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Fantasy football free agent pickups: Daniel Jones among top options to replace injured QBs
Esports

Fantasy football free agent pickups: Daniel Jones among top options to replace injured QBs

by admin


  • Eric KarabellSep 15, 2025, 03:18 PM ET

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      Eric Karabell is a senior writer for fantasy baseball, football and basketball at ESPN. Eric is a charter member of FSWA Hall of Fame and author of “The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments”.

The second Sunday of the NFL season was kinder to fantasy football managers than the first, with six players surpassing 30 PPR points, led by three of the top wide receivers in the sport.

Well, it was kinder unless you are one who relies on Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow. While seven games featured 50 or more combined points (entering Monday night) and individual scoring was abundant, the long-term absence of last season’s No. 3 fantasy scorer among quarterbacks should have the most lingering effects to fantasy managers.

Unfortunately, the bad quarterback news isn’t limited to Burrow. New York Jets dual threat Justin Fields is in the concussion protocol and could miss Sunday’s road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Washington Commanders star Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee injury and is uncertain for Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders; and Minnesota Vikings starter J.J. McCarthy is dealing with an ankle injury and not expected to play against the Bengals on Sunday.

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Each Monday, before the current NFL week ends, we will identify players available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues worthy of your attention, from standard formats to deeper options. The NFL is a weekly league, and player valuation and roles seldom remain stagnant. It does not matter how you acquire players for your fantasy rosters, just that you get them.

Quarterback

Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (rostered in 0.0% of ESPN leagues): We start with this career backup, but many fantasy managers can do better in single-QB formats. Browning, 29, made seven starts during the 2023 season, and he played capably, averaging 20 fantasy points per game. Burrow (toe) is expected to miss three months. Browning scored 17.74 points in Sunday’s win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, though that included three interceptions. He gets to throw to excellent WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and RB Chase Brown isn’t so bad, either. Still, he may be more for the superflex/2QB community. The Bengals play challenging opponents in Minnesota and Denver the next two weeks.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (33.5%): If you’re going to lose a fantasy star in a standard league, let it be a quarterback. There is depth here. For example, while Stafford hasn’t registered a top-10 fantasy week yet, scoring 13.6 points against the Houston Texans in Week 1 and 17.32 Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, he is a solid player and far too available. He is playing through a back injury, but he is playing. Let him represent, for this space, numerous veteran passers that deserve streaming attention over Browning. The Rams play a revenge game (from last season’s playoffs) in Philadelphia this week, but Stafford threw for 324 yards and two scores there in January. He shouldn’t be overwhelmed.

Daniel Jones is second to only Lamar Jackson in total fantasy points this season, and he has a friendly matchup with the Titans in Week 3. Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (21.2%): Fantasy managers may not have bought into his Week 1 performance, when he ran for a pair of touchdowns. They wanted to see more in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. Jones topped 20 points again, scoring his third rushing touchdown, but he also passed for 316 yards. The Colts play the Tennessee Titans in Week 3, and that is an attractive matchup. Jones may not rise all the way past 50% this week, but he appears worth relying on this week.

Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers (0.6%): Jones filled in capably for starter Brock Purdy (toe), throwing for 279 yards and 3 TDs at New Orleans. Jones is no rookie, and certainly there are talented playmakers (and good coaching) surrounding him. He may be starting in Weeks 3 and 4 at home against the Cardinals and Jaguars. We recommend him over Browning, but then again, Browning should have the starting job for considerably longer, and that is a consideration for desperate fantasy managers, too.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

Running back

Bhayshul Tuten made the most of his 10 touches Sunday vs. Cincinnati, finishing with 15.4 fantasy points. Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire

Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (40.0%): Starter Travis Etienne Jr. scored 16.9 points on Sunday, handling 16 touches, but the rookie Tuten earned 10, which is quite noteworthy. He turned them into 74 yards and a receiving touchdown, for 15.4 points. Most believe Etienne was the beneficiary of the Tank Bigsby trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, but it is probably the ascending Tuten, who already is quickly approaching flex status.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (34.1%): Allgeier is probably overqualified to be a backup, but there is no controversy when it comes to star Bijan Robinson. Still, Allgeier topped 600 rushing yards each of the past two seasons, and he should do so again. The Falcons rushed for more than 200 yards in an impressive Sunday night road win in Minnesota. Robinson, of course, led the way. Allgeier did little in Week 1, so fantasy managers moved on. They may move him back to rosters after he earned 17 touches, a touchdown and 15.0 points.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

  • Rams backup Blake Corum (5.3%) turned one of his five touches from Sunday into a touchdown, and thus 10.4 points. Ho hum, but there really aren’t enough relevant running backs available in 50% of leagues to feature here. Many fantasy managers likely rely on a wide receiver (or even a tight end) in their flex position. Corum may become a star at some point if Kyren Williams gets hurt, but Williams is not hurt.

  • Pittsburgh Steelers backup Kenneth Gainwell (10%) gained marginally better than he did in Week 1, but still, 59 yards on 20 touches over two games are not so much. Gainwell was among the most-added running backs entering Week 2, but it is tough to make a case for him, or any other available running backs before the bye weeks.

Wide receiver

Editor’s Picks

1 Related

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (20.3%): Doubs presumably moves up a notch in the hierarchy after starter Jayden Reed fractured his collarbone last Thursday. The problem with the hierarchy is that it is possible no Packers WR breaks out of a solid, deep rotation, especially when RB Josh Jacobs earns massive volume, and TE Tucker Kraft boasts 140 receiving yards in two games. Doubs caught three passes for 28 yards against the Washington Commanders, one for a touchdown. He is readily available. In any given week, it may be Doubs leading the way, or rookie Matthew Golden, or much like last season when nary a Packer reached 60 receptions or 900 receiving yards, nobody will shine. Drop Reed, who may not play again until November, but do not assume any Packers become WR3 options, or even safe WR4s.

Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans (7.7%): The Stanford rookie has caught six of 13 targets through two weeks, but he scored a touchdown Sunday, and there is room to grow with fellow newcomer QB Cam Ward. Star WR Calvin Ridley has been held to single-digit points in each game. Keep Ridley rostered, of course, but Ayomanor deserves some attention as well.

DeAndre Hopkins, Baltimore Ravens (9.7%): Hopkins has secured shiny touchdown catches in each of the first two weeks, which is great, but it probably is not sustainable unless he sees more volume. Hopkins has only four catches on four targets. That’s it. Why is he listed here? Well, people know his name, and it is possible QB Lamar Jackson will look his way more in the coming weeks. Just don’t assume you have to get Hopkins when Zay Flowers is the volume receiving option.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

  • New York Giants starter Wan’Dale Robinson (29.9%) scored 28.2 points in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys, as Russell Wilson achieved a hearty 450 passing yards. Don’t expect Wilson — and thus Robinson — to repeat the performance in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs, if ever again.

  • Denver Broncos second-year option Troy Franklin (2.0%) caught eight passes and a touchdown Sunday, scoring 24.0 points, and he is clearly pushing Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. for attention. This is a good thing. Franklin may be Denver’s top WR.

  • Jaguars WR Dyami Brown scored a touchdown Sunday, and he has 26.4 points after two weeks. Not impressed? It happens to be more points than both established star Brian Thomas Jr. and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Brown probably can’t keep his production going to this level, but Thomas and Hunter investors are probably panicking.

Tight end

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Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (48.2%): A repeat name from last week, Johnson has scored more than 15 points each of the first two weeks, trailing only the aforementioned Kraft for overall tight end scoring. Johnson has outscored RB Alvin Kamara. That shouldn’t continue, but it doesn’t mean Johnson can’t sustain TE1 production for a while, either.

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (50.0%): The wily veteran has touchdown receptions each of the first two weeks, and that is enough to make him popular in fantasy leagues with a Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders looming.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

Carolina Panthers starter Ja’Tavion Sanders (1.0%) was an intriguing, deep-league sleeper this season, but he didn’t do much in Week 1. He did more in Week 2, catching seven of nine targets and scoring 12.4 points. Keep him in mind if your starter gets hurt.

D/ST

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

  • Green Bay Packers (44.8%): It is surprising that the Packers D/ST unit remains available in more than 50% of ESPN standard leagues. It just scored 17 points in dominant wins over the offensively explosive Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders. In Week 3, the Packers face the Cleveland Browns. The Browns are not explosive. The Packers should be among the top-10 rostered D/ST units by then.

  • Indianapolis Colts (36.6%): Similarly, fantasy managers did not react to the Week 1 results by adding the Colts D/ST in many leagues. This unit scored only 1 point against the Broncos on Sunday, but in Week 3 it faces the Titans. That should be easier.

  • Kansas City Chiefs (12.4%): The Chiefs held the Eagles to 20 points, albeit with nary a takeaway. There will likely be a turnover or three this Sunday night against the Giants.



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Best phone 2025: the top smartphones to buy right now
Product Reviews

Best phone 2025: the top smartphones to buy right now

by admin


Haven’t you heard? Phones are boring now. And that’s just fine! Most people buying a new phone just want something familiar that works better than the device they’re replacing. If that’s your MO, then you’re sure to find something reliable in my recommendations below.

But even if you’re looking for something a little more extra, you’ve got some great options. They’re going to be pretty iterative compared to whatever you’re using now — we’re in more of a software era than a hardware innovation cycle these days — but you can find a delightful new device. We finally have a folding phone that feels like the right size and shape, flip phones offer a lot more than just nostalgia, and you can still buy a phone with no fewer than four cameras on the back. Not bad for a boring season of phone hardware.

A lot of people in the US get their phones through carrier deals, and no judgment here if that’s the route you take — it’s how I bought mine. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into and how many years you’ll need to stay on that Super 5G Everything Unlimited Plus plan to keep the monthly device reimbursements coming.

What I’m looking for

How we test smartphones

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There’s no shortcut to properly testing a phone; I put my personal SIM card (physical or otherwise) in each phone I review and live with it for a minimum of one full week. I set up each phone from scratch, load it up with my apps, and go about living my life — stress testing the battery, using GPS navigation on my bike while streaming radio, taking rapid-fire portrait mode photos of my kid — everything I can throw at it. Starting over with a new phone every week either sounds like a dream or your personal hell, depending on how Into Phones you are. For me, switching has become so routine that it’s mostly painless.

Top-notch software support

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The phones listed here have powerful processors and enough RAM to keep up for years, so it’s fair to expect more than a handful of OS updates throughout the life of your phone. Four years of new OS versions and five years of security updates is a healthy benchmark for this class, and many of the phones here meet or exceed that standard.

A fantastic camera

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Most phone cameras can perform well in good lighting conditions, from the flagship class down to $300 budget phones. The devices listed here offer a little something extra, like a useful telephoto lens, a great portrait mode, or impressive low-light shooting — and many include all three. Stabilization for the main camera unit to help in low light is a must in this category.

Best-in-class build quality

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The very best devices come with robust IP68 ratings, durable glass on the front and back, and sturdy aluminum exterior frames.

Value

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In addition to the very best devices at any price, I look for phones that offer the best mix of must-have features for good prices. That might lead to a recommendation of a lower-tier model if it’s particularly feature-rich for its price or last year’s model if it’s still sold new and this year’s device doesn’t offer many upgrades.

If you’re looking to spend a little less and still get the best smartphone on a budget, you can find something really good for under $600. For those recommendations, check out our guide to budget smartphones.

The best iPhone for most people

$699

The Good

  • Reliable camera with versatile photographic styles
  • Handy new Action Button
  • More RAM and a current-gen chipset

The Bad

  • Standard refresh rate screen
  • Camera Control is a mixed bag

Screen: 6.1-inch, 2556 x 1179 OLED, 60Hz refresh rate / Processor: A18 Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.6 main with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 27W wired, 25W wireless MagSafe, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Weather-resistance rating: IP68

From a hardware perspective, the iPhone 16 (or the 16 Plus) is an easy upgrade choice. If you’re switching from an iPhone 13, 12, or even older, those four or five years of incremental performance improvements add up. But there’s something entirely new this time around — well, two things: the Action Button and the Camera Control button.

The customizable Action Button, which replaces the mute switch on the left edge of the phone, is a hand-me-down from the 15 Pro series. You can set it to open a particular app, turn on the flashlight, or almost anything else you might want at the press of a button. On the other side of the phone is the Camera Control, which you can use to launch the camera app. With the camera open, it acts as a shutter button with a full press, and a light press brings up other exposure options you can adjust. Even if you only ever use it to launch the camera, it’s pretty handy, and it frees up the Action Button.

The iPhone 16 Plus (left) and its smaller sibling, the iPhone 16 (right). Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

The iPhone 16 and its larger 16 Plus sibling use Apple’s A18 chipset, which is in the same family as the 16 Pro’s processor. That bodes well for the phones staying on the same software upgrade cycle. They both received Apple Intelligence last fall, which included AI-powered writing tools and notification summaries in its earliest iteration, and eventually grew to support ChatGPT and a new Visual Intelligence feature. But despite the similarities, the regular 16 models lag behind the Pros in two important departments: the screen and the camera.

The Pros come with dedicated 5x lenses and updated main cameras that do a little better in low light. And you’ll only get a ProMotion display on the Pro models; the regular 16 features a slower 60Hz screen. Basically every other high-end phone on the market offers a 120Hz display, so that’s a disappointment given the price. If those two drawbacks don’t bother you — and most people probably won’t mind them — then the iPhone 16 makes for a great upgrade.

Read our full iPhone 16 review.

The best Android phone for most people

$799

The Good

  • Qi2 wireless charging with magnets is great
  • AI is actually kind of useful, finally
  • Telephoto camera is a nice addition

The Bad

  • Main and ultrawide cameras aren’t quite as good as the Pro
  • Battery life is just okay

Screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p 120Hz OLED / Processor: Tensor G5 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS; 13-megapixel f/2.2 ultrawide; 10.8-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10.5-megapixel selfie / Battery: 4,970mAh / Charging: 30W wired, 15W wireless / Weather resistance: IP68

The Pixel 10 is an easygoing Android phone that offers some handy upgrades over its predecessor. The addition of Qi2 with built-in magnets is a delight, making it easier than ever to quickly charge up without plugging in. AI features like Magic Cue, which can proactively suggest information based on what you’re doing on your phone, are finally showing promise. And for the first time ever, the base model features a dedicated telephoto lens.

Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

But, alas, there’s a catch: The Pixel 10 no longer features the same main and ultrawide camera hardware as the Pro. You’re essentially getting the two rear cameras found in the midrange Pixel 9A, plus a telephoto lens. Still, as a whole, the device’s triple camera system produces images that are totally fine. Beyond the cameras, the Pixel 10 features the same Tensor G5 chipset that’s found in the Pro phones — handy for those aforementioned AI features.

Overall, the Pixel 10 mostly improves upon what made last year’s Pixel 9 such a solid release. We’re not thrilled with the downgraded camera, but the addition of Qi2 and a telephoto lens helps to soften the blow. If you can live with the camera trade-offs, the Pixel 10 is still a smart pick for anyone who wants a flagship experience at a more approachable price.

Read our full Pixel 10 review.

The best high-end Android phone

$1048

The Good

  • Excellent screen
  • Improved ultrawide camera
  • Rounded corners are comfier

The Bad

  • Expensive
  • Bulky
  • AI is (still) hit or miss

Screen: 6.9-inch, 1440p, 120Hz OLED / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 200-megapixel main with OIS; 50-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS; 50-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,000mAh / Charging: 45W wired, 15W wireless, Qi2 ready / Weather resistance: IP68

Samsung’s “Ultra” S-series phone is still your best bet for a maximalist Android phone, even if ultra doesn’t quite mean what it once did. You still get four rear cameras — including a 3x and 5x telephoto — a massive screen, and a built-in S Pen stylus. The battery goes all day, the processor is top-notch, and there are AI features aplenty if you’re into that sort of thing. There’s just no other phone quite like it.

Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

This year, Samsung removed the Bluetooth features from the stylus. That stings a little, especially considering that the company swapped a 10x zoom for the shorter 5x camera the year before. It still amounts to a great phone, but it’s one of the priciest slab-style phones you can buy, and Samsung seems to be cutting features without adding back any extra value. It’s still “ultra” alright, but it doesn’t feel quite as special as it used to.

Read my full Galaxy S25 Ultra review.

The best phone for around $500

$499

The Good

  • Robust IP68 rating
  • Seven years of software updates
  • Brighter, bigger screen

The Bad

  • Missing a couple of AI features
  • AI is occasionally handy, usually weird

Screen: 6.3-inch, 1080p OLED, 120Hz / Processor: Tensor G4 / Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.7 with OIS, 13-megapixel ultrawide, 13-megapixel selfie / Battery: 5,100mAh / Charging: 23W wired, 7.5W wireless / Weather-resistance rating: IP68

Every year, we’re pleasantly surprised by how much Google packs into its midrange Pixel A-series devices. Last year, it was the Pixel 8A, and this year, it’s the even better Pixel 9A. For $500, the 9A offers Google’s fourth-gen custom Tensor G4 chipset (the very same chip that’s in the pricier Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro), a brighter and larger 6.3-inch OLED display, and an IP68 rating for improved durability. Plus, you get the benefit of seven years of software updates and security support. What you end up with is a device that delivers fantastic value, especially compared to other inexpensive devices.

Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

The Pixel 9A offers a handful of other features that put it above the pack, like a 120Hz refresh rate, wireless charging, and the largest battery across the Pixel line. It does fall short in a few areas, though — the camera’s low light performance and Portrait mode could be better. That said, the 9A’s camera is still great for everyday snaps, and for the price, the device is an easy recommendation as the best in this category.

Read my full Pixel 9A review.

$745

The Good

  • New tone control in camera lets you dial back HDR processing
  • Who doesn’t love a physical shutter button?
  • Your video director friends will spend hours gleefully taking 4K120 video portraits of people at street festivals

The Bad

  • Camera Control button is a little fiddly
  • Default photo processing is more aggressive than ever
  • The most incremental of incremental upgrades over the iPhone 15 Pro

Screen: 6.3-inch, 2622 x 1206 OLED, 120Hz refresh rate / Processor: A18 Pro Cameras: 48-megapixel f/1.8 with sensor-shift IS; 12-megapixel 5x telephoto with OIS; 48-megapixel ultrawide; 12-megapixel selfie / Battery: Not advertised / Charging: 27W wired, 25W MagSafe wireless, 15W Qi2, 7.5W Qi / Weather-resistance rating: IP68

Like all mainline iPhone 16 models, the 16 Pro gained the new Camera Control button, but it got another important update, too: a 5x telephoto lens. In the 15 series, that longer telephoto lens was reserved for the bigger Pro Max model. This time around, it’s on the smaller Pro, too, making it a great option for someone who wants to upgrade without upsizing their phone.

Like the Pro Max, the iPhone 16 Pro uses an A18 Pro chipset designed to support Apple Intelligence, which started rolling out in the fall of 2024. The first update included things like notification summaries and the new glowing-border Siri UI, which Apple centered its launch event on. Subsequent updates brought ChatGPT integration and Visual Intelligence. But don’t expect anything radical — at least at first.

The iPhone 16 Pro gets an upgrade to a 5x telephoto lens this time around. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Outside of AI, the 16 Pro is a fairly iterative update. The new Camera Control makes it easier to launch the camera and get right to taking photos, and it also frees up the Action Button if you were using it as a camera shortcut. The screen is a little bigger at 6.3 inches compared to 6.1 inches, even though the phone is basically the same size. You can record 4K video at 120fps now. And the new Photographic Styles, which are available on all iPhone 16 models, let you take more control over your photos than ever.

There’s nothing here that someone with an iPhone 15 Pro should upgrade for, but it’s an all-around solid device that will please Apple devotees, especially those who prefer a phone that isn’t too big.

Read our full iPhone 16 Pro review.

$950

The Good

  • Samsung finally adopted the big cover screen
  • All-day battery
  • Reliable camera

The Bad

  • More susceptible to dust than your average phone
  • Still too hard to run full apps on the cover screen

Screen: 6.9-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED inner screen; 4.1-inch, 948p, OLED cover screen / Processor: Samsung Exynos 2500 / Cameras: 50-megapixel f/1.8 main with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (inner screen) / Battery: 4,300mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless / Weather resistance: IP48

Samsung finally got the memo with the Galaxy Z Flip 7’s cover screen. The company’s latest flip phone ditches the file folder-shaped look of its predecessor for a 4.1-inch, edge-to-edge display that wraps around the cameras. With more outer screen real estate, it’s easier to respond to texts and punch in a coffee order without flipping open the phone and getting sucked into a digital rabbit hole.

The Flip 7 still makes you jump through a few hoops if you want to run full apps on the cover screen, but once you’ve wrangled the settings, it unlocks a lot of convenience for everyday tasks. That said, the cover screen isn’t perfect for every app. Sometimes a button hides behind the camera cutout, forcing you to change the app’s window size. But most tasks are a breeze, and opening the phone is always an option.

Finally, Samsung went with an edge-to-edge cover screen. Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

Under the hood, Samsung swapped out Qualcomm’s processor for an in-house Exynos chip, though we didn’t notice any hits to performance. The new 4,300mAh battery will last you all day with moderate use, but heavy gaming and hotspot use will significantly impact battery life. The camera system, meanwhile, remains unchanged from the Z Flip 6, which isn’t a bad thing. You still get a 50-megapixel main shooter and all the fun flex mode tricks, which are great for capturing candids.

Unfortunately, the Flip 7 still offers no protection against fine particles like dust or sand, which might work their way into the hinge and cause damage. This raises concerns about how the device hold up over time. But Samsung’s beefed-up warranty and repair program can provide extra peace of mind. Plus, with seven years of OS and security updates, the Flip 7 should prove reliable until you decide to upgrade.

Read our full Galaxy Z Flip 7 review.

$2000

The Good

  • Ridiculously slim and light for a foldable
  • All-day battery with moderate use
  • Outer screen finally feels normal

The Bad

  • It’s $2,000
  • Durability still a concern
  • Camera bump makes it wobble on a table

Screen: 8-inch, 1968p, 120Hz OLED inner screen; 6.5-inch, 1080p, 120Hz OLED cover screen / Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite / Cameras: 200-megapixel f/1.7 main with OIS; 10-megapixel 3x telephoto with OIS; 12-megapixel ultrawide; 10-megapixel selfie (cover screen); 10-megapixel inner selfie camera / Battery: 4,400mAh / Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless / Weather resistance: IP48

One of our biggest criticisms of the Z Fold series has been that it feels too narrow and cramped when closed. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 fixes that. With a more familiar 21:9 aspect ratio, it no longer feels like you’re holding a TV remote control. The result is a book-style foldable that mostly feels like a regular slab-style phone. It’s nearly as slim, too, so it doesn’t feel as bulky in your pocket.

The large inner screen gives you ample room for multitasking. Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

The Z Fold 7’s reworked proportions make it easier to wield when replying to texts and Slack messages. When you start craving more screen real estate, the device opens to reveal a spacious 8-inch inner display, giving you an entirely different experience that’s perfect for managing multiple tabs in Chrome and playing games like Diablo Immortal. It’s great for multitasking — being able to track your Uber driver’s arrival time on one half of the screen while replying to emails on the other half is incredibly useful.

The bad news? The Z Fold 7 costs $1,999, making the barrier of entry very high. It also has one of the largest camera bumps we’ve encountered in a phone and doesn’t carry a formal dust resistance rating, meaning even a small amount of dust has the potential to cause significant damage to the hinge. Despite these shortcomings, however, Samsung has created a luxurious foldable that’s thinner, lighter, and incredibly nice to use.

Read our full Galaxy Z Fold 7 review.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S25 is a very good device, and it’s basically the last small-ish Android phone you can buy in the US. I find the software to be fussier and more cluttered than the Pixel 9’s, so it’s not my overall pick, but it’s a reliable device — and your best bet for a phone that isn’t gigantic. Read our review.
  • The iPhone 16E is a great phone that makes a lot of interesting trade-offs. Apple’s latest entry-level phone starts at $599 and comes with the company’s latest A18 processor, USB-C and wireless charging, a 60Hz OLED display, and the customizable Action Button found on Apple’s more premium handsets. The 6.1-inch phone doesn’t have MagSafe support or a Camera Control button, though, and it’s limited to a single 48-megapixel Fusion camera (sorry, ultrawide stans). That makes it hard for us to recommend over the standard iPhone 16, even if it does start at $200 less. Read our review.
  • The Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 is an excellent foldable that exemplifies what makes the brand’s phones so unique. It’s one of the best-looking phones you can buy, thanks to its gold-bronze chassis and wooden back. Plus, it features a spacious cover screen that’s handy for quickly performing tasks without opening the device. However, as much as we enjoy the Razr Ultra, Motorola’s promise of three OS upgrades and four years of security updates is on the shorter side. Read our review.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is an ultra-thin alternative to the big, chunky flagships we’ve seen over the past year. At just 5.8mm thick, it packs a 6.7-inch 1440p OLED display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, a 3,900mAh battery, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Despite its thinner frame, battery life is surprisingly acceptable, though it won’t last as long as other flagship devices. The S25 Edge also lacks a telephoto camera, so it’s not the best phone for portrait photos. Read our review.
  • The OnePlus 13R stands out in two key ways: battery life and screen. The 6.78-inch OLED display has a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a resolution of 1264 x 2780, both of which are great specs for a midrange phone. Meanwhile, its 6,000mAh battery can last for a long time — most people are likely to squeeze out two days before the device needs to be recharged. That said, the 13R lacks features like wireless charging and more robust water resistance, and OnePlus is only promising four major OS upgrades and six years of security updates, which is fewer than the seven years of OS upgrades on the Google Pixel 9A. Read our review.
  • The Nothing Phone 3 is the brand’s “first true flagship phone,” with a 6.67-inch OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8S Gen 4 chip, and a 5,150mAh battery. It also features four cameras — three on the back and one on the front — all of which are 50 megapixels. Additionally, the Phone 3 ditches Nothing’s signature light strips for a small dot-matrix LED display on the back, which can display images or emoji tied to specific apps and contacts. Read our review.
  • The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is an impressive sophomore effort from Google. Like the Z Fold 7, the outer screen matches the dimensions of a regular slab-style phone, while the inner screen is great for multitasking. The whole package is also light enough that it sometimes doesn’t feel like you’re holding a foldable, though it does suffer from a slightly downgraded camera system compared to other Pixel 9 devices. There’s also no formal dust resistance, so long-term durability remains a concern. Read our review.
  • The Pixel 10 Pro is Google’s most refined flagship yet, blending a premium design with meaningful hardware upgrades like the Tensor G5 chip and Pixelsnap wireless charging. Magic Cue delivers genuinely useful on-device AI that can surface helpful info in real-time, while the camera’s portrait mode is much improved over its predecessor. Battery life is just average, though, and some AI features still feel like they’re being shoved into corners of the device where it doesn’t really need to be. Most readers will be better served by the cheaper Pixel 10. Read our review.
  • Google’s Pixel 10 Pro Fold is the first foldable to earn an IP68 rating, meaning it offers robust water and dust resistance. The device also features Google’s new Tensor G5 chipset, improved inner and outer displays, and Pixelsnap wireless charging. We got a brief hands on with the 10 Pro Fold following its announcement, though we’re not ready to share a final verdict until we’ve performed more extensive real world testing. For now, you can preorder the base 256GB model at Amazon, Best Buy, or directly from Google starting at $1,799, with a release to come on Thursday, October 9th.
  • At its fall hardware keynote, Apple announced the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the slimmed down iPhone Air. The Air is Apple’s thinnest device yet at 5.6mm, while the entry-level iPhone 17 got an upgraded 6.3-inch ProMotion display, making it a really great deal. Meanwhile, the Pro models boast a powerful A19 Pro chip and a three-camera system — all of which are 48-megapixels. The 17 Pro Max also features the biggest battery ever in an iPhone, promising up to 39 hours of video playback. The latest iPhones are available to preorder now, with a launch set for Friday, September 19th.

Update, September 15th: Adjusted pricing / availability, added the Google Pixel 10 as the “best Android phone for most people,” and added insights for the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and the 2025 iPhone lineup. Brandon Russell also contributed to this post.

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Source - Giants calling up top prospect Bryce Eldridge
Esports

Source – Giants calling up top prospect Bryce Eldridge

by admin


  • Alden GonzalezSep 15, 2025, 02:21 PM ET

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      ESPN baseball reporter. Covered the L.A. Rams for ESPN from 2016 to 2018 and the L.A. Angels for MLB.com from 2012 to 2016.

The San Francisco Giants, suddenly back in the playoff race with two weeks remaining in the regular season, are calling up top prospect Bryce Eldrige, a source confirmed to ESPN on Monday.

Eldridge, a 20-year-old first baseman who was No. 29 in the latest prospect rankings by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, will seemingly take on the role vacated by fellow left-handed hitter Dominic Smith, who went on the injured list with a hamstring strain over the weekend.

The 16th overall pick out of high school in 2023, Eldridge surged in Double-A at the start of the season and was slashing .249/.322/.514 with 18 homers, 88 strikeouts and 28 walks for the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate. His strikeout rate remained high of late, but his production improved over these past 17 games, during which he boasted a .294 batting average with 10 extra-base hits.

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The Giants had been using Rafael Devers at both first base and designated hitter, with Smith and the right-handed-hitting Wilmer Flores essentially platooning at the other spot. Eldridge will seemingly take on Smith’s role for the stretch run, while hoping to push the Giants toward an unlikely playoff spot.

After acquiring Devers in the middle of June, the Giants went 13-22 heading into the trade deadline at the end of July, prompting the front office to deal veteran players. As of Aug. 22, the Giants were seven games below .500 and 7½ games out of the final wild-card spot, but they have since won 14 of 20 games and currently trail the slumping New York Mets by only 1½ games with 13 remaining.

The San Francisco Chronicle first reported Eldridge’s callup.



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College Football Power Rankings: How did the Top 25 look in Week 3?
Esports

College Football Power Rankings: How did the Top 25 look in Week 3?

by admin



Sep 15, 2025, 07:30 AM ET

With three full weeks of action in the books and conference play underway, the 2025 college football landscape is taking shape and so is the sport’s new crop of breakout stars.

Big Ten powers Ohio State (Julian Sayin), Penn State (Trebor Pena) and Oregon (Dante Moore) all took care of business with help from their early standouts in Week 3. Georgia Tech toppled Clemson with help from Florida International transfer Eric Rivers. Georgia and Tennessee leaned on their new starting quarterbacks in an overtime classic at Neyland Stadium. And at Notre Dame, Texas A&M passer Marcel Reed and Mississippi State transfer receiver Mario Craver were the stars in the Aggies’ last-minute victory over the Irish.

Elsewhere, from LSU (Davhon Keys) to Miami (Carson Beck) to Missouri (Ahmad Hardy), college football’s breakout stars were on display this past weekend. Here’s our take on the Top 25 after Week 3. — Eli Lederman

Previous ranking: 1

Out of the Buckeyes’ running back by-committee approach, freshman Bo Jackson has emerged in a big way. The Cleveland native is averaging 12.1 yards per carry with 217 rushing yards, showing he has the potential to be Ohio State’s next great running back. Jackson didn’t get a carry in the season-opening win over Texas and figures to continue sharing carries with CJ Donaldson and James Peoples in the coming weeks. But if he keeps reeling off big plays — like his 64-yard scamper in Saturday’s 37-9 victory over the Ohio Bobcats — he will warrant more opportunities. — Jake Trotter

Previous ranking: 4

It was another ho-hum performance for Dan Lanning’s team as it traveled to Northwestern and didn’t let the Wildcats score until the fourth quarter in the 34-14 win that took them to 3-0. Though the Ducks remain balanced on offense, sophomore quarterback Dante Moore and freshman wideout Dakorien Moore deserve praise. Dakorien Moore has 144 receiving yards and a touchdown, and he is also averaging 16 yards per catch this season. A special chemistry is already brewing between the two young players who are supercharging the Ducks’ potent offense. As Dante Moore gets more comfortable in Will Stein’s offense throughout the season, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Dakorien Moore be his top target and Oregon’s leading wideout. — Paolo Uggetti

Previous ranking: 5

Coaches raved about true freshman receiver Malachi Toney all offseason, and through three games, it is easy to see why. Toney has been electric for a revamped receiver corps, leading Miami with 18 catches for 228 yards and a score. Coach Mario Cristobal has praised Toney for his approach, saying he practices and prepares like an NFL veteran. Toney has six catches in each of his first three games. He finished with 66 yards in a 49-12 win over South Florida on Saturday. True freshman Josh Moore had two touchdown catches in the win, also earning praise. Miami lost its top four receivers from a year ago, but with Toney, Moore and transfer CJ Daniels emerging, this group has not missed a beat. — Andrea Adelson

Previous ranking: 2

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The Tigers got a big boost from sophomore Dashawn Spears, who grabbed his first two career interceptions against Florida QB DJ Lagway, and returned one 58 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers some breathing room in a 20-10 slugfest Saturday. The defense never let Lagway get comfortable, but the offense couldn’t take advantage of five interceptions, and Brian Kelly was fiery in his defense of his team’s style points. He has a point: If you have a championship-level defense, you don’t want to force your offense to make risky plays, so it’s a work in progress. But at the same time, 116 of the Tigers’ 322 yards came on two plays — a Caden Durham run on third-and-1, and a catch and run by tight end Bauer Sharp. Kelly knows the offensive line is struggling and wants quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to get rolling. But for now, the Tigers are leaning on the defense. — Dave Wilson

Previous ranking: 6

There were plenty of doubts about whether new quarterback Gunner Stockton had enough arm and willingness to throw the ball down the field, and he more than answered those questions in a 44-41 victory at Tennessee in overtime. Stockton completed 23 of 31 passes for 304 yards with 2 touchdowns and one more rushing. He showed plenty of toughness in the pocket, taking several shots as the Volunteers tried to bring heat in the second half. Stockton’s best throw of his short career came on fourth down with about 2 ½ minutes remaining, completing a 28-yard touchdown pass to London Humphreys that helped tie the score. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Stockton grew up Saturday, and though he wants his quarterback to use his legs, he wants Stockton to keep his eyes down the field when he runs. — Mark Schlabach

Previous ranking: 12

The Aggies have teased us before, and were far from perfect at Notre Dame Stadium. But their talent and resilience showed in the most critical moments, and they have a new star in wide receiver Mario Craver. The 165-pound transfer from Mississippi State torched a celebrated Notre Dame secondary for 207 receiving yards on seven catches, including an 86-yard touchdown dash where he miraculously stayed along the sideline. Craver, who had 368 receiving yards last season in Starkville, Mississippi, has eclipsed 100 receiving yards in each of his first three games with the Aggies. Quarterback Marcel Reed also is quieting the doubts about his passing ability, as he averaged 21.2 yards per completion against Notre Dame. Defensive end Cashius Howell has anchored the pass rush with three sacks and four tackles for loss. — Adam Rittenberg

Previous ranking: 3

Tyler Warren, who broke tight end receiving records last season before becoming an All-American and first-round draft pick, is gone. But sophomore Luke Reynolds has stepped up in his place with a productive start to the season. After catching only nine passes in 2024, Reynolds already has 13 receptions for 142 yards through three games and seems to have a rapport with quarterback Drew Allar. After three easy wins against non-Power 4 competition, Penn State’s season really begins Sept. 27 when Oregon travels to State College. With Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, the Nittany Lions already had a dynamite rushing attack. Reynolds’ emergence, combined with the strong start of transfer receivers Trebor Pena and Kyron Hudson, could give Allar what he needs in the passing game, too. — Trotter

Previous ranking: 9

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Though the 2-0 Seminoles had an open date in Week 3, Earl Little Jr. has been the unquestioned leader on a revamped defense. Little transferred to the Seminoles last season from Alabama but played out of position for large swaths of the season. New defensive coordinator Tony White moved Little to the rover safety position, and it feels tailor-made for him. Little leads Florida State with 11 tackles, including a sack, and his physicality has set the tone. Perhaps White summed it up best when he recently said, “He is trying to hit somebody’s soul out of their body.” — Adelson

Previous ranking: 11

The Sooners traveled to Philadelphia for the second time in program history and notched a 39-point win at Temple. As Oklahoma works to identify a lead running back, it has freshman Tory Blaylock — ahead of Cal transfer Jaydn Ott and veteran Jovantae Barnes — making the case to lead the rushing attack in next weekend’s SEC opener against Auburn. ESPN’s No. 210 recruit in the 2025 class, Blaylock paced the Sooners with 100 yards and two rushing scores on a team-high 14 carries against the Owls. Linebacker-to-tight end convert Jaren Kanak has been a surprise volume target for transfer quarterback John Mateer, and Kanak hauled in another four passes for 86 yards at Temple. In the secondary, freshman Courtland Guillory made his third consecutive start Saturday and will face his toughest challenge yet against a talented Auburn wide receiver corps in Week 4. — Lederman

Previous ranking: 7

What to make of this Texas offense? Arch Manning’s struggles continued this week, CJ Baxter left because of an injury on the first play of the game, and the Longhorns fans, starting to worry, booed their heroes at halftime. The Longhorns weren’t taking UTEP lightly, but they struggled to put up 341 total yards, just 114 of those passing, with Manning going 11-of-25 with a touchdown and an interception in the end zone. Ryan Wingo, who was expected to be a breakout star this year, caught his first touchdown of the season, but he has just nine catches for 97 yards in three games. The good news is, like LSU, the Longhorns’ defense is elite, allowing just four touchdowns this year. Texas gets one more tuneup against 0-3 Sam Houston before the SEC grind begins. — Wilson

Previous ranking: 13

Hank Beatty proved he can be an All-Big Ten performer as a return man last season, but the 5-foot-11, 185-pound wideout has taken his game to another level as a senior. Luke Altmyer’s go-to receiver has 289 receiving yards on 19 catches and ranks third in the FBS in all-purpose yards with 466 through three games. Beatty caught his first touchdown pass of the year in Illinois’ 38-0 win over Western Michigan on Saturday — it was just the second of his career. He has already scored rushing and punt return touchdowns as well. NFL scouts are paying attention with big tests ahead against Indiana and USC. — Max Olson

Ole Miss RB Kewan Lacy is putting up big numbers already with 334 total yards and five touchdowns. Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire

Previous ranking: 18

The Rebels did an excellent job, as usual, at reloading on offense during portal season. Missouri transfer Kewan Lacy is proving he’s ready to be a true No. 1 back with 334 total yards and five TDs through three games, but it was Harrison Wallace III who stood out yet again in Ole Miss’ 41-35 win over Arkansas on Saturday. Wallace, who had just one 100-yard performance over his three seasons at Penn State, is thriving as the Rebels’ go-to receiver. After catching six passes for 92 yards and a TD to help beat the Razorbacks, Wallace ranks third in the FBS with 339 receiving yards. — Olson

Previous ranking: 10

Iowa State’s 24-16 win against Arkansas State wasn’t a performance that inspires optimism. It’s a win and the Cyclones get to move on, but to be in a competitive game with the Red Wolves late into the fourth quarter isn’t a sign of a team ready to win the Big 12. One bright spot was Carson Hansen, who set a career high with 116 yards rushing on 18 attempts (it was his first 100-yard game). But the offense needs more explosive plays as conference play ramps up this week against Arizona, which is 3-0. — Kyle Bonagura

Previous ranking: 17

The Utes have looked like a complete team this season, but after taking down Wyoming 31-6 Saturday, quarterback Devon Dampier is their obvious breakout player. The New Mexico transfer already has 826 all-purpose yards through three games, as well as eight total touchdowns. Dampier is completing 74% of his passes, averaging over 6 yards per carry and hasn’t turned the ball over. He has had a carry of at least 14 yards in each game and a completion of at least 24 yards in every contest. Dampier isn’t just running Utah’s offense; he is Utah’s offense. — Uggetti

Previous ranking: 20

Since a frustrating season opener against Florida State, Alabama’s Ty Simpson has completed 41 of 46 passes for 608 yards, seven touchdowns and no picks. He had 382 of those yards and four of those scores in a 38-14 win over Wisconsin on Saturday. It was 28-0 just 15 seconds into the second half after a 75-yard Simpson-to-Ryan Williams score. Bama shifted into cruise control from there. Williams finished with 5 catches for 165 and 2 scores, a breakout performance after a poor game against Florida State and a week in concussion protocol. The Crimson Tide defense allowed just 118 yards in the first three quarters and 209 for the game as Bray Hubbard picked off two passes, and four defenders had sacks. It was the second straight comprehensive blowout for Bama. — Bill Connelly

Previous ranking: 15

After losing their top three wide receivers from 2024, the Volunteers desperately needed someone to step up early this season. Former Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell II has more than answered the call so far. He caught 3 touchdowns on 6 catches for 177 yards against the Bulldogs, including TDs of 72 and 56 yards. Brazzell was the first UT receiver with more than 150 receiving yards in a game since Jalin Hyatt had 207 against Alabama in 2022. At 6-feet-5 and 200 pounds, Brazzell twice beat UGA defensive backs for 50/50 balls. He already has 20 catches for 364 yards with 5 scores in three games, and has been quarterback Joey Aguilar’s most reliable option. Last season, Brazzell had 29 receptions for 333 yards with 2 scores. — Schlabach

Previous ranking: 21

Sophomore running back J’Koby Williams had more receiving yards (116) Saturday than his entire freshman year (100), including a 30-yard TD catch. The Red Raiders still haven’t allowed a point in the first three quarters of any game this season, led 45-0 through that point of this one, and put up 513 yards to Oregon State’s 282. The Red Raiders muddled through their second extended weather delay (90 minutes in the first game, 2½ hours in this one) in three games. Behren Morton lit up the Beavers for 442 yards and four TDs, and the Red Raiders are on fire rolling into Big 12 play, with a huge showdown Saturday at Utah. — Wilson

Previous ranking: NR

Brent Key said before Saturday’s game his team had grown tired of the underdog label. Yes, it has suited Georgia Tech, which now has seven wins as an underdog against ranked ACC foes under Key, but it’s a label that suggests low expectations. This team, he said, is ready for something bigger. The Yellow Jackets proved the point with a 24-21 win over Clemson in Week 3, riding Haynes King and Eric Rivers to a program-defining victory. Rivers, a transfer from Florida International, has quickly become a favorite target for King. He had three catches for 72 yards Saturday, and his downfield explosiveness has offered Georgia Tech an opportunity to force defenders out of the box, opening options in the run game, too. The Jackets’ next three games are against struggling teams — Temple, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech — giving King and the offense a chance to pad some stats and keep building a new narrative that Georgia Tech is a legitimate playoff contender. — David Hale

After transferring from UL Monroe, RB Ahmad Hardy is making a name for himself at Missouri with 462 total rushing yards. AP Photo/L.G. Patterson

Previous ranking: 25

After rushing for 172 yards against Louisiana in 2024 when he was with UL Monroe, Mizzou running back Ahmad Hardy topped himself Saturday, carrying 22 times for 250 yards and 3 scores in a 52-10 win. Mizzou rushed for 427 yards and scored TDs on five of its first six drives, and quarterback Beau Pribula (15-for-22 for 174 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT) didn’t have much to do. The Tigers’ defense gave up 84 yards on a long Zylan Perry touchdown run, but 35 other Ragin’ Cajun snaps netted just 37 yards as end Zion Young and linebacker Josiah Trotter each made a pair of tackles for loss. Mizzou was 9-for-13 on third down, Louisiana 1-for-11. Ahead of next week’s big SEC opener against South Carolina, this one was an easy tuneup. — Connelly

Previous ranking: 22

The Hoosiers dominated the final two games of an insipid nonleague schedule, and received breakout performances from outside their usual sources. After three players eclipsed 150 rushing yards during the first two contests, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. grabbed the spotlight Friday in a 73-0 win against Indiana State, catching 10 passes for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns. He tied a team record for single-game touchdown receptions and became just the fifth Big Ten player to reach 200 receiving yards and four touchdowns in a game. Junior linebacker Isaiah Jones starred for Indiana’s defense with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss, as the Hoosiers held Indiana State to five first downs and 77 total yards, and recorded their second-largest margin of victory in the AP Poll era. — Rittenberg

Previous ranking: 24

True freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood is living up to the hype. The former No. 1-ranked recruit in the country struggled in Michigan’s Week 2 loss at Oklahoma. But Underwood bounced back with a dominant performance in the Wolverines’ 63-3 victory Saturday over Central Michigan. He passed for 235 yards and rushed for 114, totaling 3 touchdowns while posting a sterling QBR of 97.1. Said interim coach Biff Poggi: “I have a Labrador retriever who could coach that guy.” Despite the loss in Norman, Underwood clearly has the talent to keep Michigan on the fringe of the playoff conversation. — Trotter

Previous ranking: NR

Quarterback Diego Pavia remains the face of Vanderbilt’s recent surge, injecting the team with swagger and belief, as well as excellent production (73.5% completions, 645 passing yards, 7 touchdowns). But others have contributed to the Commodores’ 3-0 start, including running backs Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young, who are averaging a combined 6.5 yards per carry, and Jamezell Lassiter, who has scored on his first two carries of the season. Alexander has scored in each of the first three games for the second straight season. Senior linebacker Nick Rinaldi was solid last season, but already looks like one of the SEC’s best defenders with five tackles for loss and two sacks in the first three games. — Rittenberg

Previous ranking: NR

South Alabama made Auburn put in a full shift, but the Tigers were never in serious danger, racing to an early 21-3 lead and eventually prevailing 31-15. Jackson Arnold was hit-or-miss in the passing game, completing 13 of 24 passes for 142 yards and a TD, but Jeremiah Cobb rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown, and Arnold staked out the early lead with two touchdown runs and an early TD pass to Cam Coleman. South Alabama put together three long drives in the second half but scored on only one of them, thanks to a fumble recovery by Xavier Atkins and a turnover on downs. The win moved the Tigers to 3-0 and set up an enormous visit to fellow unbeaten Oklahoma next Saturday. — Connelly

Previous ranking: 8

An 0-2 start might have removed Notre Dame from the CFP picture by mid-September, but there have been some individual bright spots. Eli Raridon looks like the next great Fighting Irish tight end, as he leads the team in receptions (9) and receiving yards (182) after recording just 16 total receptions in his first two college seasons. Jadarian Price continues to show that he’s an excellent complement to Jeremiyah Love, averaging 6.3 yards per carry despite limited opportunities in the first two games. Quarterback CJ Carr also has displayed tremendous promise for a young player, and had the highest passing total (293 yards) for a Notre Dame player making his first career home start since Terry Hanratty had 304 against Purdue in 1966. — Rittenberg

Previous ranking: 23

Let’s not try to read too much into a 42-21 win against Abilene Christian. TCU got its ticket sales, its easy win and moved on. This week’s game against SMU is much more interesting with the Iron Skillet up for grabs as coach Sonny Dykes goes up against his former program. It’s the last scheduled game in this rivalry (a shame), which adds to the stakes a bit as both teams wrap up nonconference play. — Bonagura



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Here’s why crypto coins like MYX Finance, Story IP, and Worldcoin are rising
NFT Gaming

Top 4 reasons why the Avantis coin price is pumping

by admin



The Avantis coin price has surged in the past few days following its closely-watched airdrop as more investors bought, and its market share in perpetual futures grew.

Avantis (AVNT) token jumped to a high of $0.8447, up by 315% from its lowest level this month. This surge brought its market capitalization to over $160 million. 

Summary

  • Avantis token price jumped amid smart money accumulation.
  • It also soared as Avantis gained market share in the perpetuals industry.
  • Avantis benefited from the ongoing demand for Base Blockchain tokens.

AVNT price jumped as its market share of Avantis soared

The primary reason for the recent surge in AVNT price is Avantis’ continued market share gain in perpetual futures trading. 

DeFi Llama data shows that the Avantis platform has handled over $2.46 billion in volume this month so far. It processed $4.6 billion in August. 

Its performance could accelerate after it moves into the stock tokenization industry. It has already introduced tokenized Coinbase stock into its platform, and plans to roll out more.

Avantis is the biggest perpetual futures platform on Base | Source: DeFi LLama

Avantis soared amid increased demand for Base tokens

The other reason why the AVNT price is thriving is the robust demand for tokens in the Base Blockchain. For example, Aerodrome Finance token has jumped, bringing its market cap to over $1 billion as its market share soared. 

Similarly, Zora has been one of the top coins in the ongoing altcoin season as it was integrated into the recently upgraded Coinbase wallet. Therefore, Coinbase may add Avantis to its platform as it did with Morpho and Aerodrome.

Smart money accumulation 

Avantis price has jumped as investors have continued to accumulate it. Nansen data shows that 27 so-called smart money investors bought tokens worth $647,000 in the last seven days and sold 130,000 coins. This brought the net inflow to $515,000. 

Smart money investors have boosted their AVNT holdings | Source: Nansen

Similarly, whale investors have continued to buy AVNT tokens. They now hold 162,755 coins, up from 63,000 on Sep. 9. Continued whale and smart money buying is generally seen as a bullish catalyst for a coin. 

Avantis coin price rose amid strong technicals

AVNT price chart | Source: crypto.news

Meanwhile, technicals contributed to the recent Avantis price rally. The 45-minute chart shows that the coin remained inside the range of between $0.203 and $0.409, and then surged to a record high. 

Avantis token moved above the strong pivot reverse of the Murrey Math Lines at $0.5860. It has now moved to the ultimate resistance at $0.7814. This means that it has more upside to get to the extreme overshoot at $0.9765. 



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Top catalysts for the crypto market this week
Crypto Trends

Top catalysts for the crypto market this week

by admin



The crypto market had a strong performance last week, with the combined market capitalization of all coins jumping back to over $4 trillion. 

Summary

  • The crypto market will react to the upcoming Federal Reserve rate decision.
  • The Altcoin Season Index has been in a strong uptrend lately.
  • Some notable coins will have major token unlocks this week.

Renewed hopes that the Federal Reserve would make interest rate cuts a reality field the rally, along with the Gemini IPO.

Here are the top catalysts that will drive the crypto market this week.

Crypto market to react to Federal Reserve decision

Economists polled by Reuters expect the U.S. central bank to cut the interest rate after the upcoming meeting begins this Tuesday, Sept. 16, and wraps on Wednesday, Sept. 17

Odds of a cut have intensified after the U.S. released weak jobs numbers earlier this month. A report showed that the economy added just 22,000 jobs in August, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.3%. 

Historically, stocks and the crypto markets do well when the Federal Reserve is cutting interest rates as it normally incentivizes a risk-on sentiment among investors. For example, Bitcoin (BTC) and most altcoins jumped to a record high during the pandemic as it slashed rates to zero and implemented quantitative easing.

The risk, however, is that the upcoming interest rate cuts have been priced in, which may lead to a pullback. 

Altcoin Season Index rising

The other primary catalyst for the crypto market will be the rising Altcoin Season Index, which has moved to over 80. Top altcoins like MYX Finance, MemeCore, OKB, Pudgy Penguins, Cronos, Story, and Mantle drove this increase. 

The rising Altcoin Season Index may drive more investors to these coins this week, leading to a strong performance. 

However, in some instances in the past, the entry into the altcoin season has led to a pullback as investors book profits. For example, most altcoins pulled back in late July after the index jumped to 55. 

Dogecoin and XRP ETFs launch

The other primary catalyst for the crypto market will be the launch of the first Dogecoin (DOGE) and Ripple (XRP) ETFs, potentially on Thursday. 

These ETFs will be from Rex-Osprey, whose ETFs were approved a few months ago. The funds will be different from the standard ETFs in that they are based on the Investment Company act and, possibly, more expensive. 

These ETFs will come as market participants wait for the main crypto ETFs, which will likely be approved in October.

Major token unlocks

The crypto market will also react to the upcoming token unlocks. Arbitrum, the second-biggest layer-2 network, will unlock token worth over $49.9 million on Monday. 

ApeCoin will release coins worth over $9.69 million, while Zetachain will unlock coins worth $8.6 million. The other top unlocks this week will be Melania, LayerZero, Velo Finance, and Kaito.



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Binance Coin (BNB) Breaks $940, Where Is Cycle Top?
Crypto Trends

Binance Coin (BNB) Breaks $940, Where Is Cycle Top?

by admin


Binance Coin (BNB) has experienced a notable price increase over the last 24 hours, climbing from a low of $904.63 to hit a new ATH above $940. The bullish climb has sparked speculation in the broader cryptocurrency space as to how high the BNB price could soar in the current market cycle.

BNB RSI shows room for more breakout

Notably, Binance Coin’s price uptick, combined with rising volume, has been viewed by traders as a continuation of its bullish rally. This has led to significant interest in the asset, with its Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 71.25, signaling that BNB is not yet excessively overbought and has room for further increase.

BNB Price Chart | Source: TradingView

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With the recent institutional interest in BNB, this could drive prices further higher. Binance Coin has been added as a treasury asset by Nano Labs, which acquired $90 million worth of BNB. The interest might increase demand and support a price increase.

As of this writing, Binance Coin is changing hands at $941.52, representing a 3.52% increase in the last 24 hours. The trading volume has also surged by a significant 11.11% to $2.68 billion within the same time frame. A consistent trade above these levels could catalyze a new cycle top of $1,000, which is the next psychological level.

BNB versus Solana market cap battle heats up

If Binance Coin can post a further increase, it could reclaim the fifth position in terms of ranking by market capitalization. The coin briefly edged out Solana recently when its price hit $903, pushing its market cap to $125 billion.

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However, Solana has since flipped BNB after it recorded gains of its own. Currently, Solana’s market cap is $131.47 billion, about $0.63 billion higher than BNB’s at $130.76 billion.

While the greater number of investors are eyeing the cycle top price of $1,000, Changpeng Zhao, Binance founder, has hinted at a $2,000 prediction. Market watchers are keenly observing how BNB plays out in its price outlook.



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Solana Enters Top 5 Cryptos With $126B Market Cap, Galaxy Digital Fuels Rally

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Trusted Editorial content, reviewed by leading industry experts and seasoned editors. Ad Disclosure

Solana (SOL) has solidified its position among the world’s largest cryptocurrencies, surpassing Binance Coin (BNB) to secure the fifth spot by market capitalization.

As of September 12, 2025, SOL trades at $ 237.90, giving it a market capitalization of $126.4 billion. The rally marks a 6.8% gain in the past 24 hours and over 15% weekly growth, driven by surging institutional interest and strong on-chain activity.

SOL’s price trends to the upside on the daily chart. Source: SOLUSD on Tradingview

Analysts stress three key catalysts behind Solana’s momentum: Nasdaq’s approval of a Solana-focused listing, growing speculation over spot ETFs, and continuous network upgrades that strengthen its position as Ethereum’s closest competitor.

Galaxy Digital’s $536M Solana Bet

A major driver of the rally was Galaxy Digital’s reported purchase of 2.31 million SOL tokens worth nearly $536 million within 24 hours. Blockchain data confirms transfers from Binance, Coinbase, and Bybit to Galaxy-controlled wallets, fueling speculation that the firm is aggressively backing Solana’s growth.

This move follows Galaxy’s leadership in a $1.65 billion private placement for Forward Industries (NASDAQ: FORD), which is transitioning into a Solana-focused digital asset treasury. Forward’s stock soared 135% in five days, proving investor excitement.

Galaxy CEO Mike Novogratz declared the start of a “Solana Season,” citing regulatory progress, ETF optimism, and Solana’s unmatched scalability as reasons for the aggressive accumulation.

ETF Hopes and Network Growth Accelerate Adoption

ETF speculation continues to boost Solana’s appeal. Reports suggest a 90% chance of a Solana ETF approval by late 2025, with applications from VanEck and Fidelity already in review. With staking yields around 7%, analysts believe Solana is well-positioned to attract yield-focused ETF structures.

Meanwhile, Solana’s network fundamentals remain robust. August data shows 58 million monthly active users and $15.3 billion in total value locked (TVL), fueled by activity across DeFi, NFTs, and memecoins.

Recent upgrades, including the Alpenglow upgrade and the upcoming Firedancer client, promise greater scalability and reduced congestion.

With institutional capital flooding in, ETF approvals on the horizon, and technical upgrades boosting performance, Solana’s momentum shows no signs of slowing. Analysts now eye potential price targets between $300 and $400 in the coming months if bullish conditions persist.

Cover image from ChatGPT, SOLUSD

Editorial Process for bitcoinist is centered on delivering thoroughly researched, accurate, and unbiased content. We uphold strict sourcing standards, and each page undergoes diligent review by our team of top technology experts and seasoned editors. This process ensures the integrity, relevance, and value of our content for our readers.



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Top Trader Predicts 'Monster Candle' for Ethereum (ETH)
GameFi Guides

Top Trader Predicts ‘Monster Candle’ for Ethereum (ETH)

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Ethereum has caught the attention of one of the market’s most widely followed traders, known as Byzantine General, and the prediction is too hard to ignore: a “monster candle” may be just around the corner.

That is how a pseudonymous analyst with a strong record in the derivatives space captioned a chart of ETH/USDT futures on Binance, quickly sparking discussion across the crypto community and beyond.

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The comment comes at a time when Ethereum continues to be a major driving force in the decentralized finance sector. With high open interest, funding neutral and price coiling near local highs, ETH might be gearing up for a move that will define the next leg of the market.

In this, the analyst is not alone in his opinion, as similar signals have been spotted by other traders who follow derivatives closely.

Numbers that matter for ETH

Ethereum is trading at around $4,552, holding strong after a rally that took it from below $3,000 earlier this year. In the same chart, one can notice the $5.08 billion total open interest, indicating that traders are keeping large positions open as volatility decreases.

Historically, this kind of market behavior has often been a sign that something big is about to happen sooner rather than later.

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Funding rates across major exchanges, including Binance, Bybit and OKX, are stable, suggesting the market is balanced.

This supports the idea of a “monster candle,” as sudden shifts often follow balanced positioning. Volumes are steady and liquidations have calmed down too, leaving conditions open for a sharp breakout move.



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DOGE, BONK, Who Else? Top Meme Coins Outperform Market Today
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DOGE, BONK, Who Else? Top Meme Coins Outperform Market Today

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  • Dogecoin (DOGE) price in green as market recovers, BONK and PENGU follow
  • Bitcoin (BTC), BNB, XRP lagging

Today, on Sept. 12, 2025, the cryptocurrency market is surging. Meme coins, normally the most volatile altcoins, are leading the way here. At the same time, the biggest cryptos are demonstrating anemic performance.

Dogecoin (DOGE) price in green as market recovers, BONK and PENGU follow

Meme cryptocurrencies are among the best performing assets in CoinGecko’s Top 100 largest cryptos. Dogecoin (DOGE), the biggest meme crypto by market cap, saw its price add 6.3% in the last 24 hours.

Image by CoinGecko

Today, the Dogecoin (DOGE) price eclipsed the crucial level of $0.25. The upsurge expanded the rally, pushing weekly gains over 25% for Dogecoin (DOGE).

Bonk (BONK), another major community-driven cryptocurrency, added 7.7% overnight. The price of BONK reached $0.00002515 on surging trading volume.

Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), a meme coin associated with the eponymous NFTs collection, added 5.6% in 24 hours. With the PENGU price hitting $0.0356, the capitalization targets $650 million.

MemeCore (M), a new meme crypto, added 15% overnight, becoming the fastest-growing asset in the top 100. At the same time, the trading volume remains low. M’s price reached an all-time high at $2.28 today.

Bitcoin (BTC), BNB, XRP lagging

PUMP, a core native cryptocurrency of Solana’s largest no-code meme coin launcher, is also among the best performers. The PUMP price increased by 7.8% and reached $0.005921. PUMP market capitalization surged past $2 billion.

By contrast, the largest cryptocurrencies demonstrate apathy. Bitcoin (BTC), the first crypto, is up by 0.6%. The BTC price is struggling to hold above the crucial $115,000 level.

BNB and XRP are both up by 1%. Both crypto heavyweights managed to protect crucial levels; BNB stabilized over $900, while XRP stays above $3.

Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) performed better. The second cryptocurrency added 2.8% and reached $4,359, while Solana (SOL) expanded its rally over $239 on growing trading volume.



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