The Daily Slop – 27 October 2026
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
Commanders Film Review: Under Center Struggles
[Note: the play described in the excerpt below can be viewed in the video embedded in the tweet]
[S]ix games into the season, we’ve yet to really see a huge shift in under center usage. It’s definitely gone up compared to the past two
years, but they are still in the bottom three in the NFL for under center usage rates so far this season. Now, part of that is the game situation. The Commanders have been behind in a lot of games this year, which naturally leads to the offense having to pass more and using the shotgun as a result. But part of the reason for the lack of under center usage is also its effectiveness. The Commanders started off the season with some nice looks from under center, but as the season has progressed it’s become less and less effective.
So why is that and what can David Blough and the Commanders offense do to remedy that? Well first we need to look at what they were doing that worked at the start of the year. They entered the season with the intent to run the ball more from under center and lean into more of a wide zone run scheme. Early on, that had good results.
As they went into their second game of the season against the Cowboys, we started to see Blough use some nice sequencing to set up play-action passes.
[On] the run by White on the previous play, the Cowboys [kept] two safeties back deep. Their defensive coordinator comes from the Vic Fangio tree that likes to keep both safeties back deep when possible. However, due to the success of that run from that look earlier, you’ll notice on this play that while the Cowboys show two deep safeties initially, one of those safeties rotates down into the box late to help support the run. Keep that in mind as we dive into the passing concept now.
The Commanders run a play-action concept that is known as “Rider” in the Shanahan tree. On Rider, you have two main routes. To the left of the formation, Terry McLaurin runs a high cross, working to about 20 yards of depth as he crosses the middle of the field. On the other side, Treylon Burks runs a streak right down the seam. This combination is a great one to attack single-high safety coverages like the one the Cowboys play here. Remember my point earlier about how the Cowboys were forced out of their two deep safety structure with this look. It’s important now because this concept puts the single deep safety in conflict. Should he sink back and stay on top of the go route and risk giving up an easy throw underneath him, or should he attach to the high cross and risk giving up the shot over the top?
In most situations, the deep safety sinks back and takes away the deepest route, which is the correct thing to do. However, as Jayden Daniels drops back to pass, he reads the safety and spots him playing shallow and opening his body to McLaurin’s route, indicating he’s looking to take over that route and cut it off. So Daniels immediately knows he has Burks on the go route and pulls the trigger. Unfortunately, Daniels puts just slightly too much on the pass and despite Burks making a full diving effort, the ball grazes his fingertips and falls incomplete.
While the result might not have been what the Commanders would have wanted, that’s more down to the execution. If Daniels takes a yard off that throw, Burks has an uncontested 55-yard touchdown. The scheme was a good one from Blough and it was made even better by the set up. That’s what the best play callers do. They sequence their plays so they show a look early in the game, come back to it later to bait the defense into thinking it’s the same play, only to fool them with a twist.
Despite that promising start, the effectiveness of the Commanders under center game has dropped off significantly. I believe that is in large part due to its predictability. When the Commanders get under center, they almost exclusively run the ball or use a play-action pass. There’s no pure drop back passing game of any sort from under center. In the offseason, I wrote about lessons Blough could learn from Ben Johnson’s first year in Chicago.One of those lessons was incorporating some drop back passing game from under center, but easing the quarterback into it.
Commanders Roundtable
Three underperforming veterans need to deliver immediately
RB Rachaad White
With running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt placed on Injured Reserve, Rachaad White needs to step up in a major way, and so far, he simply has not.
Through five games, White has managed just 145 yards on 36 carries (4.0 yards per carry) with no rushing touchdowns, alongside just 83 receiving yards. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneer was brought to Washington to serve as a reliable dual-threat out of the backfield, but his impact in the passing game has waned over time. After averaging 8.6 yards per reception in 2023 and 7.7 in 2024, his efficiency dropped to just 5.4 yards per catch last season.
The offensive backfield struggles have been noticeable enough that the Commanders even brought back Austin Ekeler to help patch up the unit’s depth. While it is fair to acknowledge that White has been toughing it out through a shoulder injury, the expectation for a fifth-year veteran of his talent level remains much higher.
Ultimately, White has no choice but to elevate his game: with the depth chart stretched thin, he is currently Washington’s RB1.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Athletic (paywall)
Mailbag with Nicki Jhabvala
It’s starting to feel a lot like 2020. The NFC East is a mess (again) and the Washington Commanders sit at the bottom of the division with one win in six games.
And yet, they’re still in it — barely.
The next few weeks could have a significant impact on Washington’s meager playoff hopes; primetime wins over the Eagles and Giants could keep the Commanders in contention, while more losses could all but end their season and amplify calls for a coaching change.
(David) Blough is in over his head as OC. Wouldn’t it be wise to get an experienced offensive coordinator not working this year to help out? Even an out-of-work coach is better than this display of ineptitude. He has no clue in regard to misdirection, quick screens and blitz pickup to help (Daniels) out. Heck, bring back Joe Gibbs to give him some pointers on max protect and outlets for the blitz. — Gerald C.
An out-of-work coach would be better? You sure? I’m willing to bet there’s a reason (or multiple reasons) those coaches are out of work.
The offense certainly hasn’t blown me away, but I’m not sure I fully agree with your assessment, mainly because it’s impossible for outsiders to separate who or what is really at fault in many of these instances. It’s easy to run with a narrative, or an assumption that fits a narrative, but that doesn’t make it true.
There have been obvious moments when the play calling has been questionable. (I do wonder if the overtime gaffe against the Giants was the result of Blough getting the call in late.) But there are a number of other factors (see the earlier question about the roster) that go into an offense’s efficiency. Are the receivers running the right routes? Are they running them well enough? Is the quarterback moving through his progressions too quickly? Are the offensive linemen executing their blocks as they should? Have early deficits forced the offense to get away from the run game? Have breakdowns elsewhere led to repeated mistakes?
My primary issues with this offense are: One, it doesn’t seem to have enough answers. If something breaks down, if a defense sends heavy pressure, then what? And two, Daniels doesn’t seem to be playing as freely as he did in Kliff Kingsbury’s system. Some of that is to be expected. The transition to this offense was significant largely because of the huddling and relaying of plays, and Daniels not exactly playing behind one of the league’s best O-lines. But there’s a fine line between helping a young quarterback adapt to a new system that will benefit him and the team long term, and trying to fit a young quarterback into a system that takes away some of his unique abilities, or leaves him thinking too much.
That doesn’t mean it was a mistake to employ Blough’s system; there are a number of reasons most teams in the league use some version of this offense. But a big motivation for the change was to jumpstart the running game and give Daniels some help. That hasn’t happened, so additional change is necessary.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
Three Changes Blough Should Make
I’d give Williams more of the early work, starting with crossing routes in the opening script. Pair those crossers with a route from Diggs or Okonkwo at a different depth, and give Daniels a defined place to start his read. If Baun jumps the throw to the back, Daniels needs an option behind him.
A few designed rollouts belong in that package, too, with a short receiving option on the side Daniels is moving toward. Protect the edge and give him somewhere to go with the ball if he has to throw early.
Then I’d use some tempo after a positive play. The first touchdown drive included an 11-yard Croskey-Merritt run followed by a 15-yard no-huddle completion to Diggs. Have the next call ready and give Daniels a chance to keep the group moving with a small menu of plays everyone knows well.
Washington was called for two delays of game and two false starts in the opener. Those are avoidable yards to give back against a defense that already makes moving the ball difficult. Getting the call in, getting aligned, and getting the snap off should be part of what the bye helped fix. “It’s not going to be a new system. It’s not going to be new plays, but I do think you’ll feel the systems be more precise,”Quinn said last week.
The short-yardage plan needs attention, too. White was stopped on third-and-1 in the opener, and Moro Ojomo blew up the final two-point shovel pass to John Bates. Washington also converted a fourth-and-one run and scored on Williams’ one-yard catch. There were different ways to get the yard.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
Quinn Sees Bigger Role for Antonio Williams; Eagles Get Reinforcements | Burgundy Roundup
With Terry McLaurin out for the season, it looks like Antonio Williams could be getting more opportunities in Washington’s offense. Dan Quinn said Monday that he doesn’t expect Stefon Diggs’ workload to change much, instead pointing to Williams as someone who could see more targets. “I would say the natural progression is probably Antonio some more.” That doesn’t necessarily mean Williams will take McLaurin’s spot, with Treylon Burks and Dyami Brown also being considered for that role.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Commanders.com
Chig Okonkwo reflects on injury, chemistry with Jayden Daniels
Okonkwo returned [from a Week 1 hamstring injury] in time for the Commanders’ Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite being a home game for Washington, the matchup was held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, so Okonkwo had to wait an extra week to get a taste of playing at Northwest Stadium.
The wait was worth it, however, as Jayden Daniels was also making his home debut after missing two weeks with an elbow injury.
“That really is Game 1 for us as a duo,” Okonkwo said of playing with Daniels. “But it was nice to go out there and execute the plays, and, you know, show flashes of what I can do because it just lets things build up now and lets coaches just see what works, different things, and we can just keep on hammering in what our offensive philosophy is going to be.”
Okonkwo describes playing with Daniels as “very fun,” noting how elusive he is when avoiding defenders. In what ended up being a 27-27 tie against the New York Giants, the duo performed well. Okonkwo had four receptions for 60 yards, while Daniels completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards and added nine carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns to his stat line.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
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Sports Illustrated
Commanders Expect Three Players Back at Practice, but Javon Kinlaw Needs More Time
Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota, defensive lineman Charles Omenihu, and receiver Treylon Burks will be returning to practice. Quinn didn’t like the bad news any more than anyone else: “Javon Kinlaw is not trending as fast as we had hoped, so he’ll continue to work, rehab with his knee.”
Omenihu couldn’t play against the Giants and 49ers while he’s been dealing with groin/ankle issues; getting him back is crucial to a defensive line that’s been dealing with some injuries. Kinlaw, meanwhile, will continue rehabbing his knee after Quinn acknowledged he isn’t progressing as quickly as the team had hoped.
The news on Burks is good after he left the 49ers game with an injury. With Terry McLaurin out for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee, Washington is looking for a spark from somewhere on the roster. Quinn added this little nugget about Stefon Diggs: “Stef is doing well. Workload shouldn’t change as much; I think it’ll be others that would climb up more.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
Commanders Film Review: Pass Rush Issues
[Note: the play described in the excerpt below can be viewed in the video embedded in the tweet]
The Commanders hired Daronte Jones to bring across the ultra aggressive Brian Flores defensive scheme from the Vikings.
While Jones hasn’t been as aggressive as Flores, because nobody in the league is, Jones has blitzed at a higher rate than the vast majority of the league. Despite that, the Commanders rank in the bottom 10 for sacks and haven’t been able to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks the same way that the Vikings do. So what can Daronte Jones and his defensive staff do to help turn that high blitz rate into higher pressure rates and sacks? First, let’s start with the things they do well that they can lean into more frequently.
Here we have a good example of a disguised overload blitz. The Commanders start off with five defenders on the line of scrimmage, two interior defensive lineman, two edge rushers and rookie linebacker Sonny Styles. Prior to the snap, you can see linebacker Frankie Luvu and safety Jeremy Reaves off the line of scrimmage and making calls to the rest of the defense. From this pre-snap look, the offense is likely expecting the four lineman plus Styles to rush, so they slide the protection to the right.
However, just before the ball is snapped, the real picture emerges. Luvu and Reaves charge up to the line of scrimmage, but it’s too late for the Giants to change their protection. The ball is snapped and the offensive line slides to the right, expecting Styles to blitz, but Styles and fellow rookie Joshua Josephs drop off into coverage from that side, leaving the Giants to slide their protection to just one rusher on that side of the line.
Meanwhile, the left side of the line is overloaded. Javon Kinlaw stunts inside to the A gap between the left guard and center, ensuring the left guard works inside to pick him up. Edge rusher Dorance Armstrong attacks outside of the left tackle, making sure the tackle works out to pick him up. That leaves a big gap between the left guard and left tackle. The running back steps up to try and fill it, but he’s left in an impossible position. Both Luvu and Reaves are blitzing in that gap. The back does the correct thing in picking up Luvu, as his blitz hits first, but Reaves comes flying in with momentum
Now, the scheme is good here and it ultimately results in a sack, but something that stands out consistently that is purely on the players is the ability to finish plays. Reaves comes flying in unblocked and misses a free sack. He allows the quarterback to spin out of his tackle attempt and escape. The quarterback avoids Reaves, but Dorance Armstrong is there to clean up, or so it appears. The quarterback manages to come out of his spin move to avoid Reaves and somehow also sidesteps past Armstrong. Fortunately, Daron Payne manages to clean up at the third time of asking, but there’s no way the quarterback should have gotten three lives there.
Commanders.com
Final thoughts | Commanders’ reset after bye-week
— Quinn said it was “awesome” to see Trey Amos back on the field against the 49ers. Amos has dealt with multiple injuries for the better part of the last calendar year, which Quinn said can take a toll on a player. There was no flinching, though, Quinn added, which was why he managed to have a larger impact than expected for a player who has barely practiced with his teammates.
— Quinn said there was “energy and optimism’ from the players to get started again after the break. There was certainly disappointment in how the season unfolded before the bye week, but everyone in the building is determined to get things back on track.
— Here’s what Quinn had to say about his belief that the roster can bounce back from a rough start:
“My belief in them is really strong. I’ve seen the practice habits, and that’s why knowing we’ve been in every game and I’d love to have all four quarters together. That’s what we’re chasing, and that’s what I’m certain we’re gonna get after [the bye week]. When we do that, beginning this week, I think that will really show what we’re made of.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Metro Sports Page
Terry McLaurin’s Story Isn’t Over
A devastating injury has ended Terry’s season and cast doubt on his future in Washington, but after seven years of defying expectations, don’t count out No. 17 just yet
Before the season even started, there was talk about this being Terry’s last season in Washington. His three-year, $97M contract set up an out for the team after this season, allowing the Commanders to use a June 1 designation and recoup considerable cap space for next year (as much as $25M, according to Spotrac).
That is a lot of money, of course, but as I have said on Tuesday nights, if he was healthy and playing well, Terry McLaurin would have been worth keeping around. I mean, we basically pocketed that much for the 2026 season—Spotrac has us with $25M of available cap space right now.
Assuming Jayden and Terry were clicking, we would be asking Terry to continue his assault on the top of our career receiving list. I know I get overly sentimental about football, and that can result in wrong-headed decision-making.
Further, the injury he sustained (a torn patellar tendon) is very, very no bueno. The expected timetable for Terry’s return to the field is probably around 10–11 months, based on the historical average of almost 50 previous NFL patellar tendon tears. This means that contract decisions will be made long before he is cleared to practice fully.
I fully expect Adam Peters to leave the door open for Terry to return to Washington, but it is hard to believe that it wouldn’t be on a different contract. The injury itself isn’t career-ending, as about 60% of those aforementioned players returned to the field.
I don’t know what kind of miracle it would take for Terry to beat the odds in terms of his ability to produce at a high level again, but I do know that for that miracle to happen, it will take an insane amount of work. Terry excels at that part of the business, and nobody knows that better than our front office.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
NFC East links
ESPN
Is it time to … respect the Giants as favorites in the NFC East?
Somebody has to win the division, and after two weeks of losses and ties, the Giants became the first team in the NFC East to win a game since Week 4 with their victory over the Texans. Trading for and then turning to J.J. McCarthy seemed like a desperate move for an organization that lost Jaxson Dart to a season-ending knee injury in Week 2. But even if you want to discount what he did against the Saints as work in garbage time, McCarthy looked poised and accurate throughout the game against the Texans on Sunday. His 63% precise pass rate, measuring how often a quarterback hits his receiver in stride in the torso area, was the best figure McCarthy has posted in a single game as a pro.
As a quarterback who is reticent to throw over the middle of the field, McCarthy has to live throwing to the sidelines, where anything short of excellent ball placement risks a pick-six and any hesitation to throw the ball blows up the timing of a play. He was excellent on those throws in his first start with the Giants, going 8-of-13 for 169 yards on throws outside the numbers. Having Malik Nabers helps, but McCarthy looked more comfortable and effective throwing to Nabers and Malachi Fields than he did Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison a year ago. It’s not proof that the Giants landed a steal with their in-season trade for McCarthy, but one impressive start is one more than a fair number of people would have expected from him in New York after his 2025 season in Minnesota.
Beating the Texans with a third-string QB was impressive, but it’s even more notable when you consider how thin the Giants were elsewhere. In addition to Dart, the Giants were without five defensive starters in Tremaine Edmunds, Brian Burns, Roy Robertson-Harris, Jevon Holland and Greg Newsome II. The former three are out for the season. Veterans such as Jason Pinnock, Ar’Darius Washington, DJ Reader and Shelby Harris — all signed to modest contracts in free agency — started and played meaningful snaps for the Giants on Sunday.
New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson has leaned heavily into the blitz, with the Giants sending extra rushers at the seventh-highest rate in the NFL. Those blitzes are working: The Giants are allowing just 4.8 yards per dropback when they blitz, the fifth-best rate in the league. C.J. Stroud was 6-of-11 for 62 yards against the blitz on Sunday, although he did throw a touchdown pass late in the game against a rush where Kayvon Thibodeaux would have had a clear run at the pressured quarterback, only to fall down and allow Stroud to boot out before throwing a game-tying score.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Pro Football Talk
Cowboys are the betting favorites to win the NFC East after win in Philadelphia
After Monday night’s win in Philadelphia, Dallas is a +115 favorite to win the NFC East. Just behind the Cowboys are the Giants at +125. The Commanders are long shots at +800 and the Eagles are the longest shots at +1500.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Blogging the Boys
The defense played well enough; concerns still exist
The first two drives of the night for the Eagles were laughable for the Cowboys defense. This looked like it was going to be a long night against a backup quarterback, backup wide receivers, a banged up offensive line, and a mash unit at running back led by an obviously hurting Saquon Barkley. But after the first two nightmarish drives, the defense buckled down and let up just seven points for the rest of the night.
The run defense was the most problematic piece of the night. This is supposed to be a strength of the Cowboys defense yet on the opening drive they were absolutely gashed by an ailing Saquon Barkley behind a suspect offensive line. They struggled to stop the run throughout the night allowing nearly five yards per rush to the Eagles backfield.
Against backup quarterback Tanner McKee, the Dallas defense fared a bit better but still was not as good as you’d hope considering who they were matched up against.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Upcoming opponent – Eagles
Commanders next game is at home on Sunday Night Football vs the Philadelphia Eagles
Bleeding Green Nation
Let the tanking begin
With nine minutes left, large segments of open seats began to appear at Lincoln Financial Field Monday night. Not that it really mattered, because the Linc seemed lifeless all night anyway in a rare moment for an Eagles-Dallas Cowboys game.
The Cowboys’ anemic running game, which averaged 76 yards rushing a game, certainly found a remedy in the Eagles’ tired, haggard defense in a 38-21 Dallas victory.
The Eagles are in the throes of a five-game losing streak, the first of Nick Sirianni’s tenure and first for the Eagles since 2016, Doug Pederson’s first year as head coach.
Dallas moved to 3-4 and the Eagles fell to 2-5, and even though the Cowboys are just a game better, the teams seem light years away from each other.
The Eagles looked defeated in their eyes. They looked defeated in their play. They looked defeated in their body language. They looked defeated in trusting the game plan presented by the coaching staff.
In his quest to tank, Howie Roseman may be calling every former high school star in the Delaware Valley over the next few months.
The over-under apathy line was set last week at mid-November. Do not look now, but the shroud of apathy descended on the 2026 Eagles under a full moon on Monday night.
Dallas won for the first time at the Linc since 2021.
The Eagles have turned 2026 into an extended exhibition season. That’s the feel the empty Linc had in the fourth quarter Monday night.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Bleeding Green Nation
Saquon Barkley’s hamstring is still an issue, but the Eagles needed him
Barkley was in for the first offensive play coming out of halftime and had a nice 12-yard run, but after the play, he once again made his way back to the sideline. The broadcast captured his grimace up close as he unclipped his chinstrap, and the RB was clearly playing through some discomfort. Through three quarters, he was on the field for 10 snaps and carried the ball each of those times.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles listed Barkley as questionable to return with a back injury, essentially ending his game with 62 rushing yards.
Based on his pre-game comments, and how soon his hot hand was passed on, the Eagles were actively managing Barkley’s pitch count against the Cowboys. Hopefully he didn’t re-aggravate his hamstring injury during his limited time on the field, and is able to continue to build strength back on his way toward a full workload.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Riggo’s Rag
It’s over for Dan Quinn if the Commanders can’t beat this Eagles team
Philadelphia is a shell of its old self. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is done for the season with a scary blood clot diagnosis, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith and running back Saquon Barkley are also banged up.
Their offensive line lost prolific right tackle Lane Johnson to retirement, and general manager Howie Roseman traded two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens.
While the defense has some strengths, giving up 38 points to the Dallas Cowboys showed cracks that hadn’t been there previously under Vic Fangio.
The Commanders cannot waste this opportunity.
They are coming off their bye week, so they should be fresh. Philadelphia has one less day to prepare and heal after Monday Night Football. Their momentum has plummeted, and the Commanders are on home soil.
Everything seems to be working in their favor. Even without wide receiver Terry McLaurin and potentially other established veterans, there is no excuse not to get the job done at Northwest Stadium.
This is a game they must win. If they don’t, Quinn’s position might become untenable.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL league links
Articles
ESPN
Kirk Cousins to remain Raiders’ starting QB vs. Jets, Klint Kubiak says
Kirk Cousins will remain the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback for this Sunday’s road matchup against the New York Jets, and “there’s no controversy” about sitting the 38-year-old veteran for No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, coach Klint Kubiak said Monday.
“[Cousins is] playing at a very high level, and he’s got to continue to do that for us to win,” Kubiak said. “We got to keep helping all the areas around him. [I’m] excited for him to go play against the Jets.”
Cousins’ job security appeared to be in question when Kubiak said he would evaluate “everything,” including the quarterback position, after the Raiders’ 35-21 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, which extended their losing streak to four games and dropped their record to 3-4.
Kubiak added that the team has a plan for Mendoza, but they don’t have a timeline for when the Heisman Trophy winner will make his first career start.
“Fernando is going to play at some point. It’s not going to be this week.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
The Ringer
Winner: Everyone Hoping for a Colts Fire Sale
In last Thursday’s Take-O-Meter, I ranked every valuable non–Tyler Warren player on the Colts roster with the expectation that there would be a fire sale in the not-so-distant future. On Saturday, The Ringer’s own Tom Pelisseroreported that no Indianapolis player “is expected to be off-limits” if owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon decides to sell off former GM Chris Ballard’s roster before the November 10 trade deadline. And now, with the Colts losing ugly again on Sunday—this time 16-10 on the road against the Vikings—I’d expect the deals to start coming. Indy is 2-5, with the Jaguars on the road next and the Cowboys at home after that. Nothing suggests an imminent turnaround.
Quarterback Daniel Jones, whom Ballard signed to a two-year, $88 million extension seven months ago, looks like a shell of the bad quarterback he was before he and head coach Shane Steichen got hot for a couple of months at the start of last season. Steichen isn’t considering a QB change because he says he has “a ton of faith in Daniel,” but Jones can’t save Steichen after the opening script, and the Colts overall are a three-phase failure. Irsay-Gordon doesn’t need to be on the sideline to see that.
Is your team in the market for Jonathan Taylor? Quenton Nelson? DeForest Buckner? Stay tuned. All signs point to Indianapolis cleaning house soon, and Week 7 brought us one step closer.—Gayle
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Discussion topics / 2027 NFL Draft
The Athletic (paywall)
How will teams evaluate Oregon QB Dante Moore as a potential 2027 NFL Draft prospect?
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft class, will likely miss the rest of the season because of a concussion suffered on Sept. 26 against USC. Ducks coach Dan Lanning said Monday night that he is “not anticipating (Moore) being back this season.”
Moore, a redshirt junior, does have one more year of college eligibility. However, he entered this season expected to challenge for the top QB spot in the ’27 draft — he ranked No. 6 on Dane Brugler’s preseason big board, behind only Texas’ Arch Manning (No. 2) at his position.
Also, Moore would likely have been an early first-round selection in the 2026 draft had he declared following his redshirt sophomore season. Instead, he opted to return to Oregon in hopes of contending for a national title and the Heisman Trophy. Oregon’s College Football Playoff hopes are all but gone, however, following a 4-3 start. Moore was available for just one of those losses, in Week 2 at Oklahoma State.
For its part, Oregon put a succession plan in place for the 2027 season by securing Nebraska transfer Dylan Raiola this past offseason. Raiola, like Moore, a former five-star recruit, has started two of the three games (and played in all three games) Moore has missed thus far.
Lanning said that Moore still is not cleared to play, a month removed from an injury that occurred on an illegal hit by USC linebacker Desman Stephens.
Without speculating on how Moore’s health will progress, there is still room to ponder his NFL future. Has he done enough for NFL teams to feel comfortable with him should he enter the 2027 draft?
Had he declared last year, it’s generally believed he would have been a top-10 pick, likely at No. 2 to the New York Jets. But the concussion he’s dealing with and any subsequent recovery are now part of his evaluation.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
