| The Super Bowl will return to Las Vegas, just five years after the first game at Allegiant Stadium. Chris Cwik of YahooSports.com: In February of 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime to win the first-ever Super Bowl hosted at Allegiant Stadium. The venue must have made an impression on the NFL, because Allegiant Stadium was chosen to host the big game once again in 2029. The NFL officially awarded Super Bowl LXIII to Allegiant Stadium — home of the Las Vegas Raiders — on Monday. The news was expected. In the days leading up to Monday’s announcement, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said it was a “matter of formality” that Las Vegas would host the Super Bowl in 2029. Still, team owners needed to vote on the matter during the NFL league meetings, which began Sunday. Allegiant Stadium has hosted a number of premier events since it opened in 2020. The venue not only serves as the home field for the Las Vegas Raiders and UNLV football, but also hosts the Las Vegas Bowl during college football season. In addition to hosting football games, Allegiant Stadium has also played host to soccer matches, various concerts (including Taylor Swift) and Wrestlemania, which it will host again in 2026. 2026 NFL Draft wide receiver rankings: 5 could go in 1st round, so who’s No. 1?It will mark the first time since 2024 that the Super Bowl will be held at the field. Following its first appearance at Allegiant Stadium in 2024, the Super Bowl has been hosted by the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will host the event in 2027 and then Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will hold it in 2028. SoFi Stadium in LA and Allegiant Stadium seem on track to get two out of every five Super Bowls. Which leave the other three to be parceled out among stalwarts Miami, Tampa, Atlanta, New Orleans, Arizona, Houston and newcomers Nashville, Jacksonville, Denver, Washington plus any others that get back in the mix like Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Arlington. This from Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: Much like with Los Angeles and SoFi Stadium, the Super Bowl will return to Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium after just five years in February 2029. With the league’s positive experience in putting on its biggest game in Las Vegas back in early 2024, NFL EVP of club business, international and league events Peter O’Reilly said on Monday that the process to bring the Super Bowl back to Southern Nevada started shortly after the confetti came down on the Chiefs. “Las Vegas, this is a great sports and entertainment mecca,” O’Reilly said. “They know how to put on big events. “We learned a ton, and it all worked really well. So frankly, right after that game, the process started, and the conversations started of, what’s the right year? What’s the right timing? And that leads us to today. There’s just so many reasons on that list that Las Vegas makes sense — not only for the league, our clubs, but our partners and our fans.” If it sounds like Las Vegas is going to be in the regular rotation for hosting the Super Bowl, O’Reilly would object to that characterization for one specific reason. “We don’t have any formal rotation,” O’Reilly said. “We really take it a year at a time, evaluate cities. Every summer, we send an expression of interest out to all 32 clubs. They let us know what events — Super Bowl and otherwise — they’re interested in. So, I think we and Las Vegas were always on [an] audition, if you will. Every Super Bowl is that chance — if we don’t together raise the bar, then we’re not doing our job, and maybe it doesn’t return. So, that’s the mode we’re in. “Certainly, we feel great about Las Vegas as a Super Bowl host. That’s very evident coming back as quickly as we are. But we, and I think the membership, is not in a rotation mode. It’s about identifying what’s the right city at the right time to continue to grow Super Bowl.” And, this Vegas Super Bowl, like the one before it in Atlanta next year, does not have a specific date. Mike Florio: The NFL has yet to pick a date for Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta. The game will be played in less than 23 months. PFT has reported that the absence of a specific date flows directly from the possibility that the NFL will move to an 18-game season by 2027. On Monday, NFL executive V.P. Peter O’Reilly downplayed the absence of a firm date for Super Bowl LXII. “This is not unique to not have announced a Super Bowl date for Atlanta,” O’Reilly told reporters in the press conference announcing that Super Bowl LXIII will be played in Las Vegas. “We’ve done that around this horizon in the past. So, there’s not a lot to necessarily read into that. Obviously, important flexibility, whether that has to do with future scheduling changes or otherwise. But there’s nothing unique about this moment in time in terms of scheduling. We’ve always had that flexibility going back decades.” Within that response lurks implicit confirmation: “important flexibility, whether that has to do with future scheduling changes or otherwise.” Under the current formula of 17 games and one bye with the first week landing on the weekend after Labor Day, it’s not difficult to pick the date for any Super Bowl. For Atlanta in 2028, it would land on Sunday, February 13. With 18 games and one bye, it would land on Sunday, February 20. With 18 games and two byes, it would land on Sunday, February 27. With 18 games, two byes, and a decision to return to Labor Day weekend, it would land on Sunday, February 20. Presidents’ Day weekend. So when will a date be picked? “It’s rare that you’d get into the season before — so not the season of the Super Bowl, but into that season before without having that date,” O’Reilly said. “So that gives you a range.” With the NFL by all indications planning to engage with new NFL Players Association executive director JC Tretter sooner than later, that creates a rough deadline of Week 1 to figure out whether the 2027 season will consist of 17 or 18 games, and whether it will start on Labor Day weekend.– – -The two Super Bowl teams have drawn the “Hard Knocks” straws. The NFL has picked the 2026 Hard Knocks team. It also has picked the 2027 Hard Knocks team. For the first time ever, the NFL has announced the subjects of the long-running HBO docuseries for the next two installments. Via Adam Schefter of ESPN, it will be the Seahawks in 2026 and the Patriots in 2027. Neither team has ever served as the subject of the show. And both, obviously, made it to Super Bowl LX. Once upon a time, the NFL exempted from Hard Knocks consideration any team that had made it to the playoffs within the past two seasons. That factor is obviously now long gone. The NFL also started in-season Hard Knocks several years ago. In recent seasons, it has focused on an entire division. Presumably, the 2026 installment won’t focus on the NFC West — and the 2027 version won’t center on the AFC East. The league had a one-year run of offseason Hard Knocks. It was so revealing (in a bad way) for the Giants that the experiment ended after one year. The DB also has reason to believe that Buccaneers QB BAKER MAYFIELD is one of the four subjects for the next “Quarterback” show. |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOKevin Warren expounds on his master plan for resolving the new stadium situation. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: Bears president and CEO Kevin Warren is expecting to have a stadium solution in place for the club by late spring or early summer of this year, Warren said in an interview with PFT from the annual league meeting on Monday. The Bears are currently focused on Arlington Heights, Ill., and Hammond, Ind., as potential stadium sites. “We have the legislation passed in Indiana, and they’ve been a great partner to work with,” Warren said. “We are going through legitimate due diligence because we have working through traffic, and construction items, and transportation and all those kinds of different things. It’s progressing right on pace. “Illinois, they’re still working on legislation and we have a wonderful piece of land in Arlington Heights — 326 acres. So we don’t have a set deadline, but I am confident that sometime this spring/summer, we’ll know.” Warren continued that the goal for the Bears is to “build a world-class environment with a fixed roof that our fans can really enjoy to make sure we have the proper ingress and egress and tailgating, and parking, and all those different accoutrements that great stadiums have.” The enclosed stadium will allow the Bears to host more events, like the Final Four and potentially a Super Bowl. Warren also called it “imperative” for the new venue to have a mixed-use development surrounding the stadium, which means the Bears need the space for it. That’s part of why downtown Chicago near Soldier Field is no longer a part of the discussion. “We strongly believe the only site in the state of Illinois and Cook County is Arlington Heights,” Warren said. “Because when you see that property, having 326 acres with the train station there, the things that we would be able to do — there are some great sites, we talked a couple of years ago about doing something at the Museum campus. There was not an appetite at that point in time there. And there are some other sites that just don’t fit.” So at this point, Warren anticipates having the situation settled in the next few months. “It has to,” Warren said. “Especially if you look, I’m always intrigued by the financial markets, the capital markets, those are something that we have to focus on because this is challenging work now from a legislation [standpoint], but the real work comes in the construction. That’s really where it comes in. For us to be able to finish the design and build the stadium, that’s the work. The longer we wait, our costs go up about $150 million a year.” And while Warren and the Bears may not know where the stadium will be or what it will look like quite yet, they do want the new building to have at least one characteristic. “I think the biggest thing we kind of promised ourselves is to make sure that you know you’re in Chicago,” Warren said. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSCould QB KIRK COUSINS be heading to the Rams? Nick Shook of NFL.com: Sean McVay is especially chatty at the 2026 Annual League Meeting and delivered some interesting revelations on Monday in Phoenix. First up: Quarterback. Matthew Stafford is back after an NFL MVP season in 2025 and is entrenched as the starter, but the Rams’ backup situation has quietly lingered as one of the more fascinating items on the offseason agenda across the league. Might Jimmy Garoppolo return to reprise his role as Stafford’s understudy? Could McVay and general manager Les Snead look elsewhere? The answer is yes — to both — and includes the addition of another interesting name: Kirk Cousins. McVay told reporters the Rams are looking at both Garoppolo and Cousins for their backup job, an unusually candid admission made by a coach of a team that has neither under contract. “Hey, I’d love to have Jimmy Garoppolo back with us,” McVay said, per the team’s website. “That’s a big deal for us. He’s earned the right to be able to take his time and do whatever he wants. Is there an opportunity to explore, if it’s not Jimmy, (like) Kirk Cousins? Of course. I’d love to be able to be able to see what that looks like. So those are two guys we’ve talked about.” McVay was Cousins’ offensive coordinator in Washington from 2014-2016. On a potential reunion with Cousins, McVay added: “Those are things that we’re very interested in possibly exploring, but again, it’s really premature. I know Kirk has some other options and opportunities as well, but he’s a guy that I have familiarity with, history and a lot of reverence for because of the gratitude from our experiences together.” It’s refreshing to receive such honesty regarding two players still available to any interested suitor, and the transparency coincided with another reveal from McVay. The Rams considered shopping veteran wide receiver Davante Adams this offseason, but ultimately decided against it. “If we felt like it was best for our team we would have done that,” McVay said, per the Los Angeles Times. “But we didn’t think it was best for our team, so excited to be able to move forward with him.” McVay told reporters he spoke openly with the 33-year-old receiver about potential trade talks, explaining he felt it is important to inform players of what is being discussed, per The Athletic. This revelation was a striking admission made by a coach of a team that harbors strong Super Bowl ambitions entering the new season. Adams played a key role in Los Angeles’ offense in 2025, especially in the red zone, serving as a reliable target for Stafford opposite Puka Nacua and finishing with 60 receptions for 789 yards and a league-leading 14 receiving touchdowns in 14 games. That output evidently did not preclude Snead and McVay from considering moving him as a trade chip. Apparently, nothing is stopping McVay from revealing their plans, either. There are many ways to conduct business in today’s NFL. McVay and Snead should expect their phones to ring after Monday’s disclosures. |
| SEATTLECoach Mike Macdonald on how the Seahawks might replace the Super Bowl MVP and others. Nick Shook of NFL.com: The Seattle Seahawks’ triumphant cruise into 2026 as the newest Super Bowl champions didn’t come without some goodbyes, but their head coach doesn’t seem to be too bothered by those who left. As is the case with many Super Bowl winners, needy teams were eager to poach contributors from Seattle’s roster. Safety Coby Bryant joined the Bears, cornerback Tariq Woolen moved east to Philadelphia, edge Boye Mafe traded his Seahawks uniform for a Bengals kit and special teamer Dareke Young became a Las Vegas Raider. None loomed larger, however, than reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who quickly accepted an offer to join the Kansas City Chiefs at the start of free agency. With Walker gone, the Seahawks are left with Zach Charbonnet — who is returning from an ACL injury suffered in the postseason — spell back George Holani, reserve Kenny McIntosh, who missed all of 2025 with an ACL tear, and offseason addition Emanuel Wilson. It’s a group that isn’t as imposing on paper, but Macdonald isn’t fretting the changes. “Well, we have, you know, Kenny Mac and Zach are gonna be rehabbing, like, crazy, trying to get back,” Macdonald told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche at the Annual League Meeting. “You know, we’re gonna be aggressive with that as best we can, but we’re also gonna be as smart as we can to take care of them. So, when they’re ready to go, they’re ready to go. “I think what you saw from George Holani in the offseason, or really at the end of the season, Super Bowl, NFC championship, the guy played great football, as he did before, he got hurt, you know, at the beginning of the season. So, we’re always looking to make our team, you know, take the next step, but the guys we’re having the building were excited for, and I’m pretty sure it’s Zach Charbonnet scored, like, 14 touchdowns last year, so it was pretty good.” Macdonald is largely correct in his assessment. Charbonnet became a valuable power back who was remarkably productive in short-yardage situations, especially along the goal line. Of his 14 rushing scores, 12 came from six or less yards out. But in order for Charbonnet to receive those opportunities, he needed his more explosive teammates like Walker, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba or others to move the Seahawks into short-yardage scoring opportunities. The Seahawks acted accordingly in the 2026 offseason. With the understanding they’d likely lose some defenders from their excellent unit to free agency, general manager John Schneider decided now was the time to dedicate financial resources toward the other side of the ball, handing a lucrative deal to Smith-Njigba to secure the services of the newly minted NFL Offensive Player of the Year for the next six years. That meant some sacrifices might have to be made elsewhere in order to preserve their chances of remaining perennial Super Bowl contenders. But as Macdonald suggested Sunday, with $33 million in cap space available and the draft less than a month away, it doesn’t mean the Seahawks are done addressing the running backs room. Just don’t expect the newest Super Bowl-winning coach to lose sleep over it in April. |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVERQB BO NIX is doing great. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is ahead of schedule in his rehab from ankle surgery that ended his season, team owner Greg Penner said Monday at the NFL owners meetings. The Broncos are confident Nix will participate in organized team activities this offseason. “He’s attacked his recovery like he attacks preparing for games,” Penner said, via Nick Kosmider of TheAthletic.com. “He’s done a terrific job. He’s ahead of schedule. No concerns at all for OTAs and [he will] go forward from there. Really, really pleased with his progress and the support from [vice president of player health] Beau Lowery and everyone.” Nix fractured his right ankle near the end of the Broncos’ divisional round playoff victory over the Bills. He missed the AFC Championship Game, the first game Nix has missed in his career. He said in a conference call with reporters after the injury that the “simple fracture” would require only a 4-6 week recovery. The Broncos added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Dolphins, delivering another weapon to Nix as he begins his third season. “I wasn’t with him when he found out, but he was pretty excited when I walked down to the training room,” Broncos General Manager George Paton said of Nix’s reaction to the Waddle news, via Kosmider. “He was excited. He obviously went to dinner with all of us. I think Bo thinks he is a quasi-GM sometimes. Sometimes he is right, and sometimes he is wrong, but I think he’s right on this guy. This guy is pretty special.” Nix is also a first-time father in the last 30 days or so: Riley Belle Nix 🕊️ arrived on her dad’s birthday — 2/25/26 at 4:45pm, 6 lbs 11 ozThe best birthday party I’ve ever been to!!!!!! “For this child, I have prayed” 1 Samuel 1:27 We are overwhelmed by the goodness of God and immeasurable joy that we have experienced this week! Thank you, Jesus, for choosing us to shepherd over her life 🤍 |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHJust like last year with Mike Tomlin, Coach Mike McCarthy is staying in tough with unsigned free agent QB AARON RODGERS. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy is speaking regularly with the person he hopes will be his starting quarterback in 2026. McCarthy said on Monday that he has been in regular communication with Aaron Rodgers throughout the offseason. It’s still not clear whether Rodgers, a free agent, will sign with the Steelers, but McCarthy described his conversations with Rodgers as productive. “Just like they always are, life, football, so what’s going on at the facility,” McCarthy said, via Steelers.com. “Really engaged into what’s going on. I would just say he’s in a very positive space. We’ll just continue to engage in conversations. We’ve been talking weekly, every couple of days, so we’ll just continue to do that.” McCarthy coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2006 to 2018. They won a Super Bowl together, and Rodgers was twice named NFL Most Valuable Player during his years playing for McCarthy. The two still have a good relationship. “The personal part of it will always be the same,” said McCarthy. “Football guys, they talk about the past. We talked about plays in 2010. We’re talking a lot of football, his experience in Pittsburgh. We talk a lot about football and just where he is in his life right now.” Right now, Rodgers is not a Steeler. McCarthy hopes he will be soon. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOThe Bills have gone ahead and exercised the fifth-year option of TE DALTON KINCAID. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: Tight end Dalton Kincaid is set for at least two more seasons in Buffalo. Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said on Monday that the team has exercised its option on Kincaid’s contract for the 2027 season. Kincaid is now set to make $8.162 million for his fifth NFL season. Kincaid was the 25th overall pick in 2023. He had 73 catches as a rookie and has added 83 catches over the last two seasons. He has 1,692 yards and nine touchdowns over all 41 regular season games he’s played for the AFC East club. The Bills also have Dawson Knox under contract at tight end through the 2028 season. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2026 DRAFTHere is a Mock Draft from Josh Edwards of CBSSports.com: 1 – LAS VEGASFernando Mendoza QBIndiana • Jr • 6’5″ / 236 lbsNo one’s considering alternatives for Las Vegas. The Tyler Linderbaum signing supports the assumption that Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick, as a veteran center is a huge benefit for a young quarterback. The Raiders need a quarterback, and there’s a player worthy of that selection. 2 NY JETSArvell Reese EDGEOhio State • Jr • 6’4″ / 243 lbsI’ve gone back and forth on how the Jets may perceive this selection. Would Aaron Glenn want a player viewed more as a finished product (David Bailey) or one with more upside (Arvell Reese)? Some of the signings in free agency take the pressure off Reese contributing immediately, which makes the upside play easier to justify. 3 ARIZONAFrancis Mauigoa OTMiami (Fla.) • Jr • 6’6″ / 329 lbsArizona’s biggest need is along the offensive line. I tend to think offensive-minded head coach Mike LaFleur would like to go in that direction if it makes sense. In a relatively weak draft class at the top, and knowing the offensive linemen are going to fly off the board prior to their next season, it is conceivable that the Cardinals will make that move while it is within their power. 4 TENNESSEEJeremiyah Love RBNotre Dame • Jr • 6’0″ / 214 lbsRight or wrong, Tennessee went all in on offense to support Will Levis. It’s not far-fetched to think there may be an organizational philosophy to do the same with Cam Ward, even if the regime is new. They signed Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency and now add Jeremiyah Love to give Ward an abundance of playmakers. 5 NY GIANTSSonny Styles LBOhio State • Sr • 6’5″ / 243 lbsNFL teams are obsessed with athletic traits, especially when they’re attached to good football players. In a draft that lacks blue-chip players at premium positions, Sonny Styles stands out as a potential impact performer. Although John Harbaugh’s background is special teams, most of his clubs have had a tone-setting linebacker. 6 DALLAS (Mock Trade from Cleveland)David Bailey EDGETexas Tech • Sr • 6’4″ / 250 lbsDallas sends No. 12 overall and second-round picks each of the next two years to the Browns in exchange for No. 6 overall and a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Cowboys are operating like a team that is feeling a bit of pressure to make noise in the postseason. Their pursuit of Maxx Crosby fell short and led them to Rashan Gary. There are not many impactful prospects in this draft class, so the Cowboys move for one of them. 7 WASHINGTONRueben Bain Jr. EDGEMiami (Fla.) • Jr • 6’2″ / 263 lbsThere are a lot of teams in this draft eyeing defensive talent in a number of different roles. The Commanders may consider safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles, but Rueben Bain is of equal consideration despite moves made by the organization this offseason. 8 NEW ORLEANSCarnell Tate WROhio State • Jr • 6’2″ / 192 lbsChris Olave, when healthy, is one of the most productive receivers in the NFL, but the cupboard is rather bare beyond him post-Rashid Shaheed trade. New Orleans would happily embrace another former Ohio State receiver in the form of Carnell Tate, who uses his body and route-running to create separation. Tyler Shough is flush with talent after adding Travis Etienne and Tate. 9 KANSAS CITYSpencer Fano OTUtah • Jr • 6’6″ / 311 lbsKansas City takes offensive tackles in back-to-back drafts as Spencer Fano is tabbed as Jawaan Taylor’s replacement. The Chiefs are not often in a position to add a premium talent in the top 10 overall. It is not a flashy addition, but they are filling in potholes on the roster with another pick in the round. 10 CINCINNATIMansoor Delane CBLSU • Sr • 6’0″ / 187 lbsMansoor Delane is a high IQ football player who ran fast at the LSU Pro Day. His ceiling may not be as high as Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy, but the floor is high and the Bengals can not afford to miss on another defensive prospect. 11 MIAMICaleb Downs SOhio State • Jr • 6’0″ / 205 lbsMiami traded away safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and now have a need at the position, as well as several others. The Dolphins are flush with seven selections among the top 100 overall and focus should be adding the best player available. Caleb Downs is among the best prospects in this class assuming the medicals are clear, but his athletic ceiling is not as high as others and he does not play a premium position. The Dolphins are the beneficiary of him still being available. 12 CLEVELAND (Mock Trade from Dallas)Monroe Freeling OTGeorgia • Jr • 6’7″ / 315 lbsCleveland trades back, picks up additional draft capital and still lands a raw, but extremely talented left tackle. Monroe Freeling was playing his best football at the end of the season, but no one has to tell Browns head coach Todd Monken about his potential; Monken helped recruit him to Athens as Georgia’s offensive coordinator. 13 – LA RAMS (from Atlanta)Makai Lemon WRUSC • Jr • 5’11” / 192 lbsThe Rams are all in on this championship window with Matthew Stafford. A pass catcher — whether that be wide receiver or tight end — would be the most impactful player Los Angeles could add to the roster at No. 13 overall. Makai Lemon is a polarizing prospect, but is at his best post-catch. 14 BALTIMOREJermod McCoy CBTennessee • Jr • 6’1″ / 188 lbsBaltimore is the team that consistently takes the best player who falls to them. Jermod McCoy when healthy has proven himself to be among the best prospects in the class, but he has not put that talent on display for more than a year. The Ravens finally land a quality second cornerback; the only change is that player is opposite Nate Wiggins in this instance rather than Marlon Humphrey. 15 TAMPA BAYKenyon Sadiq TEOregon • Jr • 6’3″ / 241 lbsBuccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has roots with the Rams, who use a lot of two and three tight end sets. Although Tampa Bay re-signed Cade Otton, that does not exclude the Bucs from adding another player at the position. The franchise may want to add another pass catcher, but it does not mean it has to be a receiver. They have other needs, but Day 2 selections may better align with those objectives. 16 NY JETS (from Indianapolls)Denzel Boston WRWashington • Jr • 6’4″ / 210 lbsNew York adds a running mate to go along with Garrett Wilson. There are unanswered questions at the quarterback position, but those are for another day, and likely another year. Denzel Boston gives them a bit more size, however. 17 DETROITKadyn Proctor OTAlabama • Jr • 6’7″ / 352 lbsGiovanni Manu is set to start at left tackle with Taylor Decker, Detroit parting ways. One would imagine Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes are looking for an alternative at the position. Kadyn Proctor is a big body who does a good job executing some of the blocks in space the team has executed in the past. 18 MINNESOTADillon Thieneman SOregon • Soph • 6’0″ / 201 lbsSafety may not be the highest priority but it is a need for Minnesota. NFL teams salivate over prospects with ball production and premium athletic traits; Dillon Thieneman checks both of those boxes. It is difficult to envision him lasting much longer than this stage of the first round. 19 CAROLINAEmmanuel McNeil-Warren SToledo • Sr • 6’4″ / 202 lbsCarolina continues its investment in the defense. In the same offseason in which the Panthers signed edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, they now add Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the first round. The last time three safeties were taken in the first round was 2022; although that is a bit of a gray area considering Dax Hill has played multiple positions for the Bengals. The 2018 draft would be the best example with Minkah Fitzpatrick, Derwin James and Terrell Edmunds. 20 DALLAS (from Green Bay)Omar Cooper Jr. WRIndiana • Jr • 6’0″ / 199 lbsDallas first traded up for the right to select Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey and now add Omar Cooper Jr.; two players who should make an impact on the upcoming season. Cooper is an explosive, slot dominant receiver. 21 PITTSBURGHMax Iheanachor OTArizona State • Sr • 6’6″ / 321 lbsIf Pittsburgh is not going to take a quarterback, I tend to skew toward offensive tackle for the Steelers in the first round. They could still conceivably draft a receiver despite acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. Troy Fautanu could move back to the left side and allow Max Iheanachor to play his more natural position. 22 LA CHARGERSOlaivavega Ioane IOLPenn State • Jr • 6’4″ / 323 lbsVega Ioane this late into the first round would be considered one of the best values. Ioane lacks positional versatility, but the Chargers only need him to play guard. He has a physical play style which should be endearing to head coach Jim Harbaugh. 23 PHILADELPHIAKeldric Faulk EDGEAuburn • Jr • 6’6″ / 276 lbsIt is a deep safety class, so Philadelphia could address that need later into the draft. Kenyon Sadiq would likely be a consideration if he were still available. As it played out, Howie Roseman gets back to his roots of addressing the trenches with premium draft capital. Keldric Faulk will not be a one-to-one replacement of Jaelan Phillips as a rookie, but he is a young prospect who is still growing. 24 CLEVELAND (from Jacksonville)Jordyn Tyson WRArizona State • Jr • 6’2″ / 203 lbsJordyn Tyson would not be available if it were not for a history of injuries and having not worked out this pre-draft process is concerning. Perhaps he is intentionally tanking his stock so he can live in his brother’s (Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson) guest room. I jest. 25 CHICAGOPeter Woods DLClemson • Jr • 6’3″ / 298 lbsPeter Woods was once regarded as a potential top 5 overall selection. Although I never saw him as a clear and obvious blue-chip talent, this is good value for the Clemson product and fills a need for the Bears. 26 BUFFALOChase Bisontis IOLTexas A&M • Jr • 6’5″ / 315 lbsBuffalo lost David Edwards (no relation) in free agency and now replace him with one of the best pass-blocking offensive guards. Chase Bisontis had a strong performance at the NFL combine. 27 SAN FRANCISCOCaleb Banks DLFlorida • Sr • 6’6″ / 327 lbsSan Francisco has been drawn to the long interior defenders in the past. Although Robert Saleh is no longer the defensive coordinator inciting those personnel acquisitions, one would think that is a profile that still appeals to Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers used two picks on defensive tackles last year, but now get another really talented prospect to pair with Osa Odighizuwa. 28 HOUSTONEmmanuel Pregnon IOLOregon • Sr • 6’4″ / 314 lbsHouston’s offensive line is fascinating. The Texans signed Wyatt Teller and re-signed Ed Ingram to play guard. Braden Smith and Trent Brown were signed and re-signed, respectively, to compete for right tackle. Aireontae Ersery is pegged as the left tackle. Teller is not going to be the answer long term, so the Texans bring in Emmanuel Pregnon. 29 KANSAS CITY (from LA Rams)Avieon Terrell CBClemson • Jr • 5’11” / 180 lbsNohl Williams showed a lot of promise during his rookie season and Kristian Fulton, Kader Kohou have been serviceable when healthy. If everything goes as planned, the Chiefs may already be able to absorb the losses of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. It would not be a surprise if they brought back L’Jarius Sneed either. Avieon Terrell gives them some positional flexibility as well as insurance in the event not everything DOES go as planned. 30 MIAMI (from Denver)Colton Hood CBTennessee • Soph • 6’0″ / 195 lbsMiami has several needs to fill, but also seven draft picks inside the top 100 overall to address those gaps. The Dolphins previously took Caleb Downs and now add Colton Hood to a revamped secondary.31 NEW ENGLANDBlake Miller OTClemson • Sr • 6’7″ / 317 lbsVeteran Morgan Moses is present in the event Blake Miller is not ready to start the season, but Moses is also 35 years old. When reviewing how his contract is constructed, it seems evident that the upcoming season will be the last for Moses in New England. If the Patriots could bring in his replacement a year in advance, that is an ideal outcome. 32 SEATTLET.J. Parker EDGEClemson • Jr • 6’4″ / 263 lbsSeattle drafts T.J. Parker as the Boye Mafe replacement. Mafe signed a lucrative deal with the Bengals in free agency. Parker is a reliable edge setter with limited pass rush potential, but Mike Macdonald can put him in a position to produce. |
