QB Anthony Richardson Reports To Colts Workouts
Anthony Richardson was absent from the beginning of the Colts’ offseason program. After two weeks away from the team, though, things have changed.
Richardson has reported to the Colts for today’s work, ESPN’s Stephen Holder reports. Today’s development comes shortly after Indianapolis made the expected decision of declining the former No. 4 pick’s fifth-year option. As a result of that move, Richardson is a pending 2027 free agent.
It came as little surprise when team and player were apart from each other at the beginning of voluntary workouts. Richardson requested a trade earlier this offseason, and with Daniel Jones atop the depth chart Indianapolis could stand to move on in his case. As general manager Chris Ballard recently confirmed, however, no trade calls were made during last month’s draft. An extended Richardson waiting period could thus be in store.
All work between now and June’s minicamp is voluntary. Richardson will now be in store to participate in team drills as he awaits clarity on his future. The soon-to-be 24-year-old has totaled only 15 starts through three seasons in the NFL, with injuries and inconsistent play when on the field defining his Colts tenure. That will hinder Richardson’s stock in any potential trade, and many teams added to their QB depth charts by selecting a signal-caller on Day 3 of the draft (or earlier, in a few cases).
Ballard has suggested the Colts could keep Richardson in the fold through 2026, and the nature of the Florida product’s trade market will be worth watching as the offseason unfolds. Riley Leonard looms as Indianapolis’ QB2 in the event Richardson winds up being dealt. It remains to be seen when or if that will take place, but suitors could of course emerge if injuries strike during practices around the league.
Richardson is owed $1.15MM in salary for the coming season. He could be viewed as a low-cost option for teams seeking a developmental passer or a one-year rental as a result. Otherwise, on-field preparation for a fourth season in Indianapolis will begin today.
AFC Draft Rumors: Ravens, Dolphins, Patriots, Colts, Jets, Bengals
When the Ravens were on the clock at No. 14 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the number of options available to the team had general manager Eric DeCosta seeking an opportunity to move back. Baltimore thought it had a deal in place, but it “fell apart,” according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic.
The top option for the Ravens was always offensive guard Vega Ioane, but surprisingly, when the team was on the clock, Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. was still on the board. Not to mention, DeCosta had interest in grabbing a weapon for his star quarterback, if they were able to move back and still secure USC receiver Makai Lemon or Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. DeCosta felt comfortable the team could trade back and still land one of those four players without leaving the teens.
Per Michael Silver, also with The Athletic, DeCosta thought he had a deal in place to do so while also returning “extra fourth-round picks in each of the next two drafts” to Baltimore. Similar to how DeCosta and the Ravens backed out of their trade agreement at the turn of the new league year, though, the team he thought would make the deal “changed their mind,” changing their half of the deal in the process and leading to the Ravens moving on without a trade and with Ioane instead.
Here are a few other recent draft rumors from across the AFC:
- The Dolphins also got hurt by the trade game during the draft. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Miami had its eye set on Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields in the third round before the Giants sent three picks to Cleveland for the right to move just ahead of the Dolphins at No. 74. With Fields off the board, Miami pivoted to the next wide receiver on their board, Caleb Douglas out of Texas Tech, a pick that was generally criticized as a bit of a reach by analysts.
- Miami almost got targeted again in the fourth round, per Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports. Pauline claims the Patriots were interested in trading up on Day 3 for Texas defensive end Trey Moore, whom the Dolphins took at No. 130. New England had given up their 125th overall pick to move up three spots in the first round and would’ve had to trade up from the fifth round to land Moore. They didn’t end up selecting a pass rusher until the seventh round, when they took Boston College’s Quintayvious Hutchins just before the final compensatory picks.
- The Colts were able to land Georgia linebacker CJ Allen after trading back six spots. It was a gutsy move to delay the selection right when a run at the position had begun. General manager Chris Ballard had been eager to add more picks heading into Day 3, and the move back was a perfect opportunity to do just that. According to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star, Ballard desired the picks enough to consider moving back again, but after playing with fire once already, he opted not to risk losing the services of the linebacker they coveted.
- One of the biggest debates leading into the 2026 NFL Draft was who the Jets were going to select at No. 2 overall. They ended up choosing Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey over Ohio State hybrid linebacker Arvell Reese. According to Jets senior reporter Eric Allen, while New York liked both prospects, Bailey’s established pass-rushing prowess and demonstrated production made him a better fit for what the team is trying to do. Per head coach Aaron Glenn, they still believe Reese will go on “to have a really good career” but felt more secure with Bailey as their pick.
- The Bengals made a bold move trading away a top 10 draft pick for former Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. A pick that high is usually considered a guarantee to land a franchise with a blue chip prospect, but this year’s draft crop was seen as thinner than usual. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero appeared on the Rich Eisen Show before the draft and claimed that the lack of blue chip prospects convinced Cincinnati to make the move for Lawrence. Per Pelissero, the Bengals only had seven players graded as blue chip prospects and didn’t foresee any of them falling to them at No. 10, so they traded for a player they knew was a blue chip prospect. It would be interesting to know if Bain had been one of those seven, and whether or not they would’ve preferred to have Bain fresh out of college, but ultimately, Lawrence is a decent consolation prize.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
May 1 marked the deadline for teams to decide on fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth. Twenty-two options were exercised this year. Here is how each team with an option decision proceeded with 2023 first-round contracts:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): Exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM): Declined
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Tyree Wilson, Saints ($14.48MM): Declined
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM): Exercised
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): Exercised
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM): Exercised
- LB Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM): Exercised
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): Declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): Exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM): Declined
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM): Declined
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM): Exercised
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM): Exercised
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): Exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM): Declined
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM): Declined
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM): Declined
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- LB Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM): Exercised
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($14.48MM): Declined
Colts To Decline Anthony Richardson’s Fifth-Year Option; No Trade Interest Emerged During Draft
Although Anthony Richardson has considerable athletic upside, he has struggled mightily since being drafted fourth overall three years ago. Richardson’s issues and Daniel Jones‘ new contract left the Colts with an easy fifth-year option decision.
Indianapolis will decline Richardson’s option by Friday’s deadline, Fox59’s Mike Chappell reports. The option would have cost the Colts $22.48MM in 2027 guaranteed money. Richardson lost a QB competition to Jones last year and suffered what turned out to be a season-ending eye injury off the field. Jones has since received the transition tag and signed a two-year, $88MM extension.
[RELATED: 2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
The Colts did not receive any calls on Richardson during the draft, GM Chris Ballard confirmed. The QB has requested a trade, and while some interest was believed to have emerged earlier this offseason, the sides are in a holding pattern.
While Richardson’s fifth-year option was never believed to be much of an internal debate, he is tied to $10.82MM in guaranteed 2026 compensation. It might take the Colts, as the Jets did with Zach Wilson in 2024, taking on some of that contract-year guarantee to facilitate a trade.
The late Jim Irsay championed Richardson coming out of the draft, indicating the Colts would have probably taken him at No. 1 overall had they held that choice. Bryce Young went first overall that year, with C.J. Stroud coming off the board one spot later. The Colts, after their Jeff Saturday-coached 2022 season placed them in the No. 4 draft slot, drafted Richardson — a one-year starter out of Florida. Richardson’s one Gators season produced a sub-54% completion rate, but he presented tantalizing athleticism at that year’s Combine. The Colts made the pick and have since regretted it.
Only eight QBs have thrown 200-plus passes in a 21st-century season and completed less than 50% of them; Richardson became No. 8 in 2024, completing just 47.7% of his throws. That season included more injury trouble for Indy’s dual threat, but a bizarre sequence in which Richardson asked out of a game in Houston due to fatigue prompted intense internal and external scrutiny. Richardson’s preparation habits drew criticism in the aftermath of that strange sequence, and Shane Steichen temporarily benched him for then-backup Joe Flacco. Jones was then signed to a one-year deal to serve as competition. Despite the Vikings offering a better deal, the ex-Giants starter viewed the Indianapolis gig as presenting a better chance to start.
Weeks after Jones won the job, Richardson suffered an orbital bone fracture during a pregame warmup. The Colts designated the 6-foot-4 QB to return from IR late in the season but never activated him, going with the unretired Philip Rivers and sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard to close the slate. Richardson trade rumors had emerged dating back to 2024, and after Jones’ season running the offense, he asked out in early March of this year.
Vikings interest was rumored, and the Packers were then linked to the depressed Colts asset. Minnesota signed Kyler Murray for the veteran minimum following his Arizona release, but Green Bay — after losing Malik Willis in free agency — did not make a notable addition via free agency or the draft. The Chiefs also considered Richardson but ultimately traded for Justin Fields.
Ballard said recently Richardson could stay in Indianapolis, but that should be considered unlikely. Leonard would be positioned as Jones’ backup in the event of a trade. This situation could drag on a while. The next step will be Richardson’s potential attendance at OTAs and minicamp.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/30/26
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Signed ERFA tender: S Devon Key
Indianapolis Colts
- Released: G Bill Murray
- Waived: DE Viliami Fehoko Jr., LB Joseph Vaughn
- Waived-injured: OT Jack Wilson
Las Vegas Raiders
- Released: LB Jamin Davis
San Francisco 49ers
- Waived: CB Tre Tomlinson
Tennessee Titans
- Waived: EDGE Ali Gaye, LB Nate Lynn, NT Isaiah Raikes, LB Cam Riley, G Clay Webb, RB Blake Watson
- Placed on Exempt/International Player list: DE David Ebuka Agoha
It wasn’t long ago that Jamin Davis was a first-round pick by the Commanders and appeared to be a foundational part of the team’s defense. The Kentucky product compiled 269 tackles and seven sacks through his first three NFL seasons, but the team wouldn’t commit to a fifth year, declining his option in 2024. He didn’t make it through that subsequent fourth year in Washington, getting cut in late October. Since then, the defender has bounced around the NFL a bit.
He spent last offseason with the Jets but didn’t make it to the regular season with the squad. He caught on with the Raiders and spent most of the year on the team’s practice squad. He made two appearances (one start) for Las Vegas, tallying three tackles in 16 defensive snaps. Now, the 27-year-old will look to revive his career elsewhere.
David Ebuka Agoha joined the Titans practice squad midway through the 2025 season, and he was retained via a reserve/futures contract after the season. With the team declaring him as an international player, he’ll no longer count on the team’s 90-man offseason roster.
Falcons’ Bijan Robinson Expected To Receive Top-3 RB Money
Earlier this month, the Falcons picked up Bijan Robinson‘s fifth-year option, which is projected to be $11.3MM (via OverTheCap). The next step is a multi-year extension, which will come in at a much higher annual price tag.
Robinson is expected to break into the upper echelon of the running back market on a long-term deal, per CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. He should surpass Derrick Henry ($15MM AAV) and approach, if not eclipse, Christian McCaffrey ($19MM AAV). He could even push to become the league’s highest-paid running back ahead of Saquon Barkley, who is currently earning $20.6MM per year.
Robinson should receive more than fellow 2023 first-rounder Jahmyr Gibbs, Jones adds. The Falcon has outperformed the Lion in terms of rushing and receiving yards since they were drafted, though Gibbs has significantly more touchdowns.
It is unclear, though, which deal gets done first. The Falcons have yet to finalize a long-term extension with 2022 first-round pick Drake London – another franchise cornerstone – and could prioritize the more pressing contract situation. The Lions have typically been proactive in signing their players to early extensions when possible, though they also have key players (Jack Campbell, Brian Branch) entering the final year of their contracts.
Another factor is Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, who is due a raise as he enters the final year of his $14MM per year contract. He led the league in rushing attempts, first downs, and touchdowns last year and has his own case to join Barkley and McCaffrey close to $20MM per year. In other words, expect to see another significant bump in the running back market within the next year.
2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina) (signed)
2026 NFL Draft Results By Round
From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 1
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
2) New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
4) Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
5) New York Giants: Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
6) Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
7) Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
9) Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa (T, Miami)
11) Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, (S, Ohio State)
12) Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
16) New York Jets (from Colts): Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
17) Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
19) Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
20) Philadelphia Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
23) Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
25) Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
26) Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
27) Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
28) New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
30) New York Jets (from Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
31) Tennessee Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Round 2
33) San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
34) Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
35) Buffalo Bills (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
36) Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
37) New York Giants: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
38) Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona)
39) Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
40) Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
42) New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)
43) Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
44) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)
45) Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
47) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
48) Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
49) Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
50) New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
51) Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati)
52) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
53) Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
55) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
57) Chicago Bears: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
58) Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
59) Houston Texans: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
60) Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
61) Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)
62) Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
63) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, C (Florida)
64) Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark (S, TCU)
Colts Send Steelers No. 47; WR Germie Bernard Heading To Pittsburgh
The draft’s hosts pleased the crowd by trading up a few spots. The Colts sent No. 47 overall to the Steelers. Pittsburgh is taking Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard.
Pittsburgh will send Indianapolis Nos. 53, 135 and 237 for Nos. 47 and 249, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. The Bernard pick comes a night after the team nearly chose USC’s Makai Lemon 21st overall. The Eagles made a last-second trade to move up from 23rd overall to 20th, where they swiped Lemon from the Steelers.
This is the second noteworthy trade of the offseason between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. On March 9, the first day of the league year, the Colts shipped receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers for a late-round pick swap.
Pittman immediately became one of the Steelers’ top two wideouts, joining D.K. Metcalf, but the team went into the draft with little else at the position. That explains the interest in Lemon and the selection of Bernard, who is considered a pro-ready pass catcher. Dane Brugler of The Athletic (41st) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (49th) ranked Bernard a top-50 prospect entering the draft, making it no surprise he came off the board at No. 47.
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Bernard started his college career in 2022 at Michigan State, where he was low on a depth chart that also included Keon Coleman and Jayden Reed. After catching just seven passes in 12 games with the Spartans, Bernard transferred to Washington. Although he was again stuck behind a few familiar receivers (Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan), Bernard racked up 34 catches and 419 yards in 14 games with the Huskies.
Washington proved to be a second straight one-year stay for Bernard, who followed head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama in 2024. His production wound up taking off in Tuscaloosa. Bernard hauled in 50 receptions, 794 yards and two scores in 13 games his first year with the Crimson Tide. He then recorded career bests in catches (64), yards (862) and TDs (seven) over 14 games in 2025.
If Bernard’s success transfers from Alabama to Pittsburgh, he could quickly emerge as a reliable target for the Steelers’ quarterback, be it Aaron Rodgers or someone else. In doing so, he would provide a solid capable complement to the 6-foot-4 Pittman-Metcalf duo.
Colts Notes: Jones, Pierce, Buckner
A few months after his Giants tenure went up in flames, the Colts took a one-year, $14MM flier on quarterback Daniel Jones in March 2025. The move could not have worked out much better until Jones tore his Achilles in early December.
A little over four months after suffering a major injury, Jones is progressing well in his recovery, general manager Chris Ballard said (via James Palmer of The Athletic). Jones has resumed throwing and performing dropbacks, according to head coach Shane Steichen (per Stephen Holder of ESPN). The Colts are hopeful he will be ready for Week 1 .
If Indianapolis had serious concerns over Jones’ Achilles, it could have let him walk in free agency. Instead, the team retained Jones on a two-year, $88MM contract with a fully guaranteed $50MM. While Jones has mostly disappointed since the Giants drafted him sixth overall in 2019, the 28-year-old has flashed enough to rake in two significant extensions. The Giants gave him a four-year, $160MM payday in March 2023, but the decision proved disastrous. They wound up cutting Jones in November 2024. He finished the season as a Vikings backup before his trip to the open market led him to Indianapolis.
Jones flopped on his big Giants contract, but the Colts are banking on him building on a career-best showing in 2025. Over 13 starts, he threw 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions and ranked top 10 in the NFL in yards per attempt (8.1; fourth), completion percentage (68.0; sixth), QBR (63.0; eighth) and passer rating (100.2; ninth).
Thanks in part to Jones’ first-half heater, the Colts surged to an AFC-leading 7-1 start. The shine began wearing off from there, though, as the team dropped its third straight the day Jones’ season ended and fell to 8-5. With Jones and injury-prone backup Anthony Richardson out for the season, the desperate Colts brought 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement. As entertaining as Rivers’ comeback was, it didn’t yield a miraculous late-season run for the Colts. They lost out and finished 8-9 for the second year in a row.
Wide receiver Alec Pierce, one of Jones’ favorite targets last year, joined his QB as a pending free agent entering the offseason. The Colts also paid up to prevent the deep threat from leaving. Although he has never hit the 50-catch mark in a season, Pierce landed a four-year, $114MM pact with $60MM fully guaranteed right as the legal tampering period opened on March 9. The Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers the same day, leaving Pierce as their No. 1 receiver. Pierce is now sidelined after undergoing ankle surgery, but with a three-month recovery timeline, there is no concern he will miss any regular-season action (via Holder).
Turning to the other side of the ball, cornerstone defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was among several key Colts who logged multiple absences last year. Buckner sat out seven games as a result of a neck injury, but he is “making good progress,” Mike Chappell of Fox 59 writes. The same goes for kicker Spencer Shrader (ACL), cornerback Justin Walley (ACL) and safety Hunter Wohler (foot). The Colts spent a third-rounder on Walley last year, but a torn ACL cost him his entire rookie season. With slot corner Kenny Moore potentially on the outs via trade or release, Walley could take on an important role in 2026.