Steelers’ Troy Fautanu Working At LT
A host of teams to draft a tackle in the 2024 first round made immediate position switches from where that player lined up in college.
Joe Alt moved from left to right tackle, while JC Latham slid from the right side to the blind side in Tennessee. Taliese Fuaga shifted from RT at Oregon State to LT with the Saints (both he and Latham were back at RT by 2025). Jordan Morgan saw rookie-year time at guard in Green Bay (but has since moved back to LT post-Rasheed Walker). Graham Barton moved from tackle to center, while Tyler Guyton shuttled from RT to LT to open his Cowboys career. This slew of changes involving ’24 first-round blockers made Troy Fautanu‘s adjustment blend in rather than stand out.
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Fautanu primarily played left tackle at Washington, being a starter as the Huskies rallied to the CFP championship game behind left-handed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Steelers slotted Fautanu to the right side as a rookie, and while he missed most of that season due to injury, the team kept him at RT while Broderick Jones shifted to LT following Dan Moore Jr.‘s 2025 free agency defection. With Jones struggling and then running into a major injury issue, Fautanu may be headed back to the blind side.
The third-year blocker lined up at LT during Steelers OTAs Monday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo. Fautanu said (via ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor) the prospect of him moving to left tackle on a full-time basis remains “up in the air.” The Steelers are beginning first-round tackle Max Iheanachor at RT. This and Jones’ injury situation would open the door for a mid-contract Fautanu position shift. Fautanu earned All-American acclaim as a left tackle during his final Washington season.
The Steelers are optimistic Jones will be a training camp participant, but he is coming off neck surgery. A setback is believed to have occurred, clouding the fourth-year tackle’s outlook. The Steelers declined Jones’ $19.07MM fifth-year option, and their decision to draft Iheanachor — albeit after being prepared to take Makai Lemon at No. 21 before the Eagles’ seminal trade-up — could lead to the Georgia alum following Moore as a one-contract tackle in Pittsburgh. Two years remain on Fautanu’s rookie deal, and the Steelers can extend that pact through 2028 by exercising his fifth-year option. The team does not need to make that decision until May 2027.
Fautanu said he does not want to shift inside to guard, seemingly making a preemptive strike against a configuration that places Jones and Iheanachor at tackle, but added he believed he could do so if asked. Fautanu saw action in multiple Washington games at guard, but it does not appear the Steelers are interested in exploring that path. Mason McCormick and Spencer Anderson lined up as the team’s first-string guards at OTAs, per Fittipaldo, who adds McCormick switched from right guard to left guard.
McCormick became the Steelers’ James Daniels fill-in in 2024 and the team’s full-time RG starter last season. The former fourth-round pick, however, did see extensive left guard time at South Dakota State. The Steelers lost three-year LG Isaac Seumalo to the Cardinals, who signed him to a three-year, $31.5MM deal. Anderson, a former seventh-round draftee, has made 11 career starts; he mostly worked as Seumalo’s backup over the past two seasons while McCormick handled RG duties. The offseason switch adds some intrigue to Pittsburgh’s front, as Fittipaldo notes the only 2025 Steelers O-line starter who remained in the same spot was center Zach Frazier.
The Steelers added competition at guard by drafting Iowa’s Gennings Dunker in the third round. While Anderson took the first reps at RG Monday, Fittipaldo adds Dunker and FA signee Brock Hoffman will be expected to push him for the role. McCormick, Pro Football Focus’ No. 17 overall guard last season, appears assured of a starting spot in 2026.
Eagles Sign Round 2 TE Eli Stowers
The second tight end to come off the board in this year’s class, Eli Stowers joined an Eagles team that has used similar developmental strategies at the position
Philadelphia re-signed Dallas Goedert in March but looks to have an heir apparent in place. That prospect is now tied to a four-year contract, with the Eagles announcing Monday that Stowers put pen to paper. The No. 54 overall pick will be tied to an $8.89MM deal. Based on agreements for players selected around Stowers, most of this contract will be guaranteed.
With Browns safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren receiving three fully guaranteed years as the No. 58 overall pick — to go with a partial Year 4 guarantee, per OverTheCap — Stowers will see three fully guaranteed years and a chunk of his 2029 salary locked in at signing. This year’s Nos. 55, 56 and 57 overall draftees have not been signed, but the Colts’ deal for No. 53 overall pick C.J. Allen includes a $639K guarantee on a $2.13MM 2029 base salary. Stowers assuredly secured a comparable guarantee in 2029. For now, he will get to work in a position group fronted by a long-running incumbent.
Under Howie Roseman, the Eagles identified Goedert in Round 2 (2018) while Zach Ertz was still rostered. Ertz and Goedert played together for three-plus seasons, before Ertz extension talks did not yield an agreement; Ertz was then traded to the Cardinals during the 2021 season. The Eagles extended Goedert soon after. The team drafted Ertz in the 2013 second round. Brent Celek remained on Philly’s roster until 2017, but Ertz usurped him as the team’s top tight end by 2014. With Goedert on a one-year deal and entering an age-31 season, it will be interesting to see how long Stowers’ developmental period lasts.
Viewed as a player who drew some first-round buzz, Stowers went through the draft with a knee concern that impacted some teams’ interest. As our Connor Byrne noted, Stowers tore his left PCL and meniscus in 2019 while working as a high school quarterback. The Vanderbilt product bounced back nicely from that injury, but it is interesting some teams still viewed it as an issue.
Stowers was a unanimous All-American and the John Mackey Award winner (given to the best college tight end) in 2025. Stowers weighed 239 pounds and clocked a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at the Combine. He profiles as a receiving tight end, whereas Goedert has been one of the league’s best all-around TEs for much of his career, and finished his final Commodores season with 62 catches for 769 yards. That came after a 49/638/5 line in 2024.
The Eagles will now begin their latest TE developmental program, after spending years without a Goedert successor option. Goedert is tied to a one-year, $7MM contract; that checks in lower than the pay-cut agreement the eight-year veteran signed in 2025 (one year, $10MM). Only one Eagles draftee — third-round tackle Markel Bell — remains unsigned.
Saints Extend Offer To Cameron Jordan; No Taysom Hill Proposal On Table
Linked to edge rushers in Round 1, the Saints made it through the draft without addressing this position. Though, the team did send the Raiders a fifth-round selection for Tyree Wilson in a pick-swap trade. Wilson joins a New Orleans edge-rushing group headlined by Chase Young and Carl Granderson.
Another deal with Cameron Jordan, however, remains in play. Twenty-fifth-year GM Mickey Loomis said Monday (via NewOrleans.football’s Mike Triplett) the Saints have an offer out to the accomplished sack artist. As for Taysom Hill, Loomis responded in the negative when asked if the team has made an offer to the versatile veteran.
Jordan, 37 in July, accepted a pay cut to return to the Saints last year. He finished out a one-year deal worth $6.1MM, outplaying the revised contract. Jordan’s 10.5 sacks were his most since the 2021 season — his most recent Pro Bowl slate — and his 15 tackles for loss matched his most since the 2018 campaign.
The 15-year veteran will assuredly have options beyond New Orleans, but he is interested in staying. Jordan has missed just two career games, offering nearly unmatched durability, but he only combined for six sacks and 10 TFLs from 2023-24.
While Rickey Jackson‘s rookie year came before sacks were deemed official, the Hall of Famer has been retroactively credited with eight in that 1981 season. That places his career total (136) four ahead of Jordan. The latter’s 2025 season gave him the lead in official Saints sacks, but the former first-round pick would have a great chance to become the franchise’s undisputed sack kingpin by returning for a 16th season.
Likely waiting on a better offer from the Saints, Jordan has earned just more than $147MM in his career. The Bears, who employ ex-Saints HC Dennis Allen as DC, may not be a true suitor. That being the case would be a blow to Jordan’s ability to push the Saints for better terms. A number of proven vets are available as well. Jordan joins Von Miller — who would also be set for an age-37 season if/when he lands with a team — along with Leonard Floyd, Joey Bosa, Haason Reddick, Jadeveon Clowney, Kyle Van Noy and A.J. Epenesa among notable unsigned edge defenders.
Hill is set to turn 36 in August. The long-running jack-of-all-trades presence has played 10 Saints seasons. His ACL rehab concluded early last season, and the BYU product/perennial fantasy nuisance totaled 205 scrimmage yards on 63 touches. The Saints let Foster Moreau walk in free agency but used a third-round pick on Georgia tight end Oscar Delp and signed former first-rounder Noah Fant. The duo joins Juwan Johnson, who is coming off a career-best season, in New Orleans’ tight end room.
Although Hill is certainly more than just a tight end, the additions of Fant and Delp to go with Johnson — who is coming off a 77-catch, 889-yard season (both numbers smashed his previous career-high marks) — presents a crowded depth chart.
While it would be odd to see Hill in another uniform, he may need to depart Louisiana to continue his career. Prominent ex-Saints staffers are present in Denver and Buffalo, presenting potential landing spots. Hill indicated uncertainty when discussing his Saints future late last season.
Hill played out a four-year, $40MM contract; he will be unlikely to closely approach that value this year. Hill, however, has 45 career touchdowns to go with 12 career TD passes. The historically unique talent profiles as an interesting free agent as teams assess their rosters during spring workouts.
Jacoby Brissett Absent For Start Of Cardinals’ OTAs
The Cardinals signed Gardner Minshew, after Jimmy Garoppolo talks hit a snag, but are believed to view Jacoby Brissett as their starter. But the team’s primary 2025 starter is seeking a raise.
As a result of the contract issue, Brissett has not joined his Cardinals teammates at their first OTA workout. The quarterback is staying away for the time being, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Brissett is tied to a two-year, $12.5MM deal that brings a $4.88MM 2026 base salary.
Closely linked to Ty Simpson in the draft, the Cardinals saw the Rams outflank them for the Alabama product. The Rams viewed their division rivals as a threat for the one-year college starter, and after Los Angeles made the move to draft him at No. 13 overall, the Cardinals waited on a quarterback move. It is obviously not certain Arizona would have traded back into Round 1 for Simpson, but after the team saw the Rams intervene, Carson Beck became the rookie QB investment at No. 65 overall.
Beck accompanies the veteran arms here, as the Cardinals will almost definitely be linked to the 2027 QB draft class — a crop expected to bring better depth compared to this year’s — but they have Brissett and Minshew in place as stopgaps. Beck may be given the keys this season, as it would stand to reason the Cards will want to know how the recent CFP championship game starter looks in game action, but Mike LaFleur appears prepared to open the season with Brissett at the controls.
We heard before the draft Brissett was seeking a starter-level extension. It would make sense for the Cardinals to have one of their veteran arms under contract for 2027, as another bridge setup may need to be in place if the franchise drafts a first-rounder next year. Minshew is on a one-year, $5.75MM pact. That contract came nearly fully guaranteed. Brissett, 33, has just $1.5MM in guaranteed 2026 salary; that figure vested in March.
Brissett (65 career starts) is tied to backup money, but he has been largely viewed as such throughout his career. Brissett’s most notable work came in two separate stints replacing Andrew Luck. Acquired from the Patriots just before the 2017 season, Brissett started 15 Colts games as Luck missed the season with a shoulder injury. After the franchise QB’s sudden 2019 retirement, Brissett stepped back in as Indianapolis’ starter. His other notable starter stint came in 2022, when he was the Browns’ Deshaun Watson stopgap. Brissett reunited with ex-Browns QBs coach Drew Petzing last year, signing with a Cardinals team featuring Petzing as the play-caller. Arizona’s coaching change leaves his status murkier, and trade noise has emerged in the wake of the contract demand.
Minshew’s presence — and the general lack of expectations surrounding this Cardinals team — would stand to keep Brissett’s price point reasonable. Although the 2025 Giants showed two stopgap veterans (Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston) can stay on a team with a rookie QB investment, the Cardinals could certainly get by with just Minshew accompanying Beck.
This Cards regime has traded a bridge starter in the past, unloading Josh Dobbs (to the Vikings) at the 2023 deadline — as Kyler Murray finished off his ACL rehab. With Minshew signing to play in LaFleur’s offense, Brissett’s name will be one to watch in the coming weeks and months. GM Monti Ossenfort trading Dobbs weeks after acquiring him in a deal does keep the door open to Minshew being a trade candidate as well, but Brissett’s contract situation represents a key variable here. For the time being, it is keeping him off the field as the Cardinals learn LaFleur’s offense.
Texans Sign Round 2 TE Marlin Klein
MAY 17: Klein’s deal contains full guarantees for the first three years, per Wilson. Roughly $60K is guaranteed for the final season of the pact. In all, Klein secured 76.96% in guarantees; that represents a significant increase compared to the 67.17% from the No. 59 slot in 2025.
MAY 14: A run on tight ends occurred in the second round. Despite extending Dalton Schultz earlier this offseason, Texans participated by drafting Michigan’s Marlin Klein.
The Texans, who made two second-round choices in this draft, chose Klein 59th. They now have him signed to a four-year rookie deal, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. The deal is worth $8.18MM and will undoubtedly carry more guarantees at signing than the No. 59 pick in the 2025 draft received.
[RELATED: Texans Give Second-Round DT Kayden McDonald Fully Guaranteed Deal]
Four tight ends went off the board between Nos. 54 and 61. The Eagles began that stretch with Eli Stowers, while the Jaguars viewed this draft range as likely to produce a few TE picks; that led them to draft Nate Boerkircher much earlier than most expected him to go. The Texans chose Klein soon after, and the Rams added Max Klare at No. 61. Like each of the second-round TEs in this draft, Klein will go to a team with an established starter.
Stowers joins an Eagles team that re-signed Dallas Goedert, while the Jaguars have Brenton Strange lined up as an extension candidate. The Rams re-signed Tyler Higbee and used a second-round pick last year on Terrance Ferguson, and the Texans have Schultz signed through 2027 via a one-year, $12.6MM extension.
The Texans, whom Wilson notes used “30” visits on Klare and Georgia TE Oscar Delp (a third-round Saints pick), had discussions about trading down from No. 59. While sixth-year GM Nick Caserio confirmed discussions took place about moving down, the Texans added Klein after considering a move back into Round 1 for Kayden McDonald. The team ultimately did not need to make that move, though it did climb two spots (via the Raiders) to grab the Ohio State defensive lineman at No. 36.
A Germany native who played high school football in Georgia, Klein clocked a 4.61-second 40-yard dash time at the Combine. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher was certainly not a prolific receiving option with the Wolverines, totaling 38 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown in four Ann Arbor seasons. He played behind 2025 first-rounder Colston Loveland while also waiting his turn behind future NFLers AJ Barner and Luke Schoonmaker at Michigan.
ESPN’s Scouts Inc. viewed Houston’s decision as a slightly bigger reach than Jacksonville’s, ranking Klein 176th among this year’s prospects. Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board was more bullish, slotting Klein 84th. Klein’s blocking ability drew plus reviews heading into the draft, however, and the Texans should have room for him to develop while Schultz continues to operate as the team’s top receiving TE. Free agency addition Foster Moreau also stands to help Houston have Klein in place as a developmental option in 2026.
Packers Sign Round 2 CB Brandon Cisse, Wrap Draft Class Deals
MAY 16: Cisse secured full guarantees in his first three years, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 notes. That includes a $3.31MM signing bonus. An additional $821K is locked in for the final season of the pact, meaning the agreement falls in line with expectations given other second-round deals in 2026.
MAY 14: The Packers were among the teams that did not make a first-round pick in this year’s draft. In Round 2, they made South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse their top investment this year.
Green Bay has now signed Cisse to his four-year rookie contract, per a team announcement. This wraps the Packers’ rookie business for 2026, with the team signing the rest of its picks and UDFA class this month.
Cisse arrived as the No. 52 overall pick in this year’s class. His deal should be expected to come in nearly fully guaranteed. The Falcons set a draft precedent today by fully guaranteeing No. 48 overall pick Avieon Terrell‘s rookie contract, moving the bar for fully guaranteed second-round deals by eight draft slots from 2025. As recently as 2024, no second-rounder had secured four guaranteed years. It would surprise if Cisse’s contract matches Terrell’s, but the new Wisconsin resident will likely see at least three fully guaranteed years with some 2029 money partially guaranteed.
The Colts gave linebacker C.J. Allen, chosen 53rd overall, three fully guaranteed years. He also received a $639K guarantee on his $2.13MM 2029 base salary. This package comes out to 83.7% of Allen’s rookie contract being guaranteed. Cisse will be expected to do a bit better due to his draft slot. By 2027, players chosen beyond 50th overall figure to see fully guaranteed deals. And Allen’s negotiating victory will help players chosen after Terrell in this year’s draft.
Playing primarily on the boundary with the Gamecocks, Cisse allowed catches on only 34.6% of his targets in 2025. He transferred from NC State to South Carolina in 2025. While only finishing his career with two interceptions (in three seasons), Cisse drew extensive pre-draft interest. He visited the Cowboys and Seahawks before being drafted by the Packers, who released Nate Hobbs one season into a four-year, $48MM deal. Hobbs’ quick exit came a year after the team cut Jaire Alexander and let Eric Stokes leave in free agency.
Cisse profiles as a player who will become a Green Bay starter, possibly as early as 2026, though the team does return Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. The Packers also signed Benjamin St-Juste to a two-year, $10MM accord. Counting slot defender Javon Bullard, Cisse is the sixth first- or second-round CB the Packers have drafted over the past decade.
Via PFR’s team by team tracker, here is how the 2026 Packers draft class breaks down:
- Round 2, No. 52: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 77 (from Buccaneers): Chris McClellan (DT, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 120: Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 153 (from Falcons via Eagles): Jager Burton (C, Kentucky) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 201: Domani Jackson (CB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 216 (from Steelers)*: Trey Smack (K, Florida) (signed)
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Each NFL Franchise’s Richest RB Contract
Running back value has become a divisive topic in the modern NFL, and teams’ histories with these investments reveal a large gap in their respective approaches to RB contracts. Following our installments covering the highest-paid quarterback, wide receiver and off-ball linebacker in each team’s history, here are the most lucrative deals — ranked by guaranteed money — for running backs in each franchise’s history (the list excludes rookie contracts).
Unlike the QB and WR markets, some teams’ top RB deals occurred decades ago. This list covers contracts agreed to across four different decades.
Arizona Cardinals
- James Conner; March 14, 2022: Three years, $21MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Jeremiyah Love‘s rookie contract brings the highest guarantee ($53MM) in RB history, but for veteran accords, Conner’s second Arizona pact is the organizational standard
Atlanta Falcons
- Devonta Freeman; August 9, 2017: Five years, $41.25MM ($22.1MM guaranteed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Derrick Henry; May 19, 2025: Two years, $30MM ($25MM guaranteed)
Buffalo Bills
- James Cook; August 13, 2025: Four years, $46MM ($28.82MM guaranteed)
LeSean McCoy‘s March 2015 extension included more guaranteed at signing ($18.25MM), but Cook’s brought a rolling guarantee structure that eclipsed that package in total
Carolina Panthers
- Christian McCaffrey; April 13, 2020: Four years, $64.1MM ($38.16MM guaranteed)
Chicago Bears
- Matt Forte; July 16, 2012: Four years, $30.4MM ($17.1MM guaranteed)
D’Andre Swift‘s 2024 agreement included more guaranteed at signing ($14MM), but Forte’s guarantee package remains the Chicago standard
Cincinnati Bengals
- Corey Dillon; May 11, 2001: Five years, $26MM ($10.5MM guaranteed)
The Bengals more than doubled Dillon’s AAV number in 2020 for Joe Mixon (four years, $48MM) but only guaranteed $10MM of that pact
Cleveland Browns
- Nick Chubb; July 31, 2021: Three years, $36.6MM ($20MM guaranteed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Ezekiel Elliott; September 4, 2019: Six years, $90MM ($50.1MM guaranteed)
Denver Broncos
- Melvin Gordon; March 20, 2020: Two years, $16MM ($13.5MM guaranteed)
Detroit Lions
- Barry Sanders; July 21, 1997: Six years, $33.5MM ($11.5MM guaranteed)
David Montgomery‘s two Lions deals topped the Hall of Famer in AAV, but neither surpassed $11MM guaranteed; Jahmyr Gibbs is tied to the highest RB guarantee in franchise history ($17.85MM) but got there via a rookie deal
Green Bay Packers
- Aaron Jones; March 14, 2021: Four years, $48MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Josh Jacobs‘ 2024 pact edges Jones in AAV but fell short of his predecessor’s deal in guarantees
Houston Texans
- Arian Foster; March 5, 2012: Five years, $43.5MM ($20.75MM guaranteed)
Indianapolis Colts
- Jonathan Taylor; October 7, 2023: Three years, $42MM ($26.5MM guaranteed)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Maurice Jones-Drew; April 15, 2009: Five years, $31.1MM ($14.25MM guaranteed)
Leonard Fournette received a $27.15MM guarantee — still in the top 10 in RB history — but it came on a rookie contract
Kansas City Chiefs
- Kenneth Walker; March 9, 2026: Three years, $43.1MM ($28.7MM guaranteed)
Las Vegas Raiders
- Josh Jacobs; August 26, 2023: One year, $11.79MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Raiders sweetened Jacobs’ franchise tag agreement; Ashton Jeanty‘s 2025 rookie slot deal included $35.9MM guaranteed
Los Angeles Chargers
- LaDainian Tomlinson; August 15, 2004: Six years, $48MM ($21MM guaranteed)
Los Angeles Rams
- Todd Gurley; July 24, 2018: Four years, $57.5MM ($45MM guaranteed)
Miami Dolphins
- De’Von Achane; May 13, 2026: Four years, $64MM ($27.38MM guaranteed)
Minnesota Vikings
- Adrian Peterson; September 10, 2011: Six years, $86.28MM ($36MM guaranteed)
New England Patriots
- Rhamondre Stevenson; June 20, 2024: Four years, $36MM ($17.12MM guaranteed)
New Orleans Saints
- Alvin Kamara; September 12, 2020: Five years, $75MM ($33.83MM guaranteed)
New York Giants
- Saquon Barkley; March 7, 2023: One year, $10.1MM franchise tag ($10.1MM guaranteed)
Barkley’s rookie slot deal included $31.19MM guaranteed — fourth all time among all RB contracts — while Devin Singletary‘s $9.5MM represents the franchise’s high-water mark on a multiyear deal
New York Jets
- Breece Hall; May 8, 2026: Three years, $43.5MM ($29MM guaranteed)
Philadelphia Eagles
- Saquon Barkley; March 4, 2025: Two years, $41.2MM ($36MM guaranteed)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Le’Veon Bell; February 27, 2017: One year, $12.12MM franchise tag ($12.12MM guaranteed)
Bell’s second franchise tag (2018) covered $14.54MM, but the RB became the first tagged player this century to skip a season; Jaylen Warren‘s 2025 extension brought the highest Steelers RB guarantee ($7.1MM) on a multiyear deal
San Francisco 49ers
- Christian McCaffrey; June 4, 2024: Two years, $38MM ($24MM guaranteed)
Seattle Seahawks
- Marshawn Lynch; March 4, 2012: Four years, $30MM ($17MM guaranteed)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Doug Martin; March 9, 2016: Five years, $35.75MM ($15MM guaranteed)
Tennessee Titans
- Derrick Henry; July 15, 2020: Four years, $50MM ($25.5MM guaranteed)
Washington Commanders
- Clinton Portis; March 1, 2004: Eight years, $50.52MM ($13MM guaranteed)
Information from OverTheCap and Spotrac was used in the creation of this post
Packers’ Micah Parsons Candidate To Start Season On PUP List
The Packers saw their Micah Parsons acquisition pay immediate dividends, but the star pass rusher’s path veered off track due to a Week 15 ACL tear. Parsons’ relocation to an organization cautious on the injury front is likely to ensure he does not start his second Green Bay season on time.
Four months ago, Parsons voiced the expectation he would not be available for the Packers’ opener. At the time, the All-Pro noted he was likely to avoid IR, which would lead to a four-game absence to open the campaign. But that timeline should be considered in play — just via a different NFL injured list.
Internally, the Packers expect Parsons to miss time early in the season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter said during a Get Up appearance. The former Cowboys first-rounder is a candidate to start the 2026 slate on the PUP list, Schefter adds. That designation would sideline Parsons for four games. Green Bay’s schedule will be fully revealed tonight, so a clear picture of how a four-game Parsons absence would affect the team will emerge within hours.
A player can be placed on the reserve/PUP list to open a season only after spending training camp and the preseason on the active/PUP list, which is a summer-only designation. This would save a roster spot for the Packers while obviously keeping their best player out of action for September. IR would not seemingly come into play here, as Parsons would need to be activated from the active/PUP list before the late-August roster-setting deadline in order to be eligible for IR.
NFL teams also have eight IR activations at their disposals in-season; Parsons’ activation would count toward that total. Activations from the reserve/PUP list, however, do not factor into that count. If Parsons is placed on an injured list to open the season, it will almost certainly be the reserve/PUP list.
The Packers placed Christian Watson on the reserve/PUP list to open last season, after the wide receiver suffered an ACL tear in Week 18 of the 2024 campaign. Watson did not debut until Week 8, and the Packers gave the deep threat a multiweek window to practice before being redeployed in game action. Parsons may not need to wait until Week 8, but the Packers are clearly bracing for the high-priced defender to be unavailable to start the season.
Green Bay could simply keep Parsons on its 53-man roster in hopes he would be ready to go before Week 5, which would be the earliest a return to practice could take place were the reserve/PUP list used. Going with a week-to-week strategy would be logical for a player like Parsons. If/when the ex-Cowboy dynamo is absent to start the season, more pressure will be on former first-rounder Lukas Van Ness to finally deliver on his draft slot. The Pack picked up Van Ness’ fifth-year option despite modest returns from their 2023 first-round pick.
The team also traded longtime starter Rashan Gary to Dallas in March. Green Bay also waited until Round 4 (Dani Dennis-Sutton) to draft an edge rusher. If it becomes clear Parsons will miss a few weeks to start the season, the Packers will likely be a candidate to add a veteran — via free agency or trade — to serve as a stopgap before settling into a rotational role once Parsons returns.
Browns Sign Second-Round S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren
Mentioned as a possible first-round pick, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren needed to wait much longer to hear his name called in this year’s draft. The Browns swooped in to keep the Toledo prospect in Ohio, taking him off the board at No. 58.
The Browns moved up 12 spots for McNeil-Warren, who has signed his rookie contract Thursday. Like all draft deals beyond Round 1, this is a four-year deal. McNeil-Warren took a “30” visit to Cleveland, one of many for the high-end safety prospect, in March. The Browns now have nine of their 10 2026 draftees — all but first-round wide receiver KC Concepcion — signed to their rookie deals.
[RELATED: Browns Sign Spencer Fano, Seven Other Draftees]
McNeil-Warren is now set to make his home in northeast Ohio, where he will join a Browns team rostering Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman. The Browns have Delpit signed to an extension, while they applied a second-round RFA tender to Hickman in March.
Teaming with 2024 Eagles first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell in Toledo’s secondary for two seasons, McNeil-Warren intercepted five passes and forced nine fumbles with the MAC program. Our Ely Allen submitted a thorough prospect profile on the mid-major prospect before the draft, and Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board — which slotted McNeil-Warren 15th overall — viewed the Browns as landing a steal late in Round 2.
A rangy ballhawk who was sticky in coverage with the Rockets, McNeil-Warren will need to make a substantial competition jump. Mitchell had no trouble with that vault, however, and Browns GM Andrew Berry‘s twin brother (Eagles exec Adam Berry) observed that rise closely. A third-team All-American last season, McNeil-Warren clocked a 4.52-second 40 time at the Combine. The 6-foot-3 DB prospect was viewed as a player who would join Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman in Round 1, but he ended up needing to wait 33 picks after Thieneman to be selected. McNeil-Warren was this draft’s fourth safety chosen, also going after Arizona’s Treydan Stukes (38th, Raiders).
Cleveland traded up 12 spots (via the 49ers) for McNeil-Warren, who certainly has a path to a regular role on an experienced defense in the near future. Delpit and Hickman are in contract years, pointing to a runway for McNeil-Warren to grow into a starter by the 2027 season at the latest.
The Seahawks signed their second-round safety (TCU’s Bud Clark) to a deal that includes two fully guaranteed years, with $1.15MM of his 2028 base salary locked in as well. This year’s No. 53 overall pick, Colts LB C.J. Allen, received three years fully guaranteed plus another $638K in Year 4. McNeil-Warren could reasonably land three fully guaranteed years on this pact, as second-rounders continue to make widespread gains on the guarantee front.