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\n Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ top overall draft selection. Meanwhile, several veteran NFL stars including Kirk Cousins and A.J. Brown could be changing teams this offseason.\n <\/p>\n
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As college athletes showcase their talents at the NFL scouting combine, professional teams are simultaneously planning significant roster changes while assessing potential draft selections.<\/p>\n
Heisman Trophy recipient Fernando Mendoza stands as the overwhelming favorite to be chosen first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, with questions remaining about whether any other quarterback will be taken in the opening round.<\/p>\n
However, considerable discussion surrounded veteran quarterbacks potentially switching franchises during the action-packed Indianapolis event.<\/p>\n
The Atlanta Falcons have already notified Kirk Cousins that he will be cut loose once the new league year begins March 11. Miami may decide to move on from Tua Tagovailoa, though doing so could result in a massive $99.2 million dead money penalty that might be divided over two years with a post-June 1 designation.<\/p>\n
After seven years with Arizona, Kyler Murray might be seeking a fresh start elsewhere. The Cardinals must pay him $36.8 million in guaranteed money this season, with another $19.5 million becoming guaranteed for 2027 if he remains on the roster through the third day of the new league year.<\/p>\n
Despite helping the Philadelphia Eagles capture a Super Bowl title, three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown has emerged as a potential trade candidate, though the organization would rather retain his services.<\/p>\n
Las Vegas has indicated willingness to entertain proposals for five-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Maxx Crosby, although general manager John Spytek expressed desire to bring him back.<\/p>\n
Six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans of Tampa Bay intends to explore free agency and might receive an irresistible opportunity elsewhere.<\/p>\n
Mendoza, who guided Indiana to their inaugural national title, chose not to participate in combine drills but conducted media interviews and team meetings.<\/p>\n
The quarterback chosen after Mendoza may face a lengthy wait. Alabama\u2019s Ty Simpson delivered an outstanding combine performance and despite being a single-season starter requiring additional development, his upside could warrant first-round consideration.<\/p>\n
LSU\u2019s Garrett Nussmeier and Miami\u2019s Carson Beck enhanced their draft positioning at the combine. Arkansas\u2019 Taylen Green displayed impressive athletic ability, recording a blazing 4.36-second 40-yard dash time.<\/p>\n
Both Clemson\u2019s Cade Klubnik and Penn State\u2019s Drew Allar demonstrated excellent arm strength during throwing sessions.<\/p>\n
The defensive line position features exceptional depth with multiple first-round prospects. NFL organizations prioritize players capable of pressuring quarterbacks, especially following two consecutive Super Bowls dominated by defensive units, further emphasizing the importance of elite front-four talent.<\/p>\n
Texas Tech\u2019s David Bailey, Ohio State\u2019s Arvell Reese, and Miami\u2019s Rueben Bain Jr. project as top-10 selections. Auburn\u2019s Keldric Faulk, Texas A&M\u2019s Cashius Howell, and Miami\u2019s Akheem Mesidor represent additional first-round possibilities.<\/p>\n
Wide receiver offers substantial talent throughout the draft class, providing teams numerous options for offensive playmakers.<\/p>\n
Ohio State\u2019s Carnell Tate leads this group and should hear his name called within the first 10 picks. USC\u2019s Makai Lemon, Arizona State\u2019s Jordyn Tyson, Indiana\u2019s Omar Cooper Jr., Washington\u2019s Denzel Boston, and Texas A&M\u2019s KC Concepcion all possess first-round capabilities.<\/p>\n
Notre Dame\u2019s Malachi Fields, Tennessee\u2019s Chris Brazzell II, and Georgia\u2019s Zachariah Branch will generate significant interest. The receiver position runs so deep that undrafted players from this class could make meaningful contributions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be the Las Vegas Raiders’ top overall draft selection. Meanwhile,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":788563,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[108477,108478,108471,108479,108473,108474,108472,7,108475,6,108476],"class_list":{"0":"post-788562","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-102-3","9":"tag-102-3fm","10":"tag-fine-day","11":"tag-fine-day-102-3","12":"tag-fine-day-fm","13":"tag-fine-day-media","14":"tag-fine-day-radio","15":"tag-football","16":"tag-have-a-fine-day","17":"tag-nfl","18":"tag-weller-radio"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116164198623534679","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788562","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=788562"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/788562\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/788563"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=788562"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=788562"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=788562"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}