StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/alec_lewis/status/2092302996210139277?s=46&t=ohFAAgt56m6anXyDpx1btQ

Big guy. 6-2, 195, 4.3 forty, drafted in the 6th round in 2023.

Hawkins was a football and track standout at Temple High School before staying in-state to play two years at Trinity Valley Community College. He transferred to Old Dominion before the 2020 season, but the school did not play due to COVID-19 concerns. Hawkins started all 25 games for the Monarchs over the next two years, racking up 76 tackles (four for loss) and six pass breakups in 13 games in 2021 and then intercepting two passes, breaking up six others, posting 57 stops, blocking a kick, and forcing two fumbles in 12 starts last fall. -- by Chad Reuter

Analysis

By Lance Zierlein

NFL Analyst

Draft Projection

Priority free agent

Overview

Hawkins will be a project for teams interested in press corners with above-average athletic traits. He’s given up a lot of touchdowns, but those issues were often due to a lack of awareness and ball skills at the finish line. He showed off speed, suddenness and explosive leaping ability at his pro day, but those elements don’t show up on tape often enough due to a lack of instincts as a playmaker. There are some tools to tinker with, but Hawkins will need to make significant strides in his development to make a team.

Strengths

• Good combination of size, length and long speed.

• Active hands are accurate with his press punch.

• Able to phase and stride with deep routes from press.

• Showed improvement in coverage from 2021 to 2022.

• Can attack and shed blocks quickly in run support.

Weaknesses

• Pre-snap instincts are lacking.

• Lacks proficiency with route recognition and anticipation.

• Frequently a step slow in making his jump on the throw.

• Hips get sticky when he bites on route misdirection.

• Struggles to toggle between coverage and ball location.

"For the love of everything holy, get off your hands and sign an EDGE3 today" ✍️

- @thorku on wanting to see the #Vikings add another edge rusher pic.twitter.com/aq0ejk6Uxv

— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) August 25, 2026

Evening Judd: #Vikings’ injuries present an opportunity for this undrafted free agent

Sponsored by @plunkettspest pic.twitter.com/7Le1qwSWgP

— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) August 25, 2026

Jones suspended for 3 games of regular season. Nail in the coffin for making the roster.

Trade! Chiefs acquiring guard Joshua Ezeudu from Giants in exchange for 2028 seventh-round pick, per @MikeGarafolo + @RapSheet https://t.co/oaxntnBYSM pic.twitter.com/igzWK3UZl2

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 26, 2026

The Dolphins added a wide receiver to the roster on Tuesday.

They announced that they have claimed Ryan Miller off of waivers. The Giants waived Miller on Monday.

1. Jacob Thomas, Vikings
15. Trebor Pena, Jaguars

Top 15 Highest Graded NFL Rookies This Preseason⬇️https://t.co/HW1FjvWPxL

— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 26, 2026

With the second full slate of games in the NFL preseason in the books, it’s time to take a look at which rookies have impressed the most so far. This is a list that we will update on a weekly basis throughout preseason, and will modify the snap threshold accordingly each week. For this week, a player must have been on the field for at least 30 snaps so far this preseason.

Here are the highest-graded rookies in the NFL after preseason Week 2.

* 1. S Jacob Thomas, Minnesota Vikings: 92.2

The highest-graded rookie in the NFL through the first two weeks of preseason, Thomas has earned a 90.9 PFF coverage grade and a 72.4 PFF run-defense grade. He has made three tackles resulting in a defensive stop and recorded an interception and a pass breakup.

2. QB Carson Beck, Arizona Cardinals: 91.7

Beck hasn’t played since the Hall of Fame Game that saw him generate a 91.7 PFF grade and produce three big-time throws with no turnover-worthy plays. However, he saw enough snaps in that game to qualify for this list for at least another week.

3. T Diego Pounds, Baltimore Ravens: 90.9

Pounds is the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL so far this preseason. He has been on the field for 15 pass-blocking snaps and has yet to allow a sack hit or hurry. He’s also produced a 91.1 PFF run-blocking grade on 19 run-blocking snaps.

4. QB Athan Kaliakmanis, Washington Commanders: 90.8

Kaliakmanis followed up a solid debut against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1 with an even better showing in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. So far this preseason, he is averaging 10.4 yards per attempt and has an 8.0% big-time throw rate.

5. WR De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco 49ers: 90.0

Stribling is tied for fourth among all NFL players with 13 targets so far this preseason. He has been targeted early in games, and has caught 11 passes for 109 yards while averaging 4.95 yards per route run.

6. WR Camden Brown, Dallas Cowboys, 89.7

Browns ranks fourth among all wide receivers to see five targets with a 5.15 yards-per-route-run average this preseason. He has caught five passes for 139 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

7. RB Mike Washington Jr., Las Vegas Raiders: 88.5

Washington leads all NFL running backs with at least five preseason carries with a 90.3 PFF rushing grade. He is averaging 7.9 yards per carry, with 7.1 of those yards coming after contact. He has also forced six missed tackles, tied for fifth among running backs.

8. CB Chandler Rivers, Baltimore Ravens: 88.4

Rivers, a fifth-round pick out of Duke, has impressed through two preseason games. On the field for 40 coverage snaps, he has been targeted six times but allowed only two receptions for six yards while recording a pair of pass breakups. He has allowed an NFL passer rating of just 42.4.

* 9. LB Bangally Kamara, Minnesota Vikings: 87.0

Kamara has been all over the field through two preseason games, particularly as a run defender, where he has earned an 86.4 PFF grade. He has yet to miss a tackle and has recorded nine tackles resulting in a defensive stop, leading all players in preseason.

10. CB Ayden Garnes, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 86.9

Garnes has compiled a 90.4 PFF coverage grade so far this preseason, having been targeted seven times from 53 coverage snaps. He has surrendered four receptions for 54 yards, but has given up an NFL passer rating of just 42.3. He has yet to allow a touchdown while recording a pass breakup and interception.

11. T Albert Reese IV, Carolina Panthers: 86.5

Reese has played 140 snaps so far this preseason, all at right tackle, with the Mississippi State undrafted free agent registering a 92.6 PFF run-blocking grade that leads all offensive lineman. He has also been solid in pass protection, giving up just two hurries from 104 pass-blocking snaps.

12. G  Fernando Carmona, Tennessee Titans: 86.3

A fifth-round pick out of Arkansas, Carmona has seen 47 snaps so far this preseason, with all of them coming at right guard. He has merited PFF grades above 80.0 both as a run-blocker and in pass protection, and has allowed just one pressure from 31 pass-blocking snaps.

13. CB Mory Bamba, New York Jets: 86.0

Bamba didn’t play this week, but suited up on enough snaps the previous week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to keep his spot on this list. He was targeted 10 times from just 29 coverage snaps, allowing 54 yards on four receptions, but came away with a pair of pass breakups and two tackles resulting in a defensive stop.

14. EDGE Cameron Robertson, Arizona Cardinals: 84.9

An undrafted free agent out of SMU, Robertson has racked up seven total pressures from 50 pass-rushing snaps through three preseason games. He has tallied three tackles resulting in a defensive stop, with all three coming in the recent game against the Dallas Cowboys that saw him finish with a 90.1 PFF grade.

15. WR Trebor Pena, Jacksonville Jaguars: 84.9

An undrafted free agent out of Penn State, Pena has caught seven of the eight passes thrown his way this preseason, totalling 130 yards and a touchdown. He has averaged 6.84 yards per route run, the best mark among all players in the NFL with at least five preseason targets.

Only @JJettas2 more days until kickoff ✈️ pic.twitter.com/CCQW9ugTZ3

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2026

Best story in the NFL right now. https://t.co/DnKSAxUaIX

— Jason Harmon (@JasonHarmonNFL) August 26, 2026

Dolphins trade Tutu Atwell back to Rams

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Dolphins have agreed to trade Atwell to the Rams. Atwell was a 2021 second-round pick of the NFC West club and he spent the last five seasons playing for head coach Sean McVay.

The Rams will send running back Jarquez Hunter to Miami in exchange for Atwell.

"3. T Diego Pounds, Baltimore Ravens: 90.9

Pounds is the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL so far this preseason. He has been on the field for 15 pass-blocking snaps and has yet to allow a sack hit or hurry. He’s also produced a 91.1 PFF run-blocking grade on 19 run-blocking snaps."

Can we talk about a dude named Diego Pounds that is an Offensive Lineman? Sometimes a guy is bound to be something from birth. With a name like Diego Pounds, what else could he be besides an NFL OL, or maybe a WWE Wrestler.

The Green Bay Packers botched the right guard battle from the start. Now, they’re falling straight into a trap that you could see from miles away, and the consequences could become a major problem for Jordan Love and the offense. https://t.co/9uj6hGIl5v

— Wendell Ferreira (@wendellfp) August 28, 2026

Vikesrock wrote:

"3. T Diego Pounds, Baltimore Ravens: 90.9
Pounds is the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL so far this preseason. He has been on the field for 15 pass-blocking snaps and has yet to allow a sack hit or hurry. He’s also produced a 91.1 PFF run-blocking grade on 19 run-blocking snaps."

Can we talk about a dude named Diego Pounds that is an Offensive Lineman? Sometimes a guy is bound to be something from birth. With a name like Diego Pounds, what else could he be besides an NFL OL, or maybe a WWE Wrestler.

Grow a cheesy mustache…

Took a stab at predicting the Vikings' practice squad ahead of tonight's preseason finale @AtoZSportsNFL https://t.co/DlHqCa2oIJ

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) August 28, 2026

Predicting Vikings Practice Squad: Multiple preseason standouts make list, while some unknowns remain

After the 53-man roster, the biggest question that remains with the Minnesota Vikings is who lands on the practice squad.

The Minnesota Vikings are finalizing their 53-man roster this weekend, and new general manager Nolan Teasley faces several difficult decisions regarding back-end depth. From quarterback to the specialists, multiple players are still fighting for a roster spot. Even with ability worthy of making the cut, some won’t end up on the 53. Here are the players who make a lot of sense to land on the Vikings practice squad instead.

QB Max Brosmer

After a strong training camp last season, Brosmer shone in the preseason and earned a spot on the 53-man roster as the QB3 over Brett Rypien. He hasn’t done enough this year to show he deserves to stay on the 53 considering what Minnesota has at quarterback and where its roster needs lie, but there is still value in having him in the room. Brosmer is intelligent and understands the game well, but development remains before you can trust him to play in an NFL game.

RB Zavier Scott

Scott lost the spot to Demond Claiborne, but there is still a lot of good with his game. He’s a solid pass protector, a former wide receiver who is effective out of the backfield as a receiver, and he brings special teams value. He doesn’t have the explosive juice Claiborne brings, but there is enough upside to keep him around.

WR Dillon Bell

Bell was the talk of rookie minicamp, mandatory minicamp, and the OTA period, but he did not show the same level of ability during camp and the preseason. A four-year player at Georgia who was a consistent piece in the Bulldogs’ offense, Bell needs more development to earn a roster spot.

WR Dontae Fleming

Fleming thrived during training camp last year and showed enough to warrant a practice squad spot despite limited opportunities. He will come close to making the 53-man roster this year, but his ability doesn’t come to fruition the way the Vikings hoped. There is still something worth developing, and he could potentially work his way up to being a WR3.

TE Ben Yurosek

After tight end Gavin Bartholomew injured his back last year, Yurosek earned the final 53-man roster spot. This year he doesn’t quite get there but still plays at a high level. Yurosek is one of the more intriguing pieces on this roster and could be a factor long term. The practice squad is a good landing spot for him.

OL Henry Byrd

Byrd was pretty rough against the Baltimore Ravens, but there is value in having a depth piece on the offensive line who can play multiple spots. Many practice squad players run scout team, and the flexibility to play both tackle and guard is a valuable asset. Byrd has also been in the building for multiple years and has a grasp of the offense.

OL Joe Huber

Huber made the roster last year as an undrafted free agent and showcased elements worth developing. He hasn’t lived up to that level this year, which lands him on the practice squad. With more technique work, Huber could become your first guard off the bench, but that’s not where things stand right now.

OL Gavin Gerhardt

Gerhardt is the only player from the Vikings’ nine-player draft class who does not make the roster, and it makes sense that he was also the last player taken. Minnesota wanted to bring in another center to foster competition and build depth at a position where snapping the football became a problem last season. Blake Brandel had to take snaps and start multiple games at center without prior experience at the position, and Gerhardt provides insurance against a similar situation repeating itself.

DL Isaiahh Loudermilk

The Vikings signed Loudermilk after the first round of OTAs to add depth on the defensive line. He has a relationship with Brian Flores stemming back to his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Having a player with a similar body type to Caleb Banks can be an asset in practice, in helping him understand how to better use his body in the trenches.

EDGE Tyler Batty

The reason Batty doesn’t make the roster is simple: Chaz Chambliss now plays fullback. That added utility to Chambliss’ game shifted the roster math, and Batty was the odd man out. He can still be a quality edge rusher and a fourth option on game day with special teams utility.

LB Bengally Kamara

After signing following rookie minicamp, Kamara thrived in multiple preseason games but never got an opportunity to play with the 2s and 1s, limiting his chance to make the 53. Jacob Roberts played well ahead of him. There is something worth developing with Kamara, and the Vikings can elevate him on game days as a special teams contributor.

No buzz around Carson Beck???

Man, if he balls out and they dont "need" to draft a qb #1?

That would be huge for them.

purplefaithful wrote:

No buzz around Carson Beck???
Man, if he balls out and they dont "need" to draft a qb #1?
That would be huge for them.

???? Somebody want to check PF and see if he had a stroke.

badgervike wrote:

???? Somebody want to check PF and see if he had a stroke.

I hope not lol!

I was reacting to those rankings posted up top

Browns cut 15 from their training camp roster and 1 cut from injured reserve

Four of the players were released as vested veterans. Cornerbacks Tre Avery and Tyler Hall joined offensive tackle Tyre Phillips in getting dropped from the active roster while tight end Jack Stoll was released from injured reserve.

They also waived tight end Drew Biber, offensive tackle Jeremiah Byers, punter Nik Constantinou, safety Christopher Edmonds, cornerback Nate Evans, defensive tackle Coziah Izzard, defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins, cornerback Jeremiah McClendon, offensive tacke Izavion Miller, defensive end Jamil Muhammad, wide receiver Ben Patterson, and tight end Jermaine Terry.

So, tomorrow's the big day. Any more thoughts/projections? Did the preseason games or any other factors cause you to change any of your initial thoughts or hopefuls?

Now we wait for cuts from all teams. Probably be sprinkled in all weekend up to the deadline on Sunday. I dont think there's a lot of intrigue on the Viking's roster, but maybe they snag a player or two from other team's cuts.