Giants Eyeing OL, DL Free Agent Additions
The Giants have managed to retain a number of offensive linemen so far in free agency. Most notably, Jermaine Eluemunor and Evan Neal have inked new deals with the team.
New York has lost Austin Schlottmann and James Hudson on the open market, while two-year right guard starter Greg Van Roten remains unsigned at this point. A new agreement with Van Roten is something to watch for, but one or more outside additions are being considered as well.
When speaking at this week’s league meeting, Giants general manager Joe Schoen said (via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan) the team is still in contact with agents at a number of positions. Offensive linemen are among those on New York’s radar. Given the team’s financial situation, however, a notable investment is not feasible.
The Giants sit near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space at the moment. The team already has 79 players on its roster, and money will need to be set aside for its incoming rookie class. Schoen admitted a lack of spending power is a factor in New York’s approach to the secondary waves of free agency. On the other hand, many of the veterans available at this point of the offseason will likely not require a big-ticket contract regardless of when they sign their next deal.
Schoen also said defensive line additions are something of interest to the Giants. Rakeem Nunez-Roches and D.J. Davidson have left during free agency, while New York has brought in Sam Roberts. The team’s defensive interior will once again be anchored by Dexter Lawrence for 2026 and likely beyond, but improving against the run will be critical for Year 1 of the John Harbaugh era. The Giants finished 31st in that respect last season.
New York currently owns seven picks in this month’s draft. It would come as no surprise if some of those were used to make additions along the offensive and defensive lines based on Schoen’s comments. Free agency could also yield low-cost options, though, and it will be interesting to see if any moves are made in the coming weeks.
Bears Will Not Receive Draft Compensation For Ian Cunningham Hire
The Falcons’ decision to hire Ian Cunningham as their new general manager led to an initial decision by the NFL not to award compensatory draft picks to the Bears. Standard practice in recent years for minority hires has been for their previous employer to receive a third-round selection in two consecutive years.
The league’s stance in this case was that Cunningham will hold the GM title but will not operate as Atlanta’s top decision-maker in the front office. Indeed, Matt Ryan will serve as the team’s president of football and in doing so will outrank Cunningham and the rest of the Falcons’ management team. The Bears reached out to the NFL to discuss the mater further, but a reversal will not be forthcoming.
“The matter is now closed following the club’s appeal,” a league statement reads (h/t Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune). “The NFL informed the Bears today they will not receive compensatory picks. The policy is designed to provide picks for the Primary Football Executive position. The League determined Mr. Cunningham did not fill that role with the Falcons as it is defined in League rules.”
Ryan’s return to Atlanta brought with it questions about his ability to oversee the wide-ranging changes brought on during the 2026 hiring cycle due to his lack of expereince. Cunningham and new head coach Kevin Stefanski are now in the fold, and they will look to bring about improved play relative to the Raheem Morris/Terry Fontenot tandem. Cunningham’s first NFL general manager opportunity will come about with his hometown team.
The Bears will again be led in the front office by general manager Ryan Poles for 2026. Following Cunningham’s departure, Jeff King was promoted to the role of assistant GM. Those two and the rest of Chicago’s staff will move forward knowing no compensation will be coming the team’s way. The Bears currently own seven picks in April’s draft.
NFL Mailbag: Browns, Cousins, Ravens, Lions, Draft, Cap
This week's edition of the PFR Mailbag dives into EDGE-related questions for a team in each conference. Questions on the Raiders' QB plan, the Ravens' offensive setup and more are also answered.
Tim asks:
Do you think the Browns SHOULD trade Myles Garrett? Isn't this the sell-high opportunity for a team that bungled the [Deshaun] Watson trade?
I’ve felt like the Browns’ best course of action with Garrett would be a trade for at least the past two years. That’s the case to less of an extent with each passing season, but it’s still easy to see the appeal in 2026.
Jets Unlikely To Draft QB Ty Simpson; Cooper Rush On Team’s Radar
Since it was learned Dante Moore would be staying in college for the 2026 season, the Jets’ quarterback approach for the upcoming draft has been a question mark. New York owns two first-round selections, but it remains to be seen if strong consideration will be given to using one of them on Ty Simpson.
The one-year Alabama starter has drawn a wide range of opinions regarding his draft stock, but interest has been shown by a number of teams. That includes the Jets, as illustrated by the workout Simpson recently conducted with the them. At this point, though, it may come as a surprise if Simpson were to wind up in New York.
During his latest appearance on Jets Final Drive, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic predicted the Jets will not select Simpson given the risk involved with doing so. New York could elect to wait until next year’s draft to identify a long-term starter. That is an approach expected of other teams as well with next year’s class held in much higher regard than this year’s. As such, a veteran backup to trade acquisition Geno Smith will be a strong possibility.
On that note, SNY’s Connor Hughes confirms (video link) the Jets’ preference was to sign Carson Wentz in free agency. Doing so would have reunited him with new offensive coordinator Frank Reich, but Wentz wound up remaining in place with the Vikings. The list of remaining free agents has been thinned out since the new league year began, but there are still a few veteran passers on the market.
Of those, Hughes names Cooper Rush as one to watch closely. The longtime Cowboys backup joined the Ravens on a two-year deal last spring, but things did not go according to plan during his time in the lineup. Rush was expectedly released in March, and he has not previously been linked to any suitors. The 32-year-old has made 16 starts and 42 appearances in his career, and he would be familiar with a backup gig in the event he signed on to be New York’s QB2.
Hughes adds that Tyrod Taylor is still well-liked in the Jets’ building. Another deal for the Jets’ 2024 and ’25 backup will be something to watch for as a result. Taylor, 36, made four starts last season following Justin Fields‘ benching; he has totaled 62 in his career. A low-cost contract allowing him to remain in the QB2 role would give New York a bridge tandem under center in advance of the 2027 draft.
Smith is in position to start for the Jets, something which was the case for his first two years in the NFL. How the team approaches the quarterback position over the coming weeks will be something to watch for, with a stopgap veteran seeming to be more likely than a high-profile draft investment at this point.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo Weighing Multiple Free Agent Options
Kirk Cousins elected to join the Raiders yesterday. That took one of the top remaining veteran quarterbacks off the free agent market, leaving Jimmy Garoppolo among those yet to line up a deal.
Garoppolo has spent the past two seasons with the Rams, giving them an experienced backup to Matthew Stafford. A third Los Angeles contract is something the team is interested in, and that will no doubt be the case to an even larger extent with Cousins no longer available. Garoppolo appears to have other suitors as well, however.
The 12-year veteran is “weighing a few options” at this time, Nate Atkins of The Athletic notes. Garoppolo spoke with the Cardinals about a free agent deal, but talks did not yield an agreement. Arizona has since added Gardner Minshew to a depth chart already including Jacoby Brissett. The Cards will not be among the possibilities Garoppolo faces at this point, but another Rams accord could be one.
Atkins confirms Los Angeles would prefer a QB2 with starting experience as Stafford prepares to play at least one more season. The 2025 MVP enjoyed an encouraging run of durability this past season, but at this point Stetson Bennett is second on the quarterback depth chart. He has yet to make a regular season appearance despite being drafted in 2023. Another Garoppolo deal would certainly offer a greater degree of stability under center than relying on Bennett during a season in which the Rams will be eyeing another deep playoff run.
In 2024, Garoppolo took a contract worth $3.18MM. The 34-year-old played for a similar figure this past season. Another one-year contract can be expected, and it will be interesting to see if a Rams return is finalized in the near future. If not, other teams which were named as Cousins suitors could be in the mix as well. All parties may wait until after the upcoming draft before a deal winds up being worked out.
A full-time QB1 gig is not available at this point for Garoppolo, who most recently logged double-digit starts in a season in 2022. He represents one of the most experienced passers still on the market, though, and a number of teams could stand to benefit from adding him for the 2026 season.
RB Jeremiyah Love Unlikely To Last Beyond Commanders At No. 7?
Jeremiyah Love is widely understood to be one the most talented prospects in the 2026 class. Gauging where running backs will land in a draft is always difficult, but in this case a drop out of the top 10 order appears unlikely.
[RELATED: Love Could Be Giants’ Top Target]
The Commanders have frequently been mentioned as a logical landing spot for Love. The Heisman finalist would add an impact to any offense, but joining Washington would allow him to immediately contribute on the ground and in the passing game. Multiple personnel who spoke with SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora believe the Commanders – who own the seventh overall pick – are the floor in Love’s case.
“He’s exactly what that offense needs,” one evaluator said. “The draft is about supply and demand and who really needs a running back. The GM [Adam Peters] comes from San Francisco. They made the trade for [Christian] McCaffrey.”
Peters is indeed familiar with high-end running back acquisitions and the implications of building an offense around an elite player at the position dating back to his 49ers tenure. Washington’s backfield has undergone a number of changes so far this offseason, with Chris Rodriguez departing and the likes of Rachaad White and Jerome Ford being added. Drafting Love would leave the Commanders with other notable roster holes, but it would give the team a long-term offensive pillar if all went according to plan.
During each of his sophomore and junior campaigns at Notre Dame, Love averaged 6.9 yards per attempt. He topped 1,300 scrimmage yards in each season, totaling 40 touchdowns between 2024 and ’25. Love earned first-team All-American honors for his final college campaign and he will be counted on contribute early and often at the NFL level.
Peters’ team went from a surprise trip to the NFC title game to a 5-12 season in 2025. Rebounding will depend on factors such as the health of quarterback Jayden Daniels and the strength of his supporting cast. A receiver move will remain something to watch for, but interest in Love – though a top 30 visit or otherwise – could also develop in the near future.
Bengals, S Kyle Dugger Agree To Deal
The Bengals continue to make moves in the secondary. Not long after signing cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor, a safety addition has been lined up.
Cincinnati has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Kyle Dugger, per agent Drew Rosenhaus (h/t ESPN’s Adam Schefter). This will set up a third stint with an AFC team for Dugger. The veteran has previously spent his career with the Patriots and Steelers.
Dugger’s first five years in the NFL saw him operate as a defensive mainstay in New England. His role was a talking point leading up to the 2025 season – the first with head coach Mike Vrabel in place – however. No trade agreement was found during the summer, but it did not take long for the Patriots to line up a swap during the year. In advance of the 2025 trade deadline, Dugger was traded to the Steelers.
Term remained on the 30-year-old’s contract at the time, but Pittsburgh agreed to make him a 2026 free agent upon arrival. Dugger took on a starting role for Pittsburgh while serving as a replacement for the injured DeShon Elliott, notching a pair of interceptions (one of which was returned for a touchdown). For his career, the Lenoir-Rhyne product has totaled 11 picks and 29 pass deflections.
Struggles in coverage have been present through much of Dugger’s career. The former second-round pick will nevertheless look to carve out a regular role on his latest team, one which is in dire need of improved defensive play. Breakdowns in the secondary and issues with missed tackles have plagued the Bengals, a team which has made a number of changes on that side of the ball so far in the offseason. Dugger’s arrival will be the latest move on that front.
Cincinnati sat mid-pack in terms of cap space entering Thursday. The deals for Taylor and Dugger will limit the team’s financial flexibility to a degree moving forward, but they should give defensive coordinator Al Golden more options to work with in the secondary.
Bengals Sign CB Ja’Sir Taylor
Ja’Sir Taylor‘s free agent spell has come to an end. The veteran cornerback signed with the Bengals on Thursday, per a team announcement.
Taylor entered the league as a sixth-round pick of the Chargers. Each of his first three seasons were spent with the Bolts, and he totaled 11 defensive starts over that span. Taylor posted eight pass deflections in 2023, the year in which he handled his largest workload. Since then, however, his playing time has decreased.
After Taylor saw his workload shift toward special teams in 2024, that trend continued at the start of this past season. The 27-year-old was traded to the Jets not long after they dealt Sauce Gardner as part of their defensive rebuild. Taylor made nine appearances with New York but was unable to establish himself as a regular in the secondary.
The Bengals’ cornerback depth chart is topped by DJ Turner and Dax Hill. Both are pending 2027 free agents, and working out extensions in each case is a priority for Cincinnati. While efforts on that front will presumably pick up over the remainder of the offseason, Taylor will look to carve out a role for himself; in particular the Wake Forest product will aim to use his experience in the slot to earn playing time with the Bengals.
Cincinnati entered Thursday with over $20MM in cap space. This Taylor contract will no doubt be a one-year deal bringing with it a small financial commitment, though, so the team’s remaining free agent moves will not be affected.
Chiefs Sign CB Kaiir Elam
The Chiefs traded away Trent McDuffie and lost Jaylen Warren in free agency. With both cornerbacks now in Los Angeles, the team finds itself in need of additions.
Kansas City has lined up a low-cost move to provide depth in the secondary. Kaiir Elam has agreed to terms with the Chiefs, as first reported by Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. This will be the fourth career team for the former first-rounder, and his Kansas City deal has since been confirmed by a team announcement.
Elam entered the league with high expectations, although his Bills tenure did not go according to plan. Elam totaled 29 appearances in Buffalo, but he was unable to establish himself as a regular defensive presence. A trade was worked out last March which sent Elam to the Cowboys.
That change of scenery allowed Elam to make seven starts and play in 10 games. He was part of one of the league’s worst secondaries, however, and the Cowboys struggled mightily on defense in 2025. The team elected to move on by waiving Elam in November. That led to a deal with the Titans to close out the campaign. Upon arrival in Tennessee, Elam played a part-time defensive role.
The Florida alum has struggled so far during his NFL tenure with respect to coverage statistics. A full-time starting role will certainly not be expected for Elam provided the Chiefs continue to prioritize the cornerback spot through the draft. Entering his age-25 season, though, he could be viewed as a depth addition carrying a degree of upside. Elam will join Kader Kohou as a free agent pickup at the CB position for Kansas City.
Kristian Fulton remains in place for the Chiefs, a team which is known to reset at the cornerback spot without making major financial commitments. That made it no surprise when McDuffie was dealt in advance of his market-setting extension being signed, and when Warren landed a big-money deal of his own with the Rams. Fulton, Elam and Kohou will no doubt be joined by at least one notable draft addition made later this month as the team looks to once again restock the secondary.
Kansas City entered Thursday near the bottom of the league in terms of cap space ($6.72MM). That figure is not likely to change very much, with Elam presumably taking a deal at or near the league minimum.
Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam Addresses Deshaun Watson’s Starting Potential
The Deshaun Watson era has not gone according to plan in Cleveland, to say the very least. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has gone as far as publicly calling the Watson acquisition a “big swing-and-miss.” 
During his latest media appearance, however, Haslam struck a different tone regarding the team’s quarterback situation. Haslam spoke with reporters at the league meeting, leaving the door open to Watson returning to the QB1 gig for 2026. Having healed from two Achilles tears, the former Texans Pro Bowler is positioned to compete with Shedeur Sanders for the starting spot.
“Deshaun has a great chance, fresh start, offensive-minded coach, who has in his past been able to work with all kinds of different quarterbacks and make them successful,” Haslam said (via ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi). “So, Deshaun has a great chance to do that now. We talked to him the other day, he said he weighs the [least] he has in several years… Let’s see what Deshaun can do. We’re all excited.”
Earlier this month, the Browns continued their annual tradition of restructuring Watson’s fully guaranteed contract. The 30-year-old’s cap hit for this season was reduced once more as a result, but a dead money charge of $86.2MM looms. Cleveland is in position to make Watson a post-June 1 release next spring, spreading that money out across the 2027 and ’28 seasons. In the meantime, he will look to post a healthy campaign and at least provide some value to the Browns.
Due to injuries and the personal conduct suspension which began his Browns tenure, Watson has only played 19 games with his second career team. That figure could increase depending on how things play out in training camp. Sanders took over the QB1 role late in his rookie season, and he and fellow 2025 draftee Dillon Gabriel are on the roster at this point. Another passer could be added during April’s draft, something which could leave Cleveland with a logjam under center for the second summer in a row.
Across the board, Watson’s production in Cleveland has fallen well short of his peak years in Houston. The former first-rounder will not be expected to return to his previous form in 2026 provided he finds himself on the field, given his missed time and struggles to date as a member of the Browns. Nevertheless, the potential for a return to starting duties will be something to monitor through the summer.