Illinois produced 21 former Illini on 2025 NFL rosters (plus four on practice squads), underscoring a strong Illini-to-NFL pipeline. Chase Brown projects as Cincinnati’s backfield lead, Sydney Brown anchors Philadelphia’s secondary, and Isaiah Adams solidifies Arizona’s interior line. Additional Illini veterans across the league provide depth and potential late-season fantasy value, making Illinois alumni worth monitoring beyond Week 1.

This cohort includes multiple offensive linemen and defensive players who could see increased roles as teams evaluate depth and injuries. Fantasy managers should track snap counts and Week 1 availability for these players, as roster moves and coaching changes can unlock surprising value from this Illinois pipeline in 2025.

Isaiah Adams dominated the Cardinals’ preseason opener, earning the nod as the night’s most outstanding player after Arizona beat Kansas City 20-17. The right guard, entering year two, showed off added polish in pass protection and remained a force in the run game at 6’4”, 315 pounds, building a compelling case to lock down the starting spot despite Will Hernandez’s return.

The performance is meaningful for fantasy managers because a stable interior line can unlock both the ground attack and play-action timing, boosting quarterback and backfield efficiency. If Adams sustains this level into the regular season, Arizona’s offensive line could become a quietly valuable source of consistency and upside, particularly in run-heavy or boot-action schemes. Hernandez’s veteran presence could push Adams to a higher floor, while opening avenues for team-wide improvements as the offense grows in Year 2 under Jonathan Gannon.

One preseason game isn’t a prophecy, but Adams’ climb from camp to lights indicates a potentially pivotal season arc for the Cardinals’ interior line. Fantasy players should monitor depth-chart movements and any continued Bryan-motion or zone-blocking look that underscores Adams’ ability to anchor the right side. If he holds the job, the Cardinals’ run efficiency and play-action effectiveness could trend up in the early weeks of the season.

The Arizona Cardinals' training camp is underway, and the right guard position has become a focal point, albeit less competitive than initially anticipated. Isaiah Adams, a third-round pick in 2024, has emerged as the likely starter after finishing last season strong, where he played the final five games at the position. The team did not re-sign Will Hernandez, who had started for three seasons but suffered a torn ACL last year. In contrast, the Cardinals have added Royce Newman, who bears 24 career starts, and they also drafted Hayden Conner, indicating depth at this position. However, despite these moves, Adams seems set to hold onto the starting role.

In the latest RG rankings for the NFC West, Isaiah Adams of the Arizona Cardinals narrowly avoids the bottom position, indicating a challenging yet improving performance. This highlights the competitive landscape within the division as teams assess their strengths in preparation for the upcoming season.

As teams look to bolster their rosters, the Cardinals’ focus on developing young talent like Adams could prove crucial. Given the current state of the NFC West, which is known for its fierce competition, every player's performance matters significantly in the quest for playoff contention.