{"id":7088,"date":"2026-02-18T04:33:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T04:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/?p=7088"},"modified":"2026-02-18T04:33:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T04:33:28","slug":"the-daily-briefing-tuesday-february-17-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/the-daily-briefing-tuesday-february-17-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Daily Briefing Tuesday, February 17, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AROUND THE NFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The NFL wins a grievance against the NFLPA, and instead of being proudly published, the NFLPA\u2019s Team Report Cards will be compiled, distributed without a release and will eventually be leaked.  Mike Jones of The Athletic<\/em>: The NFL has won the grievance filed against the NFL Players Association over the annual team report cards that the union began assigning to teams regarding player working conditions. An arbitrator ruled that the NFLPA\u2019s conduct violated terms of the collective bargaining agreement, deeming the publication of the report cards to be disparaging toward clubs and individuals. The arbitrator issued an order prohibiting the NFLPA from continuing to publish or publicly disclose the results of team report cards.<\/em> <\/em>However, the NFLPA insists that it will not do away with the program. The union intends to continue to conduct the surveys and will share the findings with its players and with its coaches. But it will not share the results with the public to remain in accordance with the ruling of the arbitrator.<\/em> <\/em>In a memo sent to players Saturday, the NFLPA also disagreed with how a provision in the collective bargaining agreement discouraging public criticism was applied to the arbitrator\u2019s ruling. \u201cWhile we disagree that the CBA has ever practically limited club or player criticisms, it also means that, in the future, the League must now restrain Club personnel from publicly criticizing players,\u201d the memo read.<\/em> <\/em>The NFL on Friday issued a memo to all 32 teams informing them of the results of the grievance, which the league filed in mid-November.<\/em> <\/em>Beginning in 2023, the NFLPA began conducting anonymous player surveys on a wide range of categories that involved working conditions, with the quality of facilities, family accommodations, travel accommodations, cafeteria arrangements, coaching and training staff ranking among them. The union compiled the findings and awarded teams report cards with letter grades on specific categories. The union released the findings during the same week as the NFL Combine and hoped that the exercise would help hold teams accountable and prompt them to address problem areas.<\/em> <\/em>NFL owners displayed a mixed response to the team report cards. Some teams bolstered the size of their training staffs, increased cafeteria offerings and improved the areas designed to accommodate families at the stadiums on game days. The New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals both agreed to build new practice facilities after receiving low grades. But as a whole, owners and league officials disliked the nature of the surveys, expressing a belief that the published findings unnecessarily painted them in a negative light and insisted that there were already channels in place for the players to address areas of concern.<\/em> <\/em>The arbitrator \u2014 an individual jointly appointed and paid by the NFL and NFLPA \u2014 agreed.<\/em> <\/em>A portion of the memo sent by the NFL to its teams read, \u201cThroughout the course of these proceedings, despite numerous requests, the NFLPA steadfastly refused to produce any information or data related to prior years\u2019 surveys. However, at the hearing, the NFLPA\u2019s witness and counsel characterized the Report Cards as \u201cunion speech\u201d and admitted that: (1) the union reviewed player responses and cherry-picked which topics and responses to include (or not) in the Team Report Cards; (2) players had no role in drafting the commentary included in the Report Cards which was written entirely by union staffers; (3) the union selected which anonymous individual player quotations to include (or exclude entirely) to support its chosen narrative; and (4) the union determined the weight to give each topic and the resulting impact on the alphabetical grades it assigned. In essence, the record established that the Report Cards were designed by the union to advance its interests under the guise of a scientific exercise.\u201d<\/em> <\/em>The NFL argued that the NFLPA\u2019s methodology raised questions about the accuracy of the findings of the survey. The NFLPA, meanwhile, strongly disagreed with that notion.<\/em> <\/em>The arbitrator agreed with the league that the NFLPA\u2019s methodology raised questions about the accuracy of the findings of the survey. The league did, however, encourage officials of each team to continue to solicit feedback directly from players about working conditions and potential areas that each owner could improve. The NFL also informed teams that, in accordance with the CBA, the Management Council will continue to work with the NFLPA to conduct a survey that focuses on the adequacy of medical care.<\/em> <\/em>When reached for comment, a league spokesman said, \u201cWe are pleased with the decision from the arbitrator, upholding the parties\u2019 collective bargaining agreement and prohibiting the NFLPA from disparaging our clubs and individuals through \u2018report cards\u2019 allegedly based on data and methodologies that it has steadfastly refused to disclose.<\/em> <\/em>\u201cWe remain committed to working in partnership with the NFLPA and an independent survey company to develop and administer a scientifically valid survey to solicit accurate and reliable player feedback as the parties agreed in the CBA.\u201d<\/em> <\/em>The NFLPA on Friday issued a statement that maintained its commitment to continuing to use the team report cards as a tool to hold teams accountable and ensure that players have the best possible working conditions.<\/em> <\/em>\u201cThe program is not going away,\u201d the statement pledged.<\/em> <\/em>\u201cThe ruling upholds our right to survey players and share the results with players and clubs. While we strongly disagree with the restriction on making those results public, that limitation does not stop the program or its impact. Players will continue to receive the results, and teams will continue to hear directly from their locker rooms.<\/em> <\/em>\u201cImportantly, the arbitrator rejected the NFL\u2019s characterization of the process, finding the Team Report Cards to be fair, balanced, and increasingly positive over time. Our methodology is sound.<\/em> <\/em>\u201cThe Team Report Cards exist to serve players. That mission remains unchanged. We will continue working to ensure players\u2019 experiences are heard, respected, and acted on \u2014 by their teams, by their union, and wherever else possible.\u201d<\/em> <\/em>In the memo sent to players Saturday, the NFLPA informed them that the 2026 report cards \u201cwill be released to players soon.\u201d<\/em> <\/em>\u201cThe only change will be that the Team Report Cards will be delivered to you on a secure part of the NFLPA website and cannot be released to the public by the union or its members,\u201d the memo read.<\/em>  <\/td><\/tr>
AFC WEST<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
 LAS VEGAS<\/strong>Most of the fans at Raiders games are not from Southern Nevada.  That and other items about Allegiant Stadium from Mike Florio: The nine 2025 Raiders home games generated 497,934 visitors to Allegiant Stadium. On average, 63 percent of those who showed up do not reside in Southern Nevada.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>If gambling isn\u2019t going to attract people to Las Vegas like it once did, Las Vegas needs to give people other reasons to go there. The Raiders are doing that.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Imagine what will happen if\/when the Raiders become a consistent contender again.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>That will be good for Las Vegas, and for the league. The NFL is far more interesting when the Raiders are a viable franchise. Since qualifying for the Super Bowl in 2002, the Raiders have made it to the playoffs only twice.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>It will also help if Las Vegas gets another Super Bowl. Allegiant Stadium is believed to be on track to host Super Bowl LXIII, only five years after its first time staging the game.<\/em><\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
AFC NORTH<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>CLEVELAND<\/strong><\/strong>The Browns defense will be coordinated by someone other than Jim Schwartz, confirmed.  Tarohn Finley of YahooSports.com<\/a>: The Cleveland Browns will reportedly hire Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. The Browns hired Rutenberg over Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver and Houston Texans defensive passing game coordinator Cory Undlin.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Rutenberg will replace Jim Schwartz, the former Browns defensive coordinator who resigned after the team selected Todd Monken instead of him for the head coaching position. This will be Rutenberg’s first time as a defensive coordinator. Similarly, the Browns’ new offensive coordinator, Travis Switzer, is serving in this role for the first time.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Before joining the Falcons, Rutenberg coached under Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh with the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers. The Titans requested to interview him for their defensive coordinator opening before hiring Gus Bradley.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>The 44-year-old also spent time in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders and at the collegiate level with New Mexico State and UCLA.<\/em><\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
AFC EAST<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>MIAMI<\/strong><\/strong>Changes afoot in Miami with WR TYREEK HILL out and EDGE BRADLEY CHUBB to follow.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com<\/a>: The new regime in Miami is putting its stamp on the organization by getting rid of players the old one brought in.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>On Monday, the Dolphins officially severed ties with receiver Tyreek Hill, guard James Daniels, and receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb also is expected to be released, possibly after the new league year begins with a post-June 1 designation.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>The Dolphins still have to make a decision on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa; new G.M. Jon-Eric Sullivan said last week it\u2019s coming soon. Unless they can find a trade partner, he\u2019ll likely be released with a post-June 1 designation, too. They\u2019d owe him $54 million for 2026 and take a total of $99 million of dead-cap charges through 2027.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Regardless, the Dolphins will look significantly different in 2026, with the goal of becoming consistent contenders. They last won a playoff game 26 years ago, and they\u2019ve had two straight years without postseason appearances.<\/em><\/em> Hill responded with an Instagram post that sounded both classy and authentic.  Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com<\/a>: Hill dislocated a knee and tore an ACL in Week 4 and missed the remainder of the 2025 season. He turns 32 in March and is now a free agent for the first time in his 10-year career.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>In a post on Instagram, Hill thanked the Dolphins, his teammates and the team’s fans. He also vowed that his career will continue.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>“Miami, you have became my home. But, the journey doesn’t stop here… Every chapter in life has taught me something. This one taught me leadership, resilience, and mostly gratitude. The love I have for this game is unexplainable. And right now, this off season, for the first time ever, The Cheetah is all the way turned up and locked in. Focused.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>“The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever. So to everyone wondering what’s next… just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again,” he wrote.<\/em><\/em> Ayrton Ostly of USA TODAY offers five possible landing spots for Hill: Tyreek Hill landing spots<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Baltimore Ravens<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>Baltimore just feels the most right. An aging former All-Pro wide receiver playing out a season in the Charm City is a movie we’ve seen before. DeAndre Hopkins, Odell Beckham Jr., DeSean Jackson, Dez Bryant; you get the idea.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>One factor that may change this is a new coaching staff in the building led by Jesse Minter. But Eric DeCosta is still in place as general manager, so we could see another edition of a veteran addition at wide receiver. If so, Hill could ease in without shouldering much of the receiving load. Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers are both producing well and he could start out in a WR3 role before building up to something bigger.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Buffalo Bills<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>Buffalo swung on an aging veteran free agent addition last year but on defense with edge rusher Joey Bosa. A change from the defense-minded Sean McDermott to the offense-focused Joe Brady at head coach could lead to a contract like that being given to someone on the other side of the ball.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Keon Coleman’s performance is well documented at this point. Josh Palmer was a good addition to a group with Khalil Shakir. The Bills would need more from Hill than the Ravens and have to bank on him still having some of his game-changing speed. On the plus side, he’d have at least two revenge games this year against Miami if that’s a draw.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>New Orleans Saints<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>The Saints have promising talent at key positions on offense. Both tackle spots are solid, Tyler Shough improved significantly down the stretch and Devin Neal showed some promise as a rookie. This team desperately needs wide receiver help to aid Chris Olave.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Olave played 16 games in 2025 and set a career-high in touchdowns with nine but he can’t do it all himself. New Orleans was a six-win team in 2025 but the NFC South is one of the more winnable divisions. The Saints also are just $6 million over the cap for 2026 – a much better financial situation than the last half-decade.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Seattle Seahawks<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>As an aging wide receiver, signing with the team that just won the Super Bowl is always a safe bet. Seattle could use his speed if Hill recovers fully, considering they could lose Rashid Shaheed in free agency.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Even with Shaheed back, the wide receiver room revolved around Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks could use more depth at the position and Hill wouldn’t have to produce at a high level, similar to the situation in Baltimore.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Los Angeles Chargers<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>Los Angeles is third in the NFL in cap space for 2026 and just had a good run with Keenan Allen as the veteran presence in the group. The Chargers could use another receiver for Justin Herbert; Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston have been inconsistent over the last two seasons.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>New Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel just spent the last three years designing ways to maximize Hill in Miami. The two could reunite if there isn’t any bad blood between them. Los Angeles plays Miami in 2026 which could add another element of a revenge game for both him and McDaniel.<\/em><\/em>– – -What about QB TUA TAGOVIALOA?  Frank Schwab of The Athletic<\/em>: And everyone is waiting for resolution on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. If he is let go, the resulting record dead cap hit will certainly signal the obvious: This is a full rebuild. Check back in 2027 (or 2028 \u2026 or 2029), Dolphins fans.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cAs we piece this thing together, it’s going to take time and there’s going to be a lot of hard work, but then it’s going to be built the right way,\u201d Hafley said when he was introduced to the media.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>The \u201cgoing to take time\u201d part of that seemed most relevant Monday.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>When the Dolphins were getting aggressive in trading and paying players like Hill and Chubb, they viewed themselves as contenders. A hot start in 2023, which included a 70-point eruption against the Broncos, turned out to be a mirage.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>For all of the big moves the Dolphins made, they never even won a playoff game. They still have the longest gap between playoff wins. Their last one came in 2000. Hafley started his coaching career in 2001.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>That\u2019s what will make the rebuild sting even worse. There wasn\u2019t a division title, home playoff game or playoff win to show for anything the past few years. And now it gets torn down again.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Cutting Hill, Chubb and Daniels cleared $34.4 million in cap space, according to Spotrac, which the Dolphins had to do to get cap compliant. There\u2019s not a ton of cap space to work with. There are a couple of extra third-round picks via trades and the Dolphins will get a quality player at 11th overall in April. But they don\u2019t have a lot of difference makers on the roster, and it\u2019s possible new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has other moves planned, via more cuts or a trade of someone like Jaylen Waddle. There will be a lot of players on the way out, and not a lot of resources to bring new talent in.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Miami\u2019s roster could look bleak this season. Sullivan knew what he had to do to clean up a cap mess and a roster that wasn\u2019t good enough to compete in the AFC East. It still will be difficult. And the Dolphins haven\u2019t even figured out the quarterback situation.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>The Dolphins\u2019 quarterback dilemma<\/em><\/em>Sullivan was asked when he first met the media about what happens next for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins\u2019 future at quarterback.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cObviously that’s a huge question looming over the organization,\u201d Sullivan said. \u201cI’d be na\u00efve to think that everybody doesn’t understand that.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>It seems impossible for the Dolphins to reconcile with Tagovailoa after his play bottomed out, especially after his most recent concussion, and he was benched last season. The Dolphins would take on a staggering $99.2 million in dead money to cut him, which would be a record, and if it\u2019s designated as a post-June 1 move it would be $67.2 million this year and $31.8 million in 2027, according to Over The Cap. Miami wants to trade Tagovailoa but that seems unlikely unless the Dolphins take on most of his salary. You can overcome a massive dead hit, as the Broncos did with Russell Wilson, but it\u2019s difficult. Especially when there\u2019s a ton of other dead cap hits on the books. And the Dolphins don\u2019t have an obvious path to get a new quarterback, especially considering how few can\u2019t-miss quarterback prospects there are in this year\u2019s NFL Draft.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Miami Dolphins release WR Tyreek Hill, making him a free agent for the first time<\/em><\/em>The Dolphins seem destined to go into the season with a cheap quarterback, putting that decision off a season, very few blue-chip players to build around, plenty of rookies and bargain free agents contributing, with a first-time NFL head coach leading it all in a division that includes the Patriots and Bills, two very good teams. It\u2019s going to be ugly.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Dolphins fans are used to ugly. They haven\u2019t seen their team win a playoff game in a quarter century. But this seems different. It might be a while before there\u2019s hope again in Miami.<\/em><\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>THIS AND THAT<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>A COURT AGAIN DOESN\u2019T BUY ROGER GOODELL AS ARBITRATOR<\/strong>Brian Flores and his two co-plaintiffs Steve Wilks and Ray Horton will get their day in court on their contention that they were denied coaching opportunities due to their race.  Yet another court, like the one weighing the case of Jon Gruden, has found that the idea of Roger Goodell arbitrating a case involving the NFL and its clubs does not meet the test of apparent justice.  Mike Florio: The NFL’s secret, rigged, kangaroo court is on life support.<\/em> <\/em>In the lawsuit filed four years ago by former Dolphins coach Brian Flores, the presiding judge has reversed a prior order sending some of the claims to arbitration. Now, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has concluded that all claims will be litigated in open court.<\/em> <\/em>The ruling means that the Flores claims against the NFL, the Dolphins, the Giants, the Broncos, and the Texans will be handled in court, not arbitration. It also applies to the claims made by Steve Wilks against the Cardinals, and by Ray Horton against the Titans.<\/em> <\/em>Friday’s decision flows from last year’s ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which denied arbitration as to the remaining Flores claims based on the NFL’s insistence that Commissioner Roger Goodell control the process. That same “fatal flaw” (as Judge Valerie Caproni described it) impacts all efforts to compel arbitration.<\/em> <\/em>The league will undoubtedly fight the result. Although Goodell defended the practice during last week’s Super Bowl press conference, it is fundamentally unfair for the person hired and paid by the teams to be resolving legal claims made against his employers. No one in that position can be fair and impartial.<\/em> <\/em>The NFL hates external oversight. It wants to control its business, and it hopes to keep any dirty laundry tightly under wraps.<\/em> <\/em>The league previously filed a petition for appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court on the question of whether the arbitration requirement is legitimate. Whatever the final outcome, it’s long overdue that the highest court in the country examine and resolve whether it’s appropriate for any organization to require employees to submit their legal claims not to an independent party but to the boss.<\/em> Florio also notes that the path is cleared for Jon Gruden to take the NFL to an open trial over the selective leaks that derailed his coaching career. Brian Flores isn’t the only one responsible for the implosion of the NFL’s effort to force all claims against it into arbitration controlled by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Jon Gruden has had a big role, too.<\/em> <\/em>Gruden, through a last-ditch effort to sway the Nevada Supreme Court to see things his way, won the right to keep his case in court. And the NFL did not attempt to appeal the final ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.<\/em> <\/em>As to Gruden’s case, that ends the issue. The case will play out in Nevada. Which will include, absent a dismissal or settlement, a trial in open court.<\/em> <\/em>The league’s decision to punt on an appeal may have something to do with the fact that the NFL’s argument as to Gruden was based on a flimsy, disingenuous effort to cram Gruden’s claims into an obscure provision of the NFL Constitution & Bylaws. The league presumably decided that it wasn’t worth trying to get the Supreme Court first to take up the case and second to see it the NFL’s way.<\/em> <\/em>Gruden, as a result, has the tiger tight by the tail. He reportedly wants to “burn the NFL\u2019s house down.” Unless and until the league makes him a financial offer he can’t refuse, Gruden will have every effort to expose who leaked emails that engineered his ouster during the 2021 season.<\/em> <\/em>And that continues to be the biggest issue in the case. It’s not about Gruden. It’s about the fact that someone undermined the integrity of the 2021 NFL season by taking out Gruden not before or after but during the campaign.<\/em> <\/em>Without Gruden, the Raiders got to the playoffs and nearly beat the Bengals \u2014 who got to the Super Bowl and nearly beat the Rams. How differently would the year have gone if Gruden hadn’t been taken out?<\/em> <\/em>That’s the point to remember as the case unfolds. Yes, the emails he sent while not employed by any NFL team were not good. (Like, you know, the emails Steve Tisch sent while owning the Giants.) But they knew about Gruden’s emails before the season started. He could have been targeted then.<\/em> <\/em>Instead, someone waited until the season had begun. The effort impacted Gruden and the Raiders and their fans and the integrity of the entire season.<\/em> <\/em>If nothing else, everyone who cares about pro football needs to know who did it. Gruden and his lawyers now have the chance to do that.<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>LANDING SPOTS FOR FREE AGENTS<\/strong>Matt Bowen of SI.com<\/a> spots 50 of the top free agents: Our suggested fits are mainly focused on team needs, scheme and potential future production, though we also factored each franchise’s salary cap situation. But remember that every team’s cap room will shift up and down before free agency as front offices restructure, cut and re-sign contracts. For some of these fits to work, teams might have to get creative.<\/em> <\/em>1. Trey Hendrickson, Edge<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Indianapolis Colts<\/em><\/strong>Colts general manager Chris Ballard could make a splash move in landing the top free agent on our board. And Hendrickson would reunite with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, his former coach in Cincinnati, to boost the pass rush opposite Laiatu Latu. In seven games last season with the Bengals, Hendrickson had four sacks — but his 17.5 sacks in 2024 ranked No. 1 in the league.<\/em> <\/em>The Colts finished with 39 sacks last season, tied for 15th in the NFL. Adding to the defensive front should be a priority for win-now Indianapolis. The Bears are a team to keep an eye on here, too.<\/em> <\/em>2. George Pickens, WR<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Dallas Cowboys<\/em><\/strong>All signs point to Pickens staying in Dallas after his breakout season in 2025 — and it could happen with the franchise tag. With his explosive-play ability (22 receptions of 20 or more yards), Pickens can win on the boundary as a three-level target opposite CeeDee Lamb, giving quarterback Dak Prescott two premier targets in coach Brian Schottenheimer’s system.<\/em> <\/em>3. Tyler Linderbaum, C<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New York Giants<\/em><\/strong>Linderbaum can follow coach John Harbaugh to New York. Given his movement traits, he would fit the Giants’ zone and gap schemes, and his 97.2% pass block win rate with the Ravens tied for second among 31 qualifying centers last season. The Giants would be landing the top offensive lineman in free agency … but let’s keep an eye on the Raiders here, as well. They could also use Linderbaum’s tone-setting mentality on the interior.<\/em> <\/em>4. Daniel Jones, QB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Indianapolis Colts<\/em><\/strong>In Indianapolis, Jones can play as a facilitator in coach Shane Steichen’s offense, backed by a productive run game. While the timetable on his return from an Achilles injury is still uncertain, we know the fit works once Jones is cleared to play. Jones displayed more poise in 2025 with the Colts, and he threw with a much stronger sense of timing. His 64.1 QBR ranked eighth through Week 13.<\/em> <\/em>5. Jaelan Phillips, Edge<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Philadelphia Eagles<\/em><\/strong>Phillips was traded to the Eagles at the deadline, and they can try to re-sign him. With his 6-foot-5 frame and improved range in coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense, Phillips could continue to play as a disruptive pass rusher who can also set an edge to the run front. Over his five-year career, Phillips has accounted for 28 sacks and 150 pressures.<\/em> <\/em>6. Alec Pierce, WR<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Tennessee Titans<\/em><\/strong>With the Titans in position to be active in free agency, I like Pierce in Tennessee under new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Pierce has the vertical stretch ability to produce down the field and can play a volume role as a multilevel target for quarterback Cam Ward. Pierce averaged a league-best 21.3 yards per catch with the Colts in 2025.<\/em> <\/em>7.  Breece Hall, RB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New York Jets<\/em><\/strong>The Jets are rebuilding again, and with ample cap room, bringing Hall back makes sense. With his dual-threat traits and home run ability, he can be the centerpiece of the offense under new coordinator Frank Reich. That system will lean on zone runs and using the backs in the pass game. Hall has 87 rushes of 10 or more yards over four seasons.<\/em> <\/em>8. Rasheed Walker, OT<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Cleveland Browns<\/em><\/strong>With needs across the offensive line, the Browns should target Walker, the top offensive tackle on our board. His pass block win rate of 93.8% with the Packers ranked 11th among 68 qualifying offensive tackles in 2025, and he should be viewed as an upgrade in Cleveland, as new coach Todd Monken rebuilds the front.<\/em> <\/em>9. Odafe Oweh, Edge<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Los Angeles Chargers<\/em><\/strong>Oweh’s production in L.A. after being traded from the Ravens should keep him with the Chargers under new coordinator Chris O’Leary. He had 7.5 sacks with the Chargers in the regular season and added three in their wild-card loss to the Patriots. He’s an explosive rusher whom O’Leary can scheme for one-on-one matchups.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>10. Braden Smith, OT<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Houston Texans<\/em><\/strong>Elevating the offensive line in front of quarterback C.J. Stroud must be a priority for the Texans, and Smith would be an upgrade over free agent right tackle Trent Brown. Durability has been a concern for Smith, who just wrapped up his eighth season with the Colts, but he’s a drive blocker in the run game who can match power off the edges in pass pro.<\/em> <\/em>11. John Franklin-Myers, DL<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons<\/em><\/strong>Under coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Franklin-Myers could be used as a versatile defender, playing as a nose or 5-technique in the base fronts while providing an interior rush out of sub-package personnel. He had 7.5 sacks and 23 pressures with the Broncos last season.<\/em> <\/em>12. Alontae Taylor, CB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Los Angeles Rams<\/em><\/strong>The Rams’ lack of speed in the secondary — which showed up in their NFC Championship Game loss to the Seahawks — must be addressed this offseason. Taylor, who had two interceptions with the Saints in 2025, would provide the Rams a versatile cover corner with disruptive traits and the ability to play outside or in the slot. Chicago and Las Vegas are good fits, as well.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>13. Quay Walker, LB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Washington Commanders<\/em><\/strong>With veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner also hitting free agency, Walker could fill a need for the Commanders. After posting 128 tackles with the Packers last season, he has the traits to fit really well in Dan Quinn’s defense. Paired with Frankie Luvu, Walker could be set up on pressures, and he has the second-level speed to track the ball or close throwing windows. Washington would get younger and faster on defense with this move.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>14. Riq Woolen, CB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New York Jets<\/em><\/strong>The Jets allowed 57 completions of 20 or more yards in 2025, seventh most in the league. Adding Woolen, a 6-foot-5 corner with high-end physical tools and speed, fits under coach Aaron Glenn’s defense. This unit wants to play man coverage, and Woolen has 12 interceptions and 36 pass breakups in his four-year career in Seattle. I also like the Commanders as a fit.<\/em> <\/em>15. Mike Evans, WR<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Buffalo Bills<\/em><\/strong>A return to Tampa Bay is clearly an option for Evans, but becoming the top receiver in Buffalo with quarterback Josh Allen makes a lot of sense, too. Under new coach Joe Brady, Evans could be that boundary X target for Allen and create matchups in the low red zone. I like the idea of Buffalo getting aggressive to add a proven and reliable target who had topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark in 11 straight seasons before injuries derailed his 2025 campaign.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>16. Jaylen Watson, CB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders<\/em><\/strong>Watson, who had 64 tackles with the Chiefs in 2025, is scheme-versatile, and the Raiders could land one of the top corners in free agency with this move to upgrade the perimeter of their defense. He has the length to challenge in press and the route awareness to play top-down on the ball in zone.<\/em> <\/em>17. Malik Willis, QB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Miami Dolphins<\/em><\/strong>With new leadership in Miami, the club could move on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. New coach Jeff Hafley and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan know Willis well from their shared time in Green Bay, and Willis could slot in as the new starter under coordinator Bobby Slowik. Let’s envision a scheme built around motion\/movement, with play-action elements woven in; that would set up Willis well as a thrower, and the QB run game would generate conflict for opposing defenses. Willis’ development in Green Bay creates upside for the Dolphins.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>18. Kenneth Walker III, RB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Seattle Seahawks<\/em><\/strong>The Super Bowl LX MVP can stay in Seattle after registering 417 total yards and four touchdowns in the Seahawks’ three postseason games. After Zach Charbonnet injured an ACL in the divisional round, there is even more of a need to keep Walker, a slasher with big-play juice who can contribute to the pass game. His 33 rushes of 10 or more yards ranked sixth in the regular season.<\/em> <\/em>19. Devin Lloyd, LB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Jacksonville Jaguars<\/em><\/strong>Under Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Lloyd had a career-best five interceptions, taking one back for a score. That type of on-the-ball production at linebacker will garner interest in free agency, but I have Lloyd sticking with a Jacksonville unit that ranked top 10 in both scoring and run defense.<\/em> <\/em>20. Isaiah Likely, TE<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Washington Commanders<\/em><\/strong>With the Commanders making the transition to new offensive coordinator David Blough, Likely could replace free agent Zach Ertz as the middle-of-the-field target for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Likely would bring more upside with his catch-and-run ability. A move player in the formation, Likely would also be schemed to create underneath one-on-ones. He had 27 catches for 301 yards and a touchdown with Baltimore last season.<\/em> <\/em>21. Romeo Doubs, WR<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders<\/em><\/strong>The Raiders can add to their wide receivers room for new coach Klint Kubiak by signing Doubs. His ability to uncover and work the heavy traffic areas of the field would be great for anticipated top pick Fernando Mendoza. A reliable pass catcher, Doubs had 55 receptions for 724 yards with the Packers in 2025.<\/em> <\/em>22. Khalil Mack, Edge<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/em><\/strong>The Bucs had 37 sacks last season, which ranked 18th in the league. They need to address the edges of their pass rush, and while Mack might be seen a situational player for Todd Bowles’ defense, the defender can still create disruption and get home to the quarterback. An elbow injury forced Mack to sit out five of the Chargers’ games early in the 2025 season, yet he finished with 5.5 sacks and 28 pressures.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>23. Kyle Pitts Sr., TE<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons<\/em><\/strong>Pitts will have options in free agency after he set career highs for receptions (88) and touchdowns (five) in 2025, but I still see a strong fit if he stays put in Atlanta under new coach Kevin Stefanski. With heavily defined concepts, Stefanski can set up Pitts to attack open coverage voids off play-action and also create isolation matchups.<\/em> <\/em>24. Travis Etienne Jr., RB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs<\/em><\/strong>Etienne has the play speed to upgrade a Chiefs run game that ranked 25th last season (106.6 yards per game). And with his dual-threat ability as a pass catcher, Etienne would be schemed on screens and backfield releases in coach Andy Reid’s system. This is a move to add more juice and big-play ability to the Kansas City offense. Etienne’s 26 rushes of 10 or more yards with Jacksonville tied for 12th in the NFL last season.<\/em> <\/em>25. Bryan Cook, S<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals<\/em><\/strong>With Geno Stone heading to free agency, the Bengals could look to Cook, a versatile safety for the Chiefs in 2025 who can play from depth or spin down to the front. The top-rated free agent at his position, I see Cook as an upgrade for a Bengals defense that allowed 233.8 passing yards per game last season (26th).<\/em> <\/em>26. Rashid Shaheed, WR<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Seattle Seahawks<\/em><\/strong>After trading multiple picks to acquire Shaheed during the season, re-signing the wide receiver makes sense for the Seahawks given his impact in multiple phases of the game. He can work the third level of the field as a vertical target for quarterback Sam Darnold, and he is a dynamic and fearless kick returner. Shaheed has 29 receptions of 20 or more yards in his four-year career.<\/em> <\/em>27. K’Lavon Chaisson, Edge<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens<\/em><\/strong>The Ravens had only 30 sacks in 2025, the third fewest in the league, and defenders Kyle Van Noy and Dre’Mont Jones are free agents. Chaisson, who had a career-high 7.5 sacks with the Patriots last season, would fill a void off the edge as an explosive rusher, and he can drop as a coverage defender in coach Jesse Minter’s scheme.<\/em> <\/em>28. Jauan Jennings, WR<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Carolina Panthers<\/em><\/strong>The 49ers’ top WR in 2025 can use his 6-foot-3, 212-pound frame and route-running skills to make himself available to quarterback Bryce Young, especially in critical down-and-distance situations. Plus, with Jennings joining Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, the Panthers would have a versatile receiving group that can work every level of the field.<\/em> <\/em>29. Javonte Williams, RB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Dallas Cowboys<\/em><\/strong>Williams returning to Dallas makes sense after he rushed for a career-high 1,201 yards in coach Brian Schottenheimer’s offense. With his explosive movement and north\/south power, Williams can keep his role as the Cowboys’ lead back and contribute as a pass catcher for quarterback Dak Prescott.<\/em> <\/em>30. Boye Mafe, Edge<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Tennessee Titans<\/em><\/strong>New Titans coach Robert Saleh has a real need for edge rushers in his defense. Mafe (who could also be a good fit for the Bengals) can be schemed out of loaded fronts to see more one-on-ones, using his first-step quickness and great effort level to hit the quarterback. Mafe had two sacks and 33 pressures last season with Seattle.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>31. Isaac Seumalo, G<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: San Francisco 49ers<\/em><\/strong>Improving the interior of the offensive line is a must for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Seumalo can displace defenders in both zone and gap run concepts, plus he would keep the pocket firm in pass pro for quarterback Brock Purdy. The 10-year veteran has the foot quickness to redirect defenders and the body control to wrestle back against power rushers. Seumalo’s 97.3% pass rush win rate with the Steelers this season ranked second among 65 qualifying guards, and his 76.9% run block win rate checked in at fourth.<\/em> <\/em>32. Reed Blankenship, S<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals<\/em><\/strong>With safety Jalen Thompson entering free agency, the Cardinals might opt to sign Blankenship to play opposite Budda Baker. Blankenship was with current Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis in Philly during his rookie season, and he’s a fit for Arizona’s foundational two-high coverages. Blankenship also brings ball production (nine career interceptions with the Eagles).<\/em> <\/em>33. Zion Johnson, G<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders<\/em><\/strong>The Raiders can upgrade their offensive line with Johnson. He’d play the left guard spot in Klint Kubiak’s system, using his mobility in the zone run game. Plus, Johnson’s youth and durability fit the rebuild in Las Vegas. He is just entering his prime playing years, with a 90.7% pass block win rate over his four-year career with the Chargers.<\/em> <\/em>34. Greg Newsome II, CB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Green Bay Packers<\/em><\/strong>The Packers’ cornerbacks struggled after Micah Parsons’ injury limited the pass rush, and new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon will install a zone-heavy scheme. That’s a fit for Newsome, who uses his backfield vision in coverage. Re-signing with the Jaguars is also an option.<\/em> <\/em>35. Connor McGovern, C<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Buffalo Bills<\/em><\/strong>McGovern is still in his prime, and the Bills can re-sign him as the centerpiece of the line in coach Joe Brady’s offense. McGovern is a steady blocker, and his 97.2% pass block win rate tied for second among 31 qualifying centers last season.<\/em> <\/em>36. David Edwards, G<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Los Angeles Chargers<\/em><\/strong><\/em>If Zion Johnson leaves L.A., Edwards could replace him. Edwards has played his best football as a pro over his past two seasons with the Bills. He has excellent movement traits at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, and his 95% pass block win rate in 2025 ranked 12th among 65 qualifying guards. That’s a positive for a Chargers team that allowed 60 sacks, tied for the second most in the league.<\/em> <\/em>37. Nahshon Wright, CB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New York Giants<\/em><\/strong>With a need to add more playmakers in the secondary, the Giants should target Wright, who had five interceptions and returned one for a touchdown last season with the Bears. Under new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, Wright can use his long 6-foot-4 frame and good instincts in Cover 2 and press-man.<\/em> <\/em>38. Joey Bosa, Edge<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Detroit Lions<\/em><\/strong>The Lions had 16 sacks on third down last season (tied for 15th in the league), so Detroit could add Bosa to elevate its sub-package pass rush. Bosa, who had five sacks with the Bills in 2025, fits well opposite Aidan Hutchinson with his speed-to-power production and the effort level to clean up late in plays.<\/em> <\/em>39. Chig Okonkwo, TE<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New England Patriots<\/em><\/strong>Austin Hooper is a free agent, and Hunter Henry in entering the final year of his contract. With Okonkwo and Henry on the field, the Patriots could create more matchups out of two-tight-end sets. Plus, coordinator Josh McDaniels could game plan for Okonkwo’s versatility as a pass catcher on screens and crossers. Okonkwo caught 56 passes for 560 yards and two touchdowns for the Titans last season.<\/em> <\/em>40. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New York Jets<\/em><\/strong>Let’s give the Jets a slot receiver who displayed more vertical ability in 2025 with the Giants. While the Jets must address quarterback this offseason, Robinson could pair with Garrett Wilson to give them a receiving presence both inside and outside the numbers. With at least 92 receptions in each of his past two seasons, Robinson is a volume target who can work multiple levels.<\/em> <\/em>41. Kam Curl, S<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Chicago Bears<\/em><\/strong>Both of Chicago’s starting safeties (Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard III) are free agents, opening up some spots. In coordinator Dennis Allen’s defense, Curl (who had two picks with the Rams in 2025) can play as an interchangeable safety and improve the Bears’ run defense. And don’t be surprised if the team brings back Byard to join him, too.<\/em> <\/em>42. Joel Bitonio, G<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Cleveland Browns<\/em><\/strong>Bitonio, 34, could opt for retirement, but if he plays in 2026, the Browns should re-sign the veteran guard on a short-term deal. He would bring much-needed experience back to the O-line in coach Todd Monken’s offense. Bitonio allowed only two sacks in 2025.<\/em> <\/em>43. Cade Mays, C<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals<\/em><\/strong>New coach Mike LaFleur could look at Mays in free agency because of his versatility along the front. While he does have some athletic limitations, Mays is a capable starter at 6-foot-6 and can play the center and guard positions. He had a 94.3% pass block win rate last season with the Panthers, which ranked 20th out of 31 qualifying centers.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>44. Jaquan Brisker, S<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Pittsburgh Steelers<\/em><\/strong>In Pittsburgh, Brisker would replace Kyle Dugger under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Brisker can play over the top in Cover 2, and he would be a disruptive box defender in Graham’s single-high schemes. In four seasons with the Bears, Brisker had four interceptions, seven sacks and 14 pass breakups. The Steelers could also target a cornerback in free agency as they try to clean up the secondary.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>45. Leo Chenal, LB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Cincinnati Bengals<\/em><\/strong>With his ability to pressure and walk up into the front, Chenal would give defensive coordinator Al Golden more flexibility within his game plans. In four seasons with the Chiefs, Chenal recorded 193 total tackles, seven sacks and 28 pressures.<\/em> <\/em>46. Rico Dowdle, RB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Denver Broncos<\/em><\/strong>Dowdle would step in for free agent J.K. Dobbins to pair with RJ Harvey in Denver’s backfield. In this scenario, Dowdle would split touches with Harvey, and his decisive, downhill running style works on the goal line in coach Sean Payton’s offense. Dowdle rushed for 1,076 yards and had 26 carries of 10 or more yards last season with the Panthers.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>47. Coby Bryant, S<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New England Patriots<\/em><\/strong>The Patriots could lose starting safety Jaylinn Hawkins to free agency, and Bryant, who had four picks with Seattle last season, is an upgrade. In coach Mike Vrabel’s defense, Bryant could play the post or match in split-field alignments. He’s also an urgent downhill defender in the alleys.<\/em> <\/em>48. Nakobe Dean, LB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Minnesota Vikings<\/em><\/strong>The Vikings have cap issues heading into free agency, but I really like the fit for Dean in coordinator Brian Flores’ defense. Dean, who had four sacks with the Eagles in 2025, is the league’s best blitzing linebacker, and he would join a system that led the NFL in blitz rate at 46.8%.<\/em> <\/em>49. Kenneth Gainwell, RB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: New Orleans Saints<\/em><\/strong>Given the uncertainty of running back Alvin Kamara’s future in New Orleans, the team could bring in Gainwell. In coach Kellen Moore’s offense, Gainwell can be a change-of-pace runner, and he has the receiving traits to create numbers as an outlet for quarterback Tyler Shough. Gainwell caught a career-high 73 passes and was vital on third downs for Pittsburgh last season.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>50. Alex Anzalone, LB<\/em><\/strong>Best team fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/em><\/strong>Lavonte David is a free agent, and coach Todd Bowles needs more from his inside linebackers. Anzalone is quick to key the run, and Bowles is one of the best at scheming his linebackers on pressure stunts. Tampa Bay can add another productive veteran on defense here. Anzalone had 2.5 sacks and eight pass breakups in Detroit last season.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AROUND THE NFL The NFL wins a grievance against the NFLPA, and instead of being proudly published, the NFLPA\u2019s Team Report Cards will be compiled, distributed without a release and will eventually be leaked.  Mike Jones of The Athletic: The NFL has won the grievance filed against the NFL Players Association over the annual team report cards…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[6,7,11,8,13],"class_list":["post-7088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-daily-briefing","tag-chris-myers","tag-chris-myers-sports","tag-daily-briefing","tag-fox-sports","tag-nfl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7088"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7088\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}