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2024 NFL Draft Results: Round By Round

April 25th, 2024 at 11:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us. From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), we will be keeping tabs here:

Round 1

1. Chicago Bears (via Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
2. Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels (QB, LSU)
3. New England Patriots: Drake Maye (QB, UNC)
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Alt (T, Notre Dame)
6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers (WR, LSU)
7. Tennessee Titans: JC Latham (T, Alabama)
8. Atlanta Falcons: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
9. Chicago Bears: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
10. Minnesota Vikings (via Jets): J.J. McCarthy (QB, Michigan)
11. New York Jets (via Vikings): Olu Fashanu (T, Penn State)
12. Denver Broncos: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
13. Las Vegas Raiders: Brock Bowers (TE, Georgia)
14. New Orleans Saints: Taliese Fuaga (T, Oregon State)
15. Indianapolis Colts: Laiatu Latu (EDGE, UCLA)
16. Seattle Seahawks: Byron Murphy (DT, Texas)
17. Minnesota Vikings (via Jaguars): Dallas Turner (EDGE, Alabama)
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
19. Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Troy Fautanu (OL, Washington)
21. Miami Dolphins: Chop Robinson (EDGE, Penn State)
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Quinyon Mitchell (CB, Toledo)
23 Jacksonville Jaguars (from Browns through Texans and Vikings): Brian Thomas Jr. (WR, LSU)
24. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys): Terrion Arnold (CB, Alabama)
25. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Morgan (OT, Arizona)
26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Graham Barton (OL, Duke)
27. Arizona Cardinals (from Texans): Darius Robinson (DL, Missouri)
28. Kansas City Chiefs (from Bills): Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas)
29. Dallas Cowboys (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
30. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
31. San Francisco 49ers: Ricky Pearsall (WR, Florida)
32. Carolina Panthers (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)

Round 2

33. Buffalo Bills (from Panthers)
34. New England Patriots
35. Arizona Cardinals
36. Washington Commanders
37. Los Angeles Chargers
38. Tennessee Titans
39. Carolina Panthers (from Giants)
40. Washington Commanders (from Bears)
41. Green Bay Packers (from Jets)
42. Houston Texans (from Vikings)
43. Atlanta Falcons
44. Las Vegas Raiders
45. New Orleans Saints (from Broncos)
46. Indianapolis Colts
47. New York Giants (from Seahawks)
48. Jacksonville Jaguars
49. Cincinnati Bengals
50. Philadelphia Eagles (from Saints)
51. Pittsburgh Steelers
52. Los Angeles Rams
53. Philadelphia Eagles
54. Cleveland Browns
55. Miami Dolphins
56. Dallas Cowboys
57. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
58. Green Bay Packers
59. Houston Texans
60. Buffalo Bills
61. Detroit Lions
62. Baltimore Ravens
63. San Francisco 49ers
64. Kansas City Chiefs

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Eagles Extend WR A.J. Brown

April 25th, 2024 at 11:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Eagles have DeVonta Smith on the books through a lucrative extension, but the same is now true of fellow wideout A.J. Brown. The latter has agreed to a three-year, $96MM extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The team has since announced the move.

This deal – which Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested earlier Thursday night would become public – carries the highest AAV in league history amongst wideouts ($32MM). Rapoport adds Brown will collect $84MM in total guarantees, which is also a new watermark at the position. The three-time Pro Bowler is now under contract through the 2029 campaign.

Philadelphia became the first team in NFL history to extend a first-round wideout in his first year of eligibility during the fifth-year option era when they inked Smith to a three-year, $75MM pact. That contract comes in addition to his 2025 option year, and eyebrows were raised when he landed an AAV matching that of Brown. The latter had been attached to the four-year, $100MM pact he signed upon arrival from the Titans during the first round of the draft two years ago.

The $25MM annual average value of that agreement placed Brown in a tie for fourth amongst receivers as of the Smith agreement being worked out. As the position’s market continues to point upward (as demonstrated by yesterday’s decision by the Lions to extend Amon-Ra St. Brown), Brown will once again benefit. The 26-year-old has proven to be a vital member of the Eagles’ offense, posting 2,952 yards and 18 touchdowns in two Philadelphia seasons.

Considering his production, Brown’s scheduled 2024 cap hit of $12.38MM represents a bargain. It will be interesting to see if that figure changes as a a result of this new deal, but in any event future cap numbers could be reduced. Heading into Thursday, the Ole Miss product was due to count $26.5MM and $41.5MM in 2025 and ’26, respectively. Flattening out those hits will likely be a by-product of today’s move.

In any case, this agreement marks the latest of several massive investments made by the Eagles on the offensive side of the ball this offseason. Along with Smith, Brown joins left tackle Jordan Mailata and left tackle Landon Dickerson in landing monster new contracts recently. He will be counted on to continue producing top-tier production in the passing game, and the ongoing presence of many of Philadelphia’s foundational offensive contributors makes it likely that will be the case.

2024 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team

April 25th, 2024 at 11:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

As the 2024 NFL Draft gets underway, we will keep track of each team’s haul here:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Round 1, No. 4: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
  • Round 1, No. 27 (from Texans): Darius Robinson (EDGE, Missouri)
  • Round 2, No. 35:
  • Round 3, No. 66:
  • Round 3, No. 71 (from Titans):
  • Round 3, No. 90 (from Texans):
  • Round 4, No. 104:
  • Round 5, No. 138:
  • Round 5, No. 162 (from Texans):
  • Round 6, No. 186 (from Vikings):
  • Round 7, No. 226 (from Giants):

Atlanta Falcons

  • Round 1, No. 8: Michael Penix Jr (QB, Washington)
  • Round 2, No. 43:
  • Round 3, No. 74:
  • Round 3, No. 79 (from Jaguars):
  • Round 4, No. 109:
  • Round 5, No. 143:
  • Round 6, No. 187:
  • Round 6, 197 (from Browns):

Baltimore Ravens

  • Round 1, No. 30: Nate Wiggins (CB, Clemson)
  • Round 2, No. 62:
  • Round 3, No. 93:
  • Round 4, No. 113 (from Broncos through Jets):
  • Round 4, No. 130:
  • Round 5, No. 165:
  • Round 6, No. 218 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 228 (from Jets):
  • Round 7, No. 250:

Buffalo Bills

  • Round 2, No. 33 (from Panthers):
  • Round 2, No. 60:
  • Round 3, No. 95 (from Chiefs):
  • Round 4, No. 128:
  • Round 5, No. 141 (from Giants through Panthers):
  • Round 5: No. 144 (from Bears):
  • Round 5, No. 160 (from Packers):
  • Round 5, No. 163:
  • Round 6, No. 204:
  • Round 7, No. 221 (from Panthers through Titans and Chiefs):

Carolina Panthers

  • Round 1, No. 32 (from Chiefs through Bills): Xavier Legette (WR, South Carolina)
  • Round 2, No. 39 (from Giants):
  • Round 3, No. 65:
  • Round 4, No. 101:
  • Round 5, No. 142 (from Titans):
  • Round 6: No. 200 (from Cowboys through Texans and Bills):
  • Round 7, No. 240 (from Steelers):

Chicago Bears

  • Round 1: No. 1 (from Panthers): Caleb Williams (QB, USC)
  • Round 1, No. 9: Rome Odunze (WR, Washington)
  • Round 3, No. 75:
  • Round 4, No. 122 (from Eagles):

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Round 1, No. 18: Amarius Mims (T, Georgia)
  • Round 2, No. 49:
  • Round 3, No. 80:
  • Round 3, No. 97:
  • Round 4, No. 115:
  • Round 5, No. 149:
  • Round 6, No. 194:
  • Round 6, No. 214:
  • Round 7, No. 224 (from Cardinals through Texans):
  • Round 7, No. 237:

Cleveland Browns

  • Round 2, No. 54:
  • Round 3, No. 85:
  • Round 5, No. 156 (from Eagles through Cardinals):
  • Round 6, No. 206 (from Ravens):
  • Round 7, No. 227 (from Titans):
  • Round 7, No. 243:

Dallas Cowboys

  • Round 1, No. 29 (from Lions): Tyler Guyton (OT, Oklahoma)
  • Round 2, No. 56:
  • Round 3, No. 73 (from Vikings through Lions):
  • Round 3, No. 87:
  • Round 5, No. 174:
  • Round 6, No. 216:
  • Round 7, No. 233 (from Raiders):
  • Round 7, No. 244:

Denver Broncos

  • Round 1, No. 12: Bo Nix (QB, Oregon)
  • Round 3, No. 76:
  • Round 4, No. 121 (from Dolphins):
  • Round 5, No. 136 (from Panthers through Browns):
  • Round 5, No. 145 (from Jets):
  • Round 5, No. 147:
  • Round 6, No. 207 (from 49ers):

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Eagles Draft CB Quinyon Mitchell At No. 22

April 25th, 2024 at 9:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

The first cornerback has come off the board, and to little surprise the Eagles are the team to make the first move at the position. Philadelphia has selected Toledo cover man Quinyon Mitchell 22nd overall.

This selection comes after multiple reports tabbed Howie Roseman as exploring a move up the first-round board for a corner. The Eagles had traded up in four of the previous five first rounds, but the team — either unable to find a suitable trade or preferring to stay put based on how the board stacked up — stood pat and will begin developing the mid-major prospect to likely emerge as a starter. Age has become an issue for the NFC East club at this position.

Mitchell exploded onto the scene in his second full season as a starter. While leading the MAC in interceptions with five, two of which were returned for touchdowns, Mitchell earned first-team All-MAC honors. But he caught the national eye after leading the country in passes defensed with 25, helping him to earn second-team All-American honors. He followed that up with a strong 2023 season, as well, in which he recorded one interception and 19 passes defensed (leading the MAC) and earned the same All-MAC and All-American accolades.

The Eagles desperately needed help at cornerback. With Slay at 33 years old and James Bradberry turning 31 before the start of the 2024 season, Philadelphia was lacking effective youth at the cornerback position. Both players had down years in 2023, as well, with Slay ranking as Pro Football Focus’ 55th-best cornerback in the league and Bradberry ranking 100th. The Eagles may continue to start Slay and Bradberry, considering how much money they’ve sunk into the two, but expect Mitchell to find his way onto the field early and often as a rookie.

Mitchell becomes the first first-round draft pick out of Toledo since Dan Williams in 1993. Mitchell also becomes the Rockets’ second-highest draft pick in NFL history behind Williams, who was drafted 11th overall. He’ll look to join Kareem Hunt and Diontae Johnson as the next pick name out of Toledo in the NFL.

Ely Allen contributed to this post.

NFC East Notes: Eagles, CBs, Smith, Giants, Draft, Cowboys, McCarthy

April 25th, 2024 at 2:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Buzz earlier this week pointed to the Eagles making a trade-up effort ahead of Round 1. More is coming out on another potential Philly climb up the first-round board. The Eagles, who have traded up in four of the past five first rounds, are making an aggressive effort to try and move up the board, Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz tweets. Going further here, Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano notes the Eagles are “frantically” trying to trade up, listing cornerback as the most likely target. The Eagles hold the No. 22 overall pick.

The Eagles have not chosen a corner in Round 1 since 2002 (Lito Sheppard), but the team has two 30-somethings (Darius Slay, James Bradberry) in place as starters and certainly struggled down the stretch last season. Tackle has come up as a potential Philly target as well, and while this is a good draft to add help here, the team’s trend of ahead-of-the-curve O-line moves will need to be weighed against a more pressing need in coverage.

Here is the latest from the NFC East, moving first to the Giants’ draft approach:

  • If the Giants want to trade up for a quarterback, they might need to target the Cardinals at No. 4. Barring a big offer, the Patriots are expected to stay at 3 and draft Drake Maye. The North Carolina passer has been mentioned frequently as a Giants trade-up target, potentially putting New York to the test (re: J.J. McCarthy) or leading to the team standing down and selecting a wideout at 6. The Giants should be expected to send the Patriots an offer, according to Vacchiano, but they appear less likely to trade up from No. 6 compared to where they stood a few weeks ago. If the Giants stay at 6, they are viewed as interested in adding a top-flight wideout — likely Marvin Harrison Jr. or Malik Nabers — though things could get quite interesting if McCarthy remains on the board.
  • The Cowboys may want someone to target their No. 24 pick in a trade-up maneuver, per the Dallas Morning News’ David Moore, who writes, adding the team does not have 24 first-round grades on players in this class. Dallas has a clear need on its offensive line, not doing much (besides re-signing swing tackle Chuma Edoga) as Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz exited in free agency. Center and either LT or LG are needs, depending on where the Cowboys see Tyler Smith lining up. Impressing at both tackle and guard, Tyler Smith gives the Cowboys options. This is a loaded tackle draft, however, and value may well line up with the Cowboys’ needs.
  • Staying on the subject of the Cowboys, Mike McCarthy made an interesting move this week. The rare coach set to go into a lame-duck year, McCarthy hired agent Don Yee, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Yee represents the likes of Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh, two of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches, and will bring an interesting wrinkle to a Dallas equation involving a coach on a hot seat despite three straight 12-5 seasons.
  • DeVonta Smith‘s three-year, $75MM Eagles deal includes four void years, which will keep the extension’s cap hits manageable in the near future. Smith is tied to cap numbers of $8.1MM, $7.5MM and $10.7MM over the next three years. Void-year proponents, the Eagles would face a big dead money hit ($35.8MM) if Smith is unsigned by March 2029. For the foreseeable future, however, Philly has the 2021 first-round pick tied to a deal that will not affect its cap sheets too much.

2025 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

April 24th, 2024 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2021 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 the player’s position, initial draft placement and 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-highest 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

With the deadline looming, we will use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

  1. QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($25.66MM)
  2. QB Zach Wilson, Broncos* ($22.41MM)
  3. QB Trey Lance, Cowboys** ($22.41MM)
  4. TE Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($10.88MM)
  5. WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals ($21.82MM): Exercised
  6. WR Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($15.59MM): To be exercised
  7. T Penei Sewell, Lions ($19MM): Extended through 2029
  8. CB Jaycee Horn, Panthers ($12.47MM)
  9. CB Patrick Surtain, Broncos ($19.82MM): Exercised
  10. WR DeVonta Smith, Eagles ($15.59MM): Extended through 2028
  11. QB Justin Fields, Steelers*** ($25.66MM): To be declined
  12. DE Micah Parsons, Cowboys ($21.32MM): Exercised
  13. T Rashawn Slater, Chargers ($19MM)
  14. OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, Jets ($13.31MM)
  15. QB Mac Jones, Jaguars**** ($25.66MM)
  16. LB Zaven Collins, Cardinals ($13.25MM)
  17. T Alex Leatherwood, Raiders: N/A
  18. LB Jaelan Phillips, Dolphins ($13.3MM): To be exercised
  19. LB Jamin Davis, Commanders ($14.48MM): Declined
  20. WR Kadarius Toney, Chiefs***** ($14.35MM)
  21. DE Kwity Paye, Colts ($13.4MM)
  22. CB Caleb Farley, Titans ($12.47MM)
  23. T Christian Darrisaw, Vikings ($16MM)
  24. RB Najee Harris, Steelers ($6.79MM): Expected to be exercised
  25. RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars ($6.14MM)
  26. CB Greg Newsome, Browns ($13.38MM)
  27. WR Rashod Bateman, Ravens ($14.35MM): Extended through 2026
  28. DE Payton Turner, Saints ($13.39MM)
  29. CB Eric Stokes, Packers ($12.47MM)
  30. DE Greg Rousseau, Bills ($13.39MM)
  31. LB Odafe Oweh, Ravens ($13.25MM)
  32. LB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Buccaneers ($13.25MM)

* = Jets traded Wilson on April 22, 2024
** = 49ers traded Lance on August 25, 2023
*** = Bears traded Fields on March 16, 2024
**** = Patriots traded Jones on March 10, 2024
***** = Giants traded Toney on October 27, 2022

Eagles Looking Into Round 1 Trade-Up; CB On Radar?

April 23rd, 2024 at 2:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

Howie Roseman has made several moves up the board in Round 1. The acclaimed GM has done so in four of the past five years, making deals to acquire Andre Dillard (2019), DeVonta Smith (2021), Jordan Davis (2022) and Jalen Carter (’23). It would naturally come as little surprise if the Eagles made another climb to land a preferred target.

They are looking into such a move, with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter indicating the team has been calling around gauging what it will take to make a move up from No. 22. Many around the league believe the Eagles could target a cornerback in Round 1, per Schefter and CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

Philly’s 2023 plans did not produce the same kind of success 2022 brought on defense. The unit cratered as the season progressed, leading to a shocking collapse after a 10-1 start. The team replaced DC Sean Desai with Matt Patricia, a move that produced no noticeable improvement.

Cornerback age is certainly an issue for the NFC contender, and Tuesday is not the first connection to the team addressing this spot early. Darius Slay turned 33 this offseason, and James Bradberry will be 31 soon. The Eagles reached new deals with both last year. The team also circled back to Avonte Maddox, whom it cut in March. The veteran slot, who is going into his age-28 season, has battled injuries over the past two years.

The Eagles have 2023 pickup Isaiah Rodgers reinstated, giving them a younger option alongside 2023 fourth-rounder Kelee Ringo. But the team could use a true heir apparent to train behind Slay and Bradberry. The team brought in Iowa’s Cooper DeJean for a late visit, which came after a meeting with Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry. Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board lists DeJean, despite a broken fibula in 2023, as this draft’s top corner (No. 14 overall) while slotting Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell (20) and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold (21) in Philly’s range.

More buzz about the Eagles making a move to fortify their O-line in the long term also is emerging, with Jones and SI.com’s Albert Breer adding tackle is an area to keep an eye on here. The Eagles have been connected to acquiring a possible Lane Johnson heir apparent for a bit. Johnson has not indicated he is on the verge of retiring, but the 12th-year RT is going into his age-34 season.

As the selections of Dillard, Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson have shown, the Eagles are big on making early investments to keep their O-line a top-flight unit. The team could certainly look for O-line help in Round 2, but this is a strong tackle draft that could prove tempting for a team big on this sort of move.

NFL Reinstates Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers

April 23rd, 2024 at 12:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

A week after the NFL reinstated five gambling offenders, Isaiah Rodgers now has the green light to resume his career. Banned for the 2023 season after a gambling scandal, the veteran cornerback has since been reinstated.

Tuesday’s decision will give Rodgers the opportunity to move to the Eagles’ active roster. While the Commanders cut Shaka Toney rather than add him to their offseason roster, they have a new regime in place. The staff that signed Rodgers following his Colts release remains, providing a good indication he remains in the Eagles’ 2024 plans.

Rodgers’ reinstatement is interesting given what he was accused of doing before being popped under the gambling policy. A 2020 sixth-round pick, Rodgers is believed to have made “hundreds” of wagers; some of those were believed to be bets on Colts games. Most of the bets were worth between $25-$50, though one wager was believed to be in the four-digit range. The NFL banned a number of players for all of the ’23 season due to betting on NFL games; six-game bans came as a result of other players making non-NFL bets while on team grounds.

The Colts waived the former starting corner once news of his ban emerged in June 2023. The Eagles made what amounted to a stash addition two months later, moving Rodgers to their reserve/suspended list upon setting their 53-man roster in August. Rodgers was with Philly throughout last season, but he stands to begin practicing soon.

In an aging Eagles CB corps, Rodgers is going into his age-26 season. He joins Darius Slay, James Bradberry and Avonte Maddox as Eagles corners with notable starting experience. Slay and Bradberry will each be north of 31 by Week 1, with the injury-prone slot player now 28. The Eagles also used a fourth-round pick on Georgia’s Kelee Ringo last year.

A UMass alum, Rodgers intercepted three passes in 2021 and returned a kick for a score in 2020. The latter skill is now more relevant, seeing as the NFL greenlit a rule experiment that will see the kickoff return make its way back to a regular sequence. Working as Indianapolis’ primary kick returner throughout his three-season stay, Rodgers started nine games at corner for the team in 2022. He showed some promise in an expanded defensive role that year, ranking (per Pro Football Focus) as the NFL’s fifth-best corner that year.

This assessment came on just 283 defensive snaps, however, and Rodgers does not profile as a player who will have a fast track toward an Eagles starting job. But he should have an opportunity to contribute soon.

Falcons Expected To Face More Significant Tampering Punishment Than Eagles

April 23rd, 2024 at 11:39am CST by Sam Robinson

11:39am: The NFL will not conclude its tampering investigation this week, per a league announcement. That will mean any punishment the Falcons or Eagles face would not take effect until the 2025 draft. Should a penalty come down, both NFC teams will have more time to prepare.

8:48am: Arthur Blank said he did not believe the Falcons tampered with Kirk Cousins, but it does seem likely the team will face a punishment of some sort in the wake of its high-profile quarterback addition.

After Cousins committed to the Falcons during a span referred to as the legal tampering period, multiple comments from the 13th-year QB point to Atlanta being early on communicating with its next starter. No punishment has been handed out, but as last year’s Jonathan Gannon resolution reminded, the NFL could attempt to bury the headline by levying a penalty on draft day.

Some around the NFL expect the Falcons to face more severe tampering punishment compared to the Eagles, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Punishment for the Falcons’ alleged tampering with Cousins is expected to involve Atlanta’s draft. The results of the NFL’s investigation into the Falcons and Eagles could emerge this week, per Schefter. If it involves 2024 draft choices, it will obviously need to.

The NFL’s investigation into Philadelphia tampering centers around Saquon Barkley, though fewer signs of impermissible communication emerged from the team’s addition of the six-year Giants running back compared to the six-year Viking’s relocation. Cousins said he spoke with Falcons medical personnel before officially signing. Cousins also said during his introductory presser he offered to call Darnell Mooney to make a pitch on the NFC South team’s behalf. With Mooney committing to the Falcons on Day 2 of the legal tampering period, Cousins — whose deal could not become official until a day later — was not allowed to make this pitch under league rules.

The Cardinals’ pursuit of Gannon involving impermissible contact led the league to adjust their draft haul, with the penalty being announced minutes before Round 1 began. Philadelphia received the No. 66 pick in the draft, while the NFL gave the Cardinals Nos. 94 and a 2024 fifth-rounder. That being a situation where one team expected to retain its defensive coordinator, only to see him defect to Arizona, the punishment involved adjusting two teams’ draft hauls. Potential Falcons punishment should not be expected to involve the Vikings.

A past tampering violation could point to where the NFL will go on this front. The league stripped the Chiefs of their 2016 third-rounder and a 2017 sixth for their 2015 Jeremy Maclin addition. That punishment, which also involved Andy Reid and then-GM John Dorsey being fined five-figure amounts, affecting the Chiefs’ draft haul a year out would at least point to the league giving the Falcons time to prepare.

While the NFL came down much harder on the Dolphins for their Tom Brady/Sean Payton tampering scheme, it would surprise if any Falcons punishment reached that place due to the details behind the Miami effort. The league docked Miami first- and third-round picks, the latter coming this year, for attempting to unite a then-retired Brady — whose rights still belonged to the Bucs — and Payton, whose rights belonged to the Saints.

As for this draft, the Falcons hold their own first- and second-round picks but carry two third-rounders (Nos. 74 and 79) as a result of the Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley conclusion. If the NFL is to target this Falcons draft arsenal with regards to a Cousins-driven penalty, Round 3 could be an area to monitor based on the recent past.

Draft Rumors: 49ers, Corley, Commanders, Bears, Alt, Giants, Eagles, Seahawks, Steelers, Vikings, Lions

April 18th, 2024 at 1:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

No Brandon Aiyuk trade request has emerged yet, separating this situation from the Deebo Samuel saga from 2022. Samuel receiving an extension later that year complicates matters for Aiyuk, who has needed to wait longer to enter extension territory due to being a former first-round pick. As this remains a storyline to monitor ahead of the draft, the 49ers scheduled a notable visit. Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley stopped through team headquarters, per Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, just before the deadline for “30” visits this week.

Playing a role in the Hilltoppers’ Bailey Zappe-led aerial fireworks in 2021, Corley enjoyed a more prominent position in the mid-major team’s passing attack over the past two years — each 11-touchdown campaigns. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein threw out Samuel as a comp for Corley, who is projected to be a second-round pick. Though, he will be unlikely to be available by the time San Francisco’s No. 63 slot arrives. With big-ticket expenses at three other skill-position spots (and Brock Purdy eligible for a re-up in 2025), the 49ers have a major decision to make with Aiyuk soon.

Here is the latest from the draft ranks:

  • The Giants‘ quarterback-or-wide receiver decision at No. 6 figures to be one of this draft’s most important, but the team did bring in some first-round prospects who do not play those positions. Tackle Joe Alt and edge rusher Dallas Turner visited the team recently, per the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz. Highly unlikely to draft Turner due to the Brian Burns trade and Kayvon Thibodeaux‘s status, the Giants could conceivably consider Alt. The All-American Notre Dame left tackle would need to be moved to the right side, however, and Schwartz reaffirms a recent report that indicates the team has not given up on keeping 2022 No. 7 overall pick Evan Neal at tackle.
  • Now that Cooper DeJean went through a workout following a broken fibula suffered in November, a few teams brought him in for visits. The Iowa cornerback met with the Bills previously, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes the Seahawks, Steelers and Eagles hosted the talented cover man on “30” visits before Wednesday’s deadline. Our Ely Allen recently examined the first-round-caliber CB’s prospect stock.
  • Staying at corner, both the Vikings and Lions brought in the well-traveled Terrion Arnold for pre-draft visits, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The Alabama corner, who slots as the top player at the position (No. 9 overall) on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board, also met with the Cardinals, Titans, Falcons and Jaguars during the draft run-up. The Lions, whose CB situation changed after the Cameron Sutton arrest/release, also brought in Arnold teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry recently.
  • Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson, he of a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, made two more visits before visit season ended. The Bears and Commanders brought in the intriguing DE prospect, Rapoport adds. In need of D-end help after trading Montez Sweat to the Bears, the Commanders hold the No. 40 pick as a result of that trade. Washington carries Nos. 36 and 40, while Chicago does not have a second-round pick this year. Linked to a potential WR-or-Brock Bowers call at No. 9, the Bears may not be in the value range for Robinson, whom Jeremiah slots as this draft’s No. 21 overall talent.
  • The Seahawks met with Bo Nix and have a clear connection to Michael Penix Jr., with new OC Ryan Grubb having coached the latter at Washington. With Geno Smith on a flexible contract that runs through 2025, Seattle brought in South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler for a pre-deadline visit, per Schultz. Slotted as the No. 7 QB on Mel Kiper Jr.’s ESPN.com big board, Rattler met with the Giants this week as well. The former Oklahoma recruit earned Senior Bowl MVP honors in January.
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