| NFC NORTH |
| GREEN BAYLongtime NFL special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia has “stepped down.” Matt Schneidman of The Athletic: Rich Bisaccia has stepped down as Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator and assistant head coach, the team announced Tuesday night. “After taking some time to reflect over the last few weeks, I have made the decision to step down,” Bisaccia said in a statement released by the team. “I am incredibly grateful to Matt LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst, Ed Policy and Mark Murphy for their unwavering trust and support throughout my time in Green Bay. I am also thankful to the players for their consistent work and relentless effort to improve every single day. I would like to thank everyone in the organization for their dedication and commitment. The people in this building make it a special place to work. “I want to also thank our fans and the people throughout the Green Bay community for their passion and love for this team. Coaching for the Green Bay Packers was truly an honor, and I will always be grateful for my time here. I look forward to whatever is next for me and my family, and I wish nothing but the best for everyone in the organization.” Bisaccia, who had been an NFL special teams coordinator since 2002, just finished his fourth season with the Packers. According to TruMedia, the Packers ranked 30th in expected points added on special teams during that span. However, Gutekunst, the general manager, strongly backed Bisaccia several weeks ago when asked about the organization potentially needing to emphasize special teams more from a personnel standpoint. “When I was working for (the late former Packers GM) Ted (Thompson) … we were never really going to have a player that was strictly a special teams guy,” Gutekunst said. “He had to play a position and have a major kind of role or developmental role as a position player on offense or defense. I think when Rich got here … there’s a lot of discussions, and we certainly have added a lot of those kind of guys that are just more special teams-oriented players. And we improved. We’ve gotten a lot better. So I have a lot of faith in Rich and what we’re doing there. “What Rich brings to our culture, this football team, it’s really — he’s a very impactful coach around here,” Gutekunst added. “Certainly, I thought we’ve been better on (special) teams the last few years than we’ve been in a long time. Our cover units have been better. We’ve got one of the best punters in the National Football League, got an excellent snapper. Brandon (McManus) was excellent last year. This year, again, he worked through some things injury-wise and then had a bad playoff game. That was kind of how that ended. No, I’ve got a lot of faith in Rich and his staff, what they do around here, not only the X’s and O’s, what they bring to the field, but what they bring to this place culturally is really important.” Longtime Bisaccia assistant Byron Storer recently took the Cleveland Browns special teams coordinator job. The Packers will now have their fourth different special teams coordinator entering head coach LaFleur’s eighth season with the team. “While we are disappointed to lose a person and coach as valuable as Rich, we respect his decision to step down from the Packers,” LaFleur said in a statement. “Rich was a tremendous resource to me and our entire coaching staff who had a profound impact on our players and our culture throughout the building. We can’t thank him enough for his contributions to our team over the last four years. We wish Rich, his wife, Jeanne, and the rest of their family all the best moving forward.” He “steps down” at age 65. Is it a retirement, a resignation, a firing? |
| NFC SOUTH |
| TAMPA BAYNick Shook of NFL.com says WR MIKE EVANS plans on playing, for someone, in 2026: Mike Evans isn’t ready for retirement just yet, but he might be heading to a new home. Evans will play in 2026 and will explore free agency, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday, per Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore. “He is opening it up,” Gilmore said in a statement to the Insiders. “He will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa. But he will definitely play a 13th season.” The Insiders previously reported on Feb. 8 that the six-time Pro Bowler was eyeing such a return. Evans has spent the past 12 seasons with the Buccaneers after being drafted by Tampa Bay with the No. 7 overall pick in 2014. Set to turn 33 in August, he has 13,052 career receiving yards and 108 touchdowns on 866 receptions. His record streak of 11 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin a career ended during an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, during which he totaled just 30 catches for 368 yards and three scores in eight appearances. Thoughts from QB BAKER MAYFIELD at Heavy.com: Mayfield on Mike Evans in 2026“I say expectation, that’s my hope (that Evans will return),” Mayfield told Heavy Sports ahead of the Super Bowl. “I would love to have Mike back. Just the player he is, the guy he is, the leader in the locker room. And, you know, looking at him and knowing how competitive he is, you expect him not to want to end his career the way it did. “He still has some in the tank. That’s for sure. And so I will be very happy if he comes back, but obviously respect whatever decision (he makes).” Mayfield had some other interesting things to say about the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield on Buccaneers Missing PlayoffsEvans is a free agent in 2026 meaning returning to the Bucs, retiring and even signing with another team are all potential options for the star receiver. Last season, the Buccaneers jumped out to a hot start at 5-1 with wins over the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks as well as other playoff teams like the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers. Things took a turn down the stretch which resulted in Tampa Bay missing the NFL playoffs as the Buccaneers found themselves on the wrong end of a three-way tie for the NFC South title. Mayfield pointed to injures and a “lack of execution” as the major reasons why the Bucs found themselves watching the postseason at home. “I think injuries finally caught up to us a little bit,” Mayfield admitted. “And just a lack of execution. The little things that we were doing right at the beginning of the year to get us to (a 5-1 start), we didn’t do at the end of the year. And so it comes down to that. It doesn’t matter who’s in there. “It’s still the NFL. Guys are talented. Guys should know what to do. So (it is a) matter of execution.” FloridamanAfter being the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Mayfield’s career has had some ups and downs. The signal-caller initially signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year prove-it deal in 2023 but is now heading into his fourth season in Tampa. Mayfield admits that he has officially become a “Floridaman,” pending an alligator wrestling match. “Well, I haven’t wrestled any Gators yet,” Mayfield joked. “I’m still looking to do that, so I can really get the full title of Floridaman. “… I enjoy it. People just kind of live their life in Florida, do what they want and whatever makes them happy and yeah, it’s not a bad place to be.” |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOThe 49ers will only play 15 of their games in the United States. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: The team announced on Wednesday that they will be the designated home team for a game in Mexico City this fall. The date and opponent for the game at Estadio Banorte have not been announced at this point. Mexico has not hosted an NFL game since the 2022 season. The 49ers beat the Cardinals 38-10 in that game and the same two teams also took part in the NFL’s first-ever Mexico City game during the 2005 season. The announcement comes after the NFL announced that the 49ers will be facing the Rams in the league’s first Australian game. The trips to Melbourne and Mexico City join road games in Atlanta and New Jersey for what will be a well-traveled 49ers team this year. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASTyler Sullivan of CBSSports.com has five possible landing spots for EDGE MAXX CROSBY: There are a lot of variables that will almost certainly impact Crosby’s trade cost. If we were to put a range on it, it’s plausible he could command a haul as high as Parsons (two first-round picks and a starting-caliber player), with the floor being something like a first-round pick plus either a player or a second-rounder thrown into the basket. 1. Philadelphia EaglesRaiders get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 23 overall), 2027 second-round pick Eagles get: EDGE Maxx CrosbyHowie Roseman is never shy about making a splash in the trade market. Oftentimes, he’s leading the charge on jaw-dropping offseason moves. In fact, Roseman and the Eagles reportedly checked in with the Cowboys (!) to see if they’d trade Parsons when that saga was unfolding, which suggests they could be interested in Crosby. Philadelphia did make an in-season trade to address its pass-rushing deficiencies, landing Jaelan Phillips from the Dolphins at the deadline. Before that deal (Weeks 1-9), the Eagles ranked 14th in pressure rate and were tied for 25th in sacks. After Phillips arrived (Weeks 10-18), they jumped to sixth in pressure rate and tied for fifth in sacks. With Phillips set to hit free agency, there’s a possibility Philly will again be on the hunt for pass-rush help. With the franchise still in a Super Bowl window, it should be willing to part with blue-chip draft capital, including its 2026 first-round pick. 2. New England PatriotsRaiders get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 31 overall), 2026 second-round pick (No. 63 overall), DT Christian Barmore Patriots get: EDGE Maxx CrosbyThis is something of a Parsons-lite trade for New England to land Crosby. The Patriots don’t ship out multiple first-round picks like Dallas did, but they do send two high-caliber selections along with a starter, with defensive tackle Christian Barmore serving as this deal’s Kenny Clark comp. New England is fresh off a Super Bowl appearance in Year 1 of the Mike Vrabel era, but there’s still work to be done on the roster. While needed improvements along the offensive line and skill positions were clear in the loss to Seattle, the club could also stand to add an impact pass rusher. The Patriots caught lightning in a bottle with K’Lavon Chaisson this season, but he’s set to cash in when he hits free agency. Crosby is the type of talent who could elevate this front to another level ahead of what projects to be a far more difficult 2026 regular season. 3. Buffalo BillsRaiders get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 26 overall), 2027 first-round pick, WR Keon Coleman Bills get: EDGE Maxx CrosbyIf there were a team willing to go full Parsons and send Las Vegas two first-round picks plus a player, there’s a strong argument it would be Buffalo. President of football operations Brandon Beane may also be feeling enough pressure to pull the trigger. The Bills are coming off a 2025 season in which they not only missed a golden opportunity to make the Super Bowl — with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow on the outside looking in — but also lost ground to the Patriots, who won the AFC East. That contributed to Sean McDermott being fired and Joe Brady being elevated to head coach. Buffalo needs to improve the talent around Josh Allen, but it must also maximize the roster while its MVP quarterback remains in his prime. That includes improving a pass rush that produced the ninth-fewest pressures in 2025, according to TruMedia. When the Bills square off against Mahomes, Jackson, Burrow and Maye in 2026, they’d be glad they added a game-wrecker like Crosby — no matter the cost. Speaking of cost, one factor that could derail this blockbuster is Buffalo’s salary-cap situation, as the club is currently $7.5 million over the cap. As for the Coleman component, the Raiders are thin at receiver, and the Bills’ front office doesn’t appear sold on the former second-round pick, making this a potential change-of-scenery fit. 4. Seattle SeahawksRaiders get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 32 overall), 2026 second-round pick (No. 64 overall) Seahawks get: EDGE Maxx CrosbyCould the rich get richer? The Seahawks just lifted the Lombardi Trophy, but that shouldn’t prevent them from looking to improve as they gear up for a title defense. Boye Mafe is set to become a free agent this offseason, and if he departs, that would create a need. Seeing what Mike Macdonald could do with Crosby at his disposal — coming off a championship season in which Seattle ranked sixth in pressure rate despite primarily rushing four — would be borderline unfair. The Seahawks also boast a talented enough roster to feel comfortable punting on the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft if it means Crosby heads to the Pacific Northwest. The organization also has $72.2 million in available cap space (sixth-highest in the NFL) to help facilitate a new deal. 5. San Francisco 49ersRaiders get: 2026 first-round pick (No. 26 overall), 2026 second-round pick (No. 58 overall) 49ers get: EDGE Maxx CrosbyThe 49ers were decimated by injuries in 2025, which seriously impacted their ability to rush the passer. Edge rushers Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams both tore ACLs, contributing to San Francisco recording the fewest sacks in the NFL (20) and the fewest sacks per game (1.8) ever by a playoff team. Of course, that unit should improve simply by getting healthier in 2026, but the club should still explore significant additions. GM John Lynch is one of the more aggressive executives in the NFL, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him dip his toe into the Crosby trade waters — especially with his team still in a Super Bowl window while competing in one of the league’s toughest divisions, which includes the defending champions. Should the Raiders trade Maxx Crosby?Kubiak and owner Mark Davis have both stated publicly their desire to keep Crosby. However, if a team is willing to shell out premium draft picks and a possible starter to pry him out of Las Vegas, the franchise should seriously consider it. Yes, Crosby has been the fabric of the organization essentially since he arrived as a fourth-round pick in 2019, but the Raiders are about to step into a new era. They just hired a new head coach, have young pieces on offense headlined by Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers, and are about to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick later this offseason. By the time they’re ready to contend with this young core, Crosby could be past his prime, so he doesn’t exactly fit the timeline the organization is currently on. If they can get a king’s ransom for him, they should add more assets to the cupboard to maximize the incoming Mendoza era. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIMike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com wonders if the Dolphins will choose to take their TUA TAGOVAILOA medicine in one 2026 swallow: The Dolphins have a decision to make about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Few expect him to return as the starting quarterback for 2026. Thanks, however, to the ill-advised contract that former G.M. Chris Grier gave Tagovailoa in 2024, when he was still signed for one more season, the Dolphins owe him $54 million in the coming year, with every penny fully guaranteed. If the Dolphins cut Tagovailoa, they would absorb $99.2 million in cap charges. If they make Tagovailoa a post-June 1 designation, they’d be able to split the cap charges, with $55.4 million applying in 2026 and $43.8 million landing in 2027. If the Dolphins opt not to use the device that spreads the cap consequences over two years, they’d take the full $99.2 million cap charge this year. That would clear him from the books for 2027. Some in league circles think the Dolphins may do just that. Eat the full $99.2 million now. With the cap for 2026 projected to fall between $301.2 million and $305.7 million for the coming year, anywhere from 32.4 percent to 32.9 percent of the team’s total cap space would be allocated to Tagovailoa. Taking the full charge in 2026 would fairly be characterized as a soft tank. By deferring $43.8 million into 2027, when the cap likely will be higher, the relative impact of the dollars would be smaller than it will be in 2026. Still, it’s one of the options available to the Dolphins. If they release Tagovailoa without the post-June 1 designation, that’s what will happen — $99.2 million in dead money hitting the 2026 cap. Which would make it harder for the Dolphins to field a competitive team this year, but would put Tagovailoa’s contract in the rear-view mirror as of 2027.– – -More thoughts on where The Cheetah, WR TYREEK HILL, could end up after being waived by the Chiefs. Ryan Young of YahooSports.com: But who is in play for Hill next season? Kansas City ChiefsThe first landing spot is obvious. The Chiefs are the easiest match for Hill because his career began in Kansas City, and he won a Super Bowl ring there. He appeared to give a nod of approval on social media of the Chiefs’ recent rehiring of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. But Hill’s usage in Kansas City may not be what he’s used to. “Is [Hill] willing to accept a lesser role if that’s what he is right now? Let’s say the Chiefs, right? Well, is he their No. 1 [wideout]? No, that’s probably Rashee Rice, who has his own set of baggage,” Yahoo Sports NFL senior reporter Frank Schwab said. “And is he their speed guy? Well, no, that’s probably Xavier Worthy. What role is he willing to accept? How much money is he willing to accept?” There are, naturally, a lot of questions to be answered there. But Hill would be a solid weapon for the Chiefs, who just missed the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade. Buffalo BillsBuffalo appears hellbent on doing just about anything possible to help lift quarterback Josh Allen over the postseason hump and to a Super Bowl. That included jettisoning a successful head coach in Sean McDermott in favor of offensive coordinator Joe Brady earlier this offseason. Hill could be an easy add for a team needing an extra option. Khalil Shakir was their leading receiver last year with just 719 receiving yards, while tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox were second and third. “They need that veteran piece,” podcast host Andrew Siciliano said.”They need that deep threat. They need a guy who down the field — I’m sorry, Brandin Cooks — can attack that football or just run away from the guy closest to him. So he doesn’t have to have a contested catch there to win a playoff game in Denver.” Los Angeles ChargersThe Chargers could be a great fit for Hill for multiple reasons. He’d get to pair up with Justin Herbert, who has statistically been a top-tier quarterback during his first six seasons in the league even if the team has struggled at times. The Chargers have plenty of money to pay Hill, too, as they’re sitting with the third-most salary cap space in the league this offseason. Oh, and Mike McDaniel is now the Chargers’ offensive coordinator after he was fired by the Dolphins earlier this offseason. Reuniting with his former head coach on the other side of the country feels like it would make things even easier for Hill coming off of his injury. New England PatriotsSure, the Patriots reached Super Bowl LX this past season. But something was missing, and that was very evident in the final game as the Seahawks cruised to the dominant win in the Bay Area. Hill could easily step into New England and help young quarterback Drake Maye as he enters his third season in the league. Pairing Hill with fellow star Stefon Diggs, who racked up 1,013 receiving yards last season, and tight end Hunter Henry, might just be the boost the team needs to get over the hump. Las Vegas RaidersNow this may not be Hill’s first choice, considering the state of the Raiders in recent years. But there are plenty of reasons why it would work. The Raiders are under new leadership once again this season with Klint Kubiak coming in as their head coach. The franchise has the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, which it will presumably use on Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. Getting Mendoza a veteran like Hill right away in his career, along with young running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers, would be huge early on in his career. Oh, and the Raiders have money to spend. That’d be nice for Hill, too. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| MOVING ONAaron Schatz of ESPN.com has picked 32 players who need a change of scenery. Change is coming to every NFL team. There will be moves made in free agency and the draft, of course, but there also will be unexpected trades and player cuts. So far this offseason, there have been rumors about top stars Maxx Crosby, Kyler Murray and A.J. Brown potentially moving on from their franchises. But more shocking moves are likely to come. Every offseason, there are players who need a change of scenery for a variety of reasons. Some players just never quite develop and could benefit from a new coaching staff that might be able to unlock their potential. Some have worn out their welcome because of a lack of success on the field. Others just want to go to a winning team. Below, I’ve picked out one player from each team who could benefit from a fresh start in 2026. Who could be on the move this offseason? Let’s start with a wide receiver who might have more success elsewhere. AFC EAST Buffalo BillsWR Keon ColemanColeman might be the perfect example of a player who needs a change of scenery after the Bills’ ownership threw him under the bus during the news conference for Joe Brady as the new coach. “I’ll address the Keon situation. The coaching staff pushed to draft Keon,” Terry Pegula said. “I’m not saying [team executive] Brandon [Beane] wouldn’t have drafted him, but [Coleman] wasn’t his next choice.” Coleman was a healthy scratch for multiple games during the 2025 season and went over 50 receiving yards in a game only once. The 2024 second-round draft pick might be able to find success with a new organization, but it’s hard to see him reaching his potential if he stays in Buffalo. Miami DolphinsQB Tua TagovailoaFormer coach Mike McDaniel benched Tagovailoa with three games left in the 2025 season, so it’s clear the organization is trying to figure out how to shed his huge contract. Tagovailoa ranked 26th out of 28 qualifying quarterbacks with a career-low 37.6 QBR, and through his 14 games, he also led the NFL with a career-high 15 interceptions. Most teams consider his $54 million in guarantees untradable unless the Dolphins cover a significant portion of the contract. The Dolphins would get hit with $99.2 million in salary cap charges if they cut Tagovailoa before he receives a $14 million option bonus on March 13. New England PatriotsDT Christian BarmoreThe Patriots would definitely need to find an on-field replacement for Barmore’s interior pass-rushing skills. Last season, he had 11 quarterback hits and two sacks. However, Barmore is currently facing an assault and battery charge, and New England might want to make a change and focus more on improving on the edge. New York JetsRB Breece HallHall will be hitting free agency in a couple of weeks, and there’s a sense that he wants to move to a more successful organization. (On the day of the Super Bowl, he posted on X, “Hope I get to experience football on this stage. … I’ll get there one day. I know it.”) He’s still a very talented runner and receiver who posted his first season with 1,000 rushing yards in 2025 and also recorded 350 receiving yards. Hall can be an even bigger part of the receiving game with a different team, as evidenced by his 76 catches for 591 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. NFL Next Gen Stats listed him with 0.58 rushing yards over expected per carry last season. AFC NORTH Baltimore RavensWR Rashod BatemanThe idea that Bateman needs a change of scenery might be unexpected considering the Ravens signed him to a three-year, $36.75 million extension before the 2025 season. But he had a very disappointing campaign, with just 19 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns. A part of his problem last season was that opponents treated Bateman as the Ravens’ WR1 because Zay Flowers was in the slot being covered by a nickelback. Bateman just isn’t good enough to get away from that coverage, and he might flourish with a new team for whom he can be more of a complementary player. Cincinnati BengalsEdge Trey HendricksonThe former All-Pro edge rusher is desperate to get out of Cincinnati. Hendrickson requested a trade for a second straight year in March, but he ultimately stayed with the team. He ended last season with only four sacks in seven games before sitting out due to core muscle surgery. It is a possibility that the Bengals use their franchise tag on Hendrickson, who is about to hit free agency, but it seems that some sort of sign-and-trade deal is more likely. Cleveland BrownsG Joel BitonioBitonio is still a top-caliber guard in the league, but he deserves to play for a winner before his career is over. He has played his entire 12-year career with Cleveland and has been to the playoffs only twice. Bitonio is a free agent this offseason, and he makes a lot of sense as a one-year plug-in for a playoff contender that needs an upgrade at the position. Could we interest coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers? Pittsburgh SteelersEdge Nick HerbigThis is a different kind of call for a change of scenery. Herbig is probably happy in Pittsburgh, and he certainly is providing a lot of value for the Steelers. However, it would be really nice to see what Herbig could do as a starter somewhere — because right now, he’s stuck behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith as a rotational player. Herbig led the league with a 26.3% pass rush win rate in 2025, and he had 7.5 sacks, despite playing just 52% of snaps. Could he lead the league if he were starting for another team? AFC SOUTH Houston TexansC/G Juice ScruggsScruggs was a second-round pick in the 2023 draft but missed the first 10 games of his rookie season with a hamstring injury. He has been in and out of the lineup ever since — and has yet to reach his potential. Scruggs started most of the 2024 campaign but ranked 32nd out of 33 qualifying players for pass block win rate as a center (89.8%). His 64.3% run block win rate also was poor. Last season, Scruggs had only one start and mostly appeared on special teams; he was a healthy scratch in one of Houston’s two playoff games. Perhaps in the final year of his rookie contract another team could figure out the skills that made him a high draft pick to begin with. Indianapolis ColtsQB Anthony Richardson Sr.Richardson’s early performances with Indianapolis just haven’t made the grade. As a rookie in 2023, he posted a 45.0 QBR in four starts. In 2024, he registered a 47.4 QBR in 11 starts. He missed almost all of last season, first because the Colts chose to start Daniel Jones over him and later because Richardson sustained a fractured orbital bone during pregame warmups in October. Shane Steichen was supposed to be the coach who could develop an offense around Richardson, but it hasn’t worked out. Perhaps another coach could make it work for the signal-caller. Jacksonville JaguarsWR Brian Thomas Jr.This idea would have seemed ridiculous a year ago after Thomas put up 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 2024 rookie campaign. But Thomas seemed to be on a completely different page from quarterback Trevor Lawrence last season, even as the rest of the Jaguars were having success around the wideout. Thomas’ production fell to 48 catches for 707 yards and two scores. The Jaguars have Travis Hunter coming back. They signed Jakobi Meyers to an extension. And Parker Washington had breakout second half of the 2025 season. There’s room here to trade Thomas, and his talent could fetch a high draft pick to help make up for the picks the Jags lost when they traded up for Hunter in 2025. It’s certainly something worth considering. Tennessee TitansCB L’Jarius SneedRemember when Sneed was considered one of the league’s top cornerbacks while winning two Super Bowls with the Chiefs? He got a big payday with a trade to the Titans in 2024, but his two seasons with Tennessee have not gone as planned. Sneed has played in only 12 games total because of quadriceps injuries, and he has had off-field legal issues. Since 2024, he has recorded 49 total tackles and zero sacks. A fresh start with a new team might be the thing to help Sneed get back to his glory days on the gridiron. AFC WEST Denver BroncosEdge Jonah EllissThis is not an issue of a player who has not properly developed. Instead, Elliss is a talented young pass rusher who doesn’t have a path to start behind veterans Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. Last season, Elliss had a 14.1% pass rush win rate and a 12.2% pressure rate. Both numbers were above average for edge rushers, but he only played 38% of snaps in the games for which he was active. It would be intriguing to see Elliss get a chance to start elsewhere in the league. Perhaps alongside his brother Christian with New England if K’Lavon Chaisson leaves in free agency? Kansas City ChiefsEdge Felix Anudike-UzomahAnudike-Uzomah has not come close to living up to his potential as a first-round pick for the Chiefs. He barely played in his rookie year in 2023 and had just 2.5 sacks with just three starts in his sophomore campaign. In 2025, he missed the entire season with a hamstring injury. At best, he is fourth on the Chiefs’ depth chart, behind George Karlaftis, Mike Danna and Ashton Gillotte. With one year remaining on his rookie deal, perhaps a trade would allow Anudike-Uzomah to finally find the potential that teams saw when he came out of Kansas State. Las Vegas RaidersRB Zamir WhiteIt just never quite worked out for White with the Raiders since they selected him in the fourth round in 2022. White had only 17 carries for 70 yards as a rookie. In 2023, he managed 104 carries for 451 yards and a touchdown but finished near the bottom of my DVOA ratings because of a lack of explosive runs. He then tallied just 65 carries in 2024 and 12 carries in 2025, with less than 3 yards per carry in both seasons. But he might be able to resuscitate his career if there’s another team looking for an early-down thumper in free agency to fill the bottom of the depth chart. Los Angeles ChargersG Zion JohnsonJohnson hasn’t lived up to his first-round potential in his four years with the Chargers. Last season, his 87.4% pass block win rate ranked 62nd out of 65 qualifying guards. There might be another coaching staff out there that knows how to get the best out of him. Johnson is still a strong run blocker, as his 79.3% run block win rate last season ranked second among guards, behind only Seattle rookie Grey Zabel. NFC EAST Dallas CowboysEdge Sam WilliamsWilliams had 8.5 combined sacks in his first two seasons without starting any games. However, he missed the entire 2024 campaign with a torn left ACL. Last season, he started five games and had one sack and 37 total tackles. By the end of 2025, Williams was playing about only 30% of the defensive snaps in each game. Williams probably could use a fresh start to help him reach back to the potential he showed as a second-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2022. He’ll be a free agent this offseason. New York GiantsG Evan NealThis 2022 first-round pick has been a disappointment. Neal washed out at tackle and was supposed to move to guard; but last season, he dealt with a hamstring injury and wasn’t active for a single game. He’s almost assuredly headed to another team this offseason, and perhaps he can be useful as an interior lineman elsewhere. Philadelphia EaglesCB Michael Carter IICarter was near the top of the league in my coverage DVOA metric as the nickelback for the 2023 Jets. He sustained injuries in 2024, and New York traded him to the Eagles in the middle of last season. However, he is kind of wasted playing behind Cooper DeJean, and Carter barely saw the field for defensive snaps after the Eagles acquired him in October. Carter might still be able to be the lead nickel for another team, but I’m guessing the Eagles would not get much for him in the trade market. Washington CommandersCB Marshon LattimoreLattimore shined in the first half of the 2024 season before struggling with a hamstring injury. But really, nothing has gone right since the Saints dealt him to the Commanders in the middle of that campaign. Last season, the 29-year-old was one of the worst starting cornerbacks in the league with 27 tackles and one interception in nine games, before suffering a torn left ACL. Lattimore still has one year left on his contract, but there’s no guaranteed money, so the Commanders could easily cut him with a post-June 1 designation. If he wants to continue playing in the NFL, he would be better off putting his time in Washington behind him. NFC NORTH Chicago BearsOL Kiran AmegadjieIt’s a shame to get rid of a player who grew up near the Windy City, but it’s pretty clear that Amegadjie isn’t in the Bears’ plans going forward. The 2024 third-round pick likely would have been cut in last season’s training camp if not for his Day 2 draft upside. His struggles blocking in space led the Bears to start working him at guard instead of tackle. He could use a fresh start with a new organization for whom he could play guard from Day 1 and hopefully fulfill his collegiate potential as a run blocker. Detroit LionsRB David MontgomeryIt felt as if the Lions’ “Sonic” and “Knuckles” backfield became more of the Sonic (aka Jahmyr Gibbs, 23) show as the 2025 season went along, although Knuckles (aka Montgomery) still played plenty of snaps. Montgomery only dropped from 41% of offensive snaps in 2024 to 37% of snaps in 2025, but he also dropped from 221 touches to 182. Montgomery will turn 29 in June, and the Lions might look to save some money on the cap by moving on from him this offseason. It also might be better for his career to take a lead-back role with a different team. Green Bay PackersLB Quay WalkerWalker is a free agent this offseason, and there might be another team out there that could better use his skill set. He has strong physical attributes and sideline-to-sideline speed. However, he has really struggled in pass coverage, with a below-average success rate allowed in coverage over the past two seasons. Walker would be a better fit for a team that needs a two-down linebacker who doesn’t necessarily play in pass-first situations. Minnesota VikingsQB J.J. McCarthyThis is likely never going to happen, because it would be ridiculous for the Vikings to unload a player who still has first-round upside after 10 starts. However, a fresh start for McCarthy with a different organization might be the best thing for his career. Yes, you want a young quarterback to be with an offensive mind such as Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell for the purposes of his development. However, things went so badly for the Vikings with McCarthy last season that it might be best to get him out of the shadow of Super Bowl winner Sam Darnold. NFC SOUTH Atlanta FalconsCB Clark Phillips IIIPhillips, at 5-foot-9 with short arms, fell to the fourth round in 2023 because of size concerns. But he moved into the starting lineup for the last few games of his rookie season and acquitted himself well, with a better-than-average coverage DVOA. It was a bit of a surprise when he started only two games in 2024. Then he missed almost the entire 2025 season with a triceps injury. He’s definitely a player who needs a fresh start, although a new staff in Atlanta means that perhaps his fresh start will come without moving anywhere. Carolina PanthersRB Jonathon BrooksWhen the Panthers selected Brooks in the second round in 2024, they knew he would miss some of his rookie year while recovering from a right ACL tear suffered in college. They did not know Brooks would tear that same ACL again after just nine NFL carries or that the second injury would cost him not only the end of the 2024 season but the entirety of the 2025 campaign. Now, Brooks has to face the question of whether there is room for him in the Carolina backfield. Rico Dowdle is a free agent. But even if Dowdle doesn’t re-sign, the Panthers still have Chuba Hubbard and Trevor Etienne. Brooks might need to go elsewhere to finally get his NFL shot. New Orleans SaintsQB Spencer RattlerWith a number of teams looking to make a change at quarterback, ESPN’s Ben Solak has suggested Rattler as an option for a starting job next season. The Saints have clearly committed to Tyler Shough as their starter now. But Rattler had a very respectable 50.1 QBR in eight starts in 2025, which actually was higher than Shough’s 48.8. Rattler has strong physical tools, but he also showed a better grasp of the mental aspects of the position last season. Tampa Bay BuccaneersEdge Chris BraswellThe Bucs selected Braswell with the No. 57 pick in 2024, and the linebacker out of Alabama was supposed to be a talented pass rusher with good burst and a variety of pass-rushing moves. However, Braswell hasn’t had much time on the field to show off those moves. He has never started a game in the NFL and has just 2.5 career sacks. Last season, he played less than 25% of defensive snaps in 11 contests and more than 50% of defensive snaps in just one game. The likely departure of Haason Reddick in free agency might open up a starting spot for Braswell, but it is more likely that Braswell needs to go to a new team with a new coaching staff in order to get his chance to finally reach his NFL potential. NFC WEST Arizona CardinalsQB Kyler MurrayAs Adam Schefter has reported, the Cardinals are actively looking for a trade partner who will take Murray’s substantial contract. Murray was a star for his first couple of seasons in the desert, but he has struggled since the 2022 campaign, after which coach Kliff Kingsbury was fired and took his shotgun-heavy offense with him. Although Murray did manage to put up a better QBR (46.7) than Jacoby Brissett (41.1) last season, it seemed clear Brissett was a better match for Drew Petzing’s offensive scheme. Petzing is gone now, and it’s going to be new coach Mike LaFleur’s scheme instead. But it’s hard to see Murray thriving if LaFleur wants to run the heavy play-action, under-center type of offense associated with his previous tenure with the Rams. Los Angeles RamsCB Darious WilliamsThe eight-year veteran was a useful part of the Rams’ defense in 2025, even though he started just three games. Williams ranked high in my coverage DVOA metric and allowed just 6.4 yards per target. However, he is going to be 33 next month and doesn’t have any guaranteed money remaining on his contract. It would be easy for the Rams to go another direction in the secondary, leaving Williams to find another job elsewhere. San Francisco 49ersWR Brandon AiyukIs it cheating to list Aiyuk for the 49ers? He has basically left the team already. General manager John Lynch has publicly said that Aiyuk has played his last snap for San Francisco. Aiyuk has fought with the Niners over everything from his contract details to whether he wears the right shorts on the practice field. He is still a talented wideout, although his numbers fell substantially in 2024 with just 374 receiving yards. Aiyuk didn’t play last season, but he led the league in receiving DVOA not so long ago, with 75 receptions for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. It will be interesting to see if he can return to something close to that glory with another team in 2026. Seattle SeahawksCB Riq WoolenThe situation between the Seahawks and Woolen was a bit weird all last season, although it’s easy for a Super Bowl title to cover up any awkwardness. The Seahawks benched him briefly a couple of times, and he was out of the starting lineup for the second half of the season, even though he was still playing about two-thirds of defensive snaps. Woolen ranked a surprising 12th in my coverage DVOA metric in 2025, allowing just 5.6 yards per target. But at the same time, he can be hard to trust when he has small meltdowns like the one in the NFC Championship Game, during which he drew a taunting penalty then gave up a touchdown. If another team wants to pay Woolen starting cornerback money, the Seahawks are probably fine with that. |
| 2026 DRAFTJosh Edwards of CBSSports.com offers a Mock Draft: In today’s thought exercise, CBS Sports explores the idea of Dallas going all in on the upcoming season by trading up without sacrificing additional 2026 draft capital. There are also a few names fans need to put on their radar on the back end of this first-round projection. As a reminder, four teams are without a first-round pick: the Jaguars, Falcons, Colts and Packers. 1 LAS VEGASFernando Mendoza QBIndiana • Jr • 6’5″ / 225 lbsThere is only one quarterback worthy of consideration at No. 1 overall. There is some thought to trading the pick to acquire additional assets, build the roster and plug in a quarterback later. However, Las Vegas also recognizes the difficulty other teams have had identifying the right quarterback and getting into position to add that player. Take the shot when it comes open. Mendoza played in a less-than-ideal situation at California before thriving at Indiana. His accuracy will give Las Vegas’ receivers a chance until that room gets reconstructed. 2 NY JETSDavid Bailey EDGETexas Tech • Sr • 6’3″ / 250 lbsBeyond Fernando Mendoza, I would understand players coming off the board in almost any order. It sounds like a copout, but that is the reality of a draft class lacking any obvious blue-chip talents. Safety Caleb Downs may be the safest prospect, but he plays a position most teams do not consider premium. Teams will also have varying opinions of Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. Is he a pass rusher? Is he a linebacker? New York takes a finished product who was unblockable this fall. Bailey (81) finished second to Rueben Bain Jr. (83) in pressures this season, according to TruMedia, in two fewer games. His 14.5 sacks led Division I. 3 ARIZONASpencer Fano OTUtah • Jr • 6’6″ / 308 lbsArizona would likely want to trade back if the opportunity presented itself, but who is coming up — and for which prospect? Without that opportunity, the Cardinals draft Spencer Fano, who can either replace Jonah Williams at right tackle or slide inside to guard. 4 TENNESSEEArvell Reese LBOhio State • Jr • 6’4″ / 243 lbsIt would stand to reason that Robert Saleh’s interest in having the capability to rush from a variety of angles will carry over from San Francisco. He wants waves of pass rushers and commonly looks for length. Arvell Reese is farther along as a linebacker but offers plenty of potential rushing the passer. In fact, coming out of high school, most programs recruiting him envisioned him one day becoming an impactful pass rusher. 5 NY GIANTSCarnell Tate WROhio State • Jr • 6’3″ / 195 lbsChances are good that New York will not retain Wan’Dale Robinson through free agency. With Malik Nabers returning from a significant injury, Carnell Tate’s presence will be needed in both the short and long term. Tate’s selection would mark the fifth consecutive year a Buckeye receiver has been drafted in the first round. 6 DALLAS Mock Trade with Cleveland BrownsCaleb Downs SOhio State • Jr • 6’0″ / 205 lbsJerry Jones is going to do what Jerry Jones wants. Patience is wearing thin, and the acquisition of 28-year-old Quinnen Williams, to go along with nearly 33-year-old quarterback Dak Prescott, suggests the team is looking for immediate results. Coming off a Super Bowl where defense ruled the roost and safety Nick Emmanwori was an impact performer, Caleb Downs’ value may be as high as ever. If the Cowboys need an impact player, their options are dwindling in a sparse class. Details of the trade will be discussed with Cleveland’s pick. 7 WASHINGTONRueben Bain Jr. EDGEMiami (Fla.) • Jr • 6’3″ / 270 lbsRueben Bain Jr. does not possess the length that a Dan Quinn defense often deploys, but he does have the requisite power and ability to set the edge. Bain led all of Division I with 83 pressures last season, according to TruMedia. He had quiet stretches and has a unique build but also took over games on college football’s biggest stage.. 8 NEW ORLEANSSonny Styles LBOhio State • Sr • 6’5″ / 243 lbsSome will finish this process with Sonny Styles Jr. among the top five overall prospects — perhaps even No. 1. His father played for the rival Falcons, and his brother, Lorenzo, is a cornerback in this draft class. Demario Davis is both 37 years old and open to departing the Saints in free agency. Styles steps in as his replacement. 9 KANSAS CITYJeremiyah Love RBNotre Dame • Jr • 6’0″ / 214 lbsKansas City may be hesitant to make this choice because of how Clyde Edwards-Helaire fared. Jeremiyah Love is a bigger, more explosive player, as well as an impactful pass catcher. Andy Reid may be looking for ways to reinvent himself this year, especially if Travis Kelce moves on with his life. One way to keep defenses on their toes is to have a running back who has to be accounted for and gets defenses moving. 10 CINCINNATIMansoor Delane CBLSU • Sr • 6’0″ / 190 lbsCornerbacks are about to come off the board back-to-back. Although Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy has a higher ceiling, he’s also coming off a significant injury and was unavailable for the 2025 season in its entirety. Cincinnati can ill afford to miss on another defensive draft pick, so it takes the safe route. Mansoor Delane is an instinctive cornerback with a great feel for playing within space 11 MIAMIJermod McCoy CBTennessee • Jr • 6’0″ / 193 lbsCornerback was a position of need for Miami coming into the season, and the contributors it was able to gather at that spot are now hitting free agency. Jeff Hafley’s background is coaching defensive backs. The team has invested ample resources into a defensive line that remains very much a work in progress while neglecting the secondary. If Jermod McCoy returns to form, he could be one of the best prospects to emerge from this class. 12 CLEVELAND Mock Trade with Dallas CowboysJordyn Tyson WRArizona State • Jr • 6’2″ / 200 lbsCleveland’s long-term plan at quarterback remains unknown, but it is unlikely to be on the roster. It would be wise to accumulate future resources to potentially make a move in upcoming draft years. Dallas is more focused on the present, so it parts with future resources (No. 12 overall and two future second-round picks) in exchange for No. 6 overall and future fourth- and sixth-round picks. It is a reasonable trade considering the Browns still address one of their two biggest needs (wide receiver and offensive line). 13 LA RAMS From Atlanta FalconsFrancis Mauigoa OTMiami (Fla.) • Jr • 6’6″ / 335 lbsRob Havenstein announced his retirement. Perhaps the team is comfortable with Warren McClendon Jr. in a scheme that makes the assignment a bit easier on its linemen, but with two first-round picks, there is an opportunity to address the concern in a big way. Francis Mauigoa should get a chance to stick at right tackle. 14 BALTIMOREOlaivavega Ioane IOLPenn State • Jr • 6’4″ / 323 lbsVega Ioane looks like a Ravens offensive lineman, right? He is big, powerful and can grind down the opposition in the rugged AFC North. With Daniel Faalele scheduled to hit free agency and coming off a bit of regression last season, Baltimore has an opportunity to upgrade in the trenches — a core belief Jesse Minter likely holds given his proximity to both Harbaughs over the past decade. 15 TAMPA BAYKeldric Faulk EDGEAuburn • Jr • 6’6″ / 285 lbsPass rush is a need for Tampa Bay. Although Keldric Faulk does not immediately elevate the unit in that regard, he brings a higher floor in run defense while also offering the potential to develop into a better pass rusher as he gets older. 16 NY JETS From Indianapolis ColtsPeter Woods DLClemson • Jr • 6’3″ / 310 lbsAfter taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 2 overall, the Jets address a position weakened by the Quinnen Williams trade. Peter Woods has “slipped,” but he never profiled as a locked-in top-five selection. Aaron Glenn gets a few pillars on defense heading into an important year. 17 DETROITAvieon Terrell CBClemson • Jr • 5’11” / 180 lbsTerrion Arnold has struggled to stay healthy, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has been a non-factor since the team double-dipped in the draft. Rock Ya-Sin and others in depth roles are slated to hit free agency. Avieon Terrell provides immediate support. 18 MINNESOTACaleb Banks DLFlorida • Sr • 6’5″ / 330 lbsCaleb Banks missed most of this season due to injury, but his size cannot be taught. The conversation is similar to Deone Walker last year, and Walker had a good rookie season. Minnesota has an organizational history of taking bigger defensive tackles. 19 CAROLINACashius Howell EDGETexas A&M • Sr • 6’2″ / 248 lbsNic Scourton developed into a nice player for the Panthers by the end of the season, but they need a rusher with a bit more juice who will instill fear in the opposition. 20 DALLASCJ Allen LBGeorgia • Jr • 6’1″ / 235 lbsDespite trading up to No. 6 overall and selecting Caleb Downs, Dallas is able to keep the 20th pick and take another key piece for its defense in 2026. 21 PITTSBURGHMakai Lemon WRUSC • Jr • 5’11” / 195 lbsProjected TeamPittsburgh It would not have been a surprise if Makai Lemon had been taken much earlier, but his availability is Pittsburgh’s gain in this instance. Lemon is a fantastic complement to DK Metcalf for whichever quarterback the Steelers empower next season. 22 LA CHARGERSChase Bisontis IOLTexas A&M • Jr • 6’5″ / 315 lbsChase Bisontis is one of the better pass-protecting interior offensive linemen in this draft class. However, that is also a statement on this draft class. There is going to be a lot of volatility, which invites surprises in the first round, and the pool of consideration should go deeper than the same 32 names in mock draft scenarios each week. 23 PHILADELPHIAKadyn Proctor IOLAlabama • Jr • 6’7″ / 366 lbsThere has been some dialogue that either Lane Johnson and/or Landon Dickerson could retire this offseason. The beauty of Kadyn Proctor is that he could theoretically fill either role. In general, Philadelphia believes in depth in the trenches, and Proctor’s mere presence provides insurance for a wide range of possibilities. 24 CLEVELAND From Jacksonville JaguarsMonroe Freeling OTGeorgia • Jr • 6’7″ / 315 lbsAfter trading back in the first round, the Browns selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Every starter along the Cleveland offensive line is slated to hit free agency this offseason, so that is a critical area to address as well. Monroe Freeling is a developing option for blindside protection. 25 CHICAGOKayden McDonald DLOhio State • Jr • 6’3″ / 326 lbsChicago’s defense ranked bottom-10 in EPA against the rush, according to TruMedia. Kayden McDonald may not have a high ceiling as a pass rusher, but he will positively impact the team’s ability to stop the run while also allowing it to get younger and cheaper. 26 BUFFALOOmar Cooper Jr. WRIndiana • Jr • 6’0″ / 204 lbsThinking back to the best versions of Buffalo, yes, they had a downfield threat like Stefon Diggs, but they also had a slot merchant like Cole Beasley. Omar Cooper Jr. is not afraid of contact and is also capable of creating yards after the catch. 27 SAN FRANCISCODenzel Boston WRWashington • Jr • 6’4″ / 210 lbsJauan Jennings is currently slated to hit free agency. The team is also prepared to move on from Brandon Aiyuk and has already done so with Deebo Samuel. The unit is changing, and only Ricky Pearsall has a seat on the bus. Denzel Boston provides a new face to the receiver room as the 49ers look forward. 28 HOUSTONCaleb Lomu OTUtah • Soph • 6’6″ / 308 lbsHouston may be content allowing Aireontae Ersery to continue working through the growing pains of playing left tackle in the NFL, but Caleb Lomu would allow the team to move pieces around in an effort to get its five best linemen on the field. The offensive line should remain a priority for the 29 LA RAMSKC Concepcion WRTexas A&M • Jr • 5’11” / 190 lbsLos Angeles found something that worked last season with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, but Adams is both 33 years old and entering the final year of his contract. The Rams are always forward-thinking, so KC Concepcion’s presence may not truly be felt until 2027, but by then he will have a year of experience in the system. 30 DENVERKenyon Sadiq TEOregon • Jr • 6’3″ / 245 lbsSean Payton took a chance on Evan Engram as his tight end of choice, but the need was not fulfilled. Kenyon Sadiq is a threat downfield but also offers serviceable experience in run blocking. Sadiq will allow Payton to dust off a portion of his playbook. 31 NEW ENGLANDMax Iheanachor OTArizona State • Sr • 6’6″ / 330 lbsMorgan Moses gave New England exactly what they needed in the first year of the Mike Vrabel era, but the reality is that his career is drawing to a close. Max Iheanachor is a powerful right tackle with good athleticism and a higher technical floor than which he has been given credit. 32 SEATTLEColton Hood CBTennessee • Soph • 6’0″ / 195 lbsCornerbacks Josh Jobe and Riq Woolen are slated to hit free agency next month. If Seattle wants to get cheaper and younger at the position, Colton Hood provides a nice off-ramp. |
