Now that all the brutal April Fools’ jokes are over and done with, it’s time to get down to business with the 2024 NFL Draft fast approaching.
Before we fully move on, yesterday I saw an attempted joke on Twitter/X that “reported” Stefon Diggs was being traded to the Giants for the No. 6 overall pick, a conditional selection in 2026 and … an everything bagel. Actually, that was kind of funny. It had thousands of retweets, and I even had a buddy call me to ask if it was true.
Pro Days are essentially done, but there is plenty to get to on the draft circuit. Obviously.
If you’re new here, I got you. We’re rebranding the Pick Six newsletter through the end of April, and maybe into early May. I, CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Chris Trapasso, will be with you every step of the way. Honored.
I’ll be tracking everything that transpires in the NFL and spin everything into a draft angle. There’s always a draft angle! Trust me. At least in my head there is, and with this newsletter you’ll be getting a daily glimpse inside my draft-obsessed brain from now until the morning of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Before I begin, this paragraph will be your daily reminder to tell all your buddies and that one uncle who’s always texting you the importance of drafting mid-round offensive linemen to sign up for the With the First Pick newsletter. All you have to do is click here and then share this link with them.
Today’s NFL mock draft 🔮: Five QBs in Round 1 getty-drake-maye-north-carolina.jpg Getty Images Ryan Wilson wrote his 48 millionth mock draft on this glorious Tuesday and it features, yes, five quarterbacks being selected in the first round.
Chicago Bears — Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Washington Commanders — Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
New England Patriots — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Los Angeles Rams (via mock trade w/ Vikings) — Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Kansas City Chiefs — Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
While you’ll have to click the link to Ryan’s article to reveal who the fifth quarterback is, the mock also features offensive skill-position players going to locales with established quarterbacks in the loaded AFC, like Thomas to the Chargers, a certain tight end to Joe Burrow’s Bengals and Mitchell to Kansas City.
How Bears will decide No. 9 overall pick Chicago GM Ryan Poles recently went public with his plan to utilize his scouting staff in helping the club come to a final conclusion on what the Bears will do with their second first-round pick. Here’s the quote, from Poles himself:
“We’re going to do some cool things when we get back, kind of break into teams. One team is going to talk about [why] the tackle position is the best to go after, [why] the receiver’s the best, [why] the defensive end’s the best and use factual information to spit that out — and we’ll have a debate in terms of what’s more impactful for our football team, short term and long term.”
Rarely do we get a peek behind the proverbial curtain as to how a team prepares for the draft, but Poles offers that here. Very cool. Poles also mentioned that he likes the talent that should be available at No. 9 overall, and head coach Matt Eberflus added, “In order to have good communication, it’s got to be authentic and it’s got to be true, and you have to be able to speak your opinion.” I wonder if after the pick is made, the Bears eventually make it known which scouting “team” presented the best argument to lead to the selection.
Because I’m not featuring a specific ‘With the First Pick’ episode today, here’s convenient link to the podcast’s archive for your perusal. Our resident GM Rick Spielman and host/analyst Ryan Wilson will be pumping out episodes all month leading into the draft.
Prospect of the day 📈: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State olu-fashanu-g.jpg Getty Images I’ve been perplexed by Fashanu’s apparent reputation in NFL circles. Based on what I’ve gathered, he’s not seen in as high regard as the likes of a few other offensive tackle prospects and is more frequently found in the middle of the first round — or later — of mock drafts.
And I’m perplexed because everyone was stunned when Fashanu decided to return to the Nittany Lions program after a ridiculous 2022 when he allowed seven pressures on 299 pass-blocking snaps while demonstrating freaky athletic gifts and an already Herculean frame that has room to add more strength. Then, in 2023, Fashanu surrendered 10 pressures on 382 pass-blocking snaps, and, somehow, his stock supposedly sunk. I didn’t see any dip on film. This is a long, chiseled, future NFL All-Pro I’d pick before any other offensive tackle in this class.
Notable combine results: 5.11 in the 40-yard dash (79th percentile), 32-inch vertical (88th %), 9-foot-1 broad (79th %) Combine measurements: 6-foot-6, 312 pounds with 34-inch arms Current CBS Sports prospect ranking: No. 5 overall
Texans’ seven-round mock draft 👀 NFL staffer Jordan Dajani attempted to map out a perfect plan for Houston’s eight selections in this year’s draft, and, of course, it’s now centered around building complements to C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson Jr., the reigning Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year. Jordan prioritized size with two of the largest, most imposing trench players on either side of the ball in Round 2 for the Texans and stayed with that theme, picking Oregon’s enormous cornerback Khyree Jackson in the fourth round.
News & Notes 📝 wentz-g.jpg Getty Images Chiefs signing Carson Wentz. The former No. 2 overall pick was on the Rams late in the 2023 season — and actually threw two touchdown passes in the regular-season finale. He’s now set to be Patrick Mahomes’ backup. Josh Dobbs reveals why he signed with 49ers. Dobbs has become the quintessential journeyman, and San Francisco will be his fifth team in what will be his seventh professional season. Given the success quarterbacks have had under Kyle Shanahan, who would blame him for inking a deal with the 49ers? J.K. Dobbins visiting two AFC East rivals. The former second-round running back, who’s suffered through so many injuries but is now medically cleared, made stops in Los Angeles with to meet with the Chargers and Kansas City for a visit to Chiefs headquarters.
professional reunion between Tyler Boyd and Pittsburgh doesn’t appear to be in the works, after all. Despite mutual interest, Boyd and his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, don’t appear to be joining forces this offseason, according to The Athletic.
The Athletic’s report supports a recent report by Post-Gazette detailing why Boyd probably won’t sign with Pittsburgh. Money was the issue, as the the Steelers struggled with the idea of paying a No. 3 receiver $8 million to $9 million per season, per the report (via 93.7 The Fan).
Along with the Steelers, Boyd has also received interest from the Chiefs and the Jets. But the Chiefs just signed Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. The Jets recently came to terms with veteran Mike Williams. In the meantime, Boyd continues to be unsigned, and the Steelers are still looking to sign a receiver to team up with George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and recently-acquired Van Jefferson. The Steelers did recently sign Quez Watkins to help with their depth at the position.
Boyd, who enjoyed a successful, eight-year run with the Cincinnati Bengals, was clearly interested in joining the Steelers. A Pittsburgh native who starred at the University of Pittsburgh, Boyd recently spoke about the possibility of joining his hometown team.
“You never know,” Boyd told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “I love Coach [Mike] Tomlin. He’s probably one of the realest dudes in the sports business. Obviously, I played at Pitt, and I had a lot of run-ins with him and talked to him just about football. His personality is more like a father figure. It’s a great connection, but who knows? Even if I don’t go after this year, I could do a one-year deal at the end of my career and maybe finish up, but who knows.”
For the most part, Boyd signing with Pittsburgh made sense. The Steelers are in the market for a new slot receiver after parting ways with Allen Robinson II and trading Dionate Johnson to the Carolina Panthers.
A former No. 1 receiver in Cincinnati, Boyd posted consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons in 2018 and 2019. He accepted a smaller role in in 2020 when the Bengals drafted Tee Higgins in the second round, and then drafted Ja’Marr Chase a year later with the fifth overall pick.
Instead of complaining, Boyd embraced his new role, which in turn helped the Bengals go from one of the league’s worst teams to one of the best seemingly overnight. In 2021, he caught 67 passes for 828 yards and five touchdowns during the regular season while helping the Bengals reach the Super Bowl. Over the past two seasons, he caught a combined 125 passes for 1,429 yards and seven touchdowns.
While Boyd continues to look for a new team, the Steelers are expected to continue to add to their receiving corps during the upcoming NFL Draft.
.J. McCarthy isn’t the only quarterback whose draft stock has risen in the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Like McCarthy, former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s stock has also reportedly risen with the start of the draft just over three weeks away.
While Penix’s physical gifts were already known, his intangibles are the main reason why he could possibly end up as a first-round pick. Specifically, Penix’s ability to manipulate the line of scrimmage is the reason for his improved draft stock, according to Bleacher Report.
Penix’s prowess at the line of scrimmage is surely a byproduct of his dedication to watching film. The mirrors of his old apartment were reportedly covered with play designs.
Was sent this picture yesterday after speaking on @TheHerd about how dialed in Michael Penix Jr. is.
Was told Penix’s apartment mirrors are all covered in play designs. Here’s a picture the staff took when he moved out of his LA apartment. pic.twitter.com/2xF3V15TaS
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 2, 2024 A quarterback who is borderline obsessed with football — and can use that obsession to manipulate defenses pre-snap — is music to any coach’s ears. So too is having excellent accuracy, which is another thing that is often said of Penix. That combination of on-field ability and off-field dedication is why Penix may hear his name called very early on Day 1 of the draft.
Interest in Penix has risen leading up to the draft. He reportedly had dinners with the Seahawks and Giants following his pro day that was followed by a workout with the Vikings. Penix is also slated to reportedly meet with the Commanders, Broncos, Falcons and Raiders prior to the draft.
Despite his reported climb, two of our four CBS Sports NFL Draft experts don’t have Penix included in their first round of their latest mock drafts. None of our experts have Penix being a top-10 pick. But that could change, however, if Penix’s draft stock continues to rise in the days leading up to April 25, when the draft kicks off with the first round.
This offseason, the Tennessee Titans gained a star wide receiver in what was one of the most notable deals during the 2024 free agency frenzy. While it was widely believed that Calvin Ridley was deciding whether to stay with the Jacksonville Jaguars or head to the New England Patriots, it was actually the Titans who ended up signing the former first-round pick.
The 29-year-old signed a four-year, $92 million deal that includes $50 million guaranteed, but just how did the Titans end up to be the dark horse that won the race? General manager Ran Carthon gave some insight on how the deal got done, admitting that at first the idea was a long shot.
From pipe dream to reality, GM Ran Carthon on how the Titans landed @CalvinRidley1 and the ensuing chaos 😂 pic.twitter.com/iyy5L4Oeg2
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 2, 2024 “To actually have the opportunity to even consider him was something that we had a part of our plan, but in our mind, really, it was more of a pipe dream. Can we afford these guys and get Ridley?” Carthon said.
He said it started with a conversation with assistant general manager Chad Brinker. Laughing, Carthon said he “won’t go into the details of how that conversation started. … It was one of those things where we agreed to talk the next day, let’s just say it that way.”
From there, he spoke to head coach Brian Callahan, then owner Amy Adams Strunk.
“We came in the next morning and everybody kinda had that look like, ‘Let’s do it, let’s try,'” Carthon explained.
Once the Titans were serious contenders in the Ridley race, Carthon said he canceled a Georgia pro day appearance. Along with Callahan, he then spoke to the WR to convince him to make Nissan Stadium is home.
To explain just how quickly news can spread in the NFL, Carthon shared the story of what it was like just after the deal was done.
“We’re in the office, we’re having a moment,” Carthon said, describing the room after everything was agreed to. “And this particular moment it was myself, it was [Brinker], it was [Callahan] and [offensive coordinator] Nick Holz. So we’re high-fiving and bro hugging and doing all of that. So we’re like, ‘Hey, let’s get Calvin [Ridley] on the phone. Let’s congratulate him.'”
Carthon said this all happened in a span of 90 seconds. “We call [Ridley], we’re FaceTiming him, we’re excited and he’s excited and then my phone beeps and it’s Miss Amy [Adams Strunk].”
The owner said “Is this true?” followed by Carthon asking if what is true. Adams Strunk then asked, “Did we just get Calvin Ridley?” causing Carthon to wonder how the news was public already.
“What the hell, is it out already? We’re on the phone with him right now,” Carthon says, recalling his reaction to how fast the deal went public.
Carthon said the deal was a group effort and “shows you just the level of our teamwork and making it happen and getting it done.” He said at the end of the day, the team’s success and identity is not about one individual.
“It’s just about who gives us the best advantage to get something done that’s going to make us better, and that’s the route we go,” the GM explained.
The Titans clearly feel Ridley is someone who can make the team better, and after losing running back Derrick Henry, the offense needed a big presence to fill the void. Ridley had 324 receptions for 4,358 yards, 36 touchdowns and two 1,000+ yard seasons in his five seasons played over a six-year span. He missed the 2022 season due to a suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy.
There really is no offseason in the NFL. The start of the league’s new year has commenced, with breaking news seemingly every minute as free agency’s legal tampering period kicked off March 11. Signings have continued to occur at a consistent pace as the calendar has turned to April.
Teams released and traded players in order to fill their needs for the 2024 NFL season. This offseason, we have seen a number of interesting deals, with Kirk Cousins landing with the Falcons, Russell Wilson heading to the Steelers, Derrick Henry signing with the Ravens and Mike Williams joining the Jets.
From blockbuster moves to bargain-bin shopping, we’ve got you covered below with a running tracker of every team’s 2024 additions, including external signings and trade acquisitions. For more info on all the free agency deals and rumors, click here.
Arizona Cardinals DT Justin Jones (3 years, $30.1 million) CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (3 years, $25.5 million) LB Mack Wilson (3 years, $12.75 million) OL Trystan Colon (1 year, $1.75 million) RB DeeJay Dallas (3 years, $8.25 million)) OL Keith Ismael (1 year) OT Jonah Williams (2 years, $30 million) OG Elijah Wilkinson (1 year) P Blake Gillikin (2 years) LS Aaron Brewer (1 year) QB Desmond Ridder (via trade with Falcons) DL Khyiris Tonga (1 year) DE Bilal Nicholes (3 years, $21 million) G Evan Brown (1 year, $2.35 million) LB Krys Barnes (1 year) S Bobby Price (1 year) Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins (4 years, $180 million) WR Darnell Mooney (3 years, $39 million) TE Charlie Woerner (3 years, $12 million) LS Liam McCullough (re-signed) OL Ryan Neuzil: (re-signed) LB Nate Landman (re-signed) WR Rondale Moore (via trade with Cardinals) WR KhaDarel Hodge (1 year, $1.29 million) OL Storm Norton DE Kentavius Street WR Ray-Ray McCloud Baltimore Ravens DL Justin Madubuike (4 years, $98 million) RB Derrick Henry (2 years, $16 million) WR Nelson Agholor (re-signed) DL Brent Urban (re-signed) LB Malik Harrison (re-signed) QB Josh Johnson (1 year, $1.37 million) CB Arthur Maulet (2 years) CB Ka’dar Hollman ILB Chris Board OL Josh Jones Buffalo Bills EDGE A.J. Epenesa (2 years, max value of $20 million) DT Daquan Jones (2 years, $16 million) QB Mitch Trubisky (2 years, $5.25 million) LB Nicholas Morrow (1 year) OT Dion Dawkins (3-year, $60.5 million extension) G David Edwards (2-year extension) CB Cam Lewis (2-year extension) S Taylor Rapp (3-year extension) WR Mack Hollins (1 year) DT DaQuan Jones (2 years) LT Dion Dawkins (3-year extension) TE Quintin Morris (1-year extension) S Taylor Rapp (3-year extension) WR Curtis Samuel (3 years, $24 million) DE Casey Toohill (1 year) RB Ty Johnson Carolina Panthers OG Robert Hunt (5 years, $100 million) G Damien Lewis (4 years, $53 million) DT A’Shawn Robinson (3 years, $22.5 million) LB Josey Jewell (3 years, $22.75 million) CB Troy Hill (re-signed) LS J.J. Jansen (re-signed) WR Diontae Johnson (via trade with Steelers) CB Dane Jackson (2 years, $14.5 million) DE D.J. Wonnum (2 years, $12.5 million) OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (1 year, $5 million) S Jordan Fuller OT Yosh Nijman (2 years, $8 million) WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette LB Tae Davis Jadeveon Clowney S Sam Franklin S Nick Scott WR David Moore Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson (4 years, $76 million) RB D’Andre Swift (3 years, $24 million) OL Ryan Bates (trade for 2024 fifth-round pick) TE Gerald Everett (2 years, $12 million) S Kevin Byard (2 years, $15 million) S Jonathan Owens (2 years) LS Patrick Scales (1 year) QB Brett Rypien (1 year) LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (1 year, $2.1 million) OL Matt Pryor (re-signed) C Coleman Shelton (1 year) WR Keenan Allen (via trade with Chargers) DE Jake Martin (1 year) WR Dante Pettis (1 year) OT Jake Curhan Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins (1 year, $21.8 million) S Geno Stone (2 years, $15 million) RB Zack Moss (2 years, $8 million) TE Mike Gesicki (1 year, $3.25 million) TE Drew Sample (3 years, $10.25 million) G Cody Ford (1 year) S Vonn Bell (1 year, $6 million) DT Sheldon Rankins (2 years, $26 million) LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (re-signed) TE Tanner Hudson (re-signed) OT Trent Brown (1 year) WR Trenton Irwin Cleveland Browns QB Jameis Winston (1 year, $4 million) EDGE Za’Darius Smith (2 years, $23.5 million) LB Jordan Hicks (2 years, $8 million) G Michael Dunn (re-signed) WR Jerry Jeudy (via trade with Broncos) TE Adam Trautman (re-signed) TE Giovanni Ricci P Corey Bojorquez (re-signed) LB Devin Bush DT Maurice Hurst II (re-signed) DT Shelby Harris (2 years, $9 million) OG Hakeem Adeniji (1 year, $1.12 million) WR James Proche QB Tyler Huntley FS Rodney McLeod DT Quinton Jefferson (1 year) CB Tony Brown (1 year) RB Nyheim Hines (1 year) RB D’Onta Foreman S K Cade York CB Justin Hardee Sr. Dallas Cowboys LS Trent Sieg (1 year) LB Eric Kendricks (1 year) CB Jourdan Lewis (1-year extension) LS Trent Sieg (re-signed) RB Rico Dowdle (1 year, $1.255 million) CB C.J. Goodwin (1 year) Denver Broncos FB Mike Burton (1 year) DT Malcolm Roach (2 years, $7 million) S Brandon Jones (3 years, $20 million) S P.J. Locke (2 years, $7 million) K Wil Lutz (2 years, $8.4 million) WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey (re-signed) TE Adam Trautman (2 years, $7.5 million) FB Michael Burton (1 year, $1.377 million) LB Cody Barton Detroit Lions G Graham Glasgow (3 years, $20 million) CB Amik Robertson (2 years, $9.25 million) EDGE Marcus Davenport (1 year) LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (2 years, $8 million) CB Emmanuel Moseley (re-signed) CB Carlton Davis (via trade with Buccaneers) K Michael Badgley (re-signed) DL DJ Reader CB Khalil Dorsey LS Scott Daly T Dan Skipper (re-signed) OG Kevin Zeitler WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (re-signed) QB Nate Sudfeld (re-signed) Green Bay Packers S Xavier McKinney (4 years, $68 million) TE Tyler Davis (re-signed) CB Corey Ballentine (re-signed) CB Keisean Nixon (3 years, $18 million) RB AJ Dillon (re-signed) LB Kristian Welch (re-signed) CB Robert Rochell (re-signed) RB Josh Jacobs (4 years, $48 million) K Greg Joseph LB Eric Wilson Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon (via trade with Bengals) TE Dalton Schultz (3 years, $36 million) LB Azeez Al-Shaair (3 years, $34 million) DL Denico Autry (2 years, $20 million) CB Jeff Okudah (1 year, $6 million) EDGE Danielle Hunter (2 years, $49 million) CB Mike Ford (2 years, $4.5 million) CB Lonnie Johnson (1 year) CB Desmond King (re-signed) S Eric Murray (re-signed) K Ka’imi Fairbairn (3 years, $15.9 million) DT Tim Settle (2 years, $6 million) P Tommy Townsend (2 years, $6 million) WR Noah Brown (1 year, $4 million) LB Del’Shawn Phillips (1 year, $2.6 million) DE Mario Edwards (1 year) RT Charlie Heck (1 year) DE Foley Fatukasi (1 year) CB Myles Bryant DE Derek Barnett LB Neville Hewitt Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (3 years, $70 million) DL Grover Stewart (3 years, $39 million) LB Zaire Franklin (3 years, $31.26 million) CB Kenny Moore (3 years, $30 million) P Rigoberto Sanchez (re-signed) QB Joe Flacco (1 year, $8.7 million) EDGE Tyquan Lewis (re-signed) DE Genard Avery (re-signed) DT Raekwon Davis (2 years, $14 million) S Ronnie Harrison (1 year, $1.29 million) RB Trey Sermon (1 year) DT Taven Bryan (1 year) Jacksonville Jaguars WR Gabe Davis (3 years, $39 million) OG Ezra Cleveland (3 years, $28.5 million) EDGE Josh Allen (1 year, $24 million) QB Mac Jones (via trade with Patriots) C Mitch Morse (2 years, $10.5 million) S Darnell Savage (3 years, $21.75 million) RB D’Ernest Johnson (re-signed) WR Devin Duvernay (1 year) CB Ronald Darby (re-signed) DT Arik Armstead (3 years, $51 million) DE Trevis Gipson K Joey Slye TE Josiah Deguara LB Foyesade Oluokun (extended) Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones (5 years, $160 million) CB L’Jarius Sneed (1 year, $19.8 million) LB Drue Tranquill (3 years, $19 million) TE Irv Smith (1 year) P Matt Araiza (league minimum) DB Deon Bush (re-signed) WR Marquise Brown (1 year, $7 million) DE Tershawn Wharton (1 year, $2.74 million) DT Mike Pennel (re-signed) DT Derrick Nnadi (re-signed) RB Louis Rees-Zammit Las Vegas Raiders DL Christian Wilkins (4 years, $110 million) QB Gardner Minshew (2 years, $25 million) C Andre James (3 years, $24 million) RB Ameer Abdullah (re-signed) TE Harrison Bryant (1 year, $3.25 million) DT John Jenkins (1 year, $2.9 million) RB Alexander Mattison DT Adam Butler (re-signed) S Isaiah Pola-Mao (re-signed) G Jordan Meredith (re-signed) Los Angeles Chargers RB Gus Edwards (2 years, $6.5 million) TE Will Dissly (3 years, $14 million) S Alohi Gilman (2 years, $11 million) ILB Denzel Perryman (1 year, $3 million) C Bradley Bozeman (1 year) LB Troy Dye TE Hayden Hurst QB Easton Stick DE Poona Ford (1 year) Los Angeles Rams OG Jonah Jackson (3 years, $51 million) OG Kevin Dotson (3 years, $48 million) TE Colby Parkinson (3 years, $22.5 million) CB Darious Williams (3 years, $22.5 million) WR Demarcus Robinson (1 year, $5 million) SS Kamren Curl (2 years, $8.75 million) QB Jimmy Garoppolo (1 year) LB Christian Rozeboom DL Larrell Murchinson (re-signed) Miami Dolphins LB Anthony Walker (1 year) TE Jonnu Smith (2 years, $10 million) LB Jordyn Brooks (3 years, $30 million) C Aaron Brewer (3 years, $21 million) OL Robert Jones (re-signed) S Jordan Poyer (1 year, $2 million) CB Nik Needham (re-signed) EDGE Shaquil Barrett (1 year, $9 million) RB Salvon Ahmed (re-signed) DB Siran Neal (1 year) RB Salvon Ahmed (re-signed) P Jake Bailey (re-signed) CB Kendall Fuller (2 years, $16.5 million) DT Neville Gallimore (1 year, $1.79 million) OT Isaiah Wynn (1 year) OG Jack Driscoll WR Braxton Berrios DT Jonathan Harris DT Da’shawn Hand DT Benito Jones Minnesota Vikings EDGE Jonathan Greenard (4 years, $76 million) LB Blake Cashman (3 years, $25.5 million) EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel (2 years, $20 million) QB Sam Darnold (1 year, $10 million) RB Aaron Jones (1 year, $7 million) OL David Quisenberry (re-signed) WR Brandon Powell (re-signed) TE Johnny Mundt (re-signed) DL Jonathan Bullard (re-signed) K John Parker Romo (1 year) DT Jerry Tillery (1 year, $3.75 million) C/G Dan Feeney WR Trent Sherfield OT Blake Brandel (3 years, $9.5 million) CB Shaquill Griffin (1 year, $6 million) DE Jonah Williams (1 year, $1.5 million) OG Dan Feeney (1 year) New England Patriots OL Mike Onwenu (3 years, $57 million) TE Hunter Henry (3 years, $27 million) LB Anfernee Jennings (3 years, $24 million) S Kyle Dugger (1 year, $13.8 million) QB Jacoby Brissett (1 year, $8 million) WR Kendrick Bourne (3 years, $19.25 million) RB Antonio Gibson (3 years, $11.25 million) WR Jalen Reagor (1 year) OT Chukwuma Okorafor (1 year) EDGE Josh Uche (1 year) LB Christian Elliss (re-signed) LB Sione Takitaki (2 years, $6.5 million) TE Austin Hooper (1 year, $4.25 million) CB Alex Austin (re-signed) OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (1 year) WR K.J. Osborn (1 year, $4 million) DT Armon Watts (1 year, $2.2 million) OG Nick Leverett New Orleans Saints LB Demario Davis (2 years) LB Willie Gay Jr. (1 year, $5 million) S Tyrann Mathieu (2 years, $13.75 million) DE Chase Young (1 year, $13 million) S Ugo Amadi OT Oli Udoh (1 year) QB Nathan Peterman WR Cedrick Wilson (2 years) S Tyrann Mathieu (re-signed) New York Giants DE Brian Burns (5 years, $150 million after trade from Panthers) OG Jon Runyan (3 years, $30 million) QB Drew Lock (1 year, $5 million) RB Devin Singletary (1 year) OT Jermaine Eluemunor (2 years, $14 million) WR Isaiah McKenzie (1 year) TE Chris Manhertz TE Jack Stoll DB Jalen Mills (1 year, $1.37 million) OLB Carter Coughlin (1 year, $1.29 million) WR Gunner Olszewski (1 year, $1.12 million) OG Aaron Stinnie OG Austin Schlottmann (2 years) WR Isaiah Hodgins CB Darnay Holmes New York Jets DL Javon Kinlaw (1 year) QB Tyrod Taylor (2 years, $18 million) OL John Simpson (2 years, $18 million) K Greg Zuerlein (2 years, $8.4 million) P Thomas Morstead (re-signing) OT Morgan Moses (via trade with Ravens) WR Mike Williams (1 year) OT Tyron Smith (1 year) DT Leki Fotu (1 year, $2.5 million) CB Isaiah Oliver (1 year, $2.5 million) OG Jake Hanson (1 year) Solomon Thomas Philadelphia Eagles EDGE Bryce Huff (3 years, $51.5 million) RB Saquon Barkley (3 years, $37.75 million) S C.J. Gardner-Johnson (3 years, $33 million) EDGE Brandon Graham (1 year) LS Rick Lovato (1 year) P Braden Mann (2 years) LB Zack Baun (1 year) K Jake Elliott (4 years, $24 million) LB Julian Okwara (1 year) TE Albert Okwuegbunam (1 year) G Landon Dickerson (4 years, $84 million extension) QB Kenny Pickett (via a trade with the Steelers) LB Oren Burks (1 year) WR DeVante Paker (1 year, $4.69 million) DT P.J. Mustipher ILB Devin White (1 year) C Matt Hennessy (1 year) S Reed Blankenship (extended) Pittsburgh Steelers LB Patrick Queen (3 years, $41 million) QB Russell Wilson (1 year) CB Donte Jackson (via trade with Panthers) LS Christian Kuntz (re-signed, 3 years) WR Van Jefferson (1 year) DeShon Elliott (2 years, $6 million) QB Justin Fields (via trade with Bears) P Cameron Johnston (3 year, $9 million) S Miles Killebrew (2 year, $6.5 million) DE Montravius Adams (2 years, $5.25 million) RB Cordarrelle Patterson DT Dean Lowry QB Kyle Allen WR Quez Watkins San Francisco 49ers EDGE Leonard Floyd (2 years, $24 million) S George Odum (2 years, $10 million) EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos (2 years, $18 million) DT Jordan Elliott (2 years, $10 million) T Colton McKivitz (1 year, $7 million) DT Maliek Collins (via trade with Texans) QB Branden Allen (re-signed) C Jon Feliciano (1 year, $2.75 million) QB Joshua Dobbs (1 year, $2.25 million) DT Kevin Givens (1 year, $2.06 million) LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (1 year, $1.9 million) OT Brandon Parker (1 year) ILB Ezekiel Turner Isaac Yiadom (1 year) Seattle Seahawks DL Leonard Williams (3 years, $64.5 million) TE Noah Fant (2 years, $21 million) CB Artie Burns (re-signed) CB Rayshawn Jenkins (1 year) C Nick Harris (1 year) QB Sam Howell (via trade with Commanders) LB Jerome Baker (1 year, $7 million) TE Pharaoh Brown (1 year, $3.2 million) DT Johnathan Hankins S K’Von Wallace (1 year) OG Tremayne Anchrum LB Tyrel Dodson RT George Fant (2 years) Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield (3 years, $115 million) WR Mike Evans (2 years, $52 million) S Antoine Winfield Jr. (1 year, $17.1 million) K Chase McLaughlin (3 years, $12.3 million) LB Lavonte David (1 year, $10 million) DL Greg Gaines (re-signed) RB Chase Edmonds (re-signed) S Jordan Whitehead (2 years, $9 million) CB Tavierre Thomas OG Iosua Opeta (1 year) QB John Wolford (1 year) OG Ben Bredeson OT Justin Skule CB Bryce Hall (1 year) Tennessee Titans CB Chidobe Awuzie (3 years, $36 million) RB Tony Pollard (3 years, $24 million) OL Lloyd Cushenberry (4 years, $50 million) LB Kenneth Murray (2 years, $15.5 million) LS Morgan Cox (1 year) WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (1 year) QB Mason Rudolph (1 year, $2.87 million) WR Calvin Ridley (4 years, $92 million) K Nick Folk (1 year, $3.75 million) DT Sebastian Joseph OG Saahdiq Charles (1 year) RB Julius Chestnut (1 year) CB L’Jarius Sneed (via trade with Chiefs) Washington Commanders DE Dorance Armstrong (3 years, $45 million) LB Frankie Luvu (3 years, $36 million) C Tyler Biadasz (3 years, $30 million) RB Austin Ekeler (2 years, $11.43 million) QB Marcus Mariota (1 year, $6 million) TE Zach Ertz (1 year, $5 million) G Nick Allegretti (3 years, $16 million) EDGE Clelin Ferrell (1 year, $3.75 million) S Jeremy Chinn (1 year, $4.105 million) K Brandon McManus (1 year, $3.6 million) LS Tyler Ott (3 years) S Jeremy Reaves (2 years) LB Bobby Wagner (1 year, $6.5 million) LT Cornelius Lucas (1 year) CB Michael Davis CB Noah Igbinoghene DE Efe Obada LB Anthony Pittman WR Jamison Crowder (1 year) DE Dante Fowler Jr. RB Jeremy McNichols WR Oladmide Zaccheaus
As we head down the stretch run toward the 2024 NFL Draft, LSU’s Malik Nabers has been gaining steam as potentially the first wide receiver to come off the board. For most of the pre-draft process, Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. was seen to be earmarked to be WR1, but Nabers has been surging. The most recent example comes this week with two teams inside the top five of the draft set to meet with the Tigers star.
The Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers are set to host Nabers for pre-draft visits, per NFL Media. Nabers is set to meet with the Cardinals on Tuesday and then head to L.A. for his visit with the Chargers on Wednesday. The 20-year-old had previously met with the New York Giants before his pro day, so the teams with the No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 overall picks are all set to get an up-close look at the pass catcher.
Nabers’ measurables compare similarly to fellow LSU phenom and current Bengals superstar Ja’Marr Chase. They are both 6 feet tall and weigh roughly 200 pounds. Nabers ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, while Chase logged a 4.38. They also had similar board jumps and verticals. For the Tigers last season, the All-American caught 89 balls for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns in 13 games.
As Nabers starts to garner plenty of interest across the NFL, let’s dive into a handful of top landing spots.
Arizona Cardinals With the first three picks likely quarterbacks, Arizona is the first realistic landing spot for Nabers at No. 4 overall. The Cardinals certainly have a need at the position, especially after they saw Marquise Brown depart for the Chiefs in free agency. Nabers would come in and almost instantly commander the lion’s share of targets from Kyler Murray.
Los Angeles Chargers Both the Chargers and Cardinals could look to trade out of their respective top-five picks with several teams looking to move up for a QB. If L.A. holds, however, Nabers makes a ton of sense at No. 5. Due to cap constraints, the team essentially gutted its wide receiver room by releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen to the Bears. When you add in running back Austin Ekeler leaving in free agency, the team has lost its top three pass catchers. Nabers being paired with Justin Hebert would produce a constant flow of top-10 highlights.
New York Giants The Giants are in an interesting spot as they could conceivably go quarterback at No. 6. If they don’t, however, the franchise has had a gaping hole at wide receiver for what feels like eternity. Nabers would give Daniel Jones a top-flight target and sit atop a young core of receivers, including Jalin Hyatt and Wan’Dale Robinson.
New York Jets The No. 10 overall pick feels like the floor for Nabers at this point. New York is all in on trying to make the Aaron Rodgers era as productive as it could be and adding a talent like Nabers in the fold opposite of Garrett Wilson would send the offense to a different stratosphere.
