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The NFL Draft is sometimes referred to as the world’s longest, strangest job interview.It is…

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Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego StateThe Dolphins shored up their offensive line with the addition…

expect Fernando Mendoza to be the first player selected.

But he will not be the only player selected.

There are 257 draft slots in this year’s NFL Draft, starting with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 and finishing with the Denver Broncos at No. 257. Whether it is the Broncos or another team making that pick remains to be seen, but the simple fact is this: there are lots of players who are going to be drafted over the next few days.

Let’s dive into seven of them, including one who might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of the sleeper police, but might be my favorite player to watch in this class outside of Caleb Downs.

Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech

Several defenders from Texas Tech are expected to come off the board early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pass rusher David Bailey might be drafted second by the New York Jets, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez could sneak into the first round, and defensive tackle Lee Hunter and pass rusher Romello Height are expected to be Day 2 picks.

Safety Cole Wisniewski, however, might slide late into Day 3. But there is a lot to like about his game. Wisniewski racked up 78 total tackles for the Red Raiders last season, along with six pass breakups and a sack.

He did this after missing the entire 2024 season due to a foot injury.

While Wisniewski is more of a deep safety, you could draw a comparison to Caleb Downs in terms of his versatility. Wisniewski is on the bigger size, weighing in at 220 pounds, which allowed Texas Tech to drop him down into the box in certain situations, even when he might be playing in a traditional single-high role during the same possession.

Take this play against UCF, where he slides down into the box, feels the run play perfectly, and makes a tackle for a short gain:

Texas Tech has several defenders that should be drafted this week.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College

Lewis Bond did almost everything a wide receiver can do to earn an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. He caught 88 passes for 993 yards and a touchdown in 2024, with those 88 receptions setting a new team record. He leaves Chestnut Hill having set a new career reception mark with 213, and also checks in at fifth in the school’s record book with 2,385 career receiving yards. He was also a second-team All-ACC selection, and garnered praise for his performance at the Senior Bowl.

Yet when it came time for Combine invitations, he was left on the outside looking in.

Watching Bond on film, you see a player with great feel for the position, great awarness for his nearest threat in the secondary, and the ability to play both outside and in the slot. If you needed just one play to sum up what he can bring to an NFL offense it is this reception against Syracuse, where he beats the man coverage defender, makes a tough adjustment to an off-target throw, and finishes the play with an explosive gain in the passing game:

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

While measurements vary, tight end Tanner Koziol checks in with a wingspan around 83 inches based on his measurements at the Combine.

And the tight end puts every bit of that wingspan to use on plays like this one:

Koziol’s ability to play above-the-rim stands out, and his ability to win in contested catch situations will serve him well at the next level. There is some “big wide receiver” to his game, along with good feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Add in some ability as a blocker — and a whole lot of willingness — and you have a nice find on the third day of the draft.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6

Bentley was mired on the depth chart at Utah for the two previous seasons, catching just three passes over two years with the Utes. But he got a chance to see more playing time this past season and caught 48 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns for Utah this past season.

Those numbers saw him finish second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, and he tied for the team lead in touchdown catches. The 6’4, 253-pound tight end also posted a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

But what might help him the most is what he can do as an in-line blocker. Bentley is every bit the complete tight end, with an ability to execute blocks on both gap and zone designs from an in-line or a wing alignment. For many tight ends coming out of college, picking up the blocking part of the job is the toughest part of the transition, but Bentley looks ready to step in right away in that area.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6

Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor generated the most buzz on the defensive side of the ball as Miami stormed to an appearance in the title game, but if you watched the Hurricanes defense this year you probably saw something in addition to those pass rushers.

That would be slot corner Keionte Scott, who was a force in his own right for the Miami defense. Scott racked up 67 tackles, including 13 for a loss, last season while adding five sacks and a pair of interceptions.

Watch him on this play against Texas A&M dip under the blocker, and chop down the receiver for a loss on a quick screen:

Those four sacks punctuate his effectiveness as a blitzer, and the best example of that trait might be his 11-yard sack against Louisville, when he knifes into the backfield with a well-timed blitz to put the Cardinals into a third-and-long situation.

Scott did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, saving that for his Pro Day. The unofficial time of 4.25 seconds certainly turned heads, but even the more conservative time of 4.37 seconds that was reported is an eye-popping number.

Scott might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of some, as he could be drafted on Day 2. But he might be one of my favorite players in this entire class to watch, so I’m putting him here.

Expected Draft Rounds: Rounds 2-3

Wesley Williams, EDGE, Duke

The production might not be there.

Wesley Williams recorded just a pair of sacks in 2025, a year after recording 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss. But when you watch him on film, you see a pass rusher with a plan, a tool kit to work with, and the ability to tie it all together.

Take this play against Virginia, where he is working against the left tackle:

Williams uses his hands to perfection, swatting away the blocking attempt before dipping around the edge, putting a shot on the quarterback just as he releases a throw.

Pressure is production, and Williams can generate pressure on the opposing passer. He can win with power, speed, and technique off the edge. He also posted the ninth-best vertical among defensive ends at the Combine, checking in at 35.5 inches. That speaks to his power and explosiveness off the edge.

Williams might be available late into Day 3, but some team is going to take advantage of that fact when they turn in a card with his name on it.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Eli Heidenreich, Football Player, Navy

You knew this name was going to make an appearance.

I’ve listed Navy’s Eli Heidenreich as a “football player” because his skillset is so unique. Coming out of Navy’s option-heavy offense, Heidenreich lined up at various spots for the Midshipmen as one of their “Snipe” players, best described as a hybrid slot back/running back/wide receiver. You might see him aligned in the offensive backfield on first down, in the wing on second, and then in the slot on third.

During the 2025 season, Heidenreich tallied 1,440 yards from scrimmage, including 499 rushing yards (on just 77 carries, for 6.9 yards per attempt) while catching 51 passes for 941 yards and six touchdowns.

And not all of those receptions were bubble screens or checkdowns. Not by a long shot:

Heidenreich’s incredible Combine — where he posted numbers similar to Christian McCaffrey — has many dreaming that he could become that kind of player at the next level. That kind of comparison is lofty, and seems a long way off.

But what Heidenreich could be is still very valuable to an NFL team, and that is an offensive weapon who can create mismatches all over the field thanks to his athleticism and versatility.

That is certainly worth a pick on Day 3.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

#NFL #Drafts #biggest #sleepers #turn #steals"> NFL Draft’s 7 biggest sleepers in 2026 who could turn into steals We are just over 24 hours until the 2026 NFL Draft, where we expect Fernando Mendoza to be the first player selected.But he will not be the only player selected.There are 257 draft slots in this year’s NFL Draft, starting with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 and finishing with the Denver Broncos at No. 257. Whether it is the Broncos or another team making that pick remains to be seen, but the simple fact is this: there are lots of players who are going to be drafted over the next few days.Let’s dive into seven of them, including one who might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of the sleeper police, but might be my favorite player to watch in this class outside of Caleb Downs.Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas TechSeveral defenders from Texas Tech are expected to come off the board early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pass rusher David Bailey might be drafted second by the New York Jets, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez could sneak into the first round, and defensive tackle Lee Hunter and pass rusher Romello Height are expected to be Day 2 picks.Safety Cole Wisniewski, however, might slide late into Day 3. But there is a lot to like about his game. Wisniewski racked up 78 total tackles for the Red Raiders last season, along with six pass breakups and a sack.He did this after missing the entire 2024 season due to a foot injury.While Wisniewski is more of a deep safety, you could draw a comparison to Caleb Downs in terms of his versatility. Wisniewski is on the bigger size, weighing in at 220 pounds, which allowed Texas Tech to drop him down into the box in certain situations, even when he might be playing in a traditional single-high role during the same possession.Take this play against UCF, where he slides down into the box, feels the run play perfectly, and makes a tackle for a short gain:Texas Tech has several defenders that should be drafted this week.Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7Lewis Bond, WR, Boston CollegeLewis Bond did almost everything a wide receiver can do to earn an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. He caught 88 passes for 993 yards and a touchdown in 2024, with those 88 receptions setting a new team record. He leaves Chestnut Hill having set a new career reception mark with 213, and also checks in at fifth in the school’s record book with 2,385 career receiving yards. He was also a second-team All-ACC selection, and garnered praise for his performance at the Senior Bowl.Yet when it came time for Combine invitations, he was left on the outside looking in.Watching Bond on film, you see a player with great feel for the position, great awarness for his nearest threat in the secondary, and the ability to play both outside and in the slot. If you needed just one play to sum up what he can bring to an NFL offense it is this reception against Syracuse, where he beats the man coverage defender, makes a tough adjustment to an off-target throw, and finishes the play with an explosive gain in the passing game:Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7Tanner Koziol, TE, HoustonWhile measurements vary, tight end Tanner Koziol checks in with a wingspan around 83 inches based on his measurements at the Combine.And the tight end puts every bit of that wingspan to use on plays like this one:Koziol’s ability to play above-the-rim stands out, and his ability to win in contested catch situations will serve him well at the next level. There is some “big wide receiver” to his game, along with good feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Add in some ability as a blocker — and a whole lot of willingness — and you have a nice find on the third day of the draft.Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6Bentley was mired on the depth chart at Utah for the two previous seasons, catching just three passes over two years with the Utes. But he got a chance to see more playing time this past season and caught 48 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns for Utah this past season.Those numbers saw him finish second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, and he tied for the team lead in touchdown catches. The 6’4, 253-pound tight end also posted a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.But what might help him the most is what he can do as an in-line blocker. Bentley is every bit the complete tight end, with an ability to execute blocks on both gap and zone designs from an in-line or a wing alignment. For many tight ends coming out of college, picking up the blocking part of the job is the toughest part of the transition, but Bentley looks ready to step in right away in that area.Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor generated the most buzz on the defensive side of the ball as Miami stormed to an appearance in the title game, but if you watched the Hurricanes defense this year you probably saw something in addition to those pass rushers.That would be slot corner Keionte Scott, who was a force in his own right for the Miami defense. Scott racked up 67 tackles, including 13 for a loss, last season while adding five sacks and a pair of interceptions.Watch him on this play against Texas A&M dip under the blocker, and chop down the receiver for a loss on a quick screen:Those four sacks punctuate his effectiveness as a blitzer, and the best example of that trait might be his 11-yard sack against Louisville, when he knifes into the backfield with a well-timed blitz to put the Cardinals into a third-and-long situation.Scott did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, saving that for his Pro Day. The unofficial time of 4.25 seconds certainly turned heads, but even the more conservative time of 4.37 seconds that was reported is an eye-popping number.Scott might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of some, as he could be drafted on Day 2. But he might be one of my favorite players in this entire class to watch, so I’m putting him here.Expected Draft Rounds: Rounds 2-3Wesley Williams, EDGE, DukeThe production might not be there.Wesley Williams recorded just a pair of sacks in 2025, a year after recording 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss. But when you watch him on film, you see a pass rusher with a plan, a tool kit to work with, and the ability to tie it all together.Take this play against Virginia, where he is working against the left tackle:Williams uses his hands to perfection, swatting away the blocking attempt before dipping around the edge, putting a shot on the quarterback just as he releases a throw.Pressure is production, and Williams can generate pressure on the opposing passer. He can win with power, speed, and technique off the edge. He also posted the ninth-best vertical among defensive ends at the Combine, checking in at 35.5 inches. That speaks to his power and explosiveness off the edge.Williams might be available late into Day 3, but some team is going to take advantage of that fact when they turn in a card with his name on it.Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7Eli Heidenreich, Football Player, NavyYou knew this name was going to make an appearance.I’ve listed Navy’s Eli Heidenreich as a “football player” because his skillset is so unique. Coming out of Navy’s option-heavy offense, Heidenreich lined up at various spots for the Midshipmen as one of their “Snipe” players, best described as a hybrid slot back/running back/wide receiver. You might see him aligned in the offensive backfield on first down, in the wing on second, and then in the slot on third.During the 2025 season, Heidenreich tallied 1,440 yards from scrimmage, including 499 rushing yards (on just 77 carries, for 6.9 yards per attempt) while catching 51 passes for 941 yards and six touchdowns.And not all of those receptions were bubble screens or checkdowns. Not by a long shot:Heidenreich’s incredible Combine — where he posted numbers similar to Christian McCaffrey — has many dreaming that he could become that kind of player at the next level. That kind of comparison is lofty, and seems a long way off.But what Heidenreich could be is still very valuable to an NFL team, and that is an offensive weapon who can create mismatches all over the field thanks to his athleticism and versatility.That is certainly worth a pick on Day 3.Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7 #NFL #Drafts #biggest #sleepers #turn #steals
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expect Fernando Mendoza to be the first player selected.

But he will not be the only player selected.

There are 257 draft slots in this year’s NFL Draft, starting with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 and finishing with the Denver Broncos at No. 257. Whether it is the Broncos or another team making that pick remains to be seen, but the simple fact is this: there are lots of players who are going to be drafted over the next few days.

Let’s dive into seven of them, including one who might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of the sleeper police, but might be my favorite player to watch in this class outside of Caleb Downs.

Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech

Several defenders from Texas Tech are expected to come off the board early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pass rusher David Bailey might be drafted second by the New York Jets, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez could sneak into the first round, and defensive tackle Lee Hunter and pass rusher Romello Height are expected to be Day 2 picks.

Safety Cole Wisniewski, however, might slide late into Day 3. But there is a lot to like about his game. Wisniewski racked up 78 total tackles for the Red Raiders last season, along with six pass breakups and a sack.

He did this after missing the entire 2024 season due to a foot injury.

While Wisniewski is more of a deep safety, you could draw a comparison to Caleb Downs in terms of his versatility. Wisniewski is on the bigger size, weighing in at 220 pounds, which allowed Texas Tech to drop him down into the box in certain situations, even when he might be playing in a traditional single-high role during the same possession.

Take this play against UCF, where he slides down into the box, feels the run play perfectly, and makes a tackle for a short gain:

Texas Tech has several defenders that should be drafted this week.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College

Lewis Bond did almost everything a wide receiver can do to earn an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. He caught 88 passes for 993 yards and a touchdown in 2024, with those 88 receptions setting a new team record. He leaves Chestnut Hill having set a new career reception mark with 213, and also checks in at fifth in the school’s record book with 2,385 career receiving yards. He was also a second-team All-ACC selection, and garnered praise for his performance at the Senior Bowl.

Yet when it came time for Combine invitations, he was left on the outside looking in.

Watching Bond on film, you see a player with great feel for the position, great awarness for his nearest threat in the secondary, and the ability to play both outside and in the slot. If you needed just one play to sum up what he can bring to an NFL offense it is this reception against Syracuse, where he beats the man coverage defender, makes a tough adjustment to an off-target throw, and finishes the play with an explosive gain in the passing game:

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

While measurements vary, tight end Tanner Koziol checks in with a wingspan around 83 inches based on his measurements at the Combine.

And the tight end puts every bit of that wingspan to use on plays like this one:

Koziol’s ability to play above-the-rim stands out, and his ability to win in contested catch situations will serve him well at the next level. There is some “big wide receiver” to his game, along with good feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Add in some ability as a blocker — and a whole lot of willingness — and you have a nice find on the third day of the draft.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6

Bentley was mired on the depth chart at Utah for the two previous seasons, catching just three passes over two years with the Utes. But he got a chance to see more playing time this past season and caught 48 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns for Utah this past season.

Those numbers saw him finish second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, and he tied for the team lead in touchdown catches. The 6’4, 253-pound tight end also posted a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

But what might help him the most is what he can do as an in-line blocker. Bentley is every bit the complete tight end, with an ability to execute blocks on both gap and zone designs from an in-line or a wing alignment. For many tight ends coming out of college, picking up the blocking part of the job is the toughest part of the transition, but Bentley looks ready to step in right away in that area.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6

Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor generated the most buzz on the defensive side of the ball as Miami stormed to an appearance in the title game, but if you watched the Hurricanes defense this year you probably saw something in addition to those pass rushers.

That would be slot corner Keionte Scott, who was a force in his own right for the Miami defense. Scott racked up 67 tackles, including 13 for a loss, last season while adding five sacks and a pair of interceptions.

Watch him on this play against Texas A&M dip under the blocker, and chop down the receiver for a loss on a quick screen:

Those four sacks punctuate his effectiveness as a blitzer, and the best example of that trait might be his 11-yard sack against Louisville, when he knifes into the backfield with a well-timed blitz to put the Cardinals into a third-and-long situation.

Scott did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, saving that for his Pro Day. The unofficial time of 4.25 seconds certainly turned heads, but even the more conservative time of 4.37 seconds that was reported is an eye-popping number.

Scott might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of some, as he could be drafted on Day 2. But he might be one of my favorite players in this entire class to watch, so I’m putting him here.

Expected Draft Rounds: Rounds 2-3

Wesley Williams, EDGE, Duke

The production might not be there.

Wesley Williams recorded just a pair of sacks in 2025, a year after recording 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss. But when you watch him on film, you see a pass rusher with a plan, a tool kit to work with, and the ability to tie it all together.

Take this play against Virginia, where he is working against the left tackle:

Williams uses his hands to perfection, swatting away the blocking attempt before dipping around the edge, putting a shot on the quarterback just as he releases a throw.

Pressure is production, and Williams can generate pressure on the opposing passer. He can win with power, speed, and technique off the edge. He also posted the ninth-best vertical among defensive ends at the Combine, checking in at 35.5 inches. That speaks to his power and explosiveness off the edge.

Williams might be available late into Day 3, but some team is going to take advantage of that fact when they turn in a card with his name on it.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Eli Heidenreich, Football Player, Navy

You knew this name was going to make an appearance.

I’ve listed Navy’s Eli Heidenreich as a “football player” because his skillset is so unique. Coming out of Navy’s option-heavy offense, Heidenreich lined up at various spots for the Midshipmen as one of their “Snipe” players, best described as a hybrid slot back/running back/wide receiver. You might see him aligned in the offensive backfield on first down, in the wing on second, and then in the slot on third.

During the 2025 season, Heidenreich tallied 1,440 yards from scrimmage, including 499 rushing yards (on just 77 carries, for 6.9 yards per attempt) while catching 51 passes for 941 yards and six touchdowns.

And not all of those receptions were bubble screens or checkdowns. Not by a long shot:

Heidenreich’s incredible Combine — where he posted numbers similar to Christian McCaffrey — has many dreaming that he could become that kind of player at the next level. That kind of comparison is lofty, and seems a long way off.

But what Heidenreich could be is still very valuable to an NFL team, and that is an offensive weapon who can create mismatches all over the field thanks to his athleticism and versatility.

That is certainly worth a pick on Day 3.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

#NFL #Drafts #biggest #sleepers #turn #steals">NFL Draft’s 7 biggest sleepers in 2026 who could turn into steals

We are just over 24 hours until the 2026 NFL Draft, where we expect Fernando Mendoza to be the first player selected.

But he will not be the only player selected.

There are 257 draft slots in this year’s NFL Draft, starting with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1 and finishing with the Denver Broncos at No. 257. Whether it is the Broncos or another team making that pick remains to be seen, but the simple fact is this: there are lots of players who are going to be drafted over the next few days.

Let’s dive into seven of them, including one who might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of the sleeper police, but might be my favorite player to watch in this class outside of Caleb Downs.

Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech

Several defenders from Texas Tech are expected to come off the board early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Pass rusher David Bailey might be drafted second by the New York Jets, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez could sneak into the first round, and defensive tackle Lee Hunter and pass rusher Romello Height are expected to be Day 2 picks.

Safety Cole Wisniewski, however, might slide late into Day 3. But there is a lot to like about his game. Wisniewski racked up 78 total tackles for the Red Raiders last season, along with six pass breakups and a sack.

He did this after missing the entire 2024 season due to a foot injury.

While Wisniewski is more of a deep safety, you could draw a comparison to Caleb Downs in terms of his versatility. Wisniewski is on the bigger size, weighing in at 220 pounds, which allowed Texas Tech to drop him down into the box in certain situations, even when he might be playing in a traditional single-high role during the same possession.

Take this play against UCF, where he slides down into the box, feels the run play perfectly, and makes a tackle for a short gain:

Texas Tech has several defenders that should be drafted this week.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College

Lewis Bond did almost everything a wide receiver can do to earn an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. He caught 88 passes for 993 yards and a touchdown in 2024, with those 88 receptions setting a new team record. He leaves Chestnut Hill having set a new career reception mark with 213, and also checks in at fifth in the school’s record book with 2,385 career receiving yards. He was also a second-team All-ACC selection, and garnered praise for his performance at the Senior Bowl.

Yet when it came time for Combine invitations, he was left on the outside looking in.

Watching Bond on film, you see a player with great feel for the position, great awarness for his nearest threat in the secondary, and the ability to play both outside and in the slot. If you needed just one play to sum up what he can bring to an NFL offense it is this reception against Syracuse, where he beats the man coverage defender, makes a tough adjustment to an off-target throw, and finishes the play with an explosive gain in the passing game:

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston

While measurements vary, tight end Tanner Koziol checks in with a wingspan around 83 inches based on his measurements at the Combine.

And the tight end puts every bit of that wingspan to use on plays like this one:

Koziol’s ability to play above-the-rim stands out, and his ability to win in contested catch situations will serve him well at the next level. There is some “big wide receiver” to his game, along with good feel for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Add in some ability as a blocker — and a whole lot of willingness — and you have a nice find on the third day of the draft.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6

Bentley was mired on the depth chart at Utah for the two previous seasons, catching just three passes over two years with the Utes. But he got a chance to see more playing time this past season and caught 48 passes for 620 yards and six touchdowns for Utah this past season.

Those numbers saw him finish second on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, and he tied for the team lead in touchdown catches. The 6’4, 253-pound tight end also posted a 4.62-second 40-yard dash at the Combine.

But what might help him the most is what he can do as an in-line blocker. Bentley is every bit the complete tight end, with an ability to execute blocks on both gap and zone designs from an in-line or a wing alignment. For many tight ends coming out of college, picking up the blocking part of the job is the toughest part of the transition, but Bentley looks ready to step in right away in that area.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 5-6

Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor generated the most buzz on the defensive side of the ball as Miami stormed to an appearance in the title game, but if you watched the Hurricanes defense this year you probably saw something in addition to those pass rushers.

That would be slot corner Keionte Scott, who was a force in his own right for the Miami defense. Scott racked up 67 tackles, including 13 for a loss, last season while adding five sacks and a pair of interceptions.

Watch him on this play against Texas A&M dip under the blocker, and chop down the receiver for a loss on a quick screen:

Those four sacks punctuate his effectiveness as a blitzer, and the best example of that trait might be his 11-yard sack against Louisville, when he knifes into the backfield with a well-timed blitz to put the Cardinals into a third-and-long situation.

Scott did not run the 40-yard dash at the Combine, saving that for his Pro Day. The unofficial time of 4.25 seconds certainly turned heads, but even the more conservative time of 4.37 seconds that was reported is an eye-popping number.

Scott might not be a “sleeper” in the minds of some, as he could be drafted on Day 2. But he might be one of my favorite players in this entire class to watch, so I’m putting him here.

Expected Draft Rounds: Rounds 2-3

Wesley Williams, EDGE, Duke

The production might not be there.

Wesley Williams recorded just a pair of sacks in 2025, a year after recording 7.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss. But when you watch him on film, you see a pass rusher with a plan, a tool kit to work with, and the ability to tie it all together.

Take this play against Virginia, where he is working against the left tackle:

Williams uses his hands to perfection, swatting away the blocking attempt before dipping around the edge, putting a shot on the quarterback just as he releases a throw.

Pressure is production, and Williams can generate pressure on the opposing passer. He can win with power, speed, and technique off the edge. He also posted the ninth-best vertical among defensive ends at the Combine, checking in at 35.5 inches. That speaks to his power and explosiveness off the edge.

Williams might be available late into Day 3, but some team is going to take advantage of that fact when they turn in a card with his name on it.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

Eli Heidenreich, Football Player, Navy

You knew this name was going to make an appearance.

I’ve listed Navy’s Eli Heidenreich as a “football player” because his skillset is so unique. Coming out of Navy’s option-heavy offense, Heidenreich lined up at various spots for the Midshipmen as one of their “Snipe” players, best described as a hybrid slot back/running back/wide receiver. You might see him aligned in the offensive backfield on first down, in the wing on second, and then in the slot on third.

During the 2025 season, Heidenreich tallied 1,440 yards from scrimmage, including 499 rushing yards (on just 77 carries, for 6.9 yards per attempt) while catching 51 passes for 941 yards and six touchdowns.

And not all of those receptions were bubble screens or checkdowns. Not by a long shot:

Heidenreich’s incredible Combine — where he posted numbers similar to Christian McCaffrey — has many dreaming that he could become that kind of player at the next level. That kind of comparison is lofty, and seems a long way off.

But what Heidenreich could be is still very valuable to an NFL team, and that is an offensive weapon who can create mismatches all over the field thanks to his athleticism and versatility.

That is certainly worth a pick on Day 3.

Expected Draft Round: Rounds 6-7

#NFL #Drafts #biggest #sleepers #turn #steals

We are just over 24 hours until the 2026 NFL Draft, where we expect Fernando…

Sports news

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, safety, ToledoWith the board falling the way it did, I had a couple…

It wasn’t until 2023 that we finally got the full story of what happened on that night.

Former Vikings owner Red McCombs threw his front office under the bus in the wake of the draft, insinuating that they were disorganized and unprepared. In reality, he gave then-GM Rob Brzezinski an ultimatum prior to the draft to trade down in 2003, no matter what. McCombs was growing frustrated with waning revenue and wanted to spend as little as possible on the first-round pick. This put immense amounts of pressure on the front office to find a deal, even though there was only lukewarm interest in moving up.

This is why the Vikings took so long to try and get a trade done. The people in the draft room were content in taking Kevin Williams at No. 7, but with the mandate from ownership they had to try and make something happen. It all worked out in the end. The Vikings got their guy, and Williams went on to be a stud — but it did make the Minnesota brain trust look like incompetent idiots at the time.

The biggest “what if?” comes from everyone else involved in this chaos who wasn’t Minnesota. Had the Ravens moved up to No. 7 in the agreed trade with the Vikings, they would have missed out on Terrell Suggs, one of the greatest defensive players in team history, who they ended up taking at No. 10. Meanwhile, the Ravens wouldn’t have traded their 2004 1st round pick to the Patriots to take QB Kyle Boller at No. 19. That 2004 pick for New England ended up being Vince Wilfork, one of the most important defensive parts of the Patriots dynasty.

If the Jaguars didn’t get to jump in line for Leftwich, they wouldn’t have taken a quarterback in 2003, instead fixing their glaring hole at cornerback by taking Marcus Trufant. Then in 2004 they likely would have looked for a new QB, and sitting at No. 9 there was one guy who made sense: Ben Roethlisberger.

So while the screwup didn’t really hurt the Vikings when the dust settled, it completely altered the course of the NFL in the 2000s.

2011: Baltimore Ravens — The botched trade

Another case of a trade gone wrong, but this was entirely on the Chicago Bears. Drafting at No. 26, the Ravens loved the board in front of them in terms of their targets, and shopped the pick. The Bears were looking to move up from the No. 29 pick to get their guy — and the deal was agreed to.

The Ravens called in the trade to the league office, and all that needed to be done was for the Bears to do the same. However, this never happened. Bears GM Jerry Angelo apologized profusely to the Ravens following the first round, as Angelo told two staff members to call the trade into the league — with each of them assuming the other was doing it. As a result the NFL never heard from the Bears, and the Ravens time expired.

Kansas City jumped to select WR Jonathan Baldwin, and Baltimore picked right after, taking CB Jimmy Smith. Ravens’ owner Steve Biscotti was livid.

“I’m disappointed in the Bears and the McCaskeys. It is, in my opinion, a deviation from their great legacy. They concluded that their heartfelt and admirable apology was sufficient for our loss. All of us at the Ravens strongly disagree … probably end of story.”

Understandably, the Ravens were mad, but nobody really lost out in this whole mess. Jonathan Baldwin was a bust for the Chiefs, and the guy the Bears ended up taking, OT Gabe Carimi, was also a bust. The Ravens still managed to do the best of all three, with Smith being a 10-year starter for Baltimore.

2002: Minnesota Vikings — Selecting a player who was already taken

The one is barely a blip on a radar compared to the other two, but it was still a hilarious draft moment. In 2002 the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to move up from No. 8 to No. 6, jumping the Vikings at No. 7.

Minnesota then thought the Chiefs’ time had expired, and they rushed to put their card in for DT Ryan Sims. It was at this time the NFL informed the Vikings that Kansas City had picked on time, and they selected Sims — meaning Minnesota tried to select a player who was already taken.

They had to go back to their draft board and resubmit their pick, which they did in time. They ended up taking OT Bryant McKinnie, who was a nine-year starter for them and a one-time Pro Bowler. The guy they missed out on, Ryan Sims, ended up being a decent, but unremarkable player.

Now, if we want to really dive into this one it led to some hilarious things happening. Had the Vikings been right and the Chiefs’ time expired, then they would have taken Sims. With defensive tackle filled, they wouldn’t have targeted Kevin Williams during the infamous 2003 screwup. Minnesota would have still needed an offensive tackle in 2003, so when the Panthers jumped them for Jordan Gross it really would have hurt the Vikings.

So somehow, despite screwing up in both 2002 and 2003, the Vikings still managed to end up with the best players for their positional needs.

2011: Cleveland Browns — Called the wrong player

Cameron Jordan is a pass rushing legend for the New Orleans Saints who will be in their ring of honor.

Jordan Cameron is a short-lived tight end for the Cleveland Browns who had one standout year.

The Browns got confused between the two of them. Cameron Jordan’s phone rang on draft weekend in 2011, one of dozens of calls he received to congratulate him on being drafted, arrange his travel to New Orleans, all the post-draft activity that takes place. Jordan picked up the phone, said hello, and on the other end of the line were the Cleveland Browns, welcoming him to the organization and telling Jordan they planned to select him in the 4th round.

It was extremely confusing for Cameron Jordan, who was a first-round pick. It turns out the Browns meant to call Jordan Cameron, USC tight end who was still available. Jordan told Cleveland he’d already been picked, but joked that if they wanted to send him another signing bonus, he’d take it.

2023 Las Vegas Raiders — Did they select the wrong Byron Young?

This is one of those draft stories that still falls into the realm of rumor, but with each passing year it seems more, and more likely. In the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft the Las Vegas Raiders selected Bryon Young with the No. 70 overall pick — that is, Alabama defensive tackle Byron Young.

What made this pick a little bizarre is that Alabama’s Byron Young graded into the late 4th-to-5th round range as a prospect on most big boards, while Tennessee EDGE rusher Byron Young was regarded as a late 2nd-to-early 3rd round pick, which is where the Raiders were drafting. EDGE Byron Young was taken by the Los Angeles Rams seven picks later.

It’s really tricky to know exactly what happened here. The Byron Young of the Rams said that his agent was contacted by the Raiders on draft day and told they were taking him, before the team called back and said to disregard. One local radio host in Las Vegas is convinced the Raiders meant to take EDGE Byron Young, but took DT Byron Young by mistake.

The way I look at it, I think there was a mistake, just not such an obvious one. If you look at the Raiders’ depth chart from 2023 it really didn’t make a lot of sense taking another EDGE at No. 70. They took Tyree Wilson in the first round to pair with Maxx Crosby, and still had Malcolm Koonce on the roster. I believe they absolutely intended to take Alabama DT Byron Young to bolster their front.

HOWEVER, I think they screwed up their board. I believe the Raiders were on the clock, looked at the BPA and saw EDGE Byron Young on there, thinking it was DT Byron Young. They called him, realized it was the wrong Young, and had to pivot. Their clock was ticking, so instead of thinking too much they overdrafted DT Bryon Young.

Essentially, I think they took the player they thought they were getting, just earlier than they would have. Of course, we’d all totally believe that the Raiders took the wrong guy altogether — because Raiders.

#NFL #Drafts #biggest #blunders #late #picks #drafting"> NFL Draft’s biggest blunders ever, from late picks to drafting someone already taken The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is going to be quicker, and that is a very, very good thing. A ponderously slow first round is being sped up, with teams only having eight minutes to make their selections, down from 10 minutes in previous years. That might not seem like a mammoth difference, but it will end up saving an hour off the total broadcast — while also meaning if you’re on the east coast and your team is picking in the late-20s you no longer need to wait until almost midnight to see the pick.Any format change comes with some risk. NFL front offices are occupied by creatures of habit, and there is a very good chance someone isn’t going to remember the timing reduction in the first round, which could lead to beautiful, hilarious chaos. Just like its happened in the past.2003: Minnesota Vikings — The missed draft pickEasily the greatest example of a team screwing up when they were on the clock — but the true story of what went down didn’t emerge for 20 years.In the 2003 NFL Draft the Minnesota Vikings had the No. 7 overall pick and everyone was blowing up their phone. Minnesota was talking to the Patriots, Jaguars, and Ravens — all of whom wanted to move up to No. 7. The Vikings thought they had a dream scenario where they could move down a few spots in a trade, and still land DT Kevin Williams, the guy they always wanted. It quickly turned into a nightmare.Ultimately the Baltimore Ravens had a trade in place with the Vikings to move up from No. 10 overall to No. 7, with the Ravens’ intention of taking QB Byron Leftwich. It was going to alleviate their biggest issue on offense, after going 7-9 with Jeff Blake and Chris Redman playing quarterback by committee the year prior. The Ravens agreed to the deal, then the procedure was for Minnesota to tell the NFL, Baltimore to confirm, then business was done.One problem: The Vikings never contacted the NFL.Minnesota claimed it told the league about the trade with 32 seconds left on the clock, but the NFL said it hadn’t heard from Baltimore. The clock read zero, and hell broke loose. When a team fails to make its pick on time the draft just keeps on going in order, with the original drafting team being able to submit their pick at any time.The Jaguars rushed their pick in to the league with the Vikings’ time expiring — they ended up taking Leftwich without needing to trade up. Then the Panthers, who were waiting in the wings, saw that Minnesota still hadn’t handed in its pick, so they jumped ahead of the Vikings as well, landing OT Jordan Gross.Terrified they were going to lose Williams, the Vikings finally got in their selection and took Kevin Williams at No. 9. A stunned ESPN broadcast showed Chris Berman with his head in his hands, analysts mocked the Minnesota front office mercilessly for the screwup. It wasn’t until 2023 that we finally got the full story of what happened on that night.Former Vikings owner Red McCombs threw his front office under the bus in the wake of the draft, insinuating that they were disorganized and unprepared. In reality, he gave then-GM Rob Brzezinski an ultimatum prior to the draft to trade down in 2003, no matter what. McCombs was growing frustrated with waning revenue and wanted to spend as little as possible on the first-round pick. This put immense amounts of pressure on the front office to find a deal, even though there was only lukewarm interest in moving up.This is why the Vikings took so long to try and get a trade done. The people in the draft room were content in taking Kevin Williams at No. 7, but with the mandate from ownership they had to try and make something happen. It all worked out in the end. The Vikings got their guy, and Williams went on to be a stud — but it did make the Minnesota brain trust look like incompetent idiots at the time.The biggest “what if?” comes from everyone else involved in this chaos who wasn’t Minnesota. Had the Ravens moved up to No. 7 in the agreed trade with the Vikings, they would have missed out on Terrell Suggs, one of the greatest defensive players in team history, who they ended up taking at No. 10. Meanwhile, the Ravens wouldn’t have traded their 2004 1st round pick to the Patriots to take QB Kyle Boller at No. 19. That 2004 pick for New England ended up being Vince Wilfork, one of the most important defensive parts of the Patriots dynasty.If the Jaguars didn’t get to jump in line for Leftwich, they wouldn’t have taken a quarterback in 2003, instead fixing their glaring hole at cornerback by taking Marcus Trufant. Then in 2004 they likely would have looked for a new QB, and sitting at No. 9 there was one guy who made sense: Ben Roethlisberger.So while the screwup didn’t really hurt the Vikings when the dust settled, it completely altered the course of the NFL in the 2000s.2011: Baltimore Ravens — The botched tradeAnother case of a trade gone wrong, but this was entirely on the Chicago Bears. Drafting at No. 26, the Ravens loved the board in front of them in terms of their targets, and shopped the pick. The Bears were looking to move up from the No. 29 pick to get their guy — and the deal was agreed to.The Ravens called in the trade to the league office, and all that needed to be done was for the Bears to do the same. However, this never happened. Bears GM Jerry Angelo apologized profusely to the Ravens following the first round, as Angelo told two staff members to call the trade into the league — with each of them assuming the other was doing it. As a result the NFL never heard from the Bears, and the Ravens time expired.Kansas City jumped to select WR Jonathan Baldwin, and Baltimore picked right after, taking CB Jimmy Smith. Ravens’ owner Steve Biscotti was livid.“I’m disappointed in the Bears and the McCaskeys. It is, in my opinion, a deviation from their great legacy. They concluded that their heartfelt and admirable apology was sufficient for our loss. All of us at the Ravens strongly disagree … probably end of story.”Understandably, the Ravens were mad, but nobody really lost out in this whole mess. Jonathan Baldwin was a bust for the Chiefs, and the guy the Bears ended up taking, OT Gabe Carimi, was also a bust. The Ravens still managed to do the best of all three, with Smith being a 10-year starter for Baltimore.2002: Minnesota Vikings — Selecting a player who was already takenThe one is barely a blip on a radar compared to the other two, but it was still a hilarious draft moment. In 2002 the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to move up from No. 8 to No. 6, jumping the Vikings at No. 7.Minnesota then thought the Chiefs’ time had expired, and they rushed to put their card in for DT Ryan Sims. It was at this time the NFL informed the Vikings that Kansas City had picked on time, and they selected Sims — meaning Minnesota tried to select a player who was already taken.They had to go back to their draft board and resubmit their pick, which they did in time. They ended up taking OT Bryant McKinnie, who was a nine-year starter for them and a one-time Pro Bowler. The guy they missed out on, Ryan Sims, ended up being a decent, but unremarkable player.Now, if we want to really dive into this one it led to some hilarious things happening. Had the Vikings been right and the Chiefs’ time expired, then they would have taken Sims. With defensive tackle filled, they wouldn’t have targeted Kevin Williams during the infamous 2003 screwup. Minnesota would have still needed an offensive tackle in 2003, so when the Panthers jumped them for Jordan Gross it really would have hurt the Vikings.So somehow, despite screwing up in both 2002 and 2003, the Vikings still managed to end up with the best players for their positional needs.2011: Cleveland Browns — Called the wrong playerCameron Jordan is a pass rushing legend for the New Orleans Saints who will be in their ring of honor.Jordan Cameron is a short-lived tight end for the Cleveland Browns who had one standout year.The Browns got confused between the two of them. Cameron Jordan’s phone rang on draft weekend in 2011, one of dozens of calls he received to congratulate him on being drafted, arrange his travel to New Orleans, all the post-draft activity that takes place. Jordan picked up the phone, said hello, and on the other end of the line were the Cleveland Browns, welcoming him to the organization and telling Jordan they planned to select him in the 4th round.It was extremely confusing for Cameron Jordan, who was a first-round pick. It turns out the Browns meant to call Jordan Cameron, USC tight end who was still available. Jordan told Cleveland he’d already been picked, but joked that if they wanted to send him another signing bonus, he’d take it.2023 Las Vegas Raiders — Did they select the wrong Byron Young?This is one of those draft stories that still falls into the realm of rumor, but with each passing year it seems more, and more likely. In the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft the Las Vegas Raiders selected Bryon Young with the No. 70 overall pick — that is, Alabama defensive tackle Byron Young.What made this pick a little bizarre is that Alabama’s Byron Young graded into the late 4th-to-5th round range as a prospect on most big boards, while Tennessee EDGE rusher Byron Young was regarded as a late 2nd-to-early 3rd round pick, which is where the Raiders were drafting. EDGE Byron Young was taken by the Los Angeles Rams seven picks later.It’s really tricky to know exactly what happened here. The Byron Young of the Rams said that his agent was contacted by the Raiders on draft day and told they were taking him, before the team called back and said to disregard. One local radio host in Las Vegas is convinced the Raiders meant to take EDGE Byron Young, but took DT Byron Young by mistake.The way I look at it, I think there was a mistake, just not such an obvious one. If you look at the Raiders’ depth chart from 2023 it really didn’t make a lot of sense taking another EDGE at No. 70. They took Tyree Wilson in the first round to pair with Maxx Crosby, and still had Malcolm Koonce on the roster. I believe they absolutely intended to take Alabama DT Byron Young to bolster their front.HOWEVER, I think they screwed up their board. I believe the Raiders were on the clock, looked at the BPA and saw EDGE Byron Young on there, thinking it was DT Byron Young. They called him, realized it was the wrong Young, and had to pivot. Their clock was ticking, so instead of thinking too much they overdrafted DT Bryon Young.Essentially, I think they took the player they thought they were getting, just earlier than they would have. Of course, we’d all totally believe that the Raiders took the wrong guy altogether — because Raiders. #NFL #Drafts #biggest #blunders #late #picks #drafting
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It wasn’t until 2023 that we finally got the full story of what happened on that night.

Former Vikings owner Red McCombs threw his front office under the bus in the wake of the draft, insinuating that they were disorganized and unprepared. In reality, he gave then-GM Rob Brzezinski an ultimatum prior to the draft to trade down in 2003, no matter what. McCombs was growing frustrated with waning revenue and wanted to spend as little as possible on the first-round pick. This put immense amounts of pressure on the front office to find a deal, even though there was only lukewarm interest in moving up.

This is why the Vikings took so long to try and get a trade done. The people in the draft room were content in taking Kevin Williams at No. 7, but with the mandate from ownership they had to try and make something happen. It all worked out in the end. The Vikings got their guy, and Williams went on to be a stud — but it did make the Minnesota brain trust look like incompetent idiots at the time.

The biggest “what if?” comes from everyone else involved in this chaos who wasn’t Minnesota. Had the Ravens moved up to No. 7 in the agreed trade with the Vikings, they would have missed out on Terrell Suggs, one of the greatest defensive players in team history, who they ended up taking at No. 10. Meanwhile, the Ravens wouldn’t have traded their 2004 1st round pick to the Patriots to take QB Kyle Boller at No. 19. That 2004 pick for New England ended up being Vince Wilfork, one of the most important defensive parts of the Patriots dynasty.

If the Jaguars didn’t get to jump in line for Leftwich, they wouldn’t have taken a quarterback in 2003, instead fixing their glaring hole at cornerback by taking Marcus Trufant. Then in 2004 they likely would have looked for a new QB, and sitting at No. 9 there was one guy who made sense: Ben Roethlisberger.

So while the screwup didn’t really hurt the Vikings when the dust settled, it completely altered the course of the NFL in the 2000s.

2011: Baltimore Ravens — The botched trade

Another case of a trade gone wrong, but this was entirely on the Chicago Bears. Drafting at No. 26, the Ravens loved the board in front of them in terms of their targets, and shopped the pick. The Bears were looking to move up from the No. 29 pick to get their guy — and the deal was agreed to.

The Ravens called in the trade to the league office, and all that needed to be done was for the Bears to do the same. However, this never happened. Bears GM Jerry Angelo apologized profusely to the Ravens following the first round, as Angelo told two staff members to call the trade into the league — with each of them assuming the other was doing it. As a result the NFL never heard from the Bears, and the Ravens time expired.

Kansas City jumped to select WR Jonathan Baldwin, and Baltimore picked right after, taking CB Jimmy Smith. Ravens’ owner Steve Biscotti was livid.

“I’m disappointed in the Bears and the McCaskeys. It is, in my opinion, a deviation from their great legacy. They concluded that their heartfelt and admirable apology was sufficient for our loss. All of us at the Ravens strongly disagree … probably end of story.”

Understandably, the Ravens were mad, but nobody really lost out in this whole mess. Jonathan Baldwin was a bust for the Chiefs, and the guy the Bears ended up taking, OT Gabe Carimi, was also a bust. The Ravens still managed to do the best of all three, with Smith being a 10-year starter for Baltimore.

2002: Minnesota Vikings — Selecting a player who was already taken

The one is barely a blip on a radar compared to the other two, but it was still a hilarious draft moment. In 2002 the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to move up from No. 8 to No. 6, jumping the Vikings at No. 7.

Minnesota then thought the Chiefs’ time had expired, and they rushed to put their card in for DT Ryan Sims. It was at this time the NFL informed the Vikings that Kansas City had picked on time, and they selected Sims — meaning Minnesota tried to select a player who was already taken.

They had to go back to their draft board and resubmit their pick, which they did in time. They ended up taking OT Bryant McKinnie, who was a nine-year starter for them and a one-time Pro Bowler. The guy they missed out on, Ryan Sims, ended up being a decent, but unremarkable player.

Now, if we want to really dive into this one it led to some hilarious things happening. Had the Vikings been right and the Chiefs’ time expired, then they would have taken Sims. With defensive tackle filled, they wouldn’t have targeted Kevin Williams during the infamous 2003 screwup. Minnesota would have still needed an offensive tackle in 2003, so when the Panthers jumped them for Jordan Gross it really would have hurt the Vikings.

So somehow, despite screwing up in both 2002 and 2003, the Vikings still managed to end up with the best players for their positional needs.

2011: Cleveland Browns — Called the wrong player

Cameron Jordan is a pass rushing legend for the New Orleans Saints who will be in their ring of honor.

Jordan Cameron is a short-lived tight end for the Cleveland Browns who had one standout year.

The Browns got confused between the two of them. Cameron Jordan’s phone rang on draft weekend in 2011, one of dozens of calls he received to congratulate him on being drafted, arrange his travel to New Orleans, all the post-draft activity that takes place. Jordan picked up the phone, said hello, and on the other end of the line were the Cleveland Browns, welcoming him to the organization and telling Jordan they planned to select him in the 4th round.

It was extremely confusing for Cameron Jordan, who was a first-round pick. It turns out the Browns meant to call Jordan Cameron, USC tight end who was still available. Jordan told Cleveland he’d already been picked, but joked that if they wanted to send him another signing bonus, he’d take it.

2023 Las Vegas Raiders — Did they select the wrong Byron Young?

This is one of those draft stories that still falls into the realm of rumor, but with each passing year it seems more, and more likely. In the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft the Las Vegas Raiders selected Bryon Young with the No. 70 overall pick — that is, Alabama defensive tackle Byron Young.

What made this pick a little bizarre is that Alabama’s Byron Young graded into the late 4th-to-5th round range as a prospect on most big boards, while Tennessee EDGE rusher Byron Young was regarded as a late 2nd-to-early 3rd round pick, which is where the Raiders were drafting. EDGE Byron Young was taken by the Los Angeles Rams seven picks later.

It’s really tricky to know exactly what happened here. The Byron Young of the Rams said that his agent was contacted by the Raiders on draft day and told they were taking him, before the team called back and said to disregard. One local radio host in Las Vegas is convinced the Raiders meant to take EDGE Byron Young, but took DT Byron Young by mistake.

The way I look at it, I think there was a mistake, just not such an obvious one. If you look at the Raiders’ depth chart from 2023 it really didn’t make a lot of sense taking another EDGE at No. 70. They took Tyree Wilson in the first round to pair with Maxx Crosby, and still had Malcolm Koonce on the roster. I believe they absolutely intended to take Alabama DT Byron Young to bolster their front.

HOWEVER, I think they screwed up their board. I believe the Raiders were on the clock, looked at the BPA and saw EDGE Byron Young on there, thinking it was DT Byron Young. They called him, realized it was the wrong Young, and had to pivot. Their clock was ticking, so instead of thinking too much they overdrafted DT Bryon Young.

Essentially, I think they took the player they thought they were getting, just earlier than they would have. Of course, we’d all totally believe that the Raiders took the wrong guy altogether — because Raiders.

#NFL #Drafts #biggest #blunders #late #picks #drafting">NFL Draft’s biggest blunders ever, from late picks to drafting someone already taken

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is going to be quicker, and that is a very, very good thing. A ponderously slow first round is being sped up, with teams only having eight minutes to make their selections, down from 10 minutes in previous years. That might not seem like a mammoth difference, but it will end up saving an hour off the total broadcast — while also meaning if you’re on the east coast and your team is picking in the late-20s you no longer need to wait until almost midnight to see the pick.

Any format change comes with some risk. NFL front offices are occupied by creatures of habit, and there is a very good chance someone isn’t going to remember the timing reduction in the first round, which could lead to beautiful, hilarious chaos. Just like its happened in the past.

2003: Minnesota Vikings — The missed draft pick

Easily the greatest example of a team screwing up when they were on the clock — but the true story of what went down didn’t emerge for 20 years.

In the 2003 NFL Draft the Minnesota Vikings had the No. 7 overall pick and everyone was blowing up their phone. Minnesota was talking to the Patriots, Jaguars, and Ravens — all of whom wanted to move up to No. 7. The Vikings thought they had a dream scenario where they could move down a few spots in a trade, and still land DT Kevin Williams, the guy they always wanted. It quickly turned into a nightmare.

Ultimately the Baltimore Ravens had a trade in place with the Vikings to move up from No. 10 overall to No. 7, with the Ravens’ intention of taking QB Byron Leftwich. It was going to alleviate their biggest issue on offense, after going 7-9 with Jeff Blake and Chris Redman playing quarterback by committee the year prior. The Ravens agreed to the deal, then the procedure was for Minnesota to tell the NFL, Baltimore to confirm, then business was done.

One problem: The Vikings never contacted the NFL.

Minnesota claimed it told the league about the trade with 32 seconds left on the clock, but the NFL said it hadn’t heard from Baltimore. The clock read zero, and hell broke loose. When a team fails to make its pick on time the draft just keeps on going in order, with the original drafting team being able to submit their pick at any time.

The Jaguars rushed their pick in to the league with the Vikings’ time expiring — they ended up taking Leftwich without needing to trade up. Then the Panthers, who were waiting in the wings, saw that Minnesota still hadn’t handed in its pick, so they jumped ahead of the Vikings as well, landing OT Jordan Gross.

Terrified they were going to lose Williams, the Vikings finally got in their selection and took Kevin Williams at No. 9. A stunned ESPN broadcast showed Chris Berman with his head in his hands, analysts mocked the Minnesota front office mercilessly for the screwup. It wasn’t until 2023 that we finally got the full story of what happened on that night.

Former Vikings owner Red McCombs threw his front office under the bus in the wake of the draft, insinuating that they were disorganized and unprepared. In reality, he gave then-GM Rob Brzezinski an ultimatum prior to the draft to trade down in 2003, no matter what. McCombs was growing frustrated with waning revenue and wanted to spend as little as possible on the first-round pick. This put immense amounts of pressure on the front office to find a deal, even though there was only lukewarm interest in moving up.

This is why the Vikings took so long to try and get a trade done. The people in the draft room were content in taking Kevin Williams at No. 7, but with the mandate from ownership they had to try and make something happen. It all worked out in the end. The Vikings got their guy, and Williams went on to be a stud — but it did make the Minnesota brain trust look like incompetent idiots at the time.

The biggest “what if?” comes from everyone else involved in this chaos who wasn’t Minnesota. Had the Ravens moved up to No. 7 in the agreed trade with the Vikings, they would have missed out on Terrell Suggs, one of the greatest defensive players in team history, who they ended up taking at No. 10. Meanwhile, the Ravens wouldn’t have traded their 2004 1st round pick to the Patriots to take QB Kyle Boller at No. 19. That 2004 pick for New England ended up being Vince Wilfork, one of the most important defensive parts of the Patriots dynasty.

If the Jaguars didn’t get to jump in line for Leftwich, they wouldn’t have taken a quarterback in 2003, instead fixing their glaring hole at cornerback by taking Marcus Trufant. Then in 2004 they likely would have looked for a new QB, and sitting at No. 9 there was one guy who made sense: Ben Roethlisberger.

So while the screwup didn’t really hurt the Vikings when the dust settled, it completely altered the course of the NFL in the 2000s.

2011: Baltimore Ravens — The botched trade

Another case of a trade gone wrong, but this was entirely on the Chicago Bears. Drafting at No. 26, the Ravens loved the board in front of them in terms of their targets, and shopped the pick. The Bears were looking to move up from the No. 29 pick to get their guy — and the deal was agreed to.

The Ravens called in the trade to the league office, and all that needed to be done was for the Bears to do the same. However, this never happened. Bears GM Jerry Angelo apologized profusely to the Ravens following the first round, as Angelo told two staff members to call the trade into the league — with each of them assuming the other was doing it. As a result the NFL never heard from the Bears, and the Ravens time expired.

Kansas City jumped to select WR Jonathan Baldwin, and Baltimore picked right after, taking CB Jimmy Smith. Ravens’ owner Steve Biscotti was livid.

“I’m disappointed in the Bears and the McCaskeys. It is, in my opinion, a deviation from their great legacy. They concluded that their heartfelt and admirable apology was sufficient for our loss. All of us at the Ravens strongly disagree … probably end of story.”

Understandably, the Ravens were mad, but nobody really lost out in this whole mess. Jonathan Baldwin was a bust for the Chiefs, and the guy the Bears ended up taking, OT Gabe Carimi, was also a bust. The Ravens still managed to do the best of all three, with Smith being a 10-year starter for Baltimore.

2002: Minnesota Vikings — Selecting a player who was already taken

The one is barely a blip on a radar compared to the other two, but it was still a hilarious draft moment. In 2002 the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a trade with the Dallas Cowboys to move up from No. 8 to No. 6, jumping the Vikings at No. 7.

Minnesota then thought the Chiefs’ time had expired, and they rushed to put their card in for DT Ryan Sims. It was at this time the NFL informed the Vikings that Kansas City had picked on time, and they selected Sims — meaning Minnesota tried to select a player who was already taken.

They had to go back to their draft board and resubmit their pick, which they did in time. They ended up taking OT Bryant McKinnie, who was a nine-year starter for them and a one-time Pro Bowler. The guy they missed out on, Ryan Sims, ended up being a decent, but unremarkable player.

Now, if we want to really dive into this one it led to some hilarious things happening. Had the Vikings been right and the Chiefs’ time expired, then they would have taken Sims. With defensive tackle filled, they wouldn’t have targeted Kevin Williams during the infamous 2003 screwup. Minnesota would have still needed an offensive tackle in 2003, so when the Panthers jumped them for Jordan Gross it really would have hurt the Vikings.

So somehow, despite screwing up in both 2002 and 2003, the Vikings still managed to end up with the best players for their positional needs.

2011: Cleveland Browns — Called the wrong player

Cameron Jordan is a pass rushing legend for the New Orleans Saints who will be in their ring of honor.

Jordan Cameron is a short-lived tight end for the Cleveland Browns who had one standout year.

The Browns got confused between the two of them. Cameron Jordan’s phone rang on draft weekend in 2011, one of dozens of calls he received to congratulate him on being drafted, arrange his travel to New Orleans, all the post-draft activity that takes place. Jordan picked up the phone, said hello, and on the other end of the line were the Cleveland Browns, welcoming him to the organization and telling Jordan they planned to select him in the 4th round.

It was extremely confusing for Cameron Jordan, who was a first-round pick. It turns out the Browns meant to call Jordan Cameron, USC tight end who was still available. Jordan told Cleveland he’d already been picked, but joked that if they wanted to send him another signing bonus, he’d take it.

2023 Las Vegas Raiders — Did they select the wrong Byron Young?

This is one of those draft stories that still falls into the realm of rumor, but with each passing year it seems more, and more likely. In the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft the Las Vegas Raiders selected Bryon Young with the No. 70 overall pick — that is, Alabama defensive tackle Byron Young.

What made this pick a little bizarre is that Alabama’s Byron Young graded into the late 4th-to-5th round range as a prospect on most big boards, while Tennessee EDGE rusher Byron Young was regarded as a late 2nd-to-early 3rd round pick, which is where the Raiders were drafting. EDGE Byron Young was taken by the Los Angeles Rams seven picks later.

It’s really tricky to know exactly what happened here. The Byron Young of the Rams said that his agent was contacted by the Raiders on draft day and told they were taking him, before the team called back and said to disregard. One local radio host in Las Vegas is convinced the Raiders meant to take EDGE Byron Young, but took DT Byron Young by mistake.

The way I look at it, I think there was a mistake, just not such an obvious one. If you look at the Raiders’ depth chart from 2023 it really didn’t make a lot of sense taking another EDGE at No. 70. They took Tyree Wilson in the first round to pair with Maxx Crosby, and still had Malcolm Koonce on the roster. I believe they absolutely intended to take Alabama DT Byron Young to bolster their front.

HOWEVER, I think they screwed up their board. I believe the Raiders were on the clock, looked at the BPA and saw EDGE Byron Young on there, thinking it was DT Byron Young. They called him, realized it was the wrong Young, and had to pivot. Their clock was ticking, so instead of thinking too much they overdrafted DT Bryon Young.

Essentially, I think they took the player they thought they were getting, just earlier than they would have. Of course, we’d all totally believe that the Raiders took the wrong guy altogether — because Raiders.

#NFL #Drafts #biggest #blunders #late #picks #drafting

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is going to be quicker, and that…

Read SB Nation’s exclusive interview with Mendoza for more on his journey from two-star recruit to No. 1 overall draft pick.

So let’s round up the latest guesses in today’s spin around the carousel of rumors.

Run on offensive tackles?

Could the 2026 NFL Draft see a run on offensive tackles, inside the first 15 selections?

That is the scenario contemplated by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who shared this on social media Tuesday:

Fowler is not alone in thinking that offensive linemen could be a big part of the discussion on Thursday night. His ESPN colleague Dan Graziano wrote this on Wednesday morning:

I’m predicting at least seven and as many as 10 offensive linemen get picked in the first round. There’s a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots. Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he’s there.

In our most recent mock draft, we had seven offensive linemen coming off the board, right in line with Graziano’s prediction. However, the “run” on offensive tackles did not come until the 20s, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking Blake Miller at No. 23 and the Cleveland Browns adding Max Iheanachor at No. 24.

But it looks like that run could happen earlier.

What are the Giants thinking, redux?

Ever since the New York Giants swung the big Dexter Lawrence trade, we have been trying to decipher their plans for both No. 5, and No. 10. That was a focus on Monday’s rumors roundup, and we revisit their plans here today.

On Monday we discussed reporting from Connor Hughes of SNY, who mentioned Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love, and Caleb Downs as options at No. 5. Hughes also believes that a trade would be possible if somehow David Bailey were on the board when the Giants were on the clock at No. 5. Then at No. 10, offensive linemen come into play, as well as wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

However, Graziano notes that from what he has been told, at No. 5 “their most likely picks would be Love (if he’s still there) or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Multiple people have told me they believe Downs would be the Giants’ pick even ahead of linebacker Sonny Styles, Downs’ college teammate.”

As for No. 10, if it is not Tyson then Graziano believes they will draft an offensive lineman.

Who might that be? Graziano mentions Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, which is in line with a name I’ve been hearing more and more regarding that pick at No. 10. Stay tuned …

Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns remain a talking point as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.

According to longtime NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline, some teams have deemed his injured knee — he missed 2025 following ACL surgery — a “degenerative” condition:

Additional reporting indicates that McCoy might need an additional surgery to replace a “bone plug” used to repair a “cartilage defect” in that knee, and that the concerns are not related to the initial ACL repair:

This is starting to feel like last year with Will Johnson, the cornerback who was considered a top-ten pick but fell to the Arizona Cardinals in the second round due to his own injury history.

Ty Simpson still an option for the Rams?

Early in mock draft season, Ty Simpson was a popular pick for the Los Angeles Rams with their pick at the end of the first round.

I should know, I feel like I made that pick in more than a few mock drafts myself …

But when the Rams used that pick in a trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie, it seemed to end the dreams of Simpson landing in Los Angeles to learn from Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay. Now, the Rams have just one pick in the first 60 selections — the pick they received from the Atlanta Falcons at No. 13 — and with Stafford having just put pen to paper on a new contract, getting a player that can help right away seems like the pressing need.

Graziano is not so sure, and makes the case that Simpson could still be in play, whether via a trade down or even at No. 13:

But as I said, the Rams don’t appear to have any crying needs for which the 13th pick could help them in their effort to win the Super Bowl at home. So, could they trade down from No. 13 and still take Simpson later in the round? Possibly. Could they just bite the bullet and take Simpson at No. 13 if they like him that much? Unlikely, but again, this is a tough team to predict.

If the Rams take Simpson in the first round, they’re likely to face criticism for not finding immediate help for a win-now team with 38-year-old reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback. But would they care? This is the “F— them picks” franchise, remember? If they truly believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford’s successor, I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think they could go ahead and take him.

Add in that division-rival Arizona — which many believe is the real team to watch for Simpson — holds the 34th pick and would be a candidate to either draft him there or trade back into the first round to land him and it makes the Rams/Simpson theories a little bit spicier.

Again, even Graziano says Simpson at No. 13 is “unlikely,” but the Rams are a tough team to predict this, and every, year.

What about the Chicago Bears at No. 25?

We have not talked about the Chicago Bears much during the run to the 2026 NFL Draft.

So let’s change that a bit.

Early in the draft cycle, defensive line was a popular position for the Bears to address in mock drafts. That often came in the form of pass rushers such as Missouri’s Zion Young or Clemson’s T.J. Parker, or even through defensive tackles such as Kayden MacDonald from Ohio State.

Recently, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has become a popular pick for them in that spot. According to consensus mock drafts as compiled by NFL Mock Draft Database, he is the most popular pick for the Bears over the past week.

But one insider believes the Bears have made up their mind, and are targeting Auburn’s Keldric Faulk because of how he would fit with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

“One name that kind of keeps coming up is a fit for Dennis Allen: Keldric Faulk from Auburn,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said recently on ESPN 1000.

Cowboys trading … down?

In recent weeks, the idea of the Dallas Cowboys trading up in the first round to secure one of the premium defensive prospects has become a popular theory. In our most recent mock draft, for example, we had the Cowboys trading all the way up to No. 3 to pick Arvell Reese. Others believe the Cowboys would move to No. 6 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.

But is it more likely that the Cowboys move … down?

That is what Graziano believes, who wrote this on Wednesday morning:

I would actually say it’s more likely the Cowboys trade down from No. 20 than up from No. 12. They need a ton of help on defense and would love it if Styles, Downs or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane fell to them at No. 12; they could get to work addressing the other positional needs at No. 20 and later. Dallas also doesn’t have a second-round pick (it belongs to the Jets from the Quinnen Williams trade), which is why I’ve been told to watch out for the Cowboys to trade down from No. 20 to try to recoup some Day 2 capital.

The point about Dallas lacking a second-round pick is important. As with every draft class, there are solid prospects to be found on Day 2, players who could contribute immediately while not having the same upside as the prospects who will come off the board Thursday night. Dallas could find, for example, a pass rusher early on Day 2 if they trade back, with players like T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence, R Mason Thomas, and Gabe Jacas all expected to be second-round selections.

Could the Jaguars move up?

Thanks to the trade for Travis Hunter Jr. last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars do not have a pick on Thursday night.

Jacksonville beat writer John Shipley, who is as plugged-in as it gets down in Duval, wrote Wednesday morning that the idea of the Jaguars trading back into the first round is not as far-fetched as one might believe.

With that said, it is hard to ignore the possibility of the Jaguars moving up for a few reasons. For one, they have 11 picks this year and a projected 10 picks in 2027. Having 21 picks in that span gives the Jaguars the ammo neccesary to attempt to move back into the first, whether they would do it in one big move or via multiple trades.

With four picks in the top-100, the Jaguars could find a trade package worth enticing teams. Looking at the state of the Jaguars’ roster, it is hard to say they will have 11 open spots on the 53-man roster. This isn’t to say I believe the Jaguars ultimately will do it — I think it needs to be the right set of circumstances and for specific targets.

What I am saying on this, though, is to not discount the idea. It has been floated enough as a possibility outside of Jacksonville enough in recent days to at least consider it being a realistic priority.

As for who the Jaguars would target via a trade back into the first round, Shipley notes that “[l]ogic says a top defender who is falling.” However, he also reminds us that head coach Liam Coen has his mind on the offense, and would “likely … not have any issues with taking a top-rated playmaker either.”

The only player Shipley mentions by name in this scenario? Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

#NFL #Draft #rumors #Bears #coming #Giants #plans #top10"> NFL Draft rumors on Bears name that ‘keeps coming up,’ Giants’ plans in the top-10, and more We are almost there, friends.Depending on when exactly you are reading this, the 2026 NFL Draft is just over 24 hours away. Again, we know what will happen at No. 1, which is when the Las Vegas Raiders will select quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Read SB Nation’s exclusive interview with Mendoza for more on his journey from two-star recruit to No. 1 overall draft pick.So let’s round up the latest guesses in today’s spin around the carousel of rumors.Run on offensive tackles?Could the 2026 NFL Draft see a run on offensive tackles, inside the first 15 selections?That is the scenario contemplated by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who shared this on social media Tuesday:Fowler is not alone in thinking that offensive linemen could be a big part of the discussion on Thursday night. His ESPN colleague Dan Graziano wrote this on Wednesday morning:I’m predicting at least seven and as many as 10 offensive linemen get picked in the first round. There’s a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots. Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he’s there.In our most recent mock draft, we had seven offensive linemen coming off the board, right in line with Graziano’s prediction. However, the “run” on offensive tackles did not come until the 20s, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking Blake Miller at No. 23 and the Cleveland Browns adding Max Iheanachor at No. 24.But it looks like that run could happen earlier.What are the Giants thinking, redux?Ever since the New York Giants swung the big Dexter Lawrence trade, we have been trying to decipher their plans for both No. 5, and No. 10. That was a focus on Monday’s rumors roundup, and we revisit their plans here today.On Monday we discussed reporting from Connor Hughes of SNY, who mentioned Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love, and Caleb Downs as options at No. 5. Hughes also believes that a trade would be possible if somehow David Bailey were on the board when the Giants were on the clock at No. 5. Then at No. 10, offensive linemen come into play, as well as wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.However, Graziano notes that from what he has been told, at No. 5 “their most likely picks would be Love (if he’s still there) or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Multiple people have told me they believe Downs would be the Giants’ pick even ahead of linebacker Sonny Styles, Downs’ college teammate.”As for No. 10, if it is not Tyson then Graziano believes they will draft an offensive lineman.Who might that be? Graziano mentions Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, which is in line with a name I’ve been hearing more and more regarding that pick at No. 10. Stay tuned …Jermod McCoy’s injury concernsTennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns remain a talking point as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.According to longtime NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline, some teams have deemed his injured knee — he missed 2025 following ACL surgery — a “degenerative” condition:Additional reporting indicates that McCoy might need an additional surgery to replace a “bone plug” used to repair a “cartilage defect” in that knee, and that the concerns are not related to the initial ACL repair:This is starting to feel like last year with Will Johnson, the cornerback who was considered a top-ten pick but fell to the Arizona Cardinals in the second round due to his own injury history.Ty Simpson still an option for the Rams?Early in mock draft season, Ty Simpson was a popular pick for the Los Angeles Rams with their pick at the end of the first round.I should know, I feel like I made that pick in more than a few mock drafts myself …But when the Rams used that pick in a trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie, it seemed to end the dreams of Simpson landing in Los Angeles to learn from Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay. Now, the Rams have just one pick in the first 60 selections — the pick they received from the Atlanta Falcons at No. 13 — and with Stafford having just put pen to paper on a new contract, getting a player that can help right away seems like the pressing need.Graziano is not so sure, and makes the case that Simpson could still be in play, whether via a trade down or even at No. 13:But as I said, the Rams don’t appear to have any crying needs for which the 13th pick could help them in their effort to win the Super Bowl at home. So, could they trade down from No. 13 and still take Simpson later in the round? Possibly. Could they just bite the bullet and take Simpson at No. 13 if they like him that much? Unlikely, but again, this is a tough team to predict.If the Rams take Simpson in the first round, they’re likely to face criticism for not finding immediate help for a win-now team with 38-year-old reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback. But would they care? This is the “F— them picks” franchise, remember? If they truly believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford’s successor, I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think they could go ahead and take him.Add in that division-rival Arizona — which many believe is the real team to watch for Simpson — holds the 34th pick and would be a candidate to either draft him there or trade back into the first round to land him and it makes the Rams/Simpson theories a little bit spicier.Again, even Graziano says Simpson at No. 13 is “unlikely,” but the Rams are a tough team to predict this, and every, year.What about the Chicago Bears at No. 25?We have not talked about the Chicago Bears much during the run to the 2026 NFL Draft.So let’s change that a bit.Early in the draft cycle, defensive line was a popular position for the Bears to address in mock drafts. That often came in the form of pass rushers such as Missouri’s Zion Young or Clemson’s T.J. Parker, or even through defensive tackles such as Kayden MacDonald from Ohio State.Recently, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has become a popular pick for them in that spot. According to consensus mock drafts as compiled by NFL Mock Draft Database, he is the most popular pick for the Bears over the past week.But one insider believes the Bears have made up their mind, and are targeting Auburn’s Keldric Faulk because of how he would fit with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.“One name that kind of keeps coming up is a fit for Dennis Allen: Keldric Faulk from Auburn,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said recently on ESPN 1000. Cowboys trading … down?In recent weeks, the idea of the Dallas Cowboys trading up in the first round to secure one of the premium defensive prospects has become a popular theory. In our most recent mock draft, for example, we had the Cowboys trading all the way up to No. 3 to pick Arvell Reese. Others believe the Cowboys would move to No. 6 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.But is it more likely that the Cowboys move … down?That is what Graziano believes, who wrote this on Wednesday morning:I would actually say it’s more likely the Cowboys trade down from No. 20 than up from No. 12. They need a ton of help on defense and would love it if Styles, Downs or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane fell to them at No. 12; they could get to work addressing the other positional needs at No. 20 and later. Dallas also doesn’t have a second-round pick (it belongs to the Jets from the Quinnen Williams trade), which is why I’ve been told to watch out for the Cowboys to trade down from No. 20 to try to recoup some Day 2 capital.The point about Dallas lacking a second-round pick is important. As with every draft class, there are solid prospects to be found on Day 2, players who could contribute immediately while not having the same upside as the prospects who will come off the board Thursday night. Dallas could find, for example, a pass rusher early on Day 2 if they trade back, with players like T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence, R Mason Thomas, and Gabe Jacas all expected to be second-round selections.Could the Jaguars move up?Thanks to the trade for Travis Hunter Jr. last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars do not have a pick on Thursday night.Jacksonville beat writer John Shipley, who is as plugged-in as it gets down in Duval, wrote Wednesday morning that the idea of the Jaguars trading back into the first round is not as far-fetched as one might believe.With that said, it is hard to ignore the possibility of the Jaguars moving up for a few reasons. For one, they have 11 picks this year and a projected 10 picks in 2027. Having 21 picks in that span gives the Jaguars the ammo neccesary to attempt to move back into the first, whether they would do it in one big move or via multiple trades.With four picks in the top-100, the Jaguars could find a trade package worth enticing teams. Looking at the state of the Jaguars’ roster, it is hard to say they will have 11 open spots on the 53-man roster. This isn’t to say I believe the Jaguars ultimately will do it — I think it needs to be the right set of circumstances and for specific targets.What I am saying on this, though, is to not discount the idea. It has been floated enough as a possibility outside of Jacksonville enough in recent days to at least consider it being a realistic priority.As for who the Jaguars would target via a trade back into the first round, Shipley notes that “[l]ogic says a top defender who is falling.” However, he also reminds us that head coach Liam Coen has his mind on the offense, and would “likely … not have any issues with taking a top-rated playmaker either.”The only player Shipley mentions by name in this scenario? Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. #NFL #Draft #rumors #Bears #coming #Giants #plans #top10
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Read SB Nation’s exclusive interview with Mendoza for more on his journey from two-star recruit to No. 1 overall draft pick.

So let’s round up the latest guesses in today’s spin around the carousel of rumors.

Run on offensive tackles?

Could the 2026 NFL Draft see a run on offensive tackles, inside the first 15 selections?

That is the scenario contemplated by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who shared this on social media Tuesday:

Fowler is not alone in thinking that offensive linemen could be a big part of the discussion on Thursday night. His ESPN colleague Dan Graziano wrote this on Wednesday morning:

I’m predicting at least seven and as many as 10 offensive linemen get picked in the first round. There’s a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots. Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he’s there.

In our most recent mock draft, we had seven offensive linemen coming off the board, right in line with Graziano’s prediction. However, the “run” on offensive tackles did not come until the 20s, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking Blake Miller at No. 23 and the Cleveland Browns adding Max Iheanachor at No. 24.

But it looks like that run could happen earlier.

What are the Giants thinking, redux?

Ever since the New York Giants swung the big Dexter Lawrence trade, we have been trying to decipher their plans for both No. 5, and No. 10. That was a focus on Monday’s rumors roundup, and we revisit their plans here today.

On Monday we discussed reporting from Connor Hughes of SNY, who mentioned Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love, and Caleb Downs as options at No. 5. Hughes also believes that a trade would be possible if somehow David Bailey were on the board when the Giants were on the clock at No. 5. Then at No. 10, offensive linemen come into play, as well as wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

However, Graziano notes that from what he has been told, at No. 5 “their most likely picks would be Love (if he’s still there) or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Multiple people have told me they believe Downs would be the Giants’ pick even ahead of linebacker Sonny Styles, Downs’ college teammate.”

As for No. 10, if it is not Tyson then Graziano believes they will draft an offensive lineman.

Who might that be? Graziano mentions Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, which is in line with a name I’ve been hearing more and more regarding that pick at No. 10. Stay tuned …

Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns remain a talking point as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.

According to longtime NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline, some teams have deemed his injured knee — he missed 2025 following ACL surgery — a “degenerative” condition:

Additional reporting indicates that McCoy might need an additional surgery to replace a “bone plug” used to repair a “cartilage defect” in that knee, and that the concerns are not related to the initial ACL repair:

This is starting to feel like last year with Will Johnson, the cornerback who was considered a top-ten pick but fell to the Arizona Cardinals in the second round due to his own injury history.

Ty Simpson still an option for the Rams?

Early in mock draft season, Ty Simpson was a popular pick for the Los Angeles Rams with their pick at the end of the first round.

I should know, I feel like I made that pick in more than a few mock drafts myself …

But when the Rams used that pick in a trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie, it seemed to end the dreams of Simpson landing in Los Angeles to learn from Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay. Now, the Rams have just one pick in the first 60 selections — the pick they received from the Atlanta Falcons at No. 13 — and with Stafford having just put pen to paper on a new contract, getting a player that can help right away seems like the pressing need.

Graziano is not so sure, and makes the case that Simpson could still be in play, whether via a trade down or even at No. 13:

But as I said, the Rams don’t appear to have any crying needs for which the 13th pick could help them in their effort to win the Super Bowl at home. So, could they trade down from No. 13 and still take Simpson later in the round? Possibly. Could they just bite the bullet and take Simpson at No. 13 if they like him that much? Unlikely, but again, this is a tough team to predict.

If the Rams take Simpson in the first round, they’re likely to face criticism for not finding immediate help for a win-now team with 38-year-old reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback. But would they care? This is the “F— them picks” franchise, remember? If they truly believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford’s successor, I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think they could go ahead and take him.

Add in that division-rival Arizona — which many believe is the real team to watch for Simpson — holds the 34th pick and would be a candidate to either draft him there or trade back into the first round to land him and it makes the Rams/Simpson theories a little bit spicier.

Again, even Graziano says Simpson at No. 13 is “unlikely,” but the Rams are a tough team to predict this, and every, year.

What about the Chicago Bears at No. 25?

We have not talked about the Chicago Bears much during the run to the 2026 NFL Draft.

So let’s change that a bit.

Early in the draft cycle, defensive line was a popular position for the Bears to address in mock drafts. That often came in the form of pass rushers such as Missouri’s Zion Young or Clemson’s T.J. Parker, or even through defensive tackles such as Kayden MacDonald from Ohio State.

Recently, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has become a popular pick for them in that spot. According to consensus mock drafts as compiled by NFL Mock Draft Database, he is the most popular pick for the Bears over the past week.

But one insider believes the Bears have made up their mind, and are targeting Auburn’s Keldric Faulk because of how he would fit with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

“One name that kind of keeps coming up is a fit for Dennis Allen: Keldric Faulk from Auburn,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said recently on ESPN 1000.

Cowboys trading … down?

In recent weeks, the idea of the Dallas Cowboys trading up in the first round to secure one of the premium defensive prospects has become a popular theory. In our most recent mock draft, for example, we had the Cowboys trading all the way up to No. 3 to pick Arvell Reese. Others believe the Cowboys would move to No. 6 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.

But is it more likely that the Cowboys move … down?

That is what Graziano believes, who wrote this on Wednesday morning:

I would actually say it’s more likely the Cowboys trade down from No. 20 than up from No. 12. They need a ton of help on defense and would love it if Styles, Downs or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane fell to them at No. 12; they could get to work addressing the other positional needs at No. 20 and later. Dallas also doesn’t have a second-round pick (it belongs to the Jets from the Quinnen Williams trade), which is why I’ve been told to watch out for the Cowboys to trade down from No. 20 to try to recoup some Day 2 capital.

The point about Dallas lacking a second-round pick is important. As with every draft class, there are solid prospects to be found on Day 2, players who could contribute immediately while not having the same upside as the prospects who will come off the board Thursday night. Dallas could find, for example, a pass rusher early on Day 2 if they trade back, with players like T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence, R Mason Thomas, and Gabe Jacas all expected to be second-round selections.

Could the Jaguars move up?

Thanks to the trade for Travis Hunter Jr. last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars do not have a pick on Thursday night.

Jacksonville beat writer John Shipley, who is as plugged-in as it gets down in Duval, wrote Wednesday morning that the idea of the Jaguars trading back into the first round is not as far-fetched as one might believe.

With that said, it is hard to ignore the possibility of the Jaguars moving up for a few reasons. For one, they have 11 picks this year and a projected 10 picks in 2027. Having 21 picks in that span gives the Jaguars the ammo neccesary to attempt to move back into the first, whether they would do it in one big move or via multiple trades.

With four picks in the top-100, the Jaguars could find a trade package worth enticing teams. Looking at the state of the Jaguars’ roster, it is hard to say they will have 11 open spots on the 53-man roster. This isn’t to say I believe the Jaguars ultimately will do it — I think it needs to be the right set of circumstances and for specific targets.

What I am saying on this, though, is to not discount the idea. It has been floated enough as a possibility outside of Jacksonville enough in recent days to at least consider it being a realistic priority.

As for who the Jaguars would target via a trade back into the first round, Shipley notes that “[l]ogic says a top defender who is falling.” However, he also reminds us that head coach Liam Coen has his mind on the offense, and would “likely … not have any issues with taking a top-rated playmaker either.”

The only player Shipley mentions by name in this scenario? Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

#NFL #Draft #rumors #Bears #coming #Giants #plans #top10">NFL Draft rumors on Bears name that ‘keeps coming up,’ Giants’ plans in the top-10, and more

We are almost there, friends.

Depending on when exactly you are reading this, the 2026 NFL Draft is just over 24 hours away. Again, we know what will happen at No. 1, which is when the Las Vegas Raiders will select quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Read SB Nation’s exclusive interview with Mendoza for more on his journey from two-star recruit to No. 1 overall draft pick.

So let’s round up the latest guesses in today’s spin around the carousel of rumors.

Run on offensive tackles?

Could the 2026 NFL Draft see a run on offensive tackles, inside the first 15 selections?

That is the scenario contemplated by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who shared this on social media Tuesday:

Fowler is not alone in thinking that offensive linemen could be a big part of the discussion on Thursday night. His ESPN colleague Dan Graziano wrote this on Wednesday morning:

I’m predicting at least seven and as many as 10 offensive linemen get picked in the first round. There’s a late-round zone loaded with teams that would love to come out of Thursday night with a new offensive lineman, including the Lions, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Browns, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Patriots. Kansas City could even use its No. 9 pick on an offensive tackle and no one would be surprised. Baltimore could take Ioane at No. 14, if he’s there.

In our most recent mock draft, we had seven offensive linemen coming off the board, right in line with Graziano’s prediction. However, the “run” on offensive tackles did not come until the 20s, with the Philadelphia Eagles taking Blake Miller at No. 23 and the Cleveland Browns adding Max Iheanachor at No. 24.

But it looks like that run could happen earlier.

What are the Giants thinking, redux?

Ever since the New York Giants swung the big Dexter Lawrence trade, we have been trying to decipher their plans for both No. 5, and No. 10. That was a focus on Monday’s rumors roundup, and we revisit their plans here today.

On Monday we discussed reporting from Connor Hughes of SNY, who mentioned Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love, and Caleb Downs as options at No. 5. Hughes also believes that a trade would be possible if somehow David Bailey were on the board when the Giants were on the clock at No. 5. Then at No. 10, offensive linemen come into play, as well as wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

However, Graziano notes that from what he has been told, at No. 5 “their most likely picks would be Love (if he’s still there) or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Multiple people have told me they believe Downs would be the Giants’ pick even ahead of linebacker Sonny Styles, Downs’ college teammate.”

As for No. 10, if it is not Tyson then Graziano believes they will draft an offensive lineman.

Who might that be? Graziano mentions Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, which is in line with a name I’ve been hearing more and more regarding that pick at No. 10. Stay tuned …

Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns

Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy’s injury concerns remain a talking point as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches.

According to longtime NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline, some teams have deemed his injured knee — he missed 2025 following ACL surgery — a “degenerative” condition:

Additional reporting indicates that McCoy might need an additional surgery to replace a “bone plug” used to repair a “cartilage defect” in that knee, and that the concerns are not related to the initial ACL repair:

This is starting to feel like last year with Will Johnson, the cornerback who was considered a top-ten pick but fell to the Arizona Cardinals in the second round due to his own injury history.

Ty Simpson still an option for the Rams?

Early in mock draft season, Ty Simpson was a popular pick for the Los Angeles Rams with their pick at the end of the first round.

I should know, I feel like I made that pick in more than a few mock drafts myself …

But when the Rams used that pick in a trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie, it seemed to end the dreams of Simpson landing in Los Angeles to learn from Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay. Now, the Rams have just one pick in the first 60 selections — the pick they received from the Atlanta Falcons at No. 13 — and with Stafford having just put pen to paper on a new contract, getting a player that can help right away seems like the pressing need.

Graziano is not so sure, and makes the case that Simpson could still be in play, whether via a trade down or even at No. 13:

But as I said, the Rams don’t appear to have any crying needs for which the 13th pick could help them in their effort to win the Super Bowl at home. So, could they trade down from No. 13 and still take Simpson later in the round? Possibly. Could they just bite the bullet and take Simpson at No. 13 if they like him that much? Unlikely, but again, this is a tough team to predict.

If the Rams take Simpson in the first round, they’re likely to face criticism for not finding immediate help for a win-now team with 38-year-old reigning MVP Matthew Stafford at quarterback. But would they care? This is the “F— them picks” franchise, remember? If they truly believe Simpson has the potential to be Stafford’s successor, I don’t think it’s ridiculous to think they could go ahead and take him.

Add in that division-rival Arizona — which many believe is the real team to watch for Simpson — holds the 34th pick and would be a candidate to either draft him there or trade back into the first round to land him and it makes the Rams/Simpson theories a little bit spicier.

Again, even Graziano says Simpson at No. 13 is “unlikely,” but the Rams are a tough team to predict this, and every, year.

What about the Chicago Bears at No. 25?

We have not talked about the Chicago Bears much during the run to the 2026 NFL Draft.

So let’s change that a bit.

Early in the draft cycle, defensive line was a popular position for the Bears to address in mock drafts. That often came in the form of pass rushers such as Missouri’s Zion Young or Clemson’s T.J. Parker, or even through defensive tackles such as Kayden MacDonald from Ohio State.

Recently, safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has become a popular pick for them in that spot. According to consensus mock drafts as compiled by NFL Mock Draft Database, he is the most popular pick for the Bears over the past week.

But one insider believes the Bears have made up their mind, and are targeting Auburn’s Keldric Faulk because of how he would fit with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

“One name that kind of keeps coming up is a fit for Dennis Allen: Keldric Faulk from Auburn,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said recently on ESPN 1000.

Cowboys trading … down?

In recent weeks, the idea of the Dallas Cowboys trading up in the first round to secure one of the premium defensive prospects has become a popular theory. In our most recent mock draft, for example, we had the Cowboys trading all the way up to No. 3 to pick Arvell Reese. Others believe the Cowboys would move to No. 6 in a deal with the Cleveland Browns.

But is it more likely that the Cowboys move … down?

That is what Graziano believes, who wrote this on Wednesday morning:

I would actually say it’s more likely the Cowboys trade down from No. 20 than up from No. 12. They need a ton of help on defense and would love it if Styles, Downs or LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane fell to them at No. 12; they could get to work addressing the other positional needs at No. 20 and later. Dallas also doesn’t have a second-round pick (it belongs to the Jets from the Quinnen Williams trade), which is why I’ve been told to watch out for the Cowboys to trade down from No. 20 to try to recoup some Day 2 capital.

The point about Dallas lacking a second-round pick is important. As with every draft class, there are solid prospects to be found on Day 2, players who could contribute immediately while not having the same upside as the prospects who will come off the board Thursday night. Dallas could find, for example, a pass rusher early on Day 2 if they trade back, with players like T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, Zion Young, Malachi Lawrence, R Mason Thomas, and Gabe Jacas all expected to be second-round selections.

Could the Jaguars move up?

Thanks to the trade for Travis Hunter Jr. last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars do not have a pick on Thursday night.

Jacksonville beat writer John Shipley, who is as plugged-in as it gets down in Duval, wrote Wednesday morning that the idea of the Jaguars trading back into the first round is not as far-fetched as one might believe.

With that said, it is hard to ignore the possibility of the Jaguars moving up for a few reasons. For one, they have 11 picks this year and a projected 10 picks in 2027. Having 21 picks in that span gives the Jaguars the ammo neccesary to attempt to move back into the first, whether they would do it in one big move or via multiple trades.

With four picks in the top-100, the Jaguars could find a trade package worth enticing teams. Looking at the state of the Jaguars’ roster, it is hard to say they will have 11 open spots on the 53-man roster. This isn’t to say I believe the Jaguars ultimately will do it — I think it needs to be the right set of circumstances and for specific targets.

What I am saying on this, though, is to not discount the idea. It has been floated enough as a possibility outside of Jacksonville enough in recent days to at least consider it being a realistic priority.

As for who the Jaguars would target via a trade back into the first round, Shipley notes that “[l]ogic says a top defender who is falling.” However, he also reminds us that head coach Liam Coen has his mind on the offense, and would “likely … not have any issues with taking a top-rated playmaker either.”

The only player Shipley mentions by name in this scenario? Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

#NFL #Draft #rumors #Bears #coming #Giants #plans #top10

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Pro Football Talk is attempting to have the Associated Press unseal Russini’s 2025 awards voting as a means to examine her NFL Coach of the Year ballot in particular. Vrabel won the award, however there are questions about the ranked voting after Vrabel and if that potentially cost Jaguars coach Liam Coen (who finished second) points.

“Robert Kraft intervened and had his honchos pressure The Post before they published and tried to kill the story,” a source exclusively tells In Touch. “The Post gave Vrabel a longer time to respond than what is considered industry norms, and Kraft took advantage of that extended timeframe to put pressure on the reporter and the newspaper. A notorious crisis strategist made the call but was unsuccessful in neutering the story.”

It’s completely understandable that Vrabel, Russini, and the Patriots just want to move past this, because it is a significant distraction during NFL Draft week and into offseason workouts, but the water is already muddy when it comes to the separation of media and team roles thanks to Tom Brady’s dual role as part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders while still being employed as an analyst for Fox. The Vrabel/Russini incident is a further potential blurring of the lines, and it warrants investigation on both the side of The Athletic and the NFL.

#Mike #Vrabel #discusses #difficult #conversations #Dianna #Russini #photos"> Mike Vrabel discusses ‘difficult conversations’ following Dianna Russini photos The Patriots organization initially told the media that Vrabel would not speak publicly until after the NFL Draft, but plans appear to have changed when players began receiving questions about the photos as they arrived for the first workouts of the year. Vrabel said he spoke with the team and regretted that he caused a distraction inside the organization.”I’ve had some difficult conversations with people I care about about — with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive. In order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me.”We’re still left with a lot of vagueness surrounding this whole situation. Whether or not Vrabel and Russini had a relationship that extended beyond professionalism is of no consequence, but there are real questions to be answered about how a potential improper relationship could have impacted the NFL through biased reporting on the Vrabel, the Patriots, potential free agents, or in end-of-year award voting. Pro Football Talk is attempting to have the Associated Press unseal Russini’s 2025 awards voting as a means to examine her NFL Coach of the Year ballot in particular. Vrabel won the award, however there are questions about the ranked voting after Vrabel and if that potentially cost Jaguars coach Liam Coen (who finished second) points.“Robert Kraft intervened and had his honchos pressure The Post before they published and tried to kill the story,” a source exclusively tells In Touch. “The Post gave Vrabel a longer time to respond than what is considered industry norms, and Kraft took advantage of that extended timeframe to put pressure on the reporter and the newspaper. A notorious crisis strategist made the call but was unsuccessful in neutering the story.”It’s completely understandable that Vrabel, Russini, and the Patriots just want to move past this, because it is a significant distraction during NFL Draft week and into offseason workouts, but the water is already muddy when it comes to the separation of media and team roles thanks to Tom Brady’s dual role as part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders while still being employed as an analyst for Fox. The Vrabel/Russini incident is a further potential blurring of the lines, and it warrants investigation on both the side of The Athletic and the NFL. #Mike #Vrabel #discusses #difficult #conversations #Dianna #Russini #photos
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Pro Football Talk is attempting to have the Associated Press unseal Russini’s 2025 awards voting as a means to examine her NFL Coach of the Year ballot in particular. Vrabel won the award, however there are questions about the ranked voting after Vrabel and if that potentially cost Jaguars coach Liam Coen (who finished second) points.

“Robert Kraft intervened and had his honchos pressure The Post before they published and tried to kill the story,” a source exclusively tells In Touch. “The Post gave Vrabel a longer time to respond than what is considered industry norms, and Kraft took advantage of that extended timeframe to put pressure on the reporter and the newspaper. A notorious crisis strategist made the call but was unsuccessful in neutering the story.”

It’s completely understandable that Vrabel, Russini, and the Patriots just want to move past this, because it is a significant distraction during NFL Draft week and into offseason workouts, but the water is already muddy when it comes to the separation of media and team roles thanks to Tom Brady’s dual role as part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders while still being employed as an analyst for Fox. The Vrabel/Russini incident is a further potential blurring of the lines, and it warrants investigation on both the side of The Athletic and the NFL.

#Mike #Vrabel #discusses #difficult #conversations #Dianna #Russini #photos">Mike Vrabel discusses ‘difficult conversations’ following Dianna Russini photos

The Patriots organization initially told the media that Vrabel would not speak publicly until after the NFL Draft, but plans appear to have changed when players began receiving questions about the photos as they arrived for the first workouts of the year. Vrabel said he spoke with the team and regretted that he caused a distraction inside the organization.

”I’ve had some difficult conversations with people I care about about — with my family, the organization, the coaches, the players. Those have been positive and productive. In order to be successful on and off the field, you have to make good decisions. That includes me.”

We’re still left with a lot of vagueness surrounding this whole situation. Whether or not Vrabel and Russini had a relationship that extended beyond professionalism is of no consequence, but there are real questions to be answered about how a potential improper relationship could have impacted the NFL through biased reporting on the Vrabel, the Patriots, potential free agents, or in end-of-year award voting. Pro Football Talk is attempting to have the Associated Press unseal Russini’s 2025 awards voting as a means to examine her NFL Coach of the Year ballot in particular. Vrabel won the award, however there are questions about the ranked voting after Vrabel and if that potentially cost Jaguars coach Liam Coen (who finished second) points.

“Robert Kraft intervened and had his honchos pressure The Post before they published and tried to kill the story,” a source exclusively tells In Touch. “The Post gave Vrabel a longer time to respond than what is considered industry norms, and Kraft took advantage of that extended timeframe to put pressure on the reporter and the newspaper. A notorious crisis strategist made the call but was unsuccessful in neutering the story.”

It’s completely understandable that Vrabel, Russini, and the Patriots just want to move past this, because it is a significant distraction during NFL Draft week and into offseason workouts, but the water is already muddy when it comes to the separation of media and team roles thanks to Tom Brady’s dual role as part-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders while still being employed as an analyst for Fox. The Vrabel/Russini incident is a further potential blurring of the lines, and it warrants investigation on both the side of The Athletic and the NFL.

#Mike #Vrabel #discusses #difficult #conversations #Dianna #Russini #photos

The Patriots organization initially told the media that Vrabel would not speak publicly until after…