The deal runs through 2028 and reportedly includes $77 million guaranteed, supplanting Cooper Kupp's $75 million as the highest total among NFL wideouts.

With an average annual value of $30 million per season, St. Brown would trail only Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill's annual compensation of $31.3 million, according to Spotrac.

A fourth-round pick in 2021, St. Brown had been scheduled to earn $3.366 million in base salary in the final year of his rookie contract in 2024.

St. Brown, 24, caught 119 passes for 1,515 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 starts in 2023, adding 22 receptions for 274 yards and one score in three postseason games.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection's career totals include 315 catches for 3,588 yards and 21 TDs in 49 games (41 starts).

Howard, who dealt with a nagging foot injury last season, recorded 45 tackles, 12 pass breakups and one interception in 13 games (all starts) in 2023 with the Miami Dolphins. He was released by the club with a post-June 1 designation last month.

Howard, 30, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection and former first-team All-Pro.

He led the NFL in interceptions in both 2018 (seven) and 2020 (10). Overall, he has totaled 29 picks to go along with 331 tackles, five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles in 100 career games (99 starts) since being selected by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

The option would have guaranteed the 2021 NFL Draft No. 11 overall pick a $25.7 million salary in 2025.

Fields, acquired from the Chicago Bears in a trade last month, has a base salary of $1.6 million for the 2024 season.

Fields, 25, is expected to back up Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh after going 10-28 as a three-year starter in Chicago.

The Steelers have until May 2 to decide on the fifth-year options for Fields as well as running back Najee Harris.

Fields has passed for 6,674 yards with 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions and rushed for 2,220 yards and 14 TDs.

Surtain was the ninth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft and George Paton's first career selection as Broncos general manager. Denver had a May 2 deadline to exercise the option on the rookie contract.

Paton said during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine that retaining Surtain, 24, would be "one of the easier decisions we'll make."

The Broncos will pay Surtain $6.6 million in 2024, with a guaranteed salary of $19.8 million for the option year in 2025, while staving off potential free agency for at least another year.

Surtain started 15 of 16 games as a rookie in 2021 and snagged four interceptions -- returning one for a touchdown -- and had 14 passes defended. He was a Pro Bowl selection for the next two seasons, also making first-team All-Pro in 2022.

In 50 career games (49 starts), Surtain has seven interceptions, 36 passes defended, one forced fumble and 187 tackles. Last season, he became the first player in franchise history with double-digit passes defended (14, 10, 12) in his first three seasons.

Lynch was held back by his wife that day, but the current GM of the San Francisco 49ers might need to be restrained from jumping headlong into a draft class with depth in the gene pool.

Owens' son is part of the cluster of former pro progeny eager to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The best-known sons of former NFL stars on the draft hopeful list this week are Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt. They're projected to be drafted early in the first round. Harrison is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, perhaps best known as the primary pass-catcher for Peyton Manning with the Indianapolis Colts. Alt was a high school tight end but moved to offensive tackle after training and film study with his dad, John, who happened to be an expert in the field of OT play from his days with the Kansas City Chiefs (1984-96).

Harrison Jr. said he is still fighting to overcome perceptions from peers and opponents that he's being given something he doesn't deserve because of his dad. On the flip side, he credits the 2016 Hall of Fame inductee and three-time All-Pro for setting "pure perfection" as the standard to achieve from a very young age.

"The work ethic definitely comes from him," Harrison said. "To always push myself to be the best player that I can be."

Lynch, a Hall of Fame safety drafted in 1993, has publicly endorsed the idea of coveting the Jr.'s this week.

Lynch maintains the value of a player's lineage can be critical in a final draft grade and scouting report.

"I believe in bloodlines," Lynch said. "I really do. I mean, I think there's evidence that you should. Then you have to step away from that and you have to evaluate it. And that's sometimes difficult to do and that's why (you need) a lot of different eyes, a lot of different perspectives.

"There's some inherent pressure on who their dad is, but there's also some good genes and I think that matters. And so, it's exciting that you have all these great -- we're talking Hall of Fame players and great players and brothers of players and it's really fun. T.O. was out here at the local pro day and his son Terique performed really well and that was pretty cool. I saw him running at me and I played against T.O. a lot and there was something in that stride that was very familiar. It was something about the gait. And it's crazy how those things translate. Is that just gene pool? Is that modeling the way they watch their dad run? It's interesting to me but it's a fun element to this year's draft that I think is going to be interesting to watch to see how it unfolds."

Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, the son of former Panthers and Jets defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, is another potential first-round pick. The elder Jenkins was a second-round pick in 2001 and a two-time All-Pro. Scouts circled his name after the Maryland product ran a 5.18 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 33 times at the Scouting Combine at 6-4, 320 pounds.

Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is the son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who played in the Super Bowl for Andy Reid in Philadelphia and also had a tour with Washington before returning to Philly. Trotter Sr. was more of a straight-ahead thumper, a run-stuffer from a bygone era, whereas his son was a two-time second-team All-American with the Tigers. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin met with Trotter Jr. at the combine and chatted with him again at Clemson's on-campus pro day.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman didn't identify Trotter Jr. by name but said he'll be fighting emotions not to lean toward "guys with Philly ties, who know what it's like to play here."

"I'm biased towards our hometown players. I'm biased towards the people who have legacy with this franchise. So I think that's hard," Roseman said.

Beyond Lynch and Owens, there are plenty of 49ers connections in the draft.

Running back Christian McCaffrey's brother, Luke, is the son of former Broncos receiver Ed McCaffrey. A wide receiver from Rice, Luke McCaffrey is projected as a mid-round pick.

Brenden Rice entered the draft early following two seasons at Colorado and last season at Southern California, embracing that "pressure" to live up to his father Jerry Rice's legacy as one of the NFL's all-time greats. Rice caught 20 total touchdown passes in three years of college football and attended the Senior Bowl in January. He said he's excited for any opportunity to prove he's "the total package."

Southern Miss running back Frank Gore Jr. was the Most Valuable Player at the Shrine Bowl. Gore Sr. is third all-time in the NFL with exactly 16,000 career rushing yards, ranking ahead of Barry Sanders and behind Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith.

"It's a blessing," Gore Jr. said of following in his dad's footsteps. "I have the responsibility to take it further."

Prescott is entering the final season of a four-year, $160 million deal and cannot be given the franchise tag under terms of the agreement. None of that is bothering Jones, who said the partnership is certain to continue.

"We want Dak Prescott. That's that. The improvement demonstrated (last season) that there's more. We want Dak. We think there is room for growth," Jones said Tuesday in a pre-draft press conference. "Dak, quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys, I wouldn't even blink on that."

Prescott finished second in NFL MVP voting in 2023. He said last week "real negotiations" with the Cowboys haven't begun but he has a $55.445 million salary cap hit that could be reduced with a long-term extension.

The 30-year-old has only played for the Cowboys since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.

But Jones warned not to judge progress toward a new deal with Prescott by whether they are talking contract before the draft. There are other big fish -- and large contracts -- in the picture for the Cowboys with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb set to play this season on his fifth-year option and pass rusher Micah Parsons in the final year of his rookie deal with the fifth-year team option available to the front office in 2025.

"We'd like to see more leaves fall. We'd like to see more action," Jones said of looming negotiations. "It's called option quarterback. I've spent my life (playing) option quarterback. I want to see some more cards played."

As for the supporting cast in 2024, Jones stood on his statement at the start of the offseason that the Cowboys are "all in," despite being mostly passive observers during free agency.

"We're all in with these young guys ... We're all in with this draft," Jones said.

The Cowboys draft 24th in the first round and voiced confidence they would land an excellent player. In 2022, the Cowboys drafted Tyler Smith with the No. 24 pick and landed wide receiver Dez Bryant in that same spot in 2010.

"We know what we're going to do," Poles said Tuesday at a pre-draft press conference. "Everyone's gotta tune in on Thursday to watch."

The Bears hold the No. 1 pick via a trade with the Carolina Panthers and draft night in Detroit will bring Poles' two-year plan to fruition when quarterback Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner in 2022, likely becomes the third player drafted first overall in Chicago's storied history.

Beyond the ever-present smoke around the Bears and Williams, there are other reasons the majority opinion holds merit. Chicago has only two quarterbacks on the current depth chart -- undrafted Tyson Bagent and journeyman backup Brett Rypien -- making the position a massive need.

"We're proud of where we've come from," Poles said. "It's going to be hard to make this team now."

When Poles traded the No. 1 pick to the Panthers weeks before the 2023 draft and received a 2024 first-rounder as part of the return package, he said the prevailing thought was to be in position to draft a quarterback should 2021 first-rounder Justin Fields not prove he's worthy of the QB1 role.

Leadership changes in personnel and top coaching spots often drive decisions to move on from quarterbacks drafted by previous regimes.

Fields, drafted 11th overall when then-GM Ryan Pace and the Bears moved up from No. 20 in a deal with the New York Giants, was traded to the Steelers last month to be the backup to Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh.

The new brass has tracked Williams incessantly.

Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and other members of the organization have spent countless hours to reach this point. The Bears met with Williams at the NFL Scouting Combine -- where Eberflus offers prospects the option of playing darts or putt-putt before the more intensive interview begins -- before his pro day workout (where new Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen made an appearance) and were the only team to host Williams at team headquarters for a "top 30" visit.

"The journey to collect all the information is different for everyone," Poles said. "There's guys on our board that are high that didn't come in for a 30-visit that we've had other touchpoints. Our networks in the building know the player inside and out that we really, really trust."

Poles called reports the Bears are shopping the No. 9 overall pick speculation and said he doesn't feel the need to make a trade to add picks despite holding an NFL-low four selections over seven rounds.

"I feel really good with where we're at," Poles said.

Rodgers, 26, has been cleared to participate in all team activities, effective immediately.

The Indianapolis Colts cut Rodgers following his suspension last June and he signed with the Eagles in August.

A sixth-round pick in 2020, Rodgers averaged 27.0 yards on 61 kickoff returns in 45 games with the Colts from 2020-22. He returned a kick 101 yards for a touchdown at Cleveland in Week 5 of 2020.

Following his suspension for violating the league's gambling policy, Rodgers issued a statement acknowledging his mistakes.

"Addressing the current reports, I want to take full responsibility for my actions. I know I have made mistakes, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to repair the situation," he posted on social media.

"The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be a distraction to the Colts organization, my coaches and my teammates. I've let people down that I care about. I made an error in judgment and I am going to work hard to make sure that those mistakes are rectified through this process. It's an honor to play in the NFL and I have never taken that lightly. I am very sorry for all of this."

Former NFL quarterback and local radio show host Brock Huard has flooded the airwaves during the draft cycle discussing Penix's unique arm talent vs. concerns about his injury history. And that debate has expanded nationally, as analysts project Penix anywhere from a top-10 selection to not hearing his name called until Day 2.

That major potential swing is why Penix won't be on-hand with the other marquee prospects in Detroit on Thursday night.

The public has gotten into the action as well, making Penix the most highly wagered-on prospect in this year's draft in various markets. At BetMGM, Penix has drawn the most total bets and money on any individual draft position, with his Under set at 32.5.

That would put Penix on the fringe of being a first-round pick or going to bed Thursday night still wondering who he will be slinging the football for next season. The Under has been backed by 62 percent of the total bets and 79 percent of the money at the sportsbook despite the -250 odds.

Most Bet to go Under draft position (tickets)

1. Michael Penix, Washington QB, 32.5

2. Bo Nix, Oregon QB, 32.5

3. Adonai Mitchell, Georgia WR, 27.5

Most Bet to go Under draft position (handle)

1. Michael Penix 32.5

2. Rome Odunze 8.5

3. Laiatu Latu 16.5

Quarterbacks are typically the most hotly debated prospects, and this year is no different. After the trio of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye, analysts are all over the map in their estimations of where Penix, Nix and J.J. McCarthy will land.

McCarthy has been the second most popular choice at BetMGM, where his draft Over/Under position is 5.5. The former Michigan star has drawn the most Over bets at 74 percent.

Among the three highly debated quarterbacks, favorites to land each of them have emerged.

Las Vegas is the biggest liability for Penix. He has been backed by 24.6 percent of the money to go to the Raiders, who own the 13th overall pick.

Meanwhile, McCarthy is favored to go to Minnesota. The Vikings currently hold the 11th selection and have been backed by 24.6 percent of the money to grab McCarthy. However, the Denver Broncos remain the book's biggest liability in the McCarthy market.

Denver is also seen as a likely destination for Nix. The former Oregon and Auburn quarterback has been backed by 44.3 percent of the money to wind up in the Mile High city, while the Los Angeles Rams are the book's biggest liability related to Nix.

The Broncos currently hold the No. 12 overall pick while the Rams sit at No. 19.

Team to Draft Bo Nix

--Highest Ticket%: Broncos 19.4%

--Highest Handle%: Broncos 44.3%

--Biggest Liability: Rams

--Favorite: Broncos -176

Team to Draft J.J. McCarthy

--Highest Ticket%: Vikings 20.9%

--Highest Handle%: Vikings 24.6%

--Biggest Liability: Broncos

--Favorite: Vikings +115

Team to Draft Michael Penix Jr.

--Highest Ticket%: Raiders 26.1%

--Highest Handle%: Raiders 24.6%

--Biggest Liability: Raiders

--Favorite: Raiders +300

Penix, who turns 24 on May 8, remains the draft's biggest wild card. He has arguably the most natural arm talent in this year's deep quarterback class, but his draft status is murky due to four injuries in four years.

After beginning his career at Indiana, Penix transferred to Washington, a 4-8 program when he signed before the 2022 season. He took the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game this year, which Washington lost to Michigan. His two seasons there: 11-2 and 14-1.

But before he arrived in Seattle, he had two season-ending shoulder injuries and two ACL tears. Penix addressed that history in a piece for The Players Tribune this week.

"I hear it all the time. 'He's been injured, what happens if he gets injured again?' Haven't I shown you what that looks like? Haven't I put almost 2,000 plays on tape since my last injury? ...

"Truth is, I'd be more worried if I had never been injured. We don't all come back the same. I can't speak for those that have never gone through anything. But I can speak on me. I've seen how deep my foundation is. I know the storms I'm prepared to weather. For most people that'd be the end of their story. But there's more to my story, and I own every page of it."

With the 2024 NFL Draft scheduled to begin Thursday, the league will not be docking either team draft picks -- should it find one or both guilty of tampering -- this year.

The league confirmed in March that it was looking into the possibility of tampering by the teams prior to the start of free agency. The reviews focus on quarterback Kirk Cousins agreeing to a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons, and running back Saquon Barkley signing a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles.

The Falcons said in a statement at the time that "due to the NFL's review, we are unable to provide information or have additional comment."

The Eagles denied the claims.

The Texans said 10,000 surveys and 30 focus groups were utilized to guide the new uniform design.

In addition to their traditional deep steel blue and white uniform, the Texans revealed a "Battle Red" helmet with a new logo that the team says is inspired by bullhorns with a bullhead logo on the back.

Houston also will feature a light blue helmet as part of its Color Rush look, complete with "H-Town" on the front of its uniforms.

The Texans also featured a light blue "H" that is outlined in red on a dark blue helmet.

"Today, for the first time since 2000, we are so proud to reveal our new uniforms. They are even more special because they are inspired by and for our fans," Texans owner Cal McNair said in a statement. "Our fans asked us to be more H-Town and we delivered. They were with us every step of the way and there's truly something for everyone over the four uniforms."

Also, the Bengals signed unrestricted free agent quarterback Logan Woodside to a one-year deal for the 2024 season.

Undrafted out of Washington in 2019, Browning spent 2019-21 on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad. He then spent time on Cincinnati's practice squad before filling in for the injured Joe Burrow last season.

Browning, 28, completed 171 of 243 passes (70.4 percent) for 1,936 yards with 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games (seven starts). He also rushed for 127 yards and three scores.

Woodside, 29, has completed 4 of 7 passes for 34 yards and an interception in 13 career games with the Tennessee Titans (2020-21) and Atlanta Falcons (2022-23). He was a seventh-round pick of the Bengals in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach and club president Mark Donovan received what the club termed as long-term deals, though specifics weren't announced.

According to NFL.com, Reid got a new pact that runs through 2029 and makes him the league's highest-paid coach.

"Mark, Brett and Andy have achieved historic success together, and we are thrilled that they will continue in their roles for many years to come," Chiefs chairman/CEO Clark Hunt said in a statement. "Individually, Mark, Brett and Andy each represent the best in the National Football League at their respective positions, and together, they make up one of the finest leadership teams in all of professional sports.

"They have been tremendous leaders for this organization on and off the field, and we look forward to their continued success in the years ahead."

Reid, 66, has been on the job since 2013, compiling a 128-51 regular-season record and a 16-7 playoff mark in Kansas City. He has led the Chiefs to the playoffs in all but one of his 11 seasons.

Reid previously was the head coach in Philadelphia from 1999-2012, guiding the Eagles to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season and to four other appearances in the NFC Championship Game.

His overall regular-season record as a head coach is 258-144-1, and he is 26-16 in the postseason. Reid is the active NFL leader in coaching wins, ranking fourth all time behind Don Shula (328), George Halas (318) and Bill Belichick (302). Belichick leads the postseason coaching-wins list with 31, with Reid in second.

Veach, 46, took over as the Chiefs' GM in 2017 after four years in the team's front office. He previously was on the Eagles' staff from 2004-12.

Donovan, 58, also came to Kansas City after a stint in the Eagles' front office from 2003-09. He became the Chiefs' president in January 2011.

"Our wish is he's here and part of the Niners for the rest of his career," Lynch said in a pre-draft press conference on Monday. "We're focused on B.A. being part of us."

Aiyuk isn't attending voluntary workouts and Lynch said there have been calls from general managers about the availability of Aiyuk and others. For now, the 49ers "wouldn't anticipate" a move this week involving Aiyuk being traded to a new team.

When the sides will engage again on contract negotiations is unclear.

The 25-year-old Aiyuk was named second-team All-Pro in 2023 and is due $14.1 million in 2024, the fifth-year option on his rookie deal with free agency coming up next March.

The 49ers traded up to draft Aiyuk 25th overall in 2020 and he has 15 total touchdowns the past two seasons. He had 75 receptions for 1,342 yards with seven touchdowns in 2023.

San Francisco has committed top dollar to key playmakers from wide receiver Deebo Samuel to running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle, with a massive deal coming quarterback Brock Purdy's way soon, too.

By this time next year, Purdy could be cashing more than $50 million per season based on the current QB contract market.

That creates questions about whether one of those playmakers -- or Aiyuk -- might have to relocate for the 49ers to maintain financial harmony.

Samuel is scheduled to make $20.97 million in 2024 and Kittle's base salary is scheduled to increase from $1.080 million last season to over $13 million.

Ryan played 14 seasons at quarterback for the Falcons, who selected him with the No. 3 overall pick of the 2008 draft, and one final season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. He didn't play last season, instead working as a television analyst.

On Monday, the Falcons posted a three-minute-plus video in which Ryan made the announcement, thanking the city and the team.

"My childhood dream has officially come to an end. I'm honored to retire as a Falcon," he said.

Ryan led the NFL in completions in 2019 and 2020 and won the 2016 MVP, when he led the team to an 11-5 mark behind 4,944 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He was selected to four Pro Bowls.

That 2016 team played in Super Bowl LI on Feb. 5, 2017, and had a 28-3 lead over the New England Patriots in the third quarter before Tom Brady led his team on an epic comeback, winning 34-28 in overtime.

"Matt Ryan's impact on the Atlanta Falcons organization and the city of Atlanta is immeasurable," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Monday. "Matt was selected as the third-overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, went on to win the NFL Rookie of the Year award and led us to the playoffs in his first season.

"That was the start of building a special career that now sees him holding every significant passing record in our franchise history. Matt always represented himself, his family, teammates and our team with class, character, and integrity on and off the field."

Ryan started 234 career games -- 222 of them in Atlanta -- and was remarkably durable in posting a 124-109-1 record. He missed just three games with the Falcons.

For his career, he connected on 65.6 percent of his passes 62,792 yards (seventh in NFL history), threw 381 touchdown passes (ninth in NFL history) and 183 interceptions.

His 38 career fourth-quarter comebacks rank him fourth all-time in the category behind Brady, Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.

He said Monday that he was happy to retire as a member of the Falcons: "You have no control in this profession in where you start. I am so lucky that my start and my finish was here in Atlanta."

The Jets will receive a sixth-round pick (the 203rd overall selection) and agreed to split Wilson's $5.5 million salary for the coming season, per reports.

The Broncos are looking to rebuild their quarterback room after the release of veteran Russell Wilson in March. Currently slated at No. 1 on the depth chart is Jarrett Stidham, who has appeared in 16 games (four starts) with three teams in four seasons. They also have Ben DiNucci, who started three games with the Dallas Cowboys in 2020.

The Broncos, who have the 12th pick in this week's NFL draft, had been expected to select a quarterback.

The No. 2 overall pick out of BYU in the 2021 NFL Draft, Zach Wilson struggled for the better part of his three seasons with New York, which brought aboard Aaron Rodgers prior to the 2023 season.

Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury during his first regular-season drive with the Jets, clearing Wilson for another opportunity, but Wilson was unable to secure the starting job.

Wilson was 12-21-0 as an on-again, off-again starter for the Jets.

Wilson, 24, was 4-7 in 2023 and passed for 2,271 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Through 34 games (33 starts), he has completed 57.0 percent of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 TDs and 25 picks.

The Broncos already have millions invested in the position. They took a cap hit of $85 million to part ways with Russell Wilson when they released him.

He since signed with the Steelers, with Pittsburgh paying $1.2 million for 2024 because the Broncos are obligated to pay $38 million guaranteed in their five-year contract.

"4 season-ending injuries in 4 years, Mike. How do I reconcile that?"

That's how he started his first-person essay, letting GMs know that he knows a question they'd love to ask him.

He discussed his humble upbringing in Dade City, Fla., how "nothing is handed to you, you have to earn everything. If you fall -- you get up. Simply put."

Penix began his college career at Indiana, relaying in his writing how two weeks before he was scheduled to sign with a Southeastern Conference team, he was told the team had a change of heart and had yanked his scholarship offer.

He wound up at Indiana at the last minute.

"IU had 10 straight losing seasons when I got to Bloomington, one winning season since 1994. I knew what I was walking into, but I felt I could help turn the program around," Penix said. "In 2020 we became the 7th-ranked team in the country, the highest ranking the program has had since 1967."

But the experience wasn't all smiles.

"Even with that success, I experienced a lot there. From lighting up practice to watching practice on crutches. From getting a shout out from LeBron (James) to being booed in my own stadium. From 4th quarter comebacks to entering the transfer portal waiting for somebody to call. Indiana taught me to never take this game for granted. It also taught me that if I fall, I wouldn't bet against me getting up."

And that was the point Penix, who turns 24 on May 8, was trying to make. He has gotten up over and over again, especially with injuries.

He wound up transferring to Washington, a 4-8 program when he signed before the 2022 season. He took the Huskies to the College Football Playoff national title game this year, which Washington lost to Michigan. His two seasons there: 11-2 and 14-1.

But before he arrived in Seattle, he had two season-ending shoulder injuries and two ACL tears.

"I hear it all the time. 'He's been injured, what happens if he gets injured again?' Haven't I shown you what that looks like? Haven't I put almost 2,000 plays on tape since my last injury? ...

"Truth is, I'd be more worried if I had never been injured. We don't all come back the same. I can't speak for those that have never gone through anything. But I can speak on me. I've seen how deep my foundation is. I know the storms I'm prepared to weather. For most people that'd be the end of their story. But there's more to my story, and I own every page of it."

The latest mock drafts project Penix could be selected as high as the No. 10 pick or as low as the No. 44 spot.

Hubbard told reporters Monday that the ankle bothered him during 2023 training camp, but he missed just two games during the regular season. However, a fluoroscopy at the end of the season revealed "a lot of instability" that resulted in complete deltoid reconstruction and a TightRope procedure.

"There was a lot of instability (in the ankle) that we found out later," Hubbard said. "Probably should have been fixed earlier, but you didn't know until we went in there."

Hubbard said he'll be ready for training camp.

"I'm thankful that I made it out with no cartilage damage and stuff like that, but it's all fixed," Hubbard said.

Hubbard, 28, recorded six sacks and 58 tackles in those 15 starts, missing games in Weeks 10 and 11.

"This is actually the first surgery I've had in my long football career," Hubbard said. "I've been very blessed. I just didn't want to leave my guys without me with a playoff push in front of us. We got to a tough point with Joe (Burrow) going down. It was all hands on deck. I wanted to be a part of it."

Hubbard has 36.5 sacks in 90 career games (74 starts) all with the Bengals, who selected him in the third round of the 2018 draft.

Washington drafted Toney in the seventh round in 2021 and he appeared in 26 games (one start), registering 1.5 sacks and 16 tackles from 2021-22.

The NFL suspended Toney on April 21, 2023, for violating the league's policy on gambling. Of the five players who were reinstated by the league last week, he had been the only one still on a roster.

Toney, 26, became expendable this offseason with the Commanders signing defensive ends Dorance Armstrong, Clelin Ferrell and Dante Fowler Jr. in free agency and also re-signing Efe Obada. Also on the DE depth chart are KJ Henry, Jalen Harris and Andre Jones Jr.

Critics and doubters questioned almost every area of Mitchell's game the past 12 months but he arrives on the doorstep of the 2024 draft as the top-ranked cornerback in this class by leaving no room for naysayers along the way.

Mitchell dominated in the MAC with six interceptions and 45 pass breakups the past two seasons with the Rockets. Some wondered if he could have the same impact against Power 5 prospects. Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy, who had other top-ranked draft prospects at the position turn down invitations to the annual pre-draft showcase in Mobile, was an early supporter of Mitchell and provided the stage Mitchell needed in January.

Mitchell said he went to the Senior Bowl to compete and with a point to prove.

"That I can hang with the big dawgs," Mitchell said.

He rapidly rose from the "best non-Power 5 prospect" in the draft to perhaps the top defensive player in the draft. Mitchell is one of 13 prospects invited to sit in the draft green room in Detroit on Thursday.

Mitchell turned heads all week at the Senior Bowl and turned his attention to preparing for the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. He knew his on-field production and lockdown skills displayed at the Senior Bowl would earn high marks. If he could break 4.35 in the 40-yard dash, Mitchell was sure his case for top billing among cornerbacks would be closed.

He ran 4.33.

But to Mitchell, his wheels were never a question mark.

At 193 pounds he ran the 40 in 4.39 seconds at a school timing day last spring. Mitchell said he has been timed even faster since and has a track background.

"I didn't come here to be mediocre. I came here to break records," he said before running the 40 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Most major publications place Mitchell in the top 20 picks before the draft, with a few projecting him in the top 10 to the Las Vegas Raiders or Atlanta Falcons.

Those teams would likely need to be convinced Mitchell has everything it takes to be a No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.

Mitchell was GPS chip-timed at the same top speed as Miami Dolphins All-Pro Tyreek Hill -- 23 miles per hour. NFL Next Gen Stats uses the same technology and tracked only three scoring plays over 22 mph in the 2023 regular season: Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (22.23, Week 13), Bengals running back Chase Brown (22.05 mph, Week 14) and Hill (22.01 mph, Week 5).

Already strong with long arms, the 6-foot frame of a No. 1 cornerback in the NFL with physical and competitive gold stars on his scouting report, Toledo coaches praised Mitchell most for his professional approach to football. He applies the attention to detail expected from other coaches -- not necessarily 20-something players outside of the Power 5.

Mitchell said he considers himself a student of the game, a film addict who likes to tell opponents what's coming based on down and distance before running the route for them. His dedication and desire to be the best are evident in the results. He studies and charts the technique and winning traits of Trent McDuffie (Chiefs) and the Eagles' Darius Slay to make sure he has more answers to doubters at the next level.

"The ball will get you paid," Mitchell said. "At the Senior Bowl, I learned every ball that's thrown in the air is worth $2.5 million. I'm just trying to get that money."