NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 10, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

NFL Draft Preparations & Prospect Intel

With the 2026 draft rapidly approaching, intelligence gathering is intensifying across the league, evidenced by the fact that five Ohio State players are attending the first round in Pittsburgh, a group that notably includes quarterback Ty Simp but excludes Fernando Mendoza. While analysts continue to project outcomes, with Peter Schrager releasing a new mock draft based on post-league meeting insights, teams are finalizing their big boards; for instance, the Cowboys hold two first-rounders at Nos. 12 and 20, while the Jets are weighing favorites for the No. 2 overall selection. Furthermore, experts are drawing comparisons for top prospects, with analysts offering fifteen perfect matches for elite players like Rueben Bain Jr. and Mendoza.

Several teams are navigating unique draft capital situations as they prepare for selection day; the Denver Broncos, picking first at No. 62, possess seven total selections in 2026, continuing a trend after they traded away their first-rounder for the third time in five drafts, though past results without a Round 1 pick proved acceptable. Meanwhile, specific team needs are coming into focus, as the Giants debate cornerback viability at No. 5, while the Eagles potentially field trade offers for quarterback Tanner McKee, who generated similar interest last year. Elsewhere, the Browns are planning with two first-round picks in their nine-selection haul, and the Dolphins hold eleven total picks as they assess needs around the No. 11 spot.

Quarterback Movement & Roster Dynamics

The situation surrounding the No. 1 overall pick remains central to the narrative, particularly in Las Vegas, where the Raiders hold the top pick and ten total selections overall. Quarterback Kirk Cousins publicly stated that he only desires to start if he is determined to be the team’s best option, suggesting an awareness of the team’s expectation to select a rookie like Mendoza. This pairing evokes historical precedent, as the Raiders explore lessons learned from when they last matched a first-time head coach, Klint Kubiak, with a rookie QB back in 2007. Adding to the draft intrigue, Mendoza himself has informed the league that he will not be attending the draft in person.

Roster adjustments continued across the league as teams fortify lines and prepare for the 2026 fantasy season; the Atlanta Falcons lost right tackle Kaleb McGary to retirement but immediately bolstered the position by adding Taylor. On the defensive side, the San Francisco 49ers agreed to terms with former Bengals defensive end Cam Sample on a one-year contract, while the New York Giants secured guard Daniel Faalele from the Ravens on a comparable one-year deal. In contrast to players joining new teams, Falcons pass rusher James Pearce Jr. is absent from offseason workouts as he confronts three felony charges, which coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Wednesday.

Team & League Business Updates

Long-term team commitment was demonstrated by the Houston Texans, who exercised the 2027 fifth-year options for both quarterback C.J. Stroud and All-Pro defensive end Will Anderson Jr., securing two foundational pieces for the near future. Meanwhile, on the West Coast, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. signed his franchise tender and reported to the Falcons' offseason program, while the Ravens noted quarterback Lamar Jackson appears reinvigorated reporting for early workouts under the new coaching staff. In personal news, Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold celebrated a personal milestone, marrying his fiancée just months after winning Super Bowl LX.

Beyond player transactions, the league faces external scrutiny, as the Justice Department has initiated a probe into the NFL regarding potential anticompetitive practices related to television contracts that mandate subscription packages for access. In coaching news, the league's oldest coach, Andy Reid, is reportedly 'reinvigorated', utilizing an unusually long offseason to implement necessary changes ahead of what is expected to be a bounceback season. Separately, former Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David's legacy is being debated, with former teammate Gerald McCoy asserting that his career is unequivocally Hall of Fame worthy. Furthermore, the UFL has announced plans for expansion in 2028, with Oklahoma City confirmed as one of the two new markets to be added.

Historical Context & Offseason Reading

As teams organize their futures, historical parallels are being drawn; the Cowboys famously secured quarterback Dak Prescott at pick No. 135 in the 2016 draft, a moment when offensive coordinator Scott Linehan admitted he feared another team would select him first. to player narratives, Colin Kaepernick's upcoming memoir, "The Perilous Fight," set for a September 15 release, will offer context surrounding his decision to kneel during the national anthem. Tragically, news emerged that Bears Hall of Famer Steve "Mongo" McMichael, who passed away in 2025 after battling ALS, was posthumously diagnosed with CTE when his brain was donated for research. Finally, experts have drafted 10-man rosters from the 2026 class, allowing analysts like Mel Kiper Jr. and Matt Miller to showcase their favored 'superteams' built from the upcoming talent pool.