Teams will be eager to spread rumors that could impact their selections during the 2023 NFL Draft. Fans should be prepared to analyze every rumor and decide how it relates to their team, whether it is helpful information or a smokescreen. With a star-studded 2023 NFL Draft crop, fans are excited to see who will be chosen in April. Here are some of the most recent reports to keep an eye on.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, has done a good job retooling the defense with the components they've lost, but Adam Thielen's departure leaves a huge hole at receiver. Adding some assistance in that area is one of the few things that could help Kwesi's team replicate its unsustainable performance from last season.
The Vikings have only five draft picks going into April, which is less than Rick Spielman prefers for his teams. Those five picks will be crucial for Adofo-Mensah's team to make the most of their draft time.
Adofo-Mensah and his staff must identify new starters and backups to improve on their 13-4 record from a year ago. While some of those players may come from the team's 10-player draft class in 2022, they will also need to find assistance on the free agent market. For a young general manager with limited draft capital, this can be a difficult job.
Jackson and the Ravens have yet to settle on a long-term contract extension. Jackson's destiny is now uncertain.
The NFL recently reminded teams that they are not allowed to speak with Jackson's representative without first obtaining permission from the NFLPA. This may play a significant role in the quarterback's choice to trade.
However, several teams are still keen on acquiring Jackson. The Indianapolis Colts and the Nashville Titans are two of them.
The Colts are in desperate need of a new quarterback, and Jackson fits the bill admirably. The club is also rebuilding and would be in a strong position to sign him to a guaranteed contract.
The New England Patriots enter the 2023 season without an obvious quarterback answer. Mac Jones regressed in his second season, and Bailey Zappe has yet to demonstrate that he is a long-term answer.
With reports suggesting that the Patriots intend to release veteran backup quarterback Brian Hoyer, it appears that the team will need to add at least one quarterback to their depth chart. This could happen through a deal, free agency, or the NFL Draft in April.
If the Patriots are looking for a rookie quarterback, they should look into Tennessee's David Hooker. He possesses the height, hand size, and collegiate expertise that the Patriots frequently seek in quarterbacks. He possesses an excellent combination of collegiate efficiency and Power Five expertise, and he has already proven his ability to be a dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. He may be a developmental player as he transitions from the Tennessee system to the Bill O'Brien offense of the Patriots, but he could be worth the risk for the right squad.
Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is one of the most talked-about prospects in the NFL draft. He has been rated as a top-five pick in many mock drafts, and he has shown a lot of promise on the field.
He's a strong athlete, but his off-the-field reputation hasn't always been stellar. This news could be devastating to his prospects.
Carter was arrested in Athens on two misdemeanor counts of reckless driving and street racing on Wednesday evening. He was released on a $4,000 bond 16 minutes later.