Three Things Texas QB Arch Manning Must Prove Before The 2027 NFL Draft

Texas quarterback Arch Manning enters his redshirt junior season as the most celebrated and scrutinized quarterback in the country and thus is the most intriguing NFL prospect. But he's not a shoo-in to be the No. 1 overall pick of the 2027 NFL Draft. There is no denying Manning’s appeal. He’s supremely talented, boasting an ideal blend of size, arm talent and mobility with the Hall of Fame bloodlines every QB-needy NFL franchise would seemingly love to build its team around. But is it as simple as Manning, whose 2026 season kicks off Saturday against Texas State, "just staying healthy" before earning the distinction of being the top pick next spring? To put it bluntly, no. In a class this gifted, no one can afford to simply rest on their résumé. Not Manning nor Ohio State phenom receiver Jeremiah Smith nor any of the top QBs. But, if Manning can improve in three particular areas, I believe he will follow in his famous uncles’ footsteps and hear his name called first on draft day. 1. Improve In The Quick Game Like most quarterbacks drawing attention from NFL scouts, Manning will ultimately get drafted because of his ability to accurately throw the football long distances. It is easy to assume that if a quarterback is accurate on longer passes, he’ll also be precise on shorter throws. That was not the case with Manning last year, however. In fact, he was arguably at his worst on the shortest throws — a flaw that simply must be corrected if he is to earn an early first-round selection next spring. The so-called quick game — i.e. slants, bubble screens, pop passes — is as fundamental to the modern era of football as shooting 3-pointers is to modern basketball. These routes have gained importance in recent years with today’s elite pass-rushers and all the exotic scheming and blitzing done to pressure quarterbacks immediately. Signal-callers absolutely must be able to get the ball in and out of their hands efficiently. When operating out of the shotgun — as Manning typically did in 2025 — quarterbacks are taught to first secure the snap and then simultaneously turn their feet in the direction of the intended receiver while spinning the ball to allow their fingers to grip the laces. Once the ball is comfortably in their grasp, a quick, strong throw should be out long before the pass rush has any chance to get home. Experienced quarterbacks can make these throws seem like little more than extended handoffs, collecting and distributing in one fluid motion. Manning is as quick as you’ll see in this regard. In fact, he’s quicker than most. However, his technique was off and therefore so was his accuracy. Manning didn’t consistently pair his upper and lower body last season, failing to either grip the laces or turn his feet properly (or both), resulting in the ball spraying erratically. These issues were further exacerbated by a sloppy sidearm release that left potential pass-catchers struggling to pick up the ball in flight. With less distance for the ball to cover, receivers had a hard time locating and corralling throws that came in at the head or knee level just as often as they did near the chest, as intended. Manning’s inconsistent accuracy forced receivers to adjust, contributing to a whopping 22 charted drops by Texas receivers, per PFF. It also disrupted opportunities to create yards after the catch. Fortunately, this is a coachable skill that a lot of young quarterbacks struggle with. Manning did improve in this area over the course of last season, eventually showing both greater poise and precision. I expect he will be even better in his second year as the Longhorns’ starter. 2. Work Through His Progressions Better Too often last year, Manning stared down his primary target and either tried to throw him open or resorted to scrambling. While he was fairly successful at improvising, the competition will be much better in the NFL. It is difficult to convey Manning’s struggles in this area with statistics, but consider this: Per Pro Football Focus, Manning had 10 passes batted down at the line of scrimmage last year. Of all the quarterbacks selected in the NFL Draft in April, only fellow first-year starter Ty Simpson had this many throws knocked down — and that's with the 6-foot-1 Simpson attempting 69 more passes at Alabama last year than the 6-foot-4 Manning did for Texas. It is the same story if we compare Manning to the rest of this year’s loaded quarterback class. There were four other quarterbacks to make the first round in my way-too-early 2027 mock draft from April, and none of them cracked double-digits in this category. The same goes for Notre Dame’s CJ Carr (four), Miami’s Darian Mensah (seven) and Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker (eight), who are also receiving first-round buzz heading into this season. Now, just as Manning's receivers deserve some of the criticism for the aforementioned drops, at least partial blame for batted down passes belongs to his blockers. But Manning greatly contributed to these deflections at the line of scrimmage by too often telegraphing his throws. This allowed rushers to time their leaps and, sometimes, tip his passes for their teammates to potentially intercept. Part of Manning’s appeal to NFL teams is his prototypical height and lightning-quick release. Frankly, there is only one excuse for a quarterback of Manning’s size and arm talent to have this many passes knocked down in Steve Sarkisian’s shotgun-based offense, and that is inexperience. NFL teams will forgive Manning’s "rookie mistakes" if they were, indeed, just that. But to be the No. 1 overall pick next spring, Manning must prove he can scan the entire field, efficiently moving from his primary target to second or third options while protecting the ball. 3. Just Win, Baby (Including On The Road) Fans would be amazed at how much value NFL teams place on wins as a starting QB. It isn’t that professional scouts fail to recognize the impact that a leaky defense, turnovers by others or a porous offensive line might play in determining the outcome of a game. They know that football is the ultimate team sport and, while quarterback is the most important position on the field, he’s still just one of 22 players in a given play. But a QB meriting strong consideration for a first-round pick — especially No. 1 overall — must demonstrate the ability to uplift his teammates. Never mind the Heisman hype; he simply needs to be great when the lights shine brightest. Manning will surely be under that spotlight (and microscope) while trying to lead a Texas program to its first national title in 21 years. A lot of Fernando Mendoza’s skeptics quieted down last year once he guided the Indiana Hoosiers past Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, much less past Alabama, Oregon (for a second time) and Miami in the College Football Playoff. Mendoza completed 70.0% of his passes with 10 touchdowns against just two interceptions in those five games. For the year, he completed 72.0% of his throws with 41 touchdowns against six interceptions. In other words, his performance was largely the same all year long, regardless of opponent. Now contrast that with Manning, who was picked off in all three of Texas’ losses last year and completed 58.8% of his passes against Oregon, Florida and Georgia with a 4:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio. (It is worth noting that each of those losses came on the road.) He threw 22 touchdowns with just three interceptions while completing 62.2% of his passes in his 10 other starts. Manning won’t have many opportunities this fall to slay any perceived road demons, at least not during the regular season, making his performance in a select few contests that much more important. Only three games on the Longhorns' schedule — at Tennessee, at Missouri and at LSU — are outside the state of Texas. That's not to say UT's schedule will be comfortable, however. Matchups against fellow preseason top-10 teams such as Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Ole Miss are sure to challenge Manning and Co. How he responds will not only define the 2026 Longhorns but very likely the top of the 2027 NFL Draft.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/2BlrEFP

Colts GM Chris Ballard Rips NFL Players Returning To College: ‘Stupidest’ Thing Ever

A slew of lawsuits clearing the way for waived NFL players to re-enter college football has sent shockwaves across the sport. Reaction first poured in from top college coaches like LSU’s Lane Kiffin, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and Oregon's Dan Lanning. Now, NFL executives are joining the fray, led by Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who didn't mince words when asked for his thoughts by reporters on Tuesday. "No, that’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard," Ballard said. "Your entire life, you fight to get up to the NFL. OK, but now we’re gonna go back? That makes a lot of freakin’ sense." The Colts' 53-man roster is locked in with no players attempting a return to college. Meanwhile, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Jack Pyburn tried heading back to LSU before the Kansas City Chiefs stepped in to claim him off waivers. While he was one of the biggest names publicly expressing interest in playing for Kiffin, he won't be heading back to LSU after all. Instead, he stayed in the NFL after putting together a dominant preseason for the Buccaneers, where he recorded four sacks in three games. After being waived during the NFL preseason, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright attempted to return to college football to play for Kiffin at LSU. As of now, their eligibility is caught in a legal battle over a new SEC policy. The SEC’s new policy bans certain former pros from returning to college sports, threatening severe penalties for programs like LSU that break the rule. It’s a move that highlights just how chaotic this entire situation has become. Public scrutiny surrounding Kiffin and LSU's portal moves has yet to shake the locker room. Starting tight end Trey'Dez Green is embracing the added talent and told reporters that he’s staying focused on whatever helps the team win, even if it means sharing reps with Wright. Ballard is the first NFL general manager to speak out so bluntly, but when Rams coach Sean McVay was asked about NFL players returning to college last week he said: "I feel like I took a freakin' gummy."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/7RxWKMZ

Rams Are Super Bowl Favorites, But Historical Betting Trend Says Beware

The Los Angeles Rams have had just about the perfect offseason. After coming up just short in a heartbreaking NFC Championship Game loss to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks, the Rams have gone all in once again. Los Angeles acquired reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade that sent Jared Verse and three draft picks to Cleveland. The Rams then acquired Super Bowl-winning cornerback Trent McDuffie for their 2026 first-round pick, before capping off the offseason by bringing franchise sack leader Aaron Donald back from retirement. Sheesh. And it's not like the Rams were far away before those additions. Los Angeles was arguably the second-best team in the NFL last season, losing twice in Seattle by a combined five points. The Rams also had one of the league's most dominant offenses, leading the NFL in scoring (30.5 PPG), total offense (394.6 YPG), net passing offense (268.1 YPG), passing touchdowns (46), total first downs (396) and fewest sacks allowed (23). They also ranked seventh in rushing offense (126.6 YPG, 4.63 YPC) and fourth in fewest giveaways (15). Now, that team adds arguably the best defensive player in football in Garrett, one of the league's top cornerbacks in McDuffie, and one of the greatest defensive players of the past decade in Donald, who helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl title four years ago. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. With a loaded roster comes massive expectations, and the betting market has taken notice. Heading into Week 1, the Rams are clear favorites at +500 to lift the Lombardi Trophy in their home stadium in February. The Seahawks and Bills have the next-best odds at +1100, a remarkably wide gap considering the regular season hasn't even begun. That should be a great sign for a Los Angeles team that has gone all in, right? Well, history tells a much different story. According to senior sports betting analyst Ben Fawkes, over the past 30 years, the preseason Super Bowl favorite has entered the season at +500 or shorter odds 20 times. Those teams went 0-for-20. According to Sports Odds History, here's the full list: 2024: KC +5002021: KC +4502020: KC +4502019: NE +4002017: NE +2752015: SEA +4502014: SEA +4502011: NE +5002009: NE +4502008: NE +3502007: NE +2502005: IND/NE/PHI +5002004: PHI +5002002: STL +3502001: STL +4002000: STL +3001999: MIN +4501998: GB +2501997: GB +2501996: SF +250 The Rams certainly look like a Super Bowl favorite on paper, but if they are going to finish the job in 2026, they'll have to buck a betting trend that has held up for three decades. So, can Los Angeles finally break the curse? Let's check out the Rams' full 2026 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook as of Sept. 1.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/KJ2OuTZ

Ranking The 10 Best 2027 NFL Draft Prospects — Who Aren't Quarterbacks

No one knows for sure how things might change during the upcoming college football season, but early indications are that the 2027 NFL Draft will be the strongest in years. Quarterbacks — such as Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore and Ohio State's Julian Sayin — have dominated the early buzz because, well, they’re quarterbacks brimming with talent and potential. But the beauty of next year's draft class is that it could offer several franchise-altering prospects at other positions, as well. I’ve ranked the top 10 non-QBs heading into the season and, as you’d expect, all of them have a realistic chance at being a first-round pick next spring. Frankly, the top seven players would have been selected on Day 1 this year. As a bonus, I've included a pro comparison for each prospect. Grading offensive linemen is more about fit and grit than analytics, but Green checks in with the numbers that even a stat geek can appreciate. The 6-foot-5, 324-pounder is a three-year starter dating back to his true freshman season at Oklahoma. He allowed just two sacks in 751 pass drops last year, his first at the premium left tackle position after spending his first two seasons inside at left guard, where he routinely delivered pancake blocks. Green is a talented pass blocker, as well as a spark plug in the running game. He gains impressive depth in his kick-slide and has the lateral agility and core strength to handle counters. I’m eager to see if he is even smoother in Year 2 at tackle. Between his girth, grip-strength, competitiveness and previous experience at guard, Green should offer his future NFL team plenty of roster flexibility. Pro comp: Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills Lacy went from a backup at Missouri to leading the entire country with 24 rushing touchdowns at Ole Miss last year. He is sudden and slippery, consistently zipping around and past would-be tacklers. His elusiveness generates plenty of highlight-reel worthy plays, but Lacy is also quite effective in short yardage, showing impressive leg drive, balance through contact and sheer determination to grind out the tough yards, too. Along with his frequent trips to the end zone, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder led the nation with 335 touches in 2025. There is no denying that Lacy was aided by the creative playcalling of former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. With Kiffin now in Baton Rouge, scouts are curious to see if Lacy can duplicate his remarkable sophomore campaign. Pro comp: TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots Robinson wasn’t quite as flashy as the aforementioned Lacy last year, but he was close, earning FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors with four interceptions, tying for tops in the talent-rich SEC. Robinson is every bit the athletic phenom you’d expect as a former five-star recruit out of IMG Academy. He has a tight, low backpedal and easy hip turn to track receivers downfield, showing impressive balance and burst out of his breaks and legitimate recovery speed when necessary. He’s also a surprisingly scrappy tackler. A rarity for a young cornerback, Robinson’s hands might be even better than his feet. Robinson can get a bit grabby downfield, but refs often let him compete because he locates the ball well, showing impressive hand-eye coordination to either catch it himself or rake it out of the hands of the intended receiver at the final moment. Interceptions against state rival Georgia Tech and this one versus Charlotte show Robinson’s rare body control and extension to make tough grabs look easy. Pro comp: Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams With all due respect to star quarterback Dante Moore, Washington is both literally and figuratively the biggest reason why Oregon has a chance to match Indiana from a year ago and win its first national championship in program history. He is the centerpiece of arguably the best defensive line in college football. Washington would have been a first-round pick last year but was one of several Ducks who chose to stay north for one more winter rather than migrate to the NFL. He is surprisingly quick and agile for someone listed at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, and he already possesses NFL power, stacking and discarding would-be blockers like paper plates at a summer barbeque. And just ask No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza about Washington’s bull rush. Pro comp: Kenny Clark, Dallas Cowboys If you thought the hype built up around Arch Manning last year was intense, just wait until this season, with the Longhorns set to stampede for a national title and dominate the first round of the 2027 draft. Coleman — the first of three Longhorns in this article — was lured to Austin from Auburn, where he caught a combined 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns over his first two seasons, despite a limited supporting cast. The stats on Coleman are good, but the tape is even better. He is already an established playmaker whose film screams first-round pick. His star could shine from another galaxy, however, now that he's working with Manning and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, one of the best offensive minds in the sport at any level. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Coleman has the size and athleticism of a future No. 1 NFL receiver. He is an effortless mover who accelerates in a flash and changes directions fluidly. Better yet, he offers exceptional body control and sticky hands to make acrobatic catches even with defenders draped over him. Pro comp: George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys Cornerback is not universally regarded as one of the premium positions by NFL teams. Otherwise, Moore might rank even higher on this list, as his profile is spectacular. He is coming off of a unanimous All-American campaign as a true sophomore in which he recorded five interceptions and was a finalist for not only the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, but the Bronko Nagurski Award as the best overall defender in college football. Listed at 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, Moore has intimidating size for a cornerback. He has a smooth turning motion, seamlessly transitioning out of his backpedal into full gallop. He locates the ball well for a young player, instantly reading underneath routes and showing impressive downhill quickness to trigger back toward the quarterback. Moore has broken up and/or intercepted more passes (25) than he has allowed first downs (23) over his first two seasons of college football, and he's also a physical hitter, having forced three fumbles. These numbers are all the more impressive when considering Notre Dame often asked him to travel with the opponents’ top receiver, including playing out of the nickel. Pro comp: Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots No disrespect to former Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. — the No. 9 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2025 — but the Longhorns might have upgraded with the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Goosby succeeding Banks at left tackle. Pro Football Focus pinned three sacks (out of 492 reps in pass protection) on Goosby last year, but I don’t know that he was truly at fault for any of them. His tape was as clean as any blocker in the 2026 draft, and remember, there were nine blockers drafted in the first round this past spring. Goosby is still just growing into his body, but he already moves with such an exciting combination of grace and force that it is easy to project him as a future Pro Bowler, if not All-Pro. He eases off the snap in pass protection, sliding laterally and keeping himself square to the rusher. Goosby surges low and hard as a run blocker, as well, showing impressive bend, balance and power to move defenders in the running game. Pro comp: Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders Stewart promises to be one of the most scrutinized non-quarterbacks of this draft class because he is remarkably gifted yet has not generated the eye-popping production his talent portends. He checks in at a prototypical 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, with long arms, which he already effectively uses to lock out and shed would-be blockers, as well as lasso ballcarriers from behind. As a pass-rusher, Stewart is sudden off the snap and has excellent core flexibility to dip under the reach of offensive tackles, greasing the edge and closing in a flash. He’s recorded 11.5 sacks over his first two seasons of SEC football, but his frequent pressures suggest his production could be twice that. Stewart’s blend of size and athleticism are exciting build blocks. He’s already quite strong and is technically sound with some refined pass rush techniques. He’s just growing into his frame and game, projecting as a future All-Pro caliber edge. Pro comp: Robert Quinn (retired) Similar in many ways to 2026 No. 5 overall selection Arvel Reese, Simmons is a malleable monster capable of starring off the edge or as an off-ball linebacker. He is as swift on the perimeter as any rusher in this class, accelerating off the ball like a receiver getting into his route. He isn’t just explosive, he’s flexible, slithering his way through waves of blockers. Watch his anticipation on this snap. The quarterback (and left tackle) had no chance. Moreover, Simmons is shockingly strong at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. Like all great speed rushers, Simmons generates impressive power with the momentum he gains off his rush, often bulldozing through blockers nearly 100 pounds larger. He has recorded 21 sacks over his first two seasons — despite starting just 13 games. Simmons’ physical gifts are undeniable and will almost certainly earn him a top-five selection whenever he chooses to enter the draft. He isn’t a prospect without flaws, however. He’s been penalized a dozen times in just two collegiate seasons, with most of his penalties coming from mental errors, such as lining up in the neutral zone or unnecessary late hits on the quarterback. Even with the occasional hiccup, Simmons has the look of a future franchise cornerstone. Pro comp: Von Miller, Dallas Cowboys It is difficult to discuss Smith and not venture into hyperbole. Ohio State’s track record for producing superstar NFL wide receivers has been well documented and Smith’s production over his first two years in Columbus is unprecedented even among them. His 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns during his first two seasons on campus aren't just records for an Ohio State receiver; they top all pass-catchers in Big Ten history. Along with current and future Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Derrick Henry, Myles Garrett and Penei Sewell, Smith is one of a handful of players I’ve evaluated over my career who I believe were capable of playing in the NFL as true freshmen. At a rocked up 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Smith can simply bully most defensive backs at the college level. His size and strength make him an ideal weapon in the red zone, where he shows good timing and hand-eye coordination to play above the rim. And he’s a legitimate vertical threat who accelerates smoothly and tracks the ball well over his shoulder. Smith is also excellent on slants and crossing routes, utilizing his frame to keep himself between the defender and the ball and showing good vision to rack up yardage after the catch. It is remarkable how many times he outruns pursuit angles or slips between defenders seemingly in position to stop him. We’ve often heard the expression "runaway freight train" used to describe running backs, but the characterization also applies to Smith at receiver. Comparisons to past size-speed phenoms such as the aforementioned Johnson, Jones and DK Metcalf will be common throughout the draft process. The scary part about Smith is that he’s already further along as a route-runner than any of these receivers were coming out of college. Pro comp: Julio Jones (retired)

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/xUPBogR

NFL Catchup: Cowboys Release Milton, Tunsil Goes on IR And Nabers Injury Update

Following initial 53-man roster cutdowns, NFL teams continued adjusting their active rosters through waiver claims, injury designations and more Monday. The Dallas Cowboys made a surprise roster move in their quarterback room by waiving Joe Milton, leaving Sam Howell as the backup to Dak Prescott despite Milton's preseason performances. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders placed left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve Monday. More NFC East news dropped as New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers stayed noncommittal about his Week 1 availability. And the Los Angeles Chargers made headlines by reuniting the Herbert brothers. Here is the latest from around the league on Monday: With Week 1 right around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys made a surprising roster move on Monday morning. The Cowboys are waiving quarterback Joe Milton to make room for running back Emari Demercado, according to ESPN. The decision clears the path for Sam Howell to serve as Dak Prescott's backup quarterback to start the season. Milton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of Tennessee. Milton spent six years in college playing for both Michigan and Tennessee, but only started one full season during his redshirt senior year. With the Volunteers, Milton completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. Now with Milton’s NFL future up in the air, it will be worth keeping an eye on whether another team claims him off waivers. A player with his physical tools might not stay a free agent long and could find his way into a quarterback competition sooner rather than later. The Washington Commanders took a major roster hit on Monday afternoon. They’re placing five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton on injured reserve, according to ESPN. Both players could return later this season, but Tunsil faces a long recovery after tearing his triceps early in training camp. Newton faces a similar uphill battle after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Tunsil played in 14 games last season for the Commanders after an offseason trade with the Houston Texans that brought in a true pass protector for quarterback Jayden Daniels. For a team repeatedly plagued by injuries, this season doesn’t appear to be any different. Missing Tunsil and Newton for most or even all of the 2026 season puts head coach Dan Quinn in a tough spot in a crowded and competitive NFC East. The Commanders are set to kick off their season on the road in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers progressed from individual drills to full-contact team sessions at practice on Monday, shedding his no-contact jersey. However, with New York set to open its regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13, the wideout remains uncertain if he will be cleared in time as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee. "My mind is focused on playing the regular season: playing whenever that is," Nabers said after practice Monday. "There’s still some things that you still have to check off the box for you to participate. I’m still going through that, still listening to the trainers, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with them." Nabers added that he feels "real good" physically, but emphasized that final clearance remains a process between himself, doctors, and the coaching staff. "That’ll be a decision that will be made when that time comes," Nabers said regarding Week 1. "There’s certain things that, as a football player, you’ve got to mentally prepare (for) before you go into a game... I want to be able to come out there and make no mistakes and just be able to fly around and do what I do. I’m getting there, for sure." The Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad Monday, joining his brother, starting quarterback Justin Herbert, according to NFL Network. Patrick Herbert was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of Sunday's 53-man roster deadline and chose Los Angeles after receiving interest from multiple teams. The Herbert brothers previously played together at Oregon during the 2019 season, helping lead the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory. Patrick, who recorded two catches for 12 yards during Jacksonville's 2026 preseason action, joins a Chargers tight end group featuring Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsden, and David Njoku. The Chargers open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/1VDAZNa

Lane Kiffin Defends NFL Transfers While Steve Sarkisian Calls Moves 'Morally Wrong'

A Louisiana court ruling permitting NFL players to return to campus has ignited immediate pushback from college football’s top powerhouses. Despite heavy penalties from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12, head coaches remain sharply divided over how to handle the roster chaos. To no one's surprise, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is leaning right into the storm. Rather than diffusing the backlash over his latest roster additions, Kiffin doubled down during his Monday press conference, seemingly embracing the heat. "I feel like my decision should always be made in the best interest of the players that sit in this team room and not for my reputation and how the decisions play in the national media or other fanbases," Kiffin said. "I’ve never been that way and that could be wrong." Rather than backing down, Kiffin leaned directly into the chaos as he normally does. Kiffin framed college football and the NFL as two sides of the same coin, positioning the shift not as a temporary phase, but as the sport's inevitable future. "Those players and the people that hire me always know he’s constantly trying to do the best thing for them," Kiffin said. "So I struggle too. Even though that’s what you do in the NFL and there’s an argument that these players are paid like that and it’s what happened yesterday." Kiffin might back it, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn't buying in. In fact, he's questioning the very ethics of bringing former NFL players into the college game. "The fact that somebody out there is going to take a player off of an NFL roster and tell somebody who’s been doing it for nine months to go kick rocks, that doesn’t sit well with me" Sarkisian said. "I think that’s wrong. That morally is wrong." Even with the brutally honest response from Sarkisian, Kiffin took the matter to LSU’s player leadership committee before making any moves. Even if Kiffin isn’t solely to blame, he’s clearly shielding his decision behind the green light from his team. "I met with our leadership committee and every one of them was emphatic about, 'If they can help us win, bring them,'" Kiffin said. "We understand that we have a team that's practiced together all offseason, but this is how it works at the next level and this is how the real world works." Whether you side with Kiffin's cold pragmatism or Sarkisian's ethical stand, this debate is just getting started. Expect every late-season roster addition to be judged under this exact spotlight.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/anl7XNr

2026 NFL DPOY Odds: Aaron Donald Soars After Rams Return

The 2026 Super Bowl favorites have added two former Defensive Players of the Year this offseason. After falling just short of a Super Bowl appearance last season, the Los Angeles Rams made the biggest move of the offseason by acquiring reigning DPOY Myles Garrett in a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns back in June. Now, they’ve added another all-time great to their defense, and it's a familiar face. After two seasons away from football, three-time DPOY Aaron Donald is coming out of retirement and returning to the Rams for the 2026 season. The news immediately shook up the DPOY oddsboard, with Donald soaring to +4500 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Donald won the award three times during his first stint with the Rams (2017, 2018 and 2020). Could Donald make history and capture the award for a fourth time after more than two years away from the game. Let’s take a look at the odds to win the 2026 NFL Defensive Player of the Year at FanDuel Sportsbook as of Aug. 31. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Myles Garrett: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)Will Anderson Jr: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Aidan Hutchinson: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)Nik Bonitto: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total)Maxx Crosby: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)Jalen Carter: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Danielle Hunter: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)T.J. Watt: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Trey Hendrickson: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Jared Verse: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)Brian Burns: +3300 (bet $10 to win $340 total)Quinyon Mitchell: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)Aaron Donald: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) Here's what to know about this oddsboard: The Favorite: Garrett won the AP NFL DPOY award unanimously in 2025. The former No. 1 overall pick received all 50 first-place votes after breaking the single-season sack record with 23 sacks. Next on the oddsboard is Will Anderson Jr. In 2025, Anderson recorded 12 sacks and was fourth in the league in pass rush win rate at 23%. Aaron Donald's Return: The Rams’ all-time sack leader is back, and he’ll join Garrett on what could be a historic defense. Donald has 111 career sacks, while he and Garrett have combined for 236.5 in their careers. The biggest question is what Donald will look like after two seasons away. In 2023, his final season before retiring, Donald recorded eight sacks in 16 games after posting five sacks in 11 games in 2022. Prior to that, however, he recorded at least 12.5 sacks in four consecutive seasons from 2018-21, highlighted by a career-high 20.5 sacks in 2018. What will Donald’s snap count look like after two years away? Can he return to the dominant form that made him a three-time DPOY? The books currently list Donald at +4500 to win the award in 2026.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/BAc8Ciu