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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Tommy DeVito is confirmed as the New England Patriots' top backup quarterback. The team recently selected Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding him as a third option behind starter Drake Maye and DeVito. This move solidifies DeVito's position in the Patriots' quarterback room for the upcoming season, indicating his role as a key reserve.
The New England Patriots selected Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton with the 234th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Morton, the seventh player drafted by the Patriots this year, joins the team's quarterback room as a third option behind starter Drake Maye and backup Tommy DeVito. Analysts view his addition as providing depth and competition as the team evaluates its quarterback situation, as he was part of a trio of seventh-round selections to close out their 2026 recruitment cycle.
The Denver Broncos traded up to select NC State tight end Justin Joly with the 152nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Joly, a 21-year-old former WR/TE hybrid, totaled 92 receptions for 1,150 yards and 11 touchdowns over two seasons at NC State. He ranked 14th in 2025 aDOT (7.6) and 10th in team receiving yard market share (18.6%) among Combine-invited tight ends. Viewed as a high-upside pass-catching weapon, his selection fills a position of need for the Broncos, despite some surprise at his draft slide.
Undrafted quarterback Luke Altmyer has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent (UDFA). The former Illini QB, who was not selected during the 2026 NFL Draft, has successfully secured a spot in the NFL. The Lions are reportedly adding Altmyer to their roster, providing him an opportunity to compete for a position and join the team's quarterback depth.
The Los Angeles Rams selected Miami wide receiver CJ Daniels with the 197th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The 24-year-old prospect, who brings six years of collegiate experience from Miami, Liberty, and LSU, recorded 50 catches for 557 yards and 7 touchdowns in his final season. Despite a 33.8% dominator rating, Daniels lacks a standout athletic trait and faces questions regarding his fantasy ceiling. He is viewed as a fine route runner with passable ball skills, adding depth to the Rams' receiving corps.
The Carolina Panthers are set to sign quarterback Haynes King as an undrafted free agent. King, who went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, will be added to the Panthers' roster. This move provides the team with an additional quarterback for their upcoming programs, bolstering their depth at the position.
Carson Wentz was highlighted as Cole Payton, another North Dakota State quarterback, was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round (178th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft, mirroring Wentz's own draft path. Payton, who shares an agent with Wentz, expressed high praise for the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, noting the historical connection between the two NDSU alumni now linked by the Eagles' draft strategy.
The Philadelphia Eagles selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton with the 178th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. An elite athlete with a 9.87 RAS, Payton recorded 2,719 passing yards, 16 TDs, and 4 INTs as a one-year starter, adding 777 rushing yards and 13 TDs. He led Combine-invited QBs in aDOT (12.3) and Big Time Throw rate (11.3%). Payton, who shares an agent with Carson Wentz, joins a QB room featuring Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Andy Dalton, and is viewed as a high-upside developmental prospect, following in Wentz's footsteps as an NDSU QB drafted by the Eagles.
The trade involving Brian Robinson has been officially finalized at the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft. The transaction, which saw the Commanders trade Robinson, is now complete and 'in the books.' Robinson is now with the Atlanta Falcons, marking a definitive roster change for the player as the draft process concludes and his new team is confirmed.
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is seeing familiar faces in the professional ranks as two of his former Indiana targets, Riley Nowakowski and Jack Endries, were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Nowakowski went to the Steelers, while Endries joined the Bengals. Furthermore, Mendoza himself is linked to the Las Vegas Raiders' undrafted free agent class, where two additional Indiana teammates have signed to reunite with the signal-caller as he begins his professional journey in Nevada.
The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with Louisville quarterback Miller Moss, signing him as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft. Although the Bears did not use any of their seven draft picks on a signal-caller, they moved quickly to secure Moss to compete in their quarterback room. Moss will look to earn a roster spot during summer programs as the team evaluates his potential to provide depth behind their established starters in Chicago.
The trade involving veteran quarterback Geno Smith has been officially finalized during the 2026 NFL Draft. Smith moves from the Las Vegas Raiders to the New York Jets, concluding a deal that had been in the works. The transaction is now "in the books," allowing both teams to move forward with their updated depth charts. For the Jets, Smith provides a veteran presence as they solidify their quarterback rotation following the conclusion of their draft-day maneuvers.
The Detroit Lions officially wrapped up the trade of wide receiver Tim Patrick during the 2026 NFL Draft. The transaction, which had been pending, was finalized as the league's draft proceedings concluded on Saturday. While specific details of the return were not immediately highlighted, the move allows the Lions to adjust their wide receiver room and salary cap structure heading into the next phase of the offseason. Patrick now moves on to his new destination as the trade is recorded.
The trade of running back Tank Bigsby from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Philadelphia Eagles was officially finalized during the 2026 NFL Draft. The deal, which had been previously negotiated, saw its final components fall into place as the draft picks involved were exercised. Bigsby joins an Eagles backfield that was a focal point of the team's offseason strategy. The completion of this trade provides clarity for both organizations' rosters as they move into post-draft activities.
The Philadelphia Eagles have bolstered the environment around quarterback Jalen Hurts, adding new offensive pieces and expanding the depth chart. The team selected North Dakota State dual-threat QB Cole Payton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft to join a room that includes Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton. Analysts note that Hurts is a primary winner of the draft weekend as the Eagles' front office focused on surrounding their franchise signal-caller with versatile talent.
The Los Angeles Rams selected quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, explicitly positioning him as the eventual successor to veteran Matthew Stafford. While head coach Sean McVay addressed the organization's long-term transition plan at the position, Stafford notably received no significant additions to his supporting cast during the draft. The move signals a strategic shift for the Rams as they prepare for the post-Stafford era while maintaining their current core.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Navy RB/WR Eli Heidenreich with the 230th overall pick. A hometown product, Heidenreich tallied 3,151 yards over three seasons, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and setting a school record with 941 receiving yards in 2025. He led combine-invited RBs in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.30) and receiving yards per route run (4.73). His elite positional versatility earned the Steelers a "B+" grade as he becomes the first Navy teammate drafted since 1956.
Jeremiyah Love has emerged as the consensus premier talent of the Arizona Cardinals' 2026 draft class. Despite external debate regarding the team's controversial quarterback picks, Love is viewed as a foundational piece expected to contribute significantly to the roster immediately. Analysts have labeled him the best player the team selected, praising his fit within the Cardinals' system as they navigate post-draft evaluations and look to solidify their offensive identity for the season.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy continues to serve as the gold standard for late-round NFL Draft success. His trajectory was cited as a benchmark for evaluating five potential 2026 sleepers and was referenced during the crowning of the Broncos' Red Murdock as this year's "Mr. Irrelevant." Purdy’s rise from the final pick to a franchise starter remains a key analytical tool for teams looking to find immediate contributors among unheralded prospects in the later rounds.
The New York Jets and Cleveland Browns have finalized the draft pick swaps associated with last year's trade of defensive tackle Jowon Briggs. As the 2026 NFL Draft picks were officially made, the transaction involving the big interior lineman reached its conclusion. The Jets utilized the assets acquired in the deal to bolster their roster, closing the book on the trade that sent Briggs to Cleveland and establishing the final value exchanged between the two franchises.
