Jori Epstein

    Senior NFL reporter

    Jori Epstein is a senior NFL reporter for Yahoo Sports and the author of The Upstander: How Surviving the Holocaust Sparked Max Glauben's Mission to Dismantle Hate. She previously reported for USA TODAY and The Dallas Morning News. Follow Jori on Twitter @JoriEpstein.

  • NFL Draft: How a first-round surprise helped trigger a record early run on QBs

    Once the Falcons surprised everyone by drafting Michael Penix with the No. 8 pick, it set off a mad dash for the remaining QB prospects.

  • NFL Draft: Would QB-needy Patriots actually trade down from No. 3? Here's what the league thinks

    There's bountiful recent precedent for trading the third overall pick. Question is, does New England fit the model of those teams?

  • Historic QB trend is about to shape the NFL Draft — and careers of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels

    In the common draft era, the league has never seen the top three teams trade away their starting quarterbacks after season's end. It's part of a broader evolution in how the NFL scouts and values the position.

  • Will the 2024 NFL Draft have the longest RB drought we’ve seen? | Zero Blitz

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz, Jori Epstein and senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson discuss how this 2024 running back class is one that lacks a big star. Hear the full conversation on “The Exempt List with Charles McDonald” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • How has drafting the QB position evolved in the NFL? | Zero Blitz

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz, Jori Epstein and senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson break down how coaches and teams are evaluating and adapting to rookie quarterbacks entering the NFL. Hear the full conversation on “The Exempt List with Charles McDonald” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Belichick & Kraft, Justin Jefferson's trade value, the future of QB evals | Inside Coverage

    Jason Fitz is joined by Yahoo Sports Senior NFL Reporters Charles Robinson & Jori Epstein to pull back the curtain on the latest news from around the NFL. The trio start off with a report that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told Arthur Blank not to hire Bill Belichick, as they dive into how the relationship between Belichick and Kraft fractured over time and what it means for Belichick's future. In other news, Justin Jefferson was absent from voluntary workouts, sparking a conversation as to what it would take to acquire possibly the best young wide receiver in the league. Later, Charles dives into some digging he's been doing on the New York Giants' quarterback evaluations and whether or not they could end up taking one early in the draft, which leads to a conversation on Jori's latest piece around how quarterback evaluations are changing (and speeding up). Charles finishes off the show with what he's hearing on this year's weak running back class and how it could make history (in a bad way).

  • How much will Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard dash record influence NFL Draft? Why talent evaluators might care more than you think

    Ahead of next week’s NFL Draft, teams are debating: How much does the 40-yard dash actually translate to today’s game, and how much should they thus let it influence their draft boards?

  • The Xavier Worthy conundrum: Is being too fast, bad? | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz is joined by senior NFL writer Jori Epstein and senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson to discuss why Xavier Worthy's record-breaking 40-yard dash is viewed by some as detrimental to his draft stock and if the future of evaluating wide receivers is changing. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Draft rumor BS meter + Xavier Worthy: does WR speed matter? | Inside Coverage

    Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporters Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein to dive into the how and why of the biggest news around the league this week. The trio start with the news of O.J. Simpson's passing and why it's hard to put a bow on his story and legacy. Rashee Rice has a warrant out for his arrest, and Charles thinks the league could be looking to issue a suspension. In other news, Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen received a massive contract extension, as the Jaguars are betting Allen can be a perennial DPOY candidate. Jori is writing a piece on WR draft prospect Xavier Worthy, who broke the 40-yard dash record, so the trio discuss the how the value of speed has changed among evaluators over the past few decades. Many call for GPS data to replace 40 testing, but the technology is not standardized among all schools, which presents the question of how the NFL will go about enforcing standardization of GPS tracking. The hosts finish out the show by getting to the bottom of some rumors circling around the 2024 NFL Draft by determining which to believe, and which are bologna. They discuss Drake Maye, Malik Nabers, JJ McCarthy, Jayden Daniels and Jim Harbaugh.

  • O.J. Simpson dies at 76, leaving a complicated legacy | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz is joined by senior NFL writer Jori Epstein and senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson to discuss the complicated and controversial legacy of O.J. Simpson. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Why the Bills-Texans trade for Stefon Diggs came together

    Yahoo Sports senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein details how Buffalo's decision to trade the star receiver - and why it made sense for Houston - came down to both teams' push to contend as soon as possible.

  • Are the Texans risking their rise by trading for Stefon Diggs? | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz is joined by senior NFL reporters Jori Epstein and Charles Robinson discuss the blockbuster trade involving the star wide receiver and if Houston is the right situation for him. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Stefon Diggs trade changes the entire AFC landscape | Inside Coverage

    Jason Fitz is joined by senior NFL reporters Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein to discuss the breaking news that Stefon Diggs has been traded to the Houston Texans. The trio dive into the how and why of the blockbuster trade, including what went wrong for Diggs in Buffalo, how the Texans decided to put all their chips on the table, Diggs as a personality fit in Houston, what it means for Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills and how this trade shapes the AFC playoff race for years to come.

  • Stefon Diggs trade winners and losers: Josh Allen, C.J. Stroud, AFC defensive backs and more

    Wednesday's deal will reverberate not just across two franchises, but the AFC. How's everybody looking now?

  • Is this Dak Prescott's last ride with the Cowboys? | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz, senior NFL writer Jori Epstein, and senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson discuss whether the Dallas Cowboys just showed their hand on whether Dak Prescott will be back with the team after the 2024 season. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • After Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye’s pro days, the Commanders may hold the keys to the NFL Draft

    The No. 1 pick seems to be a foregone conclusion, which means all eyes are on the Commanders and their decision that likely boils down to two QBs.

  • J.J. McCarthy second overall? + QB class red flags, Dak Prescott on the open market | Inside Coverage

    Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporters Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein to go behind the scenes on the latest rumors and news around the NFL. The trio start with takeaways from the NFL owner's meetings as Jori was on the ground in Orlando. The hosts discuss the fallout of the new kickoff rule (are rosters going to change because of it?), the two Christmas Day games and what the heck Jerry Jones was doodling in his notebook. Next, it's time to pull out the crystal ball as the hosts attempt to look into the future for some key quarterbacks, starting with Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy's draft stock has been skyrocketing lately as some rumors emerged that he could go as high as second overall. Charles gives his thoughts and what he's hearing from GMs around the league before moving onto Brock Purdy and whether San Francisco will be willing to pay him when the time comes. Charles dives deeper into the 2024 quarterback class and why every prospect has a massive red flag, and Jori gives us the latest on the Dak Prescott contract negotiations, which seem to be heading in the wrong direction. All signs are pointing towards Dak hitting free agency next offseason. Finally, Fitz wraps things up by asking about Deion Sanders' comments about choosing where his sons get drafted and whether or not player empowerment could be ascending to a new level with the emergence of NIL.

  • NFL approves 'radical' kickoff rule change: Here's what to know

    The proposal will impact where teams line up in hopes to reverse the trend of what the league felt was becoming a ceremonial play.

  • Will Giants, one of NFL Draft's pivot teams, take a QB at No. 6? Leadership weighs in

    If the Giants do select a QB, how soon will they expect him to compete? And what will that mean for Daniel Jones?

  • Why is NFL banning hip-drop tackle, and what does that even mean? Breaking down latest controversial rule change

    There's a subtle distinction to the language being used by the competition committee, subtle enough to concern the NFLPA about enforcing it. Here's how the league plans to do just that.