Saints Eyeing EDGE-Based Trade-Up?
APRIL 23: NFL insider Jordan Schultz echoes the idea that New Orleans will be a team to watch regarding a move up the top-10 order. After the Jets make their selection at No. 2, it will be interesting to see how willing teams like the Cardinals are to work out a Saints swap.
APRIL 22: Mickey Loomis has made some memorable moves to climb up draft boards during his 23 years overseeing the Saints’ war room, and the longstanding GM is back on the radar for another such move.
The Saints have been mentioned as a team to monitor with regards to trading up for an edge rusher, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who names Arvell Reese as a specific player to watch — should he make it past the Jets. The Cardinals have shown steady interest in trading down from No. 3, and Daniel Jeremiah’s final 2026 mock has Arizona dealing that pick to New Orleans and moving down five spots.
[RELATED: Saints Open To Trading Spencer Rattler?]
New Orleans traded its 2023 first-round pick in a package to move up for Chris Olave in 2022, doing so before making a second trade to climb up the board for Olave. Four years earlier, Loomis and Sean Payton traded their 2019 first-rounder to move back into Round 1 for Marcus Davenport. The team traded up for linebacker Stephone Anthony in the 2015 first round, doing so after already taking Andrus Peat.
The Saints climbed up (via the Cardinals) from No. 27 to No. 20 for Brandin Cooks in 2014. The Saints traded their 2012 first to the Patriots to select Mark Ingram in the 2011 first round, moved up three spots for defensive end Sedrick Ellis in 2008 and climbed up three spots for tackle Jammal Brown in 2005. Loomis’ first draft as GM (2003) involved another trade-up with the Cardinals, who slid down 11 spots to give the Saints access to D-tackle Johnathan Sullivan.
Not all of these moves worked out, certainly, with Sullivan and Anthony becoming busts quickly. But Loomis — who does not appear to be on the hot seat despite a five-year playoff drought — has not traded down in a first round. The Saints have been linked to a wide receiver in Round 1, being previously mentioned as the floor for Ohio State’s Carnell Tate at No. 8. But Olave’s likely extension may be influencing the NFC South club here. The Saints are more likely to address their receiver issue on Day 2, according to EssentiallySports.com’s Tony Pauline.
The team has told agents it did not want to overinvest at receiver this offseason, per Pauline. While a rookie contract would complement a $30MM-plus-AAV Olave accord, the Saints also may be leery of sacrificing other areas to add a No. 2 wideout. The position has long been mentioned as a target in this draft; it just may not happen until Round 2.
One of them may be edge rusher. The team has not re-signed Cameron Jordan and could use help opposite Chase Young, where longtime sidekick option Carl Granderson resides at age 29. Granderson is under contract for two more years, but the Saints’ annual restructure frenzy has his cap number set to climb from $9.47MM this year to $20.92MM in 2027.
Reese might not cost what a quarterback would in a trade-up scenario, but if he makes it past the Jets at No. 2, teams will be calling. That could be an opportunity for the Cardinals to move down, though they have been linked to Jeremiyah Love in recent days. The Jets may also be coming around on Reese at 2, though Jeremiah still has David Bailey going to New York there. It is not known if the Saints view Bailey — a more polished pass-rushing prospect than Reese, a hybrid LB — as worthy of a trade-up, but Loomis’ history advises fans to not rule out a climb up the board early.
Cardinals See Arvell Reese As EDGE; Unlikely To Trade Up For Ty Simpson
The first pick of the 2026 NFL draft is essentially set. The Raiders will selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza shortly after proceedings start on Thursday night, with the Jets deciding between Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese at No. 2.
The Cardinals will then be in the driver’s seat with plenty of options. They could take whichever of the Jets’ targets is still available, or pivot to a trade back for a team looking to come up, likely for an edge rusher or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. With a new, offensive-minded head coach in Mike LaFleur, Arizona could also take Love themselves.
Their decision will likely still depend on what the Jets do. New York seems to have settled on Reese, a hybrid linebacker/edge defender with a ton of NFL potential. But deciding to draft Bailey would not be a surprise, and the Cardinals would then have a shot at Reese.
Arizona has drafted hybrid linebackers in the first round of past drafts, including Isaiah Simmons in 2020 and Zaven Collins in 2021. Those picks did not quite work out, as both players struggled to find a role in the Cardinals defense.
But Reese may be a different beast. The Cardinals do see him as an edge rusher, per Howard Balzer of CardsWire, and may not move him around the defense as they did with Simmons and Collins. That would allow him to focus on harnessing his notable athleticism into pass rushing production rather than taking on a more diverse, complicated set of roles.
Arizona has also been increasingly linked with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson over the past month. They currently lack a long-term starter with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew tapped as stopgap options in 2026. However, the Cardinals are not expected to be aggressive pursuing Simpson, despite some chatter of a trade back up into the first round. Though the team likes him, per Balzer, they will only take him if he falls to one of their picks – likely No. 34 overall, the first pick in the second round. They may even see if he falls to their third-rounder (No. 65) with many teams seemingly targeting the 2027 quarterback class instead.
The Cardinals will draft a quarterback this weekend, Balzer adds, but they have explored the depth of the class. They have shown interest in NDSU’s Cole Payton, and several other passers coming out of Power 5 schools could also be on their radar. But it will all depend on how far those players fall. Arizona’s roster is full of holes, likely inspiring them to prioritize talent and value at each selection rather than honing in on individual positions.
OL-Heavy First Round Expected
This draft is expected to bring the rare instance of a running back, safety and off-ball linebacker each chosen in the top 10. Beyond the Jeremiyah Love, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles inclusions, this draft lacks quarterback depth — at least at the top of the prospect pool — and does not feature a surefire top-10 cornerback.
In terms of high-end volume, offensive line may be where this group stands out. Although no blockers are certain to go in the top five, ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes as many as 10 could come off the board in Round 1. Various executives have informed veteran insider Jordan Schultz simulations are seeing nine O-linemen go in the first round.
The Nos. 10-14 spots may be where the run begins, per Schultz, and Graziano names a host of teams as interested parties. The Lions (No. 17), Panthers (No. 19), Steelers (No. 21), Chargers (No. 22), Eagles (No. 23), Browns (Nos. 6, 24), 49ers (No. 27), Chiefs (Nos. 9, 29) and Patriots (No. 31) are among the teams who would “love” to exit Round 1 with an O-lineman added.
Cleveland’s O-line interest has been well documented, and Graziano adds the team wants to leave the first round with a tackle and a receiver. The Browns traded for Tytus Howard to play right tackle but have injury-prone Dawand Jones penciled in at LT; Jones’ place on the depth chart may well change based on a transaction tonight. Detroit has been linked to tackles following Taylor Decker‘s release. Kansas City was loosely tied to Trent Williams, but the longtime San Francisco LT has reached an extension to stay in the Bay Area.
The collection of teams Graziano mentioned would lend to the O-line run beginning in the back half of the first round, and FOX’s Jay Glazer points to seven or eight being off the board by the early 20s. That could influence trade-up moves from teams who view the first round as essential to restocking their front fives.
Francis Mauigoa (Miami), Spencer Fano (Utah), Vega Ioane (Penn State), Monroe Freeling (Georgia), Kadyn Proctor (Alabama) and Blake Miller (Clemson) look like the safest bets to be chosen in Round 1. Mauigoa and Fano have been connected to Cleveland at No. 6, while Ioane-Giants ties have circulated after Ravens connections emerged. Ioane may be viewed as the safest bet among the whole lot, as Glazer adds NFL personnel staffers have him among four players in this class (along with Downs, Love and Fernando Mendoza) as the surest candidates to rise to the Pro Bowl level.
The Chiefs using their No. 9 pick on a blocker would not be surprising, Graziano adds, and it would mean back-to-back years with a first-round lineman chosen. Kansas City has a right tackle vacancy following its Jawaan Taylor release. While Jaylon Moore (two years, $30MM) is an overpriced backup, the ex-49er entered last season behind Taylor and Josh Simmons — the Chiefs’ No. 32 overall pick in 2025.
Caleb Lomu (Utah) and Max Iheanachor (Arizona State) also land in Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com top 32. Both were busy on the “30” visit circuit. Although Keylan Rutledge comes in 47th on Jeremiah’s big board — as the next O-lineman listed — ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler adds the Texans have done plenty of work on the Georgia Tech guard. The Texans have been connected to further bolstering their O-line — a recent trouble spot — early in this year’s draft. Houston met with Lomu, Iheanachor and Miller recently, and Proctor visited in March.
Jaguars Could Include WR Brian Thomas Jr. In Trade-Up Effort?
Earlier this week, the Jaguars were mentioned as a candidate to trade up in the draft order. Jacksonville is without its own Day 1 selection for 2026 thanks to last year’s aggressive move to acquire pick No. 2 and use it on Travis Hunter.
Acquiring a Day 1 pick for tonight would no doubt require parting with some of the mid-round capital the Jags possess. As things stand, the team owns a second-rounder along with three third-round picks. Moving up the board could also include a package featuring a player, and one whose name has been floated multiple times this offseason seems to be an option on that front.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the Jaguars “may be trying to lay the foundation” for a trade into the back end of the first-round order. He adds receiver Brian Thomas Jr. could be included in the return general manager James Gladstone offers to a team picking in that range. Thomas was discussed leading up to the 2025 trade deadline, with no swap taking place. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist was again mentioned as a trade candidate at the start of the new league year.
Reports have pushed back against the notion of Thomas being available, and Gladstone himself said last month there had not been any serious discussions with other teams. The draft certainly provides an opportunity for that to change, but for the time being Thomas is on course to remain a key figure on offense moving forward. The 23-year-old saw his production drop during head coach Liam Coen‘s first year at the helm, but he could still operate as a starter alongside Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers for 2026 and beyond.
Meyers inked a three-year, $60MM deal shortly upon arrival via trade. Washington, meanwhile, is among the players discussing an extension with the Jags. Thomas is under team control through at least 2027, and his fifth-year option could be exercised next spring to cover the 2028 campaign. Jacksonville must also consider Hunter’s role, which could include part-time receiver work but more of an emphasis on cornerback duties next year.
Running back Jadarian Price has previously be named as a target for the Jags in the event he becomes available late in the first round or early in the second. Adding in the backfield would be a logical goal after Travis Etienne‘s free agent departure, but in any case Thomas’ status as a potential trade chip will be worth watching at the draft unfolds.
Titans Still Considering Sonny Styles?
A Wednesday report indicated the Titans might be down to going wide receiver or edge rusher with the No. 4 overall pick. Jeremiyah Love may well be in play there, though he has been increasingly linked to the Cardinals at No. 3. Closing the door on Sonny Styles here may also be premature.
The Titans have considered Styles here, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the Commanders have also spent a lot of time with the Ohio State linebacker. Washington’s Styles visit came before his other reported “30” summits. The Commanders, however, sit three spots behind the Titans in the draft order.
If the Titans choose Styles at 4, it would mark the earliest an off-ball linebacker has come off the board since Aaron Curry went fourth overall to the Seahawks in 2009. Robert Saleh has certainly been tied to impressive linebacker play, having coached Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams. The Jets never addressed this position before Round 5, however, during Saleh’s time as the team’s HC.
Tennessee has not made a surefire addition to its starting linebacker at the ILB spot this offseason, however. Returners Cody Barton and Cedric Gray remain in place, with ex-Browns contributor Mohamoud Diabate added on a one-year, $1.63MM deal. Still, this would be rather early to take an off-ball LB. As our Adam La Rose noted in his most recent mailbag, Styles’ versatility and presence as a blitzer have helped him vault to this spot as a likely top-eight pick. And he would fill a need in Tennessee, where NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah has him going in his final mock.
Another gameplan here would be either taking Love — which ESPN’s Matt Miller has them doing — and addressing the ILB spot on Day 2. That would help the Commanders, though the Giants have been linked to Styles at multiple points at No. 5. Washington, which has been closely tied to going defense at No. 7, has not re-signed Bobby Wagner; though, the team did sign ex-Chief Leo Chenal (three years, $24MM) last month. The Cowboys have been tied to Styles in a trade-up move, however, and Cleveland has been regularly linked to moving down from No. 6. Ely Allen’s PFR mock has Styles heading to Washington at 7.
Rams High On WR Makai Lemon; Team Exploring Trade-Up Move
Nonfactors in the first round during much of Sean McVay‘s HC tenure, the Rams hold a Round 1 pick for the third straight year. The past two years featured heavy trade-up buzz. This one might veer in that direction as well.
The Rams are among the teams who have made calls about moving up the board, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Being amenable to trade-up or trade-down maneuvers is fairly standard practice, but the Rams’ recent history does make them a team to watch with regards to a climb up the board.
Los Angeles was closely linked to moving up for skill-position talent in 2024, discussing a vault from No. 19 to No. 8 (via the Falcons) — a move aimed at bringing Brock Bowers to Southern California. Atlanta passed and chose Michael Penix Jr., leading the Rams to stay put and select eventual Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse. Last year, the Rams made an offer to move up — again for he No. 8 overall pick — but the Panthers passed. Carolina ended up taking L.A.’s targeted player (eventual Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan) in that spot. This came a year after the Rams swung a second-round trade-up with the Panthers, with D-lineman Braden Fiske ticketed for L.A. via that transaction.
Emeka Egbuka also drew reported interest from the Rams last year, but after the Buccaneers chose the Ohio State wide receiver prospect 19th overall, Los Angeles moved out of Round 1 (via Atlanta’s James Pearce Jr.-based trade-up). That gives the Rams No. 13 overall this year; the team traded its own first-rounder (No. 29) to the Chiefs for Trent McDuffie last month.
A year after pursuing a promising Big Ten slot receiver prospect, the Rams look to be eyeing another one. The team “loves” USC’s Makai Lemon, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. Lemon-Rams connections have populated mock drafts, and with Jordyn Tyson making a late rise into likely a top-10 pick, Lemon may be this year’s third wide receiver off the board — behind Tyson and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. The latter two are not expected to be available at No. 13, but Lemon could be.
Dolphins-Lemon connections have emerged as well, with Fowler colleague Matt Miller indicating Miami has been viewed as high on the former Trojans target, but the ESPN draft expert would be surprised if the Dolphins went receiver at No. 11. The Rams are unlikely to need to move up the board much — if at all — if they want to take Lemon, the 2025 Biletnikoff Award winner after an 1,156-yard, 11-touchdown year. At 5-foot-11, Lemon would complement the Rams’ top-tier Puka Nacua–Davante Adams duo. Both are in contract years, and Adams is entering an age-33 season. Nacua is believed to be an extension priority, however.
Miller views it as less likely the Rams go for Ty Simpson, a rumored target, with their first-round pick. The Alabama quarterback would give the Rams a sought-after Matthew Stafford successor, and while the team’s No. 13 draft slot provides rare weaponry on the QB front, Miller views the Rams as prepared to use the pick to bolster their 2026 roster — which will assuredly be one of the Super Bowl LXI favorites. The Rams have also spent time on Simpson college target Germie Bernard, per Fowler. Slotted 49th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, Bernard complemented likely 2027 first-rounder Ryan Williams at Alabama over the past two seasons.
An anonymous GM informed Fowler he believes the Rams could look to the edge rusher position early in the draft due to the rising costs at the position. L.A. OLB starters Verse and Byron Young are either extension-eligible (Young) or will be next year (Verse).
The Rams’ McDuffie trade included No. 29, along with fifth- and sixth-round picks this year and a 2027 third. However, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones notes the team is not operating as if it will not carry a ’27 third. That could influence another trade-up. The Rams would collect two third-round picks — over consecutive drafts — if new OC Nate Scheelhaase becomes a head coach next year. The mixed-race assistant was a finalist for the Browns’ HC job this year, and considering the rate McVay staffers are hired for top jobs, it represents a safe bet Scheelhaase will be in contention for HC gigs on the 2027 carousel.
Falcons’ James Pearce Jr. To Enter Pretrial Diversion Program
When the Falcons began their offseason program earlier this month, the future of edge rusher James Pearce Jr. remained unclear. Thursday has brought about a significant legal development.
The three felony charges Pearce currently faces will be dismissed if he completes a pretrial diversion program, as first reported by Andy Slater of Fox Sports South Florida. Per Slater, this arrangement was agreed to by the police officers involved in the alleged incident which led to Pearce’s arrest along with Rickea Jackson, the woman who was recently granted a protective order from Pearce.
A six-month period will now take place in which Pearce will be required to meet a number of conditions. Slater notes therapy sessions will be required, along with the absence of any new legal troubles. As confirmed by attorneys Jacob Nunez and Yale Sanford (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network), this deal includes no admission of guilt. No jail time will be served provided all conditions of the diversion program are met.
Thursday was scheduled to be the date for a docket sounding in Pearce’s case, making today the last point for an arrangement such as this one to be worked out. Presuming the 22-year-old completes the program without incident, his legal situation will be brought to a close. As Rapoport notes, however, the NFL has been “closely monitoring all developments” throughout this process, and that will continue to be the case. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports confirms Pearce is still subject to a league investigation.
NFL discipline does not require a criminal conviction, so a fine and/or suspension for a violation of the personal conduct policy will still be possible pending the outcome of the league’s probe into the matter. Missing Pearce for a stretch at the beginning of the 2026 campaign would deal a blow to the Falcons’ defense, but the lack of a conviction would obviously pave the way for the team to keep him in the fold. The Tennessee product’s rookie contract runs through 2028, with the potential for a fifth-year option in 2029.
Pearce enjoyed a highly productive debut season in the NFL, posting 10.5 sacks and helping spark a turnaround in terms of Atlanta’s effectiveness in the edge rush department. He finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and will be counted on to remain a productive presence upon returning to the field. The time at which that will be possible remains to be seen, but Pearce is now in position to avoid any legal consequences and turn his attention back to his career.
Lions Could Trade Up From No. 17
Trades will, as always, be something to watch for on the opening night of the draft. The middle and latter portions of the first-round order could see plenty of movement with teams maneuvering around the board in a year lacking in top-tier prospects.
The Lions will be a team to watch closely on that front. Detroit has been making calls about a trade up the order, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. He adds other teams are monitoring the Lions as a candidate for a move higher up the board. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones also writes Detroit is among the teams which could swing a trade tonight.
The Lions have a second-round selection (No. 50) but do not own a third-rounder. That limited Day 2 capital could make restrict how far up the board general manager Brad Holmes is able to move. Nevertheless, a trade targeting a prospect Holmes and Co, are higher on than most would certainly not come as a surprise. Jones adds any deal moving Detroit closer to the top of the Day 1 order would likely result in an offensive tackle being drafted.
Adding up front has long been projected as a goal for the Lions. Ely Allen’s PFR mock has Monroe Freeling coming off the board at No. 17. Meanwhile, Fowler’s colleague Matt Miller and Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated each have Detroit drafting Kadyn Proctor at that spot. The Alabama product has previously been linked to the Lions, and the final mock draft from Dane Brugler of The Athletic also has him being selected by Detroit.
The Lions will not have Taylor Decker in the fold moving forward. Replacing him at the left tackle spot could very well include Penei Sewell shifting to the blindside, something which would allow Proctor or another rookie to take on right tackle duties right away. Proctor is the subject of maturity questions, per Breer, but a top-20 selection in his case can still be expected. In that event, the Lions will remain a landing spot to watch closely with or without a trade taking place.
Bengals, DT Dexter Lawrence Agree To One-Year Extension
APRIL 23: The new Lawrence deal will pay out $11MM in base salary along with a $10MM roster bonus and $1MM in per-game roster bonuses next season, as detailed by The Athletic’s Dan Duggan. 2027 also contains an option bonus ($8.25MM) along with the same roster bonuses and a workout bonus. Lawrence is due to collect $5MM more across the next two years than he was with the Giants, and the Bengals will easily be able to move on after that span.
APRIL 19: The trade sending DT Dexter Lawrence from the Giants to the Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in this week’s draft also featured a revised contract. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report that Lawrence has inked a one-year, $28MM extension that will keep him under the Bengals’ control through 2028.
A report that emerged in the immediate aftermath of the trade suggested the Giants did make an effort to retain Lawrence even after the Bengals put the No. 10 pick on the table. Paul Schwartz of the New York Post corroborates that report and confirms Big Blue made offers that would have resulted in a sizable raise for Lawrence, which the 28-year-old obviously declined.
Connor Hughes of SNY.tv adds that the Giants’ proposals included an average annual value “near” $28MM, but in exchange, they wanted to add more years to Lawrence’s existing deal (which had two seasons remaining). Per Hughes, Lawrence’s camp did not even make a counteroffer, which – combined with the relatively modest terms of his Cincinnati extension – make it plain that the player simply wanted a fresh start elsewhere.
Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk passes along a full breakdown of Lawrence’s Cincinnati deal. He was due $42MM over the final two seasons of his Joe Schoen-constructed contract, and the $28MM add-on makes it a three-year, $70MM agreement. The $23.33MM average annual value places Lawrence 10th among defensive tackles, just one spot higher than he was before the trade (though he will get some near-term raises; he was previously scheduled to earn $20MM in 2026 and $22MM in 2027, but he is now due $22MM in ‘26, $25MM in ‘27, and $23MM in ‘28, as Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano summarizes).
Lawrence’s potential impact on a Cincinnati defense that has undermined the club’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs in recent seasons, together with a financial commitment that does not shoot their new acquisition particularly high up the league’s DT hierarchy, help to justify the Bengals’ uncharacteristic aggressiveness here. That said, league sources still believe the Giants did well to land the No. 10 choice.
Hughes spoke with several coaches who were “stunned” by the return. Those coaches agreed that Lawrence is a very good player but pointed to his age and conditioning as cause for concern, as well as the fact that he needs to be kept on something of a snap count to maximize his production. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan says the Giants themselves were surprised by the strength of the Bengals’ offer, and Raanan’s colleague, Jeremy Fowler, hears no one was going to top it.
Lawrence is coming off a down year – albeit one Schoen partially blamed on the elbow injury the three-time Pro Bowler sustained late in 2024 – and even though their gamble is mitigated to some degree by the nature of the extension, the Bengals are clearly banking on a return to elite form. In a statement issued after the trade became official, director of player personnel Duke Tobin made sure to thank much-maligned owner Mike Brown for greenlighting the transaction and added that he expects Lawrence to elevate the players around him (the full statement is available here, courtesy of SI’s Jay Morrison).
Lawrence is the centerpiece of an offseason defensive overhaul in the Queen City that also includes the additions of Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Kyle Dugger. The Giants, meanwhile, could consider one of the top DT prospects in the draft as a Lawrence replacement, and they now have two top-10 selections to aid in their quest for a return to contention.
Ravens Exercise WR Zay Flowers’ Fifth-Year Option
Last month, it was reported the Ravens were likely to pick up Zay Flowers‘ fifth-year option. To no surprise, Baltimore is following through on that in advance of the May 1 deadline.
Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports the Flowers option has indeed been exercised. Baltimore’s top receiver is now under team control through at least 2027. Flowers is due to collect $27.3MM for that year, although a long-term contract being finalized could result in a higher compensation rate.
[RELATED: Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
An extension has long been seen as a team priority in this case, and it will be interesting to see if an agreement can be reached in the summer. Flowers, 25, is eyeing a long-term pact and a deal not far off the value of Jaxson Smith-Njigba‘s market-resetting extension could be in store. Flowers and Smith-Njigba were selected two picks apart from each other in 2023 and they share an agent.
On the heels of winning Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, Smith-Njigba secured $42.15MM in average annual value. It would come as a surprise if Flowers were to top or match that figure, but a pact placing him among the nine wideouts earning $30MM or more per year could be a target. As Zrebiec notes, Flowers ranks 10th in the NFL in terms of yards at the WR position over the course of his three-year career.
The Boston College product has been a focal point on offense since arrival, drawing at least 108 targets every year to date. Flowers has seen his overall production increase with each passing season, and his 1,211 yards in 2025 set a new franchise record for a single campaign. The two-time Pro Bowler will be expected to remain a key presence for years to come, particularly if a long-term agreement bringing about a significant raise winds up being worked out.
Flowers and Rashod Bateman are in position to lead the way at the receiver spot in 2026. Baltimore has not re-signed DeAndre Hopkins, however, while Tylan Wallace along with tight ends Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar departed in free agency. Bringing in multiple pass-catchers over the next few days will be something to watch for in the Ravens’ case as a result. Nevertheless, Flowers is assured of at least two more years in the fold with the strong possibility of more in the event of an extension being signed.