NFL Player News

Boston has a good chance of being on the draft board when the 49ers make their first round selection at No. 27 overall. Boston in his final collegiate season at Washington had 62 receptions for 881 receiving yards (14.2 yards per catch) and was tied for ninth in the FBS with 11 receiving touchdowns. Boston ranks 42nd in yards per route run among wideouts in the 2026 draft class. The big-bodied Boston would pair well with veteran Mike Evans, who signed with the Niners during free agency. With Evans, Boston, and George Kittle, Brock Purdy would have a range of excellent red zone options in 2026.

As ESPN’s Field Yates notes, this is the final day for prospects to visit with teams. The Cardinals hold the No. 3 pick, which is likely already spoken for. They then pick again at No. 34 at the top of the second round. That is where they would be targeting Simpson if they want him, though the Cardinals could also move back into the first round if they are worried about someone else nabbing the Bama passer. Arizona currently has Jacoby Brissett as their starter and Gardner Minshew to back him. They need to address quarterback in some capacity, but that could ultimately be delayed until the 2027 NFL Draft, which should have a much stronger quarterback class.

Sullivan and the entire Dolphins organization have made it clear this offseason that Achane is not on the trade block, even as the team actively tears things down at other positions. Achane did not report to voluntary OTAs while working toward a new contract, but all signs point toward this standoff ending in a timely fashion. Sans Jaylen Waddle, Achane is now the centerpiece of the Dolphins’ offense. Even if the team struggles in 2026, his pass-catching role alone should keep him afloat as an RB1.

NFL reporters and commentators who have suggested the Jaguars will shift Hunter to play mostly cornerback in 2026 and beyond are “completely misrepresenting” comments made by general manager James Gladstone and other front office officials, Shipley said. A lack of “media literacy,” Shipley said, has led league observers to incorrectly believe Hunter’s time as a full-time wideout are over. “At zero point have the Jaguars ever once indicated he will not play both ways, just as he did last year,” Shipley said, adding that head coach Liam Coen has “embraced the disrespect” of reporters who intentionally misinterpret what Jacksonville’s front office says. “He will just play more cornerback.” Hunter in 2025 averaged four receptions and 42 yards per game before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 7. Hunter’s offseason and preseason usage could provide some clues as to how he will be deployed in 2026. Those discounting his role as an every-down receiver may be proven wrong if Shipley is right.

Kansas City holds the ninth pick in the first round of the draft. Kiper rightly points out that the Chiefs very much need to bolster their wideout room after Xavier Worthy’s 2025 struggles, Travis Kelce’s age-based decline, and Rashee Rice’s various and disturbing off-the-field issues. Tyson struggled with injuries in college, missing nearly a third of his collegiate games. He remains a solid prospect with tantalizing upside, however. I’m already picturing Mahomes buying time in the pocket and firing 50-50 balls to Tyson in the end zone. In 2024, when he went for 1,101 yards and ten touchdowns, Tyson had the seventh highest yards per route run in the nation, playing from both the boundary and the slot. He could be a difference maker in a KC offense in need of a downfield playmaker. “I’m already picturing Mahomes buying time in the pocket and firing 50-50 balls to Tyson in the end zone,” Kiper said.

Lawrence has been looking for a contract extension this offseason, but he and the Giants have been unable to reach an agreement and the 28-year-old requested a trade. Giants general manager Joe Schoen addressed Lawrence’s trade request, saying he would like to keep the star defensive tackle. However, Rapoport reports contract talks “have reached an impasse” and that “the Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade.” The NFL Draft at the end of April will be a key deadline for Schoen to explore trades for Lawrence.

The Commanders held a big pre-draft Top 30 visit Tuesday, with many top prospects heading to Top Golf as part of a group outing of over 20 players. Holding the No. 7 pick in the draft, the Commanders have quite the list of visiting prospects, though it is absent quarterbacks with Jayden Daniels firmly holding down that position. In addition to top offensive players in Tate, Lemon and Love, the Commanders also hosted top defensive players in Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain. What Washington does with the pick is still up in the air, though now nearly an entire round’s worth of prospects can say they’ve played Top Golf in the DMV area.

It’s no secret the Raiders are more than likely going to select Indiana’ Fernando Mendoza No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the question has been lingering on whether the Raiders will start Mendoza out of the gate or let him sit for a bit first. Las Vegas signed Kirk Cousins as a veteran presence in the locker room and still have Aidan O’Connell as quarterback depth. Spytek implied that a competition between Cousins, O’Connell, and Mendoza could shake out the Week 1 starter. Mendoza would be the franchise quarterback, but there is a good chance Cousins (or even O’Connell) start in the interim while the rookie gets better prepared for the long-term.

Entering his age-30 season, James has bounced back from early-career injuries and been one of the most dependable and versatile defenders in the NFL over the past four years. He posted an 83.7 PFF coverage grade in 2025 playing in the box, at slot, and even manning the defensive line at times. Rhim adds the usual “it seems likely that a deal will get done,” but the curious thing part here is: “Whether [Chargers GM Joe] Hortiz is willing to give a 30-year-old James a record deal is one of the biggest questions ahead of this season.” It sure sounds like James could be a potential trade candidate based on that sentence. The Chargers have not exactly been big spenders under Hortiz.

Baltimore’s current three-deep at the position is an underwhelming trio of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Devontez Walker. Hensley notes that the Ravens have never selected a guard or center in the top half of the first round. We’re not entirely sure which of the major wideout prospects the Ravens would prefer, but it would certainly make sense for them to add one.

Breer said he first heard this story in February and that the reason it didn’t come out earlier is that no team checking in on it felt it would impact his draft stock. Only a few teams raised the issue with Breer and those who did said “there was an explanation.” Bain’s 30 7/8-inch arms feel like a bigger issue for teams at this point in Breer’s eyes. He’ll likely go somewhere in the top-15 selections next Thursday.