RC's Daily Notes 2026: For the Week of 04/13-4/19 (The Week That Was...)

: R.C. Fischer; FFM; 19 April 2026

4/19 SUN

(8:54amET)

Today/tomorrow

-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...

A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.

-- Next Scouting Report ASAP...trying to go through a surge of pro Day data and tapes to get grades on all the prospects and try to find a needle in the haystack for FF.

-- NFL Draft position grades = Wrapping the ILB and OLB update/add today along with TE audits/rechecks + a QB board adds and update all on Sunday.

-- Working on NFL Draft valuations for Big Board 1.0 (Monday post)

This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…

-- Prospect grades by position and rookie rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly up to kickoff 2026.

-- Dynasty and Best Ball rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.

-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.

-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.

-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.

-- New coaching staff hire’s analysis series...going through the entire staff...I am working on the framework of how I want to present that. This will be a first ever series (for me) where I go beyond ‘just the new head coaches’. ETA in May/June to start it up.

-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.

== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==

-- TRADE: Giants traded DT Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals in a deal that includes the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

We don’t have the full details as of this writing, but this feels like an incredibly dumb moment but the Cincinnati Bengals.

Trading for a good but fading DT (2025 was a bad season for him) and then giving him a ton of money...how does this make sense to acquire? If it were a cheaper deal/bargain (because of the payroll you have to use) then maybe if it’s a missing piece if you’re a real contender...but the Bengals (likely) throwing all this money at a DT and giving away a top 10 pick? I don’t get it.

I get that there is a lack of great DTs in this draft class, but rare few existing DTs are worth what the Bengals likely just did/spent.

Well, Dexter got himself out of NYG quickly. I guess the G-Men think/know he’s fading away. Congrats to Dexter: https://x.com/NFLMemes/status/2045666171744108969

The biggest congrats goes to GM Joe Schoen...I’m sorry...it goes to the real GM John Harbaugh. He ditches an expensive headache and gets a top 10 pick. Nice job finding a sucker/trade partner. This trade reenacted of the behind the scenes for NYG: https://youtu.be/X7U_q7IorXQ?si=sSyiUkFL78YDT3Rj

Another year that the Bengals have a golden opportunity to get enhanced protection for the only thing that matters to Cincy, for Joe Burrow. Instead, they go overpay for a DT and give away a pick that could’ve yielded them a top OL in the draft and they’d have for a decade if they got it right. Absolutely nuts.

-- HEADLINE: Texans signed DE Will Anderson to a three-year, $150 million contract extension. Anderson’s deal will make him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. The star pass rusher will receive $134 million in guaranteed money.

You know how I feel about paying up or picking highly in the draft a pass rusher...it’s a giant waste of money/resources.

If they fired the Texans GM and hired me today...my first meeting would be with Will Anderson and his agent to rip up the deal a la Maxx Crosby or something. Here would be my approach (rated R): https://youtu.be/EY-cwSneVdg?si=DN_YOBcxg9bOyfZM

-- HEADLINE: ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that multiple teams around the league said that Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love is “their top graded player.”

Is this report supposed to be a joke or am I supposed to believe this? I don’t think it’s funny, so it must be real? https://youtu.be/Pfcy15ZUE2c?si=SqHW05JaUdf_hReH

-- I put out a betting alert yesterday. My first bet of the draft season. I’ll be explaining that one in more detail in the betting area today, but it was so hot/time sensitive and there was a FanDuel ‘error (in all our favors) on one version of the bet that I had to put it out for anyone to consider.

Our betting side hustle is intended to be two things:

1) When I get info/intel on something and when I’m just seeing something that I want to play based on our data/the odds, etc. I make the bets...you can decide what you want to do with the info.

And now with Kalshi (and others) -- everyone can bet in every state.

2) This side subscription is also intended to be a place where anyone interested in being part of a ‘club’/community to exchange ideas, ask questions to me or Ross or anyone in the club about FF trades or bets or just watch games together and make snarky comments throughout (our specialty)...it’s a private place with other FFMers.

We use the national mobile/PC site Discord as our home for chats and topics and daily news that the whole community posts when they see it out there.

If you have more questions about that, hit me up on email and I’ll explain. Here’s a link to sign up if interested...

*Our Betting Subscription offering (including private Discord chat access): https://ffmetrics.com/betting/betting

-- Prayer Request...

If you don’t mind, especially it being a Sunday and all, if you got a moment and are into such things -- one of our long-time faithful brethren on the FFM cult has been going through some medical things that kinda hit out of the blue a while a back and he good some promising news/help with the problem and things are looking up...BUT...it’s been a rough journey, and he is still on it.

If you would, could you take a moment quick moment and say a prayer for our brother...that he would find a permanent cure/healing and get back to his 100% self. I am keeping him anonymous...but God knows who it is. It would mean the world if you dropped a quick prayer.

The power of the volume of prayer...some may think it crazy, and that’s OK, freedom of choice and thoughts--but I swear, I could write a book just about the prayer aspect of my cancer battle this past year. And it’s not just a slot machine handle pull and ask for a pony and a million dollars aspect of prayer and expecting things to fall from the sky for you...that’s childish.

I don’t know if I’m gonna ultimately beat cancer (but we’re crushing it right now!), but the power of the volume of people praying across the globe for me, literally the globe, even if all it’s total BS...just the gravity of so many people taking time to do a thing for you and many people that did -- I don’t even know and will never get to thank them (until we meet in a better place) but if prayer is real, God got driven crazy by all you folks stuffing my ballot box. Would you help an FFMer out with a good word today?

My mom texted me last week and told me that I got a standing ovation at her local Elk’s Club when she had returned from my ‘bell ringing’ ceremony after my last radiation treatment. My mom is crazy...I think she forced everyone at her entire small, local club that she volunteers at to listen to my story for the past couple of months and forced them to pray for me...and then followed up on that like a bill collector.

Last week, she took to a microphone at a group event at a little old Elk’s Club in Alabama and gave a speech on my ‘bell ringing’ ceremony, and she is not a renowned speech giver. Most everybody in that room knew my situation and when she updated my latest cancer numbers (UN-D-TECTABLE) and about the beauty of the bell ringing ceremony we had at MD Anderson -- the entire room got up and gave her and me a standing ovation. Many of them were vested in my situation via prayer for months. And I don’t know a single one of them at all.

You think prayer is BS...that’s fine, but you won’t convince me it can’t have an effect especially if there is a mass volume of it. I’ve lived it...I’ve seen/felt it. And even if things don’t ultimately go my way...the sheer beauty of it from vantage point -- I’ll never forget it. I can’t unsee it; like Michael Wilson last season...I can’t unsee it.

Take 10-20 seconds and let’s shovel some prayer to our FFM brother that he would get an instant healing, but we’ll settle for the right diagnosis/meds/therapy/leeches...whatever it takes. And if he is healed this week, out of nowhere...and he’d know it quickly if it happened...what a story that would be. But one way or the other, pray he gets his healing in whatever way God would like to deal the cards on it...and maybe that something nice/unexpected would randomly happen to him today in any other way just for a nice gift/moment for this day.

-- Just some draft info I ran out of curiosity...

2025 NFL Draft: Actual vs. Projected Comparison (Mock Draft Database consensus)

1) TEN, Cam Ward, QB, Projected: 1, 0 spots off

2) JAX, Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Projected: 2, 0 spots off

3) NYG, Abdul Carter, DE/EDGE, Projected: 3, 0 spots off

4) NWE, Will Campbell, OT, Projected: 4, 0 spots off

5) CLE, Mason Graham, DT, Projected: 6, +1 spot off

6) LVR, Ashton Jeanty, RB, Projected: 5, -1 spot off

7) NYJ, Armand Membou, OL, Projected: 7, 0 spots off

8) CAR, Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Projected: 10, +2 spots off

9) NOR, Kelvin Banks, OL, Projected: 11, +2 spots off

10) CHI, Colston Loveland, TE, Projected: 15, +5 spots off

11) SFO, Mykel Williams, DL, Projected: 14, +3 spots off

12) DAL, Tyler Booker, OL, Projected: 28, +16 spots off

13) MIA, Kenneth Grant, DT, Projected: 24, +11 spots off

14) IND, Tyler Warren, TE, Projected: 8, -6 spots off

15) ATL, Jalon Walker, DE/EDGE, Projected: 9, -6 spots off

16) ARI, Walter Nolen, DT, Projected: 20, +4 spots off

17) CIN, Shemar Stewart, DE/EDGE, Projected: 19, +2 spots off

18) SEA, Grey Zabel, OT, Projected: 25, +7 spots off

19) TAM, Emeka Egbuka, WR, Projected: 31, +12 spots off

20) DEN, Jahdae Barron, CB, Projected: 16, -4 spots off

21) PIT, Derrick Harmon, DT, Projected: 27, +6 spots off

22) LAC, Omarion Hampton, RB, Projected: 22, 0 spots off

23) GNB, Matthew Golden, WR, Projected: 18, +5 spots off

24 MIN, Donovan Jackson, OL, Projected: 39, +15 spots off

25 NYG, Jaxson Dart, QB, Projected: 33, +8 spots off

26 ATL, James Pearce Jr, DE/EDGE, Projected: 32, +6 spots off

27 BAL, Malaki Starks, SAF, Projected: 23, -4 spots off

28 DET, Tyleik Williams, DT, Projected: 44, +16 spots off

29 WAS, Josh Conerly Jr, OL, Projected: 35, +6 spots off

30 BUF, Maxwell Hairston, CB, Projected: 34, +4 spots off

31 PHI, Jihaad Campbell, LB, Projected: 21, -10 spots off

32 KAN, Josh Simmons, OL, Projected: 26, -6 spots off

== QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’) ==

-- NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN the league isn’t reviewing the conduct of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel in the wake of photos taken of him with journalist Dianna Russini.

-- "My dad and coach Monken go way back. They talk often," Ty Simpson said at the NFL combine, via Cleveland.com. "He texted him when he got the job, and they've texted a little bit (since), so if I had the opportunity to play for the Browns, it would be a dream come true." -- Ty Simpson

-- Monken said he was "fond" of Simpson and appreciated the fact he waited his turn to start at Alabama behind Jalen Milroe.

-- "He's not available for trade," Miami GM Sullivan said, a day before Achane showed up for voluntary workouts. "Things are going good -- we've had some positive conversations over the past couple days, trending in the right direction. He's obviously very important to what we're doing ... We'll get to where we need to be, one way or another."

-- “The NFL is a great property, and it delivers value as part of our total offering,” Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said on an earnings call this week, via Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing. “We are in discussions right now, because we think there’s an opportunity to expand the relationship. We’ve learned a lot about what works, and how to value the NFL and live content generally over the last couple of years.”

It’s unclear what the “discussions” relate to. YouTube reportedly is working on a long-form contract with the NFL for the five-game package that was offered to potential partners for 2026; Netflix, YouTube, and Fox were the three candidates as of last weekend.

Your moment of Zen for this day...

https://x.com/ihartitz/status/2044913278304833869?s=43

== New Daily Ranking Series ==

(same intro everyday) Re-doing the 2025 NFL Draft before the 2026 Draft begins...just for fun.

I’m gonna take the 4 picks per day for 8 days and rank them as if I were an NFL GM (NOT Fantasy). We’ll start with 1-4 and do 4 more each day until we end with re-ranking picks 29-32 into the mix.

I will rank them tiers and move them around as we go/as it unfolds.

Today: Picks #13-16

Cam Ward (1), Travis Hunter (2), Tet McMillan (8), Kelvin Banks (9), Armand Membou (7), Tyler Booker (12)

Ashton Jeanty (6), Abdul Carter (3), Walter Nolen (16), Mykel Williams (11), Colston Loveland (10), Tyler Warren (14)

Will Campbell (4), Jalon Walker (15), Mason Graham (5), Kenneth Grant (13)

*We start in the real NFL order, but tomorrows #9-12 is going to blow this order sky-high.

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=====================

4/18 SAT

(5:14amET)

Today/tomorrow

-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...

A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.

-- Next Scouting Report

-- NFL Draft position grades = Working on ILB and OLB today along with TE audits/rechecks QB board adds and update Sunday.

-- Working on NFL Draft valuations for Big Board 1.0

This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…

-- Prospect grades by position and rookie rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly up to kickoff 2026.

-- Dynasty and Best Ball rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.

-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.

-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.

-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.

-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.

== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==

-- GEMINI News Report...

Reports from Jordyn Tyson’s private workout today, April 17, 2026, indicate he likely solidified himself as a first-round lock—and potentially a top-10 pick—after a stellar session at Arizona State.

The workout was specifically designed to answer medical "skepticism" following the hamstring injury that sidelined him during the Combine and his Pro Day.

Key Performance Notes:

The Session: Tyson reportedly ran 20–25 routes and was described as "explosive and twitchy." According to Matt Miller, he dropped only one pass during the entire session.

Physical Health: A source told Pete Thamel that Tyson "showed the twitch, explosiveness, and leaping ability we all saw in the fall," effectively proving his hamstring is fully recovered.

Attendance: More than 20 NFL teams were present, including several General Managers. Notable teams in attendance included the Cowboys, Titans, Giants, Commanders, Eagles, Dolphins, Bills, Lions, and Chargers.

RC NOTES: If the news from this event continues to be all positive the next 24-48 hours...Tyson is going top 10 for sure, not just a projection/guess, but he’s gonna be the WR they chase...rivaling/going past Carnell Tate possibly top 4-7 overall, if the medical all got clear...not just the hamstring issue getting clear.

-- HEADLINE: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett is “not attending Phase 1 of the offseason program and is asking for an extension that pays him as the starter.”

RC NOTE: This is a huge FF ‘thing’/headline/news.

Trey McBride went to another level with Brissett. Michael Wilson rose to power with Brissett. Brissett was a QB1 last year. How have the Cardinals not already dealt with this?

Two reasons why they haven’t, sadly...

1) The Cardinals are the ‘Cleveland Browns West’, one of worst run teams in the league and their new HC/O-C combo is great evidence of how sad this franchise is.

2) If they weren’t smart enough to lock in Brissett by now...and the GM coming out this week and saying they don’t have a ‘starter’ yet...they’re chasing away Brissett/the new regime (of doofuses) wants THEIR GUY.

Mike LaFleur and Nate Hackett have proven to be absolute fools when given their big ‘in charge’ opportunities in the past. I’m sure they crave a well-trained, nice, docile, looks good on the eye test QB to start their (short) regime with. They don’t QBs like Cam Ward flinging it around looking NOT like the training videos say a QB’s mechanics should look and Diego Pavia is too small, and too independent thinking. They like the Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence, Case Keenum’s of the world. They like media-lauded, big school, deferential, unchallenging, non-threatening to them QBs.

Jacoby Brissett is pushing back at them, and probably has the locker room above the coaches. That won’t go well for Brissett.

You know who will ‘toe the line’, you know who will be a ‘yes sir, no sir QB’ for them? You know who will not have the locker room above the coaches already? You know who the draftnik media says is the ‘real’ top QB in this class: Ty Simpson.

Where can Jacoby Brissett even go to be a starter? Cleveland? That’s about it and that won’t happen. Brissett has no real leverage; he just wants away from this mess. Hopefully, the Cardinals just pay him some extra money for this year so he can leave next year (along with Mike Wilson) and turn it over to Simpson.

-- TRADE: Jaguars acquired DT Ruke Orhorhoro from the Falcons in exchange for DT Maason Smith. Orhorhoro was drafted with the 35th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Smith was drafted shortly after that via the 48th overall pick.

I do not understand this trade. Maason Smith is a bit of a ‘stiff’, and if you didn’t know much about him, the fact that the Jags wanted off of him should be a red flag to begin with. The Jags management group are no dummies.

And then there is the Falcons...a team who feels like they are trying to tank the season for some reason. One of the single worst, possibly the single worst, free agency period I’ve ever seen was the Falcons last month...the players they went after and what they paid some of them makes absolutely no sense. So, I’m just gonna assume they are on the wrong end of this trade.

I don’t remember a single snap of Smith’s in 2025, but I recall Ruke starting to come on a bit 2nd-half of last season.

== QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’) ==

-- Report: Dianna Russini, Mike Vrabel “coordinated” on how to respond to New York Post report

-- Brandon Aubrey deadline passes, Cowboys hold rights for 2026

-- “My expectations, where [Slater] is, where he’s been, where he was in the fall, it’s a different recovery time. No rush, but everything indicator is he’s ahead of schedule and doing really well,” Hortiz said. “We’re not going to rush it. We’re going to take our time. There’s a timeline to recover from that. Go through the steps, but he looks great. “I look out the window, and he’s out there working, moving around. I feel good about it.” -- GM Joe Horitz on Rashawn Slater

-- “I think I can tell you one thing, it’s probably not going to be a quarterback,” Rooney said. “But beyond that it’s wide open. Of course, it depends on what happens in front of us. But, you know, I think it’ll be exciting to build.” -- Steelers owner Art Rooney on drafting a QB 1st-round.

-- Alshon Jeffery, retired Super Bowl winner, faces felony insurance fraud charges.

-- “Everyone knows the potential and the flashes that (left tackle) Josh [Simmons] has shown, and then working on that interior with (left guard) Kingsley [Suamataia], (right guard) Trey [Smith] and (center) Creed [Humphrey]. “I think it’d be a smart play to take advantage of that interior trio there.” Veach continued, leaning into the identity shift. “To be more violent, to kind of utilize those guys and their strengths.” -- KC GM Brett Veach

-- Bill Belichick's North Carolina Tar Heels have lowest win total of his coaching career. The Tar Heels have a win total of just 4.5 games next season.

== New Daily Ranking Series ==

(same intro everyday) Re-doing the 2025 NFL Draft before the 2026 Draft begins...just for fun.

I will rank them tiers and move them around as we go/as it unfolds.

Today: Picks #9-12

Cam Ward (1), Travis Hunter (2), Tet McMillan (8), Kelvin Banks (9), Armand Membou (7), Tyler Booker (12)

Ashton Jeanty (6), Abdul Carter (3), Mykel Williams (11), Colston Loveland (10)

Will Campbell (4), Mason Graham (5)

----------------------------------------------------------

*How to sign up for our monthly or annual access: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/total-football-advisor

*How to get the free FFM App and FAQs on how to use: https://ffmetrics.com/5663-how-to-get-the-free-ffm-app

*Our Betting Subscription offering (including private Discord chat access): https://ffmetrics.com/betting/betting

=====================

4/17 FRI

(7:47amET)

Today/tomorrow

-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...

A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.

-- Next Scouting Report

-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.

-- NFL Draft position grades = Working on more, deeper WR-s to add and have a big batch of EDGE prospects I’m wrapping up for Sat. post of them. QB board adds and update Sat./Sun.

This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…

-- Prospect grades by position and rookie rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly up to kickoff 2026.

-- Dynasty and Best Ball rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.

-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.

-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.

-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.

== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==

-- Next Dynasty/Best Ball update will happen in the next day or two or so. Not much has changed in the NFL the past week; it’s all about the draft. The draft next week will obviously disrupt the projections and ADPs, etc.

As soon as the draft is over, I’ll be primarily working on the DRD board/commentary and making all the changes to the Dynasty and Best Ball impact of the rookies.

The week of 4/28 will be the ‘change’ week for those two huge valuation situations. A new Mock DRD series will start that week as well, once we have the rookies on their new teams.

-- NFL Draft values/Big Board. The next few days I’ll be taking all our graded prospects for the NFL Draft and running our economic models to ‘value’ the prospects in OUR NFL Draft terms, no theirs...ours. Our top 600-700-800+ to follow along with during the draft to see how we think the NFL teams are doing for NFL purposes. I hope to have Big Board 1.0 rolling by Monday, and updating each day until THU draft day!

-- FYI, Jacory Croskey-Merritt was on the ‘NFL Insiders’ show yesterday. I watched his segment to see if he gave any clues/insights about the WSH backfield...

And JCM said absolutely nothing of note. A useless endeavor to listen to...but I had to check and see.

I guess my takeaway from it is/was: He did not claim to be the starter and he was just ‘happy to help in any way’...so I walk away thinking he does not see himself as a starter...he does not have the swagger of a starter. FYI

-- HEADLINE: ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reports that the Giants are asking for “a lot” in trade talks regarding DT Dexter Lawrence.

Lawrence is coming off a season where he played 17 games and 0.5 sacks and 4 TFLs and broke his string of 3 straight Pro Bowl years. And yet he wants the big bucks. A trade may very well be in the offing.

Perhaps this causes NYG to trade back to the late 1st-round for more draft capital and in order to take one of the weak DTs in this class.

-- It’s the year of the O-Line...

I was doing some research yesterday and was re-reminded of the MASSIVE loss for the Eagles in 2026...the loss of arguably the best O-Line coach in the NFL the past decade/s in Jeff Stoutland...perhaps better at coaching the O-Line than even Dante Scarneccia.

And Stoutland didn’t leave/retire on happy terms...he was pissed and left the staff/team, as did some others in Philly. It’s not a good scene there. This loss is gonna affect things more than we realize.

Anyway, just a reminder and some info on the new Eagles OL coach (some of mine and GEMINI’s notes):

Jeff Stoutland is currently stepping away from coaching following a legendary 13-season tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles.

While he is technically still a "beloved member of the Eagles family," his active employment as the Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Coordinator officially ended earlier this offseason.

Current Status Details:

Departure Announcement: On February 4, 2026, Stoutland announced via social media that his time coaching with the Eagles had come to an end, famously signing off with "Stout out."
Reason for Exit: Reports indicate a combination of wanting more family time after 44 years in football and shifting dynamics within the Eagles' coaching staff. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion was hired to bring in a new system, and Stoutland reportedly felt it was the right time to move on after his run-game coordinator duties were reduced during the 2025 season.
Future Role: While initial reports from insiders like Ian Rapoport suggested he might stay with the Eagles organization in an advisory or front-office capacity, Stoutland recently clarified on Nick Foles’ The SZN Podcast (March 2026) that he is looking forward to "ordinary things" like playing golf in September and has not committed to any specific role for the 2026 season.

The New Eagles Staff:

With Stoutland moving on, the Eagles have filled his former roles with:

Chris Kuper: New Offensive Line Coach.
Ryan Mahaffey: Tight Ends Coach and Run Game Coordinator.

Stoutland leaves behind a massive legacy, having coached 27 Pro Bowl selections and won two Super Bowls (LII and LIX) during his time in Philadelphia.

------------------------

Chris Kuper is the current Offensive Line Coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, hired on February 9, 2026, to succeed the legendary Jeff Stoutland.

He is widely regarded as a technician who brings a "player's perspective" to coaching, having played nearly a decade in the trenches himself.

Coaching Career Path

Kuper’s rise through the coaching ranks has been steady, often following coaches who value high-IQ line play like Vic Fangio and Kevin O'Connell.

Philadelphia Eagles (2026–Present): Offensive Line Coach.
Minnesota Vikings (2022–2025): Offensive Line Coach. Under his watch, the Vikings' unit became a top-tier pass-protecting group, specifically aiding the development of All-Pro tackle Brian O’Neill.
Denver Broncos (2019–2021): Assistant Offensive Line Coach. Worked under Vic Fangio and Mike Munchak, helping develop Garrett Bolles into an All-Pro.
Miami Dolphins (2016–2018): Assistant Offensive Line Coach (2017–18) and Offensive Quality Control (2016).
Columbine High School (2015): Offensive Line Coach.

NFL Playing Background

Kuper was a highly respected guard known for his toughness and leadership.

Draft: Selected by the Denver Broncos in the 5th round (161st overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft.
Tenure: Played his entire 8-season career (2006–2013) in Denver.
Stats & Accolades: * Started 79 of 90 career games.

Three-time offensive co-captain for the Broncos.
Voted to the Pro Bowl in 2011.
In 2008, he was the only NFL guard to start all 16 games without allowing a single sack.

Retirement: Retired in 2014 after battling significant ankle injuries that required multiple surgeries.

Personal & Education

College: Played at North Dakota (then the Fighting Sioux), where he was a two-time All-American and helped lead the team to a Division II National Championship in 2001.
Roots: Originally from Anchorage, Alaska.
Connections: He has a strong rapport with current Eagles Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion, who was on the Vikings' roster while Kuper coached there. He also has a deep history with Eagles DC Vic Fangio from their time together in Denver.

== QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’) ==

-- “There’s a lot of rumors out there on Twitter,” Hortiz said, via Kris Rhim of ESPN, “and I can tell you this: I have made zero calls about Quentin (Johnson), and I’ve had zero calls regarding Quentin.” -- LAC GM Joe Horitz

-- Arizona General Manager Monti Ossenfort said at a Thursday press conference that the team is “not really naming anybody (starting QB) and we’ll see how that room works by the time we get to August.” RC NOTE: The Ty Simpson alert to Arizona is raising higher and higher.

-- On Cam Ward recovering from shoulder issues at the end of last season: "He's been out there," Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said of the second-year quarterback during his predraft news conference Thursday. "I'm sure you've seen the videos of him throwing. He looks good."

-- FYI: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton (foot) “has been medically cleared and has resumed running.”

*Your moment of NOT Zen for today (this will blow your mind if you haven’t seen it yet):

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48504890/report-penix-njoku-mckinney-targets-ex-bama-de-fraud

== New Daily Ranking Series ==

(same intro everyday) Re-doing the 2025 NFL Draft before the 2026 Draft begins...just for fun.

I will rank them tiers and move them around as we go/as it unfolds.

Today: Picks #5-8

Cam Ward (1), Travis Hunter (2), Tet McMillan (8), Armand Membou (7)

Ashton Jeanty (6), Abdul Carter (3)

Will Campbell (4), Mason Graham (5)

*We start in the real NFL order, but tomorrows #9-12 is going to blow this order sky-high.

----------------------------------------------------------

*How to sign up for our monthly or annual access: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/total-football-advisor

*How to get the free FFM App and FAQs on how to use: https://ffmetrics.com/5663-how-to-get-the-free-ffm-app

*Our Betting Subscription offering (including private Discord chat access): https://ffmetrics.com/betting/betting

=====================

4/16 THU

(5:43amET)

Today/tomorrow

-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...

A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.

-- Next Scouting Report

-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.

-- NFL Draft position grades = Working on extended DT group and more WR-s (so many deeper WR-s prospects with a ‘marker’ or two that must be looked at).

This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…

-- Prospect grades by position and rookie rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly up to kickoff 2026.

-- Dynasty and Best Ball rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.

-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.

-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.

-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.

== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==

-- HEADLINE: Sports Illustrated’s John Shipley believes Travis Hunter will continue playing wide receiver in 2026.

The danger of running with football/fantasy headlines is...you’re at the mercy of the media person’s/employee’s interpretations.

The words from GM James Gladstone were NOT that Hunter was a CB only/not a WR...he’s just being shifted to more CB and less time at WR (which has to be if he’s going heavier CB). So, the plan is: Hunter is not defense only.

Still Hunter is ‘nothing’ for FF really, in non-IDP, unless Jacksonville can somehow find a taker for Brian Thomas to open more space for Hunter at WR, which looks impossible right now because no one wants Thomas.

-- HEADLINE: Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said De’Von Achane is “not available for trade” and contract talks with him are progressing.

I’m sure.

But if Achane doesn’t agree to Miami’s bargain contract, then...

I still think it’s not a done deal that Achane wouldn’t be traded...depends if he bends a knee to the new regime and takes a more reasonable RB deal. If I’m Achane, I do not budge...and if he handles this like so many of them do--deletes the team of his socials, demands a trade, asks for the moon (which he should do, RB shelf life and value means he has to get all he can NOW)..if Achane, makes a fuss, then Miami has the case to deal him.

-- HEADLINE: ESPN’s Rob Demovsky believes the Packers are “clearing the way for Matthew Golden to move up the depth chart.”

I don’t know that they (GB) are clearing it JUST FOR Matthew Golden...that’s wishful thinking/hopeium from the writer.

Romeo Doubs wanted out and he got a bag in free agency...money GB smartly didn’t want or need to pay. Dontayvion Wicks wanted a lot of money and a chance to start, so they basically gave him away. If Doubs and Wicks didn’t have contracts up, GB wouldn’t be CLEARING them for Matt Golden.

I don’t think Mathew Golden was really on the Packers minds that much when they let Doubs and Wicks go...it was a Doubs and Wicks issue, and a ‘plenty of WRs available on day three of the draft’ thing...not a Golden one. Maybe Savion Williams was on their minds, you don’t know...

-- HEADLINE: Sources: Jets cancel top-30 visit with NFL Draft prospect David Bailey.

I think this can only mean one of two things...

1) The Jets just aren’t taking him at #2.

2) The Jets are trading out of #2, so they are not trading for him.

If they were FOR SURE making the Bailey pick...which no one can stop them from doing at #2...then why not bring him in and do a double check and kinda get him started/integrated? If you’re getting ready to make this massive investment, you’d like to do all the meetings, bondings, and double checks possible.

Something caused this Jets cancelation...we just don’t what the catalyst is.

If some team trade all the way hot to #2 just to take a running back because random draft analysts started this ‘notion’ of Jeremiyah Love as a god--then the NFL is diseased beyond healing, which is entirely possible/likely.

This is a weird draft at the top. All the power is from picks like #6-150. The top 5, after Mendoza, picks #2-5 could see some of the most massive overpays and poor decision making that we’ve ever seen in a draft. It’s why everyone but Las Vegas wants OUT.

And if you look at picks #2-4...it’s a bunch of dimwit organizations and/or head coaches and/or GMs. #5 with Harbaugh, we’ll see. Then right back to a mess at #6 CLE. The ‘dumb’ are in control of the top of the draft...and God knows what they are gonna do with the loaded gun they found.

-- A fun aside...

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/for-nine-days-in-1960-the-raiders-were-known-as-the-senors#

== QUOTES & QUOTABLES (some pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’) ==

-- Ravens GM Eric DeCosta: “Strong chance” we add a couple of tight ends in draft.

-- Jordan Schultz on a Dallas draft trade? https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/2044099451057229884

-- From a Yahoo (I believe) story/report...

Eli Stowers worked this past season with former Vanderbilt and NFL receiver Jordan Matthews, who was an offensive consultant at his alma mater and said he shouldn't be limited by any positional titles.

"Eli has what it takes to be a No. 1 receiving option in your offense, regardless of what letters you put beside his name," Matthews told me. "Who's your No. 1 option when you drop back? There were years when I was with the Eagles, [Zach] Ertz was the No. 1 option in the passing game. He has what it takes to be the No. 1 option."

Matthews said his favorite route for Stowers was an "18-yard dagger," deep enough to require receiver speed. When Vanderbilt played South Carolina this past year, the Gamecocks had won 16 straight in the rivalry, and when the Commodores faced a third-and-21 trying to preserve the lead in the second half, they called a pass to Stowers, which he caught for a 24-yard gain to move the chains.

In terms of size and speed, the NFL tight end that Stowers most closely matches is the Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers, a 2024 first-round pick who has set tight end records and made the Pro Bowl in each of his two pro seasons. Bowers is 6-4, 235 pounds and ran a 4.55 40, and the parallels come from someone who worked with both of them.

"There are so many similarities, it's crazy," Darrell Dickey, who was Stowers' offensive coordinator at A&M and later an analyst at Georgia, told me. "Brock has been playing the position a lot longer, but they're both extremely fast for a quote-unquote tight end. They both have unbelievable athletic ability. They both have unbelievable work ethics. They're kind of quiet guys, and they can block.

"The ability is there to do the things Brock Bowers has done. They're very similar, and Eli's going to continue to grow and has the potential to develop into that type of player."

-- Jon-Eric Sullivan: Troy Aikman will be in draft room but will not be consulted about picks. RC NOTE: This is why I have a hard time finding faith in the Miami regime...

-- Panthers GM Dan Morgan: There’s no rule against taking a WR in first round three straight years.

RC NOTE: If this happens, I will ‘lose it’ on so many levels. Hey, Dan...why don’t you fox the source first...the Bryce Young problem.

*Your moment of NOT Zen for today: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/R1Twai9XFBw

== New Daily Ranking Series ==

Re-doing the 2025 NFL Draft before the 2026 Draft begins...just for fun.

I will rank them tiers and move them around as we go/as it unfolds.

Today: Picks #1-4

Cam Ward

Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter

Will Campbell

*We start the process with same exact/real NFL order, but tomorrow's #5-8 is going to blow this order sky-high.

----------------------------------------------------------

*How to sign up for our monthly or annual access: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/total-football-advisor

*How to get the free FFM App and FAQs on how to use: https://ffmetrics.com/5663-how-to-get-the-free-ffm-app

*Our Betting Subscription offering (including private Discord chat access): https://ffmetrics.com/betting/betting

=====================

4/15 WED

HAPPY TAX DAY

(6:27amET)

Today

-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...

A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.

-- Next Scouting Report on THU

-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.

-- NFL Draft position grades = a huge drop of new WR-s prospects later today, as well as updates to previously graded.

This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…

-- Prospect grades by position and rookie rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly up to kickoff 2026.

-- Dynasty and Best Ball rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.

-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.

-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.

-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.

== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==

-- MY TRADE RUMOR: There’s a little trade buzz around Chris Olave (still) and I think there’s a chain of events the Saints might try to pull off...

1) Draft a top WR at #8 (and it’s also legit to project them to take a much needed CB, but this chain starts with that they draft a WR/Tate-Lemon-Tyson)

2) Once they know for sure they got their WR they wanted, then trade Chris Olave.

Nothing against Olave for the Saints because they really like him, but he’s due for a big contract and why give him one with his concussion history when they can draft a big ticket (they hope) WR.

3) Trade Olave to a team that has a pick in the late 1st-round...IF they can even find a suitor willing.

4) Then draft the much needed CB with this acquired late 1st or take ANOTHER WR if the high-end CBs are gone.

5) Pick a CB or WR (whatever they didn’t do with their acquired late 1st) in the 2nd-round.

Ross Jacobs and I were theorizing today of a Tate/Tyson drafting, in this scenario, then CB Chris Johnson then maybe WR Chris Bell (Louisville connection w Shough) or more desired a Ted Hurst (if he’s still out there) with their 3 picks by #42.

If that miracle move worked out that way...man, the Saints would be ‘hot’ for me at that point...if they were to trade Olave and draft Tyson-C.Johnson-Hurst by pick 42, WOW!

Bottom line...I keep hearing little drips and drabs of the Saints open to moving Olave, and all the buzz is they are drafting a WR at #8.

My fake trade proposal...

SAINTS send Olave, #73 pick in 2026

FOR

STEELERS send #21, Roman Wilson, a 7th-round pick.

See what position you think they’re drafting by their top-30 visitation logs...

The New Orleans Saints have heavily prioritized the wide receiver position in their pre-draft Top 30 visits for the 2026 NFL Draft. Holding the No. 8 overall pick, they are clearly looking to find a high-impact playmaker to pair with Chris Olave.

Here are the prospects reported to have had (or scheduled) Top 30 visits with the Saints:

Wide Receivers

Carnell Tate (Ohio State): A potential candidate for the No. 8 pick; the Saints have a long history of drafting Ohio State prospects.
Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State): A high-rising prospect noted as a "polarizing" but talented option.
Chris Bell (Louisville): A physical receiver who could be a target if the team looks for a "Z" receiver on Day 2.
Makai Lemon (USC): A versatile playmaker who visited the facility recently.
Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana): Visited on April 11; known for his production during Indiana's 2025 national championship run.
Ted Hurst (Georgia State): A big-bodied target (6'4") with 4.42 speed who visited alongside Cooper.
Zavion Thomas (LSU): A local product with explosive return ability and receiving upside.

Defensive Backs

Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU): A premier cornerback prospect from just down the road in Baton Rouge.
Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State): A rangy safety who helps address depth in the secondary.
A.J. Haulcy (S, LSU): Another local defensive back high on the Saints' radar.
Treydan Stukes (CB, Arizona): Reported Top 30 visit to New Orleans.

Front Seven & Offensive Line

Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame): An athletic back who could provide a change-of-pace option for the backfield.
Arvell Reese (LB, Ohio State): Another Buckeye the Saints are evaluating for their linebacker corps.
Christen Miller (DT, Georgia): Met with the team on campus; a powerful interior presence.
Jeremiah Wright (OL, Auburn): A versatile lineman who provides potential depth for the interior or tackle spots.
Markel Bell (OT, Miami): Met with the team the day before his Pro Day and followed up with a visit.

Quarterbacks

Ty Simpson (Alabama): One of the few signal-callers the Saints have hosted, signaling due diligence on the future of the position.

Note: The Saints have also shown significant interest in Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt and South Carolina DB Jalon Kilgore through private workouts and extended meetings at Pro Days, though these are often distinguished from the official "Top 30" in-facility visits.

-- HEADLINE: Bucs and Chargers are hosting Georgia TE Oscar Delp for top-30 pre-draft visits.

As an Oronde Gadsden owner, my response to seeing this was: W. T. literal F.

They just signed Charlie Kolar...that’s enough FF pressure for Gad. I get that Kolar is a great blocking TE signing, but he will take a few targets from Gadsden. I’m ok with the Kolar-Gadsden dynamic, but if you add Oscar Delp to the mix...I don’t understand, and In don’t like it.

I like Delp but is this a need that LAC would burn a top 50-100 pick on? If they do, Gadsden is d-e-d, virtually dead to me.

== QUOTES & QUOTABLES (pulled from an internet A.I. search, I try to make sure it’s accurate but some of it is ‘trust in AI’) ==

-- Jordan Schultz (Insider) on Chris Bell's speed: "GPS tracked him at low 4.3 speed in full pads. At his size (6'2, 227 lbs), that's an extremely impressive time." Source: AtoZ Sports / X (4/14)

-- Charles Goldman (NFL Editor) on the Chiefs' visit: "Chris Bell (Louisville) is a yard-after-the-catch and contested catch specialist... the window for top-30 visits closes Wednesday, but the Chiefs are getting a few more prospects in the building." Source: AtoZ Sports / Chiefs News (4/14)

-- Ben Levine (Insider) on Jalen Redmond: "The defensive end ended up starting 15 of his 17 appearances this past year... PFF was especially fond of his performance, ranking him 20th among 127 interior defenders." Source: Pro Football Rumors (4/14)

-- Peter Schrager (Insider) on Jordyn Tyson: "Tyson is the twitchiest kid in this class. Every GM I talk to in the late first round has him circled as the 'difference maker.'" Source: ESPN / Get Up (4/14)

-- Eliot Wolf (Patriots VP) on the new technology: "We have a brand-new draft room... everywhere, there are screens. We don't have the little magnets anymore, which a lot of people are very excited about." Source: Patriots.com / Pre-Draft Presser Transcript (4/14)

-- Deepak Chona (Predictive Health) on Malik Nabers: Nabers (ACL) is at the 6-month mark. Velocity metrics are currently in the 85th percentile, which is ahead of the standard curve for Week 1 readiness.

Daily Transactions: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Los Angeles Chargers: Re-signed RB Kimani Vidal (ERFA Tender).
Minnesota Vikings: Re-signed DE Jalen Redmond (ERFA Tender).
New York Giants: Officially signed QB Brandon Allen (1-year).
New England Patriots: Announced HOF Finalists (including Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins).

*Your moment of Zen (or horror) for today:

https://x.com/nfl_dovkleiman/status/2043852352843583911?s=43

== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==

It’s March/April...March Madness time...so let’s do it tournament style. One matchup per day. Teams seeded in their division by their 2025 finish. We go through the divisions to the Final Four in each conference, to the overall Final Four, and then the finals. Strictly my early grades on the teams after all the coaching staffs have been put in place and most all of free agency worth noting is done. Assuming every player on the roster is healthy/never hurt.

The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.

Here we go:

AFC Finals (reseeded divisional final four based on 2025 records): Chargers vs. Rams let’s start with my ‘Big 3’ as always...

QB: Herbert or Stafford? I think the world of Herbert...arguably the most talented QB in the NFL, but that being said Stafford is so amazing and experienced. Like the Caleb-Stafford matchup...I’ll call it a push with a slight lean to Stafford’s experience if I have to.

O-Line: The Rams have had a top five O-Line for a few years now but considering the Chargers O-Line as healthy--then they have the better O-Line...the best O-Line in the NFL. Two elite tackles. A great new (FA) center. And I swear...if they land a great guard in the 1st-round of the draft...if you think I’m unbearable on the LAC O-Line before, wait until you see my live streaming reaction when they pick in the 1st-round.

I’m going to continue to be unbearable about the Chargers O-Line because it holds the key to the 2026 NFL and FF season on a number of levels.

CB group/defense: The Chargers ain’t bad. Having Derwin James as a nickel/slot guy is terrific. It’s very close, but the nudge goes to the Rams on defense overall. That CB duo swiped from KC is a major thing.

It’s so close. OK, let’s just call it a tie...co-champions!

Kidding.

Everything considered it’s so close, so I’m going to tip it to the Rams...I trust Sean McVay more than Jim Harbaugh right now. LAC has a brand new (promising) first-time D-C that is an unknown’. Harbaugh is a good coach, but McVay is always on the cutting edge.

Our ‘top roster’ (pre-Draft) champions = The L.A. Rams.

Past results:

AFC Final Four: (4) PIT d. (1) NE, (2) LAC d. (3) IND = LAC wins the AFC

AFC East: (1) NE d. (4) NYJ, (2) BUF d. (3) MIA = (1) NE d. (2) BUF

AFC North: (1) PIT d. (4) CLE, (3) CIN d. (2) BAL = (1) PIT d. (3) CIN

AFC South: (1) JAX d. (4) TEN, (3) IND d. (2) HOU = (3) IND d. (1) JAX

AFC West: (1) DEN d. (4) LV, (2) LAC d. (3) KC = (2) LAC d. (1) DEN

NFC Final Four: (1) LAR d. (4) ATL, (2) CHI d. (3) PHI = LAR wins the NFC

NFC East: (1) PHI d. (4) NYG, (2) DAL d. (3) WSH = (1) PHI d. (2) DAL

NFC North: (1) CHI d. (4) DET, (3) MIN d. (2) GB = (1) CHI d. (3) MIN

NFC South: (4) NO d. (1) CAR, (3) ATL d. (2) TB = (3) ATL d. (4) NO

NFC West: (1) SEA d. (4) ARI, (2) LAR at (3) SF = (2) LAR d. (1) SEA

----------------------------------------------------------

*How to sign up for our monthly or annual access: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/total-football-advisor

*How to get the free FFM App and FAQs on how to use: https://ffmetrics.com/5663-how-to-get-the-free-ffm-app

*Our Betting Subscription offering (including private Discord chat access): https://ffmetrics.com/betting/betting

=====================

4/14 TUE

(7:45amET)

Today

-- New series underway: A ‘special’ Dynasty Rookie Draft...

A DRD with the rookies from 2025 + 2026 + a special group of specially selected players outside of that. +2 more picks every day.

-- Next Scouting Report

-- More head coaching pressers from 3/30-31 analyzed.

-- NFL Draft position grades -- I am working through/finalizing adding 50-70 new WR prospects from all the finale Pro Days, etc., and updating any of the previously graded WRs. By Wednesday we’ll have a total of 100+ WRs graded/ranked.

This Week’s/Month’s Agenda…

-- Prospect grades by position and rookie rankings boards are being debuted, updated and added to daily/weekly up to kickoff 2026.

-- Dynasty and Best Ball rankings audits/updates daily/weekly. Starting up the IDP studies to try to get them done by early/mid-April.

-- Holy series QB and RB done. Holy RB Handcuffs underway.

-- Full scouting reports on prospects from now until the NFL preseason.

-- Any FFM News & Notes or Special Reports during the day as I get them.

== NEWS & NOTES & Xs ==

-- TRADE RUMOR: Speaking with a contact I trust, he told me there might be some heat on the Bears moving up to draft Jeremiyah Love. It’s not as urgent or desperate as it might seem on the surface...or farfetched given the scenario painted...

Last year, the Bears were really on TreVeyon Henderson. I think Ben Johnson does want to get a higher-end RB than D’Andre Swift, supposedly. If the opportunity presents itself...Chicago could try to move up...but only at a certain price.

The conspiracy theory is...if Love slides past 4-5 range and then maybe past 7...with as many top 10 teams willing/wanting to trade back, if they don’t have great offers to fall back (because everyone wants to fade this draft, in general) and a higher pick team is willing to take a mediocre deal with Chicago to fall back (CHI is at #25)...and keeping in mind the Bears did swindle the Bills 2nd-round pick in the DJM deal, so they could play that chip potentially (send their #25 overall and their extra 2nd?).

It’s not a ‘by any means necessary’ move...just a ‘if things fall their way they’d potentially get a little aggressive but crazy’ type move.

-- On the ‘TreVeyon’ (Henderson) vibe...

Remember last year when draft people tried to push him as a 1st-rounder late in the process? His EXCELLENT blocking was cited (and he was totally awful blocking in year one in the NFL)...and his great receiving back ability and potential full 3-down back ability was also cited. Some analysts tried to claim in the pre-draft that TreVeyon was as good as Ashton Jeanty and definitely better than Omarion Hampton. All that wound up to be a total joke based upon their first real NFL season.

Well, they’re back!!! Gotta push the big-name school guys...now they are trying to push Jadarius Price as a late 1st-round prospect. It’s insanity.

I’d never put anything past the NFL, but I don’t think they’ll fall for the Price push if they didn’t fall for the TreVeyon late hype up last pre-draft.

-- HEADLINE: Paxton Lynch injury in arena league ends NFL comeback attempt.

This is a real headline/thing. It’s not an April Fools. Adjust your Dynasty ranking boards accordingly...Paxton Lynch will not be headed back to the NFL this year.

And if we’re on the subject of terrible scouting...did the Paxton Lynch/1st-round prospect analysts ever apologize or acknowledge? Of course not.

So many ‘professional’ cohorts get on to me for talking about things I got wrong. The trick is supposed to be -- never admit a mistake, keep driving forward, don’t give your audience any reason to doubt because people forget what was said a year ago.

I will never do that.

I am not trying to coerce or con people into reading our material. I don’t want to try to hype more viewers or clicks to charge more for pop ads or commercial placements, etc., and to make up for the huge losses of subscribers they have each year in-and-out (the PFF issue, why they crashed)...it’s just a game of churn for most sites. I’m happy and proud that we have a group that almost all stays and doesn’t go away mad/disappointed. And I will never have pop-up ads...unless it’s an unholy amount of money.

I’m just trying to get to ‘right’ as quick as possible so we can all, myself included, get things right for Fantasy drafts, trades, betting, etc. There are great lessons or reasons why something went wrong that can be learned from when you study them and talk about them. I don’t get the ‘I’m never wrong’ strategy from politicians or from football analysts, but it’s only getting worse. Well, I’m not changing.

Where was I? Oh, yeah...Paxton Lynch is done for 2026.

-- I only got about 15 minutes into this Jon Gruden QB camp time with Diego Pavia so far, but I really enjoyed it and will finish it this week (it’s an hour long). I am doing Pavia deeper studies this week for his official scouting report.

I’m not sure what my next grade will be on him, it’s early in the deeper study, but I’ve gone from mocking him in January to liking him by February. I’m trying to figure out how much to like him.

I think Gruden’s ready to draft him round one, if he was back coaching...if you listen to this podcast.

https://youtu.be/1a_OkLsC-NQ?si=Qx_TDidvlb9kYBM2

== QUOTES & QUOTABLES ==

-- Eliot Wolf (Patriots VP) on the 2026 Draft Class: "I think if you had to look historically, this draft probably isn't great... but if we do our job and we do everything right, we're going to be able to get a good player with every pick." Source: Patriots.com / Pre-Draft Press Conference (4/13)

-- Brian Daboll (Titans OC) on Wan'Dale Robinson: "We want playmakers who win quickly. Wan'Dale has that twitch you can't teach; he’s the type of guy who makes the first man miss every time." Source: Titans Team Update (4/13)

-- Adam Schefter (Insider) on Aaron Rodgers: "The Rodgers-to-Pittsburgh noise isn't just noise anymore. They are talking daily. It’s about the structure of the deal now." Source: The Pat McAfee Show (4/13)

-- Kevin Stefanski (Falcons HC) on Jahan Dotson: "Jahan is a match for what we want to do in this scheme. He’s a former first-rounder with Super Bowl experience who gives us a fresh start opposite Drake [London]." Source: AtlantaFalcons.com (4/13)

-- Peter Schrager (Insider) on Brock Bowers: "The Raiders are obsessed with the 'Cousins to Bowers' connection in their simulations. They want a middle-of-the-field nightmare." Source: Good Morning Football (4/13)

-- Bill Belichick (Analyst) on Caleb Downs: "Downs is the most instinctual safety prospect I've seen in years. He’s a guy you can build an entire sub-package around on Day 1." Source: The Pat McAfee Show (4/13)

Daily Transactions: April 13-14, 2026

New York Giants: Signed QB Brandon Allen.
Los Angeles Chargers: Signed G Cole Strange.
Atlanta Falcons: Officially signed WR Jahan Dotson (2-year, $15M).
Las Vegas Raiders: Placed T Joshua Miles on the Reserve/Retired list.
San Francisco 49ers: Officially signed DB Jack Jones.

*Your moment of Zen for today (don’t blame me, they keep making them!):

https://x.com/drclownphd/status/2042696974709735590?s=43

== New Daily Series: Best Teams for 2026 Season Post-Free Agency ==

The first round will likely go pretty predictably, but I do see at least one major ‘upset’ by a bottom seed.

Here we go:

AFC Finals (reseeded divisional final four based on 2025 records): (1) LAR v. (2) CHI...OK let’s start with my ‘Big 3’ as always...

QB: Push. Yes, Stafford is the MVP, and I respect him greatly and he has the veteran experience and Sean McVay, but Caleb Williams is differently lethal and has Ben Johnson, and with another year of growth for Caleb...you can’t say this a serious edge for either right now.

O-Line: Two juggernaut O-Lines where I have to give the current edge to LAR. It would be a push had Bears center Drew Dalman not retired and LT Ozzy Trapilo not gotten hurt (ACL). So, fortuitous edge to LAR but post-draft it could be back to CHI.

CB group/defense: Well, LAR certainly made the effort to fix their main issue this offseason. The Bears are very good in the secondary, but the Rams have the edge with their new set up and a better front seven.

Rams have the slight edge in the ‘big 3’. And then I love Ben Johnson, but Sean McVay is high-end too...so no ground made up there. It’s very close, but that Dalman retirement and their LT iffy with the ACL...it keeps the edge to LAR. Since that epic playoff game they had...CHI has had OL disruption and the Rams traded hot for a fix to their biggest issue. The Rams have pulled in front of CHI for now.

Tomorrow...the series FINALE/Super Bowl: Chargers vs. Rams...at SoFi stadium!