Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi has spoken of his regret over not applying himself in his studies when he was young, particularly when learning English.

The Argentina captain and 2022 World Cup winner admitted that he felt “half ignorant” when meeting famous personalities throughout his impressive career and not being able to communicate.

“I regret many things,” Messi, 38, told Mexican podcast “Miro de Atras.”

“To not have learned English as a boy. I had the time to have at least studied English and I didn’t do it. I deeply regret it.

“I experienced situations where I was with incredible and spectacular personalities to be able to talk and have a chat and you feel half ignorant.

“I always thought: ‘What an idiot, how I wasted my time.’

“When you’re young, you don’t realise it. Today that’s what I tell my children, [the importance of] having a good education, to study and be prepared.

“I always tell my children to take advantage of it. They have a different situation to the one I had although I never lacked anything…”

Messi arrived at Barcelona from his native city Rosario when he was 13.

– Messi tracker: Goals, assists, key moments in 2026
– MLS Power Rankings: LAFC No. 1 after win over Miami, Messi
– Messi struggles in MLS opener; will it impact his World Cup hopes?

“It [my last year of school in Argentina] was a disaster,” he admitted.

“I knew that I was leaving [for Barcelona]. At Barcelona, I finished my high school with the other children that went to [Barcelona’s youth academy] La Masia.”

Meanwhile, Messi, who joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023 after two years at Paris Saint-Germain, says football has offered him other valuable lessons.

“I was able to do everything and reach the top [in football], but along the way there are many experiences and lessons learned,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner said.

“It’s true that football is a way of life. It teaches you a lot, it gives you a lot of values. It creates lifelong bonds. You get to know places.”

More than 300 prospects will be in Indianapolis this week for the combine, but only 32 of them will ultimately go in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL draft on April 23. Let’s project those picks with my second mock draft for this cycle.

You’ll notice some similarities to my January predictions; there hasn’t been a ton of movement on the board quite yet. But I suspect we will have some big risers during combine workouts, and remember that NFL team needs will change quickly during free agency in March, shaking up the first round. I’m not projecting any trades in this mock draft, but four selections have already changed hands: The Rams have the Falcons’ selection, the Jets have the Colts’ selection, the Cowboys have the Packers’ selection and the Browns have the Jaguars’ selection.

Here’s my current thinking on how Round 1 could look based on what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. And for more, check out “NFL Draft Daily” at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2 all week long.

More on the 2026 NFL draft:
Kiper’s Big Board | Latest mock drafts

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

I won’t waste a lot of time here: Mendoza to the Raiders seems pretty obvious at this point. The Geno Smith trade didn’t solve the post-Derek Carr quarterback problem in Las Vegas, and new coach Klint Kubiak will want a signal-caller to build his offense around. Mendoza is the No. 1 prospect on my board and far and away the best QB in the class. He is competitive and precise with his ball location.

If the Raiders bring in a receiver or two during free agency and maybe shore up the O-line a bit, this offense could take a step forward with Mendoza, Kubiak, running back Ashton Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers.

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

This would be the highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Turner went No. 2 in 1991. Downs is worthy, though. He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense’s ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets’ defense didn’t have a single INT in 2025 — yes, you read that right — and only the Cowboys gave up more points (29.6 per game). Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency.

David Bailey, OLB, Texas Tech

Tough call here between Bailey and Ohio State’s Arvell Reese. I have Reese one spot higher on my board, but the Cardinals might opt for the more proven production. Bailey had 14.5 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 71 pressures and three forced fumbles last season. Simply put, he gets after the QB. That’s what the Cardinals need after managing just 30 sacks last season, tied for the third fewest in the NFL.

And yes, the team might need a quarterback this offseason if it moves on from Kyler Murray. But it’s also too early to reach for the draft class’s QB2 when Arizona has other big holes in the roster. I would expect the Cardinals to address their quarterback situation in free agency and turn their attention to defense in Round 1 — despite new coach Mike LaFleur’s offensive background.

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State

Reese’s instincts and burst are all over the tape. I’m still ranking him as a linebacker at the moment, and he could help Tennessee there. But new coach Robert Saleh might very well move him to the edge, where he played the majority of the time in 2025. Although the Titans’ 42 sacks tied for 12th most last season, 11 of them came from defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on the interior. The edge is a weakness. Reese could be a high-impact player in this unit no matter where he lines up.

Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

In January, I had Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate here. I think that’s still very possible, as New York needs a WR2 opposite Malik Nabers. But it doesn’t matter who Jaxson Dart is throwing to if he doesn’t have enough time to get the ball out. Fano started 36 games over three seasons, and he allowed just four sacks (and only one over the past two years once flipping from left tackle to right tackle). His technique and power are outstanding. If free agent Jermaine Eluemunor doesn’t return, I like Fano sliding into the RT spot in the lineup, helping keep Dart clean and driving defenders out of the way for running back Cam Skattebo.

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

Like the Giants, the Browns need offensive line and receiver reinforcements. Unlike the Giants, the Browns have two first-round picks. So, although Miami lineman Francis Mauigoa is tempting here, Cleveland would likely take its pick of the entire WR class and kick the can down the order on the OL. Tate is at the top of the receiver list right now, with great hands and savvy route running. Cleveland wideouts combined for just four touchdowns last season, so after an 875-yard, nine-TD season, Tate could step in as the top option for the Browns.

Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

This would be the fourth Ohio State player off the board — the most ever in the first seven picks for one school, per ESPN Research. Styles is getting a lot of love around the league right now, and he’s going to be fun to watch at the combine if he works out. The former safety has real speed on a 6-foot-4, 243-pound frame.

With the Commanders’ defense getting crushed for 6.0 yards per play last season (tied for third worst) and potentially losing 35-year-old free agent Bobby Wagner up the middle, this fit makes sense. But also keep an eye on Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and the receiver class as a whole if the board falls this way.

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Quarterback Tyler Shough flashed down the stretch of his rookie season, but now the Saints must help him take the next step in Year 2. I had Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson to New Orleans in my first mock draft, and though I’m sticking with the same position, I’m going with Lemon this time around. He attacks the ball in the air and would be a productive player for Shough after amassing 1,156 yards in 2025. Regardless of whether Chris Olave is in the team’s long-term plans, New Orleans could improve the offense with someone like Lemon running routes out of the slot.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Love is No. 2 on my Big Board, showcasing elite-level vision and burst. He can make a house call any time he touches the ball, and with his hands out of the backfield, he can stick on the field on third down. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are free agents, and they weren’t exactly lighting up the ground game last season anyway. Love — who had 1,372 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs in 2025 — could bring a whole new element to the Kansas City offense.

Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami

If Bain is still on the board at No. 10, the Bengals should sprint the card in with his name on it. This has been a very rough defense for a few years now, and things could look a lot worse if Trey Hendrickson leaves in free agency. Last year’s Shemar Stewart pick hasn’t yielded immediate returns, either. But Bain has the ability to wreck opponent game plans. He brings power, speed and bend, and he had 9.5 sacks in 2025. Defensive coordinator Al Golden could move him around on the D-line to find matchup advantages and turn him loose in the pass rush.

Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami

The Dolphins’ quarterback situation is unsettled, as they explore trade options for Tua Tagovailoa. But Alabama’s Ty Simpson is still a reach here. So, let’s instead look at the offensive line. Right tackle Austin Jackson — the team’s last first-round pick on the offensive line back in 2020 — has struggled to stay on the field, and fill-in Larry Borom is a free agent. Mauigoa comes with 42 starts of experience and a mauling attitude. Plus, he’d be able to keep his parking pass at Hard Rock Stadium as he comes over from the Hurricanes.

If Jackson stays healthy and takes ownership of the RT spot, Mauigoa could easily kick inside to guard. Some scouts think he’s a better fit there, and plenty of attention will be paid to his arm length measurements this week at the combine.

Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

No team gave up more passing plays of 25 or more yards last season than the Cowboys (46). Trevon Diggs was cut at the end of the season, and DaRon Bland is coming off his second surgery on his left foot in two years. If there weren’t already enough signs for Dallas, the entire cornerback class is still available at No. 12 here. Delane can shut down opposing receivers while also making a bunch of plays on the ball. He broke up 11 passes and pulled down two interceptions last season.

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

No change for the Rams’ first pick from my last mock draft. McCoy didn’t play at all in 2025 after tearing an ACL last January, and the medical checks this week in Indianapolis will be key for him. But there’s no arguing his on-the-ball production. He had four picks and nine pass breakups in 2024.

The Rams have the sort of roster that can go to the Super Bowl, and quarterback Matthew Stafford is set to return for another season. But cornerback is a definite weak spot; GM Les Snead has to make that position a priority this offseason.

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The Ravens should bounce back in 2026, but they will be looking for a true outside receiver with the hands to soak in a bunch of Lamar Jackson targets. Going with Tyson here would allow Zay Flowers to live in the slot — where he is at his best — and lift the whole offense. Tyson caught eight TD passes in 2025, and he excels on contested catches thanks to his 6-foot-2 frame and overall strength.

It would be the sixth time that Baltimore took a pass catcher in the first round since 2015, but the team clearly needs more options in the pass game. Rashod Bateman has been inconsistent, and DeAndre Hopkins, Isaiah Likely and Tylan Wallace are all free agents.

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

Lavonte David had 114 tackles last season, but he can’t play forever. He’s 36 years old and joins fellow linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. in free agency this offseason. Allen is a three-down linebacker who mixes speed with power to make plays in coverage, against the run and as a blitzer. He might be LB3 in the class, but he’s a top-25 prospect overall. He’d be a good fit under coach Todd Bowles as the Bucs try to retool a bit to reclaim the NFC South.

Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

The Jets are back on the clock, and after I handed them a difference-making safety in Caleb Downs earlier, I’ll go with a Quinnen Williams replacement this time around. Three Jets defensive tackles are hitting free agency, and they’ve lacked a real impact player in the middle of the D-line since trading Williams at the deadline. Woods didn’t have elite production in 2025, but the tape was still really good. He has the power to be a force at 3-technique for New York.

I had the Jets taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson here in January. I could still see it. But the Jets have three first-round picks in 2027, when the QB class should be much better. It makes more sense to find a bridge in 2026 and focus on rebuilding the defense before going with someone like Arch Manning or Dante Moore next spring.

Zion Young, DE, Missouri

We’ve been begging the Lions to add a long-term threat off the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson for a while now. Al-Quadin Muhammad had a surprise breakout last season with 11 sacks, but he’s a free agent. Tyrus Wheat was next best in sacks among pure edge rushers … with 1.5. So, although the interior offensive line might warrant a look (Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane?), Detroit has to address the lack of depth on the edge. Young has strong hands and good quickness, and he had 6.5 sacks and 46 pressures last season.

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Harrison Smith is 37 years old; he might retire this offseason, and even if he returns, the safety room in Minnesota still has to be replenished. How about a Smith clone? Thieneman might not have Smith’s 6-foot-2 size (he’s 6-foot), but he reads the QB well and is savvy. That matters a lot in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ defense, which asks a lot of rookies. Plus, Thieneman has versatility to move around the alignment, is a force against the run and had a six-INT season at Purdue back in 2023 before transferring to Oregon. He’d be a seamless fit in the Vikings’ defense.

Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

The Panthers took a leap forward last season, but the pass rush is still lagging behind. Their 30 sacks tied for the third fewest in the NFL, and their 26.6% pressure rate was second lowest. I liked what I saw out of second-round rookie Nic Scourton (five sacks), but Carolina needs more. Faulk is a people mover, and although he managed only two sacks last season, he had seven in 2024. If defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can unlock Faulk’s potential, this pick could look like a steal in a few years.

Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami

It’s an all-defense first round for Dallas — first cornerback (Mansoor Delane at No. 12), now edge rusher. Of course, Mesidor wouldn’t be a one-for-one replacement for Micah Parsons, who was sorely missed in Dallas last season. But with 12.5 sacks in the final season of a six-year college career, Mesidor would at least jump-start the pass rush and start to build that unit back up. Jadeveon Clowney was the lone Cowboys player to crack six sacks in 2025 (8.5), and he’s a free agent. Jerry Jones has to commit to using premium picks on the edge, especially with one of the league’s tighter cap situations.

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Steelers have to think about the QB position with a longer-view lens. They could bring back Aaron Rodgers or opt for another veteran stopgap to keep them in contention next season, but even if they go that route, they should still address their future at the position. Simpson has just 15 starts to his name, and his 2025 season was uneven, but his game has a lot of promise. He navigates the pocket well and threw 28 touchdown passes to just five interceptions last season. Pittsburgh could let him learn behind a veteran for a little while before turning the offense over to him.

Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

A lot of the Chargers’ offensive line woes can be traced back to injuries to tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. But the interior had its own problems. Zion Johnson (now a free agent) and Mekhi Becton both struggled at guard. GM Joe Hortiz has to do something to prevent all these hits quarterback Justin Herbert is taking every Sunday, and Ioane has a great combination of sheer power and agility. He hasn’t given up a sack since 2023. Plus, Ioane could help open some rushing lanes for Omarion Hampton in the back’s second year.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

If Philadelphia doesn’t bring back free agent Dallas Goedert, it would be smart to draft a top-end replacement. Quarterback Jalen Hurts found Goedert for a team-high 11 receiving touchdowns last season, and he was the third-most-targeted pass catcher on the roster. In other words, Hurts likes throwing to his TE1. Sadiq had eight touchdown receptions last season, and he’s explosive and does a lot of damage after the catch. NFC defenses would have a tough time matching up with him because of his speed and 6-foot-3, 245-pound size.

play

Dante Moore throws 21-yard touchdown pass to Kenyon Sadiq

Dante Moore throws a 21-yard touchdown pass to Kenyon Sadiq

Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The Browns went with Carnell Tate earlier, but their entire starting offensive line from last season is unsigned: Cam Robinson, Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin. And Dawand Jones, who would have started, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. So we know where this pick has to go.

Freeling has started only 18 games, but he’s a solid pass protector. He just needs some work as a run blocker. His ceiling is high, and I like the idea of pairing the 6-foot-7 Freeling with the 6-foot-8 Jones as the O-line’s bookends.

Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

It’s probably a little early for Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell, Clemson’s T.J. Parker or Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas. The Bears obviously need more edge rush support, but the board just isn’t lining up. But with Gervon Dexter Sr. signed for only one more season and Grady Jarrett turning 33 in April, it would make sense to pad the defensive tackle group. McDonald is actually the DT1 on my Big Board, and he has a nose for the football. He had 17 run stops in 2025. Having him on the interior would be huge for a Bears team that allowed 5.0 yards per carry last season (fourth worst).

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Boston’s hands, catch radius and vision would quickly make him a go-to option for quarterback Josh Allen. He finished with 881 yards and 11 scores last season, bullying opposing cornerbacks along the way.

Buffalo’s receiver room has a lot of questions and lacks a true WR1, all due respect to Khalil Shakir. After being called out by ownership last month, Keon Coleman‘s future with the team is murky. Brandin Cooks and Gabe Davis are free agents. Joshua Palmer was injured and limited to 22 catches on the season. And Tyrell Shavers tore an ACL in the playoffs. So, this one seems obvious.

Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

Proctor’s tape is all over the place. The highs are really, really good. The lows raise a lot of questions. But in the right situation, he could become a standout tackle in the NFL. And there might not be a better situation than learning behind one of the best to ever do it in San Francisco. Trent Williams will be 38 by Week 1, and he’s entering the final year of his contract. So, Proctor could develop in Year 1 while kicking inside to guard and/or playing a swing tackle role before perhaps taking over for Williams in 2027. He has 40 career starts — all at left tackle — and is reliable in pass protection. This would be an upside pick for GM John Lynch.

Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

Per ESPN Research, this would be the fourth time two running backs from the same school both went in Round 1 — and the first time since 2008, when Arkansas’ Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were Day 1 selections. But just because Price was second on the Fighting Irish’s depth chart to Jeremiyah Love doesn’t mean he can’t be an RB1 in the NFL. He’s a powerful runner who plays a one-cut-and-go brand of football. There are ball security concerns (four lost fumbles over three years), and we haven’t seen a ton from him as a pass catcher, but Price is dynamic. He ran for 11 touchdowns, caught two TD passes and scored two more times on kickoff returns last season.

The Texans lacked juice in the run game. Woody Marks is probably more of a change-of-pace guy, Nick Chubb is a free agent, and Joe Mixon‘s future is uncertain. Time for an upgrade.

Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Rob Havenstein retired, and Warren McClendon Jr. is entering the final year of his deal. That means there could be a big hole at right tackle. Miller has 54 career starts, and his game just keeps growing on me. In pass protection, he stays square and handles most pass-rush moves with ease. And as a run blocker, he can get to the second level to spring big gains. The blocking is so important to the Rams’ excellent run game, and having a savvy right tackle is key.

The Rams’ first pick in this mock draft went to the defense (Jermod McCoy), but I really like the idea of L.A. adding to the offensive line with its second one.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

The Broncos have two solid safeties in Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, so this pick might not reap immediate rewards. But neither did the Jahdae Barron pick last April. Denver is planning ahead in the secondary and building something there, as coach Sean Payton focuses on keeping this defense strong.

McNeil-Warren is a bit of a sleeper right now, but I think he could have been a top-15 pick had he played for a Power 4 team. His performance against Kentucky at the beginning of the season got my attention. He had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in that game. His tape shows real speed to the football, and he has five interceptions and 12 forced fumbles over his four-year career.

R Mason Thomas, OLB, Oklahoma

As they try to get back to the Super Bowl with a talented roster, the Patriots could use another solid edge rusher or two. Thomas can get offensive tackles leaning and then beat them with either speed or power. He uses his hands well and shows good bend off the edge. He had 15.5 sacks over the past two years. K’Lavon Chaisson is hitting free agency, so New England would love to have someone like Thomas getting after the quarterback.

Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Let’s close out Round 1 with a talented cornerback to replace free agents Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe, giving this Super Bowl champion defense yet another playmaker. The brother of A.J. Terrell Jr., Avieon Terrell can fly in coverage, and he had 27 pass breakups over three seasons. He could slide into the lineup opposite Devon Witherspoon, with Nick Emmanwori in the slot.

Trade buzz is heating up around the NFL, with the combine underway and free agency less than two weeks away. Which players could be involved in deals?

National NFL reporter Dan Graziano and NFL analyst Ben Solak worked together to stack the 15 best players who could be traded this month. This ranking is based on each player’s value to a new team, tying in what he brings on the field and his current contract situation. It is not a ranking of the players most likely to be dealt (though we did include a rough estimated percentage chance for each of the 15 players to change teams). In other words, Kyler Murray is ranked higher than Spencer Rattler here because Murray would bring more to a roster, but Rattler has a higher likelihood of actually getting moved.

For each player, we also have what we’re hearing, what we see on the tape and some team fits that might make sense. We begin with a talented 2024 first-rounder who might need a change of scenery.

Jump to the top-ranked:
QB | RB | WR | TE
Edge | DT | CB | S

The contract: Two more years for a total of $4.9 million, plus a fifth-year team option for 2028

The buzz: A first-round pick two years ago by the previous Jaguars administration, Thomas struggled enough throughout his second season that the team needed to trade for Jakobi Meyers at the deadline then signed him to a long-term deal. The Jaguars also got an impressive season out of Parker Washington. And while the new plan for Travis Hunter might be to focus on the cornerback position, Jacksonville still expects him to contribute something as a wide receiver.

There has been no indication that trading Thomas is something the Jaguars are planning, but there are teams monitoring the situation in case the hypertalented LSU product has fallen far enough down the Jacksonville depth chart that the front office would consider a move. — Graziano

The tape: The expectation for Thomas entering his sophomore season was WR1 production. But he struggled with drops and contact to start the season and ended up in more of a WR3 field-stretching role by season’s end. If another team wants to spend big draft capital on Thomas in the hopes that he returns to his rookie form in a new zip code, I’d get it. Thomas was better as a prospect than any wide receiver in the upcoming 2026 class. He had 707 yards and two scores in 2025, but he went for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 20%
Potential team fits: Patriots, Bills, Steelers, Raiders

The contract: One more year for about $5.9 million

The buzz: The league seems to believe the Dolphins are in a full rebuild, which means they’re getting calls on all of their star players. My sense is that they’re far more likely to extend Achane’s contract than to listen to those trade offers, but in their situation, you answer the phone when it rings. So, call any Achane trade a significant long shot that would take an awfully enticing package to get done. — Graziano

The tape: The Dolphins valued Achane highly at the trade deadline, and they will likely do so again. The 24-year-old running back has game-breaking speed, high-volume receiving ability and much better toughness and tackle-breaking skills than his slight frame might suggest. He’s a better — and younger — talent than anyone in the loaded free agent RB market. Achane ran for 1,350 yards and eight scores last season, and his 5.7 yards per carry ranked first in the NFL. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 10%
Potential team fits: Chiefs, Texans, Vikings

The contract: Three more years for a total of about $57.3 million, with $16.6 million fully guaranteed for 2026

The buzz: There were whispers of a potential Waddle deal at the trade deadline in October, but those might have been generated from the interested teams rather than from the Dolphins. With Tyreek Hill released, a Waddle deal would represent a significant reset in Miami. And if the Dolphins are going to handle a $99.2 million dead money hit for Tua Tagovailoa, they are going to have to cut costs somewhere. (On the third day of the league year, $15.2 million of Waddle’s $23.39 million 2027 salary will become fully guaranteed too.)

But as I said on Achane above, my sense is that the Dolphins see Waddle as a building block who’s under contract and aren’t eager to move on from him. They’ll get calls, no doubt, but it would take a lot for them to deal him. — Graziano

The tape: Waddle has multiple seasons of cost-controlled play on his existing contract, is only 27 years old and can be both a yards-after-catch slot option and a downfield vertical threat. He doesn’t have the frame to be a high-volume WR1, but he would be an excellent, explosive half of a league-leading tandem at wide receiver. He caught 64 passes for 910 yards and six touchdowns last season. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 10%
Potential team fits: Steelers, Chiefs, Raiders, Ravens

The contract: Four more years at about $29 million per year, with $30 million fully guaranteed for 2026

The buzz: Last season ended badly for Crosby and the Raiders, as the team put him on injured reserve with two games left even though he felt healthy enough to play. There has been a ton of chatter around this situation though no public proclamations from Crosby about wanting out. And general manager John Spytek said at the combine Tuesday he expects Crosby to play for Las Vegas next season. Unless Crosby forces the issue and tells the Raiders he doesn’t want to play for them anymore, it’s hard to see the team moving him. But if that does happen, there would be a ton of interest. — Graziano

The tape: The value proposition on Crosby is obvious. One of the league’s best three-down defensive linemen, Crosby is an iron man who creates tackles for loss in the running game and can beat even elite offensive tackles in one-on-one pass-rush situations. Crosby will turn 29 before next season and still has two years of guaranteed money on his deal, so he could be the crowning jewel of a contending defense. He had 10 sacks in 2025. — Solak

play

Is it time for Maxx Crosby and Raiders to part ways?

Dan Graziano, Bart Scott and Mike Tannenbaum discuss the best course of action for Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason.

Predicted chance of getting traded: 60%
Potential team fits: Bears, Patriots, Commanders

The contract: Four more years at $28.25 million per year, with $29 million fully guaranteed for 2026

The buzz: Brown made no secret of his frustrations with the Eagles’ offense in 2025. Heck, he made no secret of them in 2024, when the team ended up winning the Super Bowl. Philadelphia has learned to live with Brown’s grousing because of his production. So, the questions are whether he’s unhappy enough there to force the issue and whether the Eagles want to move on from the situation. — Graziano

The tape: Brown’s individual play seemed to fall off a touch last season, but it’s fair to believe his frustration with the offense led to some disinterested play. An acquiring team is risking that Brown is beyond his athletic prime (he will turn 29 this summer), but he has only one year of guaranteed money on his deal, so it would not be too big of a commitment. And the recent ceiling of Brown’s play has been top-five receiver level. He had 1,003 yards last season, and he has tallied at least seven touchdowns in each of the past four campaigns. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 60%
Potential team fits: Patriots, Bills, Ravens

The contract: Four more years at $28.75 million per year, nothing guaranteed

The buzz: When he signed his deal last spring, Metcalf’s $25 million in 2026 salary was fully guaranteed. But his two-game suspension at the end of the season for an in-game altercation with a fan voided that guarantee and could in turn make Metcalf easier to trade, if the Steelers are so inclined. They’ll be installing a new offense under new coach Mike McCarthy, and while dealing Metcalf would weaken them at a spot where they’re already thin, the wideout could end up on the market if he’s not a fit for the scheme. — Graziano

The tape: Metcalf is a team-specific player; not all systems will endure his limited route tree. Those teams that already have a dominant route runner or can feed him a steady diet of vertical routes will value a player who is still under 30 and has a unique blend of size and speed — especially when we consider how much team control he offers. He logged 850 yards in 2025, and he exceeded that number in each of his six prior seasons. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 25%
Potential team fits: Patriots, Commanders, Bills

The contract: Two more years at about $39.4 million per year, with $36.8 million guaranteed in 2026 and a team option for 2028

The buzz: The Cardinals would love to trade the contract, but with that huge guarantee this year and another $19.5 million of 2027 money that fully guarantees on the third day of this league year, it’s going to be tough to find a taker. If Arizona is willing to pay down a big chunk of the money, that could help; but odds are Murray ends up getting released before that 2027 guarantee kicks in next month. — Graziano

The tape: While Murray isn’t as exciting as recent QB trade candidates such as Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson, he’s still a starting-caliber passer under 30 years old. Murray has guaranteed money in 2026 and might have some in 2027 depending on when he is traded, so this wouldn’t be a small commitment for any acquiring team. But it’s a shallow offseason at quarterback, and Murray has a high ceiling as a rehabilitation project given his quickness and live arm. He was limited to five games in 2025 with a foot injury, but he threw 21 touchdown passes and ran for five scores in 2024. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 5%
Potential team fits: Dolphins, Jets, Vikings

The contract: One more year at about $5.8 million

The buzz: The Lions have four 2023 draft picks they want to extend — LaPorta, Jahmyr Gibbs, Jack Campbell and Brian Branch — and there are people around the league who wonder whether they’ll be able to get all of those deals done or if they’d have to trade someone. Even if the Lions can’t extend LaPorta, I think the odds of them trading him are extremely thin, as Detroit still sees itself in a win-now window. — Graziano

The tape: LaPorta had back surgery this past season (489 receiving yards, three touchdowns) and hasn’t looked as explosive as he did as a rookie (889 yards, 10 scores in 2023), but he remains one of the most exciting young receivers at the position. Teams looking for a high-volume receiving tight end might be willing to spend a draft pick now on LaPorta, instead of risking a bidding war in free agency in 2027 should he come back to form. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 10%
Potential team fits: Chiefs, Ravens, Texans

The contract: Two more years at a total of $3.04 million, nothing guaranteed

The buzz: He is still only 25 and would have value in a trade. The Niners have a new defensive coordinator in Raheem Morris, and Green might not be a scheme fit. The 2024 second-round pick has just one interception in two NFL seasons, and he seemed to fall out of favor a bit with the coaching staff at times last season. — Graziano

The tape: Green isn’t a particularly big outside corner, but he makes up for it with quickness and aggressiveness. Double-digit pass breakups in each of his first two seasons is a testament to that. The coaching staff got frustrated with mental lapses and unnecessary aggressiveness last season, and teams will call accordingly to see if Green has run out of time in San Francisco. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 80%
Potential team fits: Cowboys, Falcons, Eagles

The contract: Two more years at a total of $2.27 million, nothing guaranteed

The buzz: Rattler started 14 games for the Saints during his first two years in the league, and New Orleans lost 13 of them. He has 12 career touchdown passes and 10 interceptions, and he has been supplanted as the starting quarterback by promising 2025 second-round pick Tyler Shough. But Rattler showed the Saints enough the past two offseasons that they were willing to give him a shot, and there could be teams out there that think enough of his talent to bring him in to see if they can coach him up into a more consistent starter. — Graziano

The tape: The Saints don’t want to trade a young quarterback on a rookie contract who improved as a sophomore, but teams need developmental passers, and Rattler is the best candidate this spring. Rattler excelled as more of a quick-distribution point guard last season, but he also showed good creation ability on longer, movement dropbacks. He could fight — and easily beat out — a free agent veteran in training camp for a rebuilding team. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 70%
Potential team fits: Dolphins, Chiefs, Rams, Raiders

The contract: One more year at $15.6 million

The buzz: He is 29 years old and definitely slowing down, but he has plenty of high-level experience and a reputation as a strong locker room leader. The Dolphins have a new coaching staff and will be installing a new defense under incoming coach Jeff Hafley. It’s possible they’d need to pay down some of the salary to make a deal work, but they also could do the kind of player-for-player deal that brought them Fitzpatrick last summer. — Graziano

The tape: Fitzpatrick will turn 30 next season and his best play is behind him, but he’s still an impactful single-high coverage defender with enough size and coverage ability to step into the box. Fitzpatrick has one year left on his deal and is only attractive as a mercenary option for contending teams, but the floor and ceiling of his play are high enough to demand solid return. He registered 82 tackles and an interception last season. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 65%
Potential team fits: Bills, Cowboys

The contract: Three more years at about $47 million per year, with $54 million guaranteed for 2026

The buzz: Benched at the tail end of last season for Quinn Ewers, Tagovailoa no longer looks like the future in Miami. The Dolphins have a new GM and a new coach, and they could turn over the roster significantly this offseason. The problem is that $54 million guarantee, which would transfer to whichever team trades for Tagovailoa and likely prevents any deal from getting done unless the Dolphins are willing to pay down a massive portion of it.

More likely, Miami will end up having to cut Tagovailoa and swallow $99.2 million in dead money cap charges as a result of a long-term extension that looks extremely ill-advised in retrospect. — Graziano

The tape: The strengths and limitations of Tagovailoa’s play are clear at this point, so it’s unlikely a team trades for him as a long-term starting option. But as a bridge, his quick release and pinpoint accuracy in the run-pass option work well for a team looking for an easy identity on offense. So long as the Dolphins work with the contract to make it more palatable, Tagovailoa should have a solid market. He threw 20 touchdown passes and a career-high 15 interceptions last season. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 5%
Potential team fits: Vikings, Falcons, Cardinals

play

Dolphins GM: ‘Everything is on the table’ with Tua

Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan explains how the team is evaluating Tua Tagovailoa’s future in Miami.

The contract: One more year at $1.9 million

The buzz: The Eagles think very highly of Jalen Hurts‘ backup QB, and that opinion is well-known around the league. Do they think highly enough of McKee to extend him? Would McKee even go for that? Or does he want to play this deal out, go somewhere else and see if he can be an NFL starter? If the Eagles feel as if it’s the latter, they could look to get something for him from a team seeking an affordable upside solution at the QB position. — Graziano

The tape: McKee looks like a young quarterback worthy of development in his preseason and late-season starts. I see good size, good accuracy and comfort reading the field to make aggressive throws from the pocket. McKee has only one year left on his deal, so a trade would only make sense with a team that would start him now to determine if he’s worthy of an extension. He has five career touchdown passes across appearances in six games. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 20%
Potential team fits: Dolphins, Jets, Vikings, Chiefs

The contract: Three more years at about $9.9 million per year, nothing guaranteed

The buzz: Hobbs was a free agent signing for Green Bay just last year. But he dealt with injuries in 2025 and bounced between slot corner and outside corner duties when he was on the field. He seems better cast as a slot corner, but the Packers aren’t short on those, and it’s possible they could see him as a valuable trade candidate who could help them pick up an extra draft pick or two. He has a $6.25 million roster bonus due on the third day of the league year, so if a deal happened after that, it’d be even cheaper for the acquiring team.

Green Bay wasn’t the only team interested in Hobbs during free agency last year, and if there’s a slot corner market out there, it might make sense for the Packers to see what they can get. — Graziano

The tape: Hobbs never settled into either the slot or the outside spot in Green Bay’s defense. He is a better fit in the slot and has a good nose coming downhill in zone coverage. But there are a lot of good slots available in free agency and the draft this offseason, which might limit interest in Hobbs’ services. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 50%
Potential team fits: Lions, Dolphins, Panthers, Bills

The contract: One more year at $14.75 million

The buzz: The Giants have a surplus of impact defensive linemen with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter, and it seems more likely they’ll try to find a trade partner for Thibodeaux than extend the 2022 first-round pick ahead of his fifth-year-option season. The question is whether the Giants can find a taker for him at that salary in a deep offseason edge rusher market, but the chatter at the combine indicates they’re going to try. — Graziano

The tape: Thibodeaux’s motor can run hot and cold, which makes him a difficult player to trust on a down-to-down basis. But a contract year could light a fire under Thibodeaux, who generates quick pressures with hand usage and a killer first step. He posted 2.5 sacks last season but also had 11.5 in 2023. That sort of production can keep a guy in a designated pass-rushing role for a long time in this league. But it’s a loaded offseason for edge rushers in free agency, which might temper Thibodeaux’s market. — Solak

Predicted chance of getting traded: 70%
Potential team fits: Chargers, Bengals, Bears

Honorable mentions

• Jordan Davis, DT, Philadelphia Eagles

• Tyson Bagent, QB, Chicago Bears

• Will Levis, QB, Tennessee Titans

• Anthony Richardson Sr., QB, Indianapolis Colts

• DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears

• Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills