AFC Notes: Jets, Bengals, Hopkins, Pats
More details have come in on Jets running back Breece Hall‘s three-year, $43.5MM contract, courtesy of Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Hall received a $5MM signing bonus, a fully guaranteed $5.16MM salary and a fully guaranteed $5MM roster bonus for 2026. Hall’s $13.16MM base salary for 2027 is also fully guaranteed. Additionally, he can earn up to $340K in per-game roster bonuses in each of the next three seasons. Hall’s 2028 salary checks in at $14.16MM, but it is non-guaranteed. The annual base value of the pact is $14.5MM, not the previously reported $15.25MM, per Florio. It will only climb to $15.25MM per season if Hall maxes out the incentives. Hall’s $14.5MM AAV ranks fifth at his position.
Here is more on New York and a couple of other AFC teams:
- Beginning with the mid-December firing of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, head coach Aaron Glenn axed 12 members of his first Jets staff last winter. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it turns out owner Woody Johnson “had a heavy hand” in the shakeup, which ended with a late-January mutual parting of ways with offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. It appeared the Jets would retain Engstrand, who endured a rough first year as a coordinator atop a talent-deprived offense, before replacing him with the more seasoned Frank Reich. It also looked as if the Jets were going to hire Don Martindale as their next defensive coordinator, but Breer suggests Johnson was unwilling to pony up for him. With Johnson stuck paying Wilks $3MM this year, the Jets hired a cheaper candidate in first-timer Brian Duker. Glenn, not Duker, will call the defensive plays.
- Speaking with Sports Illustrated earlier this month, free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins expressed interest in signing with the Bengals (via Jordan Schultz). Asked which quarterback he would like to play with for the first time, the soon-to-be 34-year-old said: “I’ve gotta go with Joe Burrow. I think Joe is one of the best. I love his game, his toughness. I mean, he took his team to a Super Bowl earlier in his career, and I feel like he can get back there with a little bit of help.” It is unknown whether there is mutual interest in this case. The Bengals have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins entrenched as their top two receivers. Third option Andrei Iosivas had a more productive 2025 than Hopkins, who posted career lows in catches (22), targets (39) and yards (330) in 17 games with the AFC North rival Ravens. Despite his down year in Baltimore, the five-time Pro Bowler ranks 17th all-time in catches (1,006), 18th in yards (13,295) and tied for 19th in TDs (85). Hopkins will have a chance to continue climbing up the leaderboard if he plays a 14th season in 2026.
- A full-time starter for almost all of his six-year career, Patriots right guard Michael Onwenu will remain atop the depth chart entering his seventh season. However, with Onwenu unsigned past 2026, this will likely be his last season in New England, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald contends. The 28-year-old does not possess the speed-agility combo that Patriots executive vice president Eliot Wolf values, Kyed notes. That could lead Onwenu out of town for a raise in free agency next March. The Patriots already have one expensive guard contract on their books, having added Alijah Vera-Tucker on a three-year, $42MM deal earlier this offseason.
Stefon Diggs Interested In Rejoining Pats; Reunion Could Hinge On A.J. Brown Trade
The Patriots released wide receiver Stefon Diggs in early March, but he may not have played his last down in their uniform. Still a free agent two months later, Diggs “would love” to re-sign with the Patriots, per Albert Breer of SI.com
While Breer is also of the belief the Patriots “love” Diggs, he notes a reunion could depend on whether they acquire wideout A.J. Brown from the Eagles. It is widely expected the two teams will swing a trade centering on Brown sometime after June 1, though they have not yet seen eye to eye on compensation.
The Eagles would spread $43.51MM in dead money over two years by moving Brown next month or later, whereas a pre-June 1 trade would force them to eat the entire amount this season. They would also lose over $20MM in cap space for 2026. That explains the delay in this months-long saga.
Brown is one of the greatest receivers in Eagles history, but their offseason moves have seemingly prepared them for life without the three-time Pro Bowler. General manager Howie Roseman moved up three spots in the first round of the draft to select former USC star receiver Makai Lemon 20th overall. Roseman also acquired Dontayvion Wicks from the Packers for two late-round picks and then immediately gave him a one-year, $12.5MM extension. The Lemon and Wicks pickups came after the Eagles signed Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency. Moore is not a lock to make the roster, but Lemon, Wicks, Brown and standout DeVonta Smith are in line for notable roles. The Eagles also have a strong pair of pass-catching tight ends in Dallas Goedert and second-round rookie Eli Stowers.
Smith would take over as the Eagles’ clear-cut No. 1 receiver in the event of a Brown trade. Meanwhile, unless they reel in Brown, the Patriots may go into the season without a bona fide top dog at the position. They brought in one of Wicks’ former teammates, Romeo Doubs, on a four-year, $68MM pact in free agency, though he was more of a No. 2/3 receiver in Green Bay than a primary target. The Patriots also have Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams under contract at the position.
The Pats’ current group of receivers looks adequate, but Diggs handily outproduced all of them last season. Returning from the torn ACL he suffered while with the Texans in October 2024, the four-time Pro Bowler played a 17-game season and was far and away the team leader in catches (85), targets (102) and yards (1,013). He also hauled in four touchdowns from MVP-contending quarterback Drake Maye. Diggs’ post-injury resurgence was key for a club that stunningly jumped from 4-13 to 14-3 in a one-year span. The Patriots won the AFC East, ending the Bills’ five-year run atop the division, and wound up falling to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
A month after their season ended, the Patriots parted with Diggs to save $18.5MM in spending room, though he still counts $9.7MM against their cap. Thanks in part to off-field legal troubles, there has been little to no reported interest in the 32-year-old since he became available.
Diggs entered free agency facing strangulation and assault charges stemming from an alleged incident with his former personal chef. Although a Boston jury acquitted Diggs on May 5, the NFL is continuing to review the matter. Diggs is arguably the best remaining receiver in a class that also includes the likes of Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel and Keenan Allen, but his market may not pick up until teams have an answer on whether the league will discipline him. It would also help Diggs’ cause to have clarity on Brown’s future.
Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract
Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).
Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner; March 14, 2022: Three years, $21MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard
Atlanta Falcons
- Devonta Freeman; August 9, 2017: Five years, $41.25MM ($22.1MM guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry; May 19, 2025: Two years, $30MM ($25MM guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook; August 13, 2025: Four years, $46MM ($28.82MM guaranteed)
LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total
Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey; April 13, 2020: Four years, $64.1MM ($38.16MM guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)
D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact
Cleveland Browns
- Nick Chubb; July 31, 2021: Three years, $36.6MM ($20MM guaranteed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott; September 4, 2019: Six years, $90MM ($50.1MM guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Melvin Gordon; March 20, 2020: Two years, $16MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal
Green Bay Packers
- Aaron Jones; March 14, 2021: Four years, $48MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees
Houston Texans
- Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor; October 7, 2023: Three years, $42MM ($26.5MM guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Jones-Drew; April 15, 2009: Five years, $31.1MM ($14.25MM guaranteed)
Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenneth Walker; March 9, 2026: Three years, $43.1MM ($28.7MM guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Jacobs; August 26, 2023: One year, $11.79MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed
Los Angeles Chargers
- LaDainian Tomlinson; August 15, 2004: Six years, $48MM ($21MM guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley; July 24, 2018: Four years, $57.5MM ($45MM guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane; May 13, 2026: Four years, $64MM ($32MM guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)
New England Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson; June 20, 2024: Four years, $36MM ($17.12MM guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Alvin Kamara; September 12, 2020: Five years, $75MM ($33.83MM guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley; March 7, 2023: One year, $10.1MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal
New York Jets
- Breece Hall; May 8, 2026: Three years, $43.5MM ($29MM guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley; March 4, 2025: Two years, $41.2MM ($36MM guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le’Veon Bell; February 27, 2017: One year, $12.12MM franchise tag ($12.12MM guaranteed)
Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal
San Francisco 49ers
- Christian McCaffrey; June 4, 2024: Two years, $38MM ($24MM guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Marshawn Lynch; March 4, 2012: Four years, $30MM ($17MM guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Doug Martin; March 9, 2016: Five years, $35.75MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Tennessee Titans
- Derrick Henry; July 15, 2020: Four years, $50MM ($25.5MM guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post
Patriots’ Quintayvious Hutchins Charged With Domestic Assault
Patriots rookie edge defender Quintayvious Hutchins has been charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and battery on a family/household member. The alleged incident took place at a Boston College dorm on Tuesday, according to Mike Toole of CBS Boston.
Hutchins pleaded not guilty in court in Newton, Mass., on Wednesday and was released. He will return to court for a hearing on a date yet to be determined.
The Patriots issued a statement on the matter, saying: “We are aware of the report involving Quintayvious Hutchins. We take these matters very seriously and are in the process of gathering additional information. We will not have further comment at this time.”
New England used the last of its nine draft picks on Hutchins, whom the team chose at No. 247 overall in the seventh round. The selection enabled Hutchins to stay in the area after a four-year playing career at Boston College.
Hutchins did not record huge production at BC, where he logged nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 43 games, but was an integral cog on special teams. A similar role may be in store for Hutchins if he makes the Patriots’ roster, though the NFL could discipline the 23-year-old at the outset of his career.
Hutchins signed his four-year rookie contract last week.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/11/26
Today’s minor moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DT Ross Blacklock, LB Daveren Rayner
- Waived: TE Brandon Frazier, DT Ben Stille, WR Deven Thompkins, RB Carlos Washington
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: S K’Von Wallace
Buffalo Bills
- Waived: CB M.J. Devonshire
Chicago Bears
- Signed: WR Kyron Hudson, LB Wayne Matthews III, LB Jon Rhattigan
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB Michael Coats Jr.
- Waived: TE Sal Cannella
Denver Broncos
- Signed: CB Paul Manning, WR Michael Woods
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Evan Hull
- Waived: TE Luke Lachey
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: LB Cameron McGrone
- Waived: WR Brenden Rice
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: FB DJ Herman
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LB Bangally Kamara, DL Smith Vilbert
New England Patriots
- Signed: LB Xavier Holmes, S Peter Manuma
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: WR Brock Rechsteiner
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Jaden Keller
- Waived: LB Ochaun Mathis
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: C Greg Crippen
- Waived: OT Sataoa Laumea
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: LB Larry Worth III
- Waived: LB Milo Eifler
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers (from Colts): LB John Bullock
- Waived: LS Wesley Brown, WR Noah Short, LB Benton Whitley, RB Owen Wright
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/9/26
Here are the rookies who inked their four-year deals on Saturday:
New England Patriots
- TE Eli Raridon (third round, Notre Dame)
- EDGE Quintayvious Hutchins (seventh round, Boston College)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- CB Daylen Everett (third round, Georgia)
- G Gennings Dunker (third round, Iowa)
- TE/FB Riley Nowakowski (fifth round, Indiana)
New England Announces 12-Man UDFA Class
After a mostly routine first two days of the draft, a busy Day 3 gave the Patriots six of their nine draft picks. New England announced their undrafted free agent class yesterday, and the group-mix followed close with the team’s approach in the draft, with the exception of a handful of receivers joining in after the event. Here’s a look at the Patriots’ 12 undrafted signings:
- Tanner Arkin, TE (Illinois)
- David Blay Jr., DT (Miami)
- Channing Canada, CB (TCU)
- Nick DeGennaro, WR (James Madison)
- Kyle Dixon, WR (Culver-Stockton)
- Cameron Dorner, WR (North Texas)
- Kenneth Harris, CB (Oklahoma State)
- Khalil Jacobs, LB (Missouri)
- Jimmy Kibble, WR (Georgetown)
- Myles Montgomery, RB (UCF)
- JonDarius Morgan, G (UAB)
- Jacob Rizy, OL (Florida State)
From the reports we saw, the biggest UDFA guarantees went to the player from the smallest school. Out of the small NAIA school in Missouri, Dixon has reportedly signed a deal that includes $252.5K in guaranteed money, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Dixon entered college as a pitcher at Southern Illinois and Georgia-Gwinnet College before transitioning to football and transferring to join the Wildcats.
Blay arrived in Coral Gables after notching 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss at Louisiana Tech, his second school after transferring from West Chester. Though he wasn’t able to produce the same results, Blay started nine games for the Hurricanes as a nose tackle and a dependable run defender. Jacobs only spent two years in Columbia and didn’t establish a full-time role in his time with the Tigers, but his effort and passion helped him stand out as a leader and team captain on Mizzou’s defense, regardless.
Rizy is a really interesting addition here, considering he only started two of 11 game appearances for the Seminoles this year. After redshirting his first year in Tallahassee, Rizy started 10 games as a redshirt freshman at right tackle before swapping sides to start 10 games at left tackle the next year. Starting the year on the bench in 2024, Rizy knocked out the other three positions on the line, starting a game apiece at left guard and center before notching three starts at right guard to close the year.
FSU used Rizy as a sixth man along their OL all throughout 2025. His two starts were at right tackle and left guard, and he played significant snaps off the bench at center for one game, right guard for four games, and left guard for two more. Jaguars guard Patrick Mekari found a similar path to the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of California, and it will be interesting to see if Rizy can find a similar outcome in New England.
NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/8/26
Today’s rookie signings from around the NFL:
Chicago Bears
- WR Zavion Thomas (third round, LSU)
- CB Malik Muhammad (fourth round, Texas)
- LB Keyshaun Elliott (fifth round, Arizona State)
- DT Jordan van den Berg (sixth round, Georgia Tech)
Cincinnati Bengals
- C Connor Lew (fourth round, Auburn)
- WR Colbie Young (fourth round, Georgia)
- T Brian Parker II (sixth round, Duke)
- TE Jack Endries (seventh round, Texas)
- DT Landon Robinson (seventh round, Navy)
Los Angeles Chargers
- T Travis Burke (fourth round, Memphis)
- S Genesis Smith (fourth round, Arizona)
- DT Nick Barrett (fifth round, South Carolina)
- G Logan Taylor (sixth round, Boston College)
- G Alex Harkey (sixth round, Oregon)
New England Patriots
- T Dametrious Crownover (sixth round, Texas A&M)
- LB Namdi Obiazor (sixth round, TCU)
- QB Behren Morton (seventh round, Texas Tech)
- RB Jam Miller (seventh round, Alabama)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- WR Kaden Wetjen (fourth round, Iowa)
- DE Gabriel Rubio (sixth round, Notre Dame)
- S Robert Spears-Jennings (seventh round, Oklahoma)
The Bears, Bengals, Chargers, and Steelers all broke the seals on signing their rookie classes today. Chicago only has to sign its three first-, second-, and third-round picks to complete the class, Los Angeles still has its three first-, second-, and fourth-rounders remaining, and Cincinnati has only two unsigned rookies from the second and third round.
Patriots Preparing Caleb Lomu To Play RT
For the second straight year, the Patriots used a first-round pick on an offensive tackle. While 2026 first rounder Caleb Lomu exclusively played LT in college, he won’t be replacing 2025 first rounder Will Campbell at the position.
[RELATED: Patriots Acquire No. 28 From Bills, Draft T Caleb Lomu]
While SI.com’s Albert Breer acknowledges that Lomu provides New England with some insurance should Campbell continue to struggle at LT, the reporter says the team’s plan is to prepare their rookie to “get his work in” at RT.
After returning from a late-season knee injury, Campbell struggled mightily while protecting Drake Maye, culminating in the QB suffering a league-leading 21 sacks in the postseason. While the fourth-overall pick’s struggles were apparent, he performed much better during the regular season, allowing only a 6.3% pressure rate on passing plays (good for the 12th-best percentage among offensive tackles, per PFF). So, it didn’t come as much of a surprise when coach Mike Vrabel gave Campbell a vote of confidence as the team’s LT moving forward, although New England’s recent selection of Lomu did raise some eyebrows.
The Utah product made a name for himself following strong performances at left tackle in 2024 and 2025. The six-foot-six blocker earned first-team All-Big 12 honors this past season while establishing himself among the top tier of OT prospects. Lomu ended up being the last OT to hear their name called during Round 1, with Patriots de facto GM Eliot Wolf admitting that the lineman’s unexpected fall down the draft board forced the organization’s hand.
While Lomu obviously has the experience to be the team’s LT, they’ll instead prepare him to take over on the other side of the line. Morgan Moses is currently penciled in for that spot following a strong first season in New England. The 35-year-old finished 24th among 84 qualifying OTs, per PFF, with the site crediting the veteran with only a pair of sacks allowed and 29 pressures. While Moses is signed through the 2027 campaign, the front office can easily bail on the contract next offseason. That would seem to indicate that Lomu will spend his rookie campaign as a backup before getting a chance to start in 2027.
Before the Patriots opted for an offensive lineman, the team considered several other positions with their first-round selection. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Patriots looked at edge rushers and wide receivers with the pick. The team’s need for some pass-rush help isn’t a surprise, but it is notable that they were eyeing wideouts, especially considering New England’s pursuit of Eagles WR A.J. Brown. Fowler says the team would have been tempted by KC Concepcion had he slipped by the Browns.
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.