HoosierCat

One more day.

Zierlein: Overview Davis is more disruptive than productive with size, length and strength to reroute releases from press. He slams catch windows closed when he’s in the neighborhood. While his physical traits make a wideout’s job tougher, their route-running prowess can do the same to Davis. He’s average matching breaks and more complicated routes tend to shake him. His long arms help him defend throws from deep zone and make tackles in the open field. An NFL staff should be able to coax more consistent run support from him. He’ll be tagged as a zone corner, but his eyes and range could earn him free safety consideration. Strengths Very tall with an impressive wingspan and plus ball skills. Able to knock releases off course with his length. Will squat on and jump short routes when he senses it. Impossible to throw over him when he’s in phase downfield. Keys quarterback to squeeze routes from zone shuffle. Gains speed quickly when his legs unfurl. Expansive tackle net to bring in open-field runners. Weaknesses Pops upright as his pedal progresses. Hitch in his transition when break catches him off-guard. Willing to grab instead of trusting technique and size. Athletic but struggles guarding multi-breaking routes. Inconsistent body control as a tackler.

There’s the reach.

Ravens grab Zion Young.

Looks like it.

Zierlein: Overview Bendy edge rusher with standout sack totals. Burst and elusiveness are on Howell’s rush menu and he pairs it with a refreshing inside spin counter. Though threatening, his rush could use more cohesive sequencing and better hand work to fully unlock its potential. As a run defender he’s frequently knocked around at the point and struggles to consistently execute tasks asked of an NFL edge-setter. Howell might not be a three-down player right away, but his ability to create pressure sets him up for a role as a designated rusher, at minimum. Strengths Three straight seasons of impressive pressure and sack totals. Can bend, corner and flatten into pockets. Creates smart rush distance, avoiding punch by long tackles. Already working with a series of go-to moves in his bag. A wicked inside spin counter can defeat tackles. Long hop helps gain positioning advantage on vertical rush. Major problem for quarterbacks with undisciplined drop depth. Trigger quickness to knife into B-gap and blow up play design. Above-average change direction and pursuit burst from the back side. Weaknesses Not enough sand in his pants to hold his ground at the point. Requires better technique for competent edge-setting. Drops eyes and ducks his helmet into first contact. Displays occasional indecisiveness in attacking run blocks. Pass rush lacks speed variance and diversified setup. Hands need more schooling to unlock NFL rush potential.

Mel will like it.

Parker or Hood would have been fine. Oh well.

I really don’t have a feeling about which way the Bengals will jump. Lot of talent at corner here but it’s a deep class and they do have two legit starters on the outside and options in the slot. Linebacker? Is another rookie really the answer? There will be more vet LBs cut loose before September. A signing there makes more sense to me. Guard makes the most sense to me given who is on the board, but that’s a pick for the future you hope doesn’t have to start this season. Good options at edge it seems, but how many snaps is the no. 4 guy going to see? the good thing is they can take just about any position but QB. That’s also the bad thing.

Looks like Cody Ford got a haircut. Salary cap expert Andrew Perrota noticed on Over The Cap that the team cut Cody Ford’s 2026 pay down to a league-minimum deal. “Based on Over The Cap, it looks like Cody Ford agreed to a pay cut for 2026,” Perrota posted on Twitter. “Previously, Ford was scheduled to earn $2.9 million in cash (non-GRTD) in 2026. His new 2026 base salary (cash earnings) is down to the league minimum (for a player with Ford’s number of credited seasons) of $1.3M. Cap and cash savings of $1.6M. https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-news/190372/cody-ford-pay-cut-2026-nfl-season

Mel’s top 10 left: 1. Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (21) 2. Zion Young, Edge, Missouri (22) 3. CJ Allen, LB, Georgia (28) 4. Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (29) 5. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (33) 6. Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon (34) 7. R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma (36) 8. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (37) 9. Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (38) 10. Christen Miller, DT, Georgia (39) He also mentions Hood, Stukes and Bisontis as guys who could go quick. Still hoping they trade down.

Third round thread.

Second round on deck.

Steelers go Mad Max. Whole division went OL. LOL

Woods not even the first DL.

Bucs lucky day.

They go Ioane. Dex spooked ‘em!

Ty Simpson to the Rams at 13!

Jerruh grabbed him.

Saints snipe Tyson, alleged Giant target.

Cleveland piling up picks

Did not see Delane at 6

Tate goes at 4. First real curveball.

Via Graziano on Elmo’s hellsite, some Lawrence contract details: Amended Dexter Lawrence contract with Bengals includes $22M in 2026 cash ($11M salary, $11M bonus), $25M in 2027 cash and $23M in 2028 cash. Gets $2M more in ‘26 and $3M more in ‘27 than Giants were scheduled to pay him on previous deal.

Lots from Kiper this morning re the oline class. A trade down at 41 that gives them an extra pick or two would be ideal, but if not imo one of 41 or 72 has to go oline before this class gets picked over. Here’s Mel: There's a lot of buzz about the offensive line class. Let's call out a few first-round tackles to start. A lot of people I've talked to mention how many Clemson prospects underperformed in 2025, but right tackle Blake Miller just kept standing out. He's durable, consistent and experienced, and that makes him a safer prospect. Listen for his name in the 20s. And then Georgia's Monroe Freeling is an interesting one because he shot up the board after declaring for the draft but has quietly settled a little under the radar over the past month or so. I can't get past the fit with Detroit at No. 17; the Lions need a left tackle, and Freeling is great in pass protection. But I don't know if he even reaches Detroit. Field has him at No. 6 to Cleveland, and I've similarly heard he could get into the top 14 picks. A lot of people are also talking about the top two guards. The Chargers would love Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane, but I'd be surprised if he reaches them at No. 22. Think middle of Round 1 for the big, mauling guard who should be a plug-and-play starter and likely Pro Bowl selection in the NFL. But there also is a lot of love for Oregon's Emmanuel Pregnon. He's a fantastic run blocker, and his floor is probably the early-to-middle part of Round 2. The center group is very underrated. It's actually a really good year to need a center. Iowa's Logan Jones has second- or third-round upside, and Auburn's Connor Lew and Florida's Jake Slaughter (super underrated) look like picks for the third or fourth round. Texas A&M's Trey Zuhn III and Duke's Brian Parker II are both moving from offensive tackle to center, and they join Kansas State's Sam Hecht to round out a really strong group. I also like Michigan State's Matt Gulbin as a late-round steal. We're not talking about these centers enough.