NFL Draft Buzz: Cowboys a mid-round fit for Uconn star; Ravens should target Day 3 QB

We’re in the final stretch of the football season, with just four teams left in the college playoffs and the NFL season wrapping up. Most teams are already focused on the offseason and the 2026 NFL Draft. Key prospects are making their case this week, including Reuben Bain Jr., who is proving he belongs in the first-round conversation.

In this edition of NFL Draft Buzz, we break down why Bain shouldn’t slip in the draft, spotlight mid-round prospects who could be perfect fits for the Cowboys, Ravens, and Seahawks, and highlight how Iowa center Logan Jones’ recent awards showcase the traits NFL teams value most.

Dallas Cowboys could be a fit for UConn WR

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the deepest wide receiver rooms in the NFL, and it is a major reason they lead the league in passing yards at 274 per game. That strength, however, could look very different in the near future. With George Pickens and Jalen Tolbert both set to hit free agency, wide receiver is quietly shaping up as a position Dallas may need to address in the 2026 NFL Draft.

One potential replacement for Tolbert is UConn wide receiver Skyler Bell. Bell recently announced he will participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl, which will be held at the Cowboys’ practice facility, giving Dallas an up-close look. The consensus All-American was one of the most productive receivers in the country, finishing third in the FBS with 101 receptions and second in receiving yards with 1,278.

Beyond the production, Bell brings several high-end traits that translate to the next level. He has reliable hands, dropping just 2.9 percent of his targets this season according to PFF, and he caught 65 percent of passes thrown his way in tight coverage. He is also dangerous after the catch, piling up 835 yards after contact and turning routine throws into explosive gains.

Despite all that, Bell is still viewed as a Day 3 prospect. Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as his 20th wide receiver, and he carries a third-round consensus grade on NFL Mock Draft Database. The Cowboys currently do not own a third-round pick, but if Bell is still on the board in the fourth round, expect Dallas to take a long, serious look at one of the most productive receivers in college football.

Lamar Jackson on the move

According to Mike Sando of The Athletic, the Ravens could move on from Lamar Jackson this offseason. While that would have been unthinkable a few years ago, Jackson is coming off one of his worst seasons and has dealt with injuries throughout his career. Sando also notes that Packers backup Malik Willis could be a potential replacement. If the Ravens do part ways with Jackson and bring in Willis, they may still target a developmental quarterback on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

One quarterback who could fit well in Baltimore’s offense and mirrors Willis’s athletic style is Arkansas’s Taylen Green. Green is one of the most athletic QBs in the class, showing the speed and agility to create plays with his legs. Over the past two seasons, he has rushed for over 600 yards per year and totaled 35 rushing touchdowns in his career.

Green is still a raw passer, but he can operate in a system that emphasizes sprint-out and moving-pocket passing, precisely where Willis thrives. With more coaching, Green has the arm strength and ability to stretch the field vertically, which could help offset his turnover tendencies.

The Ravens would likely not need a high pick to add Green. He is projected as a mid-Day 3 selection, and Baltimore could potentially use one of their four fifth-round picks to bring him in.

Honors roll in for Iowa center Logan Jones

It has been a big week for Iowa center Logan Jones, who picked up two major honors. First, he was part of the Hawkeye offensive line that won the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s top offensive line. Second, Jones received the Duke Slater Golden Gavel Award, which is voted on by Iowa beat writers and presented to the player who is most cooperative with local media and consistently demonstrates professionalism and integrity.

Both awards reinforce the type of leader Jones is and why NFL teams will value him. Winning the Joe Moore Award highlights the command he had up front, particularly with communication, line calls, and picking up stunts and blitzes. The Duke Slater Golden Gavel Award speaks to his intelligence, maturity, and ability to communicate effectively, traits that matter just as much off the field as they do on it.

In a recent article, I explained why Jones would be an excellent fit for the Detroit Lions, who have a clear hole in the middle of their offensive line. No matter where he lands, expect the Rimington Award winner to establish himself as one of the NFL’s better centers within a few seasons.

Seahawks eye possible replacement for Kenneth Walker III

The Seattle Seahawks’ running game has struggled this season, averaging just 4.1 yards per carry, which ranks 25th in the NFL. Adding to their challenges, their most productive back, Kenneth Walker III, could hit free agency this offseason. With other key players like Tariq Woolen and Rasheed Shaheed also potentially leaving, landing a high-quality free agent may be difficult.

This scenario could push Seattle to use its third-round pick on a replacement, and Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson is an intriguing option. Johnson has a well-rounded game, leading all 2026 NFL Draft prospects with 1,451 rushing yards this season. He is also a reliable receiver, catching 46 passes, something the Seahawks value, as Walker III has already recorded 27 receptions this season.

If brought in, Johnson would likely share carries with the more powerful Zach Charbonnet, who has already scored 11 touchdowns this year. With only four picks in this year’s draft, using a third-round selection on Johnson would be a strategic investment in both the run game and the team’s future offensive flexibility.

Could the Bears snag an elite pass rusher

Not long ago, Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr. was projected as a potential number one pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, with NFL Spin Zone even projecting him at the top as recently as December 7. However, according to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Bain could slide in the draft despite his All-American status.

Brugler notes that several scouts he’s spoken with currently have Bain graded as a second-round talent, a surprisingly low mark for a player of his caliber. The main concern is his size: at 6-foot-2, 277 pounds, with 30 ¾-inch arms, Bain lacks the ideal length many teams prefer in edge defenders.

Still, Bain has traits that more than make up for it. His relentless motor, combined with explosive burst off the line and raw strength, has allowed him to register 72 pressures this season, including six against Ohio State in the College Football Playoffs. His 277-pound frame also allows him to set the edge effectively, making him a dual-threat as both a pass rusher and run defender. He is one of the highest-graded defensive ends in college football this season, earning an 88.3 PFF grade. Another advantage: Bain’s versatility lets him line up all over the defensive line, from 3-tech to wide nine-tech, depending on scheme needs.

The Chicago Bears would love to see Bain slide. Their current edge rotation has struggled. Dayo Odeyingbo, signed this offseason, has managed just one sack, while Austin Booker, though a pleasant surprise with 4.5 sacks, is more of a situational rusher at 245 pounds and can struggle against the run. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen favors bigger, heavier defensive ends, making Bain a near-perfect fit if he falls to Chicago.