Sources: Madubuike has neck surgery, may return

Jamison HensleyApr 21, 2026, 09:55 AM ET

CloseJamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.Open Extended Reactions

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike underwent neck surgery last week that left doctors believing the

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Bears’ Caleb Williams ready to build off big year

Courtney CroninApr 21, 2026, 06:00 AM ET

CloseCourtney Cronin joined ESPN in 2017, originally covering the Minnesota Vikings before switching to the Chicago Bears in 2022. Courtney is a frequent panelist on Around the Horn and host of Best Week Ever and GameNight on ESPN Radio. She also co-hosts The Chicago Bears Podcast on ESPN 1000. She previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News as a multimedia sports journalist.Open Extended Reactions

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson gave Caleb Williams a clear directive to detach from football.

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Meet Prospect X, who could be the 2026 NFL draft’s brightest diamond in the rough

Kalyn KahlerApr 21, 2026, 06:30 AM ET

CloseKalyn Kahler is a senior NFL writer at ESPN. Kalyn reports on a range of NFL topics. She reported about the influence of coaching agents on NFL hiring and found out what current and former Cowboys players really think about the tour groups of fans that roam about The Star every day. Before joining ESPN in July of 2024, Kalyn wrote for The Athletic, Defector, Bleacher Report and Sports Illustrated. She began her career at Sports Illustrated as NFL columnist Peter King’s assistant. She is a graduate of Northwestern University, where she was a

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

The Draft Day Predictor settles big Round 1 debates: Could Ty Simpson slide? Should Dallas trade up?

Seth WalderApr 21, 2026, 06:30 AM ET

CloseSeth Walder is an analytics writer at ESPN, specializing in quantitative analysis. He is also a regular on “ESPN Bet Live” and helps cover sports betting. Seth has been at ESPN since 2017. He previously worked at the New York Daily News covering the Jets and Giants. You can follow Seth on X via @SethWalder.Open Extended Reactions

The game within the game of the NFL draft is forecasting how it will unfold. Teams build internal models to help figure out when they need to pick a player and how far forward — or back —

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Kiper’s final 2026 Big Board: Ranking the top 150 NFL draft prospects, plus position reports

Mel Kiper Jr.Apr 21, 2026, 06:00 AM ET

CloseMel Kiper Jr. has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on “SportsCenter,” ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.Open Extended Reactions

It’s time to head to Pittsburgh for the 2026 NFL draft. Round 1 begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App. Before we get to all the exciting picks, wild trades and overall chaos, I’m updating my Big Board one last time.

These final rankings stack

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Seahawks keen to trade down, even within division

Brady HendersonApr 20, 2026, 07:40 PM ET

CloseBrady Henderson is a reporter for NFL Nation and covers the Seattle Seahawks for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2017 after covering the team for Seattle Sports 710-AM.Open Extended Reactions

RENTON, Wash. — The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are hoping to trade down in this year’s NFL draft — even if it means potentially sending a quarterback to a division rival.

“It’s no secret with us,” general manager John Schneider said Monday during his annual predraft news conference alongside coach Mike Macdonald. “We have four picks, so we’ll be looking to move

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Niners’ Warner full go after season-ending injury

Nick WagonerApr 20, 2026, 05:41 PM ET

CloseNick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN’s coverage of the Niners’ 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick’s protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam’s subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team’s relocation and stadium saga.Open Extended Reactions

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The <a

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Sources: OBJ works out for Giants, takes physical

Jordan RaananApr 20, 2026, 02:15 PM ET

CloseJordan Raanan covers the New York Giants for ESPN and can be heard hosting on ESPN Radio. Raanan joined ESPN in 2016.Open Extended Reactions

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants had free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. in for a workout and physical with the team Monday, sources told ESPN.

While a return to New York remains a possibility, no signing appears imminent, according to a source. It seems likely the Giants will wait to see how the draft pans out later this week.

Beckham, 33, has expressed a desire

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Jefferson blunt on McCarthy with Kyler a Viking

Kevin SeifertApr 20, 2026, 03:25 PM ET

CloseKevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.Open Extended Reactions

EAGAN, Minn. — As the Minnesota Vikings navigate a likely quarterback change this offseason, receiver Justin Jefferson has found himself squarely in the middle.

On the one hand, Jefferson has worked extensively this offseason with 2025 starter <a

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

Colts’ Pierce to miss workouts after ankle surgery

Stephen HolderApr 20, 2026, 02:03 PM ET

CloseStephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.Open Extended Reactions

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce

Link to Original Article - on ESPN