The 2021 run of college postseason games offers some intrigue, starting with a busy opening bowl weekend. Here are the best prospects to watch throughout the action, including two quarterbacks ranked in the top 100 on Sporting News’ updated 2022 NFL Draft big board: MORE: SN’s latest 2022 NFL first-round mock draft Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee vs. Toledo (Friday, noon ET, ESPN) Reed Blankenship, S, Middle Tennessee (6-1, 204 pounds)...

The league isn’t letting the postponement hamper its plans for the lavish host city. The stage will be on the water in front of the famous Bellagio fountains, creating one of the most extra stages the NFL has ever had. MORE: All-time NFL quarterback draft: Ranking the best QBs taken with picks 1-32, from Peyton Manning to Lamar Jackson Here’s a look at how it’s turning out. The NFL did make one “concession....

The first rule is something that has been covered extensively and was expected to pass — automatic ejection of a player who receives two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a game. Coaches were opposed to the automatic ejection penalty, but owners seem to like the idea. The second rule that passed will essentially eliminate the need for teams to return kickoffs. The league has moved the touchback from the 20-yard line to the 25-yard line....

As one of the most demanding and decisive general managers in the league, Elway faces a second consecutive offseason of critical decision-making for his team. The good news is he and the rest of Broncos brass are well-equipped to restock in the NFL Draft with 10 picks, including an additional third-rounder awarded as a compensatory selection last week. Before then, however, Denver has about $23 million under the salary cap (per OverTheCap....

The linebacker has already accepted that his playing future likely won’t be with the Giants. The combination of a new coaching staff and mitigating factors stemming from age and the physical wear and tear that comes with a nine-year NFL career has Casillas believing he will probably be headed elsewhere via free agency. NFL FREE AGENTS: SN’s top 25 players, best players by position “I’ve spoken to (the Giants) briefly....

Cincinnati was aggressive last offseason and got defensive difference-maker Trey Hendrickson, who cashed in after a breakout pass-rushing season in New Orleans. Los Angeles has been all about making moves for veterans, whether blockbuster trades (see Matthew Stafford) or key signings, even during the season (see Odell Beckham Jr.). While some teams can be more active than others because of promising salary-cap situations, others will need to be more selective about who they can afford to bring back and who they can get for outside help....

With more than a of the 2018 season in the books, here are the nine worst signings in terms of cost vs. diminishing returns on investments. MORE: Here are the NFL’s highest-paid players in 2018 Sam Bradford, QB, Cardinals Contract: 2 years, $40 million, $15 million guaranteed Bradford must have been inspired by teammate and now current Arizona No. 2 QB Mike Glennon, who made out like a bandit in Chicago last season, earning $18....

Dallas has signed Alfred Morris, who was with the team for two seasons from 2016-17, according to an NFL Network report. The move comes as another rusher, Ezekiel Elliott, continues his holdout with the hopes of securing a new contract. Morris spent the 2018 season with the 49ers but averaged a career high in yards per carry with the Cowboys the year before (4.8). Dallas hasn’t prioritized giving Elliott a new deal but the addition of Morris shows they are looking to add talent in the backfield....

Crabtree, who turns 32 next month, remains unsigned after the Ravens released him in February, even though Baltimore had signed the wideout to a three-year, $21 million deal last offseason. He caught 54 passes for 607 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games during his lone season with the Ravens, marking his fewest receptions since he played only five games for the 49ers in 2013. Before his single season with the Ravens, the veteran spent three seasons with the Raiders and six with the 49ers after San Francisco selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2009 draft....

Seattle met with defensive end Ziggy Ansah on Monday, according to a report from ESPN, which cites an unidentified league source. The 29-year-old has dealt with injuries throughout his career and he was limited to just seven games last season for the Lions. He finished with four sacks and 11 total tackles. Detroit originally selected Ansah with the fifth pick in the 2013 draft and he has spent all six of his NFL seasons with the team....

It feels like an eternity since the Super Bowl ended in dramatic fashion. Back then, Tom Brady was floating on a cloud. Now, he’s preparing to fight in court over Deflategate. While he does that, the rest of the NFL world is moving on. There are preseason games to be played and positions battles to be decided to get us warmed up for the start of the regular season. It all begins Sunday, Aug....

The league announced the suspension on Friday. Nealy will not be paid during his suspension, but he is eligible to participate in all practices, offseason programs and preseason games. Nealy was a member of the Vikings practice squad for six weeks last season. If he makes the team, he will be eligible for the Vikings’ active roster on Sept. 29. Nealy says he took a supplement with a banned stimulant....

Before prospects’ stocks and teams’ needs change, here’s what we think everybody is thinking for the top 32 picks still well ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft. Although mock drafts generally are filled with uncertainty, there are some good bets developing this year to help us match players and teams, especially early in the first round. NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD:Top 50 prospects in 2018 class NFL Mock Draft 2018 1....

Here are two money-line picks for this week’s NFL card: Atlanta Falcons @ Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS The Matt Ryan-led Atlanta Falcons head to Paul Brown Stadium to face a Cincinnati Bengals team that has made it a habit to frustrate opponents at home with a crafty defense. Following an undefeated season by Cincy at home, the Wynn Las Vegas has Atlanta as a +230 underdog, indicating about a 30....

The Packers quarterback passed for 37 touchdowns with 4,115 passing yards and just four interceptions while leading Green Bay to the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a record of 13-3 in games he started. Rodgers is already coming off a season in which, at age 36, he earned his third MVP trophy. Though his numbers in 2021 didn’t quite match that of the 2020 campaign, he is once again looked at as the favorite to again receive the honor of AP NFL MVP....

Through the first week of the season, the top-15 players in the 2022 MVP odds are all quarterbacks. It’s becoming more difficult for oddsmakers and the betting public to make a case for a non-QB to win the award. There are some decent sleeper/long-shot non-QB candidates (Justin Jefferson, Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey), but your money is almost always better spent on a signal-caller. When Peterson won the award in ‘12, he had 2,097 rushing yards on 348 carries and 12 touchdowns....

But not everyone was present, as some players remained absent amid contract holdouts, while an AFC East team opted not to have one coach come back to work. Three things that matter Dolphins shake things up with coaching changes In a surprise move, the Dolphins fired offensive line coach Pat Flaherty and promoted analyst Dave DeGuglielmo to offensive line coach. NFL Media reported Flaherty “struggled to implement the new system” and has since spring, which led the Dolphins to determine they didn’t want to wait any longer before making the change....

We dive into the injury updates around the league and more in this edition of NFL news and notes. Three things that matter Matt Ryan misses second straight practice The Falcons quarterback suffered an ankle injury in Week 7 against the Rams and has been on the mend since. But given the team’s lowly 1-6 record, it’s unlikely the Falcons will rush Ryan back before he’s ready. In the meantime, the team is reportedly getting backup Matt Schaub “ready to go” in the event Ryan is unable to play Sunday against the Seahawks....

The Cowboys are the center of attention again and a couple of young quarterbacks are starting to frame their seasons. All of that and more in Friday’s NFL news and notes. Three things that matter Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin to have MRI Dak Prescott has to be feeling a little bit antsy after offensive lineman Zack Martin was sent for an MRI after complaining about back problems in recent days....