NFL Draft Notebook: KC Concepcion a fit with Steelers, Arch Manning gets new target

This week was a busy one on the NFL Draft front, and this edition of the NFL Draft Notebook covers the latest news, evaluations, and rising storylines. Several teams revealed offseason needs during tough Wild Card losses, while a standout rookie played a major role in his team's advancement. This notebook also touches on multiple 2027 NFL Draft prospects, including a pair of high-end players who surprised many by announcing their return to college for another season.

Wide receiver target for Steelers

While the Steelers’ top priority this offseason will be finding a new quarterback, adding a true No. 2 wide receiver is not far behind. The offense needs another reliable option alongside DK Metcalf, as no other receiver on the roster topped 59 receptions this season. One player to watch leading up to the NFL Draft is Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion, whose quickness and playmaking ability with the ball in his hands would be an ideal complement to the bigger, more physical Metcalf.

Most impressive rookie

There is little doubt the most impressive rookie still playing this season is Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland. Against the Green Bay Packers, he became the first rookie tight end in NFL history to record 100-plus receiving yards and eight receptions in a playoff game, finishing with eight catches for 137 yards and several clutch grabs late. Do not be surprised if the ultra-athletic tight end becomes the best player at his position within the next two or three years.

Oregon stars return

Oregon got great news Sunday with the announcement that defensive linemen Matayo Uiagalelei and A’Mauri Washington will both return to school next season. Uiagalelei carried a late first-round grade on my board and looked like a natural fit in Dennis Allen’s defense in Chicago. Washington was a player I had graded in the second round, a stout run stuffer who is surprisingly quick for a 330-pound defensive tackle. The Los Angeles Chargers would have been a natural NFL fit for his skill set.

Texas WR pickup

Texas will likely enter next season as a top-three team in the nation and a legitimate national championship contender, and a major reason is quarterback Arch Manning, who will begin the year as one of if not the best quarterbacks in college football. This week, Texas gave him a major weapon with the commitment of Cam Coleman, a projected 2027 first-round NFL Draft prospect. Coleman is a big, physical wide receiver with the size, strength, and ball skills to develop into a true No. 1 option at the next level, and the Manning–Coleman connection has the potential to be one of the most dangerous quarterback–receiver pairings in the country.

Ravens draft target seeing his stock his rise

The Baltimore Ravens will likely look to add a big, physical wide receiver in the 2026 NFL Draft to complement Zay Flowers. One Day 3 prospect who could help fill that role is Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling, who ended his college career with back-to-back strong performances in the College Football Playoff. In those two games, he caught 12 passes for 199 yards. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Stribling brings the size Baltimore covets, and he consistently attacks the ball with his hands, which helps explain why he dropped just one pass all season.

Three straight years for Longhorns

There is a real chance Texas could have a tight end drafted in the fourth round for three straight seasons, with Jack Endries potentially joining a list that already includes Ja’Tavion Sanders, who was selected by Carolina in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and Gunnar Helm, Tennessee’s fourth-round pick in 2025. Endries is a sure-handed pass catcher who has not dropped a pass in two years and finished this season with 33 receptions for 345 yards and three touchdowns. The biggest concern teams will have with the 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end is whether he has the strength to consistently hold up as a blocker at the next level.

"He's (Jack Endries) such a good athlete, and he can play anywhere. He's one of the two most talented tight ends in the country."

AFC West scout to ESPN

Chargers day two prospect

One of the Chargers’ biggest priorities in the 2026 NFL Draft will be addressing an offensive line that struggled with injuries and inconsistent play this season. Center Bradley Bozeman is a spot the team will likely look to upgrade through free agency or the draft after he allowed 36 pressures and failed to provide consistent run blocking. A potential third-round option to fill that void is Florida center Jake Slaughter, a significantly better athlete who allowed just four pressures this season and would be a clear upgrade in mobility and pass protection.

One area where Sawyer Robertson want’s to improve

In an interview with The Draft Network, Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson said consistency is the main area he want’s to improve, and the tape supports that. He flashed high-end ability in games like his 440-yard, four-touchdown performance against SMU and his 393-yard, four-score outing versus Oklahoma State. However, there were also stretches of uneven play, including his game against Houston, where he completed just 50 percent of his passes and earned a poor PFF passing grade of 51.9. Even with that inconsistency, Robertson remains an intriguing Day 3 option for a team like the Rams because of his strong arm and high football IQ.

Case closed

One thing was evident in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza looked far more pro-ready than Oregon’s Dante Moore. Mendoza showed strong football IQ, calmly handling everything the Ducks’ defense threw at him while displaying full command of the Hoosiers’ offense. He completed 85 percent of his passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns, consistently making the right decision and staying ahead of the defense. His cerebral approach is reminiscent of Colts Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, and there should be little doubt he would be ready to step in immediately at the NFL level, whether that is with the Raiders holding the No. 1 pick or the New York Jets at No. 2.

Dante Moore’s replacement

There is still no word on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore or his plans for next season, but one question has been answered: who will eventually replace him in Eugene. That answer is former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola. From an NFL Draft perspective, Raiola could benefit from a change of scenery, as he needs to do a much better job getting through his reads faster and becoming a more consistent downfield passer. Because of those issues, expect the former five-star recruit to be viewed as a Day 3 prospect whenever he ultimately takes over as Oregon’s starting quarterback.