The NFL Draft is scheduled for this week, beginning with Round One on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. EDT, followed by Rounds Two and Three at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, and concluding with Rounds Four through Seven on Saturday. Even in the final hours leading up to the draft, we’ll provide breaking news and analysis on all the expected decisions and highly anticipated transactions taking place across the NFL. Here's everything that you might have missed, and a quick breakdown of what has been reported.
OL Trent Williams and the 49ers agree to an extension.
The San Francisco 49ers are signing a two-year, $50 million contract extension with future Hall of Fame offensive tackle Trent Williams, according to his agency, Elite Loyalty Sports. The deal includes $37 million fully guaranteed and a $22 million signing bonus.
Quick Analysis
It doesn't matter that he’s turning 38 years old in July; this was a deal that San Fran HAD to get done. Since joining the Niners, the team is 55-29 when he plays and 4-13 when he’s not on the field. Williams is the most important member of San Francisco's offense, proven by the fact that the team averages 6.8 more points per game when he's in the lineup. This was the right decision by the Niners, but they'll still need to use the draft to find a successor for Williams when his contract expires after the 2027-28 season.
WR A.J. Brown is probably going to the Patriots.
The Philadelphia Eagles are likely going to trade star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots either on or after June 1st, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Though the two sides have previously had trade negotiations, a deal will likely occur after June 1st, 2026, when Brown's $40 million calary cap hit can be split over the next two seasons.
Quick Analysis
There were already murmurings that this trade would happen, but once the Pats released Stefon Diggs, it was obvious New England needed to make a splash move for another wide receiver. Romeo Doubs is good, but the Patriots clearly weren't satisfied with adding just him. Doubs is solid, but he's not a wideout that you can definitely call a number-one option every week. However, you CAN say that about A.J. Brown, who has posted four straight 1,000-yard seasons, despite missing multiple starts over the last two years. At the same time, the Eagles need to move on from A.J. Brown because he has clearly been a distraction in Philly's locker room. If the Birds can land a second- or third-round pick in this trade, then it's a no-brainer.
RB Jeremiyah Love could go top-three in the NFL Draft.
Some people in NFL circles believe that Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love could be taken by the Arizona Cardinals with the number-three pick in the 2026 Draft. Then again, if he isn't taken by Arizona, there's a strong possibility that he goes "no lower" than seventh-overall to the Washington Commanders.
Quick Analysis
It's 2026, not 2006. I don’t understand why teams like the Commanders and Cardinals, who were 8-26 combined last season, would use a top-ten pick to take a running back. Both of these squads have gaping holes on defense, and this draft is LOADED with defensive talent. Adding an elite pass-rushing prospect like David Bailey, Arvell Reese, or Rueben Bain Jr. would be way more beneficial long-term than adding a running back. The same could also be said of safety Caleb Downs or linebacker Sonny Styles. Just look at the 2025 NFL Draft. Running back Ashton Jeanty was a MUCH better prospect than Jeremiyah Love, yet the Las Vegas Raiders finished with the worst record in the NFL last season. Running back is a luxury position, and the number-three or number-seven picks should be used on a game-changer like Bailey, Reese, Downs, or Styles.
Steelers OL Broderick Jones suffers an injury setback.
Pittsburgh Steelers starting left tackle is dealing with a setback to the neck injury he suffered during the Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears last season. According to league sources, he will undergo an exam this week that will let the team know if he’ll be ready for not only training camp, but also the start of the 2026-27 regular season.
Quick Analysis
As a former first-round draft pick, the Steelers shouldn't feel inclined to use a high-value selection on a left tackle. They'll obviously need to have a contingency plan in place if Jones can't start the season healthy, but it would be ill-advised to use a premium draft pick to find a guy who will only be your starting left tackle for four games. It seems much more likely that Pittsburgh will sign a reliable free agent left tackle off the streets who can fill in for a short stretch to open the season. With that being said, if the Steelers do use a pick this week on a left tackle, that might be indicative of long-term concerns about Jones' injury.
Bengals complete blockbuster trade for DL Dexter Lawrence II.
Over the weekend, the Cincinnati Bengals traded the tenth-overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the New York Giants in exchange for former two-time All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II. After the trade was finalized, the Bengals signed Lawrence to a one-year contract extension that will keep him with the team through the end of the 2028-29 season.
Quick Analysis
In all likelihood, Cincy would've taken a player with the tenth-overall pick who would NOT have been an immediate difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball, and that's what the Bengals need. When it comes to the NFL Draft, you almost always have to wait at least three years to start seeing a return on your investment. Cincinnati doesn't have that kind of time. With Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins all under contract and in their primes, the Bengals need to win NOW. The only way they can do that is by making defensive improvements, and adding Dexter Lawrence is a surefire way to make your defense better. He's one year removed from a Pro Bowl berth and is only 28 years old. Lawrence is still in his physical peak and can immediately become the focal point of the Bengals' defense.
