NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 11, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

League Personnel & Legal Matters

The league faced several off-field developments as Dallas safety Markquese Bell was arrested and charged with drug possession by Collin County authorities. Meanwhile, an appeals panel upheld the non-collusion ruling concerning the 2022 contract negotiations for quarterbacks Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson, finding insufficient evidence of teams coordinating their offers. In media scrutiny, The Athletic is reportedly reinvestigating reporter Dianna Russini's coverage surrounding former Patriots coach Mike Vrabel amid questions raised about their relationship this week. Adding to the off-field news, the owners of the Denver Broncos made a significant minority investment, acquiring approximately 40% of the Colorado Rockies baseball club.

Draft Preparation & Prospect Analysis

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, teams are heavily utilizing technology, with artificial intelligence pushing draft preparation to a "different level," particularly for projecting measurements of prospects who skip the NFL Combine workouts. Analysts are already sizing up the incoming talent pool, as Aaron Schatz's QBASE 2.0 model projected the career ceilings and floors for the top five quarterback prospects expected to enter the 2026 class. Five Ohio State players, including quarterback Ty Simp, are among the 16 prospects confirmed to attend the first round in Pittsburgh on April 23, while draft experts like Mel Kiper Jr. and Matt Miller constructed their own 10-man rosters comprised solely of 2026 class talent to gauge overall team-building strength.

Team Roster Moves & Contract Updates

Several teams finalized key roster transactions heading into the draft period. The San Francisco 49ers bolstered their defense by agreeing to a one-year contract with free agent cornerback Jack Jones and later securing defensive end Cam Sample on a similar one-year agreement. The Atlanta Falcons exercised the fifth-year option on star running back Bijan Robinson on Friday, securing his services for an additional season. Conversely, the Indianapolis Colts are actively seeking to trade veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II, having agreed with the player to explore options for a new team. The Philadelphia Eagles also executed a trade, acquiring wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers in exchange for two draft picks.

Coaching Transition & Team Needs

Coaching staffs are refining their strategies as the draft looms, with Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer utilizing his second year in Dallas to adjust his draft preparation methodology compared to his initial settling-in period last year. The Denver Broncos face a familiar scenario, preparing for their third draft in five years without a first-round selection following the Jaylen Waddle trade, though their previous two drafts without a top-16 pick yielded positive results as they now hold the No. 62 pick and seven total selections. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings are entering the upcoming draft recognizing a pressing need for depth at both wide receiver and running back, positions they must address after recent roster attrition for the first time in a long time. The Las Vegas Raiders are also looking toward rookie integration, analyzing lessons from their last pairing of a first-time head coach, Klint Kubiak, with a No. 1 overall pick quarterback in 2007 as they potentially prepare for a similar situation with Fernando Mendoza.

League News & Player Tributes

In solemn news, former New York Jets and Louisville quarterback Browning Nagle passed away at the age of 57 this week. Further afield, the UFL announced plans for expansion in 2028, with co-owner Mike Repole promising the addition of Oklahoma City and one other undisclosed metropolitan area as a great fit for growth. On the topic of potential Hall of Fame careers, former Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David's credentials were fiercely defended, with former teammate Gerald McCoy stating that if David's career does not merit induction, "I don't know whose is," when comparing him to Canton legends when assessing his case. Finally, rookie Gabe Taylor prepares for his debut in D.C., embracing the legacy established by his brother Sean Taylor, as Gabe dons No. 21 for his first professional appearance.