Tag: Training Camp

Texans at a crossroads with roster cuts regarding receiver room

The Houston Texans have a good problem on their hands regarding the wide receiver room.

By Tuesday at 3 p.m., the Houston Texans will have finalized their 53-man roster for the 2024 season.

By 3:01 p.m. Tuesday, 31 other franchises could be in line to land a starting-caliber receiver thanks to the depth among Houston’s pass-catchers.

“I feel really good about the room that we have,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. “Of course, the top three guys that we have are all big-time playmakers. But all the other guys have stepped up and made plays at some point.”

Last season’s seventh-ranked passing attack received a jolt in the offseason with the acquisition of four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. He’ll take over as a primary target opposite proven weapons like Nico Collins and Tank Dell for C.J. Stroud’s arsenal.

Depth players like John Metchie III and Xavier Hutchinson pushed to see more playing time. They fought throughout practice to prove their value beyond being secondary roleplayers.

Metchie, a former second-round pick out of Alabama, finished with 11 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. He constantly won routes at the line of scrimmage and found avenues for first-down pickups.

Hutchinson, a 2023 sixth-round pick from Iowa State, might have been every quarterback’s security blanket after leading the team in receptions (12) and receiving yards (114) in four games.

“[You] talk about guys like Xavier Hutchinson, just seeing the progress he’s made from year one to year two,” Ryans said. “It’s been pretty cool to see his growth and see his development.”

Metchie missed his entire rookie season as he was battling leukemia. He played seldom during the 2023 season as his body was working back to full speed through the recovery process.

Teams are interested in the former Alabama star with two years of roster control left on his current contract. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams have inquired to see if Metchie was available through trade since Houston’s best position is receiver.

The Texans don’t seem coy to pull a move yet as they finalize the rest of their roster. And with Diggs only in Houston on a one-year deal, Metchie could be considered the favorite to start in 2025 while being the first man off the bench this fall.

What could separate Metchie and Hutchinson from others is their value on speical teams. Both played over 30 percent of snaps during the preseason and can offer experience in various roles.

Ryans said Monday that special teams are essential to roster cutdown since backups will play a significant number of snaps on their units. The difference between making a roster and hitting free agency could be how they fit into specific speical team roles.

“Sometimes that’s a huge determinator in winning and losing games is that field position battle,” Ryans said. “So you need guys who can really step up on special teams and not just be a placeholder as an emergency guy or a depth filler. That guy has to add value on our special teams.”

Steven Sims, Ben Skowronek, Quintez Cephus, Johnny Johnson III and Noah Brown come with experience on speical teams. Robert Woods offers a more veteran presence in the huddle and is under contract for this season.

Should Houston part ways with both Brown and Woods for younger pieces like Hutchinson and Metchie, it would cost nearly $15 million in dead cap space. Should the Texans trade the two veterans, the asking price could be at the minimum given their current contracts.

Three spots remain for eight receivers still alive. The math is simple: Houston, at most, will keep five and stow two away on the practice squad.

Metchie isn’t clearing waivers. Neither is Hutchinson.

Even if both are released, Ryans considers this decision a rigorous but understandable choice.

“When you have as many guys as we have, it’s a really good problem and I’m definitely excited about the group,” said Ryans.

A.T. Perry led the NFL in preseason receiving yards

Here’s the final tally. New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry led the NFL with 176 receiving yards across three preseason games:

Take a bow, A.T. Perry. The NFL announced Monday that the New Orleans Saints wide receiver led the league with 176 receiving yards across three preseason games, just ahead of  Los Angeles Chargers wideout Simi Fehoko (170). The former Wake Foreset wideout is a gamer.

He needed to make some plays in these exhibition games after struggling to string together good days of practice at Saints training camp. Perry had too many dropped passes and quiet days in Irvine in-between leaping grabs worthy of the highlight reel. It wasn’t the consistent, productive growth his  coaches hoped to see. And charting from NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill found that Perry caught just one ball from Derek Carr in team drills all throughout camp. That’s concerning.

But there’s a lot to be said for turning it on when playing under the bright lights. There aren’t many receivers who weigh in at 6-foot-3 and 198 pounds who can run 40 yards in just 4.47 seconds, and of those who can only a few match Perry’s body control and concentration on tough catches. He’s got a rare combination of size, speed, and skill. Pro Football Focus charting says he dropped just one pass on 13 targets.

Is that enough to keep Perry on the roster? Probably, but we’ll just have to see how the coaches feel about their receiving corps. Other players like Equanimeous St. Brown have been more steady presences at practice while getting looks ahead of Perry in the preseason games. He’s someone to watch as roster cuts are filed ahead of Tuesday’s deadline and in the days that follow when the depth chart continues to take shape.

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B/R says Saints should move on from D’Marco Jackson at roster cuts

There’s only so many roster spots in the Saints locker room, and Bleacher Report argues D’Marco Jackson is the odd man out at linebacker:

Every NFL team must finish roster cuts by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The New Orleans Saints’ final preseason game wrapped up on Sunday and for many players it was also their final audition.

There were 91 players on the roster for Saints training camp but only 53 will make the final roster. Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon says when Tuesday rolls around, the Saints should move on from D’Marco Jackson at linebacker:

D’Marco Jackson has faced a dilemma all summer: New Orleans signed Willie Gay, drafted Jaylan Ford and lost no major contributor at linebacker. Without a surge, Jackson would be a cut candidate. Entering the final preseason game, nothing has changed.

This doesn’t even mention the progress of Anfernee Orji or the pickup of veteran free agent Khaleke Hudson. Orji has likely snagged that first spot behind the starting unit. He impressed during last week’s matchup versus the 49ers and has had a good camp. Demario Davis, Pete Werner, and Willie Gay are safe. Ford has been dealing with an injury and could start the season on injured reserve. But the Saints typically roster five linebackers with another backup or two on the practice squad.

One thing that bodes well for Jackson is he’s a strong special teams player. That being said, he is currently dealing with an injury, and that may have made a difference. Poor timing can’t be helped. We’ll see whether the Saints ultimately keep five or six linebackers when roster cuts go through on Tuesday afternoon.

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Saints’ Jake Haener vs. Spencer Rattler battle takes center stage vs. Titans

Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler will take all the snaps on Sunday as their battle comes to a close. The backup quarterbacks are taking center stage:

Jake Haener versus Spencer Rattler was the biggest battle heading into New Orleans Saints training camp, and it has remained closely contested the entire time.

With Derek Carr sitting out the preseason finale, the stage is set for Haener and Rattler to decide who will start the season second on the depth chart. For the first time this preseason, both quarterback will get an equal amount of time.

Who comes out with the starting unit will tell a story of who is ahead at the beginning of the game. The Saints could play both quarterbacks early, but each guy getting their own half is the most likely strategy the Saints will deploy.

With this strategy, the first quarterback on the field gets reps with other players higher on the depth chart. One could equate this to being higher in the pecking order. That’s just a sign of the order going into the game. This battle is still up in the air.

One thing that isn’t typically discussed is this preseason isn’t the end of the battle between Haener and Rattler. In 2024, this battle is for Carr’s understudy. However, this battle long-term is for who has the best chance to be the Saints future franchise quarterback.

Winning the battle puts you closer to starting this year. This time next year we very well could see Haener and Rattler going at it again.

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View the Broncos’ roster for preseason finale vs. Cards

Here is the Broncos’ roster for their preseason finale against the Cardinals today.

Welcome back, Denver Broncos football!

After defeating the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers in their first two preseason games, the Broncos are now set to host the Arizona Cardinals in their preseason finale on Sunday afternoon.

Denver did not make any transactions this week, so the roster is unchanged from last week. Here’s where things stand going into the final week of preseason.

Denver Broncos 90-man offseason roster

Name Position Number
Jarrett Stidham QB 8
Bo Nix QB 10
Zach Wilson QB 4
Javonte Williams RB 33
Samaje Perine RB 25
Jaleel McLaughlin RB 38
Audric Estime RB 37
Blake Watson RB 43
Tyler Badie RB 36
Michael Burton FB 20
Nate Adkins FB/TE 45
Greg Dulcich TE 80
Adam Trautman TE 82
Lucas Krull TE 85
Thomas Yassmin (IPP) TE 86
Hunter Kampmoyer TE 84
Courtland Sutton WR 14
Marvin Mims WR 19
Josh Reynolds WR 11
Troy Franklin WR 16
Tim Patrick WR 12
Devaughn Vele WR 81
Lil’Jordan Humphrey WR 17
Brandon Johnson WR 89
Jalen Virgil  WR 15
Phillip Dorsett WR 13
David Sills WR 87
Michael Bandy WR 83
Mike McGlinchey OT 69
Garett Bolles OT 72
Frank Crum OT 73
Alex Palczewski OT 63
Matt Peart OT 79
Demontrey Jacobs OT 71
Will Sherman OT/G 78
Oliver Jervis OT 64
Quinn Meinerz G 77
Ben Powers G 74
Nick Gargiulo G/C 66
Calvin Throckmorton G 76
Luke Wattenberg C/G 60
Alex Forsyth C 54
Sam Mustipher C 61
Zach Allen DE 99
John Franklin-Myers DE 98
D.J. Jones DL 93
Malcolm Roach DL 97
Angelo Blackson DL 90
Matt Henningsen DL 91
Elijah Garcia DL 95
Eyioma Uwazurike DL 96
Jordan Jackson DL 94
Jordan Miller DL 68
Baron Browning OLB 5
Jonathon Cooper OLB 0
Nik Bonitto OLB 42
Jonah Elliss OLB 52
Drew Sanders (PUP) OLB 41
Thomas Incoom OLB 59
Dondrea Tillman OLB 92
Alex Singleton ILB 49
Cody Barton ILB 55
Jonas Griffith ILB 50
Justin Strnad ILB 40
Levelle Bailey ILB 56
Andre Smith ILB 23
Durell Nchami LB 53
Alec Mock LB 57
Pat Surtain CB 2
Ja’Quan McMillian CB 29
Riley Moss CB 21
Damarri Mathis CB 27
Levi Wallace CB 39
Kris Abrams-Draine CB 31
Tremon Smith CB 1
Art Green CB 28
Reese Taylor CB 35
Quinton Newsome CB 36
Kaleb Hayes DB 46
Devon Key DB 26
Tanner McCalister DB 30
Keidron Smith DB 43
Brandon Jones S 22
P.J. Locke S 6
Delarrin Turner-Yell (PUP) S 32
JL Skinner S 34
Omar Brown S 45
Wil Lutz K 3
Riley Dixon P 9
Trenton Gill P 47
Mitchell Fraboni LS 48

Notes: Drew Sanders (Achilles) and Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) are currently on the physically unable to perform list. As part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, tight end Thomas Yassmin does not count against the 90-man roster limit. If he makes the practice squad this year, he also would not count against that 16-player limit.

The Broncos have to trim the roster down to 53 players by Aug. 27. After finalizing an active roster, Denver can build a 16- or 17-player practice squad. We will track all of the team’s roster moves on Broncos Wire.

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Saints to sit Derek Carr and ‘a significant number of starters’ vs. Titans

Most of the Saints’ starters, including Derek Carr, will sit out the preseason finale. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener take center stage:

Many New Orleans Saints starters will sit out the team’s preseason finale versus the Tennessee Titans. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reported Saturday afternoon that Derek Carr and “a significant number of starters” will rest this last exhibition game.

The way that sounds is the majority of starters will sit out, unless they’re fighting for a roster spot. Expect Trevor Penning to play because he needs the reps, and this week of training camp shows he’s competing with Oli Udoh at right tackle. Taliese Fuaga may sit, because his spot is solidified and to continue resting his back.

Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener will both get two quarters to play. This is the main event of the Saints’ biggest training camp battle. With Carr sitting out, it makes sense to give the young quarterbacks an even amount of time. This is something they haven’t been given in either of the first two games.

Other starters who will likely play are Will Harris and Johnathan Abram. Those two are fighting for the starting strong safety spot. The kicker battle between Charlie Smyth and Blake Grupe will also be a fun one. Neither man saw much work against the San Francisco 49ers last week, so hopefully that changes Sunday.

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Payton Turner’s toe injury flared up again at Saints practice this week

Payton Turner’s toe injury flared up again at Saints practice this week. He’s playing through pain to prove he belongs:

Payton Turner’s toe injury flared up again at New Orleans Saints training camp this week, taking the defensive end out of practice early. It was the second time in as many weeks where Turner’s injury became a problem. And he returned to a full day of reps the next day just like the week before. But this may be something Turner and the Saints medical staff have to manage throughout his time in black and gold.

He’s playing through pain to prove he belongs. It’s not like Turner stubbed his toe or something negligible. He tore a ligament in his foot last year that required surgery and an extensive rehab, and it’s still bothering him. It’s really unfortunate for a player who is working so hard to help his team and salvage his career be slowed down by something outside his control like this.

So what’s to be done? Expect more occasional rest days for Turner throughout the season to help mitigate the weight and stress being put on his surgically-repaired foot. That’s the approach the team has taken with other players battling long-lasting injuries in the past, like Ryan Ramczyk’s degenerative knee condition. But we’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully Turner can continue to play and fight for snaps in the rotation at defensive end behind Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Cameron Jordan.

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Chris Olave embracing run blocking: ‘Trying to add more to what I can do’

Run blocking is new to Chris Olave, but it’s something he was looking to add to his game. It’s all about being a good teammate:

Going into the offseason, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave wanted to become a better blocker. When the Saints hired Klint Kubiak to spearhead an offensive change, Olave’s interest fit into an important part of the Saints’ new philosophy on offense.

Look at Kubiak’s most recent home, the San Francisco 49ers. From Brandon Aiyuk to Jauan Jennings, receivers block.

Emphasizing run blocking is new to Olave, but he says “It’s been good. I’m not used blocking. I’m used to catching the ball, running the ball, scoring touchdowns, but that ain’t really been working for us in the winning column.” For the wide receiver, it all comes down to being a good teammate and “Trying to add more to what I can do.”

Olave is on the mission to add more to his skillset to impact the game in multiple ways. That includes when the ball is in the runner’s hands. This would inherently would keep him on the field in nearly every situation.

He spent the time in the weight room for this exact reason, installing a home gym and picking up a new weightlifting regimen to help improve his play strength. Olave emphasized this is something he wanted to do after last season. That’s good to hear because that desire will lead to willingness as a blocker opposed to him simply going through the motions. They say willingness is half the battle, and he’s already won that.

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What were the Titans’ quarterbacks final numbers during training camp?

A look at how each of Tennessee’s quarterbacks performed throughout training camp.

The Tennessee Titans headed into training camp knowing Will Levis was their starting quarterback. Every move Tennessee made in the offseason, from hiring head coach Brian Callahan to signing receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd in free agency to upgrading the offensive line, the Titans are all-in on Levis.

A new regime also meant that Tennessee would likely look for a different backup quarterback. Malik Willis struggled during his first two seasons, and neither the current general manager (Ran Carthon) nor Callahan drafted him.

Another move Tennessee made was signing veteran quarterback Mason Rudolph. Rudolph gave the Titans some protection in case Levis was injured or struggled. Rudolph started 13 games throughout five seasons in Pittsburgh.

While it appeared Tennessee signed Rudolph as a backup, Callahan made it clear that Rudolph and Willis were competing for the job. The two have played well this summer, but Rudolph has certainly looked like the experienced veteran.

How have all three quarterbacks performed in training camp?

Jim Wyatt of Titans Online was present every day of training camp and has the final stats for all three quarterbacks during team periods, 7-on-7 drills, and the two joint practices with the Seahawks.

Will Levis – 159-of-245 overall (64.9%), with 8 interceptions (53-of-76 in 7-on-7, 106-of-169 in team periods)

Mason Rudolph – 125-of-157 overall (79.6%), with 2 interceptions (38-of-47 in 7-on-7, 87-of-110 in team periods)

Malik Willis – 90-of-139 overall (64.7%), with 4 interceptions (29-of-45 in 7-on-7, 61-of-91 in team periods)

It’s important to note that Levis often went against Tennessee’s first-team defense.

A quick look at Levis’s stats shows eight interceptions. However, it’s important to remember that Levis is entering his second NFL season with nine career starts.

Demario Davis praises Anfernee Orji’s growth: ‘He’s done an incredible job’

Anfernee Orji has taken a step up from his rookie year, and it’s caught the eye of Demario Davis: ‘He’s done an incredible job’

The New Orleans Saints picked up Anfernee Orji as an undrafted free agent last year and was retained through the year. The opportunity has presented itself for Orji to move up the depth chart this offseason and he has taken advantage.

After the Big 3 of Demario Davis, Pete Werner and Willie Gay, it’s wide open at linebacker. Nephi Sewell is still out with an injury, and Orji has been performing like a prime candidate for the role of a backup and key special teams contributor.

Orji was one of the stars of the Saints’ second preseason game, receiving one of the highest Pro Football Focus player ratings. That improvement has been recognized by Davis, the leader of the defense.

Davis compared what he’s seen of Orji this year versus last year: “I think it’s been as much improvement as you can have in a player. … You saw it in flashes of what he potentially could be. He’s done an incredible job of not only putting in the work but letting it transfer into his game.”

Consistency has been the key difference to Davis, and it will continue to be the key. Davis believes Orji has a high ceiling if he can continue to put together the quality of practices and games he has done this year. Orji’s last hurdle lies ahead on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans in their final preseason game.

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