| Here are the opening over-under win totals for 2026. We put some in green where we would take the over, and red for unders: Here are the season win totals for all 32 NFL teams: Over/under 10.5Baltimore RavensBuffalo BillsDetroit LionsGreen Bay PackersKansas City ChiefsLos Angeles ChargersLos Angeles RamsPhiladelphia EaglesSan Francisco 49ersSeattle Seahawks 9.5Chicago BearsCincinnati BengalsDenver BroncosHouston TexansJacksonville JaguarsNew England Patriots 8.5Dallas CowboysIndianapolis ColtsMinnesota VikingsPittsburgh SteelersTampa Bay BuccaneersAtlanta FalconsNew Orleans SaintsNew York GiantsWashington Commanders 6.5Carolina PanthersCleveland BrownsTennessee Titans 5.5Las Vegas RaidersNew York Jets 4.5Arizona CardinalsMiami Dolphins |
| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITA prediction from Conor Orr of SI.com: Detroit LionsThe Lions will make Jahmyr Gibbs the highest-paid running back in NFL history, setting records in every meaningful contractual category. Bold? No. But Brad Holmes was with the Rams when the franchise bucked trends and signed Todd Gurley to a top-of-market extension. While this ultimately was a cautionary tale, the Lions’ offense won’t function as designed without the former first-round pick. |
| MINNESOTAConor Orr of SI.com thinks Aaron Rodgers might complete the Brett Favre trifecta: Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings will bring in Aaron Rodgers to “compete” with J.J. McCarthy.While it may be just a hunch, I don’t see Rodgers walking away from the chance to pass Peyton Manning on the NFL’s all-time touchdown list. And I don’t see Kevin O’Connell walking away from the chance to add meaningful depth to his roster. While Rodgers and Zach Wilson ended up not being the developmental bridge the Jets had hoped, McCarthy must realize he’s in a similar sink-or-swim situation and can take copious notes. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASThe Bengals seem to have known what they were doing when they traded LB LOGAN WILSON. Todd Archer of ESPN.com: Acquired at the trade deadline with the hope of shoring up the linebacker spot, veteran Logan Wilson was waived by the Cowboys on Friday. The move saves the Cowboys $6.5 million in salary cap space. In seven games, Wilson was credited with 28 tackles and a forced fumble, but he started just once. Despite the struggles at the position and the defense in general, the Cowboys kept Kenneth Murray Jr. as the starter over Wilson. In the Christmas Day win against the Washington Commanders, he did not play a snap, which was called a coaches’ error in the days after the game. The Cowboys gave up a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for Wilson. In Cincinnati, where he was voted a captain in 2025, Wilson was benched in favor of rookie Barrett Carter and led to the trade. In parts of five seasons with the Bengals, Wilson started 65 games, intercepted 11 passes and was a key figure in their run to Super Bowl LVI where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTAA prediction from Conor Orr of ESPN.com: ATLANTA FALCONSThe Falcons will keep Kirk Cousins.As we mentioned in our quarterback carousel piece, the slate has been wiped clean between Cousins and the Falcons after the ouster of general manager Terry Fontenot. Additionally, Cousins can sign a new contract with more guarantees and be absorbed into a system that he’s familiar with. He could end up being a logical Week 1 starter for the Falcons—a near guarantee that would be hard to obtain elsewhere on the market. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSConor Orr has his eye on a Sean McVay reclamation project: Los Angeles RamsThe Rams will trade for Spencer Rattler. [Snake noise.] The toolsy former prospect, who fell during the draft because of things he said on a predatory-feeling documentary when he was a teenager unaware of the consequences, will find a safe haven with Kliff Kingsbury and Sean McVay, and develop into a potential Matthew Stafford successor. |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVERJohn Morton did not succeed as Ben Johnson’s successor as OC with the Lions, so he is rejoining Sean Payton in Denver. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: John Morton was a Broncos assistant before becoming the Lions’ offensive coordinator ahead of the 2025 season and he’s set to return to Denver after parting ways with the Lions. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Morton is expected to rejoin Sean Payton’s coaching staff as the team’s offensive pass game coordinator. Morton held the same role in 2023 and 2024, and he also consulted with the Broncos during the postseason after being dismissed by the Lions this January. Morton was a Lions assistant under Dan Campbell in 2022 and replaced Ben Johnson as the offensive coordinator in Detroit last offseason. His run calling the team’s offensive plays ended in mid-November with Campbell taking over those responsibilities. The Lions hired Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator last month. Morton also worked with Payton in New Orleans, spent the 2017 season as the Jets’ offensive coordinator and has had stints with the Raiders and 49ers over the course of his coaching career.– – – A prediction from Conor Orr of SI.com: Denver BroncosSean Payton will trade for both David Montgomery and A.J. Brown.Continuing last season’s aggressive free-agency push to bolster the defense, Payton, spurred by his near miss at reaching Super Bowl LX, will spend multiple picks between the second and fourth rounds to bring in veterans who can keep Denver in the hunt. |
| LAS VEGASESPN.com has reporter Ryan McFadden consider four hypothetical offers for EDGE MAXX CROSBY: We asked NFL analysts Jeremy Fowler, Dan Graziano, Ben Solak and Seth Walder to play general manager of four different teams and craft realistic trade offers for Crosby. Then we had Raiders reporter Ryan McFadden make a decision based on what general manager John Spytek and the team could do this offseason. Here’s how our market simulation played out, starting with some background on Crosby’s situation and ending with a verdict on a potential new landing spot. The latest on a potential Maxx Crosby tradeThis situation is pretty fluid. Crosby, who signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension last offseason, was upset the team shut him down during the final two weeks of the season because of a knee injury that required surgery in January. He has also been determined to win at the highest level, and the Raiders are starting a rebuild under first-time head coach Klint Kubiak. A trade could be beneficial for both sides. Crosby, 28, could get an opportunity to play for a true contender. Meanwhile, the Raiders would have a dead-cap hit of $5.1 million but save $30.69 million, according to OverTheCap.com. Las Vegas could also add draft capital to help build on its roster. Still, there’s a strong argument in keeping Crosby. Edge rushers are a premium position and Crosby is continuously one of the best in the league. He earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection in 2025 after 10 sacks in 15 games. And we’ve seen teams turn things around in one season. The Patriots, for example, appeared in Super Bowl LX despite finishing 4-13 in 2024. Las Vegas has the second-most cap space in the league (per Roster Management System) and is expected to have eight draft picks, including the first overall pick. If the Raiders play their cards right, they could field a competitive roster sooner rather than later. Las Vegas also promoted defensive line coach Rob Leonard, who works directly with Crosby, to defensive coordinator. — Ryan McFadden, Raiders reporter Four hypothetical trade offers for Crosby Chicago BearsJeremy Fowler’s offer: Raiders get: WR DJ Moore, 2026 first-round pick (No. 25 overall), 2027 third-round pickBears get: Crosby Why this deal makes sense: Like Bill Barnwell’s suggested proposal from Monday, I have Moore involved in this Crosby trade with Chicago. The Bears must upgrade a defensive line that tied with the Bengals for last in pass rush win rate last season (28.8%). The presence of Crosby would elevate a team on the cusp of being a contender after reaching the divisional round in coach Ben Johnson’s first year with the team. Moore’s departure would allow Chicago to center its future passing game around Rome Odunze, Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. They would also save $16.5 million on the cap, helping absorb Crosby’s three-year, $106.5 million deal. For Las Vegas, it gets an alpha receiver for projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza and additional draft capital to improve other units. Dallas CowboysDan Graziano’s offer: Raiders get: WR George Pickens, 2026 first-round pick (No. 20 overall)Cowboys get: Crosby, 2026 second-round pick (No. 36 overall) Why this deal makes sense: The Cowboys likely aren’t going to fork over a long-term, top-of-market deal for Pickens, and franchise-tagging him could cause more problems than it solves (as it did last year with edge rusher Micah Parsons). They get back Crosby, who will make around $30 million per year for the next two years and would replace Parsons. Then, Dallas could look elsewhere for its No. 2 wide receiver. The Raiders would have to sign Pickens long-term, but they’re not already paying CeeDee Lamb top-three WR money, as the Cowboys are. Pickens fits better into Las Vegas’ budget than he does into Dallas’ roster. Tampa Bay BuccaneersBen Solak’s offer: Raiders get: WR Chris Godwin Jr., 2026 first-round pick (No. 15 overall), 2027 second-round pickBuccaneers get: Crosby, 2027 fifth-round pick Why this deal makes sense: Raiders general manager John Spytek worked under Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht for years in Tampa Bay, so he would likely value Godwin more than most other teams. Godwin would be a target sponge in Las Vegas and give Kubiak a quality blocking receiver. Godwin and a first-round pick, along with some more finagling in the middle rounds, should get the deal done. Crosby would solve the edge-rushing problem Tampa Bay has been unable to fix for years. The Bucs haven’t had a player reach 10 sacks in a single season since Shaquil Barrett in 2021; Crosby has done it in each of the past four seasons. Los Angeles ChargersSeth Walder’s offer: Raiders get: 2026 second-round pick (No. 55 overall), 2026 sixth-round pick, 2027 fifth-round pickChargers get: Crosby Why this deal makes sense: Let me start with the Raiders, who would surely bristle at the notion of trading their star within their division. But that fear is short-sighted: If you are going to trade away a star, why not take draft capital from a rival? By the time the Raiders are true contenders again, Crosby might well be slowing down while the draft picks have four cost-controlled years to play for Las Vegas — and against the Chargers. The Chargers, with Chris O’Leary replacing Jesse Minter at defensive coordinator, could use help at edge rusher. Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh are pending free agents, so the Chargers could use their bounty of cap space to trade for and absorb Crosby’s contract. The fact that Crosby’s deal is salary heavy (meaning the Chargers take on the money) and that he will turn 29 before next season, is why I’m not offering a first-round pick here. The verdict: Cowboys’ offer gives Raiders a WR1Fowler’s offer (Bears) and Solak’s offer (Buccaneers) are compelling since they include wide receivers, which Walder’s proposal from the Chargers does not include. But Graziano’s offer from the Cowboys would give the Raiders a top wide receiver, assuming they lock down Pickens on a long-term deal. Pickens turns 25 on March 4 and is coming off a career-high nine touchdowns and 1,429 receiving yards in 2025. The Raiders haven’t had a player reach that receiving mark since Davante Adams in 2022. By pairing Pickens with running back Ashton Jeanty, tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Tre Tucker, Mendoza could have a strong supporting cast around him in Year 1. On top of that, they would have an extra pick at No. 20 to address needs on the defensive or offensive lines. The Raiders were 15th in run stop win rate and 17th in pass rush win rate last season; they were 22nd in both run block win rate and pass block win rate. — McFadden |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHConor Orr of SI.com has an interesting thought: Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers will call the Texans about C.J. Stroud.I’m not saying Houston will pick up, but I am saying that the Texans will receive a phone call. Stroud is the perfect pipe-dream reclamation project for a Steelers team that never plans to rebuild and is still probably too good to project for a top-10 pick in 2027. Would he be worth a pair of late first-round picks to a Texans team that can find a veteran bridge starter in this year’s class (Jimmy Garoppolo paired with Nick Caley?) and add to that vicious defense? |
| AFC SOUTH |
| INDIANAPOLISA prediction from Conor Orr of SI.com: Indianapolis ColtsThe Colts will sign Trey Hendrickson.In a move that will help bolster a team that was middle of the road in both run defense and quarterback pressure percentage, relocating Hendrickson just an hour west and bringing him back together with Lou Anarumo is a critical piece of Indianapolis’s sweeping offseason strategy. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIJohn Breech of CBSSports.com gives us four teams that might want the services of QB TUA TAGOVIALOA: At this point, the only question is whether Tua is going to get released or traded. Both scenarios would come with some complications for the Dolphins and that’s because Tua has $54 million in guaranteed money owed to him for the 2026 season. If the Dolphins cut Tua, they would be stuck with an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap charge this year. However, they could knock that number down to $67.4 million if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, a move that would allow them to split the $99.2 million hit over two seasons (they’d also take a $31.8 million dead cap hit in 2027). The best-case scenario for the Dolphins would be to find a potential trade partner. The problem there is that it’s highly unlikely that any team is going to be willing to take on Tua’s $54 million guaranteed salary for 2026. However, the Dolphins could still try to make a deal happen by agreeing to pay some of that salary. If Miami was willing to pay $24 million, then the acquiring team would only have to pay Tua $30 million in 2026, which is a much more manageable number. So if Tua does leave Miami, where could he end up? Let’s take a look at four possible landing spots. Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings are currently in a nightmare situation at quarterback. They appeared to have their quarterback of the future in 2024 with Sam Darnold, who led them to a 14-3 record. The Vikings could have kept him last year, but instead of signing Darnold to a long-term deal (or even just franchise tagging him), they decided to roll the dice by going all in with J.J. McCarthy and that gamble totally backfired. In his first full year as a starter, McCarthy looked much closer to being a bust than someone who will eventually be the team’s future franchise quarterback. Say what you will about Tua, but he’s definitely a much more polished quarterback than McCarthy. Although he’s had some trouble staying healthy, Tua has been productive when he’s on the field and he’s been especially good when he’s had the right weapons around him and the Vikings have a lot of offensive weapons to work with in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. Tua might have to compete with McCarthy for the job, but that’s likely a competition where he would be feeling pretty confident. And let’s not forget, Tua’s former offensive coordinator, Frank Smith, is now in Minnesota. Smith worked with Tua for four seasons in Miami and he’s now the assistant head coach for the Vikings after being hired this year, so there would be some familiarity there. The biggest question mark here is whether Tua would want to join a team that includes Brian Flores. The Vikings defensive coordinator was Tua’s head coach in Miami for two seasons (2020-21) and the two definitely didn’t get along. Tua ripped Flores’ coaching style back in 2024 and it’s not clear if the two sides have mended fences. If they have, then Minnesota seems like an enticing spot for the former fifth overall pick. Arizona CardinalsKyler Murray has almost certainly played his last down in Arizona, which means the Cardinals will likely be in the market for a quarterback this offseason. Jacoby Brissett, who started 12 games last season, is under contract for 2026, so the Cards do have a safety net, but it would make a lot more sense tor them to bring someone in. New Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur just spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Rams, where he got to work with one of the NFL’s top pocket passers in Matthew Stafford. That’s not Murray’s playing style, but it definitely is what Tua prefers, which why he might be able to fit in with Arizona’s new offense. The Cardinals have some solid weapons, including Trey McBride, who’s one of the best tight ends in the NFL. They have also have an impressive receiving duo in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Tua was at his best in Miami when Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were both on the field, so the Cardinals know what kind of production he’s capable of when he has some weapons around him. Indianapolis ColtsThe Colts might be the biggest wild card when it comes to the quarterback position this year and that’s because it’s not clear if Daniel Jones will be ready to play in Week 1. Jones had a strong season in his first-year with Indianapolis, but it came to a painful end in December when he tore his Achilles. That’s one of the most brutal injuries in sports and it wouldn’t be surprising at all if he had to miss the first few weeks of the 2026 season. As a matter of fact, if you look at the recovery timeline for quarterbacks, it would be a borderline miracle if Jones were to play in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins both tore their Achilles in 2023 and they ended up playing in Week 1 of the following season, but both of those injuries happened early in the season (Cousins’ injury came in Week 8 while Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1. Jones suffered his injury in Week 14). Not only is Jones’ health up in the air, but he’s also set to be a free agent, so the Colts have fo figure out what they want to do with him, and that’s where Tua would come in. If the Colts decide to re-sign Jones, Tua could sign a one-year deal — if the Dolphins release him — and be the QB until Jones is ready to play. A trade could also make sense if the Dolphins are willing to eat a healthy chunk of Tua’s $54 million salary for 2026. Tua doesn’t have any guaranteed money left after the 2026 season, so he could fill in for Jones for a few weeks, finish out the 2026 season in Indy and then the Colts could release or trade him during the 2027 offseason (Tua will have $3 million of his 2027 salary become guaranteed on March 13, so the Colts would have to deal with that if they acquired him in a trade from Miami). One thing working in Tua’s favor is that the Colts have a set up where he could thrive: They have a solid offensive line, they have one of the best running backs in the NFL (Jonathan Taylor), they have a solid receiving group led by Michael Pittman and they have a solid young tight end in Tyler Warren. Tua could put up some big numbers in Indy. Atlanta FalconsThe Falcons currently have two quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., but that won’t be the case much longer. The team is expected to release Cousins before the start of free agency, which will leave Penix as the top guy on the depth chart. Penix comes with some serious question marks, though: He just tore his ACL for the third time in his football career and he hasn’t proven that he can play consistently good football. Although the Falcons expect him to be ready for Week 1, he’s playing for a new coach and a new front office that didn’t draft him, so it wouldn’t be surprising at all if they brought in some competition for him. Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski has shown that he can win games even if he has to cycle through quarterbacks. He led the Browns to the playoffs during a 2023 season where Cleveland started five different players at quarterback. Stefanski is a smart offensive mind and if he thinks that Tua has more upside than Penix, then he would almost certainly be interested in bringing him to Atlanta. Bringing in a left-handed QB to compete with a left-handed QB would be a plus for the Falcons because it means that Atlanta wouldn’t have to make any huge changes from an offensive standpoint. The man making the decisions in Atlanta’s front office, Matt Ryan, was noncommittal when asked if Penix would be the starting QB in 2026. Ryan told CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones that Penix’s role will be decided by new head coach Kevin Stefanski. “Kevin’s responsibility is to be the head coach of the football team and he’s going to let you know who our starters are and who our starters are not. It’s not my place to go in there,” Ryan said during Super Bowl week. So the QB job will be up to Stefanski, which certainly leaves the door open for Atlanta to bring in a new quarterback. Why several QB-needy teams didn’t make this listOne thing you may or may not have noticed about this list is that every team on it plays indoors. If Tua has proven one thing in his career, it’s that he struggles when the weather gets cold, so it doesn’t make much sense for him to play in a cold-weather city, which is why we don’t have the Jets, Steelers or Browns listed here. The final start of Tua’s Dolphins’ career came in a December loss to the Steelers where the kickoff temperature was 17 degrees. That dropped Tua’s career record to 0-6 when the temperature is below 40. If I’m a team in a cold-weather city, I don’t want Tua, and if I’m Tua, I don’t want to play in a cold-weather city. For Tua, playing indoors will guarantee that he’ll get perfect weather for at least eight games per year. Tua has an 8-4 career record when playing indoors (dome or retractable roof) with his last game coming in Week 8 against the Falcons, a day that saw him throw four touchdown passes in a 34-10 win. |
| NEW ENGLANDThe Patriots overpaid WR MAC HOLLINS. Ian Casselberry of YahooSports.com: The New England Patriots felt receiver Mack Hollins earned an incentive in his contract, even if he didn’t technically reach the number that triggered the bonus. Hollins, 32, received a $400,000 bonus from the Patriots on Friday that would have come with him getting 50 catches this season, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He finished with 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns, but missed the final two games of the regular season with a lacerated spleen. The eight-year veteran also missed New England’s wild-card and divisional playoff games, but returned for the AFC championship game and the Super Bowl. During the postseason, Hollins finished with eight catches for 129 yards and a TD. Against the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, he led the Patriots in receiving yards. In addition to his on-field performance, Hollins drew attention for his quirky behavior off the field. He arrived for Super Bowl 60 wearing a Hannibal Lecter-style mask on his face, along with handcuffs on his wrists and ankles. Head coach Mike Vrabel appreciates what Hollins brings to the Patriots’ culture by being a great teammate. “Mack brings a great spirit to work every day. He’s a great teammate,” Vrabel told Boston.com in December. “I actually showed a clip from the first game on a kickoff coverage, and Mack’s over there excited, not going in the game, but he’s into it. “Somebody made a tackle and Mack’s the first one cheering on the sidelines, and those are the little things that mean a lot, I think, to me,” he added. “So, again, we ask him to do a lot of different things, and again, I think just the spirit that he brings to work and the teammate that he is.” |
| NEW YORK JETSWhat about RB BREECE HALL? Mike Florio studies his contract situation: The Jets face the departure of running back Breece Hall in free agency. They have three ways to keep that from happening: (1) negotiate a new deal; (2) apply the franchise tag; or (3) utilize the transition tag. There’s a current belief in league circles that the Jets eventually will apply the transition tag. It’s a little-used device that gives a player’s current team the right to match an offer sheet, with no compensation if the offer sheet isn’t matched. The 2026 transition tag for running backs is expected to land in the range of $11.5 million to $11.9 million. If accepted, it becomes fully guaranteed — and it puts the player under contract for the coming year. There’s another important factor to consider. If a team applies the transition tag and doesn’t match an offer sheet, the player’s departure doesn’t count toward the next year’s slate of compensatory draft picks. If Hall simply exits as a free agent, it does. It’s possible, then, that the Jets will apply the transition tag as a placeholder. If/when the Jets catch wind of the possibility of an offer sheet they won’t be inclined to match, the smart move would be to rescind the transition tag and make Hall a free agent. Hall is expected to have a robust market. If the Jets don’t make him an offer he’ll accept before the March 3 tag deadline, the transition tag will be in play. The franchise tag for Hall would cost roughly $14.5 million for 2026, with a 20-percent increase if applied again in 2027. If they’re content to pay him $14.5 million for another year, a tag-and-trade scenario becomes possible. For now, the transition tag is the one to watch for the Jets and Hall, who had his first 1,000-yard season on a team that finished 29th in total offense and dead last in passing. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| RONDALE MOOREA tragedy in New Albany, Indiana. Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com on the self-inflicted death of WR RONDALE MOORE: Former Purdue star and NFL wide receiver Rondale Moore died on Saturday at the age of 25. Police in his hometown of New Albany, Indiana, told The Associated Press that Moore was found in a garage with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. The death remained under investigation. Floyd County Coroner Matthew Tomlin also confirmed Moore’s death. He said an autopsy would be conducted on Sunday. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore,” the Vikings said in a statement. “While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need. Our thoughts are with Rondale’s family and friends during this devastating time.” A second-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2021, Moore had been sidelined the past two seasons because of injuries. He missed the 2024 season after suffering a dislocated right knee while with the Atlanta Falcons. He most recently spent time with the Vikings, participating in their 2025 offseason and training camp, before suffering a season-ending left knee injury while returning a punt Aug. 9 in the team’s preseason opener. “I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement. “While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career. “We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish. My prayers are with Rondale’s family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all deal with this tragic news.” In a statement, the Cardinals said they were “devastated and heartbroken.” “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, teammates, and everyone who loved him and had the privilege of knowing such a special person,” the team said in a social media post. In three seasons with the Cardinals, Moore started 23 games. He caught 135 passes for 1,201 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing 52 times for 249 yards and one score. “Can’t even begin to fathom or process this,” former Cardinals teammate J.J. Watt said on social media. “There’s just no way. Way too soon. Way too special. So much left to give. Rest in peace Rondale.” Moore grew up in New Albany, just across the Indiana border from Louisville, Kentucky, and was named a first team All-American as a freshman at Purdue in 2018. As an all-purpose player that season, he also won the Paul Hornung Award for most versatile player. Moore had 1,915 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns while also rushing for 248 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons with the Boilermakers. “Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,” said Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue. “The ultimate competitor that wouldn’t back down from any challenge. Rondale had a work ethic unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. We all loved Rondale, we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family, we love him very much.” WR HOLLYWOOD BROWN was one of the last to talk to Moore. Desiree Anello ofPeople.com: Rondale Moore’s former teammate, Hollywood Brown, said he messaged the athlete shortly before his death. “Bro ain’t no way brotha you just messaged me few hours ago😢,” Brown, 28, wrote on X, hours after the news broke that the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver died at age 25. Moore’s former Cardinals teammate continued, “You wasn’t alone bro.. I told you I know how you feel.” Brown, who now plays as a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, also said Moore responded to a message he shared on his Instagram Stories that same day. In his message, Brown wrote, “Ppl really believe if you got money you don’t go through anything and have no problems, that s— be really crazy to me like dam god forbid a n—- going through it bout anything.” Resharing that message, the athlete added, “I posted this to my [close friends] cause I know me and all my bros go through the same stuff it’s just crazy yo ppl don’t realize this until someone gone.” In a following post, Brown shared a screenshot of the response Moore sent him, responding to his initial Instagram Stories post. “The fact you just commented under this a few hours ago hurt even more😢😢,” Brown wrote over the screenshot. “You could of called me dawg.” Brown also shared a throwback photo of himself and Moore on the field together, writing, “Get some peace🕊️🤞🏿.” “Jesus Christ is and will always be the answer🙏🏿🙏🏿,” he added. “Pray pray and pray some more.” |
| OVERPRICED/UNDERPRICED FREE AGENTSKevin Patra of NFL.com: With several NFL teams sporting plenty of salary cap space — led by the rebuilding Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders — this year’s free-agency period should be a doozy. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots spent heavily last offseason, finishing fourth and first in total spending, on their way to Super Bowl LX. The key to building through free agency is signing top free agents who fit a squad — Milton Williams in New England or Demarcus Lawrence in Seattle — while also adding bargains with upside, particularly those on one-year prove-it deals. Spending haphazardly can bury teams in cap hell for years and cost decision-makers their jobs. At the outset of the process, before franchise tags remove the top of the talent pool, let’s take a gander at some free agents who could land contracts disproportionate to their on-field value. Players who could be overpriced Malik WillisGreen Bay Packers · QBThe quarterback market in 2026 isn’t pretty. There are few veteran options that offer much upside. Most are the tired trove we’ve seen plenty of through the years — Russell Wilson, Mitchell Trubisky, Marcus Mariota and Kenny Pickett, among others. Add in the fact that the draft is expected to be sparse in for-sure QB talent, and it’s an ugly year to need a quality passer. In that setting, Willis sits as an intriguing candidate. The former Titans third-round pick played well in Green Bay last season, completing 85.7% of 35 pass attempts for 422 yards and three TDs in four games (one start). Willis also showcased his rushing ability, generating 123 yards on 22 carries with two scores. He looked leaps and bounds better than his scattershot early-career struggles. But, was that a byproduct of a good offense under Matt LaFleur and a small sample size? I can’t fault whatever team takes a shot on Willis. His upside is better than most available signal-callers. Yet, with just six career starts, Willis is still far from a sure thing. Handing him the reins, particularly if there are significant guarantees, would be a gamble. Jamel DeanTampa Bay Buccaneers · CBDean took a pay cut to stay in Tampa Bay last season and then put on a smashing performance: He had a personal-best three interceptions, two forced fumbles, the first sack of his seven-year career and 46 tackles. He enters free agency as the top corner on the market; those guys usually get paid. With a plethora of teams in need of coverage help, there could be a bidding war for his services. Dean earned a payday after his sensational 2025 campaign, but a few factors might give some suitors pause. First is the natural variance in CB play. Simply put, corner is one of the most difficult — if not the most difficult — position to sustain year-to-year excellence. Then there is Dean’s injury history. The veteran has yet to play more than 15 games in a season and missed three contests last year. He also turns 30 this fall. So the structure of the deal will be important. If there are significant guarantees beyond 2026, the contract could become an albatross if his play falls off with age. David EdwardsBuffalo Bills · OGEdwards has been a bargain for the Bills the last two years and is coming off his best season, helping open up holes on the ground for James Cook. The guard had his best pass-blocking campaign in 2025; though, he did allow 27 QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus. After making a total of $6 million over the past two seasons, the No. 1 guard in this year’s free-agent class is primed to hit it big. After all, last year’s top two free-agent guards — Trey Smith and Will Fries — signed multi-year deals with average annual values of $23 million and $17.5 million, respectively. Earning a contract along those lines would amount to a massive pay raise for a player who isn’t considered a top-10 player at his position. Edwards is a rock-solid guard, but is he worth Joe Thuney-type money? Kyle PittsAtlanta Falcons · TEIf the Falcons don’t franchise tag Pitts (estimated $16 million), the tight end will hit the market as the top playmaker at the position. The question is, which Kyle Pitts will a team be signing? Is he the player who generated 469 yards and four TDs on 39 catches over the final six games of 2025? Or, is he the inconsistent, drop-prone player who had 459 yards and one score on 49 catches through the first 11 games of the season? In the right system, one that uses him as a matchup target and asks him to block less, he could finally find the consistent upside that eluded him over his first five seasons. In the wrong offense, a team could rue spending big on the former No. 4 overall pick. Players who could be underpriced Kenneth GainwellPittsburgh Steelers · RBGainwell is coming off a career-best 537 rushing yards with five TDs, while splitting duties with Jaylen Warren in Pittsburgh. His 47.4% success rate on rush attempts ranked sixth-best among all RBs (min. 100 carries). Gainwell proved his prowess as a receiving back in his first year with the Steelers, generating 486 yards — fifth-most among backs, behind only Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson,Jahmyr Gibbs and De’Von Achane — with three scores on 73 catches. That dual-threat ability is extremely valuable. However, Gainwell could be overlooked on the open market. The reality that clubs don’t generally want to spend on the RB position and the deep pool of backs ticketed for free agency mean Gainwell could get lost in the shuffle. Nakobe DeanPhiladelphia Eagles · LBThe former third-round pick owns the type of athleticism and playmaking that could get him paid this offseason. In four seasons in Philly, the off-ball linebacker proved he could get after the quarterback (7.5 sacks) and patrol the middle of the field. However, an extensive injury history could curtail his payday. The defender hasn’t played a full slate since 2017, missing 21 missed regular-season games over the past three seasons alone, and was out for most of Philly’s Super Bowl run in 2024. Teams generally shy away from spending big on players with long-term durability questions, which could put Dean on a short-term prove-it path. Leo ChenalKansas City Chiefs · LBThe 25-year-old has never been in a full-time contributor in Kansas City’s defense, playing fewer than 550 snaps in each of his four seasons with the Chiefs. But in his rotational role, he flashed playmaking ability, plugged holes against the run, generated seven sacks and held his own in coverage (when asked). The former third-round pick is primed to find more responsibility in a new defense. Unfortunately, off-ball linebackers without every-down experience typically don’t have burgeoning markets. If he lands a full-time role, the return on investment, however, could be significant for his new club. Arnold EbiketieAtlanta Falcons · EdgeThe success of rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. last season buried Ebiketie down the depth chart in Year 4. But Pearce’s recent arrest on five felony charges casts serious doubt on Pearce’s future, and it might be prudent for the Falcons to retain Ebiketie. Although the former second-round pick has generated just 16.5 career sacks over four campaigns, he possesses explosiveness off the edge that could thrive under new leadership in Atlanta or in new surroundings. Despite seeing a career-low 370 snaps in 2025, his 16.4% pressure rate was the best of his career, per Next Gen Stats. In a league always in need of pass-rush help, Ebiketie could be a steal on a short-term prove-it deal. |
| 2026 DRAFTThe beat writers of The Athletic combine for a Mock Draft: Could it be the year of the edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft? While nothing absolute can be taken from mock drafts in February (or any mock draft anytime, really), they produce potential themes worth watching for, at least. Eight edge rushers went in the first round of this mock draft, conducted by The Athletic’s NFL beat reporters. Meanwhile, in the same round, six wide receivers were picked, with one going in the top 10. There were also five first-rounders at offensive tackle, too. No reaching for quarterbacks here, either. And while there was plenty of spicy trade talk among our writers, just one deal actually came to fruition between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers. What else does this mock tell us about what could unfold 63 days from now in Pittsburgh? Check out the results below. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaAfter fielding some trade offers, nothing came close to moving me. The Raiders have to finally take a quarterback in the first round, something they haven’t done since JaMarcus Russell. Mendoza projects as a great fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense and, hopefully, signals a new era of stability for this franchise. — Ted Nguyen 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio StateThe Jets need playmakers across the board on defense. In case you haven’t heard, they set NFL records for fewest turnovers (four) and interceptions (zero) in a season. Reese can’t solve all of that, but he has Micah Parsons-esque potential as a college off-ball linebacker with the skills to be a dominant pass rusher. His ability to play at multiple spots would make him a fun chess piece for Aaron Glenn to deploy as he returns to calling plays on that side of the ball. If there was a quarterback worth taking here, the Jets would do it — but unfortunately, there isn’t. — Zack Rosenblatt 3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiThe Cardinals had brief discussions* with the Raiders on a package that would include quarterback Kyler Murray and the No. 3 pick for the chance to draft Mendoza. (*By “brief,” we mean we could hear laughter coming through our Slack channel.) All good. The Cardinals can use free agency to settle their QB situation and the draft to bolster their offensive line. Arizona’s performance up front last season was terrible, so immediate help is needed. At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, Mauigoa has great size and a mean streak the Cardinals need. Along with left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., he gives them solid building blocks up front. Baby steps. — Doug Haller 4. Tennessee Titans: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas TechThe Titans were open to trading down and adding to their arsenal of picks but will gladly take Dane Brugler’s No. 6 prospect while addressing their most glaring need — and supplying new coach Robert Saleh’s defense with a player who should fit well. Bailey is a pass rusher who “showed clear improvements as a run defender in 2025,” Brugler said, with more work needed. But Jeffery Simmons needs help on the outside, and last year’s second-round pick, Femi Oladejo, is a glaring question mark. Rueben Bain Jr., Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon and Spencer Fano were other considerations here. — Joe Rexrode 5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateWhile the Giants front office engaged in preliminary talks to move back, the other team didn’t want to part with as many picks as the Giants would’ve required. So the team stuck at No. 5 and went with, perhaps controversial to some, a safety. But there’s no regret with this choice in New York. Downs is No. 4 in Brugler’s top 100 rankings and he’s “one of the better safeties I have ever evaluated,” Brugler said. Downs’ skills are hard to pass up, especially for a Giants secondary that’s been lacking. — Charlotte Carroll 6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, UtahThe Browns are completely remaking their offensive line this offseason and would gladly select Fano as a cornerstone piece. Fano, 21, played right tackle over his final two college seasons but also has some experience on the left side. He has the pedigree and athleticism to eventually hold down one spot for a long time and become a top-tier starting tackle. We know the Browns are focused on offense, and for all the arguments about potential answers at quarterback and solutions at wide receiver, there’s no argument about the need to add a rock-solid tackle to the mix. — Zac Jackson 7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, MiamiThe Commanders’ list of roster needs is so extensive that Carnell Tate, Sonny Styles, Mansoor Delane and Jeremiyah Love all would have been upgrades here. But Bain is the clear pick. The Commanders need to rebuild the defense to give Jayden Daniels some support, and it starts up front, where they’ve lacked an elite pass rusher the last two seasons. Enter Bain, a ferocious and complete pass rusher, who knows how to use his power and leverage to dominate tackles. His 30 3/4-inch arms could be a sticking point for some, but his length didn’t appear to be a hindrance; he had an FBS-best 83 pressures to go with 23 run stops in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. He’s the game-wrecker Washington sorely needs. — Nicki Jhabvala 8. New Orleans Saints: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameThird-best overall player in Brugler’s top 100 and an offensive weapon for the Saints? Sign me up! Even if Alvin Kamara remains on the roster, there’s no doubt Saints coach Kellen Moore will find ways to use Love within the improving offense led by second-year QB Tyler Shough. And once Kamara is gone, Love will be a true No. 1 back for New Orleans. I pondered either Love or wide receiver Carnell Tate at this slot. I’d be happy with either, but Love feels like a can’t-miss player. — Larry Holder 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateA sneaky need for the Chiefs is at receiver, where they have only two players under contract beyond 2026 (Xavier Worthy and Jalen Royals). This draft fell in a positive way, then, with Tate the first receiver off the board. He’s a good team fit, as well. The Chiefs typically target run-after-catch guys, but too often last year, they were in need of an outside receiver who could create route separation and be a contested-catch option. Tate — he most often draws George Pickens comps from draft analysts — would be a welcome addition for new receivers coach Chad O’Shea, while also giving Patrick Mahomes a QB-friendly option for years to come. — Jesse Newell 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateThis pick came down to Styles and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. What the Bengals do in free agency might provide the tiebreaker. Styles would be a slam dunk to drop in the middle of the defense, despite rookie linebacker issues last season. If Cincinnati handles linebacker in free agency, Delane would be the ideal pick for a team not in need of an immediate starter but grabbing the top player at a premium position. He’d provide elite depth behind DJ Turner and Dax Hill, both in the last year of their contracts and seeking extensions. Either way, the defense needs more great players and, even at a non-premium position, Styles qualifies. — Paul Dehner Jr. 11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUThe Dolphins need talent anywhere they can find it, especially at the start of a hard financial reset. Delane is Brugler’s top-ranked corner in the class and a plug-and-play starter. The Dolphins should be taking the best player available, ideally on defense, and that philosophy would marry with their desperation to find talent in the secondary. Delane didn’t allow a touchdown or commit a penalty in 2025. — Jeff Howe 12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeAs the picks were coming off the board, the Cowboys appeared to have a good chance at Sonny Styles or Mansoor Delane. There had been conversations with the Pittsburgh Steelers about trading back to 21. With Styles and Delane going right before Dallas, trade talks heated up. But the Steelers’ best offer was No. 21, No. 76 (third round) and No. 159 (fifth round). The Cowboys needed both of Pittsburgh’s third-round picks or, at the very least, a third and a fourth. With that deal off the table, the Cowboys went with the best player available at a position of need. There are some concerns about McCoy missing all of last season with a torn ACL. But if everything checks out medically, McCoy should start immediately, likely alongside DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel. On paper, that would be an upgraded secondary for first-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker. — Jon Machota 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta): Makai Lemon, WR, USCThe Rams’ biggest need by far this offseason is outside cornerback, and it might be one they address in free agency or a trade. Rather than force the position right after the top two options went off the board, the Rams instead pivot to an underrated need at the third wide receiver spot. With Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in high-volume roles, the Rams must find better insurance for those engines than they had last season. Unlike Tutu Atwell, Lemon can find his way onto the field because he’s extremely physical and a strong blocker, which matters so much to Sean McVay. Lemon took his game to another level last season with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s a perfect future Adams replacement who can duplicate enough of Nacua to manage his snap share and volume load, too. — Nate Atkins 14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn StateIs a guard the best use of the 14th pick? If your answer is yes, you probably are well aware of the struggles the Ravens had at both guard spots last season. Ioane certainly wouldn’t be a sexy pick, but he would be a very functional one. He’s the top guard in the draft and has Pro Bowl upside. The Ravens could plug him in from Day 1 and not have to worry about that spot for at least five years. That would be a nice luxury to have, particularly for a team that hasn’t gotten enough quality from that position in recent seasons. — Jeff Zrebiec Trade! The Buccaneers trade the 15th pick to the Steelers for the 21st pick and a third-rounder.15. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Tampa Bay): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateThe Steelers stockpiled a projected 12 picks with the initial plan of taking an aggressive swing at quarterback. But as the 2026 QB class collapsed, the focus has shifted to the next biggest need: wide receiver. Rather than waiting for No. 21 to see which receivers were still available, the Steelers used one of their three third-round picks to secure one of the three best players at his position. He could be even higher on some boards and has the flexibility to play all three wide receiver spots, something new head coach Mike McCarthy said he values during his introductory news conference. Tyson’s injury history may give some teams pause, but that hasn’t deterred the Steelers, who have taken their chances recently on others with more significant medical red flags like Payton Wilson and Darnell Washington. Even after the trade, the Steelers still have 10 draft picks, including a second, two thirds and two fourths. Expect GM Omar Khan, who earned his “Khan Artist” nickname for his aggressive maneuvering in his first draft, to continue working the phones. — Mike DeFabo 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis): Denzel Boston, WR, WashingtonGM Darren Mougey worked the phones looking both to trade up and trade back and either accumulate assets or add a quarterback of the Tanner McKee/Mac Jones ilk. There were bites — especially since the Jets aren’t quite ready to dip into their stock of 2027 draft picks. The Jets hoped for one of Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson to fall here, but because they didn’t, they’ll be just fine with the next-best wideout on the board in Boston, a big-bodied talent who would complement Garrett Wilson well in the new Frank Reich-run offense. — Rosenblatt 17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaThe Lions informed the league they’d be open to fielding calls and trading down. Perhaps the teams below us didn’t have service. Ultimately, the decision at No. 17 came down to Freeling and Auburn edge Keldric Faulk. Faulk might be Detroit’s type as a powerful pocket crusher, but you could argue the Lions need an edge with a more refined pass-rush plan. Considering the depth at edge in this class compared with tackle, it felt right to address the offensive line here, with left tackle Taylor Decker mulling retirement. No. 21 in Brugler’s top 100, Freeling (6-7, 315 pounds with 34-inch arms) looks the part of a franchise tackle and can really move in space. He’ll also have former Georgia teammate and current Lions right guard Tate Ratledge to help ease the transition. There’s also a chance Decker sticks around another year to mentor him. — Colton Pouncy 18. Minnesota Vikings: Peter Woods, DT, ClemsonThe Vikings have enough positional needs to approach this pick from a best-available perspective. Woods is a fascinating prospect. Brugler ranked him as the No. 1 draftable prospect entering the 2025 season. The interior defender had been dominant the previous two seasons. Then, in 2025, his production dipped. Woods recorded only three sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Clemson’s defense struggled in its entirety. Questions persist regarding his overall length, but the athleticism is undeniable. Woods moves laterally like a much smaller player than one who is 6-3, 310 pounds. His hands are violent. Plug him into the Vikings’ defensive system alongside Jalen Redmond, and it’s difficult not to envision some serious havoc. — Alec Lewis 19. Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, MiamiGeneral manager Dan Morgan has made no bones about the Panthers’ need to improve their pass rush after finishing at or near the bottom of the league in sacks the past three seasons. Mesidor had huge production as a super senior for Morgan’s alma mater and was a disruptive force during the College Football Playoff. But the Ontario native is 25, and I immediately experienced buyer’s remorse after making this pick because of the age concerns. Georgia linebacker CJ Allen and Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk quickly went off the board after the Panthers picked. I got a little scared off by Faulk’s drop in production last season, but the 6-6, 270-pounder has impressive traits and a ton of upside. I’ll consider this my warm-up mock and will probably look to go younger in the next one. — Joe Person 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay): CJ Allen, LB, GeorgiaThere was a lot to consider at this pick, including a possible trade back with the Philadelphia Eagles at 23 that fell through after the Panthers’ pick. Dallas’ options were then one of the best remaining pass rushers (Keldric Faulk, Cashius Howell, T.J. Parker or Zion Young), a top safety (Dillon Thieneman or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren) or a top off-ball linebacker. The Cowboys’ linebacker play was probably the worst in the league last year. Allen would instantly upgrade the group as their starting middle linebacker, potentially forming a great duo if DeMarvion Overshown can stay healthy. — Machota 21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from Pittsburgh): Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&MAt 6-2, 248 pounds, Howell doesn’t have ideal size, which is why he may be available this late. What he has is a track record of production against elite competition. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 25 sacks in three seasons and 11.5 in 2025. He may not be a difference-maker against the run, but Howell should make an immediate impact on passing downs. Howell would fill the Bucs’ most pressing need, but we should consider that general manager Jason Licht doesn’t always draft a player who fills what everyone else thinks is a need. (See Emeka Egbuka.) Howell, though, might be too good to pass up. — Dan Pompei 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, AuburnSince taking over in 2024, GM Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh have not taken a defensive player in the first two rounds of the draft. That was a fine strategy when they had Jesse Minter, a defensive coordinator who proved capable of doing more with less from a personnel standpoint. But now Minter is gone, and the Chargers have a first-year play caller in new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. They need to invest in defensive talent. As it stands, edge rushers Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack are headed for free agency. Even if the Chargers re-sign both players, they should start planning for life after Mack, who is entering his age-35 season. Faulk gives the Chargers a player to groom in the edge room. He has alignment versatility that will pair well with the flexible Tuli Tuipulotu, who has been very successful kicking inside on pass-rush downs in his career. — Daniel Popper 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, OregonThis pick came down to value for the Eagles. The slick sleuths discovered behind the scenes that they’d have their choice between Sadiq or an unnamed offensive lineman. (There will be other mocks!) GM Howie Roseman stayed at 23 after working the phones and landed the best player at his position. The Eagles don’t have a primary tight end under contract for the 2026 season and arguably should have drafted one last year. Sadiq, at 6-3, 245, enhances the passing game as a potential mismatch and fits a new offense that is expected to feature the play-action game. The Eagles pick a tight end on Day 1 for the first time since drafting Keith Jackson at No. 13 in 1988. Jackson earned All-Pro honors in his first three seasons. — Brooks Kubena and Zach Berman 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&MDrafting for need is rarely ideal, but it’s necessary here. The Browns need playmakers, multiple, and after going with Fano in the top 10, they use their second first-round pick on Concepcion. The Cleveland offense is getting what might end up as a complete overhaul, but Concepcion fits in any version of the remodel because he’s explosive and can contribute at multiple wide receiver positions. There’s a chance new Browns coach Todd Monken, the former Baltimore offensive coordinator, views him as at least a little like Zay Flowers. The Browns are focused on the future and can see Concepcion becoming a big part of their path forward. — Jackson 25. Chicago Bears: Kadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaThe temptation here is to pour resources into the defensive front. But with a deep class in that regard, it’s easier to wait when a player like this at a position of need remains available. Proctor seems ready-made for the Bears, a three-year starter and an All-American last season. At 6-7, 366, he is massive, has impressive length and would be an immediate asset to the running game. His agility helps in pass protection. Just like that, the Bears add a player who can help both quarterback Caleb Williams and coach Ben Johnson be at their best. — Dan Wiederer 26. Buffalo Bills: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, OLB, OklahomaBuffalo has several pressing needs with pass rusher and wide receiver ranking among them. With their first pick, they take an impact edge player who will help bolster new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s front. The 6-2, 249-pound Thomas is explosive, athletic and strong. He also brings good versatility, which will enable him to move around and capitalize on mismatches. — Mike Jones 27. San Francisco 49ers: TJ Parker, EDGE, ClemsonUnlike most general managers, we are going to be honest. The board did not go our way, the seven players we wanted were all gone and we panicked a little and took who we guessed was the best value. Better than taking a defensive back or a raw offensive tackle, right? Parker has the length, power and technique to contribute right away, and while the three-year starter didn’t have a great 2025 season, he did show very well at the Senior Bowl. He is very good against the run and had 21.5 career sacks. This pick makes it easier to waive Bryce Huff and save some more salary-cap space to sign an offensive lineman and receiver. Actually, turns out this was a great pick. — Vic Tafur 28. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, UtahIt’s no secret that pass protection ranks among the Texans’ biggest weaknesses. A year after drafting left tackle Aireontae Ersery in the second round, Houston revisits its offensive line by taking Lomu with its first pick of the 2026 draft. The 6-6, 304-pound Utah product has some developing to do, but he should eventually serve as a quality bookend to Ersery and help bolster C.J. Stroud’s line. — Jones 29. Los Angeles Rams: Colton Hood, CB, TennesseeThe Rams avoided the urge to fill their biggest need when the board didn’t line up at No. 13, but it falls into place here. Hood is a force in press-man and contested catch-and-run defense settings, bringing a different flavor to what the Rams tried out at this spot last season in Emmanuel Forbes Jr. Los Angeles has a nice track record with draft acquisitions from Tennessee, including linebacker Byron Young and safety Jaylen McCollough. If Hood can be a CB2 from the jump, it could set the Rams and, notably, their pass rush up to take a leap on this side of the ball. — Atkins 30. Denver Broncos: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, IndianaThere is one particular line on Brugler’s recent scouting report about Cooper that jumped out: “His run-after-catch skills will help separate him on draft boards.” It could carry even more weight in receiver evaluations for the Broncos, who would certainly benefit from more middle-of-the-field production in the passing game. Cooper is the kind of tough, physical receiver coach Sean Payton covets. He can move around the formation and could even have pop coming out of the backfield, a wrinkle the veteran coach likes to use frequently in his offense. — Nick Kosmider 31. New England Patriots: Zion Young, EDGE, MissouriThis mock draft didn’t turn out great for the Patriots. We were hoping one of Brugler’s top-5 offensive tackles or top-6 wide receivers or top-7 edge rushers would fall to the 31st pick. Alas, none did. This would be a good spot for the Patriots to trade back, but since we couldn’t find any takers, we went with Young. Some teams may view him as undersized, but he would fit what the Pats are looking for at edge rusher and boost one of their weakest positions entering the offseason. — Chad Graff 32. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell, CB, ClemsonSeattle has only four 2026 picks, so I tried to trade back from No. 32 but didn’t get any nibbles. Comfortably the best remaining player on Brugler’s board (No. 18), Terrell lacks the size of his brother (Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell), but GM John Schneider drafted an undersized corner early in 2023, and it’s fair to say Devon Witherspoon has worked out. Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe are pending free agents (as is safety Coby Bryant). The Seahawks could re-sign one to start opposite Witherspoon (with Nick Emmanwori in the slot), but having another corner in the rotation would maximize coach Mike Macdonald’s options. It’s hard to find athletic cornerbacks with instincts and playmaking ability like Terrell’s beyond the early rounds. — David DeChant Round 2 (teams without a first-round pick) 47. Indianapolis Colts: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas TechThe Colts desperately need to upgrade at linebacker, especially from a coverage standpoint, and Rodriguez would be a good foundational player to bolster that unit. The former Texas Tech standout was a turnover-forcing machine in college, and his comfort level in space would surely be welcomed in Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system. Veterans Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt struggled mightily in coverage last season, and it seems like a formality that at least one of them will be playing elsewhere in 2026. That likely departure opens the door for Rodriguez to step right in as a ready-made replacement. — James Boyd 48. Atlanta Falcons: Germie Bernard, WR, AlabamaNew Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has described himself as a “best available” drafter who won’t chase positions of need at the expense of a better player. The good news in this exercise is that both things align in Bernard, who is Brugler’s No. 45 overall player. The 6-1, 209-pounder is an all-around player with a high floor who would be a huge upgrade at the No. 3 receiver spot or could even step in right away as the No. 2 target if the Falcons release veteran Darnell Mooney to save $12 million in cap space. Mooney is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season in which he had the second-lowest yardage total of his career (443). — Josh Kendall 52. Green Bay Packers: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas TechAccording to TruMedia, the Packers ranked 23rd in defensive rush EPA per snap on first and second down last season. To reclaim the NFC North’s top spot from the run-savvy Chicago Bears and to earn their first home playoff game since 2021, the Packers might need to improve against the run, especially if defensive end Micah Parsons and/or defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt miss time again. Getting Parsons and Wyatt back will certainly help — the Packers didn’t have either for the last two games in Chicago last season — but another mauler up front wouldn’t hurt. Brugler thinks Hunter will be an “asset on early downs” because of his prowess against the run at 320 pounds with near-35-inch arms. Each of the Packers’ top three defensive tackles, Wyatt, Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks, are also entering contract years, so it would behoove the Packers to backload the position in case they lose multiple interior defensive linemen in 2027 free agency. — Matt Schneidman 56. Jacksonville Jaguars: Davison Igbinosun, CB, Ohio StateThe Jags must address the secondary this offseason, and Igbinosun’s 6-2, 195-pound frame is ideal for an outside cornerback. He plays with a level of physicality that has exposed him to penalties, but that can be harnessed by coach Liam Coen and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, who should love the playing style. Coen also has a relationship with Ohio State coach Ryan Day, so he should be plenty familiar with the program’s draft prospects. Igbinosun should start immediately. — Howe |
