| A panel seemed to say that NFL owners did not collude on quarterback contracts. Mike Florio tries to explain. In two different rulings issued less than 15 months apart, the internal grievance system created by the NFL and the NFL Players Association found that, essentially, the NFL invited its teams to collude on the issue of fully-guaranteed contracts but the teams did not accept. The first part is stunning, and in many ways unprecedented as it relates to the NFL. In response to the Deshaun Watson contract (five years, $230 million, fully guaranteed), the league sounded the alarm at the 2022 annual meeting. From the notes of the presentation made to the teams in March 2022: “[I]f guarantees continue to grow in both amount and number of players, then there’s a risk that they become the norm in contracts regardless of player quality . . . That not only has the potential to hinder roster management but set a market standard that will be difficult to walk back. Of course, all Clubs must make their own decisions. But continuing these trends can handcuff a Club long into the future.” The teams, per both the arbitrator and the three-person appeal panel, ignored this invitation/advice. The appeals panel recognized that the teams will never admit to collusion, and that circumstantial evidence is “the coin of the[] realm” when it comes to proving it. The panel, however, found insufficient circumstantial evidence to prove that collusion occurred. The panel dismissed expert testimony regarding the decrease in signing bonuses and guaranteed salary after the league invited the teams to collude. The panel rejected the basic, commonsensical idea that, if the league invited them to restrict guaranteed contracts and if guaranteed contracts were thereafter restricted, the teams must have followed the league’s advice. It’s a myopic assessment of the real world that borders on the obtuse. The 32 teams operate as a league. They enjoy an antitrust exemption as to the player workforce through a multi-employer bargaining unit. The Collective Bargaining Agreement allows the teams to give players guaranteed contracts. The mere fact that the league would even broach the subject of the teams choosing to not do something the CBA allows them to do is, as the panel found, “improper.” What other proof is needed to show that the league and the teams colluded? Beyond that, the appeals panel acknowledged that the text-message exchange between Chargers owner Dean Spanos and Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill after the Cardinals managed to avoid giving quarterback Kyler Murray a fully-guaranteed contract was “inappropriate.” The panel somehow found that Spanos thanking Bidwill for “staying strong” when it comes to not giving Murray a fully-guaranteed contract was not proof of collusion but of an “isolated incident.” Some would call that “isolated incident” a “smoking gun.” The appeals ruling ignores the evidence of internal communications within the Broncos organization regarding their negotiations with quarterback Russell Wilson. From the original arbitration ruling, owner Greg Penner told other members of the team’s ownership group that “there’s not[h]ing in here that other owners will consider off market (e.g. like the Watson guarantees).” Later, Penner told his partners that G.M. George Paton “feels very good about it for us as a franchise and the benchmark it sets (versus Watson) for the rest of the league.” Why would or should the Broncos care what other owners think? The mere fact that the concern was on the radar screen shows that the Broncos were worried about running afoul of the wink-nod understanding that teams would hold the rope on the issue of fully-guaranteed contracts after the Watson deal. Although the panel did indeed find that the league invited teams to collude, what choice did it have? The NFL didn’t just say the quiet part out loud. It put it in writing! Anyone who understands how the NFL works knows what the message was, and how it was received. The Spanos-Bidwill texts confirm it, as do the internal Broncos communications. And while the Ravens, per the panel, did indeed offer quarterback Lamar Jackson a pair of three-year fully-guaranteed contracts, he didn’t accept them. He wanted a five-year, fully-guaranteed deal, like the one Watson had gotten. The Ravens, to paraphrase Spanos, “stayed strong.” Did the NFL invite the teams to collude? Yes. Did the teams thereafter accept the invitation? Hell yes. The NFL suggesting that the teams refrain from doing something that the CBA allows them to do should have been enough. The Spanos-Bidwill texts should have been enough. The Broncos’ internal communications should have been enough. Now that the league has dodged the collusion bullet, the NFL and its teams will learn from the experience. They’ll never put anything in writing that ever could be characterized as proof of collusion. And it will become even harder — if not impossible — for the NFLPA to prove collusion when it happens. Even if it will happen. Because the facts of the failed grievance show, in our view, that it absolutely did. Have mediocre NFL quarterbacks really been underpaid recently? |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASS MARKQUESE BELL is arrested in Collin County, northeast of Dallas. Todd Archer of ESPN.com: – Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell has been arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance and marijuana, according to Collin County jail records. The arrest was made Friday by Prosper (Texas) police. The possession of a controlled substance is a felony, while the marijuana possession is Class B misdemeanor. The arresting officer smelled marijuana after Bell was pulled over on Friday night. A search of his vehicle uncovered less than 2 ounces of marijuana and a THC electronic cigarette before he was arrested and charged, according to police. He would be subject to penalty from the NFL under its personal conduct policy. The Cowboys are aware of the arrest and declined comment. Deiric Jackson, Bell’s agent, said his client would let the legal process play out. “Certainly let Markquese have his day like anybody else,” Jackson said. Bell is entering the second season of a three-year, $9 million deal. He has spent the past four seasons with the Cowboys after making the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He started three of 17 games last season and was credited with 34 tackles, one sack, one pass deflection and one pressure. He also had 10 special teams tackles. |
| PHILADELPHIAThe Eagles have taken WR DONTAYVION WICKS off the hands of the Packers. Rob Demovsky of ESPN,com: The Philadelphia Eagles are getting some wide receiver help by acquiring Dontayvion Wicks in a trade with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers received a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft and a sixth-rounder next year. Wicks’ agent, David Mulugheta, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter that the Eagles are signing Wicks to a one-year, $12.5 million extension. Philadelphia announced the trade and an agreement on the one-year extension Saturday without disclosing the value. Wicks was heading into the final year of his rookie contract but now is under contract through the 2027 season. A fifth-round pick in 2023, Wicks caught 30 passes for 332 yards and a pair of touchdowns last season. Both of those touchdowns came in a six-catch, 94-yard game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving — his best game of the season. The addition of Wicks could help bolster the Eagles’ receiving corps should they decide to trade A.J. Brown. The Packers still have significant depth at receiver while also adding a draft pick in each of the next two years when they don’t have first-round selections because of last year’s Micah Parsons trade. Even after losing Romeo Doubs in free agency and now Wicks, the Packers have Christian Watson, Jayden Reed and last year’s first-round pick Matthew Golden. The Packers want to get Golden more involved this year after using a first-round pick on a receiver for the first time in more than 20 years. They also signed Skyy Moore in free agency and expect tight end Tucker Kraft to return from last year’s knee injury and once again be one of quarterback Jordan Love’s top targets. With all those returning receivers, the Packers would likely not have been able to sign Wicks to a contract with extension and would lose him in free agency next offseason. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| TAMPA BAYBuccaneers owner Joel Glazer signals that QB BAKER MAYFIELD can ask for the moon. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: Buccaneers owner Joel Glazer will gladly pay what it takes to keep quarterback Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay beyond the 2026 season. Mayfield is heading into the final year of his contract, and Glazer said he’ll be happy to write the big check that Mayfield will get when he signs his next deal. “Obviously the quarterback is the highest paid position on the team, rightfully so,” Glazer said, via PewterReport.com. “That means that it’s going good, so if the quarterback’s making top money, then your team is probably doing well and the quarterback’s performing well. That’s obviously a key component to success. That doesn’t hurt at all to write that check, it’s something that all the teams do when you have good quarterbacks.” Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht said on PFT Live during the offseason that the Bucs’ plans revolve around Mayfield, and Glazer says Mayfield is the kind of quarterback the franchise wants to build around. “He’s gone above and beyond anything we could’ve asked or hoped for Baker,” Glazer said. “Everybody loves him, performs, gives 250 percent when he’s on that field and that’s all you can ask for.” Now the question is when Glazer will pay Mayfield all the money he’s asking for. |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONAJosh Weinfuss of ESPN.com on Mike LaFleur’s mantra with the Cardinals. It was first things first on the first day of the Arizona Cardinals offseason program with new head coach Mike LaFleur last week. During his first team meeting on Tuesday, LaFleur laid the foundation for what he expects from his first team as a head coach, both on and off the field. He stood in front of the room in the Cardinals’ auditorium, commanded the attention of everyone in attendance, dropping a little humor to go along with his message. LaFleur left no room for interpretation, linebacker Zaven Collins said. “He’s very clear on all that,” Collins said “There was no confusion whatsoever. So, it’s really nice and you can tell how he wants his ship ran and stuff like that. And it was a really good starting point to see how it’s all going to go.” Collins walked out of the room knowing exactly what LaFleur is thinking. And, as an athlete, Collins said he’s appreciative of that. LaFleur explained what he wants from his players in the building, how he wants things done, what’s allowed and what’s not allowed. “You can kind of tell he’s like a no BS guy, right?” Collins said. “He’s going to tell you what he wants, how he thinks, and just be upfront. I think also too as an athlete, that’s very clear when someone can tell you that and just be like, ‘We want you to do this.’ OK. It’s easy to get it done. “Sometimes guys try to make it seem like they try to be too nice or this or they don’t tell you the right things. It gets very confusing for athletes, especially young athletes. So, I think that’s something he does a very good job of, as well.” LaFleur tried to set the tone throughout the meeting for a variety of areas, from an emphasis on winning games to some of the basics of football, including the huddle. LaFleur explained how he wants his offense to huddle, break the huddle and approach the line of scrimmage with quickness and intent. He broke down how he wants the cadence and established his expectations in the offensive meeting rooms. Center Hjalte Froholdt said it’s all related. How a team breaks a huddle, how it calls a cadence, and how it handles itself in a meeting room could all factor into wins, he said. “Those small details is not just something [where you’re like], ‘OK, I have to cover this page, whatever, move on,'” Froholdt said. “Every detail is a big detail. So, I think, yeah, OK, we want to get out there and how many points are we going to score? How many games are we going to win? No, how about we just figure out how are we getting in the freaking huddle.” For players who’ve broken a huddle thousands upon thousands of times in their careers, putting an emphasis on it in Day 1 was proof that LaFleur wasn’t going to spare any detail. Breaking the huddle and getting to the line quickly and with intent can push the defense to get lined up, Froholdt said, quickly giving the offense an advantage. “If you mosey to the line, you lose seconds,” Froholdt said. “Valuable seconds. “So, if we mosey to the line or if we mosey into the huddle, well, then, I think for an offense, that’s generally the first priority is get back to the huddle, get the call and get to the line of scrimmage so then we have time to have the procedure correctly. So, it’s a small detail, but it’s something that’s very important.” Tuesday was LaFleur’s first chance to make a first impression as a head coach and establish who he’s going to be as the leader of a team. Collins was impressed, calling LaFleur’s presence “awesome.” “He takes control of the room, was a great leader today and guys were bought in, guys were cheering, having a great time already, and that’s Day 1,” Collins said. “Every single guy was there so it was awesome.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| RE-VISITING LAST YEAR’S DRAFTIf they knew then what they know now, how would the 2025 Draft have gone. Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic conducts this exercise: How did everyone do last year? With all eyes fixed on the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh (April 23-25), this time of year presents an opportunity to look back at how NFL teams handled themselves in 2025. So, let’s redo the 2025 first round. (Note: The order is as it was when the first round opened, before any draft-day trades.) 1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, MiamiOriginal pick: WardDespite the fact that I thought the Titans weren’t ready last year to draft a QB (and they really weren’t), Ward did survive his rookie season. He made improvements, so there’s still hope. If the Titans can continue to support him, he could blossom into a quality starter. 2. Cleveland Browns: Armand Membou, OT, MissouriOriginal pick (by JAX, via trade): Travis Hunter, DB/WR, ColoradoI can’t argue with the Browns’ decision to trade back last year — if the trade presented itself again, they’d repeat it. But Cleveland could have landed a very promising tackle prospect in Membou, who, as a rookie, showed up in the run game and flashed a nice ceiling in protection. 3. New York Giants: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole MissOriginal pick: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn StateThe Giants believe Dart is their quarterback of the future. We all probably still need to see more on-field proof to stamp that for ourselves, but it’s hard to argue with the flashes we saw from the former Ole Miss playmaker. Dart is an exciting talent and could be a great fit within the style John Harbaugh typically plays. 4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSUOriginal pick: CampbellCampbell’s Super Bowl performance drew a lot of criticism — and that’s fine. But let’s remember Campbell was a big part of New England’s resurgence in the first place, and he’s absolutely the type of player who will learn and improve from that setback. 5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nick Emmanwori, DB, South CarolinaOriginal pick (by CLE, via trade): Mason Graham, DT, MichiganEmmanwori was a revelation last year as the hybrid X-factor in Mike Macdonald’s Super Bowl-winning defense. A perfect unicorn defender for the modern game, Emmanwori is big enough to work as an off-ball linebacker and fast enough to cover anyone on the field. 6. Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, MichiganOriginal pick: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateAt least as of today, the Browns got the better of last year’s trade with the Jaguars. Graham was consistently disruptive as a rookie, against both the pass and run. He continues to be a high-floor player with serious versatility. 7. New York Jets: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn StateOriginal pick: MembouThe Jets and the Giants wound up doing pretty well early last season, all things considered. Carter led all rookies in pressures (66), QB hits (18) and hurries (43). And even though his sack total could’ve been higher, it’s important to remember the coming season will be just his third as a full-time edge defender. Stock up. 8. Carolina Panthers: Tet McMillan, WR, ArizonaOriginal pick: McMillanAnyone still want to complain about McMillan’s underwhelming 40-yard dash time? Didn’t think so. McMillan was always more than a pure sprinter, and his presence inside Carolina’s offense could unlock the next level for both QB Bryce Young and the Panthers. 9. New Orleans Saints: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, TexasOriginal pick: BanksI doubted this one a year ago — and so far I’ve been proven wrong. Banks was very solid as a rookie left tackle, and his length hasn’t been a big problem. 10. Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland, TE, MichiganOriginal pick: LovelandThis was my favorite pick of Round 1 last spring, and it remains so today. An absolutely perfect fit for Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams, Loveland is built for the modern game. He is among the best tight ends we’ve scouted over the last five years. 11. San Francisco 49ers: Travis Hunter, DB/WR, ColoradoOriginal pick: Mykel Williams, edge, GeorgiaI’m certainly not out on Hunter, though I don’t love how the Jaguars deployed him last year. He needs to get comfortable on one side of the ball first and add more from there. One step at a time. 12. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Booker, G, AlabamaOriginal pick: BookerGive Dallas credit for this one, as fortune favored the bold. Booker’s power in the run game translated as a rookie, and everything about his work in protection will improve with time. He feels like a future Pro Bowl player. 13. Miami Dolphins: Tyler Shough, QB, LouisvilleOriginal pick: Kenneth Grant, DT, MichiganThe Tua Tagovailoa train has departed for backup land in Atlanta, so (as some of us noted at the time) quarterback should have been a bigger priority for the Dolphins last season. Like Dart and Ward, Shough has plenty to prove, but he showed some very strong stuff as a rookie in New Orleans. 14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn StateOriginal pick: WarrenThat both Loveland and Warren wound up in perfect situations was one of the coolest developments of the 2025 NFL Draft. Each is a terrific talent and should be a factor with their respective club for a long time. 15. Atlanta Falcons: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio StateOriginal pick: Jalon Walker, LB, GeorgiaStatistically speaking, this pick probably should be James Pearce Jr. In reality, though, Pearce faces significant legal issues, stemming from a February car crash. He’s off the redraft board. Egbuka, meanwhile, was an immediate impact player on an already talented roster in Tampa Bay. 16. Arizona Cardinals: Grey Zabel, C, North Dakota StateOriginal pick: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole MissZabel’s consistency in the middle helped transform everything for Seattle’s offense during its march to the Super Bowl. Nolen, on the other hand, was my least-favorite first-round pick when it happened — and I still don’t get it. 17. Cincinnati Bengals: Will Johnson, CB, MichiganOriginal pick: Shemar Stewart, edge, Texas A&MThe Cardinals snagged a steal in 2025, as Johnson tumbled down draft boards due to injury concerns (which haven’t been totally absolved) but wound up putting together a very good rookie run in 12 appearances. 18. Seattle Seahawks: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLAOriginal pick: ZabelSeattle wouldn’t trade Zabel for anything, but he and Emmanwori are off the board in this exercise. So, we’ll give Macdonald another athletic defensive playmaker to mess around with. Schwesinger was another good pick by Cleveland last April. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Xavier Watts, S, Notre DameOriginal pick: EgbukaWatts already looks like a serious steal for the Falcons, who snagged him at No. 96 last year. The former Notre Dame ball hawk worked both safety spots, the box and the slot as a rookie, picking off five passes in the process. 20. Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateOriginal pick: Jahdae Barron, CB, TexasJeanty was always a running back worthy of a first-round pick, and many people are now overlooking the fact that he had more than 1,300 scrimmage yards (and 55 catches) on a terrible team. He’ll be fine. I do think Jeremiyah Love is a better prospect, though. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Derrick Harmon, DT, OregonOriginal pick: HarmonA case could easily be made for Deone Walker over Harmon, but I’d also argue Pittsburgh is pretty happy with the work Harmon put in last year. He tailed off a bit at the end of his rookie year, but there’s a lot to like in his game. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North CarolinaOriginal pick: HamptonHampton looked terrific — and appeared to be a perfect fit for Jim Harbaugh’s offense — before going on injured reserve with a leg injury in Week 5. Hampton still has plenty to prove, but he could do even more with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in town. 23. Green Bay Packers: Deone Walker, DT, KentuckyOriginal pick: Matthew Golden, WR, TexasWalker was very active against the run last season, as the gargantuan 330-pounder (with terrific length) proved to be a consistent problem for opponents in the middle. Buffalo landed him as one of the top value picks in the 2025 draft. 24. Minnesota Vikings: Malaki Starks, S, GeorgiaOriginal pick: Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio StateJackson started every game he played at guard last season and wasn’t bad, but the Vikings could’ve found more bang for their buck. Starks is extremely versatile and proved to be NFL savvy immediately last season. 25. Houston Texans: Kenneth Grant, DT, MichiganOriginal pick (by NYG, via trade): DartGrant struggled early last year, and I still think Miami reached a bit with him at No. 13. He did pick it up as the year wore on, and his athleticism at 330 pounds remains impossible to ignore. He’s still a young talent. 26. Los Angeles Rams: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling GreenOriginal pick (by ATL, via trade): James Pearce Jr., edge, TennesseeFannin could probably be higher in our redraft — apart from its QB nonsense, Cleveland had a very nice draft last spring. Fannin is absolutely a keeper and already has emerged as a downfield threat. 27. Baltimore Ravens: Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston CollegeOriginal pick: StarksTrapilo started his rookie year as a reserve before eventually taking over at left tackle for Chicago in Week 12. His seven starts down the stretch, including in a wild-card win over Green Bay, were outstanding. He’s going to miss a bunch of time in 2026 as he rehabs a patellar tendon injury, but I’m eager to see his return. 28. Detroit Lions: Josh Conerly Jr., OT, OregonOriginal pick: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio StateWilliams was better than his stats showed last season, and the Lions remain happy with him. Upon further review, though, an athlete such as Conerly (who started every game at right tackle last season) could have stepped in at guard last season before replacing Taylor Decker in 2026. 29. Washington Commanders: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio StateOriginal pick: ConerlyConerly wound up being a great pick, as his best football came during the second half of the season. Simmons, who overcame a college knee injury, looked as advertised in pass protection during his eight starts at left tackle to close the year. 30. Buffalo Bills: Luther Burden III, WR, MissouriOriginal pick: Maxwell Hairston, CB, KentuckyGetting Burden in the second round was a great value pick by the Bears, who should be in position to get even more out of him now that DJ Moore (ironically enough for our redraft purposes) is in Buffalo. 31. Kansas City Chiefs: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio StateOriginal pick (by PHI, via trade): Jihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaThe Cardinals hit it out of the park at corner last spring, nabbing Johnson in the second round and Burke in the fifth. The latter, who had three picks and forced eight incompletions as a rookie, looks like a keeper. 32. Philadelphia Eagles: Jihaad Campbell, LB/edge, AlabamaOriginal pick (by KC, via trade): SimmonsJalon Walker was more productive last season, but Campbell was more of a true hybrid, spending more time in the box and flashing serious long-term potential as a do-it-all second-level defender. |
| 2026 DRAFTAccording to Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com, none of the QBs other than FERNANDO MENDOZA and TYLER SIMPSON have impressed very much in the run up to the draft. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will go to the Raiders with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is expected to go somewhere late in the first round. After that, it could be a long time before the third quarterback drafted hears his name called. There’s no consensus opinion about who the third quarterback off the board will be, but all the other quarterbacks are extreme long shots to go in the first round, and appear unlikely to go in the second round, either. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is generally recognized as the third-best quarterback in the draft, but his stock fell during his fifth and final season at LSU last year, when he took too many sacks and struggled with injuries. After entering the 2025 season with first-round buzz, he looked last year more like a mid-round pick. He’s the son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. Penn State’s Drew Allar similarly saw his draft stock fall in 2025, when he struggled in the early portion of the season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury. When healthy he’s a decent runner, and his career passing stats (63.2 percent completion percentage, 61 touchdowns and 13 interceptions) were solid, but his play in 2025 did not inspire a lot of confidence that he’s going to be a great NFL quarterback. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik was another quarterback who entered 2025 with first-round hype but exited it with no one considering him a first-round pick. He and Clemson had a disappointing season, and he may have to wait until Day 3 of the draft to hear his name called. Miami’s Carson Beck probably helped his draft stock by staying in college in 2025, transferring from Georgia and leading Miami to the national championship game, but he still looked more like a mid-round pick. The most intriguing prospect may be Taylen Green, who put on a show at the Scouting Combine, with a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and 43.5-inch vertical jump, best ever for a quarterback. At 6-foot-6, Green checks all the boxes as an athlete, but his passing stats were mediocre in four years as a college starter, two at Boise State and two at Arkansas. All it takes is one team to have a high grade on a quarterback and draft him earlier than anyone expects, and perhaps one of these quarterbacks will be a surprisingly high pick. More likely, however, after Simpson is drafted, the rest of the quarterbacks will be waiting a long time to hear their names called.– – -The DB has seen a lot of names peppered around the first round in various Mock Drafts. Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com tells us who are locks to hear their names called in the first 32. Below, we will go position by position and break down players that are locks to go in the first round. When we say “lock,” we mean that we are betting everything on these players being selected on opening night. Not a player who has an 80% chance of being drafted in the top 32. Unless, of course, NFL teams have flagged something medical-related with the prospect that we don’t know about. With that being said, let’s begin with the quarterbacks. QB (1) Fernando MendozaIND • QB • #15The No. 1 overall prospect in this class and reigning Heisman Trophy winner led the Indiana Hoosiers to an undefeated season that was capped by a National Championship. Even if you don’t think Fernando Mendoza is Joe Burrow, he’s a college football legend who is a lock to go on opening night. DraftKings Sportsbook has him listed at -20000 to go No. 1 overall. RB (1) Jeremiyah LoveND • RB • #4Some believe Jeremiyah Love is the top player in this class. The problem is that he plays running back, which could cause him to fall out of the top five. The Doak Walker Award winner led the FBS with eight plays of 20+ yards gained, and is a threat to score from virtually anywhere on the field. DraftKings has him listed at -1400 to be a top 10 pick. Lock. WR (2) Carnell TateOHIOST • WR • #17Carnell Tate should be the first wide receiver off the board this month. He racked up 838 yards receiving and nine touchdowns in 2025, and led the FBS with six touchdowns on throws of 30 or more air yards. He’s not a “burner” necessarily, but does separate downfield with good route running and is a clear deep-ball threat. Makai LemonUSC • WR • #6Yes he’s a “slot merchant,” but Makai Lemon is an immediate-impact player that could really shine in the right system. The reigning Biletnikoff Award winner had four games last season where he exploded for 150 yards and a touchdown, including against Iowa. Lemon is going in the first round, but it remains to be seen where. TE (1) Kenyon SadiqOREG • TE • #18The top tight end in this class ranked first among FBS tight ends in receiving touchdowns last year with eight, and fifth in receptions with 51. Tight ends aren’t supposed to run 4.39 40-yard dashes, but Kenyon Sadiq is that kind of playmaker that will immediately help any offense. OL (7) Francis MauigoaMIAMI • OT • #61The three-year starter at right tackle for Miami is durable and consistent in both run-blocking and pass protection, which is why he’s commonly mocked as the top offensive lineman off the board. DraftKings has Francis Mauigoa listed at -300 to be the first offensive lineman to hear his name called this month. Spencer FanoUTAH • OT • #55Spencer Fano won the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior offensive lineman last season, but he can play basically anywhere on the offensive line — including tackle. Fano allowed zero sacks in 2025, and three total sacks during three seasons at Utah. Kadyn ProctorBAMA • OT • #74Kadyn Proctor is actually CBS Sports’ top-ranked offensive tackle and No. 4 overall prospect. I would argue that he’s not the most polished prospect, but Proctor’s athleticism and 6-foot-7, 350-pound frame are hard to ignore. Caleb LomuUTAH • OT • #71Another Utah offensive lineman here. Caleb Lomu played left tackle for the Utes and showed he can move at a high level in space. He probably needs to add some mass at 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, but he’s expected to go somewhere in the first round. DraftKings has him listed at -700 to be selected on opening night. Monroe FreelingUGA • OT • #57Georgia’s left tackle has been mocked as high as No. 6 overall to the Cleveland Browns. I don’t think he’s the most Day 1-ready offensive tackle in this class, but pundits speculate Monroe Freeling could have the highest ceiling as a true left tackle. Blake MillerCLEM • OT • #78A three-time All-ACC right tackle, Blake Miller is -900 to be selected in the first round, according to DraftKings. He’s actually the Clemson record-holder for snaps from scrimmage with 3,778 in 54 starts. Olaivavega IoanePSU • IOL • #71Vega Ioane is arguably the top interior offensive lineman in this class, and he allowed zero sacks, zero QB hits and just four pressures this past season. Is he a natural fit for the Baltimore Ravens at No. 14 overall? DT (0) EDGE (3) David BaileyTXTECH • EDGE • #31David Bailey is probably going No. 2 or No. 3 overall. In an EDGE class that features several different flavors, Bailey is probably the best “pure pass rusher.” He ranked second in the FBS in pressures (81), tied for first in sacks (14.5) and registered a whopping 38 QB hits. That tied for the most QB hits in a single season in the FBS over the last decade. Rueben Bain Jr.MIAMI • EDGE • #4Rueben Bain Jr. appears to be falling down mock draft boards a bit, but DraftKings still has him listed at -320 to be a top 10 pick. CBS Sports ranks him as the No. 2 overall prospect in this class and compares him to Dwight Freeney. Bain famously has short arms, but his power is evident. No FBS player recorded more pressures than him in 2025 (83). Arvell ReeseOHIOST • EDGE • #8Arvell Reese played primarily off the ball at Ohio State, but many project him to move to EDGE at the next level. He ranked top three on a loaded Buckeyes defense in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss, and tore up the combine with his fluid on-field work and a 4.46 40-yard dash. Some draft experts would say Reese has the highest ceiling of any pass rusher in this class, and DraftKings has him listed at -1400 to be a top five pick. LB (1) Sonny StylesOHIOST • LBIf you want to draft Fred Warner, here’s your chance. Sonny Styles is -1400 to be a top 10 pick over at DraftKings, and is arguably a top five talent on big boards. He’s a former safety that brings coverage skills and speed to the linebacker position, but is a fantastic tackler as well. CB (2) Mansoor DelaneLSU • CB • #4Mansoor Delane is -330 to be a top 10 pick at DraftKings. He’s fluid in both man coverage and zone, and allowed zero touchdowns with zero penalties last season. At times, I thought he was an NFL player going undercover as a college cornerback. Jermod McCoyTENN • CB • #3Jermod McCoy is CB1 to some evaluators despite not playing a single snap last year. McCoy tore his ACL in January 2025, and prioritized his recovery. His 2024 season was fantastic, as McCoy recorded 44 tackles, nine passes defensed and four interceptions. There were concerns about his stock, but McCoy appeared to eliminate those concerns after an impressive Pro Day in Knoxville. S (2) Caleb DownsOHIOST • S • #2An easy lock. The best safety in college football is the only defensive back to record 250 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five interceptions over the past three seasons. Caleb Downs leaves Ohio State a two-time Unanimous All-American and Jim Thorpe Award winner. Dillon ThienemanOREG • S • #31I imagine there’s a lot of love for Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman behind the scenes. He recorded six interceptions as a freshman at Purdue, then two years later transferred to Oregon and recorded 96 tackles, five passes defensed and two interceptions while picking up First Team All-Big Ten honors. Thieneman is aggressive in both pass coverage and in defending the run. His 306 tackles over the last three seasons rank No. 1 among all defensive backs. Final first-round lock board (20) So he have 20 first round locks and none of them are WR OMARI COOPER, Jr. of Indiana. Here’s how he sees the odds on who might fill the the other 12 spots. Players that were close, but didn’t make the cut as a ‘lock’ Jordyn TysonARIZST • WROdds to be selected in the first round: (Not listed) Jordyn Tyson will probably be the third wide receiver off the board in the first round, and that’s because of injury concerns. He’s actually holding a workout for NFL teams six days before the draft begins to prove he’s healthy. If that workout goes poorly or he re-injures his hamstring, Tyson could fall. Omar Cooper Jr.IND • WR • #3 KC ConcepcionTXAM • WR • #7 Cooper’s odds to be selected in the first round: -1600Concepcion’s odds to be selected in the first round: -350 Both of these wideouts are likely to be selected in the first round, but it may come in the late 20s. Depending on how the board falls, could either Cooper or Concepcion be selected before the other, and that other pass-catcher fall to the second round? It’s possible. Keldric FaulkAUBURN • EDGE • #15Odds to be selected in the first round: -900Keldric Faulk is a player I think NFL teams are a lot more high on than fans. He’s a 20-year-old, 6-foot-6, 276-pound pass rusher with long arms, but recorded just 29 tackles and two sacks last year. Akheem MesidorMIAMI • EDGE • #3Odds to be selected in the first round: -550Akheem Mesidor is absolutely a first-round talent, but he’s 25-years-old. Max IheanachorARIZST • OT • #58Odds to be selected in the first round: -270I have Max Iheanachor going in the first round, but he’s a raw athlete that didn’t start playing football until junior college around five years ago. |
