Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson is among the NFL players who took advantage of a rule change allowing more options for jersey numbers this year.

The Southeastern Conference and the Big East eliminated their intraconference transfer policies Thursday, allowing athletes to transfer within the leagues without losing a year of eligibility.

One of the best linebackers in college football, the top defensive tackles and the consensus best safety available are all still on the board heading into the second day of the NFL draft.

The New York Jets selected BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Baker Mayfield coughed up the ball — and the Cleveland Browns' chances to wrap up a playoff spot. After a 23-16 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, the Browns will need to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers at home next Sunday if they're going to end the NFL's longest playoff drought. But Parkey hit the left upright, and the Browns trailed 20-16 with 12:38 remaining. UP NEXTBrowns: Host AFC North champion Pittsburgh next Sunday, needing a win to clinch a playoff berth.

They're thinking much bigger than all that after a dominant 20-6 win over the New York Giants on Sunday night. The victory got the Browns closer to clinching their first playoff spot since 2002, the NFL’s longest drought. New York's opening drive stalled at the 8 after McCoy's throw to Evan Engram fell incomplete in the end zone. It could've worked, too: Kicker Graham Gano was wide open in the end zone. The Browns came right back with a scoring drive capped by Mayfield's 2-yard pass to a wide-open Hooper in the back of the end zone early in the second quarter.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass as he is pursued by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98), during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Baltimore, MD. Facing a Cleveland secondary depleted by injuries, Jackson completed 20 of 25 passes and racked up a team-high 45 yards on the ground. A year ago, the multi-faceted star set an NFL single-season record for yards rushing by a quarterback and threw 36 TD passes. Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield threw an interception on the opening series, the first of three Browns turnovers. The Browns then withstood a 47-yard completion from Jackson to Marquise Brown by forcing a fumble by Patrick Ricard inside the 10.

The Cleveland Browns' star defensive end can't undo his helmet-swinging attack on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph last season or the six-game NFL suspension that ensued. The Browns, led by rookie coach Kevin Stefanski, open their season at Baltimore against defending league MVP Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Garrett has claimed Rudolph used a racial slur to provoke him, a charge the QB has strongly denied. In the aftermath of his actions, Garrett was banned indefinitely and the Browns' defense struggled mightily without him. Through his behavior, Garrett let the Browns down, and the incident with Rudolph scarred the No.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Chad Thomas (92) celebrates with defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson (98) after sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Devlin Hodges in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Pittsburgh. And one very loud statement from the banged-up Pittsburgh Steelers written not on a T-shirt but all over the Heinz Field turf: The faces may change when Cleveland visits Pittsburgh. “No one is coming to save us,” Cleveland defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said. Mayfield declined to blame the injury, which the Browns described as a bruise, as a reason behind his so-so second half. “I think it was very straightforward,” Pittsburgh defensive end Cam Heyward said.