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NFL Evaluators Down On 2026 QB Draft Class

November 14th, 2025 at 3:22pm CST by Adam La Rose

The 2024 NFL draft saw a record-breaking six quarterbacks selected within the first 12 selections of the event. Things were much different last year with Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart the only passers to hear their names called.

Ahead of the current season, many felt a rebound would be coming at the position. Based on how things have played out so far, however, that stance has shifted around the league. As Jeff Howe of The Athletic writes (subscription required), there are “serious concerns” about the 2026 class and its potential.

“I don’t love any of [the quarterbacks] right now,” one NFL executive said. “We’re trying to grasp onto somebody because there isn’t anybody, and it’s such a flavor of the week. Good luck right now.”

Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza has been among the most impressive signal-callers of the college season so far. He is viewed by many as the top prospect set to declare for the 2026 draft as a result, although opinions are split on his ceiling at the NFL level. Ty Simpson has enjoyed a strong first season as Alabama’s starter, but in addition to a lack of experience he has generated concerns related to his physical traits.

Other highly-touted prospects like Oregon’s Dante Moore, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, and Texas’ Arch Manning are not guaranteed to turn pro in 2026. Moore and Sellers are still 20 years old and could benefit from another year of development at the college level. Manning, currently a redshirt sophomore, has long been expected to stay in school through at least the 2026 season.

That would strengthen a 2027 class that already includes Florida’s DJ Lagway and Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, which will impact roster-building strategies over the next year-and-a-half. Few things are more important to an NFL team than finding a franchise quarterback, and time and time again, the draft has proven to be the best way of doing that.

Teams’ approaches will vary based on their timeline, draft capital, and need. The Jets and the Browns could certainly use an upgrade under center and have amassed a number of first-round picks that could allow them to acquire their desired prospect next spring. The Raiders, Rams, Steelers, and Cardinals could all be seeking new signal-callers in the next two years, but may stick with their veterans in 2026 with an eye on the 2027 draft.

There are also a number of familiar names in the 2026 draft like Penn State’s Drew Allar, Miami’s Carson Beck, and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik – all multi-year starters who never put it all together in college. And of course, quarterback prospects still have plenty of time to rise and fall in the rankings, especially those in the 2027 class.

Nikhil Mehta contributed to this article.

Broncos Considering IR For RB J.K. Dobbins

November 14th, 2025 at 2:15pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

NOVEMBER 14: Dobbins is dealing with a “significant” injury that will sideline him for “the foreseeable future,” per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. He and the Broncos are still evaluating their options, but an IR placement seems more likely in the wake of the most recent news.

NOVEMBER 11: Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a foot injury in last Thursday’s win over the Raiders that could land him on injured reserve.

Denver is considering placing Dobbins on IR, per Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette, which would sidelined him for the next four games. The Broncos have a bye in Week 12, so Dobbins’ earliest return would come in Week 16.

Dobbins hurt his foot on a hip drop tackle by a Raiders defender, though the play was not flagged. He left the game with about 4:30 remaining in the third quarter with rookie RJ Harvey handling the remaining carries. Dobbins seems poised to miss some time, even if he does not land on IR, so Harvey could see a major uptick in work after producing a number of explosive plays in recent weeks. Depth running backs Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin should also see a few more opportunities with Dobbins sidelined.

This would be Dobbins’ fifth stint on injured reserve since entering the league as a Ravens second-round pick in 2020. He suffered a torn ACL before his second season, a knee injury the following year, and a torn Achilles at the beginning of the 2023 season. He signed with the Chargers during the 2024 offseason and suffered an MCL sprain in November that sidelined him until late December.

Dobbins has been hit with the ‘injury-prone’ tag since his time in Baltimore, and this latest injury will continue that perception. He expressed interest in an extension with the Broncos, but will likely need to prove he can stay healthy for him to receive a multi-year commitment in Denver or anywhere else.

Rams LT Alaric Jackson Named In Civil Suit

November 14th, 2025 at 1:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

In August 2024, Alaric Jackson was issued a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Few details were in place at the time, but that has now changed.

Jackson has been named in a civil lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by a Philadelphia woman. The unnamed plaintiff alleges that Jackson “recorded her without her consent during sex” and then refused to delete the video despite repeated requests that he do so, as detailed by ESPN’s Paula Lavigne. The NFL declined to comment on the matter, deferring to the 2024 suspension. Jackson’s agent also declined comment.

The lawsuit states the plaintiff visited Jackson in Los Angeles in May 2024, and that she knocked his phone away during sex upon realizing she was being recorded. Per the suit, the plaintiff returned home the following day. Before and after doing so, she demanded Jackson delete the video. Jackson allegedly declined to do so despite saying he had at one point (before sending it to her one day later).

Attorneys representing the plaintiff stated it does not appear as though Jackson has posted the video online at any point or that he has shared it with anyone else. The woman made contact with the Los Angeles Police Department but declined to pursue criminal charges. She also reported the incident to the NFL, which resulted in the subsequent league investigation and suspension.

A former UDFA, Jackson has made each of his 50 career appearances with the Rams. The 27-year-old has logged 44 starts, including nine this year after managing to heal from a blood clots issue in time for Week 1. In February, Jackson inked a three-year, $57.75MM deal to remain in Los Angeles. He is in line to continue handling blindside duties for the foreseeable future as a result.

Jets Place WR Garrett Wilson On IR

November 14th, 2025 at 12:45pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Aaron Glenn said on Friday (via ESPN’s Rich Cimini) he thinks Wilson will be able to return late in the season. A final call on that front has yet to be made, and it will no doubt be influenced by the team’s place in the standings come December. The progress of Wilson’s recovery will be key in determining whether or not he suits up again in 2025.

NOVEMBER 13: The Jets are placing star wide receiver Garrett Wilson on injured reserve, per a team announcement.

Wilson was diagnosed with a knee sprain after exiting Sunday’s victory over the Browns with a projected return timeline of three to four weeks. The Jets have elected to free up a roster spot by placing him on injured reserve, which will sideline him for the team’s next four games.

That will deprive Justin Fields of his best wideout for another handful of games. Unsurprisingly, the fifth-year quarterback has been significantly better when Wilson has been on the field. The Jets have gotten precious little out of their other pass-catchers this year; rookie tight end Mason Taylor leads the pack at 27.3 receiving yards per game, and none of his healthy teammate are over 25.0 YPG.

Wilson already missed a few weeks with an injury to the same knee, which has multiple implications.

First, it shows that the Jets cannot necessarily rely on one of their other receivers to step up. They had the opportunity during Wilson’s first absence and could not deliver.

Second, it may encourage the team to take a more cautious approach with Wilson’s return. He could come back in Week 14 at the earliest with four games remaining in the season. The Jets are already all-but-mathematically eliminated from the playoffs right now, and by the time Wilson is eligible to play, they will likely be mathematically eliminated, too. They may want to keep Wilson on the shelf for the rest of the season to ensure he does not suffer another, more severe injury that could impact 2026.

Bears Open CB Jaylon Johnson’s Practice Window

November 14th, 2025 at 12:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was learned yesterday the Bears expect to have both Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon back in the fold at some point late in the year. One member of that tandem has taken a significant step toward returning.

Johnson’s practice window was opened on Friday, per a team announcement. The Bears thus have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve. Today’s update points to a return taking place in the near future regarding the team’s top cornerback.

[RELATED: IR Return Tracker]

Core muscle surgery threatened to end Johnson’s season after just one game played. At the time the procedure took place (late September), however, it became clear the team was hopeful about Johnson being able to suit up during the latter stages of the campaign. Barring any setbacks over the coming days, that will indeed take place. Approaching full strength in the secondary will be critical for Chicago’s playoff push.

The Bears have been without Johnson and Gordon for much of the year. In spite of that, they have managed a 6-3 record and in doing so put themselves in strong contention for a postseason berth. Getting both back would represent a major boost, but Johnson in particular managing to return would aid Chicago’s perimeter defense on the back end. The two-time Pro Bowler will no doubt be handled with caution upon returning to practice considering he has dealt with two separate groin issues in 2025.

Johnson, 26, has operated as a full-time starter throughout his six-year Bears career. The former second-rounder received the franchise tag last offseason before agreeing to a four-year, $19MM deal. Managing to remain healthy once he return to action will be imperative not only for the Bears in the immediate term but also for Johnson’s ability to meet the expectations associated with his big-ticket contract.

Gordon remains sidelined by groin and calf injuries at this point, and he has played just two games in 2025. His ongoing recovery progress will be interesting to track, but in any case Johnson is on his way back to the active roster.

HC Brian Schottenheimer: Cowboys To Hold RT Competition

November 14th, 2025 at 10:41am CST by Adam La Rose

When the Cowboys play their first game coming off the bye, they could have a new right tackle in place. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer opened the door to a midseason change at that position.

Schottenheimer said (via Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News) an open competition will be held at right tackle. Such scenarios are of course commonplace during training camp, but when they emerge in the middle of a season they are more noteworthy. In this particular case, a high-profile benching is being considered.

Terence Steele has operated as Dallas’ top right tackle for much of six-year Dallas tenure. The former UDFA has made 83 starts and counting, and in September 2023 he landed a long-term commitment from the Cowboys. Team and player agreed to a five-year, $82.5MM extension, a pact which has Steele on the books through 2028.

The 28-year-old has not met expectations since signing that deal, however. Pass blocking in particular has been an issue throughout Steele’s career, and in 2025 his PFF grade in that department sits at 56.4. That is the third-worst figure of his NFL tenure, and it has no doubt played a role in Cowboys’ decision to contemplate a switch. 2024 seventh-rounder Nathan Thomas is the likeliest candidate to take on first-team duties in the event Steele is benched.

A move along those lines would lead to a largely unproven figure taking on a major role up front. Thomas did not see the field as a rookie and he has logged just 96 offensive snaps in 2025. The Cowboys could stand to benefit from improved play along the O-line as they look to make a playoff push down the stretch, though.

In the bigger picture, of course, moving Steele to the bench would lead to questions about a parting of ways during the offseason. The Texas Tech product is not owed any guaranteed salary beyond 2025, and a post-June 1 release in particular would yield notable cap savings this coming spring. It will be interesting to see if such a move receives consideration by means of a right tackle change or if Steele remains atop the depth chart and plays his way into a continued Dallas stay.

WR Stefon Diggs Chose Patriots Over Broncos In Free Agency

November 14th, 2025 at 9:49am CST by Adam La Rose

Stefon Diggs has been a key factor in the Patriots’ 2025 success so far. The free agent addition drew interest from other suitors, with one finalist emerging before his ultimate decision to join New England.

Diggs’ decision came down to the Patriots over the Broncos, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link). Denver was known to be in the market for a veteran addition at the receiver spot this past spring, but no major moves took place on that front. The Broncos would have been interested in Diggs (along with Cooper Kupp) on a low-cost deal, but in both cases a lucrative pact wound up being signed.

Indeed, Diggs secured $16.6MM in full guarantees on his three-year, $63.5MM Patriots contract. Further locked-in money exists in the form of injury guarantees, a sign of New England’s confidence a full recovery from Diggs’ 2024 ACL tear would take place. The soon-to-be 32-year-old has played every game so far this season, comfortably leading the team in receiving yards (659) and scoring three touchdowns.

Continued production will help the Patriots maintain their chase for the AFC’s top seed and move all parties further away from the uncertainty which surrounded Diggs in the offseason. Questions about New England cutting the four-time Pro Bowler were initially raised in the wake of the “unidentified pink substance” video and head coach Mike Vrabel‘s reaction to it. In the end, the team elected to proceed with Diggs in the fold.

That decision has certainly paid off to date. On the other hand, though, Denver’s hesitation to make a big free agent splash has not prevented the team from enjoying a strong campaign as well. The Broncos sit atop the AFC West with an 8-2 record (albeit with questions about their consistency in the passing game) and offseason signings like safety Talanoa Hufanga have played a critical role in their success.

The Broncos did not wind up making any receiver additions at the trade deadline, so their performances at the position down the stretch will be worth watching. In the meantime, Diggs will aim to continue operating as a central figure in New England’s offense for the closing stages of 2025 and beyond.

Saints GM Mickey Loomis Not On Hot Seat

November 14th, 2025 at 9:02am CST by Adam La Rose

The Saints entered 2025 with little in the way of external expectations. The organization also sees the season as a rebuilding one, and as such no major changes are being considered.

By this time one year ago, head coach Dennis Allen had been fired. Longtime general manager Mickey Loomis preferred to avoid such a decision, but owner Gayle Benson acted alone in bringing about a change on the sidelines. In the wake of the Allen dismissal, it was reported Loomis was safe. That remains the case today.

“It may not be what the fans want to hear, but as far as firing Mickey Loomis, that’s ridiculous,” Benson said (via NOLA.com’s Jeff Duncan). “When I am asked to hold Mickey Loomis accountable, I do. Not every decision works out, they never do… I hold him in high esteem, and I am very pleased with what he has accomplished, acquired and is building.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Bengals owner Mike Brown have also held the general manager titles with their respective franchises since 1989 and 1991. In terms of pure GMs, Loomis is the league’s longest-tenured, having been in place since 2002. That period includes 12 winning seasons and nine playoff appearances. It was under Loomis in 2009 that the Saints won their lone Super Bowl title.

The post-Drew Brees era has been short on success, however, and Derek Carr‘s retirement helped begin a transition phase many had been calling for well before 2025. The quarterback situation is unclear with Spencer Rattler having been benched after making eight starts this year (and 14 in total). Second-round rookie Tyler Shough is auditioning for the starter’s role, a process which will last through the end of the season.

Regardless of how things play out on that front, a number of key financial decisions are pending. Keeping with tradition, the Saints are once again among the teams projected to be over the cap in 2026. Developing into a contending team will require not only the members of Loomis’ recent draft classes reaching their potential but also an improved situation in terms of veteran contracts and their impact on the organization’s flexibility.

New Orleans sits at 2-8 on the year and attention over the coming weeks will turn to the team’s draft position. As Loomis prepares for an important offseason, he will do so without the threat of being replaced.

NFL Mailbag: Giants, Young, Browns

November 13th, 2025 at 10:58pm CST by Adam La Rose

This week's edition of the PFR mailbag looks into the Giants and Browns as they contemplate major organizational changes this offseason, along with questions on Bryce Young's standing in Carolina, the NFC North race and more.

Aaron asks:

What will it take for the Giants to finally get this turned around? Does it make sense for Joe Schoen to get another year after Brian Daboll's firing?

Health on offense would surely make a difference. The make-or-break campaign for Daboll (and perhaps Schoen) saw Malik Nabers suffer an ACL tear and Cam Skattebo sustain a season-ending ankle injury. Add in quarterback Jaxson Dart’s concussion, and the Giants are currently without three foundational young players on that side of the ball.

Each member of that trio reaching their potential when healthy would be critical; the Dart-Nabers connection could prove to be highly effective if things go according to plan. With that said, it’s hard to imagine Schoen being able to hang his continued employment entirely on the possibility of Dart becoming a franchise passer. Daboll was unable to maximize the talent available to him, but the roster Schoen constructed still has a number of question marks (although ownership’s stance on that front certainly suggests Schoen will be safe for 2026).

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George Pickens Open To Cowboys Extension; Franchise Tag In Play

November 13th, 2025 at 10:57pm CST by Connor Byrne

Unsigned beyond this year, Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens could become one of the most coveted free agents available when the market opens in March. Pickens said on Oct. 30 that he and the Cowboys had yet to discuss a new contract (via Jon Machota of The Athletic).

On the possibility of an extension, Pickens said: “That’s kinda up to what (Jerry Jones) wants to do. All I can do is perform at my best.”

If Jones and Pickens’ camp don’t reach an agreement before free agency begins, the team’s longtime owner could place the franchise tag on the Cowboys’ No. 2 wideout. Doing so would cost Dallas approximately $29MM, but it has “a strong likelihood” of happening, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. That’s assuming the relationship between the two sides doesn’t hit a snag in the coming months, Graziano notes.

A second-round pick from Georgia in 2022, Pickens was productive over the first three seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. The Steelers bailed on Pickens last offseason, though, trading him and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Cowboys for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder.

Pickens averaged around 16 games, 59 catches, 947 yards, and four touchdowns per year as a Steeler, but they moved on after some rocky moments. Toward the end of his tenure with the Steelers, he was late for their Christmas Day game against the Chiefs. That came a few weeks after Pickens took a pair of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a win over the Bengals, leading head coach Mike Tomlin to declare that the offensive weapon needed to “grow up in a hurry.” 

After the trade occurred in May, Steelers general manager Omar Khan told the media that “a fresh start for both sides was the right thing.” Six months later, the Cowboys surely don’t regret taking the gamble.

While the Cowboys are a lackluster 3-5-1, Pickens has done his part to keep the team afloat during a career year. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder has racked up 49 catches, 764 yards, and six scores in nine games. He’s third in the NFL with 12 receptions of 20-plus yards and tied for fourth in TD grabs.

Pickens stepped up as the Cowboys’ WR1 when CeeDee Lamb missed three full games and most of another one with a high ankle sprain earlier in the season. Lamb returned in Week 7, but Pickens has continued to post strong numbers since then. They’ve given quarterback Dak Prescott an elite one-two punch.

Despite Pickens’ success this year, some league executives are concerned about his inconsistency, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Still, his production and age (he won’t turn 25 until March) are a tantalizing combination. A high-priced multiyear deal should be in order if Pickens reaches free agency. Jones hasn’t been shy about using the franchise tag for integral offensive pieces, though, having done so for Prescott, running back Tony Pollard, and tight end Dalton Schultz in recent years.

Barring an extension, Pickens has a realistic chance to become the first Cowboys receiver to get the tag since they placed it on Dez Bryant in 2015. The Cowboys and Bryant hammered out a lucrative extension several months later. Pickens could meet a similar fate, though other options – including playing out the 2026 season on the tag or ending up in another trade – may be on the table.

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