Packers, Jayden Reed Agree To Extension
Shortly before the start of the draft’s second day, the Packers have worked out an extension agreement with receiver Jayden Reed. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports a three-year deal worth $50.25MM in new money (including $20MM guaranteed) has been finalized.
Reed’s $16.75MM AAV slots him in as the 29th-highest paid wide receiver in the league, a solid deal for the Packers. The 2023 second-rounder flashed as a rookie before putting together an impressive sophomore campaign with 11.4 yards per target and 15.6 yards per reception. Both numbers ranked among the league’s top six wideouts and raised expectations entering 2025.
However, Reed suffered a broken clavicle in Week 2, forcing him into injured reserve until December. He took the time off to also undergo surgery to address a Jones fracture in his foot that he originally intended to play through. Reed returned in Week 14 and caught 16 of his 17 targets for 162 yards – an efficient but low-volume stat line – over his final five games.
Paying less than $17MM per year for an efficient slot receiver is a good bit of business for a Packers team that has generally avoided signing veteran receivers to multi-year deals. They have consistently spent draft capital at the position – including a first-round pick on Matthew Golden last year – allowing them to trade Dontayvion Wicks and let Romeo Doubs walk in free agency this offseason. Wicks, who has seen declining production in each of his three NFL seasons, received a one-year, $12.5MM extension from the Eagles. Doubs has never been as efficient as Reed and signed a three-year, $51MM deal with the Patriots that included $35MM guaranteed.
Comparatively, Reed’s contract seems to offer more upside with significantly less guaranteed money (and therefore much lower risk). He, Golden, and Christian Watson will form Jordan Love‘s top trio of wideouts in 2026, and potentially beyond if Green Bay ponies up for another Watson extension, too. He signed a one-year, $11MM deal in September during his recovery from a January torn ACL. That looked like a steal for the Packers when the 6-foot-4 wideout returned to the field in October and averaged 61.6 yards per game and 11.1 yards per target across the final 10 games of the season. Carrying that performance into 2026 could price him out of Green Bay, but it would also motivate the team to pay another proven receiver who has an established connection with their franchise quarterback.
Teams Atop Second-Round Order Receiving Calls; 49ers Open To Trading Down
4:15pm: The 49ers’ 33rd pick is a popular target for teams looking to trade up, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who mentions Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis among the group of potential selections.
If San Francisco does not bite on an offer, they may pursue Missouri defensive end Zion Young, Breer adds. Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams tore their ACLs last year, so Young would give the 49ers a reliable starter as the two former first-rounders make their way back to the field.
12:47pm: Many of the picks toward the back end of the first-round order changed hands last night. That resulted in several alterations to the draft list for Day 2.
As things stand, the 49ers, Cardinals and Bills own the first three picks in tonight’s second round. Several more trades can of course be expected moving forward, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports all three of those teams have received calls. It would come as little surprise if San Francisco in particular elected to move out of the No. 33 spot.
Per Schultz, the 49ers are considered to be “very open” to trading down. GM John Lynch authorized a move from No. 27 to 30 in a deal with the Dolphins. That was followed in short order by a trade which saw the Jets acquire No. 30. San Francisco has yet to make a selection in 2026 as a result, but Schultz notes the team is confident one of its targets will still be available even if another trade down the board takes place.
The Cardinals were long seen as a candidate to move into the back half of the first round to select quarterback Ty Simpson. With the Rams having selected him 13th overall, though, Arizona was not among the teams moving around late last night. The Cardinals added running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3, and several options will be available when they are next on the clock regardless of if a trade is worked out.
The Bills were originally scheduled to select 26th overall. Things changed on multiple occasions as the first round drew to a close, however, with Buffalo opting to trade down three times. That has given general manager Brandon Beane extra capital to work with, although continuing to move down will carry risk in terms of limiting the remaining high-end prospects available when he makes his first pick. It will be interesting to see how Buffalo operates moving forward.
Earlier today, the Giants were floated as a team which could trade up from the No. 37 slot. A pairing between New York and one of the top three teams in the current second-round order could be something to watch for as the countdown to Day 2 continues.
Commanders Were Not Expecting Sonny Styles At No. 7
Sonny Styles was frequently pegged as a top-five pick during the pre-draft process, but the Cardinals and the Titans both went in other directions at Nos. 3 and 4.
That left Styles’ Ohio State teammate Arvell Reese available to the Giants at No. 5, and they quickly swooped in to select the top-ranked player on their board. New York was one of the frequently-mocked destinations for Styles, but they preferred Reese’s versatility and upside as an edge rusher.
The Chiefs then traded up to the No. 6 pick, but for LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane. Styles then fell to the Commanders at No. 7, an outcome they were not expecting, per Bleacher Report’s James Palmer.
Washington was interested in trading back (thought not up) from No. 7, Palmer adds, and leapt at the opportunity to secure one of their favorite prospects in the draft.
Styles will immediately slot in as a starter in Daronte Jones’ new defense, likely partnered with free agent signing Leo Chenal. Frankie Luvu, who is entering the last of his contract, played significantly more time off the edge in 2025 relative to his previous time as an off-ball linebacker. He will likely have a bigger role as a pass rusher in 2026 with Styles working next Chenal.
The Commanders have no complaints about landing Styles, but they enter Day 2 of the draft having not addressed any of their major positions of need. Washington needs a center and could stand to add depth at tight end and running back as well. They do not pick until the third round at No. 71 overall after trading their second-rounder to the Texans last offseason for Laremy Tunsil.
Chiefs Saw Saints As Threat To Draft CB Mansoor Delane
The first trade of Thursday’s opening round saw the Chiefs swing a trade with the Browns to acquire pick No. 6. That allowed Kansas City to move up from No. 9 and take cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Especially with Jermod McCoy facing medical concerns, Delane was seen as the clear-cut top option at the cornerback position this year. That made him an enticing option for the Chiefs, a team looking to restock its secondary. But the two teams direcetly ahead of Kansas City were also candidates to take Delane.
When speaking to the media last night, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said (via ESPN’s Nate Taylor) he viewed the Saints in particular as a threat to select Delane at No. 8. Moving ahead of New Orleans – not to mention Washington at No. 7, a team which expectedly added on defense in the first round – thus became a major priority. Veach said he learned of the Browns’ willingness to move down from 6 during the league meeting, helping pave the way for yesterday’s swap.
The Chiefs had Delane ranked as a top-five player in the class, Bleacher Report’s James Palmer notes. He confirms Veach was concerned about Saints GM Mickey Loomis (no stranger to trading up in the draft) moving up to take the LSU cover man. New Orleans was named as a trade-up candidate during the build-up to the opening round, albeit with an edge rusher being seen as the target. In the end, Loomis and the Saints remained in place at No. 8 and took receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Delane will be counted on to handle a starting role right away for the Chiefs as part of their latest CB reset. Trent McDuffie was traded away earlier this offseason, while Jaylen Watson departed in free agency. Neither Rams addition on that front came entirely as a surprise, but it left Kansas City in need of reinforcements via the draft. Veach accomplished his goal of securing Delane early, and it will be interesting to see how he operates over the next two days on the trade front.
Multiple Teams Looking To Move Up In 2nd Round
Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft was packed with trades. Teams were constantly shuffling the order as they attempted to secure coveted prospects and/or extra draft capital.
The picks are expected to continue flying around on Day 2 with clubs jockeying for top talents who fell out of the first round. Several are looking to move up to the top of the second round, including the Dolphins, Saints, Browns, Steelers, and Jaguars, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He mentions four players are potential trade-up targets: Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, Tennesse cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy, and Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston.
The Dolphins drafted two nose tackles in Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips last year, so trading up for a third in McDonald would make little sense. Their cornerback room was a major liability last year and only saw marginal upgrades in free agency, so either Hood or McCoy could be targets. And of course, trading Jaylen Waddle created a major need at wide receiver in Miami. Boston could fill it.
Saints defensive tackles Nathan Shepherd and Davon Godchaux are both into their 30s and entering the final year of their contract, so the team could certainly target McDonald. They could stand to upgrade at cornerback behind 2024 second-rounder Kool-Aid McKinstry, but trading up to select another wide receiver after taking Jordyn Tyson at No. 8 overall seems unwise.
The Browns are known to have interest in wide receivers in this draft class, though Boston’s skillset may not be ideal for Todd Monken’s new offense. Cleveland could strengthen the interior of their defensive line, especially with a massive run-stuffer like McDonald. They have more talent at cornerback, but could stand to add a high-upside talent to the room.
The Steelers are likely looking to move up for a wide receiver after getting sniped for Makai Lemon by the Eagles in Round 1. They could move up as high as the 33rd overall pick, the first on Day 2, which is currently owned by the 49ers via trades with the Dolphins and Jets. San Francisco has received multiple calls about their selection and is open to moving it, per Pelissero.
Jacksonville would seem to be set at wide receiver with Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas, and Parker Washington. Travis Hunter is going to spend more time at cornerback in 2026, but he will still be available for some offensive packages. The Jaguars traded for defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro, this offseason, but they could still add depth, especially with DaVon Hamilton entering the final year of his contract. Similar to the Browns, they have a decent cornerback room right now but could stand to add more long-term upside.
The Jaguars also explored trading into the first round, per Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union, though no deal materialized. General manager James Gladstone was aggressive in pursuing Hunter during last year’s draft, and his time under Rams GM Les Snead further indicates his willingness to chase his favorite prospects.
Rams Eyed Free Agent Deal For Joe Flacco
For much of the offseason, the Rams’ backup quarterback position was a talking point. The matter was settled last night when Los Angeles used the 13th overall pick on Ty Simpson.
Simpson will be counted on to handle QB2 duties in 2026, taking the place of Jimmy Garoppolo in that regard. The latter is still unsigned at this point, and retirement could be an option. A number of veterans – including Garoppolo and Kirk Cousins – were on the Rams’ radar this spring, but they were not the only ones receiving consideration.
Los Angeles “made overtures to sign” Joe Flacco during free agency, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Sarah Barshop report. The former Super Bowl MVP sought out an opportunity to start when initially on the open market, although a Rams agreement obviously would have seen him back up Matthew Stafford. In the end, Flacco opted to re-sign with the Bengals.
Stafford is under contract for 2026, but the latest round of extension talks between the 2025 MVP and the Rams are ongoing. Earlier this week, it was reported progress was being made on that front. Stafford is currently due to collect $40MM in his age-38 campaign, although the top of the quarterback market and his highly productive showing last season point to another raise being in store.
Flacco would have needed to serve as a low-cost backup had he joined the Rams. His latest Bengals pact checked in at $6MM in base value (including $4MM guaranteed) with another $3.5MM available through incentives. Instead of making a similar financial commitment in March, Los Angeles avoided a veteran contract such as that one altogether. Entering the draft, it appeared as though Garoppolo may have been in line for another inexpensive Rams pact. With Simpson now in place, however, the team can proceed without a veteran signing at the quarterback spot.
Giants To Play Arvell Reese At LB, Francis Mauigoa At G
The Giants let the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft come to them on Thursday night, landing two of the class’ most highly-regarded players in Ohio State’s Arvell Reese and Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.
Reese, 20, primarily lined up as an off-ball linebacker in college but has been tabbed for a move to edge rusher in the NFL. New York, though, has three-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns, last year’s No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, and 2022 No. 5 pick Kayvon Thibodeaux on the roster. There would be little room for Reese as an edge rusher as a rookie.
Instead, the Giants are planning to keep Reese off the ball to begin his career, head coach John Harbaugh said (via FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano). He will line up on the weak side, and his versatility will keep him involved in the pass rush.
General manager Joe Schoen said (via NFL insider Jordan Schultz) that Reese was the team’s top-ranked non-quarterback prospect, so New York was more than happy to draft him and figure out where to play him later.
Mauigoa lined up at right tackle for the Hurricanes, but his 33.25-inch arms is below typical NFL standards at the position. The Giants are also set at both tackle spots with Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, who are both signed through the 2028 season. As a result, Mauigoa will slide inside to compete for a starting guard job, likely on the right side, per Vacchiano.
That comes with an obvious caveat: Mauigoa must be healthy. A disc issue in his back popped up during the pre-draft process, and though there have been positive updates around his status, there was some concern it would affect his stock. Perhaps it did, as he was frequently mocked in the top five picks but instead fell to the Giants at No. 10. They made their own assessment of Mauigoa’s health and came away satisfied.
“We’re comfortable with it,” Schoen said (via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper), noting that the team now employs one of Mauigoa’s former trainers at Miami. That gives them additional information on the injury, which occurred during the 2025 season, and the confidence to spend their second first-rounder on the 20-year-old lineman.
Titans Planned On Moving Ahead Of Texans To Draft G Keylan Rutledge
The Texans were originally scheduled to select 28th overall during the opening night of the draft. Houston pulled off a trade with the Bills to move up to move up two spots, however.
After acquiring pick No. 26, the Texans selected guard Keylan Rutledge. The Georgia Tech product will be counted on to play a key role in upgrading the team’s offensive line, a unit which has been the subject of considerable turnover this offseason. Rutledge was a candidate to wind up elsewhere in the AFC South, though.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports the Titans attempted to trade up in the first-round order and move ahead of Houston in the process. He adds the goal of such a move was to acquire Rutledge. As a result, Texans GM Nick Caserio‘s decision to swing a modest trade proved to be a rather prudent one.
“Moving two spots was more of positioning that anything else,” Caserio confirmed (via Wilson) when speaking after the first round. “We felt like there could potentially be some interest in the player, so we felt like: ‘Alright, let’s move a couple of spots.'”
Rutledge saw his stock rise over the course of the pre-draft process, and it came as little surprise when he was one of several offensive linemen selected during the late stages of the first round. He is among the many new faces Houston will have up front in 2026, a year in which improved play will once again be a key team objective. The Texans will aim to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs, and consistent O-line play will be central to that effort.
The Titans did indeed trade back into the first round despite the Rutledge setback. Tennessee acquired pick No. 31 (also by swinging a trade with the Bills, for that matter) and used it on Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk. How the team will operate along the interior of the offensive line will be worth watching closely over Day 2 and 3 since the Titans were clearly interested in pursuing a guard addition.
Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike Expected To Play In 2026 Following Neck Surgery
APRIL 24: Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said on Thursday night (via team reporter Ryan Mink) Madubuike is now present for the team’s offseason program. That is another encouraging sign with respect to his progress in recovering from surgery.
APRIL 21: Nnamdi Madubuike‘s 2025 campaign ended in Week 2 due to a serious neck injury. Since then, the Pro Bowl defensive tackle’s future has been in question.
Few updates have emerged in recent months on this front, but the Ravens veteran himself has offered hints that a recovery could be in store. The team has appeared to hold a similar stance on the matter. Tuesday has brought about another encouraging development.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Madubuike underwent neck surgery last week. He adds doctors expect the 28-year-old to return to action during the 2026 season. The timing of Madubuike’s procedure is certainly interesting given the time which has transpired since the injury was suffered. Nevertheless, a positive outlook will be welcomed news for all parties in this case.
Madubuike has been a mainstay along the defensive line during his six-year Baltimore tenure. The former third-rounder posted 13 sacks in 2023, a figure which made him one of the players at the position to benefit from its rising market the following offseason. Madubuike inked a four-year extension averaging $24.5MM per season, cementing his status as a core player for the foreseeable future. No major injuries had occurred up to that point, and Madubuike logged a full season in 2024.
Things were much different last year, however. Losing Madubuike proved to be highly impactful for the Ravens, a team which ranked 30th in the NFL in sacks. Getting the Texas A&M product back in the fold would be critical for Baltimore with a rebound from an 8-9 campaign being sought out. New head coach Jesse Minter will be tasked with leading a defensive turnaround, and a healthy Madubuike could be central to that effort.
Adding along the defensive interior was likely to be a Ravens priority regardless of Madubuike’s outlook. Baltimore should still be expected to select at least one rookie defensive tackle this week, but the team’s approach could be altered slightly if a return to full health is expected throughout the organization.
Seahawks Drafted RB Jadarian Price After Trade Talks Fell Through
Seattle ended off Thursday’s opening round by selecting running back Jadarian Price. Leading up to that point, the team had naturally been identified as a strong candidate to move down the board.
The Seahawks entered the draft with only four total picks. As general manager John Schneider acknowledged after the opening night of the event ended, a trade aimed at acquiring more capital remained a goal in the build-up to pick No. 32. Five of the six selections made immediately before Seattle’s changed hands, however, making it difficult for a trade partner to be found at that point.
“Great player, great person,” Schneider said of Price (via the team’s website). “We thought we had some [trade] opportunities for a minute, they fell apart. A lot of trading going on right ahead of us, but I mean, he kind of stood alone… It’s really cool. We were kind of concerned people were going to go ahead of us because we felt like he was so out there in terms of mock drafts and what have you.”
In the end, Schneider and Co. managed to land Price and by doing so add a prospect they were frequently linked to. Jeremiyah Love was, as anticipated, the top running back to hear his name called on Thursday. He was taken third overall, but it was widely expected Price – his Notre Dame teammate – would be the second running back selected. Adding in the backfield represented a goal for the Seahawks after Kenneth Walker departed in free agency, and Price should handle a notable workload right away.
That is especially true since Zach Charbonnet is recovering from an ACL tear. One year remains on his rookie contract, leaving a 2027 departure as a possibility. That would pave the way for Price to take on an RB1 workload early in his career. Regardless, his level of play as a rookie will be key in determining the Seahawks’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
Seattle currently has picks 64, 96 and 188. Adding to that list could be a target for Schneider, and with trades always a constant on Days 2 and 3 of the draft, he will no doubt have plenty of opportunities to move around the board.