"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."

Netflix announced Monday that the seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback will be the guest of honor at a live and uncensored roast streaming from the Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on May 5 at 8 p.m. ET.

"The Greatest Roast of All-Time" will be hosted by actor and comedian Kevin Hart.

Netflix promised an "all-star lineup of surprise roasters," who will be taking shots at the man many consider the NFL's G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All-Time).

The company said it is the first time in history that a roast has aired live and unedited on television or streaming.

"No Helmets. No Mercy. No Brady Rule," the streaming service posted in a video on X.

Brady, 46, told the "TODAY" show on Monday that he can handle the heat.

"I played in the NFL, so I'm not worried about a bunch of comedians, trust me," Brady said.

A three-time league MVP and five-time Super Bowl MVP, Brady is the NFL's all-time leader with 649 touchdown passes and 89,214 passing yards in 23 seasons for the New England Patriots (2000-19) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-22).

Following the path of his scouting predecessors, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst plans to place contract negotiations with Love on the frontburner as soon as the 24-7 focus on the draft passes this weekend.

Gutekunst holds a league-high 11 draft picks and wants to add to his playoff roster behind Love, who is first eligible for a contract extension on May 3, one year after his most recent pact with the Packers.

"We believe in that process very, very much," Gutekunst said. "Whether it goes back to Ron (Wolf) and Ted (Thompson), all the people who have left here and had success other places. ... We believe in that. The draft is the lifeblood of this organization."

Sean Clifford currently slots at Love's backup, but the 2023 fifth-round pick can expect some company on the depth chart.

"Getting back to drafting multiple quarterbacks is something that I've wanted to do," Gutekunst said.

Love, a first-round pick in 2020, overcame a shaky debut as the starter for the Packers to deliver an emphatic response to questions about his status as the heir to Aaron Rodgers. He finished second in the NFL with 32 touchdown passes in the regular season.

Love's record-setting showing at Dallas in the Packers' wild-card win and another strong showing on the road at San Francisco the following week, despite two interceptions, convinced Gutekunst and the scouting staff he was deserving of the mantle. Love played the 2023 season on a modified contract that replaced the fifth-year team option.

Last month at the owner's meetings, Gutekunst confirmed preliminary negotiations were underway with Love, 25, targeting a long-term agreement.

"We want to make sure we do it the right way," he said. "We've started, but it's not something that's going to go quickly, I don't think. It'll take some time."

NFL Network said the 28-year-old free agent is in Denver for a visit and will sign "if all goes well."

ESPN indicated it would be a one-year deal for the former Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers starter.

Wallace recorded 38 tackles and two interceptions in 16 games (nine starts) with the Steelers in 2023.

He has 12 interceptions, 54 passes defensed and 305 tackles in 83 games (70 starts) for Buffalo (2018-21) and Pittsburgh (2022-23). He was undrafted out of Alabama in 2018.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Ogunbowale, who turns 30 on May 4, had eight carries for 35 yards and two catches for 18 yards in 12 games last season.

He also contributed by stepping up for an injured Ka'imi Fairbairn and kicking 29-yard field goal in November against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also returned a pair of kicks while playing on special teams.

Ogunbowale has rushed for 457 yards and four touchdowns and added 80 catches for 576 yards and one score in 80 career games (eight starts) with the Washington franchise (2017), Buccaneers (2018-19), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020-21) and Texans.

Gabriel had his greatest success playing for his first team, the Los Angeles Rams, from 1962-72. His 1969 season, in which he led the league with 24 touchdowns passes, resulted in several MVP and player of the year awards, by such organizations as the Associated Press, the UPI, the NEA and the Sporting News.

"We mourn the loss of Rams legend and football pioneer, Roman Gabriel," the Rams announced. "We extend condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time."

His fourth and final Pro Bowl appearance came in 1973, his first in Philadelphia playing for the Eagles. That season marked the second season he led the league in touchdown passes with 23. He went on to play four more seasons in Philadelphia.

After a stellar collegiate career at North Carolina State, Gabriel became the top overall selection of the 1962 AFL Draft (Oakland Raiders), but he elected to go play for the Rams instead, who chose him second overall in the NFL Draft.

That choice eventually enabled him to become the Rams' all-time touchdown passes leader with 154, a distinction he impressively still holds today.

He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989, but has yet to earn that same honor in the pros, despite holding better career numbers than several other inductees, including Bart Starr, who denied Gabriel's Rams a chance at a Super Bowl championship in 1967.

Gabriel finished with 29,444 yards, 201 touchdowns and 149 interceptions in 183 games (157 starts).

"I'm not going to say I fear being here or not. I don't fear either situation, to be candid with you," Prescott said Friday from the Children's Cancer Fund Gala, per The Athletic. "I love this game and love to play and love to better myself as a player and my teammates around me. Right now it's with the Dallas Cowboys, it's where I want to be, and that's where I am, and that's the focus. And after the season we'll see where we're at and if the future holds that. And if not, we'll go from there."

Prescott, 30, is entering his ninth season and the final campaign of a four-year, $160 million contract he signed in 2021. He holds a no-trade clause and a no franchise-tag agreement.

Prescott's salary-cap figure in 2024 is $55.45 million, which is the second-highest in the NFL behind Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson ($63.77 million).

Prescott said his primary interest isn't eclipsing Cincinnati's Joe Burrow as the NFL's highest-paid quarterback. Burrow's average salary is $55 million a year, while Prescott currently pockets $40 million. Prescott ranks No. 10 in pay on the quarterbacks list.

"No, I'm not trying to be the highest paid necessarily," Prescott said. "We'll wait until the negotiations begin and obviously want to put this team in the best situation."

Prescott also was asked about the lawsuit he filed regarding an alleged extortion claim made by a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by him in 2017.

"I know the truth," he said. "I'm confident in what we filed. Very confident in what we filed. I know some things have changed in their sense in where they filed, but that doesn't have any weighing on what we're doing and how we're going about our lawsuit."

There has been no traction gained in trade talks with teams interested in Wilson, Douglas said Friday at his pre-draft news conference. But Wilson is still hoping to play elsewhere next season and didn't report to the start of the Jets' offseason program.

"I think it's each player's choice whether they're going to be here for phase one," Douglas said. "These are all voluntary. There are quite a few players that haven't come for the first week so, look, that's a decision that Zach has to make."

Douglas granted Wilson's request for permission to seek a trade in February before New York added former Giants backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor to back up Aaron Rodgers.

New York took Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, and he has a record of 12-21 as an on-again, off-again starter for three seasons.

Rodgers is coming back from a torn Achilles to be the starter in 2024.

Douglas signaled during the NFL Scouting Combine in February that Wilson's time with the franchise likely was over.

"I've had good conversations with his agent, Brian Ayrault," Douglas said. "Where we are exactly, we've given them permission to talk to other teams about a trade. ... Other than that, there's nothing else to report."

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.

Of the five first-round quarterbacks from the 2021 draft, only No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars will be his original team's starter in 2024.

The San Francisco 49ers drafted Trey Lance third overall and traded him to the Dallas Cowboys last August. Justin Fields was the No. 11 pick by the Chicago Bears and Mac Jones went 15th to the New England Patriots. The Steelers acquired Fields last month and Jones was traded to be Lawrence's backup with the Jaguars.

He later worked as a scout from 2003-22 for the Cincinnati Bengals, who announced Tobin's passing on Friday.

"He was a true NFL success story," Bengals president Mike Brown said. "He was a good person and I considered him a good friend. With Bill, I respected everything he said. I just took it as a given. He had an eye for players and what they would develop into. If he said the guy was a good player, then he was a good player; that's all I would need to know. We will miss him."

Tobin served as GM of the Bears from 1987-92 and held the same role with the Colts from 1994-96. He was the Detroit Lions' director of player personnel from 2001-02.

"Rest in peace, Bill Tobin, our GM from '94-96," Colts owner Jim Irsay wrote on Twitter. "Bill was a tough, old-time football man, starting as a player in the old AFL. He lived a magical life associated with the game he loved, and our league will miss him. My love and prayers for Bill's family."

During his 27 years in NFL front offices with Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit, Tobin's teams drafted eight future Hall of Famers, according to the Bengals' news release. That includes two Colts' first-rounders, running back Marshall Faulk in 1994 and receiver Marvin Harrison in 1996.

Tobin's son, Duke, has been the Bengals' director of player personnel since 1999.

Tobin's brother, Vince, was the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals from 1996-2000.

Bill Tobin was a running back at Missouri and was drafted in the 14th round by the San Francisco 49ers in 1963. He played in 10 games (eight starts) with the Houston Oilers in 1963, rushing for 271 yards and four touchdowns and catching 13 passes for 173 yards and one score.

A late-round pick or a highly coveted undrafted free agent can slip through the cracks, and history shows draft position isn't the only factor in a prospect becoming a reliable pro.

Sometimes it's a receiver who tested poorly but had all the intangibles, like recent rookie receiving yardage record-setter Puka Nacua (Rams).

Sometimes it's a quarterback without a strong arm or standout athleticism, but great decision-making and a feel for running the offense, like Brock Purdy (49ers).

Among our favorite sleepers we project as late-round picks or undrafted free agents are these 10 names to know:

Jaden Crumedy, DT/DE, Mississippi State

Injuries limited Crumedy over the past couple years, but when healthy he was one of the more dynamic big men among college defensive lines. Despite being 300 pounds he regularly lined up over tackles early in his career. Clearly, the tools are present as the foundation for a great find.

Sataoa Laumea, OG, Utah

A college tackle who figures to kick inside as a pro, Laumea's length, strength and tenacity fit lead to a projection of long-time starter at guard. There will be some projection involved for teams, but he could easily outplay a fourth- or fifth-round draft slot.

Tip Reiman, TE, Illinois

Reiman's modest production won't stand out amongst tight end prospects, but a blazing 4.64 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5 and 271 pounds set him apart from his peers at the position. In a tight end class lacking depth, he figures to be one of the more interesting mid rounders at the position.

Travis Clayton, OT, Basingstoke RFC

A former rugby player and boxer, Clayton's special pro day gives him a legitimate chance to get picked. He ran a 4.82 40-yard dash at 6-7, 301 and has 35-inch arm length. Jake Witt was drafted in the seventh round last year with size and speed, but less length.

Eric Watts, DE, Connecticut

One of the freakiest height-weight-speed athletes in the draft, Watts has near 36-inch arms at 6-6, 274 and ran in the 4.6s at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's a bit stiff with his rush and will need seasoning with his hands, but he is extremely undervalued right now given his upside.

Bayron Matos, OT, South Florida

A walk-on at USF who played college basketball, Matos has almost no experience and would need a long runway. His traits are drawing scouts to take a look because of a frame -- 6-7, 313, 35-inch arms -- and light feet indicating he'll grow into football. Matos ran a 4.92 at his pro day.

McKinnley Jackson, DT, Texas A&M

Testing bumped Jackson down from a likely Day Two pick into the sixth-round range. His length and strength in the run game are readymade for the next level.

Craig Young, LB, Kansas

Primarily a nickel defender for the Jayhawks, Young went from 215 to 225 pounds during the pre-draft process to show he could hold the weight of a true linebacker and testing indicates he maintained his athleticism. Fits for teams emphasizing hybrid versatility in the back seven such as Seattle and Baltimore.

Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Washington State

At a shade under 5-10 and only 184 pounds, Smith-Wade's draft stock tanked with his 4.5 40 time as a likely nickel-only corner. His smooth movements in transition and sticky man coverage should translate.

Jaylon Carlies, LB/S, Missouri

Carlies should be getting more attention. He's the ideal modern-day linebacker with height, weight, length and speed teams covet. His instincts are still in the works, but ceilings don't get much higher for late-rounders.

Veteran receivers Keenan Allen (Chicago Bears) and Mike Williams (New York Jets) departed this offseason, leaving the Chargers with holes to fill in the passing game for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Chark, 27, caught 35 passes for 525 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) last season with the Carolina Panthers.

He has 212 receptions for 3,069 yards and 23 scores in 69 games (51 starts) with the Panthers, Detroit Lions (2022) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2018-21), who drafted the 2019 Pro Bowler in the second round in 2018.

New head coach Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers also have the No. 5 overall pick next week. Several mock drafts have them selecting a wide receiver, either Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU's Malik Nabers.

The receivers currently on the L.A. roster include 2023 draft picks Quentin Johnston (first round) and Derius Davis (fourth) and three-year veteran Joshua Palmer.

The Broncos moved on from Russell Wilson earlier in the offseason and have a big need at the position with Jarrett Stidham listed atop the depth chart.

"You would say, ‘Man, it sure looks like we have to draft a quarterback,'" Broncos coach Sean Payton said Thursday during a press conference. "And yet, it has to be the right fit and the right one.

"If we had the tip sheets as to who everyone else was taking, it would be easier to answer that question. That's the puzzle here."

Caleb Williams from Southern California is expected to be selected first overall by the Chicago Bears.

North Carolina's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy also are forecasted to go high in the draft.

Washington's Michael Penix Jr. could be available when the Broncos select.

Regardless of the quarterback order, Denver general manager George Paton said getting the pick right is the most important thing. He also said the 12th overall pick doesn't necessarily have to be a quarterback.

"What you don't want to do here is force it," Paton said. "Otherwise, we will be in this position next year and the years after. You want to get the right player at No. 12. Our first pick we have to hit on, whether it's a quarterback, whether it's a tackle, a receiver or you name it. We need to get an impact player."

Paton likes the group of quarterbacks but didn't want to talk specifics.

"I'm not going to talk about our board right now," Paton said. "I do think that it's a good quarterback class. (There are) seven, eight quarterbacks that we like and that we think can play in the league one day.

"I'm not going to get into how we have them rated or the Top 10. I'm not going to go there, but it is a good quarterback class. It's been fun getting to know them, seven or eight of them. We think that we can take a quarterback early; we think (we can get one in) the mid-rounds.

"We think that there are going to be quarterbacks throughout the draft that are interesting to us."

The outside pressure is heating up on the Broncos since they have missed the playoffs eight straight seasons. That just makes hitting on a quarterback more vital.

"Certainly, there are certain positions within the framework of our team right now where the vision could be clearer than maybe other positions," Payton said.

Dillard had been released by the Tennessee Titans as a salary cap casualty on March 15 after career highs of 10 starts and 562 offensive snaps in 16 appearances last season.

He had signed with the Titans as a free agent after four years with the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected him No. 22 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Dillard, who spent the 2020 season on injured reserve, played in 43 games (nine starts) for the Eagles, mostly at left tackle.

Current Washington Commanders edge rusher Shaka Toney, former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Rashod Berry and three former Detroit Lions -- wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore and defensive lineman Demetrius Taylor -- were reinstated.

Toney and four Lions players, including Moore and Cephus, were suspended last April. Lions wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were suspended for six games.

The Lions released Cephus and Moore when they were suspended.

The league suspended indefinitely Berry and Colts defensive back Isaiah Rodgers as well as free agent Taylor, who had been waived by the Lions about a month earlier. They were penalized for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season.

Rodgers, who remains suspended, later signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, who have his rights.