Ted Nguyen

Davis

Staff Writer at The Athletic

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Articles

Raiders QB breaks down his film as he begins new chapter

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

After getting traded to the Las Vegas Raiders at the age of 34, Geno Smith knows what he must do to finally be viewed as an elite quarterback: Win. But that's been something elusive for the Raiders for the better part of two decades. "Yeah, I would say win, win a lot of games," Smith said. "Obviously, you wanna start with the division. That's always first things first, take care of your division, win a lot of football games and get our team to the playoffs.
George Pickens film review: How he can create space

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen |Saad Yousuf

Since the Dallas Cowboys signed Dak Prescott to a contract extension that made him the highest-paid player in NFL history, the front office hasn't hesitated to remind the masses of that massive transaction, spinning the narrative with whatever fits the moment.
Jets, Bears, Bucs among teams nabbing ideal pieces

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

Some rare players are scheme-proof and talented enough to work in multiple systems, but for most players, it's essential to begin their careers in a scheme that accentuates their strengths while minimizing their weaknesses. This NFL Draft class didn't have a lot of blue-chip prospects but was rich in well-rounded players with interesting skill sets. For example, running back Ashton Jeanty will work in any scheme, while Iowa's Kaleb Johnson needs to be in an outside zone system.
Why Jalon Walker, Jihaad Campbell, Nick Emmanwori offer unique opportunities in NFL Draft

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

Teams will look to fill needs, take the best player available or hone in on a player's particularly strong trait in this week's NFL Draft, and in the process, some will pass on dynamically versatile defensive prospects. It happened last year. NFL teams somehow allowed Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean to fall to the Eagles in the second round, even though he was a top-25 prospect on the consensus board.
Strengths, flaws and scheme fits

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

You've heard it a million times by now: The 2025 QB draft class is relatively weak. There is one quarterback who looks like he could develop into an elite one (Cam Ward). There are a few potential solid starters, but will teams reach for one in the first round? There are some developmental prospects, like Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe, but they could use a season on the bench.
Louisville QB looks more NFL-ready than some draft peers

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

Need a quarterback with arm talent and experience in an under-center offense, who can read defenses and start right away? I have the man just for you. His name is Tyler Shough, he played at Louisville after stops at Oregon and Texas Tech. Just don't read the fine print.
Why a potential NFL Draft gem needs extensive polishing

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has become an intriguing but enigmatic prospect in an NFL Draft class lacking at the position. There's plenty to be enticed about with Milroe, but the team selecting him has to accept that they have some refining to do. Milroe is the latest run-first, super athlete with a big developmental gap who has some teams enamored with his potential. He's close to 6-foot-2 and 217 pounds, with 4.4 speed and a rocket arm.
'Tush push' lives to fight another day, here's why it should stay for good

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

NFL owners decided on Tuesday at the annual league meetings to shove the fate of the "tush push" to a later date. By tabling a vote until May on whether to ban the much-debated quarterback sneak perfected by the Philadelphia Eagles, the play stays alive, and despite objection from some corners of the league, there's a good argument for keeping it that way.
Breaking down Cam Ward's superpower and why it sets him apart in the NFL Draft

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

Though I have been wrong on many draft prospects, one of my best calls was ranking Patrick Mahomes QB1 ahead of Deshaun Watson heading into the 2017 NFL Draft. I've since rejected any comparisons of college prospects to Mahomes, and I'm not making one today, but I will say that Miami's Cam Ward, the consensus QB1 in this year's draft, shares one of Mahomes' most important traits: A special awareness of everything happening on the football field.
When should Jaxson Dart be drafted? Evaluating pros and cons of the Ole Miss QB

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Ted Nguyen

Mississippi's Jaxson Dart is this NFL Draft cycle's most divisive quarterback. Some evaluators think he's a mid-round pick, while ESPN's Mel Kiper mocked Dart going No. 9. Kiper may have been trying to be controversial for engagement, but Dart does have an intriguing skillset and one can see how an evaluator could be drawn to him. He's not tall (6-foot-2), but he's built well (225 pounds). He has good arm talent and is a legitimate big-play threat as a runner.