NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is mulling a future with 18 regular-season games, a President's Day weekend Super Bowl and a significant increase in international games.

Story via Stephen Holder:

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A potentially new look for players this season:

49ers GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan acknowledged trade discussions with other teams Thursday, but Lynch said no deals came close to happening, while Shanahan said a trade of Brandon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel never seemed likely.

Story via Nick Wagoner:

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Clemson HC Dabo Swinney kept texting the Baltimore Ravens, urging them to draft his CB Nate Wiggins while he still was on the board.

Story via Jamison Hensley:

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Chicago’s No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams broke the Fanatics record for draft night merchandise sales for any draft pick in any sport, beating the previous record set last week by Caitlin Clark.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Korey Cunningham. He was a vital part of the spirit and camaraderie of the locker room. Our thoughts are with Korey’s family, friends and teammates.

CJ Stroud’s reaction to the #49ers taking Florida WR Ricky Pearsall…

“Bro. He’s elite. …I wanted him bad.”

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk texted GM John Lynch and HC Kyle Shanahan moments after they selected his former Arizona State teammate Ricky Pearsall with their first-round pick Thursday night. The message, per Shanahan: “Fire Pick, can’t lie.”

More about the Chargers quickly rejecting the Justin Herbert trade inquiries that came in this off-season from the Patriots and Vikings, via Kris Rhim:

espn.com/nfl/story/_/id…

Among the players available for Friday night:

DT Jer'Zhan Newton
OL Jackson Powers-Johnson
OL Zach Frazier
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry
CB Cooper DeJean
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
WR Adonai Mitchell
WR Ladd McConkey
WR Keon Coleman
DT Braden Fiske
LB Edgerrin Cooper
LB Junior Colson
QB…

After making the call, Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort made the call.

More about the Falcons pulling off the biggest first-round shocker, taking Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick and stunning incumbent quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Story via Marc Raimondi:

espn.com/nfl/story/_/id…

In all, there were a record 23 offensive players selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

🏈Six QBs
🏈Seven WRs
🏈Nine OL
🏈One TE

Carolina closes out the first round by selecting South Carolina WR Xavier Legette.

Some context on 49ers using their first-round pick on WR Ricky Pearsall:
🏈Brandon Aiyuk is in the last year of his deal.
🏈Jauan Jennings is in the last year of his deal.
🏈Deebo Samuel has two years remaining on his deal.

At pick No. 31, the 49ers selected Florida WR Ricky Pearsall.

At pick No. 30, the Ravens selected Clemson CB Nate Wiggins.

With the No. 29 overall pick, the Cowboys selected Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton.

Xavier Worthy broke the NFL Combine 40-yard dash record with a 4.21 and he becomes the player to break the record for most offensive players taken in the first-round of a draft.

Worthy was the 20th offensive player taken tonight, setting a new NFL record.

With the No. 28 pick that they acquired from the Bills, the Chiefs selected Texas WR Xavier Worthy, who ran the fastest 40 in scouting combine history.