Isaiah Adams
Offensive lineman, Arizona Cardinals
What happened last year ... After he was a third-round pick of the Cardinals, the offensive lineman started five games and played in a total of 15 games as a rookie.
What to expect in 2025 ... Adams has impressed so far at training camp and could be the permanent starter at right guard for third-year coach Jonathan Gannon.
Tony Adams
Defensive back, New York Jets
What happened last year ... The defensive back had his most productive season despite playing fewer snaps than the previous season, with Adams setting career-highs in tackles (84) and pass breakups (6) in 2024.
What to expect in 2025 ... There were some questions about whether the Jets would re-sign Adams after he became a free agent, but Adams signed a restricted free-agent tender to return for another season in New York. Adams should again be in the mix as the starting free safety.
Nick Allegretti
Offensive lineman,
Washington Commanders
What happened last year ... The offensive guard started in all 17 regular-season games and all three postseason games for the Commanders during the 2024 season, with Washington losing in the NFC Championship Game to the Eagles.
What to expect in 2025 ... Sam Cosmi currently has the upper hand on Allegretti in the competition to start at right guard for Washington.
Chase Brown
Running back, Cincinnati Bengals
What happened last year ... Brown showed his value out of the backfield (990 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 229 carries) and as a pass-catcher (54 receptions, 360 receiving yards, four touchdowns) as part of a breakout season in Cincinnati for the former fifth-round pick.
What to expect in 2025 ... Brown is now considered one of the best young running backs in the NFL and will be the starter for the Bengals this season as a Top 10 running back on several preseason lists. All part of the upward trajectory of the Canadian’s pro career.
Sydney Brown
Defensive back, Philadelphia Eagles
What happened last year ... The reward for a long ACL recovery arrived last February with Brown celebrating on the field at the Caesars Superdome along with the Eagles teammates after Philadelphia rolled to a win in Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs, with Brown primarily contributing on special teams when healthy.
What to expect in 2025 ... Brown is expected to play in the Eagles’ nickel base package, seeing the field for 70 to 85 percent of the snaps in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme.
Pat Bryant
Wide receiver, Denver Broncos
What happened last year ... The AP All-Big Ten First-Team selection had one of the best seasons in Illinois program history as a senior in 2024 with Bret Bielema’s Illini. He hauled in 54 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns.
What to expect in 2025 ... Bryant has been an often-mentioned standout at practices throughout training camp this summer. It’s a crowded depth chart at wideout for the Broncos with the third-round pick Bryant in the mix at WR2 after starter Courtland Sutton.
Seth Coleman
Defensive lineman,
Seattle Seahawks
What happened last year ... Coleman shined in his sixth college season with 53 tackles, including 7.0 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks to help the Illini win 10 games.
What to expect in 2025 ... Coleman had a whirlwind week after Seattle waived him only to call him back to the team a few days later with the Seahawks adding the 24-year-old to their 90-man roster.
Denzel Daxon
Defensive lineman, Dallas Cowboys
What happened last year ... The defensive tackle spent the year on the Cowboys’ practice squad on a three-year international development contract.
What to expect in 2025 ... Daxon is still likely a long-term project in Dallas after being inked to a reserve/future contract.
Tommy DeVito
Quarterback, New York Giants
What happened last year ... DeVito completed 31 of 44 passing attempts for 257 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in three games last season with the Giants.
What to expect in 2025 ... The local fan favorite as a New Jersey native is in a crowded quarterback room with Russell Wilson the expected starter and rookie Jaxson Dart and veteran Jameis Winston ahead of DeVito on the depth chart.
TeRah Edwards
Defensive lineman, Los Angeles Chargers
What happened last year ... The defensive lineman had 38 tackles (5.0 for loss) and 21/2 sacks on a 10-win Illini team.
What to expect in 2025 ... After the NCAA denied Illinois football’s waiver for an extra season of eligibility on Edwards’ behalf, the Groveport, Ohio, native was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent. The challenge now is making the 53-man roster.
Kendrick Green
Offensive lineman, Buffalo Bills
What happened last year ... The 26-year-old Peoria native played in all 17 games last season for the Texans, including one start, and ended up finishing 2024 with 78 offensive snaps and 79 snaps on special teams.
What to expect in 2025 ... Green has a new team. He’ll be looking to make an impression in Buffalo after the Bills signed the offensive guard to a one-year contract in the offseason.
Jake Hansen
Linebacker, Houston Texans
What happened last year ... The linebacker had two starts and played in 11 games with 25 total tackles, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble in his third season in Houston with the Texans.
What to expect in 2025 ... Hansen, who got married in June, was brought back by the Texans as a restricted free agent on a one-year, $2 million contract. Hansen’s role will be on both defense and special teams.
Nate Hobbs
Defensive back, Green Bay Packers
What happened last year ... The standout cornerback finished with 49 tackles, one interception and five passes defended in his final season with the Raiders.
What to expect in 2025 ... The Packers splashed plenty of cash to land Hobbs on a four-year, $48 million deal. But Hobbs’ status for Week 1 is in jeopardy after he underwent knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear. Injuries have been a problem for Hobbs, who missed 17 games in four seasons with the Raiders.
Kerby Joseph
Defensive back, Detroit Lions
What happened last year ... Joseph was the NFL’s leader in interceptions with nine, as the first Lions player to record that many interceptions in a season since 1981. That was part of a 2024 season in which the Detroit safety also had 89 tackles and 12 passes defended.
What to expect in 2025 ... More of the same. The former Illini has said he considers interceptions his “superpower.” Need evidence? Joseph was rocking a gold belt at a training camp practice on Wednesday that his agent designed with “Interception Champion” inscribed on it.
Ted Karras
Offensive lineman, Cincinnati Bengals
What happened last year ... Karras started all 17 games with the center helping Joe Burrow lead the NFL in both passing yards and touchdowns in 2024. This despite the Bengals having their share of issues on the offensive line, especially at the guard position.
What to expect in 2025 ... Even at 32, Karras remains one of the top centers in the league. But Karras is also expected to start between two new guards this season, with Lucas Patrick and Dylan Fairchild at the top of the depth chart at the moment.
Doug Kramer
Offensive lineman, Chicago Bears
What happened last year ... The Hinsdale native played in 16 games with contributions on offense and special teams.
What to expect in 2025 ... The offensive lineman and former sixth-round pick re-signed with Chicago in the offseason on a one-year contract as he enters his fourth season with his hometown Bears.
Vederian Lowe
Offensive lineman, New England Patriots
What happened last year ... Lowe is coming off his best season, as the offensive tackle played in 14 games with 13 starts at left tackle. Lowe even caught a 4-year touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams.
What to expect in 2025 ... A new coaching staff in Foxborough, Mass., with Mike Vrabel replacing Jerod Mayo as the coach of the Patriots is one thing. But Lowe will also have major competition at left tackle after New England drafted Will Campbell out of LSU as a top-five pick this past April in the NFL draft.
Quan Martin
Defensive back,
Washington Commanders
What happened last year ...The safety had a breakthrough season with a career-high 87 tackles, four pass defenses and two interceptions across the regular season and postseason for the Commanders.
What to expect in 2025 ... Martin is expected to reprise his role as the starting free safety for Dan Quinn and Co.
Chase McLaughlin
Kicker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
What happened last year ... The Texan had a strong second season in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers, making a career-high 93.9 percent of his field-goal attempts with nine made field goals of 50-plus yards.
What to expect in 2025 ... McLaughlin has settled down in Florida after a journeyman start to his NFL career as he enters year three as the starting place kicker with the Bucs.
Johnny Newton
Defensive lineman,
Washington Commanders
What happened last year ... The defensive tackle netted 45 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in the regular season and postseason for the Commanders.
What to expect in 2025 ... Newton will compete for Javon Kinlaw for one of the defensive tackle starting spots in Washington’s base 4-3 defense.
Alex Palczewski
Offensive lineman, Denver Broncos
What happened last year ... Palczewski logged a collective 149 snaps on offense and special teams and also started three games during the regular season and one postseason game, a 31-7 wild-card round loss to the Bills.
What to expect in 2025 ... A knee injury for Mike McGlinchey opened the door for Palczewski in 2024. But the veteran McGlinchey is back ahead of Palczewski on the depth chart at right tackle.
Del’Shawn Phillips
Linebacker, Los Angeles Chargers
What happened last year ... Phillips played in all 17 regular-season and two postseason games and had 19 combined tackles, as the Texans lost in the AFC divisional round to the Chiefs.
What to expect in 2025 ... Phillips, who is on a one-year deal after the Los Angeles Chargers signed him in the offseason, is currently on the active/physically unable to perform list during training camp.
Keith Randolph jr.
Defensive lineman, Green Bay Packers
What happened last year ... Randolph was a training-camp cut for the Bears after he signed in Chicago as an undrafted free agent.
What to expect in 2025 ... Now with the Packers, the defensive lineman was brought on board on a reserve/future contract in the offseason.
Tip Reiman
Tight end, Arizona Cardinals
What happened last year ... Reiman played 41 percent of the team’s snaps as a rookie and had six catches with the Rapid City, S.D., native playing in 17 with nine starts.
What to expect in 2025 ... The 6-foot-4, 273-pound Reiman is out there to clear space for a run game and he is expected to contribute again in that way with the Cardinals having a much more accomplished pass-catcher at tight end in Trey McBride.
Trent Sherfield
Wide receiver, Denver Broncos
What happened last year ... The Danville native played in every one of the Vikings’ games, tallying 10 receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown in Minnesota.
What to expect in 2025 ... Sherfield will be on his sixth different team in as many seasons after playing for the Cardinals from 2018-2020. That was followed by one-year stints with the 49ers, Dolphins, Bills and Vikings. Now, Sherfield will become acquainted with Denver in a new-look Broncos wide receiver room.
Casey Washington
Wide receiver, Atlanta Falcons
What happened last year ... The wide receiver appeared in eight games as a member of the Falcons in 2024 and had one reception for 14 yards in a loss to the Seahawks.
What to expect in 2025 ... Washington is listed with the second team at one of the receiver spots on the Falcons’ unofficial depth chart behind penciled-in starter Darnell Mooney.
Isaiah Williams
Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
What happened last year ... The wide receiver found a new home in Cincinnati late in the season after being acquired on waivers from the Lions in November with Williams primarily used as a punt returner with the Bengals.
What to expect in 2025 ... Williams could be asked to reprise a similar role on special teams after he contributed 11 punt returns for 93 yards last season in six games in Cincinnati.
Devon Witherspoon
Defensive back, Seattle Seahawks
What happened last year ... The cornerback has been to the Pro Bowl in each of his two seasons with the 2023 first-round pick delivering a career-high 98 tackles, plus 9 passes defended and 71/2 stuffs.
What to expect in 2025 ... This could be an important year for Witherspoon, who would be eligible for a contract extension next offseason. The 4-year, $120.4 million extension Jets corner Sauce Gardner signed could be the baseline, especially if Witherspoon can put together his first All-Pro season.