Falcons, Texans Host DE Zion Young
The Falcons‘ tandem of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. enjoyed strong rookie seasons. Walker will be a key figure for 2026 and beyond, but Pearce’s future is uncertain given the felony charges he faces.
Given the fact Pearce’s Atlanta tenure may end soon, making another early draft investment along the edge could be a key priority for the team. The trade which allowed for Pearce to be selected cost the Falcons their 2026 first-round pick, though, so the top prospects at the position will not be available when they are first on the clock.
Atlanta recently hosted Zion Young on a pre-draft visit, as noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Missouri product is one of several pass rushers likely to be taken sometime between the latter stages of the first round and the middle of the second round. The Falcons’ top pick is No. 48, although general manager Ian Cunningham is among those looking to add picks by trading down. If that does not prove to be the case for the second round, Young could be an option.
After two years at Michigan State, Young transferred to Missouri. During his two years with the Tigers, he continued to develop as a disruptive presence against the run and pass. Young totaled nine sacks and 22 tackles for loss during his time in the SEC, and his combination of length and high-energy play style figures to make him an attractive option for any number of teams. While concerns about his athleticism have been raised, Young has already drawn interest from the Dolphins and Bears.
The Texans also recently met with Young, Rapoport adds. Houston owns pick No. 28 but also a pair of second-round selections. The team may view No. 38 as a realistic spot to make a pass rush addition. That may not be the most pressing positional need given the presence of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, but bringing in affordable depth could prove to be key from a financial standpoint. Anderson is a candidate to reset the EDGE market with his second contract, so pairing him with a cost-controlled player as a Hunter successor would be a logical approach.
Like any number of prospects on the fringe of the Day 1 order, Young’s range will be interesting to monitor over the coming days. In any event, teams like the Falcons and Texans could represent a landing spot in this case.
CB Mansoor Delane To Visit Commanders, Bengals, Ravens
As expected, Mansoor Delane remains one of the busiest prospects on the pre-draft circuit. The LSU corner has a trio of visits lined up for the near future.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Delane will meet with the Commanders, Bengals and Ravens as his final top-30 visits. Tomorrow marks the deadline for such visits to take place around the league before teams finalize their draft board. Each of Washington, Cincinnati and Baltimore are set to select in the top half of the first round.
The Commanders own pick No. 7, although they are among the teams in the top 10 which are open to moving down the board. The Bengals’ top selection is 10th overall, while the Ravens own No. 14. Given Delane’s status as one of the consensus top two cornerback prospects in the 2026 class, he is unlikely to have a long wait before hearing his name called on Day 1.
Delane has met with several other teams near the top of the draft order in recent weeks. The Giants (who own pick No. 5) are looking into their CB options, and that process has included hosting Delane. The three-year Virginia Tech product flashed considerable potential during his time in the ACC. A transfer to LSU produced the desired results and elevated his draft stock even further, though.
Delane notched a pair of interceptions and 11 pass deflections in 2025. That production helped him earn first-team All-American honors and cement his status as one of the top prospects for this year’s draft. Jermod McCoy – who missed all of last season to an ACL tear – is viewed as a contender to be the first corner off the board based on his level of play in 2024. Even in that event, Delane will be expected to make an immediate impact at the NFL level for whichever team selects him.
The Commanders and Bengals are seen as being in need of upgrades in the secondary to a greater extent than the Ravens (who may need to trade up to land one of the top CBs). If any of those teams have the opportunity to select Delane, their consideration will be informed in large part by how his upcoming visits play out.
Giants Sign QB Brandon Allen
Brandon Allen has lined up his next NFL gig. The veteran quarterback has agreed to a deal with the Giants, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports.
The news has since been made official by a team announcement. Allen will offer New York with depth under center during offseason work. The Giants have Jaxson Dart in place as their starter, with Jameis Winston in the fold as well. Russell Wilson remains unsigned at this point, and today’s move further confirms he will not be back with New York for 2026.
Allen, 33, is a veteran of 19 appearances and 10 starts during the regular season in his career. He has spent plenty of time working with Brian Callahan, and the two overlapped in Cincinnati and again in Tennessee. Callahan was hired as the Giants’ new quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator in February, so this move will allow for another reunion with Allen.
Arriving in the NFL as a Jaguars draftee in 2016, Allen never made any regular-season appearance with Jacksonville. The former sixth-rounder’s first action in that regard came with the Broncos in 2019, and it was followed by a stint as the Bengals’ backup. Allen spent 2024 with the 49ers, making one start along the way. With Cam Ward remaining durable during his rookie season, though, Allen only logged 49 offensive snaps in 2025.
Dart will be counted on to operate as the Giants’ QB1 next season, although his style of play as a rookie resulted in injury concerns. Winston would be next in line to handle the team’s offense during his second year in the organization. Allen’s familiarity with Callahan will no doubt help him acclimate to the Giants during offseason work. He will spend the coming months attempting to carve out a roster spot or at least receive the opportunity to land on New York’s practice squad following cutdowns.
Titans Host DE David Bailey
Set to select fourth overall in next week’s draft, the Titans will have an interesting decision to make when they are on the clock. As expected, many of the top prospects in the 2026 class have received a look from Tennessee.
That includes David Bailey. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Texas Tech edge rusher took part in a top-30 visit with the Titans last week. Bailey is in contention to be the top pass rusher selected, and as such he will receive strong consideration from both the Jets (set to draft second overall) and Cardinals (third).
Tennessee has long been connected to Jeremiyah Love, and the Notre Dame running back visited the Titans early in the pre-draft process. Love would offer a major boost to the team’s offense, although new head coach Robert Saleh has expressed confidence in the running back room as currently constructed. Bringing in a high-end EDGE presence would go a long way toward upgrading a Titans front seven which has plenty of room for improvement compared to 2025.
Bailey has long been viewed as a first-round lock thanks to his standout showing last season. Across three years at Stanford, he totaled 14.5 sacks. Bailey managed to match that figure during his lone campaign with the Red Raiders, adding 19.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles along the way. That resulted in first-team All-American honors and cemented his status as one of the top players at any position in the 2026 class.
The Titans have been busy with respect to additions along the defensive front this offseason. Jermaine Johnson was acquired via trade with the Jets, while John Franklin-Myers was among the team’s numerous big-ticket free agent signings. Other positions could be viewed as a priority with Tennessee aiming to rebound from a 3-14 season, but selecting Bailey would provide a notable presence against the pass for 2026 and beyond.
The same could of course be true of other prospects such as Ohio State hybrid linebacker/pass rusher Arvell Reese, who is also in position to hear his name called early on Day 1. Nevertheless, it comes as little surprise the Titans are among the teams which have done their homework on Bailey.
Jets Remain High On WR Omar Cooper Jr.
APRIL 13: To little surprise, Reid reports Cooper will take part in a top-30 visit with the Jets today. Depending on the outcome, New York could become even more likely to take him at the No. 16 spot.
APRIL 12: Earlier this month, the Jets were mentioned as one of the teams which holds Omar Cooper Jr. in high regard. New York owns the 33rd overall pick in the upcoming draft but also a pair of first-rounders.
No. 2 is widely expected to result in the Jets adding on defense, although which prospect will hear his name called at that slot remains to be seen. New York is also slated to pick 16th overall. That could present general manager Darren Mougey with the opportunity to add at the receiver position. Cooper was previously named as a potential target at No. 33, but the Indiana product may not still be available by that point.
Cooper is a prospect the Jets are “extremely high on,” ESPN’s Jordan Reid writes. As a result, taking him 16th overall will be something Mougey, head coach Aaron Glenn and Co. consider. Cooper could immediately carve out a key role in the slot while adding to a WR depth chart topped by Garrett Wilson and Adonai Mitchell. Making a notable move at that position has long been seen as a priority for the Jets, although a best player available approach will be the team’s draft goal, as Glenn recently noted.
“If you love the player, go get the player,” the second-year HC said (via Reid’s colleague Rich Cimini). “I truly believe in that. If you love the player, go get him, regardless of what everybody thinks, regardless of positional value.”
Carnell Tate and Makai Lemon are widely viewed as the top receiver prospects in this year’s class, with Jordyn Tyson a strong candidate to be selected in the first round as well. Cooper’s stock has risen during the pre-draft process, and he is among the wideouts in contention to be drafted during the middle or latter stages of Day 1. A number of visits have taken place with interested teams in his case.
The Jets will be a team to watch closely with respect to Cooper. How the board shakes out in the build-up to their second selection will of course go a long way in determining which positions wind up being targeted in general and whether Cooper in particular could end up in New York.
Zach Ertz Open To Eagles Return; TE’s ACL Recovery Ahead Of Schedule
Zach Ertz‘s 2025 season came to an abrupt end with a December ACL tear. He intends to continue playing for at least one more year, although with his recovery ongoing the veteran tight end remains unsigned at this time.
“I don’t want it to be the last play that I have,” Ertz said during an interview with Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “When people think of my career and that last play, I don’t want that to be the conversation starter. And so, for me, it’s just doing everything I can to get back to my best because I felt like I was playing really good football before I got hurt.”
Ertz is 35, something which figures to limit his market regardless of his injury status. The three-time Pro Bowler spent the past two seasons with Washington, a team which added Chig Okonkwo in free agency. The Commanders appear to be content with their tight end depth chart as things stand, meaning an Ertz re-signing is unlikely. That could lead the former Eagle back to his original team.
Ertz said he would welcome a Philadelphia reunion. The former second-round pick spent the first eight-plus years of his career with the Eagles before being dealt to the Cardinals. Ertz served as a starter in Arizona until he suffered an ACL tear in 2023. He noted the rehab process this time around is ahead of schedule compared to the first one. Nevertheless, Ertz conceded he may need to begin the 2026 season on the PUP list.
The Eagles worked out a one-year deal with Dallas Goedert, meaning he will remain atop the tight end depth chart for 2026. Goedert has spent most of his career serving as Ertz’s successor in terms of his role in the passing game, but a reunion between the two would give Philadelphia considerable experience at the TE spot. Signing Ertz would also put him in position to make at least 11 catches next season, which would be enough to break the franchise’s all-time reception record.
The Eagles – who continue to be the subject of speculation regarding A.J. Brown‘s future – currently have nearly $35MM in cap space. They could comfortably afford a low-cost Ertz deal as a result, but the draft looms as an opportunity for the team to add tight end depth. How that plays out will no doubt have a strong impact on Philadelphia’s interest in an Ertz reunion.
5 Key Stories: 4/5/26 – 4/12/26
The 2026 NFL draft is less than two weeks away. Attention will continue to ramp up during the lead-in to the event, but a number of developments concerning veterans have also taken place in recent days. Here is a quick recap of the past week’s top stories:
- Lawrence Requests Giants Trade: For the second straight offseason, extension talks between Dexter Lawrence and the Giants have not yielded an agreement. Lawrence has responded by requesting a trade, something which would end his seven-year tenure in New York. Calls are expected to be made by interested teams, although a swap would come as a surprise at this point. On the other hand, the Giants are open to entertaining offers in this case. Lawrence, 28, had the least productive season of his career in 2025, something which has hindered the three-time Pro Bowler’s ability to secure a raise. Two years remain on his current contract, and the Giants are not seeking a new agreement. That could leave this situation as one which lingers deep into the offseason.
- Eagles, Packers Complete Wicks Swap: Dontayvion Wicks spent his first three seasons with the Packers, but his rookie deal will not conclude in Green Bay. He has been traded to the Eagles in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder. Wicks was set to be a pending 2027 free agent, but Philadelphia worked out a one-year, $12.5MM extension upon arrival. The former fifth-rounder was unable to emerge as a starting presence in Green Bay’s crowded receiver room, and he will seek out an increase in targets with his new team. This represents the latest WR move pulled off by the Eagles as an A.J. Brown trade remains a major talking point around the league. Dealing Brown in the summer would pave the way for Wicks, entering his age-26 season, to play a key role.
- Falcons’ McGary Retires: The Falcons will be without Kaleb McGary for the second year in a row for 2026. The veteran right tackle announced his retirement following a campaign spent entirely on the sidelines due to injury. McGary joined Atlanta as a first-round pick in 2019, and he racked up 92 starts while serving as a RT mainstay when healthy. Instead of attempting a comeback, the 31-year-old elected to hang up his cleats. The RT position was thin last year, and it could be a high draft priority later this month. In any case, veteran Jawaan Taylor has been signed as a stopgap.
- Moore’s Colts Tenure Likely Over: One year remains on Kenny Moore‘s current Colts contract, but he is unlikely to play it out in Indianapolis. The veteran cornerback has a mutual desire with the team to seek out a trade, one which would leave the Colts without one of their longest-tenured players. Moore has been in place for each of the past nine years, operating as a full-time starter for much of that stretch. He did not fit well in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo‘s scheme in 2025, however, and a change of scenery could benefit all parties. Moore, 30, is owed $10MM for next year with a scheduled cap charge of $13.11MM. Interested teams could make offers in time for the draft, although a trade would be far more feasible from a financial perspective after June 1 for the Colts. Either way, Moore could be on a new team for the first time in his career relatively soon.
- Achane Skipping Dolphins‘ Offseason Program: Each NFL team with a new head coach has opened its offseason program in recent days. That includes the Dolphins, who are without running back De’Von Achane for the time being. Players seeking an extension often skip voluntary work, and that is indeed the cause for Achane’s absence. The former third-rounder has been an explosive presence in the backfield through his three years in Miami, and he earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2025. Achane set new career highs in several categories last season, and he is positioned to once again operate as a focal point on offense for the rebuilding Dolphins in 2026. That currently represents the final year of his rookie contract, but a notable raise will be in store if negotiations between team and player result in an agreement.
Trade Talks Involving Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux Could Pick Up
APRIL 12: Executives who spoke with La Canfora predicted a mid-round pick could be enough to finalize a Thibodeaux trade. Adding a third- or fourth-round selection would allow the Giants to immediately target a rookie replacement in the event a deal were to be made in the near future.
APRIL 9: Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade as a sign of frustration with the status of his extension talks. No trade is expected in his case, but calls will no doubt be made as the draft approaches.
Interest is also likely to increase with respect to Kayvon Thibodeaux. The former first-round edge rusher has previously been linked to a trade, with calls being made leading up to the 2025 deadline. No agreement was reached then, but this year’s Combine presented another opportunity for a deal to be discussed by the Giants and interested teams. A report from last month indicated New York’s preference would be to work out a trade in this case.
SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora confirms Thibodeaux is still viewed as being open to a change of scenery, something which could yield a full-time starting role. Brian Burns has thrived since the Giants acquired him via trade, while 2025 third overall pick Abdul Carter is in line to handle a large workload for years to come. Thibodeaux is set to earn $14.75MM in 2026 as a result of the Giants’ decision to pick up his fifth-year option. The Oregon product would no doubt be expected to sign an extension with an acquiring team in the event of a trade.
To no surprise, La Canfora reports the Giants are unlikely to move on from both Lawrence and Thibodeaux this offseason. Efforts to work out a compromise with the former could take place, although a new big-ticket deal does not appear to be in store. Replacing Lawrence could also prove to be challenging given his production (aside from the 2025 season, of course). With Burns and Carter in the fold, though, dealing Thibodeaux and drafting a replacement later this month could be seen as feasible. A trade at any time would take Thibodeaux’s 2026 salary entirely off the books and create considerable cap room for New York.
Injuries have led to Thibodeaux playing a full season only once to date in the NFL. The 25-year-old notched 11.5 sacks in 2023, but in general he has not developed as expected given his status as a former fifth overall selection. Per La Canfora, a mid-round pick could be offered by interested teams leading up to the draft. That would obviously represent an underwhelming end to Thibodeaux’s Giants tenure, but it will once again be a scenario worth watching for.
NFL’s Next Australia Game Could Be Played In 2027
The NFL’s international calendar will continue to expand in 2026. The opening game of the season will see the 49ers and Rams play each other in Melbourne.
That will mark the league’s debut in Australia. The San Francisco-Los Angeles game will be the lone one in that country for the coming season, but it is not expected to be the only time Australia hosts NFL contests. Commissioner Roger Goodell confirmed as much when speaking to reporters in Melbourne.
“There’s no question that we’re going to be playing here again,” Goodell said (via Nick Mulvenney of Reuters). “Our view is that we’re coming here for the long term. We don’t come as a one-offs. This isn’t a circus. This is something that’s an investment in this, in this market and we believe that, this is long term and will be great for the NFL long term.”
The league has made international expansion a major priority in recent years, with regular-season games being played in Germany, Brazil, Spain and Ireland along the way. The coming campaign will see Australia operate as a host country for the first time, with the same also being true of France. Issues related to travel time are of course exacerbated in the case of Melbourne, but Goodell made it clear further trips there are expected. The NFL’s second Australia game could be played as early as 2027 as a result.
The 49ers-Rams contest will take place on a Thursday night (September 10) to accommodate typical primetime starts in the United States, but it will be played during the mid morning local time on a Friday. The success both teams have in terms of resuming normal activities beyond Week 1 will be interesting to monitor, but the NFL is clearly committed to making similar situations a regular occurrence.
Giants Willing To Entertain Dexter Lawrence Trade Offers
Since Dexter Lawrence‘s trade request went public, there has been a general expectation a deal sending him away from the Giants will not be worked out. Replacing the three-time Pro Bowler would be challenging for New York, while the list of teams willing to authorize an extension upon acquiring him may be short at this point of the offseason.
Interest will be shown by suitors leading up to the draft in the wake of Giants extension talks once again not yielding progress. Two years remain on Lawrence’s deal, and the team is prepared to move forward without a short-term fix like the one worked out last summer or a raise brought on by a new contract. The willingness of the Giants to seriously entertain offers over the coming days will make for an intriguing storyline.
New head coach John Harbaugh spoke publicly about Lawrence’s value to the team during the onset of the Giants’ offseason program. He also raised eyebrows when stating that “everybody is tradable,” however, and it will be interesting to see if New York winds up being prepared to work out a swap in this case. On that note, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports the Giants “will at least listen to” calls made regarding Lawrence’s availability. He confirms the team’s preference would be to keep Lawrence in the fold for 2026, but the financial impasse could prove to be a key factor on the trade front.
Lawrence inked an extension in line with other top defensive tackle extensions in 2024. His deal carries an average annual value of $22.5MM, but that figure has been surpassed multiple times with the position’s market continuing to surge. The 28-year-old managed just 0.5 sacks and 12 pressures in 2025, something which has no doubt complicated his efforts to secure a raise. As things stand, Lawrence is owed $20MM next season and $22MM in 2027.
Teams may very well be hesitant to add to those figures in addition to paying a notable price in a trade. Nevertheless, any contender could stand to benefit from adding Lawrence. The Packers made one blockbuster move by acquiring Micah Parsons last offseason, and executives who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora pointed to Green Bay as a logical suitor with respect to Lawrence. Making another win-now move via the trade route would be out of character for the Packers’ front office, but the seven-year veteran would offer a boost to a defensive interior which has plenty of room for improvement compared to last season.
To date, the Packers have not been connected to any firm interest on the Lawrence front. Whether or not that changes will of course depend in large part on the Giants’ asking price. Raanan notes an offer including two Day 2 picks and another on Day 3 could be in store in the case of the Clemson product. La Canfora also writes a first-round selection – at least, in 2026 – is unlikely to be attainable regardless of how strong Lawrence’s market becomes. Improving at the DT spot is already a Giants priority entering the draft, but that could become true to a much larger extent if trade calls were to produce an agreement.