The NFL Draft is officially just two weeks away. As the offseason’s main event grows ever closer, NFL news and rumors start flying faster than ever. Just in the past week, we’ve seen Bryce Young’s odds of being the top pick in the NFL Draft surge to the point where he’s the odds-on favorite. All of that movement comes from leaks and rumors gaining traction with oddsmakers, whose ears are open even as they sleep.
NFL News and Rumors
The Washington Commanders’ options run lower. Anthony Richardson puts himself in company with Drew Brees, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow. Let’s tow out and see if we can’t carve up a nasty barrel or two with the latest news and rumors.
Jeff Bezos Not Bidding on Commanders
After hiring the sports banking firm Allen & Company to explore a bid on the Commanders, Jeff Bezos decided against making an offer on the team. Instead, he chooses the life of a hodad, making Harris the only legitimate offer the Commanders have received thus far.
MORE: FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
That offer is reportedly worth somewhere between $5.5 billion and $6 billion. It’s expected that a winning bid will be announced before the next owners meeting on May 22.
John Metchie III Close To Return
After missing his rookie season, John Metchie III nears a return to the Houston Texans. The second-round pick from a season ago was recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the SEC Championship Game but was diagnosed with leukemia in July 2022. Head coach DeMeco Ryans met with media recently with an update on Metchie.
“Yeah, John (Metchie III) is doing fine,” Ryans told the media. “We’ll see John get involved with our offseason program. And with John, as with every other player, we’re going to take it one day at a time and see where he can grow and where he can be when the time comes. At the right time, when the season comes, we’ll see where he is.”
General manager Nick Caserio shared positive updates on Methie in January, and the good news continues to come in.
Anthony Richardson Aces S2 Test
The S2 Cognitive Test evaluates a person’s ability to gather and process visual information. The test is administered on a high-end gaming laptop with a two-millisecond response time. For reference, a blink takes between 100-150 milliseconds.
Anthony Richardson reportedly went into the pit of the bomb and came out unscathed. In other words, he crushed it. While cognitive tests like the Wonderlick are often laughed at regarding their perceived importance, the S2 Test could buck that trend because of the contents of the test.
Syracuse CB Garrett Williams Meets With 10 Teams
Despite tearing his ACL in October, Syracuse cornerback Garrett Williams has quietly been highly regarded by evaluators. The Industry Consensus Big Board ranks him the 89th-best player in the NFL Draft despite the injury.
MORE: Fitting a CB to the League’s Most Desperate Teams
Williams has met with many NFL teams to this point, including CB-hungry units like the Jaguars, Commanders, Lions, Broncos, Cardinals, and Giants. Williams has been on the NFL’s radar since flashing opposite of Ifeatu Melifonwu in 2020.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah Visits Buccaneers
According to Pewter Report, the Buccaneers have already met with some of the best pass rushers in the NFL Draft, including Georgia’s Nolan Smith, LSU’s BJ Ojulari, and Iowa’s Lukas Van Ness.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah might not be on their level, but the Kansas State pass rusher may also not be around by the time Tampa Bay picks at 50. The Consensus Big Board ranks him exactly at 50, and there is always the positional tax consideration with pass rushers.
Broncos Bring in Luke Musgrave
Luke Musgrave was unable to produce massive numbers at Oregon State due to injury, but from a talent perspective, he’s one of the most intriguing pass catchers in the 2023 NFL Draft. Despite his injuries, Musgrave ranks 39th on the Industry Big Board, and PFN’s own Tony Pauline ranks him the 29th-best prospect in the class.
Musgrave visited the Broncos Wednesday. Denver doesn’t have a selection until pick 67, but Musgrave’s injury history could be Denver’s gain, should they choose to bet on the athletic upside. It would be an interesting selection from a needs standpoint though, considering the team selected Greg Dulcich a season ago, who flashed talent as a rookie.
Dexter Lawrence Won’t Participate in Giants Offseason Program
Dexter Lawrence is joining teammate Saquon Barkley in… not joining the New York Giants for offseason programming. The fifth-year player was a second-team All-Pro a season ago, somehow accumulating the second-most pressures among interior defenders despite his massive 340-pound frame.
MORE: Saquon Barkley Contract Drama
Lawrence is set to make $12 million guaranteed in his fifth NFL season, and his absence in New York for the offseason program is simply business. He wants a long-term extension, and quite frankly, he’s owed one after seeing the on-field improvements he’s made since his rookie season.
