Latest news with #wideReceivers
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
2 undrafted receivers will enter New York Giants training camp with head of steam
One question New York Giants fans will be asking themselves this summer is: Who are Beaux Collins and Dalen Cambre, and where did they come from? The Giants' two undrafted wide receivers were standouts during organized team activities (OTAs) and minicamp, making catches and opening eyes. Next month, they will both get a chance to continue to impress at the team's training camp. Collins (6'3", 201 pounds) began his college career at Clemson and finished at Notre Dame. Like many players who switch schools via the transfer portal, Collins fell off the scouting radar, which tamped down his stats. Cambre (6'0", 192 pounds) played five years at Louisiana, catching only 10 passes for 132 yards in 63 college games. To say he's a deep sleeper is an understatement. Advertisement Collins' sudden emergence could be the reason why the Giants haven't signed any bigger-sized free-agent wideouts. Cambre is a noted special-teamer, a trait the Giants hold great value in. He'll have to continue to prove his value as a receiver to win a roster spot, though. Can one, or both, become the next Victor Cruz? We'll soon see. It won't be an easy road. There's a logjam at wide receiver this summer. Four names -- Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, and Wan'Dale Robinson -- are already set in stone. Behind them are veteran free agents Lil'Jordan Humphery and Zach Pascal, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton. Collins and Cambre are among a competitive rookie free agent bracket that also consists of Juice Wells Jr., Montrell Washington, Jordan Bly, and Da'Quan Felton. Advertisement It will be a long climb for both, but it should be a fun summer watching these youngsters battle to become Giants. This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: 2 undrafted WRs will enter Giants training camp with head of steam
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Receivers Room Ranks Tops in NFL
Buccaneers' Receivers Room Ranks Tops in NFL originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers employed one of the best wide receiver rooms in 2024, and went out this offseason and made it even better. Advertisement That's music to the ears of quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield is coming off two consecutive career passing seasons after being written off by the league, and will now have Ohio State standout Emeka Egbuka to throw to in addition to names like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Rachaad White, Bucky Irving, Jalen McMillan and Cade Otton. Pro Football Focus does what it does best, and ranked the wide receiver rooms in the NFL ahead of the 2025 season. While the Bucs tied with the Eagles for the top score, it gave the nod to the Eagles for some dumb reason. We'll ignore that part. "It was a coin flip between the Buccaneers and the Eagles for the top spot, as they earned equal 79.1 PFF receiving grades in 2024," Trevor Sikkema wrote. "But Philadelphia's top pass-catching options all placed ahead of their Tampa Bay counterparts in PFF's position rankings. The Buccaneers win the depth battle, though, as Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Rachaad White make for the deepest receiving corps in the NFL. Mike Evans (90.2), Chris Godwin (85.7) and Bucky Irving (90.5) were all top-15 players in PFF receiving grade among qualifiers at their positions in 2024." Advertisement The Bucs have all the offensive tools to be an elite unit in 2025 as long as new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard can keep the momentum going that Dave Canales and Liam Coen gained before him. Related: Glaring Weakness of Buccaneers' 2023 First-Round Pick Revealed Related: Buccaneers' Mike Evans Among NFL's Best at One Specific Route This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Which NFL WRs Are Primed to Break Out in Year 2?
Which NFL WRs Are Primed to Break Out in Year 2? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, the wide receiver class was already the stuff of legend. There was a three-headed monster at the top of the group, but also a loaded second tier that featured a long list of potential high-end starters at the next level. Seven were selected in the first round, and nine more head their names called on Day 2. Advertisement While there was a trio that made a massive impact right away in their respective rookie campaigns (Malik Nabers, Ladd McConkey, Brian Thomas Jr.), many others experienced a soft open to their pro careers. On the latest episode of "Best Podcast Available," I sat down with Matt Harmon of Yahoo! Sports to talk about what's ahead for that star-studded receiver class, and he highlighted two members who are set up for a big jump in Year 2. Rome Odunze should benefit from big improvements to the Bears' coaching staff and J. Rebilas/Imagn Images The first name was easy: Rome Odunze, the No. 10 overall pick to the Chicago Bears in 2024. "He was really good in isolation (as a rookie), and we know that Ben Johnson is there now, and he's so good at catering wide receiver roles," Harmon said. "Even if he's not gonna be in that Amon-Ra St. Brown role for this offense, I think they're gonna get the right deployment for him, which just didn't happen for anybody in that Bears offense last year." Advertisement Even though he's an obvious choice, Harmon encouraged any doubters not to get hung up on the negatives they might find buried in the box score with Odunze from a 2024 campaign in which the entire Bears offense was held back by the coaching staff and scheme. "I think Odunze's gonna make a big leap, but he's a guy who went in the top 10, and most people know about him," Harmon said. "As long as you're not micro-focusing on per-route stats, which . . . nobody looks good from the Bears offense last year in the advanced metrics, because it wasn't a good offensive environment . . . I think we know he's gonna have that breakthrough second season." The less obvious choice for Harmon was San Francisco 49ers first-rounder Ricky Pearsall, who had a harrowing offseason before his NFL career even started. Pearsall finished his rookie season strong after recovering from a gunshot Kupbens-Imagn Images Just days before the 2024 regular season was set to begin, Pearsall suffered gunshot wounds to his chest during an attempted robbery following an autograph signing. After making a full recovery, Pearsall was back on the field for the 49ers in October. Advertisement "We've got to say that anytime we talk about this guy," Harmon said. "Lucky to be alive, let alone lucky to play football in Week 7 of last year. This guy is so impressive, just for getting out there." Harmon says despite early speculation that Pearsall would be a replacement for one of the 49ers' veteran receivers, his skill set and subsequent usage were swift indications that he brought different capabilities to the table, ones of which his new coaching staff were going to take full advantage. "I really liked him as a prospect," Harmon recalls. "I liked the route-running, I liked the hands a lot. When the 49ers took him in the first round, I think it was a signal about where their offense is going. Immediately, people started speculating about them trading Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk, but he plays a completely different role from either of those guys. And you saw that before he really even started producing last season. He's running these whip routes, these return routes from the slot, and that's just not something we've seen from a wide receiver and the 49ers in this offense under Kyle Shanahan. It's much more like what the Rams have done with a guy like Cooper Kupp." Related: Can Caleb Williams and the Bears Shock the NFC North in 2025? Once he started to hit his stride late in his rookie season, Pearsall was making opposing defenses pay for putting him in 1-on-1 situations. Advertisement "By the end of the season, he was just smoking man coverage," Harmon said. "I think the coaching staff started to see that, too, because he had his big, breakout game against that Lions team that's so man coverage heavy in Week 17. But you really started seeing it during the two weeks prior." Though he's currently nursing a hamstring injury, everything about how Pearsall finished his first NFL season indicates he's primed for big things in 2025. "As long as he's healthy, he's primed for a breakout performance in Year 2," Harmon said. To check out the entire conversation, including a deep dive on the entire 2024 receiver class as they head into the 2025 season, watch the full episode of BPA: Related: Can Marvin Harrison Jr. Live Up To the Hype In Year 2? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Ex Update Hits Commanders With More Bad News
Cowboys Ex Update Hits Commanders With More Bad News originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders wide receiver room received a lot of attention at the tail end of OTAs, mainly for negative reasons. Advertisement All-Pro Terry McLaurin was absent because of frustrations regarding his contract situation, trade addition Deebo Samuel was subject to internet trolling from a video that accuses him of being overweight, and now Noah Brown, the famed receiver of last year's memorable Hail Mary against Chicago, was carted off the practice field with an injury. Then there's Michael Gallup, who is attempting a comeback to the NFL after a one-year retirement stint during 2024. Ever since his announcement to return to football and sign with Washington, we haven't heard much about him at team activities. That's because Gallup is dealing with a hamstring strain, in rather inopportune timing. Add this to the long list of receiver-related distractions and disturbances to the Commanders' offseason. Advertisement Gallup had his share of injuries in his long career with the Dallas Cowboys, but it appears the year off didn't do him any favors in refreshing the body. Not only does this set back put a dampener on Gallup's chances at proving that he can still play, but it also affects the Commanders' depth. With McLaurin's situation up in the air and Brown and Gallup suffering injuries, Washington is left with Samuel leading the charge alongside two very young pieces in last year's second-rounder Luke McCaffrey and rookie Jaylin Lane. Gallup was brought in on a supposed low-risk signing to help fill out the group. Now the one thing that could've caused concern has come up in injuries. Advertisement Head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury were not expecting to see the room take a hit like this a month out from training camp. For Gallup in particular, this injury couldn't have come at a worse possible time. McLaurin and Brown's situation would have put Gallup higher on the depth chart during OTAs to get him exposure and reps ... but now he'll have to hope he recovers smoothly and is given another shot. If not, he may end up in a similar head space as last offseason, with little motivation to continue his career. Commanders faithful are hoping he can pull through, because their team's receiver situation is already facing a large amount of turmoil this offseason. Advertisement Related: Commanders' Austin Ekeler Details Benefits Of Running It Back Amid Trade Rumors Related: 49ers and Commanders Could Make Another WR Trade This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 WRs Raiders Should Consider Adding After June 1st
3 WRs Raiders Should Consider Adding After June 1st originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Las Vegas Raiders had one of the worst quarterback situations in the entire NFL during the 2024 season. Fortunately, new general manager John Spytek upgraded by trading for veteran Geno Smith this offseason. Advertisement However, there are still a few question marks at the wide receiver position heading into the next phase of the offseason program. Jakobi Meyers is a surefire starter, but it is currently unknown who will emerge alongside him. Third-year Tre Tucker as well as rookies Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Tommy Mellott will look to make a case, but Las Vegas could stand to add a veteran into the mix. Former Jacksonville Jaguars WR Gabe Davis (0).Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images 1. Gabe Davis Davis was just released by the Jaguars last month after signing a three-year, $39 million deal with Jacksonville last offseason. This release came on the heels of a 20-catch, 239-yard campaign in which he missed almost half of the season due to injury. Advertisement Fortunately, Davis showed that he can be a solid supporting receiver in the first four years of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. He just turned 26 years old as well, so there is plenty of time for him to still develop and grow. His base salary this season will only be $1.5 million, so he could be a cheap and young option for the Raiders to add. 2. Amari Cooper Cooper was drafted by the franchise with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Although fans were upset about the way he left in 2018, a reunion could be in play for what is a completely new Raiders team. Last season, Cooper struggled to find his footing after being traded from the Browns to the Bills, but he still put together 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. He may not be the receiver that he once was, but he is just one year removed from a Pro Bowl campaign and has plenty of gas in the tank to help Las Vegas in 2025. 3. Keenan Allen Allen was a longtime foe of the Silver and Black, but he has a chance to redeem himself to Raider Nation by signing a deal with the team this season. His market value is just $11 million according to Spotrac, which should be well within the wheelhouse for Las Vegas. Advertisement He also has a strong connection to the Raiders, as wide receivers coach Chris Beatty has coached Allen at each of his last two stops with the Chargers and Bears. His 70 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns last season is the most of any player on this list, so despite being 33 years old already, Allen could be a strong short-term investment. Related: Greg Olsen Sends Strong Message on Raiders' TE Brock Bowers Related: 3 Raiders Players Who Need Contract Extensions After A.J. Cole Deal This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
