| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOHaving pushed the Bears to the outer reaches of Chicagoland for their two possible stadium solutions, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson now puts up cover that he wanted to make a downtown stadium a reality. According to Mike Florio, the Bears aren’t biting. The Bears want to build their new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights or across the border, in Hammond, Indiana. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson isn’t ready, however, to give up on the possibility of a downtown facility. Via Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports, Johnson plans to push for a solution at the site of the former Michael Reese Hospital. The Bears previously have rejected that location. Last week, we asked Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren whether there’s any chance that, as Arlington Heights and Hammond continue to be the focal point, the clouds will part and the solution will come in the downtown area. Warren made it clear that this won’t happen. Warren also said an answer “has to” be reached in the late spring. He said that delays are increasing the final costs of the new stadium to the tune of $150 million per year. It’s highly unlikely that the final answer will entail a new stadium in Chicago, where the Bears have always played — first at Wrigley Field and then at Soldier Field. |
| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSDL DEXTER LAWRENCE wants out. YahooSports.com has six possible destinations if he gets his desired trade. New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence reportedly requested a trade on Monday, with the Giants set to report for their first week of offseason workouts on Tuesday. There’s little question the news leaked at an opportune time to bring attention to the contract standoff between Lawrence, a two-time All-Pro, and the Giants. Per Over The Cap, Lawrence’s average annual value of $22.5 million on his current deal has fallen behind more recent interior defensive lineman signings, like the New England Patriots’ Milton Williams and the Philadelphia Eagles’ Jordan Davis, who are both now making in the neighborhood of $26 million a year. Plus, Lawrence might be looking for more guaranteed money; there is none left on his current contract. That said, the Giants reportedly aren’t willing to trade the 28-year-old centerpiece of their defense. But let’s say they were, and that head coach John Harbaugh and senior vice president Dawn Aponte have different ideas than general manager Joe Schoen. Where would it make the most sense for Lawrence to end up? Here are six trade destinations. Minnesota VikingsThe Vikings need help on the interior of their defensive line after releasing Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen this offseason, and a gap-shooting space-eater like Lawrence in the middle could really help unspool all the funky disguises and blitzes returning defensive coordinator Brian Flores likes to deploy. Plus, one knock (however slight) on the Vikings’ recent defenses is there hasn’t been a true star you can set your clock to. Lawrence certainly qualifies. This would be a big swing for de facto general manager Rob Brzezinski, and landing Lawrence could go a long way toward him sealing up the permanent gig for a team with designs on contending in the NFC. Chicago BearsThe interior defensive line was a sore spot for an overachieving Bears defense last season. Lawrence could step in and fix that. Chicago also sees itself as a rising contender, and this would speed up their timeline in that regard. Lawrence’s down season in 2025 defending the run is a bit of a concern, but it also could just be an outlier, and his pass rush ability from the interior remains top-notch. The Bears also have the lowest current cap space in the league, according to OvertheCap, so the front office would have to get to work to make a likely extension fit. Tennessee TitansDexter Lawrence alongside Jeffery Simmons on the interior of a 4-3 Robert Saleh front? That’s the stuff of dreams. The Titans have the most cap space and effective cap space in the NFL, so they could make an extension work. They did sign DT Jordan Elliott in free agency, but that should hardly preclude them from taking a good, long look here. The Giants would be trading Lawrence out of conference too, which sometimes sweetens a potential deal. Kansas City ChiefsThis is a bit more pie-in-the-sky, but the Chiefs did just acquire an extra first-round pick last month in the Trent McDuffie trade, and they need a succession plan on the interior after Chris Jones retires. Kansas City did spend in free agency on DT Khyiris Tonga, and it’s an organization that trends toward frugality and drafting and developing rather than big spending, but if Patrick Mahomes comes back to his previous level, the Super Bowl window will be wide open for years to come. A big extension for Lawrence fits that timeline neatly. Carolina PanthersCarolina needs help on its defensive line, and really needs to add talent to that side of the ball overall. Lawrence checks those boxes, and he’d be a matchup nightmare playing alongside incumbent anchor DT Derrick Brown. The Panthers also signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency. They don’t have much cap space, but they may decide that one of the best ways to help Bryce Young continue developing is having a staunch defense under Ejiro Evero’s command. Cincinnati BengalsListen, we know that a) the Bengals just lost a star defensive lineman in Trey Hendrickson because they didn’t want to pay him; b) splashed $88 million in free agent contracts on two defensive linemen already in Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen; and c) owner Mike Brown doesn’t like to spend money in the first place. But with this draft being a giant dart throw once you get to Day 2 (maybe even late Round 1) … and with the Bengals having extra Day 3 picks to sweeten the pot … and Joe Burrow publicly pressing the timeline to contend for Super Bowls late last season … maybe this makes more sense than we think? |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYDespite their 8-9 record in 2026, the Chiefs have requested/demanded a spot in two special games. John Breech of CBSSports.com: Before the NFL starts the process of putting the schedule together, each team is allowed to make a few requests and the Kansas City Chiefs definitely took advantage of that this year. For the most part, the requests tend to stay between the team and the league, but that’s not the case with Kansas City. Chiefs president Mark Donovan has revealed two of the scheduling requests that his team has made for 2026, so let’s take a look at them and then break down whether the league will grant the Chiefs their wishes. Chiefs want to play in SpainThe Atlanta Falcons will be the home team for this year’s game in Spain and the Chiefs want to be the visiting team, something they’ve emphasized in communications with the NFL. “We’ve been very open and aggressive with the league — as we have been since the beginning — that we want to play in Spain this year,” Donovan said, via the Kansas City Star. “We think it would be a great market, game [and] matchup.” There are two things working in Kansas City’s favor here. For one, the Chiefs have marketing rights in Spain. Kansas City is one of just three teams that has marketing rights in the country along with the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears. The NFL played in Spain for the first time ever last year and the Dolphins played in that game, so it would make some sense to send Kansas City this year. The other thing working in the Chiefs’ favor is that they’re scheduled to play on the road against Atlanta this year. Since the Falcons will be hosting the game, it will come against one of the teams on their home schedule, which consists of the Panthers, Saints, Buccaneers, Bears, Lions, 49ers, Ravens, Bengals and Chiefs. Divisional games usually don’t get moved to Europe and if you throw in the fact that the Lions and 49ers already have international games scheduled, that leaves just four realistic options (Bears, Ravens, Bengals, Chiefs). The Ravens are reportedly playing in Brazil this year against the Cowboys, and if that’s the case, that would eliminate them, so then we’re down to three options, so the Chiefs have to like their chances in that scenario. On the other hand, there’s also a chance the NFL could deny the Chiefs’ request. As we just mentioned, Chicago is also an option to play the Falcons in Madrid and the Bears also have marketing rights in Spain, so the NFL could certainly end up sending them to the Spanish capital instead of the Chiefs. And then there’s the Bengals, who seem to be a wild card candidate. If the NFL doesn’t want to upset the Bears or Chiefs, who both have marketing rights, they could send a team that doesn’t have marketing rights. In this case, that would be Cincinnati, which is something the league is considering, according to Mike North, the NFL’s Vice President of Broadcast Planning. Joe Burrow wanted to play in Spain last year and the league definitely took notice of it. “He’s been vocal about it. I remember he was pretty disappointed last year when you guys didn’t go,” North said recently in an interview with Bengals.com. “I think that’s a real possibility for the Bengals this year. …. Certainly, they’re a candidate to go play Washington in London, certainly a candidate to go play Atlanta in Madrid.” The Chiefs have played at least one international game in two of the past three seasons with a game in Germany (2023) and a game in Brazil (2025) and they could add to that total this year. VERDICT: Don’t book your ticket to Spain just yet if you’re a Chiefs fan. Chiefs want to play on ChristmasThe Chiefs have played on Christmas for three straight seasons, and now, they want to make it four in a row. “We’d love to play on Christmas,” Donovan said, via ESPN. “We respect that the league wants to spread it around. We get it. Right now, we expect to be in a lot of prime-time games. We’ve made it pretty clear that our preference is to play at home on Christmas.” This is one request that the Chiefs probably have a good chance of getting, especially with Christmas falling on a Friday this year. We already know there will be three games on Dec. 25 this year, which means that the NFL will need six teams to fill the Christmas schedule. With the holiday falling on a Friday, some teams might he hesitant to volunteer for a game due to the short week, so this could be a spot where the NFL gives the Chiefs what they want. Last year, the Chiefs actually asked the league if they could play on Christmas every year, but the NFL shot that idea down. In the short term, though, the Chiefs make sense. This could be Travis Kelce’s final season and featuring him in a Christmas game with his new wife Taylor Swift in attendance — they’re expected to be married this summer — seems like something the NFL would give some serious consideration to. VERDICT: Chiefs probably get their Christmas wish fulfilled. One more note: Chiefs likely won’t open against the SeahawksSeattle will be hosting the opening game of the NFL season and the Chiefs are a candidate to play in the game, but don’t look for that to happen. Owner Clark Hunt said the league likely won’t tab the Chiefs to play in that Wednesday game since’t it’s not yet clear if Patrick Mahomes would be available for the Sept. 9 game. “I don’t think that’s on the table anymore,” Hunt said. “I think from a league standpoint, there would be some concern whether [Patrick Mahomes] would be ready to go.” Mahomes tore his ACL back in December and although he’s aiming for a Week 1 return, there’s no guarantee that’s going to happen, and as Hunt said, the league wouldn’t want to risk the chance of scheduling the Chiefs in a such a high-profile game if there’s a chance that Mahomes might not play. With the Chiefs out of contention, the means Seattle will face one of the following teams in Week 1: The Cowboys, Giants, Bears, Chargers, Patriots or Cardinals. The 49ers and Rams also play in Seattle this year, but they’re out of the running for the Week 1 game since they’ll be facing each other in Australia. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| BREAKING DOWN THE QBs IN THE DRAFTJordan Reid of ESPN.com compares and contrasts the 12 top quarterbacks in the draft: I’ve identified every quarterback who has a good chance to be drafted. This list goes 12 deep and includes info I’ve obtained in my conversations with scouts and front office personnel over the past year-plus. I’ll go through the strengths and weaknesses of all 12 quarterbacks, updates on each passer’s draft stock and give the best team fit for each guy. Let’s get to it and stack the 12 best QBs in the 2026 class. 1. Fernando Mendoza, IndianaHeight: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 236 poundsClass: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Round 1 Best team fit: Las Vegas Raiders Where he excels: There always seems to be a quarterback who quickly surges from Day 2-3 consideration before the season into early Round 1 (see Jayden Daniels and Cam Ward). Mendoza fills that role in this class. He transferred to Indiana last offseason after spending his first three seasons at Cal. There was plenty of buzz from scouts about Mendoza last summer, but many wanted to take a wait-and-see approach prior to the 2025 season. He delivered, finishing with 3,535 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and only six interceptions to win the Heisman Trophy and lead the Hoosiers to their first national championship. Attaching isolated or singular routes behind run-game concepts has been beneficial for Mendoza, who is comfortable with reads that put single defenders in conflict. He has a fiery, three-quarters throwing release, making Mendoza’s mechanics and the Hoosiers’ passing game an ideal marriage. His 79.2% adjusted completion percentage ranked second in the country. He was also phenomenal in the red zone last season, with his 27 touchdowns (without an interception) being the most in the FBS, three ahead of Duke’s Darian Mensah. Toughness and overcoming in-game adversity are two of Mendoza’s hallmark traits. He helped lead the Hoosiers to a Week 7 road win at Oregon, pieced together an 80-yard, game-winning drive at Penn State, and overcame Ohio State in a physical Big Ten championship game in which he was temporarily knocked out of the game early. He capped everything off with a gutty touchdown run for the game-winning points in the College Football National Championship game against Miami. It’s as good of a résumé that a quarterback prospect can have from an adversity and toughness standpoint. That’s why Mendoza is the overwhelming favorite to be picked by the Raiders with the No. 1 overall pick. Where he needs work: While Mendoza is comfortable within the confines of the pocket, he struggles when forced off his original launch point. When required to move, Mendoza had a 53.2% completion percentage last season. Many of his inaccurate throws came when moved off his original launch point, flushed outside the pocket or forced into scramble situations. When facing true pressure, his completion percentage dropped to 50%. Mendoza has separated himself as the top passer in this year’s class, but one thing at the next level which will be relatively new is operating from under center. He played out of the shotgun almost exclusively last season, taking only 3% of his snaps under center. Working under center is important in the NFL, as it keeps defenses honest and helps further the influence of play-action on defenders, so Mendoza will have to work on those mechanics. 2. Ty Simpson, AlabamaHeight: 6-foot-1 | Weight: 211 poundsClass: Redshirt junior | Projected range: Late Round 1, Early Day 2 Best team fit: Arizona Cardinals Where he excels: After a rough Week 1 performance, Simpson had a hot streak during the middle of his only season as a starter. During an eight-game stretch that included four top-16 ranked opponents (Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri and Tennessee), Simpson threw for 1,954 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and only one interception while completing 71.9% of his passes. Simpson showed that he’s a calm passer with slightly above average arm strength and that there isn’t much that fazes him in the pocket. There isn’t a throw that Simpson feels that he’s incapable of making, as his toughness and confidence shined in spurts. The son of longtime UT-Martin head coach Jason Simpson, Ty’s football smarts and awareness are easy to see. Simpson was given a lot of pre-snap autonomy and was frequently seen altering protections and plays. His recognition of defenses is well beyond a typical QB prospect with 15 career starts. Simpson is an underrated athlete whose pocket maneuverability is among the best of any passer in this year’s class. He also can make plays outside of structure. Of his 30 total touchdowns last season (28 passing, two rushing), seven came when Simpson was outside of the pocket. He’s savvy with recognizing and adjusting to pre-snap looks. Simpson elected to throw at the combine and helped himself after a disappointing finish to last season. He displayed good zip on passes in the intermediate areas, but what really stood out was his touch on deeper throws down the field. “I wouldn’t draft him until Day 2, but I think he has a chance to go in that 20-32 range,” an AFC area scout said. “It’s because the demand will highly outweigh the quality of supply in this year’s class.” Where he needs work: Simpson sometimes doesn’t recognize when a play is over. He tends to hold the ball longer than necessary and run around in circles in the pocket while trying to extend plays that are clearly busted. Therefore, he loses yardage with negative plays that could have been avoided by checking down, running or tossing the ball out of bounds. Simpson’s accuracy suffered down the stretch, resulting in an 11.2% off-target percentage that ranked 63rd in the FBS. And despite his combine long-ball prowess, Simpson completed only 37.3% of his passes of 20 or more air yards in 2025. Simpson’s lack of starts are also a concern. Many scouts remain cautious due to that small sample size. 3. Garrett Nussmeier, LSUHeight: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 203 poundsClass: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3 Best team fit: Los Angeles Rams Where he excels: Nussmeier entered the 2025 season with heightened expectations after a promising first year as starter. He showed flashes in 2024, throwing for 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. That had many evaluators believing that he had the potential to rise to the top of the 2026 QB class. But things didn’t work out that way, as Nussmeier took a clear step back, with 1,927 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine games. He battled multiple injuries in 2025, including patellar tendinitis in his knee. Nussmeier primarily operates from the pocket and plays with fearless anticipation. He throws accurately to spots in the intermediate game while showing an excellent gauge on route depth and where his receivers will finish on passing concepts. Nussmeier has a flexible arm, allowing him to easily alter his arm slots and ball trajectories to fit passes into spots. He navigates the pocket well, is aware of outlets and gets the ball out of his hand quickly. Nussmeier entered the predraft process wanting to show he was healthy. He checked many of the boxes during Senior Bowl week, returning to his fearless anticipatory ways as a thrower. That’s part of his appeal, as Nussmeier’s arm power is below average, but he isn’t afraid to stretch the limits of defenses and trusts his perimeter targets. Where he needs work: Nussmeier was reduced to attacking primarily the short area of the field last season due to LSU’s scheme of quick-hitters and frequent screen passes. While he got to unleash the occasional go ball, he averaged only 6.4 air yards per target (130th in the FBS). LSU’s running game being ranked 126th in the FBS didn’t help matters, either. He also has a propensity to be a daredevil, which can be a gift and a curse. Nussmeier has sporadic moments of carelessness because of his confidence in being able to anticipate. Many evaluators feel that Nussmeier has the profile of a middle-to-late round prospect who has the talent, awareness and mentality to stay in the league for more than a decade as a backup and eventually develop into a spot starter. 4. Carson Beck, MiamiHeight: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 233 poundsClass: Sixth-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3 Best team fit: New York Jets Where he excels: Once regarded as a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft, Beck’s inconsistencies resulted in him entering the transfer portal after a disappointing final season at Georgia. But Beck started to revive his draft stock at Miami last season. A rhythmic passer who is at his best when allowed to play on-beat, he finished with 3,813 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Even though one of those interceptions was on the final drive of the national championship game against Indiana, Beck found a great connection with Miami’s playmakers and offensive line. Beck was helped by a more consistent and improved receiving structure around him and looked more like what he showed in 2023 versus 2024. He is a balanced pocket passer who wants to methodically dissect and deliver against defenses. His game is centered around accuracy and decisiveness, so he wastes little time getting the ball out and remains synchronized with progressions. His 74.8% adjusted completion percentage last season was the eighth-highest mark among all FBS passers. Many teams feel comfortable with the floor that he brings and view him as a strong middle-round option. “We don’t need a QB, but he’s the favorite to be QB3 off of the board if we needed to take one,” an NFC director of college scouting told me at the combine. Where he needs work: Teams able to consistently generate early pressure against Beck have been able to knock him off his game. Beck’s off-target percentage when his feet are planted (9.7%) last season was significantly different than when he’s forced to move (21.4%) from his original launch point. Beck needs to be drafted by a team where he’s the final piece of the puzzle rather than one that lacks surrounding playmakers; he’s more reliant on good infrastructure than most QBs. The Miami offensive line was key, as Beck’s 17.1% pressure rate faced was the lowest in the FBS. He got an average of 2.9 seconds to throw the ball. Beck was able to play within the confines of the offense while not being forced to make plays outside of the scheme. But can he hold up when conditions are less ideal? 5. Drew Allar, Penn StateHeight: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 228 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3 Best team fit: Pittsburgh Steelers Where he excels: Allar has prototypical size and arm strength. He’s an above-average intermediate passer who isn’t afraid to test tight windows and can accurately hit routes in between the numbers. He exhausts progressions and delivers to targets, and he has more than enough arm strength to succeed at the next level. He also has the mobility to navigate the pocket and gain yardage that’s available. He also has plenty of experience, having started 35 games and played in 45 overall. He made a noticeable leap from his sophomore to junior season, increasing his completion percentage from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5% in 2024. Upon announcing his return to school prior to last season, Allar was immediately expected to be one of the best QBs in this class. That didn’t happen. A disappointing loss at home against Oregon in double overtime in which Allar threw the game-ending interception was followed by losses to UCLA and Northwestern. He suffered a broken left ankle in the Northwestern game and was sidelined for the season. Prior to the injury, Allar had 1,100 passing yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Evaluators were very complimentary of Allar’s performance at the combine in his first post-injury action. The arm strength was easy to see, as the ball came out of his hand with plenty of energy behind it. His accuracy improved as the session progressed. “I absolutely love that he came out and competed at the combine,” an AFC area scout said. “He’s been a bit of a mystery since the ankle injury, but I’m glad that he came out and proved that he was on the road to being back healthy.” Where he needs work: Allar’s accuracy regressed last season, as his 12.5% off-target percentage ranked 94th in the FBS, and Allar has moments where he puts the ball too high or low. He tends to make receivers work harder than they should to secure catches. “The biggest issue is that he looks good against the low- and middle-tier teams, but he just hasn’t had that signature performance any time that he plays against the elite ones,” an AFC assistant general manager said. NFL franchises fall in love with physical tools. In what is a jumbled up group of QBs in Rounds 3 and 4, Allar has far and away the best physical traits of the bunch, but his accuracy has yet to improve. There likely will be a team that convinces itself that it has the right coaching to help Allar improve his mechanical flaws, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he’s drafted earlier than expected. 6. Cole Payton, North Dakota StateHeight: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 232 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2, Early Day 3 Best team fit: Green Bay Packers Where he excels: Payton continues the long-running tradition of decorated North Dakota State passers. After missing the final eight games of the 2024 season with an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, he bounced back in 2025, finishing with 3,188 passing yards, 29 total TDs (16 passing, 13 rushing), and four interceptions. Payton is a strong dual-threat option with a frame that allows him to make difficult throws from the pocket and showcase his ability as a runner. He is tough in the pocket and able to withstand big hits from defenders while still throwing accurately. Payton is an excellent downfield passer, as his strong base, touch and feel help him deliver drop-in-the-bucket passes. Designed QB runs and short-yardage situations are successful with him because of his vision and willingness to fight through and shrug off would-be tacklers. Payton was the most consistent passer during Senior Bowl week. He showed consistency executing progressions, layering throws, and no hesitancy on tight-window throws over the middle of the field. Even though he’s labeled as an athlete on some draft boards, Payton is a legitimate passer with upside. Because of the progress that he has shown during the predraft circuit, he’s now a favorite middle-round target for teams looking for a project passer with upside. “He was finally healthy this year prior to that game in the playoffs and I actually liked his film quite a bit,” an AFC scout assigned to the Midwest said. “We thought he was more of a Taysom Hill-type with the ability to do more than just pass it around.” Where he needs work: Payton has a full-circle throwing motion that includes loopy mechanics. He must become less reliant on his upper body to generate power in his throws, as his lower body stiffness is most notable when throwing passes to his left side. Progressing to secondary options and overall pocket awareness are other things that he needs to improve. He also has a habit of locking on to first reads and being unaware of underneath targets. And finally, Payton also needs to use his mobility more by taking off to run when plays break down or when early options aren’t available. 7. Taylen Green, ArkansasHeight: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 227 poundsClass: Fifth-year senior | Projected range: Early Day 3 Best team fit: Philadelphia Eagles Where he excels: In what was the best QB testing performance ever at the combine, Green ran a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash time, jumped 43½ inches on the vertical jump and 11-foot-2 in the broad jump. That type of athleticism consistently shows up on tape. “If I have time to develop [a quarterback] over time, he’s the one that I’d be willing to take a shot on,” an NFC assistant general manager said. “There’s a lot of creative things that you could do with him while he’s developing, but that type of profile is what you typically like to take a chance on.” Green immediately became the Razorbacks’ starter after transferring from Boise State following the 2023 season. He had 2,714 passing yards, 19 touchdown throws and 11 interceptions last season, along with 771 rushing yards (12th most among FBS QBs) and two touchdowns on the ground. He had eight games with 50 or more rushing yards. Green’s long stride puts teams in a bind when he runs. Green also has the arm talent to get the ball to the spots he wants with his elongated over-the-top release. He has shown the ability to make explosive plays with both his arm (14 completions of 20-plus air yards) and his legs. He will likely be a popular middle-round target for teams looking to develop a toolsy passer with upside. Where he needs work: Green’s warts were noticeable as last season went on, most notably the time he takes to pass the ball. His 3.13-second average time to throw ranked 134th out of 138 quarterbacks in the FBS, and his indecisiveness in the short-to-intermediate areas was a big reason. Green has also struggled facing pressure. All 27 times he was sacked last season came against true pressure, and he completed only 38.6% of his passes in those situations. Green’s highs are extremely high and his lows will leave you scratching your head. His road to developing as a passer will be turbulent. Green undoubtedly has the necessary arm strength and mobility, but the inconsistent accuracy, footwork and timing all need a lot of coaching moving forward. 8. Luke Altmyer, IllinoisHeight: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 3 Best team fit: San Francisco 49ers Where he excels: After transferring to Illinois from Ole Miss in 2023, Altmyer became the starter in his first year with the program. He improved every season, finishing 2025 with 3,007 passing yards and 22 touchdowns to five interceptions. Altmyer is a true point guard who gets the ball out in a hurry, spreads it around and is a swift processor of opposing defenses. He does a great job identifying breakdowns or holes in defenses, and his 8.0% off-target percentage was the eighth lowest in the FBS. Illinois’ offense runs a mixture of light and heavy personnel sets, so Altmyer has gained experience with a variety of pre-snap positionings. He can play from under center or in the shotgun, operates well off play-action and can read out leveled concepts. He can also run when opportunities present themselves, showing the escapability and quickness to outrace first- and second-level defenders. At the Senior Bowl, Altmyer displayed why many teams have interest in him as a later-round option. He kept the offense on schedule with efficiency, throwing in rhythm and showing the mobility to escape the pocket and make plays happen outside it. Where he needs work: Altmyer’s confidence can be a gift and a curse, as he’ll bypass safer options in hopes of hunting for flashy plays. That daredevil mentality can prompt him to force throws into tight windows. Altmyer has a limited arm, but he’s functional in schemes that allow him to attack off timing routes. Many evaluators I spoke to last season mentioned him as one of their top candidates to be a late-round dart throw who could become a decade-plus backup quarterback in the NFL. 9. Cade Klubnik, ClemsonHeight: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 207 poundsClass: Senior | Projected range: Early-mid Day 3 Best team fit: New England Patriots Where he excels: With four starters returning along the Tigers’ offensive line and his top three wide receivers back for another season, I thought Klubnik had the best supporting cast in the country and had a prime opportunity to build off a breakout 2024. That’s part of why I had him as the No. 1 pick in my way-too-early mock draft last May. But Klubnik finished with 2,943 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s most comfortable operating off play-action, as he had 10 touchdowns, two interceptions and a 72.7% completion percentage. Klubnik has stretches of hot and cold play throughout games, similar to a streaky 3-point shooter. His clean throwing release allowed him to distribute the ball evenly to all his targets in the underneath areas the Tigers operated in. Klubnik is also a threat as a runner when forced to break the pocket. Where he needs work: Klubnik has a lot of borderline-average traits but doesn’t have one superior trait. Outside of his Week 6 performance against North Carolina (22-of-24, 254 yards and 4 TDs), Klubnik hesitated throwing the ball on time, too. I saw him up close against LSU in the 2025 season opener and noticed that he had timing troubles when reading concepts. His anticipation skills have been lacking, and he defaulted to waiting for teammates to get open before throwing. His mechanics tend to wane when facing pressure, and his accuracy becomes scattershot. Klubnik completed only 48.5% of his passes when facing true pressure. There were mixed opinions of Klubnik entering the season, but thoughts of him being a middle-to-late round passer have become more of a consensus. 10. Sawyer Robertson, BaylorHeight: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 216 poundsClass: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 3, UDFA Best team fit: Atlanta Falcons Where he excels: Robertson has an effective throwing motion, which helped him distribute the ball in Baylor’s spread-and-shred offense. After transferring from Mississippi State, he took the reins of the QB1 spot early in the 2024 season and orchestrated one of the more explosive units in the country the past two seasons. Robertson finished his college career with back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons, with 3,681 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2025. He’s always looking to attack vertically, as his 26 completions of 20-plus air yards were the 12th most in the FBS. Robertson is a quick, decisive decision-maker who gets the ball out in a hurry. He knows where his options are in passing concepts and shows a willingness to throw the ball to any accessible receiver, no matter where he is on the field. Where he needs work: Robertson’s accuracy and pocket feel can waver when defenses speed him up and his base isn’t set. His 12 interceptions last season were tied for fifth most among FBS QBs, and Robertson had three games where he threw at least two interceptions. His decision-making would waver in the fourth quarter, when he threw six interceptions. Underthrown passes and misreading underneath coverages were the two major culprits in his turnovers and missed opportunities. 11. Joe Fagnano, UConnHeight: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 226 poundsClass: Seventh-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 3, UDFA Best team fit: Detroit Lions Where he excels: A rare seventh-year senior, Fagnano spent four seasons at Maine (2019-22) before transferring to UConn prior to the 2023 season. He experienced a breakout in 2025, finishing with 3,448 passing yards and 28 touchdowns to only one interception — a tipped pass against Air Force. Fagnano is a mechanically sound passer whose eyes, feet and throwing motion are routinely in sync. He shows comfort with scanning through full-field reads. He understands his limitations and opts to make the right throw. And he also gets the ball out quick — his 2.56-second average time before pass ranked among the top 25 in the FBS. Fagnano rose to the occasion against bigger opponents, going 2-1 against ACC opponents, including a victory over ACC champion Duke. His 14 go-ahead passing touchdowns led the FBS. Where he needs work: Fagnano, who will turn 25 prior to the draft, played in an offense predicated on quick completions, as 28.8% of his attempts last season were at or behind the line of scrimmage (38th most in the FBS). He has limited arm strength and won’t wow scouts with his passing velocity. His game is more dependent on taking the safe throw than testing defenses in tighter windows. 12. Diego Pavia, VanderbiltHeight: 5-foot-10 | Weight: 207 poundsClass: Sixth-year senior | Projected range: Late Day 3, UDFA Best team fit: Baltimore Ravens Where he excels: After two seasons in junior college, Pavia played two years at New Mexico State before transferring to Vanderbilt prior to the 2024 season. He was the catalyst behind one of the most magical program turnarounds in the country over the past two seasons. He finished with 3,539 passing yards, 29 touchdown passes and eight interceptions last season and was second in the Heisman Trophy voting. His 8.8 yards per dropback was the highest in the FBS, as he can make explosive plays happen with his arm and caused headaches for defenses with his wizardry outside the pocket. Carrying a “me against the world” mentality as an undersized playmaker, Pavia constantly plays the game on edge and isn’t afraid to take risks. Pavia displays high levels of poise and has played his best against the toughest opponents no matter the environment. He loves to extend plays and take chances down the field, as exemplified by his 9.4 yards per attempt last season (second highest in FBS). Where he needs work: At just under 5-foot-10, QBs of Pavia’s size hardly ever last in the NFL as late-round selections. His stature makes him an extreme outlier, which could take him off some teams’ draft boards. Pavia needs to learn how to operate consistently through progressions, as Vanderbilt’s offense included a lot of shotgun-based one- or two-option reads. He also tends to bail from the pocket prematurely when those early options aren’t available. Pavia’s mental makeup and competitive drive might convince a team to take a chance on him late in the draft, though. There’s no denying the effect that he had on the Vanderbilt program and his role in its dramatic improvement over the past two seasons |
| 2026 DRAFTPeter Schrager, now at ESPN.com, offers his first Mock Draft of the season: 1. Las Vegas RaidersFernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaBarring any major — and completely shocking — news, this is all but a done deal. Mendoza has franchise QB traits, and having Kirk Cousins in the building will help him acclimate to the pro game. The real question now: What can the Raiders do with their other nine picks to build this roster up around Mendoza? 2. New York JetsDavid Bailey, Edge, Texas TechThis will likely be either Bailey or Ohio State’s Arvell Reese — New York was 31st in sacks last season with 26 — but I have to think Bailey is the guy for the Jets. He is a polished pass rusher with proven production, tying for the FBS lead in sacks (14.5) in 2025. He can be a Day 1 disrupter off the edge. 3. Arizona CardinalsArvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio StateAs part of the loaded NFC West, Arizona has to face three of the NFL’s best teams twice every season, and the defense was frankly not very good last year, allowing 28.7 points per game (29th). Reese fills a need in Arizona as a potentially elite pass rusher, and I’ve heard rave reviews on what he can bring off the field from coaches. With the changing of eras in Arizona, the Cards should be seeking out new cornerstone pieces like Reese this month. Speaking of which: One wild card to watch here is Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. 4. Tennessee TitansJeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameI interviewed Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi for “The Schrager Hour” in March, and he made pointed statements about Robert Saleh’s previous teams always having “waves” of pass rushers. That might suggest Tennessee could think about Bailey or Reese if they are still on the board, or perhaps even Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr. But I just don’t think the Titans will pass on Love. This is a dynamic player who can do it all. He ran for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. 5. New York GiantsFrancis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiNew coach John Harbaugh referred to the offensive line as a “work in progress” at the league meetings. That’s not what you want in front of a franchise quarterback who has shown a tendency to use his legs. But Jaxson Dart would love Mauigoa, a road paver with positional versatility. Mauigoa is expected to be the first offensive lineman off the board. 6. Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano, OT/G, UtahFano is a rare prospect in this draft in that he has true versatility across the entire offensive line. He can play tackle and guard, and he even took snaps at center during the combine. Because he might not be viewed as a pure left tackle, sixth might be seen as too rich. But with two picks in the first round, look for Cleveland to get an O-lineman with at least one of them. And Fano is a talented, moveable piece along that line. 7. Washington CommandersSonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateI believe Washington is going to go defense; it gave up 6.0 yards per play in 2025, tied for third worst. Styles shows a lot of the same traits that Fred Warner has displayed in San Francisco, and GM Adam Peters — who came from San Francisco — knows what Warner has meant for the 49ers all these years. Styles had 77 tackles as a sideline-to-sideline defender last season and then lit up the combine with a smooth 4.46 in the 40-yard dash and a 43½-inch vertical jump. I like this fit. 8. New Orleans SaintsRueben Bain Jr., Edge, MiamiNew Orleans said farewell to many defensive leaders this offseason, as Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor will all likely be elsewhere next season (Jordan is still a free agent). And short arms be damned; the powerful and disruptive Bain is viewed as a top-10-worthy prospect after a 9.5-sack season. This seems like a good match. 9. Kansas City ChiefsJordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateWith a top-10 pick for the first time since 2017 — when the Chiefs took some guy named Patrick Mahomes — Kansas City can go in a variety of directions here. Cornerback and edge rusher are certainly options. I still think finding offensive playmakers is a major priority, though, especially with Mahomes coming off the ACL injury. Tyson pops more than any other receiver in this draft class; he just needs to stay healthy. 10. Cincinnati BengalsMansoor Delane, CB, LSUDelane allowed a low 31.3 passer rating when targeted last season and is viewed as the top corner in this class. Cincinnati could look at a few different options here, and while another early-round pick on a defensive back might not be the most popular choice, it could make a lot of sense. The Bengals need a true shutdown guy on the outside. 11. Miami DolphinsCarnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateMiami has seven picks in the first three rounds, becoming just the second NFL team to have such a haul (2024 Cardinals). And with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone, and the sizable investment under center in Malik Willis, the Dolphins have to address the WR room. New coach Jeff Hafley (who coached with Ryan Day in San Francisco and at Ohio State) and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan have countless contacts at Ohio State, and the whole program raves about Tate. He could bring some juice to Miami. 12. Dallas CowboysCaleb Downs, S, Ohio StateBuckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia told me on “The Schrager Hour” that Downs will be the smartest player on whichever team drafts him and should be a face of the franchise. The Cowboys need that on defense, even if safety isn’t valued the same as pass rusher or cornerback. Downs could team up with Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker on the back end and help curtail the big plays that hurt Dallas last season (gave up 54 plays of 25-plus yards, most in the NFL). If he’s on the board, he would be a steal at No. 12. 13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)Makai Lemon, WR, USCLemon fits with a lot of what the Rams do on offense. And taking the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner would be a sign that the Rams are truly all-in to win in 2026, potentially Matthew Stafford’s final season. But this pick would also have the long term in mind, with Davante Adams entering the final year of his deal and turning 34 in December. 14. Baltimore RavensKenyon Sadiq, TE, OregonWhat better way to show Lamar Jackson and Ravens fans that the Baltimore offense isn’t going anywhere without offensive coordinator Todd Monken or former TE2 Isaiah Likely than by drafting a supreme talent like Sadiq? One of the stars of the combine, Sadiq ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time for a tight end since at least 2003. He also caught 51 passes last season, the most ever by an Oregon tight end. Mark Andrews is back in Baltimore, but he’s now in his 30s, and this offense likes having multiple impact players at the position. 15. Tampa Bay BuccaneersJermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeMcCoy had an outstanding 2024 but missed all of 2025 with a knee injury. But he is a legit No. 1 corner when he’s healthy. McCoy has a 77-inch wingspan and is viewed as one of the top two CBs in this class, alongside Delane. By the end of last season, Tampa Bay was relying on some very inexperienced players at the position, and it did not add anyone in free agency to replace Jamel Dean. 16. New York Jets (via IND)Omar Cooper Jr., WR, IndianaEvery GM I speak to seems to love Cooper. He’s fearless and tough as nails — and he produces, with 937 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. The comp I’ve heard is Deebo Samuel, and I don’t think that’s too wild to consider. The Jets are all about creating strong culture right now and building with guys who want it more than the ones lining up against them. That’s Cooper. He’d be a great complement to Garrett Wilson. 17. Detroit LionsOlaivavega Ioane, G, Penn StateI’m not sure there’s a more “Dan Campbell” player in this draft than Ioane. He’s 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, and he plays with a mean streak. Ioane didn’t give up a single sack and was an All-American last season at Penn State. Nice fit on the interior for the Detroit line. 18. Minnesota VikingsEmmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, ToledoMcNeil-Warren is a tall, rangy safety who plays with high energy and is vocal in the defensive backfield. We’re still not sure if Harrison Smith will be back at 37 years old, but McNeil-Warren can be the torchbearer once Smith does choose to call it a career. He had five picks over the past three seasons. 19. Carolina PanthersMonroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaFreeling’s physical traits are going to get some attention this month. He’s 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds with long 34¾-inch arms, and he has the quicks, running a 4.93-second 40. Freeling has played both left and right tackle, too. He could be a key long-term building block for Carolina in protecting for Bryce Young and opening holes for Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks. 20. Dallas Cowboys (via GB)Akheem Mesidor, Edge, MiamiMesidor is one of the older players in this class, having just turned 25 years old, but he also might be the prospect most ready to make an immediate impact. He was an absolute menace for Miami, and he’d immediately become one of Dallas’ top pass rushers off the edge. Mesidor tallied 12.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025. 21. Pittsburgh SteelersT.J. Parker, Edge, ClemsonAlabama’s Ty Simpson is still available, but I’m expecting Aaron Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh for another season. On defense, the Steelers started getting younger along the line with the Derrick Harmon pick a year ago, and I wouldn’t think they’re done there. Parker has played a big role on the Clemson defense since his true freshman season, with 21.5 sacks over his three years there. 22. Los Angeles ChargersBlake Miller, OT, ClemsonMiller started every single game over his four years with Clemson (54 starts). And for an offensive line that was ravaged by injuries last season, taking the quintessential iron man of this tackle class at No. 22 makes sense. Miller could provide depth behind Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, and even slide inside to guard. 23. Philadelphia EaglesDenzel Boston, WR, WashingtonBoston is electric, and Washington coach Jedd Fisch and Eagles general manager Howie Roseman are longtime college buddies. Some NFL sources I have spoken to have Boston as the second or third wideout in this class. And if the Eagles take him, A.J. Brown’s future becomes all the more interesting and will undoubtedly hit the A Block on “Get Up” on Friday morning coming out of the draft. 24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&MConcepcion is a do-everything wideout who averaged 15.1 yards per catch in 2025 and can also be a key playmaker in the return game. I’ve had multiple sources compare Concepcion to Zay Flowers. New offensive coordinator Travis Switzer and new coach Todd Monken both had Flowers in Baltimore, and they could get creative with how they use Concepcion in this offense. I had the Browns going with an offensive tackle at No. 6, but they need a playmaker, too. 25. Chicago BearsKadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaProctor is a mass of humanity. He weighed in at 358 pounds at his pro day — but he can move. If he keeps his weight down, Proctor has as much upside as any tackle in this class. And frankly, I think he is going earlier than No. 25. But with Ozzy Trapilo out and Braxton Jones’ uneven play, Chicago would be happy with this outcome. General manager Ryan Poles is often credited for the Trey Smith and Creed Humphrey picks in Kansas City, and he has the chance to add another star to the list. 26. Buffalo BillsKayden McDonald, DT, Ohio StateThis might be the highest you’ll see McDonald going in a mock draft at the moment, but I’m hearing significant first-round buzz on him. A massive run defender, McDonald would be a good fit in Buffalo, where the Bills ranked 30th against the run last season (5.1 yards allowed per carry). 27. San Francisco 49ersCaleb Lomu, OT, UtahSan Francisco’s offensive line could be in flux if things don’t get cleared up with Trent Williams’ contract. And to be honest, even if the Niners and Williams work out his deal, the team still has to be thinking about the future; Williams will be 38 years old next season. Lomu played left tackle for the Utes last season, and although his game is still a work in progress, he’s worthy of a first-round grade. He didn’t allow any sacks in 2025. 28. Houston TexansMax Iheanachor, OT, Arizona StateOne of the players with the biggest upside in this class, Iheanachor is still relatively new to football. The Nigerian-born tackle got to the United States when he was 13 years old and picked up the sport in just the past few years. Still growing and learning, he could be a home run pick if a team is patient and capitalizes on his upside. Houston is always looking for talent on its O-line as the front office works through another makeover of the unit. 29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)Colton Hood, CB, TennesseeHood was highly productive last season, with 10 pass breakups despite Jermod McCoy being out of the lineup opposite him. Kansas City lost three key defensive backs in free agency (Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams), so there is a big need. Hood — the nephew of former pro Roderick Hood — brings a pro-style mentality and a knack for being around the ball. 30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN)Dillon Thieneman, S, OregonI thought about Georgia linebacker CJ Allen here, but I went with one of the fastest players at this year’s combine in Thieneman. But he’s much more than just that 4.35 speed. His film reveals a versatile player who can cover, tackle and lead a defense. It’s a new era in Miami, and Jeff Hafley has expertise in coaching up defensive backs. 31. New England PatriotsKeylan Rutledge, G/C, Georgia TechThis might not be the same level of surprise as the Patriots’ Cole Strange pick was a few years back, but I haven’t seen anyone put Rutledge in Round 1 yet. It could happen. In talking to teams over the past few weeks, Rutledge is viewed as a Day 1 or Day 2 prospect. He allowed just two sacks over 43 career starts. At this point, the Patriots need to protect Drake Maye, and even if it’s viewed as a reach on draft day, this could be the guy to get the job done. 32. Seattle SeahawksJadarian Price, RB, Notre DameBelieve it or not, Notre Dame has never had two running backs selected in the first round of the same NFL draft. In fact, only three running back tandems from the same school have ever been selected in the first round in the same year. But Price is the No. 2 running back in this class and would provide some nice pop to the Seattle offense after the departure of Kenneth Walker III via free agency. He had only 113 carries last season but turned them into 674 yards and 11 scores. |
