Latest news with #wideReceiver
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN: Jets have a clear-cut favorite for WR2 heading into training camp
The New York Jets are hoping for a wide receiver to emerge opposite Garrett Wilson this season. Notable changes have occurred at the position over the past six months. Head coach Aaron Glenn will oversee a multi-man position battle throughout training camp. New general manager Darren Mougey signed veteran Josh Reynolds to a team-friendly one-year contract worth $2.7 million in free agency, per Over the Cap. Reynolds is the current favorite to start opposite Wilson, according to ESPN:. Reynolds appeared in nine total games in 2024 for the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars. He totaled 13 receptions for 194 receiving yards and one touchdown. His brief stint in Denver saw him cross paths with Mougey, who was serving as the Broncos' assistant GM. Advertisement Reynolds also previously played three seasons (2021-23) for the Detroit Lions. Coach Glenn was the defensive coordinator for that entire period. That was arguably the most successful stretch of Reynolds' career. In 2023, he accumulated 40 catches for 608 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. Reynolds could face competition at camp from Allen Lazard, a holdover from the Aaron Rodgers era. Other competitors include fourth-round rookie Arian Smith and third-round sophomore Malachi Corley. Neither player can match Reynolds' veteran reliability. Reynolds should be considered the strong in-house favorite to start opposite Wilson. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: ESPN: Jets have a clear favorite for WR2 heading into training camp
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rivals Five-Star: Key WR storylines to follow heading into Indianapolis
The Rivals Five-Star is being held June 23-24 at the Indianapolis Colts' practice facility. Here are four wide receiver storylines we're following heading into the biggest event of the summer. RIVALS FIVE-STAR EVENT: Roster | Big Ten programs in the spotlight | Key QB storylines | Key RB storylines | Rivals Five-Star heading back to Indy BEST OF RIVALS CAMP SERIES: The five best QBs of the 2025 Rivals Camp Series regionals | Five best RBs | Five best WRs/TEs | Five best OL | Five best DL | Five best LBs | Five best DBs CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State How much higher for Tristen Keys? Nick Lucero/ Advertisement Tristen Keys, the Mississippi five-star, is currently in rare air for a wide receiver. He's sitting at No. 5 in the entire country just behind a pair of potential franchise offensive tackles and quarterbacks. But could he rise even higher with an electric performance at Rivals Five-Star? The opportunity is certainly there. Keyes is the highest-rated player coming to the event which gives him an opportunity to show everyone that he can do it on the biggest stage against the best competition. It'll be fun to see him go to work. Young guns step on the stage This is the type of event where younger players can really burst onto the scene. We don't have a shortage of very talented young prospects ready to make an impact. Advertisement Ohio State commit Jamier Brown is already a five-star and can stamp himself as the next one up for the Buckeyes. Indiana native Monshun Sales (6-5, 195) has turned a lot of heads during his recruitment but we haven't seen him against top competition. Eric McFarland is an electric player out of IMG Academy. He's one of the youngest players attending as a 2028 prospect and will look to leave his mark. LSU well represented Jeff McCulloch/ The battle between LSU and Ohio State for the title of 'Wide Receiver U' isn't a debate to get into right now. However, the Tigers will be well represented at Rivals Five-Star. Advertisement Kenny Darby, Tristen Keyes and Jabari Mack are all scheduled to be in attendance. So we'll get a good look at the future of the Tigers' receiving corps. That's if the Tigers can hold on to Keyes. He was at Tennessee recently for an official visit and the Vols were one of the top contenders for his signature before his verbal pledge to LSU. Will Zion Robinson be on the board? Right now, it seems to be a three-team race for the Texas wideout. He's completed official visits to Michigan and Miami already. Both programs feel like they improved their chances with the big-bodied playmaker. A visit to Stanford looms just before the Rivals Five-Star event. Will the Cardinal be able to close the gap with the two powerhouse programs? That'll be one of the first questions asked to Robinson at media day on Monday. Advertisement It's also very interesting that Robinson has seemingly eliminated TCU, where he has family ties, and will leave the state. Will another five-star emerge? Nick Lucero/ As things currently stand, Tristen Keyes and Jamier Brown are the only five-star receivers that will be at the event. So this is a great opportunity for the other receivers to step up and make a name for themselves in front of analysts and evaluators. There are several candidates in the mix to make a move. But I'll have my attention on a select group of players that the NFL is loving right now. At the slot position alone Tyreek King, CJ Sadler and Vance Spafford will get to show who is the alpha at the position this cycle. Getting a closer look at that battle will be a lot of fun.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
If the Pittsburgh Steelers were to want another wide receiver, these two may be their best options left.
If the Pittsburgh Steelers were to want another wide receiver, these two may be their best options left. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers have confirmed who their QB is (welcome to town, Aaron Rodgers!) and they have confirmed who their second-option receiver is at the moment, but that may not stop the team from shopping for a more ideal running mate for DK Metcalf ahead of training camp. Advertisement Aside from the Steelers' new wideout, who was paid $150 million after his trade, the offensive options could still be slim with Calvin Austin at WR2. Robert Woods and Roman Wilson joining Metcalf and Austin to round out the receiving corps probably requires a touch more depth to be competitive in the AFC North during this narrow window with 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Some "names" are still out there, but general manager Omar Khan has reportedly low-balled a lot of his offers. Or free agents have given the Steelers the cold shoulder, leading to no real action. Veteran Keenan Allen already struck down rumors about him signing or wanting to play in Pittsburgh, so the Steelers will have to pivot. Advertisement Unfortunately, the free agency market is pretty dry everywhere else. These two may be the Steelers' best options left before they're forced to stick with what they have: Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints cannot be feeling very confident in their quarterback situation for 2025. With Derek Carr retiring, they're stuck with either Spencer Rattler, Jake Haener, or Tyler Shough taking starting snaps - all players who have very little starting experience, let alone impressive ability shown in their minimal NFL action. What the Saints do have is a stud wide receiver in Chris Olave. At just 24 years old, New Orleans could get a lot of value for him in a trade if they decide the QB dilemma would be too much of a burden on his future development and success with the franchise. Advertisement For the Steelers, this move could make the most sense for the future of Pittsburgh's receiver room based on how it aligns with Metcalf's new contract. Olave has two more years on his rookie contract, meaning he won't be due for an extension until the third year of Metcalf's time in Pittsburgh. As FOX Sports suggests, "the Steelers could acquire Olave with the intention of signing him to a long-term contract down the road and letting Metcalf walk after his contract expires, choosing to just invest in the prime years of [Metcalf's] career," - i.e. when he's paired with his new buddy Rodgers (however long it lasts). There are multiple hoops to jump through - with Olave's head injuries limiting him to only eight games played in 2024 and New Orleans even hearing this idea out in the first place - but adding Olave into the fold immediately makes Pittsburgh's aerial attack more dynamic and versatile with Olave's quickness in the short game pairing perfectly with Metcalf's deep ball dominance on the outside. Advertisement Amari Cooper, Free Agent The second option isn't as flashy or promising for the future, but it's a safe - and probably cheap - investment for the immediate depth of the roster during Rodgers' one-year contract. Amari Cooper is on the open market after a rough go with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills last season that included a mid-season trade. Cooper has been a capable 1,000-yard receiver as recent as 2023 and is proven to be an excellent co-star within an offense ... but last season has left teams wary now that he's up for grabs. Nobody is interested in his services if he hasn't been picked up by this point in the offseason ... until something changes at one's training camp. Pittsburgh may not have much competition if they want to make a move here. Advertisement The Steelers would need the best version of Cooper, but that is no guarantee now that he's almost 31 years old and joining what could be his third team in the span of a year and a half. His past accusations of low effort when things aren't going well could be a worrisome note, as well. The bright side is that Cooper wouldn't do much damage to the cap on a one-year "prove-it" deal. Of course, these are all projections that are still hypothetical. According to wide receiver coach Zach Azzanni, the Steelers are planning to assemble the offense with the pass-catching weapons they currently have. But a true "all-in" approach that best equips Rodgers for success at least this season Advertisement One more piece should be worth searching for. Related: Analyst Offers Wild Plan for Steelers Offseason Related: Aaron Rodgers Contract Features Major Super Bowl Bonus with Steelers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 14, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nation's No. 1 QB Reacts To 5-Star Wide Receiver's Visit To Georgia
Nation's No. 1 QB Reacts To 5-Star Wide Receiver's Visit To Georgia originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Georgia is hosting one of the top wide receivers in the country this weekend in hopes for a talented pairing with five-star quarterback commit Jared Curtis. Advertisement Head coach Kirby Smart's biggest recruiting win of the 2026 cycle came when Curtis pledged to the Bulldogs on May 5. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound passer was previously committed to UGA last fall before re-opening his recruitment. Curtis, the top quarterback in the country, was down to Georgia and Oregon before making his latest decision. With Curtis in the fold, attention turns to adding him some weapons. Georgia does have three four-star wide receivers committed to date, but that group would instantly be bolstered by five-star Cederian Morgan. Cederian Morgan, Class of 2026 wide receiver of Benjamin Russell High school in Alexander City, AlabamaKen Ruinard - staff / USA TODAY NETWORK Morgan (6-foot-4, 210 pounds) plays for Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Alabama. He ranks as the No. 2 wide receiver, the top player in the state and the No. 11 recruit in the 2026 class (On3). Advertisement Home-state SEC power Alabama is projected to land the highly-coveted receiver. However, Georgia is making a push and hosting Morgan this weekend along with multiple elite recruits. After Morgan confirmed his official visit with a post on X, Curtis reacted with a post of his own. Morgan posted 70 catches for 1,162 yards and 14 TD as a junior in 2024. The multi-sport athlete also averaged 14.4 points and 11.3 rebounds per game on the hardwood. Morgan has official visits scheduled to Florida (June 6), Auburn (June 13) and Alabama (June 20) before announcing his commitment on July 2. Related: Nation's No. 1 Linebacker Responds To Georgia's Major Recruiting Win Related: Kirby Smart, Georgia Make Unexpected Recruiting Addition With 8-Man Football Star Related: Georgia To Host 5-Star TE After Missing Out On Mark Bowman To USC This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets named best team fit for top free agent WR
Even though the NFL offseason is cruising along and free agency is in its third or fourth wave at this point, there are still plenty of quality options on the market for teams that are still trying to fill needs. While the New York Jets addressed lots of needs in the draft, they could still use help, specifically at the wide receiver position. They have a star in Garrett Wilson, but after that it is largely a group of guys competing for snaps. Advertisement Players like Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds could be in line for large roles in the offense, and they did draft Arian Smith in the fourth round, but having a proven weapon opposite of Wilson could do wonders for quarterback Justin Fields and the offense. In a recent article from ESPN in which Matt Bowen named the best team fit for the top remaining free agents, he came to the conclusion that wide receiver Amari Cooper's best fit is with the Jets. It does make sense from the Jets' perspective. While Cooper is 30 years old and his best playing days are most likely behind him, he would go in and instantly compete for snaps and elevate the WR position. Here is what Bowen said about Cooper's fit with the Jets: There's a need for competition in the Jets' wide receiver room opposite of No. 1 option Garrett Wilson. With Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds next on the depth chart, Cooper could come in and fight for work. Yes, the 30-year-old is showing signs of decline on tape, but he is still a detailed route runner who can uncover. He could be a solid target for quarterback Justin Fields on play-action concepts, getting open on deep in-breakers. In 14 games with the Browns and Bills last season, Cooper caught 44 passes for 547 yards and four touchdowns. In nine full seasons, he has topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark seven times and caught 64 career touchdown passes. Advertisement Cooper would at the very least raise the floor of the Jets' receiving corps and bring experience to a young Jets roster. He is a four-time pro bowler who has six 1,000-yard seasons under his belt. Just two years ago, Cooper had one of the best seasons in his 11-year career when recorded a career-high 1,250 receiving yards (2023). Aside from the financials, Cooper would also need to agree to join a team that is in a transitioning phase at this point in his career. He doesn't have all the time in the world and he's most likely still ultimately trying to win a Super Bowl. This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: New York Jets named best team fit for top free agent WR
