We’re getting down to crunch time with the NFL Draft. It’s officially smokescreen season. But through the fog, we’ve heard some real news and rumors, particularly about how the top of Round 1 could shake out.
NFL News and Rumors: Top five picks in the NFL Draft are getting wild
It’s still anyone’s guess who will go first overall. On Monday, the Jaguars welcomed Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson for a personal visit. Is the interest real or just a head-fake? Let’s try to separate fact from fiction.
Travon Walker is the mystery man of the NFL Draft
While Hutchinson is definitely in play for the first overall pick, he has competition.
Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker has on-campus (30) visits scheduled with every team selecting in the top five, sources tell PFN’s Aaron Wilson. Walker will travel to meet with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, New York Jets, and New York Giants, among others.
So yes, that means Walker is being considered by Jacksonville with the No. 1 overall pick. That’s an incredible sign of intrigue for a physically gifted player who didn’t put up eye-popping stats in college.
And it’s a sign of just how wide-open and unpredictable the top 10 of the NFL Draft could be.
Full story from Aaron Wilson:
Sources: Georgia pass rusher Travon Walker to visit every team in top five selections
Could Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner go second overall?
Ahmad Gardner is having his moment. The Cincinnati cornerback has drawn interest from basically the entire top half of the first round of the NFL Draft.
His list of 30 visits includes the Lions (who pick second and 32nd), the Texans (third and 13th), the Jets (fourth and 10th), Giants (fifth and seventh), Seattle Seahawks (ninth), and Philadelphia Eagles (15th and 18th).
The consensus All-American and conference Defensive Player of the Year only allowed 6.6 yards per reception last season, intercepted 3 passes, and recorded 3 sacks. He finished his career with 9 interceptions. Additionally, Gardner never allowed a touchdown pass in three seasons for the Bearcats.
Full story from Aaron Wilson:
Source: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner to visit Jets, Giants, Texans, several others
Could three offensive tackles go in the top six?
It’s certainly possible. PFN’s Tony Pauline hears that Alabama’s Evan Neal, North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu, and Mississippi State’s Charles Cross could all be gone by the time the Giants go on the clock with pick No. 7.
That run on tackles could mean that OL-needy teams could reach for the likes of Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning and Tulsa’s Tyler Smith.
Full story from Tony Pauline:
NFL Draft News and Rumors: The latest on Ikem Ekwonu, Evan Neal, Charles Cross, and the 2022 OT class
Who won the Eagles-Saints trade?
Howie Roseman did it again. On Monday, the Eagles general manager swung yet another first-round blockbuster, this time shipping two of their three first-round picks (16th and 19th overall) and a sixth-round pick (194th) to the Saints for the 18th overall pick, a third-round selection (101st), a seventh-round pick (237th), a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick.
The Eagles did more than position themselves to take a quarterback in 2023 if Jalen Hurts falters. They significantly improved their 2026 cash flow situation. The Saints, meanwhile, gave themselves a chance to draft their quarterback of the future. So who got the best value?
Trade grades from Mike Kaye:
Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints Trade Grades: Howie Roseman and Mickey Loomis made blockbuster deal
Eagles’ unique NFL Draft evaluation tool
So what are the Eagles thinking regarding their two remaining first-round picks? Northern Iowa OT Penning certainly seems to be on their radar.
Penning spoke with Kaye recently about Philadelphia’s outside-the-box technique to evaluate prospects’ competitiveness. Props were involved during Penning’s interview with the Eagles at the NFL Scouting Combine.
It’s not like the Eagles should have much doubt about Penning’s nasty streak. They simply need to turn on the tape.
Full article from Mike Kaye:
NFL Draft News: Northern Iowa’s Trevor Penning discusses his ‘unique’ meeting with Eagles at NFL Combine
Browns take second look at UCLA tight end
Draft “30” visits are in full swing, and even though the Browns franchise-tagged David Njoku, don’t count them out of selecting a tight end later this month.
The Browns hosted Greg Dulcich on a top-30 visit on Monday, a league source told Pro Football Network. Dulcich, a standout at the Senior Bowl in February, has drawn interest from over 20 teams during the draft process. However, the Browns are the first-known travel visit he’s taken leading up to the draft.
Dulcich, a potential Day 2 pick, had 68 catches for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final two seasons for UCLA.
Full article from Mike Kaye:
NFL Draft News: Cleveland Browns show interest in UCLA’s Greg Dulcich