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Last Word On NFL

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Last Word On NFL Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Day: May 23, 2025

“They Can Definitely Sling It” – Saints Veteran Praises Young Quarterbacks

Posted on by David Latham, Managing Editor

The New Orleans Saints quarterbacks are perhaps the most inexperienced group in the league, but veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks isn’t concerned. Following Derek Carr’s surprise retirement, the Saints have rookie Tyler Shough battling inexperienced veterans Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener for the starting job. While Haener suffered an injury and couldn’t throw much, Cooks liked what he’s seen from all three thus far.

“I think [competition] should bring the best out of you, and so it’s fun seeing those guys compete,” Cooks said. “They’re all three of them having a great spring. And so it’s going to be fun to watch that competition…They’re playing with a lot of confidence, both of those guys. And you can see the competition going on. They can definitely sling it. So I look forward to see that grow.”

Saints Quarterbacks
May 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) in a huddle during rookie minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Brandin Cooks Endorses Saints Young Quarterbacks

Cooks first entered the league with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints in 2014, so it’s safe to say that his second run with the team is quite a bit different than the first. While Shough, Rattler, and Haener will never match Brees’ greatness, hopefully one can develop into an adequate starter.

Tyler Shough has the best draft capital of the bunch and has the arm talent to succeed at the professional level. However, he will also be 26 by the time Week 1 rolls around, making him remarkably old for a rookie. He’s the favorite to start in 2025, but he’ll need to make a strong first impression to keep the job in 2026 and fend off what should be a strong group of quarterback prospects.

Spencer Rattler, meanwhile, showed flashes of promise as a rookie but needs to add more consistency. Filling in for an injured Derek Carr, the South Carolina product finished his inaugural campaign by completing 57.0% of his passes for 1,317 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. Jake Haener, meanwhile, looked horrible in his lone start last year and faces an uphill battle to be anything more than the third-string quarterback.

Main Photo: Stephen Lew – Imagn Images

Baltimore Ravens Defensive Back Room Questions May Have Answers

Posted on by Teziah Howard

The Baltimore Ravens will look to add depth to a talented secondary. Defensive back Ar’Darius Washington suffered a torn achilles in offseason workouts. The injury to Washington sparks questions about the defending AFC North champions and their offseason moves.

Baltimore Ravens Defensive Back Room Questions May Have Answers

Next Man Up For The Ravens

Washington played a key role in the Ravens’ secondary alongside standout defensive back Kyle Hamilton. Washington’s presence allowed Hamilton to play more freely around the field. Hamilton took snaps from free safety, slot cornerback, and even the line of scrimmage. 

Baltimore may implement the “next man up” mentality sooner than expected. The Ravens may look to their young players to fill the shoes before the start of the 2025-26 season. 

The Ravens made a significant selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, taking safety Malaki Starks in the first round with the 27th overall pick. Starks was a premier defensive back for the Georgia Bulldogs. 

In his final collegiate season, he tallied 77 tackles, 25 assists, and was named AP First Team All-SEC. Starks joins a talented secondary featuring All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey, second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins, and second-year safeties Sanoussi Kane and Beau Brade. 

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with Georgia Bulldogs safety Malaki Starks after he is selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the number 27 pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Filling Big Shoes

Kane and Brade saw most of their action in the preseason and on special teams, but the Ravens will have minicamp, training camp, and organized team activities to develop their role player for their secondary. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Kane did not allow a reception on 30 covered snaps in last year’s preseason. He is a former seventh-round pick from Purdue University, who was notorious for his big plays and big hits. 

Brade went undrafted out of the University of Maryland. The former Terrapin was a healthy scratch for a series of regular-season games and was inactive for both playoff games.

Brade was most effective for the Ravens in the preseason, as he led the team in total tackles. The Ravens franchise has been built on defensive chess pieces since the early 2000s. Legendary players such as middle linebacker Ray Lewis, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, and free safety Ed Reed set the bar high for all incoming Ravens.

Options In Free Agency?

With the loss of Washington, for now, the Ravens could look into free agency as well. Baltimore could target many veteran safeties, such as former Denver Bronco safety Justin Simmons. 

Second-year defensive coordinator and former NFL linebacker Zach Orr will have a plate full of decisions to make this offseason, especially for the secondary. A versatile Hamilton in place opens up more possibilities and may be a security blanket for the Baltimore front office. 

The Ravens’ defense is known for its resilience. Notable players such as linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, and Humphrey ease the pressure on the secondary.

There is no way around the hardship of the NFL. Injuries will come and go, but the league will continue to flow. Healthy or not, the Ravens will be back in Orchard Park, New York, for a week one showdown against the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills ended Baltimore’s season in late January. However, this matchup may turn heads due to the face-off between two former NFL MVPs in Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. 

Main Image: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Predicting Justin Herbert’s Best 3 Games of the 2025 NFL Season

Posted on by Nate Gosney

The Los Angeles Chargers’ identity under Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is to wear down defenses and continuously bash running backs into the head of the defense, until they break. However, this is the NFL, this doesn’t always work. Insert super star quarterback, Justin Herbert, and this offense could really go somewhere.

Even in this run-heavy offense, Herbert is still eligible to produce in 2025, especially after an influx of weapons and talent across this offense. What will be his best games of the season?

Read: 3 Bold Predictions for the Chargers’ 2025 Schedule Matchups

May 12, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh (left) and general manager Joe Hortiz watch during offseason workouts at The Bolt.

Predicting Justin Herbert’s Best 3 Games of the 2025 NFL Season

Week 6: @ Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins and Justin Herbert have a long history together, as the 2020 NFL Draft had some rumors of the Dolphins taking the Oregon QB at #5. They opted for Tua Tagovailoa, with Herbert then going the very next pick to the Chargers. This had led to constant conversation between the two, and now, in this 2025 matchup, Herbert can assert his case against his draft foe.

The 2025 season outlook for the Dolphins is grim, mainly due to their atrocious secondary. They have the aging Jalen Ramsey, but with rumors of him being traded, you are staring down the barrel of: Storm Duck, Kader Kohou, Jason Marshall Jr as your starting trio at CB.

Then at safety, you have a duo of Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu, who both, at their very best, have been average starters in the league. This secondary should give Herbert all the confidence he needs to throw bombs to the likes of Tre Harris, Ladd McConkey, and Mike Williams.

Justin Herbert Stat Prediction:

  • 404 Passing Yards
  • 3 Touchdowns
  • 16 Rushing Yards

Week 7: VS Indianapolis Colts

Justin Herbert will go right back into an advantageous position against the Colts, just one week after his game against the Dolphins. To keep the momentum rolling, the offensive coaching staff sees the Colts’ weaknesses across their defense and gives Herbert the reins once more.

The aforementioned weakness is their linebacker room and uncertainty in their secondary. At Linebacker, you have Zaire Franklin, who is a solid player, but outside of him, you are relying on Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, and other not-so-notable names. Moving to the secondary, they have some highlights of Cam Bynum and Charvarius Ward, but both are newcomers with not the greatest support casts around them.

Herbert and Offensive Coordinator, Greg Roman, likely will be unable to sustain a run game early, allowing them to pivot to the “on fire” 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Justin Herbert Stat Prediction:

  • 356 Passing Yards
  • 4 Touchdowns
  • 20 Rushing Yards

Week 13: VS Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders know better than anybody about Justin Herbert and his abilities. The Chargers’ super star QB averages 279.6 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0.2 interceptions per game during his tenure in the NFL against the Raiders.

This is not to say the Raiders have not improved after their atrocious 2024 season, as the hiring of Pete Caroll and the trade for Geno Smith were amazing moves for the squad, but one area where they did not improve enough was the secondary.

Headlined by Eric Stokes and Jeremy Chinn, who both have had only one season of high-end play, coupled with a bunch of young guys developing, the Raiders could very well find themselves in trouble against this Justin Herbert-led offense.

Justin Herbert Stat Prediction:

  • 343 Passing Yards
  • 3 Touchdowns
  • 34 Rushing Yards

Main Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Elic Ayomanor: Titans Rookie Wide Receiver Dynasty Outlook

Posted on by Austin Ambler

Elic Ayomanor was the second wide receiver drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft. Ayomanor was eventually drafted in the fourth round (136th overall). Ayomanor joins rookie quarterback Cam Ward in a new-look Titans offense. How does he fit into the offense, and what is Elic Ayomanor’s dynasty outlook?

Mar 1, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford wideout Elic Ayomanor (WO02) during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

Dynasty Outlook for Elic Ayomanor

Current Production

Ayomanor had just two years of college production after taking a medical redshirt during his freshman year. He had two very similar statistical seasons. In 2023, he had 62 receptions for 1013 yards and six touchdowns. In 2024, he had 63 receptions for 831 yards and six touchdowns. Ayomanor might be best known for his three-touchdown game against Travis Hunter in college, including a game-winner head-top catch in overtime.

Ayomanor Dynasty Price

According to KeepTradeCut, a website that crowdsources dynasty values from players who use the site, Ayomanor is the WR72. He was the WR82 before the Draft, so his ranking has only slightly increased. He is ranked behind Romeo Doubs, Marquise Brown, and Quentin Johnston, while ranked ahead of Christian Watson, Christian Kirk, and Wan’Dale Robinson. Ayomanor is being drafted in the third round of rookie dynasty drafts, around Jalen Royals and Pat Bryant.

Ayomanor Dynasty Outlook

The Titans have a new look offense for 2025. They used the first overall pick in the NFL Draft on quarterback Cam Ward. Ward should bring a new life to the offense that struggled with Will Levis under center for the last few seasons.

The Titans also upgraded their wide receiver room alongside Calvin Ridley. They signed Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson, while drafting Ayomanor and Chimere Dike. Interestingly, Dike was drafted 33 picks ahead of Ayomanor, with the first pick of the fourth round. The Titans also drafted tight end Gunner Helm in the fourth round. A lot of draft experts had Ayomanor ranked ahead of Dike, so this was an interesting selection for Tennessee. However, dynasty experts seem to agree that Ayomanor is the better player, having Dike ranked outside of the top 20 rookie wide receivers. The Titans also signed Ward’s college teammate, Xavier Restrepo, as an undrafted free agent.

Ridley will go into the season as the WR1 for the team, but the WR2 spot is up for grabs. Lockett is aging, and there are a lot of young players fighting for this role. Ayomanor can win this spot if he has a good training camp and preseason. Camp will be very important for him to develop a strong rapport with Ward to establish a connection for many years to come.

Read More Dynasty Outlooks Including Kyle Williams and Jayden Higgins

Should You Draft Elic Ayomanor in Dynasty Leagues?

There are other rookie wide receivers on better teams that I would rather draft, such as Tory Horton or Jalen Royals. Ayomanor is not an exciting enough player and is on an offense that could still struggle, even with an upgrade at quarterback. Ayomanor is not one of my top targets in dynasty drafts this offseason. He does not have a high enough upside to give him an encouraging dynasty outlook.

Main Photo: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Should the Colts Consider This Successful UFL Kicker?

Posted on by Hannah Cason

Former Indianapolis Colts placekicker Rodrigo Blankenship is finding success with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL. With this, the Colts should consider acquiring him back on the roster. Currently, Spencer Shrader is at the top of their depth chart. While Shrader is young and has potential, he has very minimal experience. He has never attempted a field goal longer than 50 yards, with his longest being just 41 yards. He has made all five of the field goals he has tried, but this does not paint a great picture of what his ability is. Running with him in 2025 would be a complete wild card.

Placekickers are a very vital aspect of a team’s success. Throughout NFL history, kickers have been winning championships on last-minute field goals or losing championships on last-minute field goals. Placekickers instill confidence in an offense. If a drive stalls short of the red zone, the team can still feel proud knowing they have a good chance for three points. As of late, the Colts have struggled with this position, and they cannot afford to go into another season with instability on special teams. Therefore, one way for the Colts to help instill confidence and ensure that the offense has confidence when drives stall is to acquire a kicker like Rodrigo Blankenship.

Why the Colts Should Consider Rodrigo Blankenship

His Growth As a Kicker

Rodrigo Blankenship went undrafted to the Colts in 2020 and had the opportunity to be their starting kicker that same year. As a rookie, he made 32 out of 37 field goals, with 53 being his longest. His rookie season wasn’t great, but it showed enough promise for the Colts to see a future. Unfortunately, the next season took a very different turn. Blankenship would suffer a hip injury that affected his game and consistency. Ultimately, in 2022, the Colts cut him after he missed a game-winning field goal in overtime against the Houston Texans.

Since then, Blankenship bounced around a couple of practice squads before landing a starting job with the Battlehawks. This recent stint has come in 2025, and through eight games, he has made 17 out of 18 field goals, and is five for six on tries from 50 yards or more, with 56 being his longest. Needless to say, Blankenship has certainly found a good place in the UFL where he can grow and develop. The question now, though, is whether he wants to transition this newfound growth back to the NFL. If he does, the Colts should take advantage and sign Rodrigo Blankenship back to their roster.

His Fit With the Organization

As mentioned, Rodrigo Blankenship started his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. It was during this stint that the league was able to see the potential and talent. Unfortunately, injuries hindered his consistency, and the Colts were unwilling to be patient. Now that Blankenship has spent time on practice squads, learned under veteran kickers, and spent time away from the game, the growth is being cultivated through the UFL.

It is not uncommon for players to go straight from the UFL to the NFL in the same year. The most notable kicker to do so is Brandon Aubrey, who went from the Birmingham Stallions to the Dallas Cowboys in 2023. This signing by the Cowboys has proved to be a tremendous addition, and Aubrey has instilled confidence in the offense. Blankenship could find himself in the same boat if the Colts reach out. He is already familiar with the organization and is a better kicker than before. The Colts need stability on special teams, which will translate to the offense, and Rodrigo Blankenship could provide that.

Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

This Young Colts Player Is Primed for a Breakout Season

Posted on by Mike Roberts

Thus far, Anthony Richardson hasn’t had the career he was supposed to have. However, look for the young Indianapolis Colts quarterback to have a breakout 2025 season.

A lot of fans and pundits believe Richardson is a bust. It doesn’t make sense, though, to label someone a bust after just two seasons.

C.J. Stroud was a rookie sensation in 2023, leading the Houston Texans to the playoffs. And then last season, Jayden Daniels won Rookie of the Year after powering the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. Yet, not every quarterback gets drafted and makes an immediate impact.

Richardson is only 23 years old, but he has the potential to become an elite dual-threat quarterback. Everyone just needs to be patient. Sometimes, it takes a while to develop into a star.

Colts Quarterback Anthony Richardson Is Primed for a Breakout 2025 Season

Looking Back at Richardson’s Career

The Colts selected Anthony Richardson fourth overall in 2023. Unfortunately, he hasn’t developed into a franchise QB yet. Due to injury, the Florida native missed all but four games as a rookie.

Richardson returned to the field last season, hoping to win Comeback Player of the Year Honors. Yet, he had another disappointing season. Richardson battled injuries, was benched temporarily, and struggled with accuracy issues. In 2024, he passed for 1,814 yards and eight touchdowns. He also rushed for 499 yards and six touchdowns. In addition, he posted a 6-5 record as Indy’s starter.

Richardson had a few great moments last season. He had a game-winning touchdown run in Week 11 against the New York Jets. Then, in Week 13 versus the New England Patriots, he orchestrated a 19-play drive capped off with a two-point conversion.

Will He Do It?

Everyone knew the Colts were going to bring in a quarterback this offseason to compete with Anthony Richardson. And that’s what the team did by signing Daniel Jones. Richardson and Jones have a few things in common. They were both top-10 draft picks who have failed to become stars.

The two signal-callers will have an interesting competition for the starting QB spot in Indy. Some people believe Jones will win the battle. However, look for Richardson to become QB1 and prove all of his doubters wrong. Perhaps competing with Jones will motivate Richardson to step up big-time and turn his career around.

Indianapolis took tight end Tyler Warren in the first round of this year’s draft. He could certainly help out Richardson, who completed just 47.7 percent of his passes last season. Having a good tight end to throw to can be one of the best things for a quarterback. Just look at the Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce combo for the Kansas City Chiefs. No, don’t expect Richardson and Warren to become a legendary duo. But Warren could help out Richardson in the short passing game.

Some Colts fans are hoping the team lands Arch Manning in the 2026 draft. The Texas quarterback, of course, is the nephew of Colts legend Peyton Manning. But a breakout 2025 season for Richardson will shut down any Arch Manning talk.

Main Photo: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images