After weeks trending on months of a relatively quiet NFL Draft cycle, everything has been turned on its head. Since Bryce Young became the favorite to be the top pick, everything is different. NFL news and rumors are spreading like wildfire, and those rumors have weight immediately after the first pick, which seems like a relative lock at this point.
For a long while, many have believed the draft starts with the Arizona Cardinals’ third pick. That’s wrong. At least, it has become wrong. The NFL Draft starts at pick 2, chaos will ensue, and we’ll all be more entertained for it.
NFL News and Rumors
Monday was a wild day in football. Of the 32 franchises, 27 began voluntary offseason workouts. Odd on the second pick in the NFL Draft have changed drastically. Jalen Hurts had the Brinks truck show up, and Justin Herbert is recovering from shoulder surgery and may not be ready for OTAs.
Damar Hamlin Cleared By Specialists
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane had terrific news for the media. Damar Hamlin has been cleared to resume full football activities after the terrifying injury he sustained on Jan. 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Hamlin saw three different specialists who all cleared him to play the game again. Head coach Doug McDermott said he was excited about Hamlin being cleared but that they’ll take things one step at a time for Hamlin from a mental health standpoint.
Hendon Hooker Visiting Giants on Wednesday
The New York Giants just signed Daniel Jones to a four-year extension, but that won’t stop them from bringing Hendon Hooker in for an official visit.
General manager Joe Schoen could be taking a “no stone left unturned” approach to the QB position, or he could just be bringing Hooker in to gauge his health and possibly steer the conversation toward the two receivers he played with who will be drafted in less than two weeks.
Rams Trade Allen Robinson to Steelers
Allen Robinson never really fit into the Rams’ system. From the start, the fit appeared awkward, and the product on the field wasn’t any cleaner.
Robinson never found his footing in Los Angeles and is now on his way to Pittsburgh in an attempt to revitalize his career. Although Robinson is only 29, it was clear that he was a shell of his former self athletically, and after a foot fracture ended his only season with Los Angeles, it’s easy to wonder if he has anything left to offer.
Pittsburgh has a few nice options between Diontae Johnson and George Pickens, but Calvin Austin III is still unknown, and the depth behind the top three is one big question mark after another.
Panthers Not Interested in Trading No. 1 Pick
After the Carolina Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick from the Chicago Bears, there was some thought that they could trade back down and acquire more draft capital. However, Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said Wednesday that he doesn’t see Carolina trading the pick.
Additionally, Fitterer told reporters that the Panthers are “still going through the process” of selecting the No. 1 pick. He added that Carolina didn’t give any indication to Young that he will be the top choice in the draft, even though Young has canceled the rest of his pre-draft visits.
While Young is expected to be the Panthers’ pick, Carolina is still hosting C.J. Stroud and Will Levis on Wednesday, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. The Panthers could still theoretically move away from Young, but it’s important to remember that it’s also smokescreen season.
Paris Johnson Jr. Visiting Eagles, Jets, Cardinals
NFL prospect visits are just about to wrap up, but Paris Johnson Jr. is still a busy man. He’s meeting with the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday before huddling with the New York Jets on Thursday, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Johnson also visited the Arizona Cardinals last week.
The Cardinals have the earliest pick among those clubs and could potentially take Johnson as high as No. 3 overall. Meanwhile, the Eagles are never afraid to build through the offensive line and could view Paris Johnson as a long-term successor to Lane Johnson.
Meanwhile, the Jets need as much offensive tackle help as any team in the league. If Johnson is still available at pick No. 13, Gang Green would likely snatch him.
Commanders Hosting Myles Murphy
The Washington Commanders brought in Clemson’s Myles Murphy for a top-30 visit on Tuesday, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. Murphy is the 10th overall prospect on PFN’s Industry Consensus Board, while Washington holds the 16th pick in the draft.
Although the Commanders are already heavily invested in their defensive line after handing mammoth extensions to tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, EDGE could still be a position of need.
Former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young hasn’t been able to stay healthy in the NFL, while Montez Sweat will hit free agency next March. Murhpy could give Washington a chance to reset at the position.
Houston Texans Want Out of Second Pick?
NFL Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein believes so. Zierlein isn’t just a draft analyst for NFL.com, however. His background is in radio in the Houston area, and his Rolodex for the area is massive. So if he says something about the Texans, it’s worth considering at the very least.
When asked about Houston’s plans on Twitter Monday and whether they’d draft a QB, Zierlein answered. “Not anymore,” he said. “They are trying to get out of that pick.”
Texans general manager Nick Caserio also commented on the team’s pick, along with their potential willingness to move from the pick. It’s important to note that we are firmly in the midst of the lying season, and any words should be taken with a coarse grain of salt. When asked about the team’s plans, Caserio had this to say.
“So if you want to quote me … are we open for business,” Caserio responded. “I would say we’re open to listening. If you want to change the vocabulary a little bit. But we have received a few calls, and again I think our responsibility is to listen, to try and take the information, and then just make the right decision.”
It’s impossible to know for sure his motives. However, his words suggest that the Texans would like to move back and acquire more assets. The thing is, he can’t exactly go out into the public sphere and say that.
First, it would show franchises that the Texans have reservations on the 2023 crop of QB prospects. To maximize their leverage in trade discussions, feigning interest in a particular QB is imperative to up the price. Houston can’t seem like they want to drop back. Opposing franchises must make an offer so substantial that the Texans would essentially have to move from No. 2 overall.
Secondly, if nobody makes an offer substantial enough in the long run anyways, and Houston drafts one of the QBs, saying “yes, we’re open for business” could make the wrong first impression on the franchise passer.
But thirdly, there is no reason whatsoever to categorically deny it, either. Every conceivable possibility should be analyzed and discussed, even if they absolutely adore a quarterback. The saying goes that everything has a price, but a franchise QB might be the one thing in sports that is priceless and that a team won’t move from.
Will Levis Becomes Favorite For Second Pick in the NFL Draft
Caesars Sportsbook has new odds for the second overall pick, and they are spicy.
Will Levis +180
Tyree Wilson +300
Will Anderson Jr. +300
C.J. Stroud +500
What is most fascinating about this isn’t Will Levis becoming the favorite, but non-quarterbacks garnering better odds than Stroud or Anthony Richardson.
However, just a week ago, many had been under the impression that Levis was relegated to being the third or, even more likely, the fourth QB drafted from the class. This is a massive jump for him and further proof that even if the masses believe something, in the NFL Draft all it takes is one team.
If one team adores Levis and thinks he’ll be the next NFL great, he’s absolutely worth the second pick in the draft. On Monday, Levis visited Indianapolis, making his rise in the betting market even more interesting.
Justin Herbert Recovering From Labrum Surgery
Justin Herbert is a tough cookie. The Los Angeles Chargers QB played through a rib cartilage fracture he sustained in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. He finished that game and proceeded not to miss a game during the 2022 NFL season.
During the lead-up to Week 18, Herbert was listed on the injury report with a shoulder issue. However, that designation was gone by the time the playoffs came around. But on Jan. 29, the Chargers’ QB had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder.
MORE: Chargers Add Pass Catcher for Justin Herbert in Latest Mock Draft
The original report from NFL.com stated that Herbert was expected to be cleared before offseason programming. However, the timeline appears to be delayed, at least for now.
“We’re going to listen to the doctors, and I know he’s making progress,” Brandon Staley told reporters Monday. “Again, we’ll have those updates as we get closer to practice time.”
Jalen Hurts Contract Won’t… Hurt… Eagles Cap for a Long Time
Howie Roseman is a wizard, call him Howie Potter. With a cap hit that won’t reach $32 million at any point over the next four seasons, it gives the savvy GM ammunition to continue building around a young quarterback.
Although Hurts was fantastic in 2022 and one of the league’s MVP candidates, growth as an NFL QB never ends, and he can still improve.
Meanwhile, with cap hits of $6.15 million and $13.56 million over the next two seasons, Roseman can continue taking home-run swings on veterans in free agency and the NFL’s trade market, where he really thrives.
In other Hurts-related news, the Eagles quarterback is recovering from February surgery that removed hardware from his ankle, according to ESPN. That hardware had been inserted into Hurts’ ankle after he suffered a high-ankle sprain while in college in 2018. Hurts has already resumed his training program and is expected to have a normal offseason.
Patrick Mahomes Not 100% but Has Teammates in Texas
The Kansas City Chiefs are in what Andy Reid called “Phase One” of their offseason programming. But during the Chiefs’ 40-plus minute Zoom interview with reporters, the most significant question was whether Patrick Mahomes was fully healthy after suffering a nasty ankle injury that hampered him into the Super Bowl.
“I think now it’s been more about just kind of managing it, but getting the mobility back as best as I possibly can,” Mahomes told reporters. ” I wouldn’t say I’m 100%, but I’ve had no necessary limitations.”
Mahomes said it can be a bit sore on the weekends, but that’s part of the rehab process. He’s already throwing with teammates in Texas and has everything planned out. He’s made himself available so teammates can come and go as their schedule allows.
Mahomes has been able to schedule everything out, including lodging and the ability to use indoor and outdoor facilities with different surface types. Mahomes says the plan for himself and his pass catchers was much better this offseason than last.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs found Mahomes’ next backup on Wednesday by agreeing to terms with Blaine Gabbert, according to the Pat McAfee Show. The 33-year-old Gabbert, who had spent the last three years backing up Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, will now be a No. 2 for this generation’s G.O.A.T.