Bucs Did Not Expect Rueben Bain Jr. To Fall To 15th Overall
As expected, Miami defensive ends Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor came off the board in the first round of this year’s draft. The Buccaneers, owners of the 15th pick, entered Thursday hoping to land one of them, per James Palmer of Bleacher Report. The Bucs got their wish when they chose Bain, but they never expected him to fall that far.
Tampa Bay, which needed another pass rusher to join YaYa Diaby and Al-Quadin Muhammad, is “over the moon” that it came away with Bain, according to Palmer. The Buccaneers fielded phone calls for their pick, but they could not turn down the opportunity to draft the 6-foot-3, 275-pounder.
Widely considered a top-10 prospect going into the draft, Bain’s drop may have had something to do with concerns over his arm length. His arms measured 30 7/8 inches at the Combine, which ranks in the 1st percentile and checks in well below the 33-inch average. He was also the driver in a 2024 car crash that led to the death of one of his passengers. Bain was cited for careless driving, but it reportedly did not affect his draft stock.
It remains to be seen if arm length will prevent Bain from reaching his potential in the NFL, but the Buccaneers will have gotten a steal if he can overcome it. The power rusher posted terrific production at Miami, where he registered 33.5 tackles for loss and 20.5 sacks over three years.
In 2025, his best season as a Hurricane, Bain led the FBS with 83 pressures (via Dane Brugler of The Athletic). Pro Football Focus credited Bain with the most hurries (54) and also gave him an excellent grade against the run (86.2; 12th among edge defenders). After finishing the season with personal highs in tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (9.5), Bain earned consensus All-America honors, the Ted Hendrickson Award (given to the nation’s top DE) and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year Award.
As for Mesidor, despite leeriness over his age (25) and injury history, he became a pro seven picks after Bain. The Chargers took Mesidor 22nd overall.
Eagles Acquire, Extend Jonathan Greenard
The Eagles have made a major splash on Day 2 of the draft: They are acquiring edge defender Jonathan Greenard and a 2026 seventh-rounder from the Vikings, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
The Eagles and Greenard have agreed to a four-year, $100MM extension with $50MM guaranteed. The Vikings will receive a 2026 third-rounder (No. 98) and a third-rounder next year (Minnesota ended up taking Miami safety Jakobe Thomas at No. 98).
Philadelphia’s interest in Greenard first became public before free agency opened in early March. The team then lost one of its best edge defenders, Jaelan Phillips, who inked a four-year, $120MM contract with the Panthers. The Eagles later added Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka on modest pacts, but they continued pushing for Greenard.
The Vikings and Greenard were optimistic he would stay in Minnesota and potentially ink an extension, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Instead, though, he will head to the second NFC destination of his career. The trade will save the Vikings a whopping $34MM in cap space, Schefter relays. They entered Friday with around $4.83MM in breathing room (via Over the Cap).
As a 2020 third-round pick from Florida, Greenard started his career with the Texans. After a quiet rookie year, Greenard began showing off his pass-rushing chops in 2021. Despite missing five games with a foot injury, he notched 12 QB hits and eight sacks. Another injury, this time to his calf, held Greenard to eight games during a 1.5-sack showing in 2022. Greenard mostly stayed healthy in 2023, the final season of his rookie contract, and his production exploded. Teaming with then-rookie Will Anderson Jr., the 6-foot-3, 259-pound Greenard put up 52 tackles (15 TFLs), 22 QB hits and 12.5 sacks in 15 games.
Greenard’s best season in Houston wound up as his last. The Vikings, who would lose Danielle Hunter to the Texans in free agency, brought in Greenard as his replacement. Playing the first season of a four-year, $76MM deal in 2024, Greenard continued to thrive en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. He logged his first 17-game season and recorded 59 tackles (18 TFLs), 22 QB hits, a career-best four forced fumbles and 12 sacks.
Health issues reared their head again in 2025 for Greenard, who battled a shoulder injury and underwent surgery in December. Greenard ended the season with 38 tackles (10 TFLs), 12 QB hits and three sacks in a dozen games. While Greenard’s traditional production wasn’t great, Pro Football Focus ranked his play a solid 31st among 119 edge defenders. He finished 17th in hurries (35) and 30th in pressures (47). Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner stepped up during a limited year for Greenard, and they will remain in key roles for the Vikings next season.
Set to turn 29 in May, Greenard will now join Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith as the Eagles’ top pass rushers. If healthy, Greenard could help form a monstrous front in Philadelphia, whose Vic Fangio-led defense boasts an incredible collection of D-tackles (Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo) and linebackers (Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell).
The Greenard acquisition may not end up as the last blockbuster trade of the offseason for aggressive Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. Expectations are Roseman will ship out wide receiver A.J. Brown sometime between June 2 and the start of the season.
Giants Add No. 74 From Browns, Draft WR Malachi Fields
The Giants have completed a 31-spot climb up the board in Round 3. They acquired No. 74 from the Browns and drafted Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields.
New York sent Cleveland Nos. 105, 145 and a 2027 fourth-round pick, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports. A few wideouts came off the board between the the Giants’ selection of cornerback Colton Hood at No. 37 and their trade-up with the Browns. The Giants had not addressed the position in the draft, leading them to make an aggressive move to reel in Fields. He joins Hood, linebacker/edge Arvell Reese (fifth overall) and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa (10th) as the first four picks of the John Harbaugh era.
Fields spent the majority of his college career at Virginia, where he played from 2021-24. A foot injury limited Fields to one game in his second year with the Cavaliers, but he bounced back to post back-to-back seasons of 50-plus catches, 800-plus yards and five touchdowns.
After earning a third-team All-ACC nod in 2024, Fields transferred to Notre Dame. While playing with a freshman quarterback, CJ Carr, Fields’ catch total dropped to 36 in 12 games. However, he amassed 630 yards on a stellar 17.5 YPC and logged his third five-TD season in a row.
Heading into the draft, both Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 58) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network (No. 60) ranked Fields among the 60 best prospects in the class. The 6-foot-4, 218 pounder compares favorably to Michael Pittman Jr., per Brugler. Pittman is a six-year veteran with 485 catches and two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume. A similar career for Fields would be a nice outcome for the Giants, who are hoping he emerges as a formidable target for quarterback Jaxson Dart and a strong complement to No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers.
Bills Grab No. 62 From Broncos, Draft CB Davison Igbinosun
A run of tight ends have gone off the board. After the most recent TE selection came at No. 61, a Broncos team that has done extensive work at that position is moving down the board.
The Bills will send Nos. 66 and 182 to the Broncos for No. 62, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. Buffalo chose Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun, adding another player to new coordinator Jim Leonhard‘s defense. The Bills spent their first pick (No. 35) on Clemson edge defender T.J. Parker.
The 6-foot-2, 189-pound Igbinosun garnered significant experience during a four-year college career divided between Mississippi and Ohio State. He spent just one year at Ole Miss, where he racked up 37 tackles and five passes defensed over 13 games in 2022.
After leaving for the Buckeyes, Igbinosun worked as a three-year starter on a star-studded defense. He was especially productive from 2024-25, a 30-game stretch in which he combined for 98 tackles and four interceptions. Igbinosun earned first-team All-Big Ten honors after posting his second straight two-pick season last year. He allowed a mere 22 catches and only one for 20 or more yards in 2025, per Dane Brugler of The Athletic. Brugler ranked Igbinosun as the 68th-best prospect available entering the draft.
Igbinosun struggled with penalties at Ohio State, but the Bills nonetheless regard him as a fit in their new scheme. This is the second year in a row the Bills have invested prime draft capital in a corner, having used a first-rounder on Maxwell Hairston in 2025. But they came into the draft severely lacking outside corner depth behind Hairston and No. 1 option Christian Benford. General manager Brandon Beane has left the door open for re-signing Tre’Davious White, but that may be off the table if the Bills expect Igbinosun to serve as their No. 3 next season.
Patriots Acquire No. 55 From Chargers, Draft EDGE Gabe Jacas
The Chargers will allow the Patriots to climb up a few spots. New England is moving up to No. 55. The Patriots are selecting Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas.
The Pats are sending Nos. 63, 101 and 202 to the Bolts in exchange for that 55th overall selection. This is the second straight move-up for New England, which did the same in the first round. The reigning AFC champions came into the draft with the 31st pick, but they sent it to the division-rival Bills in a deal for No. 28. The Patriots then addressed a key need in choosing Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu. They have checked another box with the Jacas pick.
Despite ranking 19th in pass rush win rate and 26th in sacks last season, the Patriots went 14-3 and advanced to the Super Bowl. They have since lost one of their sack leaders from 2025, K’Lavon Chaisson, who left for the Commanders in free agency. The Patriots added Dre’Mont Jones via the open market, but he is also versatile enough to line up on the inside. Jacas will join Jones and Harold Landry as the Patriots’ top edge rushers next season. The soon-to-be 22-year-old will also add some much-needed youth at the position. Both Jones and Landry will turn 30 in 2027.
The high-motor Jacas was productive in all four years at Illinois, where he played 50 games and registered 27 sacks. He posted personal bests in tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (11) in 2025, a first-team All-Big Ten season. The 6-foot-4, 260-pounder also forced three fumbles for the second year in a row. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked Jacas as the 49th-best prospect available before the draft, lauding his “powerful, proficient technique.”
Colts Send Steelers No. 47; WR Germie Bernard Heading To Pittsburgh
The draft’s hosts pleased the crowd by trading up a few spots. The Colts sent No. 47 overall to the Steelers. Pittsburgh is taking Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard.
Pittsburgh will send Indianapolis Nos. 53, 135 and 237 for Nos. 47 and 249, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets. The Bernard pick comes a night after the team nearly chose USC’s Makai Lemon 21st overall. The Eagles made a last-second trade to move up from 23rd overall to 20th, where they swiped Lemon from the Steelers.
This is the second noteworthy trade of the offseason between Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. On March 9, the first day of the league year, the Colts shipped receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers for a late-round pick swap.
Pittman immediately became one of the Steelers’ top two wideouts, joining D.K. Metcalf, but the team went into the draft with little else at the position. That explains the interest in Lemon and the selection of Bernard, who is considered a pro-ready pass catcher. Dane Brugler of The Athletic (41st) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (49th) ranked Bernard a top-50 prospect entering the draft, making it no surprise he came off the board at No. 47.
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Bernard started his college career in 2022 at Michigan State, where he was low on a depth chart that also included Keon Coleman and Jayden Reed. After catching just seven passes in 12 games with the Spartans, Bernard transferred to Washington. Although he was again stuck behind a few familiar receivers (Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan), Bernard racked up 34 catches and 419 yards in 14 games with the Huskies.
Washington proved to be a second straight one-year stay for Bernard, who followed head coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama in 2024. His production wound up taking off in Tuscaloosa. Bernard hauled in 50 receptions, 794 yards and two scores in 13 games his first year with the Crimson Tide. He then recorded career bests in catches (64), yards (862) and TDs (seven) over 14 games in 2025.
If Bernard’s success transfers from Alabama to Pittsburgh, he could quickly emerge as a reliable target for the Steelers’ quarterback, be it Aaron Rodgers or someone else. In doing so, he would provide a solid capable complement to the 6-foot-4 Pittman-Metcalf duo.
Cowboys Acquire LB Dee Winters From 49ers
The Cowboys are acquiring linebacker Dee Winters from the 49ers, Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater of NFL Network report. San Francisco will get a fifth-round pick (No. 152) in return, per Pelissero.
A native of Brenham, Texas, and a TCU product, Winters is returning to his home state after spending the first three years of his career with the 49ers. They spent a 2023 sixth-round pick on Winters, whose role increased in each of his seasons in their uniform.
Winters played 15 games as a rookie, but he did not register a start. Almost all of his work (226 of 286 snaps) came on special teams. That changed during another 15-game season in 2024 for Winters, who amassed 398 defensive snaps and 162 on the ST unit. He finished the season with 44 tackles and four passes defensed.
Last year, after Dre Greenlaw joined the Broncos in free agency, Winters took on a full-time starting role. Playing on an injury-riddled team that lost superstar linebacker Fred Warner for the season in October, Winters managed his first 17-game campaign. He placed second among 49ers defenders in snap share (91.52%) and totaled 101 tackles, eight TFL, five passes defensed and an interception. Pro Football Focus ranked Winters’ performance a middle-of-the-pack 47th among 88 qualifiers at his position.
The 49ers reunited with Greenlaw in free agency last March, and they expect Warner to return to full strength after suffering a brutal ankle injury. They also count Tatum Bethune, 2025 third-rounder Nick Martin and Luke Gifford among their depth options, leaving Winters as the odd man out.
Meanwhile, after one of the worst defensive campaigns in franchise history, the Cowboys entered the offseason in desperate need of help at linebacker (among other areas). Hoping to find a partner for DeMarvion Overshown, they swung and missed on high-profile free agent targets such as Devin Lloyd, Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. The team considered trading for Steelers’ Patrick Queen earlier in the offseason, but it will now turn to Winters as he enters the last year of his rookie contract. The addition of Winters continues a busy couple of days for Dallas’ defense, which previously picked up safety Caleb Downs and edge defender Malachi Lawrence in the first round of the draft.
49ers Draft De’Zhaun Stribling At No. 33
The 49ers opened the second round of the NFL draft with an offensive addition on Friday. They selected Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling 33rd overall.
San Francisco entered the draft with the 27th pick, but it arrived at 33 after trading down twice. The 49ers moved to 30th in a deal with the Dolpins and then went down three more spots in a trade with the Jets. General manager John Lynch was open to offers for the 33rd choice, but he instead stayed put and bolstered the 49ers’ receiving corps.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Stribling, nephew of WWE Hall of Famer Don “The Rock” Muraco, played at three different schools during a five-year college career. He combined for an impressive 95 catches and 10 touchdowns at Washington State from 2021-22 before transferring to Oklahoma State. A hand injury limited Stribling to four games and 14 catches in 2023, but he bounced back during a 52-reception, 882-yard, six-touchdown showing the next season. Stribling moved on to Ole Miss last year, where he posted similar production (55-811-6).
While Stribling was rarely mentioned among the top receiver prospects during the pre-draft process, his stock rose thanks in part to his performance at the Combine. Stribling ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranked him as the 67th-best prospect in this class heading into the draft, contending he could turn into a No. 2 or 3 receiver in the pros.
Stribling will now join a Mike Evans-led group of 49ers receivers that also includes 2024 first-rounder Ricky Pearsall and slot wideout Christian Kirk in prominent roles. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk is still under contract, but the 49ers remain hopeful they will find a trade partner, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. That has proven difficult after a tumultuous year-plus for Aiyuk. After tearing his ACL and MCL in October, Aiyuk largely stayed away from the team during a lost 2025. The 49ers inked Aiyuk to a four-year, $120MM extension in August 2024, but they voided the remaining guarantees in his contract last July.
DTs, CBs, WRs To Populate Day 2 Of Draft
A whopping nine offensive linemen came off the board in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. After they dominated the proceedings on Thursday, there are other positions to watch heading into Day 2. A slew of defensive tackles, cornerbacks and wide receivers could hear their names called Friday.
Florida’s Caleb Banks and Clemson’s Peter Woods were the only D-tackles taken in the opening round. The Vikings selected Banks 18th overall, while the Chiefs grabbed Woods at No. 29. There will be an early run on the position on Friday, according to James Palmer of Bleacher Report. Veteran insider Jordan Schultz passes along similar information, reporting a “ton” of DTs will find homes in the second round. Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Christen Miller (Georgia) and Lee Hunter (Texas Tech) are among prominent options still out there.
Before grabbing Woods, the Chiefs drafted LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane sixth overall. Twenty-one picks later, the Dolphins reeled in San Diego State’s Chris Johnson. No other corners went in Round 1, but there will be a “big” run in the second round, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network says.
A pair of Tennessee products, Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood, as well as Avieon Terrell (Clemson), D’Angelo Ponds (Indiana) and Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) have gone unpicked so far. Along with Delane, McCoy was considered one of the two best corners in this class as recently as three weeks ago. His stock has dropped as a result of concerns over the long-term health of his knee. It was a similar story last year with ex-Michigan standout Will Johnson, who fell to the Cardinals at pick 47.
It was no surprise that teams scooped up receivers Carnell Tate (Titans), Jordyn Tyson (Saints), Makai Lemon (Eagles), KC Concepcion (Browns) and Omar Cooper Jr. (Jets) on Thursday. There is still intriguing talent left at the position, though, and Schultz expects significant receiver movement in the third round. Denzel Boston (Washington), Germie Bernard (Alabama), Chris Bell (Louisville), Elijah Sarratt (Indiana), Zachariah Branch (Georgia), Chris Brazzell (Tennessee) and Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) are among several well-regarded pass catchers who may be gone when the fourth round gets underway on Saturday.
Eagles Obtain No. 20 From Cowboys, Draft WR Makai Lemon
An intra-divisional trade is upon us. The Cowboys have dealt No. 20 to the Eagles. In exchange, Dallas will collect Nos. 23, 114 and 137 from Philadelphia, which is adding a seventh-rounder in this trade (per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo).
Dallas’ pick going to Philly is in the 2027 draft. The Eagles chose USC wide receiver Makai Lemon 20th overall. Lemon was one of the Eagles’ 15 highest-graded prospects, per The Athletic’s Zach Berman, who reports they did not expect him to slip beyond then. They swooped in before the NFL’s other Pennsylvania-based franchise, the Steelers, could grab him at No. 21. Lemon expected to go to Pittsburgh (via Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press)
“Pittsburgh called me and I thought they were going to draft me and then the Eagles called at the same time,” Lemon said. “I guess it was meant to be. I’m super excited to be in Philly.”
The Eagles’ addition of Lemon will throw even more gasoline on the fire in regards to a potential A.J. Brown trade. Along with making a first-round investment in Lemon, the Eagles signed Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency. They also traded a 2026 fifth-rounder and a 2027 sixth-rounder to the Packers for Dontayvion Wicks, whom they immediately extended on a one-year, $12.5MM agreement. Moore is not a lock to carve out much of a role or even make the team, but Lemon, A.J. Brown, Wicks, Marquise Brown and DeVonta Smith make up a crowded, high-profile receiver room. There are now a lot of mouths to feed in Philadelphia.
For financial reasons, the Eagles are likely to wait until June 2 to trade A.J. Brown. New England is the probable landing spot, though the teams have not seen eye to eye on compensation yet. For now, general manager Howie Roseman continues to insist the three-time Pro Bowler is part of the Eagles’ plans.
“For us, A.J. is a member of the Eagles,” Roseman said (via Berman). “We don’t have any trades that have been made or that done. And I think for us, you know, we’re taking this one day at a time.”
Of course, it should be noted that the 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon and Brown (6-1, 226) are much different players. Lemon lined up in the slot over 75% of the time at USC, whereas Brown operates on the outside.
After a quiet first college season in 2023, quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last with the Trojans, Lemon broke out the next year. Over 12 games as a sophomore, he hauled in 52 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns. Lemon saved his best for last in 2025, capping off his Trojans tenure with 79 receptions, 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in another dozen-game campaign. The 21-year-old won the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in the nation. After dropping just four passes at USC, Lemon should give Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts a sure-handed target with star potential.