2026 NFL Draft

Fotu began his career with the Cardinals, spending four seasons in Arizona as a rotational defensive tackle. The 27-year-old then played with the Jets in 2024 and signed with Raiders for 2025, signing with the Texans practice squad after the Raiders released him in December. Fotu has played sparingly over the last couple seasons and is utilized most as an early-down rotational defensive lineman. He will add depth for the Giants’ defensive line.

Bryant is a former fourth-round pick of the Browns, spending the first four years of his career in Cleveland and the last two years with the Raiders and Texans. As a receiver, Bryant is yet to surpass 300 yards receiving in a single season with the bulk of his production coming in tandem with David Njoku in Cleveland. He can line up inline and in the slot while his blocking is also a serviceable trait. Bryant was depth for the Texans last season, seeing just four targets in the regular season but five targets in the post-season amid injuries to the tight end room. The Seahawks will add him as depth to a room featuring A.J. Barner, Elijah Arroyo, and Eric Saubert.

The Cowboys were initially reported to be placing the franchise tag on Pickens prior to the NFL draft, prompting speculation he would be dealt during the draft. However, Pickens did not sign the $27.3 million tag immediately, leaving him out of any potential trade conversations. Now, the Cowboys announce Pickens has officially signed his franchise tag. He now plays on a one-year, $27.3 million fully guaranteed deal for 2026 while aiming to negotiate a new contract with Dallas or another team that would agree to acquire and sign him to a long-term deal.

Deroitr also announced the signing of DT Jay Tufele, formerly of the Jets. Bachie was released by the Colts a month into the 2025 season but landed in Tennessee for 10 games. He is primarily a special teamer. Tufele appeared in a dozen games with two starts last year. He logged 12 combined tackles.

The Jets acquired Smith when they traded Quinnen Williams to Dallas. Smith only appeared in three games for Gang Green last year. He did not record any counting stats. Smith now enters a contract year with a lot to prove.

This is purely a formality, as Panthers GM Dan Morgan said all the way back in January that the team would take Young’s option. The move keeps Young under contract through the 2027 season. He will make $26.5 million fully guaranteed that year. Carolina invested heavily in their offense via the draft this offseason. They took Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling in the first round and added a downfield threat for Young in the third round with Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell. Even though he’s under contract for two more years, 2026 is shaping up to be a make-or-break season for Young.

Al-Shaair was set to play out the final year of his current contract this season. Instead, Houston keeps him locked in with a long-term deal. Al-Shaair has been with the Texans for two years, starting all 27 regular season games he has been active for. In 2025, Al-Shaair totaled two interceptions, one forced fumble, and a team-high 103 combined tackles.

The 49ers are currently sitting on Aiyuk’s contract, which now has all of its future guarantees voided. They have reportedly been looking for a trade partner, though there’s no chance a team trades for a player whom the 49ers GM John Lynch himself has said is done with the team. Aiyuk is currently on the reserve/left squad list, meaning the 49ers don’t have to pay him anything right now. He could force their hand by showing up to OTAs. In Barrows’ cutting words, “Maybe Aiyuk’s most effective move is something he failed to do last season — show up for work.” Assuming he does that, the 49ers will release him, at which point he would be likely to sign with the Commanders, if previous reports are to be believed.

Concepcion, taken by the Browns with the 24th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, said he visited with Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes when he transferred schools following his sophomore season at NC State. “He’s a great guy, a great leader,” Concepcion said of Sanders. “I just can’t wait to build that relationship and build that connection with him.” That Concepcion is excited about playing with Sanders in Cleveland could be noteworthy as Sanders competes with Deshaun Watson — coming off multiple Achilles injuries — for Week 1 starting duties. Sanders in 2025 ranked 38th out of 38 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per drop back and 36th in accuracy.

“Deshaun looks great by the way, he’s done a great job, he looks healthy, he’s in a great head space,” Johnson said during a Wednesday radio interview, acknowledging an “ongoing competition” between Watson and other Cleveland QBs, including, presumably, Shedeur Sanders. “If [Watson] is our starting quarterback, I know there are people who won’t be supportive. But they should be supportive as much as they can.” Watson, 30, is coming off who torn Achilles tendons and is slated to make $34.9 million in 2026. He’s played in 19 regular season games since 2021, due in part to legal troubles related to alleged sexual misconduct during this time with the Texans. The Watson vs. Sanders competition will be closely watched in the coming months.