NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 5, 2026, 8:30 AM ET

League Personnel & Offseason Moves

Veteran defensive figures announced their retirements this week, with two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore retiring after a decorated career, and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. hanging up his cleats on Thursday. In personnel additions, the Buccaneers re-signed defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches to a fresh one-year contract, while safety Kyle Dugger will remain in the AFC North by signing with the Bengals on a one-year pact. Meanwhile, the NFL concluded its probe into Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice, stating that his conduct did not violate the league’s personal conduct policy following off-field incidents.

The Raiders aggressively reshaped their quarterback room, securing veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins via contract agreement, with reports suggesting the move aims to provide mentorship for potential younger options like Aidan O'Connell or a future draft pick. This move came as the league meetings in Phoenix addressed various team futures, including the ongoing search for the Vikings' next General Manager. Furthermore, investigative reports provided context for the Raiders' massive investment in center Tyler Linderbaum, as GM John Spytek explained the rationale for making him the highest-paid interior lineman in the league.

Team Outlooks & Player Development

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed satisfaction with his quarterback situation, stating he is "excited to see C.J. Stroud's growth beyond a challenging end to the 2025 season as the team heads into Year 4. Across the league, the Dolphins detailed their offseason strategy from Arizona, clarifying the trade involving Jaylen Waddle and assessing the fit of quarterback Malik Willis alongside drafted talent like Chop Robinson. In Jacksonville, second-year defensive end Travon Walker immediately absorbed coaching points, citing the impactful comparison head coach Liam Coen drew between Walker and three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald during their end-of-season evaluation.

Off the field, the league saw off-field action supporting grassroots football, as the Chiefs organization launched a petition advocating for the sanctioning of high school girls' flag football in Kansas, with the State High School Activities Association scheduled to vote on the measure on April 23. Away from competition, the Atlanta Falcons unveiled their new uniforms, emphasizing a return to the franchise's primary, beloved red coloring for the upcoming 2026 campaign. Furthermore, the league confirmed the 2026 offseason OTA and minicamp dates across all 32 franchises, with mandatory workouts set to begin in June.

Draft Analysis & Market Trends

The evolving role of the running back position continues to shape draft discussions, as the rise of tandem backfields suggests that splitting carries—once seen as a negative indicator—is less detrimental for top prospects entering the draft. Analysts have already begun projecting talent for future cycles, with detailed projections available for the top running back prospects in the 2026 class, including expected outcomes for players like Jeremiyah Love. Fantasy football prognosticators are also weighing in, with Mike Clay providing bite-sized breakdowns of his top 45 RBs for the 2026 season, reflecting current usage trends. Meanwhile, draft experts rotated through the top 100 picks in a four-analyst mock draft exercise, while other evaluations pointed out specific flaws that might impede the top quarterback prospects entering the league.

Across the sports business sector, Fanatics officially assumed exclusive control over the NFL's trading card licensing following the activation of a 20-year agreement that consolidates rights previously held separately by the league and the NFL Players Association. On a somber note for the league's history, the conclusion of the NHL playoffs picture meant the New York Jets now possess the longest active playoff drought across all major North American sports leagues, following the Buffalo Sabres' recent streak-ending berth which lasted 14 seasons.