Steelers, Jets Eyeing Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr.
Omar Cooper Jr. is generating significant pre-draft buzz, with the Steelers and the Jets among the teams with interest in the Indiana wide receiver.
Cooper has been a steady riser throughout the pre-draft process and now finds himself as a potential first-round pick after visits to the Panthers, Browns, and Cowboys. He is also “in play” for the Steelers’ first-round pick (No. 21 overall), per Essentially Sports’ Tony Pauline, with the Jets considering him with the first of their two second-rounders.
Seen as an NFL-ready slot receiver, Cooper would fill major needs in Pittsburgh and New York. The Steelers specifically need his skillset on the inside. Trading for Michael Pittman Jr. created a strong boundary duo with D.K. Metcalf, but neither spends much time in the slot. The Steelers instead used tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith to fill those snaps, but new head coach Mike McCarthy will be looking to run more three-receiver sets. His current depth options of Roman Wilson and Ben Skrowonek do not profile as true No. 3 receivers in his scheme.
That requires a true slot, and Cooper could fit the bill. He lined up in the slot for more than 80% of his snaps in 2025 and ranked 17th in yards and 30th in catches in that alignment nationwide, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He also forced 27 missed tackles after the catch, the fourth-most in the FBS, with just five drops on 155 targets in the last three years. The former quality will be especially beneficial to a Steelers receiver room that forced just 18 missed tackles in 2025. Metcalf and Pittman are also both 29 years old, so Cooper would represent the long-term future of the unit.
The Jets have a similar, albeit younger, one-two punch leading their receiving corps in Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. Both primarily line up on the outside, again creating a natural fit for Cooper in the slot. New York’s need at receiver is dire enough to use one of their two first-round picks on the position, but the No. 2 pick seems to be earmarked for an edge rusher.
Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon, the consensus top two receiver prospects, will likely be gone by the time the Jets are back on the clock at 16. Cooper would be a solid fallback option for the 33rd pick, if he falls that far.
LSU CB Mansoor Delane Visiting Dolphins, Giants
Mansoor Delane is becoming an increasingly popular name in the workout circuit. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the LSU cornerback is visiting with the Dolphins tonight and tomorrow before meeting with the Giants on Wednesday and Thursday.
Delane has established himself as one of the (if not the) best cornerback prospect in this year’s draft. The defensive back had a breakout campaign at Virginia Tech in 2024, when he finished with four interceptions and seven passes defended. He was a popular name in the transfer portal ahead of the 2025 campaign, and he ultimately landed with LSU.
After being responsible for seven touchdowns allowed in 2024, Delane significantly improved on that number during his lone season with the Tigers. Pro Football Focus didn’t credit him with a single touchdown allowed in 2025, and the prospect finished his senior year with a pair of interceptions and 11 passes defended. Delane’s 4.38 40-yard dash time at his Pro Day cemented him as a premier cornerback prospect in this year’s draft, and he’ll likely be competing with Jermod McCoy to be the first player selected at the position.
After being connected to the Cowboys last month, Delane is now adding two more definitive suitors to his list. The Giants will have the first crack at the cornerback with their number-five selection, and with most pundits placing the LSU prospect in the top-10 of mock drafts, it wouldn’t be much of a reach. The team lost recent starter Cor’Dale Flott via free agency, but they brought in Greg Newsome to a grouping that includes holdovers like Paulson Adebo, Dru Phillips, and Deonte Banks. Delane would add a major influx of talent to that CBs room.
Plus, John Harbaugh has never been afraid to use a first-round pick on defensive backs, although he never picked this high during his Baltimore tenure. Still, during the coach’s 18 seasons with the Ravens, the organization used six first-round selections on cornerbacks or safeties.
There’s a chance Delane could fall to the Dolphins at No. 11, and the team may be doing their due diligence in case that scenario comes to fruition. Miami has put in some work to remake their cornerbacks corps this offseason. Jack Jones and Rasul Douglas remain unsigned, leaving Jason Marshall, JuJu Brents, and Storm Duck as the most notable returning players from last year’s squad.
Meanwhile, the front office has brought in the likes of Darrell Baker, Marco Wilson, and Alex Austin to soak up some of the snaps. Delane would instantly leap to the top of the depth chart in Miami, and in a clear rebuilding year, the team may ultimately opt for the best player available with the first of their two first-round selections.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/6/26
Today’s minor moves:
Cleveland Browns
- Re-signed: TE Brenden Bates, WR Malachi Corley, LB Winston Reid, LS Rex Sunahara, K Andre Szmyt, WR Jamari Thrash
Las Vegas Raiders
- Re-signed: C Will Putnam
New York Giants
- Waived: WR Da’Quan Felton, S Patrick McMorris, CB TJ Moore, CB Myles Purchase
A handful of exclusive rights free agents re-upped with their respective teams today, as the Browns and Raiders transactions exclusively featured these types of contracts.
Meanwhile, the Giants cleared some room off their offseason roster today. Patrick McMorris is the only player with any NFL experience, as the safety got into six games with the Dolphins in 2024, with 97 of his 105 snaps coming on special teams.
Despite Interest, Giants Not Expected To Trade Dexter Lawrence
Despite Dexter Lawrence‘s trade request, most NFL teams are not expecting him to leave New York, per SNY’s Connor Hughes.
That is not for a lack of suitors. Clubs inquired about the star defensive tackle at the 2025 trade deadline, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, and interest is expected to increase. But the Giants resisted those overtures and will likely set a high price – potentially prohibitively so – in any upcoming talks.
Assessments around the league vary. The obvious trade comparable is Quinnen Williams, whom the Jets sent to Dallas last October for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and DT Mazi Smith. Some even believe that Lawrence is a better player and potentially worth even more, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.
The key difference is between the two is that Williams was not seeking a new contract. Lawrence would need a new deal, with a $35MM-per-year price tag floated by Hughes. That would seem a semi-outlandish ask, given that Chris Jones‘ $31.75MM-per-year number leads all DTs by more than $5MM. This lofty potential price tag, along with a down year in 2025, could drop Lawrence’s trade value closer to the following proposals Hughes has heard from other teams: a late 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, or second- and fifth-round picks.
If those are the best offers the Giants can get, it is unlikely they end up moving Lawrence. New head coach John Harbaugh prioritized strong defensive line play in Baltimore, and his current roster is awfully thin at the position. Sure, the draft picks acquired and cap space freed up via a Lawrence trade could help the Giants find replacements, but Harbaugh intends to turn the team around right away. Moving Lawrence would run contrary to that goal.
Lawrence can still try to force his way out of New York. The 28-year-old has grown frustrated with the Giants’ repeated losing seasons, per Dunleavy, as well as a hardline roster approach that resulted in teammates and friends like Leonard Williams, Julian Love, and Saquon Barkley not only leaving New York but finding success and Super Bowls elsewhere.
A willingness to accept an annual salary between $26MM and $30MM could help facilitate an exit. That more reasonable sum – as opposed to a market-resetting $35MM AAV – would still make him the second-highest-paid DT in the league, but as a price point that could encourage teams to move a first-round-plus package.
Texans Host CB Martin Emerson Jr.
After missing the entire 2025 campaign, Martin Emerson Jr. is eyeing a new team for his comeback season. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the free agent cornerback visited the Texans today.
Emerson emerged as a key defender during his time with the Browns. The 2022 third-round pick got into at least 70 percent of his team’s defensive snaps in each of his three healthy seasons. This culminated in a 2024 campaign where he started 15 of his 17 appearances.
His best statistical season came in 2023, when he finished with four interceptions and 14 passes defended, with PFF grading him 61st among 128 qualifying cornerbacks. While he was basically a full-time starter in 2024, PFF only ranked him 113th among 117 qualifiers.
Emerson was heading into the final season of his rookie contract in 2025. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn Achilles during training camp that ended his season before it began.
The 25-year-old could have a chance to revive his career in Houston. The Texans could use some depth behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. 2025 third-round pick Jaylin Smith is currently penciled in for that key backup role, although he’s coming off a rookie campaign that ended early thanks to a torn meniscus.
Raiders Sign QB Kirk Cousins
APRIL 6: The move is official, as the Raiders have announced the signing.
APRIL 2: The Raiders’ interest in Kirk Cousins has indeed produced an agreement. A deal is in place, agent Mike McCartney announced on Thursday.
Vegas was identified yesterday as a suitor in Cousins’ case. The team remains on course to select Fernando Mendoza first overall in this month’s draft, but adding veteran insurance has been a goal this offseason. Head coach Klint Kubiak recently noted his preference for having Mendoza sit at the beginning of his NFL career, pointing to a signing such as this.
[RELATED: Details On Raiders’ Cousins Agreement]
Cousins has been on the market since his long-expected Falcons release. The four-time Pro Bowler did not wind up being traded during the 2025 offseason, setting up a second campaign in Atlanta. Cousins still wound up making eight starts this past season despite Michael Penix Jr. opening the year atop the depth chart. The Falcons proceeded with a cut in Cousins’ case, ending his tenure with the team halfway through a four-year, $160MM contract. Penix and Tua Tagovailoa will compete for the QB1 gig in Atlanta this summer.
No such training camp battle should be anticipated in Vegas given today’s news. Cousins will be tasked with handling starting duties while Mendoza begins his NFL acclimation period. A stint atop the depth chart at some point during the 2026 campaign can of course be expected for the Heisman winner, considering the timeline along which rookie quarterbacks enter the lineup in the modern NFL. For now, though, Cousins will prepare for a period where he is positioned to lead an offense.
Vegas traded for Geno Smith last offseason, reuniting him with head coach Pete Carroll. Nothing went according to plan on offense in 2025, though, and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly did not last the full season. It came as no surprise when Carroll was fired immediately after the campaign ended, nor when it became clear Smith would not return for 2026. He was traded to the Jets, creating the need for a veteran acquisition. Cousins, who will be 38 by the start of next season, certainly fits the bill.
Prior to today’s Raiders agreement, the Packers, Rams and Steelers had been linked to Cousins. Each of those teams could stand to add an experienced passer to their depth chart, with Pittsburgh’s QB1 role uncertain until Aaron Rodgers‘ decision on his playing future is made. The backup spots in Green Bay and Los Angeles, meanwhile, will need to be filled by another free agent or a draft pick.
Cousins’ six-year Vikings tenure came to an abrupt end when he suffered an Achilles tear midway through the 2023 season. His preference would have been to remain in Minnesota, but the potential for a multiyear starting spot in Atlanta led to his free agent departure. Things changed unexpectedly when Penix was drafted shortly thereafter, and Cousins was replaced atop the Falcons’ depth chart late in his debut season with the team. In all, he made 22 starts with Atlanta and posted several numbers below his career average while totaling 28 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions.
Expectations will be tempered upon arrival in Vegas for Cousins as a result. He is already owed $10MM from the Falcons for 2026, however, so this deal may not require a major financial commitment on the part of the Raiders.
Buccaneers Sign OT Justin Skule
Following a one-year stop in Minnesota, Justin Skule is heading back to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers announced today that they’ve signed the veteran offensive tackle. Greg Auman of FOX Sports passes along that it’s a one-year deal for Skule.
The 2019 sixth-round pick out of Vanderbilt spent the first chunk of his career in San Francisco. He got occasional looks in the starting lineup, starting 12 of his 31 appearances through his first two NFL seasons. His 2021 campaign was wiped out due to a torn ACL, and he was cut by the 49ers at the end of the 2022 preseason.
He caught on with the Buccaneers and proceeded to spend the next three seasons with the organization. He only got into one game during his first year in Tampa Bay, and he mostly played special teams in 2023. However, he saw a more significant role in 2024, starting five of his 17 appearances while getting into about one third of his team’s offensive snaps.
The Vikings brought him on last offseason, and the veteran proceeded to start a career-high nine games in Minnesota. Pro Football Focus graded him 45th among 84 qualifying offensive tackles, with the site preferring his pass-blocking ability to his run-blocking prowess.
Skule would have come in handy last year in Tampa Bay, as starting OTs Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke both missed time with injuries, forcing Charlie Heck to start six games. Skule will once again serve as a key backup to those two starters, although he’ll face some competition from 2025 UDFA Ben Chukwuma, who started two games as a rookie.
Browns Sign DB Myles Bryant
The Browns have added a veteran piece to their secondary. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston reports that Cleveland has agreed to a deal with defensive back Myles Bryant.
The 2020 undrafted free agent out of Washington spent the first four seasons of his career in New England. His role progressively got bigger during his time with the Patriots, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he started nine of his 17 appearances. He finished that season with 77 tackles, seven passes defended, an interception, and a pair of forced fumbles. For his efforts, Pro Football Focus ranked him 54th among 127 qualifying cornerbacks.
He left for the Texans in 2024 but mostly played special teams during his first season in Houston. He saw a more significant role this past season, starting three of his 11 appearances. He finished the year with 40 stops while getting into 343 defensive snaps.
Bryant has shown an ability to play multiple roles in the secondary. Just this past season, he spent time as a free safety, slot cornerback, wide cornerback, and in the box. That should afford him a role on any team, although he may still have to fight for reps in Cleveland.
The Browns will return their same secondary as 2024, including their cornerbacks (Denzel Ward, Tyson Campbell, Myles Harden) and safeties (Ronnie Hickman, Grant Delpit). The team has also already acquired some depth in safety Daniel Thomas, who was added via free agency. At CB, Bryant will be competing with the likes of Dom Jones, D’Angelo Ross, and Tre Avery for reps, while Thomas and Donovan McMillon represent the acquisition’s main competition at safety.
Chiefs Still Monitoring Trent Williams; Taylor Decker On Radar?
The Chiefs aimed to stop their post-Eric Fisher revolving door at left tackle by drafting Josh Simmons in last year’s first round. Simmons impressed during training camp to win the Week 1 LT gig, but multiple issues intervened for the rookie talent.
Simmons left the Chiefs to address an undisclosed matter midway through the season; that hiatus forced the Chiefs to get by without him for four games. Simmons then suffered a season-ending wrist injury that required surgery, knocking him out for the season on Thanksgiving. While players chosen in Round 1 certainly receive their fair share of chances, the Chiefs continue to be linked to a player who would supplant Simmons as a starter.
Trent Williams remains on Kansas City’s radar, according to Casino.com’s Jason La Canfora, who hears the Chiefs would be “ready to pounce” in a trade should the future Hall of Famer’s latest talks with the 49ers go south. This follows a link that surfaced on Day 1 of free agency, but the 49ers remain intent on working another deal out with their six-year LT.
Williams, 38 in July, has been embroiled in another wave of contract talks for several weeks. Two years after the 49ers reworked Williams’ deal to provide a guarantee influx, the sides are negotiating again ahead of the decorated LT’s contract year. While talks appear to be picking up once again, no resolution looks imminent.
Kansas City finished second for Williams in 2021, seeing San Francisco win out with a six-year deal worth $138.1MM. The Chiefs pivoted to Orlando Brown Jr., and while that required a first-round pick and more in a trade with the Ravens, the mammoth blocker — a converted right tackle — was a plus option with the Chiefs for two seasons. But Brown turned down a Williams-like six-year extension while on the franchise tag in 2022 and signed with the Bengals in 2023. The Chiefs got by with stopgap Donovan Smith in their Super Bowl LVIII-winning season but did not re-sign him in 2024, instead turning to four starters — including converted guard Joe Thuney — in a season in which this position became a flashpoint concern.
Simmons’ rookie contract runs through 2028, and it would be odd if the Chiefs brought in a veteran to essentially replace him. But an anonymous GM informed La Canfora Andy Reid would “prefer a veteran” here. The Chiefs have Jaylon Moore as an option, having given him a two-year deal worth $30MM in 2025, but he could also be needed at right tackle. Kansas City cut three-year starter Jawaan Taylor for cap savings and has not replaced him. Moving parts exist for a Chiefs team that saw would-be 2024 LT answer Kingsley Suamataia successfully kick inside to LG last season.
Williams might not be the only Chiefs option if, in fact, a veteran is to be acquired at left tackle. La Canfora also mentions Taylor Decker as a potential solution, though it does not appear the Chiefs are as high on him as they are Williams. Decker, 33 in August, requested a Lions release after rework talks did not progress. The 10-year Lions LT starter has not been connected to a team yet, but after considering retirement this winter, the Ohio State alum is on track to play an 11th season.
Decker (140 career starts) missed 2025 time with a shoulder injury that ended up hampering him upon return. A healthy version of the Pro Bowl tackle would stand to be an upgrade on Simmons, but it is certainly worth wondering if the Chiefs would go as far as to bench a player they drafted 32nd overall last year.
That would be a notable development for a team that has not used the same LT starter in three straight seasons since Fisher’s eight-year tenure wrapped after the 2020 season. For now, Simmons and Moore are the Chiefs’ starters at tackle. But that could certainly change in the coming weeks and months.
Lions Re-Sign DB Avonte Maddox
Avonte Maddox is signing up for another season in Detroit. The Lions announced Monday they agreed to terms to bring back the veteran defensive back.
The longtime Eagles slot defender played 14 games, starting three, with the Lions last season. This will be Year 9 for Maddox in the NFL. Maddox played out a one-year, $1.42MM deal in 2025; the Lions received a nice return on that low investment.
Used mostly as a slot cornerback in Philly, Maddox played corner and safety during his first Detroit season. The Lions deployed Maddox more often as a safety, and Pro Football Focus viewed his work positively, grading the nine-year vet eighth at the position.
Detroit is loaded at safety, with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph entrenched as starters, but both battled injuries in 2025. Branch suffered an Achilles tear late in the season; it is not a lock he is ready to return by Week 1. A nagging knee injury sidelined Joseph in October, and although the Lions waited until December to place the recently extended defender on IR, he only played six games last season — as a setback wrapped his slate early. In Maddox, Detroit reacquires some insurance.
Maddox, 30, saw a 37% snap share on defense last season. That came in well south of his top marks as an Eagle, with the NFC East team using the former fourth-round pick as its regular slot CB for many years. But Maddox intercepted a pass, broke up four more and added a forced fumble in his Lions debut. Maddox joins Christian Izien — signed to a one-year, $2MM deal ($1MM guaranteed) — as Lions safety insurance options with considerable cornerback experience.
The Lions gave Maddox a career-high 248 snaps at free safety last season. Although Maddox was given a shot there as a rookie in Philly, he had not eclipsed 21 FS snaps in a season since. Conversely, Detroit only stationed Maddox in the slot on 18 plays. That obviously pales in comparison to his Eagles usage. Maddox was the Eagles’ slot performer when they ventured to Super Bowl LVII, and although his usage decreased by the time the team returned to the top stage two years later, Maddox still came through with a crucial pass breakup on a fourth-down Patrick Mahomes toss.
Maddox and Izien seeing extensive time may not be a great development for the 2026 Lions, as it would mean trouble returning to full strength from Branch and Joseph. But the Lions are covering their bases. Even with Amik Robertson defecting to the Commanders in free agency, the Lions have a few options for the slot as well; ex-Titans slot Roger McCreary also signed with the team.