Colts Sign S Nasir Adderley
Nasir Adderley‘s comeback attempt will produce an opportunity. The former Chargers starter agreed to terms with the Colts, according to the AFC South franchise.
Adderley has not played since the 2022 season, but the former Bolts second-round pick (29 in May) will give it a go in Indianapolis. The Chargers used Adderley as a three-year starter, but rather than pursue a free agency deal following the expiration of his rookie contract, Adderley retired. He backtracked on that after three missed seasons, revealing in February an intention to come back.
Even in an era featuring earlier retirements, it was surprising to see Adderley walk away before his 26th birthday. He had played out a four-year, $4.73MM rookie contract and stood to top that as a free agent in 2023. But the Delaware product cited health reasons when he retired. This is far from the most notable unretirement the Colts have greenlit over the past year, with Philip Rivers — an ex-Adderley Charger teammate — famously reemerging after nearly five seasons away to start three games as an emergency option late last season.
Although Rivers worked directly with Shane Steichen during the latter’s time as Bolts OC and QBs coach, the current Colts HC was on the Los Angeles staff during part of Adderley’s tenure. Steichen was in place as QBs coach to start the 2019 season and served as Anthony Lynn‘s OC in 2020.
The Chargers used Adderley as a starter in 44 games from 2020-22, lining him up alongside Derwin James for much of that period. Adderley retired after his contract expired, and after the Bolts had turned to Alohi Gilman to be James’ next sidekick. Gilman’s re-signing came three days before Adderley’s retirement announcement. It would have made sense for Adderley to pursue a free agency deal elsewhere rather than retire, but the former No. 60 overall pick displayed his conviction by remaining out of football for three seasons.
As James roamed the formation, Adderley spent most of his time as a free safety under both Brandon Staley and Gus Bradley. The latter — who served as Colts DC from 2022-24 — oversaw Adderley’s development from 2019-20. Despite frequent FS alignment, Adderley made 99 tackles (three for loss) in 2021. He intercepted two passes in 2022, when Pro Football Focus graded him 36th out of 89 qualified safeties.
The Colts lost Nick Cross in free agency; the Commanders added the two-year Indianapolis starter on a two-year, $13MM deal. Cross played more as a box defender last season, with free agent signing Camryn Bynum in place at free safety under Lou Anarumo. Adderley joins Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas as Colts safety additions this offseason.
Owens, Thomas and 2025 seventh-round pick Hunter Wohler had been set for a competition; Adderley may soon join that fray. If nothing else, this agreement allows the fifth-year veteran to vie for a roster spot. It would be interesting to see if his unretirement will stick for a practice squad opportunity, should it come to that after a busy Colts offseason at safety.
Tight End, Tackle On Broncos’ Draft Radar
The Jaylen Waddle trade required the Broncos’ first-round pick (and more) to complete, marking the fourth first-rounder Denver has traded since the 2022 offseason. The Broncos moved two firsts for Russell Wilson and then packaged the pick from the Bradley Chubb trade to obtain Sean Payton‘s rights. Denver including the No. 30 overall pick in the Waddle trade will mean another long wait for the AFC West franchise.
Sitting at No. 62, the defending AFC West champions do not look to have glaring needs. Two pathways have surfaced, however. Payton’s team has done plenty of work on tight ends, according to ESPN.com’s Jeff Legwold. This has included “30” visits with Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, Ohio State’s Max Klare and NC State’s Justin Joly. Stowers’ previously reported Denver visit is today, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds.
A two-year, $23MM Evan Engram contract was thought to stabilize a roster spot that had not provided much since the Noah Fant years, but Denver did not see Engram and Bo Nix click. The former Pro Bowler caught 50 passes for 461 yards and just one touchdown in 2025. The Broncos have been connected to bolstering their TE room previously, but one of their targets — Dallas Goedert — continued to see his void date in Philadelphia pushed back and ultimately re-signed with the Eagles. David Njoku remains unattached, but Denver interest has not been reported.
Engram will turn 32 in September, and $5MM of his $10.99MM 2026 base salary is guaranteed. The rest of that money does not lock in until September, however. The Broncos would be hit with $10.33MM in dead money were they to release Engram, who has one void year on his deal.
The prospect of the Broncos — with Nix still on a rookie contract — hanging onto Engram and adding a younger option may be in play, though the team re-signed ex-Payton Saints draftee Adam Trautman and retained tight end/fullback Nate Adkins in free agency. Although RFA Lucas Krull was nontendered, he re-signed at a lower rate.
Only one TE — Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq — sits in Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com top 50, and he will go well before No. 62. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. does rank Stowers 36th overall. The Payton-era Broncos have also displayed a penchant for trading up after Round 1, climbing to acquire Marvin Mims, Riley Moss and Troy Franklin between Rounds 2 and 4 from 2023-24. Klare and Joly respectively rank 64th and 92nd, per Scouts Inc.
Another path the Broncos could take involves their tackles’ ages. Garett Bolles will turn 34 in May, while Mike McGlinchey will play an age-32 season. Both are signed beyond 2026, but the team may need an heir apparent for at least one of its edge blockers soon. That is an area ESPN.com’s Matt Miller lists as being in play at No. 62.
The Broncos gave swingman Matt Peart a pay cut and re-signed fellow swing Alex Palczewski (two years, $9.5MM) last month. Options are there for 2026, but a starter-level tackle may need to be acquired either this year or next. Bolles has been Denver’s LT since 2017, while McGlinchey stopped a decade-long carousel at RT by signing in 2023.
Elsewhere on the Broncos’ roster, their decision to give Jonah Elliss inside linebacker reps stems in large part on giving 2025 fourth-round pick Que Robinson a chance at more playing time, the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel notes. Denver had Robinson behind Elliss in its outside linebacker rotation. Robinson played in just six games last season, being healthy-scratched for several contests, and recorded just a half-sack on 150 defensive snaps.
The Alabama product did sack Drake Maye in the AFC championship game, and the Broncos appear set to see what he has in the tank. Should Elliss indeed join brothers Kaden and Christian as a true ILB, the Broncos are looking at a second-string OLB duo of Robinson and Dondrea Tillman.
Titans, Giants In Play For Carnell Tate; Saints Viewed As WR’s Floor?
A host of wide receivers could go off the board in Round 1, but the order in which this will unfold appears foggy. However, the question as to who is this draft’s top option at the position looks to have been answered.
As our Ely Allen noted over the weekend, Carnell Tate has created some distance between himself and the field at receiver. Despite not being Ohio State’s go-to option — that is likely 2027 top-five pick Jeremiah Smith — Tate is viewed as the clear frontrunner to be the first wideout off the board. A top-five landing spot is in play for one of this draft’s high-profile Buckeyes, and falling out of the top 10 is highly unlikely.
The Titans and Giants are in play for Tate at Nos. 4 and 5, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, who views the player as a top-10 lock. No. 9 may not be relevant to Tate’s draft destination, either, with ESPN.com’s Jordan Reid adding the Saints “would quickly add” him if he remains available at No. 8.
New Orleans has been linked to pursuing pass-catching help in this draft. The team would align Tate with former Ohio State wideout Chris Olave in this scenario, one that would require Jeremiyah Love and some of the Ohio State defenders — perhaps all three — going off the board before Tate to become reality. If a team is going to double down on a program at receiver, Ohio State is probably the one to pick. The Buckeyes have sent five receivers to the first round since 2022 (Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka) and developed 2019 third-rounder-turned-Washington WR1 Terry McLaurin.
Tennessee, New York and New Orleans each brought Tate in for a “30” visit, gathering intel on a player who caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns last season (the Browns, Chiefs and Commanders also met with him). Tate does not have a 1,000-yard college season on his resume, but his two years as a Buckeyes regular overlapped with Smith’s first two Columbus slates. Smith will be consistently linked to the top five of what looks like a more talent-rich 2027 draft. For now, Tate is the Ohio State prize on the offensive side. He joins Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs as Buckeyes products who could be top-10 choices next week.
The Saints traded Rashid Shaheed to the Seahawks at last year’s deadline, with the deep threat unlikely to re-sign with New Orleans. Shaheed re-signed with Seattle. The Saints did not make a notable move at receiver in free agency, effectively clearing the runway here. It would stand to reason that Makai Lemon would be in play for New Orleans at No. 8 if Tate goes earlier, but Breer adds there does not appear to be a consensus on this class’ second-best receiver prospect.
Different teams see USC’s Lemon, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion and Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. as the second-best WR in this draft, per Breer (Ely covered Concepcion’s Prospect Profile on Sunday). We heard last week some teams even have Washington’s Denzel Boston as a top-two or top-three wideout in the class. This receiver crop, like a few in recent years, is also viewed as deep, potentially influencing teams to wait on the position and address other needs earlier.
The Titans did not end up cutting Calvin Ridley, but it is quite possible the 31-year-old target will not be on their 2027 roster. Tennessee also added Wan’Dale Robinson to reunite with Brian Daboll. Losing Robinson, the Giants gave Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin low-cost deals to play alongside Malik Nabers. But the team may lack a No. 2 target going into the draft.
NFC North Notes: Ragnow, Bears, Packers
The Lions continued their practice of recouping money from retired players’ signing bonuses by asking for some of Frank Ragnow‘s. The former Pro Bowl center is believed to have paid back part of $3MM, the maximum number the team could collect in this case, according to the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. The Lions famously proceeded this way with Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, alienating both following their earlier-than-expected retirements. Detroit having done this with all-time greats made the team refuse to make an exception for Ragnow, who retired last summer — before a failed comeback attempt.
“Our precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders,” team president Rod Wood said, via Birkett. “And if Barry Sanders paid back money. … And I think the reality is, they’re not paying back their money, they’re returning our money. Cause they were paid in advance for services that they hadn’t completed.”
Teams are within their rights to ask for signing bonus money back after a retirement, but not all do so. Ragnow signed a four-year, $54MM extension in 2021. That deal included only a $6MM signing bonus; $3MM of that remained on Detroit’s cap sheet, as two years were left on the center’s deal. Although signing bonuses are prorated over the life of a contract, players receive them much earlier — typically in a lump-sum payment or multiple such payments. The Lions asked for $1.6MM of a possible $3.2MM from Johnson following his 2016 retirement, and they went to arbitration with Sanders after his stunning summer 1999 exit.
“I think every contract’s slightly different and I won’t get into the negotiations because what we did with any one player wasn’t exactly the same and it did have something to do with how long ago it was and what percentage of the contract was a signing bonus vs. P5 [base salary],” Wood said. “But once you don’t do it with somebody, even a small amount, it makes it difficult to get the bigger amount. And it’s really, it’s the Lions’ money, it’s not the player’s money.”
Sanders and Johnson have since reconciled with the Lions. Ragnow, 29, is not planning another comeback bid. Here is the latest from the NFC North:
- The Bears are viewed as likely to add a defensive lineman in Round 1, ESPN.com’s Matt Miller notes. The team has Dayo Odeyingbo stationed opposite Montez Sweat, but the ex-Colt is coming off an Achilles tear. Chicago also pursued Maxx Crosby via trade. The team is believed to be high on Missouri’s Zion Young, Miller adds. Young may be considered a reach in Round 1, as Daniel Jeremiah ranks the D-end 45th on his big board. The Bears have three picks in the first two rounds, following the D.J. Moore trade, and may feature a bigger DT need. Grady Jarrett is going into an age-33 season, though the team did sign depth options in Kentavius Street and Neville Gallimore.
- Shemar Turner is also coming off a season-ending injury, but prior to his October ACL tear, the Bears had moved the defensive tackle to DE. It will be expected Turner stays at the EDGE spot upon recovery, the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs notes. The Bears chose Turner in the 2025 second round; his minimal defensive snaps were split almost evenly between DE and DT.
- The Packers reunited Javon Hargrave with new DC Jonathan Gannon, but some around the league look to have expected the team to sign Dalvin Tomlinson. Also an NFC cap casualty in March, Tomlinson ended up with the Chargers on a one-year, $6.2MM deal. Weight issues may have steered the Packers away from Tomlinson, a personnel exec informed SportsBoom.com’s Jason La Canfora. A nine-year veteran, Tomlinson spent last season as a full-time Cardinals starter. The Pack added Hargrave on a two-year, $23MM deal.
- Staying on the subject of NFC North D-lines, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the Lions met with five-year veteran Jay Tufele. Seeing time with the Jaguars, Bengals and Jets, the former fourth-round pick has started seven career games. The 26-year-old DT spent last season with the Jets, logging 230 defensive snaps.
Giants Meet With DT D.J. Reader
Regardless of Dexter Lawrence‘s 2026 status, defensive tackle is on the Giants’ radar. They are still a bit light at the position, and last year’s squad ranked 31st in stopping the run.
New York is considering a veteran addition in that department, with veteran reporter Jordan Schultz indicating the team brought in D.J. Reader for a visit Monday. Reader has also visited the Ravens; the veteran D-tackle is making the rounds and expected to sign somewhere post-draft.
That timeline aligns with the compensatory deadline, with another wave of free agency beginning annually due to teams waiting until May to sign UFAs due to them not counting against their comp-pick formula for the 2027 draft. Reader played out a two-year, $22MM Lions deal. He will be looking for a fourth NFL contract, having moved from Houston to Cincinnati to Detroit during a 10-year career.
Despite Reader coming off the second quadriceps tear of his NFL career (sustained in 2023), he started every game he played for the Lions. Reader, 31, missed only two games during his two-year Detroit tenure. The 330-pound defender graded as Pro Football Focus’ No. 32 overall interior D-lineman last season and slotted 36th in 2024. He checked in higher as a Bengal, with PFF grading the Clemson alum as a top-11 DT from 2021-23. That span included a Super Bowl LVI start; Reader registered a sack in that close Cincinnati loss.
Harbaugh’s former team plays the compensatory system shrewdly every year. The Ravens hoard comp picks, regularly signing veterans after the draft. Baltimore often stocked its edge-rushing corps this way, and while Harbaugh has already added several ex-Ravens (Isaiah Likely, Patrick Ricard, Jordan Stout, Ar’Darius Washington, Daniel Faalele) in an active Giants free agency period, his former team’s tactics point to more roster-building work coming after the draft.
The Giants allowed 5.3 yards per carry last season, ceding at least 220 yards in three games (against the Commanders, Eagles and Lions). Lawrence has asked for a trade, but as our Adam La Rose noted in his most recent mailbag, that likely has more to do with extension talks than a full-on desire to leave New York. That said, the Giants are not believed to be planning a raise for Lawrence after a down season. That will test the eighth-year D-tackle’s resolve. It seems doubtful this Reader visit will cause Lawrence to cave, given the latter’s status as a two-time All-Pro.
Big Blue is believed to be more open to moving Kayvon Thibodeaux than Lawrence, whom Harbaugh has labeled a core player. The Giants are not expected to deal Lawrence, but they will listen to offers. If a big proposal is accepted, the Giants will be in dire need of DT help. More than just Reader would need to be added in the event an unlikely trade commences.
Lions Viewed As T Kadyn Proctor’s Floor; Ravens Interested?
The Lions granted Taylor Decker‘s release request after the sides could not agree on an adjusted contract. Decker had considered retirement this offseason but is eyeing an 11th NFL campaign; the Pro Bowler does not yet have a team.
While it should be expected Decker lands somewhere for an age-33 season, the Lions have a glaring need. Penei Sewell appears poised to shift from right to left tackle, following Tristan Wirfs in doing so, but only veteran swingman Larry Borom is in place as a right tackle option. The Lions look to be closely eyeing tackles in this draft.
One of those is Kadyn Proctor, with NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah indicating Detroit at No. 17 should be considered the Alabama prospect’s floor. Jeremiah views Proctor — his 22nd-ranked prospect — as having the most upside among O-linemen in this class. As our Ely Allen noted recently, Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano have been frequently ranked above Proctor, who has generated some weight concerns ahead of the draft. He checked in at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds at the Combine but has played heavier in the past. Mekhi Becton-like concerns could cloud Proctor’s outlook, but Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer indicates he will go earlier than expected.
Breer previously posited Proctor’s best NFL fit may be at right tackle or at guard, and while he does add some discipline questions have surfaced here (potentially making certain teams leery), the upside will naturally intrigue other clubs.
A college LT, Proctor changing positions would suddenly align with the Lions’ needs, as Dan Campbell has discussed sliding Sewell — a three-time first-team All-Pro RT — to the blind side. The Buccaneers made the same move with Wirfs following the 2023 season; he has since collected two more Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro recognition at his new spot. Sewell, whose 2024 extension lapped the field at right tackle, would be the NFL’s third-highest-paid LT.
Detroit agreed to terms with Borom on Day 1 of free agency, but the team only authorized a one-year, $5MM deal. That makes the formerly demoted Bears blocker’s status murky, and the Lions will surely look to have a higher-upside player opposite Sewell soon. Proctor has been linked to the Browns — who hold Nos. 6 and 24 — and visited the Chiefs (No. 9) and Texans (No. 28) thus far. Unless Houston moves way up, it appears Proctor will be out of reach.
The Lions had Decker and Sewell playing across from one another for four seasons. In that time, Detroit formed a high-end O-line. Major changes have ensued on the Lions’ front, however. Sewell is set to be the only starter from 2024 still in place by the time Week 1 rolls around. Given the interest in Proctor, it is fairly safe to say the Lions — who signed center Cade Mays last month — will be adding another piece to this unit early in the draft.
GM Brad Holmes also said (via ESPN.com’s Eric Woodyard) the Lions would “absolutely” use draft capital to trade up if the team is convinced on a player. The Lions made a big jump for Jameson Williams in 2022, and they veered wildly from mock drafts in adding Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell in the 2023 first round.
It is no lock Proctor falls to Detroit at 17. The Ravens are known to be fond of the Alabama program, and Proctor did impress at his pro day. No character issues exist here, according to SI.com’s Jason La Canfora, who views Proctor as the club’s most likely first-round O-line preference.
The Ravens do not have a tackle need presently, having Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten installed at those spots, but they did lose guard Daniel Faalele to the Giants last week. Baltimore added John Simpson in free agency, however. If the team drafted Proctor at No. 14, he would presumably replace Andrew Vorhees at left guard.
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Which Team Will Eschew 2027 QB Pick By Drafting Ty Simpson?
From the Giants choosing the 2019 draft to tab Eli Manning's successor -- as opposed to the stronger 2018 or 2020 quarterback classes -- to the Broncos drifting down a bad path with their 2016 Paxton Lynch investment, timing a quarterback bet is rather important. Picking the wrong year to dive in can set a franchise back significantly.
Acquiring a quarterback with a first-round pick requires an organizational commitment that effectively barricades a franchise from reinvesting in the position early in the following draft. Even a second-round investment serves as such a commitment, as there are not many examples of teams making a Round 2 QB choice in one draft and then going back to the table with a first- or second-round move at the position the following year. For the most part, if you pick a year to analyze a QB class and make a selection, you are pot-committed.
This makes advanced scouting vital. However, the reports going into the 2025 draft suggested 2026 would be a much better year for quarterback prospects. While the Raiders are set to benefit, the thin 2026 class shows the risks in anticipating a QB crop a year out.
That brings us to Ty Simpson. The consensus QB2 in this year's draft, as our Ely Allen outlined to launch our 2026 Prospect Profile series, has drawn varying opinions. His mock destinations have ranged from the middle of the first round to following Drew Lock, Malik Willis and Will Levis as a player with recent first-round connections falling to Day 2. Unlike the extreme Shedeur Sanders example, Round 2 appears Simpson's floor. That will bring organizations to a decision. Is he worth sacrificing an early investment in the 2027 QB class?
Giants Eyeing Trade-Down Move From No. 5; Other Teams Interested In Trading Back
Closely connected to Jeremiyah Love and Caleb Downs at No. 5 overall, the Giants are launching a new regime centered around John Harbaugh. Coming off a 3-14 season and not entering free agency as one of the most cap-rich teams, the Giants still have holes to fill.
New York also does not hold a third-round pick, trading it to the Texans in the deal that gave New York Jaxson Dart access last year. The Giants are (again) in prime position to snare one of the top talents in a draft class. This is certainly not atypical, as the Giants have walked out of recent drafts with Abdul Carter, Malik Nabers, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Andrew Thomas and Saquon Barkley. They also made two more top-10 picks in this span, selecting Daniel Jones and Evan Neal. This brigade of high-level prospects has not mattered much for Big Blue in the grand scheme.
Harbaugh represents the latest organizational pivot, as the team hopes an experienced leader can help put pieces together in a way the recent run of less seasoned coaches could not. The Giants could land yet another upper-crust prospect, but ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan notes a belief exists the team would prefer to trade down a few spots to accumulate more draft capital.
The Giants hold Nos. 5 and 37 but do not pick again until No. 105. While they have been tied to Love, Downs, Sonny Styles and Carnell Tate, Raanan adds cornerback is a position where the team is doing homework. LSU’s Mansoor Delane visited the Giants on Thursday, and they are digging into Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy as well. McCoy missed all of last season with an ACL tear but has rehabbed to the point he will be ready to go as a rookie. McCoy clocked a 4.38-second 40-yard dash time at the Volunteers’ pro day and is expected to be drafted by the middle of Round 1 at the latest.
Neither player profiles as one requiring an investment at No. 5, however, and the Giants could be angling to find teams interested in climbing up for a prospect in an effort to recoup a Day 2 pick or two. We are, of course, in prime smokescreen season. The Giants are obviously far from certain to move down and pass on one of this draft’s top prospects, and the New York Post’s Ryan Dunleavy adds Love and Downs (in that order) may be the top players in the team’s draft queue. We heard Giants-Love connections earlier, with Downs and Styles also drawing extensive attention from the team — as Harbaugh’s former club valued the safety position highly.
New York gave Paulson Adebo a three-year, $54MM deal in free agency last year and signed Greg Newsome to a one-year, $8MM pact last month. Newsome profiles as more of a stopgap than a Cordale Flott successor, and the Giants look to have missed on 2023 first-rounder Deonte Banks. Adebo being brought in before Harbaugh’s staff arrived also probably affects the team’s CB interest in this draft.
The Giants also might not find too many teams with appetites to surrender assets and move up. With no quarterback beyond Fernando Mendoza compelling teams to consider big-ticket trade-up offers and the likes of Love, Styles and Downs at non-premium positions, there might be a shortage of trade action early. The teams that follow the Raiders in the top five — the Jets, Cardinals, Titans and Giants — are believed to be interested in moving down to add assets, SI.com’s Albert Breer said in an interview with The Ringer’s Todd McShay, but trade partners are not plentiful right now.
Drafting Love, Styles or Downs this high do not bring the type of contractual advantage identifying a top-shelf pass rusher, wide receiver or tackle — positions usually populating this draft space — would provide. And trading assets to acquire one of these players compounds this issue, potentially creating a scenario in which we do not see much trade action early. Breer adds the trade movement in this year’s draft may begin around No. 10.
It is obviously not a lock the draft will play out this way, and veteran insider Jordan Schultz has been told this could be a trade-heavy draft. Schultz points to a potential “flurry” of activity in the first half of Round 1, citing sources informing him of modest depth in the later rounds. While it is true the present college landscape keeping players in school longer has depleted draft classes — with mid-20-somethings populating the later rounds and UDFA classes — others have spoken of this class’ depth at certain positions.
It will be interesting to hear if more trade chatter picks up over the next two weeks. That is generally the case, and even without a quarterback driving action (as Drake Maye did with the Giants and Vikings in 2024), trade buzz promises to pick up in the coming days.
Sonny Styles In Play For Jets; Latest On Team’s Plans At No. 2 Overall
It may not be a two-man race for the Jets at No. 2 overall. Although New York has long been tied to bringing in an edge rusher with that choice, one of this class’ impact talents at a non-premium position may be in play still.
The Jets are viewed as “incredibly high” on Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, SportsBoom.com’s Jason La Canfora notes. Styles’ transition from safety to linebacker and his eye-catching Combine performance rocketed him up draft boards. Even though off-ball linebacker is not traditionally in play for teams this high, the 6-foot-5 defender may be an exception.
Styles joins Jeremiyah Love and ex-Buckeyes teammate Caleb Downs as high-floor prospects in this class who play positions devalued — to a degree, at least — on the marketplace. Styles and Love are firmly in the mix to be top-five picks, with Downs being closely connected to the Giants at No. 5 as well. No pure linebacker has gone in the top five since the Buccaneers chose Devin White fifth overall in 2019; to find an off-ball ‘backer who went second overall, going back much farther is required.
Technically, the Broncos placed Von Miller as a 4-3 outside ‘backer to start his career — but the future Hall of Famer was/is a pass rusher. The 2000 draft featured Washington selecting LaVar Arrington second overall. Though Arrington became a Pro Bowler and was technically a 4-3 OLB as well, he showcased pass-rushing chops (17 sacks from 2002-03). If the Jets are to seriously consider Styles at 2, he would presumably need to be used regularly as a rusher.
Drawing Fred Warner comparisons, Styles transitioned from safety to linebacker in 2024 and did post six sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss that season. He finished with one sack and 6.5 TFLs in 2025 but earned rave reviews as a pure non-rush ‘backer. Styles going ahead of teammate Arvell Reese — his linebacker teammate in Columbus who flashed brightly as a part-time pass rusher — or Texas Tech’s David Bailey would surprise, considering the Jets’ frequent connections to taking an EDGE here. But Styles’ combination of athleticism and production may have him in contention for a contract north of Travis Hunter‘s ($46.65MM) at No. 2 overall soon.
That said, Styles still looks like an underdog to be chosen this early. A Reese-or-Bailey decision that reminds of Jacksonville’s Travon Walker–Aidan Hutchinson debate from 2022 remains the more relevant topic here, as ESPN’s Field Yates notes an “overwhelming majority” of evaluators view the answer to this question as the one that will decide who goes second overall.
Furthering this debate, Yates ESPN colleague Matt Miller notes Bailey is believed to have more fans in the Jets’ building while fellow ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid predicts Reese — the Walker in this scenario — will be the pick. While this debate is believed to be ongoing, a previous report pointed to Reese being the Jets’ preference.
A Reese choice would be a bet on upside, having logged fewer than 100 pass-rushing snaps last season. Bailey led Division I-FBS with 14.5 sacks last season and combined for 12 while at Stanford from 2023-24. Hutchinson has proven to be the more impactful player, and that probably has come up in Jets meetings as the team with the first non-Fernando Mendoza pick deliberates.
Carnell Tate is not viewed as a frontrunner in this discussion, though Miller adds the Jets “really like” the former Buckeyes wide receiver. The lack of a long-term quarterback plan may be impacting the organization with regards to Tate at No. 2. Tate is viewed as a potential top-five pick and appears a lock to be chosen in the top 10, but the Jets have long been tied to a pass rusher to pair with Will McDonald. Styles would be a slight upset given his position, though it would be interesting to see the Jets make that move over Bailey or Reese. The Cardinals and Titans, who both could use EDGE help, will see their fortunes impacted by the Jets’ call here.