The latest news from around the division.
Saints finalizing deal with Eagles OC Kellen Moore to become new head coach – Grant Gordon, NFL.com
The coordinator finally gets his chance to run the whole show.
Kellen Moore is sticking around in New Orleans.
Moore, as expected, is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach of the New Orleans Saints, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday.
The Insiders added that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis called other head coaching candidates to deliver the news of Moore’s hiring.
Just two days after helping the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl LIX win at the Caesars Superdome in NOLA, the Philly offensive coordinator will be staying in the city for the long haul.
The 35-year-old Moore is on the move to a different job for the fourth straight season, but this will be his first head coaching job in the NFL. He was with the Dallas Cowboys from 2018-2022 (the last four as their OC) and the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023 before his one year in Philly.
Prior to Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ three-touchdown Super Bowl MVP performance in Philadelphia’s 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, it was reported that the plan was for Moore and the Saints to finalize a deal. Now, Moore will officially succeed Dennis Allen, who was fired amid a 5-12 2024 season.
In his one season with Philadelphia, Moore piloted the Eagles offense to top-eight rankings in points scored and total yards, which included Saquon Barkley becoming the ninth 2,000-yard rusher in NFL history.
Commanders’ Dante Fowler Jr. among best free agent pass rushers – Jeremy Brener, Sports Illustrated
From one ex-Cowboy (Kellen Moore) to another, Dante Fowler Jr. had a productive 2024 and it may pay off big time.
The Washington Commanders saw Dante Fowler Jr. experience a renaissance in his first season with the team.
Fowler was arguably the team’s best pass rusher, logging 10.5 sacks, the most he’s had in a single season since 2019 when he was with the Los Angeles Rams.
The 33rd Team writer Dan Pizzuta listed Fowler as the No. 52 free agent in this spring’s class.
Will Commanders re-sign Fowler?
“There was a ton of explosiveness in Dante Fowler Jr.’s game during his season in Washington. He was 21st in pressure rate and eighth among edge rushers in pass rush win rate. Fowler did run hot, converting 87.5 percent of his hits into sacks (the league average is around 42 percent), but the constant pressure is something to believe in,” Pizzuta writes.
There’s no guarantee that Fowler will have the kind of year he had in 2024 next season, but the Commanders need a high-level pass rusher, and Fowler is currently the likeliest person to fill that role out of anyone possible for Washington in 2025.
Cover 3: Prospects to keep in mind in Round 2 – John Schmeelk, Dan Salomone & Matt Citak, Giants.com
Possible Day 2 draft picks for the G-men.
John Schmeelk: The Giants need to find a good starter with their pick at the top of the second round and a player like that is going to be available. If the Giants are looking for a secondary piece, could Shavon Revel drop into their laps since he is recovering from a season ending knee surgery? Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas or Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos could be a cornerback pick, or maybe the Giants value a safety like Nick Emmanwori or Malaki Starks if he falls.
Dan Salomone: How many Ohio State players can I list here? But seriously, top of the second round is the sweet spot for the national champions. Like the overall draft class, there is probably more depth than perceived high-end talent. In Daniel Jeremiah’s initial top 50, you have wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (No. 25), tackle Josh Simmons (No. 30), versatile offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (No. 31), running backs Quinshon Judkins (No. 34) and TreVeyon Henderson (No. 36), and captain Jack Sawyer (No. 40). Then there is defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, edge defender JT Tuimoloau, safety Lathan Ransom, linebacker Cody Simon, and of course, quarterback Will Howard.
I can feel Citak’s and Schmeelk’s eyes rolling because, sure, it might not be prudent to limit your draft pool to one school. But you won’t regret any of those guys.
Matt Citak: With Greg Van Roten set to hit free agency, the Giants will have to address their interior offensive line in some capacity this offseason. Every year, the top of the second round seems to be a sweet spot for those guys up front. Following a dominant performance at Senior Bowl practices, one player I’ll be keeping a close eye on these next few months is North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel. The former Bison started 41 games over five seasons, with games at both tackle and guard positions. While in Mobile, Zabel split his time between guard and center, adding even more versatility to his belt. Zabel was one of the most impressive players at the Senior Bowl, as he was named the Overall Practice Player of the Week by NFL talent evaluators. His performance in Mobile likely catapulted his draft stock up to early Day 2, and there’s even a chance he could sneak into the end of the first round. But if he’s there at 34, Zabel could provide a big boost to the Giants’ protection up front.
