RADIO
Mike Vrabel Returns to the Patriots on Monday
After missing Day 3 of the 2026 NFL draft on Saturday to be with his family, New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel returned to the team on Monday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Vrabel has been in the news for the wrong reasons of late and will reportedly seek counseling after reports emerged about his alleged relationship with former NFL reporter Dianna Russini. Vrabel, who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl last season in his first year at the helm, isn't facing any kind of charges and is not expected to face any discipline from the NFL for the 2026 campaign. There are also no signs that Vrabel will step down from his responsibilities as the Patriots' head coach for the upcoming season.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Packers Take Kicker Trey Smack with Pick No. 216
The Green Bay Packers have selected Florida kicker Trey Smack with the 216th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, making him the first kicker off the board. Smack has made 82.8% of his field goal attempts across three seasons with the Gators, and his only missed extra point came on the final kick of his collegiate career, ending a streak of 100 straight makes. A two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist, Smack owns the Florida record with nine made field goals of 50+ yards. Veteran kicker Brandon McManus made 35 of 37 field goals in his second season with the Packers, but at almost 35 years old, he likely faces a preseason competition with the rookie, and the winner should have fantasy value with what figures to be another competent Green Bay offense.
Source: NFL
Source: NFL
49ers Getting Calls About No. 33 Overall Pick at Top of Second Round
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the San Francisco 49ers are getting calls about the No. 33 overall pick at the top of the first round on Friday night, and it seems like they are very open to potentially moving back while acquiring more draft capital. Teams that are looking to trade up into the top part of the second round on Friday night include the Miami Dolphins, the New Orleans Saints, the Cleveland Browns, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Players projected to come off the board early on Day 2 include Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, University of Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston, University of Miami quarterback Carson Beck, and Tennessee cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy (knee). Hood was one of the biggest snubs of Round 1 on Thursday night, and he could be in play for the Niners at 33 or any team that trades up into that spot. McCoy has been considered a top-10 talent, but he's falling because of injury concerns.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Lions Could be Angling to Trade Up in First Round of NFL Draft
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that some NFL teams are "watching" the Detroit Lions, who hold the No. 17 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, as a "trade-up threat." They have been making calls around the league. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, are looking at options to move up or down within the first round. If Dallas were to trade up from No. 20 overall, it probably wouldn't be a big jump up. As of right now, they don't want to give up the 20th overall pick. Both the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns sit in the top 10 picks in the first round, and they could be trade partners with the Lions if they are looking to jump into the top 10 on Thursday evening. If the Lions trade up within the first round, it will almost certainly be to target a difference-making edge rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson. The Lions are also in need of a starting right tackle to bolster their offensive line.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
Mike Vrabel Seeking Counseling, Won't be With Team on Day 3 of Draft
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will not be with the team for the third day of the 2026 NFL draft this Saturday as he seeks counseling, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. Vrabel addressed the media on Tuesday for the first time since the New York Post published photos that showed the coach embracing and holding hands with former Athletic reporter Dianna Russini at a resort in Arizona. Both Vrabel and Russini are married, and Vrabel has two sons with his wife, Jen. "As I said the other day, I promised my family, this organization, and this team that I was going to give them the best version of me that I can possibly give them. In order to do so, I have committed to seeking counseling, starting this weekend," Vrabel said. "This is something that I have given a lot of thought to and is something I would advise a player to do if I was counseling them." The Patriots have 11 selections in this year's draft, including the 31st pick in the first round on Thursday night.
Source: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
Source: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
Tyler Bass Close to Full Health, Ready to Return to Fantasy Relevance?
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said that kicker Tyler Bass (hernia) is really close to being fully healthy, according to Sydney Ciano and Maddy Glab of the team's official website. "If he's not 100 (percent), he's right at it," Beane said. Bass was working his way back from a sports hernia last year, but he eventually had surgery and was ruled out for the season in late November. With Bass out for all of last year, Buffalo mixed and matched at placekicker with veteran Matt Prater and Michael Badgley, neither of whom is with the team heading into the 2026 season. All signs are pointing to the Bills rolling with Bass as their primary kicker now that he's recovered from his hernia. The 29-year-old has been the team's kicker since being selected in the sixth round in 2020 out of Georgia Southern. In his five NFL seasons, he's made 84.5% of his 155 field-goal attempts, including going 16-for-23 from 50-plus yards. There will be more risk surrounding Bass in fantasy football, but he could be a nice sleeper target in drafts after he finished as a top-10 kicker in 2024.
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Sydney Ciano and Maddy Glab
Source: BuffaloBills.com - Sydney Ciano and Maddy Glab
Seahawks "Looking to Trade Back" in This Week's Draft
The Seattle Seahawks, who have only four picks in this week's 2026 NFL draft, including the No. 32 selection in the first round, will "be looking to trade back," general manager John Schneider told John Boyle of the team's official website. "It's no secret with us; we have four picks." In addition to their pick at the end of the first round, Seattle holds the 64th overall pick in Round 2, the 96th overall pick in Round 3, and the 188th overall pick in Round 6. There should be a team interested in moving up to close out the first round on Thursday night, which would allow the Seahawks to accumulate a bit more draft capital on Friday and Saturday. Their top draft needs this year include running back, edge rusher, defensive back, and offensive line. If they stay at No. 32 overall on Thursday night, Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price could be in play if he's still on the board.
Source: Seahawks.com - John Boyle
Source: Seahawks.com - John Boyle
Cowboys Make Brandon Aubrey the Highest-Paid Kicker in the League
The Dallas Cowboys made kicker Brandon Aubrey the league's highest-paid kicker on Monday by giving him a four-year, $28 million deal, sources told Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes $20 million guaranteed and was negotiated by agents Todd France and AJ Stevens of Athletes First. Aubrey becomes the first kicker in NFL history to average $7 million annually. He finished the 2025 campaign as the No. 3 fantasy kicker by making 36 of his 42 field-goal attempts (85.7%) and 47 of his 48 extra-point tries in 17 games played. The 31-year-old veteran has been a Pro Bowler for Dallas in each of his first three years in the league, and he now has an 88.2% success rate on field goals in 51 regular-season games. In a Dallas offense that should be among the highest-scoring in the league again in 2026, Aubrey qualifies as a high-end fantasy kicker target yet again. The fact that the Cowboys play half their games in a dome makes Aubrey even more attractive at the position.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
First Round of NFL Draft Could Feature Plenty of Trades
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expects plenty of fireworks in the first round of this year's NFL draft, which begins next Thursday night, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. "It should be an entertaining night," Veach said Thursday. "There'll probably be a lot of trades." Most analysts think that Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the only QB taken within the top 10 picks, and it's also a weird draft in that some of the top prospects don't play premier positions. The Chiefs are one of five teams this year that have two first-round selections, so they could be one of the teams trading up or back next Thursday. KC acquired a second first-round pick (29th overall) from the Los Angeles Rams this offseason in the trade that sent All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to L.A.
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Source: ESPN.com - Nate Taylor
Cowboys Looking to Trade Up in the First Round of 2026 NFL Draft?
There is a belief among NFL teams at the top of the upcoming 2026 draft that the Dallas Cowboys, who have picks at No. 12 and No. 20, are a team to watch in trade-up scenarios, multiple league sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Several teams have said they think the Cowboys are targeting a player that the division-rival New York Giants also covet, and "getting ahead of them would be ideal if the price makes sense." Executive vice president Stephen Jones has said that the Cowboys might not have 22 players in this class graded out as first-round prospects, so it would make sense for them to trade up to secure a player that they really like while also blocking a division rival in the process. Dallas' offense could put up points with the best in the league last year, but their defense really struggled after they traded All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers before the start of the season. We'd expect them to target defense early in this year's draft, and they could use help at linebacker, edge rusher, and cornerback.
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
Giants Releasing Graham Gano
The New York Giants are releasing kicker Graham Gano (neck) on Sunday, sources told Connor Hughes of SNY. Gano will hit the open market after kicking in just six games for the Giants in 2025 due to groin and neck injuries. When the 38-year-old veteran was available, he made nine of his 10 field-goal tries (1-for-1 from 50-plus yards) and was a perfect 9-of-9 on his extra points. He will now hit the open market after being with the G-Men for each of the last six seasons. Before that, he spent three years in Washington and another seven with the Carolina Panthers. With the move, the Giants will save $4.5 million in salary cap space in 2026. Former Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders is now in line to serve as New York's primary placekicker next year with Gano gone. In his 16-year career, Gano has made 83.8% of his field-goal tries, including going 46-for-67 from 50-plus yards. It's possible that Gano will consider hanging up his cleats as he nears 40 years old. UPDATE: Gano was cut with a failed-physical designation.
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Source: SNY - Connor Hughes
Ka'imi Fairbairn One of the NFL's Best Kickers Heading into His 10th Season
Houston Texans kicker Kai'imi Fairbairn has become one of the most trustworthy kickers in fantasy football, and the Texans rewarded him this offseason with a two-year, $13 million extension to make him the highest-paid kicker in the league. In his ninth year in the NFL in 2025, the 32-year-old veteran made a career- and league-high 44 of his 48 field-goal attempts, including nine of his 13 tries from 50-plus yards, and all 28 of his extra-point tries in 15 regular-season games. His 44 field goals made tied David Akers' record in 2011 for most field goals made in a single season. Fairbairn has made 87.6% of his 291 career field-goal attempts since entering the league in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of UCLA. Not only does Fairbairn have a strong and accurate leg, but at least half of his games are indoors in Houston. Fairbairn finished as the No. 2 fantasy kicker last year, behind only the Seahawks' Jason Myers. Going into fantasy drafts this fall, Fairbairn should absolutely be considered a top-five option at the kicking position.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Lions Officially Re-Sign Jake Bates
The Detroit Lions officially announced on Wednesday that they re-signed kicker Jake Bates to an undisclosed deal. Bates was an exclusive-rights free agent. The 27-year-old will return for his third season with the Lions in 2026. The former undrafted free agent out of Arkansas has become one of the more reliable kickers in fantasy football over the last couple of seasons in a Lions offense that should remain formidable in 2026. Last year in 17 games, Bates made 27 of his 34 field-goal tries (4-for-9 from 50-plus yards) and a league-high 54 extra points on 56 tries. He has made 84.1% of his 63 field-goal attempts in his two years in the NFL while succeeding on 95.9% of his 123 extra-point attempts. Bates was the No. 6 fantasy kicker in 2025. It also helps that half of his games come indoors, mitigating his volatility.
Source: Detroit Lions
Source: Detroit Lions
Eagles Rework Jake Elliott's Contract
The Philadelphia Eagles reworked kicker Jake Elliott's contract for the 2026 season, according to OverTheCap. Elliott accepted a $1 million pay decrease from $6 million to $5 million, but the Eagles guaranteed the $5 million, which is a clear sign that Elliott will remain their kicker this year after a disappointing 2025, according to Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports. Elliott's previous salary cap hit was due to be $4.893 million, and his new cap hit will be $4.65 million. If Elliott were cut after June 1, there would be no further cap savings. He remains under contract through the 2028 season. The 31-year-old veteran made just 20 of 27 field goals last year and was 4-for-8 from 50-plus yards out. In the last two seasons, Elliott is 5-for-15 from 50-plus yards, giving him the worst percentage in the NFL among 35 kickers with at least five attempts. If Elliott continues to struggle, especially from long range, the Eagles could have a shorter leash with him in 2026, making him a more volatile kicking option in 12-team fantasy football leagues.
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Dave Zangaro
Source: NBC Sports Philadelphia - Dave Zangaro
Dolphins Re-Sign Kicker Riley Patterson
The Miami Dolphins announced on Thursday that they re-signed kicker Riley Patterson to an undisclosed deal. The Dolphins moved on from Jason Sanders, who missed the entire 2025 season due to injury, and also signed former Atlanta Falcons kicker Zane Gonzalez earlier this week. The 26-year-old Patterson filled in nicely for Sanders last year, making 27 of his 29 field-goal attempts and 34 of his 35 extra-point opportunities over 17 games. However, because of Miami's inconsistent offense, he finished as just the No. 16 kicker in overall fantasy points. Given how well Patterson kicked in 2025, he should be considered the favorite for placekicking duties in Miami over Gonzalez going into the 2026 regular season this fall. In his five years in the NFL, Patterson has made 87.4% of his 103 field-goal attempts, including going 7-for-13 from 50-plus yards out. If he wins the starting job this summer, Patterson will be a low-end starting kicker in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: Miami Dolphins
Source: Miami Dolphins
