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Giants projected to take Ohio State star in ESPN mock draft, but it’s not Carnell Tate

Change is in the air for the New York Giants. New York has a new head coach in John Harbaugh, who is building his culture with the franchise. A new ESPN NFL mock draft is projecting who Harbaugh will take as his first draft pick with this new team. The Giants are projected to take […] The post Giants projected to take Ohio State star in ESPN mock draft, but it’s not Carnell Tate appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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The Best Player Every NFL Team Regrets Letting Go in 2026 FA (You’ll Disagree)

Free agency is a tricky time of year… it is challenging for front offices when their hopes meet reality, and they need to find a way to fill all the holes on their NFL teams and keep their current talent in place. So every offseason we see good players leave, at times, good teams, for one reason or another—and in some cases, they end up being the kind of moves that haunt a front office for years. Let’s run through all 32 teams and break down the players that they absolutely shouldn’t have let walk in the 2026 free agency period. Which players for each NFL team should have stayed in free agency? Arizona Cardinals: Calais Campbell, DLNov 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images Campbell is 39 years old and came back to Arizona in 2025 to finish his career where it started… And the man was still producing at a rotational level most 30-year-olds would envy.  His contract expired, and while retirement remains on the table, most analysts around the league expect him to lace them up for another year… but Arizona missed the boat on bringing him back. Which is a shame because he could have been a big piece for them in the rebuild post Kyler Murray. Atlanta Falcons: Leonard Floyd, EdgeDec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Floyd was a reliable edge presence for the Falcons—a veteran who could set the edge, generate a pass rush, and give a young defense the structure it needed.  And it is safe to assume that his downturn in production was a result of the Falcons’ team struggles more than anything. Letting a veteran edge rusher of his caliber leave when your NFL team is still trying to establish an identity is a bigger mistake than it looks. Baltimore Ravens: Tyler Linderbaum, CJun 10, 2025; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum (64) looks on during an NFL OTA at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images This one still stings… Linderbaum made three straight Pro Bowls, anchoring the Ravens’ interior line, and Baltimore declined his fifth-year option rather than pay him market rate because of the myth of positional value. The Raiders blew the entire center market apart with a three-year, $81 million deal—$27 million per year, nine million more annually than the previous record. The Ravens reportedly offered $22 million annually… Which is… just $1million more. Considering the window that they are trying to capitalize on, maybe they should have exercised the option and tried to figure out the long-term deal down the road! Buffalo Bills: Tre'Davious White, CBBuffalo Bills cornerback Tre’davious White (27) celebrates the game-deciding interception during the fourth quarter of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] White posted 40 tackles and a team-high 10 passes defensed, his best mark since 2020, and by the back half of the season, analysts were noting he resembled the cornerback who was one of the best in football before his ACL tear. The Bills are already thin in the secondary after losing Taron Johnson, Darius Slay, and Jordan Poyer this offseason… maybe they should’ve tried to bring the vet back into the fold for one more year instead of asking a group of unproven corners to hold up behind a defense that needs to be elite if this NFL team is going to finally get over the hump. Carolina Panthers: Rico Dowdle, RBNov 9, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) during player introductions at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Dowdle finished 2025 with 1,076 yards on the ground and was the engine that kept the offense moving and this team relevant in the back half of the year. His production gave Bryce Young a legitimate running game to lean on, and when you have a young quarterback still finding his footing, a ball carrier who takes pressure off your passing game is worth more than the raw stats suggest. Chicago Bears: Nahshon Wright, CBChicago Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright (26) throws the game ball into the crowd as Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) reacts to losing the game at the end of their wild-card playoff football game Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. Wright picked off five passes in 2025. He’s 26 years old. And the Bears just let him walk to the Jets on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. That’s not a market-breaking number — that’s a number that his NFL team could have matched without blinking.  Have to wonder what they were thinking on this one. Cincinnati Bengals: Joseph Ossai, DENov 3, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) runs onto the field before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Ossai joined the Jets on a three-year, $36 million contract, meaning Cincinnati is now rolling with Boye Mafe, Myles Murphy, and Shemar Stewart at defensive end. Mafe is the only proven one in that group, and he’s never cracked six sacks in a season. Not exactly a group that instills hope that a defensive revival is in the making. Cleveland Browns: Devin Bush, LBDevin Bush (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images) Bush came to Cleveland on cheap one-year prove-it deals two straight years and turned his career completely around. In 2025, he started all 17 games, posted a career-high 125 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and three interceptions. That’s not a depth piece. That’s an NFL starter playing at an All-Pro level for a team that was paying him almost nothing. Chicago saw it, signed him to a three-year, $30 million deal with $21 million guaranteed, and now Cleveland is starting over at the position. Dallas Cowboys: Jadeveon Clowney, DENov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) celebrates after he sacks Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Say what you will about Jadeveon Clowney, but he still led the Cowboys with 8.5 sacks in 2025 at age 32.  Now he’s expected to leave as a free agent, and Dallas hasn’t replaced him with anyone. Here’s the thing about Clowney — everybody forgets about him in March, and then he goes out and puts up numbers every year.  Dallas is going to be hurting without him, as that defense really left a lot to be desired. Denver Broncos: Dre Greenlaw, LBSep 21, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Dre Greenlaw (57) on the sidelines prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Greenlaw was brought to Denver last offseason specifically to bring championship experience into that building… and now they were a healthy Bo Nix away from a Super Bowl in January… That window is open right now—and you have to think this team will be kicking themselves come playoffs next year without an NFL player of his pedigree. Detroit Lions: Alex Anzalone, LBDetroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone celebrates a tackle against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. Tampa Bay signed Anzalone to a two-year, $17 million deal that Detroit apparently wasn’t interested in matching. The Lions are betting their younger linebackers can step up… and maybe they can. But Anzalone was the guy who understood Dan Campbell’s defense from the inside, including the communication at the second level, the disguise work before the snap, and the situational awareness in late-game situations. That’s not something you replace by plugging in whoever is next on the depth chart. Green Bay Packers: Romeo Doubs, WRGreen Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) flashes a heart with his hands to the fans as he walks off the field after defeating the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 34-13 Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Doubs signed with New England and now gives Drake Maye a legitimate option underneath… Good for the Patriots… But for the Packers, that’s a problem. Jordan Love needs weapons to throw the ball to, and instead of adding to their already thin wide receiver room, they are bleeding talent. Houston Texans: Tim Settle, DTOct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Texans defensive tackle Tim Settle (98) warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images Settle left for Washington on a three-year, $25.5 million deal, and to say that Houston will be missing him this year is an understatement. Losing a proven interior piece on defense at the same time means this roster is in transition on both sides of the ball simultaneously. Settle wasn’t flashy. He ate blocks, stayed in his lane, and let Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter do their thing. That kind of player is harder to replace for an NFL team than the contract suggests. Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, DEDec 7, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) looks on before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Paye signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on a three-year, $48 million deal after posting at least four sacks in each of his five NFL seasons, including two years over eight for his previous team. He was the best edge rusher on this roster, and Indianapolis let him walk. The Colts are now piecing together a pass rush to forge their way back towards relevance. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RBDec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images Etienne ran for over 1,000 yards in three of his four seasons in Jacksonville, set a career high with 13 touchdowns in 2025, and was the most complete offensive player on this roster. The Saints made him an offer Jacksonville couldn’t… or wouldn’t match. Losing your best offensive weapon while the front office counts future draft slots isn’t the message you want to send to a locker room that already had questions about where this franchise is heading. Kansas City Chiefs: Jawaan Taylor, OTAug 9, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor (74) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Taylor’s $27.3 million cap hit made this a financial necessity, and Kansas City released him on March 4 to clear the space. He was their starting right tackle for three seasons, including a Super Bowl run. Now he’s a free agent, while Patrick Mahomes is rehabbing a torn ACL, and the Chiefs are rebuilding almost every other position on the roster at the same time. Not ideal! Las Vegas Raiders: Jamal Adams, SNov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Jamal Adams (33) practices before the game at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Adams hasn’t been the player he was in New York in years. Multiple knee surgeries, diminishing production — the Raiders knew what they were getting and made the bet anyway… and the output was better than expected. It feels like a safe conclusion that Vegas could have brought him back on a modest 1- or 2-year deal and gotten a lot of value from his skill set and veteran presence. Los Angeles Chargers: Odafe Oweh, EdgeDec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh (98) celebrates a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Oweh broke out in the second half of 2025 and signed a four-year, $100 million deal with Washington. The Chargers watched that happen without matching it, and now they have a hole at edge rusher with no answer for it. Oweh is 26 years old and clearly figured out how to consistently win against NFL tackles, but now he’s going to hit his prime somewhere else.  Jim Harbaugh wants to go deep in the playoffs with Justin Herbert, but right now, that plan has a gap, as this NFL team still has some serious holes to plug. Los Angeles Rams: Tutu Atwell, WROct 2, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell (5) reacts against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images While he never turned into the regular big play guy that Los Angeles was hoping… Tutu Atwell was a nice player for them and filled an important role in this NFL team. The problem for the Rams is that they just lost the fastest receiver on their roster — the one guy who forced safeties to play deep. Without Atwell running past defensive backs, coverage rotations get simpler, defenders crowd the short-to-intermediate game, and Matthew Stafford’s job gets harder. Miami Dolphins: Tyreek Hill, WRDec 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) looks on after making a catch against the New York Jets during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Hill tore his ACL in Week 4 last season and was done. Before that, the production had already started sliding. Now, the new front office looked at a $51 million cap hit, $16 million about to trigger in guaranteed money, a 32-year-old coming off a torn ACL… and made what was probably the financially correct decision. But that doesn’t make it any less painful for the Dolphins fans. Minnesota Vikings: Jalen Nailor, WRMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) celebrates scoring a touchdown with teamates during their football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, December 29, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nailor signed with the Raiders for three years and $35 million with $25 million guaranteed after three years operating in the shadows of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, quietly doing the work — taking the tough assignments, winning on underneath routes, making third-down catches when the defense had the Vikings’ top options blanketed. Casual NFL fans may not expect it, but this team will miss him big time next year. New England Patriots: Stefon Diggs, WRStefon Diggs. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Diggs was a big part of a Super Bowl run in New England last year… but that didn’t stop Vrabel from releasing him this offseason. At 32, with a sizable cap hit and a history of making things difficult wherever he’s been, this wasn’t a shocking call. But releasing a player of this caliber without a clear plan for who fills that role is the kind of move that could just show up on third and eight in November. New Orleans Saints: Alontae Taylor, CBJun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor (1) looks on during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images The Saints are already in a difficult spot, and losing Taylor made it considerably more difficult. He signed with Tennessee for three years and $60 million — and this wasn’t a surprise departure; it was a talent drain for an NFL team that is desperate to be competitive again. New York Giants: Wan'Dale Robinson, WRNov 23, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (17) runs upfield after catching a swing pass in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images Four years, $78 million with the Titans. Gone. Big Blue said that it didn’t fit the budget for a team still rebuilding, and the cap logic makes sense on paper. The Giants have been reconstructing this receiver room for a decade without solving it. Nothing about this offseason suggests that’s about to change. New York Jets: Quincy Williams, LBNew York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams (56) drops back on defense during an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. 2023 wasn’t that long ago… When Williams posted 139 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 10 passes defensed and was legitimately one of the best linebackers in football. Then 2025 happened. Shoulder injury, hand injury, a brief benching, his brother Quinnen traded to Dallas mid-season… the whole thing unraveled. His coverage numbers were a disaster, and the Jets moved on. Cleveland saw a different story, though — two years, $17 million for a guy who, in the right scheme, has proven he can be an All-Pro for an NFL team. New York may regret this one… but what else is new?! Philadelphia Eagles: Jaelan Phillips, EdgeNov 16, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jaelan Phillips (50) reacts after the game against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images It feels like every offseason the Eagles roster gets picked apart, and this year was no different, as Philly lost their best pass rusher. Phillips signed the richest edge contract in the entire offseason — four years, $120 million with Carolina. Cap constraints are real, sure. So is the gap between Phillips and whoever lines up in his spot Week 1.  Pittsburgh Steelers: Isaac Seumalo, OGNov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers guard Isaac Seumalo warms up foe a game against the Indianapolis Colts.at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images Isaac Seumalo quietly anchored Pittsburgh’s offensive line through a season where protecting the quarterback position was an absolute must—and he did a heck of a job. Pittsburgh has paid a lot of attention to its skill position players this offseason, but if the line in front of them is a real problem, none of those additions will matter. San Francisco 49ers: Jauan Jennings, WRJan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) reacts in front of Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) after a first down catch in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images In 2025, with the slew of injuries on the roster, Jennings was the 49ers’ offense. Fifty-five catches, 643 yards, nine touchdowns — team-high. And he did it playing through broken ribs and both high and low ankle sprains simultaneously. Losing him is going to be a bigger problem for this NFL team than most people think. Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III, RBNov 16, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs the ball against Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl (3) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Well—this was an easy one… Seattle lost the Super Bowl LX MVP. Over 1,400 yards in 2025 and 5he engine of the entire offense on the biggest stage in the sport. And Seattle didn’t pay him. Time will tell how big a mistake that was! Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mike Evans, WRMike Evans (Photo By Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images) Twelve seasons. Eleven straight 1,000-yard years — tied with Jerry Rice for the all-time record. The face of the franchise through everything that happened post-Brady. And Evans signed with San Francisco because he looked at this roster and decided Tampa wasn’t going to give him a real shot at a ring. Ouch. Tennessee Titans: L'Jarius Sneed, CBTennessee Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed (38) heads off the field after a goal-line stop against the p/ during their game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. Four years, $76.4 million. Two seasons. Zero interceptions. That’s what the Sneed experiment cost this franchise. He played 12 games, needed knee and quad surgeries, and the Titans released him to clear $11.4 million in cap space. Letting him go was the right call… There was nothing else to do… but it still hurts! Washington Commanders: Deebo Samuel, WRSep 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel (1) shown on the field during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Last season was a disaster, and shockingly, Deebo was one of the few guys who showed up anyway, quietly putting up 72 catches, 727 yards, and five touchdowns. That’s one of the steals of the 2025 offseason… and now the Commanders are letting him walk.

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Giants’ John Harbaugh Reveals Thoughts on Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love

The New York Giants have been linked to just about every single one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.At No. 5 overall, they’re expected to have their pick of the litter when it comes to all the non-edge rushers, such as linebacker Sonny Styles, safety Caleb Downs, and wide receiver Carnell Tate.Of […] The post Giants’ John Harbaugh Reveals Thoughts on Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love appeared first on Heavy Sports.

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John Harbaugh’s Jaxson Dart review suggests the sky is the limit

The New York Giants are ready to step into a new era of football with head coach John Harbaugh leading the pack, and there are a lot of things to be excited about. One of those things is the development of Jaxson Dart, who showed in his rookie season that he has the tools to […] The post John Harbaugh’s Jaxson Dart review suggests the sky is the limit appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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John Harbaugh Gives Hope for Odell Beckham Jr.’s Giants Homecoming

For a player who once electrified Sundays in New York, the past few years have been anything but predictable. Constant injuries across different teams have led Odell Beckham Jr.’s career down a difficult path. However, new New York Giants coach John Harbaugh made comments on Monday that could give ...

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John Harbaugh leaves door open for potential Odell Beckham Jr.-Giants reunion

The New York Giants have had quite the busy offseason, headlined by hiring John Harbaugh to be their new head coach, taking over for Brian Daboll. Harbaugh has been hard at work trying to revamp New York’s roster this offseason, as they look to make themselves contenders again in the NFC. One area of need […] The post John Harbaugh leaves door open for potential Odell Beckham Jr.-Giants reunion appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Giants’ John Harbaugh Breaks Silence on Potential Odell Beckham Jr. Reunion

There’s been a lot of chatter this offseason surrounding a potential reunion between the New York Giants and their former star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.Fan interest makes sense; he’s a legend in young Giants fans’ minds, and New York certainly could use as many pass catchers as possible to surround second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart […] The post Giants’ John Harbaugh Breaks Silence on Potential Odell Beckham Jr. Reunion appeared first on Heavy Sports.

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5 NFL Teams That Are Done And Will Miss The Playoffs — And 5 Who Will Make A Huge Comeback In 2026

The 2025 NFL Season was remarkable, as we witnessed the wild journey of many teams making serious playoff pushes, culminating in the Seattle Seahawks winning the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl 60.  Even though the Seahawks have lost some key pieces from their championship roster, they’re likely going to return to the playoffs and defend their honor with ease.  Other teams during the offseason have made drastic roster improvements that could help them return to the playoffs, while some might not return to the big dance when the 2026 season is all said and done. As we’ve seen before, NFL teams do whatever they can to rebuild, retool, and reset their rosters for the new season. The moves these teams made during the offseason will always spark our interest on paper. We just have to see it in action when the time arrives.   The 2026 regular season may be a long way away, but it’ll be here sooner than you know it. Here at TPS, we’re going to predict who’ll make their return to the playoffs and who won’t return to the playoffs: Which NFL teams will return to the playoffs and which ones will not? Won’t Return: Houston TexansAug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Houston Texans helmet sits on the sidelines during the 4th quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports The 2025 Texans had arguably one of the league’s best defenses, but were beaten by the New England Patriots 28-16.  The 2026 Texans did trade for David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions, but they need interior offensive linemen to protect C. J. Stroud, as they need a new guard and center for Stroud to work with.  Although Stroud reduced his sack rate from 2024, he struggled in the NFL playoffs, completing 51.9 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns against five costly interceptions.  The Texans also parted ways with safety Jimmie Ward, defensive tackle Mario Edwards, who failed a physical, and defensive tackle Kurt Hinish, who had significant roles on the team’s defense.  The Texans have a tougher schedule than they did last year, as they’ll square off against the Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers, to name a few of the teams they’ll square off against. If the Texans suffer a few losses against these opponents and their divisional rivals due to key injuries or poor play, they can likely kiss their playoff chances goodbye. Will Return: Kansas City ChiefsFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; A detail view of Kansas City Chiefs helmets before Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images As fun as it was for some NFL fans to witness the Chiefs missing the playoffs, they’re reloading their roster for the 2026 season and will be ready to compete for a chance to return to the playoffs. Adding Kenneth Walker III was a smart move, along with retooling the defense with DT Khyiris Tonga, Safety Alohi Gilman, and cornerback Kader Kohou.  Patrick Mahomes’ rehab has been going well, but if he isn’t ready by week one, the Chiefs did trade for Justin Fields, who should play fairly well under Andy Reid’s and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy’s system.  The rest of the Chiefs’ roster will be fresh and healthy for the start of the 2026 season and will slowly return to their winning ways.  The Chiefs’ schedule is also more favorable, as they’ll square off against the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, and Arizona Cardinals, who’ll likely give the Chiefs some well-needed wins for a strong 2026 season.   Won’t Return: Pittsburgh SteelersDec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images 2026 will be a strange year for the Steelers, as Mike Tomlin stepped down immediately after their playoff exit against the Houston Texans, and they are in uncharted waters with Mike McCarthy leading the way. The questions continue, as no one knows whether Aaron Rodgers will continue playing or retire before the start of the 2026 season. If Rodgers does retire, Will Howard will have to prove himself to be the guy the Steelers hoped for, or roll with Mason Rudolph, whose reputation doesn’t scream Pro Bowl-caliber starter.  Not to mention key players are starting to age on the roster, such as Cameron Heyward, who’ll be 37 when the 2026 season kicks off. Both T. J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey turn 32 in October of the regular season, and newly signed Jamel Dean will be 30 in October of the regular season.  The AFC North is still a competitive division, with the Baltimore Ravens lingering around and wanting revenge for the final game of the 2025 season. It won’t be a cakewalk for the Steelers. The Steelers also have a tougher schedule ahead, as they’ll face teams like the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars, all of whom won their divisions in 2025.  Don’t be surprised if the Steelers’ streak of winning seasons since 2004 comes to an end in 2026 and the team finds itself on the outside looking in as other teams reach the NFL playoffs. Will Return: New York GiantsOct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants helmets on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Hear us out, the “John Harbaugh effect” is real. The moves the teams have made recently should excite and energize Giants’ fans.  Signing former Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard and tight end Isaiah Likely will help further improve Jaxson Dart’s performance on offense, as well as the additions of Darnell Mooney and Calvin Austin to solidify the passing attack. Not to mention Malik Nabers and Cam Skataboo will both be fully healthy for kickoff in week one. The Giants’ offense ranked 13th in total offense and averaged 333.5 yards per game in 2025. That ranking is going to increase under new offensive coordinator Matt Nagy, who coached the Chiefs’ offense to back-to-back Super Bowl wins.  The Giants still have to further adjust their offensive line for the 2025 season, as Dart was sacked 31 times during his rookie season. Harbaugh and company should find some diamonds in the rough during free agency and in the upcoming NFL Draft.  The defense also saw a revamp during the offseason, as Tremaine Edmunds, Ar’Darius Washington, Greg Newsome II, Jason Pinnock, and Elijah Campbell are great additions to the roster.  Coach Harbaugh’s physical and mental toughness style of coaching will be refreshing for the G-Men moving forward, as they get prepared for the start of the 2026 season.  Won’t Return: San Francisco 49ersSep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers helmets sits idle during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images The 2026 49ers still have some issues to address before the start of the 2026 season. The pass rush needs an update, and the team had 20 sacks in the 2025 season.  Brock Purdy will be without Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, weakening the pass attack. Sure, the team signed veterans Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, but they’re way past their prime.  Tight end George Kittle is coming off an Achilles’ tear and is in his 30s, while Christian McCaffrey has had his fair share of injuries throughout the years.  The defense saw some regression and has injury problems of its own, with Nick Bosa tearing his ACL, Fred Warner suffering a dislocated and broken ankle, and backup linebacker Tatum Bethune suffering a knee injury.  The team’s schedule isn’t forgiving, as they have to square off against the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and Los Angeles Chargers, who will likely give the 49ers a run for their money. The 49ers will also have a grueling travel schedule ahead of them, as they’re set to travel over 15,000 miles to play their rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, in Melbourne, Australia, and have a home game in Mexico City On top of that, competition in the NFC West has shifted with the Rams and Seattle Seahawks drastically improving their rosters. No NFL playoffs for this squad. Will Return: Baltimore RavensJan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A view of Baltimore Ravens players’ helmets on a heated bench against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images A new era has arrived in Baltimore, as the Jesse Minter saga has begun, as he looks to resurrect the team’s defense to a top-tier unit in 2026. Although the Maxx Crosby trade didn’t work out, the team signed Trey Hendrickson as the next best option to improve the defense.  The defense still has playmakers like Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith, Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins ready to cause havoc, and should flourish under Minter’s and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s system. Adding safety Jaylinn Hawkins will improve the secondary.  Lamar Jackson should adjust to offensive coordinator Declan Doyle’s schemes and should be healthier for the 2026 season. Not to mention Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Derrick Henry are still on the roster and are ready to regain their offensive footing against opposing defenses, as the team ranked 16th in offensive rankings last season, averaging 332.2 yards per game.  The Ravens have the pieces to make a serious playoff run for the 2026 NFL season. They just need to make it happen.  Won’t Return: Carolina PanthersDec 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Panthers helmet rests on the bench against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images As fun as it was to see the Panthers reach the NFL playoffs, things could get rough for them in the 2026 season. The Panthers will have a tougher schedule for the upcoming season, as they’ll square off against the Chicago Bears, defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos. All of those teams have playoff-caliber rosters. Bryce Young showed strides of improvement, but could regress due to poor play and trouble with the offensive line, as offensive tackle Iken Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon during the team’s Wildcard round playoff game and is potentially doubtful to return by week one. Not to mention Young’s play was inconsistent during the 2025 season, as he threw for 3,011 yards and threw 23 touchdowns against 11 interceptions, the most in his career so far.  Losing Rico Dowdle to the Steelers will impact the backfield, but the team still has Chuba Hubbard. The Panthers traded away veteran backup Andy Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles for a seventh-round draft pick and signed Kenny Pickett to back up Young, who is younger but not nearly as experienced as Dalton.  We’ll just have to wait and see what will happen with the Panthers when the 2026 season kicks off. Will Return: Detroit LionsHelmet of Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates (not in the photo) before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders] at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The Lions can make a return to the NFL playoffs by strengthening their offensive line, as adding Cade Mays, Larry Borom, and Seth McLaughlin should help. The team’s offense should make some improvements under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.  The Lions still have one of the more talented rosters in the league, thanks to Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs on offense, and Aidan Hutchinson and Jack Campbell on defense.  As a bonus, the Lions have a much easier schedule for the 2026 season, as they’ll face the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans, who all had losing records in 2025.  It should be interesting to see how the Lions will fare in the 2026 season, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll bring forth. Won’t Return: Green Bay PackersDec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Green Bay Packers helmet sits ready before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images As iconic as the Packers are, they could miss the playoffs due to a lingering injury crisis that could carry over from the 2025 season.  Losing Malik Willis to the Miami Dolphins will sting, as Desmond Ridder is not a flashy name to get behind if Jordan Love gets hurt during the season.  The team will also miss Romeo Doubs, who was the team’s leading receiver with 724 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns. Not the flashiest of numbers, but he and Love made things work during their time together.  Emmanuel Wilson is also gone, as he signed a one-year deal with the defending champion Seahawks.  The Packers’ defense imploded near the end of the 2025 season, and could be a weak point during the 2026 season.  Not to mention the NFC North remains one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, with the Lions and Chicago Bears making significant moves to improve.  The Packers have a lot of issues to resolve, but have some time to fix a couple of things before the start of the 2026 season in September.  Will Return: Atlanta FalconsNov 10, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Atlanta Falcons helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images The Falcons finished the 2026 season slightly better than expected. Sure, they showed Raheem Morris the exit, but they made a great hire, bringing in Kevin Stefanski, who’ll bring a much-needed offensive stability to the team moving forward.  The Falcons’ offense has talented playmakers still on the roster like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and the recently franchise-tagged Kyle Pitts, who should flourish under Stefanski’s and Tommy Rees’ systems. Plus, the team added Austin Hooper and Jahan Dotson to the mix Kirk Cousins is no longer on the roster, and signing Tua Tagovailoa is a decent yet risky option to back Michael Penix Jr., just in case he suffers an injury down the road.  The defense still has defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich calling the shots on defense, as they took some serious steps forward in the 2025 season with rookies and some injuries to the unit.  The unit also added defensive end Cameron Thomas, defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand, and linebacker Christian Harris to further solidify the unit. The 2026 Falcons will be an interesting team to watch when the offseason and NFL Draft are in the review mirror, and everyone is ready for kickoff with their sneaky good roster.

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Unemployed ex-Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson struggling to find new team as he fails to ‘grasp how far he’s fallen’

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Mock Draft 1.0 — Doug Farrar's 'What I Would Do' Edition

With the 2026 NFL draft less than a month away, there are all kinds of mock drafts, with all kinds of reasonings behind them. One way to put a mock together is to take what you think the actual NFL teams will do, and go more with what you perceive to be each teams' weaknesses, lining those ...

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