All articles tagged with #secondary
L'Jarius Sneed had all charges against him dropped, lifting a year-long legal cloud. Now a free agent after a Titans release, his status adds an intriguing option for Kansas City as the Chiefs rebuild their secondary; whether Sneed returns remains uncertain amid a youth-filled, reshaped back end.
Las Vegas wrapped the 2026 NFL Draft with 10 picks, six on Day 3, highlighted by trading up to select Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy despite ACL concerns, and moving on from DE Tyree Wilson in a deal for Dalton Johnson. The Raiders fortified the secondary with Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Hezekiah Masses while adding faster offensive weapons in Mike Washington Jr. and Malik Benson to complement top pick Fernando Mendoza, signaling a plan for a versatile, speedier offense under Robbie Leonard.
Seattle drafted two confident defensive backs—Bud Clark and Julian Neal—on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, hoping their ball skills, length and swagger boost Seattle's secondary. Clark, a TCU safety, calls himself a ballhawk inspired by Kam Chancellor, while Neal, an Arkansas safety, bills himself as the most physical defender in the class. Coaches stressed they fit Seattle's competitive culture and will earn snaps on a roster that already features top playmakers as they acclimate.
Despite chatter about selecting a WR or edge rusher in the first round, NFL evaluators suggest San Francisco could prioritize cornerback depth to shore up a thin secondary, with nickel as the base package and potential roster moves for Deommodore Lenoir and Upton Stout. A cornerback pick somewhere in the 24–32 range is plausible as SF aims to blunt high-powered offenses in a division with the Rams and Seahawks.
ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak outlines a three-part plan for the Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft: infuse youth into the secondary and defensive line with multiple picks, double-dip at those positions given Pittsburgh’s 12 selections, and add a developmental quarterback to the roster (options include Ty Simpson or Garrett Nussmeier) to prepare for life after Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers’ status unresolved and internal optimism about Will Howard, the plan emphasizes long-term roster health and future depth over quick fixes.
After the first wave of 2026 NFL free agency, several teams still face notable roster holes: Cincinnati’s inexperienced linebackers need a veteran upgrade; New York Jets’ receiver group remains underwhelming after losses; Washington’s cornerbacks are a weakness; and Miami’s secondary is thin despite some additions. Teams are likely to pursue veterans or rely on the 2026 draft to patch these gaps.
Dallas signed veteran corner Cobie Durant to a one-year contract, adding outside/nickel versatility to a secondary that has already added safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke. Durant, 28, spent four seasons with the Rams and during 2025 appeared in 17 games (15 starts) with 40 tackles and 3 interceptions, including three postseason picks. At 5'11
After a 2025 defensive overhaul that included several signings and a coaching shift, New England added safety Kevin Byard to pair with developing corner Craig Woodson and standout Christian Gonzalez. The result could be the NFL’s best secondary heading into 2026, with Byard guiding the back end and complementing a group that already looked strong in the postseason.
Rams GM Les Snead said adding an All-Pro to the secondary would be nice after the NFC Championship loss to Seattle. With no free-agent All-Pros available, a trade could be on the table, aided by Los Angeles’ two first-round picks. Speculation has linked Chiefs CB Trent McDuffie as a potential target, and Snead’s goal is a move that provides an edge, consistent with his history of bold trades.
Two days into the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the Pittsburgh Steelers are signaling a heavy focus on upgrading the secondary with multiple formal and informal meetings and potential Day 1–2 picks; inside linebacker is in play as they consider a possible replacement for Patrick Queen and have spoken with prospects like Jake Golday. The defensive-line class skews interior this year, with several nose tackles (Lee Hunter, Cameron Ball, Tim Keenan III, etc.) and potential first‑round targets such as Kayden McDonald and Lee Hunter, plus options like Darrell Jackson Jr. and Rayshaun Benny. Edge players Rueben Bain Jr. and Cassius Howell show historically short arm lengths, a notable note from measurements, but Bain remains a top prospect. The Steelers could delay a defensive-line pick to Day 2 given depth and five picks projected for Days 1–2.
Dallas is rounding out its new defensive staff, hiring Derrick Ansley as their DBs coach/defensive pass game coordinator and Ryan Smith as the secondary coach. Both bring NFL and college experience and will help Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker rebuild a secondary that regressed last season, with additional positions like linebackers and defensive line coaches still to be filled.
After a 41-6 playoff loss to Seattle, the piece argues the 49ers must address three areas: slower overall play speed with perimeter defenders lagging in coverage, a need to strengthen the interior offensive line (left guard and center depth) to handle interior pressure, and a lack of a blue-chip playmaker in the secondary that could be added through the draft or Free Agency to elevate the defense.
The Panthers claimed safety D'Anthony Bell off waivers from the Seahawks to bolster their secondary, placing injured tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders on injured reserve after a broken fibula.
The Steelers signed cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who is returning from injury and surgery, as a low-risk addition to bolster their struggling secondary, but the team's main issue remains their lack of explosive playmakers on offense, especially at wide receiver, which hampers their ability to score and change game dynamics.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' secondary is significantly weakened due to injuries, with key safeties Jabrill Peppers and Chuck Clark out for the upcoming game against the Colts, complicating their defensive efforts against a strong offense.