Patriots Hoping To Trade Down
The Patriots hold the 31st selection in the opening round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but their first pick may not come Thursday night. The reigning AFC champions will “actively” look to move down, Albert Breer of SI.com reports. They join their Super Bowl opponent, Seattle, in hoping to exit the first round without making a pick.
[RELATED: Mike Vrabel To Miss Day 3 Of Draft]
New England already has 11 picks, which is tied for the second-highest total in the league, and would add to its haul with a trade. The Patriots are hoping to find a trade partner motivated by the fifth-year option, according to Breer. First-round picks are controllable for up to five years. All other rookies sign four-year contracts.
Now in his third year as the Patriots’ executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf‘s most noteworthy draft trade came in a move-down in 2024. He sent the 34th and 137th picks to the Chargers for Nos. 37 and 110. The Chargers came away with standout receiver Ladd McConkey and starting cornerback Tarheeb Still. The Patriots, who used their choices on wideouts Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, came out on the wrong end. Both Polk and Baker are already out of the organization.
Receiver is still a need for the Patriots two years later, but they may pass on it in the draft in favor of an A.J. Brown trade with the Eagles. That leaves edge defender and offensive tackle as areas the Pats could bolster with their top pick, but they will wait a little longer to do it if a trade comes together Thursday night.
George Pickens To Sign Franchise Tag
6:30pm: The news that Pickens will sign his tag comes after Stephen and Jerry Jones “extended an olive branch” to agent David Mulugheta (per Rapoport). Pickens’ situation was discussed, although it remains to be seen what his future awaits. NFL Network’s Jane Slater adds no trade talks have taken place yet, pointing to no major developments for at least tonight.
5:03pm: The Cowboys will not negotiate a long-term extension with wide receiver George Pickens, but he is now in position to play next season under the franchise tag. Pickens is signing his $27.3MM franchise tender, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
This move could keep Pickens in Dallas in 2026, but it also makes him eligible for a trade. As of April 14, the Cowboys had not received any trade calls for Pickens. Perhaps that will change during or after the draft. If Pickens is still a Cowboy when mandatory minicamp and training camp kick off over the summer, he will be subject to fines if he does not report.
As things stand, Pickens is the first NFLer in line to play under the tag since Bengals receiver Tee Higgins did so in 2024. Higgins went on to score a four-year, $115MM extension with the Bengals in March 2025. Pickens may have angled for a similar payday with the Cowboys this offseason, but executive vice president Stephen Jones shot down the possibility of an extension on Wednesday. If Pickens stays in Dallas, he will become the fifth Cowboy to play under the tag in an eight-year span, joining DeMarcus Lawrence (2018), Dak Prescott (2020), Dalton Schultz (2022) and Tony Pollard (2023).
Pickens was a post-draft addition last year for the Cowboys, who acquired him and a 2027 sixth-round pick from the Steelers for a 2026 third-rounder and a 2027 fifth-rounder. The move worked out beautifully for Dallas, which saw Pickens’ production go from solid to great. After the former second-rounder averaged approximately 16 games, 59 grabs, 947 yards and four touchdowns per year during his three seasons as a Steeler, he hauled in 93 receptions, 1,429 yards and nine TDs over 17 contests in 2025. Pickens ranked top 10 in the league in all three categories.
Barring another post-draft trade, the 25-year-old Pickens should continue forming an elite receiver tandem with CeeDee Lamb in 2026. The Cowboys authorized a four-year, $136MM extension for Lamb in August 2024, but they have not been willing to sign off on a second huge contract at the position. With another excellent season, Pickens could join Lamb among the league’s highest-paid receivers next spring.
Bills Could Re-Sign CB Tre’Davious White
A first-round pick in 2017, Tre’Davious White was a high-level starting cornerback over his first few years in Buffalo. White was a two-time All-Pro and a two-time Pro Bowler through four seasons, but a torn ACL in 2021 and a torn Achilles in 2023 threw his career off course.
The Bills cut White in 2024, and after a rough year divided between the Rams and Ravens, he returned to Buffalo last season. While White is a free agent again, he played well enough in 2025 that the Bills could re-sign him after the draft.
“Yeah, I mean, we love Tre’Davious,” general manager Brandon Beane said Monday (via Josh Alper of PFT). “I think at this point, you know, we’re waiting through the draft and probably he is as well. You would never close the door on bringing a guy like Tre back here to Buffalo.”
A week before last April’s draft, the Bills reunited with White on a deal worth up to $6.8MM. The Bills went on to use their first-round pick on former Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, who would have competed for the No. 2 job with White over the summer. However, Hairston sprained his LCL early in training camp, which gave White a season-opening starting role opposite Christian Benford by default.
Hairston debuted in late October, but the Bills eased him in and used White as a 16-game starter. White logged a 71.38% defensive snap share, good for third on the team, and totaled 40 tackles, 10 passes defensed and an interception. Pro Football Focus ranked White’s performance a respectable 49th among 106 corners.
Although White held his own in 2025, it is fair to wonder whether he is a fit in the Bills’ new defensive scheme. White played all eight of his Bills seasons under defensive-minded head coach Sean McDermott, whom they fired in January. The Bills stayed in-house to replace McDermott with former offensive coordinator Joe Brady, but their defense will look much different under rookie coordinator Jim Leonhard. Along with switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 base, the Bills are expected to run more man coverage after using a zone-heavy scheme under McDermott. At 31 years old, the aging White may be better suited for a McDermott-style defense.
Whether the Bills re-sign White or add another notable veteran in free agency may depend on how their draft unfolds. Benford is a lock to remain a starter next season. Hairston will probably serve as the No. 2, but the cupboard at outside corner is mostly empty beyond those two. The Bills spent a sixth-rounder on Dorian Strong last year, though his status has been up in the air since he suffered a season-ending neck injury in Week 4. Aside from free agent pickup Dee Alford, who will handle slot duties, the only other corners under contract in Buffalo are M.J. Devonshire, Te’Cory Couch and Daryl Porter Jr.. Devonshire and Couch have zero regular-season appearances between them. Porter has just one, which came with the Steelers last year.
Elsewhere on defense, Greg Rousseau will continue as one of the Bills’ top edge rushers next season. He was a defensive end under McDermott, but Beane recently confirmed to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic that Rousseau will switch to outside linebacker. Rousseau, free agent signing Bradley Chubb and Michael Hoecht are the Bills’ top options at the position. They could also add to the group in the draft, perhaps as early as Round 1.
Texans Bullish On DT Kayden McDonald
Defensive tackles are not expected to factor in much during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald could be an exception. The Texans, owners of the 28th overall pick, may be a team to watch for McDonald. They have a “high” opinion of the 6-foot-2, 326-pounder, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports.
McDonald is among 16 prospects who will be in attendance for Thursday’s opening round, but he is not a lock to come off the board in the top 32. If the Texans pass on McDonald at 28, they may have an early enough pick in the second round (No. 38) to have a shot at him then. Both Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 32) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network (No. 33) rank McDonald between the Texans’ top two selections.
McDonald, who spent three years at Ohio State, broke out in his lone season as a starter in 2025. He notched 65 tackles, including nine for loss, and three sacks in 14 games. McDonald was named a unanimous All-American. He also took home Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors.
While McDonald is considered a work in progress as a pass rusher, his excellence as a run defender gives him a high floor. If he heads to Houston, the 21-year-old would join an already dominant defense. The Texans ended last year first in total defense, second in scoring and fourth against the run, though they have since lost Tim Settle to the Commanders in free agency. The run-stuffing Settle played a key role along the interior D-line in Houston, but McDonald could help replace him.
Poll: What Will Cardinals Do With Third Overall Pick?
We have a good idea of how the first two picks of this year’s NFL draft will go. The Raiders are going to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall. Barring something unexpected, the Jets will use the second choice on either Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey or Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese. There is less certainty at No. 3, where the Cardinals could go a handful of different directions.
Arizona has posted a woeful 15-36 record in Monti Ossenfort‘s three seasons as its general manager, but he will nonetheless run his fourth draft this year. If Ossenfort’s seat isn’t hot yet, it stands to reason his chances of being in this position a year from now will decrease if he misses on his first-rounder tonight. While the Cardinals are entering this draft with glaring needs at right tackle and edge defender, among other spots, Ossenfort could opt for a splashy pick to add more skill to a subpar offense.
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, arguably the best prospect at any position in this class, has won over the Cardinals’ new Mike LaFleur-led coaching staff. Love could be the Cardinals’ pick, even though they added former Falcon Tyler Allgeier in free agency and still have James Conner, Trey Benson and Zonovan Knight on their roster.
If the Cardinals pass on Love to upgrade in the trenches, they could be the first team to take an offensive lineman. As a rookie GM in 2023, Ossenfort spent the sixth pick on left tackle Paris Johnson, who has turned into a franchise cornerstone. Ossenfort could land a capable bookend for the right side if he grabs someone like Spencer Fano (Utah) or Francis Mauigoa (Miami).
On the defensive side, Reese or Bailey would provide a much-needed pass-rushing upgrade to a unit that tied for 30th in sacks last year. Reese spent a significant portion of his Buckeyes tenure as an off-ball linebacker, but the Cardinals view him as an edge defender going forward.
While there will be enticing prospects available at No. 3, the Cardinals may move down to collect more draft capital. New Orleans, which owns the eighth pick, is one potential trade partner. If the Cardinals trade with the Saints, they would surely receive the eighth selection as part of the package. The Cardinals would still be in good position to upgrade their roster in that scenario. Perhaps Ossenfort will decide trading down is the best option.
What do you expect the Cardinals to do with the third pick tonight? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
What will the Cardinals do with the third overall pick?
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Trade down 44% (270)
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Draft Jeremiyah Love 27% (165)
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Draft an edge defender 21% (127)
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Draft an offensive tackle 7% (45)
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Draft a different position 2% (11)
Total votes: 618
Bills, Panthers Interested In Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez
Ohio State’s Sonny Styles is the top-ranked off-ball linebacker in this year’s class. Styles is a lock to go in the first round on Thursday. Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez could be the second player at the position to come off the board, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. The Bills and Panthers have done “extensive homework” on Rodriguez, per Fowler.
Whether Rodriguez will sneak into the first round is an option question, but fellow LB CJ Allen (Georgia) reportedly has a chance to go in the top 32. If Rodriguez has surpassed Allen in the pecking order, he may hear his name called tonight. The Panthers are set to pick 19th, while the Bills are scheduled for 26th. Unlike the Bills, the Panthers have a second-rounder, though Rodriguez may not fall to their choice (No. 51). Both Dane Brugler of The Athletic (No. 40) and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com (No. 42) consider Rodriguez a top-45 prospect.
Rodriguez is coming off an excellent run in the Red Raiders’ defense, but he was initially a quarterback at Virginia in 2021. He transferred to Texas Tech the next year and switched to linebacker. It’s fair to say it was a wise decision.
The 6-foot-1, 231-pound Rodriguez broke out during a 127-tackle 2024 campaign in which he recorded five sacks, forced three fumbles, returned one for a touchdown and intercepted a pass over 14 games. As impressive as Rodriguez’s production was that year, his output last season was downright jaw-dropping. While his sack total fell to one, he put up 128 tackles, forced a whopping seven fumbles and pulled in four interceptions. Rodriguez subsequently garnered major accolades. The unanimous All-American finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (nation’s best defender) and the Butkus Award (nation’s top LB), among other honors.
Set to turn 24 years old in September, Rodriguez could start immediately for the team that drafts him. If Buffalo takes him, he could step in alongside either Terrel Bernard or Dorian Williams in the middle of defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard‘s newly installed 3-4 base. The Panthers made a big free agent investment in former Jaguar Devin Lloyd, whom they added on a three-year, $45MM deal, but could attempt to upgrade over Trevin Wallace.
Jets Have ‘Settled On’ Arvell Reese At No. 2? Latest On 16th Pick
With the Raiders a lock to take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall on Thursday, the real draft drama will begin when the Jets are on the clock at No. 2. The Jets are expected to select Texas Tech edge defender David Bailey or Ohio State linebacker/edge Arvell Reese. On the eve of the draft, there is a belief the team has “settled on Reese,” Dan Graziano of ESPN hears.
Jets reports centering on Bailey and Reese have gone back and forth in recent weeks. Reese was the favorite to go to the Jets as of April 5, but Bailey took the lead last week. It has since swung back to Reese after the Jets canceled a scheduled “30” visit with Bailey.
Asked about the Jets on Wednesday, Bailey told reporters (via Jets Videos): “It’s been good, man. They canceled my “30” visit, so I wasn’t able to get around the facility, but I had a great interaction with them at the combine and FaceTime calls.”
Bailey notched 14.5 sacks over three years at Stanford, but he matched that total during his lone season at Texas Tech in 2025. While he is considered a safer bet than Reese from a pass-rushing standpoint, the latter’s upside and versatility may be too much for the Jets to ignore. As PFR’s Sam Robinson noted, the Jaguars were in a similar situation heading into the 2022 draft. Looking for an impact pass rusher, the Jaguars went with the upside play (Travon Walker) over someone who was more productive in college (Aidan Hutchinson). Walker has turned into a good pro, but Hutchinson has been the better of the two.
In assessing Reese, a defensive coordinator told James Palmer of Bleacher Report: “It’s tough. I think his best spot is edge rusher. But he is fully athletically capable of playing inside LB. I think his disposition is more edge rusher when you talk to him. You just get that feel from him. If he had a gun to his head he’d probably say that as well. With his athletic tools and how his brain works he could be directly impactful there at edge.”
The Jets’ first-round work will continue even after they decide on Reese or Bailey. They also own the 16th overall pick, but there is “a real chance” they will trade out of that slot, Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports reports. A team in need of an offensive lineman could jump the Lions at 17 to acquire the Jets’ selection, per Pauline, who points to Pittsburgh as a possibility. For now, the Steelers are in line to pick 21st.
Depending on how aggressive the Jets are in targeting a receiver with their second pick, trading up from 16 may also be under consideration. The Jets reportedly have first-round grades on three wideouts: Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) and Denzel Boston (Washington). However, they “don’t seem as high” on Tate as they are on Tyson, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. While Tyson has a concerning injury history, he might have the most upside of any receiver in this class. Unless the Jets move up, Tyson may be out of reach.
Cowboys Rumors: Styles, Bain, Safeties
The Cowboys are entering the draft with a pair of first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 20), but they might not land two players they deem worthy of first-round selections. Speaking with reporters Wednesday, executive vice president Stephen Jones revealed that they have only given first-round grades to 12 players (links via Clarence Hill Jr. of All City DLLS).
Owning multiple firsts may give the Cowboys the ammunition to move up for one of their favorite prospects, but Jones does not anticipate vaulting into the top five. He said doing so is not a possibility for the Cowboys. That jibes with a report from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, who writes that the Cowboys are more likely to make a “small move up” than do anything drastic.
The Cowboys do not appear willing to surrender the 20th pick to climb the board. If anything, they could trade down from 20 to replenish Day 2 capital, per Graziano. The Cowboys traded their second-rounder to the Jets in last November’s Quinnen Williams blockbuster, leaving a 72-pick gap from No. 20 to their next selection (No. 92).
As of Wednesday morning, Jones said the Cowboys had not many any calls about trading up. Doing so has been a rarity for Dallas, which Graziano notes has not gone up in Round 1 since 2012. But the team is “exploring” what it would cost to move up a few spots for Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles if he lasts into the back half of the top 10, according to Connor Hughes of SNY. Drafting Styles should give the Cowboys a desperately needed off-ball linebacker upgrade. It was a glaring weakness entering the offseason, but it has gone unaddressed thus far.
Edge defender and safety are also among the areas the Cowboys could strengthen in the draft. As expected, two of this year’s top safety prospects – Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – have caught their attention, Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports relays. Having already added two new safeties (Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke) to one edge defender (Rashan Gary), the Cowboys regard the latter position as the greater need, ESPN’s Matt Miller reports. However, they do not see Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. as a fit in rookie coordinator Christian Parker‘s 3-4 defense. Bain is unlikely to make it to 12, but if the Cowboys trade up, it does not appear he will be the target.
Colton Hood Could Be No. 2 CB In Draft
Thanks to growing concerns over the long-term health of his knee, Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy‘s stock appears to be trending down on the eve of the draft. McCoy might not even be the first Tennessee cornerback to come off the board. That honor could go to Colton Hood, Dan Graziano of ESPN reports. Hood may even be the first corner selected after LSU’s Mansoor Delane, per Graziano.
Hood spent his three years in college at three different schools. After redshirting as a freshman at Auburn, he transferred to Colorado in 2024. During his lone season playing under Deion Sanders, Hood intercepted two passes in 13 games. He could have helped replace the departed Travis Hunter last year, but Hood left for Tennessee instead. McCoy wound up missing the entire season with a torn ACL, meaning he and Hood never played together.
With McCoy out of commission in 2025, Hood served as the Vols’ top outside corner and totaled personal bests in tackles (50), passes defensed (eight) and TFL (4.5) in a dozen games. The 5-foot-11, 193-pounder also pulled in an interception, which he returned for a 23-yard touchdown, and picked up a second-team All-SEC nod. In his most recent pre-draft rankings, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com places Hood 21st overall (two spots behind McCoy) and contends he is a “complete player” who should be a capable starter from the get-go.
While this is likely an incomplete list, we know Hood visited with at least six teams in the lead-up to the draft. Along with the Cowboys, he met with the Chiefs, Jets, Raiders, Texans and Seahawks. With the Raiders poised to use the No. 1 pick on quarterback Fernando Mendoza, they may be out on Hood unless they trade back into the first round for him. Hood’s stock has risen enough that he may not be available when the Raiders are on the clock again at 36. If Hood does end up as the second corner taken, the Texans (28th) and Seahawks (32nd) pick late enough in the first round that they also may be out of his range.
Buccaneers Interested In Trading Down
After sputtering to an 8-9 record and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019 last season, the Buccaneers are entering this year’s draft with just seven picks. Looking to add more selections, general manager Jason Licht wants to move down from 15th overall in the first round, Albert Breer of SI.com reports.
There is likely to be a first-round run on offensive linemen beginning in the 10 to 14 range, according to insider Jordan Schultz. As Breer notes, the Lions (17), Panthers (19), Steelers (21), Eagles (23), Browns (24) and Bears (25) are all candidates to draft an O-lineman in the first round. That could put the Buccaneers in prime position to find a trade partner. As the Bucs’ GM since 2014, Licht has never been shy about moving his first-rounder. He went from nine to 11 in 2016, seven to 12 in 2018, 14 to 13 in 2020 and 27 to 33 in 2022 (h/t: Scott Smith of the team’s website).
The trades in 2018 and ’20 led to the Buccaneers using first-rounders on defensive tackle Vita Vea and left tackle Tristan Wirfs, two cornerstones. The 355-pound Vea and the 320-pound Wirfs are among Tampa Bay’s biggest players. Overall, though, head coach Todd Bowles believes the team needs more size.
“We need to get bigger from a team standpoint,” Bowles said (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “I think we need to get bigger. We’re smaller at some positions from a size standpoint. I’d like to get bigger regardless of what position it is, and I think that will be a little more emphasis this year.”
Regardless of whether the Buccaneers trade down, edge defender, linebacker and guard are among the positions they could target early in the draft. Based on Bowles’ comments, anyone dinged with the “undersized” label may be off the table for Tampa Bay.