BNT NFL

A handful of players stand out in the 2025 NFL draft class, but a number of prospects will likely go under the radar.

With the 2024 NFL season now in the books, teams are hoping to find the gems of the draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper and Field Yates identified a handful of those sleeper picks in this year's class.

Kiper and Yates named Iowa tight Luke Lachey, Kansas running back Devin Neal, Oregon defensive back Jamaree Caldwell, Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, Marshall safety J.J. Roberts and Central Arkansas edge David Walker.

Lachey's numbers don't jump out, as he had only 28 catches for 231 yards and no touchdowns in 2024 for the Hawkeyes. But considering Iowa has a subpar offense, averaging 8.3 yards per reception isn't a bad feat. Lachey also has NFL size at 6'6" and 247 pounds.

Neal, who spent all four of his college seasons with the Jayhawks, recorded three consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards, He had 1,266 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.

Caldwell had a career-high 29 tackles, three passes defended and a forced fumble for the Ducks in 2024. The 6'1", 340-pounder also showed off his ability to get to the quarterback in 2023 when he recorded 6.5 sacks.

Phillips also had a productive year on Maryland's defensive line, racking up 29 tackles.

Roberts didn't get the same attention as some NFL prospects because he played at a smaller school, but that didn't stop him from having a career year. The fifth-year senior had 94 total tackles, 12 passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble.

Walker was in a similar boat this year while playing for Central Arkansas, but he'll likely get some attention ahead of this year's draft. Walker had 68 tackles, 10.5 sacks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles in 2024. He ended his three-year collegiate career with 30 sacks.

While the names Kiper and Yates mentioned don't stand out as much as players like Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Travis Hunter, the talent is there and it won't be a surprise to see some of those players hear their names called earlier than expected.

It sounds like San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is getting a new contract this offseason.

"I know we want Brock to be here for a long time and we'll do everything we can to make that work," 49ers owner Jed York said, per Josh Dubow of the Associated Press. York also revealed he met with Purdy's agent, Kyle Strongin, to discuss the quarterback's contract situation.

To call Purdy a bargain for the team at this point of his career would be an understatement.

He was the last pick of the 2022 NFL draft and made fewer than $1 million in each of his first three seasons in the league. The 2025 campaign will be the final one on his current deal, and he is in line for a raise of $5.3 million in base salary because of the NFL's proven performance escalator that he earned by making last season's Pro Bowl.

Having a starting quarterback on that small of a contract allowed the 49ers to surround him with a talented roster, which is one reason they made the NFC Championship Game in his first season and Super Bowl in his second one.

Yet injuries played a role in this past season's results as San Francisco went 6-11 and finished in last place in the NFC West.

Attention now turns to an important offseason that has already included a Deebo Samuel trade request and early negotiating for Purdy. Even with 2024's disappointing result, he is in line for a significant new extension that Dubow noted could pay him more than $50 million a year.

Brock Purdy pump fakes and runs it in for the TD!

📺: #DETvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/0kUyoHp6KF

— NFL (@NFL) December 31, 2024

There is certainly an element of risk involved in giving Purdy that type of deal.

After all, it will eat into the team's salary cap and limit its ability to surround him with as many talented pieces. What's more, there has to be some thought given to how much of a product of his own environment Purdy has been given the talent and coaching in place in San Francisco.

Still, it is hard to argue with a signal-caller who went from being the final pick of the draft to an NFC champion in his first full season of starting.

The 49ers' front office and Purdy's representation seem to be making progress toward a new contract, and York's comments suggested it will happen at some point this offseason.

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly in the process of hiring former Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to be a part of new head coach Brian Schottenheimer's staff, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

According to that report, discussions are "not done yet and the role is being finalized" but the expectation is that Dorsey will be heading to Dallas.

---

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

The latest mock draft from NFL.com's Chad Reuter featured several intriguing early selections.

Reuter projected the Cleveland Browns to select Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the New York Giants at No. 3 in the mock.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders were projected to add Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall selection.

Here's the full top 10 from Reuter's mock draft.

---

Chad Reuter's Top 10 Picks

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
8. Carolina Panthers: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

---

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Russell Wilson is reportedly remaining confident in the possibility he will return for a second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I was with Russell on Friday, and I'm just telling you, the tone that I got from him was entirely different than reports that are out there," ESPN's Adam Schefter said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show. "And we'll see what winds up happening, whether or not he's back there. But I think he feels like there's definitely a chance he's going to be back there.

"He's having conversations with the organization about the future, and where it's going to go. There's still a lot that's going to play out here, but I think he definitely thinks that he may be back in Pittsburgh."

"I was with Russell Wilson on Friday and he feels like there's a chance he's gonna be back in Pittsburgh..

He's having conversations with the organization about the future" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/7ld5P0B88E

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 10, 2025

Both Wilson and Justin Fields hit free agency after the 2024 season, and team owner Art Rooney said last week the Steelers "probably won't wind up bringing them both back."

"I think both of them see themselves as starters, and I don't know that they want to share the same job again next year," Rooney said, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Both Wilson and Fields have expressed interest in being the Steelers' QB1 next season.

Days after the Steelers were eliminated from the Wild Card round with a Jan. 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Wilson told reporters returning to Pittsburgh in 2025 was "the plan."

"I just love the guys," Wilson said. "I love the locker room. I love Coach Tomlin... I love playing the game. And, you know, if it works out that way, I'm excited to do that for the black and gold again."

Two weeks earlier, Fields had told Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he wanted to be in Pittsburgh next season.

"I'm kind of tired of learning a new offense every year," Fields said. "This will be my third in four years. Of course I'd love to be back, but that's all up to God at the end of the day. I'll be where God wants me to be."

Schefter reported on Sunday night that the Steelers have spoken with both Fields and Wilson so far this offseason.

As of Sunday, the Steelers were "still undecided" as to which of the free agent quarterbacks they would re-sign, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Per Pelissero and Rapoport, the Steelers are looking to sign one Wilson or Fields to "a short-term deal while also continuing to seek a long-term answer, potentially through the draft."

That matches what Rooney said earlier this month, when he said the Steelers would be targeting quarterbacks in the 2025 and 2026 drafts, per Pryor.

Wilson, who turned 36 in November, is likely to be targeting a short-term contract regardless of where he ends after the dissolution of his previous deal with the Denver Broncos.

Fields, who will turn 26 in March, could look to earn a longer-term contract if he can take the next step in his development on a prove-it deal next season.

Schefter said Sunday there were "a number of teams interested" in Fields should he depart from the Steelers this offseason. Free agency interest from other franchises could encourage the Steelers to make their quarterback decision as soon as possible.

Saquon Barkley won a Super Bowl title and the Offensive Player of the Year while nearly breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards this past season.

But the best is apparently yet to come.

Barkley took to social media Monday after helping lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl title and said the 2025 campaign will "probably be my best year."

It's safe to say that I'ma take the cake for this year I would say try again next year
But next year will probably be my best year… GOD IS GREAT🖤🖤🖤 pic.twitter.com/Qijb8qFaH2

— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) February 10, 2025

At this point, who can argue with him?

While the Penn State product was always a dangerous playmaker during his first six years with the New York Giants, he elevated his game to another level in his first year in Philadelphia. He finished the regular season with 2,005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns and could have broken Dickerson's record if he played the last game.

His individual momentum didn't stop in the playoffs, as Barkley ran for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the NFC Divisional Round win over the Los Angeles Rams and 118 yards and three touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game win over the Washington Commanders.

If there is any room for improvement, it might be in the Super Bowl itself.

Barkley posted just 57 rushing yards on 2.3 yards per carry against the Kansas City Chiefs, although he also had six receptions for 40 yards in the aerial attack. He took a backseat at times to Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia defense, which he was surely fine with since it resulted in a Lombardi Trophy.

Maybe next season he will cap off a new individual best effort with a Super Bowl MVP.

If it appeared that the stage used for Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX resembled the four buttons on a PlayStation controller, well, that was intentional.

According to Angela Watercutter of Wired, "Each performance space was shaped like a button on a PlayStation-style controller, a performance intended to portray Lamar's life as a video game. That concept came from Lamar himself. [Halftime art director Shelley Rodgers] says she doesn't know if the concept has anything to do with his highly publicized beef with Drake but will say that Lamar had a vision for what he wanted his show to be, and she made it her mission to execute it. 'I think the [video game theme] was symbolic, his way to reach young people," Rodgers says. "A lot of it is showing his journey, traveling through the American dream.'"

The Super Bowl halftime show art director has confirmed that Kendrick's PlayStation reference was indeed intentional. https://t.co/nw6xrttuQX pic.twitter.com/wUiWlZrfIU

— IGN (@IGN) February 10, 2025

Lamar continues to push the right buttons. Since winning his beef with Drake in dominant, unforgettable fashion, he's since won five Grammys and performed the halftime show at the Super Bowl, one of the marquee performances any artist can be granted.

By the time Serena Williams was crip walking out on the stage, another clever dig at Drake, it was plenty obvious that this is Lamar's moment. He's certainly making the most of it.

The Minnesota Vikings' decision to sign Daniel Jones following his departure from the New York Giants may have been part of a contingency plan for the potential free agency loss of Sam Darnold.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show that he believes the Las Vegas Raiders plan to pursue Darnold this offseason.

"I think the Raiders are going to make a play for Sam Darnold. I think Sam Darnold's a candidate to be the Raiders' quarterback," Schefter said. "We'll see whether Minnesota lets him go or not, but let's see if that works out with Sam Darnold winding up in Vegas. And so, if he goes there, then the Vikings have to bring in another quarterback. J.J.'s obviously going to be there; J.J.'s coming along.

"And I think that was part of the reason they brought in Daniel Jones because they were kind of getting him up to speed in their system in their organization in the event that they do lose Sam Darnold."

The Vikings signed Jones to their practice squad in November and elevated him to the active roster in January. The former Giants starter has not seen game action since he was waived by New York.

---

This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app, homepage and social feeds—including Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Jameis Winston was thrilled to see Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown take his suggestion to do the cha-cha slide after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

"I told him to do that celebration... this is epic," Winston told comedian Bert Kreischer from the stands at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Winston continued: "I've just been on the Jumbotron, and I technically celebrated in the Eagles end zone. Let's go!"

"OH MY GOD HE DID IT?! I TOLD HIM!" @Jaboowins was HYPED when A. J. Brown did the Cha Cha Slide celebration he asked him to do on Opening Night 🔥🕺 #JameisOnFOX pic.twitter.com/7nvqTbqlhL

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 10, 2025

Winston made his request to Brown when speaking with the Eagles wideout during media availability in Super Bowl week.

"I know that at family reunions, we talk about the cha-cha slide," Winston told Brown. "I want you to slide to the left, slide to the right, criss-cross, eat a W."

Brown and offensive tackle Mekhi Becton did exactly that after catching a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to put the Eagles ahead by 24 points in the second quarter.

After the Eagles' 40-22 championship win, Brown confirmed the celebration idea had come from Winston.

"We got it from Jameis," Brown told reporters. "Shoutout to Jameis."

Winston, who joined Fox Sports as a digital correspondent, could potentially be on track for a post-playing media career, should he decide to pursue it. For now, the quarterback will hit NFL free agency following the expiration of his contract with the Cleveland Browns.

San Francisco 49ers wideout Deebo Samuel confirmed Sunday that the team has given him permission to seek a trade. But his time with the organization is likely over even if such a deal doesn't materialize.

As Albert Breer of SI.com reported Monday, the Niners "could cut him if the right offer doesn't come along, with Brandon Aiyuk now signed long-term and the team's 2024 first-round pick, Ricky Pearsall, having already flashed his potential."

That would be a shocking time to Samuel's end in San Francisco, though as Breer noted, "his injury history, declining production, contract status (with a big, non-guaranteed number for next year, and his contract expiring after that), and San Francisco's depth of investment at the position made the former first-team All-Pro the most logical first piece to move."

The Niners are going to get a lot more expensive once Brock Purdy signs a long-term extension. In many ways, Christian McCaffrey's versatility in the pass and run game has taken away some of Samuel's importance to the team's offense. The Niners have solid options at wideout and a tight end in George Kittle who was fantastic in 2024. There are a lot of mouths to feed, both from a salary and touches perspective.

So the 29-year-old Samuel—who had a down year in 2024, catching 51 passes for 670 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 136 yards and a score in 15 games, despite Aiyuk and McCaffrey missing significant time due to injuries—is the odd man out.