The Daily Briefing Friday, February 13, 2026

AROUND THE NFL

Terry McAuley, no longer an NFL employee, apparently played a role to get the Seahawks two critical points in their Week 16 win over the Rams (you remember it, the one where Zach Charbonnet picked up a ball in the end zone and the points were put on the board after the play had been put to bed) .  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.comseems to find it curious: Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald has called the Week 16 Thursday night win over the Rams the turning point of the Super Bowl champion’s season. The most important play in that game happened when replay review turned an incomplete pass into a successful two-point conversion by running back Zach Charbonnet, who simply picked up a loose ball in the end zone. As MDS explained it earlier this week, it was the call of the year. The replay review was initiated 100 seconds after the play ended. The two teams were preparing for the next kickoff. Then, out of nowhere, referee Brad Allen announced the play was under review. The following Sunday, NFL officiating and rules analyst Walt Anderson addressed the play on NFL Network’s GameDay Morning. Anderson glossed over the question of how and when someone realized the play that was ruled to be a forward pass was possibly a backward pass, and thus a live ball. We’re told, reliably and by three sources, that the league office became aware of the wrinkle when Prime Video rules analyst Terry McAulay called Anderson to discuss the play. The implication is clear. Without that phone call from McAulay, the review process wouldn’t have been activated. The two points wouldn’t have been awarded. The Seahawks may not have won the game. Seattle may not have earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Rams, not the Seahawks, may have won the division. Seattle may have had to play an extra playoff game. They may have had to play multiple postseason games away from Lumen Field. Ultimately, the Seahawks may not have made it to the Super Bowl. It’s impossible to know what would have happened if the score had been Rams 30, Seahawks 28 with 6:23 to play. There was more than enough time for the Seahawks to stop the Rams and get the ball back for a potential game-winning score. Regardless, the delayed review made the game 30-30, with no additional points scored during regulation. Via text message, McAulay declined to “go into detail on the specifics” of the situation. The NFL, in an email to PFT, said this: “Walt Anderson serves as the NFL rules analyst, and in that role, is in communication with our broadcast partners during games. Broadcast commentary, however, plays absolutely no role in officiating decisions.” The point isn’t that the review was sparked by something McAulay said on the air. Our report, which neither McAulay nor the league refuted in response to our inquiries, is that a call from McAulay to Anderson prompted the review. In the end, they got it right, and McAulay saved the day. That’s the most important thing. But they almost missed it. Without the inquiry from a broadcast partner’s rules analyst, they apparently would have. Moving forward, here’s hoping the NFL spots any and all potential replay reviews without getting a nudge from the outside. In cases like this, it’s always better if the call is coming from inside the house.

NFC SOUTH

CAROLINAShould former Panthers QB Cam Newton be in the NFL?  Thoughts from HOFer Luke Kuechly with Joseph Person of The Athletic: Newton’s candidacy: I think he was one of the most dominant players in the NFL at any position. He won an MVP. He’s been in the Super Bowl. He’s been an All-Pro. He’s been a Pro Bowler. When people think about Cam, he was so dominant and so much better of an athlete. He was bigger than everybody. He could rip it. He could run through guys. He could run around guys. He was so dominant — not just at the quarterback position, but in the NFL. That’s what everybody needs to really think about (with) the Hall of Fame. And the dominance (with) which he played the game is what I think needs to be talked about the most. He was just so much better than everybody else on the field. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do. The Panthers’ 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback: Go look at pictures of him in the huddle with people (or) when we’d go out for the coin toss (against) teams you wouldn’t play a lot. You’d walk out and shake hands with Cam Jordan with the Saints or Lavonte David with the Bucs, they’d know how big Cam is. But when you go play a team from the AFC that’s never played Cam and they’d walk out before the game, they’re like, “Holy smokes, this guy’s gigantic.”

NFC WEST

ARIZONAOne of the last DC jobs to be filled is in Arizona.  Charean Williams ofProFootballTalk.com: The Cardinals interviewed Seahawks assistant coach Karl Scott for their defensive coordinator job, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports. Scott has served as Seattle’s defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator for the past four seasons. The Seahawks ranked first in scoring defense in 2025 and were 10th in passing defense (193.9 yards per game) and fifth in interceptions (18). Scott interviewed for the Commanders’ defensive coordinator job this offseason and for the same role with the Raiders in 2024. His only coordinating experience came at Southeastern Louisiana in 2014. Scott began his NFL coaching career as a defensive backs coach with the Vikings in 2021 after 14 seasons in the college ranks. The Cardinals have also interviewed Rams defensive passing game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant and Giants linebackers coach Charlie Bullen for the job. The Cardinals’ defense was overseen by Nick Rallis for the past three seasons.

SAN FRANCISCOTE GEORGE KITTLE with some thoughts on the electrical substation next to the stadium in Santa Clara.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com: The viral theory that the San Francisco 49ers’ recent string of injuries could stem from the electrical substation next to the team’s training facility continues to spread. The NFL has addressed the theory, with NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills recently saying there is no evidence to support the concept, but noting that the league remains “open-minded to anything.” With Niners players being asked about the idea that radiation from the electrical substation could contribute to the injuries, the issue lives on. Most recently, star tight end George Kittle was asked about the conspiracy theory during a Super Bowl week interview with Jordan Rose of Complex. Kittle’s take: Let’s make certain it’s not an issue. “One of my teammates put it really good, Kyle Juszczyk, our fullback. And he said, ‘As a professional athlete, you’re always trying to get one percent better,'” Kittle said. “Like, ‘Is this ice tub, is this rehab-recovery thing, is this red-light therapy, does it make me one percent better?’ Because then you can stack all those up and you’re like, ‘Hey, you’re three percent better than the next guy because you’re doing all this stuff.’ “If something’s affecting like negatively 0.25 percent, you’d want to know about it. Like whether it’s this type of cleat is hurting me, this type of shoulder pads is, would like, increase my risk to get hurt. You’d probably change that. “So I think all we’re saying is, as players, it’s like, we would just like to look into it to make sure it’s not something. That’s what I would just appreciate. Like, ‘Hey, this isn’t gonna affect you guys.’ And then if they come out and they do some research, like, ‘No, you guys are good,’ then I don’t think we’ll think about it.” Kittle noted that one thing that “messes” him up is that during his rookie year, there used to be trees between the facility and the substation, and the leaves at the tops of the trees were perpetually dead. However, those trees were removed. The 49ers suffered a litany of high-profile injuries during the 2025 season. Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams suffered season-ending injuries. Brock Purdy missed a significant chunk of the campaign. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the team’s wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. “My argument for it is this,” Kittle said. “Like, Fred Warner, he practices there and trains there year-round, and he’s had one injury his entire career. So it’s like — now, did he just evolve and he absorbed the radiation? I don’t know. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. But it’s just like, let’s just figure out if it’s actually harming the players or not, and hopefully it’s not. It’s easy.”

AFC EAST

MIAMIMike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reads the tea leaves on QB TUA TAGOVIALOA and the Dolphins: As the clock ticks toward the start of the new league year on March 11, the Dolphins will soon be making a decision about the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. If they haven’t already decided to keep him as the starter, chances are they’re only thinking about how they’re going to extricate themselves from his contract. At a fan event on Thursday night, G.M. Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley were asked about the quarterback situation, Tua Tagovailoa’s status, and whether the Dolphins will be looking at other quarterbacks in the draft. “Of course, we’ll be looking at other quarterbacks in this draft,” Sullivan said, to a round of applause. “And every draft hereafter. But, look, I’ve had — Tua was in my office the other day, if I’m being perfectly frank. We had a great conversation. Tua has been a very good player in this league. He’s done a lot of really good things for the Miami Dolphins. You guys should be proud to have him and having had him. “I don’t know what the future holds right now, and I told Tua that. We’re working through some things. What I can tell you is that we’re gonna infuse competition into that room, whether Tua is part of the room, whether he’s not part of the room. We’re gonna infuse competition into that room, like we will do in every other position. Tua knows where we are. We’ve been very honest and upfront, and Tua also knows that he will be the first to know when we make a decision. So if Tua is the first to know, you guys can’t be the first to know, and I know that you respect and appreciate that. “But we’re getting close to a decision. And when we do, we’ll let Tua know whether he’s gonna be part of this or not, and we’ll move forward. But you can rest assured that we will add competition to that room, one way or the other, to make it the best that we can.” Said Hafley after Sullivan finished: “Yeah, I don’t think I need to add anything.” Whatever they do, the Dolphins are stuck. They owe Tua $54 million for 2026, fully guaranteed. If they cut him, he’ll leave behind $99 million in cap charges that would most likely be divided over two seasons. A trade is possible, but they’d have to pay a large amount of the guaranteed salary in order to make it happen. In the end, the Dolphins may have to do a Brock Osweiler-style deal, in which they give someone a draft pick or two in order to eat some of the cash and cap space. Of course, the Dolphins also could just keep him. They have to pay him; they don’t have to play him. Given everything that has happened over the past six seasons, it would be awkward to do that — especially with a new regime trying to turn the page. However it goes, it seems as if the Dolphins are dealing less with the question of whether he’ll return and more with the challenge of how to engineer his exit, thanks to a market-level contract former G.M. Chris Grier never should have paid.

NEW ENGLANDMike Vrabel and the Patriots are acting to keep their 2025 defensive signalcaller. Zak Kuhr, on the 2026 staff. The New England Patriots are opening their defensive coordinator position by moving Terrell Williams, who missed the 2025 season after being diagnosed with prostate cancer, to a high-ranking role on coach Mike Vrabel’s staff, a source confirmed. Williams was recently cleared to return, according to Vrabel, who noted Tuesday that there were things to work through with the configuration of the staff. Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr served as the defensive playcaller in Williams’ absence this past season and thus is a leading candidate for the role. When Vrabel was hired as Patriots head coach in January 2025, he targeted Williams for the job, citing his knack for making meaningful connections with players as especially valuable. Williams had previously served as defensive line coach on Vrabel’s staff with the Tennessee Titans. When Williams had a self-described “health scare” in the spring that kept him away from the team, Kuhr — also a former assistant on Vrabel’s staff in Tennessee — stepped forward to serve as de facto coordinator during organized team activities. Williams returned for training camp and the first week of the regular season, before leaving when diagnosed with prostate cancer. That once again thrust Kuhr, 37, into the playcalling role, and the defense ultimately became the backbone of the Patriots’ run to Super Bowl LX.

THIS AND THAT

TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS WINSA Mississippi judge, who went to Ole Miss, has defied the NCAA and ordered another year of eligibility for QB TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS.  Pete Thamel of ESPN.com: Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted an extra year of eligibility by a state court judge, who issued an injunction that paves the way for Chambliss to be eligible in 2026. In a ruling that lasted well over an hour Thursday, Judge Robert Whitwell ruled that Chambliss clearly met the criteria to receive a medical redshirt for a sixth season. Whitwell detailed that the NCAA ignored medical evidence in denying Chambliss’ waiver and the quarterback would suffer irreparable harm if denied this year. The judge concluded that Chambliss submitted adequate medical reference and that the NCAA didn’t act in good faith in denying the waiver. The case was heard in Lafayette County Chancery Court, a state court, which was a strategic decision by Chambliss’ lawyers who filed for the injunction last month. The hearing for Chambliss followed his request for a sixth year of eligibility, which was denied by the NCAA on Jan. 9, and then his appeal was denied Feb. 5. Ole Miss has filed a request for reconsideration from the NCAA, claiming new evidence. That request was filed Monday and had also been denied. “This decision in a state court illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA said in a statement. “We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob future generations of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create. “The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for current and future college athletes.” The crux of Chambliss’ case is that he was unable to play his second year at Ferris State because of respiratory issues. He did not play a snap that season, nor did he dress for games. He and his mother, Cheryl, detailed how significant the issues were during the 2022 season, including Chambliss weighing just 176 pounds. Chambliss testified that Ferris State coach Tony Annese told him he’d be medical redshirted before the start of the 2022 season. Chambliss testified that he told his doctor that he was constantly sick and dealt with constant flare-ups. Ole Miss assistant coach Joe Judge testified how much it would help Chambliss in the eyes of the NFL for his draft prospects to return to Ole Miss in 2026, essentially attempting to show irreparable harm. Judge pointed out that just three or four college quarterbacks with one year as a starter in major college football got lucrative second contracts, illustrating the importance of experience and development in thriving at the next level. The NCAA had argued that Chambliss’ medical records indicate that he chose to forgo surgery in 2022 so “he could participate in the football season.” Instead, he opted to manage his condition via medication. NCAA lawyers also tried to show that Chambliss’ eligibility case at Ferris State for an extra year would have been different in Division II, as he would have essentially been able to enroll as a part-time student to play his sixth year. (Division II works on a 10-semester calendar, so he’d have paused his eligibility if he had enrolled part time.) “We believe this outcome affirms what we have maintained throughout this process that Trinidad deserves the opportunity to compete and complete his collegiate career on the field,” Ole Miss said in a statement. Chambliss emerged as one of the breakout stars of college football in 2025, capturing the starting job at Ole Miss after filling in for the injured Austin Simmons early in the season. Chambliss finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Chambliss transferred from Division II Ferris State with the expectation that he’d be a backup. He ended up as one of the SEC’s most dominant players, finishing the season as the SEC leader in passing yards with 3,337 yards. He threw for 22 touchdowns, rushed for eight more and led Ole Miss to the school’s first College Football Playoff appearance. He led Ole Miss to two victories in the CFP, including a virtuoso performance in a win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Chambliss threw for 362 yards, rushed for 14 yards and led Ole Miss to 20 fourth-quarter points in a comeback win. Evelyn Van Pelt of RebelWalk.com with a bit more: The Legal TeamsChambliss is represented by Arkansas-based attorney Tom Mars and Mississippi trial lawyer William Liston. The NCAA’s defense was led by J. Douglas Minor, joined by Taylor Askew. Liston framed the issue as one of fairness, contending that the NCAA failed to properly evaluate documented medical evidence. They argued that denying an injunction would cause irreparable harm, particularly if the legal process stretches into the 2026 season. The NCAA countered that its eligibility committee acted within its authority and that the evidence presented does not establish incapacitation during the 2022 campaign. Minor emphasized that no representative from Ferris State testified that Chambliss was medically unable to participate that season. Witnesses Take the StandThe hearing began at 9:30 a.m. with an invocation before testimony commenced. Dr. Bradford Dye, an Oxford ear, nose and throat specialist, testified at length regarding Chambliss’ medical history. Dye stated that Chambliss did not fully recover until early 2024 following persistent throat issues.– – –Financial considerations also loom large. Reports indicate Chambliss’ NIL agreement at Ole Miss exceeds $5 million, a figure that could surpass the initial earnings of many mid-round NFL draft selections.

2026 DRAFTLet’s check out this Mock Draft from Field Yates of ESPN.com: I did my last mock draft after Week 14, but the draft order is now completely set. The Raiders will start us off in the first round, and the Seahawks will wrap it up at No. 32. We also know where the four teams with two Day 1 picks will select — the Browns at Nos. 6 and 24; the Cowboys at Nos. 12 and 20; the Jets at Nos. 2 and 14; and the Rams at Nos. 13 and 29. I’m not projecting any more pick swaps today, either. We still have a long road ahead, with the combine in two weeks and pro days coming in the weeks after that. But for now, this is how I see Round 1 playing out based on current team needs, my personal rankings and what I’m hearing from people around the league. 1. Las Vegas RaidersFernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaAs the Raiders embark upon a new era with Klint Kubiak at head coach, Mendoza is the ideal partner to pair with him. He had a remarkable season in 2025, displaying elite accuracy and overall arm talent to throw to all levels of the field. He improved his pocket awareness and was fantastic in clutch moments, leading the Hoosiers to their first undefeated record and a national championship. Mendoza brings a strong frame and in-pocket mobility with enough creativity to handle duress out of structure. And his quick-processing skills point to a successful starting NFL QB. 2. New York JetsArvell Reese, Edge, Ohio StateA quarterback is unlikely at this juncture for the Jets, who have myriad needs to address in this draft and the next, when they are flush with picks. Only the 49ers finished with fewer sacks than the Jets in 2025, so Reese could bring New York’s defense significant pass-rush upside and versatility. After playing mostly inside linebacker at Ohio State prior to last season, Reese kicked out to a primary edge role in 2025 and posted 6.5 sacks. Only Will McDonald IV had a higher sack total (8) among Jets players last season. Reese has great length, a quick first step and smooth athletic movements to bend the edge around opposing tackles. 3. Arizona CardinalsFrancis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiLike the Jets, the Cardinals feel unlikely to take a quarterback this high despite a significant need. If the Cardinals adopt a system under new head coach Mike LaFleur that mirrors what the Rams ran this past season (where LaFleur was the OC), they will prioritize a gap running scheme with powerful offensive linemen. That fits well with Mauigoa, who plays with exceptional power and very good foot speed for a player of his six (6-foot-6, 315 pounds). He allowed only two sacks and six pressures his final college season, and Arizona needs to improve at right tackle opposite Paris Johnson Jr. 4. Tennessee TitansDavid Bailey, Edge, Texas TechThe Titans could easily go wide receiver with this pick to further support quarterback Cam Ward, but Bailey addresses another roster hole that new head coach Robert Saleh would surely be thrilled to tackle. Bailey led the FBS in sacks (14.5) during his lone season at Texas Tech after three seasons at Stanford. A number of those sacks came from his lightning-fast first step — the best of any collegiate rusher. And he has the instincts to get his hands up in passing lanes. 5. New York GiantsCaleb Downs, S, Ohio StateThis is my first curveball, as many early mock drafts have linked the Giants to a wide receiver or offensive tackle in this spot. Those are completely understandable, especially if Wan’Dale Robinson and/or Jermaine Eluemunor depart in free agency. But Downs has my attention as the first pick of the John Harbaugh era. Perhaps no current coach better understands the value of top-flight safety play, as Harbaugh coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore. While the Giants have starters in Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, Downs has the upside to change an entire defense as a force multiplier with his deep range and in-the-box skills. 6. Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano, OT, UtahThe Browns have major work to do along the offensive line this offseason, and Fano would provide them a tackle to build around. He is an extremely talented player who started the past two seasons at right tackle. Fano has light and nimble feet to match and mirror edge rushers, which contributed to him allowing zero sacks this past season and only one the year before. He will need to add more mass to his frame, but he’s got the starter kit to be a standout right tackle in the NFL. The Browns gave up 51 sacks last season, seventh most in the NFL. 7. Washington CommandersCarnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateThe Commanders have made it clear that they need to get younger on defense, so a pass rusher could be tempting here. But they can’t overlook their need for another receiver opposite Terry McLaurin. Tate had a fantastic 2025 season and is one of most pro-ready prospects in the class. He’s a terrific route runner who makes difficult catches look routine with his awesome hands and body control. Tate averaged more than 17 yards per catch in 2025 and had at least one 40-plus-yard catch in six games. That sort of field-stretching speed and tracking ability could make him an ideal option for quarterback Jayden Daniels. 8. New Orleans SaintsJordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateQuarterback Tyler Shough provides the Saints with plenty of hope going forward, as he finished his rookie season with a 4-1 record. Tyson would be a huge addition to Kellen Moore’s offense, which still needs more playmaking alongside Chris Olave. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Tyson is electric with the ball in his hands. He totaled 29 catches, 444 yards and three touchdowns in the final three games he played in 2024 before being knocked out for the season with an injury. His 2025 season was limited by uneven QB play and injuries, but he can be schemed up for as many touches as possible in New Orleans. 9. Kansas City ChiefsJeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameWhile I don’t know if Love will fall to this pick in April, I would be surprised if he makes it past the Chiefs. Simply put, Love is the biggest non-QB difference-maker in the class. As a runner, he has terrific explosiveness and vision. As a receiver, his routes from the slot look no different from a wideout. The Chiefs need a major boost to their backfield after ranking 25th in rushing yards per game (106.6). And I’d imagine general manager Brett Veach would be tempted to sprint the card in himself to make this pick. 10. Cincinnati BengalsRueben Bain Jr., Edge, MiamiThe Bengals are desperate for defensive help across the board, but it’s hard to achieve much in the NFL without a forceful pass rush. They swung big on an answer to that issue last year by taking Shemar Stewart, who had only 4.5 sacks in three college seasons but posed athletic upside. But Stewart had one sack across eight games as a rookie. Bain is the exact opposite archetype, with 20.5 sacks in three seasons but a lack of premiere physical traits. He makes up for his more compact frame with overpowering strength and quick hands. Bain earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors this past season, dominating opposing offenses on the way to the CFP Championship game. With Trey Hendrickson likely moving on this offseason, Bain would fit nicely here. 11. Miami DolphinsMansoor Delane, CB, LSUThe Dolphins patched together their secondary last season, so it will be no surprise if new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan swings for cornerbacks in the draft and free agency. Delane broke out in his final collegiate season at LSU after previously playing at Virginia Tech. His excellent ball skills and man-coverage technique made most targets against him unsuccessful. Delane allowed a 27.8% completion percentage as the closest defender in coverage, the FBS’ third-lowest mark in 2025. While some scouts are still eager to see his timed speed in a 40-yard dash, his play speed seems more than sufficient on tape. Rasul Douglas and Jack Jones — the Dolphins’ two primary outside corners in 2025 — are both free agents. 12. Dallas CowboysSonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateDallas’ offseason should be filled with defensive reinforcements, as the roster was imbalanced in 2025. Styles, who started as a safety at Ohio State, fits the mold of a modern NFL linebacker with his sideline-to-sideline range and ability to drop into coverage. He showed plenty of blitzing prowess in 2024 with six sacks, blending timing and instincts with his length and easy acceleration. There are few 2026 prospects with as much versatility as Styles, who played under longtime NFL defensive coordinator Matt Patricia this past season. New Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker would love to have Styles as a building block in his scheme. After all, Dallas allowed 6.1 yards per play last season, second worst in the NFL behind the Bengals. 13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)Jermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeThe Rams have two first-round picks, and the tenor of their offseason would’ve changed dramatically if quarterback Matthew Stafford retired. But Stafford said he’ll be back in 2026 during his MVP speech, making cornerback the primary need. Los Angeles learned the hard way last season that a strong front seven can’t neutralize a capable passing game — Jaxon Smith-Njigba combined for 354 receiving yards in three matchups against the Rams. McCoy is a wild card. He is clearly talented enough to go in the top 10, but he missed the entire 2025 season after tearing an ACL last January. He’s a long, confident and talented man-to-man cover corner who stood out in 2024 (four interceptions and seven passes defensed). If his medicals are fully on track, he’ll go early. 14. Baltimore RavensMakai Lemon, WR, USCIt would be nice for the Ravens to beef up the interior offensive line, but they are a playmaker short in the passing game as well. The Ravens finished 30th in receiving first downs this past season (141), ahead of only the Jets and Browns. They were also 30th in yards after the catch. What Lemon lacks in stature (5-foot-11, 195 pounds), he makes up for in several ways. He has an off-the-charts catch radius, elevated instincts and a determined running style after the catch. He can shake defenders in the short and intermediate passing game, which led to him averaging the third-most receiving yards per game in the FBS last season (96.3). 15. Tampa Bay BuccaneersCashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&MThe Buccaneers must add pass-rush juice this offseason, as they have gone four straight seasons without a player reaching the eight-sack mark. There’s an argument that Howell is the most explosive rusher in the class — he and Bailey are my top two contenders. Howell won SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 with 11.5 sacks. He lacks prototypical arm length for an edge rusher but more than makes up for it with his athletic burst and ability to bend around offensive tackles. He’d help get this pass rush on track. 16. New York Jets (via IND)Caleb Banks, DT, FloridaQuarterback was once again a consideration for the Jets, but they can afford to be patient with three first-round picks in 2027. The extremely talented Banks could pair with Reese and solidify their defensive cornerstones moving forward. Banks was limited to just three games this past season due to injury, but he showcased his upside during a dominant week of practice at the Senior Bowl. At 6-foot-6, 330 pounds with 35-inch arms, his overwhelming size should translate to the NFL level. He could become a top-10 player from this class with the proper development. 17. Detroit LionsMonroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaWith Taylor Decker’s future uncertain, the Lions must shore up the left tackle spot. Freeling is a player I’m higher on than most draft analysts, ranking him third among offensive tackles. I believe he has a real shot to skyrocket his draft stock between now and April. Freeling has only 18 career starts and under 1,600 snaps played, but the upside is massive. He stands at nearly 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds with 35-inch arms; those measurables combined with great pass protection skills are hard to find. Freeling allowed only two sacks last season. 18. Minnesota VikingsBrandon Cisse, CB, South CarolinaCisse is one of the most unique prospects in this class, as he’s a cornerback with uncommon strength and athletic ability; if he tests at the combine, get ready for a show. While a perimeter corner at his core, Cisse took occasional slot snaps at South Carolina. He was a force against the run from either alignment and can plaster perimeter wideouts in man coverage, staying physical and matching them stride-for-stride. Cornerback is a need for Minnesota, as Isaiah Rodgers is entering the final year of his deal. Plus, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has the ingenuity to deploy Cisse in many ways. 19. Carolina PanthersAkheem Mesidor, Edge, MiamiThe Panthers addressed their pass-rush need last year by taking Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen in the second and third rounds, respectively. But no Panthers player reached the six-sack mark for the second straight season. Mesidor is a tenacious rusher who had 5.5 sacks and 16 pressures in Miami’s four CFP games. He has violent hands, a diverse arsenal of moves and a first step that throws tackles onto their heels. The complicating factor is that Mesidor will turn 25 before the draft. Would every team be comfortable taking him in the first round? I don’t believe so, but this is a worthwhile move for a roster that is aiming to step up in the NFC hierarchy. 20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)Keldric Faulk, Edge, AuburnLet’s keep the Cowboys’ defensive theme going with Faulk, who could help bolster a pass rush that tied for 22nd in total sacks this past season. Faulk was in the conversation as a top-10 prospect after seven sacks in 2024, but he had just two in 2025. This pick would be a calculated bet on his upside at 6-foot-6, 280 pounds with smooth movement skills, stout hands to set the edge in the running game and overall growth potential. Faulk is among the youngest players in the draft, as he won’t turn 21 until Sept. 7. 21. Pittsburgh SteelersTy Simpson, QB, AlabamaOne of the most pressing questions of this draft is how high Simpson will go. He was entrenched in the top-10 conversation midseason before a significant second-half slide. The pros for Simpson? He can throw with pristine accuracy, improvises in the pocket and has enough arm strength to drive the ball downfield. The cons? His decision-making waned down the stretch, as he had four interceptions and a combined 62.6% completion percentage in Alabama’s final six games. Regardless, I think the Steelers could take a chance on him here. They might bring back quarterback Aaron Rodgers if he doesn’t retire, but that is far from a certainty. And while new head coach Mike McCarthy has praised Will Howard, he was a sixth-round pick last year. It feels unlikely Pittsburgh would completely anchor its future around him. 22. Los Angeles ChargersOlaivavega Ioane, G, Penn StateNo fan base needs to be reminded less on the importance of offensive line play and health than the Chargers’ faithful. Los Angeles allowed 60 sacks last season while quarterback Justin Herbert was hit more than any other signal-caller. The return of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater from injury will go a long way, as will the hiring of Mike McDaniel at offensive coordinator, but the interior needs reinforcements. Enter Ioane, a no-nonsense, rugged guard who is perhaps the most physical offensive player in the class. He’s a body-mover as a run blocker and terrific in pass protection, not allowing a single sack over the past two seasons. 23. Philadelphia EaglesMax Iheanachor, OT, Arizona StateThe Eagles have work to do along the offensive line this offseason, especially with the injury issues that 35-year-old right tackle Lane Johnson had in 2025. Iheanachor had a great week at the Senior Bowl that fortified his status as one of the highest-upside players in this class. He has terrific size at 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, plus his nifty footwork allows him to hold up in pass protection. Iheanachor will need time to develop, as he did not play high school football and must refine his technique. (He took nine penalties in 2025, too.) Philly would be an ideal landing spot since he can sit and learn behind a future Hall of Famer for at least a year. 24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)Denzel Boston, WR, WashingtonAfter addressing offensive tackle with their first pick, the Browns could stick to offense and take a wide receiver. Boston has excellent size (6-foot-4, 209 pounds) and is super fluid in his route running, allowing him the flexibility to operate out of the slot. He is a true red zone threat, with 20 receiving touchdowns over the past two seasons, tied for the third most in the FBS. Good things happen when the ball is thrown Boston’s way, as he posted 13 contested catches in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He has been credited with only four drops on 209 targets in four collegiate seasons. 25. Chicago BearsZion Young, Edge, MissouriPass rush is an obvious need after the Bears posted the NFL’s second-worst pass rush win rate in 2025. Young would help improve the unit in a hurry with his power and heavy hands off the edge. He also brings versatility, having played some at defensive tackle during his first two collegiate seasons at Michigan State. Young’s upper-body power and 33.5-inch arms allow him to power through the anchor of opposing tackles. That was on full display during a rock-solid Senior Bowl week. I could see him pairing with Montez Sweat really well. 26. Buffalo BillsPeter Woods, DT, ClemsonWoods is a polarizing evaluation for scouts. He’s an explosive, twitchy, powerful defensive tackle with natural disruption skills. But there’s a worry about his shorter frame/arms, and his skill set did not often lead to production (only five sacks in three college seasons). I’ll bet on the athletic upside of Woods, who occasionally played fullback — he even scored a touchdown against Boston College last season. He’s an urgent and sudden player who can impact both a pass rush and run defense. The Bills need a ton of the latter after allowing the third-most yards per rush in 2025 (5.1). 27. San Francisco 49ersKC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&MThe 49ers are desperate for help at wide receiver and edge rusher this offseason, but the latter has a natural lift coming with the return of Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams from ACL injuries. However, their top wide receiver (Jauan Jennings) is a free agent and Brandon Aiyuk is all but gone from the team. Concepcion is an explosive play waiting to happen, as he scored 25 receiving touchdowns in three college seasons and took a pair of punts to the house during his lone season at Texas A&M. He’s a contender for the fastest wideout in the class and would be a fun player for coach Kyle Shanahan. 28. Houston TexansKadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaThe Texans’ playoff loss was marred by quarterback C.J. Stroud’s carelessness with the football, but protection was undoubtedly an issue, too. Houston drafted a young left tackle to build around in Aireontae Ersery last year, and Proctor would give them another gigantic pillar. Proctor had an uneven 2025 season at Alabama, which made some scouts wary of his overall foot quickness against twitchy edge rushers. But there is zero debate about his power and size (6-foot-7, 366 pounds), which could be crucial for Houston’s rushing attack. The Texans were last in run block win rate in 2025. 29. Los Angeles RamsColton Hood, CB, TennesseeA double-dip at cornerback for the Rams? And from the same college?! This would be the first instance of a team taking two players from the same school at the same position in the first round during the common draft era (since 1967), per ESPN Research. But I believe this move merits consideration given the overall strength of the Rams’ roster and the vulnerability of their secondary. Hood didn’t actually take any snaps on the field with McCoy, as he transferred to Tennessee prior to the 2025 season that McCoy sat out due to injury. But Hood more than made up for McCoy’s void with 10 pass breakups this past season. 30. Denver BroncosKenyon Sadiq, TE, OregonSadiq’s range surely starts sooner than here, as this would be great value for a Broncos team with limited needs. Coach Sean Payton has long valued a player who can be their “joker,” a player who is either a top-end receiving back or mismatch tight end. Previous examples from Payton’s time in New Orleans include Darren Sproles, Alvin Kamara and Jimmy Graham. Sadiq fits that description with an outstanding athleticism that makes him a threat after the catch. He had to wait his turn behind Terrance Ferguson at Oregon, but Sadiq blossomed in the primary role last season with team highs in both catches (51) and receiving touchdowns (8). 31. New England PatriotsCaleb Lomu, OT/G, UtahThe Patriots’ run to the Super Bowl was impressive, but it underscored the team’s need to beef up quarterback Drake Maye’s protection. Lomu, who took over at left tackle for Utah in 2024 when Fano moved over to the right side, could slide in at tackle or guard for New England. (Note: I am a firm believer that the Patriots should stay fully committed to Will Campbell at left tackle, as coach Mike Vrabel has already stated will be the case.) Lomu needs to further develop his strength, but the 6-foot-6, 304-pounder is already a solid pass protector who did not allow a single sack in 2025. 32. Seattle SeahawksChase Bisontis, G, Texas A&MUnsurprisingly, the champs don’t have many holes on their roster, but their interior offensive line needs further addressing outside of left guard Grey Zabel. Bisontis is an agile and versatile player, as he played left guard the past two seasons after playing mostly right tackle in 2023. He has active hands, reactive athleticism and quickness — all tools that would fit great in Seattle’s zone scheme. This pick would mark the third time in the past four years that eight offensive linemen were drafted in the first round, per ESPN Research.