Malik Willis has garnered interest from several teams in need of a quarterback. | Kayla Wolf-Imagn ImagesIn this story:
Share on XAdd us on INDIANAPOLIS — Free agency doesn’t begin on March 9 with the legal tampering period. It begins in the Starbucks at the JW Marriott. It begins at Prime 47 Steakhouse and Cafe Patachou. It begins in the shadows of a city teeming with football personnel itching to make deals.
INDIANAPOLIS — Free agency doesn’t begin on March 9 with the legal tampering period. It begins in the Starbucks at the JW Marriott. It begins at Prime 47 Steakhouse and Cafe Patachou. It begins in the shadows of a city teeming with football personnel itching to make deals.
This year is no different from any other, with hundreds of agents roaming the streets and buildings of Naptown, trying to gauge the market for star clients and lesser-known names. Meanwhile, general managers are ripping through 20-minute interviews with the upcoming rookie class while ducking out here and there to take a call, set up a meeting and eventually sit down in a few.
This year is no different from any other, with hundreds of agents roaming the streets and buildings of Naptown, trying to gauge the market for star clients and lesser-known names. Meanwhile, general managers are ripping through 20-minute interviews with the upcoming rookie class while ducking out here and there to take a call, set up a meeting and eventually sit down in a few.
Throughout a week’s worth of conversations in Indianapolis at the NFL combine, the typical rumors are flying, along with kernels of truth to be had. The key is figuring out which is which, the conundrum everyone covering the league faces between now and the announcement of Mr. Irrelevant come April.
Throughout a week’s worth of conversations in Indianapolis at the NFL combine, the typical rumors are flying, along with kernels of truth to be had. The key is figuring out which is which, the conundrum everyone covering the league faces between now and the announcement of Mr. Irrelevant come April.
Below are six storylines worth monitoring as the next few weeks unfold.
Below are six storylines worth monitoring as the next few weeks unfold.
Don’t be surprised if teams are focusing on the 2027 draft
Don’t be surprised if teams are focusing on the 2027 draft
While there’s talent to be had in April’s draft, the 2027 class is seen as one of the strongest in some time, particularly for quarterbacks.
While there’s talent to be had in April’s draft, the 2027 class is seen as one of the strongest in some time, particularly for quarterbacks.
Things can and will change over the next 13 months. Still, there’s a general thought in NFL circles that we could have a half dozen quarterbacks go in the top 20 picks next year, including Arch Manning (Texas), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Dante Moore (Oregon), Jayden Maiava (USC) and others.
Things can and will change over the next 13 months. Still, there’s a general thought in NFL circles that we could have a half dozen quarterbacks go in the top 20 picks next year, including Arch Manning (Texas), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Dante Moore (Oregon), Jayden Maiava (USC) and others.
With that in mind—and with this rookie crop having Fernando Mendoza and little else in the way of top-end quarterbacks—don’t be surprised if teams trade veterans for 2027 capital instead of a pick in the upcoming draft. Additionally, we could see teams trading out of selections in April for future choices, giving them more ammunition to move up a year from now.
With that in mind—and with this rookie crop having Fernando Mendoza and little else in the way of top-end quarterbacks—don’t be surprised if teams trade veterans for 2027 capital instead of a pick in the upcoming draft. Additionally, we could see teams trading out of selections in April for future choices, giving them more ammunition to move up a year from now.
General managers are always thinking about the future, but especially in this case.
General managers are always thinking about the future, but especially in this case.
It would be a true stunner if the Raiders didn’t select Fernando Mendoza
It would be a true stunner if the Raiders didn’t select Fernando Mendoza
We often talk about a player being a lock to go to a certain team. If that’s ever been the case, Mendoza donning the Silver & Black next season seems a prime example.
We often talk about a player being a lock to go to a certain team. If that’s ever been the case, Mendoza donning the Silver & Black next season seems a prime example.
Talking to people around Indianapolis, there hasn’t been a single dissenting voice saying that the Raiders will or should go another direction. That’s not typical, as usually there’s at least one other prospect or a potential trade-down scenario that gets some run.
Talking to people around Indianapolis, there hasn’t been a single dissenting voice saying that the Raiders will or should go another direction. That’s not typical, as usually there’s at least one other prospect or a potential trade-down scenario that gets some run.
