| A draft note about the Steelers-Ravens rivalry. Michael David Smith ofProFootballTalk.com: Steelers owner Art Rooney II persuaded the NFL to move Ravens fans behind Steelers fans at the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh. Rooney said on WDVE that when he saw the initial layout for where each of the 32 teams’ fans would be told to congregate, there was an area where Ravens fans had better seats than Steelers fans. Rooney got the NFL to change that. “I did ask that, you know, on the normal seating chart, I noticed that the Ravens fans were sitting in front of the Steeler fans in one section of the draft theater. So I asked them to make that change, and they agreed to make that change,” Rooney said. Rooney said that the draft will be a celebration of the city of Pittsburgh, the Steelers and football’s rich history in Western Pennsylvania, and that the league has been very good about allowing the Steelers to have a voice in running the event. “When you’re hosting the draft the league lets you do some things you don’t normally do during the draft,” Rooney said. And that includes veto power over the seating chart. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSDan Graziano wonders what the Rams will do at #13 and beyond: Let’s skip a few picks and go with the Rams, who hold the No. 13 pick as a result of last year’s trade with Atlanta. They traded their own first-rounder, No. 29, to the Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie. So, No. 13 is the Rams’ only pick in the top 60 selections. They haven’t made a pick that high since 2016, when they traded up to take quarterback Jared Goff at No. 1, so there isn’t a lot on which to base a prediction of what they’ll do with this pick. They appear to have a loaded roster and not a ton of immediate needs. Most mock drafts seem to have the Rams taking a wide receiver, but the last wideout they took in the first round was Tavon Austin in 2013. In the meantime, they’ve established a good track record of finding wide receivers in later rounds — Cooper Kupp in the third, Josh Reynolds in the fourth, Puka Nacua in the fifth. You get the idea. So, if the Rams think they can find the impact receiver in the second round or later, what do they do in the first? Could be anything. Some people are even watching to see if they make a big move up for Love, who would be a very exciting cherry on top of their offensive sundae. There’s always the chance they trade down the way they did last year. And then there’s the Ty Simpson factor. The Rams have been connected to the Alabama quarterback in league circles for a while now. It’s an open secret that they like him. When they still had the No. 29 pick, they seemed like the team to watch for Simpson. But since No. 13 feels too soon to take him, that talk has quieted down. Now, many wonder if Simpson could tumble out of the first round entirely. But as I said, the Rams don’t appear to have any crying needs for which the 13th pick could help them in their effort to win the Super Bowl at home. So, could they trade down from No. 13 and still take Simpson later in the round? Possibly. Could they just bite the bullet and take Simpson at No. 13 if they like him that much? Unlikely, but again, this is a tough team to predict. If the Rams take Simpson in the first round, they’re likely to face criticism for not finding immediate help for a win-now team with 38-year-old reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback. But would they care? This is the “F— them picks” franchise, remember? If they truly believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford’s successor, I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think they could go ahead and take him. Add in that division-rival Arizona — which many believe is the real team to watch for Simpson — holds the 34th pick and would be a candidate to either draft him there or trade back into the first round to land him and it makes the Rams/Simpson theories a little bit spicier. |
| AFC EAST |
| NEW ENGLANDWhen the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini story broke, they consulted spinmeisters who put out a statement from Vrabel that the story was ridiculous. Several weeks later, Vrabel made a surprise appearance at the Foxborough podium and read a new statement, presumably crafted by new spinmeisters. Without saying anything specific, he appeared to confirm the suspicions that his relationship was untoward. The AP: New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday that he’s had “difficult conversations with people I care about,” including his family, his coaching staff and players, following the publication of photos of the coach and longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. “Those (conversations) have been positive and productive. In order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me. That starts with me,” Vrabel said in an unscheduled statement from the podium at the team’s facility on the second day of its offseason workout program. The photos were of Vrabel and Russini at a Sedona resort and were taken before the annual NFL meetings that began in Phoenix on March 29, according to the New York Post, which published the photos earlier this month. Then this happened afterwards. Autumn Hawkins of Clutch Points: Following his statement, he made on Tuesday, April 21, to address the situation and his future with the New England Patriots, he was reportedly directly asked off-camera by a reporter if he still found the photos to be “laughable,” as he initially said to Page Six. Vrabel, in turn snubbed the question and proceeded to change the subject. “I appreciate the question. I’m going to focus on our football team,” he responded, according to a transcript from 98.5 The Sports Hub. “I think I’ve addressed what I felt like was important. So, we’ll be focusing on our football team and the importance of teaching these guys, bringing a new team together, 13 new players.” Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com on the mechanics of the Patriots media strategy: Tuesday’s press conference from Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was a surprise to everyone. Including the reporters who cover the team. As explained by Ben Volin of the Boston Globe, the notice sent by the Patriots on Monday did not mention Vrabel would be speaking. Instead, the email sent at 4:35 p.m. ET on Monday said only that, on Tuesday at noon, “two players” would be available at the end of their workouts. The approach ensured that the press room wouldn’t be swarmed by reporters who don’t regularly cover the team — reporters who would have no qualms about attempting to pepper Vrabel with questions after he made a statement that lasted a little longer than two minutes. Volin explains that, after the statement was delivered, Vrabel was available for a “side session” with the reporters who were present. Per Volin, “reporters were ordered to turn off all cameras, including phones, and were told to ask only football questions.” Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald didn’t stick to football. Per Volin, she asked Vrabel about Dianna Russini’s resignation last week from The Athletic, as a result of the photos that Vrabel initially dismissed as “laughable” before providing a more grave and contrite explanation on Tuesday. Vrabel declined to answer. Nicole Young of the Globe asked about Vrabel’s conversations with Robert and Jonathan Kraft regarding the situation. Patriots V.P. of communications Stacey James said that the “questions should be kept to football matters.” The strategy, which Volin dubbed a “sneak attack,” came after a report emerged on Sunday night that the Patriots tried to kill the initial publication of the photos of Vrabel and Russini by the New York Post. On Tuesday’s PFT Live, Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston questioned whether the Monday morning leak to Adam Schefter of ESPN that a trade by the Patriots for Eagles receiver A.J. Brown is “likely” was aimed at changing the subject from the latest development in the Vrabel-Russini imbroglio to a football topic. Challenges of this nature are always handled with planning and premeditation by the involved organizations. The initial response was woefully inadequate; the photos juxtaposed with strong statements from Vrabel, Russini, and The Athletic left plenty of daylight between the visual evidence and the verbal denials. The more recent tactic apparently worked. Vrabel spoke to the beat reporters who had shown up to hear from “two players,” without the potential crush of others hoping to grill him about the publication of the photos, his original reaction to them, and his latest remarks. The next questions become whether news publications will send reporters to Vrabel’s next media availability on the first night of the draft, whether they’ll ask him about the photos and their aftermath, whether he’ll answer them, and whether the Patriots will even allow him to do so. Our guess is that, if asked about the matter on Thursday night, Vrabel will say (to quote one of his predecessors in New England), “It’s already been addressed.” |
| NEW YORK JETSThe Jets have people guessing about the number two pick. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com: Everything I’ve been told since the latter part of last week leads me to believe the Jets will select Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the second pick in the draft. For the longest time, it has felt as if the Jets were deciding between Reese and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey, and I recognize that some draft analysts have predicted Bailey here. Reese versus Bailey has been a topic of debate in the Jets’ building. But ever since Bailey’s planned visit to the Jets got canceled last week, people I trust in the league have told me they think the Jets have settled on Reese. He can help them immediately as an off-ball linebacker even if he needs time to develop into a high-level edge rusher (and he might not even need that time). |
| THIS AND THAT |
| PETER SCHRAGER’S MOCK DRAFTNow at ESPN.com, Peter Schrager posts his Mock Draft which is looked at with interest in the community as it is thought to have insights from within the teams: Here’s something to remember as we go through all 32 picks. One NFL general manager from a team picking early told me that we can throw positional value out the window this year. The best players in the class include a running back, an off-ball linebacker and a safety. There aren’t a ton of elite offensive tackles, edge rushers, corners and receivers, and the only top-tier quarterback is a lock to go No. 1. That leaves chaos in the top 10 and beyond. But let’s try to make some sense of the chaos. Here are my final projections for every first-round pick — including a few trades to shake things up even more — based on my latest intel. 1. Las Vegas RaidersFernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaFrankly, this pick could have been made in January, as soon as Mendoza won the national title and entered the draft. All final mock drafts start at No. 2. 2. New York JetsDavid Bailey, Edge, Texas TechI’ve had Bailey going to the Jets for the past month, and I have no further intel telling me any different. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese is a great player, but I’m sticking with Bailey. New York needs his instant production (14.5 sacks last season) for its lackluster pass rush. 3. Arizona CardinalsJeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameThis could be a trade-down spot, and I believe Arizona is listening. Teams like the Chiefs and Saints could have interest in getting into position to take Reese. But I also think the Cardinals could just take Love. Again, forget about positional value this year — most people see him as the top player in the draft, and he could be a jolt to the Cards’ offense. Love moves the needle for a team trying to get back in the mix in a crowded NFC West.Editor’s Picks 4. Tennessee TitansSonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateIt would be hard for the Titans to not take Reese if he’s still available, considering their need at edge rusher. But it’d also be hard for coach Robert Saleh to leave Styles on the board. He is seen as a near guarantee with exciting traits. And remember that Saleh loved having Fred Warner in his defense in San Francisco. Tennessee wants franchise cornerstones, and Styles can be just that. 5. New York GiantsArvell Reese, Edge, Ohio StateI haven’t seen many mock drafts having Reese slip this far, and maybe he won’t. But I also remember Leonard Williams inexplicably falling out of the top five in 2015. These things happen. Edge rusher is not one of the Giants’ holes, but the roster needs good football players. Choosing to add the blue-chip prospect makes sense — especially if New York ends up trading Kayvon Thibodeaux. If the Giants can get Reese, I think they’d take him. 6. Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano, OT, UtahThe Browns are certainly in the trade-back conversation as they look to add more draft capital. If they stay home at No. 6, there’s some love for Fano, who can be a versatile blocker up and down Cleveland’s revamped O-line. Fano has allowed just one sack in the past two years, he was a team captain at Utah, and he can be a culture-setter for that unit. But again, keep an eye on the Browns if one of those top edge rushers starts to slide; they could be fielding trade calls. 7. Washington CommandersCarnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateThere are a lot of good options on the board, including Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. But Washington has to help Jayden Daniels and get this offense back on track. The Commanders scored 20.1 points per game last season but didn’t make many WR additions in free agency. The entire receiver class is available here. I think Washington could pair Tate with Terry McLaurin. 8. New Orleans SaintsCaleb Downs, S, Ohio StateNew Orleans needs a receiver, but it also lost a lot of talent on defense this offseason. Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia said on “The Schrager Hour” that Downs can be the face of a franchise and could immediately become the smartest player for an NFL defense. He had six INTs over the past three seasons and makes plays against the run. Brandon Staley got the most out of Derwin James Jr. in Los Angeles, and he can do the same for Downs in New Orleans. Projected tradeChiefs get: No. 12 and No. 20Cowboys get: No. 9 and No. 29 9. Dallas Cowboys (via projected trade with KC)Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUOK, our first trade! I could see this happening. After allowing 377 yards per game and letting opponents convert on third down 47.3% of the time — ranking among the worst in the NFL in both — Dallas has to get one of the top defensive prospects. It’s a necessity. But there’s no guarantee any of them — Downs, Delane, Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. et al — will still be there at No. 12. This is a chance to guarantee getting one of them and still have another first-round pick. Delane’s coverage ability should help stop some of the big plays that doomed the Cowboys in 2025..10. New York Giants (via CIN)Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateGeneral manager Joe Schoen had dinner with Tyson at the end of last week, and I believe there’s a chance the Giants take him at No. 5. Going fifth might be too rich, considering Tyson’s durability issues (missed 17 of 51 possible games in college). But taking him at the back end of the top 10 with the pick coming back from the Dexter Lawrence II trade is a better value. Tyson could join Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely and crew to give Jaxson Dart some real options in the pass game. 11. Miami DolphinsFrancis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Mauigoa has a herniated disk in his back, and teams will have to be comfortable with that. I still think he’s a high pick. Mauigoa is an immediate starter, and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan needs to find a bunch of those. There are a lot of directions Miami could go at No. 11. Right tackle Austin Jackson missed significant time last season, and there are questions on the interior. I could absolutely see this new Dolphins regime shoring up the offensive line and building out from there. 12. Kansas City Chiefs (via projected trade with DAL)Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, MiamiThe Chiefs have done their homework on the edge rushers near the top of this class, and I could even see them trading up instead of down if Bailey or Reese slid just a little bit more. But moving back three spots (while moving up nine spots later in Round 1) and still getting a top-three edge rusher in the class? It’d be a huge win for Kansas City. Bain had 9.5 sacks last season and could slot in opposite George Karlaftis. Projected tradeRams get: No. 17, No. 118 and a 2027 second-round pickLions get: No. 13 13. Detroit Lions (via projected trade with LAR/ATL)Kadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaTaylor Decker was released, and Proctor is still sitting there. So, general manager Brad Holmes might call up his old team and see if the Rams are open for business. Proctor would be a huge presence (6-foot-7, 352 pounds) at left tackle for Jared Goff and the Detroit offense, and taking a left tackle would mean Penei Sewell could stay on the right side.Get ready for the 2026 NFL draft 14. Baltimore RavensOlaivavega Ioane, G, Penn StateThe Ravens have always had great success drafting offensive linemen in the first round. And they can lighten the loss of one of those successes (center Tyler Linderbaum, signed in Las Vegas) by taking the best guard on many boards around the league. Ioane is a 6-foot-4, 320-pound mauler, and he could join John Simpson in cleaning up the guard position for Baltimore. 15. Tampa Bay BuccaneersAkheem Mesidor, Edge, MiamiYes, he’s 25 years old. Yes, he has an injury history. But Mesidor produces in a massive way (12.5 sacks last season) and is at his best in the biggest games. I loved watching him in the College Football Playoff. Mesidor would immediately upgrade Tampa Bay’s defense after that unit allowed 5.7 yards per play in 2025 (25th). 16. New York Jets (via IND)Makai Lemon, WR, USCIf the Rams don’t take Lemon at No. 13 (remember, I have L.A. trading back to No. 17), he could definitely still be here when the Jets are on the clock. He’s a tough, smart receiver with a relentlessness to the way he plays. If things fall this way, that means the two New York teams each walk away from the top half of Round 1 with an elite pass rusher and a star receiver. Bailey-Lemon would be compared to Reese-Tyson in East Rutherford for years. 17. Los Angeles Rams (via projected trade with DET)Kenyon Sadiq, TE, OregonThere’s a lot of Sadiq intrigue in the Rams’ building. They already have multiple contributing tight ends, but that depth chart could look different in a year — especially since current TE1 Colby Parkinson is a free agent in 2027. Sadiq is an explosive pass catcher who could help Matthew Stafford in a key go-for-it year in L.A., and you know coach Sean McVay would figure out ways to get the ball in Sadiq’s hands. This would be the second year in a row that the Rams took an Oregon tight end after going with Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 last April. 18. Minnesota VikingsDillon Thieneman, S, OregonThe whole industry has been putting Thieneman with Minnesota at No. 18 for weeks. It makes sense. The Vikings need an impact safety, and Thieneman has the speed and instincts to thrive in coordinator Brian Flores’ defense. But … I also think Minnesota could consider Sadiq here if he’s still available. T.J. Hockenson is entering a contract year. Projected tradePanthers get: No. 28 and No. 69Texans get: No. 19 19. Houston Texans (via projected trade with CAR)Blake Miller, OT, ClemsonWith three offensive tackles already off the board and a few OT-needy teams coming up, Houston can flip its early Round 3 pick to move up nine spots in Round 1 and get an experienced, reliable right tackle. Miller is steady. And after another OL remake for the Texans, that’s what they need. Miller is an immediate starter who can help open run lanes and keep C.J. Stroud clean. 20. Kansas City Chiefs (via projected trade with DAL/GB)Omar Cooper Jr., WR, IndianaThis would be an A-plus first round for the Chiefs, with Bain and then Cooper. Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, and the receiver room has some issues. Cooper caught 13 touchdowns last season, and I’ve heard some comps to Deebo Samuel for his toughness and versatility. 21. Pittsburgh SteelersMonroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaThe expectation is Aaron Rodgers will be back. Pittsburgh has to make sure the protection is right with a 42-year-old quarterback, even if Rodgers gets the ball out quickly again. Freeling started for only a season and a half in college, but he’s athletic and has a lot of starter-level traits. 22. Los Angeles ChargersKeldric Faulk, Edge, AuburnDon’t let the two sacks of last season fool you. Faulk can play. He has all the traits coaches want, and the potential is there. Plus, edge rusher depth is a key need for the Chargers after losing Odafe Oweh. 23. Philadelphia EaglesMax Iheanachor, OT, Arizona StateIheanachor is still relatively new to football, playing it for the first time in 2022. But he is one of the players with the biggest upside in the first round. Considering he is still growing and learning, this could be a home run for the Eagles if they are patient. Iheanachor could be the heir apparent to Lane Johnson, who turns 36 in a few weeks. 24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX)Denzel Boston, WR, WashingtonWe’ve talked about the Browns addressing offensive line and wide receiver in Round 1. They got the tackle at No. 6. Now they would have the choice between Boston and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion. I think Cleveland would prefer the big-bodied frame of Boston; he can be a key red zone target for an offense that mustered just four TD catches from its receiver room last season. 25. Chicago BearsT.J. Parker, Edge, ClemsonEdge is a big need for Chicago. The Bears have to find someone to create pressure opposite Montez Sweat. We might see a little push for edge rushers at the end of Round 1, and Chicago could land Parker with the hope that he gets back to his 11-sack production of 2024 (he had five in 2025). 26. Buffalo BillsPeter Woods, DT, ClemsonBuffalo was 30th against the run last season, averaging 5.1 yards allowed per carry, so it should be considering ways to improve that. Woods — along with Parker, his Clemson teammate — was getting a ton of buzz heading into the 2025 season, and although his production dipped, he has blue-chip upside. Concepcion would also be interesting here, but I think the Bills go defense. 27. San Francisco 49ersCaleb Lomu, OT, UtahThe 49ers got the Trent Williams contract situation figured out, but he’s still going to be 38 years old when the season begins. Strengthening the offensive line in both the long and short term has to be a priority. Lomu didn’t get the attention that Fano did at Utah, but he played left tackle for the Utes at a high level over 24 career starts. 28. Carolina Panthers (via projected trade with HOU)KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&MCarolina’s trade back would still land the Panthers a do-it-all receiver to complement Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan in an offense on the upswing. Concepcion went for 919 yards and nine scores last season. 29. Dallas Cowboys (via projected trade with KC/LAR)Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCFLawrence has quietly risen the board over the past two months, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he hears his name late in Round 1. Dallas gets the defense-defense double up that has been predicted for a while, but it does it from two different picks than expected after the projected trade. Lawrence can boost the pass rush; he had seven sacks in 2025. 30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN)Jermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeThe concerns around McCoy’s knee are real, so I think he does go a little later than previously thought. But … I don’t think he falls out of the first round. The Dolphins have 11 picks in this draft, and considering the state of their cornerback room, this is a swing worth taking. When healthy, McCoy can be a difference-maker. 31. New England PatriotsZion Young, Edge, MissouriHere’s another late-rising edge rusher who should go in Round 1. The Patriots are out of range for an offensive tackle here, so attacking the edge rush makes sense. They had just 35 sacks last season and lost K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency. Young is able to get a ton of pressure on opponent QBs (48 pressures last season, 15th in the FBS). Projected tradeSeahawks get: No. 34 and No. 183Cardinals get: No. 32 32. Arizona Cardinals (via projected trade with SEA)Ty Simpson, QB, AlabamaI took you all the way to the last pick of the mock draft, but yes, I have Simpson going in Round 1. To move back two spots, the Seahawks would happily add a sixth-round pick in a year when they have only four total selections. And the Cardinals would happily give up that late-rounder to (a) get Simpson and (b) get him with a fifth-year option. Simpson is slated to be in the green room at the draft, and though it might be a long night, I think he will come off the board on Day 1. |
| 2026 DRAFTSaad Yousuf of The Athletic has some teams that should dominate the conversation Thursday night: Let’s take a look at the five most intriguing teams that can shape the activity across the league. 5. Dallas CowboysThe Cowboys have two first-round picks, at Nos. 12 and 20, but it’s the placement of those picks that makes the Cowboys intriguing from a league-wide perspective. With how awful the team’s defense was in 2025, one would assume that addressing that side of the ball will be top of mind, especially on Day 1. Given the lack of quarterbacks at the top of the draft, there’s potential for a lot of the Cowboys’ desired targets to fly off the board in the 10 picks in front of them, after Fernando Mendoza, and the elite defensive talent is scarce enough that waiting at No. 12 could spell trouble for the Cowboys. Does that make Dallas a team that tries to trade up to get a difference-making defender? If so, would the cost of doing business require No. 12 and No. 20, or can they make it happen at a lesser price since they aren’t going for a premium position? If they don’t trade up and the players they want are gone, do they desperately try to trade down and add a Day 2 pick, given they only have one going into the draft? Both of the Cowboys’ picks could be open for business. The Cowboys could also stand idle and take players at No. 12 and No. 20. Given the team’s track record, it also shouldn’t be dismissed that either pick could be involved in a trade to acquire a veteran player (as unlikely as it may be, owner and general manager Jerry Jones refuses to shut the door on Maxx Crosby). 4. New York GiantsTrading away Dexter Lawrence and adding the No. 10 pick from the Cincinnati Bengals makes the Giants headliners on Thursday. Having two first-round picks isn’t terribly rare, but having two top-10 selections — the Giants have their own pick at No. 5 and then Cincinnati’s at No. 10 — doesn’t happen often. It’s only happened four times since 2000, with the New York Jets being the latest in 2022. The Giants are in an interesting spot because they have needs almost everywhere on the roster, except at quarterback. Although this draft isn’t deep on elite talent, 10 great players project as worthy premier selections. The Giants can gauge whether it’s worth getting two players with those two picks or try to trade back, where they can add more picks in the second layer of the draft, where New York only has one selection between No. 11 and No. 104. In addition to their draft capital, the hiring of John Harbaugh makes for an unprecedented power dynamic in the Giants’ front office. Harbaugh has made it clear that he reports to nobody but the ownership, so how will general manager Joe Schoen handle his new, diminished role in a process in which he’s been at the forefront? 3. Kansas City ChiefsIt won’t be often in the Patrick Mahomes era that the Chiefs have a top-10 pick like they have this year at No. 9. They also have the Los Angeles Rams’ first-rounder at No. 29 and two more picks in the top 75. This draft is also deep at tight end, which means they could find Travis Kelce’s replacement later in the draft as Kelce finishes out his career in Kansas City. Last season was a disappointment for the Chiefs, but the 2026 draft could shape up to be one that helps them reload and get back on track. Could they try to gain value in the middle of the draft by trading out of No. 9? Is there a team trying to get a player on a fifth-year option that’s willing to pay to acquire No. 29? The Chiefs are in a luxurious position as a team that has a decent amount of talent and a bona fide franchise quarterback, so they’re not clinging to any of their picks too desperately. 2. Pittsburgh SteelersNobody has more draft picks this year than the Steelers’ 12 selections. They only have one apiece in the first two rounds, but they have three third-round picks and a pair of fourth-rounders. The way the talent in this draft is perceived to be, with a wider pool in the second and third tier of players, the Steelers will not only be primed to throw many darts at that crop, but it also frees them up to do business in the first round. They can attach some of those picks to their No. 21 pick and move up, or even add more selections to the middle of their draft by trading back in the first round. 1. Miami DolphinsAside from signing a young quarterback to a decent contract in free agency, the organization has leaned into tearing it down for a full rebuild. The Dolphins have a whopping seven draft picks in the top 100 — no other team has more than four — but the placement of their two first-round picks makes things interesting. Their first pick is at No. 11, which is right around the cutoff that many draft analysts believe the elite talent in this year’s class begins to take a dip. The second first-rounder is the Denver Broncos’ pick at No. 30, which is where teams could eye to jump back into the first round if they want to have the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Although Kansas City is positioned similarly in the first round, Miami also has a high volume of picks in the first two days. The Dolphins are in a prime position to take talent off the board and dictate the trade market. Honorable mention New York Jets: The Jets are heavy at the top, with two picks in the top 16 and four in the top 45. Given the way they’ve shipped out young talent in the past year, it’s clear the window for winning does not include 2026. They also don’t have to waste a pick on a quarterback they don’t like since they got a decent stopgap in Geno Smith and should be positioned to pick near the top of the draft in 2027, too. All of that lends to New York having some flexibility with how it wants to handle its picks in the first two rounds. The Jets could make those four selections and get some quality talent, or they could be blown away by another team’s offer for No. 2 and pick up draft capital beyond this year’s draft. Cleveland Browns: They’re the only team that has multiple first-round picks that we haven’t mentioned already, but the Browns have three selections in the top 40. They’re an especially interesting team for trade-up scenarios, because if a team wants to get into the top 10 to get a premier talent but not at the expense of gutting its draft capital, the Browns are set up to offer that option at No. 6 and include No. 39 overall as part of a package. In this case, Cleveland would still have the Jacksonville Jaguars’ pick at No. 24 and whatever it got back in a trade. The Browns are also intriguing from the perspective that they don’t have a clear answer at quarterback, hired an offensive-minded head coach this offseason in Todd Monken, but they have two quarterbacks they selected in the middle rounds just last year. Las Vegas Raiders: There’s no intrigue with their top pick, as Mendoza is expected to be a Raider soon after the draft begins. But how will the Raiders approach the rest of their draft? They have nine more picks and clearly have needs throughout the roster. But the biggest reason the Raiders remain intriguing is because of the Crosby factor. Given they had already agreed to trade him once, unless the Raiders become a winning team in short order, every roster checkpoint will include some level of Crosby speculation. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens had Harbaugh in place for almost two decades, so there was a level of consistency in what kind of players were valued in the organization and an understanding of the weight Harbaugh’s voice carried in the decision-making process with personnel. Now, the dynamic is different with not just a new head coach but a first-time head coach in Jesse Minter. Expect Eric DeCosta to be under a spotlight as the franchise undergoes a major transition at the top, all while having a franchise quarterback in his prime. There’s no margin for error as the expectations remain high. |
