Chiefs, Jets, Raiders, Seahawks, Texans Meet With CB Colton Hood
Today represents the final opportunity for teams to conduct “30” visits with players, and several updates on this front have emerged. A couple involve Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood.
Expected to go off the board in Round 1, Hood’s visit itinerary became clear this afternoon. The Chiefs brought in Hood for a meeting this week, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes. Hood had met with the Cowboys previously, and Pelissero adds the Jets, Raiders, Seahawks and Texans conducted “30” visits with the Tennessee corner.
Hood transferred to Tennessee last year but did not team with Jermod McCoy in what would have been a standout CB duo, with McCoy missing all of the 2025 season due to an ACL tear. The 6-foot cover man played at three schools in three years, transferring from Auburn to Colorado to Tennessee. Hood checks in 25th on Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com big board — behind Mansoor Delane (No. 8) and McCoy (No. 15) among corners.
The 2025 SEC second-teamer forwent his final two seasons of eligibility to declare for the draft, and he should hear his name called on Day 1 (Hood certainly expects this, as he is attending the draft). The Chiefs hold the Nos. 9, 29 and 40 overall picks and should be expected to take a corner at one of those spots. Kansas City has developed a tried-and-true method of developing quality corners but not paying them, with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson the latest one-contract cogs at this position. The team needs help after losing its top two options last month.
Trading Sauce Gardner last year, the Jets have a need here too. They signed Nahshon Wright to a low-cost deal following a 2025 breakthrough but have needs here ahead of a draft that sees them holding three picks in the top 33. The Raiders used a third-round pick on Darien Porter last year and re-signed Eric Stokes last month, but the rebuilding team could use more aid here as well. Las Vegas, however, has been tied to the wide receiver and right tackle positions with its No. 36 overall pick. The Texans are set at corner, identifying Kamari Lassiter as a solid No. 2 option alongside Derek Stingley Jr., but the Seahawks lost Riq Woolen in free agency. Seattle, however, rosters All-Pro Devon Witherspoon and re-signed Josh Jobe last month.
Texans Targeting OL Prospects
The Texans have been active reshaping their offensive line this offseason, and they may not be done. ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime expects the team to target linemen in the draft, with the writer citing Houston’s desire for “young, cost-effective talent.”
The Texans were quick to revamp the unit after the 2025 campaign. They first moved on from longtime starter Tytus Howard and former second-rounder Juice Scruggs before adding veterans Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller to the roster. The two new additions will be penciled into the starting lineup, adding to the three holdovers from last year.
2025 second-round pick Aireontae Ersery will continue at LT, while 2025 newcomers center Jake Andrews and guard Ed Ingram are expected to retain their starting spots. Houston even has Trent Brown for some experienced tackle depth. However, Bien-Aime notes the team still needs some long-term solutions at both center and guard. Considering Smith’s deal is for only two years, the Texans also wouldn’t shy away from an OT prospect.
Armed with the No. 28 pick and two second-round selections (No. 38, No 59), the Texans could be in prime position to find at least one long-term option for the OL. ESPN’s Jordan Reid points to Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge as “names to circle” for Houston.
Iheanachor started each of the past two seasons on the Sun Devil offensive line, culminating in him earning a second-team All-Big 12 nod this past year. While he isn’t considered among the draft’s top offensive tackle prospects, he may be the best of the second tier. He would be a logical target for the Texans at No. 38. Similarly, Rutledge is among the second tier of guard prospects and could be an option at No. 59. The prospect earned a first-team All-American selection this past season following a standout showing with the Yellow Jackets.
Falcons, Texans Host DE Zion Young
The Falcons‘ tandem of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. enjoyed strong rookie seasons. Walker will be a key figure for 2026 and beyond, but Pearce’s future is uncertain given the felony charges he faces.
Given the fact Pearce’s Atlanta tenure may end soon, making another early draft investment along the edge could be a key priority for the team. The trade which allowed for Pearce to be selected cost the Falcons their 2026 first-round pick, though, so the top prospects at the position will not be available when they are first on the clock.
Atlanta recently hosted Zion Young on a pre-draft visit, as noted by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The Missouri product is one of several pass rushers likely to be taken sometime between the latter stages of the first round and the middle of the second round. The Falcons’ top pick is No. 48, although general manager Ian Cunningham is among those looking to add picks by trading down. If that does not prove to be the case for the second round, Young could be an option.
After two years at Michigan State, Young transferred to Missouri. During his two years with the Tigers, he continued to develop as a disruptive presence against the run and pass. Young totaled nine sacks and 22 tackles for loss during his time in the SEC, and his combination of length and high-energy play style figures to make him an attractive option for any number of teams. While concerns about his athleticism have been raised, Young has already drawn interest from the Dolphins and Bears.
The Texans also recently met with Young, Rapoport adds. Houston owns pick No. 28 but also a pair of second-round selections. The team may view No. 38 as a realistic spot to make a pass rush addition. That may not be the most pressing positional need given the presence of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson, but bringing in affordable depth could prove to be key from a financial standpoint. Anderson is a candidate to reset the EDGE market with his second contract, so pairing him with a cost-controlled player as a Hunter successor would be a logical approach.
Like any number of prospects on the fringe of the Day 1 order, Young’s range will be interesting to monitor over the coming days. In any event, teams like the Falcons and Texans could represent a landing spot in this case.
Will Anderson Jr. To Command $50MM AAV?
The Texans will focus on extending Will Anderson Jr. before the start of the 2026 season, but it will likely require a record-breaking AAV to do so. Albert Breer of SI.com observes the rapidly climbing contracts for edge rushers, and the writer believes Anderson’s next deal will likely come in at around $50MM annually.
This is a staggering figure, but it’s not completely unfounded. As Breer notes, the market was first revamped when Nick Bosa inked a deal worth a $34MM average annual value in 2023, topping the $28MM mark held by T.J. Watt. Maxx Crosby‘s deal boosted that AAV record to $35.5MM, but that was quickly jumped by Myles Garrett‘s $40MM annual earnings. Watt once again topped the list with his $41MM average annual value, and Micah Parsons eventually set the current record with his $46MM AAV.
Considering the $5MM jump from Watt’s deal to Parsons’ deal, Breer surmises that “it would be a stunner” if Anderson settles for anything less than $50MM per year. While the Texans could push against that record-breaking mark, Breer notes that the front office has shown a willingness to speed up negotiations and complete extensions quickly, as they did with Derek Stingley Jr.. Plus, Anderson embodies “the standard as a worker and a player” that coach DeMeco Ryans seeks. If the Texans were going to back up the Brink’s truck for any individual, it would be Anderson.
The third-overall pick in the 2023 draft, Anderson has quickly established himself as one of the league’s premier edge rushers. He earned his first All-Pro nod and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2025 after tallying 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, 20 tackles for loss, and 23 QB hits. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the best edge defender in the sport last year, although he “only” ranked third at the position for his pass-rush ability.
While the Texans may be eager to hand Anderson a new deal, the optics may not sit well with their franchise QB. Anderson was the second of two-straight picks by the Texans in the 2023 draft, with the team using the second-overall pick on C.J. Stroud. It seems unlikely that the Texans will be as quick to extend the signal-caller, and assuming Anderson inks his deal, the situation would be “glaring,” per Breer. While Anderson’s next deal won’t necessarily price the Texans out of Stroud’s next contract, the team may think twice about paying the QB the $65MM or $70MM AAV he’ll surely command.
CB Andre Chachere Announces Retirement
Finding longevity in the NFL at any level is an impressive feat. Doing so as an undrafted free agent out of college takes some serious determination. After seven years in the NFL, cornerback Andre Chachere failed to find his way onto a roster in 2025, and today he announced his decision to retire from the NFL.
Chachere came out of San Jose State, where he played almost exclusively on the outside as a cornerback. After seeing few snaps as a freshman, he found a consistent role coming off the bench in his sophomore year. His strongest season came in a breakout junior campaign that saw him intercept four passes, returning them for a total of 117 yards, and register 14 passes defensed as a full-time starter. His production dipped a bit in his final year, though, and Chachere went undrafted in 2018, initially signing with the Texans.
Patient and determined, Chachere didn’t make his NFL debut until his fourth year in the league. After failing to make the initial 53-man roster in Houston, he started the season on the Texans’ practice squad but ended up in Detroit, signing to the Lions’ taxi squad in mid November. He was briefly called up to the active roster as a rookie in Detroit but didn’t see any game time. After failing to make the Lions’ 53-man roster the next year, Chachere signed to the Cardinals’ practice squad, was released a month later, signed to the Panthers’ practice squad, then was signed off the Panthers’ p-squad to the Cardinals’ active roster, again failing to see any game time. After getting cut in the offseason, Chachere spent the 2020 season on the Colts’ practice squad.
Once again failing to make an initial 53-man roster, Chachere was claimed off waivers by the Eagles for the 2021 season. He finally made his way into an NFL game, initially serving mostly on special teams before earning his first career start in the final week of the regular season. He remained in Philadelphia in 2022, but after appearing in 16 games the prior year, he only saw action in seven games in his second season making it onto the field. Waived again in the offseason, Charchere was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals, marking his third stint with the team. In the most active season of his career, he found his way onto the field as a nickelback for the Cardinals, spending a good portion of his snaps back at safety, in the slot, and in the box after playing in college on the outside. Appearing in all 17 games that season, he made five starts.
Chachere failed to make one more 53-man roster the next year and signed to the Jaguars practice squad for less than a month before a fourth stint in Arizona on the practice squad. Chachere has made the decision to end his playing career with eyes on an unclear future. After working three full years before making his NFL debut and spending so much time on the waiver wire, he still found a way to make an impact for a short time on an NFL defense and lasted seven years in the league.
Texans Exercise Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud’s Fifth-Year Options
The Texans will be committing nearly $50MM in guaranteed money to their two first-round draft choices from 2023. Both Will Anderson Jr. and C.J. Stroud are extension candidates, and each is now signed through the 2027 season.
Houston is exercising both players’ fifth-year options, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates. Stroud’s option checks in at $25.9MM, while Anderson’s comes in at $21.51MM. Anderson is on the Texans’ extension docket this offseason, and while a Stroud payday may now be pushed to 2027, the Texans are making the expected one-year commitment to the former Offensive Rookie of the Year.
[RELATED: 2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker]
Anderson’s fifth-year number comes in on the third tier of the option ladder, with the former Alabama standout being named to one original-ballot Pro Bowl. Stroud has not been invited to a Pro Bowl on the original ballot, so he qualifies for the second rung on the QB ladder. That is still a hefty chunk of change for the quarterback. If Stroud indeed plays the 2027 season in Houston, he will be the franchise’s first five-year starting quarterback since Matt Schaub.
Soaring to the first-team All-Pro level last season as a dominant pass rusher on a menacing Texans defense, Anderson has generated extension buzz for months. The Texans paid Derek Stingley Jr. early, giving him a record-setting extension in his first offseason of eligibility. Anderson may well follow suit, as rumors have trended in that direction. The Texans paid J.J. Watt in his first year of extension eligibility back in 2014. Anderson does not have a Defensive Player of the Year honor under his belt like Watt did when Houston paid him, but the 2023 No. 3 pick has become one of the NFL’s best edge rushers.
Discussions have begun with Anderson, who will be a candidate to at least approach where Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson took the market to close a transformative year on the EDGE market. Anderson will not turn 25 until September, and he has totaled 23 sacks over the past two seasons. The 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year racked up 12 sacks last season opposite perennial sack ace Danielle Hunter, forming one of the NFL’s best rush tandems in recent memory. This duo joined Stingley in powering Houston to a third straight playoff berth, with the Texans’ defense smothering the Steelers in Round 1 after a strong regular-season surge to reach 12 wins.
Parsons’ market reached $46.5MM per year, with his Packers extension stalling Hutchinson’s Lions talks. Hutchinson scored a defender-record $141MM guaranteed, while Parsons came in at $136MM. Anderson’s camp will be eyeing those figures, though the Texans have shown a willingness — as Stingley’s deal showed — to complete three-year extensions. That would reduce the total cash figure while allowing Anderson a chance at a third contract sooner. This easy option decision, however, reflects how well the Texans did choosing Anderson — whom they traded up nine spots for after selecting Stroud at No. 2.
Stroud came off the board one pick after former Alabama QB Bryce Young, whom the Panthers chose first overall. While Stroud has been the better of the two, it is not sure a thing either team will commit to a long-term deal this offseason. Rather, both clubs may want to wait another year to evaluate their signal-callers. Stroud and Young have put together uneven careers thus far.
Although the Texans have gone a terrific 28-18 in Stroud’s starts, the 24-year-old’s effectiveness has arguably dipped since a stellar 2023 introduction. A concussion sidelined Stroud for three games last season. The team kept its once-floundering season afloat by winning all three of backup Davis Mills‘ starts. Meanwhile, the Texans won nine of Stroud’s 14 outings. He completed 64.5% of passes, averaged 7.2 yards per attempt and tossed 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions. While his traditional passer rating (92.9) checked in at 17th, he finished a much more impressive 11th in QBR (61.7).
Stroud has helped the Texans to the playoffs in each of his seasons, but they have not gotten past the divisional round. The Stroud-led team suffered particularly ugly second-round defeats to the Ravens in 2023 (34-10) and the Patriots last January (28-16). Stroud had one of the worst games of his career in New England, where he completed 20 of 47 passes and threw four picks in miserable weather.
Discussing Stroud’s playoff struggles, head coach DeMeco Ryans said (via Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2): “Being young in his career, he’s gained a ton of valuable experience and a ton of playoff experience and seeing that it hasn’t gone as we would like it to go there in the playoffs. Of course, you always want to win it all. But when you go through those difficult moments, those tough times, you learn from them. I know C.J. has learned from those moments.”
Heading into a pivotal fourth year, Ryans believes Stroud is “dialed in,” adding, “I’m excited to see how this continues to transition to him having a really great year for us.”
Connor Byrne contributed to this post.
Patriots To Trade Marte Mapu To Texans
Rather than waive Marte Mapu, the Patriots have found a trade partner. The Texans are acquiring the young defender, the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Alexander reports.
The AFC teams will swap late-round 2027 picks in this trade, Alexander adds. One year remains on Mapu’s rookie contract. The Pats were set to waive the linebacker/special-teamer as of Tuesday morning, but the Texans will add a piece to their top-flight defense.
Seeing as he was on the verge of being waived, Mapu will not fetch much in this trade. The Texans will acquire Mapu and a 2027 seventh-round pick for a 2027 sixth-rounder, according to ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss. A former third-round pick, Mapu brings experience as a linebacker and a safety. The Patriots will save $1.51MM by making this trade, with that figure doubling as Mapu’s 2026 base salary.
New England took advantage of Mapu’s versatility by using him at safety and linebacker. Mapu made nine starts in 2024, doing so despite beginning that season on IR. He played 161 free safety snaps and 219 box snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. With a stronger Pats roster fielded in 2025, Mapu did not see as much time. The Bill Belichick-era draftee played 73 snaps as a box defender and just six at free safety. Ex-Belichick right-hand man Nick Caserio will take a low-cost flier here to see what the Sacramento State alum can contribute in Houston.
While PFF graded Mapu 56th among qualified safeties in 2024, the advanced metrics site viewed his 2025 work in a better light. Although Mapu (career-low 120 snaps last season) was classified as a part-time linebacker, PFF would have slotted him inside the top 10 at the position. The 230-pound defender intercepted a pass in each of his three NFL seasons and has forced five fumbles, including three in 2024. Mapu, 26, played in all four Patriots playoff games as a reserve.
Mapu’s past flashes make this a reasonable bet to make for the Texans, who are fairly well situated at linebacker and safety. Houston re-signed E.J. Speed to work with regulars Azeez Al-Shaair and Henry To’oTo’o at linebacker; at safety, the Texans added Reed Blankenship to join Calen Bullock as starters. The Patriots have jettisoned many Belichick draftees over the past year and change, with Mike Vrabel overhauling much of the roster. The Pats still roster starters Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, and they added K.J. Britt as a backup linebacker in free agency.
Miami CB Keionte Scott Visits Texans, Bears, Dolphins
With most NFL defenses now using nickel personnel for a majority of their snaps, slot cornerback has essentially become a starting position. That bodes well for Miami’s Keionte Scott, who recently completed pre-draft visits with the Texans, Bears, and Dolphins, according to KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson.
The 24-year-old is viewed as a pro-ready nickel after a standout 2025 season. He contributed to the Hurricanes’ defense across the board with 64 tackles (13 for loss), five sacks, five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two recoveries. Scott also returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns and was the only player in the FBS with multiple pick-sixes.
The Texans appear to be set in the slot with safety Jalen Pitre, who has played his best football as a nickel in the past two years. Scott is currently expected to be drafted on Day 2, so Houston may not want to use a premium pick on a potential redundancy. But adding a viable second slot could allow DeMeco Ryans to run more dime packages with both Pitre and Scott capable of playing bigger than their size in the run game.
The Bears will be hoping that Kyler Gordon can make a strong return to his role as their starting nickel after dealing with injuries in 2025. Scott would serve as an insurance policy if Gordon – who has never played more than 14 games in a season – were to miss more time. But Chicago just signed the 2022 second-rounder to an extension last year, so Scott’s long-term role would be unclear unless one of the two were to move to the boundary.
The Dolphins, who hosted Scott on a local visit, might be the most logical option. Few teams need help at cornerback more, especially in the slot. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Miami’s primary nickel last year, was traded to the Jets, and 2025 fifth-round Jason Marshall struggled mightily as a rookie. Scott could contribute on Day 1 for a Dolphins defense that badly needs starting-caliber talent in the secondary.
Texans Host CB Martin Emerson Jr.
After missing the entire 2025 campaign, Martin Emerson Jr. is eyeing a new team for his comeback season. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the free agent cornerback visited the Texans today.
Emerson emerged as a key defender during his time with the Browns. The 2022 third-round pick got into at least 70 percent of his team’s defensive snaps in each of his three healthy seasons. This culminated in a 2024 campaign where he started 15 of his 17 appearances.
His best statistical season came in 2023, when he finished with four interceptions and 14 passes defended, with PFF grading him 61st among 128 qualifying cornerbacks. While he was basically a full-time starter in 2024, PFF only ranked him 113th among 117 qualifiers.
Emerson was heading into the final season of his rookie contract in 2025. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn Achilles during training camp that ended his season before it began.
The 25-year-old could have a chance to revive his career in Houston. The Texans could use some depth behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. 2025 third-round pick Jaylin Smith is currently penciled in for that key backup role, although he’s coming off a rookie campaign that ended early thanks to a torn meniscus.
2027 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker
NFL teams have until May 1 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2023 first-rounders. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of performance- and usage-based benchmarks:
- Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternates) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag
- One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag
- Players who achieve any of the following will receive the average of the third-20th top salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
- Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position
PFR’s Offseason Outlook series examined each of these decisions in-depth, and weeks remain until this year’s deadline. In the meantime, we will use the space below to track all the 2027 option decisions from around the league:
- QB Bryce Young, Panthers ($25.9MM): To be exercised
- QB C.J. Stroud, Texans ($25.9MM): Exercised
- DE Will Anderson Jr., Texans ($21.51MM): Exercised
- QB Anthony Richardson, Colts ($22.48MM)
- CB Devon Witherspoon, Seahawks ($21.16MM): Exercised
- LT Paris Johnson Jr., Cardinals ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Tyree Wilson, Raiders ($14.48MM)
- RB Bijan Robinson, Falcons ($11.32MM): Exercised
- DT Jalen Carter, Eagles ($27.13MM)
- RT Darnell Wright, Bears ($19.07MM): Exercised
- G Peter Skoronski, Titans ($19.07MM): To be exercised
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions ($14.29MM)
- DE Lukas Van Ness, Packers ($13.75MM)
- LT Broderick Jones, Steelers ($19.07MM): To be declined
- DE Will McDonald, Jets ($13.75MM): To be exercised
- CB Emmanuel Forbes, Rams ($12.63MM)
- CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots ($18.12MM): Exercised
- LB Jack Campbell, Lions ($21.93MM)
- DL Calijah Kancey, Buccaneers ($14.48MM)
- WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks ($23.85MM): Exercised
- WR Quentin Johnston, Chargers ($18MM)
- WR Zay Flowers, Ravens ($27.3MM): Exercised
- WR Jordan Addison, Vikings ($18MM): To be exercised
- CB Deonte Banks, Giants ($12.63MM)
- TE Dalton Kincaid, Bills ($8.16MM): Exercised
- DT Mazi Smith, Jets ($13.93MM)
- RT Anton Harrison, Jaguars ($19.07MM): Exercised
- DE Myles Murphy, Bengals ($14.48MM)
- DT Bryan Bresee, Saints ($13.93MM): Exercised
- DE Nolan Smith, Eagles ($13.75MM)
- DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chiefs ($13.75MM)