NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 23, 2026, 5:30 AM ET

NFL Draft Projections & Insider Buzz

The final hours leading into the NFL Draft saw analysts unveil their comprehensive mock selections, with Peter Schrager predicting four major trades reshaping the first round and Jordan Reid projecting every pick from the Raiders' No. 1 selection down to Mr. Irrelevant across seven rounds. Insider intel from Jeremy Fowler accompanied Matt Miller's final projections, solidifying expectations for the top prospects, while team reporters offered their own localized takes on first-round landing spots. Concerns over potential corruption also emerged, as former executives warned that it is only a matter of time before insider betting risks materialize, given the value of proprietary draft information being leveraged by bettors.

As teams finalize their big boards, movement at the top of the draft remains a focus, with reports indicating where the Jets, Cardinals, Titans, and Giants are leaning with their initial top-five choices, while the defending champion Seahawks have openly stated their desire to trade down aggressively, even if it means dealing within the division. Meanwhile, the New York Jets face a decision with their second first-round pick—potentially at No. 16—after addressing edge rusher, suggesting an offensive selection is likely on Thursday, though GM Darren Mougey sought to downplay the significance of a nixed pre-draft visit with defensive end prospect David Bailey.

Prospect Updates & Team Needs

Defensive tackle Caleb Banks, considered one of the premier interior linemen available, is expected to be fully cleared for football activities in early June following offseason foot surgery, according to sources familiar with his recovery timeline from the procedure. In contrast, the Raiders are facing a substantial need to fill out their roster, with analysts breaking down the positional requirements they must address across their remaining nine draft picks after making their initial selection. Separately, analytics models are weighing in on contentious debates, suggesting how teams should approach their first-round selections, particularly concerning prospects like Ty Simpson and Jeremiyah Love, based on proprietary data crunching the numbers.

Quarterback & Veteran Movement

The quarterback carousel continues to spin, with Justin Fields revealing his desire to join the Chiefs specifically to learn directly from Patrick Mahomes during his tenure there, a sentiment that contrasts with Justin Jefferson’s blunt assessment of J.J. McCarthy following Kyler Murray’s arrival in Minnesota as the new QB. In other veteran news, free agent Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly contemplating retirement as he weighs his options, while the Colts received positive news on Daniel Jones, who has resumed dropping back and throwing just over four months after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during the season.

Coaching & Personnel Developments

The coaching carousel saw movement off the field, as former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed he will join NBC's pregame coverage as a studio analyst for "Football Night in America," sources confirmed to ESPN this week. On the player personnel front, Saints Offensive Coordinator Doug Nussmeier received special permission to spend the entire draft weekend with his son, Garrett, calling it a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to be present for his selection on draft night. Furthermore, Mike Vrabel addressed recent media scrutiny, stating that Patriots fans will receive "the best version of me " following the publication of controversial photos that surfaced recently.

Offseason Health & Contract Updates

Several key offensive players provided positive updates regarding their offseason recovery, with Rams star Puka Nacua being declared a "full participant" in the team’s offseason program after recovering from a brief period in rehab, according to Coach Sean McVay on Tuesday. Similarly, 49ers linebacker Fred Warner reported feeling "great and no restrictions" as he ramps up activity after suffering a season-ending ankle injury last October in the fall. Financially, the Cowboys secured their kicker Brandon Aubrey, who agreed to terms on a new contract that will instantly make him the highest-paid kicker in NFL history, while the 49ers simultaneously settled their contract standoff with Trent Williams on a lucrative two-year, $50 million extension announced Monday.

Team Vibes & Player Focus

The atmosphere in Cleveland appears refreshed under new leadership, as running back Shedeur Sanders attested to a "new vibe" and "new energy" within the Browns facility under first-year head coach Todd Monken and his staff this offseason. Meanwhile, top prospect Caleb Williams, after enjoying downtime that included attending Coachella, expressed his eagerness to put in the work and build upon his standout collegiate year for the Bears. In a lighter piece of league news, rapper Drake seemingly trolled the presumed top pick, Caleb Williams, by posing with blocks of ice while wearing a Packers jacket during the rollout of his new album, "Iceman" this week.