Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
2026 NFL Draft Opens Thursday in Pittsburgh with Heisman Winner Fernando Mendoza Projected First Overall
The 91st NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 23, in Pittsburgh, with all three rounds running through Saturday outside Acrisure Stadium on the North Shore. Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely projected to go first overall to the Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the top pick. Six clubs enter the draft with multiple first-round selections, shaping an active trade market. The full slate runs 257 picks, including 33 compensatory choices distributed across 15 teams. The NFL is also debuting a new timing rule this year, restricting teams to eight minutes between first-round picks — the first change to first-round timing since 2008.
Sources: NFL Football Operations · The Globe and Mail
Giants Deal Dexter Lawrence to Bengals for No. 10 Pick; New York Now Holds Two Top-10 Selections
The New York Giants completed a blockbuster pre-draft trade Friday, sending three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in this week’s draft. New York already held the No. 3 overall selection, giving the rebuilding Giants two picks in the top 10 — the most valuable draft positioning the franchise has enjoyed in years. Lawrence subsequently signed a one-year, $28 million extension with Cincinnati. With the deal done, six clubs now enter Thursday’s draft holding multiple first-round picks, elevating trade value across the board in Pittsburgh.
Sources: New York Giants · ESPN
Brandon Aubrey Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Kicker with Record Four-Year, $28 Million Cowboys Extension
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has agreed to a four-year, $28 million contract extension — the richest deal in NFL history at the position — making him the first kicker to earn $7 million per season. The extension includes $20 million guaranteed and keeps Aubrey under contract through 2030. Aubrey, 31, set the NFL record for consecutive field goals made to start a career and has kicked six from 60 yards or longer — the most in league history — including a 65-yarder in 2024. He has earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl honours in each of his three NFL seasons with Dallas.
Sources: Dallas Cowboys Official · NFL.com
Trent Williams Ends Contract Standoff with $50 Million Two-Year 49ers Extension Through 2027
All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams ended a months-long contract standoff with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, agreeing to a two-year, $50 million extension keeping him in the Bay Area through the 2027 season. The deal includes $37 million fully guaranteed and a $22 million signing bonus. The agreement resolves a dispute over Williams’s 2026 cap figure, which had been scheduled at $39 million before renegotiation. Williams becomes the first non-quarterback in NFL history to surpass $400 million in total career contracts and $225 million in guarantees — a milestone that cements his standing as the premier offensive lineman of his generation.
Shedeur Sanders Gets First-Team Reps Over Watson and Gabriel as Browns Minicamp QB Competition Opens
Second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders received first-team reps at the Cleveland Browns’ voluntary minicamp Tuesday, edging ahead of veteran Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel in the early stages of the club’s quarterback competition. Head coach Todd Monken said the coaches were “just rotating” who got the first chance in each set and that the distribution of work would change over the next two days. Watson also took substantial first-team reps while Gabriel worked primarily with the backup unit. The Browns hold picks No. 6 and No. 24 in this week’s draft, giving the franchise significant room to add talent regardless of who wins the starting job.
Sources: Pro Football Talk · ClutchPoints
Myles Garrett Skips Browns Voluntary Minicamp, Forfeiting Potential $1 Million Workout Bonus
All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett did not report to the Cleveland Browns’ voluntary minicamp Monday, a decision likely to cost him a $1 million workout bonus tied to attendance thresholds in his contract. Garrett, 30, attended the Cleveland Cavaliers’ first-round NBA playoff game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse before departing the city, per reporter Mary Kay Cabot. Head coach Todd Monken confirmed he was notified in advance and expressed confidence: “Myles will be ready. I’m not worried about Myles.” Receiver Jerry Jeudy and cornerback Denzel Ward were also absent. The absence intensifies speculation about Garrett’s future in Cleveland; he broke the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23 in 2025.
Sources: Yahoo Sports · ClutchPoints
Aaron Rodgers Still Silent on 2026 Plans as Steelers Open Minicamp Under New Head Coach McCarthy
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened a three-day voluntary minicamp Monday under new head coach Mike McCarthy without any indication from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers on whether he will play for the team in 2026. Per NFL Insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, no decision is expected from Rodgers before Thursday’s draft. Rodgers has been travelling and is reportedly training, but has not signed a new contract with Pittsburgh. He did not join the Steelers until early June last season and may again delay until summer. In his absence, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard is handling first-team reps, with Pittsburgh potentially weighing a quarterback in this week’s draft.
Sources: Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Talk
Cleveland Browns Enter 2026 Draft With Picks No. 6 and No. 24, Targeting Difference-Makers on Both Sides
The Cleveland Browns enter Thursday’s NFL Draft holding two first-round picks — No. 6 and No. 24 — with the front office targeting difference-makers and elite talent at both selections. The franchise finished 5–12 in the 2025 season, earning the sixth overall pick, while the 24th selection was accumulated through prior transactions. Cleveland faces a pivotal offseason with a contested quarterback room featuring Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel, while needing reinforcements on both sides of the ball. How the club spends these picks will define the franchise’s trajectory for years to come, according to ESPN’s draft analysis.
Sources: ESPN
American Football Conference — 2025 Final
AFC East
1. New England Patriots — 14–3
2. Buffalo Bills — 12–5
3. Miami Dolphins — 7–10
4. New York Jets — 3–14
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — 10–7
2. Baltimore Ravens — 8–9
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 6–11
4. Cleveland Browns — 5–12
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — 13–4
2. Houston Texans — 12–5
3. Indianapolis Colts — 8–9
4. Tennessee Titans — 3–14
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 14–3
2. Los Angeles Chargers — 11–6
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14
National Football Conference — 2025 Final
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6
2. Dallas Cowboys — 7–9–1
3. Washington Commanders — 5–12
4. New York Giants — 4–13
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 11–6
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–7–1
3. Minnesota Vikings — 9–8
4. Detroit Lions — 9–8
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers — 8–9
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9
3. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9
4. New Orleans Saints — 6–11
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 14–3 ③ Super Bowl LX Champions
2. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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