Cal DB Hezekiah Masses Drafted by Raiders in Fifth Round, Extending 7-Year Streak Cornerback Hezekiah Masses was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fifth round on Saturday, marking the seventh consecutive year a California defensive back has been chosen in the NFL Draft. Masses, who played one season for the Bears as a senior transfer from Florida International, was the 175th overall player drafted this year and the 22nd cornerback selected. His selection continues a trend that began in 2020, when Cal’s defensive backs have consistently been recognized for their NFL potential. Masses, a 6-foot-1, 179-pounder, led the nation last season with 18 passes defended, including 13 passes broken up and five interceptions returned for 91 yards. He also recorded 47 tackles, showcasing his versatility as a playmaker. His performance earned him a first-team All-ACC selection in his lone season with the Bears. Masses was invited to the NFL Combine but opted to attend Cal’s Pro Day instead, where he evaluated his skillset. During his Pro Day, Masses emphasized his strengths, stating, “Definitely ball skills. I’m good when the ball’s in the air. My IQ on the field; I’m always in good position. Some weaknesses I told them, I need to improve in tackling.” This self-assessment aligned with expert analyses of his prospects. Scouts Inc. noted that Masses is an athletic cornerback with the speed (4.46 in the 40-yard dash) to succeed at the next level. His balance, body control, and fluid hips allow him to transition smoothly between coverage schemes, making him effective in both man and zone defenses. However, analysts highlighted areas for improvement. Pro Football Focus pointed out that Masses’ run-defense grades were sub-66.0 in both 2024 and 2025, indicating limitations against the run.#california #las_vegas_raiders #pro_football_focus #hezekiah_masses #scouts_inc
Vikings to Release Javon Hargrave on Wednesday The Minnesota Vikings are set to cut ties with Javon Hargrave on Wednesday, marking the first day of the new NFL league year, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move comes as the Green Bay Packers, seeking defensive line reinforcements, aim to sign Hargrave without triggering an offsetting compensatory draft pick in 2027. This opportunity arises because Hargrave would qualify as a street free agent, having been released rather than allowing his contract to expire naturally. Hargrave, a former defensive lineman under Jonathan Gannon, received a 68 overall grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) in 2025, placing him 35th among 134 qualifying interior defensive linemen. PFF typically evaluates nose tackles more leniently compared to other interior positions, and Hargrave primarily played the nose tackle role for the Vikings. However, his versatility could make him a valuable asset for the Packers, who may deploy him as a nose tackle in nickel packages. In base defensive schemes, he is likely to function as a 3-4 defensive end, operating as a three-technique player. Despite playing the nose tackle full-time with the Vikings, Hargrave’s role was shaped by Brian Flores’ stunt-heavy system, which does not traditionally demand nose tackles to perform as traditional “true nose tackles.” Throughout his career, Hargrave has alternated between nose tackle and three-technique roles, including during his time with the Eagles under Gannon. This adaptability suggests he could seamlessly transition into the Packers’ system, where he might pair with Devonte Wyatt as the team’s starting “ends” in base looks. If signed, Hargrave would address one of two gaps in the Packers’ starting defensive line, leaving the team to focus on finding a dedicated nose tackle.#green_bay_packers #minnesota_vikings #pro_football_focus #adam_schefter #javon_hargrave
Giants' Jermaine Eluemunor Claims He's the Best Right Tackle in the NFL Ahead of Free Agency Jermaine Eluemunor, the New York Giants' right tackle, has publicly asserted that he is the best player at his position in the NFL, a bold claim as he prepares to enter free agency. The 31-year-old offensive lineman, who has spent the past two seasons as a key starter for the Giants, believes his performance this season solidifies his status as one of the league’s top right tackles. Eluemunor’s confidence stems from a standout 2025 season, during which he recorded a career-high 1,088 snaps while allowing just four sacks. His pass-blocking prowess earned him a 76.7 grade from Pro Football Focus, the highest mark of his career. While he has faced criticism for occasional inconsistencies in run blocking, his ability to protect the quarterback has been a major factor in the Giants’ offensive success. Despite his current standing, Eluemunor acknowledges the presence of elite competition at his position. Players like Lane Johnson, Penei Sewell, and Tristan Wirfs have long been regarded as the best right tackles in the league. However, Eluemunor insists his film and on-field performance validate his claim. “I made sure to let anyone who wanted to hear me know that I believe I’m the best right tackle in the league and my film proves it,” he told The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. The Giants’ offensive line has been a focal point of the team’s success in recent years, and Eluemunor’s role has been critical. Ranked 20th on Gregg Rosenthal’s list of top 101 free agents, he is the highest-rated right tackle available and the second-best tackle overall behind Packers’ Rasheed Walker. His performance has positioned him as a top target for teams looking to bolster their offensive line.#new_york_giants #pro_football_focus #the_athletic #jermaine_eluemunor #giants_offensive_line
Detroit Lions Secure New Center Cade Mays in Three-Year Deal The Detroit Lions have finalized a three-year, $25 million contract with former Carolina Panthers starting center Cade Mays, marking a significant addition to their offensive line. According to Aaron Wilson, the deal includes $14 million in guaranteed money. Mays, who was selected by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, will turn 27 in April. During his time with the Panthers, he has appeared in 52 games, starting 27 of them. In the past two seasons, he has started 20 games without allowing a single sack. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 325 pounds, Mays is a physically imposing lineman who relies on power to dominate at the point of attack. However, his athletic ability also allows him to move effectively, making him a versatile threat in both run and pass protection. This season, Mays recorded 793 snaps on offense, the most in his four-year career. Over the past two seasons, he has accumulated more than 1,200 snaps at center, demonstrating his reliability and experience. His pass-blocking performance has been particularly impressive, with just 21 pressures and zero sacks allowed across 756 snaps. Pro Football Focus data highlights Mays’ efficiency in pass protection, ranking him ninth among 35 qualifying centers with an efficiency score of 98.6. For comparison, Linderbaum, who finished 30th with an efficiency score of 97.2, allowed 26 pressures and two sacks across 536 snaps in 2025. These numbers underscore Mays’ ability to minimize disruptions in the pocket, a critical skill for a center in today’s NFL. The Lions’ decision to sign Mays comes after a challenging offseason for their offensive line.#detroit_lions #cade_mays #carolina_panters #aaron_wilson #pro_football_focus
Trent McDuffie PFF and the 2025 Cornerback Inflection Point: Why Devon Witherspoon Now Sets the Bar Pro Football Focus (PFF)’s 2025 cornerback evaluations have reshaped how fans and fantasy managers assess the position, with Seattle Seahawks’ Devon Witherspoon emerging as the NFL’s top all-around perimeter cornerback. PFF’s analysis highlights Witherspoon’s dominance across multiple defensive dimensions, positioning him as a standout in a league where perimeter cornerbacks increasingly influence game outcomes. His performance in 2025, marked by a 90.1 PFF defense grade and a 90.1 PFF run-defense grade, underscores his versatility as a defender who impacts both pass and run games. Witherspoon’s 92.9 PFF pass-rush grade and 83.6 PFF coverage grade further solidify his status as a multifaceted player. Transitioning from a slot-heavy role in previous seasons to a perimeter-focused role in 2025, his stats reflect a peak in performance. Among cornerbacks with at least 600 defensive snaps, Witherspoon ranks and/or ties for first in defense and pass-rush grades, third in run defense, and second in coverage. This combination of skills sets him apart as a player who can alter games through multiple phases of defense. The PFF analysis also emphasizes the growing importance of perimeter-cornerback matchups in fantasy football. Elite perimeter defenders like Witherspoon can significantly impact how teams approach weekly matchups by disrupting opposing offenses. For example, Cincinnati Bengals’ Tre Turner is profiled as a breakout player with a 73.3 PFF defense grade and 78.1 PFF coverage grade. Turner’s ability to force incompletions at a league-best rate, particularly on third down, positions him as a top-tier coverage defender. His 28.#seattle_seahawks #pro_football_focus #devon_witherspoon #trent_mcduffie #tre_turner
