NFL Wins Appeal Of Collusion Grievance
Last summer, the NFL world was aflame with discussions of collusion.
The NFLPA had filed a grievance years earlier alleging that teams worked together to stop a push for fully guaranteed contracts after the Deshaun Watson deal. The grievance went through the league’s arbitration process, which eventually resulted in a ruling against the union that was initially kept under wraps. It became public in June 2025, contributing to the storm of scandal surrounding the NFLPA at the time.
The union filed an appeal, but a three-person panel upheld the arbitrator’s original ruling in favor of the NFL, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio. This includes the finding that the league encouraged clubs to collude to suppress fully guaranteed contracts, which supports the NFLPA’s case. However, the appeals panel also agreed with the arbitrator that there was not sufficient evidence to show that teams actually participated in the alleged collusion.
In short, while the NFL attempted to collude as alleged, the union could not demonstrate a strong enough impact to trigger damages and a ruling in their favor. The appeals panel concurred with that result.
One key difference, Florio notes, is that the appeals panel believes that teams were aware of the league’s collusive intentions.
“We cannot fathom these sophisticated businesspeople did not comprehend they were being encouraged to limit or reduce guaranteed contracts,” the ruling states.
Former NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell did not immediately communicate the initial arbitration ruling to the union’s membership. His successor, former Browns center and NFLPA president J.C. Tretter, approached the appeal differently, promptly informing the NFLPA player representatives of the result. He included the above quote in his message (via Florio) to show that the union had, in part, proven their case.
Now, the grievance is technically done with, but the outcome still offers the union some leverage heading into CBA talks. They now have an arbitrator’s ruling, confirmed by an appeals panel, affirming that the league intended to engage in collusion to limit player contracts. That can help inspire firmer support among players as they negotiate several key issues, including a proposed 18-game regular season. It may also draw the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice for potential antitrust violations, Florio adds, which could also force the league to include certain labor protections in the next CBA.
Dolphins High On Spencer Fano, Host Chase Bisontis
New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said shortly after he was hired (via David Furones of the Sun Sentinel) that he would rebuild Miami’s roster “from the inside out.”
However, the Dolphins let starting right guard Cole Strange leave in free agency and only added depth pieces like Jamaree Salyer and Charlie Heck. Not only do they need to replace Strange, they could also upgrade over 2025 second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea at the other guard spot after his rough rookie year. Right tackle Austin Jackson has struggled with injuries and is entering the final year of his contract. Only center Aaron Brewer and left tackle Patrick Paul profile as clear long-term starters in Miami.
Luckily for the Dolphins, the 2026 draft class is deep at offensive line, particularly at guard where the Dolphins need immediate help the most. There are also a number of offensive tackles who could contribute on the inside as a rookie with the ability to succeed Jackson in the long-term.
Spencer Fano, a likely first-round pick out of Utah, could be the best of both worlds. The Dolphins are “big fans” of the versatile blocker, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid, making him an option for the 11th overall pick. He excelled at right tackle for the Utes in 2024 and 2025, but has been projected to move inside in the NFL due to his sub-33-inch arms. That may not be the case in Miami.
Sullivan’s last team, the Packers, frequently targets tackles with shorter arms with a higher priority on their athleticism and evaluation on tape. He will likely bring that philosophy to the Dolphins, who will run an offshoot of the Shanahan-McVay offensive scheme under new coordinator Bobby Slowik that also emphasizes athletic blockers up front. Fano, who impressed with his movement skills at the Combine, would fit that system perfectly.
Should the Dolphins not land Fano or another offensive linemen with one of their two first-round picks, they will likely prioritize the position on Day 2. Texas A&M guard Chase Bisontis, who visited Miami this week, is a potential target at No. 43 overall, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. He is also an exciting athlete with potential multi-position versatility having spent time at left guard and right tackle during his time at College Station, though his sub-32-inch arms may be too short for any team to play him outside.
Cowboys Host Trio Of CBs For Pre-Draft Visits
The Cowboys seem to be interested in adding a cornerback with one of their premium picks in April’s draft. They recently hosted Colton Hood for a “30” visit, per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, with his Tennessee teammate Jermod McCoy and Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds on tap for next week (via ESPN’s Todd Archer).
Dallas’ pass defense was one of the worst in the league last year, due in no small part to issues and injuries at cornerback. Trevon Diggs and Caelen Carson both missed significant time, as did 2025 third-round pick Shavon Revel as he recovered from the previous year’s ACL tear. Even when the unit was healthy, they struggled to slow opponents through the air.
The unit was reinforced this offseason with the signing of former Rams Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick, but only the former brings significant starting experience to pair with DaRon Bland. The Cowboys could certainly stand to add some young, long-term talent to their secondary.
McCoy is the highest-ranked cornerback out of the three visiting Dallas. He turned heads with a dazzling 2024 season, in which he had more interceptions (four) than touchdowns allowed (two) with a 53.6 opposing passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). A torn ACL sidelined him for all of 2025, but he recovered in time to run a 4.4-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, assuaging any concerns about his health and vaulting him into co-CB1 status with LSU’s Mansoor Delane. McCoy may not even get to the Cowboys at No. 12, but he would be an easy pick if he does.
If neither McCoy nor Delane are available when Dallas is on the clock for their first pick, they will likely target a different position and see who is available at No. 20, their second first-rounder. That could be a spot for Hood, who is currently seen as a borderline Round 1 prospect. He tested well at the Combine, but 2025 was his only full season as a starter and he was not as dominant as McCoy was the previous year. Most evaluators do not have him graded as a first-round prospect, but it only takes one team with a higher assessment to pull the trigger.
Ponds is more securely seen as a Day 2 prospect, though an elite showing at his pro day will likely keep him in the second rather than the third round. That will make it difficult for the Cowboys to land the small, speedy corner with the 92nd overall selection in the third round. If Ponds were to fall that far, it would be an easy decision for a sticky, physical corner with inside-outside versatility who just played a key role on the Hoosiers’ championship defense.
Jets Down To Arvell Reese, David Bailey At No. 2?
The Jets seem to have narrowed down their options for the second overall pick in April’s draft to edge defenders Arvell Reese and David Bailey.
Reese seemed to emerge as a clear favorite earlier this week, as noted by PFR’s own Adam La Rose. However, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Peter Schrager believe that Bailey will be the Jets’ choice on draft day.
“Bailey is a much more polished pass rusher,” Jeremiah explained. “He’s the more known commodity, whereas with Reese, you’re planing the upside game and hoping what you’re going to get.”
Schrager and Jeremiah then said they have both heard that the Jets prefer Bailey as a “bird in the hand” pick – a more pro-ready, polished prospect who will immediately upgrade New York’s pass rush. But Brian Costello of the New York Post threw some cold water on that projection, arguing that their source was probably coming from outside rather than inside the organization.
It seems, therefore, that the Jets have yet to lock in their choice for the No. 2 pick. With two weeks until the draft, they still have plenty of time to settle what seems to be a two-man race. Jeremiah compared the Jets’ choice to the Jaguars’ in 2022.
“It reminds me so much of the [Aidan] Hutchinson–Travon Walker debate,” he said. “‘Hutch’ is the better pass rusher right now and Travon Walker was this physical freak who’s not there yet, but you’re hoping he’s going to get there. Now, both of them have been really good pros. In that scenario, the better athlete went ahead of the more polished player.”
In this case, though, he believes that the opposite will happen. Bailey has more experience as an edge rusher compared to Reese, who primarily played off-ball linebacker at Ohio State and will need to develop a pass rush repertoire in the NFL. Bailey already has a full set of moves and a gameplan for how to use them to get to opposing passers. And as Hutchinson shows, having a high floor does not mean that there is a low ceiling in terms of upside.
Bucs To Add CBs Chase Lucas, Kemon Hall
The Buccaneers lost several members of their secondary in free agency, including starting cornerback Jamel Dean. They are now set to sign former Lions and 49ers defensive back Chase Lucas, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Lucas has primarily operated as a backup during his career. The Bucs are also adding veteran reserve/special-teamer Kemon Hall to their cornerback room, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. This duo joins holdovers Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in Tampa Bay’s CB group.
A 2022 Lions seventh-rounder, Lucas impressed in the preseason with the 49ers last year and earned a career-high 98 defensive snaps. For the most part, though, San Francisco used Lucas on special teams. The Arizona State product saw action on 53% of the 49ers’ ST plays last season. That came after the Lions gave him a 72% ST snap share. Lucas served as a backup in the slot with the 49ers, giving the Bucs some depth behind Parrish.
Entering the NFL in 2019, Hall joins Lucas in never starting a game. The North Texas alum — a regular in our Minor NFL Transactions posts this decade — is now on team No. 7. Hall has previously played for the Chargers, Vikings, Saints, Cowboys, 49ers and Titans. Hall, 28, has only played more than six games in a season once — with the Chargers in 2021 — so it will be far from a given he earns a 53-man roster spot come August.
Tampa Bay parted with Dean (now with the Steelers) after seven seasons and lost Christian Izien as well. The team should be expected to deploy Morrison alongside McCollum and Parrish next season. Fourth-year player Josh Hayes — a 2023 Bucs sixth-rounder — remains on the roster, as does ex-Raven Damarion Williams. Lucas, 29, and Hall will make their cases for roster spots over the coming months. It should probably be expected the Bucs add here in the draft, but the team does have some additional options thanks to these signings.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren Visits Patriots, Browns, Cowboys, Falcons, Steelers
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs has long been considered the top player at his position in the 2026 draft class. Evaluators are split between Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman and Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren for the No. 2 spot, but both are considered potential first-round picks.
McNeil-Warren has been making the rounds with a number of teams who will be on the clock in the back half of the first-round. He has already visited the Patriots, Browns, Cowboys, and Falcons, with the Steelers on tap for Friday, per NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The first three of those teams could use an upgrade at their third safety spot right away with starters who are older and/or set to hit free agency in 2027.
The Patriots, who have the 31st pick, lost Jaylinn Hawkins in free agency and signed Kevin Byard to pair with 2025 fourth-rounder Craig Woodson. But Byard is 33 years old with a one-year deal, so McNeil-Warren could learn from the veteran as a rookie and succeed in him the long-term.
Browns starting safeties Ronnie Hickman and Grant Delpit are both in the last year of their deals, and the current roster lacks a high-level No. 3 who could step into a starting role if necessary. The competition jump from the Mid-American Conference to the NFL is steep, but McNeil-Warren could certainly contribute in a box role right away. Cleveland holds the 24th and 39th picks, either of which could be a landing spot for the Toledo standout.
The Cowboys, drafting at No. 20, retained Malik Hooker and added Jalen Thompson and PJ Locke this offseason. Thompson is the youngest at 28 years old, and Hooker and Locke are both on one-year deals. After a rough year for their pass defense, Dallas could use a short- and long-term upgrade at safety.
The Steelers and Falcons, however, seem to have more set safety situations. Pittsburgh has Jalen Ramsey signed through 2028 and DeShon Elliott through 2027 with Jaquan Brisker and Darnell Savage on one-year deals. They could stand to add some youth to their safety room, but allocating the No. 20 overall pick to the position this year only makes sense if they have a very high grade on McNeil-Warren.
Atlanta has an even better starting duo in Jessie Bates and Xavier Watts with 2025 fourth-rounder Billy Bowman and former Eagle Sydney Brown as depth. Bates is 29 years old and entering the final year of his contract, but he has expressed a desire to retire a Falcon. Bowman was also a full-time player before his Achilles injury, and he should be back on the field close to the start of the regular season. The Falcons do not have a first-round pick, but McNeil-Warren could be a value play in the second round, where Atlanta has the No. 48 pick.
NFC Staff Updates: Lions, Rams, Commanders, Seahawks, Cardinals, Eagles
Lions team president Rod Wood is set to retire sometime before the 2026 season, and Detroit is currently in the process of finding his replacement.
The team has only interviewed internal candidates so far. A search firm is working to identify external candidates who will begin interviewing in April, Wood said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). The panel will include Wood, owner Sheila Hamp, and a number of other top executives including former Lions linebacker Chris Spielman. Head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes will also have the opportunity to offer their input.
“In terms of what I’m looking for, I’m looking for the best person to lead the Lions,” Wood continued. “Ideally somebody who’s got the right kind of executive presence and leadership skills, some COO or CEO experience running a big organization. It doesn’t necessarily have to be somebody with football experience but that would be an advantage if it works out.
A number of other NFC teams have also made staffing moves in recent weeks:
- The Rams added former Browns general manager Phil Savage as a consultant in their personnel department, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. Savage most recently worked for the Jets, starting in 2019 as a senior personnel advisor. He finished the 2024 season as the interim general manager after Joe Douglas was fired and served as a consultant to the new regime last year.
- The Commanders hired John Glenn as a special teams assistant, per a team announcement. He will work alongside special teams coordinator Larry Izzo and his assistant, Brian Schneider, who is going through cancer treatment, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic.
- Former University of Washington offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty has been hired by the Seahawks as an offensive assistant, a NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He will become the latest Huskies coach to move to the local NFL team, a pipeline that included his predecessor, Ryan Grubb.
- The Cardinals reunited with Nick Hart as a scouting assistant, according to Inside the League’s Neil Stratton. He previous worked in Arizona as a Nunn-Wooten scouting fellow.
- Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni indicated (via Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP) that former offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland would not return to Philadelphia this year, though he did not rule out the possibility. It was revealed early this offseason Stoutland would not only be off Philly’s staff, after an acclaimed stint as O-line coach, but would not head to another team in 2026. It remains to be seen whether the widely praised staffer will return to the league.
49ers Finalize 2026 Coaching Staff
The 49ers made a number of coaching changes this offseason with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh accepting the Titans’ head coaching job and taking a number of assistants to Tennessee.
San Francisco gradually filled its vacancies and recently announced a full staff, including official titles for new hires and several internal promotions.
Jerry Gray arrived in San Francisco in February and has since been announced as the team’s defensive pass-game coordinator. He is entering his fourth decade of coaching defensive backs and will work closely with cornerbacks coach Ray Brown.
The 49ers also promoted a few members of their defensive staff. Johnny Holland, who has primarily worked with linebackers in his nine seasons with the club, will now serve as the defensive run game coordinator. Replacing him as the linebackers coach will be K.J. Wright, who spent 11 years playing the position for the Seahawks and Raiders. He first joined the 49ers in 2024 as a defensive quality control coach.
The team made a number of internal promotions on the offensive side of the ball, too. Joe Graves was promoted from offensive assistant/quarterbacks coach to run game coordinator. Taking his role will be Jacob Webster, who is being promoted from an offensive quality control role. The same is true of Deuce Schwartz, now an offensive assistant/tight ends coach.
Roman Sapolu, who was also hired in February, will be the assistant offensive line coach, overseeing the position he once played at Oregon State and coached at multiple college programs. He will serve under offensive line coach/assistant head coach Chris Foerster.
Malik Nabers Not Expected To Begin Giants Training Camp On Time
One of the reasons that John Harbaugh took the Giants’ head coaching gig was his excitement about the young talent on their roster. However, he will have to wait a while longer for two of those players to be healthy enough to join the rest of the team on the field.
Wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo were both present for the start of the Giants’ offseason program this week, but both are still rehabbing from major injuries that ended their 2025 seasons. Nabers tore the ACL and meniscus in his right knee in Week 4; Skattebo suffered a fractured and dislocated ankle in Week 8.
Harbaugh indicated that Skattebo would be on the field “at some point” for spring practices, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. Any OTA or minicamp participation from the second-year running back would be a good sign for his ability to take the field at the start of training camp.
Skattebo is ahead of Nabers, who will be back “closer to the season,” Harbaugh added. His pronouncement somewhat contradicts general manager Joe Schoen‘s previous prediction that Nabers would be “ready for training camp.”
Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart may not have his top wideout and running back on the practice field at the beginning of OTAs, but he will be able to start building chemistry with free agent signing Darnell Mooney. The veteran wide receiver signed in New York for a one-year, $3MM contract that includes another $7MM in incentives, which range across a number of categories, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.
Mooney can earn $250K for playing at least 75% of the Giants’ offensive snaps. $375K is available for eclipsing 35 receptions, which increases every 10 with a maximum of $2.5MM for 75 catches or more. The same is true for receiving yards, starting at $375K for 450 yards and increasing every 150 with up to $2.5MM available for recording at least 1,050 yards. Mooney will also receive $375k for three touchdowns, $750K for five, $1.25MM for seven, and $1.75MM for nine or more.
Mooney did not hit any of these numbers in 2025, a down year for the veteran receiver, so all of his incentives are considered Not Likely To Be Earned. They will not count against this year’s salary cap, and if Mooney hits any of them, the Giants will be charged on next year’s cap.
QB Diego Pavia Visits Panthers
This year’s crop of quarterback prospects has failed to impress evaluators with only Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza seen as a clear first-round talent. He is expected to be taken by the Raiders with the first overall pick, and Alabama’s Ty Simpson could sneak into Round 1, too.
Beyond that, no NFL-bound quarterbacks profile as likely future starters. Many, though, could be inexpensive but effective backups on their rookie deals. Those players may be targets for teams that may soon be handing out pricey long-term contracts to their current quarterbacks.
One such team is the Panthers, who seem ready to commit to Bryce Young after clear steps forward in 2025, his third season in the league. Carolina has already signaled their intention to pick up his fifth-year option and may already be budgeting for a multi-year extension, though they may want to see more development in 2026 before finalizing a deal. After three years with 15-year veteran Andy Dalton as their backup, the team may now look to develop a rookie behind Young, especially if he gets a market-level extension in the next 18 months. Carolina did sign Kenny Pickett as a backup for this year, but the 28-year-old have not be a long-term option.
Vanderbilt Diego Pavia could be a Day 3 dart throw on a developmental quarterback. He visited the Panthers on Tuesday, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The SEC Offensive Player of the Year led the conference with a 70.6% completion rate, 29 passing touchdowns, and 9.4 yards per attempt in 2025. He finished second to Mendoza in Heisman voting, but his age and size are major concerns about his potential in the NFL. Listed as 6 feet tall in college, Pavia measured in at 5-foot-9 at the Combine, and at 24 years old, that is unlikely to change.
However, Young is 5-10, so the Panthers are clearly comfortable with a smaller quarterback. Elements of their protection scheme are likely designed to create better sightlines for Young, which would also benefit Pavia. He may not be a pro-ready backup right away, but he could develop as the third-string QB behind Pickett for a year and potentially step into a bigger role in the future.
Sometimes, though, teams use these pre-draft visits to gather intel on prospects’ teammates. More than 20% of Pavia’s completions and passing yards went to tight end Eli Stowers, currently seen as the second-best prospect at his position behind Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq. No Panthers tight end eclipsed 30 catches or 250 receiving yards last year, so they could certainly look for an upgrade in this year’s draft. Pavia could give them valuable information about Stowers as they decide if he is worth adding to their offense.