Latest news with #TightEnd
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Urged To Trade Struggling Tight End
Cowboys Urged To Trade Struggling Tight End originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys underwent some considerable offensive personnel changes throughout the offseason. Starting at the Cowboys parted ways with head coach and play caller Mike McCarthy and promoted Brian Schottenheimer to that seat. Advertisement They turned around and addressed some glaring holes on the roster. The trade for wide receiver George Pickens remains the most notable of these, but Dallas also installed rookie Tyler Booker at right guard and brought in an entirely new backfield comprised of rookies and veterans. Dak Prescott remains QB1 though they pursued and acquired Joe Milton III to serve as his new backup. All areas of the offense had some sort of makeover or overhaul besides the tight end position. It appears Jake Ferguson will headline this group once again with Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford slotting in behind him. But could the Cowboys offload one of those players to clear the way for another? Spann-Ford has been gaining momentum this offseason and has Schottenheimer believing in a big jump next season as he detailed in his press conference last week. Advertisement "This guy is not just a run blocker and a pass protector. This guy can be a weapon because of his size in the middle of the field, matched up on linebackers and safeties... He's already made the jump." For that reason K.D. Drummond of Cowboys Wire has urged the Cowboys to explore a trade for Schoonmaker. "For the Cowboys, the trades have all been about bringing in young talent, but perhaps it's time they consider cashing out on a drafted prospect the same way other teams have. The Cowboys should heavily consider seeing if there's a trade market for tight end Luke Schoonmaker." Schoonmaker has not lived up to the billing of a second-round pick. Despite that draft value, is there really a reason to send him away? Advertisement The idea of trading a low-usage player to add some draft capital sounds good in theory. But there really is no market for him out there. Schoonmaker may not be a No. 1 option and perhaps Spann-Ford surpasses him at training camp later this summer. At the same time, tight end depth has provides value in the form of insurance if Ferguson gets injured and misses time. Dallas needs the supporting cast pieces able to do some of the dirty work or step in when their number's called. Schoonmaker may be penciled into that spot next season but it does not mean the Cowboys need to find an off ramp. Related: Ex Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer Scores Unexpected Prize Related: George Pickens Is '99.9 Percent Perfect' Move To Cowboys Optimism This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joel Wilson Could Be the Bears' Hidden Gem at Tight End
Joel Wilson Could Be the Bears' Hidden Gem at Tight End originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Chicago Bears have wrapped up their offseason organized team activities (OTAs), giving coaches time to review everything that unfolded on the practice field. While many eyes were on rookies and familiar names, a surprising standout emerged—one who wasn't even drafted. A tight end from the 2023 class made a strong impression, and he's now a name generating serious buzz heading into training camp. Advertisement Joel Wilson, a former Central Michigan standout, has turned heads in recent weeks. After going undrafted in 2023, Wilson bounced between the Saints, Bills, Packers, and Giants before landing on the Bears' practice squad. Ben Johnson Getty Images Despite the winding road, he's made the most of his reps. During a press conference posted to head coach Ben Johnson had high praise for Wilson's progress. 'You saw him today with a big catch. He's kind of had one or two of those almost every OTA [practice]. He's got a little savvy in how he moves. He's got a nice route feel about him. The test will really be when we get going in camp how he holds up in the run game and the pass pro game. But so far in the running route section of tight end play, he's stood out in a positive light.' Wilson's performance didn't just resonate with the coaching staff. Former NFL tight end and current analyst Clay Harbor shared glowing praise during a CHSN segment. 'Durham Smythe might need to be on notice here. I know he's signed to a deal and has history with Ben Johnson, but Joel Wilson can straight up play as far as receiver—he's a weapon catching 50/50 balls, smart player, very smooth, great hands, solid routes. From the first day I'm like, who is this guy?' For a player who's been waived, shuffled, and stashed on practice squads, Wilson's resilience is now paying off in a big way. With Cole Kmet locked in as TE1 and rookie Colston Loveland expected to contribute early, the competition for depth roles is heating up. Smythe brings veteran experience, but Wilson could very well challenge him for a final roster spot. Advertisement Whether the Bears carry three or four tight ends remains to be seen—but if they go with four, Wilson is firmly in the mix to earn that job. What makes his surge even more notable is that Ben Johnson publicly named him as one of just four players who stood out this offseason—a rare and meaningful recognition from a head coach still early in evaluating his roster. Every year, one player rises from the shadows and forces the conversation. In 2025, that player might just be Joel Wilson. The buzz is real—and the opportunity is his to seize. Related: Bears' Coveted Rookie O-Lineman Drawing Early Praise for 'Football Intelligence' Related: Backfield Shake-Up Brewing in Chicago as Emerging Talent Draws Buzz This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas A&M lands rising 2026 3-star Athlete out of Missouri City (TX)
Texas A&M coach Mike Elko and his staff are currently hosting 15 2026 prospects this weekend, including a three-star athlete who has been a star quarterback for Fort Bend Marshall HS in Missouri City, Texas, as Kaeden Johnson announced his commitment to the Aggies on Saturday night. Previously predicted to land with the Colorado Buffaloes, Johnson will not play quarterback at the next level despite his production, especially his 6'6" frame and athleticism, as the Aggies see him as a tight end due to his size, speed, and route-running knowledge. Advertisement This has been a successful transition for several former quarterbacks, including Vanderbilt star TE Eli Stowers, who, as Aggie fans remember, was once a backup QB for Texas A&M. Johnson's ahtletic traits make him a future starter with plenty of potential, and could also be helpful as an emergency quarterback given his background. During his 2024 junior season, Johnson passed for 2,109 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 60% of his passes, while also rushing for 571 yards and six touchdowns. Again, this young man can sling it, but Texas A&M tight end coach Christian Ellsworth deserves credit for striking while the iron is hot, knowing that Johnson has been sky rocking locally before his OV. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M lands commitment from 2026 3-star ATH Kaeden Johnson
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders' Zach Ertz Shockingly Disrespected In Tight End Rankings
Commanders' Zach Ertz Shockingly Disrespected In Tight End Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Washington Commanders' tight end Zach Ertz is coming to the end of his storied NFL career, so he likely doesn't need bulletin board material as he enters Year 14. Advertisement But if he was, he just got it. After four so-so seasons from 2021 through to 2023, last year, Ertz had a career resurgence of sorts, posting 654 yards and seven touchdowns from 66 receptions. Not to mention his 18 catches for 155 yards and a touchdown in Washington's three playoff games either. But apparently, Pro Football Focus doesn't value that as much as we do in their latest tight end rankings, for which the publication, out of 32 tight ends ranked, has Ertz at No. 30, below Tyler Warren (24), and Colston Loveland (23), both drafted a couple of months ago and haven't even played a down in the NFL yet. Advertisement "While Ertz isn't the same player we saw from 2013 to 2019, he enjoyed a resurgence while catching passes from Jayden Daniels in 2024," Pro Football Focus writes. "He hauled in 84 passes for 809 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and his 72.5 PFF receiving grade was his best mark since 2019, showing he still has good play left in the tank." Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) scores a touchdown against Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during the first half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images So we aren't sure exactly how PFF determined this ranking and where players landed, but it can't be due to on-field production. Looking at Ertz's regular-season stats from last season, among all tight ends, he finished 11th in yards, sixth in receptions, eighth in targets, and joint-fourth in touchdowns. Advertisement So, based on production alone, Ertz likely deserves to be roughly around the middle of the pack, if not a little higher. It could also be that PFF has ranked the tight ends based on what they think the players will produce in 2025. Still, based on his production last season, 30th feels like a joke. Either way, Ertz, if he was looking for motivation entering what might be his final season, he just got it. Related: Commanders Need Deebo Samuel To Prove One Thing Next Season Related: Terry McLaurin Named in 6 'Can't Refuse' Trade Proposals This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
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Caleb Lohner's traits excite Broncos coach Sean Payton
With their final pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Denver Broncos made an unconventional selection, picking Utah tight end Caleb Lohner, a basketball player with just four career receptions as a tight end. Speaking at rookie minicamp earlier this month, Broncos coach Sean Payton was asked what he's seen from the Lohner so far. Advertisement 'It's limited," Payton said. "So this is a basketball player for most of his career. He plays a year of football, count the snaps, count the catches. I get it. Yet you see traits, you see movements. I'm not a big fan of the Big 12 Pro Day because a player like him gets six routes instead of 20 that he would get at his own Pro Day. So hopefully that's going away, but there are two or three clips where I'm like, 'Play it again. Play it again.' Then, when you watch him, and you watch him move, and even in our first two days here, [you see promise]. "People bring up Jimmy [Graham as a comparison]. Now, Jimmy was a third-round pick. I get it, but there were some similarities in that. He only played a year, 80-something snaps. I think he had 18 catches. So yes, we have to coach and develop. In other words, if it was already present when you watch him, and you guys see him, and shake his hand and stand next to him, like, 'Holy cow.' There are traits there that excite me. Then just visiting with him, and his intentionality and his excitement about it. I'm excited to watch it.' Lohner (6-7, 250 pounds) has been connected to Graham because he's a converted basketball player in Payton's offense, but the rookie isn't quite ready to make that connection himself. 'I think our size is the same, but I have a long way to go," Lohner said when asked about his similarities to Graham. "I have to keep learning and growing every day in this game.' Advertisement After attending rookie minicamp earlier this month, Lohner will return for organized team activities later this week. 'It's an amazing experience, an amazing opportunity," Lohner said at rookie camp. "All I want to do here is improve every day [and] learn the game of football. I think this is the best place for it. I'm excited to take [on] each and every day the next steps.' Lohner will be a long shot to make the team's 53-man roster in 2025, but he'll get a chance. It's up to him to take advanatage of it this summer. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Caleb Lohner's traits excite Broncos coach Sean Payton
