Panthers Open To Drafting WR In First Round
Dan Morgan has been in place as the Panthers’ general manager since 2024. During each of his first two drafts at the helm, Carolina has selected a receiver in the first round.
Xavier Legette has not developed as hoped at the NFL level, but Tetairoa McMillan certainly thrived during his debut season. The latter took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for his level of play in 2025, and he will be a core member of Carolina’s passing game for the foreseeable future. A third consecutive Day 1 investment at the WR position is nevertheless receiving consideration.
“We’re gonna take the best player,” Morgan said (via Joe Person of The Athletic). “So if the best player we feel is [a receiver] at 19, I wouldn’t hesitate to draft another wideout. I don’t think there’s a rule that says you can’t draft a wide receiver three years in a row. So, I’m not gonna box us in and say we’re not gonna draft one.”
The likes of Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon and Jordyn Tyson are likely to be off the board when Carolina is set to select. There will still be plenty of first-round options to consider, though. Denzel Boston, Omar Cooper Jr. and KC Concepcion are among the prospects who have visited Carolina during the pre-draft process. Some or each could be available for Morgan and Co. to pick. Boston’s size and skillset overlaps with McMillan’s, but Cooper and Concepcion represent intriguing complementary receivers to pair with him.
NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe notes (video link) the Panthers are specifically targeting speed with their next rookie wideout. That comes as no surprise, given McMillan’s presence and Legette’s inability to establish himself as a regular on offense. Former undrafted free agent Jalen Coker is set to remain a key figure in 2026, but there is room to add another notable pass-catching presence as the Panthers look to build off their playoff appearance this past season.
That could of course include a receiver selection after Day 1 of the draft, and Wolfe names tight end Kenyon Sadiq as an option the Panthers will likely consider as well. The draft’s consensus TE1 winds up going to Carolina in Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft. Other roster spots could receive attention in the first round, but Morgan’s comments point to a willingness to continue investing heavily at the skill positions even after doing so in each of the past two years.
Giants, Bengals Agree To DT Dexter Lawrence Trade
Dexter Lawrence is indeed on the move. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle’s trade request will result in a swap sending him to the AFC North.
The Giants and Bengals have agreed to a Lawrence trade, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. This deal involves the No. 10 pick in next week’s draft heading to New York. An extension is also part of this blockbuster development, per the report. Cincinnati’s Day 1 selection is the only draft capital involved in the deal, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan adds.
Lawrence was unable to work out an extension agreement last offseason, with a short-term incentive package being agreed to instead. The arrival of head coach John Harbaugh and a new reporting structure in the organization did not yield progress during the latest round of negotiations, prompting a trade request shortly before the draft. The immediate response indicated a swap was not expected, but it soon became clear the Giants were not interested in adding term or new money to the remainder of Lawrence’s contract. Talks broke off earlier this week, although team and player remained in communication leading up to tonight’s news.
In recent days it has become well known that Lawrence was open to a fresh start and that New York did not feel a sense of urgency to commit to a raise with the veteran coming off the least productive season of his career. The Giants understandably set a high asking price in this case, with a top-10 pick being sought out. They have managed to land one, and the team now holds selections No. 5 and 10 heading into the first round.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports efforts on the part of the Bengals to finalize this swap picked up over the past several days. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated adds the teams have been in contact for two weeks, with discussions centering on the price of a premium pick. The Giants initially tried to keep Lawrence even after receiving the Bengals’ offer, per SNY’s Connor Hughes; with the relationship beyond repair, the deal has now been agreed to. New York’s draft outlook is certainly much different now than it previously was.
The Giants will clear Lawrence’s remaining salaries for 2026 and ’27 from their books. With this swap taking place prior to June 1, the team will incur a dead money charge ($13.92MM) nearly identical to the cap savings ($13.04MM) which will be realized. Replacing Lawrence deep into free agency and/or by means of a draft class short on high-end defensive line prospects will now be a major priority.
From the Bengals’ perspective, this is an uncharacteristically aggressive move. Cincinnati has a reputation for avoiding high-profile transactions such as this, although the franchise’s approach has seen changes in recent years given the massive commitments made to the likes of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Investing heavily in those three has helped lead to defensive shortcomings, and upgrading on that side of the ball has been a key focus this offseason. Illustrating the nature of this acquisition, Raanan’s colleague Adam Schefter notes this is the first time in the common draft era (1966-present) the Bengals have traded away a top-10 pick.
The Bengals have made a number of defensive free agent additions, including the signing of Jonathan Allen not long after his release. He and Lawrence will aim to improve a defense which struggled in a number of categories in 2025, including a last-place finish against the run. Cincinnati showed interest in trading for Osa Odighizuwa last month, but after being unable to swing a deal on that front the team has managed to secure a major addition along the defensive interior. Lawrence, 28, has three Pro Bowl nods and two appearances on the second All-Pro team to his name.
Returning to his previous form would be critical for the Clemson product and the Bengals’ ability to reach the postseason in 2026. Lawrence has been one of the league’s premiere interior pass rushers for much of his career, but last season saw him post just 0.5 sacks and 12 QB pressures. That drop-off in production was a key reason driving the Giants’ hesitancy with respect to a new deal moving Lawrence back toward the top of the defensive tackle market. Prior to this agreement, his $22.5MM-per-year pact sat outside the top 10 for the position.
Lowering Lawrence’s 2026 cap charge will be key for Cincinnati. The team entered Saturday 31st in the NFL in cap space with nowhere near enough room to absorb his figure and afford to sign its incoming draft class. The particulars will certainly be worth watching for as the Bengals prepare to build around Lawrence while authorizing a big-money deal in addition to a substantial acquisition cost.
Giants Eyeing Mid-Round Pick In Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade?
Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s name has frequently been mentioned in trade speculation, and the draft looms as a logical window for a deal to be worked out in his case. The Giants will be worth monitoring as they weigh their options on the Thibodeaux front.
It was reported in March that the Giants’ preference would be to move on in this case, and it became clear at the Combine the team would be open to fielding offers. No Thibodeaux swap was worked out ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. New York could elect to keep him in the fold to play out his fifth-year option, but a trade remains something to watch for over the coming days.
Casino.com’s Jason La Canfora writes it would be “quite surprising” if Thibodeaux were to still be with the Giants by the end of next week’s draft. A general manager he spoke with said New York hopes to secure a third-round pick in a trade but would be willing to accept an offer of a fourth-rounder. Any return in that range would of course represent a highly underwhelming end to the former No. 5 selection’s time as a Giant.
Thibodeaux has started all 55 of his combined regular and postseason appearances for New York, but his production and playing time has fluctuated across his four NFL seasons. 2025 saw his snap share drop to a career-low 72%, and the Oregon product’s 2.5 sacks were also a personal low. Thibodeaux has played a full campaign only once, and the Giants have a starting edge rush tandem in the form of Brian Burns and Abdul Carter for 2026 and beyond.
Those factors help explain New York’s aversion to a long-term Thibodeaux contract but they will also limit his trade value. The 25-year-old is owed $14.75MM for next season, making him an expensive rental option. An acquiring team could attempt to work out an extension, but doing so could be challenging given Thibodeaux’s career arc to date. Still, an edge rusher at his age could be an intriguing buy-low target for any number of suitors.
The Giants are currently set to experience a wide gap between their second pick (No. 37) and third one (No. 105). Acquiring a third-round selection would help bridge that divide and provide additional draft capital to improve a defense in need of upgrades with or without Dexter Lawrence in the fold.
CB Chris Johnson Met With Jets, Packers, Bucs, Cowboys, Jags, Chiefs
San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson has flown up draft boards throughout the pre-draft process. He is now considered a borderline first-round pick after visits and/or meetings with several teams.
Among them are the Jets, Packers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Jaguars, and Chiefs, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. They all have various needs at cornerback, save for the Buccaneers
After trading Sauce Gardner last year, the Jets now have Brandon Stephens, Nahshon Wright, and Jarvis Brownlee leading their cornerback room. 2025 third-rounder Azareye’h Thomas is expected to take on a bigger role this season, but the team still lacks high-upside talent in the long-term. Thomas is also the only corner in that group that is signed through 2027.
The Packers have Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine entering the final years of their contract, creating a major need at the cornerback position. Benjamin St-Juste is signed through 2027, but none of the team’s other cornerbacks profile as starting options.
In Jacksonville, the Jaguars have Montaric Brown, Jarrian Jones, and Jourdan Lewis. Brown and Jones are both younger and could be long-term starters, but Lewis is 31 years old with two years left on his deal. The team also lacks quality depth behind their top three.
Like the Jets, the Chiefs traded away their star CB1, leaving a gaping hole in their defense. Kansas City took fliers on Kaiir Elam and Kader Kohou to fill the cornerback room, but neither is a surefire starter in 2026. Kristian Fulton is also entering the final year of his contract. 2025 third-rounder Nohl Williams impressed as a rookie and should be able to lock down a starting job, but the rest of the Chiefs’ cornerback rotation remains murky.
The Buccaneers, by contrast, are set at cornerback with Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison penciled in on the boundary and Jacob Parrish manning the slot. Morrison, though, is an injury risk, and Tampa Bay has little proven depth behind their top young trio. That seems like a spot to make an inexpensive veteran addition rather than a high draft pick, though, seemingly making Johnson a luxury pick with other long-term needs to fill.
Titans To Pick Up Peter Skoronski’s Fifth-Year Option
The Titans are planning to exercise left guard Peter Skoronski‘s fifth-year option, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. Skoronski will earn a $19.07MM salary in 2027.
This was an easy call for Tennessee, which has seen Skoronski turn into a key building block during his three-year career. With former general manager Ran Carthon then atop their front office, the Titans used the 11th overall pick on Skoronski in 2023. While they drafted Skoronski has a tackle, the Northwestern product shifted inside. He has started in all 42 of his games with the Titans.
Last season was the second straight 17-game campaign for the durable Skoronski, whose only three absences came in his rookie year. He was the lone member of the Titans’ offense to play every snap in 2025. He also finished as Pro Football Focus’ fifth-ranked guard among 79 qualifiers. Additionally, it was the second year in a row Skoronski placed in the top 20 among guards in ESPN’s pass block win rate metric. He climbed to seventh after coming in 15th in 2024.
The fact that Skoronski has broken through as a standout lineman is especially beneficial to a team trying to develop and protect a young quarterback. Cam Ward took a league-high 55 sacks as a rookie, but Skoronski did his best to keep the 2025 No. 1 overall pick upright. GM Mike Borgonzi publicly identified Skoronski as an extension candidate in the wake of a career year.
“We always try to secure our best players early,” Borgonzi said. “And that is obviously a tool, an option we can use. But our goal is to get something done with Peter. With Peter, he is one of our better players, and we’d like him here long-term.”
Thanks to the fifth-year option, the Titans at least have Skoronski under wraps for two more seasons. It is clear that Borgonzi wants to extend the partnership beyond then, but doing so will not come cheap. If an agreement comes together, Skoronski could become the sixth guard in the league averaging $20MM per year.
QB Cole Payton Met With Eagles, Jets, Cardinals
Although he spent four of his five North Dakota State seasons as a backup, some NFL teams consider left-handed quarterback Cole Payton an intriguing developmental prospect going into the draft. It was already known Payton visited the Steelers and Colts in recent weeks. He also “met extensively with” the Eagles, Jets and Cardinals, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports.
North Dakota State has produced two first-round signal-callers: Carson Wentz (second overall in 2016) and Trey Lance (third in 2021). While Wentz had his moments as a starter earlier in his career, he has settled in as a journeyman backup. Lance was a major disappointment as the 49ers’ starter, but he has joined Wentz in sticking around the league as a reserve. Unlike Wentz and Lance, Payton will not face the pressure of living up to first-round billing. Payton could still be a relatively high selection, though, as he told Greg Auman of Fox Sports last week that he expects to hear his name on Day 2. If accurate, that would give Payton a third-round floor.
“Obviously, there are some teams that have higher grades on you, some teams that have lower grades on you, so you really never know at the end of the day,” Payton said. “But that’s what we’re planning on. … This has been a blast. It’s what you dream about as a kid.”
As part of a quarterback class that features just one clear-cut first-rounder (Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza), Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Payton as the fifth-best option available. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. has him seventh at his position and 153rd among all prospects.
Payton attempted a meager 58 passes over his first four college seasons, but the Bison used the 6-foot-3, 233-pounder as a weapon in the running game. In 2023, his most productive season in that capacity, Payton amassed 615 yards on 84 carries (7.3 per tote) and found the end zone 13 times.
Quarterback Cam Miller (now with the Dolphins) left NDSU for the NFL last spring, clearing the way for Payton to finally grab the reins. He seized the opportunity during a 29-touchdown campaign in which he threw for 16 scores, ran for another 13 and led his team to a 12-1 record. Payton completed 72% of passes on 12.1 yards per attempt, tossed just four interceptions, and piled up 777 rushing yards (5.7 YPC) on 136 carries. He continued demonstrating his athleticism at the Combine, where he ran the third-fastest 40-yard dash among QBs (4.56).
While Brugler notes that NFL teams considered Payton a potential tight end convert entering last season, that is no longer the case. Someone will give the mobile, strong-armed Payton a chance as a QB, though that team will take on an inexperienced starter who did not face elite competition in college.
Of Philadelphia, Arizona and New York, the Eagles are the only team with a solution at quarterback. They drafted Wentz 10 years ago, but the writing was on the wall for him when they used a second-rounder on Jalen Hurts in 2020. Wentz was out of the organization a year later. Hurts remains locked in as the Eagles’ starter, but backups Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton are only under contract for another year apiece. If the Eagles keep McKee and Dalton next season, Payton could ease into the league as the fourth QB on their depth chart and perhaps climb into the second or third position in 2027.
The rebuilding Jets (Geno Smith) and Cardinals have veteran stopgaps (Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew), but both teams are strong candidates to add someone younger in the draft. While the two are popular picks for Alabama’s Ty Simpson, a potential first-rounder, perhaps one of them will instead come away with Payton later in the draft.
Steelers Hosted WR Makai Lemon
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon may be a long shot to make it to the Steelers in the first round, but they were among the teams he visited, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic.
While the Steelers are heading into the draft with two proven starting receivers in D.K. Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., they have little else at the position. Of their six other receivers under contract, only Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek caught passes in 2025. They combined for a mere 16. The team has done its homework on a few notable prospects as a result, having hosted Lemon, Washington’s Denzel Boston and Alabama’s Germie Bernard. Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. did not book a “30” visit with the Steelers, but they are reportedly interested in him.
While Bernard may be an option in Round 2, where Pittsburgh will be on the clock at 53, Lemon and Boston are expected to go in the first round. Cooper is not a first-round lock, but he will likely be gone before the Steelers make their second pick. The Steelers’ first choice will come at No. 21, which could be too far down the board for Lemon. Both Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (No. 12) and Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 13) consider Lemon as a top-15 player in this class. PFR’s Ely Allen mocked Lemon to the Dolphins at No. 11.
The Steelers’ best hope of landing Lemon may be for general manager Omar Khan to trade up. That might be on the table for a team with a league-high 12 picks, including five in the top 99. Reeling in the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon, who won the Fred Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver in 2025, would give the Steelers an exciting complement to the 6-4 Metcalf-Pittman duo. He lined up in the slot over 75% of the time and dropped just four passes in his three-year, 33-game run at USC.
The Steelers are not guaranteed to emerge from the first round with a receiver, but it’s “almost a foregone conclusion” they will at least spend a Day 2 pick on the position, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette observes. Cornerback, safety and guard are other areas they could address in the opening round, according to Dulac.
Jeremiyah Love Visited Cardinals
APRIL 18: Love visited the Cardinals at some point in the pre-draft process, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. The deadline for visits was April 15.
APRIL 7: Although he does not play a premium position, uber-talented Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to come off the board in the top seven of this year’s draft. Set to select third overall, the Cardinals have more pressing needs than running back, yet they are a “wild card to watch” in the Love derby, Peter Schrager of ESPN writes.
By far the highest-rated back in this year’s class, Love is the lone player at the position who will go in Round 1. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com ranks the 6-foot, 212-pounder as the No. 2 prospect available, trailing only Indiana quarterback and soon-to-be first pick Fernando Mendoza. Love is heading to the pros after winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best back in 2025. He wrapped up his three-year college career with a ridiculous 6.9 yards per carry on 433 attempts and 40 touchdowns (35 rushing, five receiving) in 41 games.
The Cardinals finished a dismal 31st in rushing yards per game in 2025, which makes them a fit for Love on paper. But they have addressed their backfield since then, albeit in more modest fashion, with the addition of former Falcon Tyler Allgeier on a two-year, $12.25MM pact. They also kept James Conner around on a revised contract. He and 2024 third-rounder Trey Benson, who also remains in the fold, missed a combined 27 games with injuries last season. That helps explain why Arizona’s rushing attack faltered as much as it did. Michael Carter, now a member of the Titans, led the Cardinals with a meager 333 ground yards on 92 totes (3.6 YPC).
If the Cardinals draft Love, it will be the second straight time Allgeier will find himself stuck behind a premier talent at his position. Allgeier posted the only 1,000-yard season of his career as a rookie in 2022, but the Falcons spent the eighth overall pick on Bijan Robinson during the ensuing spring. After serving as a solid (perhaps overqualified) backup to Robinson, there is no doubt Allgeier moved to Arizona banking on a bigger role than he had in Atlanta. He should get his wish if the Cardinals pass on Love at No. 3 to address a more obvious weakness (right tackle or edge defender, to name two possibilities).
Giants, Dexter Lawrence Remain In Talks
Contract talks between the Giants and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence broke off earlier this week, but chances of the sides finding common ground are not dead yet. The Giants and Lawrence “are still talking,” according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. There remains hope the seven-year veteran will continue his career with the Giants, who chose him 17th overall in the 2019 draft.
Lawrence’s dissatisfaction with the Giants stems from what’s left of the four-year, $90MM extension he signed in 2023. The four-time Pro Bowler is due to earn $19.5MM in each of the next two seasons, but he wants an appreciable raise and more guaranteed money. The Giants have already paid out all $60MM in guarantees on his deal.
The salary cap was set at $224.8MM when Lawrence inked his extension. It has since skyrocketed to $301.2MM, and Lawrence wants in on the action. Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis, a less accomplished player than Lawrence, signed a three-year, $78MM extension with $65MM in guarantees in March. Lawrence is unhappy he is now earning far less than the the $26MM per annum Davis and Patriots DT Milton Williams are making, according to Schwartz.
As of Thursday, it did not appear the Giants had any desire to adjust Lawrence’s contract. But they are willing to offer a “significant financial upgrade” that includes guarantees, per Schwartz. Lawrence is “dug in” on his asking price, though it is unclear how far apart he and the Giants are.
Discussing the situation with Schwartz, new head coach John Harbaugh said: “We are working together to get the best outcome for the Giants team. We also respect Dexter fully as a person and player and want him to be happy. We are doing everything we can, as best we can, as responsibly as we can.’’
If an agreement does not materialize in the next handful of days, we could see Lawrence change hands before or during the draft. The first round will take place Thursday, which is when things could come to a head in this case. However, it appears it would require quite a haul to pry Lawrence from the Giants. They are aiming for a top-10 pick in return for the 28-year-old, Schwartz relays. The Giants may accept a pick later in the first round, but they would also want additional selections with it.
Latest On Alabama QB Ty Simpson; No First-Round Grade From Steelers?
Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart was not a surefire first-round pick entering last year’s draft, though he ultimately came off the board in Round 1. The Giants, who had previously selected Abdul Carter third overall, traded back into the first round to grab Dart at No. 25. A team could do something similar this year with Alabama QB Ty Simpson, but he has less momentum going into this draft than Dart had in 2025, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN hears.
[RELATED: PFR’s 2026 Mock Draft]
While the Jets, Cardinals and Steelers have been connected to Simpson more than anyone else, it would be a surprise to see any of them use their initial pick on him. New York has Nos. 2 and 16, both of which are likely too high to take Simpson. The team may just wait until what could be a deeper 2027 class to draft a signal-caller, though perhaps the Jets will strongly consider Simpson if he is still available when they are on the clock again at No. 33.
There is indeed a possibility Simpson will fall out of the top 32, though the Cardinals may trade back into the round for him. They would mimic last year’s Giants in that regard. Otherwise, unless the Cardinals reach for Simpson with the third overall choice, their next opportunity to bring him in will come at 34. That happens to be where the Giants sat last year before going for Dart. Along with surrendering that pick, the Giants dealt a 2025 and ’26 third-rounder to move up nine spots.
The Cardinals’ Monti Ossenfort has only picked one QB – fifth-rounder Clayton Tune in 2023 – in three drafts as their general manager. But as PFR’s Sam Robinson noted, there may be more urgency to gamble on the position this year if Ossenfort is on the hot seat. The Cardinals have gone 15-36 with Ossenfort at the controls. If the team is a bottom feeder again next season, Ossenfort may be out of a job when the 2027 draft rolls around. Picking Simpson could be his last chance for a bold QB move in Arizona.
One of the main concerns regarding Simpson is a lack of experience. He made just 15 starts in college, which is reportedly a deterrent for the Steelers. As the reigning AFC North champions await a decision on 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers‘ future, they are down to career backup Mason Rudolph and untested 2025 seventh-round pick Will Howard as their top options at the game’s most important position. It does not appear they are going to tab Simpson at No. 21 overall, though. They have not even given Simpson a first-round grade, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. In the Steelers’ opinion, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is the lone member of this class with franchise QB potential, per Dulac.
Mendoza going to the Raiders at No. 1 overall is a lock, but this could end up a one-QB first round. Simpson’s odds of coming off the board in Round 1 remain iffy as the draft draws closer.