left sort out accordingly — however he must be (and keep) wholesome to truly win that job.
Cowboys working again
What, exactly, are the Cowboys as much as at working again? It is unclear. After producing a 1,000-yard season, Rico Dowdle left in free company for a mere one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Panthers. Dallas gave extra to former Bronco Javonte Williams, who hasn’t seemed explosive since a significant knee damage in 2022. The crew additionally signed Miles Sanders to a one-year deal and drafted Jaydon Blue out of Texas within the fifth spherical.
It is a worryingly weak room. The best final result is that Williams abruptly returns to his pre-injury type, although it is price remarking that even his career-best season (2021, rookie yr) was solely 4.4 yards per try and a 46.3% success charge. However Blue is a speedy change-of-pace again, so regular manufacturing from Williams — a superb move catcher — may very well be complemented by some huge Blue performs. That’s nonetheless two huge “ifs” simply to get to a useful committee. Lotta squeeze for not a lotta juice.
This camp battle is one to observe much less for the contact distribution — all three backs will inevitably get utilization this season — and extra for the general high quality. The Cowboys really feel like a main candidate for a working again commerce acquisition, particularly if their speeding recreation lags once more behind an improved passing recreation with George Pickens at receiver. Which brings us to our different backfield to observe.
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What is the ceiling for Bears, Caleb Williams this season?
Courtney Cronin lays out her expectations for the Chicago Bears and Caleb Williams this season.
Jaguars working again
A three-headed battle is underway in Jacksonville. The presumed starter is Travis Etienne Jr., a 2021 first-round decide who has began 46 of a potential 53 video games since getting into the league. However final season, he misplaced touches to Tank Bigsby, a 2023 second-rounder who shined when Etienne missed time with a shoulder damage. From Week 5 on in 2024, Bigsby outrushed Etienne 147 to 103 and was statistically superior by virtually all measures: 0.01 EPA per rush to Etienne’s minus-0.13, 38.8% success charge to Etienne’s 35.9% and a couple of.33 yards after contact per rush to Etienne’s 1.36.
Now, the offensive employees in Jacksonville has been overhauled, and new coach Liam Coen used a two-headed backfield nicely when he was coordinating the Buccaneers’ offense final season. So why not simply play Etienne and Bigsby in a committee? As a result of a 3rd again has entered the fray in fourth-rounder Bhayshul Tuten, whom the Jaguars drafted in April.
I am pretty sure Tuten will play a stable function within the backfield, as he’s the current acquisition relative to the 2 veterans this new employees is inheriting. However there aren’t sufficient touches to feed three backs, which suggests Etienne and Bigsby will contend for the 1A function.
Given what we noticed final season, I believe Bigsby will win that battle in a good combat — the choice may come right down to which again returns extra capital in a commerce.
Patriots large receiver
On this pass-loving period of the NFL, it is fairly uncommon to discover a crew with a receiver room through which each single function, from X to Z to fit, is up for grabs. However that feels just like the case in New England, the place new coach Mike Vrabel should area a useful group of move catchers round second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
The main candidate for a WR1 function is Stefon Diggs, signed to a three-year, $69 million deal this spring. On paper, he’s essentially the most proficient large receiver in New England. However he is 31 years previous, coming off an ACL tear and has already loved some off-field shenanigans this offseason. Final yr’s main receiver was DeMario Douglas, who put up 621 yards on 66 catches as a main slot receiver. (Technically, tight finish Hunter Henry led the Patriots with 674 yards, however that is quite miserable, and we’re solely speaking in regards to the receiver room proper now.)
Douglas is simply OK at slot receiver. Amongst 27 gamers who ran a minimum of 60% of their routes from the slot final season, he ranked seventeenth in yards per route run and nineteenth in first downs per goal. That is not prolific sufficient to have a stranglehold on that function, and any sensible utilization of Diggs features a respectable food regimen of slot routes. There’s additionally the wrinkle of rookie third-round decide Kyle Williams, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound speedster who — you guessed it — deserves some snaps within the slot.
Diggs and Williams can play on the surface, and doubtless ought to to a point. How a lot shall be determined by Kayshon Boutte — who received the lion’s share of snaps at X receiver final season however did not impress (he’ll have one other shot with a brand new teaching employees) — and second-year man Ja’Lynn Polk, who fell out of favor with final yr’s offense however was a top-40 decide in 2024.
There are a whole lot of targets up for grabs within the Patriots offense, no exaggeration. Somebody must emerge in August if this offense goes to take a step in the proper path.
5 accidents to watch
In opposition to the Chiefs final October, Aiyuk tore each the ACL and MCL in his proper knee. That is a significant damage and a decent turnaround for a Week 1 return this season. In Could, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on his podcast that he “would suppose [Aiyuk’s] able to play by midseason” even along with his restoration going nicely.
Whereas Aiyuk was current for minicamp in San Francisco, no reviews out of the constructing point out any change to that timeline. Normal supervisor John Lynch echoed that rehab goes nicely, however he “would not put a timeline” on Aiyuk’s return. Coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that Aiyuk would possible begin coaching camp on the Bodily Unable to Carry out (PUP) checklist.
Critically, inclusion on the PUP checklist throughout coaching camp doesn’t power Aiyuk to overlook any regular-season video games. If he stays on that checklist after the 53-man roster minimize deadline in late August, then he’ll be required to overlook a minimum of the primary 4 video games of the season.
We virtually definitely won’t see Aiyuk in pads working routes and taking hits this summer season, however how a lot work he does on facet fields might assist predict his availability for that first month of the season — and possibly past.
When the Bears took Loveland with the tenth total decide in April, they made him the earliest-drafted tight finish since Kyle Pitts (fourth) in 2021. However additionally they knew he was rehabbing from AC joint surgical procedure after enjoying via the damage for a lot of his remaining season at Michigan.
In accordance with new coach Ben Johnson, Loveland is doing nicely to remain engaged in walkthroughs and conferences. However it’s robust for rookies to hit the bottom working once they miss time throughout their first offseason. He wants reps on the sphere.
His standing for coaching camp continues to be unsure, as Johnson stated Loveland shall be cleared “in some unspecified time in the future” throughout camp. With such vital draft capital spent on the tight finish, it is affordable to anticipate that Johnson plans to characteristic Loveland within the offense. Keep in mind, Johnson is inheriting DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet, however he hand-selected Loveland. Anticipate to see loads of 12 personnel units — and even Loveland on the sphere as a substitute of Kmet in 11 personnel — as soon as Loveland proves he is prepared for NFL motion throughout padded practices.
One other rookie, one other shoulder damage. After his breakout season at Alabama, Campbell had offseason labrum surgical procedure, and considerations surrounding that shoulder contributed to a small draft day to fall. The Eagles, ever the risk-takers within the NFL draft, snagged Campbell anyway at No. 31 total. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio revealed that the Eagles do not anticipate Campbell to hit the observe area till August. That is doubly tough for Campbell, who’s a hybrid edge/LB, and might want to discover ways to play on- and off-ball on the NFL stage. Fangio and the Eagles would additionally profit from seeing the rookie play a number of roles in camp, to allow them to decide the place his finest NFL future could also be. The excellent news for the Eagles is that they went via the same challenge final yr. Rookie defensive again Cooper DeJean, one other extremely versatile participant drafted at No. 40 total, missed a lot of coaching camp with a hamstring damage and solely noticed recreation motion in Week 6. DeJean instantly elevated the Eagles’ protection to Tremendous Bowl ranges. It is unreasonable to anticipate the identical from Campbell, in fact, however the employees has confirmed their means to deal with a rookie’s restricted onboarding. One of many breakout stars of the 2024 season, Overshown began 12 video games and picked up 90 tackles together with 5 sacks, three move breakups, an interception and a compelled fumble. Then, in Week 14, he tore the ACL, PCL and MCL in his proper knee — lower than two years after an ACL tear in his left knee robbed him of his rookie season. Overshown must be considered one of two beginning linebackers below new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, however when precisely he will get again on the sphere is one thing to watch. He gave a bullish replace on his well being to the Cowboys crew web site in Could: “I believe it actually could not be any higher. If it was higher, I would most likely be on the market enjoying proper now. The place I am at in my rehab, in my course of, it is the place I am presupposed to be plus some.” That sounds rosy, however anticipate the Cowboys to be cautious with Overshown (as one must be with a participant who tore three ligaments in a single knee). Cowboys government vice chairman Stephen Jones stated in April the crew doesn’t anticipate Overshown to begin the season, and native reporters have tagged November as a probable window to return. I would be shocked if we see him do a lot throughout camp, but when he actually is forward on his rehab, we might see the rumblings in August of an early return to motion. Johnson performed his means into the Professional Bowl with a breakout 2023 season, and expectations had been sky excessive for 2024. As an alternative, a torn Achilles in Week 2 ended the encore earlier than it might start, and the Jets protection crumbled in his absence. Solely Will McDonald IV provided a lot of a move rush off the sting. Johnson is anticipated to return in Week 1 (towards his previous teammate, quarterback Aaron Rodgers), however might begin coaching camp on the PUP checklist, in accordance with new coach Aaron Glenn. Due to the scheme change from Robert Saleh to Glenn, it is vital that Johnson will get a minimum of a while to knock the rust off in August. Athletes coming back from Achilles tears also can wrestle for months to reclaim their previous explosiveness. To precisely gauge how he may affect the sport in September, if and when he is again in Week 1, it is vital to get a great have a look at him on the transfer throughout camp. Let’s join some dots. There was heavy reporting through the 2024 draft that the Rams had been thinking about transferring up for a playmaker on offense, particularly tight finish Brock Bowers. There was heavy reporting through the 2025 draft that the Rams had been thinking about transferring up for a playmaker on offense, particularly large receiver Tetairoa McMillan. This was after signing Davante Adams to a stable deal in free company to exchange Cooper Kupp. So Rams coach Sean McVay has been sniffing round for a younger, impactful move catcher for the previous couple of drafts. He lastly received one within the second spherical, utilizing a decide they acquired as a part of their monumental first-round commerce with the Falcons. Ferguson was clearly an vital goal for the crew, and that job is large open as 32-year-old veteran Tyler Higbee offers with substantial damage. Do not be shocked to see early first-team snaps for Ferguson come August. The retirement of Frank Ragnow is a big blow to the Lions’ offensive id and locker room — no two methods about it. Even when they took a generational middle with their high decide, there would nonetheless be considerations about dropping a franchise cornerstone like that. However the place is now doubly tenuous with Ratledge because the anticipated alternative. A highschool sort out who performed guard at Georgia, Ratledge solely ever practiced at middle in faculty — he by no means noticed recreation motion there. There is a substantial enhance within the psychological ask for a middle relative to protect, to not point out the psychological leap from collegiate to skilled play. The Lions desperately want their second-round rookie to rise up to hurry, quick. After a powerful debut season for Bo Nix and a well-earned playoff berth, the Broncos had one huge goal this offseason: Get extra harmful on offense. Their lack of playmakers within the backfield and at move catcher harm them down the stretch, as manufacturing touches for Marvin Mims Jr. and Javonte Williams can solely take a crew thus far. Many are targeted on second-round working again RJ Harvey, however I am extra thinking about Bryant, who was picked in Spherical 3. Bryant is a giant, bodily move catcher who landed with an ideal playcaller — Sean Payton — for his ability set. Anticipate Bryant to separate his time between the slot and out large. If he wins balls in visitors as simply as he did in faculty, he’ll shortly vault Mims because the WR2 and add one other layer to this offense in want of extra viable choices. A possible first-rounder if not for a collection of hip accidents at Notre Dame, Morrison has the expertise to beat out Jamel Dean for the CB2 job in Tampa Bay. He must keep more healthy than Dean, who missed 4 and 5 video games in every of the previous two seasons, and tapped out mid-game in different contests, together with the Buccaneers’ playoff loss to the Commanders. Dean grew to become a little bit of a mark for opposing quarterbacks as he performed at lower than 100% final season, so the Buccaneers double-dipped at nook with Morrison and third-rounder Jacob Parrish (Kansas State). With the size and ball abilities to supply turnovers within the Buccaneers’ blitz-heavy scheme, Morrison may have the primary crack at profitable the job from Dean in camp. I would anticipate him to rotate in for first-team reps over the primary couple of weeks. A giant alternative awaits the third-round rookie, who will virtually definitely see beginning reps when the season begins, as Trevon Diggs continues to be recovering from a January knee surgical procedure and will begin the season on the PUP checklist. Solely DaRon Bland is emphatically above Revel on the depth chart, however Bland is perhaps destined for the slot place vacated by Jourdan Lewis. Past Bland, Revel is combating with commerce acquisition Kaiir Elam and 2024 fifth-rounder Caelen Carson for out of doors snaps. Like Morrison, Revel fell within the draft for damage considerations. However earlier than his 2024 season was minimize brief by an ACL tear, Revel was a dominant small-school nook with 16 move breakups and three interceptions over 15 video games. If Revel seems to be wholesome in camp, anticipate to see him beginning towards A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith within the first recreation of the 2025 season.
5 rookies to observe
