2026 NFL Draft: A Look Inside the Strangest Job Interview Process in Sports

Getting a job playing in the NFL is nothing like getting an entry-level job in any other field. At the NFL Combine, Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion was headed into a formal interview with the Philadelphia Eagles. And Philly hit the draft prospect with an exercise he'd never seen before. The Eagles had a machine that dropped three different-colored foam batons. As the batons fell, a coach called out the color that Concepcion needed to catch — and the hand he needed to use to catch it. Left hand blue, right hand red. Good thing he's an All-American receiver. Concepcion managed to catch four of five pairings. "That right there was fun," he told me at the Adidas "Pro Day" in Portland last month. Such is the unique, demanding and sometimes bizarre nature of the NFL draft process, which includes workouts, medical checks and lots of interviews. When it comes to the interviews, which come one after another, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson and Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza have the perfect type of mind for the pre-draft process. The same is true of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, whose interview with one team "was kind of boring with how easy it was for him," per a scout in the room. Of course, no matter who it is, these prospects are nervous stepping into a room with NFL evaluators, particularly for the first time. "The first one — a little nervous, a little anxious. But after that one, it was just rolling," Ohio State edge Arvell Reese told me in Portland. Often, prospects can get into a groove. There’s a routine from one team’s interview to the next. And the prospects will answer many of the same questions during their Top 30 meetings. (Each NFL team can invite up to 30 prospects to their facility to conduct interviews, medical checks and on-field workouts.) "It kind of gets kind of repetitive — just answering the same questions," Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson told me in Portland. "Shoot, you're talking about yourself, so nobody knows you better than yourself. But, yeah, I'd say it's going pretty good. Just trying not to shoot myself in the foot and trying to just leave it all on their end." For the on-field portion, there are the freak athletes whose measurables are perfect, whether it's at the combine in Indianapolis or at pro day or any of the other venues where players meet with teams. Count Downs and Reese in that category. Let’s also throw in Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman, who absolutely crushed the workout portion of the combine. Not everyone has it so easy. "It’s all mental," a former NFL first-round pick told me. "[You're in Indianapolis] for days, then you don’t get on field until the end. … I graded out higher because some guys just couldn’t handle all the days stacked on each other." Every measurement matters — even, as it turns out, the things you can’t exactly measure. The experience is a microcosm of what can be so terrible and so thrilling about these liminal months when football players are "prospects" — not college football players or NFL players. They get measured. They get interviewed without end by teams, by media members and by marketing reps. The invasive probing transcends the average job interview. "They're doing background checks on your childhood stuff, so at this point, your whole life is sort of a job interview," Downs told me. "So I can't say this three-month process is my job interview. Your whole life is pretty much a job interview." Here’s what we learned about the process while speaking with several of the draft’s top prospects — and some of the people who are preparing and evaluating them. Getting the body right for the workouts Excel Sports Management has a gym in Southern California where Washington receiver Denzel Boson spent weeks training for the combine and his pro day, with consultant coaches on-site to provide comprehensive preparation. Almost all the likely first-rounders spend their time training at their agency's facility. After that, the draft process is about doing everything except playing football: watching it, drilling it, discussing it. There's a clear dichotomy between the offseason drills that NFL veterans are doing and the ones that the incoming rookies are doing. Look at Instagram, where you can see current NFL players running functional drills to help them improve at their position. And then look at the combine, where you see a set of drills that have rightfully earned the event the nickname "the Underwear Olympics." As antiquated as these general drills might seem, they measure a certain kind of athleticism, which draft prospects can and should hone prior to showing up in Indianapolis. So that's where their attention shifts: learning proper form for the 40-yard dash, the broad jump and the three-cone drill. Downs, however, pushed back on that idea. "I'm trying to get ready to go play football, so that's what my workouts are tailored to," he told me in March. "Just try to make sure that when I get to camp I'm ready to play ball. That's the most important thing, so that's really what I'm focused on." But Downs is an anomaly, a surefire top-10 pick. Not everyone can get away with that mentality. Carnell Tate, the consensus top receiver in the draft and Downs' college teammate, said he might be doing new drills, but he's keeping the same routine he had at Ohio State. "It is basically my college routine," Tate told me. "It’s just, I'm not in college no more at Ohio State." For many players, draft prep extends beyond their training routine. Miami All-American edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. said he is cutting out fried foods and excess sugar from his diet. And he’s more regimented about when he eats — changing his meal schedule. It helps that he’s hired a private chef. "It's more consistent," Bain told me in Portland in March. "It’s something I kind of tighten up on, and being a little bit more serious about my approach, rather than just doing it here and there and kind of slacking off." Getting the mind right for the interviews The most universal elements of the interviews are the film study and install. NFL teams will put up film from a player’s college career and quiz him on what went right or wrong. And then the players will often need to learn a series of plays: the install. Sometimes, they get these plays onsite. Sometimes, they’ll get a small playbook ahead of a meeting. The players will have to prove they’ve retained the information, as best they can. "This process is all about me," Tate told me. "Teams watch your film and see what you retain from your previous school and see what you could have done better. And then they just pick out like, ‘Why did this work? Why didn't this work?’ I've just been watching my film and making sure I know my play in and out — knowing why I messed up here or knowing why I did something good here. "And then they just install a play for me — or a couple plays — and see what I can retain from that meeting, and then go put it on the field or go put on the board." Players lean on different resources to prepare themselves for their interviews. There are formal interviews at the NFL Combine and Top-30 visits. But informal interviews happen throughout the process, with evaluators striking up a conversation with a prospect at an all-star game (like the Senior Bowl), at the combine and at their pro day. Players might even get a random phone call from time to time. Teams may contact an unlimited number of incoming rookies up to three times per week, for up to one hour at a time, per NFL rules. Teams are not allowed to contact college players until they have declared for the draft — or are no longer eligible to keep playing in college. When teams can finally speak with players, any morsel of information could prove important. That means an interview is lurking behind every corner. "I think you’ve just got to be yourself," Arvell Reese told me. "It's hard to put on the act and it's hard to lie. So I feel like being yourself is the easiest thing to do. So when I'm meeting with all the teams, I just be myself." As best they can, prospects prepare thoroughly. Take Boston, for example. He spent time with Excel consultant Ricky Proehl, who played receiver in the NFL for 17 years and is now the head coach of the UFL's St. Louis Battlehawks. Proehl worked with Boston on and off the field to make sure he had the tools to take on the rigors of the draft process. That includes interview prep, drill prep and pro day design. "Teams bring you in for an official visit," Proehl told me by phone. "They want to see how much you can retain. They'll give their offense, they'll give formations, concepts or routes, different things, and then they want to see how much you can retain. So we'll go over different scenarios." Boston said he and Proehl can’t go over every NFL system. But they can work to build fundamental skills and concepts around receiver positions, offensive formations and defensive coverages. The receiver studied on his iPad with a magic pencil to work through the defenses. He and Proehl made a cheat sheet of all the defenses to review. "You can't expect every team to be the same or have the same terminology, but you can get the rules kind of down in your head when it comes to the O's and the X’s and all those different things," Boston told me. In the case of some of the top Ohio State prospects, they might work with an agency consultant. But they also have easy access to a former NFL head coach. Matt Patricia, who served as the Lions' head coach from 2018 to 2020, is now the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator. "Coach Patricia did a great job giving us the time we needed to make sure that we're ready to go out and articulate the way that we need to. So a lot of appreciation for him for finding the time to do that," Downs told me. "Mock interviews. Zooms about the film they’re going to show and the questions they’re going to ask. Trying to get those opportunities to answer the questions on the test before they’re asked." [2026 NFL Draft: Top 150 Overall Prospects] The interviews will extend beyond football. When it comes to getting to know a prospect as a person, teams have different philosophies and methodologies, particularly when addressing sensitive issues or legal matters. One scout told me he’d save the difficult questions for when he felt like he knew a prospect, in large part because he didn’t think he’d get an honest answer prior to that point. That scout said: "[A prospect will say] way more if he knows you care. … You’ll get everything you want by establishing relationships." Another scout told me he’d ask the difficult questions to see if players would lie — and, sometimes, they would, which the scout knew from his research. For the most-prepared prospects, the chalk talk is actually the highlight of the draft experience. They get to meet some of the smartest minds in football and pick their brains. "It's been awesome," Downs told me. "Honestly, I feel like my mind is what separates me, and just being able to share that and have conversations about things. And also just learning is always such a huge thing for me, just putting myself in positions to learn. And there's no higher football than the NFL, so it's a great opportunity to learn from the coaches that are there and try to expand my mind." For prospects, there's no better feeling than nailing an interview. "I just feel like knowing you crushed a meeting," Washington running back Jonah Coleman told me at Adidas Pro Day. "After you come out of a meeting or after you get off the Zoom, just knowing that you crushed it — that has been the best part." [Inside Adidas Rookie Pro Day with Fernando Mendoza, Other Top Prospects] Expect the unexpected. The draft process is infamous for producing absurdity and even inappropriate behavior. Thankfully, that practice has grown less pervasive. But there is still plenty of silliness. It was one thing for people to debate over whether Joe Burrow’s hand size mattered. (Which happened!) It’s another thing for evaluators to ask about sexual orientation, murder weapons or … whether a player finds his mother attractive. One former NFL player said that, when he interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, they took the tape from his junior season rather than his senior year — and only asked about his worst plays. It was a painful and unnecessarily contentious meeting. What was that scout's intention? Unclear. But on the plus side — after the pro day and combine — a draft prospect might never have to run the 40-yard dash again. Or catch foam batons dropped from a machine. "The pro day’s over, combine’s over, you're not gonna have to train for that anymore. Now it’s back to football," Denzel Boston told me. That'll come after the draft — when prospects finally become players again.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/JRxOuza

2026 NFL Draft: Ranking and Evaluating the Top 10 Quarterbacks

The 2026 NFL Draft lacks multiple QB1 candidates, but the league's desperation for franchise quarterbacks could lead to some early-round gambles. With a collection of wild cards in this draft, some of those gambles could pay off, with teams transforming a few hidden gems into starters down the road. After taking some time to analyze the 2026 quarterback class, here are my top 10 prospects: 10. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt The 5-foot-10, 207-pound Pavia lacks the prototypical dimensions and tools to merit serious consideration as a QB1, but his production and big-game performance make him a worthwhile gamble as a late-round draft pick or undrafted free agent. The mobile playmaker puts immense pressure on the defense with his improvisational skills, leading to splash plays that will make him a fan favorite in the preseason. Given how Pavia’s competitiveness transformed the Vanderbilt program, do not dismiss his chances of beating the odds as an outlier in the quarterback room. 9. Cade Klubnik, Clemson Despite his individual and team struggles last season, Klubnik will get a chance to make amends in the NFL as a Day 3 prospect. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder has shown QB1 potential in the past (3,639 passing yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024), but he's coming off a disappointing campaign that leads to questions about his readiness for a starter’s role at the next level. While his previous success, arm talent and athleticism will likely lead a team to roll the dice on his potential, the Clemson product must show more consistency to carve out a long-term role as a QB2. 8. Luke Altmyer, Illinois Teams looking for a long-term QB2 candidate could value the three-year Illinois starter. Altmyer’s instincts, intelligence and awareness show in the way he manages the game like a seasoned field general. As a quick-rhythm passer with a keen understanding of the passing game, he excels at connecting the dots at intermediate range. Considering the importance of operating the offense efficiently as a backup, Altmyer has a chance to make his mark as a Day 3 prospect. 7. Cole Payton, North Dakota State Despite the rugged lefty entering the league as a one-year starter, the football world is buzzing about his potential as a developmental prospect. Payton impressed scouts with his toughness and intangibles at the Senior Bowl, with the 6-foot-3, 233-pounder steadily improving throughout the practice week. With his inexperience and inconsistency as a passer limiting his immediate impact, Payton should be on the radar for scouts as a Day 3 consideration with QB2/QB3 potential. 6. Taylen Green, Arkansas As a dynamic athlete who shattered records at the NFL Scouting Combine, Green is an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a developmental quarterback to add to the roster. As a four-year starter at Boise State and Arkansas, the 6-foot-6, 227-pound dual-threat QB passed for 9,662 yards with 59 touchdowns and 35 interceptions, while also amassing 2,403 rushing yards and 35 scores. Although his dazzling athleticism would make him a potential "slash" candidate (quarterback/wide receiver) as a pro, Green’s preference to only play quarterback could force coaches to weigh the pros and cons of taking on a QB with several fundamental flaws as a passer. 5. Drew Allar, Penn State The maddeningly inconsistent passer possesses all the traits old-school coaches covet in a franchise quarterback. From his size (6-foot-5, 228 pounds) and arm talent to his intangibles and leadership skills, Allar is the traditional prototype at the position. While questions persist about his clutch performance, the Penn State product’s traits and tools could entice a team to make him a Day 2/Day 3 gamble. 4. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU The son of veteran NFL offensive wizard Doug Nussmeier, the LSU product plays the game like a 10-year veteran playing in slow motion. Although his slender frame (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) and a disappointing, injury-marred 2025 campaign have diminished his draft stock, Nussmeier flashes the kind of command that would make an offensive coordinator comfortable handing him the keys to the offense. While Nussmeier's substandard measurements could ding his draft status, his high-quality play in 2024 — 4,052 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions — makes it easy to envision him thriving as a pro. 3. Carson Beck, Miami Beck's toughness and tenacity make it easy for scouts to fall in love with his potential as a game manager-plus for a winning team. While his limitations as a passer (arm strength) could shrink the field for the offense, his winning pedigree from guiding championship-caliber teams at Miami and Georgia could help him lead a competitive squad to wins as a substitute QB1. Given the recent success of experienced young quarterbacks, the 23-year-old Beck is an intriguing Day 2 prospect in the 2026 class. [2026 NFL Draft Confidential: Unfiltered Scouting Takes On Top 5 QBs] 2. Ty Simpson, Alabama As an undersized quarterback with only 15 career starts on his résumé, the 6-foot-1, 211-pound Simpson is attempting to defy the odds as a potential first-round pick. Despite his flawless footwork and picture-perfect mechanics, the Alabama standout has not played enough to quickly transition into a QB1 role. While teams with a veteran starter or "bridge" quarterback in place could patiently develop Simpson, the uncertainty over his NFL readiness makes him the biggest boom-or-bust prospect on the list. [Inside Ty Simpson’s Rise from Alabama Backup to Likely First-Round Pick] 1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana The presumptive No. 1 overall pick impressed evaluators with his toughness, intangibles and clutch performance as the leader of the national champs. With Mendoza also displaying pinpoint accuracy on intermediate and vertical throws, the playbook is wide open for a play designer building around the Heisman Trophy winner’s talents. Although some scouts will suggest his skills do not match up with previous No. 1 overall picks, Mendoza’s intangibles and intelligence separate him from the rest of the class.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/fBlFLna

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Caleb Downs Not a Top 15 Pick? Chiefs, Cowboys Double Up on D

As we rapidly approach the 2026 NFL Draft, are the top five picks starting to feel chalky? I certainly think so. In my latest mock draft, my first five picks remain unchanged from my first mock draft. Sure, some might say that's a boring way to approach doing a mock draft. And while I've shifted my position on where a few players will land, some things just make perfect sense. Of course, the Las Vegas Raiders are going to take Fernando Mendoza. But there's also a perfect edge rusher for the New York Jets waiting for them with the No. 2 pick. Don't worry, though, there are plenty of other changes in my mock draft. So, let's take a look at how I've shuffled the deck in my most recent mock draft. Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Super Bowl Odds: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) Mendoza is the best quarterback in this class and he will be drafted first overall by the Raiders, who have a chance to build around him. 2. New York Jets: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Super Bowl Odds: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) I don’t think Bailey is the best edge prospect in this draft, but the Jets need a pure pass rusher, so they will opt for him over Arvell Reese. That makes Bailey the best draft pick for the Jets. He’s super twitchy and has elite finishing skills near the quarterback. He also has the potential to be a superstar. 3. Arizona Cardinals: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State Super Bowl Odds: +40000 (bet $10 to win $4,010 total) Arizona will select the best defensive player in the draft and can figure out where to use him once he’s in the building. Reese can play off the ball or rush the passer. I do believe he will follow the path of Micah Parsons and eventually end up as a full-time pass rusher. 4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Super Bowl Odds: +11000 (bet $10 to win $1,110 total) The Titans will grab the best offensive player in this draft. Love is a dynamic running back with outstanding breakaway ability. He’s a three-down back who will help young QB Cam Ward. Less pressure on Ward, more on the run game. 5. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami Super Bowl Odds: +7000 (bet $10 to win $710 total) Tough decision for the Giants at No. 5. Do they draft an offensive tackle who might project as a guard in the NFL, or do they draft an off-the-ball linebacker with the fifth pick? I think the Giants will take the player who can help Jaxson Dart immediately. Mauigoa may end up inside at guard, but he’s going to be excellent wherever he plays. 6. Cleveland Browns: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia Super Bowl Odds: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) Freeling needs work, but the Browns will draft him because he's probably the most pure left tackle in this class. He’s got the traits, movement skills and technique base to improve quickly. 7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Super Bowl Odds: +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total) Washington needs to improve its defense, which was third-worst in yards per play last season. Styles is an off-the-ball linebacker who Dan Quinn can mold into a franchise player for his defensive unit. 8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Super Bowl Odds: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total) This is a chance for New Orleans to draft another weapon for young quarterback Tyler Shough. The fit is perfect. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Super Bowl Odds: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total) I wish Rueben Bain had longer arms and could be in Kansas City, but I don’t see the Chiefs — who are in need of a pass rusher — drafting Bain with his measurables. They will opt to start replacing their depleted secondary with Delane. 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami Super Bowl Odds: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) The Bengals will end up drafting the best pass rusher on the board with the 10th pick. Bain has questions about arm length, but there’s no question about his college film. He's a skilled pass rusher with high effort. 11. Miami Dolphins: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Super Bowl Odds: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total) The Outland Trophy winner is an outstanding fit for the Dolphins at No. 11. He can play a variety of positions along the offensive line. He also brings a toughness and physical style of football that’s helpful for a new coach trying to remake his team. 12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Super Bowl Odds: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Dallas will address a position of need with McCoy. He’s coming off an ACL injury in 2025, but looked the part in 2024. He's excellent in man coverage with instincts and athleticism. 13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC Super Bowl Odds: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total) The USC receiver will stay in Los Angeles. The Rams have a need for a receiver with Adams aging and Puka Nukua needing to mature to stay on the roster. 14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State Super Bowl Odds: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total) Vega is the most ready offensive lineman in this class. He’s big, thick and plays with a mean streak. He’s improved each season as a pass protector who understands how to use his size and strength to his advantage. He has the potential to be a plus-starter in Year 1 for the Ravens. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami Super Bowl Odds: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) If Mesidor was 22 years old, he’d be a top-10 pick. But his age (25) does give you some worry. He’s going to hit his second contract at almost 30 and that’s historically been the age where we start seeing some decline. However, the Bucs need a pass rusher, and Mesidor is a fit for their scheme. 16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama Super Bowl Odds: +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) I wouldn’t draft Ty Simpson in the first round, but I’m not the Jets. The long history of NFL failure for players who started only one year in college would concern me. But it appears the Jets seem unbothered by this. They get their franchise quarterback here. 17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama Super Bowl Odds: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total) What a fit for Dan Campbell, a massive human for his offensive line. Proctor is what the Lions need to help replenish an offensive line that’s lost some pieces over the years. He can play tackle or guard, so the Lions can work to get their best five. 18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Super Bowl Odds: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) Caleb Downs is going to grade as one of the better players in this draft, so the Vikings will hit a home run with their Harrison Smith replacement. I tried to find a place for Downs earlier in this draft, but it just didn’t happen. 19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Super Bowl Odds: +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total) Carolina continues to add weapons for Bryce Young. Sadiq is a mismatch for anyone guarding him while being a willing blocker in the run game. 20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia Super Bowl Odds: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) The Cowboys will take a linebacker from a college defense that puts reliable starters in the NFL. He’s smart, instinctive and will be the leader of the Cowboys' defense. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana Super Bowl Odds: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total) I have the Steelers drafting an outside receiver with reliable hands and a large catch radius. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida Super Bowl Odds: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) The Chargers have their pick of the best defensive tackle or they can take any of the available defensive ends. They will take Banks with his elite skill set. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson Super Bowl Odds: +1700 (bet $10 to win $180 total) With this pick, the Eagles will find their eventual Lane Johnson replacement. Miller is tough and has an excellent football IQ, but there's still room for growth. 24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M Super Bowl Odds: +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) I wouldn’t put it past the Browns to draft another offensive lineman at 24. Instead, they will take the speedy Concepcion, with his high upside. Feels like an Andrew Berry pick. 25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Super Bowl Odds: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total) Thieneman's a dual-threat safety who’s willing to play in the box to tackle, which means the Bears can use him in different roles. 26. Buffalo Bills: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Super Bowl Odds: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total) The Bills will select the receiver with the highest potential to be special in this draft. Tyson has elite catching ability, but injuries push him down the board. 27. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Super Bowl Odds: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total) When I first watched Utah’s film, Lomu stood out immediately with his size and movement skills. He will need a redshirt year to get stronger before replacing Trent Williams. 28. Houston Texans: Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M Super Bowl Odds: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total) Draft experts are hinting that a second offensive guard will be taken in the first round, and this feels like the logical spot for a team that needs long-term answers for their offensive line. 29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams): Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn Super Bowl Odds: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total) The Chiefs have tended to favor bigger defensive ends early in the draft and there's no one bigger in this draft than Faulk. Faulk is young and needs to work on his entire game, but the necessary traits are there. 30. Miami Dolphins (via Denver Broncos): T.J. Parker, edge rusher, Clemson Super Bowl Odds: +30000 (bet $10 to win $3,010 total) The Dolphins will get another trench player in Parker as they continue their rebuild of the roster. 31. New England Patriots: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State Super Bowl Odds: +1900 (bet $10 to win $200 total) There is huge upside with Iheanachor. He's new to the position but has incredible physical gifts. He will sit behind Morgan Moses before taking over at right tackle in 2027 in this scenario. 32. Seattle Seahawks: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson Super Bowl Odds: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total) His versatility and playmaking (eight forced fumbles) are a fit for this Seattle defense.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/YlipzLc

2026-27 NFL Odds: Only One Division Winner Favored to Repeat

Let the odds tell it, the Philadelphia Eagles are the only reigning division winner you can trust. The upcoming NFL season won't begin until September, but of course, odds regarding that season are already out. And included in that slate are division winner odds. So last year's division winners have to get some love when it comes to repeating, right? Think again. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. The only division winner from last season favored to win their division again is the Eagles in the NFC East. Ironically, last year was the first time the NFC East saw a back-to-back division winner in 21 years. Now, that division is favored to have a three-peat winner. Moving on to the other divisions, consider this: Last season, the Patriots won the AFC East, the Steelers won the AFC North, the Jaguars won the AFC South, the Broncos won the AFC West, the Bears won the NFC North, the Panthers won the NFC South and the Seahawks won the NFC West. However, at FanDuel Sportsbook (as of April 15), the Bills (-135) are favored to win the AFC East, the Ravens (-130) are favored to win the AFC North, the Texans (+150) are favored to win the AFC South, the Chiefs (+175) are favored to win the AFC West, the Lions (+160) are favored to win the NFC North, the Buccaneers (+165) are favored to win the NFC South and the Rams (+130) are favored to win the NFC West. Go figure. Taking it a step further, Buffalo, Baltimore, Houston, Tampa Bay and the Rams all finished second in their divisions last season, and none by more than two games, meaning each was at least in the running. But the Chiefs and Lions finished third and fourth in their divisions, respectively. In the case of the Chiefs, they finished 6-11, missed the playoffs by a country mile, and their superstar quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, suffered a torn ACL in Week 15. Going back to last year's division winners, going into next season (as of now), New England is second on the AFC East oddsboard (+140), Pittsburgh is third on the AFC North oddsboard (+550), Jacksonville is second on the AFC South oddsboard (+185), Denver is third on the AFC West oddsboard (+210), Chicago is third on the NFC North oddsboard (+310), Carolina is fourth on the NFC South oddsboard (+360) and Seattle is second on the NFC West oddsboard (+170).

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/nGFEc7O

Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft: How Dallas Can Be a Title Contender Again

The Dallas Cowboys' draft strategy isn’t much of a secret, or at least it shouldn’t be. They had one of the very best offenses in the NFL last season and a defense that was dead last in points allowed. So yeah, they need to draft defensive players. Lots of them. As many as they can. In fact, every time they’re about to draft an offensive player, someone in their room should ask, "Isn’t there a defensive player we can take instead?" Plugging that big, black hole has to be their priority next week. It’s also their only path back to title contention. So with that in mind, here’s a seven-round mock of how their draft should go, with a focus on … well, you get the idea. RELATED: 2026 NFL Draft Big Board: The Top 150 Overall Prospects Round 1 (No. 12 overall): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee The Cowboys’ pass defense was ranked 31st last season, and their coverage was as bad as their pass rush. DaRon Bland hasn’t lived up to the promise he showed in 2023 as an All-Pro corner with nine interceptions (he has one pick in 19 games since). And he’s the only one with a lock on a starting spot in the secondary. So assuming the top edge rushers are gone (which will be the case, unless Rueben Bain starts to fall), drafting the 6-1, 188-pound McCoy is a no-brainer. Yes, he missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but he had four picks as a sophomore the year before and NFL teams seem convinced that he’s fully healthy. He may need some patience as he continues his recovery, but he’s the ball-hawk with top coverage skills that the Dallas defense desperately needs. Round 1 (No. 20): Edge Akheem Mesidor, Miami The Cowboys have been searching for anyone who can rush the pass rusher since they traded away Micah Parsons, and the situation is even more dire since they chose not to re-sign Jadaveon Clowney (8.5 sacks). Their trade for Rashan Gary helps, but he’s one man (and an inconsistent one). And with two first-round picks, they better come out with at least one player off the edge. Mesidor is a 6-3, 259-yard pass-rush machine who had 12.5 sacks for the Hurricanes last season and 26 in his three years and three games in Miami. He has shown an ability to rush from the interior and off the edge, and is decent against the run, too. He does have a history of foot injuries and will be 25 as a rookie, which is why he should still be available here. But the Cowboys certainly shouldn’t worry about his age, since their window to be a contender again is small. Round 3 (No. 92): CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State Yes, another corner. That’s how big the need is there. He’s a strong, 6-2, 189-pounder with good speed and strong coverage skills, and he can be fearless as a run defender. The one big issue that might limit his upside is that he commits an inordinate amount of penalties. The coaching staff will need to tame his handsy tendencies so he doesn’t become a liability. But skills-wise, he can be an immediate third corner and eventually a No. 2, which is big for a team that really only has one. He’s another prospect who will require some patience because the penalty count could be high as a rookie, which will limit the nature of how and when he can be used. But that’s correctable and coachable. If he fixes that, he can be a fixture on the defense for a while. Round 4 (No. 112): LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU He has always been a sure tackler with blazing speed (4.47 40) that makes him a true sideline-to-sideline threat. He had 92 tackles at Cal in 2023 and increased that to 130 with 11 for loss (and four sacks) for TCU last season. Elarms-Orr is probably a bit undersized (6-2, 234), but his speed makes up for that. The bigger problem is scouts don’t see him as very instinctive, mostly because he didn’t play football until high school and wasn’t an inside linebacker until 2023. So there’s a learning curve, for sure. But put a man his size with that speed on the field and he’ll run down a lot of ballcarriers for the Cowboys. Round 5 (No. 152): OL Keagen Trost, Missouri The Cowboys have a good offensive line, but certainly could use some depth and some more young players to develop at the position. Trost, at 6-5, 311 pounds, has the size to go earlier than this, especially since he was an all-SEC blocker last season. But he’s another older prospect who’ll be a 25-year-old rookie after seven collegiate seasons. Add in some inconsistent mechanics, questions about whether he should play tackle or guard in the NFL, and the fact that he didn’t really hit the NFL’s radar until this past season, and not every team will want to invest the time to develop him, especially at his age. But again, the Cowboys’ window is closing. They can take a shot and see if he can give them at least a few good years. Round 5 (No. 177): WR Kevin Coleman, Missouri He’s a speedy and elusive slot receiver, not unlike Kavonte Turpin, and no, this isn’t a big position of need. But the 5-10, 179-pounder not only gives them a backup receiver and returner for Turpin, but it also gives them future insurance considering Turpin is about to turn 30. He is a playmaker who can be a danger on inside passes, but also has the speed and hands to be a downfield threat. If he’s used in the right way, he can be a threat any time he touches the ball. Round 5 (No. 180): Edge Max Llewellyn, Iowa The 6-5, 258-pounder led the Hawkeyes last season with 45 pressures, and he had 12 sacks over the past two seasons. He plays hard and can be a handful for slower tackles when he comes off the edge. But on Day One, he’s probably a situational pass-rusher who needs to improve against the run. He did have 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025, but scouts think that reflects more on his ability to read plays and find gaps than his explosiveness and strength. It won’t be nearly as easy for him to do that in the pros. Round 7 (No. 218): DT Tim Keenan, Alabama The Cowboys are top-heavy at defensive tackle with Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, but they were comfortable enough with their situation to trade away Osa Odighizuwa. What they do need at this spot is depth and some young talent, and Keenan could fill both. He’s a 6-1, 327-pounder who can clog lanes in the rushing defense. He won’t do a lot more than that at first, but there’s an upside to him, and he’s known as a team-leader and a hard worker. That’s worth a shot in the seventh round.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/kDeuGnj

Freeman on Giants Job Pitch: Coaching 'Special' Jeremiyah Love 'Intriguing'

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman addressed the New York Giants' interest in him this offseason, and what he thought of the opportunity to coach Jeremiyah Love in the NFL.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/MWFO0cl

Will Ohio State Have Four Top-10 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?

If you've perused any NFL mock drafts this offseason, you'll see a familiar theme in the first half of many of them: There are a handful of Ohio State Buckeyes — and that is no mistake, according to NFL Network lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. In the latest episode of "The Joel Klatt Show," Jeremiah put Ohio State's recent run of producing top NFL prospects in historical perspective, saying only one other program might have had a comparable stretch. "The only one I can compare it to is the Miami run in the early 2000s. That was a period where, almost every year, we were seeing four first-round guys and then running that depth all the way through," Jeremiah said. "But it's not only that [Ohio State] has dudes … but these guys are having success at the NFL level, too. It's not like it's some overhyped group or a program that's living off their reputation. These guys are getting drafted high, and rightfully so. They're playing really well at the next level." To Jeremiah’s point, nearly all 10 Buckeyes selected in the first round over the last four drafts have found success at the NFL level. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year this past season. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons ever for a quarterback in 2023 and has led the Houston Texans in all three seasons he's been with the team. In the 2026 draft, Ohio State will almost certainly add four more players to its ever-growing list of the most first-round picks produced by a program. Edge rusher Arvell Reese, wide receiver Carnell Tate, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs are not only apparent locks to go in the first round, but all four might also be top-10 picks. FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt pointed to Tate as the reason why Ohio State's 2026 draft class has the potential to be historic. "Carnell Tate wasn't even the best receiver on his own team in college and is likely going to be the No. 1 wide receiver taken in this draft," Klatt said. "All of us, me included, and I'm sure you as well, believe that because he's from that lineage and he showed what he did at the college level, he's likely to have a lot of success and be in the top 10 in this draft." While Tate might have been outshined by Jeremiah Smith at wide receiver during his Ohio State tenure, he still had a productive career in Columbus. He logged over 1,500 receiving yards and had 13 receiving touchdowns in his last two seasons, putting up some of those numbers while also playing alongside Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout Emeka Egbuka. Tate, who Klatt has going to the New York Giants at No. 5 in his most recent mock draft, has a chance to become the sixth Ohio State wide receiver to be selected in the first round in five drafts. But can Ohio State's draft class make history? Michigan State was the last program to have four top-10 picks in the same year, doing so in 1967. Reese has been a top-five pick in just about every mock draft, while Tate has been a top-10 pick in the majority of mock drafts, too. Styles and Downs, on the other hand, play positions that typically don't receive top-10 value and seem like toss-ups to be selected in the top 10. Jeremiah made a strong case for both players to be top-10 picks, pointing to two teams picking in the top five (Tennessee Titans and Giants) who should be willing to draft Styles. "If you are [Titans head coach Robert] Saleh and you've seen and coached [San Francisco 49ers linebacker] Fred Warner and know what Fred Warner can do in that scheme and how impactful he can be with what he does, you should have no problem taking him with the fourth overall pick," Jeremiah said. "If you're the New York Giants and you're looking at Sonny Styles, the future of [the NFC East] … is Jayden Daniels. How do you defeat Jayden Daniels? I like to have guys at the second level that can get to him on the perimeter when he decides to go, and then also have the length and range when they try to go RPO and go in the middle of the field. We can clog all of that with all of our size, length and athleticism. He's the perfect player to try and defend someone like that. "Having a player at that level who can do all that stuff and handle all the communication on top of it — I can make a very strong argument for [Styles] in those places." As for Downs, Jeremiah didn't seem as sure that the All-American safety will be a top-10 pick, but he thinks the Cincinnati Bengals could be a good fit for him at No. 10. "When you get to Downs, I tell everybody it's not a lock that he's going to go top 10," Jeremiah said. "We live in a world where Derwin James somehow didn't go in the top 10 or Kyle Hamilton didn't go in the top 10 and we just saw [Nick] Emmanwori go in the second round. In terms of how high he goes, it's a little more difficult to project. "But, when I'm looking at specific teams, and I'm looking at Cincinnati and where they are as a team and I'm thinking, ‘OK, this is the worst rush defense in the NFL.’ Then, you say, ‘Why the heck are they taking a safety.’ I think he can impact the run defense as much as he does the passing game. I think he's that impactful." What could also hurt Downs' case to be a top-10 pick is the relative depth at safety in this draft class. Oregon's Dillon Thieneman and Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are also potential first-round picks. But Klatt believes that Downs is at least an echelon above those two players. "His margin [in the pass game] against those guys is kind of like, ‘OK, I like his instincts a bit more,’" Klatt said of Downs. "But then you put their cut-ups against one another and even other safeties against the league, in terms of instincts against the run, playing low and playing in that joker position they had him playing in a lot … he plays like another linebacker, even at his size. The margin he has above those players when it comes to run fits and instinct in the run game grows, at least in my estimation."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/uhQd3Tp