{"id":7180,"date":"2026-04-24T05:38:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/?p=7180"},"modified":"2026-04-24T05:38:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T05:38:10","slug":"the-daily-briefing-friday-april-10-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/the-daily-briefing-friday-april-10-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Daily Briefing Friday, April 10, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AROUND THE NFL<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic<\/em> on how players and teams are both finding advantage to deals of three years and shorter: A quiet trend that has continued for a few years drew additional interest this offseason: three-year deals for players. The Athletic\u2019s Daniel Popper noted a slight uptick in three-year deals among his top-150 free agents (46 this season versus 38 last season). Over the Cap also told me that the total number of three-year deals done per year has held fairly steady since 2022, so it\u2019s not a new trend. But between 2021 and \u201926, OTC found, three-year deals represent the highest number of deals done in which the average compensation per year is over $10 million.<\/em> <\/em>Last year around this time, I spoke with an NFC executive who believed this trend was here to stay, and said his team had seen an increase in agents and players wanting a shorter-termed contract \u2014 particularly if it were a second contract (so, the next one after the initial four-year rookie deal).<\/em> <\/em>That executive said players feel such deals are friendlier to them. They can potentially sign a higher number of deals over the length of their careers if they are termed for fewer years. Plus, teams seem to prefer using void years for any cap flexibility instead of formally adding fourth and fifth years; players don\u2019t often see the last year or years either, because they have a new deal, they move teams or otherwise.<\/em> <\/em>But the trend from an organizational perspective may lend well to quicker builds or rebuilds, too. Sprint-rebuilds are popular right now, especially among teams that are OK with eating a large sum of dead money all in one year, overhauling and then limiting financial investment into at least one side of the ball (they need to nail their draft picks there to do it right). Quicker rebuilds mean quicker roster turnover, which make shorter-termed contracts friendly to the organization as well.<\/em> <\/em>Going for a quicker rebuild is sometimes also a result of impatient owners who are faster to fire coaches and GMs. Contracts or extensions for those personnel are often for three years these days. And a new head coach may be very active in his first year of free agency to bring in veteran players whom he\u2019s familiar with to establish his scheme and culture \u2014 all the while knowing he may not get more than the three-year window to do it.<\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
NFC NORTH<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>MINNESOTA<\/strong><\/strong>Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic<\/em> with thoughts on the combination of Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell and QB KYLER MURRAY: <\/em>Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O\u2019Connell erred on the side of diplomacy in any public comments about his quarterbacks room, which now includes 2019 No. 1 pick Kyler Murray and backup Carson Wentz, along with 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy and backup Max Brosmer. But curiosity is building around the league about what Murray will do in O\u2019Connell\u2019s creative, quarterback-friendly system.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>O\u2019Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown may develop more experimental looks out of both pistol and shotgun formations as organized team activities begin, and they\u2019ll get to troubleshoot how those concepts affect a veteran defense and defensive coordinator in Brian Flores.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>O\u2019Connell\u2019s offense (and especially his run game) currently flows out from a quarterback most frequently aligned under center, and it\u2019s important that play action is first established from there. Yet when used judiciously, the pistol and shotgun can really open up a playbook.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Teams that predominantly use shotgun lose a lot of their play action passing game but do have the advantage of seeing more of the defense or using formations like \u201cempty\u201d that force a defense to declare its pressure; teams that predominantly run pistol without the threat of a running quarterback might initially keep a play action game but can\u2019t hold any run\/pass disguise against a defense for long. But with a quarterback who has Murray\u2019s mobility, the pistol especially can be incredibly effective. The quarterback can see the defense as if he\u2019s in shotgun, with a full menu of motions at his disposal, while he is able to disguise the run direction and whether he or the running back will keep the ball. He can also keep the play action passing game as if from under center; the offensive line will have to block out of initial contact a little longer in this case (the running back is aligned further away from the line of scrimmage).<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Pistol may be a nice compromise between the shotgun that Murray has predominantly played from (84.8 percent of his snaps since 2020 were in shotgun, per TruMedia) and the under-center playbook O\u2019Connell has used. The Vikings had the eighth-highest under-center rate last season, but with a quarterback who presents a real run\/pass conflict, the shotgun and pistol frequency should increase.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>O\u2019Connell was a key voice in installing a new offense with Rams coach Sean McVay in 2021 for quarterback Matthew Stafford. It featured significantly more shotgun plays than McVay had ever previously utilized. I\u2019d expect O\u2019Connell to revisit that playbook, among others.<\/em><\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
NFC WEST<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>LOS ANGELES RAMS<\/strong>The Rams are concerned about WR PUKA NACUA\u2019s well being and may not lavish a big contract extension on the troubled receiver.  Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic: Puka Nacua\u2019s upcoming contract and offseason<\/em><\/strong>Puka Nacua\u2019s off-field controversies emerged near the end of last season when he did an antisemitic dance on a livestream that is known for amplifying people with those views, as well as white nationalists, while also saying on the stream that NFL referees invent calls to get on TV and implying that concussions aren\u2019t real. Nacua, who had tried to invite those streamers into the Rams\u2019 practice facility during a game week, later apologized for the dance and said he did not know it was antisemitic.<\/em> <\/em>Early in the offseason, clips of Nacua appearing to be intoxicated in public circulated on social media; in March, a lawsuit was filed against Nacua that claims he bit two women at a dinner while intoxicated and made an antisemitic statement (per these allegations, this incident happened less than three weeks after the incident with the streamers and Nacua\u2019s apology). Nacua\u2019s lawyer denied that the receiver made such a statement.<\/em> <\/em>Last week, news broke that Nacua had checked himself into a private care facility. His lawyer said (and a team source confirmed) that Nacua has been in the facility since March \u2014 before the lawsuit was filed.<\/em> <\/em>NFL Draft 2026 \u2018The Beast\u2019 Guide: Dane Brugler\u2019s definitive scouting reports and player rankings<\/em>Perhaps taking cues from McVay, the Rams did not seem to have many long-term concerns about Nacua\u2019s behavior immediately after the in-season incidents (Nacua was neither suspended nor punished by the team, and McVay, in fact, praised his on-field production in the first game after the livestream, although he added he hoped Nacua would learn from his mistakes).<\/em> <\/em>But it\u2019s my understanding that their concerns significantly increased \u2014 especially about Nacua\u2019s well-being \u2014 as the offseason continued. While Nacua checked into the facility of his own volition, a source with knowledge of his decision said, the team is certainly glad he did.<\/em> <\/em>In the background of all of this has also been the question of Nacua\u2019s upcoming contract extension, especially after the Seattle Seahawks in late March signed star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a four-year, $168.6 million deal (Smith-Njigba, like Nacua, was entering the final season of his rookie deal, although the Seahawks had already picked up his fifth-year option). The Rams made it clear publicly and even more firmly behind the scenes in recent weeks that Nacua will have to correct his off-field behavior to earn the type of contract his league-leading play would typically merit.<\/em> <\/em>McVay has publicly referred to Nacua as a \u201ckid\u201d whose \u201cheart he trusts.\u201d But Nacua is an adult \u2014 a 24-year-old man with an infant \u2014 who has the autonomy and resources to seek help, and has done so. Next, he\u2019ll need to show McVay and other members of the organization who have had their sincere belief in him tested that he can stay out of trouble.<\/em> <\/em>And, I\u2019d just add this: Let\u2019s not pretend that any Rams player outside of future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald has ever been completely untouchable. Since 2021, McVay has pivoted from a former franchise quarterback (Jared Goff) and a fan-favorite franchise receiver (Cooper Kupp), and the Rams even engaged briefly in trade talks about a receiver who McVay intensely pursued in free agency just one year ago (Davante Adams).<\/em> <\/em>I don\u2019t believe that an early extension is now a guarantee, even if the Rams have been clear they\u2019d like Nacua to be with them for the long term. But the organization has a natural cushion during which to monitor Nacua, as they don\u2019t typically do early extensions until training camp. If they still aren\u2019t totally sure or need more time, they could even use the franchise tag on Nacua next spring \u2014 a move they\u2019ve typically avoided.<\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
AFC WEST<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
 LAS VEGAS<\/strong>Zak Keefer of The Athletic<\/em> has a big piece on Jon Gruden\u2019s time with the Raiders.  This part, on Gruden and personnel sounds familiar to anyone with the Buccaneers in 2003 or so: The pursuit lasted six years and required 15 cross-country flights.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Mark Davis hid them all from the four head coaches he churned through after his father\u2019s death in 2011. The Oakland Raiders were now his team, and in his mind, there was only one man who could save them.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Jon Gruden had done it before. It was in Oakland where Gruden first became a coaching star, the fire-breathing offensive wunderkind who screamed and scowled and boasted to reporters that he set his alarm for 3:17 each morning. From 1998 to 2001 he lifted one of the NFL\u2019s signature franchises back to relevance, only to be shipped to Tampa Bay in the middle of the night for two first-round picks, two second-round picks and $8 million in cash \u2014 Al Davis\u2019 way of ending a contract dispute. Twelve months later, Gruden\u2019s Buccaneers routed his old team in Super Bowl XXXVII.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>By 2017, it was much easier to remember Gruden\u2019s Super Bowl triumph than the fact that Tampa Bay didn\u2019t win a single playoff game in the six years that followed. He was finishing his ninth season as the color analyst on ESPN\u2019s \u201cMonday Night Football,\u201d and his time away only stoked the fascination of NFL owners. The longer Gruden was at ESPN, the more coveted a candidate he became, chased not only by Davis but also the Indianapolis Colts\u2019 Jim Irsay, who earlier that year tried to pair Gruden with franchise icon Peyton Manning in an executive role. Rumors that Gruden might take a top college job at Tennessee, where he had once been a graduate assistant, persisted for years. He seemed to relish the interest, allowing his reputation to burnish with each coaching cycle.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>So when the Raiders crumbled from 6-6 to 6-10 in their third season under Jack Del Rio, Davis\u2019 courtship of Gruden intensified. Sometimes Davis called him in the middle of the night. Sometimes he called just before kickoff. One Raiders staffer caught the two in an elevator at the team hotel the night before a Week 16 loss in Philadelphia, a game Gruden called in the ESPN booth the next day.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>A few weeks later, Gruden decided he was in. It had taken calls to his wife and his mother, plus all those trips to Tampa, where Davis visited so often he not only had a favorite hotel but a favorite laundromat, too. The owner beamed from atop the stage at the introductory news conference, smiling as if he\u2019d won a Super Bowl. \u201cOnce a Raider, always a Raider,\u201d he began. For 37 minutes Davis couldn\u2019t wipe the grin off his face. He called it the biggest day of his life. He said his dream had come true.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cThis is a big effin\u2019 deal,\u201d he bragged.<\/em><\/em> Almost 10 years later, the Raiders are again awash in optimism. In two weeks, they\u2019re likely to land Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL legend Tom Brady is calling the shots after buying a minority stake in the team in 2024. New coach Klint Kubiak is fresh off a Super Bowl run with the Seattle Seahawks. And defensive lynchpin Maxx Crosby is, for now, still on the roster.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>But this franchise has been here before, buying into the hope of a bright future. Davis thought the Gruden hire would revive The Raider Way \u2014 the sharpest mind in the game, the polished prodigy coming back to kick everyone\u2019s ass \u2014 and he was willing to hand Gruden an unprecedented 10-year, $100 million contract to prove it. In time, the owner would learn Gruden was far from the football savant he played on TV.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>As one former Raiders exec summed up the experience: \u201cIt was all just so desperate.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Inside the building, they called them kill tapes.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Months of scouting \u2014 trips to the school, conversations with coaches, hours of game tape, Senior Bowl, NFL Combine and pro day workouts \u2014 could be trampled in a matter of minutes, subject to the ever-shifting moods of the man in charge. Gruden strolled through the doors in Oakland in 2018 with undisputed authority, and if he wasn\u2019t in on a prospect, former staffers remember, he\u2019d have one of his assistants compile a short video cut-up of the player\u2019s worst snaps, then show it to all the scouts.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cIt wasn\u2019t reflective of all the work you did,\u201d said one team source \u2014 who, like others for this story, was granted anonymity to speak freely about his experiences working for the organization. \u201cYou can make a player look any way you want. You can make Tom Brady look like a bum.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Some veteran personnel men would push back against Gruden once in a while, but the less experienced ones did not. When the coach unleashed a kill tape on one of their prospects, they knew it was over. They\u2019d sit there in silence, swallowing their words. Gruden, who declined to comment for this story, could still coach, still scheme, and at times, still lead. \u201cHe just needed to stay the f\u2014 away from evaluating talent and building the roster,\u201d one former team employee said.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>He couldn\u2019t.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>When Gruden was handed the keys to the franchise, he laughed off the notion he wouldn\u2019t work well with the team\u2019s incumbent general manager, Reggie McKenzie. \u201cReggie will win a lot of \u2019em,\u201d Gruden said of any potential personnel tussles with the former NFL linebacker. \u201cHe\u2019s a lot bigger than me.\u201d Within a year, McKenzie was out, replaced by a first-time GM straight off a TV set.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>In other words, Mike Mayock was not someone who could tell Jon Gruden no.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cWhen you see an established coach bring in a GM who\u2019s never done the job, it\u2019s 100 percent because the coach wants to run the building and manipulate things exactly how he likes them,\u201d said a former team employee.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>When it came to roster construction, Gruden had a type the pro scouting staff came to know well: \u201cJon loved veterans who were All-Pros like eight years ago and were on their way out to pasture,\u201d one source said. \u201cAnyone who had a name he remembered or had a big game against him in the past,\u201d another said. When those types of players became available via the league\u2019s transaction wire, the scouting staff would chuckle, knowing Mayock would get the question as soon as he stepped out to practice.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>NFL Draft 2026 \u2018The Beast\u2019 Guide: Dane Brugler\u2019s definitive scouting reports and player rankings<\/em><\/em>\u201cThat was Gruden\u2019s crutch,\u201d one source said. \u201cThis happens around the league with some coaches \u2014 they just want their guys. They don\u2019t wanna teach or develop.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Often, the staff would spend weeks studying a free agent and ultimately decide he was worth signing. \u201cThen five minutes later, Gruden would storm in and say he\u2019d just talked to his brother Jay (the head coach in Washington from 2014-19) and say, \u2018This guy sucks, we don\u2019t want him.\u2019 And that was that,\u201d one source said. \u201cJon was like the wind, man. Every single day you had no idea which way he was going to blow.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Paul Guenther signed on as Gruden\u2019s defensive coordinator in 2018. A few months later, on the verge of free agency, Gruden tossed him a question: hand out a massive extension to the team\u2019s best defensive player or use that money to re-sign five serviceable starters? \u201cWell,\u201d Guenther said, \u201cI took this job to coach Khalil Mack.\u201d The Raiders let the five starters walk.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Four months later, Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, still hadn\u2019t signed his deal. Guenther got a call 10 days before the opener. \u201cGuess what?\u201d he remembers Gruden telling him. \u201cI just traded Khalil Mack for two first-round picks.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cJon, we just let five starters walk out the door, and now Khalil\u2019s gone?\u201d Guenther said. \u201cWe got nobody left.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>The Raiders went 4-12 that year and gave up the most points in the league. \u201cKhalil was the heart and soul of our team,\u201d one source said. \u201cSo when you trade him, you\u2019re telling everyone he\u2019s not good enough. The rest of the players are wondering, \u2018How am I gonna be good enough?’\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Thanks to Gruden trading away another top talent \u2014 wideout Amari Cooper was sent to Dallas midseason \u2014 the Raiders had a stash of premium picks ahead of the 2019 draft: three first-rounders and a fourth inside the top 40. It should have been the foundation of a rebuild. It wasn\u2019t.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>The Raiders missed badly with their first selection, gambling on Clemson edge Clelin Ferrell fourth overall despite considerable pushback in the building. \u201cThe grades were all over the board on him, from the scouts to the coaches,\u201d Guenther said. The original plan had been to trade back and grab Ferrell later in the first round, but on the clock, the Raiders panicked. By August, the staff was starting to grow nervous. \u201cWe had this fourth-rounder out of Eastern Michigan outplaying the No. 4 pick in the draft every single day,\u201d one source said. Indeed, that fourth-rounder, Crosby, remains the shrewdest pick the Raiders made in a decade.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Of those four picks inside the top 40, only running back Josh Jacobs \u2014 whom Mayock had to convince Gruden to come around on, according to some in the room \u2014 proved a hit. By the third day of the draft, the coach\u2019s interest waned. \u201cGruden basically wasn\u2019t even around for that part,\u201d one source said. It\u2019s when Mayock did some of his best work: Crosby in the fourth, tight end Foster Moreau 31 picks later, wideout Hunter Renfrow in the fifth.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Still, despite an uneven first draft together, Gruden and Mayock had reason to believe: Thanks to the coach\u2019s persistence, one of the league\u2019s most dynamic offensive weapons was on his way to Oakland.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>Antonio Brown arrived for training camp in the summer of 2019 in a helicopter. His feet were frostbitten from a cryotherapy session in Paris. He was at odds with both the league and the Raiders over his helmet; the one he\u2019d used for nine seasons in Pittsburgh had since been banned. The seven-time Pro Bowl wideout missed 10 of his first 11 practices, posted his fines on Instagram, slept through meetings \u2014 and torched the Oakland secondary in the rare instances he was on the field. He got into a verbal spat with Mayock during a practice in which he called his GM a \u201ccracker\u201d and had to be held back by teammate Vontaze Burfict. The Raiders released Brown before he ever played a snap.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cI don\u2019t think that guy ever intended on playing football for us,\u201d a source said.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>\u201cIt was just a s\u2014show from Day 1,\u201d Mayock added.<\/em><\/em> <\/em>The miss on Brown, several sources indicated, spoke to Gruden\u2019s biggest weakness. He\u2019d get blinded by talent, believing he could outcoach any ancillary issue. \u201cJon didn\u2019t respect a player\u2019s football background or football character enough,\u201d one said. \u201cThat\u2019s why he whiffed on so many guys.\u201d<\/em><\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>THIS AND THAT<\/strong> <\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>RHETT LEWIS MOCK DRAFT<\/strong>Here is a Mock Draft from Rhett Lewis of NFL.com<\/a>: 1  Las Vegas Raiders<\/em><\/strong>Fernando Mendoza<\/em><\/strong>Indiana \u00b7 QB \u00b7 Junior (RS)<\/em><\/strong>Mendoza is Pick 1.1, QB1 and the face of the Raiders franchise for years to come. Now, how will Vegas use the rest of its draft capital to support him?<\/em> <\/em>2  New York Jets<\/em><\/strong>Arvell Reese<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u00b7 Edge \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>The selection of Reese brings intoxicating potential to the Jets’ defense, and a full-time transition to edge rusher could allow the freakishly athletic Buckeye to turn that potential into production.<\/em> <\/em>3  Arizona Cardinals<\/em><\/strong>David Bailey<\/em><\/strong>Texas Tech \u00b7 Edge \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>Lots of options for the Cardinals here, including taking the top running back (Jeremiyah Love) or the top offensive lineman (Francis Mauigoa) in this year’s class. But Bailey is also a top player, and at a premier position the Cardinals desperately need after finishing with just 30 sacks in 2025.<\/em> <\/em>4  Tennessee Titans<\/em><\/strong>Jeremiyah Love<\/em><\/strong>Notre Dame \u00b7 RB \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>There\u2019s been plenty of conversation about the Titans passing on Love if he’s available at this slot, but it makes too much sense to me to support last year\u2019s No. 1 overall pick, QB <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Cam Ward<\/em>\ufeff<\/em>, by handing him the most dynamic offensive player in this draft. <\/em> <\/em>5  New York Giants<\/em><\/strong>Sonny Styles<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u00b7 LB \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State lost the Big Ten Championship Game to Indiana, but Styles was the best defensive player on the field. Seemed like he made every tackle. Throw in his wildly impressive combine performance and it’s clear that Styles isn\u2019t any ordinary off-ball linebacker — he’s a defensive cornerstone with impact play production. <\/em> <\/em>6  Cleveland Browns<\/em><\/strong>Francis Mauigoa<\/em><\/strong>Miami \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>I think the Browns entertain the idea of selecting Carnell Tate here, but ultimately opt for the draft\u2019s best offensive lineman. A foundational piece for the next decade, Mauigoa headlines Cleveland’s reset along the O-line.<\/em> <\/em>7 Washington Commanders<\/em><\/strong>Carnell Tate<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u00b7 WR \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>Support your young talented QB! I don\u2019t think you can go wrong following that North Star philosophy, especially when <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Jayden Daniels<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> is your quarterback.<\/em> <\/em>8  New Orleans Saints<\/em><\/strong>Rueben Bain Jr.<\/em><\/strong>Miami \u00b7 Edge \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>Even if <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Cameron Jordan<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> re-signs with the Saints this offseason, the team needs to find another presence on the edge. Bain gives them a menace both as a pass rusher and run defender.<\/em> <\/em>9  Kansas City Chiefs<\/em><\/strong>Mansoor Delane<\/em><\/strong>LSU \u00b7 CB \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>After trading <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Trent McDuffie<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> to the Rams in March, the Chiefs find a new core piece in the secondary with the best corner in this year’s class. <\/em> <\/em>10  Cincinnati Bengals<\/em><\/strong>Caleb Downs<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u00b7 S \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>Although there’s been some debate over his measurables not being elite, Downs simply is one of the best football players in this draft. The Bengals don’t overthink it and land a stalwart in the secondary.<\/em> <\/em>11 Miami Dolphins<\/em><\/strong>Makai Lemon<\/em><\/strong>USC \u00b7 WR \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>The Dolphins should have plenty of options to address their needs at corner and edge rusher at No. 11 overall. But they’re also undergoing an overhaul at receiver, and so they don’t pass on the opportunity to land Lemon. The USC product spent the majority of his time in the slot, but has experience on the perimeter, as well.<\/em> <\/em>12  Dallas Cowboys<\/em><\/strong>Jermod McCoy<\/em><\/strong>Tennessee \u00b7 CB \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>McCoy missed all of last season after tearing his ACL in January 2025, and so all eyes were on his pro day at the end of March. The fact that he aced his testing in front of NFL personnel should help cement his status as a top-tier corner in this class. And it just so happens the Cowboys need an elite CB.<\/em> <\/em>13  Los Angeles Rams  (via ATL)<\/em><\/strong>Omar Cooper Jr.<\/em><\/strong>Indiana \u00b7 WR \u00b7 Junior (RS)<\/em><\/strong>I remember that viral interaction Sean McVay had with Les Snead ahead of the selection of <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Puka Nacua<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> back in 2023, and Cooper registers many of the same qualities that got the Rams’ brass so excited. He\u2019s not as physically imposing as Puka, but Cooper’s body control and ability to break tackles and make guys miss should be immensely appealing.<\/em> <\/em>14  Baltimore Ravens<\/em><\/strong>Spencer Fano<\/em><\/strong>Utah \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>There\u2019s been a lot of conversation around Fano\u2019s arm length and the potential of moving him from tackle to guard. In this scenario, the Ravens start Fano inside while building depth as a potential replacement at a bookend should the need arise.<\/em> <\/em>15  Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/em><\/strong>Akheem Mesidor<\/em><\/strong>Miami \u00b7 Edge \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>The Bucs haven\u2019t had a player hit the eight-sack mark since Shaq Barrett registered 10 in 2021. Mesidor is an absolute force to be reckoned with off the edge and should provide a big time pass-rush presence in Tampa.<\/em> <\/em>16 New York Jets (via IND)<\/em><\/strong>Jordyn Tyson<\/em><\/strong>Arizona State \u00b7 WR \u00b7 Junior (RS)<\/em><\/strong>Tyson is Bucky Brooks\u2019 No. 1 ranked receiver in this class, and there might be more consensus with that evaluation if not for the injuries that have derailed the last couple of seasons for the talented Arizona State Sun Devil. Tyson would form a dynamic duo with <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Garrett Wilson<\/em>\ufeff<\/em>.<\/em> <\/em>17  Detroit Lions<\/em><\/strong>Monroe Freeling<\/em><\/strong>Georgia \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>Whether the Lions move <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Penei Sewell<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> to left tackle or not, Detroit needs help on the outside of the O-line. Freeling is a big, athletic tackle with plenty of room to expand his game given he didn\u2019t become a full-time starter at Georgia until his third college season.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>18  Minnesota Vikings<\/em><\/strong>Dillon Thieneman<\/em><\/strong>Oregon \u00b7 S \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>This is one of the more popular projections in the collective mock draft community. It just fits. With Harrison Smith’s time in Minnesota at an end, the Vikings turn to the ballhawking Thieneman. His athletic profile should allow DC Brian Flores to use him in a variety of roles.<\/em> <\/em>19  Carolina Panthers<\/em><\/strong>Kenyon Sadiq<\/em><\/strong>Oregon \u00b7 TE \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>Plenty of speculation about Carolina taking another wide out here to support <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Bryce Young<\/em>\ufeff<\/em>, but the Panthers pick Sadiq instead, who has a receiver skill set, just with a bigger frame, creating chances to capitalize on some matchup advantages.<\/em> <\/em>20  Dallas Cowboys (via GB)<\/em><\/strong>Keldric Faulk<\/em><\/strong>Auburn \u00b7 Edge \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>The Cowboys have prioritized upgrading their defense this offseason, and Faulk is another piece in that overall goal. He’s a massive edge rusher who could provide some positional flexibility as Dallas transitions its defense under new coordinator Christian Parker.<\/em> <\/em>21 Pittsburgh Steelers<\/em><\/strong>Olaivavega Ioane<\/em><\/strong>Penn State \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Junior (RS)<\/em><\/strong>The Steelers have done a nice job drafting and developing their offensive line recently, with three starters (<\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Troy Fautanu<\/em>\ufeff<\/em>, <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Zach Frazier<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> and <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Mason McCormick<\/em>\ufeff<\/em>) coming from the 2024 NFL Draft alone. The trend continues as here, as the best guard in this class moves from Happy Valley to the Steel City. <\/em> <\/em>22  Los Angeles Chargers<\/em><\/strong>Kadyn Proctor<\/em><\/strong>Alabama \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>The Chargers have had their issues with injuries at the tackle position, and they just lost guard <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Zion Johnson<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> in free agency. Proctor, who played left tackle at Alabama, could provide security there as <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Rashawn Slater<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> and <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Joe Alt<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> recover from a torn patellar tendon and ankle injury, respectively — and he could potentially step in as a starting guard, as well.<\/em> <\/em>23  Philadelphia Eagles<\/em><\/strong>Ty Simpson<\/em><\/strong>Alabama \u00b7 QB \u00b7 Junior (RS)<\/em><\/strong>R-E-L-A-X. While there has been no shortage of drama surrounding the Eagles and QB <\/em>\ufeff\ufeff\ufeff<\/em>Jalen Hurts<\/em>\ufeff\ufeff\ufeff<\/em>, I’m not advocating for drafting a replacement here, although Philly has had a habit of accumulating quarterbacks and then acquiring value by moving them down the line. This, however, feels like a potential landing area for Simpson via trade, especially if a team believes the Browns could be looking to select the Alabama product with their second first-round pick at 24. And instead of trying to predict which QB-needy organization will be desperate enough to make this move, I’m keeping the Eagles as a placeholder in this mock to highlight the tantalizing leverage they could hold when their turn comes around — setting Howie Roseman up perfectly to work some of his customary wheeler-dealer magic.<\/em> <\/em>24  Cleveland Browns  (via JAC)<\/em><\/strong>KC Concepcion<\/em><\/strong>Texas A&M \u00b7 WR \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>If the Browns roll with <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Shedeur Sanders<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> this fall, giving him a receiver who can create big plays with the ball in his hands only helps support the young quarterback in his development. <\/em> <\/em>25 Chicago Bears<\/em><\/strong>T.J. Parker<\/em><\/strong>Clemson \u00b7 Edge \u00b7 Junior<\/em><\/strong>Parker had a down year in terms of production in 2025, but the lengthy Clemson edge rusher showed flashes of brilliance early in his collegiate career and again at the Senior Bowl. He gives the Bears a nice option opposite <\/em>\ufeff\ufeff<\/em>Montez Sweat<\/em>\ufeff\ufeff<\/em>.<\/em> <\/em>26  Buffalo Bills<\/em><\/strong>Emmanuel McNeil-Warren<\/em><\/strong>Toledo \u00b7 S \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>The Bills signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, but pairing the rangy, playmaking safety McNeil-Warren with 2024 second-round pick <\/em>\ufeff<\/em>Cole Bishop<\/em>\ufeff<\/em> gives the Bills a long-term vision of the position. <\/em> <\/em>27 San Francisco 49ers<\/em><\/strong>Caleb Lomu<\/em><\/strong>Utah \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Sophomore (RS)<\/em><\/strong>\ufeff\ufeff<\/em>Trent Williams<\/em>\ufeff\ufeff<\/em> is still one of the best left tackles in the NFL, but his age (he’ll be 38 in July) and constant contract issues make it feel like the end is near. I gave the 49ers a long-term solution at left tackle in this exercise last year, and I\u2019ll do it again. Lomu would get the luxury of watching Williams work for at least a year.<\/em> <\/em>28  Houston Texans<\/em><\/strong>Blake Miller<\/em><\/strong>Clemson \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>Houston\u2019s offensive line has been under construction for several years, and Miller gives that unit a building block for future after starting an impressive 54 consecutive games at Clemson. <\/em> <\/em>29  Kansas City Chiefs  (via LAR)<\/em><\/strong>Max Iheanachor<\/em><\/strong>Arizona State \u00b7 OL \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>A Senior Bowl standout, Arizona State\u2019s Iheanachor boasts big-time potential with the Chiefs. <\/em>\ufeff\ufeff<\/em>Jaylon Moore<\/em>\ufeff\ufeff<\/em> can start at right tackle while Iheanachor learns the ropes.<\/em> <\/em>30  Miami Dolphins  (via DEN)<\/em><\/strong>Colton Hood<\/em><\/strong>Tennessee \u00b7 CB \u00b7 Sophomore (RS)<\/em><\/strong>Miami uses the first-round pick it gained from the <\/em>\ufeff\ufeff\ufeff<\/em>Jaylen Waddle<\/em>\ufeff\ufeff\ufeff<\/em> trade on a starting cornerback. Hood really stepped up for the Vols in the season-long absence of Jermod McCoy and could do the same early on for Jeff Hafley.<\/em> <\/em>31  New England Patriots<\/em><\/strong>Denzel Boston<\/em><\/strong>Washington \u00b7 WR \u00b7 Junior (RS)<\/em><\/strong>With 20 touchdowns over the last two seasons, Boston has a knack for finding the end zone. The Washington product has a big frame and his ability to win contested catches would help round out the Patriots\u2019 receiving corps.  <\/em> <\/em>32  Seattle Seahawks<\/em><\/strong>Cashius Howell<\/em><\/strong>Texas A&M \u00b7 Edge \u00b7 Senior<\/em><\/strong>The Super Bowl champs can afford to take some risk with players who possess some outlier traits like Howell, who produced 27 sacks in his collegiate career but has a smaller frame and sub-31-inch arm length.<\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>GARRETT PODELL\u2019S MOCK DRAFT<\/strong>A second Mock Draft today.  This from Garrett Podell of CBSSports.com<\/a>: 1  LAS VEGAS<\/em><\/strong>Fernando Mendoza QB<\/em><\/strong>Indiana \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’5″ \/ 236 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Fernando Mendoza is the obvious first overall pick after leading the country in touchdown passes, winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy and powering Indiana to its first football national championship. The Raiders now have a mentor at the ready for him in four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins. Mendoza should already be house hunting in Las Vegas.<\/em> <\/em>2  NY JETS<\/em><\/strong>Arvell Reese EDGE<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’4″ \/ 243 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Jets did a great job patching up their defense after their 2025 unit became the first in NFL history to not record an interception. Now, all they need is another dynamic edge rusher to pair with Will McDonald IV. Arvell Reese comes with the highest ceiling of all the edge rushers in this draft, and the rebuilding Jets happily add that potential with the second overall pick.<\/em> <\/em>3  ARIZONA<\/em><\/strong>Francis Mauigoa OT<\/em><\/strong>Miami (Fla.) \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’6″ \/ 329 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Cardinals are filling out their offensive ecosystem for whichever quarterback they select in the 2027 NFL Draft. They have enough receiving and rushing options following the signing of Tyler Allgeier to complement James Conner, but they have a need at right tackle. Francis Mauigoa is a massive right tackle with sound technique, particularly in the run game, and he would fill a void at that position for Arizona.<\/em> <\/em>4  TENNESSEE<\/em><\/strong>David Bailey EDGE<\/em><\/strong>Texas Tech \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’4″ \/ 250 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Titans remade their defensive line in Robert Saleh’s image by acquiring three of his ex-Jets: Jermaine Johnson II, John Franklin-Myers and Solomon Thomas. One of their edge rusher spots opposite Johnson could use more help alongside 2025 second-round pick Oluwafemi Oladejo. Saleh gets his dream defense with this pick by selecting Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, college football’s 2025 sacks leader.<\/em> <\/em>5  NY GIANTS<\/em><\/strong>Carnell Tate WR<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’2″ \/ 192 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Giants have the slot covered after signing both Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely and Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney, but they still need another legitimate receiver on the outside opposite Malik Nabers. Carnell Tate is the cleanest wide receiver in the draft based on his measurements and traits. He produced a nation-leading six receiving touchdowns of 30 or more air yards in 2025. He can certainly help nurture Jaxson Dart’s development.<\/em> <\/em>6  CLEVELAND<\/em><\/strong>Spencer Fano OT<\/em><\/strong>Utah \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’6″ \/ 311 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Browns completely revamped their offensive line in free agency. Yet, there remains a right guard opening with Wyatt Teller on the Houston Texans and Teven Jenkins on a one-year deal. Even though Spencer Fano played right tackle the last two years at Utah, he said at the combine he would be fine playing inside. Fano is the type of foundational offensive line piece they need to build around long-term in the trenches.<\/em> <\/em>7  WASHINGTON<\/em><\/strong>Jeremiyah Love RB<\/em><\/strong>Notre Dame \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’0″ \/ 214 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Washington needs Jayden Daniels to remain on the field in 2026 after he missed 10 games because of three different injuries: a knee sprain, a hamstring strain and a dislocated elbow. The Commanders need a run game that isn’t so reliant on Daniels; he ran for an NFL rookie quarterback record 891 yards in 2024. Dan Quinn saw how much having a dominant running back like Marshawn Lynch helped his “Legion of Boom” Seattle Seahawks defense years ago, so he gets himself one here with Love.<\/em> <\/em>8  NEW ORLEANS<\/em><\/strong>Caleb Downs S<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’0″ \/ 205 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Caleb Downs can line up anywhere: strong safety, nickel or even in sub-packages as a linebacker. The New Orleans Saints’ secondary lost a versatile piece in free agency with cornerback Alontae Taylor’s departure to the Tennessee Titans. New defensive coordinator Brandon Staley pushes for even more of a chameleon in Downs. Staley coached All-Pro safety Derwin James with the Los Angeles Chargers, so New Orleans gives him James-lite in Downs.<\/em> <\/em>9  KANSAS CITY<\/em><\/strong>Sonny Styles LB<\/em><\/strong>Ohio State \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’5″ \/ 243 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Sonny Styles would provide a much-needed shot of athleticism and playmaking. Linebacker Leo Chenal left for the Washington Commanders in free agency. They also lost both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams, but general manager Brett Veach will draft the player at the top of his board.<\/em> <\/em>10  CINCINNATI<\/em><\/strong>Jermod McCoy CB<\/em><\/strong>Tennessee \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’1″ \/ 188 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Jermod McCoy missed the 2025 season with a torn ACL, but he was phenomenal in 2024, earning first-team All-SEC honors with four interceptions and nine passes defensed. He also crushed his Tennessee Pro Day with a 4.38 40-yard dash, a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot-7-inch broad jump. He’s all the way back, and he barely beats out Mansoor Delane in the height and wingspan departments to be this draft’s CB1 for a desperate Bengals secondary.<\/em> <\/em>11  MIAMI<\/em><\/strong>Mansoor Delane CB<\/em><\/strong>LSU \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’0″ \/ 187 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Mansoor Delane led the SEC with a 24.1 passer rating allowed when targeted, the best mark in the conference among 82 players with at least 30 targets. Jeff Hafley had almost all of his defensive backs hit free agency. Miami adds one of the draft’s top defensive backs for a new head coach who specializes in DB development.<\/em> <\/em>12  DALLAS<\/em><\/strong>Rueben Bain Jr. EDGE<\/em><\/strong>Miami (Fla.) \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’2″ \/ 263 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Cowboys land the edge rusher they desired since Micah Parsons’ exit to the Green Bay Packers thanks to Rueben Bain Jr.’s lack of arm length (30\u215e inches). Bain put on a show at his pro day during position drills in front of Brian Schottenheimer, and company. Dallas lands a young edge rusher who can grow alongside Donovan Ezeiruaku and Rashan Gary.<\/em> <\/em>13 LA RAMS (from Atlanta)<\/em><\/strong>Makai Lemon WR<\/em><\/strong>USC \u2022 Jr \u2022 5’11” \/ 192 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Makai Lemon, the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner, dominated just down the street from the NFC runner-up Rams in Los Angeles. Lemon’s size and a head-scratching combine press conference created some variability in where he may land. However, neither issue bothers Sean McVay and Les Snead, who pair Lemon with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as part of an “all-in” 2026 season for 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.<\/em> <\/em>14  BALTIMORE<\/em><\/strong>Olaivavega Ioane IOL<\/em><\/strong>Penn State \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’4″ \/ 323 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Ravens’ interior offensive line is their most glaring issue after Tyler Linderbaum’s departure, and Olaivavega Ioane can mitigate that loss in front of Lamar Jackson as a left guard in 2026. He didn’t allow a sack over his final two college seasons, spanning 27 starts and 776 pass-blocking <\/em> <\/em>15  TAMPA BAY<\/em><\/strong>Akheem Mesidor EDGE<\/em><\/strong>Miami (Fla.) \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’3″ \/ 259 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Akheem Mesidor, who will turn 25 this year, is a plug-and-play contributor. He ranked top five nationally in sacks (12.5, tied for third in the FBS), tackles for loss (17.5, tied for fifth) and quarterback pressures (67, tied for fourth) in 2025 opposite Reuben Bain at Miami. The Buccaneers could easily reclaim the NFC South crown in 2026 after the Carolina Panthers ended their four-year division title streak in 2025, and Mesidor will give Tampa Bay some much-needed pass production.<\/em> <\/em>16 NY JETS (from Indianapolis)<\/em><\/strong>Jordyn Tyson WR<\/em><\/strong>Arizona State \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’2″ \/ 203 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Jordyn Tyson is arguably the most explosive receiver in this draft. No one in the Big 12 has more catches than his 136 the last two years, and he regularly transforms routine catches into big plays after the catch. The concern is a nagging hamstring injury that is scaring away some teams picking higher. New York doesn’t have the same pressure as they are just in Year 2 of their rebuild.<\/em> <\/em>17  DETROIT<\/em><\/strong>Kadyn Proctor OT<\/em><\/strong>Alabama \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’7″ \/ 352 lbs<\/em><\/strong>There has been talk of the Detroit Lions moving All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle after the team moved on from Taylor Decker. That creates a vacancy at right tackle, so Detroit fills it with the offensive tackle prospect that might have the highest upside in Kadyn Proctor. He lands in the perfect spot to refine his game alongside Sewell.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>18  MINNESOTA<\/em><\/strong>Dillon Thieneman S<\/em><\/strong>Oregon \u2022 Soph \u2022 6’0″ \/ 201 lbs<\/em><\/strong>No one can completely replace six-time Pro Bowl Harrison Smith, but Dillon Thieneman might be able to come the closest of the bunch on the board at this juncture. Thieneman’s fluidity in position drills at the combine looked as good as any defensive back’s. He is an instinctual player who would thrive in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ zone-heavy scheme.<\/em> <\/em>19  CAROLINA<\/em><\/strong>Kenyon Sadiq TE<\/em><\/strong>Oregon \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’3″ \/ 241 lbs<\/em><\/strong>       <\/em>The Panthers had one of the best offseasons in the NFL after reinforcing their front seven with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. They also patched up the offensive line by getting Rasheed Walker on the cheap. Here, they plug in a legitimate receiving tight end in Kenyon Sadiq, the 2025 first-team All-Big Ten honoree who led all collegiate tight ends with eight receiving touchdowns while primarily lining up on the line of scrimmage or in the slot.<\/em> <\/em>20 DALLAS (from Green Bay)<\/em><\/strong>Jacob Rodriguez LB<\/em><\/strong>Texas Tech \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’1″ \/ 231 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Dallas whiffed on linebackers Nakobe Dean and Devin Lloyd in free agency, so it takes future fan favorite Jacob Rodriguez, the consensus All-American who helped power Texas Tech to a Big 12 title in 2025. He put concerns about his athleticism to bed with an outstanding combine performance, and much of the Dallas Cowboys’ brain trust made it a point to attend his pro day in Lubbock. His jersey will fly off the shelves in Dallas.<\/em> <\/em>21  PITTSBURGH<\/em><\/strong>Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S<\/em><\/strong>Toledo \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’4″ \/ 202 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Emmanuel McNeil-Warren can provide the Steelers with a long-term answer at safety who can line up all over the formation. Having Jalen Ramsey as a mentor is an ideal situation for both the Steelers and McNeil-Warren. After taking care of the offense with the trade for Michael Pittman Jr., Pittsburgh adds a much-needed injection of youth to their defense.<\/em> <\/em><\/strong>22  LA CHARGERS<\/em><\/strong>Cashius Howell EDGE<\/em><\/strong>Texas A&M \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’3″ \/ 253 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Cashius Howell, the 2025 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, racked up 11.5 sacks for the Aggies, the most by a Texas A&M player since Myles Garrett had 12.5 in 2015. He will be in a great spot to learn from Khalil Mack while simultaneously helping preserve Mack’s snap count for a postseason push.<\/em> <\/em>23  PHILADELPHIA<\/em><\/strong>Monroe Freeling OT<\/em><\/strong>Georgia \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’7″ \/ 315 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Eagles general manager Howie Roseman can’t get enough of the Georgia Bulldogs, and the end appears near for All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson, who turns 36 this spring. Monroe Freeling was a left tackle at Georgia, but the Eagles will look to mold him into their long-term right tackle, even with renowned offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland leaving his post as the team’s offensive line coach.<\/em> <\/em>24 CLEVELAND (from Jacksonville)<\/em><\/strong>Omar Cooper Jr. WR<\/em><\/strong>Indiana \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’0″ \/ 199 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Browns desperately need more juice at wide receiver next to Jerry Jeudy if they’re ever going to find a long-term guy at quarterback. Omar Cooper Jr. has the requisite burst: his nine receiving touchdowns of 10-plus yards led the Big Ten in 2025. As a 2025 CFP national champion, Cooper also comes from a winning culture under Curt Cignetti at Indiana, which is sorely needed in Cleveland.<\/em> <\/em>25  CHICAGO<\/em><\/strong>Caleb Lomu OT<\/em><\/strong>Utah \u2022 Soph \u2022 6’6″ \/ 308 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Caleb Lomu’s handwork and ability to stay upright prevent edge rushers from blowing past his shoulders, and he has strong instincts. The Bears need someone who can anchor the left tackle spot after a parade of injuries at that spot in 2025. Lomu can be Caleb Williams’ long-term blindside protector.<\/em> <\/em>26  BUFFALO<\/em><\/strong>Keldric Faulk EDGE<\/em><\/strong>Auburn \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’6″ \/ 276 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Buffalo Bills haven’t had someone produce double-digit sacks for them in a season since Leonard Floyd in 2023. Keldric Faulk gives Buffalo a physical specimen they can mold into someone who could do just that for them in the near future. With a regular pass rush plan, there’s real potential here.<\/em> <\/em>27 SAN FRANCISCO<\/em><\/strong>Blake Miller OT<\/em><\/strong>Clemson \u2022 Sr \u2022 6’7″ \/ 317 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Blake Miller is one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the 2026 NFL Draft with 54 starts at Clemson. While he played right tackle for the Tigers, he could learn the finer points of left tackle from All-Pro Trent Williams, who will be 38-years-old on July 19, before eventually emerging as his successor in San Francisco.<\/em> <\/em>28  HOUSTON<\/em><\/strong>CJ Allen LB<\/em><\/strong>Georgia \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’1″ \/ 230 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Selecting All-American linebacker CJ Allen here is a cost-effective way to keep the middle of their No. 1 total defense stout long term. Azeez Al-Shaair enters the final season of his contract in 2026, so Allen could learn from him and be a rotational piece this year. Then, Allen could become the green-dot middle linebacker for Houston in 2027.<\/em> <\/em>29  KANSAS CITY (from LA Rams)<\/em><\/strong>Colton Hood CB<\/em><\/strong>Tennessee \u2022 Soph \u2022 6’0″ \/ 195 lbs<\/em><\/strong>After losing both Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Rams, the Chiefs draft a replacement in Colton Hood, the SEC’s only player with an interception return touchdown and a fumble return touchdown in 2025. Hood was also the only SEC player with four-plus tackles for loss and eight-plus passes defended last season. That’s the kind of playmaking Steve Spagnuolo will enjoy.<\/em> <\/em>30  MIAMI (from Denver)<\/em><\/strong>KC Concepcion WR<\/em><\/strong>Texas A&M \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’0″ \/ 196 lbs<\/em><\/strong>The Dolphins need to replace the speed lost by trading away Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, so they do so with the first-round pick they received in the deal. KC Concepcion was the first FBS player with over 900 receiving yards and over 450 punt return yards in a season since Oklahoma legend Ryan Broyles in 2009. His speed will give new Miami quarterback Malik Willis a weapon to survive with in Year 1 of Green Bay South’s rebuild.<\/em> <\/em>31  NEW ENGLAND<\/em><\/strong>Denzel Boston WR<\/em><\/strong>Washington \u2022 Jr \u2022 6’4″ \/ 210 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Boston is a tank who can line up in the slot and outside and blow through press coverage, and 2025 NFL MVP runner up Drake Maye will certainly enjoy having him to throw to in addition to free agency acquisition Romeo Doubs.<\/em> <\/em>32  SEATTLE<\/em><\/strong>Avieon Terrell CB<\/em><\/strong>Clemson \u2022 Jr \u2022 5’11” \/ 180 lbs<\/em><\/strong>Coach Mike Macdonald needs to restock his “Dark Side” defense with Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant leaving in free agency. Avieon Terrell is one of the best turnover machines at the cornerback position in this draft class. He set Clemson records for a defensive back in forced fumbles in a season (five) and a career (eight from 2023-2025), and that will certainly play in Seattle.<\/em> <\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong>2026 DRAFT<\/strong>Josh Edwards of CBSSports.com<\/a> has some interesting thoughts on 12 prospects: The 2026 NFL Draft is two weeks away, and fans may not be prepared for the level of volatility that could arise from this year’s event. With a shortage of first-round caliber prospects at the top, evaluations will widely vary on a team-by-team basis. <\/em> <\/em>In an effort to provide a bit of perspective, I bucket three players in each of four categories: Overrated, Underrated, Over-drafted and Under-drafted. For clarity, almost every prospect mentioned below is in my top-100 overall, so “overrated” is relative in this instance. <\/em> <\/em>Overrated<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>CJ Allen<\/em><\/strong>UGA \u2022 LB \u2022 #3<\/em><\/strong>Allen was a multi-sport athlete in high school. He competed in multiple track events. He displays strong leadership skills but is not an overwhelming athlete on the football field. He has a shorter build and can sometimes lose sight of the forest for the trees when involved in the box, with concerns about mirroring in coverage. Allen is a well-studied linebacker who brings a level of accountability to the position. He also stands to be negatively impacted by a cluster of players at his position, including Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr., Cincinnati’s Jake Golday and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez. <\/em> <\/em>Cashius Howell<\/em><\/strong>TXAM \u2022 EDGE \u2022 #9<\/em><\/strong>Howell is a springy, bendy edge rusher who turned in his best collegiate season in 2025, including 11.5 sacks. He checks the box for functional play strength in the run game, but is on the shorter side. His 30.25-inch arm length is an extreme outlier when referring to the measurements of All-Pro edge rushers over the last six years; more than two inches shorter than the average. <\/em> <\/em>I understand the expectation is not All-Pro status for a prospect consistently taken late in Round 1, but it’s also too rich for a designated pass rusher. The margins are razor-thin. Howell is a top-50 prospect in my personal rankings, but the range where he is coming off the board in mock draft projections is much higher. <\/em> <\/em>Lee Hunter<\/em><\/strong>TXTECH \u2022 DL \u2022 #2<\/em><\/strong>Hunter found his way into top-50 rankings for some big boards out there. He plays with good leverage off the snap but can be too much bull in a China shop. His range is limited. There is not much upside as a pass rusher, which is a profile I do not value until later on Day 2. Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald has been similarly dinged, but those are also necessary players in today’s NFL as the league swings towards higher rushing volume and larger personnel. <\/em> <\/em>Underrated<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>Chase Bisontis<\/em><\/strong>TXAM \u2022 IOL \u2022 #71<\/em><\/strong>Beyond Penn State’s Vega Ioane, Bisontis is a personal favorite of the true offensive guard prospects. He is not overwhelmingly powerful, but he is best when used in pass protection. The LSU game was a good example of his potential. He is a top-30 prospect and still has some untapped potential as a relatively young player. <\/em> <\/em>Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge and Bisontis are all likely taken in a similar range.<\/em> <\/em>Nick Barrett<\/em><\/strong>SC \u2022 DL \u2022 #93<\/em><\/strong>Barrett is a longer athlete who tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the buzz has not matched the on-field performance. He displays good power to create displacement and collapse the pocket. The North Carolina native showcases good awareness and a high floor as a run defender. There is nothing flashy about Barrett’s game — only two career sacks — but it would not surprise me if one looked back on this draft class in 10 years and Barrett was towards the end of a solid career. Late Day 2\/early Day 3 is where I would consider him. <\/em> <\/em>Anthony Hill Jr.<\/em><\/strong>TEXAS \u2022 LB<\/em><\/strong>Hill often does not get enough credit for his capabilities in run defense when he is patient and does not get sucked down into the box. He does a good job in coverage and has been productive as a pass rusher. There are few prospects with a more stuffed stat sheet than Hill over the past three years: 17 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries over that time period. He tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine, and his potential is generally higher than that of others at his position aside from Ohio State’s Sonny Styles. <\/em> <\/em>It would not surprise me if a team took a chance on him late in the first round, but that is not where his stock has been for the past three-plus months. <\/em> <\/em>Overdrafted<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>Monroe Freeling<\/em><\/strong>UGA \u2022 OT \u2022 #57<\/em><\/strong>Freeling was one of the better athletic testers at the NFL Scouting Combine. Combined with a strong finish to the season against Ole Miss and a shortage of prospects who played left tackle in college, Freeling has been one of the biggest risers throughout the pre-draft process. <\/em> <\/em>There are frame-related and technical questions lingering. His height makes it difficult for him to bend and meet rushers at the high side. Posture is a problem, at times. Freeling is a relatively young prospect, and there is a risk-reward with assuming he will reach his full potential, but top-10 overall is rich. <\/em> <\/em><\/strong>Akheem Mesidor<\/em><\/strong>MIAMI \u2022 EDGE \u2022 #3<\/em><\/strong>Days ago, Mesidor turned 25-years-old; a problem for some teams, but not all. A team seeking instant impact performers with playoff ambitions has more incentive to take him. The one-time West Virginia transfer did not break out until his sixth year of college football and is unlikely to have a much higher ceiling. Mesidor is of a similar age to players who signed their second contracts in March. Again, it is not to say he is a bad player, but that is not the profile of a player teams often take in the first round. <\/em> <\/em>Ja’Kobi Lane<\/em><\/strong>USC \u2022 WR \u2022 #8<\/em><\/strong>Taller wide receivers have burned me in the past, so perhaps this is an overreaction. USC’s Ja’Kobi Lane oscillated back and forth in this process as a bigger body receiver who failed to consistently create separation, particularly in the second half of the season. The profile has to be more than winning contested catches down the field. <\/em> <\/em>Lane is projected as a late Day 2\/Day 3 pick.<\/em> <\/em>Underdrafted<\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/strong>Jermod McCoy<\/em><\/strong>TENN \u2022 CB \u2022 #3<\/em><\/strong>McCoy brings good size, tested well and compiled excellent ball production when available. I am placing a higher emphasis on the flashes witnessed rather than punishing him for missing the 2025 season as it relates to this draft class. There are so few blue-chip talents in this class that he will remain among the top-10 overall in my personal rankings, but unlike general managers across the league, my job is not on the line if I drafted him and he did not pan out. Hence, he could be available later than the talent suggests. <\/em> <\/em>Jordyn Tyson<\/em><\/strong>ARIZST \u2022 WR<\/em><\/strong>Opinions are wide-ranging on Tyson. He is still WR1 for me, because there is a higher ceiling for him to attain than Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. The two are practically touching on the big board, though. Tyson is more dynamic with the ball in his hands post-catch. He has the versatility to work inside and outside, but the history of soft tissue injuries is a big concern.<\/em> <\/em>There has been some discussion that Tyson could be available into the 20s. <\/em> <\/em><\/strong>Connor Lew<\/em><\/strong>AUBURN \u2022 IOL \u2022 #75<\/em><\/strong>Lew quietly sank into the background of draft conversations, given that he suffered a torn ACL in October. When healthy, Lew was the odds-on favorite to be the first center drafted and a likely top-40 overall selection. There is a bit of Tyler Linderbaum to his game. He will likely not be available for the start of the season, and that will hurt his draft outlook.<\/em> <\/em>A team willing to wait on him returning to full health could get a steal somewhere on Day 2, especially if they will ask him to use his movement skills and engage in space.<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AROUND THE NFL Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic on how players and teams are both finding advantage to deals of three years and shorter: A quiet trend that has continued for a few years drew additional interest this offseason: three-year deals for players. The Athletic\u2019s Daniel Popper noted a slight uptick in three-year deals among his top-150 free…<\/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-7180","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\/7180","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=7180"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7180\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chrismyerssports.com\/cmi\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}