Sean Culkin intends to make NFL history in 2021, but it won't be for any of his on-field contributions.The Kansas City Chiefs tight end plans to become the first player to convert his entire salary to Bitcoin.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst spoke with reporters Monday and attempted to put to rest any questions about quarterback Aaron Rodgers' immediate future with the team."Aaron's our guy. He's going to be our quarterback for the foreseeable future. We're excited about things we're going to try to accomplish here over the next couple of years," Gutekunst said.While there was little reason to believe the Packers would move on from Rodgers after he collected his third MVP award and had Green Bay a win away from a trip to Super Bowl LV, Rodgers said after the 2020 season that the duration of his tenure with the team is out of his control.The 37-year-old carries a $37.2-million cap hit for the 2021 season, and he and the Packers have yet to rework his deal, which runs through 2023. Green Bay currently has $2.6 million in cap space before signing its draft class. The team is also currently projected to be more than $8 million above the salary cap in 2022, according to Over The Cap."That's kind of something we're working through," Gutekunst said of Rodgers' contract. "It's something that we've talked about quite a bit as we've worked through this salary-cap situation, which is really kind of a two-year situation. We've looked at a lot of different things, and that's one of them."Gutekunst added that Green Bay will likely have to rework multiple deals to get its cap situation under control over the next two seasons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday there are five quarterback prospects he would gladly select with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft."After going through this, I feel good about five guys at three," he told reporters.He added: "We probably started with one in mind, but that one's gotten better since and so have all the other candidates."The 49ers went into the offseason slated to pick 12th but traded that selection along with two future first-rounders to move up nine spots.Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and BYU's Zach Wilson are expected to fly off the board with the top two picks. Presumably, the 49ers will choose between Alabama's Mac Jones, North Dakota State's Trey Lance, and Ohio State's Justin Fields at No. 3.Shanahan is reportedly keen on Jones but kept his cards close to the vest when asked what he admires about his game in particular."I like that him, along with four other guys, I think is capable of being our starting NFL quarterback and capable of winning with," he said. "I think there's five guys there."Shanahan led the 49ers to Super Bowl LIV and helped the Atlanta Falcons reach Super Bowl LI, and he's been hailed as an offensive wizard. General manager John Lynch will run the draft for San Francisco, though he said he'll defer to Shanahan about quarterback decisions."Do we know exactly who we want? Maybe. Probably. But maybe not," Shanahan said. "I don't feel like we need to say that. That's not just for our case, a lot of stuff happens between now and the draft and you don't want the whole league knowing what you're set on four days before the draft."It remains to be seen whether the 49ers' next quarterback will spend time developing behind Jimmy Garoppolo. Shanahan was asked if he could guarantee Garoppolo - whose injury history motivated the 49ers to seek his replacement - will be on the roster by the end of the draft."I can't guarantee that anybody in the world will be alive Sunday so I can't guarantee who will be on our roster on Sunday," he said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A majority of the buzz leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft has revolved around the offense.Quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are penciled in to go No. 1 and 2, respectively, while Mac Jones, Trey Lance, and Justin Fields will all go off the board shortly thereafter. Tight end Kyle Pitts is a generational talent and reigning Heisman winner DeVonta Smith is arguably the third-best prospect at wide receiver.It's about time we flipped over to the other side of the ball.There may not be a defensive player selected within the first 10 picks Thursday, but stocks are on the move nonetheless. Oddsmakers set draft totals on some of the top defenders in the 2021 class, so let's dive in and see where the value is.CB Jaycee Horn - 11.5Over: -235

New Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown believes the days of Patrick Mahomes running wild to avoid pass-rushers are over.Mahomes faced constant pressure in Super Bowl LV. The Chiefs prioritized improving the unit since then, acquiring Brown from the Baltimore Ravens for multiple draft picks with the intention of sticking him at left tackle."I look forward to keeping (Mahomes) clean," Brown said, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "Whether he has a broken leg, healthy leg, healthy ankle - whatever the deal is, I look forward to keeping him clean. He shouldn’t have to run around because of me, period."Brown is just one of many moves the Chiefs have made up front this offseason. The team has signed left guard Joe Thuney, center Austin Blythe, and right guard Kyle Long, while cutting tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz.The Oklahoma product is set to move permanently to left tackle, replacing Fisher. Brown earned a Pro Bowl nod filling in on the left side last season in place of the injured Ronnie Stanley and believes his best football could still be on the way."I want to be the best. I want to be the best to play this position in the league. I'm not there yet and I've still got a lot of work to do but I'm going to get there,'' Brown said, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher.The 24-year-old is headed into his final year of his rookie contract but is hopeful of a long-term deal with Kansas City."I want to be here for a long time, I do. I'm going to make sure I take care of my part, and that's handling my business on the football field," Brown added, according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee is retiring after 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, he told ESPN's Todd Archer.Lee accumulated 521 solo tackles throughout his career, ranking eighth on the Cowboys' all-time leaderboard. He holds the franchise record for tackles in a single game, collecting 22 of them in a contest versus the New York Giants in 2016.At his peak, Lee was one of the NFL's most impactful inside linebackers. However, injuries habitually limited him, resulting in Lee playing all 16 regular-season games just once.Lee ascended into a full-time starter in his sophomore campaign after arriving in Dallas as a second-round pick out of Penn State. Following a lost 2014 season due to a torn ACL, he made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and earned another nod along with an All-Pro selection in 2016.The 34-year-old contributed 14 interceptions, four sacks, 59 tackles for loss, five fumble recoveries, and two forced fumbles to the Cowboys over 118 appearances while also returning two of the interceptions for touchdowns.Lee was a free agent after playing the 2020 campaign on a one-year contract. He made just under $50 million in career earnings, according to OverTheCap.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Dan Wilkins breaks down the top safety prospects in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series rolling out throughout April.Top 50

theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top prospects in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft with position-by-position rankings and a Top 50 Big Board.Top 50

The New England Patriots may be lining up a move for former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.The Patriots have been exploring a trade into the top 10 of the 2021 NFL Draft, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. Teams receiving calls from the Patriots believe the club is targeting Fields should he begin to fall.Fields is regarded as one of the top passers in this year's draft, ranking second in theScore's 2021 NFL Draft quarterback prospect rankings. He was once a candidate to go third overall to the San Francisco 49ers before the club reportedly narrowed their options down to Alabama quarterback Mac Jones or North Dakota State's Trey Lance.The Ohio State product enters the NFL with an impressive college resume, tossing 67 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He also led the Buckeyes to a victory over Clemson en route to a national championship game appearance last season.New England has reportedly been aggressively scouting the top quarterbacks of this year's draft class. The position was a notable weak point in 2020 with Cam Newton throwing more interceptions (10) than passing touchdowns (8), though he added an additional 12 scores on the ground. The Patriots re-signed the former MVP to a one-year deal earlier this offseason.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons have received calls from teams inquiring about star receiver Julio Jones, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.A Jones trade can't occur before June 1 due to salary-cap reasons, Rapoport adds. Parting ways with the wideout following June 1 would allow Atlanta to spread his remaining bonus money over two campaigns.It was reported earlier this offseason that the Falcons intend to retain the 32-year-old wideout for 2021. The club was apparently eager to see how Jones and quarterback Matt Ryan would fare under new head coach Arthur Smith.Jones has been one of the NFL's most dominant receivers since being drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He's recorded 12,896 receiving yards and had a streak of six consecutive seasons with 1,300-plus yards from 2014 to 2019.A seven-time Pro Bowler, Jones saw a drop in production in 2020 as he dealt with injuries. He appeared in nine games and put up just 771 receiving yards and three touchdowns.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers are torn on who they'll use the No. 3 pick on in Thursday's draft, narrowing their decision down to Alabama quarterback Mac Jones and North Dakota State passer Trey Lance, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.After trading their first-round pick in each of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 drafts to the Miami Dolphins to move up from No. 12 to No. 3, 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan chose to attend Jones' pro day on March 30 when it fell on the same date as Lance's showcase.The Niners were then reportedly "extremely involved" in Lance's second pro day and had a hand in designing the script for the workout.Notably absent from these discussions is Ohio State's Justin Fields. The dual-threat quarterback hasn't been linked to San Francisco, despite sparkling in his junior season and leading the Buckeyes past Clemson to the national championship game.Jones threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns against four interceptions and guided the Crimson Tide to the national championship in January. He's placed sixth in theScore's 2021 NFL Draft quarterback prospect rankings.Lance appeared in just one game in his sophomore season, throwing for 149 yards, two scores, and his first career interception for North Dakota State. He's theScore's fourth-ranked quarterback.Fields is theScore's second-ranked passer behind Lawrence, the presumptive No. 1 pick in this year's draft.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL hasn't made many public statements about the allegations against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.Troy Vincent, the league's executive vice president of football operations, commented on the situation Saturday."I'm just praying for the young man, personally, today," Vincent said on Fox Sports Radio. "I'm praying for him and his family. I'm praying for the young ladies that have come out. This is not good for anybody, forget the sport."Watson faces lawsuits from 22 women accusing him of sexual assault and harassment. His legal team says the plaintiffs are lying.Vincent said the league will allow due process to take place before potentially disciplining Watson."I think we've learned that every situation's different. They're delicate. You make sure that folks - whether it's the accuser, the victim, whoever it may be - that there's a due process in place," Vincent said. "And I think we've learned that over time, not that we've rushed in the past, but I think we've learned from the different cases that we've seen with this particular subject matter."Let the due process take care of itself, then that's up to (special counsel for investigations Lisa Friel) and her team to now make the proper recommendations to what direction the commissioner and the commissioner's office should take."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With so much offensive talent at the top of the NFL draft, it's easy to forget about the running back position. After all, most front offices seemingly have forgotten about it - only five running backs have been taken in the first round over the last three years.But if we ignore prior trends when examining the 2021 NFL Draft, there could realistically be a team set to pick in the middle of the first round that believes it's one Najee Harris or Travis Etienne away from a complete roster.The market doesn't expect it. Harris is favored to go off the board first with a draft spot of 25.5 and the over a chalky -180. But all it takes is one domino to fall - or one franchise to get desperate - to shake up the running back market.Oddsmakers have set draft totals for a handful of top prospects, so let's dive into the prices and hunt for some value.Najee Harris (Alabama) - 25.5Over: -180

theScore's Mike Alessandrini breaks down the top cornerback prospects in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series rolling out throughout April.QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

There are figurative hurdles, and there's the barrier Zach Wilson had to surmount as he evolved into the second-most coveted quarterback of the 2021 NFL Draft.It was spring 2020 in San Clemente, California, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the field at San Juan Hills High School was closed. Wilson was staying nearby at the family home of Isaac Rex, his tight end at BYU. Undeterred by the closure, the teammates hopped the school fence to run patterns in the afternoon sun.The figurative hurdles would appear later in the form of an open competition at training camp for Wilson's job and scheduling turmoil that almost cost him his 2020 season. The campaign wound up rocketing him up draft boards, as good an outcome as Wilson could have hoped for this time last year. The native of Utah posted up for months in Southern California to throw daily, study film at the Rex house, and toe the sideline scrutinizing the habits that helped his quarterback trainer's veteran clients stick in the NFL.He drove a bit for DoorDash, too, but let's park that memory. What stuck with Rex was the goal that animated Wilson's every move: to someday go down among the greats."He wants to do it, man," said Rex, who caught a dozen of Wilson's 33 touchdown passes in 2020. "He wants to be like Mahomes, like Rodgers, like Manning and Brady. That's his focus." Mark Brown / Getty ImagesContrary to that high aim, Wilson wasn't predestined to go No. 2 overall to the New York Jets, his expected fate when NFL teams make their first-round selections Thursday. Recovery from shoulder surgery and a thumb fracture had disrupted his sophomore season in 2019 - the first he opened as BYU's starting quarterback - threatening his perch atop the 2020 depth chart. More than that could have gone awry and tanked his draft stock this past season, or at least prevented Wilson from eclipsing every prospect not named Trevor Lawrence.But he had no need to fret. Rather than let his backups, Baylor Romney and Jaren Hall, overtake him at camp, Wilson earned back the top job and authored the most accurate season by a quarterback in BYU history, no trivial feat at Steve Young's alma mater. That he got the opportunity to shine was a minor miracle; the Cougars had to scramble to build a new schedule over the summer after Power 5 teams pulled out of nonconference play. Across a redrawn 12-game slate last fall, BYU surged to 11 wins and often played on ESPN in prime time, familiarizing the country with Wilson's mobility, big arm, pearly grin, and underdog motto - "Prove Them Wrong" - that he wears on a wristband. Efficient and savvy with the ball, he seemed to average multiple exceptional plays per game, spurring the breakthrough that his coaches considered inevitable so long as he stayed healthy."Right from the start of fall camp, he looked like a veteran player," said Aaron Roderick, BYU's quarterbacks coach and newly promoted offensive coordinator."If the play was simple, he'd keep it simple. If the situation called for throwing it away, he'd throw it away. If there was a good time to take a chance, take a risk, he understood when those times were - and he let it rip."To John Beck, the retired pro quarterback and BYU alum who tutors Wilson at his 3DQB academy, Wilson stands out among prospects for his shiftiness, his hand and foot speed, and his knack for processing and exploiting what defenses give him. Combined with his arm strength, he has the precision, touch, and creativity to connect on spectacular attempts, as Wilson reminded scouts and peers with this back-foot bomb at BYU's pro day:

The Detroit Lions are prepared for all scenarios with the No. 7 overall pick in next week's NFL draft, but they've also talked with other teams about trading their selection."There have been discussions with other teams. I will keep those in-house, but yeah, there have been discussions," general manager Brad Holmes said in a press conference Friday.Holmes recognizes the No. 7 slot could be a hot commodity by next Thursday, especially if there's an early run on quarterbacks."It's of extreme value, I would say," Holmes said, adding, "It's very exciting to be looking at this crop of players that would be worthy of selecting."While the Lions could trade down for additional draft picks, Holmes acknowledged Detroit would also benefit from selecting a top prospect. The team has won 14 games over the last three seasons and has finished last in the NFC North during each of those years."At No. 7, we do have a cluster of players that we're comfortable with picking," Holmes said. "At the same time, we will be very prepared ... to move in either direction. We're still open in those regards, but there are a cluster of players that we'd be comfortable with."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown from the Baltimore Ravens in a blockbuster trade reportedly involving six draft picks.The Chiefs get Brown, a 2021 second-round selection (58th overall), and a 2022 sixth-round choice in the deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, while the Ravens receive a 2021 first-round pick (31st overall), a 2021 third-round pick (94th overall), a 2021 fourth-round pick (136th overall), and a 2022 fifth-rounder.Brown previously requested a trade from the Ravens, citing a desire to move from right tackle to left tackle. He filled in admirably for an injured Ronnie Stanley on the left side last year, making the Pro Bowl for a second straight season.The 24-year-old Oklahoma product is entering the final year of his rookie contract. The Chiefs currently plan to have Brown play the 2021 campaign without an extension, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.Kansas City has worked to revamp an offensive line that struggled mightily in Super Bowl LV, signing left guard Joe Thuney, center Austin Blythe, and right guard Kyle Long in free agency before reportedly landing Brown. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Lucas Niang are also eligible to return after opting out of the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.The Chiefs previously released longtime tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, who both saw their 2020 season cut short due to injuries. Mike Remmers and Andrew Wylie started in those spots in the Super Bowl versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.The Ravens are expected to replace Brown with longtime Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva. Baltimore will enter the draft with the 27th and 31st picks of the opening round and has seven more selections across Days 2 and 3.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Baltimore Ravens are expected to replace Orlando Brown, who the team traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in a blockbuster deal, with Alejandro Villanueva at right tackle, ESPN's Jamison Hensley reports.A contract between the two sides likely won't become official until after next week's draft, Hensley adds.Villanueva joined the Steelers in 2014 and started each of the last six seasons at left tackle, but he will move to the right side in Baltimore.The 32-year-old will also provide the stability needed to protect Lamar Jackson's blindside. Ronnie Stanley, one of the NFL's premier left tackles, suffered a season-ending ankle injury last November.D.J. Fluker and Tyre Phillips manned the right tackle spot for the Ravens when Brown slid over to the left side following Stanley's injury.Villanueva, a two-time Pro Bowler, provided stout pass-blocking to Pittsburgh's offensive line.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL and NFLPA agreed on Friday that fully vaccinated players will be subject to less restrictive measures.The league released a memo indicating vaccinated individuals will be subject to relaxed protocols. Vaccinated players will be required to test weekly as opposed to daily, won't require re-entry testing after travel, and will not have to quarantine if identified as a high-risk close contact, sources told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.The NFL also announced it would be partnering with CVS Health to make sure all team facilities have vaccines for those who want them.Fourteen teams have already held an on-site vaccination clinic or “Vaccination Day” for players, staff, and families. Another 11 franchises are scheduled to host their own "Vaccination Day" in the next two weeks.While the league has previously stated it wouldn't mandate vaccinations for all players, it continues to set up incentives for those who do. Coaches and team employees risk losing their Tier 1 or 2 status if they do not get vaccinated.Meanwhile, the NFL and players’ union remain at odds regarding offseason activities. Out of 32 teams, 21 have opted out of in-person voluntary workouts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dalvin Cook considered changing his jersey to No. 4, but after finding out it'd cost him around $1.5 million to buy his unsold jerseys, the Minnesota Vikings star running back will stick with No. 33 in 2021, sources told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.Cook apparently confirmed the report on Twitter:

The Cleveland Browns exercised the fifth-year options on both quarterback Baker Mayfield and cornerback Denzel Ward, the team announced Friday.The decision to exercise the options was expected.The NFL's new collective bargaining agreement makes fifth-year options fully guaranteed. The Browns lock in Mayfield's $18.8 million and Ward's $13.2 million for the 2022 season."Both of those players have really done a nice job for us over the first three years," Browns general manager Andrew Berry said, according to team staff writer Andrew Gribble. "We view both of those guys as young players who continue to ascend."Cleveland's move comes ahead of the May 3 deadline to exercise fifth-year options.Mayfield led the Browns to their first playoff victory in 26 years. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft turned in one of his most efficient campaigns, throwing for 3,563 yards, 28 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 62 % of his passes.Ward has provided Cleveland with stability in the secondary. The 23-year-old was named to a Pro Bowl as a rookie, tallying 53 tackles, three interceptions, and 11 passes defended in 2018. The Ohio State product has accumulated seven interceptions, 40 passes defended, and 143 tackles through three campaigns.Both Mayfield and Ward are now eligible to receive multi-year extensions. Mayfield could be the first among the class of 2018 quarterbacks - which includes the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson - to sign an extension.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Blue-chip prospects get all the attention, but plenty of players selected in the later rounds of the NFL draft will wind up having stellar careers as well.Here are 10 under-the-radar prospects who could outperform their 2021 draft positions and become high-impact pros:Jermar Jefferson - RB, Oregon State Steve Dykes / Getty Images Sport / GettyDrafting a running back is all about maximizing value. If a team is looking to get the best bang for its buck, Jefferson is the guy to target. He might not hear his name called until Day 3, but he fits the description of a diamond in the rough.The best players make everything look easy, and Jefferson does just that when he's weaving his way through the trenches. Equipped with excellent vision, he consistently picks up the maximum yardage provided by his blocking, and his tough running style means he can pound his way for a few extra yards when necessary. Jefferson is going to make a general manager look very smart when slotted into a heavy zone-blocking offense.Shakur Brown - CB, Michigan StateBrown isn't in the top tier of this draft's cornerbacks, and he might not even be grouped into the second tier. But his ball skills make him a name worth knowing.A proven playmaker, Brown constantly made quarterbacks pay for costly throws during his time at Michigan State; the former Spartans cornerback plays like he has a GPS tracker on the football at all times. Though he's undersized at 5-foot-10, Brown is a physical corner who is strong enough to hang in press coverage and is also capable of making open-field tackles. A move to the slot could be in his future, but in today's NFL, that's not enough reason to write him off.Ihmir Smith-Marsette - WR, IowaSmith-Marsette is the victim of a couple of circumstances: He's part of a deep wide receiver class that's allowing him to fly under the radar, and his production at Iowa was severely hampered by quarterback play. Remove those two issues, and a receiver waiting to explode onto the scene emerges.Boasting incredible speed, Smith-Marsette is a creative weapon waiting to be utilized. He can take the top off a defense - something he did quite well when his targets weren't underthrown - and can be incorporated as a gadget player. Getting the ball in his hands via a jet sweep, end-around, or quick screen can also help tap into his yards-after-the-catch potential. While he may be lost in a crowded 2021 draft class, Smith-Marsette looks ready to stand out at the next level.Patrick Johnson - EDGE, TulaneDown at Tulane is a pass-rusher waiting to be discovered. While the big-name stars face high expectations, it's the small-school players like Johnson who can shine unexpectedly.Coming in at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Johnson will have the attention of teams looking for an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He loves getting his hands dirty by blowing up rushers and blockers in the backfield, does a good job converting speed to power when getting after the quarterback, and knows how to use his hands efficiently. There's not much to dislike about Johnson beyond a few traits that need some development. He's a project, but he's one worth drafting.Jamie Newman - QB, Georgia Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyNewman is flying under the radar for several reasons. He never played a down for Georgia - opting out of the 2020 season after transferring from Wake Forest - and the five likely first-round quarterbacks are garnering plenty of attention during this draft cycle. Kyle Trask, Davis Mills, and Kellen Mond form the consensus second tier of quarterback prospects, leaving the dual-threat passer on the outside looking in.But teams may be wiser to draft Newman over the likes of Mills and Mond - and maybe even Trask, too. He's one of the best deep throwers in the 2021 class, adds value as a runner, and was forced to throw into tight windows on numerous occasions due to a poor supporting cast in college. Newman isn't the most naturally accurate quarterback, but there are more than enough tools in his belt to make him worth a shot as a developmental prospect early on Day 3.Simi Fehoko - WR, StanfordFehoko is perhaps the year's most fascinating prospect puzzle to solve. He enters the league with only four starts to his name, but don't let that fool you. His best work could still be on the way.The former Stanford receiver is incredibly raw, but he's got the perfect combination of size and speed. Standing 6-foot-4 and clocking a 4.4 40-yard dash, Fehoko could be an immediate mismatch in the slot. He could also develop into a capable receiver on the outside once his route running becomes more polished. The only real concern is a collection of puzzling drops, but he makes up for it with some big-time grabs thanks to his large catch radius.It’s not often a receiver comes along with the combination of potential and inexperience that Fehoko possesses. Don't look at him as a gamble, but rather as a lottery ticket waiting to be cashed.Andre Cisco - S, Syracuse After tearing his ACL early in the 2020 college football season, Cisco is being overlooked in a questionable safety group. If not for his injury, one could argue that the former Syracuse defender is the top player at his position.Cisco offers blazing speed and enough range to thrive as a deep-lying safety in any scheme. He's amassed 13 interceptions and 14 pass breakups in just 24 career games, so he has the ball skills NFL teams covet. There are areas of his game that still need improvement - most notably, his angles taken in run defense as a tackler - but his skill set profiles as one of the very best among safeties in the 2021 class. There's plenty of value in Cisco, who could become a long-term starter selected on Day 3.Brady Christensen - OT, BYU Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, Christian Darrisaw, and Teven Jenkins are getting all the attention, but any club that misses out on the draft's top tier of offensive tackles would be wise to target Christensen. Zach Wilson rarely faced consistent pressure last season, and his blindside protector was the primary reason for that.Christensen isn't physically up to par with the elite prospects at his position, but he tested like an elite athlete - and showed it on the field - while displaying smooth feet in pass protection. The former BYU standout was utterly dominant over the last two years, allowing just two sacks and driving defenders forward in run defense. Though he'll need some fine-tuning and likely won't go off the board until at least Round 3, Christensen has "NFL starter" written all over him.Milton Williams - DT, Louisiana Tech Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAfter Alabama's Christian Barmore, there are plenty of question marks surrounding a relatively weak defensive line class. Williams is the perfect high-upside prospect to target in such a group.Everything about Williams' game screams "diamond in the rough." He's an elite athlete for the position, testing in at least the 90th percentile in every drill during his pro day. The versatile lineman also remade his body over his college career, initially playing on the edge before moving inside in 2020. The move didn't sap his explosiveness, though, as he dominated guards and centers with relative ease in both the pass and run game. Once Williams refines his pass-rush moves, the sky is the limit. He's the new breed of defensive tackle.Kylen Granson - TE, SMUMost 6-foot-2 tight ends don't even get drafted, lacking the size and strength to hold up full time at the position in the pros. But Granson deserves a chance to stick on an NFL roster.The SMU product plays like a big receiver from the slot or inline, displaying a unique ability to make defenders miss after the catch and the speed to be a seam disruptor at the pro level. Granson is an excellent athlete and played a vital role in the Mustangs' offense, running a diverse route tree over the last two years. Most of his 2021 peers can't say that. While a team won't want him blocking consistently, Granson is fully capable of carving out a role as a "move" tight end/H-back hybrid.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Maurice Hurst signed with the San Francisco 49ers, Hurst announced Thursday.Las Vegas released Hurst last week along with pass-rusher Arden Key, who signed with San Francisco on Wednesday.Hurst, a fifth-round pick, and Key, selected in the third round, were part of coach Jon Gruden's first draft class in his second stint with the Raiders in 2018.The defensive tackle will join a talented 49ers defensive line headlined by Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Javon Kinlaw, and Dee Ford.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones made it known to Kyle Pitts that he's more than "infatuated" with the idea of drafting the top tight end in the first round."I'm excited to have you come into this league, and man, what a pair-up we could do with ole Dak Prescott and some of these guys that we've got out there with options to get you the ball," Jones told the Florida product during a virtual visit. "So we can dream of visions of sugar plums around here."Pitts is expected to come off the board within the opening round's first 10 selections thanks to his combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills. The Cowboys have the last pick in the top 10 and could potentially trade up to get the tight end if necessary.Dallas has more urgent needs on defense but was also in a similar position last year when the team took wide receiver CeeDee Lamb 17th overall. The franchise had the No. 1 offense in the league during the season that preceded the Lamb pick."It's really special to see a player come in with the potential you've got and have your head on the ground - have your head like you got it - so congratulations again," Jones said to Pitts.The Cowboys have Blake Jarwin penciled in at the position in 2021, with Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, and Lamb lining up out wide.Pitts posted 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in his final year with the Gators, punctuating his college career with 129 yards and a touchdown against Alabama in his last game.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Brady isn't a fan of the NFL's new jersey rule.The league approved a change Wednesday to allow players at certain positions to wear new numbers, including linebackers and defensive backs. The adjustment is drawing criticism from the reigning Super Bowl MVP."Good luck trying to block the right people now," the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback wrote in an Instagram story. "Going to make for a lot of bad football."

New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has never traded down in the first round of an NFL draft, but that doesn't mean the option is completely off the table.Previous reports said the Giants are open to moving back from the No. 11 pick. However, Gettleman's nonexistent track record with trade downs through his first eight drafts at the helm has led many to question whether the GM would actually follow through.Gettleman refuted the notion of his perceived draft philosophy Thursday, describing it as folklore."You guys don't believe me, but I've tried in the past. It's got to be value. I'm not getting fleeced," Gettleman said, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. "It's almost like an urban myth. I've tried."Gettleman added his previous plans to trade down were foiled when the targeted player was selected just before the Giants' selection, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.The New York executive believes it's possible there could be even more interest in the Giants' first-round pick this year due to the large number of top quarterbacks.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson to the list of people who thought the Philadelphia Eagles would select him during last year's draft.The Eagles infamously passed on Jefferson with the 21st overall pick in favor of Jalen Reagor during the 2020 draft. The Vikings then selected Jefferson at No. 22. The move shocked many, including Jefferson."Leading up to the draft, you know, they had all of those mock drafts and people sharing their opinions on who is going to go where. A lot of people had me going to Philly. And, I thought I was going to Philly," Jefferson told GQ's Tyler R. Tynes.Jefferson said he's happy he ended up in Minnesota, though.He added: "The funny part is, Philly was on the board and then Minnesota called me. At first, I thought it was Philly. But, I answered the phone and it was Minnesota. It's crazy how all of that happened and everything. But, I'm definitely, definitely, definitely excited that I'm on the Vikings rather than Philly."The rookies headed in opposite directions during their first season. Reagor managed to record just 396 yards and one touchdown while Jefferson made an instant impact, earning a Pro Bowl selection after a historic campaign. He smashed the rookie record for receiving yards in a season with 1,400.The 21-year-old looks forward to crossing paths with the team that passed on him."I'll always treat every game the same, no matter who I'm playing," he said. "But Philly will definitely be edgier."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Brees' final season in the NFL was even more ravaged by injury than it seemed.The former New Orleans Saints quarterback missed four games in 2020 due to a collapsed lung and 11 rib fractures. But Brees revealed Wednesday at a charity golf tournament that he was playing at less than 100% for nearly the entire campaign."I'll be perfectly honest with you. I only felt really good in one game (Week 4 at the Detroit Lions), from the perspective I had all the tools in my toolbox," Brees said, according to Jeff Duncan of The Athletic. "I had a lot of limitations throughout the season as to what I could and couldn't do. And I recognized that. And that's really hard for a competitor."It's really hard to know what you should be able to do, and yet you can't, because of various injuries or things that are taking place with your body. Some of those things are just kind of freak things. You tear a plantar fascia. You get damage in your shoulder. You get broken ribs, right? A punctured lung."Brees, who retired in mid-March after 20 seasons, added that he was particularly limited throughout the year by an abdominal issue."As a QB everything you do is rotation. And when you can't rotate the way that you want, you all of a sudden begin to accommodate," he said. "Everything for you kind of narrows. I can't make that throw. I can't make that throw. I can't make that throw. So what's now in my toolbox? It's harder to play the game that way. It is. And yet you've got to find a way to still get it done. And I felt like we did that. But it was difficult."The 42-year-old said following his retirement announcement that he was "sure" he could continue to play but wanted to walk away at the right time for his family.Despite his limitations, Brees still put up solid numbers last season. He won nine of 12 starts while throwing for 2,942 yards and 24 touchdowns against six interceptions.The Saints are expected to enter the 2021 campaign with either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill under center.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Heralded quarterback prospect Zach Wilson will attend next week's NFL draft in Cleveland, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.The BYU product is expected to be taken second overall by the New York Jets. He will likely be the first player to head to the podium in Cleveland as Trevor Lawrence, the presumptive top pick, declined an invitation to attend.Other top prospects set to join Wilson in the green room include Ja'Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, Kyle Pitts, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones.Wilson jumped into the No. 2 pick conversation after throwing for 33 touchdowns and three interceptions during his 2020 campaign. He finished his time at BYU with 7,652 career passing yards and 56 touchdown passes.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence and BYU's Zach Wilson are near locks to be drafted No. 1 and 2 overall, respectively, at the 2021 NFL Draft. After that, it's anyone's guess how the quarterback carousel will play out.Mac Jones, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance will all find homes early next Thursday, but just how early? Oddsmakers set draft totals on all three quarterbacks, so let's dive into the hottest topic leading up to the event.2021 QB draft totalsPlayerDraft SpotOverUnderMac Jones3-700+475Justin Fields6.5+215-265Trey Lance8+170-210Mac JonesThe Alabama product's been linked to the 49ers ever since the franchise traded up for the No. 3 pick. It'd take a miracle for Jones to be plucked before that, hence why the market's expecting his floor to be San Francisco.Last season, Jones was PFF's highest-graded quarterback in college football history, and he finished third in Heisman voting. The 6-4 Jacksonville native would likely sit backseat behind Jimmy Garoppolo for a year, but he could flourish in head coach Kyle Shanahan's system.There's not a lot of value either way at the current market price.Justin FieldsFields had long been perceived as the No. 2 quarterback behind Lawrence before Wilson's sudden surge. All Fields did last season was lead Ohio State to a national title appearance and throw 579 passing yards and seven touchdowns combined against Clemson and Alabama.He's in play at No. 3, but it gets dicey thereafter. The Dolphins (No. 5) and Bengals (No. 6) are seemingly set under center, while the Falcons (No. 4) appear to have cooled on the idea of drafting Matt Ryan's replacement.However, Fields seems like this draft's best-kept secret as so many other prospects gain traction. Whether the draft order remains the same or a team trades up - the Patriots and Broncos need quarterbacks - he'll be off the board by the time the Lions are on the clock at No. 7.Pick: UnderTrey LanceThe dual-threat Lance is the toughest first-round quarterback to project. He has the size, athleticism, and arm strength to thrive in the pros, but the fact he started only 17 games - much less at North Dakota State - has created a dilemma within draft communities.Lance will be rooting for Fields to go off the board sooner than later to stoke the quarterback market, but would the Broncos, Patriots, or another franchise push their chips to the middle of the table for an unpolished prospect?The 49ers and Falcons both attended Lance's recent workout Monday, but that feels more like smoke than signal. The over 8 at +170 is a nice grab.Pick: OverAlex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL approved a change to its jersey rules Wednesday, allowing players at certain positions to wear new numbers, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.As of the 2021 season, players at the following positions will be permitted to wear these numbers:

Free-agent wide receiver Antonio Brown has reached a settlement with Britney Taylor, his former personal trainer who was suing him for sexual assault.Terms of the settlement can't be disclosed, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN."Antonio and Britney have been friends for over a decade," their attorneys said Wednesday in a joint statement. "Several years ago they almost became business partners. Recently, they were involved in aggressive litigation."Having reflected on their relationship, both feel that the time has come to move on. Antonio is grateful for Britney's excellent training assistance. They are pleased that Antonio is doing so well with the Bucs and has a ring. Their dispute is resolved and they wish each other continued success."Taylor filed the lawsuit against Brown in September 2019, saying he sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions. Their civil trial was scheduled to begin in December 2021 following various delays.The NFL suspended Brown for eight weeks in 2020, citing multiple violations of its personal conduct policy. Brown was involved in several other off-field incidents in 2019, but the league didn't publicly specify what led to his punishment.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him at the end of his ban, and he went on to contribute to their championship run. The 32-year-old caught four regular-season touchdown passes and two more in the playoffs, including one during Super Bowl LV versus the Kansas City Chiefs.Brown made seven Pro Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers between 2010 and 2018, establishing himself as one of the game's all-time great wide receivers. He logged short stints with the then-Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots in 2019 before the sexual assault lawsuit temporarily halted his career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles declined to hand Jalen Hurts the starting quarterback job ahead of next week's draft.Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, head coach Nick Sirianni, and vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl spoke to media Wednesday, and all three insisted there will be competition at the game's most important spot."To name a starter at this particular time (isn't wise), we've been working with these guys for two days," Sirianni said, according to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.The first-year coach added he wants "competition at every position," per Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation.Philadelphia initially held the sixth overall pick in the 2021 draft but moved back in a trade with the Miami Dolphins in March. The club now holds the No. 12 selection.With as many as five quarterbacks expected to land in the top 10, the deal led to speculation that the team wouldn't target a signal-caller in Round 1 and that Hurts would open the upcoming campaign as the starter."The reason we traded back from six to 12 is because flexibility creates opportunity," Roseman told reporters, via The Athletic's Zach Berman.The GM added that he graded 12 players, regardless of position, as similar prospects, which made him comfortable enough to move down, according to NBC Sports Philadelphia's John Clark.Philadelphia selected Hurts in the second round of last year's draft. He started four games in 2020 after the team benched Carson Wentz. After the Eagles traded Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, they signed Joe Flacco in free agency as a potential backup.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson thinks he could've become an NFL player if he pursued football over basketball."Yeah, I believe I could," Williamson said Tuesday on Shannon Sharpe's "Club Shay Shay" podcast. "I'm just a competitor."Williamson was then asked which position he envisioned himself playing in the NFL."I think I would either do tight end or receiver," he said.The 6-foot-7, 284-pound Williamson played quarterback in his youth, and former LSU assistant coach Eric Mateos offered him a football scholarship. Mateos told ESPN in 2018 he thought the future Duke star was "probably the best damn tight end to ever live."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are only three guarantees in life: Death, taxes, and Alabama head coach Nick Saban sending a hoard of prospects to the NFL every year.The reigning national champs will wave goodbye to another group in 2021. But the precise number is important, particularly in the first round, as oddsmakers have set an over/under on how many Alabama players will go off the board.Let's dive into the prices and draft outlooks.Alabama players selected in Round 1Over 5.5: -200

Aaron Rodgers' two-week stint as guest host of "Jeopardy!" gave the show a ratings boost.The Green Bay Packers quarterback scored a household rating of 5.6 - a 14% increase from previous guest host Dr. Oz, according to The Wrap's Tony Maglio and Tim Baysinger. His rating is the third-highest among the show's guest hosts thus far, trailing Mike Richards (5.9) and Ken Jennings (6.0).Rodgers has expressed interest in hosting "Jeopardy!" full time while continuing to play in the NFL, telling "Good Morning Football" earlier in April that he thinks he can "bring something different to the show."The 37-year-old appeared on "Celebrity Jeopardy!" in 2015, which he won.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Twenty-three yards from the far chain, 44 yards from the goal line, Trey Lance crouched in shotgun formation intending to pass to the right. Jimmy Kepouros lined up wide left, processing the situation: third down, start of the fourth quarter, his and Lance's undefeated squad up eight in the 2020 FCS national championship game. Teeing up a field-goal attempt might have padded the lead, provided Lance was inclined to settle for the safe play. But no receiver got open, so he sprinted forward, ball in hand, and no defender so much as laid a finger on him."I made a good block on the outside," Kepouros, a senior wideout for that season's North Dakota State Bison, said recently. He laughed into the phone, making clear his contribution to the title-sealing score was secondary.About Lance, Kepouros added: "I just remember jumping on top of his head when he was in the end zone." Your browser does not support the video tag. ESPNThis was the second-last game of Lance's college career, a 28-20 win over James Madison 15 months ago that amplified his NFL draft buzz. Lance is part of his class' crowded second tier of quarterback prospects, jockeying with Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones to be selected ASAP after Trevor Lawrence goes first overall next Thursday. There's an argument to be made that Lance is the group's most fascinating player, partly since the pandemic postponement of North Dakota State's season limited him to a single game last fall.Lance is undeniably the least tested of this draft's potential elite pivots. He attempted only 318 career passes at North Dakota State, 300 fewer than Fields and 519 fewer than Wilson, and he's never faced anything that resembles Power 5 opposition.That said, Lance's positives are seductive. His arm's a cannon: Kepouros swears that he's seen his passes soar as far as 80 yards downfield. Lance tossed zero interceptions as a redshirt freshman in 2019-20, his lone full season helming the Bison's offense. Jamie Schwaberow / NCAA Photos / Getty ImagesCombine that power and precision with Lance's legs and build - at 6-foot-4, 224 pounds, he's bigger than many FCS linebackers, not to mention Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray - and you get a quarterback who rushed for a touchdown per game in college. Winning a national title put Lance on par with his two most recent Bison QB predecessors: Chargers backup Easton Stick and Carson Wentz, the NFL's No. 2 draft pick in 2016.Lance is his own player, unburdened by the baggage of Wentz's downfall in Philadelphia. If anything, their connection is a fun piece of trivia, one more quirk to contextualize the push Lance will make to reach his superstar upside."I think he can carry a franchise with his personality and with his leadership," Bison quarterbacks coach Randy Hedberg told reporters at North Dakota State pro day in March. "He has that it factor. That's important. When he enters a room, you know who it is."Trey Lance at North Dakota State College teammates like Kepouros and Ben Ellefson, now a Jacksonville Jaguars tight end, say Lance projects confidence that elevates his offense. It's ideal to run routes for a quarterback who delivers 50-yard go passes on a dime, but who doesn't force big throws - partly because he can escape any pocket to race for a gain, as James Madison well knows. Your browser does not support the video tag. KVLYLance also has a record of rising to high-pressure moments, chief among them the 2020 title game and North Dakota State's 39-28 home win over Central Arkansas last Oct. 3. The scouts from 20 NFL teams who flocked to Fargo for his last collegiate start witnessed one of football's rarest sights: Lance whipping a pass into the hands of a rival defensive back, Nick Nakwaasah. It was an aggressive attempt that didn't go to plan, leading to the only interception of his college career. It hardly mattered when Lance rebounded to lead the Bison to a 21-point fourth quarter."I don't think he'd make that same decision again," said Quincy Avery, Lance's offseason QB trainer, reflecting on the interception. "But such is life."People fixate on the pick because Lance made sound decisions throughout North Dakota State's 2019 season, when his 287 attempts without an interception established an all-division NCAA record. His 1,100 rushing yards ranked third among the nation's quarterbacks. Lance was named the best offensive player in the FCS, and he steered the Bison to college football's first 16-0 season in 125 years, previously the sole domain of the 1894 Yale Bulldogs. Sam Wasson / Getty ImagesNot bad for a Minnesota kid from small-town Marshall High School whose Power 5 suitors uniformly wanted him to shift to wideout, linebacker, or defensive back. Chris Klieman, North Dakota State's head coach from 2014-18, persuaded Lance to head to Fargo for a one-year redshirt apprenticeship behind Stick, the winningest QB in FCS history, who now backs up Justin Herbert in Los Angeles.Soon it was Lance's turn to shoulder duty and authority in the Bison's pro-style offense. As Hedberg pointed out at pro day, North Dakota State differs from programs that employ sideline flash cards, instead demanding its quarterback relay the plays in the huddle and make checks and protection calls under center. The system hinged on Lance's intelligence and composure, traits that have Avery convinced he's NFL-ready at a tender age. (Lance turns 21 in May.)"He might not have played as many college games, but every snap that he had was really, really meaningful, in terms of the mental stress that he had on every single play," Avery said."He understood really well what his team needed. His team needed him to be safe with the ball, be smart, and be all the things that North Dakota State (wants) to do. They're going to run the ball. They're going to own the clock. Win the turnover battle. Those are the things that he was mindful of." Justin Tafoya / NCAA Photos / Getty ImagesWhen Roger Goodell announces Lance's name next Thursday, perhaps within the top three or five picks, he'll be the seventh quarterback since 2006 to go in the first round after starting fewer than 20 college games, per ESPN. Three became Pro Bowlers: Murray, Cam Newton, and Ryan Tannehill. Dwayne Haskins and Mitchell Trubisky remain in the league, but they and Mark Sanchez represent worse career outcomes.Again, that's trivia; interesting to know but less urgently relevant to Lance's own story than, say, the work he put in to sustain a college dynasty. The 2019 FCS title was North Dakota State's eighth in nine years under four different quarterbacks. The other three (Wentz, Stick, and retired CFL backup Brock Jensen) were threats to run the ball, but none scampered with Lance's speed or agility, to say nothing of his willingness to truck defenders."There's evidence on tape of him running people over," Ellefson said. "Sometimes you see quarterbacks shy away from taking a big hit. He would dive headfirst compared to sliding sometimes to get those couple extra yards that we might need on a third-and-7." Your browser does not support the video tag. KVLYWhatever it took to move the needle in difficult moments. In Lance's final appearance against Central Arkansas - "You only have a one-game audition going into the NFL," Avery said, summarizing the stakes - he passed and ran for fourth-quarter touchdowns, reclaiming the lead in the wake of his interception. Against James Madison in last season's title game, Lance completed a mere 6 of 10 passes for 72 yards, but he ran roughshod, amassing a career-best 166 yards on the ground.The backbreaking play was Kepouros' indelible memory, that of Lance checking into a run on third-and-long - how many young quarterbacks would have the wits and wheels to do that, Hedberg wondered at pro day - and motoring 44 yards to the end zone. Down eight, the Dukes had held North Dakota State to two straight punts, preserving their chance to come back. That hope was shot by the time Lance's receivers mobbed him."I just remember thinking: Wow. This kid is incredible," Kepouros said. "This is going to be a story one day to tell."Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the longest-tenured Tampa Bay Buccaneers is ready to talk about perhaps the most viral moment in team history.Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David opened up to Martenzie Johnson of The Undefeated about the infamous "Eat a W" speech by former Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston during the 2017 season."I was right in the heart of it. My boy Jameis, he's a very, very, very energetic, animated guy. That was just something that he thought up off the top of his head," David said. "And he came out with it and it was weird, man. It was weird, honestly. He knows it was weird. Everybody wasn't really thrilled with it for a hype-up speech, but unfortunately, that's going to follow my guy Jameis for his whole career."Winston made the speech prior to a Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints, which the Bucs lost 30-10."He meant well by it. But that particular thing didn't go over well with the rest of the team, and the outcome of that game kind of proved it," David said. "It definitely was something that kind of caught me off-guard. I was kind of like, 'What?' It is what it is, though. We all love Jameis. He meant well. He's a great competitor, but unfortunately, that's going to follow him for a long time."Winston brought it back three years later when, as a backup quarterback with the Saints, he saw mop-up duty in a 38-3 blowout of the Bucs in Week 9 of the 2020 season.

Quarterback Joe Burrow is confident he'll be on the field for the Cincinnati Bengals' 2021 season opener.Though Burrow still can't roll out and throw yet, he said the recovery from his knee injury is going better than expected."I'm very optimistic about where I'm at, and also where the team is at," Burrow said on "The Cris Collinsworth Podcast," according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com."Rehab is going very, very well, and lifting is going very, very well. I'm in great shape. Legs feel good, knee feels good. There's still a long way to go, but I'm expecting to be there on the first snap of 2021."Burrow added: "I expect to take part in practice. I'm feeling really good. I'm ahead of schedule."The 24-year-old tore his ACL and MCL and suffered other structural damage to his left knee last November. He underwent surgery in December.The 2020 first overall pick was off to a strong start to his NFL career before suffering the season-ending ailment, completing 65.3% of his passes for 2,688 yards and 13 touchdowns against five interceptions through 10 starts. He also added three scores on the ground.Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin recently praised Burrow, adding Cincinnati will do "everything" to give the signal-caller a solid supporting cast.The Bengals own the fifth overall pick this year. It's expected a quarterback will be taken with each of the first three selections, meaning Cincinnati could have its pick of skill-position prospects."I trust the organization to do what they do and do their jobs and pick the best player," Burrow said. "I think we're in a good spot to take just the best available."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Las Vegas Raiders received plenty of backlash on social media for a tweet sent Tuesday after a Minneapolis jury convicted police officer Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd.

Taysom Hill is training to be a full-time quarterback for the first time in his NFL career as he prepares for a preseason competition with the New Orleans Saints."Historically, for the last four years, my workout routine has been different," Hill said Tuesday, via ESPN's Mike Triplett. "It's been structured to be the Swiss Army knife and do all these other things I was going to be called upon doing, where now my emphasis, my focus, is on being a full-time quarterback."Hill played a variety of roles for the Saints early in his career, taking snaps on special teams and on offense at a bunch of positions. He's expected to battle Jameis Winston for the starting job in 2021 following Drew Brees' retirement.In four starts at quarterback last year, Hill completed nearly 72% of his passes for four touchdowns and two interceptions. New Orleans went 3-1 during that stretch.The Saints signed Hill to a voidable four-year, $140-million extension earlier in the offseason, lowering his 2021 cap hit while establishing parameters for a new contract should he break out as a quarterback.For his career, Hill has thrown four touchdowns, rushed for 11, and caught another seven.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Add the Carolina Panthers to the list of teams that may trade down during the first round of next week's NFL draft.The Panthers have engaged in talks with other teams about trading back from the No. 8 pick, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.Recently it's been reported that the Miami Dolphins - who hold the No. 6 pick - and the New York Giants at No. 11 are also considering trading down.Currently, the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Dolphins, and Detroit Lions own the seven selections ahead of the Panthers. Quarterbacks are widely expected to be taken with the first three picks.The Panthers' slot could be appealing to any club looking to get into the top 10 to land a quarterback or star skill-position player.Last year, Carolina selected defensive tackle Derrick Brown seventh overall.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The majority of the NFL's teams are banding together to skip the voluntary offseason workouts that are set to begin April 19.The Denver Broncos became the first club to opt out of the workouts last week, citing concerns over a lack of "adequate protocols" to return safely due to COVID-19.The New England Patriots joined their peers quickly after Denver's announcement. However, the Patriots noted that "many" but not all players will be absent from voluntary workouts.Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers decided to hold their first month of spring activities virtually before their players potentially join others in skipping the voluntary workouts this offseason, a source told Rob Demovsky of ESPN. Packers players with workout bonuses will reportedly be credited for attendance by logging on virtually.Here is the full list of teams that have chosen to withdraw from the spring workouts:

Veteran tight end Jordan Reed is retiring from football because of continuing issues due to concussions he's suffered during his football career, he confirmed Tuesday to ESPN's John Keim."I was pretty sure I was going to keep playing; I was feeling good about where I was at," Reed said. "But then I had some lingering effects and sought out professional help to get diagnosed. They told me it was not a good idea to keep playing. I agreed with them."The 30-year-old returned to the field in 2020 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers after he suffered a concussion in the 2019 preseason and was forced to miss the subsequent campaign. Reed finished last season with 26 receptions for 231 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.In late winter, the former Pro Bowler underwent a brain scan and was told he should retire based on the results."Before when I had a concussion, I would feel better afterward, and I wouldn't have lingering effects," said Reed, who's suffered at least seven concussions, according to Keim."If I didn't have any symptoms, I would have kept playing. I'm OK with it because I know the reason why I'm making the choice is for family and my children, so I can be there for them. It's just time."After the Washington Football Team picked Reed in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, he quickly proved to be a dynamic weapon as a pass-catcher. He concluded his time in D.C. with 329 receptions for 3,371 yards and 24 touchdowns in 65 contests.The 6-foot-2, 242-pound tight end climbed to 10th in both career receptions and receiving touchdowns in six seasons with Washington. However, injuries - including knee and toe issues - plagued the Florida product, and he never played in more than 14 games in a season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants are weighing trading back from the 11th overall draft slot, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Trading down would be an unprecedented move for Giants general manager Dave Gettleman, as he hasn't moved his team back in the first round during the executive's eight drafts as a GM.The Giants landed in the 11th draft position after a 6-10 campaign in 2020. Trading down could allow the club to add more talent to its roster. New York has been busy this offseason, signing Leonard Williams to an extension while also inking Kenny Golladay and Adoree' Jackson as free agents.The Giants have drafted Saquon Barkley, Daniel Jones, Dexter Lawrence, Deandre Baker, and Andrew Thomas in the first round over the last three years.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed head coach Mike Tomlin to a three-year contract extension, the team announced on Tuesday.The new deal will keep Tomlin in Pittsburgh through the 2024 season."I am pleased to announce we have extended Mike Tomlin's contract through the 2024 season," said Steelers President Art Rooney II."Mike is one of the most successful head coaches in the National Football League, and we are confident in his leadership to continue to lead our team as we work to win another championship."Tomlin, who has served as the Steelers' head coach since 2007, is just Pittsburgh's third bench boss since 1969, following Chuck Noll (1969-1991) and Bill Cowher (1992-2006).The 49-year-old has compiled 145 wins, 78 losses, and one tie through 224 games. Tomlin led the Steelers to a Super Bowl in 2008 in just his second year at the helm."I am extremely grateful for this contract extension and want to thank Art Rooney II and everyone in the organization for the support in my first 14 seasons," said Tomlin. "We have a goal of winning the organization's seventh Super Bowl championship, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this upcoming season."The 2021 campaign will mark Tomlin's 15th season with the franchise.The head coach’s extension provides further stability in Pittsburgh. The club recently signed general manager Kevin Colbert to a one-year extension that will keep him around until at least the 2022 draft.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini breaks down the top interior defensive line prospects in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series rolling out throughout April.QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

theScore's Dan Wilkins breaks down the top linebacker prospects in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series rolling out throughout April.QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid would love to have former quarterback Alex Smith on his coaching staff.Smith retired Monday, and although Reid doesn't expect the 36-year-old to begin a coaching career, he'd welcome the former signal-caller on the Chiefs' sideline with open arms."You guys know what I feel about him," Reid said, according to Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. "He's just a heck of a person. He had a great career. He played so many years here with different teams, and everywhere he went, he made them better."Reid continued: "I texted him a while back (that) if he gets into coaching, I get first dibs on him. Which, I doubt he will, but if he decides to go that route, he'd be a guy that you'd love to have on your staff. He is really a special person. He'll go down as one of my all-time favorites there."Reid coached Smith in Kansas City from 2013-17, where the ex-passer posted a 50-26 regular-season record while earning three Pro Bowl berths. The Chiefs traded Smith to the Washington Football Team at the end of the 2017 campaign.Several teams reportedly expressed interest in signing Smith this offseason before he called it a career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins are receiving trade offers for the sixth overall selection in the upcoming NFL draft and are considering moving the pick, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Miami has already made a pair of blockbuster draft-pick trades this offseason. The Dolphins dealt the third overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers for three first-rounders, including the No. 12 selection this year.The Dolphins then sent multiples picks - including the 12th selection and a 2022 first-rounder - to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 6 pick.Three quarterbacks are likely to be selected in the first three picks on April 29, with Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson widely expected to be the first two names called by the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively.The Dolphins drafted signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa at No. 5 overall last year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.