We are well and truly on the path to the 2026 NFL Draft. Mock draft season is in full swing and evaluators around the media landscape are releasing profiles and big boards. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler released his initial list Top 100 after the Super Bowl. Every evaluator’s rankings will likely change as we go through the process, with the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine as the most likely to reshuffle. The New York Giants only have two picks in the Top 100, at least as things stand now. They could make moves to add draft capital, potentially working a trade, moving a player (or players) or finding a trade partner on draft night. But while the Giants might not be making many picks in the Top 100, Brugler’s list is always interesting reading. 1) I don’t know if I’ll ever fully agree with Brugler I think acknowledging various biases is foundational to any good piece of analysis or evaluation, so I want to start off by acknowledging one of the biggest differences in how Brugler and I seem to view the draft. He seemingly passes every prospect through a “Height/Weight/Speed” filter and that often figures heavily in his evaluations. That’s an old school way of doing things — with the twist of using modern technology to accurately measure athleticism. I used to be the same way. However, seeing players like Steve Smith Sr. Jason Kelce, Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Donald, DeVonta Smith, Devon Achane, the Kendricks brothers, and Ivan Pace Jr. all have success as “undersized” players for their positions, while players with “prototypical” or “freakish” profiles bust convinced me to re-evaluate my process for evaluations. Now my personal mantra is “Size Is Not A Skill Set”. I’m not saying that I’m right and he’s wrong, but rather something to keep in mind as we go through the list. 2) This will be a defense-driven draft If there’s one thing that leaps off the page when looking at this draft class, it’s that this is definitely a stronger defensive class than offensive class. A quarterback is going to go first overall, but the rest of the Top 20 will likely be dominated by defense. Not exclusively defensive players, mind you, but it’d be a surprise if we got more than six or seven offensive players between picks 2 and 20. That might not impact the Giants’ draft, as there might only be three players off the board that they care about. If they want to continue to add to the defense, there should be good options available. Likewise, they should also have impact players available on the offensive side of the ball as well. But the general theme of the first round should be established pretty early. 3) A good draft to trade back — if you can find a partner One of the other things that simply leaps off the page is how flat the talent level is in this draft. There will probably be 20 (or so) players to carry first round grades in this draft, but how each individual team views them could vary tremendously. Some teams could see Denzel Boston as WR1 in this class and a Top 5 pick, while others could see him as 20. That obviously makes trading down highly attractive, as your board could dictate that you get similar value at 15th overall as fifth overall, with additional draft capital. On the flip side, there isn’t much trade bait at the top, that is, unless, teams simply fall in love with a position player like the Jaguars did Travis Hunter. It’ll be fascinating to see how that plays out and impacts the draft. I suspect we could either see teams be highly aggressive trying to get “Their Guy” or a very sedate night, without much in between. 4) Ty Simpson will be a lynchpin The Alabama quarterback could well be the second quarterback off the board. He was in contention to be QB1 at times this season and has significant upside. However, he also only has one season of starting experience and had an uneven season. That said, this is an undeniably weak quarterback class and the question is how far the NFL allows Simpson to fall on draft night. The New York Jets are an obvious team to watch given their plethora of first round picks, but so too are the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams. Matt Stafford is an MVP but we don’t know how long he’ll be able to play at that level or even want to keep playing. The Rams have a late first round pick they could use to take Simpson — or perhaps as a trade chip if they want to make an aggressive move. It’s something that bears watching. 5) Day 2 is the sweet spot for interior linemen If you want to add an interior lineman, either offensive or defensive, Day 2 is the place to do it. This class doesn’t have much in the way of high level talent on the interior. There is no Quinten Nelson or Ndamukong Suh who commands a high pick and will be a Day 1 game changer. However, there are plenty of (somewhat limited) guards and defensive tackles who will carry Day 2 grades. That doesn’t mean the classes are weak by any means, and there will be good players available throughout the Friday portion of the draft. That could actually work out for the Giants if they follow the Ravens’ recent history of drafting a receiver or defensive back in the first round and a lineman in the second. 6) The fall of Peter Woods Okay, I probably could have just expanded the subhead to say “What happened at Clemson?” but I was just talking about defensive tackles, so I thought I’d stay at the position. Woods was widely considered a Top 10 lock coming into the season thanks to his athleticism and versatility. He split time between defensive tackle and defensive end in
2026 NFL Draft: 10 takeaways from Dane Brugler’s top 100 prospects list
Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship talk about possibly re-signing with the Eagles
The week leading up to the Super Bowl is filled with more media opportunities than players know what to do with, which means more than a few opportunities for upcoming Eagles’ free agents to make a pitch to stay in Philly — or not. Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship were both asked about returning to […] The week leading up to the Super Bowl is filled with more media opportunities than players know what to do with, which means more than a few opportunities for upcoming Eagles’ free agents to make a pitch to stay in Philly — or not. Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship were both asked about returning to Philadelphia next season, and their responses were very different — Dean felt like Zack Baun last season, and Blankenship gave Milton Williams vibes, when the now-New England Patriots defensive tackle wore a hoodie with his agent’s logo on locker clean out day. Nakobe Dean One man who without question wants to be back in Philadelphia is linebacker Nakobe Dean. He has said it to nearly anyone who would listen — he acknowledged that the NFL is a business, so he understands if it doesn’t work out, but returning to the Eagles is his preference. The LB has played with a handful of his teammates since college, and moving on would be a big adjustment. Dean’s injury history could work to his benefit in this regard, but he’s someone who might not be as valued outside the building. The people within the Eagles organization know how important he is as a leader and what he can do for the linebacker group, and defense as a whole, even when he’s not on the field. And when he is on the field, he’s intelligent and instantly impactful. Reed Blankenship The Exciting Mics podcast co-hosts, Cooper DeJean and Reed Blankenship, were among the many posted up in the media center ahead of the Super Bowl, and they briefly addressed Blankenship’s upcoming free agency. The safety talked about he and his wife moving out of Philadelphia and back to Tennessee — the couple previously announced they have a baby on the way — which is an interesting move if he expected to be back with the Eagles. DeJean tried to goad Blankenship into talking about wanting to be back in Philly, but the safety did little to offer any assurances, saying only: “We’ll see.” There’s still several weeks before Dean, Blankenship, and the other Eagles free agents officially hit the market, so Howie Roseman has time to figure out how best to fill the roster, and how to allocate the salary cap among a young defense that will be very expensive over the next couple of seasons. Which defensive upcoming free agents should the Eagles prioritize re-signing before they hit the market? Let us know in the comments! See More:
NFL free agency 2026: Should the Giants count on Greg Van Roten again?
One of the more interesting decisions facing the New York Giants this offseason is whether or not to bring starting right guard Greg Van Roten back for another season. As NFL free agency approaches, let’s discuss the pros and cons. Reasons to keep Van Roten Van Roten has played reasonably well as the Giants’ starting right guard the past two seasons. Certainly better than the much more highly-paid Jon Runyan Jr. has at left guard. Van Roten will be 36 later this month. His pro football career started as an undrafted free agent with the Green Bay Packers in 2012 and included a two-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in 2015 and 2016. Van Roten remains a useful player, and shows no signs of breaking down as he has played more than 1,000 snaps in each of the last three seasons. Should he continue to be a starter? That is a different question. Every team needs quality veteran backups who can step in and play competently in an emergency without a ton of practice reps. Van Roten could do that at both guard spots and center. Spotrac estimates his market value at $5 million for one year. That might be high for Van Roten, who made $3.25 million in 2025. Still, his versatility and experience might make it a worthwhile investment. Reasons to let Van Roten go Van Roten will be 36, and he isn’t going to get better. At some point, there will be regression. Maybe you move on before that happens, and Jaxson Dart or your running game pays for it. Maybe Van Roten won’t be a scheme fit for what offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, senior offensive assistant Greg Roman, and offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren have in mind. Maybe the Giants think they can get similar play at a cheaper price from Austin Schlottmann, who is also heading to free agency. Verdict Keep him. I have no issue with looking for a starter with more upside, but as I said above there is a lot of value for any offensive line in an experienced, competent player who can be a three-position backup.
Lane Johnson will return in 2026, according to LeSean McCoy and Adam Schefter
One of the biggest 2026 offseason questions for the Philadelphia Eagles: Will Lane Johnson retire? If former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and NFL insider Adam Schefter are to be believed, Philly’s All-Pro starting right tackle will indeed be back next season. McCoy had the following to say on a February 9 edition of SPEAKEASY: […] One of the biggest 2026 offseason questions for the Philadelphia Eagles: Will Lane Johnson retire? If former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy and NFL insider Adam Schefter are to be believed, Philly’s All-Pro starting right tackle will indeed be back next season. McCoy had the following to say on a February 9 edition of SPEAKEASY: “Lane Johnson ain’t going nowhere. I talked to Lane. He ain’t going nowhere. He ain’t going nowhere.” Schefter appeared on 97.5 The Fanatic’s Kincade & Salciunas show on Wednesday morning and had the following to say: “I do expect that Lane Johnson will be back. I have heard the Landon Dickerson conversation [on potential retirement], I don’t know how real it is or isn’t; but I’d be surprised if Lane Johnson isn’t back, I don‘t know as much about Landon Dickerson.” It’ll be nice to eventually see or hear confirmation from Johnson himself. In the meantime, these comments seem promising as it relates to Johnson playing in 2026. It’s not difficult to believe that Johnson doesn’t want to retire after missing the Eagles’ final eight games of the 2025 season. But it would be hard to blame the two-time Super Bowl champion, who turns 36 in May, if he felt like it was best for his health to walk away. Johnson was once again playing at a very high level prior to suffering a Lisfranc injury in November. The Eagles were 8-2 with him in the starting lineup and 3-5 without him. Having him around for 2026 would be a big deal. Of course, it remains to be seen if the 14-year veteran can stay healthy. Even if Lane Johnson truly is back, the Eagles must invest in a replacement plan. Especially with Fred Johnson expected to leave in free agency as he seeks an opportunity for more playing time. The Birds have had interest in drafting Lane’s heir apparent in recent years but the right fit hasn’t been available for them. Perhaps that’ll be a different story this offseason. While Johnson being expected to return is welcomed news, the Eagles still have much to figure out when it comes to their offensive line. Is Landon Dickerson going to retire? Can Cam Jurgens get back to where he was prior to struggling in 2025? Is Tyler Steen going to start again this season? How much of a drop off will there be from Jeff Stoutland to new offensive line coach Chris Kuper? We’ll see. See More: Philadelphia Eagles News
Eagles News: The Ringer says Philadelphia is “on the precipice of a reset”
Eagles Question of the Day: Do you think the 2024 Eagles would beat the 2025 Seahawks if they played each other on a neutral field? Head over to The Feed and weigh in with your answer and explanation! Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links … The Nine Story Lines That Will Define […] Eagles Question of the Day: Do you think the 2024 Eagles would beat the 2025 Seahawks if they played each other on a neutral field? Head over to The Feed and weigh in with your answer and explanation! Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links … The Nine Story Lines That Will Define the 2026 NFL Offseason – The Ringer The Eagles are on the precipice of a reset. […] This kind of change will push quarterback Jalen Hurts to add new layers to his game as a passer. He’ll have to throw between the numbers more often than he ever has in his career, which hasn’t been his preference. Since he became the starter in 2021, Philadelphia’s offense has just 903 throws between the numbers. Not only does that rank last in the NFL (and more than 100 fewer than the next-lowest team), but it’s woefully below the league average of 1,258. Hurts doesn’t have to throw in-breaking routes like quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa or Brock Purdy next year, but this offense would benefit from a handful more per game. He’ll also have to shave some time off of how long he typically holds the ball and let passes go with anticipation, even if it means risking a few more turnovers. With Hurts spending most of his career playing in the same system (albeit under different play callers), there’s a chance it will take him a while to find his rhythm. […] Even the most optimistic Eagles fans would have to acknowledge the danger that could come from undergoing this major metamorphosis without a trustworthy head coach or superstar quarterback. If things go off the rails in 2026, a larger organizational reset is a real possibility. Brandon Graham expresses interest in coming back to the Eagles – BGN Speaking from Radio Row ahead of Super Bowl LX, Brandon Graham reconnected with former teammates Chris Long and Beau Allen on his ‘Brandon Graham Unblocked’ podcast, and gave an update on his retirement status. Eagles mailbag: More on Vic Fangio’s near retirement – PhillyVoice Jalen Carter doesn’t just have the “potential” to be an All-Pro. He IS an All-Pro, or at least he was an All-Pro in 2024. He is a star player who had a down year, partly because of shoulder injuries. So, I guess I disagree with the assertion that “his value will never be higher.” His value is probably lower than normal at the moment, because of the disappointing season he just had. Carter is still only 24 years old, and he might be the most talented player on the team. At a minimum, he is the player that opposing offensive coordinators must have an answer for, first and foremost. My expectation is that he will have a long, outstanding career, and you’d have to be offering an absurd package of pick/player capital to make me even consider trading him. Post-Super Bowl Power Rankings: Where does each NFL team stand entering 2026 offseason? – NFL.com 11) Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles were the first back-to-back champs in the NFC East in more than two decades, but winning a third straight might be tough. They still haven’t officially heard whether Vic Fangio will return, there’s a potential A.J. Brown situation to navigate this offseason and rumors have flown about retirement for both Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson. That, plus a change at offensive coordinator, has already made it a busy offseason to date. They still should be a good defensive team, but there are three big free agents they must worry about: Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship. Offensively, Dallas Goedert is another potential free agent who could leave, and it’s hard to imagine that unit getting better without Brown and Goedert. There’s a lot to figure out, but this is often when general manager Howie Roseman does his best work. Sonny Jurgensen’s colorful off-field reputation was formed in Philadelphia. It was a window into the more human side of our stars. – Inquirer Sonny Jurgensen was an Eagle and a Redskin but never a saint. It’s been nearly a week since the hedonistic Hall of Famer died at 91, nearly 62 years since he departed Philadelphia for Washington in a trade that left the city’s bartenders as downcast as its football fans. Thinking of Jurgensen now, I still conjure images of that flimsy helmet he wore with its single-bar face mask. I see him squirming in the pocket, quickly surveying the downfield action, then flicking those effortless passes to Tommy McDonald or Pete Retzlaff. But I also still see, maybe more than in any other athlete from that era, his personal foibles. There was the booze, the pot belly, the mischievous smile, the postgame cigars that jutted from his mouth like middle fingers to all those who disapproved. 2026 NFL predictions: Super Bowl LXI picks, MVP candidates – ESPN Maldonado: The Bills will finally fix their offense with one decisive move — acquiring Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. They would immediately be on the top tier of Super Bowl contenders if they added Brown. Buffalo’s top priority is receiver help, and pairing him with Allen can solve its biggest limitation overnight. Buffalo has the rare mix of an elite QB, a playoff-ready roster, a clear singular need and a clear desperation to fill it. All that is missing is the blockbuster deal to put it together. Post-Super Bowl mock offseason for the Cowboys (Part I) – Blogging The Boys WR George Pickens – Pickens signs a four year, $136 million contract. 2026 Cap Hit: $24.4M. As we have seen, Jerry has no problem paying big money to his own players,
2026 NFL Offseason: Playing matchmaker for teams that need quarterbacks
In an offseason where a slew of teams will swap out players under center — but with few quality options available — let’s try to align each franchise with a 2026 quarterback option. 2026 NFL Offseason: Playing matchmaker for teams that need quarterbacks The Jets could be in play for Tua Tagovailoa: With New York desperate for a starter, the former Dolphins starter could fit in Frank Reich’s scheme and wouldn’t cost much in a trade given his salary. Joe Flacco could follow Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta: The 41-year-old signal-caller proved he can still be a capable backup, which the Falcons need given Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL recovery. 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: 22 minutes 🏈 Draft Season 2026 Prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft with PFF+ Your complete draft preparation toolkit Subscribe Although Super Bowl 60 ended only three days ago, the football world has already barreled toward the offseason. Just ask Klint Kubiak, who went from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Seahawks to now running the Raiders. Big fish on the free-agent market and alluring prospects in the NFL Draft will dominate conversations for the next two months, with stars available at nearly every position. However, the most intrigue may (as usual) be at quarterback. In an offseason where a slew of teams will swap out players under center — but with few quality options available — let’s try to align each franchise with a 2026 quarterback option. Note that this selection is not only based on the probability of that player-team combination coming to fruition, but also what would make the most sense. Teams Needing Immediate Starters The aforementioned Kubiak leaves the championship panache of Seattle and heads to a Raiders organization seeking its first playoff win since 2002. After the team’s trade for Geno Smith backfired, Las Vegas will assuredly seek an upgrade — and all signs point toward that being Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy winner compiled a 90.7 PFF passing grade with 23 big-time throws compared to just 12 turnover-worthy plays in 2025, helping Indiana win its first national title in school history. Mendoza’s size, clutch playmaking, excellence when blitzed (86.3 passing grade) and overall makeup render him the No. 1 prospect on the PFF Big Board as well as the consensus No. 1 overall pick. Las Vegas could receive a ransom if it traded down in the draft. But considering the thin quarterback market and the franchise’s rare position to select a first-round passer, it seems a near certainty that Mendoza will join Kubiak to accelerate the Raiders’ rebuild. The Jets are stuck between a rock and a hard place this offseason when it comes to quarterback. The team’s two-year, $40 million investment in Justin Fields has already aged poorly, but it seems highly unlikely that New York will take a signal-caller with the second overall pick in the draft. Still, Aaron Glenn’s offense must upgrade at the position, possibly by taking a big swing. Tagovailoa underwhelmed in a big way last season, leading the league with a 5.4% turnover-worthy play rate and being benched after Week 15. At the same time, he’ll be 28 during the 2026 campaign and flashed with an 88.6 PFF passing grade in 2023. His talent is still evident, as reflected in games last year against the Panthers and Falcons. With the Jets bringing in Frank Reich as their new offensive coordinator, landing an accurate quarterback who can attack horizontally seems most logical for his West Coast scheme — and Tagovailoa has proven capable of that throughout his career. As Glenn’s and general manager Darren Mougey’s seats continue to warm, the team can’t be passive in fixing an offense that ranked 30th in passing EPA per play last year. Tagovailoa’s $56 million cap hit is tough to swallow, but it should also make him easier to acquire — especially if Miami can incur some of his salary. The Dolphins’ new leadership core is now operating, with both general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley arriving from Green Bay. It’s only sensible that the team’s next quarterback would also follow from the Packers. Over the last two years, Willis displayed potential when given opportunities as Jordan Love’s backup. Across 314 snaps, the former third-round pick registered an 85.8 overall PFF grade with five big-time throws and only one turnover-worthy play. He’s also showcased his dual-threat ability with an 80.4 PFF rushing grade. The 26-year-old Willis could be in real demand this offseason as a young, high-upside option on a shorter-term and cheaper contract. Maybe no team seems better-positioned to land him than the Dolphins, who desperately need to shed Tagovailoa’s pay while upgrading under center. The Colts are in a bit of an odd spot this offseason, returning enough talent to compete yet again but also without much long-term certainty. Jones, the overwhelming favorite to return to Indianapolis, seems to fit that timeline. After seizing the team’s starting role in training camp, Jones posted a 68.7 PFF passing grade with a 76.2% adjusted completion percentage, although he tallied more turnover-worthy plays (18) than big-time throws (13). Still, the Colts led the league in EPA per play until he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14, and he was a capable creator within Shane Steichen’s RPO-heavy scheme. In a different offseason with superior quarterback options, the Colts would be inclined to explore a better player. But based on their current window, giving Jones a short contract that doesn’t break the bank — and lets them reevaluate every year — would be shrewd, with the hopes that Jones can play more like his first-half self. With the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy as their new head coach and installing various assistants with ties to his Packers regime, all signs point toward Aaron Rodgers coming back to Pittsburgh at age 42. However, that doesn’t
5 things Rams need to do to play in Super Bowl 61
The Los Angeles Rams will be a favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for a second time in their home stadium in Super Bowl 61. Following Super Bowl 60, the Rams are currently +900 favorites which leads the NFL heading into the offseason. Still, if the Rams are going to take that next step and […] The Los Angeles Rams will be a favorite to hoist the Lombardi Trophy for a second time in their home stadium in Super Bowl 61. Following Super Bowl 60, the Rams are currently +900 favorites which leads the NFL heading into the offseason. Still, if the Rams are going to take that next step and win a second Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford, they’ll need to improve in key areas to ensure they accomplish their goal. Here are five things that the Rams need to do to give themselves the best chance at playing in Super Bowl 61. 1. Improve at cornerback Throughout the 2025 season, cornerback play and the secondary were consistent issues on the defense. It was a need heading into the season, a need before the trade deadline, and it ultimately was the team’s downfall. It’s true that a good pass rush can benefit an average secondary. However, the issue is that the Rams cornerback group wasn’t even average. The Rams were relying on a 32-year-old Darious Williams, 30-year-old Ahkello Witherspoon, and a former first-round bust in Emmanuel Forbes. It simply wasn’t good enough. At the end of the day, the Rams need to do a better job balancing out the pass rush and coverage units. It’s hard to fix everything in one offseason and the Rams fixed the run defense. Now they need to fix the secondary. They don’t necessarily need a lockdown player at cornerback. With that said, they need to add a player that can at least hold their own to some extent and be trusted to cover for a period of time. 2. Win the division This isn’t to say that the Rams didn’t prioritize winning the division this past season. At the same time, the division was well within their grasp and they let it slip late in the year. Over the past three seasons, the Rams have lost playoff games that they may have won had it been at SoFi. The Rams arguably beat the Detroit Lions at SoFi in 2023. An argument can be made that the Rams beat the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024 in non-blizzard conditions. Winning three consecutive road games on their way to the Super Bowl was always going to be a tall ask this past season. If the Rams can earn the one seed and a bye week, that’s an added bonus. Even if they can’t, winning the division and earning one home playoff game on Wild Card Weekend is a huge advantage. There’s a reason only four teams have done it since 2000 and no team has done it since the NFL expanded to a 17-game season. If the Rams are going to make the Super Bowl, winning the division has to remain a priority. 3. Take a big swing The Rams very likely have one more realistic shot with Matthew Stafford at quarterback and that’s next season. This isn’t to say that the front office should be reckless, but if the opportunity presents itself, they need to swing big. In a sense, it’s a spot where they fell short this season. There’s a very real possibility that we’re sitting here in five years and wondering why the Rams front office sat on two first-round picks while Matthew Stafford was playing at an MVP level. Again, the Rams don’t need to mortgage their future or do anything crazy. However, they can’t be content or be afraid to take a big swing. Whether it’s a pass rusher like Maxx Crosby, an experienced cornerback like Trent McDuffie, or someone else, the Rams need to take a swing that could get them over the top at the end of their current window. 4. Get more mature There were times this season where the Rams seemed to lack the proper leadership and maturity. Too many times, they got sucked into their own hype and seemed to believe that just showing up was enough. Before the biggest game of the season in Week 16, Puka Nacua went on a controversial podcast and tried to get the hosts into the practice facility. During the playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Jared Verse was quoted saying that the defense lost it after the first drive when the Seahawks scored. Those are all things that we haven’t seen during the Sean McVay era. The Rams have always been a mature team and had strong leadership. That’s not to say that the Rams had bad leadership, but it’s something that they lacked with an overall young roster. This past season will be a good learning experience for a lot of young players. With that said, they have some maturing to do this offseason. If the Rams are going to take that next step, they need to play every game with purpose and show more maturity in spots. 5. Put a focal point on special teams The Rams lost too many games this past season because of special teams. Their first loss of the season came in Week 3 because of multiple blocked field goals. Against the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, it was a muffed punt by Xavier Smith that was the turning point. The Seahawks had the number two special teams unit in the NFL. In college football, Indiana had the fourth-best special teams unit. Special teams matter more than head coaches want them to. Bubba Ventrone was recently hired as the Rams’ special teams coach. However, the moves can’t stop there. The Rams need to draft players on day three with a focal point on special teams. While the Rams found some stability with Harrison Mevis, they never trusted him beyond 50 yards and
Bengals getting little love in first 2026 NFL power rankings
With the Super Bowl officially behind us, it is time to look towards the 2026 season, and it is the most important year in Cincinnati Bengals history. It is no secret that this offseason is crucial to the franchise’s future, and the front office will need to hit in free agency and the NFL draft […] With the Super Bowl officially behind us, it is time to look towards the 2026 season, and it is the most important year in Cincinnati Bengals history. It is no secret that this offseason is crucial to the franchise’s future, and the front office will need to hit in free agency and the NFL draft to get this team back on track. The Bengals have managed to miss the postseason in three straight seasons and now must do everything they can to break that incredibly frustrating streak in 2026. ESPN NFL Nation recently shared their early 2026 power rankings going into the offseason, and the Bengals aren’t exactly getting much love, but it’s actually in a reasonable spot, all things considered. The Zac Taylor-led squad comes in at No. 16 with the three offseason words stating, ‘improve the defense.’ “Cincinnati failed in its attempt to fix the defense. After a rough 2024 season, it actually got worse in 2025. The Bengals finished 27th in points allowed per drive (down from 26th the previous season). The Bengals need playmakers at each level, and defensive coordinator Al Golden needs to continue developing ascending players, such as defensive end Myles Murphy and cornerback DJ Turner II. Cincinnati cannot be passive in free agency when it comes to adding impactful players to the defense,“ Ben Baby wrote. The front office has its work cut out for it with serious needs on the defensive side in almost every position, including DT, DE, LB, S, and CB. On the flip side, nearly the entire offense will be returning in 2026, led by Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. See More: Cincinnati Bengals News
Comparing Klint Kubiak’s Seattle Seahawks offense to current Las Vegas Raiders’ roster
The Las Vegas Raiders just watched their new head coach win the Super Bowl, as Klint Kubiak and the Seattle Seahawks took down the New England Patriots on Sunday. Now, Kubiak will be going from first to worst, leaving the Champion Seahawks to take on the challenge of rebuilding the Raiders, who own the No. […] The Las Vegas Raiders just watched their new head coach win the Super Bowl, as Klint Kubiak and the Seattle Seahawks took down the New England Patriots on Sunday. Now, Kubiak will be going from first to worst, leaving the Champion Seahawks to take on the challenge of rebuilding the Raiders, who own the No. 1 pick of the 2026 NFL draft after finishing the campaign with a 3-14 record. Obviously, Seattle’s offense has a lot more talent than Las Vegas’. But let’s compare both rosters to see where and how significantly the Silver and Black fall short when juxtaposed to the unit that Kubiak just led to a title. Quaterback 2025 Seahawks: Sam Darnold Projected 2026 Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (No. 1 pick) Geno Smith must hate to see Kubiak coming. Smith was still with the Seahawks when Kubiak was hired in Seattle last offseason, only for the club to trade him to Las Vegas at the beginning of March. Now, it’s almost the same situation, just in a different city, as the Raiders are expected to bring in the coach and send the quarterback packing. The most important position on the field is one of the biggest differences between this past season’s Seawhawks and the 2026 Raiders. The good news is that the Silver and Black have a clear path to addressing the need by using the first selection in April’s draft on Mendoza, who is a great fit in Kubiak’s offense. Of course, how well the coach can develop and mold the Indiana product into a capable NFL starter will be a big factor moving forward. Offensive Line Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks offense lines up against the New England Patriots defense in the first half in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesKirby Lee-Imagn Images 2025 Seahawks: LT Charles Cross, LG Grey Zabel, C Jalen Sundell, RG Anthony Bradford, RT Abraham Lucas Projected 2026 Raiders: LT Kolton Miller, LG TBD, C Jackson Powers-Johnson, RG Caleb Rogers, RT DJ Glaze It’s no secret that Las Vegas needs to get more out of its offensive line moving forward. The front office has to address the unit in the offseason, starting with whether or not to re-sign impending free agents Dylan Parham or Jordan Meredith (restricted), both of whom could occupy the left guard spot. Then, it’s a matter of where to play Powers-Johnson and bringing in some competition for the other positions. The good news is that what Kubiak had in the trenches with the Seahawks isn’t that far off from what the Raiders have. Cross is an excellent left tackle, but so is Miller, and Seattle’s interior offensive line was nothing to write home about this past season. Zabel is a promising rookie but went through his ups and downs in year one, finishing the campaign with a 61.8 grade from Pro Football Focus. A similar statement could be made about Sundell, a second-year pro who earned a 63.5 mark, and right guard will be one of Seattle’s biggest offseason needs after Bradford finished with a 49.0 grade. The biggest difference between the two units is at right tackle. Lucas had a very good season, ranking tied for 13th among all offensive tackles by recording an 81.0 PFF grade, while Glaze was tied for 67th at 60.6. Upgrading that should be one of the Silver and Black’s biggest points of emphasis this offseason, especially with how much Kubiak likes to run outside zone. Charles Grant could factor into the mix for Vegas, but Grant is an unknown commodity after barely playing as a rookie. Running Back 2025 Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Robbie Ouzts (FB) Projected 2026 Raiders: Ashton Jeanty Kubiak became known for sticking to the run this past season, as the Seahawks finished the regular season with the third-most rushing attempts and 10th in rushing yards. That should be music to Jeanty’s ears, but the offensive play-caller did lean pretty heavily on a two-running back system in 2025. Walker was the team’s lead back with 221 rushes for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, while Charbonnet wasn’t too far behind at 184 attempts, 730 yards and 12 scores in 16 outings. So, the Raiders have their version of Walker in Jeanty, but need to find their Charbonnet/complementary back to replicate what Kubiak had in Seattle. Also, the closest Las Vegas has to a fullback on the roster is defensive tackle J.J. Pegues, creating another need in the backfield. Granted, Ouzts was a tight end at Alabama before getting drafted in the fifth round and switching positions as a rookie with the Hawks this past season. In other words, the Raiders could get creative with how they approach the fullback position this offseason. Wide Receiver 2025 Seahawks: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed Projected 2026 Raiders: Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Dont’e Thornton Jr. Considering the Silver and Black have the No. 1 pick to get an upgrade at quarterback, wide receiver is where the 2026 Raiders fall the shortest compared to the 2025 Seahawks. Kubiak was excellent at designing plays for Smith-Njigba, helping the wideout become the Offensive Player of the Year, and Tucker would be the fourth-best wide receiver on Seattle’s roster. Las Vegas has some young talent out wide that could be developed down the line, but the position group is a steep drop-off from what Kubiak was working with this past season. Tight End 2025 Seahawks: AJ Barner, Eric Saubert, Elijah Arroyo Projected 2026 Raiders: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer Tight end is the one position group where the Raiders actually have an advantage over the
Report: Dan Skipper to join Detroit Lions coaching staff
In perhaps the least surprising news of the Detroit Lions’ offseason, recently retired offensive lineman Dan Skipper is reportedly joining the team’s coaching staff, according to CBS Detroit’s Rachel Hopmayer. Skipper announced on social media last month that he was retiring from his playing days after nine seasons in the NFL. He hinted at retirement […] In perhaps the least surprising news of the Detroit Lions’ offseason, recently retired offensive lineman Dan Skipper is reportedly joining the team’s coaching staff, according to CBS Detroit’s Rachel Hopmayer. Skipper announced on social media last month that he was retiring from his playing days after nine seasons in the NFL. He hinted at retirement after the Lions’ regular season finale, noting that a back injury was among the reasons why his future as a player was in doubt. However, tucked within that retirement announcement was a declaration that Skipper wanted to continue his football career as a coach. He quickly parlayed that desire into a coaching role down at the East-West Shrine college football all-star game in January. It’s unclear exactly what Skipper’s role will be with the Lions, but it’s pretty easy to do some dot connecting. Recently, the Lions promoted assistant offensive line coach Steve Oliver to become the team’s next tight end coach, leaving a vacancy that Skipper could certainly step right into. That said, the Lions may want to hire him as a more general offensive assistant first, if they believe Skipper should work his way up to an assistant positional role. Regardless, Skipper is back in Detroit, where he belongs. And, hopefully, he can help the Lions’ offensive line—which went through its fair share of struggles last year—return to their high standard of play. Skipper is the latest in a series of coaching changes made on the offensive side of the ball. Here’s a full recap: Offensive coach additions: Offensive coordinator Drew Petzing “High-ranking” coach (no official title yet) Mike Kafka Dan Skipper (no title yet) Promotions: Steve Oliver — from assistant OL coach to TE coach Losses: OC John Morton (fired) Assistant TE coach Seth Ryan (hired as Jets pass game coordinator) TE coach Tyler Roehl (hired as Iowa State offensive coordinator) See More: