Russini: What rest of NFL is saying about No. 3 pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston Next month, the New England Patriots will have their most important draft in recent memory. Their No. 3 overall pick is their highest selection since they took Drew Blesdoe first overall in 1993. While they’re widely expected to use the pick on one …

PISCATAWAY – Rutgers’ quarterback competition has officially begun. The Scarlet Knights took the field for their first spring practice Tuesday, giving incumbent starter Gavin Wimsatt and Minnesota transfer Athan Kaliakmanis their first opportunities to make an impression to earn the starting job. Both quarterbacks made it clear they’re embracing the competition. “We’re competing for our jobs every day,” Wimsatt said …

The Steelers continue to show Jerry Jones what “all-in” means. Pittsburgh is expected to sign veteran kick returner and offensive weapon Cordarrelle Patterson to a two-year, $6 million deal, according to NFL Media. It’s surely no coincidence that Cordarrelle got a new deal on the same day the NFL revolutionized the kickoff. With more returns than even potentially on the …

Larry Johnson has coached nine first-round NFL draft picks in his distinguished career as a defensive line coach. Since his arrival at Ohio State from Penn State in 2014, 14 of his players have been drafted, including Nick Bosa and Chase Young as No. 2 overall picks and Joey Bosa a No. 3. It’s unlikely that any of his current …

Rams veteran tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a torn ACL and MCL during the team’s playoff loss to the Lions in January. Because of the timing, even in March head coach Sean McVay was ready to say at the league meeting that Higbee will be placed on the physically unable to perform list this summer. “You just feel terrible with …

MASSILLON – Massillon Tigers football offensive lineman Nolan Davenport continues to stack up on Power Five offers, including from the Big Ten. On Monday, Davenport posted on social media that Penn State offered him. Penn State is one of Davenport’s biggest offers, and it becomes one of 28 Division I college football programs recruiting the all-state tackle. Other Big Ten schools …

Why Aiyuk contract extension is vital for 49ers QB Purdy originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area ORLANDO, Fla. — The 49ers are unable to provide quarterback Brock Purdy with everything he might want until after the 2024 season. But they can make his life a lot more comfortable this offseason — in a way that does not directly impact …

AUBURN — Auburn football hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Ronney Daniels in 1999, but four-star freshman Bryce Cain thinks that’s going to soon change. “Oh, yeah,” Cain said Tuesday when asked if there was a player on the roster capable of breaking the 1,000-yard marker. “Definitely.” Who would that be? “I think it’s Cam Coleman,” Cain said. Coleman, a …

Mike Tannenbaum crafts dream outcome for Bears in recent 2024 NFL mock draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago How much luck can the Bears receive in a little over one year? At the end of the 2023 season, a not-so-critical 4th & 20 for the Texans in their final regular season game helped lift them over the Indianapolis Colts …

Mar. 26—PULLMAN — Washington State’s athletic department is losing brass by the day. Athletic director Pat Chun is leaving for the same job at rival Washington, according to multiple reports, leaving WSU without two key figures: an athletic director and a men’s basketball coach, following Kyle Smith’s departure for Stanford on Monday. Chun, whose WSU tenure began in January 2018, …

Rams coach Sean McVay, center, talks with reporters during availability at the NFL owners meetings. (Phelan M. Ebenhack / Associated Press) Sean McVay met Aaron Donald outside the visitors locker room at Detroit’s Ford Field. The Rams’ 2023 season had ended with a playoff defeat, and McVay was near certain it was Donald’s final game. “This is it,” McVay recalled …

Clark Lea is not unfamiliar with being a defensive coordinator. It is, after all, the position he held for three years at Notre Dame before taking the head job with Vanderbilt football. But what he has done this year — taking over the defensive playcalling while remaining the head coach — is a new gig that brings with it its …

The Cowboys have made clear publicly they believe in Dak Prescott as their franchise quarterback long term. They also have indicated that they could let him play out his contract, which expires after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said again Tuesday that it is the quarterback’s presence for 2024 that gives him hope the Cowboys could be better this season …

Mar. 26—The addition of Paul Randolph as the new defensive line coach for Oklahoma State football was a surprise in January. Because coach Mike Gundy never announced the subtraction of Greg Richmond. Gundy addressed the decision on Tuesday. “I haven’t had to change jobs or coaches very much. I feel like I’m responsible for coaching the guys that I hire …

How Caleb Williams impressed Bears chairman George McCaskey in brief combine interview originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago ORLANDO — A number of NFL owners would be front and center if their team had the No. 1 overall pick, wanting to play at least some role in the franchise-shaping decision that looms. Bears chairman George McCaskey isn’t one of those …