| NFC EAST |
| PHILADELPHIADE AJ EPENESA, who flunked a physical with the Browns, is deemed healthy enough by the Eagles to sign. ESPN.com: The Philadelphia Eagles have signed defensive end AJ Epenesa months after the Cleveland Browns backed out of an agreement to sign him. The Eagles announced the signing Wednesday but did not disclose terms. The Browns had agreed to a one-year deal with Epenesa worth up to $5 million on March 18, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. But Cleveland opted against finalizing the contract after the veteran had his physical, a source told ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi on March 29. Epenesa, 27, has spent all six of his NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Originally a second-round pick by Buffalo in the 2020 NFL draft, Epenesa has been a reliable member of the team’s defensive line rotation over the years and a strong backup. He has played in 91 games with 19 starts. Epenesa has recorded 24 sacks in his career, but he tallied only 2.5 sacks over 16 games in 2025 after recording 19 across the previous three years. He has had success causing disruption with his arms, registering 14 batted passes and four interceptions, including two picks in 2025. In 14 career postseason games, Epenesa has never recorded a sack, but he has posted three quarterback hits and three batted passes. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| NEW ORLEANSBlood clots remain a problem for WR CHRIS OLAVE after he missed the Proxy Bowl against Atlanta. Charean Willams of ProFootballTalk.com: Saints wide receiver Chris Olave missed the Week 18 game against the Falcons with a blood clot in his lung. Five months later, he is still waiting for a return to all football activities. Olave is not fully participating in the offseason workouts, and coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday that Olave’s workload is being monitored because of the clot. “He hasn’t been able to do the team activities obviously throughout OTAs,” Moore said, via Matthew Paras of nola.com. Olave, 25, caught a career-high 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. He has topped 1,000 yards in three of his first four seasons. |
| NFC WEST |
| SEATTLEDon’t sleep on WR/KR RASHID SHAHID in your Fantasy deliberations. You are warned by Coach Mike Macdonald per Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The Seahawks’ Super Bowl run was fueled in part by the in-season trade that brought receiver Rashid Shaheed from New Orleans. While Shaheed’s contributions to the offense were modest, his punt return for a touchdown sparked a 16-point comeback in a Thursday night win over the Rams that became critical to securing the No. 1 seed. For his first full season in Seattle, Shaheed has had the benefit of participating in the offseason program. He has fully embraced it. “Rashid, he deserves a lot of credit,” coach Mike Macdonald told reporters on Wednesday. “He’s been here the whole time. He’s had a great attitude. He’s had a lot of personal records in our offseason training program. The timing of our plays look like it should, given the amount of reps that are invested into it. I know I’m as excited as heck to see where it goes.” In nine regular-season games with the Seahawks, Shaheed was targeted only 26 times. He caught 15 passes for 188 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 64 rushing yards on seven carries, 14 kick returns for 418 yards and a touchdown (29.86 yards per return), and 13 punt returns for 210 yards and a touchdown (16.15 yards per return). In three playoff games, he had three catches for 78 yards, four carries for 22 yards, four kickoff returns for 167 yards and a touchdown (41.8 yards per return), and two punt returns for 16 yards (8.0 yards per return). During the offseason, the Seahawks signed him to a three-year, $51 million deal, paying him $17 million per year. As receivers go, it’s less than half of the top of the current market, set by teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($42.15 million). As potential impact goes, Shaheed can do many things for the Seahawks. Even when he’s not the target of a throw, his speed stretches a defense, making it easier for the other receivers to get open (and opening running lanes for the tailbacks). His ability to run past everyone must be respected. And he can dramatically change field position in the return game, along with providing the constant threat to turn a routine play into a long touchdown. Last year, he had to find a way to make an impact while changing teams midstream. That’s never easy for a receiver. This year, he’s fully ensconced in everything the team does. Bottom line? That $17 million annual investment could quickly look like a bargain for the Seahawks — and other teams could be kicking themselves for not being more aggressive about trying to pry him free from Seattle when they had the chance. |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYThe Chiefs have given a huge extension to QB PATRICK MAHOMES. He is not taking less than market value anymore. NFL.com: Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have once again collaborated on a historic contract extension. Kansas City is adding two years to Mahomes’ reworked contract, with the new money being worth $239.05 million and the total value coming out to $504.75 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday. The Chiefs announced the extension shortly after it was reported. Schefter added that all $504.75 million becomes guaranteed through contract mechanisms, and that Mahomes can earn up to $522.25 million through incentives and escalators. The $64 million annual average value of the deal, beginning in 2027, is a new NFL record. The years tacked on is a reworking of Mahomes’ previous extension with the Chiefs, a 10-year deal that he signed in 2020. With the new money included, Mahomes’ average annual value will reach $64 million beginning in 2027, a $19 million-per-year raise that will push him past Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ($60 million per year) and set a new record for the highest average salary per year in NFL history. “This is a huge day for the Chiefs, Patrick, and really all of Chiefs Kingdom,” general manager Brett Veach said, in part, in a statement. “This is alandmark deal for a once-in-a-lifetime player. Patrick has grown into one of the most prolific quarterbacks to ever play the game, and to add to that, he’s changed the culture of our building and has led us in the most successful era in our franchise’s history. Beyond the game, he’s an incredible person who puts his team and winning above everything else.” Mahomes’ reworked deal answers questions that were expected to arrive at some point regarding his long-term financial security with the team, a matter than would never flirt with becoming serious and has historically been addressed by Chiefs general manager Brett Veach well ahead of time. The timing of this agreement is mildly interesting, however, because it arrives while Mahomes is still working his way back from a season-ending knee injury that required surgery and has placed him on an uncertain timetable for return in the 2026 season. By the time Mahomes returns to full strength and capability, the Chiefs will be happy to have already handled his contract, which will keep him in red and gold through his age-38 season. The three-time Super Bowl champion has long been invested in Kansas City, co-owning the city’s National Women’s Soccer League team (KC Current) and owning a minority share of MLB’s Kansas City Royals, and as proven by the exorbitant value of his contract, Mahomes’ future with the Chiefs has never been in doubt. Now, the Chiefs are reaffirming their investment in him ahead of an important 2026 campaign. Is it wrong to note that Mahomes play has not been otherworldly the last two years as he returns from his first serious injury? |
| LAS VEGASQB FERNANDO MENDOZA is hard at work, but unsigned. Only two of the 32 players selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft remain unsigned. They are the only two quarterbacks taken in the first round. Most notably, Fernando Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner, has yet to sign his rookie contract. Mendoza’s exact deal has been known ever since rookie pool numbers (i.e., first-year salary cap numbers) were released to NFL teams and agents on April 28, three days after the conclusion of the draft. That’s because there are few negotiable items in rookie contracts after the 2011 NFL collective bargaining agreement implemented a rookie wage scale. Each draft pick has a salary floor and ceiling based on draft position. The rookie pool number is crucial because it helps determine a contract’s overall value. All rookie contracts are four years in length, although teams hold an option for a fifth year with first-round picks that must be exercised by May 1 after the third year of the deal. As the first overall pick, Mendoza will sign the following deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Signing bonus: $38,111,344Fully guaranteed at signing: $57,270,598Total: $57,270,598Contract length: Four yearsAverage per year: $14,317,650Year Base Salary 3rd Day Training Camp Roster Bonus Bonus Proration Salary Cap Number Cumulative Cash2026 $885,000 — $9,527,836 $10,412,836 $38,996,3442027 $1,050,000 $2,438,209 $9,527,836 $13,016,045 $42,484,5532028 $1,165,000 $4,926,418 $9,527,836 $15,619,254 $48,575,9712029 $1,280,000 $7,414,627 $9,527,836 $18,222,463 $57,270,598 The streamlining of negotiations under the rookie wage scale has significantly accelerated the signing process. The primary negotiating issue, particularly at the top of the draft, is the payment schedule for the signing bonus. Two other important considerations are whether salary guarantees will have offsets and the language governing the voiding of those guarantees. Mendoza is probably unsigned because of the difference between the recent trend for signing bonus payments to first overall picks and the Raiders’ standard signing bonus payment schedule for their first-round picks. Why Mendoza hasn’t signedLarge signing bonuses in NFL contracts typically aren’t paid in a single lump sum. The exception is that lump-sum signing bonus payments have become customary for the first overall pick. The last time a first overall pick didn’t receive his signing bonus in a single payment was quarterback Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. The second overall pick occasionally receives his signing bonus in a lump sum as well. That was the case with 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter last year. Hunter, who signed his rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on June 22, received his $30,566,628 signing bonus on July 15. All six quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2024 draft also received their signing bonuses in a single payment. Bo Nix was the lowest-selected quarterback among the group, going 12th overall to the Denver Broncos. The Raiders haven’t been paying first-round pick signing bonuses in a lump sum. The payment schedule for the previous three first-round picks — Ashton Jeanty (2025, sixth overall), Brock Bowers (2024, 13th overall) and Tyree Wilson (2023, seventh overall) — was 77.5% within 15 days of signing, 12.5% in mid-September and the final 10% in mid-October. Jeanty, Bowers and Wilson signed their respective contracts on May 9, May 10 and May 12, coinciding with the Raiders’ three-day rookie minicamp. Under the Raiders’ typical payment structure, Mendoza would receive $29.563 million in his first installment, which is less than the entire signing bonus Hunter received in a lump-sum payment last year. David Bailey, the second overall pick in 2026, received $28,978,749 of his $36,223,436 signing bonus — 80% of the total — one week after signing on May 15. The Ty Simpson factorQuarterback Ty Simpson, who was selected 13th overall by the Los Angeles Rams, could complicate or clarify matters for Mendoza. Simpson’s camp is probably insisting that the Rams extend the 2024 quarterback payment convention to him since he was drafted one slot lower than Nix. Simpson was fortunate to be drafted by the Rams from a contractual standpoint. Nearly every team besides the Jaguars and Rams requires offsets with salary guarantees for draft picks, including those selected in the top 10. An offset clause allows a team to reduce the guaranteed money owed to a player upon release by the amount of his new deal with another team. Without offsets, a player receives his salary from the team that released him in addition to the full salary from his new contract, a practice commonly known as “double dipping.” Based on past practices, Simpson’s contract with the Rams shouldn’t contain offsets. The last time the Rams had a first-round pick, edge rusher Jared Verse in 2024, his contract did not contain offsets in the salary guarantees despite being the 19th overall selection. The Raiders will have a difficult time justifying their typical payment schedule to Mendoza if the quarterback selected 12 spots later receives his signing bonus in a lump sum and without offsets. The 2025 first overall pick, Cam Ward, received his $32,159,712 signing bonus from the Tennessee Titans within a month of signing. At a minimum, the Raiders should be willing to match Ward’s signing bonus amount in the first installment, which would equal 84.38% of Mendoza’s signing bonus. It’s one thing to pay Simpson’s $14,941,568 signing bonus in a single installment. It’s a different story when the lump-sum payment is more than 2.5 times larger with Mendoza. Will the Raiders blink?There will be a tipping point on lump-sum payments for first overall picks if the tremendous growth in signing bonuses over the last two years continues. The increase is nearly 50% since Caleb Williams received $25,537,132 from the Chicago Bears in 2024. Mendoza’s signing bonus is 18.51% larger than Ward’s. A similar increase next year would put the signing bonus for the 2027 top pick in the neighborhood of $45 million. It would be interesting to see whether Mendoza would miss any training camp out of principle if the Raiders hold the line on his signing bonus payment schedule. The 17th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Shemar Stewart, missed six days of Cincinnati Bengals training camp last year over the language governing the voiding of guarantees in the event of a breach or default. The Bengals ultimately secured their preferred language by giving Stewart a more favorable signing bonus payment schedule than their recent first-round picks. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDOther than quarterback, Gilberto Manzano of SI.com thinks the Browns, even with EDGE MYLES GARRETT gone, have plenty of assets: The difficulty level on Todd Monken’s new gig in Cleveland was cranked all the way up recently, and not just because he lost the best defender in the league. Monken, having to affirm to his players that the team has no intention of tanking after the blockbuster trade that sent Myles Garrett to Los Angeles, could be just as challenging as having to replace the star edge rusher’s production on the field. To top off the series of obstacles, Monken has to manage a highly publicized quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Unfortunately for Monken, the Browns have all the signs of a team headed toward a losing season. However, Monken can still inspire confidence in his players and hope for the fan base without having to win many games if he can provide a pretty picture of the future. GM Andrew Berry and team ownership essentially said the future is more important than the present after trading Garrett, a louder statement than last year’s decision to trade the No. 2 pick to Jacksonville for a handful of picks. If Monken can get the most out of his young players and mold a strong core in 2026, especially on offense, that could be considered a successful season ahead of what might be the front office’s final hurdle, also known as mission impossible in Cleveland, and that’s finding a franchise quarterback in the loaded 2027 draft. What Monken is being asked to do isn’t too different from what Kevin Stefanski had to deal with in his final season as coach, but again, Monken’s job is more challenging because painting a pretty picture of the future can’t happen without a productive offensive scheme in place. That department got ugly in Stefanski’s final two seasons, with the Browns averaging fewer than 17 points per game in 2025 and ’24. While Monken can thank Stefanski for helping him inherit a roster rich in young talent, he still faces the same limited options at quarterback. Watson, who’s in the final year of his fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract, has been injured for most of his Cleveland tenure and has struggled when available. It probably would be better for the Browns to get a longer look at Sanders, who had an erratic rookie season but showed flashes of upside occasionally in his seven starts. It was wise of Monken to tell reporters that he intends to name a starter before training camp. That’s one way to reduce drama for a team that seems to be in it constantly. However, there will likely be plenty of bumps in Monken’s first season, but there’s a lot to like about this roster filled with emerging talent. LeadershipIt’s not a bad approach for Berry to place “finding a franchise QB” last on his checklist. In a way, it has bought him time to make the most of this latest rebuild in Cleveland. But the clock is ticking on this front office because the final piece will likely need to be found in the 2027 draft, which could include a star-studded crop of quarterbacks such as Arch Manning, Dante Moore, Julian Sayin and CJ Carr. Even if Monken does the unthinkable and gets the Browns to the postseason, the team still has two first-round picks and 11 total selections currently to make a move up the draft board in April. That’s one way Monken can reassure his players that he has no intention of tanking. Landing a notable first-round signal-caller next year shouldn’t be an issue, but getting that player to produce immediately will be the real challenge. What the to-be-determined quarterback does in 2027 could decide whether Berry will be around longer than that. But it likely won’t matter what the Browns’ current quarterbacks do in ’26, and maybe it should because Berry was the GM when the team handed Watson the fully guaranteed deal in ’22 and executed what could go down as the worst trade in history. On the other hand, Berry, who was hired in 2020, deserves credit for delivering a sensational rookie class last year consisting of defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Harold Fannin Jr., running back Quinshon Judkins and linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Also, this year’s draft class could be just as productive, with the selections of offensive tackle Spencer Fano, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, and wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. It’s on Monken, offensive coordinator Travis Switzer, defensive coordinator Mike Rutenberg and the rest of the coaching staff to get the most out of this attractive roster—without a franchise quarterback. Soon, Berry will be tasked with providing that missing piece. Most influential roster moveThe Browns got worse by trading Garrett to the Rams last week, but they at least gained a talented edge rusher in Jared Verse, who’s only in his third season and viewed across the league as a player with elite upside at his position. Along with Verse, the Browns also gained a 2027 first-rounder, a ’28 second-rounder and a ’29 third-rounder. Cleveland drew some criticism for not getting at least two first-rounders from the Rams, but Verse alone might be worth a first-rounder and a Day 2 pick. Rams GM Les Snead wasn’t lying when he said it was difficult for him to give up Verse in the deal. Those around the organization viewed the 2024 first-round pick as more than just a special player. He provided energy and played with an edge on the field, which gave his teammates confidence. As a rookie, Verse had some words for the Eagles’ rowdy fan base, knowing he would hear from them during the divisional game, and he backed them up by nearly guiding his team to a road playoff victory. Verse did, however, struggle at times with extra attention in his second season, but that created advantageous opportunities for Byron Young, who had 12 sacks for the Rams last season. If Verse learns to close as a sack artist, he could be a dominant force due to his elite strength. It said plenty that Snead initially told Berry no when he asked for Verse in the Garrett deal. Berry got his wish and now has Verse and Schwesinger as his foundational pieces for the defense. Why this offseason move will (or won’t) workThe left side of the Browns’ offensive line could present some problems for whoever wins the starting quarterback job between Sanders and Watson. Cleveland has plans to place rookie first-rounder Fano at left tackle, but some draft experts viewed him as a better guard in the pros. Also, Fano mostly played right tackle during his time at Utah. Newcomer veteran Zion Johnson could be slotted next to Fano at left guard, but the 2022 first-round pick had several up-and-down performances throughout his four seasons with the Chargers. Fano and Johnson are two of four new players expected to start on Cleveland’s offensive line, along with right tackle Tytus Howard, who arrived in a trade with Houston, and free-agent addition Elgton Jenkins, who will likely be at center. There’s plenty of risk with this retooled offensive line, but on paper, this appears to be a better group than last year’s aging unit. It also helps that Fano and Jenkins have the versatility to play multiple positions in case the initial lineup isn’t productive. Breakout player candidate: DT Mason GrahamThe Browns’ top pick in their impressive 2025 draft class has been somewhat forgotten. Schwesinger and Fannin probably come to mind first when rattling off the top players from last year’s selections. But Graham flashed upside throughout his rookie season, which might have made the Garrett trade a little easier for Berry. Last season, Graham started all 17 games, recording 49 total tackles, seven for loss and half a sack. He also displayed a knack for pushing the pocket and frequently generating pressure despite dealing with a broken rib, a nugget he revealed to reporters recently. If Graham makes the leap, he could join Verse and Schwesinger as core front players in the post–Garrett era. There’s also plenty of pressure on Graham to pan out because he was selected at No. 5 after the team passed on Travis Hunter at No. 2 and swapped places with the Jaguars. Missing pieceThe team can increase its odds of finding a franchise quarterback in next year’s draft by trading a few more veteran players from now until the trade deadline in November. Expect cornerback Denzel Ward, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and safety Grant Delpit to surface in trade rumors, especially if the team struggles during the first month of the season. Ward will turn 30 next year and doesn’t have any guaranteed money left on his contract. Jeudy is coming off a rough 2025 season, and the team just drafted two wide receivers in the early rounds. And Delpit is heading into the final season of his deal. Realistic outlook Strange things happen often in the NFL, where teams go from last to first in one year. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case for the Browns, who have obvious signs of a team headed toward a losing season. They traded their best player before the season, and have a quarterback battle with no clear leader. Browns fans must be tired of constantly rebuilding, but at least there’s some progress in this latest repair thanks to the young talent on the roster. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIC AARON BREWER, once an undrafted free agent, is a “pillar” for the Dolphins going forward and no armed with a three-year extension. Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com: The Miami Dolphins and center Aaron Brewer agreed Wednesday to a three-year extension that will make him one of the highest-paid centers in the league, his agent, Kyle McCarthy of Athletes First, told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal is worth up to $52.5 million with $37 million guaranteed, making Brewer the fifth-highest paid center in the NFL in terms of total contract value and the third-highest paid center in terms of average annual value ($17.5 million). It more than doubles the value of the three-year, $21 million deal Brewer signed with Miami in 2024. Since signing his initial contract with the Dolphins, Brewer owns the 10th-best pass block win rate of any qualified center in the league and has allowed seven sacks in 1,127 pass blocking snaps. In their first offseason under general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley, the Dolphins underwent a near-complete roster overhaul this offseason. Several established starters were either cut, traded or allowed to walk in free agency. But Sullivan identified running back De’Von Achane, Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks as the team’s three “pillars” that Miami would prioritize extending this offseason. Achane reached a four-year, $64 million extension in May; the Dolphins have yet to extend Brooks. Brewer had a career season in 2025 and was named a second-team All-Pro as well as a finalist for the inaugural Protector of the Year award. Speaking to reporters at the Dolphins’ final week of OTA practices, Brewer said he is aiming for more in 2026. “Keep pushing for more,” he said. I feel like every year is a new year, and so every year you got to prove yourself again. I was second team All-Pro last year, but this year I want to be first-team All-Pro. I wasn’t Pro Bowler last year, I want to be Pro Bowler this year. Nominee for Protector of the Year, I want to be the Protector of the Year. That’s what keeps pushing me and keeps me thriving ever year. “Every year is a clean slate, new year. I’m not Aaron Brewer from last year; I’m the Aaron Brewer that’s going to put on tape this year.” An undrafted free agent out of Texas State in 2020, Brewer spent his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans. Since joining Miami, he has missed only one game, starting 33 games exclusively at center. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| BRENDAN SORSBYMike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com has thoughts from billionaire Texas Tech backer Cody Campbell, as well as his own critique of the ruling by the Texas (Tech) judge that granted the desired outcome for the Red Raiders without any backing reasoning. The Brendan Sorsby saga has put billionaire Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell in a pickle. Should he seize on the court ruling that restored Sorsby’s eligibility as more evidence of the necessity of federal intervention in college sports? Or should he circle the Red Raider wagons? On Monday, Campbell called the decision the “outcome of a broken system.” By Wednesday, he was toeing the party line for the school he supports. “This kid did not impact the integrity of a single game,” Campbell told Dan Dakich on Wednesday, via Sam Khan Jr. of The Athletic. “He didn’t bet on a single game he played in. He didn’t hurt anybody. There are kids that will suit up this fall who have actually hurt people and done bad things, and nobody’s talking about boycotting them or not playing them. . . . There are kids that are playing that have gotten DUIs, that have beaten up women, kids that have committed horrible acts. Nobody boycotted Penn State when that horrible situation happened there.” So why does Campbell think so many schools have been criticizing Texas Tech? “It’s because the college football world doesn’t think that Texas Tech should be as good as we are,” Campbell said. “We’ve been a disruptor, just like Indiana has, so we’ve been a target. The volume has gone up and a lot has been directed at me, Coach McGuire, and our university, but that’s not fair. “If this had happened at LSU, people would say, ‘Ah, it’s LSU. They’re always going to do what they do.’ But it happened at Texas Tech, and people don’t want to compete with us. Of course ADs in the Big 12 are saying crazy things that they don’t want to play us. They don’t want to play us because they know he’s good and they don’t want us to be as competitive. They want to have a better chance at winning the conference. So they’re inherently conflicted in their opinion.” But Campbell is conflicted, too. And if this had happened at another Big 12 school, Campbell would be trying a lot harder to leverage the situation into the legislative action for which he has been pushing so hard. Likewise, any of the schools that have criticized Texas Tech would be doing the same thing Texas Tech is now doing, if they were the ones facing the loss of their starting quarterback for the 2026 season. It’s all obvious, and it’s all predictable. The fact remains that Sorsby developed a gambling addiction. No one is disputing that. The addiction caused him to place many bets. He made bets on Indiana when he was on the Indiana team, but not when he was playing. The main problem continues to be the lack of any real reasoning or legal analysis in the bare-bones, four-page court order restoring Sorsby’s eligibility. Judge Ken Curry merely checked the boxes and recited the magic words necessary to reach the desired outcome, without explaining himself. There’s not much black and white in the legal system. Most issues land in a wide patch of gray, where it’s easy to start with the preferred outcome and work backward to justify it. That’s much easier to do when the final order makes no effort to show why the interests of justice lead to the result. Ultimately, everyone connected to the situation is doing what they would be expected to do. A Texas judge issued a favorable ruling for a Texas school. Texas Tech is supporting Sorsby. Other schools are attacking Texas Tech. And the broader apparatus of college sports hopes that the Sorsby case and its aftermath will become the “thunderbolt moment” that sparks Congress to partially restore the NCAA’s ability to pick the pockets of players who are now getting paid what they deserve. To date, no one has done the objectively “right thing.” Instead, they’re all saying and doing the things that are right for them. |
| 2027 DRAFT – QB TIERSNick Baumgardner of The Athletic looks at the QBs who might be available in the 2027 draft from sure things like Texas QB ARCH MANNING to QB BRENDAN SORSBY of Texas Tech who some team might gamble on: Nothing’s ever for certain in today’s version of college football. Barring something unforeseen, however, it’s safe to say the 2027 NFL Draft will feature more high-level quarterback talent than the 2026 draft did. That list could include controversial Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, who this week was granted a temporary injunction in his lawsuit against the NCAA to restore his college eligibility, despite having placed bets on his own team while at Indiana. Will he actually be part of the ’27 class? How many of the other potentially big-name prospects will join that draft? Quarterbacks are no longer in a rush to turn pro, thanks in large part to name, image and likeness — regardless of how you feel about the state of college football, that’s a good thing. In April, we gave a rough sketch of the top quarterbacks on scouting radars for the 2027 draft. Now, on the heels of the latest Sorsby news, we’ll rank them in tiers. Tier 1 QBs Arch Manning TexasDante Moore OregonDrew Mestemaker Oklahoma StateCJ Carr Notre DameJulian Sayin Ohio StateJayden Maiava USC Arch Manning, Texas (redshirt Jr.)6 feet, 4 inches tall, 219 pounds; 21 years oldManning was inconsistent in his first year as Texas’ full-time starter, which should have come as no surprise. He played one of the tougher schedules a young quarterback can see, on a team with huge expectations. Despite your thoughts about the marketing machine behind him, though, his talent and the improvement he showed were undeniable. Inconsistency with pocket mechanics, especially during the first half of last season, was probably Manning’s biggest issue. His blend of size, arm talent and athleticism is better than any prospect in this class, but that’s a double-edged sword for young players — Manning can be guilty of leaning too much on his raw ability to save him rather than making sound fundamentals his North Star. If Manning can throw and react against pressure with calmer feet in 2026, he could be the No. 1 pick. We have to see those things in action, of course. Dante Moore, Oregon (Sr.)6-3, 206; 21 years oldLike Manning, had Moore declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he absolutely would have been a first-round pick. The positives he showed as a first-year starter for Oregon greatly outweighed the negatives, especially from a poise standpoint. Moore’s ability to remain even and play without fear regardless of the environment last season (see his performance at Penn State) reminded me of Jayden Daniels. Moore wasn’t perfect, though, and his worst outings came in Oregon’s two losses to national champion Indiana. Moore has to be better when facing pressure, period. Far too often against the better defenses on Oregon’s schedule, we saw Moore dip his eyes and abandon his process too early. As is the case with Manning, he has to play calmer in the pocket. The Hoosiers were easily the best team Moore faced last season. This season, scouts will get to see him face a tougher schedule, including games at Ohio State, USC and Michigan State, and at home against Michigan. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State (Jr.)6-3, 211; 20 years oldManning and Moore are the top two prospects as we sit today, so these next four Tier 1 QBs could be in a 1b/2a situation. A lot can happen in a year, though, and the potential beauty of the 2027 class is how many QBs with actual first-round tools could be available. Mestemaker, who followed new Oklahoma State coach Eric Morris to Stillwater from North Texas, is absolutely on that list. He is a big-time athlete with a big arm. He was a fearless thrower as a first-time starter in Morris’ air raid system last year, too, putting up gaudy counting stats (4,379 yards, 34 TDs, nine INTs, 68.9 completion rate) against an AAC schedule. Confident over the middle and very consistent with his footwork for a player his age, Mestemaker is also a capable mover with a natural ability to throw on the run from either side. His arm is strong, even if his release starts around his ear. The biggest question is how his game will translate to an FBS schedule. CJ Carr, Notre Dame (Jr.)6-2, 210; 21 years oldThe 2027 NFL quarterback prospect who best resembles a great baseball shortstop, Carr is a smooth and bouncy athlete with a big-play mindset. He plays like the perfect blend of his two grandpas: former Michigan coach (and accomplished ex-college QB) Lloyd Carr and former Michigan Hall of Fame safety Tom Curtis, one of the best athletes in Wolverines history. CJ Carr’s escapability and off-platform playmaking as a first-year starter last year were outstanding. Another tough, fearless passer who isn’t afraid to run someone over, Carr has an explosive and almost effortless throwing motion. He can rip the ball from several arm slots and body angles without losing velocity, and he throws on the run the way an infielder might. All of this can get him into trouble, though, as Carr last season tended to abandon ship too early in favor of sandlot ball. We’ve seen the rabbits he can pull out of his hat. Now we need to see what he can do down to down as a consistent pocket passer. If he improves in that area, he could be a top 15 prospect in the 2027 class. Julian Sayin, Ohio State (Jr.)6-1, 208; 20 years oldPerhaps except for Manning, no other player on this list had the benefit of playing with as much talent as Sayin last year. His favorite target (Jeremiah Smith) might be the best player in America; his second favorite (Carnell Tate) was a top-five pick in April. However, Sayin’s ability to walk in the door and keep the machine moving so smoothly was special. He’s not as big as the rest of the guys in this group, but Sayin plays tall in the pocket and isn’t afraid to climb into the face of pressure. He throws with good touch, plus he’s a great processor for his age and is difficult to rattle. Sayin is one of the youngest players in Tier 1, but he played like a veteran last season and could be a Heisman candidate again in 2027. There are physical limitations, but if Sayin’s processing goes from good to elite and he’s able to iron out some mechanical inconsistencies, then teams are going to overlook that he’s not huge and doesn’t have an overwhelming arm. Jayden Maiava, USC (fifth-year Sr.)6-4, 230; 22 years oldAn older prospect, Maiava’s first year as a college starter came at UNLV in 2023. He played seven games at USC in 2024 before taking over full time last season. Maiava isn’t super quick athletically, but he plays with great rhythm as a passer. He knows what he’s doing with his feet, knows where the ball’s supposed to go, and doesn’t waste time getting it there. He’s not a bad athlete, but he’s at his best when he can scan and drive the ball from the pocket. He also showed good touch on layered throws (and hit several tight windows) last year. He could be more accurate, though, and has ground to make up athletically. But if Maiava can show Fernando Mendoza-level growth as a pocket passer, he could fly up draft boards. Tier 2 QBs Brendan Sorsby Texas Tech Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech (fifth-year Sr.)6-3, 235; 22 years oldSorsby gets his own tier, as his situation is unique (if that’s the right word). For now, Sorsby will be eligible to compete for Texas Tech this season after serving a two-game suspension. Whether he winds up having to go through the supplemental draft or the 2027 NFL Draft, he’ll present an interesting case for NFL teams. Purely from a talent standpoint, Sorsby probably fits somewhere in the middle of Tier 1 as a potential first-round pick. He’s huge but a great athlete at 235 pounds, with plus burst and natural escape skill. He’s a smooth passer on the run, and he has good arm talent and a lot of confidence over the middle. As a player, at times, he might remind you of a bigger Jaxson Dart. Off the field, however, teams will have to do serious homework. Tier 3 QBs Sam Leavitt LSUDarian Mensah MiamiTrinidad Chambliss Ole MissLaNorris Sellers South Carolina Darian Mensah, Miami (Sr.)6-3, 205; 21 years oldThe last two guys to take the Miami job (Cam Ward and Carson Beck) wound up having the times of their lives while playing their best football. Mensah, a Duke transfer, has a chance to make it three in a row for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes. He owns a great frame (even if he’s a tad thin right now) and a live arm, which allows him to mix slots and rip the ball off platform, on the run and from pretty much anywhere else on the field. Mensah is arguably a better fit for Miami’s offense than Beck was and has the potential to make it sing — maybe not as well as Ward did, but we shouldn’t rule anything out. Mensah needs to improve his footwork, but he doesn’t have far to go. He’s a capable runner, too, and doesn’t play as a run-first quarterback. If his throwing mechanics and pocket presence improve, Mensah could have first-round buzz. Sam Leavitt, LSU (Sr.)6-2, 205; 21 years oldAn explosive athlete with plus arm talent and an ability to rip the ball from any arm angle, Leavitt should be a great fit for just about everything Lane Kiffin’s offense wants to do at LSU. He’s not real big, but he plays tall in the pocket and flashes terrific feet for a player his age. When he’s on, he’s an athletic passer who can play on time, and he can be a serious threat to do damage with his legs. When he’s off, however, he can be a mess. Leavitt, who missed half of last season after undergoing foot surgery near Halloween, needs to be much more decisive in the pocket. He got caught unprepared and confused far too often at Arizona State, resulting in unnecessary scrambles, hits and risks. He missed too many layups, was hesitant over the middle and telegraphed too many throws. Kiffin’s system simplifies so much for the quarterback, which should help quite a bit, but Leavitt still needs to show an ability to throw from the pocket if teams are going to see him as more than a potential Day 2 draft pick. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (sixth-year Sr.)6-0, 200; 23 years oldChambliss won his court battle and will get to play another season at Ole Miss. This one will be without Kiffin, but Chambliss flashed serious potential during his first year as an FBS quarterback. A former Division II star at Ferris State, Chambliss made some huge throws last season for the Rebels, with some gaudy numbers on third-and-long. He was generally fearless, both as a passer and runner. An elite mover who can play the position like a point guard, Chambliss definitely has some college-aged Russell Wilson to his game. There are obvious physical limitations, and his arm isn’t overwhelming, but he’s been very good with the football and has proved himself a winner everywhere he’s gone. This draft class might be too crowded at the top for him, but Chambliss still feels like a potential Day 2 investment down the road — so long as his improvement continues. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (Sr.)6-3, 240; 20 years oldOne of the biggest wild cards in this class, Sellers has the athletic potential to be the No. 1 pick. He’s 6-3, 240 with terrific arm talent and great ability as a runner, plus he’s smart, young and a team captain. There is so much to like. There’s also still way too much mystery, and some of it remains beyond his control. Sellers can get better from a mechanical standpoint, but more importantly, he needs to be more decisive this season. He also suffered last year from playing inside a poor offense, as South Carolina’s line struggled and Sellers often found himself fighting upstream. Sellers has first-round tools. But unless we see a big improvement from both player and team, he could wind up a Day 2 prospect in this group. Others to watch: Josh Hoover, Indiana; John Mateer, Oklahoma; DJ Lagway, Baylor; Byrum Brown, Auburn; Nico Iamaleava, UCLA |
