Good morning, New York Giants fans! From Big Blue View Other Giant observations Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: The Giants will make the playoffs. The Year 1 spike due to a top-shelf coach is a proven formula that worked last season for New England’s Mike Vrabel, Chicago’s Ben Johnson and Jacksonville’s Liam Coen. John Harbaugh hopes to have a similar impact, and New York’s roster is on the upswing. A few savvy additions this offseason would make the Giants contenders. Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: The Giants will take a big leap, going from worst to first thanks to the coaching of John Harbaugh, the return of wide receiver Malik Nabers, and steps forward from quarterback Jaxson Dart and edge rusher Abdul Carter in Year 2. Like Jeremy alluded to above, it’s not as big a leap as you might think, as their underlying play-by-play performance last season suggested a 7-10 team instead of a 4-13 unit. Mike Garafolo bullish on 2026 Giants TIER 4: 23. Jaxson Dart. Jaxson Dart electrified New York in a fashion it desperately needed at the quarterback position, but he also demonstrated a refusal to surrender that put him in harm’s way on a few occasions. His rookie season included some bumps in the road, but if he can stay on the field more consistently in the seasons ahead, I think the Giants might have their guy. TIER 5: 40. Jameis Winston. Jameis Winston lived up to his reputation as a veteran backup, keeping the Giants competitive while also reminding us of his tendency to commit turnovers at the worst possible time. What does Brian Callahan hire as Giants QB coach mean for Jaxson Dart? | The Record Matthew Stafford. Peyton Manning. Joe Burrow. Brian Callahan worked closely with all three star quarterbacks in previous stops in his coaching career. Now you can add Jaxson Dart to that list. John Michael Schmitz: Schmitz doesn’t have an extensive injury history, but he’s never played a full season. He missed four games last season, which provided backup Austin Schlottmann four starts. That there wasn’t a noticeable drop-off at the pivot during that stretch doesn’t reflect well on Schmitz’s prospects for a lucrative second contract. Beyond that concern, the 2023 second-round pick could face an immediate threat for his starting job if Harbaugh tries to reunite with Ravens free agent Tyler Linderbaum, the top center on the market. 2026 NFL Free Agency: Top landing spots for the five best offenses ive tackles | PFF Jermaine Eluemunor: Best Landing spot: New York Giants; PFF Free-Agent Ranking: 40. Protecting and developing quarterback Jaxson Dart is the Giants’ top priority moving into the offseason. They will likely need to invest in their interior, but their tackles, Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, form a strong anchor in pass protection, having surrendered the sixth-lowest pressure rate among tackle pairs in the NFL this past season. An extension for the 31-year-old Eluemunor would help to solidify that presence while allowing the Giants to address the interior via the draft. Although he has struggled as a run blocker at times, Eluemunor is well worth a new contract. His 98.0 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating tied for seventh best among linemen with at least 200 pass sets at tackle. He also posted grades above the 80th percentile in all four of PFF’s stable pass-blocking metrics, including PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean impressed with Jaxson Dart 2026 NFL Free Agency Big Board: Ranking Top 50 Players After Super Bowl LX | Bleacher Report 21. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants. New York Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson took advantage of Malik Naber’s season-ending injury and recorded the first 1,000-yard campaign of his career in 2025. While his 5’8”, 185-pound frame limits the roles he can fill, he’s an explosive, high-volume receiver who would fit a variety of schemes. D.J. Reader – DT, Lions. The Giants finished second-to-last in the NFL last season with 2,470 rushing yards allowed and ranked last in yards per carry at 5.3. The year before, they were 27th in rushing yards allowed (2,316) and 25th in yards per carry (4.6). As dominant as Dexter Lawrence has been, there has been little consistent support alongside him to clog running lanes. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter are primarily pass rushers who compete against the run but can be liabilities in that phase. Reader, who turns 32 in July, is a 6-foot-3, 335-pound run stuffer who could help solidify early downs, freeing Lawrence, Burns and Carter to focus on rushing the passer in obvious passing situations. Per the NFL’s overview of important NFL dates for 2026, teams that hired a new head coach after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season can begin their offseason workout programs on April 6 — two weeks before teams with returning head coaches from 2025 begin on April 20. How Ben McAdoo has left his fingerprints all over the NFL in his post-Giants career | New York Post Anyone interested in Ben McAdoo’s whereabouts after the Giants sent him packing would have had a difficult time keeping tabs of where he was, where he had been and where he was headed. Around the league Lane Johnson will return in 2026, according to LeSean McCoy and Adam Schefter | Bleeding Green Nation David Blough is committed to having Jayden Daniels play under center more | Hogs Haven Klint Kubiak, Mark Davis want Maxx Crosby to remain with Raiders | ESPN.com Report: Dan Skipper will join Lions’ coaching staff | Pro Football Talk The Nine Story Lines That Will Define the 2026 NFL Offseason | The Ringer BBV mailbag Have a Giants-related question? E-mail it to [email protected] and it might be featured in our weekly mailbag. BBV on X: Follow @BigBlueView | Ed Valentine: @Valentine_Ed | Threads: @ed.valentine Bluesky: @edvalentine BBV on Facebook: Click here to like the Big Blue View Facebook page BBV on YouTube: Subscribe to the Big Blue View YouTube channel BBV on Instagram: Click
Giants news, 2/12: Brian Callahan is QB coach, Greg Van Roten, Caleb Downs
2026 NFL Draft: 5 most pro-ready prospects
While positional value will determine where several top 2026 NFL Draft prospects end up, some are plug-and-play starters worthy of top picks. Fernando Mendoza is the projected No. 1 pick for a reason: He finished this past season with an elite 90.7 PFF passing grade and a 69% accurate throw rate, per PFF quarterback charting. Both were top-three marks in the FBS. Rueben Bain Jr. is a three-down edge defender: He finished the 2025 season with a 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade and a 23.5% pass-rush win rate, both of which were top-10 marks among qualified FBS edge defenders. He also logged an 86.2 PFF run-defense grade. 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team. Estimated Reading Time: 5minutes Some of the most intriguing conversations during NFL draft season involve examining which prospects are best positioned to make an immediate impact versus those who will need time to develop their skills. Finding players whose traits immediately translate to the NFL level is crucial to the success of every team trying to optimize its roster. Here are a handful of the most pro-ready prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner is presumed to be the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After an incredible season in which he led the Indiana Hoosiers to a national championship, Mendoza appears ready to decipher NFL defenses. He finished this past season with an elite 90.7 PFF passing grade and a 69% accurate throw rate, per PFF quarterback charting. Both were top-three marks in the FBS. Mendoza has shown that he is willing to adapt his fundamentals for the good of the team. He should also find comfort in the fact that new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak just won a Super Bowl in Seattle with Sam Darnold as his quarterback. Mendoza won’t get the privilege of throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but he will get to play in a quarterback-friendly offense with running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. As long as the Raiders’ offensive line improves this offseason, Mendoza could make an immediate impact. Open Mendoza’s Draft Profile EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (FL) Bain dominated throughout his three-year tenure in Coral Gables. He nearly led Miami to a national championship victory over Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers. Bain has always been a strong player with excellent balance. Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor did well to teach Bain the finer details of playing edge defender. Bain’s statistical profile is a result of that. He finished the 2025 season with a 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade and a 23.5% pass-rush win rate, both of which were top-10 marks among qualified FBS edge defenders. His strength and versatility also make him a terrific run defender, evidenced by his 86.2 PFF run-defense grade in 2025. Bain fits into any defensive system. Despite questions about his arm length, he’s an NFL-ready pass rusher who was the key to Miami’s excellent run defense this past season. He’s ready to play on all downs in the NFL. T Francis Mauigoa, Miami (FL) If iron sharpens iron, as they say, then Francis Mauigoa and Rueben Bain Jr. certainly helped each other in their journey to the 2026 NFL Draft. Like Bain, Mauigoa put together an excellent three-year career with the Hurricanes, culminating in an outstanding 2025 that could vault him into being the first offensive tackle selected in April. Mauigoa possesses the requisite size and athleticism to fit into any offensive line. His 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade this past season led all qualified FBS right tackles. He was certainly no slouch on the ground, either, posting a 77.1 PFF run-blocking grade. Even if there are scouts who believe Mauigoa could be an elite guard, he is a plug-and-play starter who would improve any offensive line in short order. WR Makai Lemon, USC Lemon’s 2025 season earned him the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the most outstanding receiver in college football. While he is undersized, Lemon is a dynamic route runner who excels at the catch point and after the catch. His skills and trademark toughness may remind some of another USC alumnus, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. No qualifying FBS wide receiver topped Lemon’s 91.4 PFF receiving grade this season. He didn’t accrue his immense totals with volume alone, though, as his 3.13 yards per route run mark ranked in the top 10 for that same group. Lemon was dynamic after the catch, as well, tallying 21 missed tackles forced. Perhaps most impressive is that Lemon hauled in more than 57% of his contested targets in his career despite standing at a listed 5-foot-11. If a wise NFL team can tolerate Lemon’s lack of elite size, they could find themselves a playmaker with the potential to jumpstart a passing game. More Coverage S Caleb Downs, Ohio State Downs is arguably the most pro-ready prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. He earned an elite 93.6 PFF overall grade during his three college seasons, split between Alabama and Ohio State. He is arguably the best football player in the class, but we have seen elite safety prospects like Kyle Hamilton and Derwin James Jr. fall into the middle of the first round before. The 21-year-old isn’t quite as physically imposing as his first-round predecessors, but his off-the-charts instincts shined in three different defensive systems over the past three seasons. He was guided in his final season by longtime NFL coach Matt Patricia. There should be no questions regarding Downs’ football IQ. He is also a very physical player despite his relatively average size. Downs will immediately improve any team’s secondary, and he should at least be considered for selection by every team aside from the Raiders at No. 1 overall.
Report: Colts to hire Arkansas’ Marion Hobby as new defensive line coach
According to CBS Sports Matt Zenitz, the Indianapolis Colts are expected to hire University of Arkansas’ Marion Hobby as their new defensive line coach, replacing since departed veteran coach Charlie Partridge: The 59-year-old Hobby was set to become Arkansas defensive line coach this upcoming season under their new head coach Ryan Silverfield. Hobby served last […] According to CBS Sports Matt Zenitz, the Indianapolis Colts are expected to hire University of Arkansas’ Marion Hobby as their new defensive line coach, replacing since departed veteran coach Charlie Partridge: The 59-year-old Hobby was set to become Arkansas defensive line coach this upcoming season under their new head coach Ryan Silverfield. Hobby served last season as a defensive analyst for the University of Tennessee. However, most notably for our purposes, Hobby was the former defensive line coach for the Cincinnati Bengals (2021-24) under current Colts veteran defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. Collectively, he’s coached in the NFL for eight seasons previously, focused on defensive lines. He brings a wealth of coaching experience, having had other prior stops collegiately as well. Hobby will be tasked with improving the Colts stalling pass rush, while continuing to ensure that their young pass rushers such as Laiatu Latu, Ade Adebawore, and JT Tuimoloau only continue to improve and get better. The Colts had 39.0 total team defense sacks in 2025, which was the 15th best in the league, so around league average. That being said, ESPN Analytics ranked them as the 30th best in pass rush win rate (29%) this past season—meaning Hobby initially has his work cut out for him. It’s also important to note that should the Colts elect to pursue top free agent pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, having been frequently connected to him, that Hobby would figure to only help them for recruiting purposes. See More: Indianapolis Colts News
Draft-pick production is a must for Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are starting fresh with a new coaching staff again as they finally try to find some stability and a winning formula. Regardless of the change, the turnaround to becoming a successful program is not easy to find —- the Raiders and second-year general manager John Spytek simply must draf5 better. It […] The Las Vegas Raiders are starting fresh with a new coaching staff again as they finally try to find some stability and a winning formula. Regardless of the change, the turnaround to becoming a successful program is not easy to find —- the Raiders and second-year general manager John Spytek simply must draf5 better. It has been a major issue for years, and through many regimes. Simply put, the Raiders have whiffed way too many draft choices. And it has hurt the program. Check out this recent tweet from the Associated Press: The Raiders’ had the second fewest snaps played by their own draft picks in 2025. That is no way to build a program. Until that changes, the Raiders’ issues will persist. In other Raiders’ news: FEED talk: Check out this FEED post and join the party. Mock time: SB Nation has a post-Super Bowl mock draft. Talking with Bo: The Raiders’ website had a podcast chat with the great Bo Jackson. See More: Las Vegas Raiders Draft
Rams must embrace maturation process
The Los Angeles Rams are entering one of the most pivotal offseasons of the Sean McVay era—not because of a schematic overhaul or a quarterback controversy, but because of something far less tangible and far more important: maturity. For nearly a decade, the Rams’ identity has been anchored by steady, battle-tested veterans who understood how […] The Los Angeles Rams are entering one of the most pivotal offseasons of the Sean McVay era—not because of a schematic overhaul or a quarterback controversy, but because of something far less tangible and far more important: maturity. For nearly a decade, the Rams’ identity has been anchored by steady, battle-tested veterans who understood how to navigate the emotional grind of an NFL season. That foundation is now shifting. The retirement of longtime right tackle Rob Havenstein and the potential retirement of tight end Tyler Higbee leave more than just gaps in the starting lineup—they leave a leadership vacuum in the locker room. The Havenstein Effect: Quiet Accountability Rob Havenstein wasn’t flashy. He didn’t chase headlines. But inside the building, he represented consistency and accountability. Offensive linemen often serve as tone-setters, and Havenstein’s professionalism was a daily example for younger players. He showed up. He prepared. He handled adversity without theatrics. In tight games and rough stretches, players could look to Havenstein and know the standard would not slip. With his retirement, that steadying presence disappears. Leadership on the offensive line can’t just be about talent—it has to be about composure. When protection breaks down or the run game stalls, someone has to keep the group locked in. The Rams now need one of their younger linemen to assume that mantle. Talent alone won’t do it. Tyler Higbee and the Emotional Core If Havenstein was the quiet backbone, Tyler Higbee has long been part of the leadership core. Higbee has grown alongside the McVay era—from early inconsistency to becoming a trusted weapon and vocal presence. He has seen Super Bowl highs and injury-laden lows. He understands perspective. If Higbee decides to retire, the Rams lose a player who bridges eras. He connected veterans to young skill players. He understood how to lead without alienating. In a locker room that’s getting younger by the year, that kind of presence matters. The loss of Higbee would be another member from the Rams leadership team that would require filling… Puka Nacua and the Next Step Puka Nacua is immensely talented. His early-career production proves he can be one of the league’s premier receivers for years to come. But the 2025 season showed flashes of immaturity that the Rams cannot afford moving forward. There were visible moments of frustration—sideline body language, demonstrative reactions after missed targets, emotional swings that lingered longer than they should have. Passion is a strength. But unchecked emotion can fracture rhythm and focus. As the Rams transition into a new leadership era, Nacua must understand that he’s no longer just a rising star—he’s a tone-setter. Young receivers will follow his cues. Defensive backs will bait him. Big-game moments will test him. Great players dominate. Great leaders stabilize. This offseason, Nacua’s growth cannot just be about route refinement or strength training. It must be about emotional control, communication, and accountability. The Rams don’t need him quieter. They need him steadier. And finding some new friends wouldn’t hurt… The Young Defense (and the NFC Championship Lesson…) Perhaps the clearest example of the Rams’ maturity gap came in the NFC Championship Game. When adversity hit—whether it was a blown coverage, a sudden momentum swing, or a critical penalty—the defensive unit appeared rattled. Body language shifted. Communication seemed strained. The response lacked edge. Young defenses often play fast and fearless when ahead. But championship-level defenses respond with poise when behind. They don’t unravel after one big play. They tighten. The Rams’ defensive core is talented but inexperienced. In high-leverage moments, mindset becomes everything. A bad series cannot turn into a bad quarter. A bad quarter cannot turn into a collapse. The NFC Championship loss wasn’t about physical inability. It was about composure under stress. That’s maturity. Leadership Must Be Claimed Sean McVay can emphasize culture. The front office can sign veterans. But ultimately, leadership is claimed inside the locker room. Matthew Stafford, if still leading the offense, remains a stabilizing presence. But quarterbacks cannot carry cultural weight alone. Defensive captains must emerge. Skill-position players must embrace responsibility. Younger linemen must understand that leadership begins in practice reps and meeting-room habits. The Rams have talent. They have coaching continuity. What they need now is internal growth. The retirement of Havenstein and the possible departure of Higbee create a crossroads. The next phase of Rams football will be defined by which young players decide that professionalism is no longer optional—it’s required. Puka Nacua can become the emotional compass of the offense, not just its playmaker. The defense can transform its frustration into resilience. The offensive line can rebuild its identity around discipline and unity. Championship windows don’t close only because of aging rosters. Sometimes they narrow because the emotional infrastructure erodes. Since 2021, we’ve seen the departures of players like Andrew Whitworth, Aaron Donald, and Jalen Ramsey. LA must find leaders like those players as they get ready to embark on the journey for Super Bowl LXI. The Rams don’t need a rebuild. They need a maturation. And that process starts this offseason. See More: Los Angeles Rams Roster
REPORT: Chiefs will hire DeMarco Murray as running backs coach
The offensive coaching staff of the Kansas City Chiefs has experienced plenty of change this offseason, and now, the staff reset feels complete with the reported hire of a new running backs coach. According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs will be hiring DeMarco Murray, the former NFL running back who has been on […] Oklahoma running backs coach DeMarco Murray during the Red River Showdown college football game between the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Texas at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022. Texas won 49-0. Lx18797 The offensive coaching staff of the Kansas City Chiefs has experienced plenty of change this offseason, and now, the staff reset feels complete with the reported hire of a new running backs coach. Sources: The #Chiefs are hiring former NFL RB and current Oklahoma RBs coach DeMarco Murray as their RBs coach on Andy Reid’s staff. Murray has been coaching on the college level since 2019 and now makes the jump to the NFL. pic.twitter.com/wytgW1nstm — Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 12, 2026 According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Chiefs will be hiring DeMarco Murray, the former NFL running back who has been on staff at the University of Oklahoma as running backs coach since 2020. Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reported Murray as an emerging candidate earlier on Wednesday evening. After a seven-year NFL career that featured three Pro Bowl seasons and a 2014 campaign worthy of the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year award for the Dallas Cowboys, Murray spent one season analyzing college football in 2018 before joining the coaching staff at the University of Arizona. He quickly moved on in his coaching journey to his alma mater, Oklahoma, where he was once a first-team All-Big 12 running back and developed into a third-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. At the age of 30, Murray retired from the NFL with 7,174 career rushing yards and 49 career rushing touchdowns, and he will be 38 years old in his first season as an NFL coach. Murray will join Chiefs wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea as brand-new position coaches for the franchise, setting a tone for the second stint with Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator. Kansas City had requested to interview Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough, who was formerly in Kansas City occupying that role, but it appears he will continue under the Raiders’ new head coach, Klay Kubiak. How do you feel about the reported hire? Let us know in the comments!
Rams restricted free agents 2026
On the current Los Angeles Rams roster, the Exclusive Rights Free Agents of Harrison Mevis, Justin Dedich, and Xavier Smith would appear to all be more worth keeping than the two restricted free agents. Who would you want the Rams to keep this year and which ones, if any, do you think the team should […] On the current Los Angeles Rams roster, the Exclusive Rights Free Agents of Harrison Mevis, Justin Dedich, and Xavier Smith would appear to all be more worth keeping than the two restricted free agents. Who would you want the Rams to keep this year and which ones, if any, do you think the team should let go? Restricted Free Agents A restricted free agent is one with three or fewer accrued seasons (six or more regular season games with a team) of service, who has received a “qualifying” offer (a salary level predetermined by the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players, known as a “tender”) from his current club. He can negotiate with any club through a certain date. If the restricted free agent accepts an offer sheet from a new club, his old club has “right of first refusal,” a five-day period in which it may match the offer and retain him, or choose not to match the offer, in which case it may receive one or more draft picks for the upcoming draft from the player’s new club. If an offer sheet is not executed, the player’s rights revert to his old club the day after negotiations must end. OLB Keir Thomas The former undrafted free agent out of Florida State by way of South Carolina did not appear in any games this season and only one game in 2024. The RFA tag would cost millions of dollars, so the Rams probably won’t make an offer to Thomas and allow him to become a free agent. But L.A. could always offer him a non-guaranteed deal to return. OLB Nick Hampton The Rams waived the former fifth round pick in December after three underwhelming seasons, but Hampton returned shortly thereafter. This makes him in a restricted free agent instead of being on the club again with his rookie contract. Hampton only has 17 tackles and zero sacks in three seasons. Exclusive Rights Free Agents An Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) in the NFL is a player with fewer than three accrued seasons whose team can offer them a one-year, league-minimum contract, preventing them from negotiating with any other NFL team. If the team tenders this offer, the player must accept it or sit out the season; if the team doesn’t tender the offer, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and can negotiate with anyone. WR Xavier Smith (Exclusive Rights) The scapegoat of the NFC Championship, it would be a surprise if the Rams brought back Xavier Smith as a punt returner in 2026 without at least a little bit of competition. Smith had 303 receiving yards in 2025, so it would be surprising if L.A. didn’t give him the ERFA tag because he costs almost nothing to keep. Emotions run high in the moment but “Xavier Smith should never play for the Rams again” is an overreaction. K Harrison Mevis (Exclusive Rights) Mevis made 18-of-19 field goal attempts and 48-of-48 extra points in 2025. He will be back. G Justin Dedich (Exclusive Rights) The 25-year-old has made nine starts in two years. Dedich will be brought back as depth along the offensive line. See More:
Bengals projected to reunite with D.J. Reader
The NFL offseason is in full swing, and the Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly ready to spend to help fix one of the league’s worst defenses to support a star-studded offense. With the legal tampering period just under a month away, the focus has turned to what free agents they can attract. FOX Sports NFL reporter […] The NFL offseason is in full swing, and the Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly ready to spend to help fix one of the league’s worst defenses to support a star-studded offense. With the legal tampering period just under a month away, the focus has turned to what free agents they can attract. FOX Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman has predicted that the Bengals will attack the interior of their defensive line with a familiar face. Auman sees the Bengals signing defensive tackle D.J. Reader to a one-year contract this offseason. Reader has finished the two-year deal he signed with the Detroit Lions after leaving Cincinnati ahead of the 2024 season. ”Reader, 31, just finished a two-year, $22 million contract with Detroit, starting every game as nose tackle. There’s talk he could return to Cincinnati, where he played from 2020-23, and the Bengals could use his presence up front after finishing dead last against the run and bottom three in points and yards allowed in 2025. In his prime with the Bengals, he was graded as a top-10 defensive lineman, and he’s not that anymore, but could still be a match in the $6 million range,” Auman wrote. Reader is coming off of his first season without a sack since 2022, but the Bengals should be more interested in his ability to stop the run. Reader would likely be in more of a rotational role than his first stint in Cincinnati, but on a young defense that needs leadership, Reader would be just what the doctor ordered. Auman puts Reader’s projected contract in the $6 million range, but Pro Football Focus projected Reader to get a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. Anywhere in the $4-$6 million range should be something the Bengals are comfortable with. They have also shown to value familiarity, something they certainly have with Reader. Keep your eyes out for a potential reunion in March. See More: Cincinnati Bengals free agency
What do you expect to be the next news you hear regarding the Colts roster?
The most likely scenario is a minor cut or a futures contract, but what will be the first news out of 56th street that makes you raise an eyebrow or even both eyebrows? There are a few options, including an extension, a re-sign, a restructure, a cut, or maybe a trade. The next official date […] The most likely scenario is a minor cut or a futures contract, but what will be the first news out of 56th street that makes you raise an eyebrow or even both eyebrows? There are a few options, including an extension, a re-sign, a restructure, a cut, or maybe a trade. The next official date on the calendar is for designating franchise or transition players. This happens on the 17th, but other moves could be made prior. The extension. You are usually trying to lock down a player that has performed well for you and is deserving of a raise. My mind goes quickly to Dulin. He’s been making special teams and backup money for seven years, to the tune of just over 17 million. That special teams work is now more Pro Bowl level special teams work and he has always shown stable when given the chance to line up as a receiver. With Pierce and Pittman being two of the biggest question marks entering next season, having a solid backup plan would be a good idea. One other thought for an extension. Could you extend Richardson? Based on his performance to date, he would not be due a big buck contract on the open market. If he was offered a couple of more years of guaranteed money, including picking up his 5th year option, might he stay in a system he is familiar with? Maybe he believes that he can re-establish himself as the starter if Jones is not signed, or make his mark if Jones arrival is delayed. It could be the safer play than moving to another team and hoping for a shot. It might help us, as he could be more enticing as a trade chip if he has a manageable contract for a couple of years. The re-sign. There are two players that will dominate this conversation, with one being an almost unanimous “Do it!” and the other being perceived as less of a slam dunk. Of course, nearly everyone wants to keep Pierce. He has earned his money to this point and deserves to get paid for his services going forward. He could get a franchise tag, but a longer contract would be preferred. Jones is less of a priority for some. Detractors will point to injuries and much of his success coming against weaker teams. I know that “dollar value” and “length” are sticking points for some, while others (including myself) believe that he is the best option and will be ready to go. It is also possible that if you still believe that AR is the long term answer, you see no need in using up cap space for DJ. Maybe there are others, but not double eyebrow raisers. The restructure. Many would go straight to Pittman for this, trying to relieve some of that 29 million cap hit this year. When you restructure, you end up giving even more money to the player and I can’t see that as a strong play for Pitt. I don’t want to jettison his contract, but I feel I need to. I’d see about going the restructure route with Taylor. He made 15.5 last year and will make the same this year, then walking into free agency in 2027 as a 28 year old RB. Would he play for 10 this year if we added two more years at that 15.5 number? A running back can see it all go away quickly, so some guaranteed money until his year 30 season would make sense. There are other candidates, but I’d explore this one to try and save 5 million. A cut. This is as easy as “We would prefer to have the savings, rather than your contributions next year.” If this is my first move, I have to make it Franklin. I can save 6 million and never have to watch a replay to see how poorly he covered a TE, or how he didn’t get deep enough in his zone. He’ll latch on somewhere, but I’m willing to give a shot to a rookie or a guy who has been biding his time on a bench. Pitt is a candidate based on cap savings alone, but I’d exhaust the trade and renegotiation options first. The trade. My preference would be to get something useful out of Pitt, but his salary is going to get in the way of deal. Aside from that, I think you bite the bullet and get what you can for Richardson. I understand that AR is a polarizing entity among Colt fans. You either think that he has gotten a raw deal and that all he still needs is playing time, or you think he is too often injured and may now be more of a distraction than an asset. It will play out one way or the other and it could easily still be three years, before we know which side was correct. In my humble opinion, very little changes the Colts stars, unless they improve the DL. We could get good play out of Jones, Richardson, and dark horse Leonard. We could get good enough WR play if we lose AP or Pitt. We could even get adequate play from a RB, without JT. I believe that we can’t improve the DL enough with a draft pick in the 2nd round, so we will have to spend some money and/or draft capital to help that aspect. To do that, we will have to save some money somewhere else. Do you agree that finding some pass rush is the quickest way to team improvement? If so, who are you paying and
2026 Las Vegas Raiders Draft Scouting: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Position: SAF Height: 6’2 Weight: 205 Stats: 2025 (13 games) – 77 tackles, 5.5 TFL, sack, 2 INT (TD), 5 PBU, 2 FR, 3 FF | 6 receptions allowed, 116 yards, TD, 56.5 QBR on 14 targets | 10 missed tackles (13.3%) Class/Age: Senior, 21 Team: Toledo Positives: McNeil-Warren has been a top name among […] Position: SAF Height: 6’2 Weight: 205 Stats: 2025 (13 games) – 77 tackles, 5.5 TFL, sack, 2 INT (TD), 5 PBU, 2 FR, 3 FF | 6 receptions allowed, 116 yards, TD, 56.5 QBR on 14 targets | 10 missed tackles (13.3%) Class/Age: Senior, 21 Team: Toledo Positives: McNeil-Warren has been a top name among group of five safeties his entire career since he made an impact in 2023 and in his career he’s logged 214 tackles, 11 TFL, a sack, 5 interceptions, 13 pass breakups, 2 recoveries, and 9 forced fumbles. Additionally, McNeil-Warren has allowed just 34 receptions, 403 yards and 3 touchdowns on 60 targets his entire collegiate career. McNeil-Warren has exceptional size and athleticism for the position, likely posting a sub 4.5 40 at 6’2, 205 and he’s been a versatile defender as well lining up 909 times at strong safety, 574 as a free safety, and 256 times as a nickel linebacker. The senior safety is an extremely violent player and has a natural aggressive trigger downhill and in coverage consistently coming downhill to make plays on the ball and defeat run defenders at the point of attack. He shows extremely fluid hips and foot speed along with exceptional body and balance control which allows him to be a true sideline to sideline defender. McNeil-Warren is massively physical consistently attacking a receiver at the point of attack while also working through assignments to get off blocks, jam receivers, or get into the backfield against the run. He displays strong awareness and IQ in coverage with the ability to jump off routes and break on the receiver to identify a play on the ball. He’s most comfortable in zone coverage where he has the ability to sit back and read the QB and utilize his instincts and awareness of route concepts to make plays in coverage or flush out routes forcing the ball elsewhere. McNeil-Warren has exceptional first step quickness and burst along with an ability to break out of his cut and drive downfield or vertically to make a play. The senior shows the ability to work in man coverage as well and maintain a physical profile through tight ends and slot receivers. Weakness: McNeil-Warren is going to need to adapt to the speed of the game at the NFL, he’s played strong competition at Toledo and has performed well along with performing well at the senior bowl, but the speed will be different and that may take a year for him to develop into the player he can become immediately. Warren will need to add strength and mass to his frame and at 205 he can hold another 10 pounds while keeping his athleticism and fluid playstyle that will allow him to also maintain more functional strength to consistently fight off bigger tight ends in the NFL and guards at the 2nd level if he’s playing more in the box. McNeil-Warren was only asked to play man coverage on 28% of his concepts at Toledo in his final two seasons, and he’ll need more experience and improve his leverage technique as a man coverage defender. Additionally, McNeil-Warren does struggle with his overall instincts in man coverage and while he’s exceptionally fluid in man coverage he does need more time and development to really refine his ability to play in man coverage as a nickel linebacker, strong safety at the NFL level. McNeil-Warren has a great first step but he does struggle consistently in the long speed and converting his bail coverage to long speed runs and that can be an issue in the NFL if playing consistently over the top. McNeil-Warren will need to clean up his tackling angles and despite his physicality and form, he does overpursue a little too often and there’s moments he consistently lets the cutback lane free leading to big rushers. Grade: 2.18 – Early 2nd Round Pro-Comp: Talanoa Hufanga (DEN) McNeil-Warren is a prototypical strong safety in the NFL, he does have the ability to play over the top but likely will see a near 65/35 split from strong safety/nickel linebacker to free safety. He’s a young player who does have a ton of room to grow and he’s going to succeed off his athletic playstyle, instincts, and sideline to sideline range. McNeil-Warren is an extremely violent player, does have an exceptional trigger downhill, does a good job in most facets of his game, and has a long runway of improvement ahead of him along with a fairly high floor as well. The Raiders desperately need to revamp their safety room this off-season, Jeremy Chinn is a great fit at a nickel role and switching to strong safety but keeping Chinn in the slot with McNeil-Warren at a strong safety and adding a true free safety would go a long way to revamp the Raiders defensive back room. See More: Las Vegas Raiders Draft