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NFL draft will include many Michigan men, maybe enough to break record set by 2022 Georgia Bulldogs
Larry Lage, Associated Press | Updated April 19 - 6:24 a.m. | Save Story
J.J. McCarthy is expected to be the first of many Michigan men drafted from its national championship team. The Wolverines had a record 18 players at the draft combine, giving them a chance to be the first school with at least 16 prospects picked in one NFL draft. Georgia's 2022 national championship team set the standard since the draft went to seven rounds with 15 players picked, including a record-tying five first-round selections in the 2023 draft. McCarthy may be Michigan's only player taken among the top 32 next Thursday night in Detroit.
Bills' Josh Allen credits receiver Stefon Diggs for being the caliber of QB he is today
John Wawrow, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 3:28 p.m. | Save Story
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen bid receiver Stefon Diggs farewell in an exchange of texts. Impersonal as that may sound, Allen heaped praise on Diggs by saying he wouldn't be the quarterback he is today without spending the past four years re-writing the Bills' single-season record book. Allen arrived for the start of Buffalo's voluntary workouts that opened this week and shared his first public comments since Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans. The quarterback made no mention of Diggs' mercurial temperament or the occasional sideline flare-ups by saying he'll always have a spot in his heart for the receiver.
Packers could still look to upgrade secondary in NFL draft even after adding Xavier McKinney
Steve Megargee, Associated Press | Updated April 18 - 2:51 p.m. | Save Story
The Green Bay Packers made one of the biggest splashes in free agency when they signed safety Xavier McKinney away from the New York Giants. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Packers address their secondary again in the draft. None of the three safeties who earned the most playing time with the Packers last season remains on the team. That means the Packers need to restock the position even after signing the 24-year-old McKinney to a four-year, $68 million contract. The Packers also need to add cornerback depth because of the uncertainty surrounding Eric Stokes' health.
Packers sign former Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Andre Dillard
The Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:45 p.m. | Save Story
Offensive tackle Andre Dillard has signed with the Green Bay Packers one month after the Tennessee Titans released him. The 28-year-old Dillard made 10 starts and played 16 games at left tackle for the Titans last season, but was benched at one point in the season as the Titans started four different players at that spot. Dillard spent his first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles selected him out of Washington State with the 22nd overall pick in the 2019 draft.
Cards' rebuild hits its apex with 11 picks in the NFL draft, including the No. 4 overall selection
David Brandt, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:30 p.m. | Save Story
The Arizona Cardinals' rebuilding project is about to hit one of its most important moments. Second-year general manager Monti Ossenfort has been building toward this draft since he was hired in January 2023. The Cardinals currently have 11 picks, including six selections in the top 90. It's a great opportunity to add more elite talent to a roster that could use it. The Cardinals have two picks in the first round, including the No. 4 and No. 27 selections. Arizona has been linked to some of the draft's premier wideouts, including Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze.
Even with John Schneider still in charge a new era arrives for Seahawks entering 2024 NFL draft
Tim Booth, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:30 p.m. | Save Story
For the first time in 14 years, general manager John Schneider will be leaning on a new voice inside the Seattle Seahawks draft room. The influence Pete Carroll carried as Schneider's partner when it came to putting together the plans for how Seattle would approach the draft is no longer there. And while the draft has often been Schneider's show to run in the past, it will be a different dynamic with Carroll no longer by his side and new coach Mike Macdonald now filling that spot. Seattle has seven picks in this year's draft beginning with No. 16 overall.
Rams have a first-round pick for the first time since 2016, but there's no guarantee they'll use it
Greg Beacham, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:30 p.m. | Save Story
The Los Angeles Rams haven't made a first-round pick in the NFL draft since they moved up to get Jared Goff in 2016. They've used their first-round picks since then as trade capital to build the roster that eventually won the Super Bowl in February 2022. The Rams are still holding the 19th overall pick this month. While general manager Les Snead could always trade it, he has a few areas of need that might be best addressed with a first-round talent. Those areas include the defensive line, where Aaron Donald's retirement has left a gaping hole in the heart of LA's defense.
The 49ers are slated to pick in the 1st round for the 1st time since 2021
Josh Dubow, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:29 p.m. | Save Story
The San Francisco 49ers will no longer be spectators on the opening night of the NFL draft. After sitting out round one the past two years thanks to a pricey decision to trade up for quarterback Trey Lance in 2021, the 49ers will be in position to fill a hole on the roster on day one of the draft this year. San Francisco holds the 31st overall selection in the draft, as well as nine additional picks the final two days, making the opening night far more entertaining for the Niners than the past two years when they didn't make a pick until day two of the draft.
Buccaneers eager to use the NFL draft to narrow the gap between themselves and other top teams
Fred Goodall, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:20 p.m. | Save Story
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers feel they're close to being Super Bowl contenders again and hope to use the upcoming NFL draft to narrow the competitive gap between themselves and some of the league's other top teams. The Bucs have four picks in the first three rounds and are confident they'll be able to upgrade the roster with prospects capable of taking advantage of opportunities to make a difference right away. The team's primary focus so far this offseason has been retaining as many of its own free agents as possible, including quarterback Baker Mayfield, franchise career receiving leader Mike Evans and veteran linebacker Lavonte David.
Panthers have many needs entering NFL draft, but no first-round pick after trading for Bryce Young
Steve Reed, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:19 p.m. | Save Story
The Carolina Panthers had the worst record in the league last season, so they have a long laundry list of draft needs. The problem is they don't have a first-round pick. The Panthers traded away that pick to the Chicago Bears last year and moved up from the ninth spot to get Alabama quarterback Bryce Young at No. 1 overall. That pick turned out be the No. 1 overall selection in 2024. Young struggled in his rookie season and the Panthers stumbled to a 2-15 record and now Carolina doesn't have anything to show for its struggles.
Saints enter the NFL draft with questions along the offensive line
Brett Martel, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:19 p.m. | Save Story
The New Orleans Saints could have a hard time passing up a promising offensive tackle prospect should one be available to them in the 2024 NFL draft. New Orleans' offensive line has struggled with both health and performance during recent seasons. Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk, a 2019 All-Pro, missed last season's final four games with a knee injury. His status for next season remains unclear following offseason surgery. Trevor Penning began the 2023 season as the Saints' starting left tackle. But the 2022 first-round pick was benched after six games. The Saints are scheduled to pick 14th in the first round and 45th overall in the second. The rest of their nine total picks come between the fifth and seventh rounds.
With QB Cousins joining strong foundation on offense, Falcons may target edge rusher in NFL draft
Charles Odum, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:18 p.m. | Save Story
The Atlanta Falcons' offseason overhaul, highlighted by the additions of coach Raheem Morris and quarterback Kirk Cousins, add intrigue to the team's NFL draft plans. The Falcons may address a pressing need by looking for an edge rusher such as Alabama's Dallas Turner with the No. 8 overall pick in the first round. By signing Cousins to a four-year deal, the Falcons may have no need to join the competition for the draft's top quarterbacks. Taylor Heinicke returns as the probable backup to Cousins. Instead, Atlanta's focus may be on defense at the top of the draft for a change.
Lions are not looking for a starter in the NFL draft for a change, coming off successful season
Larry Lage, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:13 p.m. | Save Story
The NFL draft is coming to Detroit and for a change, the Lions are coming off a successful season and have appeared to address every need with seemingly sound moves. Detroit has the No. 29 pick overall and if it doesn't make a move to pick sooner, it will mark the latest the franchise has made a first-round pick. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has led one of the more impressive turnarounds in the league. Holmes took over a laughingstock of a franchise three years ago and turned it into one of the NFL's best last season.
The Chicago Bears are poised to draft Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Andrew Seligman, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:12 p.m. | Save Story
The Chicago Bears are poised to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft and bank on the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner to stabilize a position that has long haunted the founding NFL franchise. They made their intentions clear when they traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh last month. And barring a major surprise, commissioner Roger Goodell will call Williams' name when the pick is made. The bigger mystery is what the Bears will do with their pick at No. 9, whether they go for a receiver or maybe an edge rusher. Chicago's only other picks are a third-rounder at No. 75 and a fourth-rounder at 122.
Vikings have the 11th and 23rd picks in the NFL draft and a need for a QB. Can they get their guy?
Dave Campbell, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:12 p.m. | Save Story
The Minnesota Vikings are as poised as ever to get a quarterback high in the draft. Kirk Cousins left as a free agent for Atlanta. The Vikings also acquired an additional first-rounder in a trade with Houston as potential fuel to move up. They have the 11th and 23rd overall selections. North Carolina's Drake Maye and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy look like realistic possibilities. The most recent time the Vikings drafted a quarterback in the first round was Teddy Bridgewater at No. 32 in 2014. The highest pick they've ever used on a quarterback was No. 11 for Daunte Culpepper in 1999.
Commanders' Shaka Toney among 5 players reinstated by NFL after suspensions last season for gambling
The Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:05 p.m. | Save Story
Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney was among five players reinstated by the NFL after they were suspended last season for violating the league's gambling policy. Four free agents were also among the group reinstated Thursday and can now sign with teams. Those players included outside linebacker Rashod Berry, wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety CJ Moore and defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor. The league's gambling policy prohibits players, coaches, team officials and league personnel from betting on NFL games, placing bets at team facilities or team hotels or having someone else place a bet for them.
Giants may consider QB in NFL draft as Daniel Jones recovers from ACL injury
Tom Canavan, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:02 p.m. | Save Story
The previous time the New York Giants had the sixth overall pick in the NFL draft was in 2019 and they surprised many by taking Daniel Jones of Duke to become the heir apparent to Eli Manning. Five years later and a little more than a year after giving Jones a $160 million contract extension, the Giants are again wondering about their quarterback. Jones is coming off ACL surgery and his status for the season is uncertain. The 26-year-old has led New York to one playoff berth (2022) since replacing Manning. The Giants also could use a deep threat at wide receiver.
Philadelphia Eagles want draft picks to play well, do the right thing and retire with the franchise
Dan Gelston, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 2:02 p.m. | Save Story
Howie Roseman wants Philadelphia Eagles draft prospects to take a lesson out of the recent retirements of franchise stalwarts Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. The Eagles general manager wants potential Eagles to see the likes of DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson and Brandon Graham continue to earn contract extensions and big money years after they're drafted by the team. If draft picks play the right way and stay out of trouble, they can continue to earn contract extensions and retire with the franchise. The Eagles hold the 22nd pick in the first round and the 50th and 53rd overall picks in the second round.
Moving on from Russell Wilson debacle leaves Denver Broncos in rebuild mode with QB among many needs
Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press | Posted April 18 - 12:43 p.m. | Save Story
Yes, the Denver Broncos are in the market for a quarterback heading into the NFL draft. But they have such a lack of depth on their roster that the Broncos could go in any direction. They have dire needs at tight end, tackle, edge rusher, cornerback and quarterback. This lack of depth was due in large part to the premium picks they gave up to acquire quarterback Russell Wilson and head coach Sean Payton. That pairing lasted just one year and the Broncos moved on from Wilson this offseason. That decision carries a hefty price tag for the Broncos.
