Happy NFL Draft Day! Aaron Rodgers Arrives in New York, and Other NFL Bullets

I have to get my TSA Pre-Check done after this trip. I tell myself every time I fly, which is more now than ever, that I will get it. Still, I never do, and I end up standing in long security lines at the airport. But I’m absolutely getting it when I get home from this one. Anyway, good morning! When you read this, I’ll be in Kansas City checking out a BBQ spot as I prepare for the NFL Draft tonight.

  • If you’re also going to be in Kansas City for the NFL Draft this evening, I (mainly with the help of KC local and DLF writer Eric Dickens) put together a can’t-miss list of the what’s what in Kansas City BBQ. Eric went to the length of using NFL players’ names to associate the level of quality/importance of each BBQ spot. If you didn’t catch it yesterday, you can check it out here:
  • Speaking of things you may have missed yesterday, I filed my final swing at predicting what feels like the most unpredictable first round in recent memory on Wednesday afternoon. My final mock draft has all 31 first-round picks and features two teams trading up (one into the top ten and one back into the first round)!
  • And lastly (before we get into the news of the day), Matt put together a notebook of the latest round-one storylines surrounding the NFL Draft:
  • Everything we’ve heard the past two weeks points to the Carolina Panthers taking Alabama QB Bryce Young with the top pick in the NFL Draft. But, whether it be Young, C.J. Stroud, or even Anthony Richardson, there’s a substantial likelihood that we’ll see history tonight. The QBs I named have a chance to become the first trio of Black quarterbacks in the top 10. Even if one falls out of the top ten, we will see at least three Black quarterbacks taken in the first round. The last time we saw that was the 1999 NFL Draft when Donovan McNabb was taken second, Akili Smith third, and Daunte Culpepper 11th, per Mike Jones of the Athletic. 
  • Suppose a team moves back into the first round to select Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker (which I’m confident will happen). In that case, this will be the first NFL Draft to have four Black quarterbacks drafted in the first round. As Jones pointed out in his column at The Athletic, not since Michael Vick in 2001 have we seen a Black quarterback taken with the first overall pick in the draft. Whether it be Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, that will change tonight. Progress is slow, but progress is good. Mike Jones’ full story is worth a read today:
  • Remember when some balked at the idea that the Jets hiring Nathaniel Hackett as their offensive coordinator was an effort to entice Aaron Rodgers? Well, Rodgers said on Wednesday that Hackett’s hiring was a factor in his desire to play for the Jets. It’s funny how many people dismissed that notion despite the long-standing knowledge that Rodgers values his inner circle immensely.
  • Rodgers was introduced to the New York media on Wednesday afternoon after the trade to the Jets became official. The Packers traded Rodgers, the No. 15 pick in this year’s draft, and a 2023 fifth-round pick to the Jets in exchange for the No. 13 pick in this year’s draft, a second-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a conditional 2024 second-round pick that can become a first-round pick on Monday.
  • A couple of takeaways from the presser: First, Rodgers intends to stick around Florham Park for voluntary OTAs. Not all of them, but as many practices as he can attend, starting this week. Rodgers also said that the Packers didn’t communicate “properly” with him after the season ended, prompting his desire to move on from Green Bay.
  • “I will say, people that know me, I’m fortunate to live in a beautiful house. The only downside is that I have very limited cell service. So if you want to get ahold of me, I have to see your face, you gotta FaceTime me. So my only response to the communication thing is there are records in your phone about who called you, when, FaceTime, and there weren’t any specific FaceTimes from those numbers I was looking at.”

  • The Jacksonville Jaguars and defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton have agreed to an extension. Hamilton will make $23 million fully guaranteed and up to $36 million. Hamilton will make over $18.7 million in the first year, per Ian Rapoport.
  • Aaron Rodgers helped the Packers clear some cap space on his way out of Green Bay:
  • Uh, sure …
  • If you’re still searching for a rooting interest in the NBA playoffs, Jimmy Buckets is moving on!
  • written by

    Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).

    more nfl news

    Prioritizing the Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Seattle Seahawks overachieved in 2023 by all accounts and missed out on a playoff spot by just one game. They’ve since said farewell to legendary coach Pete Carroll and welcomed in a new regime led by Mike MacDonald. Seattle...

    Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft: Wild Crossroads at 28 – Offense or Defense?

    The Buffalo Bills stand at a crossroads. The 2024 NFL Draft looms, and the 28th pick presents a fascinating dilemma. This Buffalo Bills 1st Round Mock Draft analyzes 10 different options that could be available to them at their current...

    Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Las Vegas Raiders have injected a wave of optimism into Raider Nation with their offseason maneuvers. General Manager Tom Telesco has been busy addressing key needs while setting the stage for potential further improvements. Las Vegas Raiders Offseason Recap...

    Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Los Angeles Chargers enter the offseason with a new era dawning. After a disappointing season, they landed a marquee hire in Jim Harbaugh, fresh off his national championship win with Michigan. Hailed as the top coaching prospect, Harbaugh brings a...

    Seattle Seahawks Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The Seattle Seahawks turn the page on a historic era as they enter the 2024 season without Pete Carroll at the helm for the first time since 2010. Carroll's impact on the franchise is undeniable, crafting a period of sustained...

    Prioritizing the Los Angeles Chargers NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Los Angeles Chargers’ 2023 didn’t go as planned and as a result, they fired head coach Brandon Staley with just 3 games remaining. However, they landed the offseason's most coveted NFL coaching candidate Jim Harbaugh, and have begun the...

    Prioritizing the Los Angeles Rams NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Los Angeles Rams ended the 2023 season as hot as any team in the NFL. They won 7 of their last 8 games to sneak into the playoffs and almost pulled off a first-round upset of the Detroit Lions....

    Connor Allen’s NFL Mock Draft 2.0: J.J. McCarthy’s Draft Stock Continues to Skyrocket

    The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, a time filled with anticipation, speculation, and hopeful declarations of a team's newfound future. This 2024 NFL Mock Draft focuses on accuracy over player evaluations. With the free agency frenzy settled war room...

    San Francisco 49ers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

    The San Francisco 49ers return to the drawing board after their heartbreaking Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the sting of defeat, the future remains bright. Brock Purdy's emergence as a legitimate MVP candidate and the return...

    Prioritizing the Arizona Cardinals NFL Draft: Top 5 Positions to Address

    The Arizona Cardinals finished 2023 tied with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots for the 2nd worst record in the NFL at 4-13. It was just the first year under head coach Jonathan Gannon however, and they did show...

    Latest News

    Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    In their season opener on Friday, Corbin Carroll and the Arizona Diamondbacks take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Chase Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Arizona-Colorado...

    Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Logan Allen will take the mound for the Cleveland Guardians when they square off against starter Ross Stripling and the Oakland Athletics in their season opener on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.Find out how to watch the...

    How to Watch Mariners vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

    In their season opener on Friday, Julio Rodriguez and the Seattle Mariners play Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.Keep reading to see how to watch the Seattle-Boston matchup...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Giants: Live Stream or on TV

    Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (2-1) host Jorge Soler and the San Francisco Giants (0-1) on Friday, with first pitch at 9:40 PM ET.The article below will provide you with everything you need to know to watch...

    Dodgers vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The St. Louis Cardinals (0-1), led by Paul Goldschmidt, visit Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (2-1) at 10:10 PM ET on Friday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Los Angeles play St. Louis...

    OMG: Michael Busch Scored the 9th Inning, GO-AHEAD Run, Because He Just Never Stopped Running

    That was absolutely incredible. To all the little kids out there, when your coach tells you to never stop running, this is why. Rookie Cubs 1B Michael Busch (the guy the Cubs got from the Dodgers this offseason to be...

    Astros vs. Yankees: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Houston Astros (0-1), with Cristian Javier on the mound, will host the New York Yankees (1-0), who will send out Carlos Rodon, at 8:10 PM ET on Friday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0), led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., visit Yandy Diaz and the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) at 6:50 PM ET on Friday.Find out how to watch the Tampa Bay-Toronto matchup below.When is Rays vs. Blue Jays and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Rangers 4, Cubs 3 – March 28, 2024

    It took exactly one day for the Cubs' ace to sustain what may be a significant injury, for their closer to blow a save, for the umpires to significantly impact the outcome of a critical play (this time in the...

    Justin Steele Injury Update: New Classification, MRI Tomorrow, IL Stint Coming? Steele and Counsell Speak

    A significant update on Justin Steele came from Craig Counsell tonight after the Cubs extra innings loss in Texas. In short: Yes, a stint on the Injured List is likely for Justin Steele. But we still don't know how severe...

    more nfl news