26 days ago
The Buffalo Bills will visit the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on Sunday with an important win on the line. Come the end of the season, these early-year victories come in handy.
For this AFC battle between Joe Brady's Bills and DeMeco Ryan's, it will be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
Here are Bills Wire's three key matchup to watch Week 15's Bills vs. Texans matchup in Week 1:
Anderson led the line for a Texans defense that beat up Bills quarterback Josh Allen when these two teams faced off last season. Anderson had 2.5 sacks and the Texans had eight as a team. Brown needs to be a lot better against him in 2026. Brown has noted that he was playing through injury last year.
Expectations are high for Moore's debut with the Bills. Can he be the top playmaker Buffalo's offense has lacked in recent years? If he is, Moore will have a tough task to show it. Stingley is a two-time All-Pro defensive back and will probably follow Moore around all game.
#bills #moore #come #year
For this AFC battle between Joe Brady's Bills and DeMeco Ryan's, it will be the games, within the game, that will make all the difference.
Here are Bills Wire's three key matchup to watch Week 15's Bills vs. Texans matchup in Week 1:
Anderson led the line for a Texans defense that beat up Bills quarterback Josh Allen when these two teams faced off last season. Anderson had 2.5 sacks and the Texans had eight as a team. Brown needs to be a lot better against him in 2026. Brown has noted that he was playing through injury last year.
Expectations are high for Moore's debut with the Bills. Can he be the top playmaker Buffalo's offense has lacked in recent years? If he is, Moore will have a tough task to show it. Stingley is a two-time All-Pro defensive back and will probably follow Moore around all game.
#bills #moore #come #year
1 month ago
How much premier talent is on the Houston Texans' roster entering 2026?
In ESPN's most recent projections for who will be the top 100 players in the NFL this season, there are five Houston Texans players who made the list. Four of them were on defense: defensive ends Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, as well as cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter.
Houston's one player on offense who made the list was wide receiver Nico Collins.
The Texans' defense only got better in the offseason with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney. Anderson had 20 tackles for loss, including 12 sacks, as well as three forced fumbles last season, and with the trio of Anderson, Hunter and Clowney, he could hit those numbers again this season, as the entire defensive line will be a handful for opposing offensive lines.
Anderson, who became the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL after a breakout season last fall, appeared at No. 14. The second Texan on the list was cornerback Derek Stingley, who was named an All-Pro last season for the second year in a row.
#anderson #season #list #last
In ESPN's most recent projections for who will be the top 100 players in the NFL this season, there are five Houston Texans players who made the list. Four of them were on defense: defensive ends Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, as well as cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter.
Houston's one player on offense who made the list was wide receiver Nico Collins.
The Texans' defense only got better in the offseason with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney. Anderson had 20 tackles for loss, including 12 sacks, as well as three forced fumbles last season, and with the trio of Anderson, Hunter and Clowney, he could hit those numbers again this season, as the entire defensive line will be a handful for opposing offensive lines.
Anderson, who became the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL after a breakout season last fall, appeared at No. 14. The second Texan on the list was cornerback Derek Stingley, who was named an All-Pro last season for the second year in a row.
#anderson #season #list #last
1 month ago
In ESPN's most recent projections for who will be the top 100 players in the NFL this season, there are five Houston Texans players who made the list. Four of them were on defense: defensive ends Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, as well as cornerbacks Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter. Houston's one player on offense who made the list was wide receiver Nico Collins.
Anderson was the first Texans player on the list, coming in at No. 15 after his All-Pro season and finishing the year as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. He's also the No. 4 defensive player, trailing only Los Angeles Rams' Myles Garrett (No. 1), Denver Broncos' Patrick Surtain (No. 7) and Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons (No. 13).
"Anderson has an effort similar to that of players on their rookie deals trying to prove themselves in the NFL. Throughout the course of training camp, he has been extra disruptive," D.J. Bienn-Amie wrote. "He's getting to that point where he realizes if he wants to shut practice down, he can shut it down," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. So, expect a better Anderson after his massive contract extension"
Signature stat: Anderson has the third-highest pass rush win rate in the NFL since entering the league in 2023 (23%). That trails only Micah Parsons (29%) and Myles Garrett (24%) over that span.
After what many would consider to be a breakout year, Bien-Amie predicts for Anderson to take a slight step back, totaling 57 tackles, 11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
#anderson #defensive #year #list
Anderson was the first Texans player on the list, coming in at No. 15 after his All-Pro season and finishing the year as the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year. He's also the No. 4 defensive player, trailing only Los Angeles Rams' Myles Garrett (No. 1), Denver Broncos' Patrick Surtain (No. 7) and Green Bay Packers' Micah Parsons (No. 13).
"Anderson has an effort similar to that of players on their rookie deals trying to prove themselves in the NFL. Throughout the course of training camp, he has been extra disruptive," D.J. Bienn-Amie wrote. "He's getting to that point where he realizes if he wants to shut practice down, he can shut it down," defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins said. So, expect a better Anderson after his massive contract extension"
Signature stat: Anderson has the third-highest pass rush win rate in the NFL since entering the league in 2023 (23%). That trails only Micah Parsons (29%) and Myles Garrett (24%) over that span.
After what many would consider to be a breakout year, Bien-Amie predicts for Anderson to take a slight step back, totaling 57 tackles, 11 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and a pass breakup.
#anderson #defensive #year #list
1 month ago
The Houston Texans traded for Kayshon Boutte this week with hopes that he will be a solid No. 2 receiver for them behind Nico Collins. That's why it was a little shocking to hear Mike Vrabel say Thursday night that if the New England Patriots hadn't dealt Boutte, he likely wouldn't have seen the field for them because of their improved depth at the position.
Boutte's 33 receptions last season was fifth on the Patriots squad, although two of the players ahead of him were tight end Hunter Henry and running back TreVeyon Henderson. His 551 yards was third on the team and his six touchdown catches was second. Still, in the offseason, the Patriots traded for three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown and signed former Packers receiver A.J. Doubs as a free agent. Those two are going to be New England's top options at receiver with DeMario Douglas also expected to get plenty of time. The backups are Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams, who both play special teams, something Boutte hasn't done since he entered the league in 2023.
"It was one place where we do have some depth," Vrabel told reporters after the Patriots' final preseason game Thursday night. "I think for all parties involved, that was probably the best thing. Without injuries, Kayshon probably would've been inactive, unfortunately. Just kind of the way it was with him not playing special teams."
The Texans traded a 2028 seventh-round pick and second-year safety Jaylen Reed for Boutte earlier this week, a few days after losing their No. 2 receiver Jayden Higgins to injury.
Boutte, who caught a touchdown over Texans' All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., in last season's playoff game, was with the team this week in Charlotte, N.C., for a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers, but didn't participate in team drills, instead working off to the side with a trainer.
#receiver #traded #kayshon
Boutte's 33 receptions last season was fifth on the Patriots squad, although two of the players ahead of him were tight end Hunter Henry and running back TreVeyon Henderson. His 551 yards was third on the team and his six touchdown catches was second. Still, in the offseason, the Patriots traded for three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown and signed former Packers receiver A.J. Doubs as a free agent. Those two are going to be New England's top options at receiver with DeMario Douglas also expected to get plenty of time. The backups are Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams, who both play special teams, something Boutte hasn't done since he entered the league in 2023.
"It was one place where we do have some depth," Vrabel told reporters after the Patriots' final preseason game Thursday night. "I think for all parties involved, that was probably the best thing. Without injuries, Kayshon probably would've been inactive, unfortunately. Just kind of the way it was with him not playing special teams."
The Texans traded a 2028 seventh-round pick and second-year safety Jaylen Reed for Boutte earlier this week, a few days after losing their No. 2 receiver Jayden Higgins to injury.
Boutte, who caught a touchdown over Texans' All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., in last season's playoff game, was with the team this week in Charlotte, N.C., for a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers, but didn't participate in team drills, instead working off to the side with a trainer.
#receiver #traded #kayshon
1 month ago
For those wondering on who will suit up in Game 3 of the preseason, it's the names fighting for roster spots on the Houston Texans.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that said no starters would play in Friday's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. Several key backups, including quarterback Davis Mills and defensive Jadeveon Clowney, also will likely rest and begin to prepare for Week 1's matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
This shouldn't come as a surprise since Houston has rarely played starters outside of a quarter in recent years. Given that the Texans usually have two joint practices before games, most of the work is done there, so there's little for Ryans and the staff to see.
This offseason, the Texans were cautious with several key players, electing not to play them at all. Even quarterback C.J. Stroud, who still is looking for a massive contract extension entering the new campaign, only played in one drive, which led to a scoring opportunity for second-year running back Woody Marks.
Most of the defensive starters have not played in any preseason games this year, including Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Will Anderson Jr., Henry To'oTo'o and Calen Bullock. On offense, David Montgomery, Dalton Schultz and Nico Collins were all sidelined in preparation for the new season.
#quarterback
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans confirmed that said no starters would play in Friday's preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. Several key backups, including quarterback Davis Mills and defensive Jadeveon Clowney, also will likely rest and begin to prepare for Week 1's matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
This shouldn't come as a surprise since Houston has rarely played starters outside of a quarter in recent years. Given that the Texans usually have two joint practices before games, most of the work is done there, so there's little for Ryans and the staff to see.
This offseason, the Texans were cautious with several key players, electing not to play them at all. Even quarterback C.J. Stroud, who still is looking for a massive contract extension entering the new campaign, only played in one drive, which led to a scoring opportunity for second-year running back Woody Marks.
Most of the defensive starters have not played in any preseason games this year, including Danielle Hunter, Derek Stingley Jr., Kamari Lassiter, Will Anderson Jr., Henry To'oTo'o and Calen Bullock. On offense, David Montgomery, Dalton Schultz and Nico Collins were all sidelined in preparation for the new season.
#quarterback
2 months ago
Devon Witherspoon just gave the Philadelphia Eagles another number to consider when they eventually begin working on long-term contracts for Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
According to ESPN, Witherspoon and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $132 million extension that includes more than $101 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The reported agreement represents another significant jump for a position that has become increasingly valuable in the modern NFL.
In borrowing from a recent Denver Post article, the Eagles have their own 'Champagne Problems' at the cornerback position. A phrase used to describe trivial, first-world, or "high-class" grievances, the Eagles have amassed the best cornerback trio in the NFL, and if they all play well, they'll seek elite compensation. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean do not need new contracts yet, but they have every reason to pay attention to the cornerback market.
That market is moving quickly, and New England Patriots standout Christian Gonzalez will likely surpass Witherspoon.
The top of the market had already changed after Trent McDuffie landed a four-year, $124 million extension from the Los Angeles Rams after being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs. This deal made him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback at $31 million per season. Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. are also at or near $30 million annually, creating a new financial tier for elite young defensive backs.
#contracts
According to ESPN, Witherspoon and the Seattle Seahawks have agreed to a four-year, $132 million extension that includes more than $101 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. The reported agreement represents another significant jump for a position that has become increasingly valuable in the modern NFL.
In borrowing from a recent Denver Post article, the Eagles have their own 'Champagne Problems' at the cornerback position. A phrase used to describe trivial, first-world, or "high-class" grievances, the Eagles have amassed the best cornerback trio in the NFL, and if they all play well, they'll seek elite compensation. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean do not need new contracts yet, but they have every reason to pay attention to the cornerback market.
That market is moving quickly, and New England Patriots standout Christian Gonzalez will likely surpass Witherspoon.
The top of the market had already changed after Trent McDuffie landed a four-year, $124 million extension from the Los Angeles Rams after being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs. This deal made him the NFL's highest-paid cornerback at $31 million per season. Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley Jr. are also at or near $30 million annually, creating a new financial tier for elite young defensive backs.
#contracts
2 months ago
How good is the Houston Texans' secondary entering 2026?
In a sense, slightly underrated by Pro Football Focus compared to other rankings around the NFL, most notably at cornerback.
PFF recently revealed its top 32 cornerbacks for the 2026 season, with both Kamari Lassiter and two-time All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top 10. Stingely, who has been arguably the second-best cornerback since 2024 behind former Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, came in at No. 7 overall, behind names like Surtain, Seattle's Devon Witherspoon and Indianapolis' Sauce Gardner.
The reason? Yards before contact.
"Stingley experienced a bit of a volatile 2025 campaign in coverage last season, but his elite ball skills still allowed him to tally four interceptions and nine pass breakups," PFF's Dalton Wasserman wrote. "His 73.5 PFF coverage grade ranked 23rd among all qualified cornerbacks. Over the past three years, Stingley slots second among qualified cornerbacks with a 90.3 coverage grade. He and Kamari Lassiter make a good case to be labeled the NFL's best cornerback duo."
#stingley #cornerback #cornerbacks #kamari
In a sense, slightly underrated by Pro Football Focus compared to other rankings around the NFL, most notably at cornerback.
PFF recently revealed its top 32 cornerbacks for the 2026 season, with both Kamari Lassiter and two-time All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top 10. Stingely, who has been arguably the second-best cornerback since 2024 behind former Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain II, came in at No. 7 overall, behind names like Surtain, Seattle's Devon Witherspoon and Indianapolis' Sauce Gardner.
The reason? Yards before contact.
"Stingley experienced a bit of a volatile 2025 campaign in coverage last season, but his elite ball skills still allowed him to tally four interceptions and nine pass breakups," PFF's Dalton Wasserman wrote. "His 73.5 PFF coverage grade ranked 23rd among all qualified cornerbacks. Over the past three years, Stingley slots second among qualified cornerbacks with a 90.3 coverage grade. He and Kamari Lassiter make a good case to be labeled the NFL's best cornerback duo."
#stingley #cornerback #cornerbacks #kamari
2 months ago
Here's everything Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said following Saturday's evening practice, including his thoughts on the Texans' newest addition, Jadeveon Clowney.
Question: On how he believes the defense performed in practice
Matt Burke: "It was okay. We made some plays. I wasn't happy with the way we started practice, to be honest with you. Some of those scripted periods, too much in that short yardage period. I thought when we got into the call-up periods, those guys started playing. Part of the intent for tonight was to kind of push them through this little bit longer drives, a little bit longer sessions than we kind of been going at a time. For those guys to push through when you're really taxing mentally and when you're tired. It's can you execute some of the stuff we're doing? We tried to put them in a lot of different spots and with a lot of different calls. I'm happy with the way that the execution really turned out."
Q: On whether CB Derek Stingley Jr. had a rest day
Burke: "Yeah, he's fine. He's fine."
#matt #kind
Question: On how he believes the defense performed in practice
Matt Burke: "It was okay. We made some plays. I wasn't happy with the way we started practice, to be honest with you. Some of those scripted periods, too much in that short yardage period. I thought when we got into the call-up periods, those guys started playing. Part of the intent for tonight was to kind of push them through this little bit longer drives, a little bit longer sessions than we kind of been going at a time. For those guys to push through when you're really taxing mentally and when you're tired. It's can you execute some of the stuff we're doing? We tried to put them in a lot of different spots and with a lot of different calls. I'm happy with the way that the execution really turned out."
Q: On whether CB Derek Stingley Jr. had a rest day
Burke: "Yeah, he's fine. He's fine."
#matt #kind
2 months ago
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez stands alone at his position Madden NFL 27.
EA Sports revealed on Thursday that Gonzalez is the top rated cornerback in Madden 27 with a 98 overall rating.
Gonzalez was rated above Denver Broncos former AP Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain (97), Los Angeles Rams CB Trent McDuffie (94), Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (93) and Houston Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. (92).
The 24-year-old Gonzalez had a great year in 2025. He recorded 10 passes defensed on the year and furthered his status as one of the best cover corners in the NFL with many big plays, most notably in the playoffs for New England.
While Gonzalez was not named an All-Pro last season over the likes of Surtain, Stingley Jr., Devon Witherspoon or Quinyon Mitchell, the latter two of whom he also received a higher rating than, the Patriots star wowed with his ability to lock down opposing wide receivers in the biggest of moments, which was a distinguishing factor for the season that he had in 2025.
#england #Patriots #rating
EA Sports revealed on Thursday that Gonzalez is the top rated cornerback in Madden 27 with a 98 overall rating.
Gonzalez was rated above Denver Broncos former AP Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain (97), Los Angeles Rams CB Trent McDuffie (94), Cleveland Browns CB Denzel Ward (93) and Houston Texans CB Derek Stingley Jr. (92).
The 24-year-old Gonzalez had a great year in 2025. He recorded 10 passes defensed on the year and furthered his status as one of the best cover corners in the NFL with many big plays, most notably in the playoffs for New England.
While Gonzalez was not named an All-Pro last season over the likes of Surtain, Stingley Jr., Devon Witherspoon or Quinyon Mitchell, the latter two of whom he also received a higher rating than, the Patriots star wowed with his ability to lock down opposing wide receivers in the biggest of moments, which was a distinguishing factor for the season that he had in 2025.
#england #Patriots #rating
3 months ago
Finally another member of the Houston Texans has cracked the NFL's Top 100 list for 2026.
Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, fresh off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, was selected as the No.58 player for the upcoming season. He's the first Texans player to make the list since Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair appeared back at the initial ranking at No. 92 player.
"I don't think anyone can cover him one-on-one," All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said in the release from the NFL. "It's just not possible. It's really not."
While it is a drop from last season's No. 32 ranking, still being considered a consensus top 10 wide receiver is key. Collins has dealt with injuries throughout his career, limiting him to under 17 games per season.
That hasn't limited his production since Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud arrived in 2023. Over his past three seasons, the 6-foot-4 wideout has been consistent, totaling at least 1,000 yards and at least six touchdowns. Last season, he finished with 1,117 and a team-leading six touchdowns on 71 catches.
#since
Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, fresh off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, was selected as the No.58 player for the upcoming season. He's the first Texans player to make the list since Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair appeared back at the initial ranking at No. 92 player.
"I don't think anyone can cover him one-on-one," All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. said in the release from the NFL. "It's just not possible. It's really not."
While it is a drop from last season's No. 32 ranking, still being considered a consensus top 10 wide receiver is key. Collins has dealt with injuries throughout his career, limiting him to under 17 games per season.
That hasn't limited his production since Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud arrived in 2023. Over his past three seasons, the 6-foot-4 wideout has been consistent, totaling at least 1,000 yards and at least six touchdowns. Last season, he finished with 1,117 and a team-leading six touchdowns on 71 catches.
#since
3 months ago
Tis the season for NFL media to put out their own Top 100 players list. Pro Football Network put theirs out and it is based on their own specialized formula they call a PFN Impact Score. This sort of objective measure creates a very different type of ranking as opposed to say the NFL Network, which is more of a popularity contest.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, they landed four players on their Top 100, and while two of them didn't come as a suprirse, the other two did.
First up and highest-rated on the list is cornerback Joey Porter Jr. at No. 33. He's the third-highest ranked cornerabck on the list, behind only Derek Stingley Jr. and Pat Surtain II. Porter is currently waiting on a massive contract extension with the Steelers and based on this metric, he should be paid like the top corners in the NFL.
Next up we get EDGE T.J. Watt at No. 42 and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward at No. 49. Watt and Heyward were the two guys who most often show up on these sorts of lists and despite both guys having down seasons in 2025, are in great positions to rebound in 2026 under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Finally we get center Zach Frazier at No. 75. The only center on this list ranked higher than Frazier is Creed Hunphrey and it really illustrates just how well Frazier played last season, even if others weren't paying attention.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, they landed four players on their Top 100, and while two of them didn't come as a suprirse, the other two did.
First up and highest-rated on the list is cornerback Joey Porter Jr. at No. 33. He's the third-highest ranked cornerabck on the list, behind only Derek Stingley Jr. and Pat Surtain II. Porter is currently waiting on a massive contract extension with the Steelers and based on this metric, he should be paid like the top corners in the NFL.
Next up we get EDGE T.J. Watt at No. 42 and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward at No. 49. Watt and Heyward were the two guys who most often show up on these sorts of lists and despite both guys having down seasons in 2025, are in great positions to rebound in 2026 under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
Finally we get center Zach Frazier at No. 75. The only center on this list ranked higher than Frazier is Creed Hunphrey and it really illustrates just how well Frazier played last season, even if others weren't paying attention.
3 months ago
Who are the best young players in the NFL entering the 2026 NFL season?
Better yet, which young players on the Houston Texans' roster are viewed as elite up-and-comers?
Every offseason, CBS Sports goes through all 32 teams and picks the best 25 young players under the age of 25. For Houston, names like Derek Stingley Jr., C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins have appeared on the list over several seasons.
Collins, a three-time 1,000-yard playmaker for Houston's offense, graduated from the group after the 2024 season. And while Stroud won't turn 25 until October, his underwhelming play in Year 3 knocked him off the list for the 2026 campaign.
So, who was considered for Houston? How about the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL and the best young defensive back in franchise history?
Better yet, which young players on the Houston Texans' roster are viewed as elite up-and-comers?
Every offseason, CBS Sports goes through all 32 teams and picks the best 25 young players under the age of 25. For Houston, names like Derek Stingley Jr., C.J. Stroud and Nico Collins have appeared on the list over several seasons.
Collins, a three-time 1,000-yard playmaker for Houston's offense, graduated from the group after the 2024 season. And while Stroud won't turn 25 until October, his underwhelming play in Year 3 knocked him off the list for the 2026 campaign.
So, who was considered for Houston? How about the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL and the best young defensive back in franchise history?
3 months ago
The Philadelphia Eagles invested heavily in rebuilding their secondary during the 2024 NFL Draft. Two years later, it's difficult to argue with the results.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently surveyed more than 70 NFL executives, coaches and scouts to rank the league's top cornerbacks entering the 2026 season. Unsurprisingly, two Eagles landed on the list as Quinyon Mitchell checked in at No. 6, while Cooper DeJean rounded out the rankings at No. 10. Only Pat Surtain II, Derek Stingley, Christian Gonzales, Devon Witherspoon, and Trent McDuffie placed higher than Mitchell.
The Eagles waited more than two decades to spend a first-round pick on a cornerback before selecting Mitchell 22nd overall in 2024 (Lito Sheppard was the most recent before that). Seeing Mitchell blossom into what he has and seeing DeJean become an All-Pro himself is further validation of Howie Roseman's vision and great news for Philadelphia moving forward.
Mitchell's rise has been particularly impressive. The former Toledo Rockets standout has yet to record his first regular-season NFL interception. He does, however, have four spanning five postseason starts. League evaluators clearly aren't holding that against him, nor should they. According to Fowler's report, executives praised Mitchell's ability to shadow opposing No. 1 receivers while pointing to his consistency in coverage.
His first-team All-Pro selection and advanced metrics only reinforce the eye test, suggesting quarterbacks have found very little success throwing in his direction. As one veteran defensive coach told ESPN, Mitchell is a "sticky man-to-man guy" who continues to improve while remaining connected at the point of attack. DeJean's inclusion on the ranking comes for a different reason.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently surveyed more than 70 NFL executives, coaches and scouts to rank the league's top cornerbacks entering the 2026 season. Unsurprisingly, two Eagles landed on the list as Quinyon Mitchell checked in at No. 6, while Cooper DeJean rounded out the rankings at No. 10. Only Pat Surtain II, Derek Stingley, Christian Gonzales, Devon Witherspoon, and Trent McDuffie placed higher than Mitchell.
The Eagles waited more than two decades to spend a first-round pick on a cornerback before selecting Mitchell 22nd overall in 2024 (Lito Sheppard was the most recent before that). Seeing Mitchell blossom into what he has and seeing DeJean become an All-Pro himself is further validation of Howie Roseman's vision and great news for Philadelphia moving forward.
Mitchell's rise has been particularly impressive. The former Toledo Rockets standout has yet to record his first regular-season NFL interception. He does, however, have four spanning five postseason starts. League evaluators clearly aren't holding that against him, nor should they. According to Fowler's report, executives praised Mitchell's ability to shadow opposing No. 1 receivers while pointing to his consistency in coverage.
His first-team All-Pro selection and advanced metrics only reinforce the eye test, suggesting quarterbacks have found very little success throwing in his direction. As one veteran defensive coach told ESPN, Mitchell is a "sticky man-to-man guy" who continues to improve while remaining connected at the point of attack. DeJean's inclusion on the ranking comes for a different reason.
3 months ago
Has there been a better No. 2 cornerback in the NFL over the past two seasons than Houston Texans' Kamari Lassiter?
After falling down draft boards because of a "slow" 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day, Lassiter landed in perhaps the best situation possible to flourish as a breakout cornerback. Oftentimes, teams can't place their second-best receiver against the former Georgia standout because he's more talented than several No. 1 cornerbacks in the league.
But do others agree that Lassiter might be the best secondary cornerback entering the 2026 NFL season?
Every year, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reaches out to team executives, general managers, scouts and personnel members to find the top 10 players at every position. For cornerbacks, two-time All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. was named the No. 2 corner for 2026 and even garnered some first-place votes.
Lassiter didn't make the cut in the top 10, but he was the first name off the list and received high praise from one executive as the league's best running mate to a shutdown defensive back on the opposing side.
After falling down draft boards because of a "slow" 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day, Lassiter landed in perhaps the best situation possible to flourish as a breakout cornerback. Oftentimes, teams can't place their second-best receiver against the former Georgia standout because he's more talented than several No. 1 cornerbacks in the league.
But do others agree that Lassiter might be the best secondary cornerback entering the 2026 NFL season?
Every year, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reaches out to team executives, general managers, scouts and personnel members to find the top 10 players at every position. For cornerbacks, two-time All-Pro Derek Stingley Jr. was named the No. 2 corner for 2026 and even garnered some first-place votes.
Lassiter didn't make the cut in the top 10, but he was the first name off the list and received high praise from one executive as the league's best running mate to a shutdown defensive back on the opposing side.
3 months ago
Another day, another Top 100 list with a slew of Houston Texans' players.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco released his annual Top 100 players list, naming five Texans among the NFL's best for 2026. To no one's surprise, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently acquired Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took home the top overall spot.
Both Pro Bowl defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. were named among the top 40 players by Prisco. Anderson, who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, came in at No. 15 and ranked fourth among defensive ends. Hunter was a bit lower, appearing at No. 37 overall and ranking sixth among defensive ends.
All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. saw a dip in his rankings after being in the top 25 last season, dropping to No. 40 overall. Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Nick Collins appeared in the top 80 at No. 79 after finishing inside the top 10 for receiving yards last season amid a 12-win campaign.
The final name to make the top 100 was Pro Bowl cornerback Kamari Lassiter. After a breakout rookie season, Lassiter excelled in DeMeco Ryans' defense, holding his own against legitimate No. 1 receivers in man coverage while anchoring the other side of the line opposite of Stingely.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco released his annual Top 100 players list, naming five Texans among the NFL's best for 2026. To no one's surprise, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently acquired Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took home the top overall spot.
Both Pro Bowl defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. were named among the top 40 players by Prisco. Anderson, who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, came in at No. 15 and ranked fourth among defensive ends. Hunter was a bit lower, appearing at No. 37 overall and ranking sixth among defensive ends.
All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. saw a dip in his rankings after being in the top 25 last season, dropping to No. 40 overall. Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Nick Collins appeared in the top 80 at No. 79 after finishing inside the top 10 for receiving yards last season amid a 12-win campaign.
The final name to make the top 100 was Pro Bowl cornerback Kamari Lassiter. After a breakout rookie season, Lassiter excelled in DeMeco Ryans' defense, holding his own against legitimate No. 1 receivers in man coverage while anchoring the other side of the line opposite of Stingely.
3 months ago
Another day, another Top 100 list with a slew of Houston Texans' players.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco released his annual Top 100 players list, naming five Texans among the NFL's best for 2026. To no one's surprise, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently acquired Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took home the top overall spot.
Both Pro Bowl defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. were named among the top 40 players by Prisco. Anderson, who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, came in at No. 15 and ranked fourth among defensive ends. Hunter was a bit lower, appearing at No. 37 overall and ranking sixth among defensive ends.
All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. saw a dip in his rankings after being in the top 25 last season, dropping to No. 40 overall.
As for the rest? Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Nick Collins appeared in the top 80 at No. 79. Injuries have hindered his growth, but even after missing several games due to concussions, Collins managed to finish with over 1,100 yards, finishing top 10 in receiving yards or the second time in three seasons.
CBS Sports' Pete Prisco released his annual Top 100 players list, naming five Texans among the NFL's best for 2026. To no one's surprise, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and recently acquired Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett took home the top overall spot.
Both Pro Bowl defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. were named among the top 40 players by Prisco. Anderson, who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, came in at No. 15 and ranked fourth among defensive ends. Hunter was a bit lower, appearing at No. 37 overall and ranking sixth among defensive ends.
All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. saw a dip in his rankings after being in the top 25 last season, dropping to No. 40 overall.
As for the rest? Two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Nick Collins appeared in the top 80 at No. 79. Injuries have hindered his growth, but even after missing several games due to concussions, Collins managed to finish with over 1,100 yards, finishing top 10 in receiving yards or the second time in three seasons.
