Pro Football Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat: 4/19/26
Pro Football Rumors' Sam Robinson will be holding a live chat at 5pm Central today, exclusively for Trade Rumors Front Office subscribers!
Steelers’ Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig Seen As Trade Candidates; Highsmith Likelier To Be Dealt
The Steelers presently boast an enviable trio of pass rushers in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. Although GM Omar Khan recently said “you can’t ever have enough” pass rushers, rival clubs apparently believe Pittsburgh is willing to deal from that perceived surplus, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports details.
Per Robinson, Highsmith and Herbig are “floating around front offices” as possible trade targets in the run-up to the draft, with one high-ranking personnel executive expressing his belief that the Steelers will move one of them. Robinson reports Highsmith is the likelier trade candidate.
Highsmith’s contract situation is one of the reasons for that. The 28-year-old (29 in August) still has two years remaining on the four-year, $68MM extension he signed in August 2023 and is owed $14.5MM in base pay in 2026 and $17.5MM in 2027, with cap hits in excess of $20MM in both of those seasons. The year before he signed the contract, he posted 14.5 sacks, but he has failed to hit double-digits in any of the last three campaigns and missed time due to injury in both of the past two.
On the other hand, Highsmith’s upcoming salaries are palatable for a talented edge defender, and he will likely not require a contract adjustment in 2026, as Robinson suggests. Herbig, meanwhile, is four years younger than Highsmith, is entering the last year of his rookie deal, and is viewed as an ascending player. He has performed well despite mostly operating in a platoon capacity, notching 5.5 sacks in 2024 (when he had a 50% snap share) and 7.5 in 2025 (60%).
Khan has expressed a desire to extend Herbig, and as noted above, he believes the importance of quality edge defenders justifies an allocation of resources that would keep all three of Watt (who enjoys a $41MM average annual value on his current deal), Highsmith, and Herbig in the fold. However, retaining Herbig may be impractical unless either Highsmith is traded or Herbig agrees to a team-friendly extension, and Robinson indicates another strong showing in ‘26 could lead to a $20MM/year deal for Herbig if he hits the open market.
So while it is far from a guarantee that Khan will pull the trigger on a trade jettisoning one of his top pass rushers, it is easy to see why other clubs believe he will be amenable to such a move. Quarterback uncertainty continues to loom over the Steelers, but as we get closer to the draft, Khan has plenty of non-QB matters to keep him busy.
Contributions To Thin 2026 NFL Draft Class
The 2026 NFL Draft is certainly looking like it will be one of the stranger such events in recent years. Positions that usually are cautious first-round considerations have certain top 10 prospects. A lack of elite tackle prospects has the potential to bring out several effects. This year’s prospect pool has been deemed unusually thin, and Ben Volin of The Boston Globe provided some league insight on the situation.
The parameters of the draft are set; 32 picks in each of the first two rounds, 252-62 picks in total, depending on compensatory outcomes. Players will have definitive statuses dependent on where they fall ranging from first-round pick to undrafted free agent. When evaluating prospects, though, NFL front offices tend to use similar classifications that don’t necessarily align with the stricter labels of the draft. That’s why there’s a difference in draft discussions between first-round grades and first-round picks and between draftable and drafted players.
Per Volin, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta reported that their personnel department has draftable grades on 197 players. Chiefs GM Brett Veach reported 215 on his team’s board, while Jason Licht, the Buccaneers GM, limited his team’s figure to 150. On a smaller scale, DeCosta told the media that after “the first round, there’s definitely a drop off probably midway through the round, in terms of talent.” That’s generally how a draft can be considered thin.
Luckily for the Ravens, they have the 14th pick — just inside the first half of the first round. If they were to trade back to, say, the 28th overall pick in the draft, they would still take a first-round player, it would just be unlikely that player would fall within their list of 16 or so players with a first-round grade. Similarly, the Bucs have three draft picks that come after 150 players have been selected. There’s a chance all 150 of Licht’s draftable players could be gone by then, but the team would still have to either use or trade those picks that must be made.
We’ve talked a bit before on Pro Football Rumors about the impact that the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness rules have on the makeup of recent draft classes. Frequently, in prior years, some underclassmen would have a strong performance, and even though they’d been told they didn’t have a very high draft grade, they would still declare for the draft against advice. Some players were worried about potential injury preventing them from ever reaching the league. Some believed they had already reached their ceiling and that it was their best chance to go pro.
NIL has virtually eliminated those concerns. Because players can make NIL money in college, they are much more willing to risk injury with extended time in the NCAA, and NIL has even made it advantageous in some situations for players to make the most of their eligibility and stay in school as long as they can. This concept has taken several underclassmen out of recent draft classes as they pursue improved draft stock while still getting paid at the collegiate level. Volin points out that this year’s class has only 42 underclassmen, compared to 69 three years ago and 106 in 2018.
This year’s class has also seen more older prospects, with multiple 25-year-old players set to hear their names over the first two days of the draft. Some of this is still due, in part, to the extra year of eligibility granted to players enrolled in college during the 2020 COVID-affected season, but even without that extra year moving forward, it’s become common for players to wring every last bit of eligibility they can from the NCAA before going to the NFL as complete of a prospect as they can be.
The thin level of top-end talent could also result in positional runs, which we’ve seen rumors of already. Whereas trades usually take place for quarterbacks and pass rushers, opposite situations of too few or many usable options make it unlikely that teams will trade up for those positions. At offensive tackle, though, there aren’t any prospects considered to be especially elite, but there are a few top tier options and several more less certain prospects who still have the potential to be Day 1 starters. As a result, a run of offensive tackles in the early first round is expected to take place as team’s jockey to trade up to acquire the options with the most promise and least risk.
Trades like these should help some teams in the back of the first round as offensive tackles without first-round grades move ahead and push some of the few players with first-round grades back to those who maybe didn’t expect them to fall that far. It will be interesting to see what other effects the general lack of elite prospects and late-round depth have on the decision-making process of each NFL team.
LB Alex Anzalone Turned Down Better Offers To Sign With Bucs
After five years in Detroit, linebacker Alex Anzalone left the Lions this offseason and took a two-year, $17MM deal with the Buccaneers. He could have earned more elsewhere, but his existing connection to Tampa Bay made it an easy decision.
“It actually means something to play in Tampa.” Anzalone told NFL insider Jordan Schultz this month. He and his wife already have a house in the area where they are raising their children, so signing with the Buccaneers was a homecoming of sorts.
Anzalone also expressed excitement about playing in Todd Bowles‘ defense, calling it a “perfect fit.” He has spent most of his career playing under coaches who served with or under Bowles at some point in his career. That list that includes both Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn.
The 31-year-old linebacker’s experience will be crucial. He has big shoes to fill following franchise legend Lavonte David‘s retirement this offseason after 14 years in Tampa Bay. Anzalone will start next to SirVocea Dennis, though the Buccaneers could stand to add a young linebacker to develop next to Anzalone in the draft.
While money was not the primary motivator behind Anzalone’s arrival in Tampa Bay, it was the driving force of his exit from Detroit. He sought a raise heading into 2025, a contract year but did not receive one, an indicator that the Lions were not planning to sign him to another deal.
“It literally just came down to finances and what [the Lions] could and couldn’t afford,” Anzalone said. “It’s the nature of the beast. It’s the business. Their front office made decisions of where they wanted to invest money, and it wasn’t in me, and it is what it is.”
Anzalone earned just over $24MM during his five seasons in Detroit. That is a relatively small sum for a veteran starter on a defense that ranked among the best in the league multiple times. In Tampa Bay, he will make about two-thirds of that amount in just two years.
Monroe Freeling, Max Iheanachor, Kadyn Proctor Rack Up Pre-Draft Visits
It is exceeding difficult to find high-quality offensive tackle play outside of the first round, so teams searching for starters in next week’s draft will have to prioritize the position early on.
Miami’s Francis Mauigoa seems to have locked up OT1 status. Behind him are Georgia’s Monroe Freeling, Western Michigan’s Max Iheanachor, and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, who are all expected to go in the first round.
Freeling, 21, has only one full season as a starter under his belt, and all of his starts have come at left tackle. He earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2025, but teams may still have to be patient with his development. Freeling previously visited the Chiefs and has also met with the Browns, Dolphins, and Rams, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Cleveland is searching for their next long-term left tackle, but with Dawand Jones already on the roster, they could allow Freeling to sit for a year as he gets his bearings in the NFL, if needed. Miami has Patrick Paul on the blind side, but right tackle Austin Jackson took a pay cut this offseason and is in the last year of his contract. Freeling would have a year to sit as he transitions to right tackle with the hopes of taking on the starting job in 2027. Los Angeles has a glaring hole at right tackle, but asking Freeling to switch as a rookie could be a tough task given his lack of experience. On the other hand, perhaps he is not so ingrained at the left tackle position and can quickly learn how to play on the right side.
Iheanachor may also need to develop in the pros. He had a long list of visits, including the 49ers, Bengals, Packers, Bears, Patriots, Eagles, Panthers, Ravens, Dolphins, Cardinals, and Bengals, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The 49ers need to find a successor to Trent Williams, as do the Eagles to Lane Johnson. The Bears only re-signed Braxton Jones on a one-year deal, and the Cardinals do not have a clear RT starter right now. The Bengals, Panthers and Ravens seem to be set with their offensive tackles, but they all have one expensive, aging starter. They would be able to give Iheanachor time to season before he takes on starting duties.
Proctor was a three-year starter at Alabama, making him a potential fit for Detroit, who parted ways with longtime left tackle Taylor Decker this offseason. The Lions, met with Proctor during the pre-draft process, as did the 49ers, Browns, Dolphins, Eagles, and Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
For the Eagles specifically, The Athletic’s Zach Berman believes that Freeling or Proctor would be their preference in the first round. This makes sense for a team that has invested heavily in SEC talent, particularly out of Georgia. But with the No. 23 pick, Philadelphia may have to trade up to ensure they secure one of their two desired prospects.
NFL Draft Trade Rumors: Cowboys, Browns, Titans
The first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft is only four days away, and rumors persist concerning a wild Day 1 of potential trades. The Cowboys have been a frequent subject in trade rumors, with many asserting that the team could be looking to trade up into the top 10.
The consensus belief is that, even without a trade, the Cowboys’ two first-round picks will be used on defense. Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports believes new defensive coordinator Christian Parker will have some influence on the team’s draft plan, which should guarantee two new first-round defenders. Jones asserts that, if the team does trade up, the trade won’t include their second first-rounder, considering they won’t be picking again until pick No. 92. NFL insider Jason La Canfora posited that the trade up target for Dallas could be LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane or Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirms that all eyes are on the Cowboys, who many expect to be eager to move up “due to obvious defensive needs.” So far, though, Dallas has not been “overly active” on the phones just yet. He reports the team is “open-minded about (a) potential move but also (is) comfortable staying put.”
Here are a few other draft rumors concerning teams looking to trade on Day 1 of the NFL draft:
- The Browns could be a target for Dallas if they do decide to move. Per La Canfora, Cleveland is widely expected to drop out of the top 10 picks. The team currently holds pick Nos. 6 and 24 in the first round of the draft, but even that may not be enough to fill the holes on their roster. The Browns are notorious for trading down, and if the sixth overall pick doesn’t present a strong chance at major improvement, they may move to add some additional draft capital.
- As Fowler mentioned above that the Cowboys had not been active on the phones, he did report a belief that the recent phone work around the league seems to indicate that the Titans could be looking to trade back from the fourth overall pick. A year removed from landing the No. 1 overall pick, Tennessee still has quite a few holes on the roster. Some have connected the team to Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love or Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles in recent predictions. Earlier on in process, it was rumored that a reunion between quarterback Cam Ward and college teammates right tackle Francis Mauigoa or defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was in the cards. Love and Styles may make sense in their current slot, but moving back may allow Tennessee to target Mauigoa or Bain.
WR Draft Notes: Branch, Tate, Tyson
A week after some controversial draft reporting opened up discussions on journalistic ethics, another story was reported this afternoon concerning the arrest of another high-projected draft pick. An uncredited ESPN report disclosed today that Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch was arrested late-Saturday night/early-Sunday morning on two possible misdemeanor charges.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero quickly followed up the report describing the situation as Branch being “arrested while standing on a public sidewalk for not moving far enough when a police officer asked him to move.” Pelissero’s version of events comes from a copy of the police report of the incident. The report describes Branch as a male who “continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move.” It goes on to say that, upon receiving commands and threats of citation, Branch “smirked” and “stepped backwards and to the right” but “remained standing upon the public sidewalk.”
The officer placed him under arrest for “misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and (he) received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.” Mike Garafolo, also of NFL Network, reached out to a few teams’ personnel departments, and while some claimed they would do the requisite research on it over the next few days, it ultimately “doesn’t sound like it’ll be something that affects Zachariah Branch’s draft prospects greatly, if at all.”
Here are a couple other rumors concerning wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft:
- According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is widely viewed as the draft class’s “safest pick.” Per Fowler, he’s projected solidly in the range of pick Nos. 4-7. His pedigree, polished route-running, and good but not great top speed are all attributes that secure him as the potential WR1, but he may not be considered the most talented at his position.
- Fowler went on to mention the recent rise of Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, after his recent workout this week. Tyson showed all of the explosive, twitchy athleticism in that workout that scouts know he is capable of, but his injury history persists as a potential concern for his future durability. Still, Fowler claims multiple teams have Tyson ranked as the best wide receiver of the draft class, but he only connected Tyson to teams picking around Nos. 7-10, meaning he might end up being WR2.
NFL Draft Rumors: Bain, Bailey, Chiefs, Ravens
Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. was subject to a blast of media a week ago, when news of a careless driving citation he received two years ago that resulted in the loss of life of a passenger broke with unfortunate timing. Several media members and NFL executives with existing knowledge of the situation provided leveled input, though some believed it could still affect his draft stock.
Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports recently dug into the what these executives reportedly knew and how they handled the information they were given. Upon the general reaction that most teams already knew of the situation, Epstein looked into why these franchises were okay with what they found and learned that some had talked to Bain and fellow prospects Wesley Bissainthe and Nyjalik Kelly about the incident. Bissainthe, a linebacker at Miami, and Kelly, a pass rusher out of UCF, were both teammates of Bain’s and passengers of the vehicle at the time of the incident. Teams who spoke with them were satisfied to find that their narratives aligned with Bain’s.
When Epstein asked teams whether they considered Bain a significant character risk, four of the five respondents said no, and the fifth said “it would exercise caution but did not view him to be as risky as” recent NFL players with citations for speeding or driving under the influence, something most teams believe Bain was cleared of doing. In fact, one team that did some digging reportedly believes that “Bain does not drink or smoke.”
In other news with Bain, concerning another red flag from his evaluation process, Epstein relays that, while Bain’s below-average arm length may be evident without exact numbers, “multiple evaluators believe this year’s combine arm-length measurements were not precise.” Epstein goes on to say that arm measurements performed by NFL scouts at pro days have delivered longer results for several players. Bain certainly has some of the shorter arms in this year’s class, but if the combine measurements are indeed short, it may not be as historically bad as initially framed.
Here are more recent rumors on some trench prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft:
- Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey has received plenty of interest over the course of the pre-draft process. He visited a good number of teams early on in the month and added a trip to Tennessee a week ago. He even had a visit canceled with the Jets, though there’s wide speculation of what that could mean. To close out his pre-draft process, Bailey visited the Commanders, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Washington added a pair of former late-first-round pass rushers with varying success this offseason in Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, but Bailey could raise the ceiling of the team’s pass rush.
- The Chiefs have a luxury unusual to the recently successful franchise in this upcoming draft as they sport two first-round picks. According to Dakota Watson of SBNation, general manager Brett Veach seemed to indicate that the team could be looking to address the defensive line early and often in next week’s draft. He also identified offensive tackle as a position of need in the draft, meaning Kansas City may need to address that position with one of their top picks, as well. We recently mocked Bain to the Chiefs, which would certainly address the defensive line, but Veach fears a potential run of tackles shortly after their ninth overall pick, so they may be forced to attack the offensive line first.
- Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta also recently identified offensive line as a focus for his team early in the upcoming draft. Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane and Utah right tackle Spencer Fano are names opposing evaluators have connected to Baltimore, according to Jason La Canfora of Sports Illustrated. We mocked Ioane to the Ravens in our recent mock draft, but Fano could easily end up being the pick, and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor has been mentioned as a prospect of interest, as well.
5 Key Stories: 4/12/26 – 4/19/26
The lead-up to the draft often sees a number of high-profile developments (through player movement or contract extensions) around the league. 2026 has proven to be no different. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here’s a quick recap:
- Bengals Acquire, Extend Lawrence: Dexter Lawrence‘s desire for a change of scenery has resulted in a trade. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle has been dealt from the Giants to the Bengals in a swap sending the 10th overall pick to New York. Upon arrival in Cincinnati, Lawrence has agreed to a one-year, $28MM extension; he is therefore on the books through 2028. The Giants were unable to work out a new deal in this case for the second offseason in a row, leading to a breakdown between team and player. Observers have expressed surprise over the value New York managed to receive, and the team will now enter the draft with two top-10 selections. The Bengals, meanwhile, have continued to substantially reshape their defense in 2026. Lawrence will be counted on occupy a major role for the foreseeable future.
- Anderson Signs Market-Setting Texans Extension: Recent reporting suggested Will Anderson Jr. could reset the pass rush market with his Texans extension and reach the $50MM-per-year mark. He has managed to do just that by agreeing to a three-year, $150MM deal. Anderson expectedly had his fifth-year option picked up earlier this spring, meaning this monster extension will keep him under team control through 2030. The former Defensive Rookie of the Year secured $100MM fully guaranteed on his new contract, and his AAV is comfortably the most in the NFL among edge rushers. Anderson, 24, set a new career high with 12 sacks en route to first-team All-Pro honors in 2025. He will be expected to anchor Houston’s defense for years to come while holding the title of the league’s top earner for non-quarterbacks.
- Brissett Seeking New Cardinals Deal: The Cardinals finished 2025 with Jacoby Brissett atop the quarterback depth chart. That is set to remain the case for next season, with Kyler Murray having been traded and Gardner Minshew in place as a backup. Brissett is currently absent from voluntary offseason work while seeking a deal worth that of a QB1. The 33-year-old is owed $5.44MM for 2026 as things stand, nowhere near the market for mid-level starters. On the other hand, Arizona is seen as a prime landing spot for Ty Simpson, who could be viewed as a candidate to develop as a rookie before taking the reins in 2027. That setup would limit the team’s need to make a new investment in Brissett or its urgency to provide short-term incentives.
- Eagles Still Expected To Trade Brown: An A.J. Brown trade has long been a talking point this offseason, even with the Eagles repeatedly trying to downplay speculation in his case. A swap would be far more feasible after June 1 for cap purposes, and a widespread expectation still exists that Philadelphia will move forward with a trade beyond that date. Philadelphia has added Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency in addition to acquiring Dontayvion Wicks via trade. Those moves have been seen as precursors to a deal sending A.J. Brown elsewhere, something which would end his decorated (but not scandal-free) tenure as an Eagle. A notable WR investment early in the upcoming draft would certainly point further in the direction of Philadelphia eventually dealing Brown.
- Chargers Likely To Retain Johnston: Quentin Johnston has previously been the subject of trade rumors, but he remains on course to play for the Chargers next season. GM Joe Hortiz stated no calls with outside teams have taken place regarding the wideout’s availability, reducing the chances of any swap being worked out. Johnston has drawn criticism early in his career, though the former first-rounder has increased his yardage and efficiency in each of his three Los Angeles seasons while totaling 16 touchdowns over the past two years. Notably, Hortiz added no final decision has been made on Johnston’s fifth-year option covering 2027. Picking up the option would cost $18.1MM for that season, a sharp raise but something the Bolts may be willing to commit to if they keep him in the fold for now.
Texans Host Max Iheanachor, Blake Miller
Once again, the Texans have found themselves seeking improvements along the offensive line during an offseason. Houston has been busy on that front so far, but more additions could be coming via the draft.
Some of the top offensive tackle prospects in the 2026 class have been on the Texans’ radar leading up to the draft. Kadyn Proctor visited the team, although he may well be off the board by the time Houston selects at No. 28. Other T options have received a look more recently.
Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports Arizona State product Max Iheanachor is among the prospects who have visited the Texans. Iheanachor has drawn widespread interest during the pre-draft process, which comes as little surprise given his status as a potential first-rounder. The 35th-ranked player on the board for NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah was a latecomer to football, only beginning to play the game in junior college. After two seasons in that situation, Iheanachor had a three-year career with the Sun Devils, earning All-Big 12 honors in 2025.
The Texans have also hosted Clemson tackle Blake Miller, per Wilson. Miller racked up 54 starts with the Tigers, operating as a mainstay at the right tackle spot over that span. After earning first-team All-ACC honors in each of the past two years, he will be counted on to be a key contributor up front in the NFL. Solidifying either tackle spot would be imperative for a Houston team looking to break through in the playoffs while building around quarterback C.J. Stroud and Co.
The Texans have re-signed three offensive linemen this spring, including veteran Trent Brown. Houston also added Braden Smith in free agency, giving the team a pair of experienced right tackle options. Adding younger depth at that spot (not to mention someone capable of potentially handling work on the blindside) would still be a viable approach, though. It will be interesting to see if Iheanachor or Miller wind up being selected by the Texans if they are available when the team is first on the clock.