Notes: The Athletic releases annual comprehensive draft guide ‘The Beast’

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Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; The 2026 NFL Draft logo at the Super Bowl LX Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 2026 NFL Draft just weeks away and for those looking to polish their mock drafts, a newly released comprehensive draft guide could help. This week, The Athletic released its annual behemoth draft guide, affectionately called “The Beast.” Authored by NFL Draft Analyst Dane Brugler each year, this work of sports art features over 600 pages with 402 profiles, 2,700 rankings, and 45,000 measurements.

“It’s the result of thousands of hours of interviews, film study, and conversations with scouts, coaches, agents, and other NFL decision-makers,” Brugler writes.

The analyst explains a few new features this year, including an explore page that allows users to filter and sort through players by position, school, draft grade, or NFL combine measurement.

So you have no excuse not to polish your knowledge and start posting your best mocks on The Feed.

The Beast is here!

The 2026 NFL Draft Guide is now available (interactive and PDF).https://t.co/G487PtkKFP

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) April 8, 2026

And onto the rest of your notes.

  • Speaking of our Feed — a highlight from user Col.Aureliano, who gathered data from the last 10 years (2016-2025) to determine what we can expect from a rookie tackle. The focus is on the probability that a rookie tackle is productive this season, not so much what they could become over time as they develop.
  • Former Lions LB Alex Anzalone shares an emotional moment between his son and former teammate Aidan Hutchinson.

Former #Lions LB Alex Anzalone was playing golf with Aidan Hutchinson when his 5-year-old son Cooper delivered an emotional message to Hutch. 🥹

Later on: “Daddy, the Lions didn’t want you anymore. We’re with the Bucs now.” 😅 pic.twitter.com/6i1pVls3Qp

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 8, 2026
  • A bit more from that interview with Jordan Schultz:

Alex Anzalone turned down more money from other teams to sign with the #Bucs, because there’s nothing quite like being home and because of Todd Bowles.

“It actually means something to play in Tampa. … It was a perfect fit.” https://t.co/aebJtdRsaTpic.twitter.com/iGIHAjz13g

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 8, 2026
  • The Lions are revamping their online gaming community. “We have rebuilt it around one simple idea: a digital arcade built for how you actually play and more ways to gain access to your favorite Lions gear and memorabilia,” they said in a release. More info here
  • A big congratulations to Colby Sorsdal and his new fiancée!

Congrats, Colby and Lauren 💙 pic.twitter.com/f4fvwaSn6R

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) April 8, 2026

The NFL informed clubs today it will begin training replacement officials next month with the goal of preparing them for team visits starting June 1 if no deal can be reached with the referees union, per a memo obtained by NFL Network.

Negotiations will continue between the NFL… pic.twitter.com/ytmF7J1OAO

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 8, 2026

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