WR Carnell Tate Lines Up Five Visits
Having already met with the Browns, Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate has lined up several more visits in advance of the 2026 NFL Draft. Tate said he will meet with the Titans, Saints, Commanders, Giants and Chiefs, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.
All of the above teams have a need at receiver and are set to pick in the top 10, which is prime territory for Tate. The latest prized Ohio State receiver prospect, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound Tate is poised to follow other recent Buckeyes wideouts like Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave in coming off the board in the first round.
The Buckeyes’ receiving corps was so strong during Tate’s three-year run on the team that he was never the No. 1 option. When Tate broke in as a freshman in 2023, Harrison and Egbuka were atop the depth chart. Tate caught just 18 passes in 13 games that year. Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith were ahead of Tate in the pecking order in his sophomore season, a national title-winning campaign, but he notched 52 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games. Closing out his college career last year, Tate played second fiddle to Smith and secured 51 catches for 875 yards and nine scores in 11 games. The sure-handed Tate did not drop a pass in 2025, per Pro Football Focus.
“You watch his route running and his body control, and tell me that’s not Justin Jefferson at LSU,” an NFC area scout told Matt Miller of ESPN.
That’s a lofty comparison, but with Tate considered an elite prospect, the club that drafts him will bank on adding someone capable of making a Jefferson-like impact. If he goes to Tennessee at No. 4, Tate would team with the newly signed Wan’Dale Robinson as the top receivers for second-year quarterback Cam Ward. Tate would pair with another Ohio State product in New Orleans (No. 8; Olave) or Washington (No. 7; Terry McLaurin). If the Giants take Tate at No. 5, it would give them another blue-chip receiver alongside Malik Nabers. As the sixth pick in 2024, Nabers excelled as a rookie, but a torn ACL limited him to four games last season.
Meanwhile, despite investing heavily in the receiver position in recent drafts, the Chiefs arguably lack a No. 1 wideout. 2022 second-rounder Skyy Moore is off the roster; 2023 second-rounder Rashee Rice has been productive when healthy, but he has dealt with injuries and serious off-field issues; and 2024 first-rounder Xavier Worthy was a complementary target in his first two seasons. If the Chiefs choose Tate ninth overall, they would expect the 21-year-old to emerge as Patrick Mahomes‘ first star receiver since they traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins in 2022.
Chargers Sign OL Kayode Awosika
The Chargers are continuing to add to their offensive line after struggling to protect Justin Herbert in 2025. Former Lions guard Kayode Awosika is the latest blocker to sign in Los Angeles, per a team announcement.
Awosika appeared in 13 games for Detroit last season with four starts at left guard during Christian Mahogany‘s absence. The five-year veteran played at a replacement level with a 57.9 grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) that ranked 54th out of 87 guards with at least 250 snaps.
Originally an offensive tackle at the University of Buffalo, Awosika signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He spent his rookie season one the practice squad with almost a full game of action at right guard in Week 18.
Philadelphia waived Awosika during final roster cuts in 2022. He made his way to Detroit, where a reserve guard role awaited him. Over the next four years, the 27-year-old appeared in 49 games with 11 starts, all at guard, with 25 snaps at tackle.
That versatility will be valued in Los Angeles where the Chargers are rebuilding their offensive line after a rough 2025 season. Offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are recovering from season-ending surgeries with the expectation of playing in 2026. But, as general manager Joe Hortiz knows from his time in Baltimore with Ronnie Stanley, speedy returns to elite form is not an easy feat at one of the game’s toughest position. As a result, re-signed offensive linemen Trevor Penning and Trey Pipkins could be needed at tackle, leaving them unavailable to start or back up the guard spots. Awosika filled that role in Detroit for the last four years and should be able to continue in Los Angeles under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Commanders To Host Miami CB Keionte Scott For 30 Visit
The Commanders entered the 2025 offseason with a major need in cornerback. Most of the top available free agents have already found new homes, so Washington will likely need to target the position in the draft.
LSU All-American Mansoor Delane has flown up draft boards after a standout 2025 season and a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day (via ESPN’s Adam Schefter). He could be an option for the Commanders’ first-round pick (No. 7 overall), but Washington could also wait until Day 2 to address the cornerback position.
In that case, Miami’s Keionte Scott could be a prospect to watch. The Commanders are set to host the 5-foot-11 cornerback on a 30 visit, per Ryan Fowler of Commanding the Huddle. The team does not have a second-round pick this year as a result of the Laremy Tunsil trade, but they could use their third-rounder (No. 70 overall) on Scott to add a plug-and-play slot cornerback to their depleted secondary.
Injuries impacted the unit last year, resulting in four players taking more than 400 snaps on the boundary, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required): Mike Sainristil, Marshon Lattimore, Trey Amos, and Jonathan Jones. Sainristil also led the team in slot snaps with Noah Igbinoghene serving as the No. 2 nickel.
Of that group, only Sainristil and Amos remain. The Commanders signed Amik Robertson in free agency, so Sainristil could take up nickel duties again. Alternatively, they could draft Scott, an electric athlete who showcased his speed and explosiveness at Miami’s Pro Day on Monday. He posted a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash (via NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe) and brings good length (31.375-inch arms) to the cornerback position despite his below-average height.
Scott broke out in 2025 with a 89.6 grade, the 10th-highest among college cornerbacks, according to PFF, and capped his season off with a defensive MVP performance in the Fiesta Bowl. He posted five sacks, 13 tackles for loss, five passes defended, and two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns (an FBS-high). He primarily played in the slot in Miami, where his short area burst and physical play can impact offenses in a variety of ways. Scott’s is an older prospect – he will be 25 by the start of his rookie year – but that also brings maturity and leadership. He needs to improve his technique and anticipation, no small concerns given his age and experience, but he has all of the pieces to be an impactful nickel in the NFL.
Dolphins To Sign LB Ronnie Harrison
The Dolphins are signing Ronnie Harrison to a one-year deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, bringing the veteran linebacker to his fourth NFL team in the last five seasons and fifth in his eight-year career.
Harrison, 28, played for the Falcons in 2025, appearing in 10 games with four starts and 277 defensive snaps, 40% of the team’s total. He also played 181 snaps on special teams, the second-most involvement of his career behind 197 snaps in 2024. The 6-foot-3 linebacker held up in coverage but had the worst tackling season of his career with a 17.1% missed tackle rate.
Harrison should have an opportunity to carve out a rotational role in the Dolphins defense, especially with his previous experience as a safety. The team has Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson as their starting linebackers, but their No. 3 is unclear after K.J. Britt signed with the Patriots in free agency. Former Chiefs and Saints starter Willie Gay was active for every game last year, but he was only trusted with 131 snaps on defense with an almost-equal amount of time on special teams.
Miami has questions at safety, too, with their top three contributors from 2025 no longer on the roster. Minkah Fitzpatrick was traded to the Jets, and Ashtyn Davis and Ifeatu Melifonwu both hit free agency. Harrison has 908 career snaps at safety, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), more than any Dolphins safety outside of recent signing Lonnie Johnson.
Originally a Jaguars third-round pick in 2018, Harrison started 22 games across his first two years in Jacksonville before he was traded to the Browns. After three years and 23 starts in Cleveland, he spent most of the 2024 season on the Colts’ practice squad before arriving in Atlanta the following year.
Lions Sign G Ben Bartch
Not long after hosting Ben Bartch on a visit, the Lions have a deal in place. The veteran guard signed with Detroit on Wednesday, according to a team announcement.
Bartch comes over from San Francisco, where he began last season as a Week 1 starter. Injuries sidetracked Bartch last season, and he joins a Lions team returning two guard starters. But the six-year veteran has 24 career starts and represents an interesting interior swingman behind Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany.
This marks a third notable interior O-line investment from the Lions in free agency. The team signed ex-Panthers center Cade Mays and added former Texans starter/swingman Juice Scruggs in the David Montgomery trade. Scruggs and Bartch could profile as higher-end depth for a team that dealt with injuries along the interior following Frank Ragnow‘s retirement (and failed unretirement).
Bartch won the 49ers’ left guard job out of training camp, lining up alongside Trent Williams to open last season. A high ankle sprain sustained in Week 2 ended the ex-Jaguar’s run in Kyle Shanahan‘s lineup. Although the 49ers used an IR activation on Bartch, he did not start another game upon returning. A foot sprain then sent the former fourth-round pick back to IR and ended his season.
Spending the previous two 49ers seasons as a backup, Bartch earned a promotion after the team let three-season LG starter Aaron Banks walk (to the Packers) in free agency. The 49ers initially signed Bartch off the Jaguars’ practice squad in November 2023. He made two starts in 2024 but missed time because of a high ankle sprain that season as well. The Jags used Bartch as a 16-game starter from 2021-22, but a dislocated knee blunted his momentum five games into the ’22 season. Jacksonville then acquired replacement Ezra Cleveland at that year’s trade deadline.
Pro Football Focus has graded Bartch well in each of the past two years, but he did not play enough to qualify as a regular in either campaign. PFF nevertheless slotted Bartch inside the top 20 at the position during a 200-snap 2025 slate. He did not grade as well with the Jaguars as a full-timer, ranking 52nd at the position in 2021 — his only season with more than five starts. The Lions will provide another opportunity for the seventh-year vet, who will attempt to bounce back from his latest injury-altered season.
DT Kayden McDonald Books Several Pre-Draft Visits
We are now in “30” visit season, and this year’s draft runup will feature a host of Ohio State products making such travel plans. Next month’s event could see four Buckeyes — Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate — go in the top 10. Another of the Big Ten power’s recent standouts is on the first-round radar as well.
Several teams are set to determine Kayden McDonald‘s draft stock, with the defensive tackle indicating (via SI.com’s Justin Melo) the Bears, Bengals, Commanders, Dolphins, Patriots, Raiders, Ravens and Texans have scheduled visits.
Like in free agency, this draft is not viewed as particularly strong at the position. The dearth of FA options led to a John Franklin-Myers Titans windfall. This draft’s hierarchy at the position is still taking shape, but as it stands, Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board does not include a DT among its top 32 prospects. A few sit just outside that range, however, with McDonald (39th) joining Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter (34), Clemson’s Peter Woods (35) and Florida’s Caleb Banks (36) among those vying to be the first player at the position to come off the board.
A first-team All-American in 2025, McDonald broke through in his junior Buckeyes season by making nine tackles for loss and registering three sacks. Profiling as a power rusher and run-stuffing presence, the disruptive D-lineman weighed 326 pounds at the Combine. He will be of interest to many teams who did not see a deep pool emerge at the position in free agency.
McDonald only has one season featuring notable production, with his 2024 slate — as the Buckeyes stormed to a national championship — only including 1.5 TFLs and no sacks. The bulk of the teams who have scheduled meetings with McDonald use a 4-3 scheme; Ohio State primarily used a 4-2-5 setup during McDonald’s three-year run. Field Yates’ latest NFL mock draft sends McDonald to the Raiders, who will continue using a 3-4 alignment in base sets, at No. 36.
Although the past four drafts have seen a DT go off the board in the top 16, the 2021 class did not bring a first-round investment at the position. It will be interesting to see how teams view this crop, one that may not see a top-20 pick this year.
LB Lavonte David Announces Retirement
The Buccaneers have signed two free agent linebackers, and another Lavonte David contract is not forthcoming. The stalwart Tampa Bay defender will retire after 14 seasons.
David will retire as a career-long Buccaneer and one of the greatest players in franchise history. He joins Mike Evans in leaving the team this offseason, representing a sea change for a Bucs squad that has relied on those longtime anchors amid a franchise turnaround.
“When it’s time, when you know, you know. I always wanted to be a guy who wanted to retire on my own terms. Right now is the perfect opportunity for that,” David said via Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame. “For me, man, 14 years is enough. I’m comfortable with my decision. I’m satisfied with my career.
“When I first got into the league, I never, never, ever in a million years expected to play 14 years at a high level for the same organization. I think it’s time that I hang it up and let the next generation of players come in and take over the game.”
David’s 14-year tenure matches Derrick Brooks‘ for longevity in Tampa. Like Brooks, David was present as a star off-ball linebacker for a Super Bowl win. The Bucs had fallen far from their early-2000s apex by the time David arrived in 2012. The off-ball linebacker joined Evans, Tom Brady and Co. in catalyzing a return, snapping a 12-season playoff drought with a Super Bowl LV triumph in Tampa.
Playing 215 career games, David trails only Brooks (224) and Ronde Barber (241) for most in franchise history. Both Brooks and Barber — linchpins on a four-Hall of Famer defense that steamrolled opponents en route to the franchise’s first Super Bowl title — spent their entire careers as Buccaneers. While Evans elected to join the 49ers in free agency this month, David had previously said it was Bucs or retirement. He will choose the latter route, completing a career that will warrant Canton consideration down the road.
David, who turned 36 in January, will walk away a three-time All-Pro. While the Nebraska alum only earned one Pro Bowl nod, his early-career years coming in a 4-3 defense had plenty to do with the lack of Pro Bowl accolades. The Pro Bowl grouping all linebackers — 3-4 edge rushers and off-ball defenders — together regularly limits 4-3 OLBs. David, however, spent the second half of his career as a 3-4 ILB in Todd Bowles‘ scheme. The Bucs benefited from that partnership tremendously, with David starting every game for the Super Bowl LV-winning Tampa Bay edition in 2020.
Mark Dominik drafted David 58th overall, tabbing him to play under new HC Greg Schiano. David ended up playing for five head coaches — Schiano, Lovie Smith, Dirk Koetter, Bruce Arians, Bowles — and signed five Buccaneers contracts. The latter four deals — including a five-year, $50.25MM extension during the 2015 offseason — came under longtime GM Jason Licht. David signed a two-year deal and two subsequent one-year accords to continue with the Bucs, who benefited from the linebacker’s consistency and versatility.
Finishing with 12 100-tackle seasons, David added 42.5 sacks. Among players who saw action last season, that total trails only Demario Davis (45) for sacks by a non-rush player and is among the most by an off-ball ‘backer in the sack era (1982-present). David’s presence helped a Bucs team light on post-Shaquil Barrett pass-rushing talent in recent years.
Although the Bucs chose Devin White fifth overall in 2019, David ended up outlasting him in Tampa. The team let White walk in free agency in 2024, re-signing David on a one-year deal worth $8.5MM. David, who drew outside interest as a 2025 UFA, played for $9MM last season; he produced 114 tackles and 3.5 sacks. David finished 10 seasons with double-digit tackles for loss, recording at least 17 in five seasons to finish his career with 177.
Pro Football Focus ranked David as a top-five off-ball LB in five seasons and slotted him in the top 20 three more times. Last season, the advanced metrics website ranked David 66th — a career-worst placement — but he played through a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery this past winter. The Bucs have since agreed to terms with Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom. With David retiring, Rozeboom’s deal — which surfaced Monday — looks set to place him as a starter alongside Anzalone.
For his career, David earned just more than $103MM. The 2012 draft will go down as one of the best linebacker classes in modern NFL history, having produced David, Davis, Bobby Wagner and Luke Kuechly. Wagner will join Kuechly in Canton, while David and Davis will present interesting cases. For 2026, a Bucs team big on retention will need to get by without its offensive and defensive cornerstones.
Bengals To Re-Sign QB Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco is on track to play a 19th season. The Bengals are bringing him back as Joe Burrow‘s backup, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports.
The 41-year-old passer will see a raise on his 2026 deal, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who reports this contract will carry $6MM in base value. It can max out at $9MM. This $6MM base represents Flacco’s most lucrative contract since his 2016 Ravens extension. He has not played for more than $4.5MM since the Broncos ditched that deal in 2020.
Unsurprisingly, this latest agreement is a one-year pact. It also rounds out one of the most experienced quarterback rooms in NFL history. Well, experienced in terms of NFL years — not necessarily game reps. While Burrow and Flacco are seasoned starters, Josh Johnson — signed earlier in free agency — is known for his journeyman route. Johnson will turn 40 in May; Flacco turned 41 earlier this year.
Johnson is back on a third tour of duty with the Bengals, but the nomadic arm was reacquired as a placeholder rather than a backup option. The Bengals were not considering Johnson as their primary backup, per The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., who indicates Flacco was always on the radar to stay.
The Browns brought Flacco back on a one-year, $4.25MM contract in 2025 and reinstalled him as their starter. It marked Flacco’s first Week 1 start as a non-injury replacement since his 2019 Broncos one-off, but the Browns demoted the aging passer for Dillon Gabriel after four games. They then sent Flacco to the Bengals in a pick-swap deal in October, and the former Super Bowl MVP started on a few days’ notice. Flacco replaced Jake Browning, who has since signed with the Buccaneers in free agency.
Although Flacco lingered in free agency for most of the 2023 season, his stunning reemergence under Kevin Stefanski — which brought Comeback Player of the Year acclaim — effectively launched the former first-round pick’s third NFL act. Flacco’s run as a full-time starter came to an end during an injury-marred Broncos season, and he settled onto the backup level with the Jets and Eagles over the next three seasons. Flacco then replaced Deshaun Watson in an emergency circumstance and guided a battered Browns offense to the playoffs. This led to a Colts contract at 39 and then another Browns deal at 40. The Bengals liked what they saw from their latest Burrow injury fill-in and had wanted him back.
Cincinnati is understandably placing a higher value than usual on its backup QB spot. In place as Burrow’s top backup entering the past three seasons, Browning struggled when another injury befell the superstar starter. Flacco (until Aaron Rodgers returns, that is) is the NFL’s oldest active starting quarterback and went 1-5 as a Cincy starter last season. But this included much better work than Browning was providing. And Flacco played well on the whole, throwing 13 touchdown passes compared to four interceptions. He was hoping for a potential starting opportunity, but other teams have moved on with other bridge options.
The former Ravens mainstay was one of many QB options the Bengals considered amid a frantic search following Browning’s woeful stretch. The Bengals looked into Russell Wilson, Derek Carr, Sam Howell, Davis Mills, Drew Lock, Jimmy Garoppolo and others while hoping to keep their season from spiraling. Although Cincinnati did end up falling out of playoff contention, the team saw Flacco post two 300-plus-yard games. The first, a 342-yard performance, helped the Bengals to a win over the Steelers; the second, a 470-yard, four-TD outing, came in a shootout loss to the Bears.
Flacco averaged just 5.1 yards per attempt with the Browns last season; being paired with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins certainly helped his stock, and he will parlay a partial season in Cincinnati into yet another contract. Flacco fitting in will allow him to move to the doorstep of a two-decade career.
The former 11-year Ravens starter, who saw action for two college programs (Pittsburgh, Delaware), has played for seven NFL teams. He will be entrusted to back up Burrow again. Burrow has continually battled injuries as a pro.
While Burrow submitted an MVP-caliber 2024 season, the outspoken starter — whom the Bengals have staunchly refused to entertain trading — has missed extensive time due to injury in 2020, 2023 and 2025. Flacco and Johnson — the NFL’s undisputed travel kingpin — round out one of the oldest position groups in American sports history, even as Burrow is just 29. After stepping in on short notice last season, Flacco earned some trust and will be expected to replace Burrow once again if another injury intervenes.
Saints To Sign QB Zach Wilson
The Saints are adding a former second overall pick to their QB room. The team has agreed to a deal with Zach Wilson, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. It’s a one-year pact, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
New Orleans has its starting quarterback in Tyler Shough, who impressed as a second-round rookie in 2025. Two-year veteran Spencer Rattler is also in place, but Wilson will presumably compete with him to serve as the Saints’ primary backup next season.
The Jets bet big on Wilson when they selected him in 2021, but the move could not have turned out much worse. Over 34 appearances and 33 starts in New York, the former BYU Cougar threw more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). He completed just 57% of attempts and posted a dismal 73.2 passer rating. The Jets, who won just 12 of Wilson’s starts, benched him on three occasions. The team brought in Aaron Rodgers to take over as its starter in 2023, though after he tore his Achilles in Week 1, Wilson filled in for most of the year. It proved to be Wilson’s last season in New York.
While the Broncos acquired Wilson in a late-round pick swap in 2024, he did not see any action in Denver. Bo Nix stayed healthy and started in every game as a rookie. Neither Wilson nor fellow backup Jarrett Stidham attempted a pass.
Although Wilson was out of action as Denver’s third-stringer, the Dolphins still handed him a fully guaranteed $6MM on a one-year agreement last March. However, despite Tua Tagovailoa‘s immense struggles and late-season benching, Wilson did not make a start. When then-head coach Mike McDaniel demoted Tagovailoa to third-string duties in mid-December, seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers started the last three games of the year. Over four appearances as a Dolphin, Wilson went 6 of 11 for 32 yards.
Falcons To Sign Brian Robinson
Tyler Allgeier left Atlanta for Arizona on Day 1 of free agency; the Falcons look to have landed a replacement. Brian Robinson is expected to sign with the team, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets.
The former Commanders starter, who spent last season as Christian McCaffrey‘s backup, looks set to step into Allgeier’s former Bijan Robinson complementary role. Brian Robinson agreed to a one-year, $2.5MM deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds.
[RELATED: Falcons To Add QB Trevor Siemian]
In a move that will undoubtedly open the door to some auction-draft chicanery in the fantasy realm, Atlanta assembling a two-Robinson backfield will pair two three-year starters together. Brian Robinson operated as the Commanders’ primary running back from 2022-24, finishing that run as the primary ballcarrier for Washington’s NFC championship game-qualifying edition. The Commanders, however, traded the former third-round pick to the 49ers for a sixth-rounder last August.
A between-the-tacklers grinder, Robinson never topped 800 rushing yards in a season with Washington. He came closest in 2024, finishing with 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Robinson, 27, missed three games that season and seven more from 2022-23. In 2022, however, the Alabama alum completed a remarkably quick recovery after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in an attempted carjacking. He returned and started nine games as a rookie.
Allgeier played out his Falcons rookie contract, and both Arthur Smith and Zac Robinson deployed the former fifth-round pick — a 1,000-yard rusher as a 2022 rookie — frequently during his four seasons with the team. Allgeier twice averaged at least 4.6 yards per carry, and he totaled at least 137 handoffs in each of his Atlanta seasons. The Cardinals gave Allgeier a two-year, $12.25MM deal to join James Conner in their backfield. Kevin Stefanski‘s first Falcons RB cadre will feature a lower-priced veteran, a strategy that may well precede a monster Bijan Robinson payday.
Becoming extension-eligible in January, Bijan Robinson is a clear candidate for a market-setting running back deal. The Falcons will need to top Saquon Barkley‘s $20.6MM AAV to lock down their dual-threat dynamo. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson will look to commandeer the Allgeier role after taking a backseat to McCaffrey during the latter’s 2025 bounce-back season. Brian Robinson took 92 handoffs last season, rushing for 400 yards with San Francisco. He will see about his own resurgent season ahead of a potential 2027 free agency payday.