NEWS AND NEAR NEWS

QBs Mendoza, Simpson last unsigned 2026 #1s … Just two players selected in the opening round of the 2026 draft remain unsigned: QBs Fernando Mendoza, the first-player picked overall by Las Vegas and Ty Simpson whom the LA Raiders chose with the 13th pick. However, they are not the only unsigned players selected at this year’s draft as 14 players taken outside the first round have yet to come to terms. And all the unsigned players were selected early in the 3rd and 4th rounds as the players’ union is encouraging them to hold out for contract guarantees similar to those signed by rookies in the previous round. Stay tuned!

Vikes retool front office … In the wake of hiring former Seattle exec Nolan Teasley as the team’s new GM, Minnesota has almost completely made over  their front office. Late last week, the Vikings parted ways with assistant G.M. Demitrius Washington, senior personnel executive Jamaal Stephenson, assistant director of college scouting Pat Roberts and pro scout Salli Clavelle, while they reassigned Ryan Grigson, the team’s other assistant GM. To fill the gaps, the Vikings hired Andrew Healy and Trent Kirchner as assistant GMs. Healy had been VP of research and strategy with Cleveland, while was VP of player personnel in Seattle, where he worked with Teasley for over a decade. And for the record, earlier this month, Minnesota did confirm that Teasley would in fact head their football ops meaning that Seattle should be inline to receive a couple of third-round compensatory picks over the next two draft cycles as part of the NFL’s minority hiring initiative.

Falcons get Chiefs vet OT in late round pick swap … Atlanta has acquired disgruntled veteran OT Wanya Morris from Kansas City in a trade that will see the two teams flip their 6th and 7th round picks at the 2027 draft with the Chiefs getting the Falcons 6th and the Falcons the Chiefs 7th.

Sorsby trial date set; more developments … Updating that report from earlier today in which the NCAA announced that it has formally appealed the injunction granted embattled Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby allowing him to play this fall while his case is heard, a trial date for case has been set for February, that is, after the completion of the season. And the NCAA appeal will be heard by a 4-judge panel all of whom are Texas Tech grads, so good luck with that. A betting person – no pun intended – could probably figure that Sorsby will be legally eligible to play this fall after sitting out the Red Raiders first two games. The problem for Tech and Sorsby, though, is there really is nothing stopping the Big XII from applying sanctions, and potentially severe sanctions, to the school for using a player the conference has deemed ineligible. In fact, the conference leaders are considering those options as we speak. In the meantime, at least a couple of programs – Nebraska and Georgia – have indicated that their schools will not play Texas Tech is any sport if Sorsby is allowed to play, although neither school is actually scheduled to face the Red Raiders in football any time soon.

NCAA appeals Sorsby ruling … The case that never seems to end took another turn lat last evening when the NCAA appealed a district’s judge ruling yesterday that granted Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby an injunction essentially overturning his suspension for gambling on college sports including betting on his own team. Sorsby didn’t get off scot-free in the ruling as he would have to sit out the Red Raiders first two games, but would have been allowed to play the full Big XII schedule. The NCAA has asked for an expedited ruling from the Texas’ 7th district Court of Appeals; however, there is no guarantee that they’ll get an early hearing and it is possible that a final decision could only come after the season is over.

We are not lawyers and never played one on TV, but what we do watch a lot of legal shows and the original decision sounds just a wee bit on the absurd side. In particular, it would appear to open the door to all kinds of nefarious betting shenanigans by collegians claiming ‘they were addicted!’ Indeed, there is already some blow back as several Big XII teams have hinted at simply forefeiting their games against Texas Tech if Sorsby were going to play, while the Big Ten is reportedly considering banning non-conference games against the school. Meanwhile, while technically eligible, Sorsby remains in something of eligibility no-man’s land. he has until the end of the month to apply to the NFL for eligibility to the summer supplemental draft, but if the NCAA wins its appeal between that date and the start of the season, he’d essentially be out of options for the 2026 season.

Tigers, Ducks stars headline 2027 TE prospects … There appears to have been something of a renaissance in the past few years, at least when it comes to the draft, for TEs. Indeed, at least one TE has been chosen with a top 20 pick in each of the last three drafts, the first time that’s ever happened and that includes 2025 when two were selected within the first 14 picks, the first time that had happened since the early 1990s. And that trend could very well continue this coming April with at least a couple of very talented prospects at the position including Trey’Dez Green of LSU and Oregon’s Jamari Johnson. The Tigers’ Green, in particular, is being talked about as potentially one of the most physically gifted TE prospects ever; he’s a freakish 6-6,  240 pounder with speed and quickness, as well as great hands. And, as a former prep basketball star who has suited up with the LSU’s hoops team, he can jump thru the roof and is a mismatch waiting to happen. Meanwhile, the Ducks’ Johnson was playing as well as his former Oregon teammate Kenyon Sadiq, whom the NY Jets selected with this year’s 16th pick, in the latter part of the 2025 campaign.

There was also a somewhat unexpected run on the position on the second night of the 2026 draft when 8 were selected in the second and third rounds. That was roughly twice the number of TEs selected on the second day historically and tied the all-time record for the position for one draft. Time will only tell whether that’s a trend that will continue at the upcoming draft, although there is a strong supporting cast at the position including Terrance Carter of Texas Tech, Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle of Penn State, Temple’s Peter Clark, Jaden Platt of Arkansas, Jeremiah Hasley of Duke, and Dorian Thomas of California, although there is still a lot of sorting out to be done at the position this season after those first couple of guys. For now, here is our preliminary listing of the top TE prospects for the upcoming draft.

CFL kicking off 2026 campaign … The Canadian Football League is kicking off its 2026 season as we speak with Montreal playing at Hamilton. Two other games are scheduled for the league’s opening weekend with Winnipeg playing at Calgary on Friday, while Edmonton comes east to play Ottawa in the nation’s capital on Saturday night. And it will all culminate at the 113th edition of the Grey Cup game, this year in Calgary on November 15th. Coverage in Canada is on TSN and RDS (en francais), with games available in the U.S. on either the CBS Sports Network or streamed on CFL+. Here is the full schedule (including coverge) for the 2026 CFL season.

Lions pick out for year with ACL … Detroit rookie receiver Kendrick Law, a 5th round pick at the 2026 draft, will reportedly miss the entire upcoming season after tearing an ACL in a non-contact drill at practice this week.

Buckeyes’ Smith heads maybe best ever WR group … One of the big story lines of this past April’s draft was the perception that 2027 was going to be much better talent-wise. That certainly appears to be the case for both of next year’s QB and DE/ER groupings that we previewed late last month. It also appears to be the case for the wide receivers which could very well end up being the top positional grouping for 2027; it could also be one of the top WR classes in draft history. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, for example, who is 6-2, 225 with projected sub-4,4 speed, is currently generally considered to be the top player in college football with the potential to get some serious consideration to be the first player selected at next April’s draft even in a year with excellent prospects at both QB and edge rusher. And Smith could be joined in the top ten by at least a couple of other wideouts in Cam Coleman of Texas and Alabama’s Ryan Williams (who now goes by Coleeman- Williams just to confuse the issue: however, for now we shall continue to refer to him as just Williams as we strongly believe that players with hyphenated names should be forced to pick one of the other!) Coleman, for one, is a toolsy 6-3, 200-pounder with projected 4.45 speed who is poised for a breakout season catching passes from Arch Manning after after transferring over from Auburn, while Williams was widely considered to be right there with OSU’s Smith during their sparkling breakout freshman campaigns a couple of years back, although he did not have the anticipated breakout year this past season.

Those three are just the tip of the iceberg of what is a very deep, talented group, although there is still a ton of sorting out to do at the position between now and April 2027. South Carolina’s Nyck Harbor, for example, has yet to put up big numbers with the Gamecocks, but literally redefines the notion of freakish athlete at the position; he’s almost 6-5, 235 and is a 100M state record holder. So is Eric Singleton of Florida, while Mario Craver of Texas A&M has the same kind of electric speed and quickness, although he is somewhat diminutive at just 5-9, 165. No such issues, though, for Duce Robinson of Florida State, who’s built more along the lines of a TE at 6-6, but has the potential to be a real physical match-up problem at the next level. And then there’s another group of just plain solid, productive WR prospects with at least top 100 physical tools including Coleman’s UT running mate Ryan Wingo, the Clemson duo of TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco, and the Indiana pairing of Nick Marsh and Charlie Becker. The one qualifying note that we would make, though, is that most of this year’s top WR prospects, including Smith, Coleman and Williams will be third-year juniors this fall with another year of college eligibility available should they wish to stay in school and take advantage of NIL money in 2027. For now, though, here is our current ranking of the two two dozen or so WR prospects for the upcoming draft.

Future 3rd Browns’ get from Rams in Garrett deal could become a #1 … Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com is reporting that the 2029 3rd round pick that the Browns received from the LA Rams to complete this week’s blockbuster deal in which Cleveland traded star DE Myles Garrett to the Rams for three picks, will escalate to a first-rounder in the unlikely event that the Rams traded Garrett back to a team in the AFC North before then.

Lions add ex-Phins GM Grier to front office … Detroit has added a little more experience to its front office as the Lions have reportedly hired former Miami general manager Chris Grier as a personnel executive. Grier spent more than two decades in the Miami organization, but was fired as GM last October. Grier actually began his scouting career with New England in 1995 and joined the Dolphins five years later.

Eagles finally do send WR Brown to Pats for 1st, 5th round picks … Ending literally months of anticipation, Philadelphia has finally traded star WR AJ Brown to New England. In exchange, the Eagles will receive a 5th round pick in 2027 and a 2028 first-rounder, although Brown will need to pass a physical with the Patriots in order for the deal to be finalized. While the deal had been planned for months, the Eagles waited until today when the cap implications for trading Brown became less onerous as Philadelphia will be able to split their remaining $43.8M cap hit for Brown over the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Rams add star DE Garrett in blockbuster deal with Browns … Goodness! Step out for a few minutes to do a little plant shopping and the NFL is rocked by a major deal. In fact, teams around the league were bracing for a blockbuster trade between Philadelphia and New England for Eagles’ WR AJ Brown, which has been rumored to be scheduled for June 1st. However, the LA Rams and Cleveland beat them to the punch as the Rams have acquired star DE Myles Garrett, who set a new single-season sack record last fall, in exchange for rising DE Jared Verse, the NFL DROY in 2024, along with a first round pick in 2027, a second in 2028 and a third in 2029. In acquiring the Rams #1 pick this coming April, the Browns become the second team to now have an extra 2027 first rounder along with the NY Jets (who actually have three.) For the record, the 2028 2nd rounder is the first top 100 pick to be traded for that draft, while the 2029 3rd rounder is the first pick to be dealt in any round that year. Combined with their own picks, the Browns would now appear to be well armed to go after one of this coming April’s top young QBs should they decide to do so. Stay tuned!

Court hearing could decide Sorsby future … Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby will be in court later today where his attorneys will ask a district judge to prevent the NCAA from barring him during the 2026 season. The NCAA had ruled Sorsby permanently ineligible for violations of its gambling rules as he has admitted to betting on his own team during earlier career stops at Indiana and Cincinnati. The NCAA is likely to appeal if it loses today’s ruling, but its unlikely that any appeal would be heard anytime soon. On the other hand, if Sorsby loses in court today, he may be out of realistic collegiate options and could very well opt to put his name in for this summer’s supplemental draft.

Seahawks could receive comp picks after Vikes hire key exec … Just a quick follow-up to yesterday’s reporting that Minnesota has hired former Seattle assistant GM Nolan Teasley as the Vikings’ new general manager. The Seahawks could be in-line to get a couple of third-round compensatory picks as Teasley is considered to be a minority candidate. He doesn’t necessarily look the part, but his father is black. However, ‘could’ is the operative word here as compensatory picks for minority GM hirings are only awarded when the individual clearly becomes the new team’s primary football operative and it isn’t clear whether Teasley or head coach Kevin O’Connell will in fact have the final say in Minnesota. Stay tuned!

Vikes tab ‘Hawks exec to be new GM … Minnesota has reportedly agreed to hire former Seattle personnel executive Nolan Teasley as the Vikings new G.M. replacing Kwesi Adofo-Mensah who was fired from the job in January. Teasley, who spent his entire NFL career to date in Seattle after joining the franchise as a scouting intern in 2013, had been the Seahawks assistant GM the past four years.

Cut down day moved up … The NFL has reportedly informed teams around the league that this year’s cutdown deadline to their opening day 53 man rosters has been moved up two days meaning to 6 PM ET on Sunday, August 30th.

Gunshot muddies 2027 RB waters … The chances of a RB being chosen with a top 6 pick in 2027 for the third straight year took a hit earlier this off-season when Ahmad Hardy of Missouri, the consensus top prospect at the position for the upcoming draft, was shot in the leg at a concert in Mississippi. The 5-10, 210-pound Hardy, who led the SEC and finished second in the nation in rushing last fall, underwent what was described as successful surgery and is rehabbing back at school, but whether he will be able to play at all this coming season is still to be determined. However, even without Hardy, 2027 looks like it could be a relatively strong year at the position, with a number of backs with at least some first-round potential including 230-pound Jadan Baugh of Florida, Mississippi’s Kerwan Lacy, Mark Fletcher of Miami, and Ike Brown of Louisville, along with a solid supporting cast that includes speedsters Nate Frazier of Georgia and Auburn’s Jeremiah Cobb, Jordan Marshall of Michigan and BYU’s LJ Martin. Pro scouts will also be watching the progress of three prominent transfers at position including CJ Baxter, who moved from Texas to Kentucky, Justice Haynes, now at Georgia Tech after stops at Alabama and Michigan, and Makhi Hughes, now at Houston after playing at both Tulane and Oregon. All three were once considered to be prime prospects who will be looking to revive their careers at their new schools.

We’ll wrap this post with a trivia question: who did lead the country in rushing last fall? And no it wasn’t Jeremiah Love, the 3rd player picked at the 2026 draft, who actually was 8th. The leading DI rusher last fall was Cam Cook, who had 1659 yards (10 more than Missou’s Hardy) while playing at Jacksonville State. He moved up to West Virginia for his senior season this coming fall where he has a chance to emerge as something of a sleeper for the upcoming draft. Here is an early look at the top RBs for the upcoming draft.

Jets get future, late pick for vet KR … The NY Jets have acquired a conditional 7th round pick in 2028 from Seattle for WR/KR Irv Charles.

Top UDFA RB retires … For the record, we have neatened up the list of this year’s undrafted free agents by team. The teams have been rearranged by alphabetic order and we also tweaked those teams that made late roster moves with their UDFAs. One of those tweaks involved former Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss who was signed by Miami after going undrafted this past April, but has since opted to retire from football. Not that long ago Moss was being considered as a potential early pick – indeed, he was the 4th ranked UDFA on our list of the top undrafted prospects – but had his career impacted by serious knee and ankle injuries that appear to have carried over.