| 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’s 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’s not a new trend. But between 2021 and ’26, OTC found, three-year deals represent the highest number of deals done in which the average compensation per year is over $10 million. 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 — particularly if it were a second contract (so, the next one after the initial four-year rookie deal). 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’t often see the last year or years either, because they have a new deal, they move teams or otherwise. 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. 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’s familiar with to establish his scheme and culture — all the while knowing he may not get more than the three-year window to do it. |
| NFC NORTH |
| MINNESOTAJordan Rodrigue of The Athletic with thoughts on the combination of Coach Kevin O’Connell and QB KYLER MURRAY: Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell 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’Connell’s creative, quarterback-friendly system. O’Connell, 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’ll get to troubleshoot how those concepts affect a veteran defense and defensive coordinator in Brian Flores. O’Connell’s offense (and especially his run game) currently flows out from a quarterback most frequently aligned under center, and it’s important that play action is first established from there. Yet when used judiciously, the pistol and shotgun can really open up a playbook. 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 “empty” 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’t hold any run/pass disguise against a defense for long. But with a quarterback who has Murray’s mobility, the pistol especially can be incredibly effective. The quarterback can see the defense as if he’s 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). 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’Connell 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. O’Connell 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’d expect O’Connell to revisit that playbook, among others. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSThe Rams are concerned about WR PUKA NACUA’s well being and may not lavish a big contract extension on the troubled receiver. Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic: Puka Nacua’s upcoming contract and offseasonPuka Nacua’s 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’t real. Nacua, who had tried to invite those streamers into the Rams’ practice facility during a game week, later apologized for the dance and said he did not know it was antisemitic. 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’s apology). Nacua’s lawyer denied that the receiver made such a statement. 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 — before the lawsuit was filed. NFL Draft 2026 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s definitive scouting reports and player rankingsPerhaps taking cues from McVay, the Rams did not seem to have many long-term concerns about Nacua’s 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). But it’s my understanding that their concerns significantly increased — especially about Nacua’s well-being — 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. In the background of all of this has also been the question of Nacua’s 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. McVay has publicly referred to Nacua as a “kid” whose “heart he trusts.” But Nacua is an adult — a 24-year-old man with an infant — who has the autonomy and resources to seek help, and has done so. Next, he’ll 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. And, I’d just add this: Let’s 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). I don’t believe that an early extension is now a guarantee, even if the Rams have been clear they’d 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’t typically do early extensions until training camp. If they still aren’t totally sure or need more time, they could even use the franchise tag on Nacua next spring — a move they’ve typically avoided. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASZak Keefer of The Athletic has a big piece on Jon Gruden’s 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. Mark Davis hid them all from the four head coaches he churned through after his father’s death in 2011. The Oakland Raiders were now his team, and in his mind, there was only one man who could save them. 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’s 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 — Al Davis’ way of ending a contract dispute. Twelve months later, Gruden’s Buccaneers routed his old team in Super Bowl XXXVII. By 2017, it was much easier to remember Gruden’s Super Bowl triumph than the fact that Tampa Bay didn’t win a single playoff game in the six years that followed. He was finishing his ninth season as the color analyst on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football,” 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’ 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. So when the Raiders crumbled from 6-6 to 6-10 in their third season under Jack Del Rio, Davis’ 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. 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’d won a Super Bowl. “Once a Raider, always a Raider,” he began. For 37 minutes Davis couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. He called it the biggest day of his life. He said his dream had come true. “This is a big effin’ deal,” he bragged. Almost 10 years later, the Raiders are again awash in optimism. In two weeks, they’re 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. 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 — the sharpest mind in the game, the polished prodigy coming back to kick everyone’s ass — 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. As one former Raiders exec summed up the experience: “It was all just so desperate.” Inside the building, they called them kill tapes. Months of scouting — trips to the school, conversations with coaches, hours of game tape, Senior Bowl, NFL Combine and pro day workouts — 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’t in on a prospect, former staffers remember, he’d have one of his assistants compile a short video cut-up of the player’s worst snaps, then show it to all the scouts. “It wasn’t reflective of all the work you did,” said one team source — who, like others for this story, was granted anonymity to speak freely about his experiences working for the organization. “You can make a player look any way you want. You can make Tom Brady look like a bum.” 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’d 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. “He just needed to stay the f— away from evaluating talent and building the roster,” one former team employee said. He couldn’t. When Gruden was handed the keys to the franchise, he laughed off the notion he wouldn’t work well with the team’s incumbent general manager, Reggie McKenzie. “Reggie will win a lot of ’em,” Gruden said of any potential personnel tussles with the former NFL linebacker. “He’s a lot bigger than me.” Within a year, McKenzie was out, replaced by a first-time GM straight off a TV set. In other words, Mike Mayock was not someone who could tell Jon Gruden no. “When you see an established coach bring in a GM who’s never done the job, it’s 100 percent because the coach wants to run the building and manipulate things exactly how he likes them,” said a former team employee. When it came to roster construction, Gruden had a type the pro scouting staff came to know well: “Jon loved veterans who were All-Pros like eight years ago and were on their way out to pasture,” one source said. “Anyone who had a name he remembered or had a big game against him in the past,” another said. When those types of players became available via the league’s transaction wire, the scouting staff would chuckle, knowing Mayock would get the question as soon as he stepped out to practice. NFL Draft 2026 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s definitive scouting reports and player rankings“That was Gruden’s crutch,” one source said. “This happens around the league with some coaches — they just want their guys. They don’t wanna teach or develop.” Often, the staff would spend weeks studying a free agent and ultimately decide he was worth signing. “Then five minutes later, Gruden would storm in and say he’d just talked to his brother Jay (the head coach in Washington from 2014-19) and say, ‘This guy sucks, we don’t want him.’ And that was that,” one source said. “Jon was like the wind, man. Every single day you had no idea which way he was going to blow.” Paul Guenther signed on as Gruden’s 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’s best defensive player or use that money to re-sign five serviceable starters? “Well,” Guenther said, “I took this job to coach Khalil Mack.” The Raiders let the five starters walk. Four months later, Mack, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, still hadn’t signed his deal. Guenther got a call 10 days before the opener. “Guess what?” he remembers Gruden telling him. “I just traded Khalil Mack for two first-round picks.” “Jon, we just let five starters walk out the door, and now Khalil’s gone?” Guenther said. “We got nobody left.” The Raiders went 4-12 that year and gave up the most points in the league. “Khalil was the heart and soul of our team,” one source said. “So when you trade him, you’re telling everyone he’s not good enough. The rest of the players are wondering, ‘How am I gonna be good enough?’” Thanks to Gruden trading away another top talent — wideout Amari Cooper was sent to Dallas midseason — 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’t. The Raiders missed badly with their first selection, gambling on Clemson edge Clelin Ferrell fourth overall despite considerable pushback in the building. “The grades were all over the board on him, from the scouts to the coaches,” 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. “We had this fourth-rounder out of Eastern Michigan outplaying the No. 4 pick in the draft every single day,” one source said. Indeed, that fourth-rounder, Crosby, remains the shrewdest pick the Raiders made in a decade. Of those four picks inside the top 40, only running back Josh Jacobs — whom Mayock had to convince Gruden to come around on, according to some in the room — proved a hit. By the third day of the draft, the coach’s interest waned. “Gruden basically wasn’t even around for that part,” one source said. It’s 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. Still, despite an uneven first draft together, Gruden and Mayock had reason to believe: Thanks to the coach’s persistence, one of the league’s most dynamic offensive weapons was on his way to Oakland. 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’d 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 — 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 “cracker” and had to be held back by teammate Vontaze Burfict. The Raiders released Brown before he ever played a snap. “I don’t think that guy ever intended on playing football for us,” a source said. “It was just a s—show from Day 1,” Mayock added. The miss on Brown, several sources indicated, spoke to Gruden’s biggest weakness. He’d get blinded by talent, believing he could outcoach any ancillary issue. “Jon didn’t respect a player’s football background or football character enough,” one said. “That’s why he whiffed on so many guys.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| RHETT LEWIS MOCK DRAFTHere is a Mock Draft from Rhett Lewis of NFL.com: 1 Las Vegas RaidersFernando MendozaIndiana · QB · Junior (RS)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? 2 New York JetsArvell ReeseOhio State · Edge · JuniorThe 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. 3 Arizona CardinalsDavid BaileyTexas Tech · Edge · SeniorLots 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. 4 Tennessee TitansJeremiyah LoveNotre Dame · RB · JuniorThere’s 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’s No. 1 overall pick, QB Cam Ward, by handing him the most dynamic offensive player in this draft. 5 New York GiantsSonny StylesOhio State · LB · SeniorOhio 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’t any ordinary off-ball linebacker — he’s a defensive cornerstone with impact play production. 6 Cleveland BrownsFrancis MauigoaMiami · OL · JuniorI think the Browns entertain the idea of selecting Carnell Tate here, but ultimately opt for the draft’s best offensive lineman. A foundational piece for the next decade, Mauigoa headlines Cleveland’s reset along the O-line. 7 Washington CommandersCarnell TateOhio State · WR · JuniorSupport your young talented QB! I don’t think you can go wrong following that North Star philosophy, especially when Jayden Daniels is your quarterback. 8 New Orleans SaintsRueben Bain Jr.Miami · Edge · JuniorEven if Cameron Jordan 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. 9 Kansas City ChiefsMansoor DelaneLSU · CB · SeniorAfter trading Trent McDuffie to the Rams in March, the Chiefs find a new core piece in the secondary with the best corner in this year’s class. 10 Cincinnati BengalsCaleb DownsOhio State · S · JuniorAlthough 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. 11 Miami DolphinsMakai LemonUSC · WR · JuniorThe 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. 12 Dallas CowboysJermod McCoyTennessee · CB · JuniorMcCoy 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. 13 Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)Omar Cooper Jr.Indiana · WR · Junior (RS)I remember that viral interaction Sean McVay had with Les Snead ahead of the selection of Puka Nacua back in 2023, and Cooper registers many of the same qualities that got the Rams’ brass so excited. He’s not as physically imposing as Puka, but Cooper’s body control and ability to break tackles and make guys miss should be immensely appealing. 14 Baltimore RavensSpencer FanoUtah · OL · JuniorThere’s been a lot of conversation around Fano’s 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. 15 Tampa Bay BuccaneersAkheem MesidorMiami · Edge · SeniorThe Bucs haven’t 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. 16 New York Jets (via IND)Jordyn TysonArizona State · WR · Junior (RS)Tyson is Bucky Brooks’ 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 Garrett Wilson. 17 Detroit LionsMonroe FreelingGeorgia · OL · JuniorWhether the Lions move Penei Sewell 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’t become a full-time starter at Georgia until his third college season. 18 Minnesota VikingsDillon ThienemanOregon · S · JuniorThis 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. 19 Carolina PanthersKenyon SadiqOregon · TE · JuniorPlenty of speculation about Carolina taking another wide out here to support Bryce Young, 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. 20 Dallas Cowboys (via GB)Keldric FaulkAuburn · Edge · JuniorThe 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. 21 Pittsburgh SteelersOlaivavega IoanePenn State · OL · Junior (RS)The Steelers have done a nice job drafting and developing their offensive line recently, with three starters (Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick) 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. 22 Los Angeles ChargersKadyn ProctorAlabama · OL · JuniorThe Chargers have had their issues with injuries at the tackle position, and they just lost guard Zion Johnson in free agency. Proctor, who played left tackle at Alabama, could provide security there as Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt recover from a torn patellar tendon and ankle injury, respectively — and he could potentially step in as a starting guard, as well. 23 Philadelphia EaglesTy SimpsonAlabama · QB · Junior (RS)R-E-L-A-X. While there has been no shortage of drama surrounding the Eagles and QB Jalen Hurts, 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. 24 Cleveland Browns (via JAC)KC ConcepcionTexas A&M · WR · JuniorIf the Browns roll with Shedeur Sanders 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. 25 Chicago BearsT.J. ParkerClemson · Edge · JuniorParker 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 Montez Sweat. 26 Buffalo BillsEmmanuel McNeil-WarrenToledo · S · SeniorThe Bills signed C.J. Gardner-Johnson in free agency, but pairing the rangy, playmaking safety McNeil-Warren with 2024 second-round pick Cole Bishop gives the Bills a long-term vision of the position. 27 San Francisco 49ersCaleb LomuUtah · OL · Sophomore (RS)Trent Williams 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’ll do it again. Lomu would get the luxury of watching Williams work for at least a year. 28 Houston TexansBlake MillerClemson · OL · SeniorHouston’s 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. 29 Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)Max IheanachorArizona State · OL · SeniorA Senior Bowl standout, Arizona State’s Iheanachor boasts big-time potential with the Chiefs. Jaylon Moore can start at right tackle while Iheanachor learns the ropes. 30 Miami Dolphins (via DEN)Colton HoodTennessee · CB · Sophomore (RS)Miami uses the first-round pick it gained from the Jaylen Waddle 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. 31 New England PatriotsDenzel BostonWashington · WR · Junior (RS)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’ receiving corps. 32 Seattle SeahawksCashius HowellTexas A&M · Edge · SeniorThe 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. |
| GARRETT PODELL’S MOCK DRAFTA second Mock Draft today. This from Garrett Podell of CBSSports.com: 1 LAS VEGASFernando Mendoza QBIndiana • Jr • 6’5″ / 236 lbsFernando 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. 2 NY JETSArvell Reese EDGEOhio State • Jr • 6’4″ / 243 lbsThe 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. 3 ARIZONAFrancis Mauigoa OTMiami (Fla.) • Jr • 6’6″ / 329 lbsThe 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. 4 TENNESSEEDavid Bailey EDGETexas Tech • Sr • 6’4″ / 250 lbsThe 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. 5 NY GIANTSCarnell Tate WROhio State • Jr • 6’2″ / 192 lbsThe 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. 6 CLEVELANDSpencer Fano OTUtah • Jr • 6’6″ / 311 lbsThe 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. 7 WASHINGTONJeremiyah Love RBNotre Dame • Jr • 6’0″ / 214 lbsWashington 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. 8 NEW ORLEANSCaleb Downs SOhio State • Jr • 6’0″ / 205 lbsCaleb 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. 9 KANSAS CITYSonny Styles LBOhio State • Sr • 6’5″ / 243 lbsSonny 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. 10 CINCINNATIJermod McCoy CBTennessee • Jr • 6’1″ / 188 lbsJermod 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. 11 MIAMIMansoor Delane CBLSU • Sr • 6’0″ / 187 lbsMansoor 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. 12 DALLASRueben Bain Jr. EDGEMiami (Fla.) • Jr • 6’2″ / 263 lbsThe 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 (30⅞ 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. 13 LA RAMS (from Atlanta)Makai Lemon WRUSC • Jr • 5’11” / 192 lbsMakai 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. 14 BALTIMOREOlaivavega Ioane IOLPenn State • Jr • 6’4″ / 323 lbsThe 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 15 TAMPA BAYAkheem Mesidor EDGEMiami (Fla.) • Sr • 6’3″ / 259 lbsAkheem 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. 16 NY JETS (from Indianapolis)Jordyn Tyson WRArizona State • Jr • 6’2″ / 203 lbsJordyn 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. 17 DETROITKadyn Proctor OTAlabama • Jr • 6’7″ / 352 lbsThere 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. 18 MINNESOTADillon Thieneman SOregon • Soph • 6’0″ / 201 lbsNo 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. 19 CAROLINAKenyon Sadiq TEOregon • Jr • 6’3″ / 241 lbs 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. 20 DALLAS (from Green Bay)Jacob Rodriguez LBTexas Tech • Sr • 6’1″ / 231 lbsDallas 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. 21 PITTSBURGHEmmanuel McNeil-Warren SToledo • Sr • 6’4″ / 202 lbsEmmanuel 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. 22 LA CHARGERSCashius Howell EDGETexas A&M • Sr • 6’3″ / 253 lbsCashius 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. 23 PHILADELPHIAMonroe Freeling OTGeorgia • Jr • 6’7″ / 315 lbsEagles 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. 24 CLEVELAND (from Jacksonville)Omar Cooper Jr. WRIndiana • Jr • 6’0″ / 199 lbsThe 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. 25 CHICAGOCaleb Lomu OTUtah • Soph • 6’6″ / 308 lbsCaleb 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. 26 BUFFALOKeldric Faulk EDGEAuburn • Jr • 6’6″ / 276 lbsThe 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. 27 SAN FRANCISCOBlake Miller OTClemson • Sr • 6’7″ / 317 lbsBlake 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. 28 HOUSTONCJ Allen LBGeorgia • Jr • 6’1″ / 230 lbsSelecting 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. 29 KANSAS CITY (from LA Rams)Colton Hood CBTennessee • Soph • 6’0″ / 195 lbsAfter 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. 30 MIAMI (from Denver)KC Concepcion WRTexas A&M • Jr • 6’0″ / 196 lbsThe 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. 31 NEW ENGLANDDenzel Boston WRWashington • Jr • 6’4″ / 210 lbsBoston 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. 32 SEATTLEAvieon Terrell CBClemson • Jr • 5’11” / 180 lbsCoach 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. |
| 2026 DRAFTJosh Edwards of CBSSports.com 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. 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. Overrated CJ AllenUGA • LB • #3Allen 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. Cashius HowellTXAM • EDGE • #9Howell 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. 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. Lee HunterTXTECH • DL • #2Hunter 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. Underrated Chase BisontisTXAM • IOL • #71Beyond 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. Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon, Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge and Bisontis are all likely taken in a similar range. Nick BarrettSC • DL • #93Barrett 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. Anthony Hill Jr.TEXAS • LBHill 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. 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. Overdrafted Monroe FreelingUGA • OT • #57Freeling 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. 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. Akheem MesidorMIAMI • EDGE • #3Days 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. Ja’Kobi LaneUSC • WR • #8Taller 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. Lane is projected as a late Day 2/Day 3 pick. Underdrafted Jermod McCoyTENN • CB • #3McCoy 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. Jordyn TysonARIZST • WROpinions 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. There has been some discussion that Tyson could be available into the 20s. Connor LewAUBURN • IOL • #75Lew 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. 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. |
