Josh Allen ‘Good To Go’ After Foot Surgery
Bills quarterback Josh Allen played through the end of last season with a broken bone in his right foot. Not long after the Broncos eliminated the Bills in the divisional round, Allen underwent late-January surgery to address the issue. A little over two months later, he is “good to go” as the Bills’ offseason workouts approach, head coach Joe Brady told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network (via Bobby Kownack of NFL.com).
“The thing about Josh Allen, he got surgery after the season, but he’s playing as if you think there’s nothing wrong with him,” Brady said. “The guy could barely walk, and then he’s playing games and it’s not impacting [his play]. He’s built different.”
Following up an MVP-winning 2024 season, Allen was the driving force behind a 12-win showing and a seventh straight playoff berth for Buffalo last year. With 39 total touchdowns (25 passing, 14 rushing), the dual threat finished second to Rams QB Matthew Stafford (46) in that category. Stafford earned MVP honors, while Allen came in third in the race.
Despite taking plenty of punishment, including 40 sacks, the remarkably durable Allen logged another full season and extended his NFL-leading consecutive starts streak to 139. Allen has started every Bills game since Week 12 in 2018, the former seventh overall pick’s rookie season.
The Bills have gone 88-39 in the regular season with Allen at the helm, but they have not reached the Super Bowl in the soon-to-be 30-year-old’s career. Tired of falling short, owner Terry Pegula fired head coach Sean McDermott and promoted Brady from offensive coordinator in an effort to get over the hump in 2026. Allen, who participated in the Bills’ head coaching interviews, endorsed the hiring. Brady’s first offseason workout program as a head coach is scheduled to begin April 6.
Stephon Gilmore Announces Retirement
Former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore is calling it a career. The 13-year veteran cornerback announced his retirement Thursday via social media.
Gilmore, 35, finished his career as a member of six teams — the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Colts, Cowboys and Vikings — and as a Super Bowl champion. Gilmore played in two Super Bowls with the Patriots, becoming a key piece to help New England secure its sixth championship.
Although Gilmore played for five teams over his final five seasons, he will be best remembered for his tenures in New England and Buffalo. The Bills drafted the outside cornerback in the 2012 first round, and the Patriots deviated from their generally conservative Bill Belichick-era free agency blueprint to hand him a big-ticket deal in 2017. That led to Gilmore’s career apex, as he secured back-to-back first-team All-Pro nods with the Pats.
The veteran cover man did not play last season but expressed interest in doing so. Gilmore contemplated retirement following his 2024 Minnesota season, and after not following through last year, the South Carolina native will walk away in 2026. Intercepting 32 regular-season passes and starting 173 career games, Gilmore was certainly one of the better cornerbacks of his era. He delivered one of the greatest stretches in the position’s history as well, and it played a key role in the Patriots venturing to Super Bowls LII and LIII.
New England brought Gilmore in on a five-year, $65MM deal that featured $31MM guaranteed at signing. Gilmore joined the Pats during the offseason in which the team placed a first-round RFA tender on Malcolm Butler. Infamously scratched for Super Bowl LII, Butler soon left (for Tennessee) in free agency. Gilmore shined from 2018-19, earning first-team All-Pro acclaim in each season. In 2018, Gilmore delivered lockdown coverage for a Patriots team gunning for its third straight Super Bowl appearance. His interceptions of Philip Rivers and Jared Goff in the playoffs did plenty to hand that dynasty a sixth title, with Pro Football Focus handing out a career-best grade (90.9) to the former No. 10 overall pick.
Gilmore outdid his 2018 season a year later, and while the Patriots could not voyage to a fourth straight Super Bowl, Gilmore became the first cornerback in 10 years to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors. Intercepting six passes in 2019, Gilmore returned two of those picks for scores and allowed a measly 44.1 passer rating as the closest defender. These two seasons prompted Gilmore to push for a revised contract, but he did not end up securing a true extension in Foxborough.
The Patriots gave Gilmore a $4.95MM raise for the 2020 season, but the sides could not come to terms on another agreement in 2021. That led the Pats to trade Gilmore to the Panthers — after nearly cutting him — before the 2021 deadline. Gilmore had not played for the Pats yet in 2021, being placed on the reserve/PUP list due to a quad issue. The Panthers obtained the ex-South Carolina Gamecock for a 2023 sixth-round pick. While the move brought Gilmore back home, he signed with the Colts (two years, $20MM) in 2022.
As Indianapolis retooled around Shane Steichen in 2023, the team traded Gilmore to Dallas for a fifth-round pick. Gilmore worked opposite DaRon Bland in 2023, with the latter setting an NFL record with five pick-sixes after Trevon Diggs suffered a seminal ACL tear in a September practice. Gilmore expressed interest in re-signing with the Cowboys but ended up with the Vikings (one year, $7MM) just before the 2024 season. Minnesota used Gilmore as a full-time starter on the boundary during a 14-3 season — a period that brought a Gilmore reunion with ex-Pats de facto DC Brian Flores — but the team did not opt to re-sign him in 2025.
The Bills initiated Gilmore’s NFL launch, drafting him to play for Chan Gailey and Dave Wannstedt. By 2013, Doug Marrone and Mike Pettine were in the HC and DC roles. Gilmore toiled for five Bills teams that extended the franchise’s playoff drought to 17 by the 2016 season. The Bills did see their No. 1 corner make his first Pro Bowl that year, bolstering his free agent market. Buffalo let Gilmore walk in 2017 and drafted future All-Pro Tre’Davious White (via the Patrick Mahomes trade) weeks later.
Gilmore’s Colts pact bumped him past $100MM in career earnings; his Vikings contract moved him to $115.37MM over the course of 13 seasons. Falling short of the All-Decade team for the 2010s (despite a strong late push from his Pats days), the 6-foot corner will not be a Hall of Fame lock. But he crafted a strong midcareer apex that made a considerable difference in multiple Super Bowl chases.
Bills, WR Brandin Cooks Engage In Talks
Nomadic wide receiver Brandin Cooks didn’t join the Bills until late November last year, but he may have made a strong enough impression to stick with the team in 2026. While Cooks is still unsigned, general manager Brandon Beane said the two sides have had conversations. Beane added that an answer on Cooks’ future might not come until after the draft, per Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News.
A veteran of six teams over a dozen years in the NFL, Cooks has piled up 734 catches, six 1,000-yard seasons and 60 receiving touchdowns since the Saints chose him 20th overall in 2024. Those are excellent numbers, though the 32-year-old’s production has slowed down significantly in recent seasons. In 15 touchdown-less games between Buffalo and New Orleans last year, Cooks caught just 24 passes for 279 yards.
Having been part of four trades, Cooks is tied for the most in league history in that category. The Saints tried to add to the total before last November’s trade deadline, though they were unable to find a taker. They wound up waiving Cooks a couple of weeks later. The receiver-needy Bills quickly added Cooks after he cleared waivers.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Cooks only caught five of 11 targets in five regular-season games with Buffalo. However, with 22.8 yards per catch, the speedster gave the Bills’ offense a much-needed field-stretching element. He added another five receptions for 78 yards in two playoff games, including a crucial 36-yard grab late in a 23-20 wild-card round win over the Jaguars.
Unfortunately for Cooks and the Bills, his inability to haul in a deep ball from Josh Allen in the divisional round will be the lasting memory of his season. With Buffalo and Denver tied at 30 in overtime, Broncos cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian wrestled away what would have been a 43-yard grab for Cooks and turned it into an interception. Had Cooks secured it, the Bills would have gone on to attempt the winning field goal. Instead, the Broncos took possession, drove for a 33-30 victory and advanced to the conference title game.
The Bills fired longtime head coach Sean McDermott after losing to the Broncos, but they stayed in-house with the promotion of offensive coordinator Joe Brady. Along with his familiarity with Brady, Cooks has past experience with new offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. Cooks played under Carmichael in New Orleans during his first three seasons, in which he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark twice. While that type of production is a pipe dream at this stage of Cooks’ career, he could still fight for a complementary role with the Bills or another team.
Buffalo made a major investment at receiver when it traded a second-round pick to the Bears for D.J. Moore last month, but there is still room for at least one more addition. If Beane doesn’t bring in anyone via the draft, it could increase Cooks’ chances of re-signing with the Bills.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth, and weeks remain until this year’s deadline. In the meantime, we will use the space below to track all the 2027 option decisions from around the league:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM)
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM)
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM)
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM)
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM)
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM)
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM)
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM)
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM)
- DE Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM)
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM)
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): To be exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM)
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised*
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM)
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): To be exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): To be exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM)
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): To be exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM)
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)
* = Seahawks gave Smith-Njigba four-year, $168.6MM extension
Bills To Pick Up TE Dalton Kincaid’s Fifth-Year Option
As expected, the Bills will pick up tight end Dalton Kincaid‘s fifth-year option, Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News reports. Kincaid is in line to earn $8.16MM in 2027.
After Kincaid hauled in 70 receptions for 890 yards and eight touchdowns in his final college season, the Bills traded up two spots for the former Utah standout in the 2023 draft. The Bills selected Kincaid 25th overall, though injuries have prevented the three-year veteran from maximizing his potential in the NFL.
Kincaid missed just one game during his rookie season, in which the 6-foot-4, 240-pounder racked up 73 catches, 673 yards and a pair of touchdowns. However, various maladies kept Kincaid out of a combined nine games over the past two years. The problems began when Kincaid tore his left PCL in a Week 10 win over the Colts in 2024. Kincaid, who missed a month, finished the year with a disappointing 44 catches, 448 yards and two scores in 13 games.
While continuing to play through a balky knee last season, Kincaid also dealt with oblique and hamstring issues. Although Kincaid totaled just 12 appearances, he offered quality production. The 26-year-old caught 39 of 49 targets – good for an 80% success rate – for 571 yards. He easily set career highs in yards per catch (14.6) and TDs (five). Quarterbacks Josh Allen and Mitch Trubisky combined for a spectacular 149.2 passer rating when targeting Kincaid, per Next Gen Stats. Kincaid, who led the league’s tight ends in that category, was also a factor in the playoffs. Along with a team-high two TD catches, Kincaid ranked second among Bills in receptions (nine) and yards (111) over a pair of postseason games.
It is unknown if the Bills will explore a Kincaid extension, but regardless, they are in position to keep a strong tight end group intact for at least another two seasons. The Bills gave Dawson Knox a new three-year deal earlier this month, while blocking specialist Jackson Hawes still has three seasons left on his rookie contract. Head coach Joe Brady, then Buffalo’s offensive coordinator, relied heavily on his tight ends in 2025. Kincaid only played 302 offensive snaps as a result of his injuries, but Knox (653) and Hawes (487) combined for 1,140.
Bills Could Trade Up For Edge Defender
Although the Bills have been perennial AFC contenders since 2019, a mediocre pass rush has been among the reasons they have not reached the Super Bowl. While sacks aren’t the end-all, be-all, it is notable that only one Bill (Leonard Floyd in 2023) hit double digits in a season during former head coach Sean McDermott‘s nine-year reign.
The Bills moved on from the defensive-minded McDermott after last season and promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. In his most important hire, Brady tabbed longtime NFL safety and ex-Broncos assistant Jim Leonhard as his defensive coordinator. The Bills have since added a noteworthy pass rusher in Bradley Chubb, whom they picked up on a three-year, $43.5MM agreement in free agency.
Chubb, who is replacing free agent Joey Bosa in Buffalo, may not be the only significant pass-rushing investment the team makes this offseason. With the draft a few weeks away, there is a belief general manager Brandon Beane would be willing to move up from 26th overall for an “impact edge presence,” Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom writes.
“They still don’t have enough bite up front,” one longtime executive told La Canfora.
Transitioning to a 3-4 base defense in 2026, the Bills are indeed light on edge rushers. Chubb and Greg Rousseau are the best in-house options for a defense that ranked 20th in sacks and 27th in pass rush win rate last year. Michael Hoecht is next in the outside linebacker pecking order, but it is unknown how much he will contribute next season after tearing his Achilles last November. Andre Jones and Javon Solomon round out the group, though neither has done much over a combined five NFL seasons.
The good news for the Bills is that this year’s class is heavy on edge rushers. It is the deepest position group going into the draft, according to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, who contends “edge defenders will rule the first round.” Beane may be able to upgrade even if he stays at 26, which would be ideal for a team that’s light on draft capital.
Having already traded their second-round pick to the Bears for wide receiver D.J. Moore, the Bills own seven selections and a mere two in the top 91. They also have other needs to address (interior defensive line, middle linebacker, receiver and secondary depth among them), which Beane will have to consider before potentially trading up.
Bills Re-Sign S Damar Hamlin
Damar Hamlin will be remaining in Buffalo for at least the 2026 season. The veteran safety re-signed with the Bills on Friday, per a team announcement. 
This is a one-year contract, which comes as little surprise. Hamlin agreed to a deal of the same length last offseason after playing out his rookie pact. Outside interest was shown, but Hamlin remaining in place allowed him to continue a Bills tenure which has seen him alternate between starter and backup duties.
That trend continued in 2025, a year in which Hamlin primarily saw his playing time on special teams. A pectoral injury limited him to just five games during the regular season. The 28-year-old returned to practice leading up to the start of the playoffs, but he did not wind up being activated in time for a return to action.
As a result, this latest Buffalo contract will surely not be a lucrative one. Hamlin took a $2MM deal last time around, with that figure guaranteed in full. Given his missed time in 2025 and projected status as a backup, a similar contract – if not one worth slightly less – can be expected this time around. In any case, Hamlin will represent a familiar face to a safety group which has seen a number of changes this offseason.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Geno Stone have been added in free agency, while Darnell Savage departed by joining the Steelers. Taylor Rapp was released shortly before the start of the new league year, while Jordan Poyer is unsigned. A retirement decision in his case is expected. Especially if Poyer does not continue his career, Hamlin could be counted on as an experienced presence.
The former sixth-rounder has made a total of 27 starts over the course of his career. Gardner-Johnson and Stone are both veteran first-team defensive presences, however, while Cole Bishop is on course to remain a key figure in the secondary. That could leave Hamlin to focus on special teams work once more in 2026, although he could fill in defensively if needed provided he can avoid another major injury.
Bills Sign C/G Austin Corbett, C Lloyd Cushenberry, WR Trent Sherfield
The Bills announced three veteran depth signings on Thursday. Guard/center Austin Corbett, center Lloyd Cushenberry and wide receiver Trent Sherfield are heading to Buffalo on one-year deals.
The addition of Corbett comes as no surprise after he visited the Bills on Monday. A second-round pick of the Browns in 2018, the 30-year-old Corbett is now joining his fourth team. With 94 games and 78 starts on his resume, Corbett will at least give the Bills established interior depth. He may also have a chance to compete with the fairly inexperienced Alec Anderson for the Bills’ starting left guard job. David Edwards, the Bills’ previous starter, left for New Orleans’ four-year, $61MM offer in free agency.
Corbett fell short of expectations in Cleveland, which traded him to the Rams for a fifth-rounder in his second season. But he spent two-plus years as a full-time starter in Los Angeles, where he played right guard for its Super Bowl-winning 2021 team (Edwards was the Rams’ left guard).
Corbett continued as a starter in Carolina over the past four years, though injuries were a problem from 2023-25. He missed 29 games in that span, including four last year. While Corbett began the season as the Panthers’ starting center, he lost the role to Cade Mays when he suffered an MCL injury in Week 2. After Corbett returned from IR, he handled right guard duties.
Since the Broncos used a third-rounder on him in 2020, Cushenberry has started in all 80 appearances at center, making it somewhat surprising that he landed in Buffalo. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder has no path to a starting gig with the Bills, who re-signed center Connor McGovern to a four-year, $52MM pact before free agency opened. Cushenberry signed a similar deal (four years, $50MM) with the Titans in 2024, but it did not go as planned for either side.
A torn Achilles limited Cushenberry to eight games in 2024, and though he bounced back to play in 15 last season, Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 34th among 37 centers. The 28-year-old underwent shoulder surgery early in the offseason, leading the Titans to release him with a failed physical designation in February. If healthy, Cushenberry will presumably compete with Sedrick Van Pran-Granger to work as McGovern’s backup in 2026.
The well-traveled Sherfield, 30, has had stints with seven organizations since going undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2018. He is on his way to Buffalo for the second time, having spent the 2023 campaign there. Known more for his work on special teams than as a pass catcher, Sherfield finished with 11 receptions in 17 games during his first Bills season. He set career highs in catches (30) and yards (417) in Miami in 2022, but he has not approached those numbers in any other year. In a combined 12 games with the Cardinals and Broncos in 2025, Sherfield caught just three passes for 21 yards.
WR Rumors: Tyson, Eagles, Waddle, Moore, Giants, Bears, Cowboys, Cards, Colts
One of the wide receivers expected to go off the draft board in Round 1, Jordyn Tyson did not work out at the Combine and will not participate at Arizona State’s pro day Friday. Tyson missed time with a hamstring injury last season, and it has apparently affected his pre-draft timeline. Tyson, however, will work out for teams April 17, ESPN.com’s Field Yates tweets. That said, the former Colorado recruit will only do positional drills that day. As our Ely Allen pointed out in December, Tyson is a high-ceiling prospect but one that carries injury baggage. Knee and collarbone injuries affected Tyson in separate years with the Sun Devils, and this hamstring issue — when coupled with past maladies — could certainly affect his draft stock. But his 1,101-yard 2024 slate should provide a solid first-round floor. NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Tyson 21st overall in this class.
Here is the latest from the receiver ranks:
- Regardless of their A.J. Brown decision, the Eagles will target a receiver in the draft, The Athletic’s Zach Berman notes. Howie Roseman hit with DeVonta Smith in 2021 but famously missed with Jalen Reagor (Round 1, 2020) and JJ Arcega-Whiteside (Round 2, 2019). A receiver move should be expected early, Berman adds, though he notes optimism exists among decisionmakers Smith can make another jump with a boost in targets. A Brown trade — heavily rumored to be in the works after June 1 — would create a critical need for Philly, but a rookie stepping in alongside Smith and Marquise Brown would stand to bolster the slender WR’s role within the offense.
- Marquise Brown joined the Eagles on a one-year deal worth $5MM in base value, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes. The former Ravens, Cardinals and Chiefs wideout can max out at $6.5MM on the contract. Brown’s $5MM is fully guaranteed, which marks only a slight discount from his 2025 Kansas City terms (one year, $7MM).
- The Broncos have already used Jaylen Waddle‘s contract to create cap space, with Wilson indicating the team converted $15.42MM of the trade pickup’s option bonus to a signing bonus. Waddle is still due $17.24MM in 2026 compensation, 9News’ Mike Klis adds, but his cap number checks in at $4.88MM. That number will jump to $27.1MM in 2027, however, with $15.2MM of Waddle’s ’27 compensation being guaranteed. Acquiring Waddle’s $28.25MM-per-year contract from the Dolphins last week, Broncos hold $18.75MM in 2026 cap space, per OverTheCap.
- The Bills also restructured their WR trade acquisition’s contract, converting $22.19MM in base salary into a signing bonus. This created $17.75MM in cap space, according to OverTheCap. D.J. Moore‘s 2026 cap hit sits at just $6.75MM, though like Waddle, he is due a hefty 2027 guarantee ($15.5MM). Buffalo holds $12.29MM in cap space.
- Already reworking Terence Steele and Malik Hooker‘s contracts, the Cowboys adjusted Jonathan Mingo‘s as well. Mingo accepted a pay cut, per Wilson, who notes the former second-round pick is now on a $1.15MM deal that includes no guaranteed money. After underwhelming on his rookie deal and missing 2025 time due to injury, Mingo will vie for a roster spot. One year remains on his rookie deal.
- Darnell Mooney was tied to a three-year, $39MM Falcons deal, but ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan notes his one-year Giants pact is worth just $3MM in base value. That figure does come fully guaranteed, per Wilson, who notes the contract can max out at $10MM. Calvin Austin‘s Giants agreement comes in at just $1.5MM, according to OverTheCap, with $400K guaranteed. The slot receiver’s deal can max out at $3MM, per The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, who notes the ex-Steeler’s playing time incentives start at a 45% snap rate; his catch incentives begin at 35, with his yardage escalators starting at 400. Meeting the minimum thresholds in each category would earn Austin $150K.
- Rounding up some other recent WR terms, the Bears are giving Kalif Raymond a one-year deal worth $3.5MM. The contract includes $3MM fully guaranteed, Wilson tweets, and can max out at $5.1MM. The Cardinals’ Devin Duvernay deal is worth $1.85MM in base value, per Wilson, who adds $550K is guaranteed at signing. The Colts will have Nick Westbrook-Ikhine tied to a one-year, $1.4MM deal, Wilson adds, noting $438K is guaranteed at signing.
Chargers, Bills, Patriots Book Visits With Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion
As a potential first-round pick, Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion is drawing considerable interest leading up to April’s NFL draft. The Dolphins booked a visit with the 21-year-old Concepcion last week. The Chargers, Bills and Patriots are also on the list, per reports from Ryan Fowler of Commanding The Huddle and Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal.
Concepcion began his college career at NC State, where he got off to a scintillating start in 2023. As a true freshman, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder secured 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns over 13 games. He was also a threat on the ground, where he accrued 320 rushing yards on 41 attempts (7.8 per carry). Thanks to his dual-threat prowess, Concepcion was the ACC Rookie of the Year and a second-team all-conference performer.
Concepcion’s numbers dipped the next season, in which he pulled in 53 catches for 460 yards and six scores in 12 games. He also didn’t pose much of a threat as a rusher; despite adding two more TDs, he ran for just 36 yards on 19 attempts in his last year as a member of the Wolfpack.
Concepcion was primarily a slot receiver at NC State. Wanting to broaden his horizons, he transferred to Texas A&M last year.The decision paid off for Concepcion, whose stock is high in the wake of a consensus All-America and All-SEC campaign.
While Concepcion continued to line up in the slot with the Aggies, he also got some work on the outside and made a major impact on special teams. As a receiver, Concepcion amassed 61 catches for 919 yards (a career-high 15.1 YPC) and an SEC-best nine touchdowns. He logged a mere 10 carries, but with 75 yards and another TD, he made the most of his few opportunities in that department. After returning just five punts at NC State, Concepcion took back 25 last year. In finding the end zone twice and averaging 18.2 yards per return, Concepcion posted excellent results.
Los Angeles (No. 22), Buffalo (26) and New England (31) are all on track to pick near the bottom of the first round, where Concepcion could come off the board. Interestingly, all three teams are among a handful of clubs on Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown‘s wish list for a potential trade, but nobody has caved to Philadelphia’s demands yet. A Brown trade may not occur until at least June (if at all). With the draft long over by then, teams will have a better idea of whether to pursue Brown in the summer.
The Chargers have receivers Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and 2025 second-rounder Tre Harris under contract for next season. However, Johnston only has a year left on his rookie contract, and Keenan Allen remains a free agent.
The Bills have already spent this year’s second-rounder on veteran wideout D.J. Moore, whom they acquired from the Bears earlier this month. But their receiving corps isn’t especially strong beyond Moore and slot target Khalil Shakir. General manager Brandon Beane could double down on upgrading the area by using his first two selections on Concepcion and Moore.
Meanwhile, although the Patriots handed Romeo Doubs a four-year, $68MM contract in free agency, the former Packer has never performed like a No. 1 receiver. The AFC champion Pats released their most productive wideout from last season, Stefon Diggs, leaving room for another significant addition. As things stand, Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams comprise New England’s top five receivers. We’ll find out in a month if Concepcion will join the group.