Claypool was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and he impressed early on in his career. However, his attitude was an issue and he also had some injury concerns. It ended up costing him his spot on the team.

After that, he had ill-fated stints at the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reported that Claypool is in fact, attending the Packers mini-camp.

Why has Claypool not played in more than two years?

Claypool went from a very productive weapon (he racked up 1,600+ yards in his first two seasons combined) to a practice squad guy. However, it was not only that his level dipped. Injuries also played a huge role in his absence.

More specifically, it’s been a toe injury the one that hasn’t allowed him to flourish. A receiver runs a lot, and also changes directions and jumps. It’s one of the most demanding positions in football, at least physically. Hence, not being able to do any of that at a high level due to a toe injury will logically hamper Claypool’s career.

Claypool might not be the answer to a WR1, but can be useful

Claypool is clearly not equipped to be any team’s WR1, at least for now. However, he is 27 years old and he can be a great deep threat with huge contested catch abilities if used right. This could help the Packers, as it would allow them to use Christian Watson in even more roles and formations.

Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Veach was clear on his message. “We added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker and we feel real good about our offensive line… We’ve gotta get back to establishing our run game.”

Establishing the run game allows Mahomes to play more freely, and also lets him know that he doesn’t need to play Superman for the Chiefs offense to work. Mahomes is tasked to do a lot. This time around, Kenneth Walker will provide him with the help he needs.

Kenneth Walker can help Mahomes in multiple ways

Walker is an excellent running back, that’s why he won Super Bowl MVP. He brings a balance of speed, raw power, and intelligence to his game that not many RBs possess. He is also fresh off a ring-winning 1,000-yard season.

However, that’s not the only way he can help Mahomes. Walker also had 31 catches for 282 yards last season. Mahomes can perfectly ditch it out and let Walker do the rest. Screen passes and play-action can also be a part of the menu when having someone like Walker.

Veach also mentioned a revamped O-line

The offensive line was also upgraded and that’s key. While not sexy, the O-line is like the door to a house. It doesn’t matter how big or fancy the house is, it’s nothing without a door that protects it. The Chiefs now brought big guys that will protect Mahomes, and also open holes for Walker.

Josh Simmons is likely to take the left tackle spot, with Kingsley Suamataia at left guard. Creed Humphrey will resume his role as center, while Trey Smith will serve as right guard. The right tackle spot will likely belong to Jaylon Moore.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Seahawks would love to address Kenneth Walker’s exit in a unorthodox way. Walker joining the Chiefs left quite a hole in Seattle’s running game.

While the team addressed it by drafting running back Jadarian Price in the 2026 NFL Draft, the fact is that’s not the only alternative to get the running game going. Per Fowler, “The Seahawks have backfield depth and also hope to utilize dual-threat QB Jalen Milroe.”

Jalen Milroe is a highly-athletic QB

Milroe is a big body with explosive speed. We’ve seen previous teams use this strategy before. For instance, two years ago the Steelers did it with Justin Fields. The Saints have also done it with Taysom Hill.

Sam Darnold will still be the undoubted starter off the team, but he is a pure pocket passer, and his speed is not precisely one to dazzle anyone. Hence, everytime Milroe is on the field, pay attention to run-pass-options (RPOs) to either explode on the run, or launch his bazooka arm deep.

The Seahawks have other lesser weapons on the RB depth chart

The Seahawks will have Price as RB1, and Zach Charbonnet will come back from his injury at some point. Still, the Seahawks also brought in Emmanuel Wilson to join George Holani, Velus Jones Jr., Kenny McIntosh, and Jacardia Wright.

When the Eagles traded up to select Makai Lemon, many believed the move signaled a major change. By drafting a top-tier wide receiver, the club essentially indicated that A.J. Brown’s tenure in Philly may be coming to an end.

Now, Lemon has added fuel to those speculations. The rookie has spoken openly about his relationship with DeVonta Smith, notably leaving A.J. Brown out of the conversation and suggesting that Smith is poised to become the new WR1 in Philadelphia.

“Yeah, super humble guy, super chill, super calm, kind of my type of vibe,” Makai Lemon said about DeVonta Smith, via NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com. “So I feel like me and him clicked on those things. When you step on the field, he’s already got that dog mentality. So I think me and him are going to click well, definitely.”

The 2026 NFL Draft was key to A.J. Brown’s future

A.J. Brown’s arrival in New England appears to be a deal done, not only because the Eagles selected a receiver in the first round but also because of the Patriots’ draft strategy.

Throughout the seven rounds, the Patriots did not select a single wide receiver. Given this lack of movement at the position and the recent departure of Stefon Siggs, it appears that a trade for Brown may simply be a matter of time.

The deal is expected to be finalized after June 1, when the salary cap hit would be significantly less burdensome for the Eagles. However, no deal is official yet, and Philadelphia could still opt to trade him elsewhere, leaving New England without their targeted WR1.

A.J. Brown needs a fresh start

While A.J. Brown’s tenure with the Eagles cannot be considered a disappointment, his recent seasons have lacked the dominant form he initially displayed with the NFC East club.

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel knows Brown well from their time together with the Titans. With a veteran offensive coordinator like Josh McDaniels, Brown could potentially regain his elite form and shine once again in New England.

However, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, a collateral decision was made, since the Steelers didn’t pick Broderick Jones’ fifth-year option. Jones has started 38 regular season games for the Steelers since being drafted in 2023. He’s allowed 20 sacks and 95 pressures in those games.

Fowler said that Iheanachor impressed the Steelers massively due to his power and agility. Hence, it seems like the new guy is ready to take the baton and become an immediate starter for the black-and-yellow.

Iheanachor profiles well for the Steelers

Not only is Iheanachor a powerful and agile big man, he is also an incredible athlete. He has exceptional lateral quickness, explosive movement in zone schemes, and possesses very strong pass-protection mechanics.

Iheanachor could very well provide stability and quality to the position. This means that this 2026 NFL Draft could’ve been a blessing in disguise for the Steelers. They originally wanted to draft Makai Lemon, wide receiver from USC, but the Philadelphia Eagles leapfrogged them.

The Steelers face unprecedented pressure

Mike Tomlin coached this team for 19 years, in which he never had a losing record. Hence, now that Mike Tomlin is gone and Mike McCarthy is at the helm, the Steelers must get a good record and have a good season to prove the change wasn’t a mistake.

Mike McCarthy is an offense-oriented coach, while Tomlin focused on defense. The fact is that if they don’t get a winning record at least, the Steelers would face huge backlash.

Recent reports confirm that Mike Tomlin has joined NBC as a football analyst for Football Night in America. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach chose to step away from the sidelines while remaining connected to the sport through the media.

A similar transition could be in store for Russell Wilson. Although the Jets are interested in keeping him in New York following his exit from the Giants, a television offer may be more attractive for the Super Bowl XLVIII champion.

Report: Russell Wilson could stay in New York, but for CBS

According to rumors, Russell Wilson prefers to stay in New York, with the Jets really interested in him as QB2. However, it may no longer be as a player, but as a top NFL analyst for CBS.

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that Wilson is in “deep discussions” regarding a broadcasting role. CBS’s studio is located in Manhattan, making it a perfect logistical fit.

The opening at CBS follows Matt Ryan’s departure from The NFL Today to join the Atlanta Falcons as President of Football Operations. This has created a high-profile vacancy that Wilson is a strong candidate to fill.

Is the Jets’ door closed for Russell Wilson?

Not necessarily. Wilson remains a primary candidate to back up Geno Smith for the Jets. However, the prospect of sitting behind the man who was once his own backup in Seattle may not appeal to “DangeRuss.”

Wilson is no longer viewed as a reliable starter, and his options for such a role are minimal. After a difficult year with the Giants, stepping aside to preserve his legacy as an analyst may be his best move.

After a report stated that Shedeur Sanders is trailing Deshaun Watson in the Browns QB battle, the head coach went on and say “I’m not there yet, so I can’t say that… What I’ve seen after three days, that gives us a 40,000-foot view of where we’re at. There’s only so many reps you get, you’ve got to start to target towards who is gonna start opening day. That can still change.”

Hence, the reports might indicate who’s leading the competition, but not precisely that the decision is made. After all, nailing your starting quarterback is the first step towards success.

Deshaun Watson vs Shedeur Sanders

The Browns don’t have elite talent on their quarterback depth chart. Watson and Sanders both have under 60% completion. However, Watson has less turnovers in 12 games more with the Browns than Sanders.

On the other hand, Sanders averages one touchdown per game, more than Watson. Both are controversial figures that don’t return elite production, but one of them must start either way.

The Browns have to be competent on offense, as they are elite on defense

The Browns defense is arguably the best in the NFL. Hence, the team doesn’t even need to put 30 points per game, the defense just need the offense to not be one of the league’s worse.

In 2025, the Browns were the fourth-best total defense in the NFL. Hence, it’s just natural that they will continue their path of dominance, as most players remained with the team. If the offense is functional, the Browns can win plenty of games.

Quinn appeared on the Rich Eisen Show and also said Styles’ “unique traits” will allow the Commanders to use him in a plethora of roles. That could include using the green dot on the helmet.

“He is definitely capable of that [using the green dot]. It’s one of the nice things now with the guys already doing that in college,” Quinn said. The fact is that Quinn needs to solve the defensive issues of the team, and Styles goes a long way in helping him do that.

What is the green dot for?

One player on defense gets a green dot on his helmet. That means he is the player in charge of relaying the team’s defensive plans to the rest of the team. The green dot indicates he is the one that hears the play calls from coaches.

Throughout the whole draft process, everyone praised Styles’ high football IQ, instincts, versatility, dedication to film study and elite athleticism. Also, he used the green dot during his Ohio State days.

The Commanders need the best Styles possible

Washington brought Dan Quinn two seasons ago in hopes of uplifting the franchise, especially on the defensive side. While the first year was great in terms of achievements, as the team went to the NFC Championship Game, the defense didn’t work exactly great.

In 2024, the Commanders defense ranked 13th in total defense. Even worse, in 2025, the Commanders were the absolute worst, ranking dead-last in total yards allowed in the NFL. Hence, the Commanders really need Styles to go big-time as they try go back into the good times.

“No updates on that,” Schoen commented on Beckham Jr. during an appearance on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “We worked him out a couple of weeks ago and he did a good job. Odell is a guy we had in for a workout. We’ll continue to have conversations with his camp and see where it goes. We’re always looking to get better.”

Schoen’s latest statement mirrors a report around the NFL that suggests the Giants’ reunion with Beckham Jr. depends on fit, and not just interest. It’s become clear both sides are interested, but it’s now a matter of whether the two are compatible. They were a decade ago, but a lot has changed since.

Giants will continue to explore nose tackle market

The fact the Giants will lose Darius Slayton for weeks amid the Odell rumors only adds to the buzz. However, the G-Men have made it clear their priority is addressing the interior of the defensive line after Dexter Lawrence’s trade. D.J. Reader is the main name to watch, and the New York Giants could face one less competitor for him after the Baltimore Ravens secured Calais Campbell.

Regardless, the front office in East Rutherford isn’t placing all of its eggs in one basket. Schoen made that clear during his latest interview. Wherever there’s a position in need of reinforcements, the Giants will be all over it.

Still, they mustn’t overstretch themselves, as they may turn into a jack of all trades, master of none. Only a thin line separates them from such an abyss, and offseason greed may well push them overboard.

Odell’s numbers

Beckham Jr. didn’t play a single snap in the 2025 NFL season and was limited to nine appearances in 2024. John Harbaugh coached him back in 2023 on the Baltimore Ravens and spoke highly of Odell, but he remains wary about a commitment.

Ever since Beckham left the Big Apple, he’s only surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in a season once. That was during his first year in Cleveland in 2019. It was also the last time he stayed healthy through an entire season. Since 2020, Beckham has tallied 1,476 total receiving yards. That makes for an average of 369 yards per year (considering he missed the entire 2022 and 2025 seasons).

With such numbers, it’s clear Beckham Jr. will have to ask for a very low price on his next contract. He signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Miami Dolphins back in 2024, but even that price tag might be asking too much from Schoen and the Giants.

Albeit the Giants could face one less competitor for D.J. Reader as the Baltimore Ravens signed Calais Campbell, there’s a recent trend that may spark concerns in Big Blue. Most reports indicate New York is after Reader for him to play the 0-technique nose tackle position. However, that might be a tall task for the 11-year veteran in the NFL. At the very least, Harbaugh and the Giants may have to exercise patience.

According to data from Sports Info Solutions and The Film Room, Reader recorded 177 rush snaps from a 1-technique spot on the defensive line and just two snaps at 0-technique throughout the 2025 NFL season. That would mean the Giants may be assigning him to a role he barely had last year.

There’s a common saying about stats, though. They tell a lot, but hide the most important side of every story. Perhaps Reader’s lack of usage wasn’t due to a lack of skill in playing such a role, but simply a coaching decision (by head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard). If Reader indeed signs with the Giants, that’s something Harbaugh and Dennard Wilson will have to figure out.

New York has no time to waste

Obviously, the sooner New York can reach an agreement with Reader, the earlier the nose tackle can get to work on his craft. However, with the Giants reportedly asking Reader for a discount and contract talks slowing down, there’s no certainty as to when that might happen.

Reader could be introduced to the Big Apple tomorrow, next week, next month—or not at all. At the end of the day, it’s the NFL, and everybody must expect the unexpected. That includes the future of the former fifth-round pick in 2016, who’s become the Giants and Harbaugh’s new priority to replace Dexter Lawrence.

Unfortunately for the G-Men, word is out across the league on their intentions. That only serves as leverage for Reader and his camp, meaning any plea for a discount may be in vain.

Difference between 0 and 1-technique

Quarterbacks, wideouts, and running backs may steal the spotlight with their ability to make incredible plays out of nothing, but in its most primitive version, football is essentially a sport of gaps. No MVP will ever go to a lineman, but games are won and lost, and championships are decided by what happens in the trenches.

Looking at the offensive-defensive line battle, legendary Alabama head coach Paul “Bear” Bryant came up with a 9-technique system that still holds up. We’ll focus on Reader’s job, which is limited, as a nose tackle, to being a 0-technique or 1-technique player.

The key difference lies in the fact that a 1-technique lines up on the shoulder (whether outside or inside) of the center, leaving himself exposed to blocks from a guard and double teams. As for a 0-technique, it takes on the center head-on.

With Lawrence, the Giants could move him across both techniques with virtually the same efficiency. With him gone, the G-Men need someone who can carry that vacant load. Reader is the best option on the market and whom New York is favoring—even though his latest tape in 2025 suggests he hasn’t been used as much as a 0-technique as the Giants may have liked.

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“The holdup on Odell is pretty simple. They have to be sure they both want to do this weighing all the factors: I have no doubt Odell wants to be a Giant. I think Harbaugh would like to coach him and thinks he can bring something to this team and the WR group.”

That distinction matters. Beckham has already worked out for the team after his strong showing at the 2026 Fanatics Flag Football Classic, and conversations have taken place. But as things stand, both sides appear to be taking a measured approach rather than rushing into a decision.

More than football: legacy and expectations at play for OBJ

Stapleton pointed out that this situation goes beyond typical roster building, it’s about legacy, perception, and how the story ends. “But, in some ways, it’s like why some Yankees fans don’t want Don Mattingly to ever manage the Yankees. Because one day, he’ll be fired. And no one wants to see Donnie Baseball fired. With OBJ, he’s incredibly popular with a lot of Giants fans. Harbaugh and team brass don’t want this to be for show or for nostalgia. Neither does Odell.”

That perspective underscores the risk. A reunion sounds appealing, but if it doesn’t work, whether due to performance, health, or role, it could tarnish what has largely been a positive relationship between Beckham and the franchise. At the same time, the potential upside is obvious.

Chasing the ‘storybook ending’ for Odell Beckham Jr.

Stapleton added that Odell Beckham Jr. is also trying to finish his career on top. A key factor for both sides. “If you bring OBJ back and he comes back, you want the storybook ending. He contributes. Helps Dart. Stays healthy. Closes the circle on his career and goes out a Giant. Can they find a way to maximize their chances of making that happen for both sides?”

That vision is what makes the situation so compelling. Beckham wouldn’t be expected to carry the offense, but rather to complement a young core that includes Malik Nabers and quarterback Jaxson Dart. In that role, he could provide leadership, experience, and timely production.

The question, ultimately, is whether both sides believe that ideal scenario is realistic. For now, the door remains open, but this is not a decision driven by urgency. It’s one that requires careful consideration, because if it happens, both the Giants and Beckham want to make sure it’s remembered for the right reasons.