NFL Combine Survey: 42 Prospects Pick Which QB They'd Turn to With Game on the Line

INDIANAPOLIS — It's one of the most debated questions in all of football: When your team is trailing in the final minute and needs a touchdown, which quarterback are you turning to? Well, we put 42 prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft to the test and asked them that question in our NFL Combine Survey. To no surprise, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won the vote. In the three times I've done this exercise (2022, 2025), Mahomes has come out on top in this survey. "It's hard not to say Patrick Mahomes," one prospect told me. Fourteen other prospects in the 2026 draft class also picked Mahomes. Among active quarterbacks, Mahomes is eighth in career fourth-quarter comebacks (20). But he has the most of any quarterback drafted in 2013 or later. The Chiefs' quarterback received nearly double the votes of the second-highest vote getter, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. The two-time MVP received eight votes as he has 11 all-time fourth-quarter comebacks. Last year's runner-up, the Eagles' Jalen Hurts, didn't get a single vote, with Philadelphia's offense taking a step back. Bills quarterback Josh Allen (5) received the third-most votes after logging six game-winning drives (postseason included) this past season. Chicago's Caleb Williams (4) came in fourth after a strong season of fourth-quarter comebacks, logging seven fourth-quarter comeback victories in the regular season and postseason. He also had that memorable fourth-down touchdown pass to help the Bears tie the game against the Rams in their divisional-round loss. Speaking of the Rams, Matthew Stafford received three votes following his MVP season. Stafford's 39 fourth-quarter comeback victories are also the fourth-most all-time and lead all active quarterbacks. Four quarterbacks got a single vote each: the Bengals' Joe Burrow, the Seahawks' Sam Darnold, the 49ers' Brock Purdy and the Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield. As for the three players who skipped answering the question, one picked "the quarterback that coach puts out there that he trusts to go out there and execute the job. That's the quarterback we're standing with. Whoever coach puts out there." Another player opted to bypass answering the question for another reason. "I'm more so into hitting quarterbacks," one of the prospects told me. Let's take a full look at the results. RESULTS: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs: 15 Lamar Jackson, Ravens 8 Josh Allen, Bills 5 Caleb Williams, Bears 4 Matthew Stafford, Rams 3 (QBs that received one vote: Joe Burrow, Bengals; Sam Darnold, Seahawks; Brock Purdy, 49ers; Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers)

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NFL Combine: Former Ohio State Stars Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese Dominate

The Ohio State defense dominated college football this past season, leading the nation in allowing just 9.3 points per game and 219.1 yards per game. So it's no surprise that a pair of former Buckeyes defensive players are dominating the NFL Scouting Combine. Linebacker Sonny Styles and edge rusher Arvell Reese showed off their speed and jumping ability on Thursday during the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump measurements at the combine, separating themselves from their peers. Styles posted an 11-foot, 2-inch broad jump and 43.5-inch vertical jump, setting a new record at the linebacker position. Styles was also the man to beat among the linebackers in the 40-yard dash. He ran a pair of sub-4.50 runs in the 40, with his best 40 time later improving to 4.46 on the official mark. Reese set the best mark for edge rushers on Thursday. He ran an unofficial time of 4.47 seconds on his second attempt, which was later bumped up to a 4.46 on the official reading. These performances would presumably boost Styles' and Reese's draft stock, but it might be hard for their draft statuses to improve as they're already viewed as two of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. FOX Sports' Henry McKenna had both players going in the top 12 in his first mock draft, with the Washington Commanders drafting Reese at No. 7 and the Dallas Cowboys selecting Sonny Styles at No. 12. In FOX Sports Research's most recent mock draft, the Jets took Reese at No. 2 and Styles at No. 16. Reese entered the combine as one of the more intriguing players in the 2026 NFL Draft. He logged 6.5 sacks this past season, but was mostly considered an off-ball linebacker during his time at Ohio State. Styles, meanwhile, was named a first-team All-American alongside Reese.

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5 Takeaways From Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

INDIANAPOLIS — Measurements! Testing! On-field drills! Those are some of the main talking points in Indianapolis as the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine rolled on Thursday with the start of televised workouts. Defensive linemen and linebackers took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, and a few of the top prospects in this year's draft class dominated. But the day also brought us several more media availabilities with top draft prospects. Here are five takeaways from Day 3 of the combine: 1. NFL personnel high on Rueben Bain Jr. despite short arms Miami (Fla.) edge rusher Reuben Bain Jr.’s suboptimal arm length was one of the biggest talking points of this year’s draft entering combine week. We now have an official measurement for it after Thursday: 30 ⅞ inches. At that arm length, the Miami star would have the shortest arms for an edge rusher drafted in the first round since at least 1999, according to data available by Mock Draftable. Despite that, there does seem to be a strong feeling in league circles that Bain has a bright future as a pro. His power, polish and pass-rush repertoire jump out on tape. The reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year registered 83 pressures (!), 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season. "Shorter arms or not," a high-ranking AFC executive told me, "he’ll find a way to factor in games." The Titans, who have the No. 4 pick, are one of the teams who’ve publicly spoken glowingly of Bain, too. "His tape is undeniable," coach Robert Saleh told Titans media this week. "He is an unbelievable football player. He plays with great violence. His football IQ is off the charts. … There are certain things he’ll have to adjust to like all these rookies will, but I think he’s a kid that is going to have a lot of success in this league." I do wonder, though, what having an official measurement for Bain’s arm length could do for his draft stock. League personnel have known his arms were short, but do they now become too short? Could he potentially slide into the teens in Round 1, after being a consensus top-five guy? "I really don’t give the time of day for it," Bain said Wednesday on the discourse about his arms. "That’s all stuff I feel like you see on social media. None of the teams had concerns, so I’m not too concerned." We’ll see the true feeling of teams on the first night of the draft. 2. Ohio State's Sonny Styles, Texas Tech's David Bailey were big winners from combine workouts. Arvell Reese impressed, too. Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles, a consensus first-round pick, stole the show Thursday after posting a 43.5-inch vertical and a 4.46-second 40-yard dash with his 6-foot-5, 244-pound frame. That vertical is actually the best mark ever for a linebacker at the combine. He'd already been projected to go in the top half of the first round, but the rare athleticism he displayed could thrust him into the top five or just outside of it. Styles had 82 tackles (6.5 for loss), three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble for Ohio State this past season. Texas Tech star edge rusher David Bailey also impressed with an official 4.50-second 40-yard dash. Bailey reached 22.91 miles per hour, which is the third-fastest top speed in the 40 by any edge prospect at the combine over the last four years, according to Next Gen Stats. The showing could make Bailey the first edge rusher taken in April's draft. He's been in contention for that possibility with Ohio State's Arvell Reese and Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. The first edge rusher could go as high as No. 2 to the Jets, who are reportedly trading former first-round pick and edge rusher Jermaine Johnson to the Titans for defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Bailey tied for first in the FBS this past season with 14.5 sacks and second with 19.5 tackles for loss. Reese also had his moment on Thursday when he ran a 4.47 in the 40-yard dash that was later bumped up to a 4.46. 3. Imagine if Caleb Downs played a premium position … The hype would be nuts, right? Despite being a safety, the superstar out of Ohio State tied Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza for first place when we polled a small group of NFL executives and scouts at the combine earlier this week and asked them to name the top overall prospect in the draft. But there hasn’t been significant hoopla with him, at least not the kind you’d expect for a prospect who’s been given a "generational" label by draft pundits. Downs answered in the affirmative when asked if he’s the best defender in this year’s draft on Thursday. "I feel confident every time I step on the field," he said at the podium. "If I would say I stepped on the field and thought anybody was better than me, yeah, that’s not true." Downs is on track to be the highest-drafted safety since 2017, when Jamal Adams went No. 6 overall to the Jets. He has a realistic chance of going top five. And when you consider all that he can do, he should be. He’s been a versatile, high-impact chess piece in the Buckeyes’ defense the last couple of years. Downs played more than 140 snaps at three different positions this past season: in the box (241), free safety (240) and slot corner (146), per Pro Football Focus. He also played 44 snaps on the defensive line and nine at outside cornerback. His versatility as a safety is similar to Ravens All-Pro Kyle Hamilton. "It’s not really positional value. It’s who affects the game," Downs said. "If you affect the game in a lot of ways, that’s what is most important. That’s really all I can worry about. … At the end of the day, my film is what it is." It shows a premium player, even if he’s not at a premium position. 4. Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq’s combine performance is uniquely valuable It was fitting that Sadiq, the draft’s top tight end, made sure to tell reporters that he was going to make the most of this weekend in Indianapolis. "I want to make a statement and have a dominant combine performance," he said Thursday. "One of the best to do it." He appears to be an impressive athlete, but because he’s just 6-foot-3 — and an inch shorter than his NFL comp, Trey McBride — it’s of the utmost importance that Sadiq confirms his athleticism with impressive testing numbers over the course of the weekend in Indianapolis. "The versatility, I think I bring, explosive pass game. I'm going to go run a great 40 and all those things tomorrow," Sadiq told reporters. "Just showing how explosive I am in the pass game, but in the run game as well, so I can help a team all around." Sadiq seems like a clear Round 1 prospect. But the difference between the Ravens at 14th overall (with a $23.3 million deal) and the Broncos at 30 (with a $16.9 million deal) is considerable. If he can do what he’s saying, there’s a chance he breaks into the top half of the first round. 5. A Curt Cignetti story to leave you with One of the best moments of the day came from Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski, who was discussing Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti. Through laughter, the tight end prospect explained a memorable moment during one of the team’s blowout victories this past season. Backup quarterback Alberto Mendoza, Fernando’s younger brother, was in the game. And the sophomore had pulled the ball on a zone read multiple times in a row. "Then after like, the fourth time of it, it was a terrible read. He should’ve given the (play up) after he lost like two yards," Nowakowski explained. "[Cignetti] tells a coach, ‘Get Bert over here! Get Bert over here!’ So Bert’s like, ‘what? It’s the middle of the game. What are you doing?’ "He runs over to the sideline, bro," Nowakowski continued. "[Cignetti] goes, ‘we’re not paying you to run the ball! Hand the ball off!’ We’re up like 70 points. He’s pissed off, yelling at Bert. "Then he just turned back at me and gave me one of his little smiles, bro," he added. "He was just like, ‘You like that?’" Henry McKenna contributed to this report.

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NFL Combine Survey: 42 Prospects Pick Which Player Was the Best They Faced in College

INDIANAPOLIS — Who is the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft? Well, there's one way to find that answer: ask the prospects who was the best player they faced in college. I did just that in the latest version of my NFL Combine Survey, asking 42 prospects who were invited to the combine who was the best player they went up against in their college days. It's a fun question that can yield three different kinds of answers — big-name former college stars already in the NFL, top prospects in this year's draft class or players who will be back in college football in 2026. In all, we had 34 different players get name-dropped, including seven who were picked by two prospects. No player received more than two votes, though, showing the depth of talent currently in the game. One player abstained from answering this question. Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was among the group of seven players who received two votes in this exercise. Only two prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft received two votes: Penn State guard Olaivavega "Vega" Ioane and Miami (Fla.) edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. Of the seven players returning to college to receive a vote in this exercise, none of them received more than one vote. Miami (Fla.) wide receiver Malachi Toney made a strong enough impression in his freshman year to receive a vote, though. Unsurprisingly, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith received a vote for the second straight year in this exercise. Smith is widely considered to be a top prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft. One surprise from this question was that the reigning Heisman winner and presumptive No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza, didn't receive a vote. Let's take a closer look at who prospects believe were the toughest players they faced in college. RESULTS: PLAYERS NOW IN NFL C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State (now Texans): 2Jared Verse, edge rusher, Florida State (now Rams): 2Laiatu Latu, edge rusher, UCLA (now Colts): 2Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia (now Eagles): 2Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (now Chiefs): 2 Other current NFL players picked: Braylon Allen, RB, Wisconsin (now Jets)Abdul Carter, edge rusher, Penn State (now Giants)Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia (now Eagles)Troy Fautanu, OL, Washington (now Steelers)Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College (now Ravens)Matthew Golden, WR, Texas (now Packers)Mohamad Kamara, OLB, Colorado State (now Buccaneers)Jacob Saylors, RB, East Tennessee State (now Lions) Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee (now Bears)Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (now Panthers)Peter Skoronski, G, Northwestern (now Titans)Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (now Bears) PLAYERS IN THIS DRAFT Rueben Bain, edge rusher, Miami (Fla.): 2Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State: 2Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake ForestCaleb Downs, S, Ohio StateMikail Kamara, DE, IndianaJeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameCashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&MTy Simpson, QB, AlabamaJordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateWesley Williams, DL, Duke PLAYERS STILL IN COLLEGE Isaac Brown, RB, LouisvilleTrinidad Chambers, QB, Ole MissMalachi Toney, WR, MiamiAhmad Hardy, RB, MissouriKam Perry, Miami (Ohio)*LaNorris Sellers, QB, South CarolinaJeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

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NFL Combine: Arvell Reese's Position is TBD, But He's Determined to Play 'Violent'

INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State's Arvell Reese might be the most intriguing talent at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. Reese was an off-ball linebacker in college, playing the position so well that he was named a consensus All-American in 2025. He's more than athletic enough, though, that he might shine as an edge rusher in the pros. He's earned comps to Micah Parsons because of that, as the Packers' star went from playing off-ball linebacker at Penn State to becoming an All-Pro edge rusher. Even Reese isn't necessarily sure which position he'll play in the NFL yet, telling teams that he sees himself as an "outside linebacker or edge" at the Scouting Combine this week. But there is one thing Reese is sure about: No matter which position he plays, he's going to play it with a voracious tenacity. "On the football field, I'm just always thinking to play violent," said the 6-foot-4, 241-pound Reese when he took the podium at the Scouting Combine. "I haven't even scratched the surface of what I can do pass-rushing, for real." In a draft where many prospects have played five or six years of college football, Reese is a precocious exception. At only 20 years, his body of work at Ohio State is a small one, playing only on special teams as a freshman, then with a half-sack as a rotational player on its 2024 national championship team. In his breakout 2025 campaign, Reese recorded 6.5 sacks as an off-ball linebacker, but he's still learning and developing as he enters the NFL. "It's a position-less thing," Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, himself a former Buckeyes standout who played eight years in the NFL, told me. "Velly's an outside backer who can play inside. It'd be smart for a D coordinator to put him over the other team's offensive lineman and try to get him in space so he can use his athleticism." Where can he still improve? "Everywhere," Reese said. "I think I can get way better at pass rushing, I think I can get way better on coverage, think I can get way better with my pad level. Sometimes I'm too high. There is so much room for improvement for me. I just can't wait to get better." Reese benefited this past season from playing for a longtime NFL coach in Matt Patricia, whose defense not only elevated his play but gave him a preview of the concepts he'll find as a pro. "With his defense, I'm able to explain all 11, with 80 to 90% of the calls," Reese said of understanding the roles of everyone around him, giving him confidence for what he can do within that. Laurinaitis said Reese is quick enough to speed-rush around a tackle, but he also has the strength to power-rush opposing blockers. Of course, Reese will need to determine when he needs to speed-rush and when he should power-rush in order to maximize his skill set. Laurinaitis doesn't see that being a problem, though, noting he has good instincts for when to attack. "There's a very natural feel that he has off the line of scrimmage, too," Laurinaitis said. "When you're talking about off-the-ball linebackers, there's almost a God-given element when it comes to feeling offensive plays. You've got to see a lot, but you also have to see a little. It's really hard to describe, even as someone who did it. How do you feel that all coming? There's so much going through your brain, it's hard to train someone, but he has a natural foundation and a gift, and his explosiveness is really what separates him." Reese could be one of four Ohio State players drafted in the top half of the first round, with safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles and wide receiver Carnell Tate often being included in the top 15 of mock drafts. Reese said being surrounded by that talent — which doesn't count receiver Jeremiah Smith, who'll likely be a top pick in 2027, or the 14 Buckeyes taken in the 2025 draft — fostered a competitive environment in practice that spilled over to Saturdays as well. "That's the reason I went there — there's dawgs everywhere," Reese said. "You've got to be comfortable knowing that you're not going to be the only dawg there, so you have to just work to get better every day. ... We were talented at every position. I think that's what Ohio State does, just produces elite athletes and players." Reese's has earned comparisons to Parsons in the early parts of the draft process due to the position versatility. But when Reese was asked who he would model himself after, he pointed to one of Patricia's old Patriots standouts, instead: Jamie Collins, who racked up 26.5 career sacks while playing as an off-ball linebacker. Reese enters the draft with confidence. He's choosing to do all testing and participate in drills at multiple positions, at a time when Miami (Fla.)'s Rueben Bain Jr. will not work out, attending the combine for team interviews only. Patricia has helped his top prospects by walking them through what they can expect from the combine and the kinds of questions they'll get from NFL coaches and scouts. Many mock drafts have Reese being drafted with one of the top picks, often getting paired with the Jets at No. 2 overall. When Reese was asked what it would mean to go to New York at No. 2, he said he isn't caught up in where he's going. However, he acknowledged that New York would present an exciting future for him. "That would be amazing," Reese said. "Just getting a chance in the NFL would be amazing ... It would mean a lot to me to be one of those guys who kids can now look up to, because there were a bunch of guys I looked up to growing up and wanted to be like."

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Let's Debate: Who Will Benefit Most From the NFL Combine? Who Was Snubbed?

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine begins this week, which means everybody's favorite college football players from this past season will have a massive platform to showcase themselves to general managers, coaches and scouts. It's a huge deal to be invited, and it's a great opportunity to prove yourself one way or another — through workouts, interviews and press conferences. There have been plenty of examples of how important these four days can be in improving one's stock or crushing draft hopefuls' prospects. In this week's roundtable discussion, our college football analysts debate who might benefit most from the combine and who was overlooked and not invited to participate at all: Who needs to improve their draft stock at the combine? Michael Cohen: Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana Sarratt toyed with entering the NFL Draft last winter following a standout 2024 season in which he caught 53 passes for 957 yards and eight touchdowns in his first year with the Hoosiers. One reason he returned for another season was the chance to reach his personal goal of topping 1,000 yards, — a milestone he had already achieved at James Madison, but one he was eager to reach against Big Ten competition. Nagging injuries sidelined Sarratt for multiple games midyear, costing him the chance to reach that milestone. The fact that he still finished with 65 catches for 830 yards and 15 touchdowns — including three in the College Football Playoff — speaks to how impactful Sarratt can be when healthy. A strong showing in Indianapolis this week could vault him higher in the wide receiver pecking order. Laken Litman: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama Simpson is hoping to be the second quarterback selected in April's NFL Draft behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza. There's also chatter that while Simpson could be a first-round pick, he could also be taken later on. Simpson was at Alabama for four years, sitting patiently his first three behind the likes of Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe. He started the 2025 season and threw for 3,567 total yards (second in the SEC behind Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss) with 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He led the Crimson Tide to an 11-4 record and a spot in the Rose Bowl, where they lost to eventual national champion Indiana. However, Simpson's stock took a hit as his performance dipped toward the end of the season. He reportedly turned down lucrative transfer offers to enter the draft because, he said, that playing at another school would "tarnish" his legacy. NFL brass has to like his loyalty and maturity in making that decision. Simpson is expected to throw at the combine, too, which could certainly boost his stock. RJ Young: Joey Aguilar, QB, Tennessee Up until last week, Aguilar believed he would start for Tennessee, leading the Vols toward a second CFP appearance in three years. Instead, he’s now part of a crowded job fair — competing with some of the best quarterback prospects in the world for a chance to make an NFL roster. Aguilar isn’t the type of signal-caller teams typically target in the first two rounds. Still, his lone season at Tennessee was impressive: over 3,700 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions. Even more remarkable, he mastered Tennessee coach Josh Heupel’s playbook in the summer and won the starting job in preseason after joining the program through the spring transfer portal. Aguilar must not only perform on the field as an older rookie — he’ll turn 25 this year — but also demonstrate command of the game in one-on-one interviews, navigating formations and schemes with precision. Who was wrongly snubbed from the combine? RJ Young: Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana Dugger was an absolute menace in the Sun Belt last year. Along with 125 total tackles in a conference that produced its first CFP invitee — James Madison — Dugger also accounted for 4.0 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. Scouts love his measurables. As an inside linebacker, he stands at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, has an 84-inch wingspan and arms that are almost 35 inches in length. Dugger is the kind of specimen at the position Dallas Cowboys linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. was coming out of Oklahoma but with better production at the collegiate level. Some teams will see him and recognize supreme value in a player who didn’t get an invitation to the combine in a deep linebacker draft. Litman: Kaelon Black, RB, Indiana Black, another transfer who followed Cignetti from JMU, led Indiana last season with 10 rushing touchdowns and was second in total rushing yards with 1,040. He had 80 fewer yards than Hoosiers' teammate Roman Hemby, who was invited to the combine. Black is a talented downhill and patient runner. He ran for 241 yards and three touchdowns across three CFP games, including the 79 yards that led Indiana in the title game. There were 21 running backs invited to the combine. Because he was overlooked, Black will have to impress NFL general managers and head coaches at Indiana's Pro Day on April 1. Cohen: James Brockermeyer, C, Miami (Fla.) The interior offensive line is far from the most glamorous position in football, but Brockermeyer has been viewed as a blue-chip player for quite some time. He was a four-star prospect and the No. 194 overall recruit when he committed to Alabama in the 2021 cycle, ultimately spending two seasons with the Crimson Tide in a reserve role. He transferred to TCU ahead of the 2024 campaign and quickly won the starting center job, allowing just a single sack in 500 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That was enough to propel Brockermeyer to Miami this past fall, where he anchored one of the strongest offensive lines in the country and helped the Hurricanes reach the national championship game. He did not allow a single sack across 558 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF, and earned third-team All-ACC honors from the league's coaches. There should have been a spot for him in Indianapolis. In Let's Debate, our experts tackle and explain the hot-button issues fans care about.

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2026 NFL Mock Draft: Who Lands Micah Parsons 2.0? Giants, Chiefs Grab Top WRs

INDIANAPOLIS — The 2026 NFL Draft has several strengths, with first-round depth at offensive tackle and edge rusher. There's a premier quarterback at the top — Fernando Mendoza — getting plenty of love. There are some shallow positions, however. It’s not a great year to need a cornerback, for example. But there should be some bona fide stars. There's a potential Micah Parsons 2.0 and a potential Derwin James 2.0 at safety. If you squint just enough, there's a potential Jimmy Graham, too. The first day of drills at the NFL Scouting Combine has arrived, which means that mock draft season is upon us. So, before players seek to boost their draft stock this weekend, let's project what will go down in the first round, which seems far from settled after the No. 1 pick. 1. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana The Raiders love the idea of Mendoza, a guy whose intelligence and diligence are pro-ready. 2. New York Jets (3-14): Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami Coach Aaron Glenn is going to love how Bain will wreck games for opposing offenses — and the Jets badly need a defensive stud after shipping off Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. 3. Arizona Cardinals (3-14): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami Whether the Cardinals work with Jacoby Brissett or a new QB, they desperately need help on the offensive line. And it really doesn’t matter that Mauigoa is probably a right tackle. He’s the best offensive lineman in this draft. 4. Tennessee Titans (3-14): David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech Let’s build a force on the defensive line with Bailey and Jeffery Simmons. That’s a foundation that defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh can work with. 5. New York Giants (4-13): Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State This is an all-important developmental year for QB Jaxson Dart, and receiver might be a need, with Malik Nabers hurt (ACL) and Wan'Dale Robinson slated to hit free agency. 6. Cleveland Browns (5-12): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Shedeur Sanders might actually get a real chance to show what he can do if the Browns snag a left tackle like Fano. 7. Washington Commanders (5-12): Arvell Reese, (O)LB, Ohio State Dan Quinn was in Dallas when the Cowboys had the inspired idea to convert Micah Parsons into a pass-rusher. Can Quinn do it again with Reese? 8. New Orleans Saints (6-11): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley paired with Downs? Yes, please. It’ll be Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. all over again. 9. Kansas City Chiefs (6-11): Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State The Chiefs invest yet again in their passing game to support Patrick Mahomes. 10. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU The Bengals get a consistent, high-end playmaker on a defense largely devoid of just that. 11. Miami Dolphins (7-10): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee McCoy was probably the best corner in college football prior to tearing his ACL in January 2025. But after missing the entire season, he should be good to go in 2026. 12. Dallas Cowboys (7-9-1): Sonny Styles, OLB, Ohio State Here’s the Parsons replacement that the Cowboys have been waiting for. 13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons, 8-9): Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State The Rams’ right guard and right tackle are both slated for free agency. They can shore up their unit with an elite guard prospect. 14. Baltimore Ravens (8-9): Makai Lemon, WR, USC The Seahawks showed us this season that it’s OK to have too many slot receivers. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is from the Ben Johnson coaching tree. And Johnson might still be searching for his new Amon-Ra St. Brown — but Doyle could get his in Lemon. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9): Keldric Faulk, edge, Mississippi State The Bucs have a pair of pending free agents on the edge, so Faulk should solve that potential issue. And even if they can keep both Haason Reddick and Logan Hall, it might be a good thing to put Faulk in a rotation while he smooths out the blemishes in his game. 16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts, 8-9): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana Whoever plays quarterback for the Jets is going to like throwing to Garrett Wilson, Cooper and Adonai Mitchell. 17. Detroit Lions (9-8): Peter Woods, DL, Clemson What happened to the version of the Lions that bit off kneecaps? Woods — a guy who plays like a bar fighter in the interior — should bring toughness to the middle of Detroit’s defense. 18. Minnesota Vikings (9-8): CJ Allen, LB, Georgia The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Allen isn't the biggest linebacker, but he plays bigger than he’s listed. He’ll be an immediate game-changer and leader in the middle of Minnesota’s defense. 19. Carolina Panthers (8-9): Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Carolina coach Dave Canales told me this week that the best way to help QB Bryce Young succeed is by building a strong running game. Well, by drafting Love — one of the best three prospects in this class — the Panthers can immediately do that. 20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers, 9-7-1): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety, Toledo The 6-foot-2, 202-pound McNeil-Warren is a tall and fiercely physical safety who helps as much in run defense as he does in coverage. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington I think Pittsburgh will have either Aaron Rodgers or Malik Willis at QB next season. Rodgers isn’t as accurate as he thinks he is and Willis has a uniquely powerful arm to stretch the field. Either way, Boston — a lengthy athlete in the vein of Tee Higgins — can help either QB. 22. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama The Chargers could put Proctor at guard and watch with joy while the 6-foot-7, 366-pounder mauls the AFC West. 23. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6): Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami Here’s a no-nonsense pick from Howie Roseman. The Eagles get a productive, high-motor player at a premium position — and late in the first round. 24. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars, 13-4): Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech It’s a meat-and-potatoes draft for the Browns, who get more impressive in the trenches. 25. Chicago Bears (11-6): Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M Who’s the best defensive player still available? Howell? Howell it is, then. He’s an explosive, albeit undersized (6-foot-2, 248), pass-rusher whose production alleviates any worries. 26. Buffalo Bills (12-5): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon You’d think Bills GM Brandon Beane would want to give new head coach Joe Brady a weapon on offense, but Beane is disciplined and won’t reach. Thieneman should be the playmaker the Bills have needed since the departures and declines of Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. 27. San Francisco 49ers (12-5): Blake Miller, OT, Clemson With Trent Williams fighting with the 49ers in another contract dispute, San Francisco might need help at left tackle. 28. Houston Texans (12-5): Caleb Banks, DT, Florida Banks showed what he can be in 2024. It was just that a foot injury in 2025 got in the way of the prospect peaking at the right time. But perhaps that’s to Houston's benefit, as the Texans could land a blue-chip interior pass-rusher. 29. Los Angeles Rams (12-5): Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama From a timing standpoint, this is a great year for the Rams to take a quarterback. They have two first-round picks, and they have another year with Matthew Stafford, who was the NFL MVP at age 37. Simpson seems like just the project for offensive guru Sean McVay. 30. Denver Broncos (14-3): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Sadiq may be just 6-foot-3, but he can be a special pass-catcher, particularly after the catch. You’d have to really squint to see five-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham, but Sadiq could be a nice match for QB Bo Nix and this offense. 31. New England Patriots (14-3): Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State The Patriots are going to need help at tackle when Morgan Moses retires. Iheanachor will need time to develop, but he could someday be an elite tackle — whether he lands at right or left tackle will depend upon how Will Campbell plays in 2026. 32. Seattle Seahawks (14-3): Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson The Seahawks appear to be on the verge of losing their cornerbacks in free agency, so GM John Schneider works to get younger at the position.

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4 Takeaways From Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine

INDIANAPOLIS — It was the draft prospects' turn to take the podium at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, but some coaches and general managers met with the media, too. That left us with a handful of tidbits on what to potentially expect in the coming weeks and months. Will Malik Willis actually receive a contract larger than we think he will? Could the Patriots swing a trade for a star player? Has a possible top fit already emerged for Miami (Fla.) star edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.? Here are my four takeaways from Wednesday: Arvell Reese is imagining a pass-rushing future … and it’s in his best interest Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, one of the best players in this year’s draft class, is somewhat of a positionless player. The Buckeyes used him as both an off-ball linebacker and an edge rusher to utilize his explosiveness and fluidity as an athlete. But during his combine availability, Reese acknowledged that he’d love to be an outside linebacker and rush the passer at the next level. At least from a financial standpoint, that’s a no-brainer decision. The top of the edge rusher market is currently at $46.5 million in average annual value (courtesy of the Packers’ Micah Parsons), while the bar for inside linebackers is less than half that at $21 million per year (Niners’ Fred Warner). The team that drafts Reese will obviously play a big role in dictating his NFL future. For the Buckeyes last season, Reese registered 6.5 sacks and 69 tackles (10 for loss) in 14 games. The team that drafts him could view Parsons’ path as its vision. The All-Pro defender was a middle linebacker at Penn State before transitioning to the edge for the Cowboys. Rueben Bain-Titans could be a dream pairing One of the top prospects in this year’s draft, Miami’s Rueben Bain said Wednesday that he’d always speak with Cam Ward when the quarterback was back on Miami’s campus (the two were teammates in 2024), and last year’s No. 1 pick told him that he’ll push for Tennessee to take him if he’s still available at No. 4. "Hopefully everything ends up the right way," Bain said at the podium of the Titans. "The interaction with them again was great, had a formal interview. We killed it. Went in and approached everything with the right mindset." All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons has previously vouched for the Titans to take the Miami star as well. And on Tuesday, coach Robert Saleh was effusive in his praise of Bain. "His tape is undeniable," Saleh told local reporters in Indianapolis, via Titans.com. "He is an unbelievable football player, he plays with great violence. His football IQ is off the charts. … There are certain things he'll have to adjust to like all these rookies will, but I think he's a kid that is going to have a lot of success in this league." The quarterback knows him well and is a fan. Your best player (Simmons) wants him. And you have a defensive-minded head coach who needs a foundational piece on defense to begin his Titans tenure. The Hurricanes' edge rusher makes sense on a variety of fronts for Tennessee. What’s next in Sam Darnold’s redemption arc? Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald on Wednesday said that he doesn’t expect much to change in his offense with Brian Fleury as Seattle's new offensive play caller. The 49ers run game coordinator and tight ends coach last season, the 47-year-old Fleury spent the past seven years as a San Francisco assistant. "It’s going to be built on the same principles," MacDonald explained, "but how it comes to life and the exact plays we’re going to run, I can’t answer that yet." I can’t help but think what that will mean for Sam Darnold. After a rough start to his career, the former No. 3 overall pick is firmly a top-10 quarterback. He just helped the Seahawks win their second Lombardi Trophy. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler. But a big part of his ascent over the last few years has been in teaming up with higher-profile offensive playcallers. Klint Kubiak served as the Seahawks’ play caller after having two other stints as an NFL offensive coordinator. Before that, Darnold was with the Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell, a well-regarded quarterback developer and playcaller. And before that, he had the Niners’ Kyle Shanahan (in a backup role to Brock Purdy). Fleury is different. He’ll be a first-time NFL playcaller. He was a quality control coach as recently as 2021. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Darnold have to take the most commanding role in an offense’s development than he’s ever had to do in the NFL. And even though he’s a guy now, I’m curious to see how that plays out. Imagine A.J. Brown and Drake Maye together … As the trade rumors about A.J. Brown in Philly ramp up, Vrabel was asked about his relationship with his former Titans star receiver. "It has meant a lot," Vrabel said of his communication with Brown. "I’ve watched him grow. I’ve watched him mature. I’m proud of him, proud of the father that he is. I’m proud of the husband [he is]. That has nothing to do with where he plays or where he played. Those are the things that are important. We reach out and text each other during the good things that happen to each other. Sometimes things don’t go so well for the people that you’re close with, and you text for those as well. It’s a two-way street of support and reminders of what got us to where we are here today." While Vrabel didn’t speak directly to New England’s potential interest in Brown, it’s impossible to ignore the plausibility because of their relationship — and how much he could elevate the Patriots’ offense. Stefon Diggs’ long-term future is uncertain after all, and Brown is exactly the kind of No. 1 receiver that could support Drake Maye, who’ll surely be eyeing a bounce-back 2026 after a rough playoff run. A three-time Pro Bowler, the 28-year-old Brown has registered four straight 1,000-yard seasons.

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FOX Super 6 Contest: Geoff Schwartz's NFL Combine Picks, Predictions

What's better than watching football? Watching football and winning money! You can partake in the best of both worlds while watching the NFL Combine and playing the free-to-play FOX Super 6 game. How do you play? Enter the NFL Combine contest by predicting the correct answers to six questions before the Combine starts for your chance at weekly cash prizes. All you have to do is finish in the top six to win a prize. It really is that simple, and again, it's free. And if you need a little help before heading to the app to make your picks, I have you covered this week. Read below for my thoughts on the 2026 NFL Combine. 1. Which Edge Rusher will record the MOST BENCH PRESS REPS? Arvell Reese (Ohio State)Keldric Faulk (Auburn)Rueben Bain, Jr. (Miami)David Bailey (Texas Tech) I'm keeping my eye on Arvell Reese and on David Bailey here. At 6-foot-3 and 243 pounds, Reese's impact while at Ohio State has helped boost him into the conversation of being selected No. 2 in April's NFL Draft. But David Bailey is right behind him in that convo, and that's because these are both strong dudes. If I had to give an edge to one of these athletes, I'll go Reese. Prediction: Arvell Reese 2. Rank the Wide Receivers by who will have the FASTEST 40-YARD DASH TIME (fastest to slowest): Makai Lemon (USC)KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)Denzel Boston (Washington)Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) Yes, Makai Lemon is fast but so is Denzel Boston. And because Makai was at USC, I feel that people are more familiar with his name, his game and his speed. But let's not sleep on Boston, who can also be explosive. But then there's KC, who honestly could run everybody off the field in a 40-yard footrace. Prediction: KC Concepcion, Makai Lemon, Denzel Boston, Jordyn Tyson 3. Which Running Back will record the HIGHEST VERTICAL JUMP? Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)Emmett Johnson (Nebraska)Jonah Coleman (Washington) Jeremiyah Love is an absolute beast. He won the Doak Walker Award at the end of the season, which is an award that recognizes the country's most elite running back. His 18 touchdowns in 2025 were tied for third and his 6.9 yards per carry were 10th. He's an athlete. Let's see if he jumps out of the gym in Indy. Prediction: Jeremiyah Love 4. How many players will record a 40-Yard Dash time UNDER 4.4 Seconds? 0-15, 15.-20, 20-25, 25-30+ Last year, we got a couple handfuls of players who clocked in at under 4.4 seconds. I don't know that we'll see anyone as fast as Maxwell Hairston or Matthew Golden, but I believe the range of studs who post sub-4.4 times will be similar to the 2025 Combine. Prediction: 0-15 5. Which college conference will have the MOST PLAYERS RECORD a 20-Yard Shuttle of 4.3 seconds or lower? SEC, BIG Ten, BIG 12, ACC Don't be surprised, but I'm going with the conference of my Ducks, the BIG Ten. Keep an eye out on those receivers from Washington and from SC. Prediction: BIG Ten 6. Which Defensive Back will record the FASTEST 3-CONE DRILL TIME ? Caleb Downs (Ohio State)Mansoor Delane (LSU)Avieon Terrell (Clemson)Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) It's hard not to back Caleb Downs. He's a two-time All-American who had 164 solo tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and 12 passes defended in 44 career games. He's the truth. He's an athlete. I expect his full prowess to be on show at this year's combine. Prediction: Caleb Downs

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2026 NFL Draft: Fernando Mendoza’s QB Coach Reveals Why He’s Perfect No. 1 for Raiders

Two things will happen if — but probably when — the Las Vegas Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza. It feels like a sure thing that we’ll see the Indiana quarterback step onto the stage at the 2026 NFL Draft to accept a Raiders jersey as the No. 1 overall pick. Danny Hernandez, Mendoza’s private quarterback coach, is sure of what will happen next. The first inevitability is that Mendoza will reach out to Tom Brady, the Raiders’ part owner. "If I know Fernando the way I know Fernando, Tom Brady is probably going to have a separate phone for Fernando alone, because he is going to wear that relationship out," Hernandez told me this week. "He is going to try to get as much information that he possibly can from Tom Brady, you know? And if Tom is going to be as hands-on as I'm hoping he is, that's going to be a great relationship." It’s one comparison that everyone is afraid to make, because Brady is Brady, the greatest ever. But there are traits from Mendoza’s game that will remind folks of Brady. Mendoza is a pocket passer. Mendoza isn't a world-beating athlete. And he’s a tough player who scouts had overlooked — until this year, when Mendoza forced them to pay attention by winning the national championship and the Heisman Trophy. Brady and Mendoza were in touch last season. You can bet they’ll be in touch quite often if Mendoza ends up in Las Vegas. "That's going to be some really, really good mentorship," Hernandez said of Brady and Mendoza. "Since he was a kid, [Mendoza was] a fan [of Brady] — just trying to do everything at the highest possible level. I mean, what better person could you learn from than Tom Brady? So, yeah, he's gonna wear that relationship out. That's for sure." The second inevitability is that new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak will have an onslaught of questions to answer. Mendoza is widely considered a pro-ready prospect because he ran a pro-style offense at Indiana. But of course, there hasn’t been a prospect in the history of the NFL who was ready on draft day. So Mendoza will get to work on his new playbook. "He's going to take a look at the tiniest little thing," Hernandez told me by phone. "He's going to be able to recognize from a footwork standpoint, ‘Hey, I noticed that when you guys run this particular play, your quarterback had his foot staggered just a little bit more this way than that way. Is there a reason?’ He's going to want to know why. He's going to practice it that exact way. That's just the way he's wired. So I think he's going to be perfect for this." Hernandez knows what Mendoza is going to do, because they’ve worked together since the QB was a junior at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami. And Mendoza has asked Hernandez those types of questions — all the time — from Columbus to Cal to Indiana to now. "If you're around other people that truly have a joyful obsession over this position and all the little things that need to happen to really make you great, those super late-night phone calls or super early phone calls feel like a regular thing," Hernandez told me. It all adds up to somebody who will fit right in with the Raiders. It sounds like exactly the guy that GM John Spytek is looking for. In Indianapolis on Tuesday, Spytek fielded questions about what the team is seeking in a quarterback. And the GM essentially listed Mendoza’s qualities. "A leader. Tough as hell. Somebody that loves to play football. Maniacal preparer. Obviously, someone that can throw the ball well. I think just somebody that loves the game and will give everything for their teammates," Spytek told reporters at the Indianapolis Convention Center. "There’s a great humility and selflessness required to play that position at the highest level." This isn’t to say that Mendoza won’t have obstacles to overcome. He isn’t the elite athlete that Josh Allen is. He doesn’t have the super powerful Avengers arm like Patrick Mahomes. He isn't the raw, high-upside prospect we're accustomed to seeing go at No. 1. And even though Indiana ran a pro-style system, Mendoza didn’t take that many snaps under center — which Spytek indirectly joked about. The GM fielded a question about the hardest part of evaluating college quarterbacks. "If they can take a snap from under center right now," he said with a smile. There are many, many, many things that are complicated about the NFL Draft. This year, there’s one thing that’s really not all that tricky. It’s matching Mendoza and the Raiders at No. 1. As Hernandez said, it's perfect.

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The Big Picture: Eagles' Nick Sirianni Taking Major Gamble With Sean Mannion Hire

INDIANAPOLIS — Nick Sirianni always intended to hire someone with experience when he began his search for a new Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator last month. He never expected to end up with a 33-year-old, third-year assistant who had never called plays before. Yet after 17 interviews, everything in his research and his heart pointed him toward Sean Mannion and the surprising decision to put the broken Eagles offense in the hands of a rookie. It was a gutsy move at a critical moment in his tenure. Because if Sirianni gets this decision wrong, he might end up paying for it with his own job. The stakes really are that high for him and for the Eagles, after their disappointing Super Bowl defense last season ended with a wild-card exit in the playoffs. It wasn’t hard to find a fall guy for that, either. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was running a dysfunctional offense that struggled to find an identity. And as soon as the season ended, it was clear he had to go. Patullo, of course, was a first-time playcaller, too, and it showed over and over again — which is why it was so shocking when Sirianni again chose to hire a novice in Mannion. It’s a decision, in fact, that’s almost impossible to defend, except with Sirianni’s deep conviction that despite what anyone else might think, this time he has it right. "You always want to make sure that when you’re on the verge of hiring somebody, you want to reach out to guys they’ve worked with, guys they’ve played with, guys they’ve coached, and you’re looking for common themes," Sirianni said on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "And it was a common theme. Everyone spoke very similar about Sean. You could imagine those were glowing reviews. Everyone had great things to say about him, the person he is, the coach he is, the football mind that he is." The glowing reviews are actually not surprising at all, because as a former Rams quarterback and a former Packers assistant, Mannion is another branch of the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan coaching tree. He is widely considered a rising star in NFL coaching circles — a strong leader and a brilliant mind who might be a head coach someday. But that someday is still considered far away. His NFL coaching experience until now was limited to one year as a Packers offensive assistant and one year as their quarterbacks coach. No matter how glowingly his peers spoke of him, hiring him was still a very speculative play. And that’s a huge risk for the head coach of a veteran-heavy offense, filled with frustrated players still trying to figure out what went wrong last season. Quarterback Jalen Hurts could never get the passing game going. His No. 1 receiver, A.J. Brown, seemed constantly unhappy with everything. Running back Saquon Barkley ran for almost 900 fewer yards than he did the season before. And the once-proud offensive line was often a shell of itself — a problem that might not get any better now that legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland decided to retire rather than take a reduced role. So Mannion gets to figure all that out while learning on the job about the intricacies of running an offense and the complex dance of calling plays during a game. And he gets to do it under the watchful eye of an offensive-minded head coach that will probably have a heavy hand this season, since he already has a pretty good idea of what he wants his offense to be. "Really, it’s always important at the end of the day that we’re able to run the football, and be able to do play-action off of that," Sirianni said. "Play physical, play with relentless effort, play with great detail, play together. Those will be all things we’re looking to do." If the Eagles are able to do that, they should be an instant Super Bowl contender again. And maybe Mannion will prove to be the right man to get all that done. Sirianni has a spotty record of choosing offensive coordinators, though. Two were so successful that they went on to be head coaches elsewhere — Shane Steichen and Kellen Moore. The other two — Brian Johnson and Kevin Patullo — were fired after one miserable year on the job. If Sirianni gets this one wrong, too, he’ll be the one on the hot seat. Three years ago, when the Eagles were trying to get to their second straight Super Bowl, Sirianni nearly lost his job after the Eagles finished the season on a 1-6 tailspin. Thanks to his Super Bowl championship in the 2024 season, he wasn’t in similarly deep trouble after the Eagles faded late in 2025 and then exited the playoffs early. But even despite his 59-26 regular-season record and two trips to the Super Bowl in the past four years, he might not get any grace from his bosses if his 2026 team underachieves, as well. That’s because his bosses — general manager Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Lurie — expect another championship, or at least a legitimate run at one that lasts a little longer than one lousy round. That’s part of why Sirianni went into his search looking for an experienced hand, and why it was such a shock when he hired the most inexperienced candidate on his list. Sirianni put all his faith in Mannion’s background and his perceived potential because, amid a thin résumé, he can’t bank on anything else. Now his players will have to do the same. And while it’s great that veterans such as Barkley consider the change "refreshing," as the star running back told NFL Network earlier this week, all they can really do is hope. They have to hope that Sirianni really knew what he was doing, and hope Mannion is good enough and that this somehow works out well. "There’s a lot of steps to take place before we know exactly what version of this offense it’s going to be," Sirianni said. "But Sean comes from a family of coaches and (there are) things that he’s done that we really respect, that we know is tough to defend. We know we’ve done a lot of good things here as well that’s hard to defend, so (we’ll be) able to sprinkle some of that in. "You’ve got to go through the process with your players to get to all those answers." The answers better be the right ones, though. Because as sterling as Sirianni’s résumé is, this time he really can’t afford to be wrong. In the Big Picture, we contextualize key moves and moments so you can instantly understand why they matter.

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NFL Combine: Ahead of Fernando Mendoza Meeting, Raiders GM Wants Next QB to be 'Tough as Hell'

INDIANAPOLIS — So much of an NFL franchise's identity is rooted in its head coach and quarterback, and the Raiders find themselves trying to rebrand for the second time in as many years. Head coach Klint Kubiak takes over for Pete Carroll after a disappointing three-win season, and with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, all expectations are that Las Vegas will turn to Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, fresh off a Heisman Trophy and national championship. What is general manager John Spytek looking for in a franchise quarterback? Spytek didn't mention Mendoza by name, but he listed some of the qualities that the Indiana quarterback seems to have. "A leader, tough as hell, somebody that loves to play football, a maniacal preparer," said Spytek, now in his second year in Las Vegas after a long run in Tampa that overlapped with now-Raiders minority owner Tom Brady. "Just somebody that loves the game and will give everything to their teammates, a selfless person, every time they're out there, prepare the right way, lead the right way. I think there's a great humility and selflessness required to play that position at a high level." This week will give the Raiders their first close interaction with Mendoza. They were in attendance at the national championship game in Miami, watching him lead the Hoosiers to victory and finish an unlikely championship season. Spytek hasn't been allowed to talk to draft prospects until 18-minute interviews this week, and they'll be able to bring Mendoza in for an official visit to add to that evaluation, but he's widely seen as the best quarterback in the draft at a position of clear need. Tuesday's big question was about All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby, seen as a potential trade piece that could net the Raiders a first-round pick and more. But Spytek was adamant that he expects Crosby to play for Las Vegas this season, saying the two have talked and continue to have a good relationship. Asked about Crosby wanting to play for a contender, Spytek said he has confidence his team can be that in a short amount of time. "We're going to build this team the right way, and this league is littered with examples of teams that went from a top-five pick to the NFC Championship, the Super Bowl," he said. "We've seen the last couple of years. The Patriots won four games last year and they were in the big game. The Commanders picked second and were in the NFC Championship Game. We're going to build it the right way and we'll see what comes." Las Vegas hasn't won a playoff game in 23 years, since making the Super Bowl after the 2002 season, with only two playoff appearances in that long stretch. The goal is to reset those clocks as soon as possible, or it will soon be the challenge facing another general manager and another coach. The Raiders have the second-most available cap space of any NFL team, allowing Spytek and Kubiak to be active in free agency and actively pay to upgrade the talent on the roster. The biggest piece of that will be at quarterback and almost assuredly with Mendoza, but Spytek said his goal is to create a championship locker room for a head coach fresh off a title of his own with Seattle. "Our job in the personnel department is to give Klint as many good players as we can, that fit his vision and scheme," Spytek said. "One of the things we really liked about Klint was he's got a system that highlights what the players can do ... Our job is to use that and go forward with that and give him quality people and football players that can bring his offense to life."

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Lions to Play in 2026 NFL Munich Game; Why it Matters to Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown says a long-time dream will come true after his team was confirmed to play in the NFL game in Munich this year. St. Brown's mother was born in Germany and his career has been closely followed by the NFL's large German fan base. "It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league," St. Brown said in a league statement on Tuesday. "I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale." Detroit's opponent will be confirmed later. The Munich game is part of a record schedule of nine international games in 2026 including new host cities in France, Australia and Brazil. The NFL is heading back to Munich for its third game at a stadium better known as the home of German soccer champion Bayern Munich. The city hosted the NFL's first game in Germany in 2022 and another in 2024. Frankfurt and Berlin have also hosted games. Reporting by The Associated Press.

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2026 NFL Draft: Offseason Buzz, Mendoza Mania Headline Top 10 Combine Storylines

The NFL’s annual convention is upon us again. The NFL Scouting Combine starts this week in Indianapolis, which not only serves as a chance for prospects to improve their draft stock, but it also allows many key decision makers to gather intel ahead of the start of free agency on March 9. Several NFL players, agents, coaches and front office executives will be in Indianapolis this week. Agents will get a better chance to gauge the market for their players around the league, while executives might discuss potential trades. Of course, there are also the on-field workouts. This year, the league invited over 300 draft prospects to convene in Indianapolis. The combine gives prospects a chance to improve their stock with on-field testing, medical checks and one-on-one meetings with teams looking to get a better understanding of who they are as individuals. So, it'll be a pretty busy week in Indianapolis, even if free agency hasn't officially opened. With that, let's look at the top 10 storylines we'll be following this week. [2026 NFL Draft: Top 50 Prospects at the Scouting Combine] 10. Will anyone break Xavier Worthy’s 40-yard time? A first-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs two years ago, the University of Texas standout set a combine record in the 40-yard dash by posting a 4.21-second, 40-yard time in 2024. Cornerback Maxwell Hairston ran the fastest time last year at 4.28 seconds. This year, contenders for the fastest man at the combine include Mississippi State receiver Brenen Thompson, Indiana cornerback D’Angelo Ponds and LSU receiver Chris Hilton. Thompson was clocked at 23.7 miles per hour last year and could run in the high 4.2s. Hilton reportedly posted a 4.31-second, 40-yard laser time during training. A two-time All-American for the Hoosiers, Ponds ran a 10.47-second, 100-meter time in high school. 9. These three players could improve their draft stock with a good combine performance. Washington’s Jonah Coleman was a productive, bruising running back who averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his college career. But scouts want to see if he has top-tier speed to break away from defenders at the next level. If he chooses to run at the combine, breaking 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash could serve as a boost to Coleman’s draft prospects. Rangy South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse is another athlete expected to test well in on-field workouts. At 6-feet, 190 pounds and only 20 years old, Cisse could help his draft stock with an outstanding performance this week. One more to watch is Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. With young players like Trey McBride, Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren developing into playmakers down the middle of the field, Sadiq is an explosive athlete who could turn heads with his athleticism. However, Sadiq finished with six drops in his final year for the Ducks and must show he can hold onto the football. 8. Who’s the next Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori? With the success of Seattle's dominant defense in leading them to a Super Bowl victory by finding and developing the South Carolina product in the second round of last year’s draft, more teams will be looking for rangy athletes who can cover and blitz like Emmanwori. Versatile safeties in the mold of Kyle Hamilton and Derwin James Jr. that fit that profile in this year’s draft include Ohio State’s Caleb Downs (the winner of the Jim Thorpe award as the nation’s best defensive back), Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil Warren and Oregon’s Dillon Thienemann. All of them could develop into flexible chess pieces for NFL defenses. 7. Will Super Bowl MVP and pending free agent Kenneth Walker III stay with the Seahawks? The Seahawks reportedly will not franchise Walker, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to bring the Michigan State product back. Seattle general manager John Schneider has used the franchise tag just twice during his 16 years serving as the top personnel man for the Seahawks. More likely, Seattle will let Walker’s agents shop around to establish his value and then decide on extending the deal. Seattle has enough cap space to bring Walker back. The Seahawks have a history of extending foundational players in their primes that they value in the locker room, and Seattle already lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Raiders. Keeping some continuity in the offense by re-signing Walker would make sense for the Seahawks. 6. What will the Cowboys do with George Pickens? One team that could use the franchise tag is Dallas on Pickens, who produced at a high level in the final season of his rookie contract in 2025. However, the Cowboys are already paying CeeDee Lamb at the top of the receiver market, so will owner Jerry Jones want to commit to another high-dollar deal at that position? And will the Cowboys draw the negotiations out as they have done with Micah Parsons and Dak Prescott? As always, the rest of the league will be watching how Jones handles another prickly contract situation. 5. Are NFLPA grades still a thing? Since 2023, the NFLPA has released anonymous player grade reports on every NFL team during the combine. But an arbitrator ruling prohibits the public release of those reports for the first time this year. However, that doesn’t mean those reports, which have been critical of some NFL owners in the past, can’t be leaked privately. It will be interesting to see if and how that information is disseminated this week. 4. How do the new head coaches perform at the podium? Ten new head coaches were hired this offseason, the most turnover at that position since 2022. Those new faces include NFL stalwarts in Mike Tomlin being replaced by Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh and defensive guru Jesse Minter taking over for the departed John Harbaugh in Baltimore. Harbaugh, of course, was the top candidate in this hiring cycle, landing the head coaching job with the New York Giants. Former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski also landed on his feet, taking over for Raheem Morris as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. In a league that has become impatient with head coaches, it will be interesting to see how the new hires perform in their first season with their new teams. 3. Let the Fernando Mendoza Mania begin It’s a foregone conclusion that the Las Vegas Raiders will select Indiana’s Mendoza with the No. 1 pick, right? The Raiders are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback and Mendoza checked all the boxes in leading the Hoosiers to a 16-0 record and a national title. Mendoza said he will not throw at the combine, waiting for more familiar surroundings at his pro day in April. Still, the Raiders must go through their evaluation process to make sure Mendoza is the choice instead of trading out of that spot for a bounty of draft compensation. The combine provides another opportunity to see how Mendoza handles adversity. 2. Who’s the No. 2 quarterback behind Mendoza? With Mendoza the clear No. 1 prospect, there is a battle for which player will emerge as the No. 2 quarterback behind the Indiana product. Alabama signal-caller Ty Simpson holds that honor, for now. Simpson said he will throw this week. However, Penn State’s Drew Allar, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Clemson's Cade Klubnik and Miami’s Carson Beck are all still jockeying for position behind Mendoza. How they perform at the combine could change how scouts rank them moving forward in the process, although it's unknown what Allar will be able to do this week after he broke his ankle in October. 1. Where will Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa land? Both the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins appear inclined to move on from their franchise quarterbacks. But what will the two franchises be willing to accept in a trade for Murray and Tagovailoa? Will other teams be willing to give up draft compensation to retain the rights to the player, or will they wait for their release? Murray and Tagovailoa have a chance to follow in the footsteps of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, finding redemption with a fresh start on a new team. And that process starts with conversations at the combine.

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2026 NFL Combine Schedule: Dates, times, TV channel, how to watch

With the Super Bowl over, that means the NFL Draft is just around the corner. But before each team decides on their draft big board, they expand their evaluations at the NFL Combine. What is the NFL Combine? Started in 1982, the NFL Combine is a four-day event each February that gives NFL scouts an opportunity to evaluate the top college football players who are eligible for this year's NFL Draft. The combine is invite-only and includes over 300 athletes. Players undergo medical, physical and mental drills and tests. 2026 NFL Combine Schedule Thursday, February 26 Friday, February 27 Saturday, February 28 Sunday, March 1 When is the 2026 NFL Combine? The NFL Combine will take place from Thursday, February 26 to Sunday, March 1. Where is the 2026 NFL Combine? The 2026 NFL Combine will be located at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN - home of the Indianapolis Colts. How can I watch the NFL Combine? Live coverage of the 2026 NFL Combine will be available on the NFL Network and NFL+. NFL Combine Drills, Tests and Evaluations Who are the players to watch at this year's NFL Combine? Here's a short list of players to watch in the 2026 combine: When is the 2026 NFL Draft? The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled to take place from April 23 to April 25.

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2026 NFL Draft: Top 50 Prospects at the Scouting Combine

The talent available in the 2026 NFL Draft is better than you think — it is just distributed at different positions than some would prefer. Only two quarterbacks — Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Alabama’s Ty Simpson — are listed below. Similarly, Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is the only tight end included. But like any class, there are obvious strengths, as well. I see top-end talent and quality depth at wide receiver and cornerback and all over the defensive line. And I’m higher on the blockers of this class than most. With the medical evaluations, player interviews and athletic testing – in that order of importance – coming this week at the Scouting Combine, here is how I currently rank the best 50 prospects of the 2026 NFL Draft. 50. D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana I’m less confident that undersized defenders such as Ponds will be among the first 50 players drafted than I am about him ultimately proving he should’ve been. At just 5-foot-9, 173 pounds, Ponds has obvious limitations, but he’s pound-for-pound the most physical and instinctive DB in this class with 33 pass breakups — including seven interceptions — in three standout seasons at the collegiate level. 49. Kyle Louis, OLB, Pittsburgh At just 5-foot-11, 224 pounds, Louis won’t be a fit for everyone. But, frankly, I think that’s a mistake. Louis is highly instinctive with lightning-quick closing speed. He is a proven big-play magnet with 24 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and six interceptions over the past two seasons. 48. Chase Bisontis, OG, Texas A&M An athletic 6-foot-5, 315-pounder, Bisontis looks and moves like a tackle — he even earned freshman All-American honors at right tackle back in 2023. He played even better inside at left guard the past two years, showing the initial quickness and agility to fit best in a zone-blocking scheme. 47. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson Miller isn’t as agile or powerful as some of the top-rated tackles higher on my board, but as a rare four-year starter who faced elite competition every day in practice, he’s as safe as a Subaru. Miller has a somewhat gangly frame and upright stance that isn’t always the most aesthetically pleasing, but he’s quick, smart and has excellent hands to steer and sustain. 46. Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska With all due respect to Notre Dame’s dynamic duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, the shiftiest runner in this draft class is Johnson. This young man shifts gears and changes lanes like he’s playing on a street bike, routinely using sharp lateral jump cuts to posterize would-be tacklers. 45. Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame With just 36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns last year for Notre Dame, Fields undeniably lacks the eye-popping production of the other wideouts on my Top 50 board. The imposing 6-foot-4, 219-pounder wowed at the Senior Bowl, however, showcasing the physicality, sure hands and surprisingly sharp route-running that likely would’ve generated more impressive stats in a more receiver-friendly offense. 44. Lee Hunter, NG, Texas Tech Another big winner at the Senior Bowl, Hunter (a Mobile, Ala., native) dominated in the trenches with a stunning combination of explosive first-step quickness and overwhelming brute strength. 43. Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia Branch is likely going to generate some Tyreek Hill comparisons during the pre-draft process, including at the Combine, where I expect him to be among the fastest athletes of this class. Like Hill, Branch is at his best as a vertical threat or in the quick game, offering the kind of instant spark to a passing attack that only elite speed can provide. 42. T.J., Parker, Edge, Clemson Like several of his former Clemson teammates, Parker was the victim of his own success, struggling to live up to expectations in 2025 after a dominant 2024 campaign that included 19.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and an FBS-leading six forced fumbles. He’s a functional, rugged edge defender whose game is built more on torque than twitch. 41. Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame Price isn’t the athletic phenom that will earn fellow Notre Dame product Jeremiyah Love a top-10 pick, but he’s actually the more fundamentally sound running back. He possesses a future NFL bell-cow’s blend of vision, burst and contact balance and is one of this year’s most dynamic returners, taking back three kickoffs for touchdowns in just 22 opportunities. 40. Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah Quick and coordinated, it was Lomu — and not his more celebrated teammate Spencer Fano — who started the past two seasons at the critical left tackle position for the Utes. Just a redshirt sophomore still growing into his frame, Lomu is currently a better pass protector than run blocker, but he has a bright future if he commits to the weight room. 39. Anthony Hill Jr., ILB, Texas Hill was asked to play many roles during his three years at Texas, spanning from edge rusher to inside linebacker to even nickel cornerback. That fact speaks to Hill’s football IQ. The tape shows uncommon agility for a 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker, as well reliable open-field tackling skills. 38. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State Another personal favorite, Johnson is one of the better technicians of this year’s strong cornerback class, showing impressive route awareness and disciplined, confident movement to thwart throws in his direction. A three-year standout, Johnson was named the Mountain West Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2025, taking two of his four interceptions back for scores. 37. Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon A highly touted transfer from Purdue, Thieneman starred immediately for an Oregon defense that saw several key members of the secondary flying to the NFL last year, bringing stability to the unit. Thieneman isn’t flashy, but his awareness, communication skills and reliable tackling all scream NFL starter. 36. Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami As a sixth-year collegiate athlete, Mesidor (24) was literally a man amongst boys for Miami a year ago, leading the ACC with 10.5 sacks and forcing four fumbles. He wins in more ways than perhaps any rusher in this class, pairing impressive physical traits such as burst, bend and power with refined hand play and nuanced counter moves. 35. R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma Thomas personifies the oft-used scouting expression of "converting speed to power," routinely forcing would-be blockers onto their heels and off-balance with an explosive burst and then bull-rushing them through the chest on a direct route to the ballcarrier. At just 6-foot-2, 249 pounds, Thomas is undersized for trench warfare and has already struggled with durability, but the hit rate on edge defenders who play with Thomas’ combination of speed and violence is high. 34. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State A native Nigerian who grew up playing soccer and basketball, Iheanachor is a 6-foot-5, 325-pound investment for the future who seemingly just needs time to master the nuances of the position. His easy movement skills and natural power turned heads at the Senior Bowl. 33. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri Young capped a terrific week of Senior Bowl practice by being named the National team’s Player of the Game. At a rocked-up 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, Young isn’t as explosive off the ball as some of the undersized pass rush specialists listed earlier, but he is a passionate and physical tone-setter at the line of scrimmage. 32. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama Simpson, a former 5-star recruit, torched the SEC for 28 touchdowns and a conference-leading 3,567 yards in his lone starting season in Tuscaloosa, showing the pro-caliber accuracy to project as a future NFL starter. The traits are undeniable — Simpson has a quick release, plenty of zip and excellent touch to make every NFL throw — but there were some "deer in the headlights" moments on his tape. Moreover, the track record of quarterbacks selected in the first round with 20 or fewer starts (Simpson has 15) is a bright red flag. 31. Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina Cisse has all the traits to become a quality NFL starter — including a prototypical blend of size, speed and physicality in run support. His occasional mistakes on tape seemed coachable, and with Cisse not turning 21 until July, the expectation is that he’s just scratching the surface. 30. CJ Allen, ILB, Georgia Many of the top off-ball linebackers in this class are hybrid-types with limited experience taking on and shedding blockers in the hole. Allen isn’t flashy, but he’s as close to a Day 1 starting middle linebacker as this class has to offer. He’s smart, stout and just scratching the surface of his potential at just 20 years old. 29. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo The ability to create turnovers is like catnip to football scouts, and few in this class offer a more tantalizing track record of that than the lanky, hard-hitting McNeil-Warren, who enters the NFL with nine forced fumbles and five interceptions in his career. 28. Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson Nickel cornerbacks have never been more in demand, and Terrell is my favorite among them in this class. The NFL legacy plays significantly above his weight class (180 pounds), averaging 50 tackles over the past two seasons and generating eight forced fumbles during that span, including an ACC-best five this past year. 27. Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois Using a blend of physicality and instincts that translates well to the pro game, Jacas led the Big Ten with 11 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2025 before delivering a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl. Jacas may lack the twitch of some of this year’s top pass-rushers, but I see shades of a young DeMarcus Lawrence in Jacas’ game. 26. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon The lone tight end to make my Top 50 board, Sadiq is cut from a different cloth than most players at his position, possessing a squatty 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame and a rare combination of explosive athleticism and physicality. There are bright flashes on his tape as a pass-catcher, but he’s already an NFL-caliber blocker, showing excellent leg drive and grip strength to control opponents. 25. Kayden McDonald, NG, Ohio State At 6-foot-3, 326 pounds, McDonald is every bit the run-plugger his frame suggests, complementing his dense, powerful frame with excellent balance and spatial awareness. He isn’t going to ever lead the NFL in sacks, but he’s no slug against the pass, either, showing effort, power and surprisingly quick feet to play all three downs. 24. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington The whole point of playing receiver is to catch touchdowns, and with 20 TDs over the past two seasons, Boston is the most prolific scorer of this year’s top wideouts. He should be able to continue this red zone mastery in the NFL, using his 6-foot-4, 209-pound frame, timing, body control and strong hands to win above the rim. 23. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee Hood travels as well in the hip pocket of receivers as he does in the transfer portal, bouncing from Auburn to Colorado to Tennessee over the past three years before entering the draft at just 20 years old. He is an easy mover with impressive awareness of the ball and in run support, as well as a legitimate playmaker with touchdowns scored via interception and fumble recoveries. 22. Peter Woods, DT, Clemson Similar in some ways to Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, Woods is young (he’ll turn 21 in March), powerful and athletic, with his best football still ahead of him. He pairs his hands and feet well for such a young player, offering more to affect the quarterback than his five sacks in 35 college games might suggest. 21. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M With 28 combined rushing and receiving scores in 38 career games at Texas A&M and North Carolina State, Concepcion is easily the top point producer of this year’s standout receiver class. Concepcion’s given name is Kevin, but KC is his preferred nickname and it better describes the silky-smooth athleticism he uses to consistently create space. 20. Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama It isn’t often that a man listed at 366 pounds can be described as muscular, but Proctor boasts as power-packed of a frame as you’ll see. What you see is what you get with Proctor, a bar-room brawler whose girth and power could ultimately push him inside to guard. 19. Caleb Banks, DT, Florida Pardon the pun, but Banks has made a lot of money in the past two months, dominating at the Senior Bowl after missing seven games this year due to a fractured foot that required surgery. Standing a massive 6-foot-6, 335 pounds, with 35-inch arms and 10 3/4-inch hands, Banks is simply bigger than most trying to block him, and he can simply rag-doll blockers at times. 18. Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State At a dense 6-foot-4, 328 pounds, Ioane is perfectly built for the battles in the trenches, absorbing would-be rushers with his broad frame and heavy hands. While possible tackle converts could ultimately be drafted earlier, Ioane is the consensus top-rated "pure" interior offensive lineman of this class. 17. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee McCoy’s first two college seasons (at Oregon State and Tennessee, respectively) were so impressive that he maintained a first-round grade on my board even after missing the entire 2025 season with an ACL injury. When healthy, McCoy is a smooth cover corner with terrific ball skills, breaking up 16 passes (with six interceptions) over that span. 16. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State Simply put, Tyson has the best tape of this year’s receiver crop. It isn’t often that receivers of his size, twitch and tracking skills come around. Tyson is a case of "buyer beware," however, as he has missed multiple games because of injuries in each of the past three seasons. 15. Cassius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M Among my favorite defenders in this class, Howell has the burst and bend to wreak havoc off the edge as a pass-rusher, and he also showed impressive change of direction and instincts in coverage, when asked to play off the ball. 14. Makai Lemon, WR, USC Lemon reminds me a lot of Golden Tate, a dynamic run-after-the-catch weapon who played 11 years in the NFL. Like the 5-foot-11, 197-pound Tate, Lemon is a difficult matchup for cornerbacks because of a compact, almost RB-like frame to go with dynamic speed and top-notch ball skills. 13. Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia With a steady stream of NFL blockers ahead of him on Georgia’s depth chart, Freeling had to wait his turn before seeing the field in Athens, starting just 16 games before heading early to the NFL. But there isn’t a blocker in this class who looks the part of an NFL left tackle more than the loose and long 6-foot-7, 315-pound Freeling. 12. Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn If scouts were asked to draw up the ideal defensive lineman for today’s NFL, it might look a lot like the long-armed 6-foot-6, 285-pound ball of clay that is Faulk, whose size, strength and smooth athleticism offer great positional and schematic flexibility. As one of the youngest players in this class (he won’t turn 21 until September), Faulk is still growing into his frame and will need to get stronger to fulfill his potential, but he possesses the physical traits and intangibles to become one of the best players in this draft. 11. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah A dancing bear at 6-foot-6, 310 pounds, Fano looks and moves more like a tight end than a traditional offensive lineman, excelling in pass protection because of his initial quickness, lateral agility and balance. A three-year starter with extensive experience at both tackle positions, Fano is among the most pro-ready prospects in this class. 10. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Cornerback may just be the strongest positional group of this draft, and Delane tops it by a wide margin for me. He is a terrific man-to-man cover corner, showing easy change of direction and smooth acceleration to shadow receivers all over the field. He didn’t allow a single touchdown pass in 2025. 9. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Receiver is one of the better positional groups of this year’s draft class, and Tate tops it because of his ability to win in multiple ways. The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder has excellent body control, hand-eye coordination and grit to pull in contested passes, and he’s surprisingly slippery as a route-runner with excellent tracking skills. 8. Sonny Styles, OLB, Ohio State A former safety turned linebacker who might ultimately evolve into an edge rusher, Styles is the ultimate ball of clay from this draft class. Styles possesses rare speed and agility for a 6-foot-5, 245 pounder, providing his future defensive coordinator with a moveable chess piece that could be used similar to how the Seattle Seahawks employed star rookie Nick Emmanwori in their Super Bowl run. 7. Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami It is appropriate that Bain rhymes with pain, as there isn’t a prospect in this class who plays with more violence than the three-year Miami standout. He enters the NFL with 33.5 tackles for loss generated in 38 collegiate games. Bain’s relatively stubby 6-foot-3, 270-pound frame will be a talking point in every NFL war room, but teams shouldn’t make the mistake of overthinking his fit. 6. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami Arguably the most powerful and pro-ready prospect in this draft class, Mauigoa simply engulfs opponents with his sheer size and iron grip, reminding me of another Mario Cristobal pupil, Detroit Lions All-Pro Penei Sewell. Facing a vaunted Miami pass rush every day in practice, Mauigoa has the look of a decade-long anchor at right tackle. 5. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech Simply put, Bailey is the best pass-rusher in this class, boasting a terrific blend of burst, lateral agility and core flexibility to force whiffs from would-be pass protectors. The concern some will have is that at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Bailey lacks the size and power to be as effective in the running game, but that shouldn’t keep one of the few true matchup nightmares in this class from earning a top-10 selection. 4. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Mendoza doesn’t possess the strongest arm of this class, nor is he the most dynamic running threat. He is, however, the consensus top quarterback, offering an exceptional blend of anticipation, accuracy and poise to project as a longtime, high-level NFL starter. 3. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame With all due respect to Heisman Trophy winner and likely No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza, Love is the best offensive prospect in this class — and frankly, I don’t think it's particularly close. Love isn’t just the best back in this class; he’s among a select handful of the elite runners to enter the NFL since I began scouting a quarter-century ago, offering a blend of size, quick feet and breakaway speed reminiscent of recent blue-chip backs Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson. 2. Arvell Reese, OLB, Ohio State A blue-chip talent who starred mostly as an off-ball linebacker at Ohio State but possesses the twitch to attack off the edge, Reese is arguably the best prospect in this class. In terms of sheer athleticism, versatility and career trajectory, I see an awful lot of similarities between Reese and another former Big Ten star you might have heard of: Micah Parsons. 1. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Sometimes scouting is easy. Whether at Alabama or Ohio State, Downs’ instincts, closing speed and reliable open-field tackling consistently shined, forecasting for years that his pathway to the NFL would come as a first-round pick. Downs won’t be the first player selected this year — safeties just aren’t valuable enough. But make no mistake, Downs comes with the highest floor, projecting as an immediate starter and foundational piece for one fortunate franchise.

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Falcons President of Football Matt Ryan 'Excited' About QB Michael Penix Jr.

The health and projection of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is the most pivotal factor in the Atlanta Falcons' future. Selected by Atlanta with the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Penix has started just 12 games over his first two seasons due to a combination of being behind veteran Kirk Cousins for the majority of 2024 and partially tearing his ACL in November of last season. Where is the soon-to-be third-year quarterback in his recovery? New Falcons president of football and franchise royalty Matt Ryan pulled back the curtain on the matter. "I have had the opportunity to sit with Michael and, you know, No. 1, how do we bring him along? You get healthy first. The first thing you've got to do is get yourself in a place where we can practice and do that. So, job No. 1 for Michael is to keep doing exactly what he's doing. He's been in our building doing his rehab. He's in a good place right now," Ryan said about Penix in an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio on Thursday. "As a former player, like, it never leaves me. Everybody's like, 'When is he going to be back?' Well, you don't know. There's ups and downs that come with that rehab space, but we feel like we're on track and in a good space with Michael right now." As for what's to come, Ryan is bullish on Penix, especially with the coaching staff that Atlanta has put around him. "To me, it always comes down to the fundamentals. Do we start with our feet? I know in that interview process, [quarterbacks coach] Alex [Van Pelt] is going to hammer the footwork and going to hammer getting the basics right. So, it starts with the basics. Michael does a great job," Ryan said. "He can spin the football. We're excited about what he does, and we're excited about the staff we're putting around him." Across the nine games that he appeared in last season, Penix totaled 1,982 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns, three interceptions and an 88.5 passer rating, while completing 60.1% of his passes. The year prior (three starts and five appearances altogether), Penix posted a 78.9 passer rating and completed 58.1% of his passes. In college, Penix spent the first four seasons of his career at Indiana (2018-21) before transferring to Washington and shining. Across his two seasons with the Huskies (2022-23), Penix averaged 4,772 passing yards, 33.5 passing touchdowns, 9.5 interceptions and a 154.2 passer rating per season, while completing 65.4% of his passes. In 2023, Penix led Washington to a Pac-12 title, an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship and was the runner-up for the 2023 Heisman Trophy Award. Regarding the coaching staff around Penix, Van Pelt comes to Atlanta after being a senior offensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams last season and offensive coordinator stints with the New England Patriots (2024), Cleveland Browns (2020-23) and Buffalo Bills (2009), among many other offensive assistant roles. Of course, Van Pelt is the quarterbacks coach for new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who was previously the head coach of the Browns from 2020-25; Van Pelt coached under Stefanski in Cleveland from 2020-23. Stefanski's offensive coordinator is Tommy Rees, who was the Browns' offensive coordinator under Stefanski last season and coached in Cleveland from 2024-25. Rees had previous offensive coordinator stints at Alabama (2023) and Notre Dame (2020-22).

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2026 NFL Free Agency: Where Will Mike Evans Play in 2026? 5 Best Fits for Bucs WR

Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans will be back for a 13th NFL season in 2026, his agent confirmed Tuesday. So, the big question now is whether he'll finish his career where he's played all of it so far in Tampa. The Buccaneers remain the odds-on favorite for Evans, a rare top-tier receiver who's only played for one team in his entire career. Of the receivers ranking in the top 10 all-time in career touchdown receptions, only two — Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals) and Marvin Harrison (Colts) — retired with the same team that drafted them. So, Evans could join a rare company if he re-signs with the Bucs. While Evans' streak of 1,000-yard seasons ended in 2025, he's still set to be one of the top free agents this offseason. He came in at No. 15 on my top 100 NFL free agents list earlier in the offseason, ranking third among the wide receivers set to become available. Evans just finished a two-year, $45 million contract, and he'll be 33 when the upcoming season starts, so his next contract might end up a little lower from an annual value standpoint. His valuations are all over the map, though. The Athletic just projected him at $51 million for two years, while Spotrac has him at just over $13 million a year; Pro Football Focus gave him a one-year, $18 million deal. So we offer up five potential landing spots for Evans. Will he be a lifetime Buc like Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks, or finish a Hall of Fame career elsewhere like John Lynch and Warren Sapp? 5. New England Patriots New England went from 4-13 to playing in the Super Bowl in a single season, and they did it without a true star on the receiving end of Drake Maye's passes. Stefon Diggs could be cut with a big contract and modest returns, and if they did that, it would cost close to the same to bring in Evans, who is the same age as Diggs but has had a much more consistent NFL career. For comparison, the Patriots haven't had a receiver get 10 touchdowns in a season since Randy Moss in 2009, while Evans has done it six times in that span. 4. Houston Texans The key here is that Evans is from Galveston, Texas, less than an hour from Houston, and spends part of his offseason back in his home state, so this wouldn't be a departure to a strange city he doesn't know. Had he not decided to re-sign with the Bucs two years ago, the Texans were in play, and their success last season with perhaps the NFL's top defense doesn't hurt them. Houston went 12-5 last year and won a playoff game, so they qualify as the kind of playoff contender he would want to play for at the end of his career. They already have two 6-foot-4 standout receivers in Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins, so you could argue Houston might prefer a speed threat more than adding even more size to their receiving corps. The Texans also have limited cap space and other positional needs that arguably have more urgency. 3. Kansas City Chiefs The Chiefs have an MVP quarterback in Patrick Mahomes without a true No. 1 receiver — in the three seasons since they traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, no Kansas City receiver has caught more than seven touchdowns in any year. If tight end Travis Kelce does retire, there's a greater need for star power in the passing game, and having played for Tom Brady, Evans will appreciate being able to have one of the very best passers throwing you the ball. Rashee Rice's off-field problems could add to the immediacy to upgrade at receiver, and while they're still over the cap even after restructuring of Mahomes' contract, they have other moves they could make to facilitate a contract like Evans will command. If Mahomes is healthy again, they'll be a contender and their need for receiver help could make them a potential match. 2. Buffalo Bills Buffalo sure could use a No. 1 receiver, just like Kansas City. Despite having an MVP-caliber quarterback in Josh Allen, the Bills haven't had a receiver get more than five touchdowns in a season over the last two years. They're moving into a brand-new stadium this fall, so it's nice to make a splash signing to add extra buzz around the team, and the offensive shift with coordinator Joe Brady getting promoted to head coach would mesh well with adding a high-profile receiver to their talented offense. Would Evans like to play in the cold after 12 years in sunny Florida? Cold weather might not be ideal for a player with persistent hamstring injuries, and the Bills are over the salary cap right now, so they'd need some maneuvering to add a pricey receiver, though a second, non-guaranteed year or void years could lower the immediate cap hit involved in signing Evans. 1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Evans is the best offensive player in Tampa Bay history — no offense to Tom Brady's three years with the Bucs — and has rewritten all of their receiving records. He's been the team's Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee four times and has consistently expressed a desire to be a "Buc for life," playing only for Tampa. General manager Jason Licht, whose very first pick on the job was taking Evans in 2014, has said the same, with a reputation of rewarding his team's best players by keeping them in town. But the Bucs have other positional needs, like edge rusher and linebacker, and they have solid depth even without Evans at receiver, with Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan back healthy for 2026, and Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson still developing after combining for 11 touchdown catches as rookies. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has lobbied for Evans to come back for another season as well, and the offense is much more dangerous when Evans and his 108 career touchdowns are occupying a defense's priorities. Is the news this week that Evans will explore free agency just agent-driven leverage, trying to get a little more from the Bucs with the idea there's competition for his services? Or could he really finish his career in another uniform? That will be answered in less than a month, when free agency opens and players can talk to new teams starting March 9.

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