Latest news with #KyleSoppe
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals flail in the cellar of defensive projections...for now
There's a newfound hope for the Cincinnati Bengals that the defense will be improved enough in 2025 that Joe Burrow's offense can at least carry it kicking and screaming to the playoffs, if necessary. But when zooming out and looking at the moves the team made this offseason and how it all might come together, outsiders don't necessarily agree. Advertisement One prominent example is Kyle Soppe of Pro Football Network, who still ranks the unit 28th overall in offseason projections: 'Remember in 2022 when this looked like a franchise with balance and staying power? They were our 11th-best defense that season and trending toward the elite tier of the conference, but with 27th and 28th Defense+ finishes since, Cincinnati has looked more like a one-trick pony over the past two years than a legitimate threat to the top tier of the AFC.' RELATED: Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route It's an earned rank, for now. The Bengals swapped out coordinator Lou Anarumo for Al Golden and will go with a sweeping youth movement across the unit. Advertisement Out are mainstays like Sam Hubbard, Mike Hilton and Germaine Pratt. In are rookies, including linebacker Demetrius Knight likely starting next to Logan Wilson. The team is content to roll with Jordan Battle and Geno Stone at safety again. And when it comes to pass rush, Trey Hendrickson is holding out, so is first-rounder Shemar Stewart and former first-rounder Myles Murphy remains a question mark. So does most of a boom-or-bust cornerback room. While just good enough isn't an admirable thing to shoot for, the Bengals hope that's what they can do. Ideally, that would mean ranking above the 28th spot. RELATED: Bengals standouts after mandatory minicamp includes surprises This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals flail in the cellar of defensive now
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills Toughest Game Not Against Chiefs Predicts NFL Analyst
As part of winning the AFC East for the last five seasons, and being a consistent Super Bowl contender, the Buffalo Bills are walking into the 2025 season with some marquee matchups on the docket. Buffalo will face the vaunted AFC North that sent three teams to the playoffs last season, and the NFC South. Along the way, they'll take on the division winners from the NFC East, AFC South, and AFC West. Advertisement The toughest matchup in Buffalo's way, though (according to Pro Football Network's Kyle Soppe) won't be anyone in their conference. It won't even be the Kansas City Chiefs. It's the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles. "Since the start of 2022, Philadelphia is a league-best 16-5 (76.2% win rate) against future playoff teams in the regular season," Soope wrote. "Buffalo's season will be defined by how they perform in January, though this devoted fanbase could use a confidence-building win prior to the postseason." Bills quarterback Josh Allen is 0-2 against the Eagles in his career. The first loss came in 2019 in a 31-13 thumper to Carson Wentz and Philly. The two teams put up an instant classic in 2023, though, when Jalen Hurts recorded five touchdowns in a 37-34 overtime win. Advertisement Buffalo and Philadelphia are Super Bowl hopefuls going into the 2025 season. Both teams will be circling their respective games on the calendar. And if their matchup is anything like the 2023 contest was, fans around the league will be in for a treat. Related: Bills QB Josh Allen Tied To Major Announcement Amid Schedule Rumors Related: Bills Signing Gabe Davis Would Be Josh Allen Security Move
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams named potential suitor for 3-time Pro Bowl pass rusher
Rams named potential suitor for 3-time Pro Bowl pass rusher It might be draft month, but there are still a lot of veteran free agents on the open market waiting to join a team. While some teams will likely wait until the end of the draft to scoop up any remaining free agents, it's never too early to scout out the best fits for these players. Pro Football Network's Kyle Soppe listed the top potential suitors for all the biggest names left in free agency, and believes the Los Angeles Rams should be the No. 1 suitor for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith. "The addition of Smith would, theoretically, bolster a spot of weakness, and that would only strengthen their upside when bringing the heat," Soppe said. "Los Angeles is going to be in win-now mode as long as Matthew Stafford is on this roster, and a move like this would elevate their defensive ceiling." Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, will turn 33 around the same time the 2025 season begins in September, but he would be another level of veteran experience to the Rams' young defensive front. He's played in 140 career games for a litany of teams and defensive schemes, first with the Baltimore Ravens and Green Bay Packers, before he split time in 2024 between the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions. Smith finished with nine sacks in 2024 and has 69 career takedowns in his career. He has also tallied 173 career quarterback hits 333 combined tackles. If the Rams want a mercenary edge rusher, Smith would be that guy. He could spell Braden Fiske at defensive end and shift to outside linebacker for Jared Verse and Byron Young. Adding Smith wouldn't take away from the young core's reps, either. Smith hasn't played more than 70% of a team's defensive snaps since 2020, so the Rams wouldn't need him to play every down if he joined the team. If the money is right, this move makes the most sense for the Rams. Plus, it would open the team up to adding players at other positions in the draft and not focusing on edge rusher early.
