HEADLINES

Patriots, Vikings Inquired About Trade For Chargers’ Justin Herbert

April 26th, 2024 at 8:36am CST by Sam Robinson

Two of the six teams to end up with quarterbacks in the first round, the Patriots and Vikings began new chapters Thursday night. Extensive Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy ties to both organizations emerged during the pre-draft process, and each is tied to a rookie deal that could run through 2028 via the fifth-year option.

That did not stop both teams from a Hail Mary trade pitch for the NFL’s second-highest-paid player. The Pats and Vikings each contacted the Chargers about the prospect of trading for Justin Herbert, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. New GM Joe Hortiz confirmed inquiries emerged for the star quarterback earlier this offseason, indicating he “quickly” shot down such interest.

Increased QB movement this decade has resulted in trades for the likes of Russell Wilson, Deshaun Watson and Aaron Rodgers over the previous two offseasons. But extenuating circumstances brought about those moves. A move for Herbert would have been among the most shocking deals at this position in NFL history, though the Bolts have made major changes this offseason. Watson is the only QB traded for three first-round picks since the mid-1970s; without any off-field baggage, Herbert would have commanded more in a haul.

The Chargers traded Herbert’s top wide receiver and released their longtime WR2 to move under the cap just before the 2024 league year. The team also passed on adding a top-flight WR prospect in the wake of the Keenan Allen and Mike Williams moves, drafting Joe Alt — confirming a run of rumors involving the Notre Dame tackle this offseason — over the likes of Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. The Chargers have some work to do to build around their franchise centerpiece.

Still, Herbert’s presence represented a draw for HC candidates this offseason. Franchise-caliber QBs in their mid-20s (Herbert is going into his age-26 season) are not regularly tied to teams with HC vacancies, and the former No. 6 overall pick helped attract Harbaugh — after nine years back in the college game — to make the move to the NFL.

These inquiries coming at the Combine add intrigue to the deal, as the Chargers had not yet disbanded their wideout corps around a coaching staff expected to place a much higher priority on the run game in 2024. A Herbert trade also would have proved quite costly for the Chargers. Dealing the 2021 Pro Bowl starter would have brought a $63MM dead money charge, as the Chargers’ then-Tom Telesco-run front office handed the four-year veteran a five-year, $262.5MM extension in July 2023. Due to Herbert’s fifth-year option being picked up, that deal runs through the 2029 season. Among QBs, only Patrick Mahomes is signed to a longer-term accord.

The Bolts did well to find Herbert shortly after Philip Rivers‘ free agency defection. Since the Tyrod Taylor pregame injection drama brought the Oregon alum into the lineup in Week 2 of the 2020 season, Herbert has shown himself to be among the NFL’s most talented passers. The Bolts’ issues around their QB talent led to late-season GM and HC firings, but given his accomplishments thus far, it is unsurprising Harbaugh and Hortiz quickly dismissed this prospect.

The Pats carried more than $100MM in cap space at one point this offseason; they would have been able to accommodate Herbert’s deal, though New England’s roster would not have necessarily aligned with a high-priced QB. Minnesota’s would, given the presences of Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison. The Vikes also are carrying a $28.5MM dead money hit stemming from Kirk Cousins‘ free agency exit, making a rookie-deal passer valuable for a team unable to hammer out a fourth Cousins extension in 2023.

While it will be interesting to see how the Bolts finish off assembling a skill-position corps around Herbert, they do have what could become a top-tier tackle tandem in Alt and Pro Bowl LT Rashawn Slater. This Herbert mini-storyline stands to become a notable NFL “what if?”

2024 NFL Draft Results: Round By Round

April 25th, 2024 at 11:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us. From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), we will be keeping tabs here:

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, UNC)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (T, Alabama)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
10. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
11. New York Jets (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA)
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
17. Minnesota Vikings (via Jaguars): Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington)
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson (EDGE, Penn State)
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
23 Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns through Texans and Vikings): Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
24. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys): Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan (OT, Arizona)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Darius Robinson (DL, Missouri)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
32. Carolina Panthers (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)

Round 2

33. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers)
34. New England Patriots
35. Arizona Cardinals
36. Washington Commanders
37. Los Angeles Chargers
38. Tennessee Titans
39. Carolina Panthers (from Giants)
40. Washington Commanders (from Bears)
41. Green Bay Packers (from Jets)
42. Houston Texans (from Vikings)
43. Atlanta Falcons
44. Las Vegas Raiders
45. New Orleans Saints (from Broncos)
46. Indianapolis Colts
47. New York Giants (from Seahawks)
48. Jacksonville Jaguars
49. Cincinnati Bengals
50. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints)
51. Pittsburgh Steelers
52. Los Angeles Rams
53. Philadelphia Eagles
54. Cleveland Browns
55. Miami Dolphins
56. Dallas Cowboys
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
58. Green Bay Packers
59. Houston Texans
60. Buffalo Bills
61. Detroit Lions
62. Baltimore Ravens
63. San Francisco 49ers
64. Kansas City Chiefs

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Eagles Extend WR A.J. Brown

April 25th, 2024 at 11:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles have DeVonta Smith on the books through a lucrative extension, but the same is now true of fellow wideout A.J. Brown. The latter has agreed to a three-year, $96MM extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The team has since announced the move.

This deal – which Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested earlier Thursday night would become public – carries the highest AAV in league history amongst wideouts ($32MM). Rapoport adds Brown will collect $84MM in total guarantees, which is also a new watermark at the position. The three-time Pro Bowler is now under contract through the 2029 campaign.

Philadelphia became the first team in NFL history to extend a first-round wideout in his first year of eligibility during the fifth-year option era when they inked Smith to a three-year, $75MM pact. That contract comes in addition to his 2025 option year, and eyebrows were raised when he landed an AAV matching that of Brown. The latter had been attached to the four-year, $100MM pact he signed upon arrival from the Titans during the first round of the draft two years ago.

The $25MM annual average value of that agreement placed Brown in a tie for fourth amongst receivers as of the Smith agreement being worked out. As the position’s market continues to point upward (as demonstrated by yesterday’s decision by the Lions to extend Amon-Ra St. Brown), Brown will once again benefit. The 26-year-old has proven to be a vital member of the Eagles’ offense, posting 2,952 yards and 18 touchdowns in two Philadelphia seasons.

Considering his production, Brown’s scheduled 2024 cap hit of $12.38MM represents a bargain. It will be interesting to see if that figure changes as a a result of this new deal, but in any event future cap numbers could be reduced. Heading into Thursday, the Ole Miss product was due to count $26.5MM and $41.5MM in 2025 and ’26, respectively. Flattening out those hits will likely be a by-product of today’s move.

In any case, this agreement marks the latest of several massive investments made by the Eagles on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. Along with Smith, Brown joins left tackle Jordan Mailata and left tackle Landon Dickerson in landing monster new contracts recently. He will be counted on to continue producing top-tier production in the passing game, and the ongoing presence of many of Philadelphia’s foundational offensive contributors makes it likely that will be the case.

2024 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 25th, 2024 at 11:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway, we will keep track of each team’s haul here:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Round 1, No. 4: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
  • Round 1, No. 27 (from Texans): Darius Robinson (EDGE, Missouri)
  • Round 2, No. 35:
  • Round 3, No. 66:
  • Round 3, No. 71 (from Titans):
  • Round 3, No. 90 (from Texans):
  • Round 4, No. 104:
  • Round 5, No. 138:
  • Round 5, No. 162 (from Texans):
  • Round 6, No. 186 (from Vikings):
  • Round 7, No. 226 (from Giants):

Atlanta Falcons

  • Round 1, No. 8: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
  • Round 2, No. 43:
  • Round 3, No. 74:
  • Round 3, No. 79 (from Jaguars):
  • Round 4, No. 109:
  • Round 5, No. 143:
  • Round 6, No. 187:
  • Round 6, 197 (from Browns):

Baltimore Ravens

  • Round 1, No. 30: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
  • Round 2, No. 62:
  • Round 3, No. 93:
  • Round 4, No. 113 (from Broncos through Jets):
  • Round 4, No. 130:
  • Round 5, No. 165:
  • Round 6, No. 218 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 228 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 250:

Buffalo Bills

  • Round 2, No. 33 (from Panthers):
  • Round 2, No. 60:
  • Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs):
  • Round 4, No. 128:
  • Round 5, No. 141 (from Giants through Panthers):
  • Round 5: No. 144 (from Bears):
  • Round 5, No. 160 (from Packers):
  • Round 5, No. 163:
  • Round 6, No. 204:
  • Round 7, No. 221 (from Panthers through Titans and Chiefs):

Carolina Panthers

  • Round 1, No. 32 (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
  • Round 2, No. 39 (from Giants):
  • Round 3, No. 65:
  • Round 4, No. 101:
  • Round 5, No. 142 (from Titans):
  • Round 6: No. 200 (from Cowboys through Texans and Bills):
  • Round 7, No. 240 (from Steelers):

Chicago Bears

  • Round 1: No. 1 (from Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
  • Round 1, No. 9: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
  • Round 3, No. 75:
  • Round 4, No. 122 (from Eagles):

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Round 1, No. 18: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
  • Round 2, No. 49:
  • Round 3, No. 80:
  • Round 3, No. 97:
  • Round 4, No. 115:
  • Round 5, No. 149:
  • Round 6, No. 194:
  • Round 6, No. 214:
  • Round 7, No. 224 (from Cardinals through Texans):
  • Round 7, No. 237:

Cleveland Browns

  • Round 2, No. 54:
  • Round 3, No. 85:
  • Round 5, No. 156 (from Eagles through Cardinals):
  • Round 6, No. 206 (from Ravens):
  • Round 7, No. 227 (from Titans):
  • Round 7, No. 243:

Dallas Cowboys

  • Round 1, No. 29 (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
  • Round 2, No. 56:
  • Round 3, No. 73 (from Vikings through Lions):
  • Round 3, No. 87:
  • Round 5, No. 174:
  • Round 6, No. 216:
  • Round 7, No. 233 (from Raiders):
  • Round 7, No. 244:

Denver Broncos

  • Round 1, No. 12: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
  • Round 3, No. 76:
  • Round 4, No. 121 (from Dolphins):
  • Round 5, No. 136 (from Panthers through Browns):
  • Round 5, No. 145 (from Jets):
  • Round 5, No. 147:
  • Round 6, No. 207 (from 49ers):

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Panthers Acquire No. 32, Select WR Xavier Legette

April 25th, 2024 at 10:52pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bills are trading down once again. Buffalo is sending picks No. 32 and No. 200 to the Panthers for No. 33 and No. 141. The Panthers have traded up one pick to select South Carolina WR Xavier Legette. Although Carolina famously traded what became the No. 1 overall pick to Chicago in last year’s Bryce Young swap, the rebuilding team ended up making a pick tonight after all.

This comes after some pre-draft connections between Carolina and the regional product. Legette, who had risen up draft boards this offseason, will join a Panthers team retooling on offense yet again.

While new HC Dave Canales attempted to downplay the team’s interest in Legette, the South Carolina alum said he met with the Charlotte-based NFL team four or five times during the draft run-up. Legette will follow trade pickup Diontae Johnson to the Panthers, who still roster Adam Thielen and 2023 second-rounder Jonathan Mingo.

Legette blazed to a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, doing so at 221 pounds, and notched a 40-inch vertical jump. He is coming off a career that included four unremarkable seasons and a fifth-year breakthrough. Legette only delivered one remotely productive season in five years with the Gamecocks — a 1,255-yard 2023 that came after four sub-200-yard campaigns — but late during the pre-draft process, the big-bodied target was being viewed as a first-rounder. Although they moved up just one spot, the Panthers became the team to make that prediction accurate.

Last year, the Panthers entered the season with a shaky skill-position corps. The team did not do enough to surround Young with a quality cast, with the group becoming dependent on a 33-year-old Thielen. Two seasons remain on Thielen’s three-year, $25MM deal; the longtime Viking is due a $6.5MM salary guarantee this year. What could be Thielen’s Panthers finale could include a mentorship experience, with Legette joining Mingo as recent SEC standouts who will attempt to provide Young at least auxiliary options around the team’s two veteran targets.

The Bills exited Day 1 of the draft having made two moves down the board, sliding out of No. 28 and then No. 32. The four-time reigning AFC East champions will enter Day 2 with a gaping hole at wide receiver. It should be expected the AFC power will take steps to address that area Friday night.

49ers Select WR Ricky Pearsall At No. 31

April 25th, 2024 at 10:46pm CST by Ben Levine

With Brandon Aiyuk trade speculation swirling, the 49ers have certainly raised some eyebrows with their selection at No. 31. With the second-to-last pick of the first round, the 49ers haves selected wide receiver Florida WR Ricky Pearsall.

[RELATED: 49ers Discussing First-Round Trade Involving Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel]

Following a breakout campaign at Arizona State in 2021, Pearsall transferred to Florida in 2022. After putting up similar numbers during his first season with the Gators, the wideout took a major step forward in 2023. Pearsall finished this past season with 65 catches for 965 yards and four touchdowns, putting him firmly on the NFL map.

Pearsall was one of the more rapid risers in recent weeks. The Florida product saw his stock rise from probable Day 2 pick to surefire Day 2 pick to late first-round selection. With five WRs already being selected this evening, the 49ers didn’t want to press their luck and ended up opting for the wide receiver a bit higher than projections suggested.

With Aiyuk seeking a lucrative extension, the 49ers have continually stated that they wanted to retain the former first-round pick. However, reports from yesterday suggested that the front office was discussing the wide receiver (along with teammate Deebo Samuel) in trades.

While Aiyuk remains on San Francisco’s roster at the moment, the Pearsall pick will only add fuel to the fire. With the first round having passed, a window for the 49ers to unload Aiyuk or Samuel closed. It will be interesting to see if the team would accept Day 2 compensation for one of its standout wide receivers. With the Bengals not expected to trade Tee Higgins — his request notwithstanding — attention could be focused on Aiyuk. Then again, the 49ers have relied on their WR duo to help Brock Purdy. This Pearsall move could potentially be a bridge to the Samuel-Aiyuk duo separating in 2025.

The 49ers could extend Aiyuk and push their cap predicament to 2025, so Pearsall might not immediately step into a major role. Still, the rookie should be the clear-cut WR3 if both Deebo and Aiyuk stick around, with Jauan Jennings and Ronnie Bell representing the team’s other options at the position.

Ravens Select Clemson CB Nate Wiggins At No. 30

April 25th, 2024 at 10:40pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens have added to their secondary. The team has selected Clemson defensive back Nate Wiggins with the No. 30 pick. Baltimore has thrown numerous mid- to late-round picks at the cornerback position over the years, hitting on the likes of Anthony Averett (fourth round) and Brandon Stephens (third round), but they finally pull out the big guns, making Wiggins their highest-drafted cornerback since Marlon Humphrey went 16th overall in 2017.

Wiggins became a full-time starter for the Tigers as a sophomore last season. In eleven starts, Wiggins led the team with 14 passes defended and added on a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown. While Pro Football Focus (subscription required) didn’t tout his 2022 season as elite, Wiggins was still credited as a first-team All-ACC selection by some publications, though not by the Conference itself.

That honor would have to wait until 2023, when Wiggins was named by the Conference as a first-team All-ACC cornerback. That status was reflected in Wiggins’ PFF ranking which saw him elevate all the way up to the 25th highest ranked cornerback in the nation. Wiggins once again leads his defense with 11 passes defensed and two interceptions, one of which he returned 46 yards for another touchdown. He also showed off other playmaking abilities in 2023 with a sack and two forced fumbles, both of which occurred on chases that ended on the one-yard line.

Wiggins has prototypical length at the cornerback position with a long, 6-foot-2 frame and arm length and body control that grant him an easy advantage on contested balls. He’s not too thin at 185 pounds, though he played closer to 170 at Clemson, and while he may not have strong initial quickness, he was considered the school’s fastest player and possesses great recovery speed to stay with receivers downfield. He’ll need to get stronger at the next level in order to compete against physical NFL wideouts.

In Baltimore, Wiggins figures to work into the defense sooner rather than later, though it will be interesting to see exactly how. Humphrey and Stephens expect to open the 2024 season as the starters outside. The team liked Ar’Darius Washington in the slot last year before he landed on injured reserve for much of the season.

Without Washington, the team leaned on safety Kyle Hamilton frequently in the slot, though with their former third safety, Geno Stone, now in Cincinnati, they’ll likely feel less free to let Hamilton roam. Though, if Wiggins comes on strong early, the Ravens could move Stephens back to safety, a position he’s played for them before, giving them a new third player at the position. The team also returns Arthur Maulet, who played a significant role in injury replacement last year.

Wiggins should be a priority on the outside. He didn’t display outstanding initial quickness to stay with slot receivers, but his recovery top speed should make him feel at home on the exterior and downfield. Stephens is entering a contract year, so perhaps Wiggins may just need to wait a year to become a full-time starter. Otherwise, he should factor in heavily in three-cornerback formations should the team keep Stephens at safety.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

Cowboys Draft OT Tyler Guyton At No. 29

April 25th, 2024 at 10:38pm CST by Ben Levine

After trading back earlier tonight, the Cowboys have managed to add to their offensive line. The team has selected Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton with the No. 29 pick.

Guyton played all-but exclusively at right tackle with the Sooners, but there were plenty of draft pundits who believed the prospect could eventually develop into an NFL left tackle. While the Oklahoma product wasn’t considered to have the same upside as many of his draft counterparts, he still solidified his first-round draft stock with strong collegiate performances, including a 2023 campaign where he earned an honorable All-Big 12 mention.

Guyton also made a name for himself because of his physical frame. Listed at six-foot-eight and 322 pounds, the massive offensive lineman drew the attention of many NFL front offices during the pre-draft process. While Guyton could have realistically landed anywhere in the first round, he ended up following most projections by being selected towards the end of Day 1.

The rookie will likely be counted on right away to protect Dak Prescott in Dallas. With Tyron Smith out of the picture, the organization hasn’t done a whole lot to address the hole on their offensive line. Terence Steele is entrenched at one of the OT spots, and Guyton should beat out the likes of Chuma Edoga and Matt Waletzko for the other starting spot.

Chiefs Jump To No. 28, Select WR Xavier Worthy

April 25th, 2024 at 10:30pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chiefs have moved up the draft board. The team has acquired pick No. 28 from the Bills, along with picks No. 133 and No. 248. In exchange, Buffalo will receive No. 32, No. 95, and No. 221.

With their newfound pick, the Chiefs have addressed a recent position of need: wide receiver. The organization has selected Texas wideout Xavier Worthy with the No. 28 pick. This will pair Patrick Mahomes with a player that just set the Combine 40-yard dash record — at 4.21 seconds.

The Chiefs have given their megastar quarterback two new wide receivers this offseason. Neither Worthy nor Marquise Brown bring much in the way of size to Kansas City’s equation; Brown goes 5-foot-9, 180 pounds while Worthy checked in at 5-11, 165. That could bring some challenges for the Chiefs, who are coming off an uneven — well, as far as Super Bowl-winning seasons go — campaign. The WR position played the central role in Kansas City stumbling through the ’23 slate on offense.

Worthy’s blazing Indianapolis sprint obviously enhanced his prospect profile, but the ex-Longhorns pass catcher is coming off a productive college career. Worthy led last year’s Texas iteration in receptions (75) and receiving yards (1,014). Worthy was not a breakout player in 2023, either, having produced from 2021-23 with the Big 12 program. He totaled 12 touchdowns as a freshman — a 981-yard debut — and added nine TD grabs in 2022.

Consistency certainly would help a Chiefs team that received anything but at the receiver position last year. Placing high hopes on Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney, Kansas City saw neither would-be regular develop into a trustworthy option for Mahomes. The Chiefs’ receiving corps led the NFL in drops, and by season’s end, the team had become more effective with Toney and Moore sidelined. Moore finished the season on IR, while Toney strangely questioned his playoff injury status in a recorded rant before the AFC championship game. The Chiefs made Toney a healthy scratch for Super Bowl LVIII. Although Andy Reid said Toney remains in the picture for the 2024 Chiefs, the ex-Giants first-rounder appears on the verge of wearing out his welcome with a second NFL franchise.

Given the Chiefs’ one-sided rivalry (in the playoffs, that is) against the Bills, it is interesting Buffalo enabled the two-time reigning champions to bolster their threepeat quest with Worthy. The Bills will enter Day 2 with work to do at wide receiver. The Chiefs’ work here, during an offseason that has admittedly seen more trouble emerge (via Rashee Rice‘s hit-and-run arrest, which produced eight felony charges), is largely done — from an acquisition standpoint, at least.

Of course, the team will await word on Rice — its saving grace at wide receiver last season. The 2023 second-rounder remains critical to Kansas City’s 2024 plan, though Brown and Worthy stand to help the cause.

Cardinals Select DL Darius Robinson At No. 27

April 25th, 2024 at 10:22pm CST by Ben Levine

After adding one of the top offensive players earlier in the night, the Cardinals have now added an intriguing defensive prospect. The team has selected Missouri pass rusher Darius Robinson with the No. 27 pick.

While No. 4 overall choice Marvin Harrison Jr. filled a glaring need for the Cardinals, so does Robinson. Arizona struggled to rush the passer last season, having seen J.J. Watt retire and Zach Allen defect to Denver in free agency. The Cards did not do much on the edge, either, largely rolling with a low-cost crew during a rebuilding campaign. Robinson will give Jonathan Gannon more options outside.

Coming off the Senior Bowl, Robinson scheduled a whopping 20 pre-draft visits. He will join the Cardinals after a versatile career at Mizzou. The SEC program lined Robinson up across its formation, and he profiles as a power rusher as opposed to a player who will win consistently around the edge. With the Cardinals rolling out a 3-4 defensive scheme in Gannon’s first season, that could make the 6-foot-5, 285-pound performer valuable as a down lineman potentially.

NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah likened Robinson’s profile to Arik Armstead coming out of Columbia; that certainly represents an intriguing comp. The inside/outside talent, who saw more time at defensive tackle in 2022, totaled 8.5 sacks and a Tigers-most 14 tackles for loss last season. With this draft class not as deep at D-tackle compared to D-end, the Cardinals have an interesting prospect to mold. Robinson is going to a team without too much of note in the pass-rushing department.

The Cardinals’ 33 sacks last season ranked 30th in the NFL. Although the team used a second-round pick last year on BJ Ojulari, the cupboard is nearly bare beyond him. Career special-teamer Dennis Gardeck led the Cards with six sacks last season, as converted ILB Zaven Collins worked as a regular OLB starter. Robinson will be tasked with delivering immediate impact, as playing time will be available — perhaps at multiple positions.

In terms of first-round picks, this wraps the Deshaun Watson trade. The Cardinals acquired the third first-rounder from that 2022 blockbuster last year, moving from No. 3 to No. 12 to give the Texans rights to Will Anderson Jr.

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