The NFL regular season doesn’t kick off for five months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fire any football-related wagers right now. Wise guys aren’t necessarily spraying future bets in April, but if there’s a good price available on a certain player or team, people will pounce. I like to lean on betting buddies who do this for a living to gauge their temperature. 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. Professional bettor Rob Pizzola has the Detroit Lions circled. "I think the Lions are a good team to back this season," Pizzola told me. "The average person thinks their window has closed, but last season they had the most adjusted games lost due to injury ever. At one point, they were without their entire starting secondary for multiple weeks. "And the offense is still very good even though the offensive line isn’t what it once was. Chicago and Green Bay are way overrated in the division. "It’s a good time to buy low on Detroit." There you have it. Here are three other bets wise guys are eyeing: Tennessee Titans Over/Under 6.5 wins The first win total posted on Tennessee was O/U 6, and it didn’t last long. Sharps knocked it to 6.5 almost immediately, and it’s starting to get expensive at some shops. BetMGM has 6.5 ov-125 and DraftKings is dealing 6.5 ov-140, but if you do your diligence, there’s a +105 at FanDuel. Save yourself the 45 cents if you’re going to join the betting blitz on Cam Ward and new head coach Robert Saleh. One wise guy bet the Titans to make the playoffs at +325. PICK: Titans (+105) Over 6.5 wins Chicago Bears Under 9.5 wins Bears apologists will say this number is disrespectful after Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson led the team to 11 wins and a postseason victory over the Packers a year ago, but 9.5 is actually high for Chicago. It feels like the franchise has been lined at 8 or 8.5 forever. It’s highly unlikely the Bears can duplicate all the comeback victories from last season and a much tougher schedule and natural regression don’t help the case, either. PICK: Bears (-115) Under 9.5 wins Carolina Panthers win NFC South "They should not have the longest odds to win the division," my buddy Vegas Rick said over the phone. "It doesn’t make any sense." There’s a lot to like about Carolina’s progression from a two-win team to a five-win team to an eight-win team over the last three years. If Bryce Young takes another step forward, there’s no reason the Panthers can’t contend. They have a wide range, with +320, +350, +370 and +425 all available in the market. Make sure you get the best price. PICK: Panthers (+425) to win NFC South
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Friday, 10 April 2026
Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman Praises RB Jeremiyah Love: 'He's a Unicorn'
"Great players like Jeremiyah Love make coaches look really good." That’s how Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman broadly summed up the talent of the star running back prospect while stopping by "The Herd" on Friday. Freeman offered high praise for Love, who has emerged as one of the most dynamic playmakers and sought-after running backs heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins later this month. "He is a unicorn," Freeman said boldly, "and he is as talented and gifted an athlete as I’ve ever been around." Freeman went on to highlight his former player's rare versatility and athleticism, which he believes sets Love apart from other prospects in this draft class. "I think he could be an elite wide receiver," Freeman added. "He could be an elite [defensive back]. He’s just gifted with a unique skill set." The 6-foot, 212-pound Love is the total package at the position and was Notre Dame's starting running back for the past two seasons. During that span, he recorded 362 carries for 2,497 yards and 35 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most productive backs in the country. Love also showcased his versatility, adding 55 receptions for 517 yards and five touchdowns over that same stretch. This past season alone, he rushed for 1,372 yards on 6.9 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns in 12 games, ranking in the top 10 in the nation in all of those stats. He also had 27 receptions for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Love posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 40 combined scores, exhibiting the potential offensive coordinators covet in a feature back with RB1/WR2 skills. [2026 NFL Draft: Why Jeremiyah Love's Talent Transcends Value of RB Position] "The balance, the ability to jump over you and the ability to run through you … some of his most impressive runs aren’t the ones you just see on TV," Freeman said. "They’re the ones that, when you watch the film, you’re like, ‘He made that play for a four-yard gain that should have been a two-yard loss?’ "He’s just a really special and unique talent." The expectation is that Love, who's widely regarded as the most electric running back to enter the league since Saquon Barkley, won’t have to wait long to hear his name called on draft night. The added praise from one of college football’s top coaches only further highlights just how special Love could be once he joins the NFL.
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Jaguars Reportedly Making Two-Way Star Travis Hunter 'Full-Time' Cornerback
The Travis Hunter two-way experiment with the Jacksonville Jaguars may be winding down before it ever fully gets off the ground. While Hunter is recovering "exceptionally well" from his season-ending knee injury — which he suffered in October of last season — the Jaguars plan to have Hunter be a "full-time" cornerback who contributes as a part-time wide receiver next season, NFL Network reported on Thursday night. Jacksonville selected Hunter with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft after the Jaguars traded the No. 5, 36 and 126 picks in the 2025 draft and a 2026 first-round pick to the Cleveland Browns to move up three spots. The expectation was that Hunter would play both ways in the NFL, just as he did in college with the Colorado Buffaloes (2023-24). Even while splitting time at receiver and cornerback, Hunter delivered a Heisman Trophy season and established himself as one of college football’s most dynamic players. Hunter played in only seven games for the Jaguars last season before suffering a season-ending torn LCL during a late October practice. Prior to his injury, Hunter saw little production at cornerback, recording 15 combined tackles and three pass deflections. He made a bigger impact on offense, finishing with 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown. Following the injury to Hunter, first-year Jaguars general manager James Gladstone traded with the Las Vegas Raiders for veteran wide receiver Jakobi Meyers at the NFL trade deadline. Meyers went on to play well alongside receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington down the stretch, totaling 42 receptions for 483 yards and three touchdowns across nine regular-season games in Jacksonville.
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Thursday, 9 April 2026
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Colin Cowherd Predicts Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson Get Big Help
Can Colin Cowherd correctly predict the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? He isn't sure, but he's hopeful that he can guess five of the first 15 picks right based on what he's hearing in his discussions with people around the league. Cowherd unveiled how he thinks the top 15 picks will go in his most recent mock draft as we're two weeks away from Round 1. While his top-four picks might be what you've seen in other mock drafts, he has the New York Giants making a move that might not seem to be too popular. He also has Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson getting some reinforcements around them on offense. So, let's take a look at how Cowherd thinks the first 15 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft will go down, based on what he's hearing. 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. Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Cowherd's thoughts: "That's the easy one. I'm going to go one-for-one. He threw 49 touchdowns and no interceptions the last two years in the red zone. Hyper smart, ball placement and toughness [are good]. I wouldn't be surprised if the Raiders at the top of the second [round] go get [Indiana wide receiver] Omar Cooper, who might be available at the top of Round 2." Odds to be No. 1 pick: -20000 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge rusher, Ohio State Cowherd's thoughts: "I think the Jets take a big swing on Arvell Reese, who I think is the youngest prospect in the draft. He's only 20 and he doesn't have a clear, defined position yet. That's what the Jets do. I think they need six or seven good players before they take a swing. With the coaching staff and head coach they have, I just don't trust them. I would rather get a plug-and-play guy who has a defined, already-made position. Reese is a fascinating player. The Jets had the second-fewest sacks in the NFL, so it's a position of need, but that's why I like [David] Bailey [more for New York]. You can drop Reese into coverage. So, I think he's a great talent, but I worry about the Jets and Aaron Glenn being able to bake this and make it work quickly." Odds to be No. 2 pick: -105 3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Cowherd's thoughts: "They have a pass rush issue. The Cardinals ranked 28th in sacks last year. So, this will be a bit of a break, in my opinion, for the Arizona Cardinals. They'll get my favorite pass rusher in college football. I think Rueben Bain is very good as well, but [Bailey] led college football in sacks and pressure rate and he's getting better. He's a much better player now than he was at Stanford." Odds to be No. 3 pick: +235 4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Cowherd's thoughts: "First of all, Robert Saleh knows the value of a star running back for a young quarterback. He watched [Christian] McCaffrey with Brock Purdy. Saleh's got a better offensive feel than most defensive coaches. He actually does, I've texted with Robert on that. He likes offense, and he knows the value. [Love] is a home-run hitter. I'm telling you, the drop-off between Love and the second-best running back in this draft, it might be greater than Fernando Mendoza and the second-best quarterback. He's an absolute Jahmyr Gibbs[-type]." Odds to be No. 4 pick: +150 5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Cowherd's thoughts: "I think the Giants get maybe the cleanest player in the draft, Sonny Styles. He's going to come in and play. Linebacker, freak athlete, 182 combined tackles over the last two years. John Harbaugh's been talking about toughness and attitude. That's Sonny Styles. People can say, ‘Linebacker? I don’t know.' The Giants have spent a lot of money at corner in the last couple of years. They could go corner, maybe. This kid's going to come in, play and get a lot of tackles." Odds to be No. 5 pick: +175 6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Cowherd's thoughts: "The best receiver in this draft is Carnell Tate, and Cleveland's gotten an egregiously bad wide receiver corps. The Browns had the fewest receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. [Tate] just walks in and stars. I think he's great. He's strong. He's got speed. I don't know if he has the route tree of [Jaxon Smith-Njigba], but I'll tell you this: catching radius, toughness and speed are really good." Odds to be No. 6 pick: +150 7. Washington Commanders: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) Cowherd's thoughts: "Well, Jayden Daniels needs protection. Laremy Tunsil, meet Francis Mauigoa. Many people think he could interior and play guard. He's not a left tackle. he's more of a right tackle. I don't think he has elite foot quickness, so maybe you move him inside. But I've got Jayden Daniels. Daniels is getting banged up in this league." Odds to be No. 7 pick: +2200 8. New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) Cowherd's thoughts: "The Saints have a lot of needs, but this kid lives in the backfield. I care a little bit about arm length. He's a perfect replacement for Cam Jordan, who is a free agent and getting up there [in age]. So, you replace him with a dog — a guy that's going to come in and pressure the quarterback. Everybody I talk to in the league loves Bain. Because of the measurements, he's not going to be a No. 1 or No. 2 pick. But I haven't talked to anyone in the NFL that doesn't respect him as a player." Odds to be No. 8 pick: +350 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Cowherd's thoughts: "This seems obvious. … The Chiefs have struggled to protect Mahomes the last two years — eighth most sacked quarterback in two seasons and now Mahomes is coming off an ACL injury. They solved their running back in free agency, getting Kenneth Walker from Seattle. Do they need an edge rusher? They do, but Bailey will be gone, Reese will be gone and Rueben Bain will be gone. So this is an easy one. I think it's a smart one. "They got Josh Simmons at left tackle. When he played, he was excellent in terms of the frequency and scarcity of playing concerns. But by the way, you get Fano in. [If] Josh Simmons gets banged up or doesn't play, this is what they did with the Chargers in Joe Alt. Move him to the other side. I think he goes nine to Kansas City." Odds to be No. 9 pick: +700 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Cowherd's thoughts: "I think he could be the steal of the draft. I think he walks in and starts Day 1. He's just a great football player, really smart, very instinctive. He's not huge. I don't get too caught up on that. People said Troy Polamalu wasn't huge. He's just a great player. He's in-state and Buckeye fans will love it. Just toughness, urgency, playmaking and the defense for now, that Trey Hendrickson is gone, you thought the defense was bad for Cincinnati last year? Could get worse." Odds to be No. 10 pick: +300 11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Cowherd's thoughts: "Did not allow a single touchdown or commit a single penalty last year at LSU. Number one cornerback in the draft and again, here comes Jeff Hafley, the defensive guy from Green Bay. So with one of his two first-round picks, he's taking a defensive player, either with one of the picks or two of the picks. Yes, they need a wide receiver. Yes, they need some offensive line. You can get that in the second, third or fifth round. You can't get the best corner in those rounds." Odds to be first cornerback drafted: -240 12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Cowherd's thoughts: "You've got to cheapen up that defense because you're spending a lot of money on offense and now you're spending a lot of money on your defensive front. They get Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. He can play zone. He can play man-to-man. Opposing quarterbacks last year on the Dallas Cowboys 69% completion percentage and a passer rating at 109. So they have upgraded their defensive front. Now they've got to go get some dexterity and versatility on the back end. He's a great player." Odds to be second cornerback drafted: -195 13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC Cowherd's thoughts: "Davante Adams is 34 and got banged up. Puka Nacua has just entered rehab and got some off-field stuff. Maturity issues. This kid does not let the ball hit the ground; 2.8% of balls thrown to him hit the ground. Tremendous kid. He's got a lot of Amon-Ra St. Brown and will be productive Day 1. … Matt Stafford doesn't want to teach somebody how to play football. Makai Lemon walks in Day 1. He'll figure the playbook out in three practices." Odds to be second wide receiver drafted: +155 14. Baltimore Ravens: Monroe Freeling, OT, Ravens Cowherd's thoughts: "Lamar Jackson last year pressured on 26% of his throws, a career high. They go get Monroe Freeling, Georgia tackle. He's a little raw, but has had, in 18 starts, one holding penalty. Listen, if you're going to pay Lamar Jackson, what you keep reading, they're going to pay him, you better protect him. This is another player that everybody thinks is going to be really good. Nobody's quite sure if he's going to be good as a rookie. Get him in [the] house." Odds Ravens use first pick on an offensive lineman: +140 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo Cowherd's thoughts: "Local kid. Played [high school football] in Tampa. Bucs were 27th against the pass. They had the worst red zone defense. Now Mike Evans is gone. They need a receiver. There are some great receivers in the second, third and fourth round. He's a hometown kid. He is rangy. He runs good enough. Again, another one of these small school [defensive backs] that we don’t watch enough of. Remember when Sauce Gardner came out? Could have been the No. 1 player and defensive player in that draft." Odds to be second safety drafted: +290
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How a 'Life-Giving' FaceTime with Tom Brady Helped Kirk Cousins Sign with Raiders
Kirk Cousins has followed the same playbook all three times he's been a free agent. However, before he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, the veteran quarterback's free-agency game plan called for something different: a FaceTime call with Tom Brady. A few days after Cousins officially signed with Las Vegas, he shared that he spoke with Brady, a minority owner of the Raiders, in an unusual setting before making his free-agent decision. "You know me, I'm going to do my homework before I sign somewhere. So, I had a lot of conversations with people here and there with the Raiders' organization," Cousins told NFL Network's "Good Morning Football." "One of those conversations was with Tom. I texted him and asked him to call me when he could. He actually FaceTimed me. I was at youth baseball practice. So, I stepped away and just FaceTimed with Tom for a little bit, just to get on the same page and the vision for the organization and kind of what he saw ahead and if I would be a good fit for it or not." That call gave Cousins the clarification he needed on whether to sign with the Raiders. "I got off the call, and I called my wife and I said, ‘That was a really life-giving call with Tom,'" Cousins said. "He gets it. He's been where I've been, and then some. I think he understands what it needs to look like and what it will look like. I really felt a shot in the arm after talking with him and I felt that was a big nudge for me to come to Vegas. Cousins signed relatively late in the free agency process, picking Las Vegas as his new home nearly a month after he was released by the Atlanta Falcons. He reportedly agreed to a five-year deal worth up to $172 million in total money. However, only $20 million of the contract is guaranteed, giving the Raiders a potential out after the 2026 season. Putting the money aside, Cousins will likely serve as a mentor to quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who the Raiders are highly expected to take with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. In fact, Cousins seemed to spoil the Raiders' draft plans in the interview with "Good Morning Football," saying "Fernando is going to be a great addition to our team." Some also presumed that the 37-year-old Cousins might have received a guarantee to be the Raiders' Week 1 starter when he signed with Las Vegas. But he told "Good Morning Football" that "I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option," adding that he's relayed that message to first-year Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. While Cousins will be relied on to help mentor and develop Mendoza, he shared that he's looking forward to the opportunity to learn from Brady, who Cousins said was at the Raiders' facility for the first day of organized team activities. "Didn't expect that, but he stopped by the quarterback room and I was able to catch up with him in the cafeteria," Cousins said. "He just wants to be a resource. I don't know if he's going to be around all the time, but he's always a phone call or text away, and I think to have a guy who has won seven Super Bowls a phone call or text away that's embedded into your organization, that's gotta be a positive."
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2026 NFL Draft Odds: Who Will Be First Receiver, Cornerback Selected?
Among NFL Draft betting markets are spots like No. 1 Draft pick, Mr. Irrelevant and the number of players to be drafted at each position in the first round. Another market that might interest bettors is which player will come off the board first at each position. Let's take a look at the players that could end up being the first wide receiver, offensive lineman and cornerback drafted. Here are the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 9. 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. First wide receiver selected Carnell Tate (Ohio State): -290 (bet $10 to win $13.45 total)Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State): +285 (bet $10 to win $38.50 total)Makai Lemon (USC): +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana): +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)Denzel Boston (Washington): +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)KC Concepción (Texas A&M): +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)Chris Brazzell II (Tennessee): +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)Zachariah Branch (Georgia): +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total) What to know: During the 2025 season, Carnell Tate had 51 receptions, 875 yards and nine touchdowns for the Buckeyes, making him one of the most impactful wide receivers in college football. Now, he's got the shortest odds to be the first wideout selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. In fact, FOX Sports "First Things First" co-host Nick Wright has Tate being the first WR selected in his most recent mock draft. "Malik Nabers is coming off the [ACL] injury," he wrote. "Even with Nabers, [the Giants] don't have a surefire No. 2 [wide receiver]." If the G-Men snag Tate at No. 5, based on Wright's projection, he'd be the first WR off the board. First OL selected: Francis Mauigoa (Miami): -285 (bet $10 to win $13.51 total)Monroe Freeling (Georgia): +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)Spencer Fano (Utah): +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Kadyn Proctor (Alabama): +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State): +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)Blake Miller (Clemson): +15000 (bet $10 to win $1,510 total)Caleb Lomu (Utah): +18000 (bet $10 to win $1,810 total)Max Iheanachor (Arizona State): +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) What to know: When it comes to offensive linemen, Wright predicts that Francis Mauigoa will be the first one selected, projecting the Browns to grab him with pick No. 6. "[Cleveland's] a team that, on offense, needs a bit of everything," he explained. "Maybe they go get the No. 1 tackle in the draft?" FOX Sports Betting Analyst Geoff Schwartz is on the same page, except he's got the 6-foot-6 Hurricane going fifth to the Giants. "Tough decision … but I think the Giants will take the player who can help Jaxson Dart immediately," Schwartz noted. "Mauigoa may end up inside at guard, but he’s going to be excellent wherever he plays." First cornerback drafted: Mansoor Delane (LSU): -240 (bet $10 to win $14.17 total)Jermod McCoy (Tennessee): +150 (bet $10 to win $25 total)Avieon Terrell (Clemson): +6000 (bet $10 to win $610 total)Brandon Cisse (South Carolina): +6500 (bet $10 to win $660 total)Colton Hood (Tennessee): +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)D'Angelo Ponds (Indiana): +10000 (bet $10 to win $1,010 total) What to know: Mansoor Delane is one of the top prospects in 2026 after making a name for himself at LSU. In 2025, he had 11 passes defended and two interceptions. However, he began his college career at Virginia Tech in 2022. In his last year with the Hokies in 2024, Delane had seven passes defended and four interceptions. "They have a glaring need at cornerback following the trade of Trent McDuffie and losing Jaylen Watson in free agency," FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt wrote about the Chiefs drafting Delane with the ninth pick, which would make him the first corner to be called. "This is too obvious of a selection. I think Delane is the top corner in the draft as well."
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Wednesday, 8 April 2026
2026 NFL Mock Draft: Jeremiyah Love Slips; Who Grabs Ty Simpson?
Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love has seemingly become a top-five staple in the majority of mock drafts as of late, but should he go that high? Should the Pittsburgh Steelers add a quarterback in the first round of this year's draft, with Aaron Rodgers' future still in question? Do the Philadelphia Eagles have to add a wide receiver as rumors about A.J. Brown's future persist? FOX Sports Research aimed to answer those questions in our latest first-round mock draft. With most of the big dominoes in free agency already falling, those answers might define the rest of the NFL offseason as teams begin to report for their spring programs. But as we're still two-plus weeks away from the 2026 NFL Draft, let's take a closer look at how we think the first round will go, factoring in team needs, combine performances and production from this past college football season. 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 Despite a Pro Day performance that didn't meet expectations, Mendoza is still a lock to go to Las Vegas. He has exhibited all the tools you want to see in a top QB prospect: elite arm strength, the ability to throw into tight windows, and sneaky mobility for a 6-foot-5 signal caller. The Heisman winner led all of FBS with 41 passing touchdowns this season, which is also the Indiana single-season record. 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State Here's another lock in this draft. Reese is the best player available and New York has multiple holes to fill. He's cemented himself as the clear-cut best linebacker in the country. Due to his elite speed for his size, he can drop back into coverage as an off-ball backer or line up on the edge and rush the passer. Reese had 6.5 sacks and two passes defended on the year, and 112 total tackles in two seasons for the Buckeyes. 3. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Despite needing an offensive tackle, Arizona needs to land a cemented star with this pick. Downs might be the smartest football player in this draft, having lined up all over the field during his time at Alabama and Ohio State. This past season, he played 44 snaps on the defensive line, 241 in the box, 146 at slot corner, nine at wide corner, and 240 at free safety. For his career, he's totaled 256 tackles, 163 solo tackles, 10 passes defended and six interceptions. There is nothing Downs can't do, and whatever team gets him is landing a perennial Pro Bowler. 4. Tennessee Titans: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) Tennessee allowed 56 sacks this year and needs a tackle to pair alongside JC Latham. Mauigoa is a blue-chip prospect with freakish tools for an offensive lineman. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he's given up just three sacks in 1,099 pass blocking snaps over the past two seasons — and in 2023, he was a freshman All-America selection. He can also move into the interior with his frame and agility, and has dominated throughout Miami's CFP run. 5. New York Giants: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah At 6-6 and 308 pounds, Fano is another new-era offensive tackle with incredible athleticism for his size. In three seasons, he's given up just three sacks and seven QB hits, highlighted by a 2025 campaign in which he didn't allow a single sack in 382 pass blocking snaps, according to PFF. New York needs to protect JaxsShoulon Dart and Fano is the perfect player to achieve that. 6. Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Arguably the best receiver in this draft, Tate is next in the long line of pro Buckeye receivers. At 6-3, 195 pounds, he's a big receiver who can dominate in the red zone while also serving as a deep threat. This year, he's one of 12 Power 4 receivers to have nine receiving touchdowns and over 800 receiving yards. He'll provide an instant offensive boost for a Cleveland offense that struggled all of last season. 7. Washington Commanders: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame The Commanders' run game was strong last year, ranking fourth in the league at 134.7 rush yards per game. But much of those numbers were inflated due to the fact that Jayden Daniels missed 10 games. Love has 35 rushing touchdowns since 2024, which is the most of any player in that span, and has averaged 6.9 yards per carry over the last two seasons with a whopping 2,497 rushing yards. 8. New Orleans Saints: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Bailey was tied for the FBS lead in sacks this past season at 14.5 and led all Power 4 players, as well. Even looking back at his three seasons at Stanford, he's had consistent production, totaling 28 sacks from 2022 to 2025, the third-most of any player in that span. He's a bit undersized at 6-3 and 250 pounds, but there's no denying his bend and burst off the edge. He is the perfect replacement for Cam Jordan. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Styles shot up draft boards after his combine performance, having run a 4.46 forty-yard dash with a 43.5-inch vertical jump at 6-5, 244 pounds. In his past two seasons at Ohio State, he's totaled 183 tackles, 95 solo tackles, eight passes defended, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. He hits like a truck and can move well in space. Kansas City could go tackle here, but Styles is too good to pass up when considering his ceiling. 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU No cornerback in Power 4 had a higher pass coverage grade on PFF than Delane at 90.9. In 357 coverage snaps, he gave up just 13 receptions for 147 yards and no touchdowns with opposing QBs sporting a 26.7 passer rating when targeting him. He'd be a huge addition to Cincinnati's secondary, which is lacking a lockdown corner. 11. Miami Dolphins: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) Bain is a top-five player in this draft, but will likely fall a bit because of the conversation around his arm length. Jason Taylor, a first ballot Hall-of-Famer who spent 15 of his 17 seasons as a Dolphin, was Bain's position coach for the entirety of his Hurricane career and has been outspoken about arm length not mattering along with how highly he thinks of the 21-year-old. Bain might have the best film of any edge player in this draft, dominating teams like Notre Dame, Florida, Texas A&M, and Ohio State. In that first round CFP game, he had a whopping three sacks against an Aggies offensive line that had given up just 12 in 12 games. He's also an elite run stopper and can move inside when needed. According to PFF, he's the only edge player in FBS to have over 500 pass-rushing snaps with a pass-rush grade over 90. Welcome home, kid. 12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee If he didn't tear his ACL back in January and miss the entire 2025 season, McCoy might go even higher. He was a first-team All-American last season, finishing with four interceptions and seven passes defended while also holding opposing QBs to a 53.6 passer rating (per PFF). He should be a huge addition to a defense that gave up 30.1 points per game, the worst mark in the league. 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama Matthew Stafford is the reigning MVP with no signs of slowing down. At 38 years old, everything the Rams do from a roster construction standpoint should and will likely be with the intent of winning a Super Bowl immediately. Proctor is a specimen at 6-7, 366 pounds and has given up just five sacks in the last two seasons (according to PFF). Rob Havenstein is 33 years old and dealing with injuries, making this an ideal fit for Los Angeles. 14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Tyson could easily be the first receiver taken in this draft. Regardless, Baltimore desperately needs to draft a weapon for Lamar Jackson. He's a big-bodied receiver at 6-2, 200 pounds, and he catches everything thrown at him. In two seasons with ASU, he's caught 136 balls for 1,812 yards and an impressive 18 touchdowns. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keldric Faulk, edge rusher, Auburn Faulk is a monster at 6-6 and 288 pounds, and he displayed an incredible ability to blow past offensive tackles in the SEC over the past two seasons. He posted 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and 45 total tackles for the Tigers in his true sophomore season in 2024. Despite less production in 2025, he'd be the perfect player to add to a Tampa Bay defensive line that already features extremely athletic defensive linemen like Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. 16. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia The Jets just signed 37-year-old Demario Davis and need a long-term replacement at inside linebacker after the 2026 season. Allen was the heartbeat of Georgia's defense this year, and is a tenacious tackler who thrives in the run game and can also cover receivers in the slot. In three seasons with the Bulldogs, Allen totaled 205 tackles, 117 solo tackles, 10 passes defended, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. 17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Yup, Fano isn't the only stud offensive lineman for the Utes. Lomu gave up just two sacks in 807 pass-blocking snaps over the past two seasons and is a high-ceiling prospect, having just 28 collegiate games under his belt. Detroit needs another tackle to pair alongside All-Pro Penei Sewell, and Lomu is a great option to do so. 18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Minnesota finally said goodbye to Harrison Smith this offseason, releasing the decorated safety after 14 seasons. A six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection, they'll need a versatile player to replace his presence at safety. Thieneman is just that, having been named a first-team All-American this past season at Oregon and also a third-team selection as a true freshman in 2023 while at Purdue. In three collegiate seasons in the Big Ten, he totaled 302 tackles, 188 solo tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and eight interceptions. 19. Carolina Panthers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Sadiq is the best tight end in the draft, and it's not close. He can run, block well and has great hands. His eight receiving touchdowns were the most of any tight end in FBS, making him a big-time red zone threat, as well. Carolina could go with a defensive player here, but quarterback Bryce Young has taken a huge step this year. A lot of that progress has to do with the addition of wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in last year's draft. Expect the Panthers to continue to give their young QB offensive weapons. 20. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers): Akheem Mesidor, edge rusher, Miami Mesidor really bolstered his stock in his final year of eligibility, recording 10.5 sacks on the year and dominating offensive lines throughout Miami's CFP run. The only edge rusher that's played 400 pass rush snaps and has a higher PFF grade than him is Rueben Bain Jr., who we have going eleventh overall. Mesidor also played in the interior last year, making him a versatile option for a Cowboys defense that was one of the worst in the league. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama Simpson is the clear No. 2 QB in this draft. He's had a mix of incredible games along with some terrible ones, but his decisiveness and accuracy are tools teams can work with. He threw for over 3,500 yards, 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He also took down a vaunted Oklahoma defense on the road in the first round of the CFP, before sustaining an injury in the quarterfinals against Indiana. Regardless of whether the Steelers re-sign Aaron Rodgers, they'll need to draft a quarterback at some point in this draft. Simpson would be a good pick, and Pittsburgh would be a solid landing spot. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State Ioane might be the best guard in the draft and would provide immediate help to a Los Angeles line that needs improvement in the interior. This season, he was one of two Big Ten guards to play 300-plus pass blocking snaps, record a pass block grade over 87 and not give up a single sack or QB hit. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC With A.J. Brown's status with the team uncertain, Philadelphia needs another go-to receiver. Lemon won this year's Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best wide receiver in college football. He can also play in the slot and is tough to tackle, having also rushed for two scores on the year. In fact, he's the only player in all of FBS to have caught 10 touchdowns and have multiple rushing scores, as well. 24. Cleveland Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars): Peter Woods, DL, Clemson While Clemson had a down year, Woods has too many tools for any team looking for a dominant defensive lineman to pass on. At 6-3 and 315 pounds, Woods is reported to have a lean muscle mass percentage of 77%. He's also another player who was a freshman All-American in 2023 and posted a dominant follow-up campaign in 2024 while playing both defensive end and tackle for the Tigers. Woods finished 2025 with a career-high 30 tackles along with two sacks. A defensive line featuring him, Mason Graham and Myles Garrett would be elite. 25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida It's not often you see an interior lineman lead your team in pressures, but that's just what Banks did for Florida in 2024 with 29. He also added 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. He only played three games this season due to injury, but he has all the tools to dominate at the next level with his 6-6, 330-pound frame. This would be a steal for the Bears to add to a defensive line that was incredible this past season. It's also worth noting that Grady Jarrett is 32 years old, and would serve as the perfect mentor to Banks as a former All-Pro and Pro-Bowler. 26. Buffalo Bills: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson The brother of All-Pro corner A.J. Terrell, Avieon has had a ton of production in three seasons at Clemson, recording 25 passes defended, 125 total tackles, eight forced fumbles, four sacks, and three interceptions in 1,860 defensive snaps played in that span. Having drafted Maxwell Hairston in the first round last year, taking Terrell would give them an extremely talented cornerback duo for years to come. 27. San Francisco 49ers: Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M Howell ranks fourth in FBS in sacks since 2022 with 27 to his name in that span, but he's on the smaller side for an edge at 6-2, 248 pounds. Still, he has an incredible burst off the edge and would be a great addition to a Raheem Morris defensive line that already features Nick Bosa and Osa Odighizuwa. 28. Houston Texans: Kayden McDonald, DL, Ohio State McDonald was an absolute monster in the middle of Ohio State's defensive line, which held opponents to 9.3 points and 89.4 rushing yards per game. The 6-3, 326-pound defensive tackle has three sacks and two forced fumbles on the year, and also serves as a strong replacement to 32-year-old Sheldon Rankins. 29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams): Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina The Chiefs traded Trent McDuffie for this pick, and will likely use it to replace him. Cisse is a tough corner who isn't afraid to tackle and has 10 passes defended over the past two seasons, and he gave up just 18 receptions and one TD in 2025 (PFF). 30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana With 13 touchdown receptions this past season, the only Power 4 player who caught more scores than Cooper Jr. was his teammate — Elijah Sarratt. Miami just traded Jaylen Waddle to Denver for this pick and should draft a replacement to help out new quarterback Malik Willis. 31. New England Patriots: T.J. Parker, edge rusher, Clemson This is the type of player Mike Vrabel loves: an elite athlete with a high motor and lots of potential at the edge. Like most of Clemson's stars this season, Parker had a less productive 2025, only finishing with five sacks and 37 tackles. His 2024 tape is undeniable, though, with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. He's showcased above-average bend during his time at Clemson and can also drop in coverage. Parker's 12.5 tackles for loss in 2023 were also a school record for a true freshman. 32. Seattle Seahawks: R Mason Thomas, edge rusher, Oklahoma Thomas is one of three SEC players to have recorded over 15 sacks and three forced fumbles in the last two seasons, and has demonstrated elite speed off the edge. While he's undersized at 6-2, he's an ideal fit for a Seahawks' defense that will need to think about life without DeMarcus Lawrence, who turns 34 this month.
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