Fans who have pined to have the day after the Super Bowl declared a holiday may soon get their wish.

Appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he sees a future with more international games, an 18-game regular-season schedule and a Super Bowl that falls on Presidents’ Day weekend.

Goodell said that his 18-game plan, which would likely feature a second bye week, would see teams play two preseason games, one fewer than the three-game preseason schedule that began in 2021.

“I think we’re good at 17 now,” Goodell told McAfee. “But, listen, we’re looking at how we continue. I’m not a fan of the preseason. … But the reality is, I’d rather replace a preseason game with a regular-season game any day. That’s just picking quality, right? If we get to 18 and 2, that’s not an unreasonable thing.”

This is just an idea for now, and nothing has been discussed with the NFL Players Association. Any such change to the schedule would need to be collectively bargained.

Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry said the potential for an 18-game schedule down the line was factored into the thinking behind moving the NFL trade deadline back, which was approved by the NFL’s owners in March.

Player feedback on Goodell’s idea would be interesting. When the league expanded to the current 17-game schedule, there were a number of players who were opposed to the idea, including Aaron Rodgers.

“The fact that it even got in there when, the guys that I talked to around the league, every meeting that was had before these negotiations got amped up, nobody wanted 17 games,” Rodgers said in 2020. “A lot of us are wondering how the hell that even got into the conversation because nobody wanted it.”

A second bye week could ease concerns regarding player safety, something that Rodgers brought up.

“It was told to us that the 17th game was to pay for the benefits we’re giving up in the new part of the CBA,” he said. “ … I am a traditionalist. Thirty-two teams, 16 games, it just sounds right to me. I don’t understand how maybe 16 games and two bye weeks didn’t get in the mix. That to me seems like a fair compromise because you’re still getting 18 weeks of football, but you’re not adding the extra stress.”

More international games to come

Goodell would also like to see more NFL regular-season games played internationally. He said he envisions at least 16 games being played overseas per season, but not for at least a decade.

In 2023, three regular-season games were played in London, England and two took place in Frankfurt, Germany. The league is set to go back to England and Germany in 2024, while also adding a contest in São Paulo, Brazil during Week 1.

Saying he sees the NFL becoming a global sport, expanding internationally is an idea he’s had, but Goodell doesn’t see that as an immediate part of his vision.

“Will a franchise ever happen or a division?” Goodell said. “Maybe. I think that’s beyond 10 years though.”

– – –

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com tries to figure out what’s happening with Tom Brady:

In 2023, Tom Brady retired for good. Earlier this month, he tried to wipe away the last two words.

He said he wouldn’t be opposed to playing for a contender that loses its starter during the season. He specifically mentioned the Raiders and Patriots (most don’t expect them to be contenders this year, but anything is possible).

The logical interpretation of Brady’s casual but abrupt pivot was that he wanted teams whose depth charts aren’t yet set in stone to know he’s potentially available, if they choose to call sooner than later.

Now that six quarterbacks were taken in round one (and none in rounds two or three), there aren’t many potential seats left for 2024. Of the teams that were believed to be looking for quarterbacks in round one, the Giants and Raiders didn’t get one. The Patriots would possibly welcome Brady back for a year, while Drake Maye watches and learns. If Matthew Stafford would retire (unlikely), the Rams could be interested, in theory (especially since the alternative is Jimmy Garoppolo).

Brady never said he wants to play from Week 1. But if he’s thinking about coming back during the season, why wouldn’t he be thinking about coming back for the start of the season?

Brady, in my view, floated a trial balloon. He dropped a baited hook in the lake. Whatever the metaphor, Brady didn’t blurt out an interest in playing this year without the expectation that it might provoke a more immediate reaction.

It hasn’t yet, as far as anyone knows. Once teams revisit their rosters and depth charts after the draft, will that change?

However it goes, Brady is clearly in a different mindset than he was a year ago. Whether that mindset means he’d come back sooner than later might be only a phone call away.

DETROIT

Kahlen Kahler of The Athletic likes the way the Lions have doubled down early on cornerbacks:

Kahler: The Detroit Lions’ pass defense was their glaring weakness in every matchup, and general manager Brad Holmes dedicated his first two draft picks to solving that problem. Cornerbacks Terrion Arnold (first round) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (second round) will allow defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to play more man coverage this season. The Lions have a very specific kind of player personality they’re looking for — every team likes to say that, but with Detroit, you can really see it and feel it. Our Lions writer Colton Pouncy correctly ID’d Rakestraw as being a Lions kind of guy because he turned down an offer from Alabama to play for a program that wasn’t already established and went instead with the first Power 5 school to recruit him in Missouri. That’s a Lion.

GREEN BAY

Mel Kiper, Jr. liked the work of the Packers on Day 2:

Green Bay Packers

The picks: LB Edgerrin Cooper (No. 45) and S Javon Bullard (No. 58)

I’m a huge fan of Cooper, who flies to the football. He makes plays all over the field. He’s my No. 1 off-ball linebacker, and I have him at No. 26 in my rankings. He will be a three-down linebacker for Green Bay, which released De’Vondre Campbell last month. He ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, a great time for a defender who weighs 230 pounds. This is a great pick. Even better, Green Bay was able to trade down to get Cooper. It added Nos. 45, 168 and 190 while sending No. 41 to New Orleans.

Green Bay also landed my top-ranked safety in Round 2 in Bullard, who will be a rookie contributor for a team that rebuilt its safety room this offseason. He will be a nice complement next to free agent signing Xavier McKinney.

In Round 3, the Packers added running back MarShawn Lloyd (No. 88) and off-ball linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper (No. 91). I would have preferred Jaylen Wright over Lloyd, but they’re both really solid. As for Hopper, I had several linebackers ranked above him who were still available. He’s my 15th-ranked LB.

MINNESOTA

Sometimes winning the first round doesn’t win the draft.  That’s the contention of Will Brinson of CBSSports.com with the Vikings:

Losers

Minnesota Vikings

I don’t think it really hit home just how much the Vikings spent in midround draft capital until Friday evening. They were able to land J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner with two first-round picks on Thursday night. That’s great. It makes them winners. But the price they’re paying is substantial: Minnesota didn’t have a single pick on the second day of the draft, a day in which a ton of really good players were available over the course of 100+ picks. And it gets worse, because the Vikings have a first-round pick in 2025 and nothing else until the fifth round of that draft. This is a franchise with some very good offensive players (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson) and a great coaching staff that will get the most out of the defense. But they have a very thin line in terms of how they’re going to build out the roster without these important picks.

DALLAS

More talk that RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT could be returning to Dallas.  Todd Archer of ESPN.com:

The Dallas Cowboys have yet to fill their running back need, but the return of Ezekiel Elliott looks more and more likely.

Owner and general manager Jerry Jones would not say the Cowboys have an agreement in place with Elliott, who played for Dallas from 2016 to 2022, but he has acknowledged interest in Elliott.

Jones was asked Friday whether not drafting a running back during the first three rounds was more about the way the draft has fallen or the Cowboys’ comfort level of what they have on the roster.

“First of all, the draft’s not over and that’s a thought,” Jones said. “And it was a long time before a running back was taken in today’s draft. But we also are keenly interested in seeing what the future might look like with Zeke.”

The Cowboys met with Elliott and his agent, Rocky Arceneaux, earlier this week to discuss a potential reunion. Then Elliott and Arceneaux happened to go to the same restaurant, Dee Lincoln Prime, where the Cowboys were holding a scouts’ dinner.

Jones said he still believes Elliott can be a starting-level running back.

Elliott led the Patriots last season with 642 rushing yards on 184 carries with three touchdowns. He also had a team-high 51 catches for 313 yards and two scores. His 642 yards, however, were a career low. He saw a significant increase in workload in the final five weeks of the season after top rusher Rhamondre Stevenson was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain.

“I know this, I saw as recent as the end of the year, I saw Zeke play,” Jones said. “And I will tell you he’s good enough to be a starter.”

In the final five games, Elliott did not run for more than 68 yards and averaged more than 3.1 yards per carry just once.

The Cowboys lost Tony Pollard, their leading rusher the past two seasons, in free agency but re-signed Rico Dowdle and added veteran Royce Freeman. They also have Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner at tailback.

From 2016 to 2022 with the Cowboys, Elliott ran for 8,262 yards, third most in team history behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 but has not topped 1,000 yards since 2021 (1,002). He was named an All-Pro once and was selected to the Pro Bowl three times.

Even if the Cowboys add a running back Saturday in the draft, Elliott, who turns 29 in July, would still be in the picture.

“We have it in our power to feel good about the running back room. Period. Now are we through with the running back room? I’m not going to answer that,” Jones said. “Not trying to be coy. I just don’t need to answer that. But Zeke’s good enough to be in the running back room, and he’s good enough to play for the Cowboys. I’d say that.”

PHILADELPHIA

The Eagles, like the Lions, doubled down on cornerbacks, trading up to take DB COOPER DeJEAN at #40.  Dan Pompei of The Athletic liked it:

Pompei: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is going to have fun with Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean in Philly. If first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell holds up his end of the bargain, Fangio will have the freedom to be creative in how he uses DeJean. Fangio likes to throw different looks at offenses, and DeJean is the type of versatile wildcard who can help him attain that goal.

So did Mel Kiper, Jr:

Philadelphia Eagles

The picks: CB Cooper DeJean (No. 40) and OLB Jalyx Hunt (No. 94)

Credit GM Howie Roseman for identifying his roster’s biggest need and doubling down. Roseman landed Quinyon Mitchell in Round 1, then DeJean after a trade up on Day 2. They are my top two corners in this class. I had DeJean at No. 14 overall, and Roseman landed him at No. 40. That’s an incredible haul for Philadelphia, which has two aging starters on the outside in Darius Slay and James Bradberry. DeJean could play in the slot or as a center fielder too.

The knock here is Roseman gave up a lot in the trade with Washington to move 10 spots up the board. The Commanders landed Nos. 50, 53 and 161, while Philly got Nos. 40, 78 and 152. If DeJean develops into a Pro Bowler, Eagles fans won’t remember that their team once had two second-rounders in this draft. There’s at least a little bit of risk here, though.

Roseman & Co. traded down again twice in Round 3, acquiring Nos. 86 and 123 from the Texans for No. 78 and then flipping No. 86 with the 49ers for Nos. 94 and 132. He came away with my favorite outside linebacker in the entire class in Hunt, who is raw and will need some time to develop but has all the tools to be a double-digit-sack player — in time. That’s his ceiling, of course, and Philly will have to coach him up to get him there.

WASHINGTON

After two days, Will Brinson of CBSSports.com likes the looks of Washington’s draft:

Winners

Washington Commanders

Obviously the highlight of this draft class will be Jayden Daniels, but if the Commanders return to prominence earlier than expected under Dan Quinn, we can probably point to the second day of the draft. Defensive tackle Johnny Newton from Illinois was a steal at No. 36 and only fortifies a strength for this team. Michigan DB Mike Sainristil gives them much needed help at nickleback. Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott might unseat Zach Ertz and TCU offensive lineman Brandon Coleman gives them a quality pick at a position of need. Quinn’s drafts were underrated when he was in Atlanta and he’s off to a great start with Washington as well. A lot to like for the Commanders so far in 2024.

Mel Kiper, Jr with more praise:

Washington Commanders

The picks: DT Jer’Zhan Newton (No. 36), CB Mike Sainristil (No. 50), TE Ben Sinnott (No. 53)

I mentioned the Commanders’ trade with the Eagles above, and Washington ended up with three second-round picks. New GM Adam Peters landed a game-wrecker for the middle of his defense. He got the best slot corner in this class. And he got my second-ranked tight end, a player who could make plays in the pass game and block his butt off in the run game. This is a home run Round 2 class for the Commanders, who entered this draft with a lot of holes.

To finish out Round 3, Washington took wideout Luke McCaffrey, which was a reach based on my rankings. Still, Christian’s brother has the physical traits to be an intriguing flier.

ATLANTA

The Falcons reached for their second round pick, and trade up to do so.  Scott Kennedy of SI.com:

It was reported on Friday that they tried to address their biggest need with a trade up into the first round to select UCLA edge rusher Laiatu Latu but ultimately failed.

The 49ers Draft CB Renardo Green in Round 2

Keep Watching

Atlanta wasted little time on Friday evening moving up in the second round with a trade with the Arizona Cardinals to select former Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro.

The Falcons gave up their own second round pick (43 overall) and the third-round pick they got for Calvin Ridley (No. 79) and got No. 35 and No. 186 (6th round) in return according to Field Yates.

At 6’4 and 295 pounds, Orhorhoro is one of the more physically gifted defensive linemen in the NFL Draft. He posted a 4.89 forty at the NFL combine with a 32-inch vertical leap. His relative athletic score (RAS) is an impressive 9.92.

The Falcons are relatively deep on the defensive line if Grady Jarrett returns healthy.

Orhorhoro would join a rotation that includes Jarrett, David Onyemata, Ta’Quon Graham, and the recently un-retired Eddie Goldman.

However, Onyemata is 31 and Jarrett turns 31 on Sunday, Orhorhoro injects youth and a little more height into the room, even if he’s primarily a backup his first-few years in the NFL.

Orhorhoro had 25 tackles and five sacks with Clemson in 2023. NFL Network’s Lance Zierlein had this to say about Orhorhoro:

“Orhorhoro had to wait his turn and share reps during his time at Clemson, thanks to the Tigers’ deep, talented defensive fronts. His game is built upon leverage and explosiveness, but in 2023, he added a little more polish. Orhorhoro can get distracted by individual battles and needs to keep his focus trained on pursuing the ball and making positive plays. His foot quickness and sudden hands shine in the running game and as a pass rusher when he has space to work, so teams would be wise to keep that in mind when it comes to his alignments. The pass rush still needs improvement, but he projects as an ascending talent and future starter in odd or even fronts.”

The Falcons gave up a third round pick to select a player at #35 who was the 62^ndoverall player on Daniel Jeremiah’s top 100.  Was there someone else hot on his trail that they had to get ahead of?

Mel Kiper, Jr. is all in on Orhorhoro:

I have been really high on defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, who made my list of favorite prospects. I have him at No. 45 overall in my rankings, and he’s my No. 3 DT. The Falcons took him at No. 35 and got a super-talented run defender who has pass-rush traits next to Grady Jarrett. The only issue here is Atlanta had to give up its third-rounder to move up eight spots, which is a lot to give up.

CAROLINA

Will Brinson of CBSSports.com does not approve of Carolina’s draft:

Carolina Panthers

If you ask anyone who watched the 2024 NFL Draft over Thursday and Friday what positions were devalued, they would tell you it was running back and linebacker. Naturally, the Carolina Panthers took a running back and a linebacker on Friday. I thought Carolina did a great job trading back early in the second round, picking up a second-round pick from the Rams in 2025 (the Panthers don’t have one because of the Bryce Young trade, so good job). But the Panthers overpaid to move up (after overpaying to move up from Round 1 to Round 2 on Thursday, just a single spot), which has been a theme over the last few years. They took a running back in Jonathan Brooks out of Texas, a very good player, but one coming into the season with injury question marks. If he’s healthy, he’s a great pick. If he’s not, it’s a disaster. It felt like pressing to help Young. A linebacker in the third was very Dan Morgan. It needs to hit.

But Mel Kiper, Jr. likes the selection of Brooks:

Running back Jonathon Brooks might have been a first-round pick if he hadn’t torn his ACL in November. He’s the clear No. 1 back in this class. He’ll be an instant-impact player for the Panthers, who took him at No. 46. If you play fantasy football, you might want to get him on your squad ASAP.

ARIZONA

WR MARVIN HARRISON, Jr. won’t let you buy his gear yet.  Alex Andreyev and Mike Jones of The Athletic:

Cardinals fans keen to show support for Arizona’s No. 4 overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. by purchasing apparel with the wide receiver’s name are currently out of luck. And they won’t be able to do so until Harrison signs a licensing contract with the NFL Players’ Association.

Fanatics and other NFL-approved retailers cannot offer his merchandise until the rookie signs his licensing contract, which would allow his name, number, likeness and other related assets to be monetized. According to a notice on the Fanatics website, products will be immediately available once Harrison signs the contract.

Harrison, who does not have an agent, didn’t say whether he would sign the agreement when asked Friday.

“I’ll continue to talk to my team. We’ll do what’s best for me moving forward,” he told reporters. “Just take it one day at a time. I just got drafted so I’m trying to enjoy the moment and be happy while I can at the moment.”

Harrison — the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Indianapolis Colts great, Marvin Harrison Sr. — posted back-to-back 1,200-yard, 14-touchdown seasons during his final two years at Ohio State and was widely considered the top receiver prospect in this year’s class. On Thursday, he was selected behind three quarterbacks: No. 1 pick Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Jayden Daniels (No. 2 to the Washington Commanders) and Drake Maye (No. 3 to the New England Patriots).

It is not the first time a player has not immediately signed a licensing contract. In one of the most notable cases, former NFL linebacker LaVar Arrington — selected by Washington second overall in the 2000 NFL Draft — didn’t sign his licensing agreement until several seasons into his career, which lasted through the 2006 season.

A player is not required to sign the contract, but if he doesn’t, not only is he unable to have a jersey sold, but he also is not able to have his likeness on video games, bobbleheads or other collectibles.

Most players who sign receive a base royalty check for around $17,000 each season, according to a source within the NFLPA familiar with player earning figures. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter. Players with top-selling merchandise, such as Patrick Mahomes, receive significantly larger royalty checks, with the figures varying year to year.

Williams, the No. 1 pick, broke the Fanatics record for merchandise sales on draft night for any selection across sports, beating the previous record set by basketball star Caitlin Clark, Fanatics said. The WNBA’s Indiana Fever drafted Clark No. 1 earlier this month, and less than two days later, her jerseys sold out on the official WNBA shop run by Fanatics.

Williams’ jersey was available for purchase across Fanatics sites, including Fanatics, the NFL Shop and the Bears online store.

SAN FRANCISCO

Friday, like Thursday, passed and WRs BRANDON AIYUK and DEEBO SAMUEL were still 49ers.  Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com:

Despite the trade rumors swirling, the 49ers still have receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk on their roster after the second day of this year’s NFL draft.

When asked about Samuel and Aiyuk in Friday’s press conference, General Manager John Lynch noted that at least on this day, the team did not want to move either player.

“We didn’t entertain any of that today,” Lynch said, via Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. “We’re happy with our wide receiver group. Actually, more than happy. We’re thrilled with it. And thrilled to add Ricky [Pearsall] to it to make it stronger.”

Earlier on Friday, Mike Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the Steelers had interest in trading for Samuel but were not willing to meet the 49ers’ asking price. Pittsburgh had previously inquired about Aiyuk.

The 49ers selected Pearsall at No. 31 overall on Thursday night, adding a player who caught 159 passes for 2,420 yards in his collegiate career at Arizona State and Florida.

– – –

Mel Kiper, Jr. calls a 49ers pick the biggest reach of the 2^nd round:

San Francisco 49ers

The pick: CB Renardo Green (No. 64)

This was the biggest reach of Round 2, by far. I graded Green as more of a fourth- or fifth-round pick. He is No. 143 on my Big Board and is my No. 21 corner. My pal Louis Riddick called Green the best press-man cornerback in this class, but when I watched his 2023 tape, I saw too much grabbing on routes. That won’t translate well to the NFL level, where referees protect wide receivers. Green led the ACC with 13 pass breakups, but I’m not sure he’s going to be a starter at the next level.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

With all kinds of DTs on the board, Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com wonders why the Rams traded up in Round 2 to get DT BRADEN FISKE:

The Los Angeles Rams’ impatience: The Rams finally had a first-round pick in this draft for the first time since 2016. They had to do something impulsive to balance that out.

The Rams got antsy in the second round. They traded a second-round pick (52nd overall), a fifth-round pick (155th) and a 2025 second-round pick to move up to No. 39 and draft defensive tackle Braden Fiske. In a second round that had multiple defensive tackles picked, that seemed like a panic move even though the Rams certainly needed defensive tackle help following Aaron Donald’s retirement.

Fiske could work out. He is talented and an athletic interior defender. But it was a steep price to pay. That’s nothing new for the Rams.

KANSAS CITY

Ari Meirov with a history lesson that sometimes the best picks are the ones you don’t make:

@MySportsUpdate

NFL Draft story that shaped up the NFL today:

– The #Chiefs were picking at No. 28 in 2016 and had interest in Memphis QB Paxton Lynch; however, the #Broncos traded up to 26 and got him.

– Denver gave up picks 31 and 94 to do the trade.

– The #Chiefs would’ve had an extra 3rd-round pick (No. 91) to offer in a trade-up for Lynch, but the NFL took it away for tampering in free agency with Jeremy Maclin.

– Lynch’s agent confirmed the next day that the Chiefs and Cowboys were the other two teams trying to move up.

– As a result, KC then traded out of No. 28 and down to No. 37.  With that pick, the #Chiefs selected DT Chris Jones.

– The next year, still looking for a QB, the #Chiefs traded up from No. 27 to No. 10.

– With that pick, they selected Patrick Mahomes.

Kansas City went from having interest in Paxton Lynch to ending up with Chris Jones – and a year later Patrick Mahomes. 

And the rest has been history ever since.

LAS VEGAS

Austin Gayle of The Ringer likes that the Raiders didn’t chase and took value picks at low-value positions:

Winner: Raider Nation

It’s probably easiest to explain the Raiders’ start to the draft by listing all the things they didn’t do. New general manager Tom Telesco and first-year head coach Antonio Pierce didn’t make an over-aggressive trade-up for one of the developmental quarterbacks who came off the board just ahead of where they were picking at no. 13 in the first round. Even with their glaring quarterback need, they didn’t force themselves to draft a prospect with a poor injury history (like Michael Penix Jr.) or age concerns (like Bo Nix.) Instead, while staring directly into the mustaches of an uninspiring quarterback depth chart of veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew and second-year QB Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas drafted the best player available in each of the first three times they were on the clock, taking tight end Brock Bowers at 13, Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson at no. 44, and Maryland offensive lineman Delmar Glaze in the middle of the third round. For most of the league, that would simply be considered smart drafting; for the Raiders, it’s a massive shift in draft philosophy, a miracle hand-delivered from some kind of higher power who finally grew tired of laughing at the franchise for the last two decades.

The Raiders got great value in both Bowers (The Ringer’s Danny Kelly’s third-ranked player, and the likely target of multiple teams who were trying to trade up in the first round) and Powers-Johnson, the 28th-ranked player on this media consensus board. Sure, both Bowers and Powers-Johnson play low-value positions, and they took Bowers a year after selecting TE Michael Mayer in the second round, but …

Throw that nerd shit out the window for a second (no offense, Barnwell). Bowers and Powers-Johnson are good players, and look like they can actually be foundational pieces who will stick in Vegas for years. Only two of the Raiders’ 11 first-round picks since 2015—edge defender Tyree Wilson and offensive tackle Kolton Miller—remain on the team, and Wilson isn’t even projected to start in 2024. Bigger than their need at quarterback, or another high-value position, is the Raiders’s need for impact football players. They finally added those on Day 1 and Day 2 of the draft.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

As Will Brinson of CBSSports.com expected, the Chargers are getting better:

Los Angeles Chargers

I’ve made no bones about my love for Jim Harbaugh and how he just WINS. Well, he’s immediately been aggressive about building the Chargers in his vision with this draft and I love what he’s doing. With two picks on Friday, Harbs added one of my favorite wideouts in the entire class and an absolute lunchpail guy in Ladd McConkey. Chargers fans freaking out about no weapons now have a perfectly good group, especially if Harbaugh gets the most out of Quentin Johnston. Herbert throwing p— missiles to Ladd is gonna make me do something silly with the Chargers this offseason. Then L.A. snagged Junior Colson, a former pupil of Harbaugh’s at Michigan, who can help come into the Chargers locker room and, even as a rookie, be a conduit from the head coach. He’s also a really good player who fits with what the Chargers need. This team is gonna be a problem next year.

Colson is a linebacker.

Jim Harbaugh’s draft style so far wins the approval of Frank Schwab ofYahooSports.com:

When you’re away from the NFL for nine years, the game can pass you by quickly. Nine years is a couple of NFL lifetimes.

Jim Harbaugh is still stuck in his ways a bit, but he showed in the first two days of the NFL Draft that he can also adapt.

The Los Angeles Chargers came into the draft with a big need and a big want. Harbaugh said earlier this offseason that he believes offensive line is the most important position because every position group depends on the line to be good. But offensive line wasn’t a glaring need for the Chargers. Receiver was.

The Chargers ended up doing well at both.

First, they stayed true to Harbaugh’s philosophy and took Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt in the first round with the fifth overall pick. The Chargers still needed receivers after letting go of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason. They addressed that early in the second round by trading up to draft Georgia’s Ladd McConkey.

McConkey would have fit just fine in the first round but teams preferred other talented receivers. When McConkey fell to 34th overall, the Chargers traded up three spots to get him and didn’t give up much to move up. Justin Herbert should be happy to see McConkey come aboard.

He’ll also be happy having Alt to pair with star left tackle Rashawn Slater on the line for the foreseeable future too. Harbaugh believes in starting with a dominant offensive line, and that’s not the worst approach.

“I know the question is going to come up, ‘What about a weapon?’ Offensive linemen, we look at as weapons,” Harbaugh told the media on Thursday night. “That group, when we talk about attacking on offense, the offensive line is the tip of the spear.”

But the NFL has become even more of a passing game since Harbaugh left the San Francisco 49ers to coach the University of Michigan. And McConkey is the rare slot receiver who can stretch the field. He’ll be a great fit with Herbert.

Harbaugh wasn’t coming out of the draft without drafting a Michigan player, and he got one with linebacker Junior Colson in the third round. That’s a need for the Chargers too, so we’ll allow Harbaugh that one.

Harbaugh was a big-time hire by the Chargers, but there’s no guarantee he’ll have immediate success. The Chargers took on some losses due to salary cap issues. But they rebounded well with a strong draft. Harbaugh has been gone for a while, but it seems he still knows how to build a winner.

– – –

The Chargers used their first pick on T JOHN ALT, who will play the right side with news that they have picked up the option on T RASHAWN SLATER

The Chargers used the No. 5 overall pick on Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt, but that’s not a reflection on the team’s current left tackle, Rashawn Slater.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said Slater is locked-in as the team’s starting left tackle, and now the Chargers have backed up those words with actions by picking up Slater’s fifth-year option, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

That means Slater has a guaranteed salary of $19 million for 2025. After that he could become an unrestricted free agent, get the franchise tag in 2026, or work out a long-term extension with the Chargers.

The latter seems like the most likely option, as Harbaugh wants to have two good offensive tackles, and Alt says he’s ready, willing and able to move to right tackle after playing on the left side in college. Slater and Alt both have a bright future in Los Angeles.

PITTSBURGH

After getting QB RUSSELL WILSON in a free agency, the Steelers continued to add Wilsons in the draft.  Will Brinson of CBSSports.com:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Buddy, if you land Payton Wilson late in the third round you are going to be on this list for me. Wilson will be an impact, single-contract guy at absolute worst. He’s a locker room guy who Mike Tomlin will love and he will impact this defense in the first year. The Steelers also nabbed Roman Wilson out of Michigan in the second round, a necessary move with the offseason trade of Diontae Johnson. Picking up Zach Frazier from WVU in the second round is another smart need/value combo for the Steelers on the second day.

Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com also loves the pick of LB PAYTON WILSON

Payton Wilson will be a Pro Bowler with the Steelers

Overreaction or reality: Reality

How did Wilson fall all the way to No. 98 in the first place? Reports came out just prior to the Steelers taking Wilson that one of his knees doesn’t have an ACL. Wilson was still able to rack up tackles and never missed a game, showing a presence all over the field.

Wilson should thrive in Teryl Austin’s defense as an immediate starter in Pittsburgh. He ran a 4.4 40-yard dash despite having no ACL and is an athletic freak. If Wilson stays healthy, he’s a Pro Bowler at the very least.

Brinson loves it when the Steelers draft a linebacker with injury question marks in the third round, but not when the Panthers do it.

INDIANAPOLIS

The Colts believe they got a bargain with WR ADONAI MITCHELL of Texas whose draft standing tumbled over maturity concerns.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Colts were able to draft wide receiver Adonai Mitchell with the 52nd overall pick on Friday night, which was later than Mitchell would have liked to come off the board after a productive season at Texas.

One of the reasons why 10 receivers may have been taken before Mitchell was the release of negative reports about Mitchell’s preparation and attitude that were attributed to anonymous scouts as part of the annual pre-draft flood of information. After Colts General Manager Chris Ballard ended Mitchell’s wait to enter the NFL, he delivered an impassioned rebuke of those reports.

“I read some of the bullshit that was said,” Ballard said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. “Excuse my language. Our typical league — unnamed sources, bad interviews. That’s such bullshit, I mean, it fucking is. It’s bullshit. Put your name on it. I’m tired of it. We tear these young men down. These are 21-, 22-year old young men. And can people out there tell me they’re perfect in their lives? It’s crazy. It’s crap. This is a good kid. And for those reports to come out, it’s bullshit.”

Ballard conceded that “a little adversity, a little humbleness” might be a good thing for Mitchell and other young players because of how much they get built up through NIL and other things at the collegiate level, but expressed confidence that Mitchell would respond well to those things as a pro.

TENNESSEE

Will Brinson has the Titans among his losers after two days of drafting:

Tennessee Titans

Look, if you end up with a single Day 2 pick and only come away with a two-down defensive tackle, it’s a problem. T’Vondre Sweat is a big, big man and could be a problem for interior offensive linemen. But he could also be a problem for the Titans: during draft night it was reported he got pulled over for a DUI and then still went to visit the Titans the next day, which they apparently appreciated. This was the Titans’ only pick of the night and it frankly doesn’t address any of their biggest needs.

Mel Kiper, Jr. says no Sweat as well:

The Titans took the best nose tackle in the draft at No. 38 in T’Vondre Sweat, a 366-pound run-plugger. The problem is Sweat is a two-down player who has struggled to keep his weight down. He also was arrested in early April and charged with driving while intoxicated. Those are serious red flags for a second-round pick. I have him at No. 87 in my rankings, nearly 50 spots lower than where he actually went.

BUFFALO

Zak Keefer of The Athletic on the Bills plugging holes to stay a championship-caliber team:

Keefer: The Buffalo Bills find themselves in a strange stage of a championship window: transitioning away from franchise cornerstones, forced to go younger — and still feeling that, with Josh Allen under center, they’ve got as good a shot as any AFC contender at knocking off the Chiefs. This offseason, Buffalo said goodbye to the likes of cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Jordan Poyer, center Mitch Morse, receiver Gabe Davis and — perhaps most stunning of all — No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs. That leaves some sizable roster holes to fill, namely at receiver (who will Allen throw to?) and in the defensive backfield. With the first pick of the second round, general manager Brandon Beane went with Keon Coleman out of Florida State, a rangy receiver who will have the chance to become a go-to target of Allen’s almost immediately. Later in the round, Beane grabbed one of the best safeties in the draft in Cole Bishop out of Utah, who could fight for starting reps early. The Bills’ reset is on — and hitting on these picks is a must with Allen’s weighty contract hovering over their future.

NEW ENGLAND

WR Ja’LYNN POLK was not a favorite of Mel Kiper, Jr:

New England Patriots

The picks: WR Ja’Lynn Polk (No. 37) and OT Caedan Wallace (No. 68)

Here are the available wide receivers I had ranked above Polk when the Patriots selected him: Adonai Mitchell, Malachi Corley, Roman Wilson, Troy Franklin and Polk’s college teammate, Jalen McMillan. I thought Polk was more likely to go near the end of Round 2. Sure, the Patriots had to get some help for Drake Maye, but Polk is not a burner and he thrived on contested catches last season, which can be a risky profile. This was just a little high based on my board, where I have him No. 74 overall.

I didn’t love the value for Wallace, either. I saw him as more of a mid-Day 3 pick. He’s No. 154 in my rankings. He will compete for time at right tackle, but he gave up too many pressures for my liking.

THIS AND THAT

BROADCAST NEWS

Draft viewership increased for Round 1, but not enough to satisfy Mike Florio:

The in-person attendance was unreal. The TV viewership was good not great.

According to the league, Thursday night’s coverage of the first round of the draft averaged 12.1 million viewers across all platforms — ESPN, ABC, NFL Network, and digital channels.

That was an increase of six percent over last year’s 11.4 million and the highest round-one viewership since 2021. The broadcasts had a total unduplicated audience of 34.3 million.

While the numbers are impressive (since there was no game being played), it’s hard not to wonder why the numbers aren’t even higher. It’s the NFL, for crying out loud. The draft gets relentless hype. What was everyone else watching on a Thursday night in late April?

Several years ago, the NFL was musing about the possibility of having the draft on all broadcast partners, creating election night-style coverage. That hasn’t happened. And that might be what the NFL needs to do to get the number over 20 million — as it would be for a prime-time game on a three-letter network.