TE, S Among Panthers’ Potential First-Round Targets
The Panthers have set up a “30” visit with Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., signaling they could spend their first-round pick on a wide receiver for the third straight year. Head coach Dave Canales acknowledged choosing a wideout at 19th overall is a possibility, though there are also other positions on the Panthers’ radar in their search for an impact rookie (via David Newton of ESPN).
“It could be a wideout. It could be a tight end. Could be a safety,” Canales said. “There’s a couple of dynamic safeties that could free us up. The pass-rush class, we’ve got to still kind of see where they are at the top. Where do we think the top guys are going? Look at the mocks and all that, and see where there might be a little bit of a dropoff there.”
The Panthers have already taken a home run swing on a pass rusher this offseason, having given former Dolphin and Eagle Jaelan Phillips a four-year, $120MM payday in free agency. On the other hand, they have not made any needle-moving additions at tight end or safety, leaving room for upgrades.
Carolina is set to welcome back top three tight ends Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans next season, but there is not a big-time pass-catching threat in the group. If the Panthers invest in the position with their first-rounder, odds are they will end up with Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. Barring something unforeseen, no other tight end will come off the board in Round 1 this year.
Sadiq’s stock was already high after a second-team All-America season in which he won Big Ten Tight End of the Year honors. He further helped his cause with a stellar performance at the Combine. The highlight of the 6-foot-3, 241-pounder’s showing was a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. That is the fastest 40 time for a tight end since at least 2003.
At safety, the Panthers brought back Nick Scott on a modest one-year deal early in free agency. He and Tre’von Moehrig easily led Panthers safeties in snaps last year. Scott, Moehrig and 2025 fourth-rounder Lathan Ransom remain in the fold, but Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren may be the type of “dynamic” options Canales, general manager Dan Morgan and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero are seeking at the position. Either Thieneman or McNeil-Warren would give Carolina someone with star potential to pair with Moehrig, who is a lock to start in the second season of a three-year, $51MM contract.
Poll: Will Eagles Trade A.J. Brown?
The future of Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has been in question since he voiced his frustration with their offense on multiple occasions in 2025. The heat has turned up since the Eagles’ season ended with a listless offensive showing in a 23-19 loss to the visiting 49ers in the wild-card round. Trade rumors centering on Brown have persisted over the past two-plus months, and that may be the case for at least several more weeks.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has considered dealing Brown, though it does not appear that he will budge for less than a first-round pick as this month’s draft approaches. One GM confirmed to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that the Eagles have asked for “a one and change” this offseason. It would come as a surprise if a trade occurs before or during the draft, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports writes, as the finances would work heavily against Philadelphia.
Trading Brown before June 1 would leave the Eagles with a $43.51MM dead cap hit — a record for his position — and cost them $20.12MM in space. A trade on June 2 or later would enable the Eagles to spread the dead money over two years. They would take on $16.35MM in 2026 and $27.1MM in ’27, though parting with Brown would open up $7MM in breathing room next season. While that makes a summer swap more likely, Jones does not “get the impression” a deal will come together immediately on June 2.
As for teams that could acquire Brown, the Patriots, Chargers, Bills and Chiefs are reportedly on the three-time Pro Bowler’s wish list. Los Angeles, Buffalo and Kansas City have not shown much interest, though perhaps they or other teams will enter the sweepstakes depending on how the draft unfolds. L.A.’s more successful franchise, the Rams, engaged in talks with the Eagles, but a trade between the NFC powers is unlikely to occur.
On the other hand, it would not surprise anyone if the Patriots reel in the soon-to-be 29-year-old Brown. Even after adding ex-Packer Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $68MM contract in free agency, the Pats are considered the favorites to acquire Brown (there is a “broad assumption” they will, Volin writes). He would offer a more-than-capable replacement for the reigning AFC champions’ 2025 leading receiver, the released Stefon Diggs. Brown also has a strong relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel dating to their time together in Tennessee from 2019-21. Now a seven-year veteran, Brown registered two of his six 1,000-yard seasons as a Titan.
The Patriots or any other acquiring team would expect Brown to notch a fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign in 2026, but losing his consistently solid production would weaken a contending Eagles team. With Philadelphia expected to push for a third consecutive NFC East title next season, Roseman may be content to keep the Brown-DeVonta Smith receiver tandem intact. How do you expect this saga to play out?
What will happen with A.J. Brown?
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The Eagles will trade him between June 2 and the start of the season 55% (751)
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The Eagles will keep him 36% (488)
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The Eagles will trade him before June 1 9% (123)
Total votes: 1,362
G Kenyon Green To Work Out For Bucs
Former first-round pick Kenyon Green‘s four-year NFL career has not gone according to plan, but a fourth organization could soon give the free guard another chance. Green will work out for the Buccaneers next Thursday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 reports.
Although Green was a two-time consensus All-American at Texas A&M, his dominance with the Aggies has not transferred to the pros since the Texans chose him 15th overall in 2022. The 6-foot-4, 323-pounder started 14 of 15 games as a rookie, but Pro Football Focus rated him the worst full-time guard in the league during a penalty-happy debut in which he struggled to protect quarterback Davis Mills.
The rest of Green’s Texans tenure didn’t go any better. After missing his entire second season with a torn labrum, a dislocated shoulder limited Green to 12 games (nine starts) in 2024. At the time the Texans placed him on IR, Green had allowed the most pressures (27) and sacks (five) among guards.
Houston pulled the plug on Green when it traded him to Philadelphia for safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson as part of a late-round pick swap a year ago. The move was a swing and a miss for both sides. The Eagles cut Green before the season, while the Texans released the mercurial Gardner-Johnson last September after he groused about his role and feuded with teammates. Green caught on with the Ravens’ practice squad at the end of September, but they did not elevate him for any games.
Hoping to play his age-25 season in 2026, Green could compete for a backup spot in Tampa Bay if the team signs him. Green has played all his snaps at left guard, where the Buccaneers have a full-time starter in Ben Bredeson. Meanwhile, Cody Mauch is entrenched at right guard, though he and Bredeson missed a combined 21 games with injuries last season. With that in mind, it is no surprise the Buccaneers are eyeing guard depth. The Bucs brought back reserve interior lineman Dan Feeney last month, but backup guard Michael Jordan remains unsigned on the heels of an 11-game, nine-start season.
Makai Lemon Sets Up Four More Visits
As one of the best wide receivers in this year’s draft class, USC’s Makai Lemon has a chance to come off the board in the top half of the first round. Several teams with high picks have met or will meet with Lemon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. In addition to the previously reported Titans (No. 4), Commanders (seventh) and Saints (eighth), the Jets (second and 16th), Giants (fifth), Chiefs (ninth) and Dolphins (11th and 30th) are on the list.
The 5-foot-11, 192-pound Lemon lined up in the slot over 75% of the time during his three-year run in college. He got off to a quiet start with the Trojans in 2023, quarterback Caleb Williams‘ last season at the helm. Lemon caught just six passes in nine games, but he made significant progress in his final two seasons at USC.
After hauling in 52 passes for 754 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games in 2024, those numbers soared to 79-1,156-six in a dozen contests last year. Lemon earned the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the best receiver in college football, and finished his USC tenure with just four drops in 33 games.
Whether Lemon is the best receiver in this year’s class is up for debate, especially with Ohio State’s Carnell Tate in the mix. But Lemon at least appears to be a surefire first-rounder. In ranking Lemon as the No. 12 prospect available, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com writes that comparisons to Lions superstar and fellow USC product Amon-Ra St. Brown are “warranted.” Considering St. Brown has amassed a record 547 receptions in his first five seasons, that’s lofty praise.
Expecting a St. Brown-like impact may be unrealistic, but Lemon should provide an upgrade to his next team’s receiving corps. He is probably not a candidate for the Jets at No. 2 overall, but if Lemon is still on the board for their second pick, they could grab him as a much-needed Garrett Wilson complement. In heading to the Giants, Lemon would replace departed slot target Wan’Dale Robinson and partner with No. 1 receiver Malik Nabers.
We learned Friday that Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice will not face a suspension for domestic violence allegations, but off-field issues and injuries have held him out of 23 games in his three-year career. Rice also has just one year left on his rookie contract. Regardless of whether he is part of the Chiefs’ long-term plans, their receiving corps could stand to improve around Rice and 2024 first-rounder Xavier Worthy.
Meanwhile, having traded Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, the Dolphins clearly have the least talented cast of receivers in this bunch. Adding Lemon would give newly signed starting quarterback Malik Willis a second exciting weapon to pair with running back De’Von Achane.
Jauan Jennings’ Asking Price Too High
On the heels of back-to-back productive seasons with the 49ers, expectations were that wide receiver Jauan Jennings would do well in free agency this year. However, three weeks since the market opened, Jennings is still without a contract. The reason? The 28-year-old’s asking price is too rich, league officials told Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic.
A 2020 seventh-round pick from Tennessee, Jennings debuted a year later and went on to post modest numbers over the next three seasons. The 6-foot-3, 212-pounder caught a touchdown and threw for one in the 49ers’ loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, though, and he carried that momentum into 2024. After entering the campaign with 72 catches, 963 yards and seven TDs in 45 career games, Jennings notched 77 receptions, 975 yards and six scores in a 15-game breakout showing.
Riding the wave of a career year, Jennings sought an extension or a trade heading into last season. Neither came to fruition, though the 49ers added $3MM in incentives to his contract in early September. Jennings and the 49ers likely expected similar or better numbers, especially after the team traded away fellow receiver Deebo Samuel and went without the injured/MIA Brandon Aiyuk. While Jennings grabbed a career-best nine TDs, he fell to 55 receptions and 643 yards during a 15-game season in which he battled rib and ankle injuries.
Since free agency opened, receivers Jalen Nailor, Mike Evans, Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs, Wan’Dale Robinson and Alec Pierce have signed contracts ranging from $35MM in total value to $114MM. Anything on the higher end of that range was never realistic for Jennings, but coming into the offseason, he seemed likely to end up somewhere in that group. While that is still possible, it will be a challenge at this stage of free agency. Unsigned wideouts like Jennings, Samuel, Keenan Allen, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill and DeAndre Hopkins might not have answers on their futures until after the draft.
Having added Evans and Christian Kirk to their receiving corps in free agency, it appears unlikely the 49ers will bring Jennings back in 2026. Notably, though, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan are still fond of him.
“Jauan’s one of my favorite players and one of Kyle’s favorite players,” Lynch said last Sunday (via Barrows and Tafur). “He’ll find a good home. And I think Jauan will go play great football for someone.”
49ers ‘Hopeful’ TE George Kittle Will Be Ready For Week 1
Even though star tight end George Kittle tore his Achilles in January, the 49ers are not ruling him out for any of next season. General manager John Lynch said he is “hopeful” Kittle will be available for a crucial Week 1 meeting with the rival Rams in Australia (via Nick Wagoner of ESPN). The teams will square off on Sept. 10, just eight months after Kittle’s injury.
As was the case last season, expectations are the NFC West will be a three-team battle royal among the 49ers, Rams and reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks in 2026. Having Kittle available for the first Rams matchup would be ideal for the 49ers, who went without him in seven of 19 games last season. That includes a 41-6 blowout loss to the Seahawks in the divisional round.
Kittle has missed at least one game in eight of nine seasons, but 2025 was especially brutal for the 32-year-old. He landed on IR after tearing his right hamstring in a Week 1 win in Seattle. The injury shelved Kittle for five games. He later missed a Week 17 win over the Bears with a left ankle issue that was far more severe than believed at the time. Kittle recently revealed that he tore two ligaments in his ankle.
Despite dealing with multiple serious injuries, Kittle continued to offer excellent production when he took the field. Over 11 regular-season games, the seven-time Pro Bowler hauled in 57 of 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. Between his pass-catching skills and prowess as a blocker, Pro Football Focus ranked Kittle the league’s best tight end in 2025.
While Kittle is among the 49ers’ most valuable players, they did get solid work from backup tight end Jake Tonges last season. One of the rare 49ers to play 17 games in an injury-ravaged year for the team, Tonges caught 34 of 46 targets for 293 yards and five TDs. Tonges became a restricted free agent in the offseason, but the 49ers retained him on a two-year, $8MM deal. If Kittle is unavailable to begin next season, Tonges and blocking specialist Luke Farrell are in line to lead the 49ers’ tight end group.
Josh Allen ‘Good To Go’ After Foot Surgery
Bills quarterback Josh Allen played through the end of last season with a broken bone in his right foot. Not long after the Broncos eliminated the Bills in the divisional round, Allen underwent late-January surgery to address the issue. A little over two months later, he is “good to go” as the Bills’ offseason workouts approach, head coach Joe Brady told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (via Bobby Kownack of NFL.com).
“The thing about Josh Allen, he got surgery after the season, but he’s playing as if you think there’s nothing wrong with him,” Brady said. “The guy could barely walk, and then he’s playing games and it’s not impacting [his play]. He’s built different.”
Following up an MVP-winning 2024 season, Allen was the driving force behind a 12-win showing and a seventh straight playoff berth for Buffalo last year. With 39 total touchdowns (25 passing, 14 rushing), the dual threat finished second to Rams QB Matthew Stafford (46) in that category. Stafford earned MVP honors, while Allen came in third in the race.
Despite taking plenty of punishment, including 40 sacks, the remarkably durable Allen logged another full season and extended his NFL-leading consecutive starts streak to 139. Allen has started every Bills game since Week 12 in 2018, the former seventh overall pick’s rookie season.
The Bills have gone 88-39 in the regular season with Allen at the helm, but they have not reached the Super Bowl in the soon-to-be 30-year-old’s career. Tired of falling short, owner Terry Pegula fired head coach Sean McDermott and promoted Brady from offensive coordinator in an effort to get over the hump in 2026. Allen, who participated in the Bills’ head coaching interviews, endorsed the hiring. Brady’s first offseason workout program as a head coach is scheduled to begin April 6.
WR Omar Cooper Jr. To Visit Panthers
Despite spending their past two first-round picks on wide receivers, the Panthers could go back to the well this year. They will host Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. on a “30” visit, Jordan Reid of ESPN reports.
After redshirting as a freshman, Cooper finished with 18 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns in nine games in 2023. Like the rest of the Indiana program, though, Cooper found another gear under head coach Curt Cignetti from 2024-25.
While Cooper only had 28 receptions in 13 games in Cignetti’s first season, he averaged a jaw-dropping 21.2 yards per catch and hauled in seven touchdowns. The 6-foot, 200-pounder moved to the slot last year and played an integral role in the Hoosiers’ 16-0, national title-winning campaign. Teaming up with quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who transferred from California, Cooper finished with 69 catches, 937 yards (13.6 YPC) and 13 receiving TDs.
Both Mendoza, who is all but guaranteed to go No. 1 overall, and Cooper are riding high as the draft nears. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com ranks Cooper as the 18th-best prospect in this year’s class, writing that he “fits the exact model of wideouts finding immediate success in the NFL.”
With the Panthers holding the 19th pick, Cooper could be in their wheelhouse. The team has “done a lot of work on receivers” leading up to the draft, according to Reid. The Panthers have made big draft investments at the position in recent years, though they haven’t all worked out. Terrace Marshall (2021) and Jonathan Mingo (2023) are out of the organization after flopping as second-rounders under previous general manager Scott Fitterer. Dan Morgan, then a rookie GM, traded into the first round in 2024 to take Xavier Legette 32nd overall. Legette has since posted unspectacular numbers, though 2025 eighth overall selection Tetairoa McMillan had a tremendous first season en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The Panthers also have a young slot receiver in two-year veteran Jalen Coker, but there is room to add another talented pass catcher like Cooper to aid quarterback Bryce Young. While the Panthers will exercise Young’s fifth-year option, they will need to see more from the 2023 No. 1 pick before doling out an extension.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/2/26
Thursday’s lone minor transaction…
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived: WR Jaden Smith
Smith signed with the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent from Nevada last July, but he wound up spending the season on IR with an undisclosed injury.
LB Anthony Walker Announces Retirement
After playing a career-low two games in 2025, linebacker Anthony Walker is hanging up his cleats at the age of 30. The nine-year veteran took to Instagram on Thursday to announce his retirement.
A former Northwestern standout, Walker entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick of the Colts and then-rookie general manager Chris Ballard in 2017. Walker mostly worked as a backup in an injury-limited rookie year, but he put together a productive run in Indianapolis from 2018-20. Playing alongside star linebacker Shaquille Leonard during that 47-game, 46-start stretch, Walker averaged 107 tackles per season while totaling 3.5 sacks and three interceptions.
Walker did not stick with the Colts after his rookie contract expired in 2021, and he never inked another multiyear pact. He signed his first one-year deal in Cleveland, where he piled up 113 tackles despite missing four games with a hamstring injury. It proved to be the last season with triple-digit tackles for Walker, who continued battling injuries for the rest of his career. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder appeared in just 31 of a possible 68 games from 2022-25.
Walker was a starter in all 12 of his contests in 2023, his last year in Cleveland, and notched another eight over 14 appearances with the Dolphins in ’24. While Walker reunited with the Colts last September, he did not see any action before the Buccaneers plucked him off Indy’s practice squad in mid-December. Walker went on to play just 15 snaps (14 on special teams) in a pair of appearances with Tampa Bay.
Over a combined 101 games and 83 starts with four teams, Walker recorded 581 tackles, 5.5 sacks and four interceptions.