Tag: NFL Draft 2024

Texans place CB Jeff Okudah on injured reserve

Jeff Okudah will miss at least the next four weeks for the Houston Texans after leaving Sunday’s game with an injury.

The Houston Texans’ cornerback depth took a hit Wedensday morning before the first week of practice.

Houston is placing veteran cornerback Jeff Okudah on the injured reserve list, according to multiple reports. The former No. 3 overall pick of the 2020 left during the third quarter of Week 1’s win over the Indianapolis Colts with a shoulder injury and did not return.

In a corresponding move, the Texans have signed linebacker/defensive end Rashad Weaver to the active 53-man roster.

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Weaver, an edge rusher who previously played for the Tennessee Titans, has totaled 5.5 sacks since being drafted out of Pitt in 2021. The Texans also signed cornerback Troy Pride and defensive back Desmond King to the practice squad.

Houston elected to release former TCU safety Mark Perry to make room for King.

Initially, it had been reported that King would sign on Tuesday, though he tweeted after the news that he had not signed because he wanted a bigger role on defense. With the practice squad, he can be elevated three times before having to either be signed to the active roster or sidelined for the remainder of the year.

“I don’t want to be used as a reserve,” King posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “My value as a player has been in the top of my position for years. It’s time I deserve some respect. I show up every time the opportunity presents itself.”

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The tweet was later deleted before King signed.

King has been a stable nickel corner and return man for Houston over his three seasons. After being cut last year by both the Texans and Steelers, he returned to the practice squad but quickly was raised to the active roster.

Perhaps the same thing happens next week after the Chicago Bears come to town.

Watch: J.J. Watt narrates epic Texans 2024 hype video

The legendary J.J. Watt might not be taking the field for the Houston Texans, but he knows how to hype up a city.

Can you feel that?

Can you smell the sweet lingering of victory?

If so, you probably just watched the most recent Houston Texans hype video entering the new season.

Voiced by three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, the Texans media team put together a two-minute clip, hyping up the city for what looks to be a promising campaign headlined by potential MVP candidate C.J. Stroud.

“Sometimes that silence can be deafening,” Watt said in the video. “But in that void, there’s a whisper of what’s to come. A pulse reverberating through the city that grows stronger by the second. You can feel it in the air, a rumbling, an anxiety, that feeling in the pit of your stomach, echoes of expectations. It’s an earned sensation and you can’t shake it. I’ve felt it before. I know what it’s like. The energy, the speculation, the expectations. But listen, the hype? That’s just chatter. Because around here, success isn’t owned, it’s leased. And rent? That sh-t’s due every damn day.”

While Watt might not be ready to return to the gridiron, he knows how to pump up fans entering the year. There are legitimate expectations for Houston to not only compete for a conference title but also potentially a Lombardi Trophy.

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Watt, who will debut on The NFL on CBS this Sunday, still hasn’t entirely ruled out returning for a Super Bowl run. His stance remains the same as it was back in May at his annual softball tournament: If the defensive line is missing talent, he’ll suit for DeMeco Ryans.

While he didn’t wear his essentially retired No. 99 jersey, Watt did don the new H-Town Blue shirt while getting Houston amped for its first matchup on Sunday against AFC South rival Indianapolis.

“We’re relentlessly focused on one thing: Building this foundation our way. But not only for this team,” Watt continued. “No, this is for all of H-Town. The heartbeat of this city is what drives this team forward each and every day. So now, it’s time to finally break that silence and make noise the only way we know how … on the damn field. H’s up, H-Town.”

Kickoff against the Colts is scheduled for noon. Their first home game is next Sunday night game against the Bears.

Is Pro Bowl OT Laremy Tunsil Texans’ most essential player in 2024?

According to Bleacher Report, the Houston Texans need Laremy Tunsil more than anyone else if they are to win the Super Bowl in 2024.

Since joining the Houston Texans in 2019, Laremy Tunsil has been to four Pro Bowls. 

He’s been one of the top pass protectors in four different offensive schemes. 

He’s also proven why he’s worth every cent of his three-year, $75 million extension as the blindside blocker for C.J. Stroud one year into the new era of Texans’ football.

But is the veteran left tackle Houston’s most essential player for success? According to Bleacher Report, his health could determine if the Texans can make a run for New Orleans in February or underachieve entering Year 2 under DeMeco Ryans. 

“Houston needs Tunsil to quickly get into midseason form, stay on the field and play like the dependable starter he has been in the past,” writes B/R’s Kristopher Knox. “Otherwise, the Texans may be forced to thrust rookie second-round pick Blake Fisher into the lineup, which would be far less than ideal.”

Fisher, a two-year starter at Notre Dame, is expected to be a long-term answer at right tackle, but might not be ready to start in Year 1. He’s shown upside in practice but was often overpowered in Saturday’s 28-10 win over the New York Giants when asked to face off against Pro Bowl outside linebacker Brian Burns. 

Tunsil, 30, is coming off a down season after allowing five sacks. He remains one of the top left tackles in the sport and could be cashing in on a new deal with a solid season at hand. 

One area he must show improvements in is run blocking. Houston struggled to move the ball on the ground last season, ranking 23rd overall in rushing offense. It’s been the glaring issue in training camp on the left side without Tunsil in the starting lineup. Running backs Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers have combined for 67 yards on 23 carries. 

Tunsil, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in February, is back at practice. He likely won’t play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams and that’s fine since Houston would rather have him ready for Week 1’s matchup against AFC South rival Indianapolis. 

Houston has a roster built to win a Super Bowl should Stroud build off his Offensive Rookie of the Year success. That starts with having ample protection against the pass rush. 

Do you know how water takes up over 70 percent of the world? Tunsil solves 70 percent of the pass protection problem for Houston in what could be one of the best seasons in franchise history. 

Don’t sleep on Ravens rookie pass rusher Adisa Isaac

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Adisa Issac picked up 7.5 sacks last season at Penn State.

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Adisa Isaac picked up 7.5 sacks last season at Penn State. Isaac will have the potential to be just as productive in the NFL for a franchise that has a history of developing defensive players.

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Issac knows that joining the Ravens is an honor. The endless support he will get from head coach John Harbaugh cannot be overstated.

Isaac will fit in perfectly with all-pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith signaling in defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s play calls.

Isaac is a physical edge rusher who can get sacks, and he will be needed to accommodate defensive end JaDaveon Clowney’s departure.

Youth and explosiveness may be the catalyst for defense, with newly drafted rookie defenders Issac and defensive back Nate Wiggins. Both players will get an entire summer to prepare for the biggest stage in their football careers.

Houston Texans rookie Kamari Lassiter continues to shine through minicamp

Kamari Lassiter might be the Houston Texans’ most improved player through the early stages of OTAs as a newly-acquired rookie.

For those wondering if the Houston Texans made the right call by drafting Kamari Lassiter with their first pick, his showcase Wednesday morning at practice might be an indication of the answer.

Lassiter, a three-year standout at Georgia, was recognized as the SWARM player of the day for his efforts in coverage during drills. Multiple times, C.J. Stroud targeted the second-round pick and walked back to the huddle with an incompletion.

The Texans’ social media account showed one of the reps where Lassiter broke up a pass intended for Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs. On Tuesday, he broke up a pair of passes intended for Robert Woods and John Metchie.

“What I have seen from Kamari is a guy that has been locked in since day one that he has gotten here he has been locked in,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He has done everything we have asked him to do. Kamari is a guy that doesn’t make the same mistake twice. He is very competitive, he is making plays, he is an instinctive player, and I think a lot of guys have been fired up to see what he has been able to do over the past couple of weeks.”

Drafted 42nd overall, Lassiter is expected to compete for first-team reps at both the nickel and boundary corner spots. So far, he’s lived up to the hype and carried his own with the first-team defense at both spots, so the question now turns to where he fits best.

During his time at Georgia, Lassiter saw most of his reps on the perimeter. As a freshman while helping the Bulldogs win their first national title in four decades, he saw extensive action inside as the team’s slot defender.

Last season, Lassiter allowed just one touchdown in coverage and broke up eight passes. Since moving the outside permanently, he allowed the fewest passing yards among FBS defensive backs.

“He’s electric,” defensive end Will Anderson Jr. said of Lassiter. “He’s another young guy we can’t wait to keep seeing grow. He can do great things for this defense and be a part of something special we have going on.”

Like the NFL’s reigning defensive rookie of the year, playing at a high-profile program like Georgia presents an understanding of what coaches look for at the next level. It’s not the only factor attributed to Lassiter’s rise, but it’s one Anderson believes has been essential in his growth.

“It’s that mentality coming over from the SEC. He gets it,” Anderson said. “He knows that now is the time. He doesn’t have to wait for nobody. He’s not scared to jump up in front of the line. He’s not scared to go make plays.
“He understands what we’re trying to do here.”

Ryans said Lassiter continues to trend upward. He might not be a full-time starter yet, but he continues to earn first-team reps entering the last days of practice before a month-long rest away from NRG Stadium.

“I am excited to see how he comes back and where he starts in training camp,” said Ryans.

The Texans return for the start of training camp on July 18.

Bears hint that Rome Odunze was No. 2 on their draft board

Bears assistant general manager Ian Cunningham may have revealed that Rome Odunze was the second-highest player on their draft board.

It’s been almost a month since the Chicago Bears made their five selections in the 2024 NFL Draft, but we are finally seeing how the sausage was made when it came to the process. On Thursday evening, the Bears released the latest installment of 1920 Football Drive, their video series that goes behind the scenes of the team throughout the year.

This latest episode focused on the draft and what led to them selecting quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round. Williams was always a certainty given the Bears had the No. 1 overall pick and had already done extensive work prior to the draft to get him up to speed, but Odunze was much more of a wild card. General manager Ryan Poles had to sweat it out while watching teams like the Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans pick ahead of them, hoping they would pass on the receiver.

They lucked into a surprise when the Atlanta Falcons selected quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the pick in front of them, leaving Odunze ripe for the taking. After making the selection, the front office celebrated, and assistant general manager Ian Cunningham made an interesting remark as he and Poles embraced in a hug. “Number one and number two player, though.”

Did Cunningham reveal that Odunze was No. 2 on the Bears’ draft board? It certainly seems that way. The Washington standout was a top-10 player according to most draft analysts, and a few, such as NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, had him as high as No. 3. Odunze was in the same class as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers, but his skillset and character fit what the Bears were looking for. Odunze led the FBS in receiving yards during the 2023 season with 1,640 yards and added 13 touchdowns for the Huskies during their run to the National Championship game.

It’s also possible the Bears omitted a player like Harrison, who was a near lock to go within the top-five picks and was selected at No. 4 overall. Still, Cunningham makes it sound like Odunze was always their top target going into the draft. His comment was made in the moment too, so there isn’t any sort of revisionist history after the fact. Based on the entire front office’s reaction when he fell into their lap, it’s quite believable. “We didn’t have to give up anything!” Poles remarked after the selection. “I can’t believe it,” head coach Matt Eberflus exclaimed.

The Bears seemingly found a way to land their two top players going into the draft with picks No. 1 and No. 9 and without needing to trade up. It’s a day that could be remembered for a long time if both Williams and Odunze reach their potential.

Bears announce dates for 2024 rookie minicamp

Caleb Williams’ first practice in a Bears uniform will be here before we know it.

Caleb Williams’ first time in a Bears uniform will be here sooner than you think. The Bears are set to hold their rookie minicamp from May 10–11, giving Williams, Rome Odunze, Kiran Amegadjie, Tory Taylor, and Austin Booker a chance to hit the practice field for the first time as professionals.

Joining the five players from this year’s draft class are numerous undrafted free agents, including Illinois standout defensive tackle Keith Randolph Jr. and Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed. A mix of signed players and invitees will hit the field, hoping to make a strong first impression. Undrafted free agents such as linebacker Jack Sanborn and quarterback Tyson Bagent used this opportunity to earn a spot on the 90-man roster, eventually becoming key contributors in the regular season.

For all the intrigue about the players who went undrafted, the spotlight will be on Williams and Odunze as they get their first official team reps together. Next weekend will hopefully be the start of a long connection in Chicago.

Kamari Lassiter gives high praise to Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud

New Houston Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter remembers C.J. Stroud’s coming out party against Georgia, and can’t wait to be his teammate instead of enemy in the AFC.

Before calling him a teammate in Houston, Kamari Lassiter knew C.J. Stroud as the enemy who had crossed into unauthorized territory. 

Lassiter, the Houston Texans second-round draft pick, was the anchor of a Georgia secondary hellbent on securing a second national title in as many seasons. Stroud, the Texans’ franchise quarterback and reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, was ready to bring Ohio State back to the championship for the first time since 2014. 

For three hours at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ohio State and Georgia battled it out in the College Football Playoff semifinal Peach Bowl. Lassiter and the Bulldogs secured the 42-41 victory after Buckeyes kicker Noah Ruggles missed a 50-yard field goal as time expired. 

Stroud, however, won the night by silencing the critics in his final college game. Lassiter, tasked with covering pass-catchers like Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Cade Stover, has a front-row seat to the premiere.

“C.J. Stroud gave us hell,” Lassiter said Friday evening after being selected 42nd overall. “I don’t remember too many passes hitting the ground. That was one of the few games where he truly didn’t have an answer for the quarterback.” 

Stroud was in a new element on New Year’s Eve, a prophecy to a new age in his career. He was elusive, trusting his feet to evade pressure from a defensive line with three future first-round picks. He was concise, looking for the “next play” rather than the home run ball. 

In Stroud’s finest moment for the Buckeyes, he delivered, tossing four touchdown passes while throwing for 348 yards. He completed nearly 68% of his passes and was near-perfect on third-down conversions. 

Football is a team sport and Stroud was playing as a one-man show in the game’s final 15 minutes. Marvin Harrison Jr. left after being hit in the head to be evaluated for a concussion and never returned. The Buckeyes were short-handed at receiver as eventual first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba elected to opt out before kickoff. 

Even then, Stroud remained steadfast, using his legs on the final two drives to set up field goal tries. The first one connected from 48 yards. 

The next went wide left with three seconds left. 

“We scraped out of there barely,” said Lassiter. 

Stroud’s 2022 ended in tragedy. His 2023 was filled with triumph. Houston made him its next franchise quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in April. Stroud rewarded their trust in him by becoming the fifth rookie in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in his first season. 

He also became the youngest quarterback to throw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in a playoff game, and the youngest passer since Mark Sanchez in 2009 to win a postseason matchup. 

Lassiter used to know Stroud as a passer he wanted to pick off. Now, he’ll hopefully be picking off passes to get the ball back in Stroud’s hands. 

WATCH: WR Rome Odunze gets the draft call from the Bears

The Bears made the call to Rome Odunze and they couldn’t be happier about landing the stud wide receiver.

The Chicago Bears knew they were going to be making a call to quarterback Caleb Williams during the 2024 NFL Draft. They weren’t as certain they would be doing the same to wide receiver Rome Odunze, but everyone seemed excited that they were able to make it happen.

Chicago made Odunze their choice at No. 9 overall, pairing him with Williams to give the offense two new cornerstones as they enter a new era of football. When the call was made to Odunze, general manager Ryan Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, and team president Kevin Warren all spoke to their newest player.

Poles kicked things off with a simple question: “You ready to roll?” he asked Odunze. “Oh yeah, let’s do it,” Odunze said. Poles says it’s going to be fun, and it’s hard to disagree with him.

When the phone got passed to Eberflus, he still seemed shocked that the Bears were able to land Odunze. “Can you believe this, man?” he said with a smile. “I could not believe that it worked out exactly like we said it would.” Eberflus mentioned how difficult it’s going to be for opposing defenses to stop him, DJ Moore, and Keenan Allen at the receiver position. “The trio of us? Oh, we’re going to make it happen now,” Odunze said.

Eberflus confirmed what Poles had said during Thursday night’s press conference: This was the plan all along. The Bears had a vision of pairing Williams and Odunze, and the plan worked to perfection. It wasn’t a surprise twist or a smokescreen. They wanted the top quarterback and one of the top wide receivers, something this organization hasn’t prioritized throughout its history.

Odunze is clearly excited to work with Williams and the other veteran wide receivers. This phone call is hopefully just the beginning of a long and prosperous career in Chicago.

Here’s why NFL Draft prospect Ray Davis deserve more acclaim

Amongst various talent in 2024 NFL Draft class, running back Ray Davis from the University of Kentucky definitely deserves more acclaim.

With all the talk about the superstar talent in the 2024 NFL Draft class, running back Ray Davis from the University of Kentucky definitely deserves more acclaim.

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After five seasons in the NCAA, Davis opted out of what would’ve been his final Bowl game with the Wildcats, and declared for the NFL Draft. Davis produced 21 total touchdowns last season, 14 rushing, and seven receiving. More impressively, Davis rushed for 1,129 yards on 199 carries in arguably the toughest NCAA division in football, the SEC. 

Nimble, swift, and stocky, Davis would be ideal for NFL teams looking for a feature back on passing downs. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.5, Davis isn’t the fastest on the field, but his consistency as both a pass-blocker and pass-catcher do more than make him serviceable. Davis produced a season high 280 rushing yards versus the Florida Gators on Sep. 9, the only game last season where he featured a volume higher than 22 carries.

Davis passes the eye-test and was ranked at No. 6 on PFF’s best running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft class list. Hopefully, NFL scouts find a place for Davis, even if they aren’t sold on him in the Draft.