The NFL Draft is officially just two weeks away. As the offseason’s main event grows ever closer, NFL news and rumors start flying faster than ever. Just in the past week, we’ve seen Bryce Young’s odds of being the top pick in the NFL Draft surge to the point where he’s the odds-on favorite. All of that movement comes from leaks and rumors gaining traction with oddsmakers, whose ears are open even as they sleep.
NFL News and Rumors
The Washington Commanders’ options run lower. Anthony Richardson puts himself in company with Drew Brees, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow. Let’s tow out and see if we can’t carve up a nasty barrel or two with the latest news and rumors.
Adam Schefter Calls Bryce Young Texans’ Visit a ‘Waste of Time’
The Houston Texans host Alabama QB Bryce Young on an official 30 visit today. However, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter believes the visit is unnecessary.
“Bryce Young visiting the Texans is a waste of time,” Schefter said on ESPN. “I think Bryce Young is going to be the Panthers’ number one pick.”
MORE: FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
While Young and Schefter are both represented by CAA, Schefter’s statement is rooted in popular thought. Young has become the overwhelming favorite to be the top pick in the NFL Draft over the past week, to the point where bettors cannot double their money on a bet that it happens.
Jeff Bezos Not Bidding on Commanders
After hiring the sports banking firm Allen & Company to explore a bid on the Commanders, Jeff Bezos decided against making an offer on the team. Instead, he chooses the life of a hodad, making Harris the only legitimate offer the Commanders have received thus far.
That offer is reportedly worth somewhere between $5.5 billion and $6 billion. It’s expected that a winning bid will be announced before the next owners meeting on May 22.
Commanders Sale Gets a Bit Weird
Sportico reported that the Harris group, led by 76ers owner Josh Harris and including billionaire Mitchell Rales and NBA legend Magic Johnson, is purchasing the franchise for $6 billion.
Meanwhile, NFL Network and ESPN both claim that nothing regarding the sale of the Washington Commanders is official. According to Schefter, Canadian billionaire Steve Apostolopoulos and his family are reportedly still in the mix.
Panthers Hosting C.J. Stroud and Will Levis; Still Considering Anthony Richardson?
The Carolina Panthers met with all of the draft’s top quarterbacks at their respective pro days, and they’ll continue to host those prospects on visits. Although Young is the favorite to go No. 1, the Panthers will also bring in C.J. Stroud and Will Levis for top-30 visits, according to Bridget Condon of NFL Network.
Meanwhile, Florida’s Anthony Richardson “remains under consideration” for the first overall pick, a source told Joe Person of The Athletic. Panthers owner David Tepper reportedly prefers Young, and he’ll likely be the individual who will make the final call on who Carolina takes at the top of the draft.
Meanwhile, Richardson met with the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Indy holds the No. 4 overall pick and may have to accept whichever quarterback falls to them, but they could also consider swapping picks with the Arizona Cardinals at No. 3 to ensure they have a choice between at least two signal-callers.
Richardson Aces S2 Test
The S2 Cognitive Test evaluates a person’s ability to gather and process visual information. The test is administered on a high-end gaming laptop with a two-millisecond response time. For reference, a blink takes between 100-150 milliseconds.
Richardson reportedly went into the pit of the bomb and came out unscathed. In other words, he crushed it. While cognitive tests like the Wonderlick are often laughed at regarding their perceived importance, the S2 Test could buck that trend because of the contents of the test.
John Metchie III Close To Return
After missing his rookie season, John Metchie III nears a return to the Texans. The second-round pick from a season ago was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the SEC Championship Game but was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2022. Head coach DeMeco Ryans met with media recently with an update on Metchie.
“Yeah, John (Metchie III) is doing fine,” Ryans told the media. “We’ll see John get involved with our offseason program. And with John, as with every other player, we’re going to take it one day at a time and see where he can grow and where he can be when the time comes. At the right time, when the season comes, we’ll see where he is.”
General manager Nick Caserio shared positive updates on Methie in January, and the good news continues to come in.
Syracuse CB Garrett Williams Meets With 10 Teams
Despite tearing his ACL in October, Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams has quietly been highly regarded by evaluators. The Industry Consensus Big Board ranks him the 89th-best player in the NFL Draft despite the injury.
MORE: Fitting a CB to the League’s Most Desperate Teams
Williams has met with many NFL teams to this point, including CB-hungry units like the Jaguars, Commanders, Lions, Broncos, Cardinals, and Giants. Williams has been on the NFL’s radar since flashing opposite of Ifeatu Melifonwu in 2020.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Visits Buccaneers
According to Pewter Report, the Buccaneers have already met with some of the best pass rushers in the NFL Draft, including Georgia’s Nolan Smith, LSU’s BJ Ojulari, and Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah might not be on their level, but the Kansas State pass rusher may also not be around by the time Tampa Bay picks at 50. The Consensus Big Board ranks him exactly at 50, and there is always the positional tax consideration with pass rushers.
Broncos Bring in Luke Musgrave
Luke Musgrave was unable to produce massive numbers at Oregon State due to injury, but from a talent perspective, he’s one of the most intriguing pass catchers in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite his injuries, Musgrave ranks 39th on the Industry Big Board, and PFN’s own Tony Pauline ranks him the 29th-best prospect in the class.
Musgrave visited the Broncos Wednesday. Denver doesn’t have a selection until pick 67, but Musgrave’s injury history could be Denver’s gain, should they choose to bet on the athletic upside. It would be an interesting selection from a needs standpoint though, considering the team selected Greg Dulcich a season ago, who flashed talent as a rookie.
Dexter Lawrence Won’t Participate in Giants Offseason Program
Dexter Lawrence is joining teammate Saquon Barkley in… not joining the New York Giants for offseason programming. The fifth-year player was a second-team All-Pro a season ago, somehow accumulating the second-most pressures among interior defenders despite his massive 340-pound frame.
MORE: Saquon Barkley Contract Drama
Lawrence is set to make $12 million guaranteed in his fifth NFL season, and his absence in New York for the offseason program is simply business. He wants a long-term extension, and quite frankly, he’s owed one after seeing the on-field improvements he’s made since his rookie season.
Texans Host Myles Murphy
The Texans are expected to draft a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick, but they also hold another first-round selection at No. 12. Houston could target other need areas on its roster with that choice, and defensive end could be on the docket.
With that in mind, the Texans met with Clemson edge rusher Myles Murphy on Thursday, per Rapoport. While Houston spent early draft capital on defensive backs like Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre in 2022, they haven’t invested in a young defensive end. Murphy would be able to usurp veterans like Jerry Hughes and Chase Winovich on the Texans’ depth chart.
Darnell Washington Visiting Panthers
The Panthers have made a concerted effort to add veteran offensive talent to their roster by signing Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Miles Sanders, and Hayden Hurst. But as Carolina prepares to draft a franchise quarterback, they could also consider adding younger offensive playmakers.
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington met with the Panthers on Thursday, reports Josh Norris of Underdog. Washington, a mountain of a man at 6’7″, 270 pounds, has risen up draft boards and could potentially be a first-round selection. If he slides to the second round, Carolina could scoop him up with the 39th overall pick.