Milano reached the top of the mountain in 202 by earning first-team All-Pro honors, but he's had a steep fall since then. Injuries have gotten the best of the nine-year veteran, missing 30 games over the past three years, and he doesn't have the same movement skills on the field. But Milano managed to at least finish last season relatively healthy and is good enough to contribute if a team needs help at linebacker at some point in the fall.

Before the Titans traded Roger McCreary to the Rams in-season, Marcus Harris had 14 defensive snaps to his name, 12 coming in the game right before the trade. After that, Harris played in seven games with five starts before sustaining a knee injury that would end his season. He is a physical corner that offers inside and outside flexibility and didn't miss a tackle last season. His football IQ, zone comfort, and mirroring ability are all a work in progress, but the shift in defense and health around him could see him make a jump in year two.

Johnny Mundt brings a hard-hitting, finisher's mentality to the tight end room and can be a great addition to a team's 12 and 13 personnel packages. He understands and executes several blocks, lines up defenders on the move well, and stays engaged throughout the rep. He struggled with drops relative to his target volume last year, with a 25% drop rate, and was more of a release-valve option when targeted. Mundt will bring a needed blocking presence to the Eagles' tight end room that it hasn't had in a few seasons.

After a stint in Miami in 2024, Tyler Huntley returned to the Ravens as a more viable backup option behind Lamar Jackson. He played in four games and started two, throwing for 426 yards, two touchdowns, a 103.1 passer rating, and completing 77.6% of his passes. He looked best in the short passing game where he could get the ball out quickly and let their playmakers work. Huntley is a functional backup quarterback and a spot starter with a capped/limited ceiling.

Rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams made his share of plays with only 21 targets on the season. He made plays for the Patriots offense, running after the catch or using his speed before the catch for separation. Williams averaged 21 yards per catch on 17.4 air yards per target. The rookie wideout is explosive with strong acceleration after the catch to put the defense in a bind. He finished with 10 catches for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Not sure if he'll receive a much larger amount of snaps or targets, but he can fill the role of primary kick returner, WR3/4, and the downfield threat in the Patriots' passing attack.

Stone's game is predicated on creating turnovers through instinctive identification and downhill driving to the ball. If he isn't able to create turnovers, he'll be a sore spot on the defense, and he was last season for the Bengals. He takes poor angles in coverage and, when tackling, isn't the recovery athlete a free safety should be on the back end, and lacks the tools to man up consistently and play closer to the box. He reads plays out and will mirror the quarterback's eyes, is a willing physical player, and will be a good rotational body to have, but Stone needs a reset after his time in Cincinnati.

After starting the season as a backup/rotational defensive back, Echols saw the second-most snaps of his career in 2025. Playing predominantly as a nickel, his snaps increased in Week 9 when Jalen Ramsey transitioned to safety. He's proven able to take the football away, with two more interceptions last season, specifically as a zone nickel, where he can mirror the quarterback's eyes and drop into space. He gets stacked vertically quickly and struggles with timing and attacking the catch point, making man coverage difficult for him. Echols flashes excellent plays with his eyes downhill, but is best utilized as a depth piece.

Jalen Tolbert is coming off a subpar statistical season for the Cowboys. He started eight games but only caught 18 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown. He's athletic and patient in attacking the defense. Typically a strong-handed wide receiver who rarely drops passes. Tolbert was never going to receive a bulk of the target share with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb on the roster. Tolbert is an expected starter for the Miami Dolphins in 2026. He's an adequate receiver with good physical tools.

Having a tight end who can do a little bit of both as a "Y" tight end, block and catch the ball, is a good utility piece to have for an offense. While he struggles with one-on-one blocks in-line, Ben Sinnott is useful as an H-back and on double teams to the next level, where he can seal off linebackers and help create bigger gains for rushers. Using him on the move gives him better opportunities to create rushing lanes and find space in the flat as a receiver. Sinnott flashes route nuance and the ability to create space and is a physical run-after-the-catch player, but he's more useful as a blocker in Washington.

Lopez is definitely a two-down defender who can occasionally push the pocket as a pass-rusher, but makes his money against the run. He's solid at staying in his gap against all types of blocks, and has flashed the ability to absorb contact, recover and make tackles against combo blocks.

Bhayshul Tuten had a limited sample size as a ball carrier during his rookie campaign. He showcased positive signs if he's ever given full-time starting opportunities. He runs with a low center of gravity and bounces off tackles like the ball in a pinball machine. Tuten is an explosive athlete with great straight-line speed in the open field. Again, the sample size was small, 83 carries and 10 receptions, but the signs are there. He should be battling for the RB1 spot heading into the 2026 NFL season.

Schlottmann has been a career backup, never starting more than four games in a season. His 2025 tape with the New York Giants was quietly encouraging, though. He started four games at center, including quality showings against the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, plus a solid 30-snap appearance against the Philadelphia Eagles. Schlottmann followed former Giants head coach Brian Daboll to Tennessee—where he now serves as the Titans' offensive coordinator—and enters 2026 with the inside track to start for the first time in his seven-year career. On film, Schlottmann played with a strong, balanced base and tight, firm hand placement, creating impressive jolt and contact balance. He stayed centered on most blocks, was effective on double-team feeds and showed the spatial awareness in protection to keep the A-gaps secure. His raw power and athletic ability are closer to the middle of the pack, but the technique and system familiarity give him a viable path to functional starter play.

Carrington Valentine made receivers earn their yards in man coverage but struggled in zone last season. In short, he is a skilled man-coverage technician. He uses his hands well, times his jabs in the press efficiently, and pairs his footwork and mirroring skills with the receiver to limit separation. His eyes wander in zone coverage, and at the top of routes, his trigger to break on throws is a step behind while taking poor initial angles. Those angles get him in trouble in pursuit against the run and when coming downhill in the quick passing game. Valentine was in a constant battle for playing time last season, and there's more competition in the room for 2026.

Kalif Raymond is a proven, quality veteran wide receiver to have on the depth chart. He serves as a punt returner on special teams and has averaged 10 or more yards per return over his career. Raymond operated as an underneath, quick-passing game receiver. He understands spacing and reading spot droppers leverage post snap. His returner background helps him create yards after the catch. The 31-year-old is a safe but useful asset, with rotational value as a slot receiver and as a returner.

Joe Mixon was held out of the entire 2025 NFL season due to an undisclosed, complicated foot and ankle injury. In 2024, Mixon was great for the Houston Texans offense on the ground and through the air. He rushed for 1,016 yards with 309 yards receiving and 12 total touchdowns. He ran hard and with a good burst through the lane and into the open field. His pass-catching ability was an asset for CJ Stroud, both as a designated receiver and as a check-down option in the face of pressure. Accounting for over 1,300 yards from scrimmage isn't a walk in the park. The biggest issue for Mixon is when or if he'll be healthy for the 2026 season. He proved to be a solid starting running back, but the injury leaves his status in the air and brings his grade/ranking down significantly.

Key is a designated pass-rusher whose game is predicated on his first step. The 2018 third-round pick has a good get-off to win with speed and bend around the edge, collecting 30.5 career sacks so far. The former Tennessee Titan will have a chance to take on a bigger role with the Indianapolis Colts this year.

Kinlaw has bounced back from a bad start to his career with the San Francisco 49ers, posting career-highs in tackles and tackles for loss for two different teams in back-to-back years since leaving the 49ers. The former Jet and current Commander primarily takes advantage of lower competition and mistakes from offensive linemen, though. There is no doubt that Kinlaw has gotten better over the last couple of years, but there is a good amount of fluff to his statistical jump.

Brian Robinson put up a solid statistical season in 2025 as the RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey. He ran with patience through the line of scrimmage and followed blocks well. Robinson is a big, physical back who will run through a defender's face mask. He finishes runs and sets a tone offensively when he gets the ball. He is a quality backup who can step in as a starter if needed. Robinson is a great red zone back with his size, strength, and physicality. He's a solid player who should mesh well with Bijan Robinson in 2026 for the Atlanta Falcons.

Greg Dortch was not relied on consistently in the Cardinals' passing attack last season, but he made plays when called on. He has established a role as a return specialist, averaging 26 and 11.6 yards per kick and punt returns. He is a fun and elusive playmaker in space. Dortch primarily plays from the slot but also aligns in the backfield, replacing the halfback in the passing game. The Detroit Lions will benefit from his special teams value alone, but if called on for offensive snaps, Dortch can make impactful plays.

Burford started nine games in 2025 sandwiched around a six-game absence due to a knee injury, putting enough functional tape together to enter training camp as a potential starter for the Raiders. Burford is still a little light with a below-average anchor, and his erratic processing can leave him a tick late sorting games, stunts and late movement. However, he has excellent length, solid strike-timing and enough hand pop to establish first meaningful contact, disrupt rushers' timing and stay square in his sets to minimize clean edge losses. His marginal play-strength can still lead to compression against power, but improved snap-timing helped him cover up and seal targets on backside cutoffs while adding pop in the post on combination blocks. A reunion with Klint Kubiak, after a year together with the San Francisco 49ers, gives Burford a favorable runway to compete for a starting job, while maximizing his strengths in an offensive line-friendly structure.

Davis-Gaither has received more playing time over the last two years and has grown a lot as a run defender. He has solid instincts to keep him around the ball, making a good amount of stops against the run during his first year as a regular starter. However, the six-year veteran still lacks awareness in coverage, leading to big plays in the passing game.

Calvin Ridley is a part of an average supporting cast the Titans built to help rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Ridley established himself as a reliable starting receiver with the most knowledge and the best route-running in the Titans' room. He is a savvy veteran who understands how to get open against man and zone defenses. Ridley isn't a bad athlete, but he has lost a step in speed and explosiveness. When facing press coverage, his routes are at risk of being quickly capped by physical contact, disrupting the timing of his route and the quarterback's drop.

Of the Chargers' cornerbacks, Hart was the one opposing teams picked on the most, allowing 619 yards and four touchdowns on 68 targets. He still broke up 11 passes and had an interception, but he was attacked more in man coverage. He limited yards after the catch by rallying to the football underneath, but his reaction time and instincts to see routes unfold limit his impact. His catch technique is great, and he triggers downhill quickly from it to the catch point and the flat to make tackles. Hart is a solid third option to have, especially in a zone scheme.

Andrei Iosivas is the third of the Cincinnati Bengals talented trio of pass catchers. The former Princeton playmaker is a steady wide receiver who understands and plays his role well. Iosivas presents a prototypical X-receiver frame and athleticism, but aligns across the Bengals' offensive formation. He has the football IQ to execute the game plan from multiple receiver alignments. Iosivas is not the crispest or smoothest route-runner. He will be rerouted by physical press coverage. He possesses great leaping ability, ball skills, and high-point passes downfield. He's a solid, contributing receiver when paired with WR1.

At his best, Tomlinson is a gap-filling nose tackle who can be an asset as a run defender. However, he is coming off a down year where he wasn't nearly as stout as he's been in the past. It will be interesting to see if that was just an off-season or a sign that the 32-year-old's career is quickly coming to an end.

Perryman has built an 11-year career out of being a good run defender, and he still has impressive instincts and plenty of pop behind his pads when coming downhill to make an impact in that phase of the game. However, the 2021 Pro Bowler has never been much of a factor in coverage, and the injuries have piled up, impacting his ability to move/operate in space. Also, while Perryman is a smart player against the run, that doesn't carry over to the passing game.

Jaylin Noel is a versatile wide receiver for the Houston Texans. He works primarily from the slot but can handle manufactured touches. Noel is a strong kick and punt returner; his vision and ability to follow blocks show up on quick screens and backfield touches. He displayed the touch necessary to work in high-traffic areas with high concentration, bringing in passes despite bodies surrounding him. There are a lot of mouths to feed in that Texans' receiver room but Noel deserves a bigger piece of the target share pie.

Hughes bounced around a few teams before landing in Atlanta three seasons ago, and he's been their starting number two boundary corner each of the last two seasons. This past year was cut short by injury, but he started 12 games for the Falcons. He did his best work breaking on underneath throws in zone coverage and being a reliable run defender. He struggles in man coverage and locating the football downfield, which makes him a popular target opposite AJ Terrell. He's a better rotational option than starting number two.

Darius Slayton is a proven veteran receiver with consistent, solid production. He's served as the Giants' X-receiver and deep-ball threat, making the most of his speed. He runs effective routes against man and finds holes in the zone defenses. Slayton has battled drops throughout his career. He's an adequate starting receiver with an established floor.

It wouldn't be surprising if part of the reason the Jaguars let Devin Lloyd walk in free agency is that they like what they've seen from Miller so far. While the sample size for the two-year pro with just 11 career starts isn't big, he showed an impressive combination of instincts and athleticism against the run last year. His route recognition needs work in coverage, but seven passes defended in two seasons with limited playing time is good ball production to build on.

Tyjae Spears is a quality backup running back with third-down value. He spells Tony Pollard and is a nice complement to his skill set. Spears is the more explosive and dynamic threat in space. He missed the first four games due to a high-ankle sprain that placed him on IR to start the season. Despite missing time, he finished third on the Titans with 45 receptions. Spears is a talented playmaker with good athletic traits to make an impact if given more touches. Right now, he's serving as a change-of-pace back and filling the role well.

In what was a tough season for the Commanders, Quan Martin came in with high expectations, but looked lost in coverage last season. Likely better in a "big nickel" role, Martin took most of his snaps as a safety and struggled to locate routes that weren't coming into view and lacked the feel needed to play further away from the ball. He takes risky angles in pursuit, which led to missed tackles and yards after the catch. He's a downhill thumper and wants to take part against the run with the mentality needed to be impactful, but Martin looked uncomfortable playing in space and against receivers in coverage.

Unfortunately, injuries have been the story of Overshown's career so far. He suffered a torn ACL that forced him to miss his entire rookie season, and the Texas product endured a gruesome injury in the other knee the following year. The latter caused him to miss the majority of the previous campaign, and a concussion cut year three even shorter. Overshown is an impressive athlete who has shown decent chops as a coverage linebacker during his limited time on the field. However, it's hard to give him a thorough evaluation at this stage. This will be the first season the 2023 third-round pick didn't have to spend the offseason rehabbing a major injury, so there's a chance he could quickly climb up the ranks.

Mahogany started 11 games before a fractured fibula sidelined him for six weeks. His game is built on force, demeanor and a power-oriented approach that shows up most clearly at the point of attack. Mahogany brings very good thump and knockback power on initial contact, feeds and uncovered work, giving him the ability to jolt defenders and create movement when his aiming points are clean. A tradeoff exists since his style can be rigid and overly aggressive, leading to overextension against slippery defenders, late movement and quick redirects across his face. In pass protection, a similar lack of control shows up when rushers make him adjust after initial contact or force him to reset his hands and base. Mahogany is still more "aim big, miss big" than refined starter, but his natural power, finishing demeanor and flashes of displacement give him enough traits to warrant continued runway if his technique eventually evolves.

Settle has always shown potential in both phases of the game, but he has struggled with consistency. The eight-year pro has posted two strong campaigns statistically—2020 in Washington with five sacks and seven QB hits, and 2024 in Buffalo with 31 tackles, five sacks and 10 tackles for loss—but has been more unproductive than productive. If Settle can balance it out with the Commanders, he can become a quality three-down interior defensive lineman. But the 29-year-old's technique has to improve for that to happen.

Hunt played just two regular-season games in 2025 due to a torn biceps before returning for Carolina's Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. When available, his profile remained consistent with the '24 season and much of his career as a rugged, power-based guard with a broad frame, thick build and heavy hands. Hunt is at his best against tightly aligned defensive tackles, where he can establish first meaningful contact, absorb force and provide pocket-clearing power. That same linear power translates to the run game, where Hunt can cover up, lift and displace down linemen on double-teams or eject second-level defenders who play him head up. His downhill, aggressive style also creates volatility. Erratic strike-timing, high pads and loose hand-placement can sap his anchor and lead to quick losses across his face. Hunt remains a useful, physical starter, but durability and pass-protection consistency limit his value.

In Sean Payton's offense, RJ Harvey was an impactful rookie playmaker. He is a shifty, jitterbug-style runner who can shake defenders in a phone booth one-on-one. Harvey made his biggest contribution in the passing game. He was a reliable underneath target and used to defeat heavy blitz calls. He knifes through the first layers of the defense because of his vision, short-area quickness, and patience. Harvey is an undersized running back, and it shows up when he is asked to protect Bo Nix. He does not have the power to stonewall defenders without cutting them at the knees. He's a good number-two, change-of-pace running back, but unlikely to be a long-term starter.

Knee injuries were the story of Harmon's rookie season. While he never needed surgery, a pair of incidents kept him from being 100 percent and limited him to just 12 games (eight starts) in year one. That makes it difficult to accurately gauge how the 2025 first-round pick has fared in the NFL and predict what type of player he'll be moving forward. But the Oregon product did show signs of being a serviceable starter in both phases of the game.

Rhyan opened the 2025 campaign as Green Bay's starting right guard before losing the job, then moved to center after Elgton Jenkins suffered a season-ending injury in Week 10. He started seven games at center despite having almost no prior NFL experience there, giving the Packers enough confidence to extend him as their projected starter entering 2026. The 321-pound Rhyan is a bigger pivot with square power, heavy hands and good pop on contact, giving him the ability to cover up, uproot and steer defenders in the run game when his aiming points are clean. His size and play-strength also give him a functional anchor profile in pass protection. Mental spacing at the position is problematic due to a lack of experience. Rhyan's pass-protection losses often came from late processing, losing levels with his guards and failing to sort pressure quickly enough, leading to leakage and free runners against blitz looks and counter moves across his face. His hand-timing and placement are still more forceful than refined, which creates some volatility when isolated against quality interior rushers. Given the abrupt position switch, some improvement is reasonable with a full offseason at center. However, Rhyan remains more of a functional starting projection than a fully stabilized answer.

Tua Tagovailoa is coming off a tumultuous season with the Dolphins. He threw a career-high 15 interceptions, and his decision-making was questionable. He struggled to come off progressions quickly, resulting in being late to his next read. Tagovailoa's game is predicated on quick processing, throwing with timing, and anticipation to defeat opposing defensive coverages. Last season, he showed he still has those attributes. When he is protected and in-rhythm, Tagovailoa can be a surgically accurate passer.

Aaron Jones is a savvy veteran running back. He has great vision and patience as a runner with smooth footwork to change directions. Jones is an impactful receiver out of the backfield. He has strong hands and looks the ball in before making his next move. His 2025 season was limited to 12 games due to a hamstring injury, suffered in week two. His production took a step back from his 1,500 yards from scrimmage in 2024. Jones is not an elite running back, but he's more than capable of having a positive impact on the offense when he's on the field.

The Jaguars signed Eric Murray after playing the most snaps in his career during his final season in Houston, and he played predominantly on top of Anthony Campanile's defense. A top-down, hard-hitting safety in Murray helps change the style of defense you're looking to play with: catch-point collisions, trigger-to-the-flat tackles, and playing fast. Murray isn't the instinctive, man-coverage-style playmaker, but he can handle a lot of jobs within the safety position and helped balance out the safety room in Jacksonville.

DeAndre Hopkins is not the same elite caliber wide receiver at this stage of his career. Yet, he still owns a pair of the best hands in football. Hopkins creates less separation than before but if the ball is thrown in his vicinity, he plucks it out of the air. He tracks the ball at a high level and attacks it with great patience, timing, and aggressiveness. Athletically, he's taken a step or two back limiting his ability to beat corners vertically. Overall, he's a functional receiver and starter who can serve as a security blanket and chain mover.

Malik Willis is a more polished version of himself after sitting and learning behind an established starter. Subbing into the lineup after Jordan Love went down, Willis displayed his arm talent, accuracy, and dynamic athleticism as a ball carrier. His rushing ability adds another element to the offensive playbook: QB keepers, power, and more. Willis is effective and efficient working off play action. He has good ball fakes to hold off linebackers and uses his eyes to manipulate deep-coverage defenders. Willis is a question mark as a long-term starter with only three starts in the last two seasons. Despite the success he showed on the field, he wasn't exposed to many true dropback passing sets. He has a lot to prove this season.

PJ Locke underwent a risky spinal fusion surgery last offseason that not only improved his everyday life but also kept him on the field. Typically more of an agent of chaos, Locke is a defender who will fly downhill to deliver a big hit whenever possible. He outleveraged himself too often and would take too long to pass off routes, allowing more space for catches underneath and to vacate space. His range on the backend is still there, but he looked uncomfortable in space last season and more reactionary than anticipatory. Locke reunites with Christian Parker in Dallas as a depth piece for a new-look secondary.

Pratt had an interesting 2025 campaign, signing with the Raiders in June before getting released and reuniting with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis. He was a much better run defender with the Colts under Anarumo, as his instincts looked off in Las Vegas. That could be an indication of why the linebacker remains available (at the time of writing), with other clubs being doubtful about his ability to play in another system. As far as what Pratt can bring to a defense, he's physical when taking on blocks and has shown the ability to set the edge as a standup outside linebacker. In coverage, he's made some decent plays on the ball in the past, but lacks the athleticism and short-area quickness to be consistent.

Xavier Smith serves as the Los Angeles Rams' primary kick and punt returner. He is a valuable special teamer helping the offense with favorable returns. Smith is a reliable backup wide receiver who makes the most out of his targets. He created chunk plays down the field as the WR3 in the offense. Smith was efficient reeling in 18 of his 24 targets for 303 yards. Potentially, he could have a bigger impact if his offensive role is expanded.

Suffering a season-ending injury, like an ACL tear, is never easy to come back from, but doing it at 35 years old with a ton more miles and injuries has to make it more difficult for Zach Ertz. He found a resurgence in 2024 with Jayden Daniels at quarterback, with his zone prowess on full display, and continued it for much of 2025 before his injury. That's where Ertz shines; when his football IQ takes over and he settles down in space, it's pitch and catch. His ability after the catch and against man continues to deteriorate, and he didn't add much as a blocker, but if he can find a way back this season, his brain will help out an offense somewhere.

Slaton is a two-down run defender, meaning he doesn't offer much as a pass-rusher. The bigger problem with his game, though, is that he isn't someone who can be trusted to defeat all types of blocks. The five-year pro has issues running his feet and moving laterally to avoid getting reached, creating issues against outside runs. However, Slaton is impressive at the point of attack to consistently beat base blocks.

Simpson has struggled to catch on in Baltimore, getting benched and hardly seeing the field around the halfway point of last season. He has plenty of talent and athleticism to be a well-rounded linebacker; it's just a matter of being in the right spot more consistently, especially in coverage. With a new coaching staff for the Ravens this season, the 2023 third-round pick should have a clean slate and one more opportunity to prove himself, but he's running out of time.

Isaac TeSlaa was not heavily targeted in the Detroit Lions passing offense last season but he made the most of his targets. He caught 16 of his 27 targets for 239 yards and six touchdowns. TeSlaa made his mark as a big body target with a strong catch radius and ball skills. He didn't drop a pass as a rookie, albeit on a small sample size of targets. He adds a missing dimension to the Lions' passing game as the receiver built to play the traditional X-receiver and possession receiver role. Excited to see how he develops and performs in 2026.

Alec Ingold is another Swiss Army Knife at the fullback position. He will align in different positions based on the play call. As a lead blocker, Ingold helped seal defenders and spring DeVon Achane into the open field between the tackles and on the perimeter. Ingold is a functional receiver out of the backfield and/or the H-Back position.

Omenihu's true position blurs the lines between an edge defender and a defensive lineman. But in reality, he's just a pure pass-rusher who can contribute from multiple alignments. The seven-year veteran can win with power and work offensive linemen's hands; he just doesn't make much of an impact against the run.

It's hard to give Nolen a grade heading into the 2026 season because his rookie year was filled with injuries and limited to just six games. So, the Ole Miss product is still very much an unknown in the NFL. But he did show a handful of flashes to provide some optimism for his outlook moving forward, especially as a pass-rusher.

Strnad got a good amount of playing time during the first half of last season while the Broncos waited for Dre Greenlaw to get healthy. But with Greenlaw returning to San Francisco in the offseason, Strnad is in line to become a regular starter in Denver for the first time in his career. The 2020 fifth-round pick will have to step up his game, though. He's a good athlete who can be an impactful blitzer with 7.5 sacks over the last two seasons, and he made a few nice plays on the ball in coverage a year ago. But Strnad isn't physical enough to be an impactful run defender and often looks unsure of himself in zone coverage to be trusted as a full-time starter on the second level right now.

Powers-Johnson settled at right guard to open the 2025 campaign after splitting time between center and left guard as a rookie. His second year was cut short by an ankle injury after seven starts. His tape remained a mix of promising physical flashes and raw technical execution. Powers-Johnson has a sawed-off, stout build with enough play-strength to firm up the point of attack, along with fluid movement skills to redirect and work himself out of some compromised positions. He is also a force when uncovered in pass protection, where his power and demeanor allow him to clear the pocket and punish adjacent rushers. The volatility shows up when isolated against quality interior rushers. His unpolished footwork and hand usage can create quick losses across his face, and his aggressive temperament still leads him into bad positions when he overshoots his landmarks or chases contact without control. In the run game, his strength, movement and finishing demeanor create flashes of a tone-setting guard, but the down-to-down precision still needs to improve. The 23-year-old's physical traits and age leave him with a clear runway to become a solid starter, especially inside a Klint Kubiak system. At this point in time, his current profile remains more projection-based than stable.

Josh Palmer's 2025 season was limited to 12 games after he sustained an ankle injury in Week Six. He is a veteran wide receiver with the ability to win downfield. In one-on-one situations, he showed solid route tempo and separation ability. Palmer still possesses the leaping ability to box out defenders and high-point the football downfield. He's an average receiver and depth playmaker to have on the roster.

The Cowboys' run game was a big part of their success last season, and they should have included Brevyn Spann-Ford in their plans more than they did. He's a physical run blocker who wants to punish defenders whenever he gets the chance. There are moments when he uproots players in line and delivers big hits, but he needs to work on his hand usage to stay engaged more often. Spann-Ford flashes in the passing game with big gains down the seam and using his big frame to make catches over the middle of the field, but he isn't a consistent presence. If Spann-Ford can earn more reps this season, he could take a step forward and help the Cowboys' offense even more.

Cam Skattebo's rookie season was limited to eight games due to a right ankle dislocation, an open tibia fracture, and a ruptured deltoid ligament. Before the injury, Skattebo brought a physical and tone-setting presence to the Giants' offense. He is a fearless competitor who seeks out contact and embraces it. Skattebo runs through the defenders like Juggernaut runs through walls, headfirst and with no regrets. He was steady in pass protection and caught the ball well out of the backfield. Skattebo is an average athlete who lacks the third gear to pull away from the defense. Also, he is not an elusive runner with quick lateral agility. He relies on running through defenders' faces, which is a difficult way to win in the NFL over the long term.

Tonga is a nose tackle who has decent athleticism for the position. That helps him have a quick get-off and be solid at avoiding getting reached, on top of the strength at the point of attack to generate knockback power. However, the five-year veteran is susceptible to getting bumped out of his gap by combo block and has always been more potential than production as a pass-rusher, showing flashes but recording just half a sack in his career so far.

After bouncing around the league between eight different organizations (with a pair of stops at two franchises), McLaughlin found a home in Tampa. His first two seasons were easily the best of his entire career. The 30-year-old veteran saw a slight dip in performance last year. After back-to-back seasons with a conversation over 93, McLaughlin converted just under 85 percent in 2025. He missed five kicks within 50 yards—which he didn't do during the previous three seasons combined. However, McLaughlin was exceptional from long distance by tying for the league-lead with 11 makes beyond 50 yards and missing only one.

James Conner suffered a season-ending foot and ankle injury in week 3 of last season. He was coming off another strong season, rushing over 1,000 yards in 2024. Before the injury, Conner was averaging a pedestrian three yards per carry with a rush EPA of -3.9. His game thrives off patience and vision to find running lanes by the offensive line. Conner isn't going to create much for himself in the backfield and can be limited by less-than-stellar blocking up front. He is a functional pass catcher, accounting for 414 yards in 2024. It appeared before the injury that he wouldn't have an equally strong performance last season. Conner may be entering the decline of his productive, high-quality NFL career as a starter.

While Miller hasn't made a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team since having ankle surgery and missing the entire 2020 season, he's still an effective pass-rusher. Don't get it twisted, the future Hall of Famer isn't the same player he used to be, but he can still turn speed to power effectively and work the hands to win around the edge. Any playoff contender that needs an edge rusher should be hitting up Miller's agent sooner rather than later. Just don't expect him to contribute much outside of being a pass-rusher.

Risner provided a stabilizing presence for Cincinnati during the 2025 campaign, starting 11 games after an injury-interrupted '24 season with the Minnesota Vikings. Risner is a veteran guard whose value is rooted in awareness, toughness and pass-protection reliability. He plays with good eyes and processing speed, rarely gets fooled by line games or post-snap movement and uses efficient technique to stay connected and keep rushers from quickly accessing his frame. His anchor is functional when he is square, but he is not a naturally powerful blocker and can be stressed when rushers force him to redirect or recover late. In the run game, Risner is more positional than forceful, with enough feel to fit, wall off and stay on schedule. His stiffness and average movement skills cap his effectiveness. Conversely, his steadiness, competitive toughness and ability to keep reps orderly make him a useful short-term starter or high-end interior reserve.

Travis finished his rookie season with four late starts between both tackle spots, playing well enough for Indianapolis to move forward with him as its full-time right tackle entering 2026. Travis is a tall, broad-framed and densely built tackle with very good length, a stiff punch and a sturdy anchor. In pass protection, he casts a wide net and is difficult to work through cleanly. But high-end edge speed can stress his range, causing him to float off his spot, let his pads rise and become vulnerable to speed-to-power counters that work inside and underneath him. In the run game, Travis can cave defenders on double-team feeds, cover up ends on kick-outs and lead around the edge to open perimeter lanes. Sudden movement across his face can still expose his high-cut frame and tardy redirect skills, but his size, power and early functionality give him a viable starter pathway if his set discipline and hand usage stabilize.

Riley took over as the third cornerback for the Saints in Week 5 and quickly showcased his physicality, man-coverage ability, and ball skills. Still developing his football IQ and route recognition in zone coverage, there was clear upside to warrant getting him on the field opposite Kool-Aid McKinstry. He limited yards after the catch with only 121 allowed on 28 receptions while giving up 377 yards on 50 targets. He'll want to clean up some missed tackles (14.3%) going forward, but the young corner is in a good spot going into 2026.

While Wilson posted an eye-catching 126 tackles last season, the majority of his production came several yards down the field rather than high-quality stops. He has the athleticism to close quickly downhill and cover the flats in both phases of the game. However, the 6'4", 242-pound backer needs to become stronger at the point of attack to defeat blocks, and he isn't super instinctual against the run yet. Also, the 2024 third-round pick doesn't have much ball production to prevent completions with just four career passes defended.

Playing for the Jets offense brings about certain challenges already, but throwing in three different quarterbacks and the rookie curve, Mason Taylor had a lot to deal with in 2025. Missed assignments, timing mistakes, and drops littered on his tape didn't make for the cleanest year, and it ended prematurely with a neck injury. Taylor showed clean technique and ability as a blocker, but needs to continue to learn the proper angles to attack to stay on blocks. He's a smooth route-runner and moves well on the field, but drifts into coverage underneath and needs consistent concentration. The former second-rounder flashed his talents as a rookie; with a new challenge in the room, he's going to need to up his game in year two.

With Jonathon Cooper's status up in the air at the time of writing, Elliss could be in line to take on a much bigger role during his third NFL season. He's been used as a designated pass-rusher so far, and has been solid at it due to his diverse arsenal as a rusher. However, the 2024 third-round pick hasn't been used much against the run and needs to improve his ability to take on blocks to become a well-rounded starter.

Johnson has been durable throughout his first four seasons, but his level of performance has not consistently matched the physical profile that made him a 2022 first-round pick. Johnson looks the part with a sturdy frame, good play-strength and enough athletic ability to function across concepts. However, inconsistent technique has kept him closer to the functional-starter tier than the high-end guard group. His best stretches in 2025 came late in the season, when his footwork and hand placement improved enough for him to line up targets more cleanly, create better displacement in the run game and play with firmer strikes in pass protection. Sustainability is the issue. Johnson still gets caught with uneven eye discipline, inconsistent leverage and shaky base integrity, leaving him late to recover when rushers force him to redirect or counter. His hands are not reliable enough to consistently maximize his frame, and his finish quality can fade when defenders survive initial contact. The 26-year-old's durability, physical tools and age still give him viable starting value, but he remains more projection than certainty as he enters a new environment in Cleveland.

Xavier Worthy has elite top-end speed, being the fastest man in NFL Combine history. He has flashed separation-creation with his route-running ability. Worthy lacks consistency running through the catch point. His chemistry with Mahomes needs to improve on deep passing concepts to unlock his full potential.

J.K. Dobbins showcased over the last two seasons; he remains a quality starting running back and contributor. He's rushed for 905 yards in 2024 and 772 in 2025. Unfortunately, both seasons were cut short by injuries. Dobbins has played in 23 of the available 34 games since 2024. As a runner, he is patient and disciplined, effectively running between the tackles and outside. He runs behind his pads with strength and contact balance when meeting defenders in the alley. Dobbins' missing games are almost a foregone conclusion, which is unfortunate because he's a good player.

Unfortunately, Scourton will miss a crucial season of development after tearing an ACL during training camp. That clouds his projection moving forward. Last season, Scourton stood out with his ability to turn speed to power as a pass-rusher. After he recovers, he needs to add a changeup to keep offensive tackles on their toes, but assuming he bounces back, he'll have a solid foundation to build off. The second-round pick also made a handful of quality plays against the run as a rookie, sniffing out crack blocks from wide receivers and beating blocks from tight ends to make stops. He just needs to be more consistent and better against offensive linemen.

While he has some name recognition, this isn't the same Allen who made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2021 and 2022. The 31-year-old is still a decent run defender and can occasionally push the pocket, but his tackling and effectiveness as a pass-rusher have been diminishing over the last few years. Also, Allen's age started to show in the second half of last season.

Brown rebounded in 2025 after a broken fibula limited him to 11 starts during the previous season, starting all 17 games and re-establishing himself as a durable, functional left tackle. Brown's game is built on size, length, snap-timing and veteran craft rather than range or recovery athleticism. In pass protection, he wins by staying square, protecting his inside shoulder and using his mass to create a long, difficult path through his frame. He does a good job establishing first meaningful contact, forcing rushers to work around his length and anchoring well enough to absorb power when his hands arrive on time. The limitations remain clear. Brown lacks high-end foot speed and range, which creates short corners and slower high-side losses against top rushers who can stress his edge. His run blocking is more about size, positioning and occupying space than consistent movement creation. Brown's profile is capped, but his length, mass, anchor and ability to lose slowly make him a solid low-variance starter when healthy.

A more comfortable player near the line of scrimmage, Ji'Ayir Brown goes from making an excellent defensive play to a head-scratching one at a moment's notice. He's shown the potential he had coming out of Penn State and loves to trigger downhill with bad intentions, but in space he takes poor angles to the football and loses track of his responsibilities. Brown has flashed coverage playmaking with a couple of interceptions against the Panthers and six passes broken up last season; however, there wasn't enough consistency in his game to be confident in him when the ball was in the air. He enters a make-or-break season with the 49ers with a lot of questions swirling about his future.

Moses completed his 12th season with 21 total starts, further cementing his status as one of the league's true ironmen. After a rough opening stretch, likely influenced by a Week 2 ankle injury, he settled near his usual baseline. Moses is a massive, wide-bodied tackle with premier length and a veteran understanding of how to weaponize it, using timing and hand-placement to establish first meaningful contact and keep rushers off his frame. Those skills help offset below-average movement skills that have become more exposed with age, especially when his pass-protection volume rises. Wide alignments can stress his range, cause him to lean at the top of the pocket and leave him vulnerable across his face late in reps. Moses still brings a sturdy anchor, functional run-game power and meaningful leadership value, but the declining recovery range keeps him in the capped-starter tier.

Zeitler reached 220 career starts (including postseason) during the 2025 campaign, starting 16 games at age 36 and continuing one of the most durable, steady guard careers of his era. Zeitler is no longer the top-10 right guard he was throughout most of the last decade, but his dense build, good play-strength, processing and veteran savvy still allow him to stay functional. He rarely puts himself in poor positions, understands where help is coming from and plays with enough leverage and hand timing to remain firm in tight quarters. Decline shows up in his lack of wiggle and recovery range when forced out of phase, especially against movement, counters or space-oriented run-game demands. Zeitler still brings toughness, reliability and enough anchor to stabilize a line. At this stage of his career, he fits best as a functional starter or high-end veteran stopgap.

Coming off a breakout rookie season in 2024, Bucky Irving started his sophomore season on the right foot. He sustained shoulder and foot injuries in week four against the Eagles. He did not return to the lineup until Week 13 against the Cardinals. His touchdowns significantly dropped from eight to one last season. When healthy, he is an impactful player for the Bucs' offense. He plays with surprising body control and contact balance. He has a high motor and keeps his legs churning for extra yards. Irving's vision and patience are keys to his success as a ball carrier. He finds running lanes and executes cutbacks well. After off-season surgery, hopes are that Irving returns to his healthy 2024 form.

Howard was traded to Cleveland this offseason and signed an extension to man right tackle as part of the Browns' offensive line reset. He pieced together one of his better seasons last year, primarily at right tackle while also logging starts at both guard spots. Howard is a big-bodied, long blocker with heavy hands. Improved body control and hand usage helped him better collect movement across his face and transition into his anchor. He remains a below-average lateral mover with lower-half stiffness that caps his redirect and recovery skills. In the run game, his size and power allow him to cover up and move defenders on angle-drive blocks and double-teams. When his urgency level is high—as it was in 2025 and similarly in his '22 contract year—Howard can beat defenders to the spot, strike first and play closer to solid than below-average, while his guard/tackle flexibility provides Cleveland insurance along a rebuilt front.

Mo Alie-Cox won't make the first pursuit defender miss after the catch, but he'll drag him a few yards in the process. He's a physical player with the ball in his hands who does most of his work for the Colts as the "Y" tight end. He spends ~70% of his snaps blocking and provides extra utility as a pass blocker. Alie-Cox will get outleveraged in the run game, but he creates lanes for the running backs by using angles and consistently turning his body. He'll continue to have a spot in the Colts' offense because of his willingness to do the dirty work.

Michael Penix Jr. 's 2025 season was cut short by an ACL tear that required surgery. Before suffering the injury, his on-field play was inconsistent. Penix Jr possesses the arm strength to drive the ball into tighter windows and to power it downfield. He excels at attacking the short areas of the field, while his success in the intermediate areas varies. The issue he has to overcome is deep-ball accuracy. Penix Jr. still does not fully engage his footwork to step into his throws and will launch passes from a flat-footed base, resulting in inaccurate throws downfield. His overall accuracy wanes, leaving yards and potential points on the field. Adding another injury to his lengthy history, there's a lot Penix Jr has to overcome to be viewed as a franchise quarterback long-term.

Reliable, effective, and smart. These are the reasons Sean Peyton brought Adam Trautman with him from New Orleans to Denver. He's consistently making the right block at the right time and helping to create lanes for their backs to the second and sometimes third levels of the defense. His versatility between pass pro and run blocking helps keep him on the field for the Broncos' offense, too. Trautman brings a steady presence as an outlet receiver who reads the defense well and settles in soft spots. He's not an overwhelming receiving option, but he doesn't need to be to bring good value as a snap earner.

The first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2025 found himself moving around the defense a lot in his rookie season. When Patrick Surtain got injured, Barron played more boundary corner for the Broncos, and that could be where they envision him going forward. He's a natural, reactive athlete with growing NFL instincts who struggled to cement himself in a highly competitive, talented secondary. A willing run defender, he'll need to clean up his tackling technique going forward, but saw some success shutting down tight ends as a "big nickel" or dime defender last season. While Barron's rookie season may have been a disappointment, it's too early to write him off yet.

Tanner McKee has played in four games and started two since joining the Eagles in 2024. He offers great size/frame for the quarterback position and arm talent to make more than enough NFL-caliber throws. McKee throws with good touch over the heads of underneath defenders. He throws with anticipation and sees things quicker than expected for a backup QB with little playing experience in the NFL. McKee struggled in the pocket under pressure, as he is not a nimble-footed or dynamic athlete capable of evading it quickly. He is a bit of a throwback pocket passer with elite height in the pocket and the potential to be a long-term starter in the NFL.

Pat Bryant made a positive impact on the Denver Broncos' offense overall during his rookie campaign. He displayed a growing connection with quarterback Bo Nix, maintaining a healthy focus on when he broke contain and started a scramble drill. Bryant worked back to his signal caller for easier receptions. He blocked well in the run game using his frame and strength to seal defensive backs. Bryant filled the "power/big-slot" role well in Coach Payton's offense. He lacks elite acceleration and top-end speed, which makes him more of a functional starter than a high-ceiling player.

One of the biggest mixed bags at the nickel position is Andru Phillips. He plays with the tenacity and aggression you want to see at the position, but takes too many chances, piles up penalties, and relies on holding in man coverage. After Week 7, there was a noted change in his playing time and a larger focus on zone coverage. Letting Phillips drive down on throws, attack the quick passing game, and blitz from time to time focuses his aggression and limits his negative impact. There's a lot of natural talent, and the ball production took another step forward last season, but he has work to do to avoid being protected from himself.

Despite the limited usage in the passing game, Payne Durham is a physical presence on the football field and has shown the ability to make contested catches. He's a physical blocker, which is where he does most of his work and executes several assignments well in the run and passing game. He does a great job working blocks, getting to the second level, and keeping his head on a swivel to find work. Durham will never be the focal point of a passing attack, but with more 12-personnel sets on the way for the Bucs, he'll have the chance to earn more targets with his ball skills and reliability.

Braelon Allen played only four games last season due to a left knee MCL sprain, which led to season-ending surgery. When healthy, he is a big, strong one-cut runner who excels once he gets downhill, north-south. He adds a "rumbling thunder" element to the rushing attack. Allen has solid foot quickness and lateral agility to sidestep defenders and move patiently through the second level of the defense. He hasn't proven to be more than a functional running back, and his pass protection still needs improvement. Allen is a viable backup to change the pace whenever Breece Hall needs a breather.

The Falcons want to utilize more 12- and 13-personnel under Kevin Stefanski, and beginning with Austin Hooper is one way to streamline that process. He's a true "Y" tight end who can move around the blocking formation and give the run game what it needs. Hooper does a nice job timing to the second level, giving the effort and physicality needed in-line, and he will help open lanes for the running backs. He's a reliable receiver with good hands and adjusts to the football well, but his route tree is limited at this stage in his career. Hooper could see the field a lot for the Falcons' offense next season.

While Van Noy had a good year in 2024, he took a step back last season, where a lot of his production came when unblocked. That makes it difficult to project how effective the 35-year-old will be moving forward. At his best, the former Pro Bowler can be a well-rounded edge defender who contributes in both phases of the game.

The Elliss family has a couple of hybrid off-ball/on-ball linebackers in it, as Christian's brother, Kaden, serves in the same role for the New Orleans Saints. However, the former isn't nearly the same caliber of player as the latter. Christian Elliss is a solid blitzer to get pressure when rushing the passer. But he's just serviceable or replaceable when it comes to being a run defender or in coverage on the second level.

Cedric Tillman is an adequate starting wide receiver. He has the size and strength to excel as a possession receiver on the perimeter or as a power slot. Tillman is a solid route-runner at his size and is good at attacking zone defenses. He catches the ball with strong hands and away from his frame. Tillman is not a great athlete in terms of explosiveness and top-end speed to stretch the field. Additionally, he has never played a full season in his three-year career. He's been snake bitten by injuries; if he can stay healthy, he's a net-positive pass catcher and player.

Geno Smith is coming off a disappointing season and a rough two-year stretch. He has turned the ball over at an alarming rate (32 INTs) in that span. He hasn't declined physically or with accuracy. He can still drive the ball well and drop passes in the bucket. His issues stem from being under heavy pressure, If protected, he's capable of being a solid starter.

Going from being an undrafted free agent to a 17-game starter in just a year is an impressive beginning to Speights' career. He stands out the most against the run, where his instincts and ability to operate in a phone both help him make quality tackles near the line of scrimmage. However, the 25-year-old still doesn't look comfortable in coverage and working in space to be a complete player at this stage.

Adonai Mitchell is one of the league's more athletically gifted wide receivers. He checks the boxes for what number-one receivers possess. Mitchell has the height, weight, and speed to be an offense's primary X receiver. He is a smooth and fluid mover with a strong route-running skill set. Mitchell can play multiple receiver positions. The issue is, he has yet to play to the level of his raw talent. From drops, mental lapses, and overall inconsistency, Mitchell may have a high ceiling, but the floor isn't safe.

There isn't anything special about Shepherd's game, but he's a solid all-around player. Against the run, he has the strength to win at the point of attack or uses a hump move to catch linemen leaning and make tackles near the line of scrimmage. The eight-year veteran also has decent pass-rush chops, pushing the pocket as a bull rusher and working the hands to win around the edge.

The inconsistencies with Evan Engram make him an unreliable tight end to count on at this stage in his career. Sean Peyton used Engram's yards-after-catch ability and gave him opportunities on screens and in space to make plays for the offense. His concentration drops have been an issue throughout his career; contact through the route throws him off, and he isn't impacting the game as a blocker, nor is he asked to. The former first-rounder is a big slot who locates space over the middle of the field and brings versatility after the catch. Engram is entering the final year of his deal with the Broncos, and they've added some competition to the room, so he'll have to earn it.

There were big expectations and shoes to fill for Jaden Hicks in Kansas City last season. The Chiefs let Justin Reid walk in free agency, which paved the way for Hicks to assume that role in Spags' defense. It didn't play out the way they envisioned. He looked like a fish out of water in zone coverage, particularly buzzing down underneath; he overleveraged himself to the quarterback too often, and took a step back with more responsibilities on his plate. There were still moments of ball skills, being an enforcer in the run game and quick-passing game, and recovering to make a play downfield, but those flashes were fewer in year two.

Brendel remains a useful overachiever at center, winning with quickness, efficiency and timing rather than size or raw power. He is undersized, but his movement patterns are clean enough to consistently reach landmarks, fit with proper leverage and shield defenders in a way that works inside Kyle Shanahan's balanced, rhythm-based offensive structure. In the run game, Brendel is more effective than his frame suggests as the drive man on double-teams and combination blocks, where he can deliver a surprisingly firm punch into already-engaged down linemen before climbing, while being effective on reach blocks. He also has enough burst to intersect second-level targets when the angle is clean. In pass protection, he can sort games, stay in phase and use timing, leverage and quick hands to survive most controlled reps, but the limitations show up when he is isolated late. Brendel can struggle to hold ground against power, bounce off contact and allow separation or leakage when defenders work through his frame. His quickness, awareness and system fit keep him functional, but the lack of mass and anchor strength leave him closer to a capped starter than a difference-making center.

Fairbairn doesn't get enough credit for his consistency. Last year, he tied a single-season NFL record with 44 made field goals. In 2018, he led the NFL in scoring. The Texans' kicker converted at least 91 percent of his attempts in three of the last four campaigns. Over time, Fairbairn established himself as a dangerous long-distance kicker, too. Early in his career, Houston's coaching staff didn't push the kicker's boundaries. As such, Fairbairn never attempted more than six field goals over 50 yards in any of his first seven seasons. He's converted 22 over the last two. Though all four of last year's misses came from beyond 50.

Sundell won Seattle's starting center job in training camp and started 13 regular-season games before returning from a midseason knee injury to snap for all three playoff games. His chemistry with former college teammate Grey Zabel was evident throughout the year, particularly on combination blocks where their timing and fits helped fuel Seattle's run game. Sundell's value is rooted in quickness, range and zone-blocking utility. He is effective on reaches, overtakes and second-level climbs, using his burst and angles to intersect targets and keep the offense on schedule. In pass protection, he was functional inside Seattle's run-heavy, play-action-based structure, playing with clear eyes, sorting A-gap threats and providing timely help when uncovered. A lack of mass and anchor strength are limiting factors when isolated. Interior rushers could push-pull him out of position or gradually walk him back. Sundell was a solid system starter in 2025, but his lack of sturdiness and scheme versatility create a defined ceiling unless his play-strength and hand usage improve.

The Lions dealt with a multitude of injuries last season, and Rock Ya-Sin played a valuable role in piecing together the secondary. He does his best work when he can be physical with powerful, well-timed jabs at the line of scrimmage and throw off route timing. That's where his comfort shows itself, and he can take control of the rep. When rushed, his physicality turns to grabbing, and the penalties increase. He's a decent zone player when the routes are in front of him, but doesn't have the instincts to feel routes and break points consistently. Rock Ya-Sin performed well down the stretch for Detroit and is a solid player to have as part of the secondary.

Okereke was a solid all-around linebacker during his first two years in New York, but he wasn't the same after suffering a herniated disk at the end of the 2024 campaign. Last season, the seven-year pro looked less explosive and wasn't nearly as impactful, with a lot of his stops coming via clean-up tackles.

The 2025 season was full of twists and turns for Roger McCreary. He started the season in a contract year for the Titans as one of the best young nickel corners in the game, but didn't have the start he was looking for before being traded to the LA Rams. In his first appearance for the Rams, he injured his hip and was put on IR. When he came back, McCreary looked healthy, explosive, and still the physical player he was, and when the Rams needed a corner to turn to, he stepped up and played on the outside. He played well for the Rams, but wasn't tested much in the postseason, and now he is in an interesting situation for the Detroit Lions. McCreary is best at nickel, but he'll aim to earn a starting role, no matter where it is.

The biggest leg in NFL history belongs to Little. The rookie took the NFL by storm in 2024. His 93.1 field-goal conversion rate ranked third among kickers with 25 or more attempts. Last season, his field-goal attempts became must-watch television. A 70-yard make during the preseason started a clock to see when Little would break the league's official record. In Week 9, Jacksonville's kicker did so by converting a 68-yard attempt against the Las Vegas Raiders. For good measure, Little also set the outdoor record with a 67-yard kick in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans. The second-year kicker's field-goal percentage did dip slightly, though he firmly established himself as a legitimate weapon for the Jaguars.

While an incomplete grade for a rookie season that was cut in half due to injury, Trey Amos showed much of the same player we saw at Ole Miss. He does a nice job re-routing receivers at the line of scrimmage, dropping underneath and on top of routes to take them away, and his length allows him to impact the catch point. Amos showed a ton of grit against the Seahawks, playing through a hip injury that would eventually end his season. He didn't move the same, was in obvious pain, and still managed to finish the game. Still considered a relative unknown, Amos will have a lot to prove going into year two.

Goncalves kicked inside to guard in 2025 and started 16 games after logging eight starts as a rookie offensive tackle. The move helped unlock his best trait: run-blocking. Goncalves generated consistent vertical push on doubles and angle-drive blocks while arriving square and under control on climbs, making him a plus contributor inside one of the league's best run games. In pass protection, his inexperience became evident. Simulated pressures created some mental errors. The 2024 third-round draft pick can be baited out of position by counters, delaying his transition into the anchor. Goncalves has a stiff, firm punch to jar rushers when his timing is right. Ultimately, he was most comfortable off play-action when he could close space and establish first meaningful contact. His run-game value is real, but the pass-protection processing and hand-timing keep him in the functional-starter range.

Omarion Hampton was battle-tested in his rookie season. He got off to a slow start before finding his footing in Week 3. As Hampton began to produce as the lead back, he suffered a fractured ankle in week five against the Washington Commanders. He was sidelined until Week 14. The Chargers' rookie missed a good chunk of the season, which slowed development and acclimation to the speed of the NFL game. In his 124 carries, Hampton showcased his speed, acceleration, and outstanding run power. He is a physical, powerful finisher on contact, difficult to bring down with his forward momentum. His contact balance is great, and he is a functional receiver with good hands in space. He needs more reps as a pass protector to hone in on his technique.

While Kyu Blu-Kelly saw the majority of reps opposite Eric Stokes until Week 11 and was getting lit up, Darien Porter's time had to wait. He got his opportunity after Blu-Kelly was benched against the Cowboys and started every game the rest of the season. The athletic ability and pure talent are off the charts, and while he committed more penalties than you'd like, Porter got better as the season went along. Flashing the closing speed, ball skills, and press-man coverage that got him drafted, Porter has set the stage for a breakout year two in Las Vegas.

Guyton started 11 games as a rookie and 10 last season, with injuries keeping him out of practice and slowing much-needed developmental reps. Guyton entered the league as a one-year starter with high-end physical tools and a raw skill set, which remains largely where he sits entering Year 3. He has a prototypical frame, build and athletic ability. As a result, he displays good natural power, flashing as a twitched-up, physical blocker who can clear the pocket when uncovered, dent down linemen on double-team feeds and engulf rushers once latched. He has also started incorporating changeup sets, including three-step short, to disrupt rushers' timing. Though his posture, balance, footwork and hand usage remain volatile, especially against counters or post-snap movement in the run game. His ceiling remains considerable, but he needs sustained health and reps to refine his technique.

Jacoby Brissett is a 10-year veteran and a good bridge quarterback. In 12 starts last season, he threw for over 3,300 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The Cardinals' quarterback brought stability and effectiveness to their passing offense. His play allowed the organization to evaluate the receiving corps, though it did not produce many wins.

Fuaga started 13 games in 2025 while battling knee, back and high-ankle injuries. Still, the core appeal of his game remained obvious with his play-strength, power and a heavy-handed presence at the point of attack. Fuaga is at his best when he can square defenders, initiate first meaningful contact and use his thick build and stiff punch to dictate terms early in the rep. That approach gives him a sturdy floor against power and allows him to create movement in the run game when his landmarks are clean. Issues stem from his pass-protection margin remaining narrow. Fuaga has mediocre range, body control and recovery skill, which leads to quick losses when rushers prevent him from landing first or force him into late adjustments. He experimented with changeups, including vertical-to-jump sets, to disrupt rush timing, and those answers helped at times, but they also left him vulnerable to decisive wins across his face. In the run game, Fuaga has real knockback power and second-level finishing ability, but his middling adjustability shows up against movement across his face. His power profile gives him starter-level value, but reaching a higher tier will require cleaner hand-timing, better set discipline and a scheme that lets him play forward more than it exposes him in space.

Much like his Chargers special teams counterpart, Cameron Dicker, Scott has been consistent. Since signing in Los Angeles prior to the 2022 campaign, the 30-year-old punter has averaged over 46 yards per punt, with only his first season as part of the team falling below that number. In fact, Scott incrementally improved in that specific area during each campaign and posted a career-high last year at 47.8 per punt. Each season, Scott also posted an average of over 41 net yards per punt after not doing so during his first three years with the Green Bay Packers.

It's been an interesting two-year run for Franklin, going from a career season and making his first Pro Bowl in 2024 to having arguably his worst season since becoming a starter last year. He does have the speed and athleticism to shoot gaps in the running game, but struggles when taking on blocks. In coverage, Franklin's speed can help him click and close, but he wasn't nearly as impactful a year ago. Also, he was late in recognizing route concepts and struggled with his angles and leverage in space. It will be interesting to see if the former Colt can bounce back with a change of scenery in Green Bay this season.

McCormick started all 17 games with just one penalty, providing Pittsburgh with steady, assignment-sound play at right guard in just his second season. He is not an overwhelming physical talent, but his active hands, quick refits and excellent strain allow him to stay attached, die slowly when initially beaten and prevent clean sheds. McCormick displays enough play-strength and movement ability to function across concepts, while his leverage, toughness and hand activity make him more difficult to discard than his raw traits suggest. The limitations show up against wider interior alignments and quick movement, where he can drift, redirect late or be a tick slow to pick up loopers. McCormick is a classic greater-than-the-sum-of-his-parts starter whose technique, effort and consistency make him a net positive despite a capped ceiling.

Chimere Dike serves as the Titans' primary punter return specialist. He averaged 17.3 yards per return and two return touchdowns. Dike has field-flipping speed and displays it on special teams and as a wide receiver. He handled reading zone coverages well as a rookie and gaining yards after the catch. There will be an uphill climb to fight for targets with the talent pool in their receiver room but he has a defined role carved out on special teams.

Taylor finished his seventh season overall and third with Kansas City in 2025, starting 12 games before a triceps injury sidelined him for the final five. After reducing his penalty totals each year with the Chiefs, Taylor signed with the Falcons on a modest one-year deal that could provide real value if the cleaner discipline holds. His false-start issues are tied to the rigidity of his game, with Taylor often trying to steal the early runway needed for his size, length and play-strength to take over. Taylor remains a functional starting right tackle with prototypical size, length and enough play-strength to neutralize most rushers when he stays square. His pass sets are built on short, choppy steps that help him stay inside-out to his landmarks, followed by a two-hand strike designed to initiate contact and engulf rushers before they can access his edges. The limitations show up against slippery, high-end athletes who can evade his initial punch, force him to redirect and create quick edge losses. In the run game, Taylor can fit, cover up and wall off targets, but high pads and occasional understeps limit his sustain, finish and ability to adjust late in reps. He has learned to maximize his size and length in pass protection, but the movement ceiling and run-game limitations keep him in the functional starter tier.

Oronde Gadsden was a great surprise for the Chargers last season and immediately became one of the best deep-threat tight ends in the NFL. His tracking and catch radius made him a player Justin Herbert could trust to haul in most targets thrown "off target" or into coverage. While he isn't a natural athlete in space, getting the ball to him in stride lets Gadsden locate space to exploit and accelerate. The former fifth-round pick was the best and healthiest option in the Chargers' tight end room last season, which sustained multiple injuries, even though he doesn't help the run game. With multiple new additions at tight end, Gadsden will have his work cut out for him battling for reps.

While Graham certainly fell short of expectations as a rookie, he played well enough down the stretch to be optimistic about his outlook moving forward. The 2025 No. 5 overall pick made a handful of plays against the run, using both his strength to reset the line of scrimmage and his athleticism to slip blocks. Graham also had a few flashes as a pass-rusher, getting pressure with power and working the hands.

A safety who is better in the box than in coverage, Chamarri Conner brings dime backer looks and execution to the defense. His instincts take him to the football, but he isn't always capable of locating it or taking it away. Conner struggles to tackle consistently and often takes poor angles to the ball carrier, but tends to make electric plays once or twice a game. His reps in the slot magnified his poor man coverage ability, but he started playing more in the box as a safety, which improved his play last season. He gave up the most yards in coverage in his career in 2025, and while he brings value against the run, he's been a player that offenses will target.

Alvin Kamara is an established dual-threat running back. He started 11 straight games for the Saints before an MCL sprain and ankle injury in Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons forced him out of action for the remainder of the season. Before the injuries, Kamara was solid, but he clearly appeared to have lost a step athletically. He runs with great vision and elusiveness/slashes in and out of traffic. He remains one of the best at following his blocks to daylight. He finished the season with the worst yards-per-carry of his career, at 3.6, and didn't have the same impact as a pass catcher either. Kamara's pass protection left a lot to be desired. All in all, he remains a capable playmaker in an NFL offense.

Wilson is a hybrid edge defender/off-ball linebacker who fits well in Brian Flores' defense that likes to give opposing offenses a variety of looks. As a run defender, he has good instincts and solid overall athleticism to beat blockers to the spot, racking up a career-high 17 tackles for loss last season. However, the nine-year veteran struggles to take on blocks and make an impact in coverage. Also, Wilson has only been a regular starter for three seasons.

McGlinchey started all 17 games last season and delivered another solid season, largely matching the level he has played at since arriving from San Francisco in 2023. McGlinchey is a tall, experienced right tackle with solid burst, good run-game feel and a clear understanding of timing, angles and concept intent. He is effective as a lead blocker around the edge, efficient on combinations and capable of cutting off the backside when his landmarks are clean. In pass protection, he can settle at his spot, stay inside-out and protect his inside shoulder, while using a circle-punch and two-hand strike to create early leverage inside rushers' frames. The tradeoff is a rigid, somewhat robotic style that works best when his snap-timing is clean and he can beat rushers to the spot. When that timing is disrupted, the margin narrows quickly. Rushers can freeze his feet, shorten the corner or compress him with speed-to-power. McGlinchey remains a functional starting right tackle because of his run-game intelligence, experience and ability to end reps quickly against most competition. However, his pass-protection ceiling is capped by limited pliability, recovery range and anchor consistency.

The 2025 first overall pick displayed immense physical talent during his rookie campaign. Cam Ward made the unbelievable splash plays once the defense forced him to play off-script, creating second and even third-reaction throwing opportunities. He has great pocket strength to fight through contact and extend plays. Ward's accuracy waned the further he threw down the field. His decision-making and anticipation of throws from true dropback sets were lacking. That said, it appeared the game began to slow down for Ward late in the season. He began to make more routine reads and throws from the pocket. He has immense potential and upside, but his flashes need to become routine plays from the pocket.

Still a dangerous robber player who drives downhill from the safety position, Kyle Dugger wasn't the same player last season as he was in the past. Always looking to jump routes and read plays before they revealed themselves, Dugger was caught out of position too often, and he was eventually benched in the last game of the season. He's more natural in the box; reads out runs well, and throws his body around in the run game. His instincts and run game prowess could prove useful in Cincinnati, but his up-and-down results should give him a short leash going forward.

While he didn't give up a ton of touchdowns last season, when offenses needed a first down against the Panthers, Chau Smith-Wade was the guy they went after. He's a good and willing tackler who is best in zone coverage, where he can read the play and quarterback, then trigger downhill, but didn't impact the catch point enough in high-leverage situations to break up passes. Smith-Wade likes to jump routes and tends to hop toward a receiver or direction, putting himself slightly out of position. He wore a lot of different hats for the Panthers last year out of necessity, but should focus solely on nickel going forward.

Forced into playing more post-safety than he was comfortable with in 2025, Isaiah Pola-Mao struggled to find his footing. An early-season injury to Lonnie Johnson put more on Pola-Mao's shoulders, and the comfort from deep never came to fruition, but down the stretch, with more reps closer to the line of scrimmage, he started to turn it around. He shows good play recognition and a feel for coverage as a two-high or intermediate defender, but is better as part of a safety rotation. Putting too much on his plate overcomplicates his role.

After a rejuvenation back in 2024, Jonnu Smith reunited with Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh and had a completely different season. His targets were cut in half, his yards per reception were the lowest of his career (5.8), and his yards after catch over expected, via NFLPro, were +1 yard, his lowest. The talent after the catch is still there, but the creativity to get Smith into space was drastically different in 2025. The alignment variety makes him fun to watch, but funneling screens to him on a bad offensive team isn't the best way to get the most out of his unique skill set.

Davis could start for a handful of teams around the league; he just happens to be on the Rams' deep defensive line. Still, the 6'2', 300-pound defensive lineman has carved out a role as a versatile run stuffer, using his natural leverage and compact frame to his advantage and contribute off the bench.

At this stage of his career, Thompson is more of a rotational player/spot starter. That's the role he played in Buffalo last season, and he was a solid player in both phases of the game. The 11-year veteran is best when attacking downhill, in either coverage or against the run, and he can still lay some wood when tackling.

Odeyingbo's first season in Chicago was cut short due to a torn Achilles, and he wasn't playing particularly well in the eight games before the injury. At his best, the Vanderbilt product is a solid all-around defensive end who can win with power and an arm-over move as a pass-rusher, and uses his strength well to set the edge. But the five-year pro blossoming into a high-level starter would be a surprise at this stage.

One of the rare utility men in the NFL, Charlie Woerner brings a bevy of blocking experience, utility, and versatility to the tight end position. He's not going to light up the stat sheet, but he'll line up anywhere and bring his best with him. From motion blocks to in-line capability, Woerner does it all, and the intelligence to handle all of his duties and play on the fly is truly impressive. He won't be the strongest blocker or even the most disruptive, but the different ways he's utilized are special around the NFL.

At the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, Koonce looked like he was in line to receive a big payday. He had eight sacks in the last nine games of the season to build some momentum heading into a contract year, only to see it all go for naught by tearing an ACL about a week before the 2024 season opener. The injury impacted the Buffalo product's explosiveness a year ago, which is the root of his game. Koonce has a second chance to prove himself in Las Vegas this fall, but it remains to be seen if he can get back to his pre-injury form.