All articles tagged with #defensive line
Giants’ offensive-line depth looked solid vs. Miami’s backups, with strong pass protection from Marcus Mbow and Joshua Davis and reliable center play from John Michael Schmitz and Lucas Patrick; interior guard spots showed some uncertainty, and Ezeudu’s health adds a layer of concern. The defensive line delivered some flashes but overall mixed results, leaving the roster picture still unsettled ahead of cuts.
Giants' preseason Week 1 trenches showed mixed results: Evan Neal struggled with foot speed at right guard, while rookie Francis Mauigoa flashed as a powerful run blocker and could anchor the line, and veterans like Aaron Stinnie and Kubas provided dependable depth. Injuries to Schmitz and others keep the interior line questions alive as the coaching staff weighs how to build depth.
Buffalo's preseason opener against Carolina will test the backup QB race (Kyle Allen vs. Shane Buechele), an unsettled interior defensive line with players like Ed Oliver, Deone Walker, and DeWayne Carter, and several rookies (Parker, Igbinosun) as the Bills evaluate depth and finishing under new defensive tweaks ahead of the regular season.
Jonathan Allen rated the Bengals' upgraded defensive line a B in training camp, noting progress from additions like Dexter Lawrence and BJ Hill while acknowledging that real results will come on game day as the unit builds depth and challenges the offense more than in past camps.
Jets training camp Thursday showcased the offense overpowering the defense on the line, with the OL opening rushing lanes for Breece Hall and Bailey delivering solid red-zone work despite some defensive flashes. Omar Cooper Jr. stood out in 1v1 WR–CB drills with a smooth inside stem, though he also dropped a late end-zone pass; Cade Klubnik mixed poise with a miscue as the Jets prep resumes Friday.
At the Chargers’ most physical training-camp practice yet in El Segundo, the team ran thud 11-on-11s and live periods as they evaluated line play. Interior lineman Justin Eboigbe stood out, defeating Branson Taylor and then bull-rushing rookie Jacob Spomer for pressures. Tuipulotu returned to padded drills, while Khalil Mack and Bud Dupree applied pressure elsewhere. The session also featured rotating reps for Branson Taylor at multiple positions and continued emphasis on an aggressive, turnover-minded defensive approach.
Day 5 at Eagles camp had the defense dominating the offense, with Jalen Carter delivering a tackle-for-loss and a sack as part of a disruptive interior line that included Nolan Smith and Moro Ojomo; Byron Young flashed as a rotational interior lineman. The offense struggled with miscommunications and penalties, though Hurts showed progress and connected with Dontayvion Wicks, while Latu impressed as a blocking tight end and special-teams contributor and undrafted Joshua Weru flashed speed in pass rush. Jake Elliott went 7-for-7 on field goals. Overall, the defense looks like a potential strength, while the offense works to clean up protection and timing.
Day 3 of Eagles practice was highlighted by a dominant defensive line as Jalyx Hunt and Jalen Carter disrupted the backfield and Carter batted passes. Hurts faced pressure but connected on a pocket-to-left teardrop to DeVonta Smith, while Nolan Smith had a slower start and wore an arm brace. In QB2 drills, Andy Dalton outplayed Tanner McKee, with Cole Payton rebounding from Day 2 INTs. Wicks and Lemon showed flashes in the receiver group, Stowers worked on blocking, Braden Mann punted well, and undrafted long snapper Rocco Underwood had a few high snaps; Jaeden Roberts suffered a lower-leg injury near practice end.
Raiders’ Day 2 training camp featured a defensive surge led by Maxx Crosby as he returned from injury, with Hemingway, Butler and Laulu applying pressure and a developing interior rotation; on offense, Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza ran efficient sets, and Klint Kubiak emphasized 21/22 personnel with Heyward and Gurd.
Denver’s 2026 training camp kicks off with five key storylines: Bo Nix returning from ankle issues and presiding over a revamped offense with a new play-caller and target in Jaylen Waddle; Davis Webb running the offense under Sean Payton’s system for the first time; Waddle’s speed potentially unlocking more plays and changing how the WR corps operates; replacing interior pass rush after John Franklin-Myers’ departure and the uncertainty around Jonathon Cooper; and the looming contract decisions for Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian, plus Jahdae Barron’s development as a potential internal replacement—capturing how the revamped roster and coaching staff adapt in camp, preseason, and beyond.
A preview of the Lions’ training camp, focusing on depth battles along the offensive and defensive lines after offseason adds (Juice Scruggs, Ben Bartch, Larry Borom, Seth McLaughlin). The Midweek Mailbag episode analyzes which backups will compete for spots, how different line roles might play out, and related topics such as Kerby Joseph’s potential PUP status, Luke Altmyer’s QB2/QB3 path, and how no joint practices could affect the preseason.
The Chicago Bears, fresh off their NFC North title, enter training camp with coach Ben Johnson in his second year and considerable continuity, but five questions loom: can Caleb Williams and the offense start fast, who wins left tackle and center on the offensive line, when will Darnell Wright’s extension be finalized, is the defensive line deep enough to contend, and how will the cornerback group shake out given health concerns and ongoing competition.
The New York Giants placed wide receiver Darius Slayton on the sidelines after core-muscle surgery, prompting the team to add another defensive tackle while the defense looks for more depth as Calais Campbell returns to the Ravens. The report also covers ongoing 2026 free-agent and draft chatter, including UDFA signings and analysis of Giants picks (e.g., Colton Hood, Malachi Fields, J.C. Davis, Francis Mauigoa). Additional notes include rookie minicamp May 8–10 and upcoming OTA dates, plus broader league mentions like Odell Beckham Jr. rumors. Overall, the Giants are rebuilding DL depth and evaluating linemen for 2026 while tracking draft and UDFA developments.
Calais Campbell signed a one-year deal reportedly worth about $5.5 million to return to the Baltimore Ravens for his 19th NFL season, reuniting with the team after 2020–2022. The 40-year-old veteran, who has 960 tackles and 117 sacks in 278 games, will bolster Baltimore’s interior DL as it copes with injuries to Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington.
The New York Giants signed veteran defensive tackle Leki Fotu to a one-year contract, adding him to the defensive line alongside Shelby Harris. Fotu is a 6-5, 317-pound 27-year-old with 66 career games and 26 starts, known as a run defender but not a true nose tackle. The Giants note that neither Fotu nor Harris is a nose tackle, have drafted a nose tackle in Bobby Jamison-Travis, and continue to pursue veteran nose tackle options such as D.J. Reader.