NFL Rookie Report: Brendan Sorsby's NFL future in limbo, plus AFC East rookies to watch

Few prospects in recent memory have generated as much debate as former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby. From a pure talent standpoint, Sorsby possesses many of the physical tools NFL teams look for in a franchise quarterback, including elite arm strength, mobility, and playmaking ability. However, his gambling scandal has created one of the most difficult evaluations in recent memory, and now the NFL has made the surprising decision not to hold a Supplemental Draft in 2026, effectively preventing him from entering the league this season.

This week's Rookie Report takes a closer look at Sorsby's uncertain NFL future, where his draft value would have likely fallen had teams been given the opportunity to select him, and what comes next after the league's decision. We also spotlight several intriguing AFC East rookies who could make an impact during the 2026 season. 

Brendan Sorsby: Evaluating the risk vs. reward

The biggest question surrounding Brendan Sorsby is no longer where he would have been selected in the Supplemental Draft. Instead, it is whether he will get another opportunity to prove himself before the 2027 NFL Draft. On Tuesday, the NFL informed teams that it would not hold a Supplemental Draft in 2026, leaving Sorsby ineligible to join the league this season and forcing him to wait until at least the 2027 NFL Draft to continue his professional career.

From a talent standpoint, Sorsby has been one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football over the past two seasons. Last year he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after throwing for 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns while adding nine more scores on the ground, giving him 36 total touchdowns.

His production made him one of the most sought-after transfers in the country, earning him the No. 2 transfer ranking from 247Sports before he ultimately landed at Texas Tech. Unfortunately, his off-field issues soon overshadowed his on-field accomplishments. Sorsby's gambling addiction became public knowledge after it was revealed he had placed more than 9,000 bets totaling over $90,000 during his college career, including wagers involving his own team while at Indiana.

Although NFL teams will not have the opportunity to draft him this year, his talent remains worthy of evaluation. When studying his film, the first trait that stands out is his elite arm strength. He possesses one of the strongest arms of any quarterback prospect and can make throws that very few quarterbacks are capable of attempting. His arm talent allows him to attack every area of the field and generate velocity even when his mechanics are less than ideal.

Another positive is his athletic ability. While Sorsby is primarily a pocket passer, he has enough mobility to create plays outside the pocket and punish defenses with his legs. He rushed for 580 yards last season and consistently showed the ability to escape pressure, extend plays, and pick up critical yardage when protection broke down.

There are, however, several concerns that show up on film. His footwork remains inconsistent, often causing him to throw from awkward platforms and leading to accuracy issues. Having worked with quarterbacks through Blair Quarterback Academy, footwork is one of the first areas I look at when evaluating a passer because it affects nearly every aspect of the position. That inconsistency was a major factor in his 62 percent completion rate, as too many passes sailed high over the heads of receivers.

Overall, Sorsby is a quarterback with elite physical tools and significant upside, but he remains a developmental prospect who will likely need time before he is ready to lead an NFL offense. Before the NFL's ruling, I viewed him as a player worthy of consideration somewhere between the third and fifth rounds depending on a team's tolerance for risk. Now, the focus shifts to how he spends the next year away from the NFL and whether he can convince teams that his gambling issues are behind him before the 2027 NFL Draft.

AFC East rookies to watch

Buffalo Bills: Skyler Bell

The Buffalo Bills did a good job of adding weapons around quarterback Josh Allen this offseason, highlighted by the acquisition of DJ Moore and the selection of wide receiver Skyler Bell in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Bell enters the league after a historic season at UConn, where he became the first consensus All-American in program history. He led the nation with 101 receptions, 1,278 receiving yards, and 13 touchdown catches while emerging as one of college football's most productive receivers. Bell is expected to begin the season as a depth option behind Khalil Shakir in the slot, but his production, reliability, and ability to create separation could allow him to carve out a role in Buffalo's passing attack sooner rather than later.

Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez

The Miami Dolphins entered the 2026 NFL Draft with one of the league's largest draft classes, making 12 selections as they continue to reshape their roster. One of the most intriguing additions was linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who is coming off a historic college career. Rodriguez is the only FBS player since 2005 to record at least 300 career tackles, 10 forced fumbles, five interceptions, and five fumble recoveries. While he is expected to begin his rookie season in a reserve role, Rodriguez has the talent and production to eventually earn a larger role. If the Dolphins move on from veterans Jordyn Brooks or Tyrel Dotson in the future, Rodriguez could emerge as a long-term starter in the middle of Miami's defense.

New England Patriots: Eli Raridon

Notre Dame has long been one of college football's premier producers of NFL tight ends, and the next player to make the jump is Eli Raridon. A well-rounded prospect, Raridon combines the ability to hold his own at the point of attack with the athleticism to block effectively in space. He is also a dependable receiving target, hauling in 32 passes for 482 yards last season while catching 73 percent of the passes thrown his way. With Julian Hill sidelined for the season due to injury, Raridon is expected to play an important role as the Patriots' backup tight end behind Hunter Henry. 

New York Jets: David Bailey

The Jets used the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Texas Tech pass rusher David Bailey after a dominant final college season in which he recorded 19.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. There is no question that Bailey has the ability to pressure quarterbacks, but the selection was a bit of a reach in my opinion, as I carried only a late first-round grade on him. The biggest concern is his lack of bulk and play strength, which can make it difficult for him to consistently set the edge against the run. He is also somewhat limited in coverage, lacking the change-of-direction ability needed to match up effectively in space. Even with those concerns, Bailey's pass-rushing production and explosiveness should allow him to make an immediate impact for the Jets' defense.

NFL Draft news and notes

• One undrafted free agent with a legitimate chance of making the Minnesota Vikings' roster is safety Jacob Thomas out of James Madison. Thomas saw significant work with the second-team defense during minicamp and carried a seventh-round grade on my board entering the 2026 NFL Draft. He is an athletic defensive back who impressed during the pre-draft process, posting a 4.44-second 40-yard dash and a 36.5-inch vertical jump. Thomas also put together a productive final college season, earning second-team All-Sun Belt honors while recording nine pass breakups. His combination of athleticism and production makes him a player worth monitoring as training camp approaches.

• It looks like 49ers fifth-round pick Jaden Dugger has a legitimate chance of winning the strongside linebacker job and joining veterans Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw in the starting lineup. Dugger is a natural fit for the position, which is often tasked with matching up against tight ends in coverage, an area where he has plenty of experience after beginning his college career as a safety. At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, he also has the size and physicality to play near the line of scrimmage, while his 35-inch arms help him keep blockers from getting into his body. Even if he doesn't win the starting role, expect Dugger to see plenty of snaps as a backup linebacker and key contributor on special teams, particularly on kick coverage units. 

"He’s (Jaden Dugger) got a ways to go, obviously, but this guy’s gonna be a really special player. I’m excited for him."

49ers linebacker coach K.J. Wright

• Another fifth-round pick who impressed during minicamp was Raiders cornerback Hezekiah Masses, who saw time with the first-team defense. With fourth-round pick Jermod McCoy continuing to miss time while recovering from a knee injury, Masses appears poised for a significant role this season. He turned heads during minicamp by breaking up several passes, a skill that carried over from his college career at California, where he led the nation with 18 pass breakups last season. The biggest question surrounding Masses will be whether he can avoid costly penalties once the pads come on, as he was flagged eight times during his final college season.

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