NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 13, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NFL Draft Speculation Heats Up

With the NFL Draft approaching, the focus sharpens on prospects whose stock has significantly climbed since the beginning of the season, including players like Dillon Thieneman and Monroe Freeling who have boosted their standing considerably. Teams are employing advanced techniques, such as utilizing artificial intelligence to project measurable data for prospects skipping combine workouts, as they prepare for potential surprises at the top of the board, exemplified by the Jets' consideration of drafting edge rusher David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick, a defensive selection at that high a spot being unprecedented for the franchise. Furthermore, college coaches are already identifying under-the-radar players, naming their 2026 NFL Draft sleepers for the pros, while analytical models like QBASE 2.0 are projecting career trajectories—from elite to bust—for the quarterback class.

Front Office & Roster Dynamics

While draft preparation intensifies, existing team structures face scrutiny, evidenced by the ongoing intrigue surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles and wide receiver A.J. Brown, as the organization has found little financial incentive thus far to initiate a trade. Across the league, a recent appeals panel upheld prior rulings confirming a lack of sufficient evidence suggesting collusion among teams during the 2022 contract negotiations for quarterbacks Kyler Murray, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are reportedly aligning well with new offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, with players indicating he struck the appropriate tone in his initial team meeting, stressing that "every detail is a big detail."

Coaching Transitions & Personnel Issues

The coaching community saw the recent passing of former Tennessee Titans assistant coach Dave McGinnis, affectionately known as "Coach Mac," who died Monday at age 74. In Dallas, Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is adjusting his approach for his second year guiding the offense, contrasting sharply with the settling-in period he experienced during his inaugural season. Off the field, however, league matters continue to surface: Cowboys safety Markquese Bell was arrested and now faces charges related to possession of both marijuana and a controlled substance in Collin County.

Legal Matters & Prospect Concerns

Several figures within the NFL sphere faced legal or investigative issues over the weekend. Former NFL wide receiver and current Aviators coach Ted Ginn Jr. was charged with driving while intoxicated in Tarrant County, Texas, on Saturday. More distressingly, 2026 prospect Rueben Bain Jr., a former Miami defensive end, was involved in a fatal car crash in 2024 where a passenger later succumbed to injuries sustained in the incident. Separately, The Athletic is reportedly reinvestigating coverage concerning NFL reporter Dianna Russini and her association with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel following questions raised about the pair this week.