Texas QB Arch Manning Not QB1 For 2027?
It’s not often PFR has a deep catalogue of posts on a college player before they’re drafted. Usually a prospect has a few visits registered, maybe a Prospect Profile. Texas quarterback Arch Manning, though, has been heavily featured for over a year now, and he’s still just under a year away from maybe being drafted. Draft pundits over-anticipated Manning’s early potential a year ago, but some recent reports from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer made an attempt to halt the hype.
By no means is anyone under the illusion that Manning is a bad quarterback, but a year after he was being prematurely heralded as a future No. 1 overall pick, Breer sought the opinions of NFL personnel professionals to gauge Manning’s outlook for next year. At the moment, Manning is widely viewed as a good (not great) NFL prospect at the quarterback position. It doesn’t mean he’ll stay that way, but NFL decision makers aren’t going to be blinded by the nameplate on the back of his jersey and forego evaluations.
Initial high expectations weren’t completely unwarranted after Manning displayed some strong performances in Austin as a backup to Quinn Ewers. As a redshirt freshman, Manning lived up to his last name in early garbage time snaps against Colorado State and UTSA. Over those two contests, he completed 14 of 18 pass attempts for 318 passing yards and five touchdown passes, adding 53 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. His first two starts came due to a Ewers injury, and after a shaky starting debut against Louisiana-Monroe (15-for-19, 258 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions), he turned things around with an impressive SEC debut against Mississippi State (26-for-31, 325 yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown).
Starting the his 2025 campaign under the brightest of spotlights, Manning resembled the version of himself that struggled against the Warhawks. Over the first five games of the season, he completed under 60 percent of his passes in three contests, throwing 11 touchdowns to five interceptions and losing two of those games. Over the next eight games, Manning looked much more like the man that walked the Bulldogs. Even in two games over that stretch in which he completed less than 50 percent of his passes, Manning stayed mistake-free with no interceptions while pulling out wins in both games.
That seemed to be the key for Manning and the thing scouts were relieved to see. Despite his early struggles against subpar competition, Manning showed improvement from week to week. He continued to show more poise in the pocket, allowing plays to develop as designed and trusting the abilities of himself and his offensive line. That said, his consistency with accuracy could benefit from a big step forward, and his decision-making under pressure is still a concern. If he continues to improve week after week again this year, there’s no reason he can’t continue to brighten his future.
How bright can that future get, though? While Manning will have every opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his uncles, who were both No. 1 overall picks out of their respective SEC schools, he is far from being considered a sure thing. Breer’s NFL source compared Manning to a former No. 1 overall pick that replaced a Manning as the franchise QB in Indianapolis, Andrew Luck. Luck was considered to be “freaky smart, a freaky athlete” with an extremely high floor. While Manning’s floor isn’t considered to be necessarily low, it’s not as high as Luck’s, With his current abilities and knack for improving, though, there’s belief Manning’s ceiling could match those of Luck and his ancestors.
With the Manning-hype being lowered to a simmer, Breer offers that Oregon passer Dante Moore is currently viewed as “the top guy going into the 2026 college season.” As far as ceilings go, Moore’s may not reach those of Luck or even Manning, but last year, he showed far more consistency than Manning and was even considered a potential first-round option in this year’s draft before ultimately opting to return to school.
Draft Rumors: Bucs, Raiders, Waller, Dolphins, Cowboys, Colts, Allen, Giants
Exiting a season without an eight-sack player for the fourth straight year, the Buccaneers attempted to take a big swing in free agency by being part of the Trey Hendrickson chase. The Ravens, after their Maxx Crosby about-face, ended up closing that market. Baltimore reneging on that agreement may have helped Tampa Bay land Rueben Bain Jr., with Jason Licht indicating during a Pat McAfee Show appearance the Raiders obtaining the No. 14 overall pick probably took an EDGE suitor out of the mix.
“Spytek, he and I are very close. He was taunting me a little bit, ‘Hey, we’re sitting right in front of you; I know what you need,’” Licht said of his former Bucs lieutenant-turned-Raiders GM (h/t the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin). “We’re all trying to help each other out here, especially the people that are good friends, so thanks, Spytek.”
Spytek worked under Licht before being hired as Raiders GM in 2025. The Raiders were all set to move Crosby’s $35.5MM-per-year contract off their payroll, and although the team signed Kwity Paye during the period where Crosby was all but certain to relocate to Baltimore, the team could have used more help at the premier position. (If nothing else, Spytek certainly appears to have needled his former boss about needing to trade up for a pass rusher.) Instead, Paye joins Crosby and Malcolm Koonce — re-signed before the Ravens’ seismic decision — in headlining the Raiders’ EDGE corps.
Keeping No. 14, the Ravens were connected to Penn State guard Vega Ioane. Ely Allen’s PFR mock draft delivered a direct hit there, and the move allowed the Bucs access to Bain. Tampa Bay viewed the Miami EDGE as a top-five player on its board and was eyeing ex-Bain Hurricanes teammate Akheem Mesidor in the event Bain was off the board. The Ravens keeping their pick after signing Hendrickson may well have helped keep Bain in Florida. Here is the latest draft fallout:
- The Cowboys and Dolphins agreed to a first-round trade that allowed Dallas to climb up one spot for Caleb Downs. That swap was agreed to late during Miami’s time on the clock, and ESPN’s The Pick Is In special (h/t David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel) included a note about the Dolphins initially declining the Cowboys’ offer to move from No. 12 to No. 11. Dallas initially offered a fifth-round pick to climb one spot; this did not move the needle for new Miami GM Jon-Eric Sullivan. As the clock wound down, the Cowboys offered a second fifth-rounder and potentially another pick to seal the deal. Jerry Jones did not view the Dolphins as a threat to draft Downs but worried another team could jump the Cowboys for the Ohio State safety, leading to Nos. 177 and 180 going to Miami for No. 11. Jeff Hafley said during an interview with Richard Sherman (via Yahoo.com) the Dolphins would have drafted Kadyn Proctor at 11 had no trade occurred.
- Staying with the Dolphins, they will obtain an additional 2027 draft choice. The 2025 Darren Waller trade sent a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Giants after the tight end unretired; a conditional 2027 seventh went back to Miami. The conditions were ultimately satisfied, per the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, and the Dolphins will hold an extra 2027 seventh-rounder from the Waller swap. Although Waller began the season late due to injury before being placed on IR twice last season, he caught 24 passes for 283 yards and six touchdowns in nine games played. Waller is not expected to return to Miami.
- The draft signing process annually moves slowest with second-round picks, with guarantees providing the holdup. Round 2 draftees continue to make inroads on that front. Last year, a host of second-round talents — due in no small part to Tyler Shough going 40th overall — secured fully guaranteed deals. This year continues that growth, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson noting No. 53 overall pick C.J. Allen received 83.7% of his contract guaranteed from the Colts. That is up from 75.4% at No. 53 last year (Buccaneers CB Benjamin Morrison). The bar for fully guaranteed Round 2 deals will undoubtedly move past No. 40 this year, and Allen receiving this mostly guaranteed pact will have an impact on players drafted shortly before him this year.
Rams Viewed Cardinals As Ty Simpson Threat; Lions Offered L.A. First-Round Trade
Coming out of the first round with the most surprising selection, the Rams have established a Packers-like runway for Ty Simpson to develop behind Matthew Stafford. While holding the Falcons’ first-round pick (No. 13 overall) gave the Rams rare draft real estate, most were still borderline shocked to see Simpson go as high as he did.
Los Angeles has been high on the Alabama product since the 2025 season, and GM Les Snead has known Simpson’s father for much longer. Sean McVay‘s attitude in his post-first-rounder presser created buzz the head coach was not on the same page as his GM, but he has gone to great lengths to indicate that is not the case. McVay and Snead were believed to be in lockstep on Simpson, as should be expected given the HC’s accomplishments and influence in the organization.
[RELATED: Grade Rams’ Simpson’ Selection]
The Rams did consider other players at 13, and The Athletic’s Nate Atkins notes the team received a trade offer from the Lions. The return, however, did not excite the Rams, who stayed at 13 and chose Simpson. The Lions held the No. 17 overall pick. We had heard the Rams fielded calls from teams interested in outflanking the Ravens for Vega Ioane, but the Lions had been closely linked to filling their post-Taylor Decker tackle need.
The Lions could have been targeting Ioane as an option to replace Christian Mahogany at left guard, but they ended up with Clemson’s Blake Miller at 17. Detroit had seen three tackles — Spencer Fano, Francis Mauigoa and Kadyn Proctor — go off the board from Nos. 9-12, and we heard shortly before the draft a run on O-linemen was expected midway through the first round. That ended up taking place, as nine blockers went off the board between Nos. 9 and 28.
Detroit could have been eyeing a move up the board to grab Miller, but no tackles were selected from Nos. 13-16. That gave the Lions Miller, whom the team is expected (per ESPN’s Eric Woodyard) to play right tackle opposite Penei Sewell.
As for the Rams, Atkins views the team as deeming the Cardinals a threat for Simpson. The Cardinals were closely tied to Simpson during the pre-draft process and entered Round 1 as the odds-on favorite, per Vegas, to leave Pittsburgh with the QB rostered. The Rams thought the Cardinals had “heavy interest” in Simpson.
While Arizona chose Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 and did not have another pick until No. 34, we heard buzz about the team potentially eyeing him via a trade back into Round 1. We saw the Giants execute that route to nab a quarterback in 2025, taking Abdul Carter at No. 3 and using their No. 34 pick to climb back into the first round for Jaxson Dart.
While the Rams could have potentially traded down and added assets to grab Simpson — who had been part of a clandestine research project, with secret meetings between McVay and the QB commencing — they did not want to take that chance. Thus, Simpson will be tied to a larger-than-expected rookie contract due to going off the board at 13.
Even if the Rams had re-signed two-year backup Jimmy Garoppolo, Atkins adds the team would still have prioritized Simpson as a QB stash in Round 1. The team has still not ruled out Garoppolo backing up Stafford this year, but the 34-year-old passer is considering retirement. Garoppolo engaged in talks with the Cardinals to follow ex-Rams OC Mike LaFleur to Arizona, but the discussions hit a snag and led to the team signing Gardner Minshew. he and Jacoby Brissett — the latter a potential trade candidate — now serve as bridge options in front of third-round pick Carson Beck.
Had the Rams not ended up with Simpson at 13, Atkins pegs the team as choosing a skill player and offers more connections to Makai Lemon and Kenyon Sadiq. The former lasted to No. 20, when the Eagles traded in front of an eager Steelers team, and the latter went 16th overall to the Jets. The Rams made Ohio State tight end Max Klare their second pick in this draft.
Adding Simpson now gives the Rams flexibility with their 2027 picks, with Atkins adding that factored into the decision to take him at 13. The 2027 draft has drawn immense intrigue a year out, with teams holding onto ’27 first-round picks thus far. Two 2027 first-round choices have been traded, but both were unloaded (by the Colts and Cowboys) in 2025. No team parted with a 2027 first-round pick during this draft.
The Rams have both been an active trader of first-round picks (as their Trent McDuffie trade most recently showed) and a team that has found tremendous value via Day 2 and Day 3 selections during the Snead-McVay partnership. It is possible a 2027 first-rounder will carry more value, and the Rams will not need their ’27 first for a QB following their Simpson decision.
Coveted 2027 Draft Picks May Complicate Draft Day Trades
We’re days away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and rumors indicate that the first round of the event has the potential to be wild with several teams eager to trade up, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, and multiple teams willing to move back. Schultz goes on to say, though, that trade agreements may be difficult to reach as teams appear to be overly attached to their top 2027 NFL Draft picks.
Now, this far out, any trade conversations are mostly going to be preliminary; unless an organization is trading up to Nos. 2 or 3, an element of surprise is crucial in making sure the teams they’re trading past don’t have an opportunity to get back in front of them. Once Thursday rolls around, tunes may change as the intensity of the moment drives up adrenaline, but right now, there’s a serious lack of interest in relinquishing a first-round pick for next year. Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post posits that an elite upcoming draft class is the cause for hesitation.
Similar claims were made in the run up to and aftermath of the 2025 NFL Draft, when QB-needy teams stayed conservative, trusting that the talent of the 2026 class would be much improved from the group that produced only two first-round rookie passers. A year later, after disappointing campaigns for LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Texas’ Arch Manning, and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, the 2026 class will likely only produce one Day 1 QB. If Alabama’s Ty Simpson is able to sneak into the first round, then this year’s class will match the class it was meant to outperform.
The entire 2026 draft class (not just quarterbacks) has been largely viewed as thin, so Dunleavy’s assertion that teams are looking to hold out for a potentially deeper class next year is starting to sound like an eerily similar song. Dunleavy specifically noted 13 players expected to lead this talented group. One of them is a player that was supposed to be leading this year’s prospect pool, so highlighting them again here shows an impressive lack of superstition.
Once again, Manning is the first name mentioned. After initially exciting with flashes of potential playing alongside starter Quinn Ewers, Manning’s first year as the starter got off to a rough start. He turned things around as the season ground on, and he carries strong momentum into next year. Dunleavy also mentioned Oregon’s Dante Moore and Ole Miss sensation Trinidad Chambliss. Both passers were initially expected to give Simpson a run for QB2 honors in this year’s draft before opting to return for another year of college.The last quarterback mentioned was Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, who will be newly eligible for the draft after the completion of his redshirt sophomore season.
The wide receivers of the 2027 class will also generate enormous expectations leading up to their potential final seasons of college ball. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has been the expected WR1 of this class since his first game in Columbus. Though the Buckeyes produced first-round pass catcher Emeka Egbuka in 2025, and Carnell Tate is currently projected to be WR1 of this year’s crop, Smith has been the dominant WR1 of the Ohio State receiving corps both years. His receiving stats of the past two seasons, totaling 163 receptions, 2,558 yards, and 27 touchdowns, dwarfed the contributions that made his teammates first-rounders.
Smith is joined by Alabama’s Ryan Williams and new Longhorns wide receiver Cam Coleman. Williams showed brilliance in his true freshman year with the Crimson Tide but suffered a sophomore slump no one saw coming. If he can regain his dominance from 2024, he’ll easily work himself into first-round consideration. Coleman has shown increasing potential in two years at Auburn. A final season in Austin with Manning will give him a chance to enter Day 1 talks, as well.
Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson is already being touted as a potentially better prospect than this year’s expected first-round tight end out of Eugene, Kenyon Sadiq. The transfer from Louisville is looking to help enter the Ducks into TEU conversations. Lastly for the offense, Dunleavy highlighted Texas offensive tackle Trevor Goolsby, who has played on both sides of the line and allowed just one sack in 2025.
On defense, Dunleavy has listed edge rushers Colin Simmons from Texas and Dylan Stewart from South Carolina, defensive tackle David Stone out of Oklahoma, and cornerback Leonard Moore from Notre Dame. Simmons has led the Longhorns defense in sacks in each of his two years in Austin, totaling 21.0. Stewart hasn’t been as dominant for the Gamecocks, but his 11.0 career sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in two seasons show just how disruptive he can be.
Stone exploded onto the scene for the Sooners in 2025, recording 8.5 tackles for loss to go along with 1.5 sacks. Moore impressed as a freshman for the Fighting Irish with 11 passes defensed, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles then kept going with five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), seven passes defensed, and another forced fumble en route to All-American honors in Year 2.
Based on our crystal clear hindsight, let’s promise not to anoint anyone too early. Most of the 13 incredibly talented student athletes above were underclassmen this past year. If they continue their meteoric trajectory, they’ll get their flowers throughout the pre-draft process next year. If they fail to live up to the loftiest of expectations, though, they are still young, and should have the grace of every year of their amateur eligibility before final judgements are placed on them. Regardless, it appears teams will think twice before giving up the ability to be in position to draft one of these names next year.
‘All Signs’ Point To Jets Waiting Until 2027 Draft On QB
Our latest Trade Rumors Front Office piece covered teams’ patterns with regard to taking quarterbacks high in consecutive drafts. For the most part, there is next to no history of this happening in the modern era. The few examples that do exist of teams taking either a first- or second-round QB one year and then doing so again in the following draft involved the No. 1 overall pick falling to a team.
That raises the stakes for teams on Ty Simpson, a polarizing prospect whose draft landing spot has been perhaps the most intriguing component of this year’s draft (since Fernando Mendoza is all but certain to be chosen first overall). If there were a team positioned to both draft Simpson and then consider doubling up at QB early in the 2027 draft, it would be the Jets. The team holds four first- and second-round picks this year and is set to carry three firsts in 2027, creating a few windows for a quarterback investment.
[RELATED: Analyzing Simpson’s Prospect Profile]
While the Jets have been linked to Simpson during this year’s pre-draft process — to the point a recent report indicated the team was likely to exit Round 2 with a passer — they appear set to take their chances with what is expected to be a much richer QB crop in 2027. As it stands, “all signs” point to Gang Green making next year its window to make its draft move at QB, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah said Tuesday (via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini).
It is worth noting future draft classes have a tendency to not deliver promised goods. The 2026 class serves as a reminder. Our Ely Allen noted how long the wait could be before this year’s QB3 is chosen; at this time last year, the ’26 draft was expected to be much more fruitful at the position than it ended up being. One of the reasons the ’26 class underwhelmed: Oregon QB Dante Moore‘s decision to return to school. The Jets may well have loomed as a landing spot for Moore at No. 2 overall. Now, they will have a chance to evaluate more film on the Big Ten passer (among others) this coming fall.
A report earlier this month indicated the Jets were likely to pass on Simpson. The Jets indeed passing on the one-year Alabama starter at No. 16 (and perhaps again at No. 33) would invite risk, and after changing both offensive and defensive coordinators in his second year, Aaron Glenn is far from a lock to be back in 2027. No starter-level passer being chosen in this draft will run the risk of Glenn being fired before the franchise makes a true investment in the position.
Waiting a year also places plenty of pressure on Geno Smith, who joins a team that did not have a 400-yard receiver (thanks largely to Garrett Wilson‘s seven-game season) in 2025. Glenn has spoken highly of Smith, but the second-stint Jet will have plenty to say about whether Glenn makes it to the ’27 draft as head coach.
The organization gave its past two GMs — Joe Douglas, Mike Maccagnan — five drafts apiece. This points to Darren Mougey being given more time, and this offseason’s run of HC firings and GM retentions showed more staying power among the executive ranks. With Moore, Arch Manning and other intriguing arms expected to be part of the 2027 draft, Mougey may be more inclined to wait. The Jets do not carry high expectations into this season, which opens the door to their own pick checking in high in 2027. New York also owns Dallas and Indianapolis’ 2027 firsts, providing possible trade ammo.
Manning is not a lock to enter the 2027 draft. Neither of his high-profile uncles — Peyton and Eli — came out after junior seasons. Peyton famously passed on being the Jets’ No. 1 pick in 1997 to return to Tennessee, landing with the Colts a year later. Considering the patient approach the Manning family has taken with Arch, it would certainly not shock to see him stay at Texas for two more seasons. That would weaken the 2027 QB class, but the Jets are well positioned to be patient here due to the capital the Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams trades provided.
We could soon see a redux of the Jets’ late-2010s strategy, when they positioned Josh McCown as a bridge in 2017 — passing on the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson to take Jamal Adams — before trading up for Sam Darnold in 2018. If Simpson is not Big Apple-bound next week, a waiting game looks likely to commence once again.
NFL Draft Rumors: Cardinals, RBs, Downs, Woods, Terrell
As free agency slows, the general focus of the NFL is starting to shift to the 2026 NFL Draft. For one team, though, the focus appears to be the 2027 NFL Draft, per Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom. As several teams work to secure optimal situations in their quarterbacks rooms, the Cardinals appear to be working around it.
After cutting veteran quarterback Kyler Murray, Arizona seems content to move forward in 2026 with journeyman backup Jacoby Brissett, who went 1-11 as the Cardinals’ starter last year. They supplemented the room with another frequent flier with starting experience in Gardner Minshew. Neither passer is viewed as the team’s future at the position but more as bridge options until that future comes along. The prevailing opinion throughout league circles appears to be that Arizona is tanking the 2026 season in hopes of setting themselves up well for a draft projected to be a bit more rich in quarterback prospects than this year’s draft.
With that in mind, the remainder of their offseason will be focused on building an offense around their future quarterback, starting with the construction of a reliable wall in front of him. For this reason, there’s belief the Cardinals will be targeting an offensive lineman with their No. 3 overall pick, and the popular opinion is that Hurricanes top tackle prospect Francis Mauigoa could be that target. The three-year starter out of Miami (FL) has a strong chance of being available as Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 to Las Vegas, and the Jets are expected to add to their defense with the second overall pick.
Here are a few other draft rumors from around the NFL:
- While only one or two running backs project to be top prospects in the draft, there are plenty of options for teams looking to build depth or add some fresher legs to their room. With Alvin Kamara‘s future in New Orleans in doubt, Tony Pauline of EssentiallySports reports that the Saints have shown interest in Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. A Buffalo- and New Mexico State-transfer, Washington rushed for 1,070 yards and eight touchdowns for the Razorbacks last year.
- When it was thought that Aaron Jones would be departing from Minnesota, some at ESPN believed the team would go to the draft, as opposed to the free agent market, to fill out the room. With Jones returning on a re-worked contract that expires after this year, running back may still be a focus for the Vikings in this year’s draft.
- Despite re-signing J.K. Dobbins and restricted free agent Jaleel McLaughlin and having spent a second-round pick on RJ Harvey last year, the Broncos are doing research on the draft’s offerings at the position. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the team hosted Indiana running back Kaelon Black for a top 30 visit. The national champion rushed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns and has visited the Jets with visits with the Panthers, Bengals, and Raiders set in the future.
- According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, some post-combine conversations with scouts revealed a dramatic range of opinions for Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. The former five-star recruit took over a full-time starting position in his sophomore season and grabbed the attention of scouts everywhere with three sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 11 games while proving to be an elite run-stopper. His production declined in his junior year, which Pro Football Focus (subscription required) still saw as good but graded as his worst campaign in Clemson. As a result, some scouts still see the potential and view him as a top 15 prospect, while others have him “solidly” as a Day 2 prospect.
- The Giants have had an incredibly busy (and in many views productive) offseason thus far, so many are eager to see what approach they will take with their fifth overall pick in the draft. According to La Canfora, despite their success rebuilding so far, New York still has a glaring hole in the secondary. New head coach John Harbaugh‘s former organization invested heavily in the safety position over the course of his tenure with the team, and it’s believed that that mentality has followed him to New York. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs has been tied to the Giants before, and La Canfora doubles down on the opinion that he could be the selection at No. 5 overall.
- Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons first-round cornerback and one-time second-team All-Pro AJ Terrell, is widely viewed as a top five prospect at his position. After suffering a minor hamstring injury at the combine, though, the younger Terrell will not be participating in the Tigers’ pro day, according to Jordan Reid of ESPN. Instead, he has scheduled a separate workout for scouts that will take place March 30.
NFL Announces 2026 Compensatory Picks
The NFL has awarded compensatory draft picks for teams in the 2026 draft. Based on an add/subtract formula that covers the 2025 free agency period, comp picks span from Round 3 to Round 7. The higher picks go to the teams that endured the most significant free agent losses.
This year, the NFL awarded 33 comp picks. The comp pick formula assigns picks to franchises who suffered the largest net losses, so teams that signed multiple free agents have a lesser chance of receiving picks.
Sorted by round and by team, here are the league’s 2026 compensatory selections:
By round:
Round 3: Vikings (No. 97), Eagles (98), Steelers (99), Jaguars (100, from Lions*)
Round 4: 49ers (No. 133), Raiders (134), Steelers (135), Saints (136), Eagles (137), 49ers (138), 49ers (139), Jets (140)
Round 5: Ravens (No. 173), Ravens (174), Raiders (175), Chiefs (176), Cowboys (177), Eagles (178), Jets (179), Cowboys (180), Lions (181)
Round 6: Steelers (No. 214), Eagles (215), Steelers (216)
Round 7: Colts (No. 249), Ravens (250), Rams (251), Rams (252), Ravens (253), Colts (254), Packers (255), Bronc0s (256), Broncos (257)
By team:
- Baltimore Ravens: 4
- Philadelphia Eagles: 4
- Pittsburgh Steelers: 4
- San Francisco 49ers: 3
- Dallas Cowboys: 2
- Denver Broncos: 2
- Indianapolis Colts: 2
- Las Vegas Raiders: 2
- Los Angeles Rams: 2
- New York Jets: 2
- Detroit Lions: 1
- Green Bay Packers: 1
- Jacksonville Jaguars: 1
- Kansas City Chiefs: 1
- Minnesota Vikings: 1
- New Orleans Saints: 1
* = awarded for Lions DC Aaron Glenn becoming Jets’ HC
The Bears lost a minority executive to a GM role, with Ian Cunningham taking over in Atlanta. But the NFL will not award Chicago two third-round picks for that hire because the Falcons have Matt Ryan positioned as their president of football. Although Cunningham — Chicago’s assistant GM for four years — holds plenty of organizational say, Ryan is atop its front office hierarchy. The Bears disagree with the NFL’s ruling, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo.
Bears GM Ryan Poles confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin) the team spoke with the NFL about the matter, but the league did not rule in the team’s favor. Had this decision gone the Bears’ way, they would have received third-round picks in the 2026 and ’27 drafts.
Jets Looking Into Tua Tagovailoa As Free Agent; Latest On New York QB Plan
Another Jets quarterback search is afoot. With Justin Fields on track to be released, the team may be set to launch a lower-cost effort to staff the position in 2025. One potential candidate is at least a high-profile (and familiar) option.
The Jets are among the teams looking into Tua Tagovailoa, according to NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. While confirming the Jets are considering multiple options, Garafolo places Tagovailoa among them. The Dolphins have not released Tagovailoa yet, but that move is expected to happen due to the QB’s contract being viewed as untradeable.
Arizona is cutting the cord on Kyler Murray, who will be released if no trade can take place. Both Murray and Tagovailoa loom as low-cost free agent options in situations that remind of Russell Wilson‘s 2024 setup. After the Broncos released Wilson, he signed with the Steelers for the veteran minimum. That stuck the Broncos with the tab, as a larger Pittsburgh deal would have trimmed some of Denver’s dead money. Tagovailoa is due $54MM guaranteed; he will be a candidate to sign for the vet minimum, as the Dolphins are poised to break the Broncos’ single-player dead money record soon.
If/when Miami releases Tagovailoa, he will count $99.2MM in dead cap across the next two years — with a post-June 1 designation the only way the team can realistically move on from this ill-advised extension. Because a post-June 1 designation will be used, the Dolphins cannot cut Tua until March 11. But they could allow him to look for a new team. The Broncos proceeded this way with Wilson in 2024. It is not believed the Dolphins have let Tagovailoa shop around yet.
The Jets have played against Tagovailoa for the past six seasons; their new DC (Brian Duker) was on Miami’s staff previously. The Vikings join the Jets in looking into the left-handed passer. While it is unclear if either Minnesota or New York have Tua as the favorite for a vet-minimum slot — Murray has been on the Vikes’ radar for a while — the Jets have some other options in play.
New York may not stop at one veteran arm, ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini writes. Even if free agent Tyrod Taylor is in play to return — though, that is far from certain — the team will have multiple open roster spots at the position. Lower-cost options will likely be where this process lands, per Cimini, who mentions possible trade avenues — for Tyson Bagent (Bears), Tanner McKee (Eagles) or Spencer Rattler (Saints) — as a way to fill one of the positions. Teams are asking the Broncos about Jarrett Stidham, whom Jets GM Darren Mougey overlapped with in Denver. Bagent has generated trade interest, and while Rattler makes sense as a move candidate given Tyler Shough‘s emergence, no trade rumors have surfaced about the Saints backup.
Tabbing a starter option in this draft seems unlikely for the team, SNY’s Connor Hughes notes, pointing to the 2027 draft as the better place to take this swing. Several teams will undoubtedly consider this plan, with the 2026 QB crop not viewed as strong beyond likely Raider Fernando Mendoza. While some Ty Simpson buzz has percolated, the Jets will not be a candidate to draft him second overall. An edge rusher appears the plan for Gang Green there.
Instead, a move for a QB on Day 2 or Day 3 could fill out the team’s QB room, Hughes adds. The Eagles have McKee, whom Hughes also links to the Jets as a potential option, under contract for one more season. He served as Jalen Hurts backup last season, after Philly traded Kenny Pickett to begin a busy travel year for the former first-rounder. A former sixth-round pick, McKee drew trade interest before last season as well. He has also been tied to the Vikings as they search for J.J. McCarthy competition.
The Jets have taken a stopgap route at QB before, tabbing Josh McCown to start in 2017 as the team waited on a talented 2018 rookie class. That season (and a 2018 trade with the Colts) produced Sam Darnold at No. 3 overall. With the Jets holding two first-round picks in 2027, what is expected to be a loaded QB draft class could be in play. It will be interesting to see if Aaron Glenn signs on for such a plan, as his seat is warmer after a 3-14 debut season.
Jets GM Darren Mougey Has Scouted QBs Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore In Person; Latest On Team’s 2026 QB Plans
If the season ended today, the 2-9 Jets would hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 draft. Even if they do not end up with that pick – and it is certainly feasible they lose enough games down the stretch to find themselves even higher on the draft board – they should be in prime position to select one of next year’s top quarterback prospects.
To that end, GM Darren Mougey has scouted Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore in person, as ESPN’s Rich Cimini writes. Unfortunately for Mougey, the 2026 class of signal-callers, once viewed as a promising one, has seen its stock drop over the course of the 2025 season.
Mendoza has been among the most impressive collegiate QBs and is viewed by many as the top prospect likely to declare for the 2026 draft. Although the game that Mougey attended featured Mendoza leading a dramatic, game-winning drive against Penn State, opinions are split on his ceiling at the NFL level. Moore, meanwhile, is only 20 and could benefit from another year of development in the college ranks.
If players like Moore, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, and Texas’ Arch Manning decide to stay in school for one more season, that will strengthen a 2027 class that is already set to include Florida’s DJ Lagway and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola. We had heard one of the reasons Mougey was willing to accept a 2027 first-round pick from the Cowboys in this month’s Quinnen Williams trade was because of his belief that the ‘27 draft class offers more promise than its ‘26 counterpart. So, while the first-year GM is obviously doing his due diligence, he may wait another year to make a high-end draft investment in a QB (though Cimini says in a separate piece that there is “growing buzz” in league circles connecting Mendoza to the Jets).
Whether it is Mendoza or someone else, Cimini thinks the Jets will add a rookie QB in the 2026 draft, and he also believes Mougey will acquire a veteran passer. Despite the fact that Justin Fields’ 2026 salary includes $10MM in guaranteed money, Cimini indicates Mougey will likely release the recently-demoted signal-caller – which jibes with previous reports on the matter – and will not try to re-sign his replacement, Tyrod Taylor.
As per usual, the 2026 crop of free agents offers little by way of starting-caliber quarterbacks, and the one that does qualify as such, Daniel Jones, may not make it to free agency. Mougey could therefore look to the trade market to acquire a bridge passer, and Cimini names Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, and Kirk Cousins as potential targets (Murray and Jones, at least, could also be in the Vikings’ crosshairs).
UDFA rookie Brady Cook has spent most of the year on the Jets’ practice squad, though he has been elevated on several occasions to operate as a backup (he has not, however, seen any regular season game action). In response to a question about whether Cook would get into a game in 2025, head coach Aaron Glenn conceded it was a possibility, but he offered no guarantees.