Commanders High On Jeremiyah Love At No. 7; Team Unlikely To Pick Caleb Downs?
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is considered one of the Commanders’ top choices for the No. 7 pick in next week’s draft, according to EssentiallySports’ Tony Pauline.
Washington has operated a backfield-by-committee approach for several years without investing much in any one individual running back. In 2025, they traded Brian Robinson – their last player to take more than 200 carries in a season back in 2022 – to the 49ers and split their touches between 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez and 2025 seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Commanders added former Buccaneer Rachaad White into their rotation this offseason, too.
Drafting Love would end the committee approach. He would step in as a full-time, three-down RB1 right away who will only need to be rotated out for rest and load management. The Commanders would be able to lean on a more traditional running game without putting Jayden Daniels in as much danger after an injury-riddled 2025 season. And when Washington does use Daniels’ legs, they may find that combining an elite running back with a mobile quarterback can lead to explosive results, as the Ravens showed with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in 2024.
Love was one of several projected top-10 picks to take a top-30 visit to Washington this week. He joined edge rushers Arvell Reese (Ohio State), David Bailey (Texas Tech), and Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami), among others, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Any would fill the Commanders’ significant need off the edge, though either Reese or Bailey is expected to be the Jets’ pick at No. 2. The other is unlikely to fall to the seventh pick, but Washington should have a shot at Bain with some teams scared off by his below-average arm length.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was also present for Tuesday’s top-30 gathering, but he is not expected to be the team’s pick at No. 7. The Commanders are returning their top three safeties from last season – Jartavius Martin, Jeremy Reaves, and Will Harris – and signed Nick Cross in free agency. Cross will take up one starting role, and the team is confident that Martin, a 2023 second-rounder, can bounce back after struggling in coverage last year, according to Pauline. Downs has more long-term upside than any currently-rostered Commanders safety, but the front office may value a position with more value or immediate need.
Instead, Pauline adds, one of the aforementioned pass rushers, a wide receiver, or cornerback are “in play” for the seventh overall pick, but that may not matter if Love falls that far. At present, that does not seem especially likely. He has been linked with a number of clubs with top-five picks, and in what is considered a thin draft class in terms of elite prospects, one may be inclined to ignore Love’s position and select him based on his pure talent.
Teams Medically Red-Flagged CB Jermod McCoy
Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy is one of the biggest X-factors in the 2026 draft class.
His tape from 2023 and 2024 show a first-round cornerback with sticky, physical coverage and plenty of ball production (16 passes defended, six interceptions). But a torn ACL in January 2025 sidelined him for his third season, depriving scouts of another year of film to evaluate. That would be especially important after McCoy’s breakout 2024, as opposing teams would have been able to offer new challenges in 2025.
McCoy only participated at the bench press at the Combine, preferring to wait until his pro day for the rest of his testing. That seemed to pay off, as a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and strong vertical and broad jumps boosted his stock with a month until the draft. Not only did he show that he was fully recovered from his ACL tear, but his numbers cemented assessments of his high-end athleticism and seemed to lock him into a first-round pick.
However, teams have medically red-flagged the 20-year-old for a potentially degenerative knee condition, per EssentiallySports’ Tony Pauline. This could take him off some boards entirely, while others may drop his grade by a half or full round. This could result in a similar fall to Will Johnson‘s in 2025, when the projected first-rounder was not selected until the third round.
However, as Pauline notes, “medical opinions differ team by team since there is no central body to govern a physical.” Some clubs are willing to tolerate more injury risk than others, especially if they see McCoy as a potential lockdown cornerback
Raiders Receiving Interest In No. 1 Pick
It happens almost every year. Months of pre-draft evaluation have established a clear top quarterback in the draft class who is projected to be drafted with the No. 1 pick. And then the trade offers come in.
This year, the QB1 is Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who has long been considered a lock for the Raiders with the first overall selection. That has not stopped teams from reaching out to Las Vegas about trading up, general manager John Spytek revealed on Tuesday.
“We’ve gotten a few calls, and those teams know where they stand,” Spytek said (via ESPN’s Ryan McFadden), an indication that the Raiders have no intention of moving their pick.
The Bears were willing to trade in the No. 1 overall pick in 2023, which resulted in a major blockbuster with the Panthers, who drafted Bryce Young. Among the picks sent to Chicago was Carolina’s 2024 first-rounder, which turned out to be the top pick that year. Again, the Bears fielded calls from teams who wanted to move up for Caleb Williams, but they never seemed to consider another trade down as a real option. The Patriots, who were drafting third, also received interest in their pick with teams looking to draft Drake Maye. Both teams stayed put and are likely thankful they did so.
The jury is still out on Tennessee resisting overtures for the No. 1 pick last year and sticking with Cam Ward. The Giants, who were among the teams who pursued Maye, sent multiple offers to the Titans all the way up until draft day. Presumably, their haul would have been similar to the Panthers’ package in 2023.
The Raiders should be able to receive that kind of value this year, especially in a draft class with only one consensus first-round quarterback. Next year’s draft offers a deeper crop of prospects to choose from, and trading the No. 1 pick would give them the ammunition to land a quarterback from that group.
But ultimately, a trade does not make sense for the Raiders. Between their coaching change and roster upgrades, they are positioned to have a much better season than their 3-14 2025 campaign, resulting in a lower first-round pick. With multiple teams targeting quarterbacks in the 2027 draft, it may be difficult for Las Vegas to land its desired prospect. Other teams may not be willing to trade down, and even if they are, the Raiders will have to outbid other suitors. That is a much more complicated and uncertain proposition than simply drafting Mendoza this year and calling it a day.
Spytek suggested that Las Vegas is thinking along the same lines.
“If there’s a player that stands out that we feel it’s not worth losing, it’s not worth even picking up the phone, then we’ll just make the pick,” Spytek continued. “But if it’s a player that we’re not as excited about, or there’s a group of players that we would love to pick from, and we can get value for that, we’re certainly open to listening to that.”
Dolphins RB De’Von Achane ‘Not Available For Trade’
Trade speculation has followed De’Von Achane since the 2025 deadline, but Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said on Wednesday (via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe) that the Pro Bowl running back is “not available for trade.”
Instead, Miami is working on a long-term extension for Achane, something he expressed interest in before the end of last season. Sullivan said that negotiations thus far have been “positive” and “trending in the right direction.”
The Dolphins have remained steadfast in their position regarding Achane, though there were similar reports about Waddle before he was traded to the Broncos. The 24-year-old running back has emerged as one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the league with almost 1,500 scrimmage yards in 2024 and more than 1,800 last season. A team bringing in a relatively inexperienced starter in Malik Willis may find even more valuable in an explosive running back who can generate yards on the ground and through the air on both designed touches and checkdowns.
Running back pay has ticked up in the last two years, though only three players – Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and Derrick Henry – have deals with a $15MM per year or more. Breece Hall was hit with a $14.29MM franchise tag, and Kenneth Walker‘s multi-year deal with the Chiefs is worth $14.35MM per year. Achane’s age and production give him an argument to join the former group. He has been a semi-regular presence on the Dolphins’ weekly injury reports, but he has played all but one game in the last two years without any sign of an injury affecting his on-field play.
One wrinkle with an Achane extension is the timing. His $2.3MM cap hit will go up due to the signing bonus of a new contract, but the Dolphins only have $1.9MM in cap space at the moment, per OverTheCap. Miami will see more than $20MM in savings once Bradley Chubb‘s release is processed on June 1, most of which will be used to sign their rookie class. But they should also have enough space after the draft to accommodate the increased cap hit resulting from an agreement with Achane.
Sullivan also previously signaled his intent to sign center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks to long-term deals as pillars of the team’s current rebuild. The team has engaged both players in contract talks, but no deal is imminent.
“They know how important they are to this team,” Sullivan said (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). “There’s nothing pressing to get something done in the next couple of days.”
Similar to the situation with Achane, Brewer’s cap hit would increase with an extension. Brooks’ could decrease, depending on how Miami structures the deal.
QB Ty Simpson Visiting Cardinals
The Cardinals are sneaking in a late but potentially significant pre-draft visit from Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, per ESPN’s Field Yates.
Wednesday is the last day for teams to host prospects for this year’s draft, and Arizona is thought to be in the market for a young quarterback after parting ways with Kyler Murray. Their current room is comprised of Jacoby Brissett, who started most of last season, free agency signing Gardner Minshew, and former UDFA Kedon Slovis. None profile as long-term options.
Enter Simpson, who is generally considered a borderline first-round pick after just one year as Alabama’s starter. The Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick, which is likely too high for the 23-year-old, but he might be an option for their second-rounder (No. 34 overall). Arizona could also consider trading back into the first round as the Giants did for Jaxson Dart last year, which preserves the possibility of an all-important fifth-year option for a young quarterback.
Simpson’s lack of starting experience means he will likely need some time to develop in the NFL. That could fit the Cardinals’ current situation with Brissett or Gardner starting this year and Simpson taking over in the future. He would have time to learn the scheme of new head coach Mike LaFleur, which prioritizes processing and accuracy, two of Simpson’s budding strengths. The former will need to get better against NFL defensive schemes, and he may need to get more precise with his ball placement to overcome his lack of arm strength.
But with a weak roster and a much stronger crop of prospects in 2027, the Cardinals may be best-served by waiting a year to draft the right quarterback of the future rather than the best one available this year. LaFleur had a front-row seat to Robert Saleh‘s challenges in New York after he was saddled with 2021 No. 2 pick Zach Wilson, and that is not the only case of a head coach struggling with a quarterback they did not handpick. As an offensive coach, LaFleur may be even more inclined to target the right prospect for his scheme and long-term future. But perhaps if Simpson experiences a Will Levis-esque fall into Day 2, where the Cardinals also hold the No. 65 pick, they may feel that Simpson is worth acquiring anyway to see what he can do as a rookie before making a decision on next year’s draft class.
Buccaneers Ownership Willing To Extend QB Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield is entering the final year of his contract, and Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht has already projected confidence in reaching an agreement on an extension.
Now, co-owner Joel Glazer has indicated (via Pewter Report’s Matt Matera) that the team is willing to write a big check to keep Mayfield in Tampa Bay.
“Obviously the quarterback is the highest paid position on the team, rightfully so,” Glazer said. “That means that it’s going good, so if the quarterback’s making top money, then your team is probably doing well and the quarterbacks performing well.”That doesn’t hurt at all to write that check, it’s something that all the teams do when you have good quarterbacks.”
He signed a three-year, $100MM extension during the 2024 offseason and immediately played like an elite quarterback with top-five marks in passing yards, touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating (though he also led the league with 16 interceptions). He regressed significantly in 2025, with solid volume numbers but below-average efficiency metrics.
But similar to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens last year, Mayfield’s statistical downturn was not isolated. Tampa Bay’s offense was ravaged by injuries with tackles Tristan Wirfs and Luke Goedeke, receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and running back Bucky Irving all missing significant time. Mayfield played through multiple injuries himself. Tampa Bay also lost offensive Liam Coen in the previous offseason, and his replacement, Josh Grizzard, was not able to fill his shoes.
The 2018 No. 1 pick has demonstrated an ability to bounce back already in his career, so the Buccaneers should still have plenty of reason to extend him. As always, an exact price tag will be the sticking point. Mayfield’s $33.3MM AAV in 2024 represented 13.1% of the cap. Now, that number would be just under $40MM, which is what Matthew Stafford signed for last offseason. Mayfield could shoot for the $44-46MM range, where Daniel Jones now sits in an unusual trio alongside Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Pushing above that and closer to $50MM feels unlikely for a 31-year-old coming off a down year, but Mayfield has an argument to be paid like a top-10 quarterback.
The Buccaneers are certainly satisfied with what they have gotten so far.
“He’s gone above and beyond anything we could’ve asked or hoped for Baker,” Glazer added. “Everybody loves him, performs, gives 250 percent when he’s on that field and that’s all you can ask for.
Cowboys Could Trade Up In Round 1
APRIL 14: A belief around the NFL points to Dallas being a team to monitor regarding a trade-up, per veteran insider Jordan Schultz, who notes the team packaging Nos. 12 and 20 is being viewed as a possible scenario. Trade-up and trade-down rumors are obviously commonplace around this time, but Schultz adds several teams believe the Cowboys are eyeing a player the Giants also covet. Moving ahead of New York’s No. 5 pick would be pricey, though it appears that is on the table.
The Giants have been tied to a few prospects at 5. Downs, Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love and Carnell Tate have been connected to Big Blue during the pre-draft process. This situation could soon remind of 2021, when the Eagles eyed Giants target DeVonta Smith and used the Cowboys (at No. 10) to trade in front of New York. While the Giants are in position to land another impact player near the top of a draft, the prospect of them moving down — perhaps for a cornerback, where the team has done extensive work — has also been mentioned.
APRIL 13: The Cowboys are entering the 2026 draft with a clear need to upgrade on the defensive side of the ball. They currently hold the 12th and 20th overall picks, but trading up for an elite defender is not out of the question.
In particular, Dallas could target Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr., who they see as “instant-impact game changers on defense,” according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid.
Downs is the consensus No. 1 safety in this year’s draft class and has a case to be the top defender in terms of pure talent. However, teams will likely prioritize edge rushers and cornerbacks over a safety in the first five picks, which could put the two-time All-American within the Cowboys’ range.
Dallas already reshaped their safety room this offseason by signing Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke in free agency to join Malik Hooker. However, none of the three are younger than 28 years old and only Thompson is signed past the 2026 season. Downs could carve out a role right away, especially in the slot where the team lacks proven contributors, while serving as the centerpiece of the safety room in the long-term.
The Cowboys may look back to 2022, when Kyle Hamilton fell to the Ravens at No. 14, and hope that the same happens with Downs. However, teams clearly overthought Hamilton as a prospect after his sub-par athletic testing, and Downs, perhaps looking to avoid a similar fall, declined to participate this year. That may prevent the former Buckeye from making it to the 12th pick and force Dallas to trade up.
Bain, the Cowboys’ other priority target, was already seen as a potential faller after measuring in with sub-31-inch arms at the Combine. It does not seem that recent news of two careless driving citations will tank his stock, but length concerns may be enough to drop him out of the top five.
Dallas re-signed Sam Williams and traded for Rashan Gary to strengthen their edge rusher room this offseason, but they could stand to add a young, high-upside talent in this draft. 2025 second-round Donovan Ezeiruaku disappointed as a rookie, and while he still has potential, he may not have the same All-Pro ceiling as Bain.
Chargers To Prioritize Guard, Edge Rusher In Draft
Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz worked hard to fill his team’s roster holes this offseason, particularly in the trenches. He strengthened the offensive and defensive line and also added key blockers in tight end Charlie Kolar and fullback Alec Ingold.
However, Los Angeles still lacks a clear starter at right guard or an impact third edge rusher behind Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. They are expected to prioritized both positions in this month’s draft, per ESPN’s Matt Miller.
The Chargers remade the interior of their offensive line this offseason, bringing in Tyler Biadasz at center and Cole Strange at left guard. They have a few options at right guard in Trey Pipkins and Trevor Penning, but a first-round pick could be an upgrade, similar to how Joe Alt unseated Pipkins at right tackle in 2024. The 2026 draft class has a number of NFL-ready guards spread throughout the first two days of the draft with Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane considered the top player at the position. He may not even get to the Chargers’ first-round pick (No. 22 overall), but if he is available, he could both be the best player available and fill the team’s biggest need.
Off the edge, the Chargers re-signed Mack to pair with Tuipulotu for another year, but the 35-year-old has openly considered retirement in each of the last two offseasons. They will likely want to find a long-term running mate for their 2023 second-round pick who could also be an upgrade over Bud Dupree as a rookie. Edge rusher rankings vary wildly behind Arvell Reese, David Bailey, and Rueben Bain Jr., so Los Angeles could see their first-round targets snapped up before they are on the clock. In that case, they may opt to wait until the second round, where Illinois’ Gabe Jacas “has been identified as an option at No. 55,” according to Miller. Jim Harbaugh will appreciate his always-hot motor and relentless pursuit of the football that resulted in 19 sacks and 26.5 tackles for loss in the last two years.
Walking out of the draft with Ioane and Jacas – or a similar combination of starting guard and impact edge rusher – would seem to be a home run for a Chargers team that has largely been built through the draft.
Browns DE Myles Garrett More Likely To Get Raise Than Be Traded?
The Browns’ recent adjustment to Myles Garrett‘s contract once again stirred trade speculation about the five-time All-Pro, but the team has consistently refuted those claims. A pay raise to match the top of an ever-rising edge rusher market is thought to be more likely, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Garrett, 30, requested a trade last offseason and instead received a four-year, $160MM extension that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. He has since been surpassed by six players, including four edge rushers led by Micah Parsons at $46.5MM per year.
Now, Will Anderson is projected to approach a $50MM AAV on his long-term extension with the Texans. But statistically, Garrett is still the best in the league. Last year, he set a single-season record with 23.0 sacks and led the NFL with 33 tackles for loss, which earned him his second Defensive Player of the Year trophy in the last three years. Until and unless another player is able to match or surpass his production, he will always have an argument to see his contract value rise with the market.
Cleveland was willing to hand Garrett a new deal last offseason, perhaps partially out of appreciation for his patience with their never-ending rebuild. But he is now under contract through 2030, so a raise via an extension may not make sense. The two sides could instead agree on an entirely new deal, which may have been the motivation for the recent contract modification. By pushing back the option payment date, they have more time to see where the market goes over the next few months and reward Garrett appropriately before the season begins.
Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter Visits Buccaneers, Bengals, Bills
Teams looking to improve their run defense will likely be interested in Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter, who is a projected Day 2 pick in this month’s draft. The 330-pounder logged 31 tackles for loss across the last three seasons and profiles as an instant-impact run-stuffer in the NFL.
One of Hunter’s recent Instagram stories showed him visiting the Buccaneers (via FOX Sports’ Greg Auman). Tampa Bay does not have an immediate need along the defensive line after signing A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches to replace Logan Hall and Greg Gaines. However, those additions are both on one-year contracts, and both Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey are set to hit free agency in 2027. With long-term extensions on tap for Baker Mayfield and YaYa Diaby, the team will not be able to re-sign all four of their veteran defensive tackles. Hunter would be ready to join the Buccaneers’ defensive line rotation right away as a run-stopper with the goal of developing his pass rushing chops for a bigger role in 2027.
Hunter also completed a visit to the Bengals, per Ryan Fowler of Commanding the Huddle. Cincinnati had the league’s worst run defense in 2025, allowing 5.2 yards per carry and almost 150 yards per game. The team strengthened their defensive line by signing Jonathan Allen, but Hunter would be a long-term anchor for a unit that has lacked a reliable run-stopping nose tackle since D.J. Reader‘s departure in 2024. He may not have much pass-rushing upside, but his size and power will command double-teams and open up opportunities for his teammates.
Hunter’s most recent visit was to the Bills, according to an Instagram story posted on Monday. Buffalo finished with a bottom-five run defense last year and will need to add depth at nose tackle under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Sean McDermott‘s 4-3 scheme prioritized lighter, more athletic defensive tackles, but Leonard’s 3-4 will require another massive space-eater to go along with 2025 fourth-rounder Deone Walker.