NFL

“Love is an explosive play waiting to happen and would unlock multiple layers of the playbook that Washington couldn’t access last season,” Reid said, projecting the Commanders to take the former Notre Dame running back with the seventh pick of the 2026 draft. Washington in 2025 ranked 11th in rush EPA, just below the 49ers, and tenth in rushing success rate, in line with the run-heavy Packers. Love in 2025 had 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns and had 39 runs of 10 or more yards, trailing only three collegiate backs. Washington was one of the run heaviest teams in the NFL last season, ranking 28th in early down neutral pass rate.

ESPN’s Draft Day Predictor model gives Simpson a 43 percent chance of going in the first round of the draft, which kicks off on Thursday night. “If the Alabama quarterback were to be selected Thursday, the most likely spots are at Nos. 16 (currently the Jets), 21 (Steelers) and 24 (Browns), though he could go at any pick as the result of a trade,” Walder said. The steam behind Simpson has faded a bit since he rocketed up draft boards in March as the only NFL-viable QB in the 2026 draft class outside Fernando Mendoza, who will be drafted first overall by the Raiders. If Simpson slips into the second round, Walder expects the Cardinals and Jets to strongly consider him. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has already named Geno Smith the team’s Week 1 starter.

Madubuike recently had surgery to fix a career-threatening neck injury he suffered in Week 2 last season. The neck surgery “left his doctors believing he will be able to resume playing this season,” Schefter said. Madubuike, 28, had 22 sacks over the 2023 and 2024 seasons. His 2025 neck injury was a huge loss for the Ravens front seven. Baltimore’s defense struggled to pressure the passer for much of the year. Madubuike’s return to full health would likely be a marked upgrade for the Ravens under new head coach Jesse Minter.

McMillan, last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year after catching 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns, dropped weight over the past few months and is down to around 205 pounds. Perhaps McMillan is trying to gain speed and quickness, though trimming down could make things more difficult for the boundary receiver. Even if the Panthers use an early round draft pick on a wideout, McMillan will certainly enter the 2026 as Carolina’s No. 1 receiver. Last year he ranked 26th among wideouts in yards per route run, just ahead of Khalil Shakir and Demario Douglas and just behind Romeo Doubs.

Grier returns to the Panthers after starting two games for Carolina in 2019. He completed 52 percent of his passes, with zero touchdowns and four interceptions. Grier has not played in a regular season game since 2019, and will likely function as the Panthers’ No. 3 quarterback behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett if he indeed makes the 2026 roster.

“I’m feeling extremely blessed, grateful to be back, feeling great and no restrictions, " Warner told reporters Monday at the team facility for the beginning of the offseason program. His return will be a massive boost to the defensive interior after the Pro Bowl linebacker required surgery to correct a gruesome ankle injury sustained in October of the 2025 season. Warner has made four Pro Bowls during his stellar eight-year NFL career.

The injury occurred during position drills and is reported to be a Jones fracture. The wide receiver prospect is expected to be fully recovered by the start of the NFL regular season. McAlister is not expected to hear his name called during the coming draft weekend but could catch on as an undrafted free agent.

As Schneider pointed out, the Seahawks currently have four picks in this year’s draft, including just one on Day 3. Seattle has each of its first three-round picks, but picking out of the No. 32 slot, there could be plenty of incentive to trade back and acquire more Day 2 and Day 3 picks should a team be interested in moving up at the end of the first round to make a pick. Whether it happens before or during the draft, the Seahawks will be a team to watch as draft day draws closer and other teams begin considering who they may want to move up for.

Harrison was drafted with the No. 27 overall pick back in 2023 and has started all 48 games he’s appeared in since joining the team. He has spent his entire career at right tackle, allowing 10 sacks and 93 pressures in 48 regular-season games, and earned a PFF pass-blocking grade of 75.6 last season — his highest mark to date. Harrison will now be under contract with the Jaguars through the 2027 season.

Ballard noted that Jones is throwing and moving while adding that Jones and the team are “shooting for Week 1" for him to be back on the field. Jones suffered his injury in Week 14 and is looking at a long road to recovery after undergoing surgery in December, but he remains optimistic that he can return in time for the start of the season based on how his rehab has gone thus far. His status will be one to watch as we get closer to camp, but if Jones can avoid landing on the PUP list when camp opens, then it would be safe to assume he’s trending toward a return for Week 1.