With San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster facing felony domestic violence charges, general manager John Lynch reiterated that the club is potentially willing to move on.If it proves true that Foster hit his girlfriend, "he won't be a part of this organization going forward," Lynch said Monday, according to Jim Trotter of NFL Network.Foster faces additional felony charges of forcefully attempting to prevent a victim from reporting a crime and possession of an assault weapon.Lynch said the 49ers need more information, but added that no one is bigger than the team.Foster is currently away from the team and won't attend OTAs while the legal process unfolds.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Amari Cooper will be a member of the Oakland Raiders for the foreseeable future as the club officially announced Monday they've exercised his fifth-year option through the 2019 season.Cooper burst onto the scene in his first two years with the club, becoming just the third player in NFL history to record 1,000 receiving yards and 70 catches in each of his first two seasons. That prolific start to his career would see the former Alabama star claim a spot in the Pro Bowl both years.Cooper struggled to match that production last campaign, recording just 48 catches on 96 targets, but did find the end zone seven times.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NFL teams are given creative freedom for their draft pick announcements on Day 3 of the annual event by being allowed to have honorary guests make the choices for rounds 4-7.Having former players, super fans, celebrity fans, or even animal mascots announce the choices provides some more entertainment for the home audience once the players being selected become a little less recognizable.Currently scheduled guests for the 2018 draft include members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School football team on behalf of the Miami Dolphins, an actual parrot for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and part of the cast of Star Wars for the San Francisco 49ers.Here are five more guests we'd like to see get the honor on Saturday.Frank Caliendo as Jon Gruden, RaidersComedian/impressionist Frank Caliendo has risen to fame in NFL circles for his spot-on renditions of John Madden, Rex Ryan, Rob Ryan, Bill Belichick, and, perhaps most notably, new Raiders head coach Jon Gruden.The Raiders have already given the responsibility to youth football players from Las Vegas - the team's future home - but Caliendo would help liven things up in a sixth round that has the Raiders scheduled to make four announcements.Drunk Kevin Hart, EaglesPhiladelphia native and comedic superstar Kevin Hart has surpassed the likes of Will Smith to be the most notable Eagles fan following his celebratory antics in the immediate aftermath of Super Bowl LII.Related: Kevin Hart issues statement on Super Bowl antics: '#AtLeastIDidntPunchaHorse'Hart deserves a shot at redemption while continuing the celebration in Dallas.Gronk (no, not that one), PatriotsPatriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is fully capable of providing enough entertainment on his own, but the Patriots could opt to follow the Buccaneers' lead by having his new investment deliver one of the team's later-round picks.The future Hall of Famer recently purchased a stake in a horse that shared his name and had qualified for the Kentucky Derby. The horse was ruled out of the Run for the Roses on Monday, giving it the time to participate in this weekend's activities.The Dalai Lama, Packers

The NFL's ultimate competitor apparently doesn't want to go out with a Super Bowl loss.Tom Brady's agent, Don Yee, told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday that he expects his client to return for a 19th NFL season in 2018."Tom's intentions have not changed," Yee said. "He's consistently said he'll play beyond this contract and into his mid-40s, or until he feels he isn't playing at a championship level. I understand the constant speculation, but this is one point he's been firm about."The New England Patriots' star quarterback - who turns 41 in August - hadn't committed to playing as of April 18, according to Schefter, and is seeking a new contract before the start of the campaign. His current deal expires after 2019.The news of Brady's commitment comes just days before the 2018 draft, in which it's been speculated that New England could look to select the five-time Super Bowl champion's successor at quarterback.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The horse named after - and partly owned by - New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will have to miss out on this year's Kentucky Derby.Majority owners of the horse, Phoenix Thoroughbred, announced Gronkowski caught a fever, rendering him unable to make the journey.

First-round picks hog the hype, but plenty of prospects selected over the following six rounds will wind up having stellar careers in the NFL as well.In fact, a quartet of soon-to-be draftees flying under the radar appear primed to make a splash as rookies:Kalen Ballage - RB, Arizona StateBallage isn't polished enough as a between-the-tackles rusher to go in the first round, but he has plenty of immediate value on third down. The Arizona State product tallied 64 receptions over his last two college seasons, including 44 in 2016, which should translate well over to the next level. He also returned kickoffs for the Sun Devils, and his numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine confirmed that Ballage should be a major weapon if he's given the ball in space.Rashaan Gaulden - CB, TennesseeImmaturity concerns will keep Gaulden out of the first round, but his skills at cornerback are unquestioned. The former Tennessee standout has experience lining up outside and in the slot, so it won't be hard for his NFL club to find him a role from Day 1. In addition to his proficiency against the pass, Gaulden is also an asset against the run, making him valuable in a variety of situations.Dante Pettis - WR, WashingtonPettis isn't the most physically imposing receiver, but the precision with which he runs his routes and his soft hands should make him a favorite of any NFL quarterback right away. Pettis doesn't project as a No. 1 receiver at the next level, but his reliability in short-to-intermediate passing plays could prove significant in third-and-short situations. The former Washington star is also known for his electrifying ability on special teams, as he owns the NCAA record with nine career punt-return touchdowns.Eddy Pineiro - K, FloridaJust as the NFL never has enough good quarterbacks, the league never has enough good kickers. Pineiro converted 38-of-43 field-goal attempts during his two seasons at Florida, and went 17-of-18 last year. For his career, he's 5-for-5 from 50 yards or more, and he owns a career long of 54 yards. If those numbers aren't enough to entice kicker-starved teams, the fact that he once drilled a 77-yarder in practice should. He may not be the next Justin Tucker, but Pineiro will likely decide a couple contests or so next season.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seriously.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will apparently ask for the help of a winged friend during the final day of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Willie Snead is apparently joining the Baltimore Ravens, as a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN that the New Orleans Saints declined to match the offer sheet the receiver signed last week.The Ravens reportedly signed the veteran receiver to a two-year offer sheet Friday that could be worth up to $10.4 million, giving the Saints five days to match the deal or lose the fourth-year pro. New Orleans made its decision Monday, well ahead of the deadline.Snead becomes the third receiving piece to join the Ravens this offseason after Michael Crabtree and John Brown signed on with the AFC North club. With his addition, it appears that the Ravens will not pursue former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant to add another offensive weapon.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageIt appears Nick Foles can thank Brandon Brooks for his revised deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, as the Pro Bowl guard said he restructured his own contract to get the Super Bowl MVP more money.Brooks took to Twitter on Monday morning to emphatically share that he made the move so Foles would get a pay bump.

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving learned a painful lesson in cybersecurity Monday, as his Twitter account appeared to be hacked.The hacker highlighted Irving's off-field issues in a series of since-deleted tweets. The 24-year-old was arrested and charged with domestic violence in 2013 against the mother of his child (the charges were dropped nearly two months later) and was suspended for four games to start the 2017 season due to violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.The hacker also appeared to have some fun with Irving's cover photo, which was still live Monday morning.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It seems inevitable that Sam Darnold's name will be called early in the opening round of Thursday's NFL draft, while the majority of experts have the former USC star going first overall to the Cleveland Browns.However, the 20-year-old said Monday that he's stayed away from reading those predictions."I haven't looked at mock drafts," Darnold said on "Pro Football Talk Live." "If I looked at those a lot I think I would drive myself insane."When it comes to oddsmakers, it seems the only threat to Darnold being the top pick is former Wyoming pivot Josh Allen. Darnold is currently listed as the betting favorite to be selected No. 1 (-260 odds), while Allen is next (+200).(Odds Courtesy: BetOnline)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2018 quarterback class is widely considered one of the best, deepest, and tightest in recent years.A handful of teams will be vying to position themselves properly to select one of Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, or Baker Mayfield in the top 10, while teams picking in the middle or end of the first round will be happy to end up with Lamar Jackson or Mason Rudolph, who may need just a little longer to become the franchise quarterbacks teams desperately seek.For six other teams with the benefit of already having a face-of-the-franchise player under center to start in 2018 and for the foreseeable future, the need is a little less dire. These six teams don't need to expend the resources on this year's top quarterback prospects, but they should be looking to address the position a little later on, and have those prospects learn from the current starter.Los Angeles ChargersThe Chargers aren't as desperate to find an heir to their prize from the 2004 draft as the New York Giants (who are believed to be eyeing a QB with the No. 2 overall selection), but Los Angeles shouldn't be too far behind with Philip Rivers being just 11 months Eli Manning's junior.Related: Rivers unfazed by Chargers potentially drafting QB: 'It's inevitable'Rivers will carry cap hits of $22 million and $23 million in 2018 and 2019, respectively, in the final two years of his current deal. He'll turn 37 years old prior to the end of the 2018 season, but he's coming off his fifth consecutive season of more than 4,200 passing yards, and his 10th straight year with at least 26 touchdowns.The Chargers hold the draft's No. 17 pick as well as selections in each of the following six rounds. They may feel a need to prepare a younger face of the franchise in order to compete with the Los Angeles Rams' aggressive offseason of retooling in the battle for Los Angeles' attention.New Orleans SaintsDrew Brees re-upped for the 2018 season with a team option for 2019 following the Saints' surprising appearance in the divisional round of the 2017 playoffs. It's unknown if a run to Super Bowl LIII and a storybook ending would tempt him to go out on top.The Saints signed former Houston Texans Week 1 starter Tom Savage as a backup in free agency, but the fourth-round pick of the 2014 draft is already 27 years old and has shown little hope he can lead a team for a full 16 games (or more).Giving their own first- or third-round quarterback choice (they don't own a second-round selection) a likely two seasons to learn from Brees would help replace draft position with learning experience. Another veteran could be signed to serve as a placeholder in 2019 should Brees seize the potential chance to sail out into the sunset as a champion.New England PatriotsThe Patriots traded away two starting-quarterbacks-in-waiting last season in Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo. Tom Brady went on to win the MVP at age 40, showing the time had been right to cash-in on the two up-and-comers.Thirty-two-year-old Brian Hoyer returns for the 2018 season as the only other quarterback on the roster. While he's a capable backup in the event of a Brady injury, the Patriots would be better off having him help mentor Brady's successor.Equipped with two first- and two second-round draft picks, there has been plenty of talk of the Patriots potentially moving their way up the draft board to select whichever of the top QB prospects falls to the right spot. Should they stand pat, Rudolph could be there guy.Cincinnati BengalsThe jury will be out on Andy Dalton over the next three seasons, as the 30-year-old can be cut after the 2018 campaign at no cost to the team in dead cap space. Dalton's play has been trending down in recent years and the seven-year veteran is yet to win a playoff game, having made his last appearance in 2014.AJ McCarron had been under tutelage as the backup, but he was granted free agency this offseason and took an opportunity to compete for the Buffalo Bills' starting job.The Bengals already traded down in the first round and are currently in possession of the No. 21 pick, but they'd be wise to upgrade Matt Barkley as No. 2 on the depth chart should head coach Marvin Lewis finally determine that he needs to move on from Dalton.Baltimore RavensJoe Flacco recently said he's not worried about the Ravens drafting a quarterback, something they've done only twice since Flacco was taken with the 18th pick of the 2008 draft. Neither Tyrod Taylor nor Keith Wenning remain on the roster entering Flacco's 11th season.The Ravens brought Robert Griffin III back to the NFL after the oft-injured veteran took the 2017 season off. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to make it through training camp at full health.Flacco is 33 years old, and while declining production is more a result of the pieces around him than his own deterioration, the Ravens could add a younger QB in the middle rounds to grow with the team during these rebuilding years in Flacco's post-prime.Atlanta FalconsDrafted in the same year as Flacco, Matt Ryan will turn 33 in mid-May. Just one year removed from an MVP season and a trip to Super Bowl LI, he clearly has several more top seasons left to provide the Falcons.But Ryan is entering the final year of his contract in 2018. While he and the team continue to give every indication that a long-term pact will be agreed upon before he's allowed to reach the free-agency rumor mill, having a high-upside alternative could provide the team with some leverage in its attempt for a friendly contract.An upgrade on 36-year-old Matt Schaub as the backup is essential in the event of Ryan missing any amount of time.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the best stories in the lead-up to this year's draft has been the rise of UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who has made headlines as a congenital amputee.While Griffin is happy to inspire others with physical disabilities wanting to compete in sports, he doesn't want NFL teams viewing him as someone with just an inspiring story to tell."I'm definitely not just a feel-good story,'' Griffin told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "A feel-good story doesn't make it this far. I had to be a football player. I had to make plays."A feel-good story is he has one hand and plays football. I worked my butt off so what they could say about me is, 'He makes plays, he makes a difference and is a guy who can make turnovers. He's a guy who can contribute to us winning.'''Related: Where should Shaquem Griffin be drafted?Griffin, the twin brother of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin, certainly showed he could ball at the collegiate level, notching 18.5 sacks and 33.5 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. He was voted a second-team All-American in 2017 and a two-time first-team All-AAC player while at UCF, where he served as team captain last season.It is tough to tell where Griffin will be drafted, but the linebacker certainly has confidence he'll be selected, as he'll be one of 22 prospects to attend the first round on Thursday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL is preparing a summit for the discussion of player safety, a league spokesman confirmed to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The meetings will be held at NFL headquarters in New York from May 1-2.The league is aiming to address the record number of diagnosed concussions (291) in 2017, with the future of the kickoff among topics that will be discussed."If you don't make changes to make it safer, we're going to do away with it," Green Bay Packers president/CEO and competition committee member Mark Murphy said. "It's that serious. It's by far the most dangerous play in the game."Only 40 percent of kickoffs were returned in 2017 as a result of moves the league had already made. But according to Murphy, it's not good enough."We've reduced the number of returns, but we haven't really done anything to make the play safer," Murphy said in March.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Along with potentially costing the New England Patriots the Lombardi Trophy, Bill Belichick's decision to keep cornerback Malcolm Butler off the field during Super Bowl LII seems to have created tension within the locker room.Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are among a group of Patriots players still upset with Belichick over the unexplained benching of Butler, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio.Butler, who signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason, says he never got an explanation from Belichick or defensive coordinator Matt Patricia on the decision. Some have speculated it was for disciplinary reasons, while others say it was part of the game plan. Regardless, with the Patriots giving up more than 370 passing yards in the game, it's hard to argue that not even attempting to play a former Pro Bowl cornerback was an unusual decision.Related: Belichick says he respects Butler's competitiveness, did what's best for teamFlorio reiterated the belief that the Patriots expect to have Brady and Gronkowski back on the team in 2018 despite their reported issues with Butler's benching or any contract concerns.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former defensive lineman Shaun Smith admits he smoked marijuana before every game during his nine seasons in the NFL.Smith, who last played in 2012 as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, was one of several retired athletes interviewed by Bleacher Report Magazine about their marijuana use. In one video, Smith and others were asked if they ever played while high."Yeah, I had a little ritual: Smoke two blunts before every game," Smith said. "When I smoke, I can focus and actually do the job that I have to do and tasks. It's like I'm in the zone. I feel like nobody could stop me when I was out there. Mellowed me out, got me going, and it's the best thing for me."Related: Martellus Bennett estimates 89 percent of NFL players smoke weedSmith estimated that "at least 80 percent" of NFL players smoke marijuana, and said coaches and personnel people use it too."Everybody has their reason. They use it for their pain," he said. "We're all big guys. Our body hurts."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Denver Broncos general manager John Elway is confident the draft will allow his club to plug the hole that was created by the release of running back C.J. Anderson earlier this month.Elway hasn't hinted at what his team plans to do with the No. 5 selection on April 26 or which running back the Broncos are currently favoring in the three-day event, but he expects to find a suitable replacement for Anderson."It’s hard to predict where they’re going to end up, but it is a deep class (at running back)," Elway said, per Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post. "We feel good about the fact that we’ll be able to get a good one."Anderson rushed for 1,007 yards and three touchdowns on 245 carries last season, while also catching 28 passes for 224 yards and another score.His release left third-year player Devontae Booker and sophomore De'Angelo Henderson as the only running backs on the Broncos' roster.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL kicker turned CBS analyst, Jay Feely, says a photo he posted to Twitter on Saturday night in which he posed with his daughter and her boyfriend before their prom while holding a gun was a joke.

Rob Gronkowski has always been the exception to the rule when it comes to The Patriot Way.New England head coach Bill Belichick is infamous for his rigid and impersonal approach to his players and for crafting a locker room that is predicated on putting the team above all, suffocating individuality at the expense of unprecedented success.But Gronk has always been allowed to be Gronk, an overgrown man-child whose personality is diametrically opposed to the philosophies of the only NFL franchise he's ever known.Belichick has never tried to tame Gronkowski, though, apparently comfortable with his college-style partying and love of the spotlight. And why wouldn't he be? While Belichick rules with an iron fist, the reason he's arguably the GOAT is that he makes concessions for elite talents.For eight seasons, Belichick and the future Hall of Fame tight end have reaped the rewards of their most unlikely of partnerships. But the cracks are beginning to show.First was Gronkowski's unwillingness to commit to playing in 2018 in the immediate aftermath of the Patriots' Super Bowl loss. Then, rumors about a potential future in Hollywood or the WWE gained momentum as Gronk allowed retirement rumblings to continue.Next, reported frictions between Belichick and Gronkowski came to light, with the head coach apparently questioning whether the pass-catcher is "all in" with the team and chastising him in front of teammates for performing poorly in last year's training camp.Most recently, Gronkowski failed to report for the start of the team's voluntary offseason program. He then subsequently staged a promotional event for Monster Energy AMA Supercross at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, joking about missing the workouts and continuing to tease the media about his future - all while down the hall from the team's locker room."No," Gronkowski said when asked if he would be joining his teammates for optional activities, according to the Boston Herald's Ross Gienieczko. "I've got dirt-biking skills to work on."Pressed on his NFL future, Gronkowski said Patriots fans should expect a "freak-a-leek" when he returned, but then backtracked and joked his future depends on "how my racing skills go today,"This could just be Gronk being Gronk. It could also be seen as an act of defiance.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Maybe Gronkowski wants to get paid. He does have just two years remaining on a contract that has averaged $9 million per season, and has arguably never been paid his true worth as one of the NFL's premier weapons.Or maybe he's simply tired of the Belichick way. It's not unthinkable. Once seen as unbreakable, the Patriots dynasty has appeared vulnerable of late, with reports of discord between the two pillars of the franchise - Tom Brady and Belichick (the quarterback is also absent from offseason workouts - for charitable reasons - and is reportedly seeking a new contract ahead of next season). Those tensions have extended to Gronkowski, whose retirement ponderings reportedly stem in part from the large physical and mental toll that comes with being the Patriots' go-to weapon.Regardless of the reasoning, Gronkowski is foolish to get into a staring contest with Belichick, who has never been afraid to cement his authority by proving his Patriots machine can keep on rolling even if its seemingly most vital cogs are removed.Just ask Randy Moss, Richard Seymour, Jamie Collins, Chandler Jones, or any of the numerous stars Belichick has sent packing because of unrealistic financial desires, declining play, or an inability to keep to The Patriot Way (or all of the above).If Gronkowski wants to star on the silver screen or spend his days throwing Roman Reigns through tables, that's his prerogative. If he wants one last big payday before his body finally gives out, that's more than understandable considering all he's achieved on the football field.But playing for Belichick requires a high level of dedication, and Gronkowski is in danger of pushing his boss to his limits."You've got to make a conscious decision to be all-in before a season with Bill Belichick, because it's hard," said former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi on ESPN. "It's hard to be a player under coach Belichick with the way he coaches. He will ride you every single day because he wants … to get every single ounce of greatness out of his players."Belichick certainly hasn't wrung Gronkowski dry yet; he's still the game's best tight end and maybe most dominant offensive player when healthy. The Patriots are undoubtedly a better team with Gronkowski, but Belichick always adapts, always find a new fuel for his offense's fire. No one is irreplaceable.Gronkowski won't be released or traded due to Saturday's bizarre press conference, but his aloofness toward his future likely won't sit well with not only the ever-serious Belichick but also the legions of Patriots fans who want to know whether their star player will return for 2018.It's been all fun and games for Gronkowski so far in the NFL, but testing Belichick has, historically, been a surefire way to bring an abrupt end to the good times in New England.Gronkowski needs to end the sideshow - or risk finally finding out that every exception to the rule has an expiry date.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Oakland Raiders are expected to exercise the fifth-year option in wide receiver Amari Cooper's rookie contract, a source told Josina Anderson of ESPN.Cooper regressed in 2017 after posting 1,000-yard-plus seasons in each of his first two years in the league. He finished the campaign with 48 catches for 680 yards, 325 of which came in just two games.However, the 23-year-old has flashed star potential and the entire Raiders offense struggled last year after a standout 2016 campaign, so it was likely an easy decision for Oakland to pick up the extra year on Cooper's deal.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen has a chance to be the first player off the board come April 26, but his detractors point to accuracy issues in college as the potential Achilles' heel for him in the NFL.Allen completed around 56 percent of his passes in back-to-back seasons - far below the standard set by fellow top quarterback prospects Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, and Baker Mayfield - but believes the criticisms leveled at him are unfair."The inaccuracy issue," Allen told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. "Going back to college having a 56-percent completion percentage. Obviously, it's not great. But I think that it's a little blown out of proportion. I do think that I'm accurate. Jordan Palmer's helped me out a lot throughout this process with getting my feet right. Once we did that (I'm) throwing the ball a little easier. The ball's coming out and where it's supposed to be."Allen played in a downfield offense at Wyoming and pointed to the scheme's difficulty level and his struggles with consistent technique as the reasons for his subpar accuracy."I think if you look at the film at the times that I did miss, my feet were jacked," Allen said. "Going back to our offensive system I was asked to do a lot of things within our system. Threw the ball downfield a lot. I am the one to admit that I didn't put the ball where it needed to be all the time. But, you know, given the circumstances that we had in Wyoming, we won two back-to-back eight-win seasons. It was a place where we ended up winning football games. I think that I helped out in that manner putting the team in the best position to win football games."The Cleveland Browns are reportedly still undecided on which quarterback to take with the No. 1 overall spot. Allen is believed to be in competition with Darnold, who produced a 64.9-percent career completion percentage while at USC.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2018 NFL Draft begins in less than a week with Round 1 kicking off Thursday night. With over 250 new players set to enter the pro ranks, theScore ranks the 50 best prospects in this year's crop.Prospects: 1-10RankNamePOSSchool1Saquon BarkleyRBPenn State2Quenton NelsonGNotre Dame3Bradley ChubbEDGENC State4Josh RosenQBUCLA5Minkah FitzpatrickDBAlabama6Sam DarnoldQBUSC7Denzel WardCBOhio State8Derwin JamesSFlorida State9Roquan SmithLBGeorgia10Tremaine EdmundsLBVirginia Tech

Washington Redskins fan Matt Fraedrich wanted so badly for Kirk Cousins to stay with the team that he wrote a letter to Dan Snyder in December asking the owner to sign the quarterback to a new long-term deal.Fraedrich finally received a response from Snyder on Monday, and needless to say, it wasn't at all what he was expecting.

Former NFL Pro Bowler Greg Hardy will make his professional fighting debut on Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, Nolan King of MMA Today reports.Hardy will appear on the June 12 episode of the show where he's expected to fight Brandon Sayles, a former Army veteran with a 5-1 record.All fighters on the series are contenders to earn a contract with the UFC.Hardy last appeared in the NFL in 2015 and has since been competing in mixed martial arts at amateur levels. He has finished all three of his fights via knockout, ending his most recent bout in 14 seconds.Hardy was found guilty of assaulting a female and communicating threats in 2014 and drew a 10-game suspension from the NFL. Domestic violence charges against him were dismissed in February 2015.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Rob Gronkowski appears to be enjoying all the fuss over his playing future.The New England Patriots tight end spoke from a podium at the team facility for a marketing event and was asked about rumors he's mulling retirement from football."(The fans) are gonna see a freak-a-leak when I come back," Gronkowski said, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.Gronk was then asked if that confirmed he's coming back for the 2018 season."Maybe," he said.The atmosphere at the press conference was decidedly light.

Head coach Pete Carroll said he hasn't closed the door on Colin Kaepernick potentially joining the Seattle Seahawks.Seattle had scheduled a workout with the free-agent quarterback last week, but postponed that meeting, reportedly due in part to Kaepernick's refusal to stop kneeling during the national anthem before games. The Seahawks then quickly pivoted and signed Stephen Morris last Friday.There's still a chance Kaepernick could join the Seakawks, however."We're still looking at all of our options and the QB thing is important to us," Carroll said on Sports Radio KJR on Thursday. "We're trying to figure it out, we just want to work to be as competitive as we can and whether that factors in or not we'll find out."But the discussion and the opportunity is still open as (general manager John Schneider) stated earlier on. So we'll see how that goes."Asked directly whether kneeling for the anthem would preclude the Seahawks from signing Kaepernick, Carroll said, "I'm not going there."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We now have a time, date, and location for all 256 games on the 2018 NFL schedule.The best matchups and toughest schedules have been highlighted, but also of note are six matchups we may see for the last time this coming season.Circle these games on your calendar. It just may be your last opportunity to see them play out.Tom Brady vs. Aaron RodgersWeek 9 in New England, Sunday Night FootballThe two titans at the quarterback position will meet this year for just the second time, and it could very well be the last.The NFL's schedule rotation currently allows for the Packers and Patriots to meet once every four years during the regular season. Of course, Brady and Rodgers could also meet in the Super Bowl, but they've failed to do so up to this point.Both quarterbacks have expressed a desire to continue playing well into their 40s, and while they're not ones to be doubted, reports emerged this week that Brady hasn't yet committed to even playing in 2018. He'll turn 41 this August, and he may not have another four years in him.Eli Manning vs. the CowboysWeek 2 in Dallas, Sunday Night Football

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2018 draft, which will be held from April 26-28.AFC

The New York Jets exercised the fifth-year option in defensive lineman Leonard Williams' contract, the team announced Saturday.Williams will earn $14.2 million for the 2019 season, according to Spotrac.The 23-year-old was selected sixth overall by the Jets in 2015 and has enjoyed three strong seasons at the professional level. He's the new leader of the defensive line after the team offloaded Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson in recent months.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is cementing his status as a living legend in Wisconsin, one step at a time.During their playoff matchup against the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks announced Rodgers as a part-owner of the franchise as the 34-year-old sat in attendance alongside auto racing star Danica Patrick and Bucks co-owner Wes Edens. Rodgers was officially announced as a "limited partner".Edens headlines an ownership group that also includes billionaire investors Marc Lasry and Jamie Dinan.Rodgers has cultivated his status as a local icon since being drafted by the Packers in 2005, winning two MVP awards and helping to steer the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2010.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Indianapolis Colts surprised many when they accepted a move down the 2018 draft board in a trade that gave the third overall selection to the New York Jets in exchange for the sixth pick and three second-rounders over the next two years.Related: Jets acquire No. 3 pick from Colts in blockbuster tradeAccording to Colts general manager Chris Ballard, the move should be a sign of the team's faith in Andrew Luck, given this year's draft is loaded at the quarterback position."We traded the third pick in the draft to move back to six," Ballard said Friday, according to Mike Wells of ESPN. "I think that said we're pretty confident in where he's at."Luck hasn't played since the 2016 season due to a shoulder injury. While Luck hasn't yet resumed throwing NFL-sized footballs, he and the team are both confident in his progression ahead of the 2018 season."(We're) very comfortable (with) where he's at," Ballard said. "(He's) working on his strength part of it, throwing motion. But he's in a good spot, guys. I feel good where he's at, feel good about where he's going. (He just needs to) keep working and getting back to playing football. His health is our No. 1 priority."The Jets are expected to be targeting one of Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson with the No. 3 pick in hopes of landing their quarterback of the future, but that's a role the Colts clearly feel the 28-year-old Luck can fill for many years to come once fully healthy.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Giants reportedly still aren't interested in signing free-agent wide receiver Dez Bryant, despite a video shared by the receiver of a workout with Giants star Odell Beckham Jr. on Friday night that may have hinted at a shared interest between the two players.NFL Network's Ian Rapoport appeared on Friday's edition of "Up to the Minute" and said: "As far as the Giants go, my understanding is they are not at this point a team vying for his services," according to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com.Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said Friday the team is "interested in everybody," when asked about potentially signing the former rival receiver.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos traded punter Riley Dixon to the New York Giants in exchange for a conditional 2019 seventh-round pick, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Dixon was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft out of Syracuse.The 24-year-old averaged 45.6 yards on 73 punts during the 2017 season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former LSU defensive end Arden Key has told NFL teams that his leave from the school in 2017 was to voluntarily enter rehab for a marijuana problem, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Key was a standout in the LSU defense as a sophomore in 2016, recording 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, and 56 total tackles. He returned slower and heavier for his junior year and recorded just four sacks, one forced fumble, and 33 total tackles.Pelissero adds that Key could still go as high as the second round in the draft, while NFL Network's Mike Mayock expects him to fall to the fourth or fifth round.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Speculation is ramping up with the 2018 NFL Draft only a week away. While every team brings a different strategy to the table, the perfect scenario is to land the best player available while also plugging a conspicuous roster hole. Let's play matchmaker for the AFC with one ideal pick for each club.AFC | NFCBaltimore RavensAnthony Miller, WR, MemphisAt pick No. 16 in the first round, Baltimore can select the best player available and fill a more immediate need on Day 2. Wide receiver is definitely a possibility. The Ravens overhauled their receiving corps this offseason, with Michael Crabtree, John Brown, and first-round bust Breshad Perriman atop the depth chart. In other words, Baltimore could use another pass-catcher. Anthony Miller would fit in well with Joe Flacco as an immediate starter in the slot, offering dependable hands and shifty route breaks.Buffalo BillsQuenton Nelson, G, Notre DameThe Bills could be looking to trade into the top 10, targeting one of the top available quarterbacks, but Nelson is a fantastic fallback option if they stay put. With Richie Incognito's status up in the air, and an upgrade needed at right guard regardless, Nelson would be a perfect road-grader for LeSean McCoy. The highly graded guard would also help protect a future quarterback investment in Buffalo.Cincinnati BengalsIsaiah Wynn, G, GeorgiaAfter trading down from pick No. 12 to No. 21 and acquiring left tackle Cordy Glenn, the Bengals could still use their first-round selection to upgrade their offensive line. Isaiah Wynn would instantly improve Cincinnati's right guard, center, and even right tackle position. Wynn offers potential impact in both the run and pass games, and could be the best player available when the Bengals are on the clock.Cleveland BrownsSam Darnold, QB, USCSam Darnold would make a ton of sense for the Browns, who will be first to the podium on April 26. Cleveland will undoubtedly select a quarterback with the first pick, and Darnold offers franchise-altering potential, something the team desperately needs. The former USC Trojan is also a perfect fit in new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's offense.Denver BroncosSaquon Barkley, RB, Penn StateBarkley is one of the top prospects available, and would be an excellent pick in Denver with head coach Vance Joseph and offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave. The Broncos recently released C.J. Anderson as well, opening a major hole at running back. If John Elway does not target a quarterback in the first round, Barkley would be the perfect runner in this class to pair with Case Keenum.Houston TexansBrian O'Neill, OT, PittsburghBarring a trade up, the Texans will not be on the clock until pick No. 68 (third round). The team has a glaring weakness at offensive tackle, so Brian O'Neill would make sense as a late Day 2 target. O'Neill needs some coaching, but his athleticism would fit well in an offense run by head coach Bill O'Brien and quarterback Deshaun Watson.Indianapolis ColtsBradley Chubb, DE, North Carolina StateThe Colts have a number of needs entering the draft, putting them in prime position to select the best prospect available at No. 6. That player could very well be Bradley Chubb. Chubb is a top-five talent that would instantly upgrade an Indianapolis pass-rush that accumulated the second-least sacks in 2017. The edge rusher also profiles as a nice fit in the team's new 4-3 defense.Jacksonville JaguarsLamar Jackson, QB, LouisvilleImagine a backfield featuring Leonard Fournette and Lamar Jackson. Even with Blake Bortles under contract, the Jaguars may not be able to resist this combination. Jackson could be the long-term solution at quarterback for a team picking in late in the first round, and would make Nathaniel Hackett's offense very difficult to defend.Kansas City ChiefsTim Settle, DT, Virginia TechThe Chiefs do not have a 2018 first-round selection, but they do posses one second-round pick and two third-rounders. Virginia Tech defensive tackle Tim Settle would be an interesting target with one of Kansas City's Day 2 picks. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton is looking for a replacement for Bennie Logan, who left via free agency, and Settle looks like a plug-and-play NFL nose tackle.Los Angeles ChargersVita Vea, DT, WashingtonWashington defensive tackle Vita Vea would be an outstanding fit in Los Angeles for a number of reasons. Firstly, he could easily be the best player available with the 17th overall pick. Vea also profiles as an ideal defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's 4-3, Cover-3 based scheme. The enormous lineman can two-gap while edge rushers Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram can let loose with one-on-one matchups.Miami DolphinsMike Gesicki, TE, Penn StateMiami's first-round selection (11th overall) may be too early for a tight end, but one could be targeted in the second round. With MarQueis Gray, AJ Derby, and Gavin Escobar currently atop the depth chart, an upgrade at the position is much needed. Adam Gase loves utilizing tight ends in his offense, and Mike Gesicki's athletic ability and college production make him an ideal fit for the Dolphins.New England PatriotsHarold Landry, DE, Boston CollegeWith two first-round selections, the Patriots can address multiple needs on Day 1. Even after signing Adrian Clayborn, New England could use a long-term bookend across from Trey Flowers. A team can never have too many pass-rushers, and Landry is well suited for Bill Belichick's aggressive defense. At No. 23, Landry would be a steal.New York JetsBaker Mayfield, QB, OklahomaBaker Mayfield is a popular mock draft selection to the Jets, and it would be an ideal match for Mike Maccagnan and Co. Mayfield has the personality to thrive in New York, and is an excellent fit for Jeremy Bates' hybrid West Coast offense. After re-signing Josh McCown and adding Teddy Bridgewater in free agency, the Jets need a long-term solution at quarterback.Oakland RaidersDenzel Ward, CB, Ohio StateIf Denzel Ward falls to No. 10 and the Raiders scoop him up, it would be one of the Day 1's premier selections. Ward can play in any scheme, and under Paul Guenther the cornerback can play off-man coverage and make explosive breaks on the ball. The former Ohio State Buckeye's lighting-quick feet make him a potential rookie starter in the slot.Pittsburgh SteelersLeighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise StateThe Steelers' biggest weakness entering the 2018 season is at inside linebacker. The team needs an immediate upgrade, and Leighton Vander Esch could be their guy. The former Boise State linebacker is an athletic, versatile, and energetic defender that Keith Butler could utilize in an attacking role, playing downhill and with the opposing offense in front of him. Vander Esch is also a realistic target at pick No. 28.Tennessee TitansMarcus Davenport, OLB, UTSADerrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo are talented edge rushers, but new head coach Mike Vrabel would surely like to inject some youth into the position. Marcus Davenport is a bit of a project, so Tennessee is an ideal landing spot for the athletic defender. Davenport can be a rotational piece in year one, and take over as a full-time edge player for the following season. At pick No. 25, Davenport would present great value for the Titans. AFC | NFC(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles and quarterback Nick Foles have reportedly agreed on a revised contract for the 2018 season with a mutual 2019 option, sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.Foles will receive a $2-million signing bonus and "several million in incentives," reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, citing a source.The Eagles are apparently rewarding Foles for leading the team to its first Super Bowl victory last year, reports Garofolo, who indicates the deal doesn't reflect any concern about starting quarterback Carson Wentz's recovery from ACL surgery.Philadelphia reportedly dangled its backup signal-caller in trade talks this offseason after his incredible 2017, but head coach Doug Pederson said the offers were "nothing too crazy."With the mutual 2019 option, the reigning Super Bowl MVP still has the chance to hit free agency next spring. For now, though, Foles enters the 2018 season as Wentz's clear backup.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Many factors influence the NFL schedule each year, as the schedule-makers consider fans, broadcasting partners, and bye weeks when planning the 256-game slate.This year, there was another thing to consider: Ed Sheeran's 2018 North American tour, which stops at several NFL stadiums on Saturdays this fall. Because of this, teams with Sheeran in town the Saturday before a game can't play at home the following day. There are eight such conflicts.

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2018 draft, which will be held from April 26-28.AFC

The Baltimore Ravens are coming up with creative ways to improve their receiving corps.The Ravens will sign New Orleans Saints wideout Willie Snead to a two-year offer sheet worth up to $10.4 million on Friday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Saints will have five days to match it and retain Snead's services.Baltimore's been busy this offseason. The Ravens signed Michael Crabtree, reached an agreement with Ryan Grant and then pulled out, added John Brown, released Jeremy Maclin, worked out Michael Floyd, and have reportedly showed interest in free agent Dez Bryant.The Saints aren't expected to match the offer sheet for Snead, Schefter reports. New Orleans used the same mechanism to poach Cameron Meredith from the Chicago Bears last week.Snead was suspended for the first three games of last season for a substance abuse violation and battled injuries to appear in 11 games, registering just eight catches for 92 yards. He recorded a career-best 984 receiving yards in his 2015 rookie season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Less than a week away from the 2018 NFL Draft, it sounds like a lot of teams currently picking in the top 10 are interested in moving down.The Cleveland Browns are open to trading their first and fourth overall picks, the New York Giants will consider parting with their No. 2 selection, and the Denver Broncos could deal the fifth pick. The Indianapolis Colts already traded back from third to sixth overall in March, and general manager Chris Ballard says they're willing to move even further down the draft board."We feel good about the player that's going to be there," Ballard told NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" on Friday. "When we made the trade we thought a lot about the depth of the draft ... if there's two quarterbacks that go in the top six picks, are we going to feel comfortable with the fourth-best position player? And we do, we feel very comfortable with that. But saying that, we will be open to moving back if it's the right thing for us to do and there's enough players on the board - depending on how far we have to move back - that we feel comfortable taking."This year's draft is top-heavy with quarterback prospects, which the Colts have no need for with Andrew Luck still employed. That makes Indy a likely trade partner for a quarterback-needy team that's currently picking after them.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the rarest baseball cards in existence has been sold for a near-record price.Former NFL guard Evan Mathis sold a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card in mint condition at auction Thursday night for $2.88 million - the second-highest price ever paid for a baseball card, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell.The price tag on Mathis' Mantle falls just short of the record for any baseball card. In 2016, a collector paid $3.12 million for a 1909 T206 Honus Wagner, the rarest and most coveted of all cards.

Every year, the NFL schedule provides a sense of relief or agony for fans of each of the league's 32 franchises.While opponents for the 2018 campaign were already determined prior to the schedule release, it's now known which teams will encounter some of the most relaxed and grueling stretches of the season.Here are the easiest and toughest schedules faced by NFL teams next season.Easiest schedulesTexans

The NFL released its 2018 schedule Thursday, featuring a number of marquee games on the Thanksgiving Day slate.Fans across the league truly have plenty to be thankful for this year, with three key games on Nov. 18.The Chicago Bears kick off the festivities against the Detroit Lions, placing two NFC North rivals against each other, both of whom should be vying for a playoff spot at this juncture of the schedule. Mitchell Trubisky is seeking to lead the Bears out of the NFC North basement, while Matthew Stafford is looking to steer the Lions back to the playoffs after a disappointing 2017 campaign.The second game of the day pits the Washington Redskins against the Dallas Cowboys with both teams looking to chip away at the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East standings. Washington will be trotting out Alex Smith under center in hopes of making a concerted playoff push, while the two-headed monster of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott look to bring Dallas back to the postseason after a hiatus in 2017.In the final game of the evening, the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons face off, with both NFC South rivals harboring genuine Super Bowl ambitions. Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore both won their respective Rookie of the Year awards, while Matt Ryan and Julio Jones engineer one of the NFL's most potent offenses.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released its schedule for the 2018 season, allowing fans to plan their lives accordingly.This year wasn't particularly different than others, with a number of high-profile teams earning several prime-time games, including the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles and finalist New England Patriots.Here we assess which teams received too many or too few prime-time games for the 2018 season.Too many games CowboysThe Cowboys are often deemed "America's Team," and they lived up to their moniker on this year's schedule. Dallas was given five prime-time games, a gaudy figure, considering the team failed to make the playoffs in 2017 with a 9-7 record.Invariably, there will be people advocating for the Cowboys to receive maximum exposure due to their market capitalization, wide-reaching fan base, and an offense led by third-year standouts Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. This would be an oversight, however, as the Cowboys no longer headline the NFC East, with the Super Bowl champion Eagles establishing themselves as the team to beat, and serves as nothing more than an ode to status quo.Prescott and Elliott are two of the league's most electrifying players, but they aren't enough to justify the Cowboys' routine appearance in prime time.SeahawksFootball is cruel and disregards recent history at an alarming pace. Although they were a perennial Super Bowl contender for most of the last decade, the Seahawks are no longer the powerhouse of yesteryear and could end up getting roasted under the bright lights.Russell Wilson led the NFL with 34 passing touchdowns, while Bobby Wagner and Earl Thomas remain among the premier linebackers and safeties in the NFL. The "Legion of Boom" has dissolved, however, and this is no longer the team that made defense cool while demanding reform on a number of on-and-off-field issues. Seattle missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012 and could continue on its descent in 2018 with the team's core quickly aging or moving on.ChiefsKansas City is always in the playoff race, but does anyone consider them a must-watch team? The Chiefs will unveil Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, and though his arm strength and touch wowed observers during the draft process, he's an unknown quantity at this point. What if he fails on the big stage? The NFL community could potentially be stuck watching a novice get a swift introduction to the rigors of pro football.Tyreek Hill is arguably the NFL's fastest player, Kareem Hunt won the rushing title as a rookie, and Eric Berry remains one of the NFL's best stories. But, with five games in the spotlight, the Chiefs may be overexposed to a national audience, cultivating a reputation as a team that is always good, but never good enough to make a sizable impact.Too few games JaguarsThese aren't the Jaguars that created a pathos in the national conscience, instead becoming one of the NFL's most fun teams to watch in 2017. Led by the NFL's second-ranked total and scoring defense, the Jaguars smashed their opponents into submission, with Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, and company making it nearly impossible to move the ball downfield.Jacksonville not only posted one of the best defenses in recent memory, its legion of excitable young players provided the NFL with the best quotes of the season, gleefully whooping it up after eliminating Pittsburgh from the playoffs. Sporting a combination of speed, size, youth, and charisma, it's a shame we aren't seeing more of the Jaguars on national television this winter.ChargersIt was a tale of two seasons for the Chargers, a team that overcame a 0-4 start to battle valiantly for a 9-7 record, just missing the playoffs. Some have billed the Chargers as a sleeper Super Bowl contender, and it would be a shame if they went under the radar during head coach Anthony Lynn's second year at the helm.Philip Rivers is looking to lead the Chargers back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, Joey Bosa could make the leap to All-Pro status, while Casey Hayward is a threat to record an interception on every passing down. If the NFL is serious about the Los Angeles experiment, it makes little sense to leave one of their franchises out to dry. It's now on the Chargers to ensure they won't face this scenario again.PanthersThe Panthers are always in the running for a playoff spot and are three years removed from a 15-1 campaign that culminated in a Super Bowl loss. Cam Newton is one of the NFL's most compelling players, whether it's his cadence throwing defenders off, or his dual-threat ability that can break a game open. Carolina finished 11-5, have a former MVP at quarterback, and usually sport one of the league's best defenses. It's a shock they're on the national radar just twice.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Earl Thomas' representatives told Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider the star safety won't hold out this season, even if that means entering the final year of his contract without an extension.Schneider, who relayed the message to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times, added the Seahawks hope Thomas is on the roster when the new season begins, which suggests Seattle isn't particularly motivated to trade him.Thomas skipped Seattle's voluntary offseason workouts and has made clear his desire for a new contract. However, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told a local radio station Thursday that he expects the six-time Pro Bowler to attend mandatory team activities in the summer."He's a Seahawk," Carroll said on 950 KJR in Seattle. " ... Heck yeah, he better be there. He's on the roster. We're counting on him."The anchor of the Seahawks' heralded "Legion of Boom" for several years, Thomas has openly questioned whether he has a long-term future in Seattle since the later stages of the 2017 season.Thomas turns 29 on May 7, and may not fit into Seattle's long-term plans, as it appears set for a rebuild.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been over two months since a National Football League game last appeared on our screens, so let's talk about the 2018 season.The league unveiled regular-season schedules for all 32 teams Thursday evening, and there are plenty of juicy matchups awaiting us. Here are five you should be absolutely fired up for:49ers at Vikings

The 2018 NFL schedule was released Thursday night and shortly after that, the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook posted their opening lines for Week 1.Take an early look at the spreads and point totals.Thursday, September 6Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5), total: 47.5Sunday, September 9Pittsburgh Steelers (-7) at Cleveland Browns, total: 48San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (-4.5), total: 47.5Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts (-1), total: 47.5Buffalo Bills at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5), total: 42Jacksonville Jaguars (-4) at New York Giants, total: 44.5Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (-7.5), total: 52.5Houston Texans at New England Patriots (-7), total: 51Tennessee Titans (-2.5) at Miami Dolphins, total: 47Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (-3), total: 48.5Seattle Seahawks at Denver Broncos (-2.5), total: 42Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers (-2.5), total: 45Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals (-1), total: 45Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-9), total: 48.5Monday, September 10New York Jets at Detroit Lions (-6), total: 44Los Angeles Rams (-1.5) at Oakland Raiders, total: 49.5Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL released its 2018 schedule Thursday, with the Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Atlanta Falcons in the season opener on Thursday, Sept. 6.All prime-time games will be moved forward this year. Monday Night Football will start at 8:15 p.m. ET as opposed to 8:30. Sunday Night Football kicks off at 8:20 instead of 8:30, while Thursday Night Football moves from 8:25 to 8:20.Week 1 carries the standard two Monday Night games. The New York Jets face the Detroit Lions in Game 1, and Jon Gruden and the Oakland Raiders host the new-look Los Angeles Rams in the second game of the doubleheader.The Thanksgiving Day tripleheader in Week 12 starts off in Detroit with the Lions hosting the Chicago Bears at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Washington Redskins visit the Dallas Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. and the New Orleans Saints host the Atlanta Falcons in Game 3, starting at 8:20 p.m.The Raiders welcome the Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve in Week 16.All 16 games in Week 17 will be played on Sunday, Dec. 30. Games are currently scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and 4:25 p.m., with the contest deemed most significant to end the regular season moved back to the evening slot.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll expects the absence of star safety Earl Thomas from voluntary offseason workouts not to linger into the mandatory portion come the summer."He's a Seahawk," Carroll told 950 KJR in Seattle on Thursday. " ... Heck yeah, he better be there. He's on the roster. We're counting on him."The soon-to-be 29-year-old Thomas has made it no secret that he wants a new contract ahead of what's currently scheduled to be the final year of his deal.The anchor of the Seahawks' longtime "Legion of Boom" for several years, Thomas has openly questioned whether he has a long-term future in Seattle since the later stages of the 2017 season.Related - Earl Thomas: 'Nobody knows' if I'll stay with SeahawksThomas is a six-time Pro Bowler, but the combination of his age and Seattle's apparent plan to rebuild leaves both parties in a tricky situation.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.