| Mike Sando of The Athletic has NFL scouts that give him unfiltered thoughts anonymously and their opinions on the draft of the various NFC teams are scattered below under Sando. |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOSando: Drafting a tight end at No. 10 is not for everyone, but the Bears still drew high marks for this draft and their overall offseason. “I like what they have done, and I’ve been skeptical of the Bears in the past,” an exec said. “The tight end (Colston Loveland) is a really good player. The sleeper in the bunch is that (Ozzy) Trapilo kid in the second round. Eventually, I think he will be their right tackle. “I have to hand it to (GM Ryan) Poles. They have upgraded in a lot of ways this offseason.” New coach Ben Johnson’s fingerprints were all over Poles’ fourth draft with Chicago. “Your first pick is in some way a statement about what this team needs and how they are going to play and how they are going to win,” another exec said. “(Loveland) is an interesting choice, and I think you can tell it was coach-driven.” Chicago’s first draft with Johnson delivered four players among the draft’s first 62 picks, three of them on offense, with two of those being pass catchers: Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III. “Chicago was interesting,” another exec said. “They got a lot of love for the Colston Loveland pick, but they just extended Cole Kmet. That’s a lot of resources at the tight end position.” And a lot of flexibility. “Loveland is going to catch a million balls,” an exec said. “He will be better than (Sam) LaPorta. He is such a good receiver, and he’s bigger — two inches taller and another 10 pounds. They will have an 11 personnel package with Burden in the slot and the 12 package when Burden is off the field with Loveland and Kmet on the field. They are set up pretty well.” |
| DETROITSando: The Lions’ first two picks, defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and guard Tate Ratledge, weigh a combined 626 pounds. Any questions? “Keep building on the lines, which is what they do there,” an exec said. “They play to their strengths, and let’s call it what it is: the Philly mindset. Not a bad strategy. And then they got three players from Georgia, one from Ohio State, one from LSU — big schools.” The Lions, over the past three drafts, have used first-round picks for a running back (Jahmyr Gibbs), an off-ball linebacker (Jack Campbell) and a run-stuffing defensive tackle (Williams), plus one at a premium position (cornerback Terrion Arnold). “They pretty much took a run-defending nose tackle in the first round, but they are very firm on their style of ball, and it has paid off, so they get the benefit of the doubt,” another exec said. |
| GREEN BAYFifth-year option decisions from the Packers. Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com: The Packers picked up the fifth-year option on one of their 2022 first-round picks and declined the other, but they would like for both players to be around beyond this season. The Packers ensured they will have defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, the 28th pick, through the 2026 season by exercising his option. While they declined the fifth-year option on linebacker Quay Walker, the 22nd pick, they would like to work out a contract extension before he would become a free agent next offseason. The deadline to exercise fifth-year options for 2022 first-round picks is Thursday. Wyatt’s salary for 2026 will be $12.938 million, according to NFL Players Association salary data. It became fully guaranteed once it was exercised. The fifth-year option on Walker would have been $14.751 million. Instead, the Packers hope to sign him to an extension perhaps even before the start of this coming season. Earlier this offseason, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst indicated that both players would be in the team’s plans beyond this season. “For both those guys, whatever mechanism we use, we’d like to keep those guys around for ’26 and beyond,” Gutekunst said late last month. “So whether that’s through doing the fifth-year option on these guys or extending them one way or the other, we’re planning to do that, we’d like to do that.” Walker became an immediate starter as a rookie and has led the Packers in tackles in each of his first three seasons, recording more than 100 in each year. However, he missed four games last season (one because of a concussion and three with an ankle injury). In 2023, he missed three games due to injury. “Quay continued to make a leap, and another guy who had struggled through injuries at the end of the year, but he was really impactful for us this year,” Gutekunst said. “Continues to be a great leader for us. Certainly think we would love to have him around here for longer than just a couple years. He’s that kind of guy.” Wyatt has not been a regular starter but likely will see an increased role this season after the departure of defensive tackle T.J. Slaton in free agency. Even in a part-time role, Wyatt ranked second on the team in sacks last season with five and posted a career-high nine tackles for loss. He has 12 total sacks in his first three seasons. “[Wyatt] was probably our most consistent pass rusher from the inside this year,” Gutekunst said. “Both [Walker and Wyatt] dealt with some injuries and was really proud of how they attacked those and played through some things this year. But I think both those guys had their best years as pros so far.”– – -Sando: The two receivers Green Bay drafted in the first three rounds — Matthew Golden at No. 23 and especially Savion Williams at No. 87 — were conversation starters among execs. “Golden was the top receiver in the draft for me over (McMillan),” one said. Execs valuing speed tended to view it that way. “Golden is awesome,” another said. “He is their best receiver right now. I think he is really good, and he was the best receiver in the draft.” Williams was interesting for other reasons. “He struggles to catch the ball, and so does (2022 second-round pick) Christian Watson, so it seems like Green Bay has devalued hands from the days when Ted (Thompson) was GM,” one exec observed. “Coaches sometimes are more, ‘Just get him open, and he will be fine.’” Getting Williams the ball could be the fun part, especially for the newer wave of coaches focused more on calling plays than implementing rigid systems. “I love the kid,” another exec said of Williams. “He can do everything. He is tough, he can play running back, tight end, receiver. He is a joker, a great tool for somebody. You have to scheme him, but that is a big man who can run.” |
| MINNESOTASando: The Vikings’ quarterback situation has dominated this offseason, complete with some Aaron Rodgers intrigue, but after Minnesota acquired Sam Howell from Seattle to back up 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, all is finally settled, right? “You know what is going to happen?” an exec who wasn’t high on McCarthy asked. “J.J. is going to get banged up, and Howell is going to walk in there and become the next Sam Darnold.” Really? “Stop,” another exec said. “There’s no comparison. J.J. will be really good, and the coach (Kevin O’Connell) will make sure he is good.” |
| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSSando: This was a coherent draft for the Giants, one in which they correctly determined they did not need to address their quarterback future at No. 3. Getting an elite talent (Abdul Carter) in that slot and still getting the draft’s next quarterback later (Jaxson Dart at No. 25, after trading up) was seen as a victory for the process. “They had conviction and confidence, and then they had the execution as well,” an exec said, “so you have to give them credit. They had a good draft. Whether it all comes together, who knows?” Execs were split on whether the runway for the team’s current leadership is any longer with Dart on board as a long-term prospect. In the short term, some wondered how the Giants would manage a position featuring Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, two veterans without ties to the current staff. Wilson, who has cast himself as “someone to lead them at every stage of the process, from the preseason to the key moments of the campaign,” is the starter for now. “Some people think Dart is a year away, more of a project,” another exec said. “They probably shouldn’t play him at all this year, or not until very late.” |
| WASHINGTONSando: Execs did not see any surefire top left tackles in the draft, which is one reason the Commanders acquired Laremy Tunsil from Houston. Doubling up with another tackle in the first round — Josh Conerly Jr. of Oregon at No. 29 — sought to solidify the line. “This is following the blueprint of how to fix an offensive line,” an exec said. “Throw all of your resources at the problem. I’m shocked they didn’t take another one, frankly.” GM Adam Peters was with San Francisco when the 49ers acquired left tackle Trent Williams. “There is no development when you do that,” another exec said. “‘We have the young quarterback (Jayden Daniels). Let’s solidify the left side. Then they draft a guy in Conerly who has a ton of upside, can play guard if need be, can slide into that battle at right tackle. He is a high-end athlete, he is young in this class. All that stuff is really, really positive for them.” |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTASando: Drafting edge rusher Jalon Walker at No. 15 seemed routine. Trading a 2026 first-round pick to the Rams for the right to jump 20 spots and select a second edge rusher, James Pearce, at No. 26 was anything but — and a move most execs around the league questioned. “I don’t know how many boards James Pearce was on,” one exec said. The “character concerns” raised regarding Pearce seemed to have more to do with on-field drive and attitude than a 2023 arrest for disobeying police. “Maybe they had to get ahead of Kansas City or Philadelphia or another team that might take fliers on character risks,” the exec added. “It just felt like a very steep price to pay for somebody who likely would have been there in Round 2.” |
| CAROLINAWR HUNTER RENFROW explains the medical reason that led to him sitting out the 2024 season. David Newton of ESPN.com: Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow dropped from 185 pounds to 150 pounds last year while being treated for ulcerative colitis, which played a big role in his decision to step away from the NFL after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders. There was a stretch where the newest member of the Carolina Panthers suffered through seven straight days of 103-degree fevers. Renfrow, 29, wondered if he would play football again after disappointing 2022 and 2023 seasons. “I felt so bad those two years, and I felt like I let my teammates down so much,” Renfrow said Thursday. “Because I had expectations. I just signed a new contract [in 2022]. I had a new coaching staff that I was going to be perfect for. And I was just a dud.“I was like, ‘Man, I know I don’t feel well, but I do not want to play football again. Like, I do not want to let people down. I just want to go over here in my corner, do what I do, get into business.'” Renfrow first began feeling “weird” at the end of the 2021 season when he made the Pro Bowl with a career-high 103 catches for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns. He took a month off after the annual all-star game because he felt “kind of tired,” but didn’t think much of it. He signed a two-year, $32 million deal with the Raiders during the 2022 offseason, but by training camp said, “I just felt as bad as I could.” It was during the struggles that the former star from nearby Clemson University was diagnosed with the chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. He didn’t know much about ulcerative colitis at the time and tried to push through it. “Trying my best even though my best wasn’t good enough at the time,” said Renfrow, who is now back to 185 pounds. Renfrow caught only 36 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns in 2022, then dropped to 25 catches, 255 yards and no touchdowns in 2023 and was released in March of 2024. He was down to 150 pounds in March and April last year and had to make multiple trips to the emergency room because there was so much inflammation in his body. He began feeling better by July after tibial infusions and by September his weight shot up to 200 pounds. “I hadn’t been able to eat for three years, and now I was eating everything under the sun,” Renfrow said. He added that he thought about trying to join a team late last season but instead decided to wait until this year where he could “start fresh with a team starting with OTAs.” Renfrow began feeling good enough in January to push his workouts to the level that made him comfortable he could compete again. He went to Clemson — where he is best known for catching the game-winning touchdown with 1 second left in the 2016 national championship game against Alabama — twice a week to work with the staff to get in shape. “Now I’m here,” said Renfrow, who on Sunday signed a one-year deal with the Panthers, his favorite team growing up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. “And I’m excited about playing football again.” Before that, Renfrow went to a few high school football games that also inspired his return. “I was like, ‘Man, they’re having fun. That’s what I want to do,'” Renfrow said. “That’s what I used to do. I used to have fun playing this game.” So, he signed with the Panthers, hoping to add depth around 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan (No. 8 overall), 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette (No. 32), veteran Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker and 2025 sixth-round pick Jimmy Horn Jr. He’s also excited to work with quarterback Bryce Young, the top pick of the 2023 draft. But mostly he’s just excited to be playing football again. “You have a lot of occurrences like that build up over time,” Renfrow said. “You’re like, ‘Man, I kind of want to go out a different way if I’m going to go out.'”– – -Sando: (Jalon) Walker, the player Atlanta drafted at No. 15, was a popular choice for the Panthers at No. 8 in mock drafts. But general manager Dan Morgan said receiver Tetairoa McMillan was the Panthers’ guy for a long time. The risk: using a top-10 pick for a wide receiver without great speed. “I think he is like Tee Higgins,” an exec said of McMillan. “That is higher than Tee went, but you would still be getting a top-15 receiver in the league. I do not think Carolina will look back on this draft class, with these players, and regret it. There were not a lot of blue-chip players.” |
| NEW ORLEANSSando: The Saints chose six players among the top 131 picks, by far their most that early since they took six in the top 103 in their famed 2017 draft. They also did not trade up for the first time in 13 years. These were seen as good things from a process standpoint. “Their first two picks, they showed real discipline,” an exec said. “You thought they could have taken a quarterback at nine because of all the talk, and they were patient. They took a tackle, which they needed to take, and got one of the cleaner players in the draft (Kelvin Banks Jr.). They came back and took (quarterback Tyler) Shough, who was great from an interview standpoint.” All signs point to Shough having a strong shot at starting as a rookie while incumbent Derek Carr deals with a shoulder injury. Has tools to work his way up a depth chart and make plays once on the field Read the full profile on“I’d be surprised if the quarterback is not starting for them,” another exec said. “He has the arm talent. He is really smart. He comes across as a veteran already. With him, it’s about staying healthy.” |
| TAMPA BAYSando: Stability in the Buccaneers’ front office could be one reason Tampa Bay seems to operate methodically in the draft most years. “They replace (productive) guys as well as anybody,” an exec said. “Chris Godwin is getting near the end. (First-round pick Emeka) Egbuka could replace him in a year. They always have selectively done a good job of looking down the road.” Egbuka was not the biggest or fastest receiver in this draft. He might not carry the most upside. One exec questioned the selection because of those things. Most saw Egbuka as the safest receiver in the draft. “If the decision maker did a lot of work on him, you will fall in love with the guy,” one said. “You know what you are getting: instincts, great hands, good production, loves ball, from a school that has churned out wide receivers recently,” another said. “Egbuka is probably the most ready-to-play receiver in the class,” a third exec said. “One of the smartest receivers we have interviewed in terms of knowing scheme. Good route runner, good feel, has a chance to be an exceptional slot. Should have a very smooth transition.” The Bucs loaded up on defense after the first round. “We really liked (Benjamin) Morrison as a corner,” another exec said. “He and Egbuka can be plug-and-play for them.” |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONASando: “They are trying to create an identity in how they are going to win, and putting less pressure on their small quarterback (Kyler Murray) is part of it,” an exec said. “I have no issues in how they are trying to build it. To me, you shot all your bullets on defense this year, and those guys have to hit because they are not doing this again next year.” First-round defensive tackle Walter Nolen and third-round edge Jordan Burch join a defensive front featuring veteran newcomers Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell. “They did not have any guys with juice on the interior last year,” another exec said. “Now, they can attack on defense instead of always catching.” |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSSando: The Rams were among the envies of this draft for securing the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick when trading back from No. 26 to 46. The move gave Los Angeles potential ammunition for a quarterback next year, depending on where things stand with Matthew Stafford. It also gave the team capital in a draft that executives think will be stronger from a talent standpoint. “That was brilliant by them — good stuff,” one exec said. The move showed what is possible when teams are operating from different positions. The Falcons were acting with the short term in mind at a time when their GM, Terry Fontenot, could be under pressure to win right away. The Rams, with a highly secure leadership team that has been in place for nearly a decade, could afford to think longer term. |
| SAN FRANCISCOBefore he signed his extension, the 49ers were offered a second round pick for TE GEORGE KITTLE. Dianna Russini of The Athletic: @DMRussiniBefore the 49ers and George Kittle agreed to a lucrative extension, I’m told a team offered a second-round pick for the six-time Pro Bowler. San Francisco turned it down. |
| SEATTLESando: Using a league-high nine picks on offense after hiring a new offensive coordinator (Klint Kubiak) and trading quarterback Geno Smith and receiver DK Metcalf cemented this Seattle offseason as all about overhauling the offense. “The top of the draft was really good for them,” an exec said. “They got three of the better players in the whole draft. (Elijah) Arroyo was the fifth tight end taken? He is a really good player. That is shocking. And I love (Nick) Emmanwori. He is going to be their Kam Chancellor in terms of physicality and demeanor.” The catch: Seattle targeted non-premium positions with its first three picks, getting the second guard (Grey Zabel at No. 18) and second safety (Emmanwori, in a trade-up to No. 35) before taking Arroyo (No. 50), who was consistently one of the most praised players from the Seahawks’ class. “After Michigan (Colston Loveland), he is the best pass threat in the tight end group,” one exec said of Arroyo. “He is so fast — so fast.” |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASRB ASHTON JEANTY will keep number 2. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: Running back Ashton Jeanty wore No. 2 while putting up huge numbers at Boise State and he’ll be wearing the same number while trying to do the same thing for the Raiders. The Raiders announced the jersey numbers for all of this year’s draft picks on Friday and Jeanty will remain in No. 2 for his rookie season in Las Vegas. Kicker Daniel Carlson was No. 2 for the last five seasons, but will switch back to the No. 8 he wore for his first two seasons with the Raiders. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDRB JEROME FORD takes a pay cut to stay in Cleveland. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: The Browns are keeping one of their veteran running backs around with a pay cut, which could decrease the likelihood of re-signing another at the position. Via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, Jerome Ford has accepted a salary reduction from $3.486 million to a guaranteed $1.75 million in 2025 on Friday. With Ford returning and the Browns drafting a pair of running backs last weekend, Nick Chubb is now more likely to be playing elsewhere in the coming season. Ford, 25, was a Browns fifth-round pick in 2022. He started for most of 2023 when Chubb was sidelined by a season-ending knee injury. In 2024, Ford rushed for 565 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also caught 37 passes for 225 yards. Chubb, 29, was able to return from his devastating knee injury to start eight games in 2024 for Cleveland. But he averaged just 3.3 yards per carry — well off his career average of 5.3 entering the year. Chubb ended 2024 with 332 yards and three rushing touchdowns plus five catches for 31 yards with a TD. Chubb had rushed for over 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons before his 2023 knee injury. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOAn addition to the Bills WR room per ESPN.com: The Buffalo Bills are signing veteran wide receiver Elijah Moore to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday. Moore, 25, caught a career-high 61 passes for 538 yards and one touchdown last season for the Cleveland Browns. Moore can play multiple receiver spots and joins a group in Buffalo that includes Joshua Palmer and Laviska Shenault Jr., who were added in free agency; 2024 second-round pick Keon Coleman; Khalil Shakir, who was signed to a four-year contract extension this offseason; and last year’s free agent addition, Curtis Samuel. The Bills also picked Kaden Prather out of Maryland in the seventh round Saturday, their only selection at wide receiver in the draft. |
| NEW YORK JETSThe injury that cost undefeated Florida State a spot in the final four-team CFP and led to the downward spiral of the Seminoles football program has also cast QB JORDAN TRAVIS any hope of a further playing career. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com: New York Jets backup quarterback Jordan Travis is retiring from football having never played a down in the NFL. Travis, who suffered a gruesome leg injury while playing in 2023 for then-undefeated Florida State, announced Wednesday that his surgically repaired left leg hasn’t fully recovered and that he has decided to walk away based on advice from doctors. “On November 18th, 2023, my life and career took an unexpected turn,” Travis said in a statement. “I gave everything I had to the rehab process, but despite my efforts, my leg never responded the way we hoped. After much prayer and consultation with my doctors and medical team, I have been medically advised to retire from the game I love so deeply.” The Jets selected Travis, who turns 25 on Friday, in the fifth round (No. 171) of the 2024 draft. They knew he faced continued rehab, but they felt it was worth the risk because of his upside. Initially, there was hope that he would be cleared to practice at some point, but that never happened. He spent the entire season on the non-football injury list. General manager Darren Mougey, who wasn’t with the organization when Travis was drafted, declined to comment at the conclusion of last weekend’s draft when asked about the quarterback’s health status. “Jordan has informed us of his intent to retire due to the injury he sustained while at Florida State,” Mougey said in a statement Wednesday. “It is unfortunate that he was unable to get back on the field after working so hard. We support his decision and wish him only the best.” It’s unclear whether the Jets knew about Travis’ retirement plans during the draft. They opted not to draft a quarterback. Their current depth chart is led by Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor. After those two, they have Adrian Martinez, a practice squad player in 2024. Former Missouri quarterback Brady Cook has agreed to a contract as an undrafted free agent. In early March, Travis’ agent, Deiric Jackson, was critical of the Jets, telling ESPN, “His rehab with the Jets was not the best. They tried to rush him. It was too fast. There was pressure on the coaching staff, and they tried to get him going sooner than the timeline really was. That caused the setback, and we had to shut him down completely.” Jackson declined to specify the nature of the setback. The Jets said they followed the rehab protocol prescribed by Travis’ surgeon, orthopedist Robert Anderson. At the time of the interview with ESPN, Jackson said he was “optimistic” that Travis would be ready for the 2025 season. In a handwritten statement posted to social media, Travis thanked the Jets “for believing in me and providing me with the opportunity to live out the ultimate dream.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| THE FALL OF SHEDEUR SANDERSAnd the rise of QB JAXSON DART. A nice look at what happened from Henry McKenna of FoxSports.com: There was once an unwritten rule in the corporate hierarchy that an employee should not wear a watch that’s nicer than a superior’s. Did Shedeur Sanders consider that on his first day at work Tuesday? It’s not his first job. Once the quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, Sanders now has a new employer: the Cleveland Browns. And watches are a huge part of his unapologetic persona. It’s not just that he has worn flashy watches on game day, including one that appeared to be worth $350,000. It’s that he flaunts it. When Sanders and a Nebraska player were talking trash before a game, the former Colorado QB put the watch in his opponent’s face. That “watch flex” was also a touchdown celebration, which people copied in just about every league, including the NFL. It became iconic. But that was in college, where Sanders was one of the best players. He was the superior — the QB1 and a boss. He was also the boss’ son. He could wear whatever watch he wanted without upsetting the corporate hierarchy. But now? He was QB6 in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was the second Sanders off the board after T.J. Sanders (no relation). He’s QB5 for the Browns, and he’s the second rookie QB the team drafted. If Dillon Gabriel wanted to “watch flex” on Shedeur, he could. But that’s not really Gabriel’s style, which is part of the reason the Browns took the Oregon QB in Round 3. Ahead of Sanders. “He’s a good person, but people didn’t like the personality,” a league source told FOX Sports regarding Sanders and his draft process. “He’s the biggest celebrity since Johnny Manziel to enter the draft.” The massive difference between Manziel and Sanders, however, is that Sanders has no character issues. He’s not a drinker, not a partier, not a drug user. In some ways, Sanders is like former college phenom Tim Tebow. Sanders has the kind of energy and personality that fills up a room. But that big personality didn’t always mesh with NFL executives. And like Manziel, Sanders didn’t come out of his pre-draft interviews with impressive results, multiple sources confirmed to FOX Sports. And so his watch is more than just a watch. It’s a whole persona. And it’s one that NFL leaders didn’t rush to put in their quarterback room. “I think it’s the biggest slide in NFL history,” a league source said. *** Sanders must have told interviewers 10 times during the pre-draft process that he doesn’t “have a trust fund.” He said it while speaking to the media. He said it while speaking to teams. And that was likely supposed to telegraph that he didn’t come from privilege, that he was still hungry to prove himself. Now, let’s put aside that Sanders showed up to his draft party with Louis Vuitton bags full of cash — and that his father, Deion, just signed a $54 million extension with the Buffs. Let’s instead dissect the idea that Shedeur — despite his obvious financial security — might be ready to stay humble, take coaching and put his head down to grind. That wasn’t exactly what teams saw in the draft process. At first, it seemed unfair that anonymous scouts ripped Sanders’ attitude. Was this the typical pre-draft smokescreen, when scouts downplay a prospect they hope to select? That wasn’t the case here. Those anonymous reports were honest — maybe brutally so. Not only wasn’t Sanders considered a Day 1 pick by league executives, teams were taking him off their board entirely. How did that happen to a prospect considered a third-round talent, at worst? At the NFL Combine, Sanders set the tone when he only took interviews with the top seven teams. Now, that’s common for high picks, which — at the time — Sanders (and basically every media member) thought he would be. Quarterback Cam Ward met with only three teams. Receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter met with nine. But those two read the room correctly. They landed in the top two picks. Sanders didn’t. That’s because he didn’t maximize his time in his interviews. A league source told FOX Sports that a top-seven team asked Sanders to study its playbook for an install at their interview, but he showed up unprepared and instead used the time to interview the team’s leadership. He asked what the plan was to support him. That question might have been OK — after he scored an A+ on the install. But because Sanders didn’t do the work the team requested, the questions came off as presumptuous. These installs are one of the most crucial parts of the pre-draft process for quarterbacks. We saw on “Hard Knocks” when the Giants, for example, fell in love with Drake Maye at the NFL Combine last year. An install is a key test of a quarterback’s memory, football acumen and study habits, among other things. Ultimately, Sanders’ lack of professionalism, preparation and self-awareness killed his chances with at least one team. Was that his intention — to bomb an interview on purpose? “At some of those [combine] meetings with certain teams that maybe Shedeur Sanders didn’t really want to go to … I was told that he more or less sandbagged in those interviews,” CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones said. One thing was 100 percent clear: Sanders was choosy. He was deliberate. That had been the family’s pre-draft game plan all along. “There’s certain cities that ain’t gonna happen,” Deion Sanders said during a podcast appearance on “Million$ Worth of Game” in 2024. “It’s gonna be an Eli [Manning].” Manning famously forced the San Diego Chargers to trade him to the New York Giants on draft day — in part because his father, Archie Manning, was a former NFL quarterback and an influential figure in the league. Deion Sanders clearly misjudged his power and Sanders’ talent. Repeatedly. When an NFL QBs coach said anonymously in March that Sanders came off as “arrogant” at the combine, Deion Sanders threatened to expose that person. That began to close the feedback loop between teams and NFL insiders trying to get a realistic sense of where Shedeur Sanders might land. Deion had long contended that his son would be the No. 1 overall pick — or at least a top-four pick. Even when it became clear that wasn’t in play, Deion didn’t seem interested in adjusting the family plan for the draft. And maybe this is where hiring an agent might have come in handy — to assess the unstable ground for Sanders and change the tactic. But it appears there wasn’t anyone who stopped and said: Hey, maybe this isn’t working. Let’s rethink what we’re doing. Why Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide is no ‘blessing in disguise’If you want evidence that maybe Sanders and his dad didn’t take the hint, Shedeur went to the East-West Shrine Game, which is a credit to him — attending a pre-draft all-star game when Ward didn’t. And again, to his credit, Sanders played in Colorado’s Bowl Game while Ward left Miami’s at halftime and watched while his team lost, 42-41. For the Shrine Game, Sanders originally planned to practice but ultimately decided not to — instead attending only to meet with teams off the field. Layers were forming over the Sanders family. They distanced themselves at a time when they should have reengaged in the process to save Shedeur’s draft stock. There’s tangible proof from draft day that Deion Sanders remained entrenched in doing the process his and Shedeur’s way. When Shedeur finally went to the Browns in the fifth round, Deion told USA Today he felt like the draft coverage of his son had been “venomous.” As shown on broadcasts, Deion watched expectantly when the Saints were on the clock at ninth overall, though multiple reports indicated that New Orleans wouldn’t take a QB there. The Sanders family was out of touch — literally — with the NFL. This isn’t to say every draft prospect goes through the process without missteps. But take a look at the draft’s QB2, Jaxson Dart, who interviewed with just about every team. The same was true of QB4 Jalen Milroe. During Dart’s meeting with the media, he was asked about the assumption that there were two quarterbacks at the top of the draft — Ward and Sanders — and then a second wave. Did he agree and could he close the gap? “There’s a lot of people who say a lot of different things, so I’m not trying to tie my head into anything like that,” Dart said. “I’m somebody that’s process-driven. I just want to take it one day at a time. This has been a dream for me since I was a little kid to be in this position that I’m in today. I’m really just trying to improve.” It’s a fairly boring answer to a question that — with hindsight — was loaded with incorrect assumptions. Dart didn’t flinch. He did what an organization would want a star quarterback to do: avoid attention and controversy. It was one example of his embracing the process. He did it again at the Senior Bowl. Both Dart and Milroe worked hard to sell themselves on and off the field. They weren’t great, but they were out there, practicing and then playing in the game. So maybe it’s not a coincidence that Giants GM Joe Schoen spoke to that competitive spirit when talking to Dart after drafting him. “You dominated the entire process with us, man,” Schoen said. We always think about quarterback competitions taking place in training camp. But some take place in the pre-draft process. One took place between Ward and Sanders for the Titans’ job. Then one took place between Dart and Sanders for the Giants’ job. And so on. Ultimately, it’s about making one team say yes. It’s also worth noting that this was a draft in which no QB — not even Ward — could compare to the previous year’s top prospects. And so perhaps it was likely important that the quarterbacks in this class showed how hard they were willing to work to improve. Sanders struggled to demonstrate that humility to teams — so much so that teams felt like he was deliberately trying to push them away. When Sanders’ pro day rolled around, there was plenty of mystery about where he’d land. Mock drafts often pegged him as a Pittsburgh Steeler at 21st overall. But some NFL insiders began to suggest that Sanders might land outside the first round. “I feel like I’m the No. 1 quarterback because that’s what I know,” Sanders said after that pro day. “But at the end of the day, I’m not stuck on that because it’s about situation,” he added. “Whatever situation and franchise believes in me and gives me that opportunity, I’m excited to go. Wherever that falls, it don’t really matter to me.” Of course, he fell a lot further than he thought. An NFL scout told FOX Sports that his team didn’t really talk to Sanders. The team thought he’d be gone on Day 2. And they targeted their needs in the middle rounds rather than stopping Sanders’ fall. “He probably misplayed his hand during the process,” the scout said. “But he is better than where he got drafted.” Perhaps because this quarterback draft class wasn’t highly touted, many teams put veteran QBs in place at the top of their depth charts. There were really only two teams where a rookie QB1 was even in play: the Browns and the Titans. The Steelers seem to know something everyone else doesn’t — which is that Aaron Rodgers is going to join them. The Saints and Giants have a veteran in place but would clearly benefit from a rookie QB — but perhaps one willing to start as a backup. Once Sanders lost his opportunities to step in as a starter through Round 1, there was a new problem: It was hard to know what he might look like as a backup. Not only does Sanders bring a Manziel/Tebow-sized presence, but he has his own social media team to amplify that presence and fame. The thing that comes next is the hard work. There will be plenty to post on his Instagram about the clipboard-holding QB who must fight to make the roster before even thinking about winning the starting job. This could be one heck of a story. But it’s not going to start off as glamorous as his last job. Sanders’ success is now in his own hands. And he’ll have to fight for QB1 in many of the ways he avoided during the pre-draft process. The good news for Sanders is that the Browns’ starting job is genuinely wide open. The bad news? Everyone in the group is hungry. If Deshaun Watson returns from injury, he’ll be motivated to reassert himself as the QB1 in what will likely be his last shot in Cleveland and maybe the NFL. Joe Flacco, at age 40, doesn’t want his career to end either. Kenny Pickett must see that this is his last shot to prove he can be a QB1. Gabriel might have the most job security as a third-round rookie. So where will Sanders fit? Maybe as QB1. Maybe as a September cut. For the guy with the $350,000 watch, the time is already ticking on his NFL chances. |
| POWER RANKINGSDavid Helman of FoxSports.com updates his NFL Power Rankings after the draft: 32. New Orleans Saints (-8)I really liked the safe, smart pick of Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 9 overall. Everything else in New Orleans feels like a mess. We have no clue what’s going on with Derek Carr and his shoulder injury. The Saints might be starting Spencer Rattler or newly-drafted Tyler Shough at quarterback. The defense is aging, and some key players are coming off major injuries. If we’re trying to guess who might be picking at the top of next year’s draft, the Saints feel like as good a guess as any. 31. Cleveland Browns (+1)I’m mainly just fascinated to see how the Browns manage this quarterback competition. It’s tough enough to find practice reps for two or three quarterbacks, let alone four. Myles Garrett and the defense should give the Browns a chance, but I need to know a lot more about the QB situation before I feel optimistic. 30. Pittsburgh Steelers (-4)If Aaron Rodgers signs with Pittsburgh, we can adjust this ranking accordingly. All we know right now is that the Steelers have the worst quarterback room in the league. There’s talent all over the roster, and that could keep this team competitive. But it’s hard to take them seriously without an upgrade under center. 29. New York Jets (+1)I’m just happy the Jets are going about this reboot the right way. They aren’t moving like a team that thinks it needs to win big in 2025, and that’s important. Drafting Armand Membou gives them the chance to develop into a really strong offensive line, and Mason Taylor looks like he could be a 10-year pro. I like this as a sensible jumping off point for the Aaron Glenn era. 28. New York Giants (+3)Common sense won out for the Giants. Drafting one of this year’s few elite prospects in Abdul Carter was a no-brainer, and it’s a relief that quarterback desperation didn’t stop them from doing something silly. New York’s defense looks sneaky good on paper, and I honestly think Russell Wilson can give this team a fighting chance. There’s still a lot of work to do, but I think the Giants can be far improved from last year’s disaster. 27. Indianapolis Colts (+1)The Colts clearly trust that their in-house options can fill the holes on the offensive line, and I trust them. That explains why they’d continue to add resources to the skill positions, which look strong at this point. There’s more than enough for Anthony Richardson to work with. It’s time to see if he can do the job — or if Daniel Jones winds up starting instead. 26. Tennessee Titans (+3)I don’t know for sure that the Titans are better than the Colts today, but I know I’d rather be in Tennessee’s situation. Cam Ward brings franchise-changing potential with him, and the Titans have done an admirable job of putting solid talent around him. If — big if, I know — Ward hits, Tennessee could be relevant instantly. 25. Carolina Panthers (+2)All eyes will be on Bryce Young and his new weapon, Tetairoa McMillan. That is fun, but clearly Carolina’s priority in the draft was beefing up a defense that had embarrassingly little talent last year. A draft like this can raise a team’s floor if the picks pan out. 24. Miami Dolphins (-3)The Dolphins added to their lines in the draft, but is it enough? Terron Armstead has retired since we last did this exercise, and both Tyreek Hill and Jalen Ramsey might still be traded this offseason. I can’t shake the feeling that Miami is stuck in neutral for the time being. 23. New England Patriots (+2)The potential is intoxicating. Drake Maye had a solid rookie season, and now the Pats have surrounded him with exciting young blockers, an explosive running back and a new cast of pass-catchers. It’s possible the Patriots just laid the foundation for a return to glory — but first, we have to see if all these gifted young prospects can deliver on that potential. 22. Atlanta Falcons (-4)If they win the division for the first time in nine years, maybe it’ll all be worth it. But trading away a future first-round pick for a non-quarterback just doesn’t sit right with me. Ultimately, Atlanta’s future will be decided by how Michael Penix Jr. develops, but they need Jalon Walker and James Pierce Jr. to both hit, as well. There’s very little margin for error if they don’t. 21. Jacksonville Jaguars (-1)It’s hard to even guess how much Travis Hunter is going to impact the Jags. Do you plug him into the receiving corps, or the cornerback room, or both? If he plays both sides of the ball, which side will feel the bigger impact? One way or another, he should make Jacksonville a better team. 20. Las Vegas Raiders (+3)Geno Smith is good enough to raise the Raiders’ floor all on his own. Give him Ashton Jeanty and a couple new receiver options, and we could really have some fun. I am still concerned about the overall strength of Vegas’ defense, but at least this team looks like it’ll be entertaining. Baby steps. 19. Dallas Cowboys (+3)I thought the Cowboys had a fantastic overall draft for the long-term health of their roster. The problem is, it didn’t fix their problem spots for 2025. Dallas still needs another receiver in the worst way, and adding a veteran cornerback wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. 18. Houston Texans (-1)It all looks good in the aftermath of the draft. Houston managed to restock the receiver room and add a new offensive tackle in one weekend. After the initial excitement, though, is it enough? What are the odds all these rookies hit their stride quickly enough to make the Texans a better team than they were in 2024? It’s possible, but I have my doubts. 17. Seattle Seahawks (+1)The Seahawks did what most of us expected and invested in the offensive line. Maybe Grey Zabel can’t stabilize things all by himself, but it gives me more optimism about what’s in front of Sam Darnold. I love what this Seattle defense could look like in Mike MacDonald’s second year, though I wish the Seahawks had done a bit more to upgrade the receiver room. 16. Minnesota Vikings (-1)I want to put the Vikings so much higher than this. The roster is loaded, as we know from last year’s 14-3 record. They’re plugging a first-round pick into the offensive line. They even traded for a 4,000-yard passer in Sam Howell as insurance for J.J. McCarthy. There’s so much potential here, but I just can’t move them any higher until I’ve seen more of McCarthy. 15. Arizona Cardinals (-1)With six of seven draft picks spent on the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals’ mission felt obvious. We don’t know if they’ll be any good yet, but you can’t say they haven’t spent resources on their defensive front. All of a sudden, this looks like a well-rounded roster. Though, if I’m being honest, I’d love to see Arizona add one more quality pass-catcher to the mix. 14. Chicago Bears (+2)Getting excited about a Bears offseason is a sucker’s move, and I’m starting to feel like a bit of a sucker. What’s not to like? The offensive line has been retooled, the skill players are exciting, the defense has more than enough talent. Ben Johnson was hired to get the most out of Caleb Williams. If he can do it, the sky is the limit. 13. Denver Broncos (-1)I was somewhat surprised the Broncos didn’t make a bigger splash on offense during the draft, but I think it’s offset by what they’ve done with their defense. Adding Jahdae Barron, Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga to a unit that was already good is an exciting thought. Maybe Bo Nix would appreciate an elite defense even more than another weapon. 12. Cincinnati Bengals (+1)I didn’t love the Bengals’ draft, but the good news is they have the least amount of work to do among any of the non-playoff teams. The offense is going to average 28 points per game. New defensive coordinator Al Golden just has to have his unit be decent for this to be a playoff team. 11. San Francisco 49ers (no change)The 49ers were so happy to have Robert Saleh back, they made their first five picks on the defensive side of the ball. That feels like the right way to play it. San Francisco’s issues on offense are mainly health-related. It’s the defense that needed an infusion of young talent if the Niners are going to get back to contending. 10. Green Bay Packers (-2)Matthew Golden is a fun first-round pick, but I’m not convinced the Packers improved any of their other problem spots over the weekend. The pass rush still seems like it needs some juice, and the cornerback depth chart looks perilously thin. 9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (no change)Emeka Egbuka landing in Tampa is one of the most fun fits of the first round. He should make the Buccaneers’ offense better right away, while also being a long-term successor to Chris Godwin. The Bucs also threw resources at corner and pass rusher, which is never a bad idea. 8. Los Angeles Chargers (+2)No more complaining about Justin Herbert’s supporting cast. This might not be the best skill group in the league, but adding Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris to go with Ladd McConkey, Mike Williams and Najee Harris is plenty good enough. Combined with a strong offensive line, the Chargers are well-positioned to get even more out of their star quarterback. 7. Los Angeles Rams (+1)Tough to make a big impact in the draft when you trade out of the first round, but I’m not sure the Rams needed to. If Matthew Stafford’s healthy, we already know this roster can go toe-to-toe with the best in the league. And that’s before factoring in Davante Adams is in the mix, too. Adding another pass-catcher in the second round (TE Terrance Ferguson) will hopefully give Stafford a deeper group of weapons to work with. 6. Washington Commanders (no change)I was so impressed by the value the Commanders found despite picking at the back of each round of the draft. I could be wrong, but I expect Josh Conerly Jr. and Trey Amos both to push for starting jobs. I know they could use some pass rush help, but I think this team is in good shape to take a step forward. 5. Kansas City Chiefs (-1)It feels almost sacrilegious to have the Chiefs ranked this low, but I’m curious to see how they handle this transition in the team-building process. I think Josh Simmons is a phenomenal pick. But after his knee injury in college, how quickly can he be expected to work his way into the starting lineup? And while I love Day 3 picks Jalen Royals and Brashard Smith, how big of an impact are they going to make as rookies? 4. Baltimore Ravens (+1)The Ravens were already contenders, and then they added a draft class that might have the biggest potential for an immediate impact in the league. Malaki Starks is a particularly exciting pick, given the number of other stars in the Ravens secondary that can help him shine. 3. Buffalo Bills (no change)Bills general manager Brandon Beane spent his weekend throwing draft picks at a defense that has been plagued by injury over the years, and I totally get it. As fun as it would be to draft a young receiver for Josh Allen, Buffalo has plenty of options on offense. A healthier, more talented defense could go a long way toward getting over the hump. 2. Detroit Lions (no change)If you had any doubts about how the Lions got to this point, look at their top priority in this draft: the line of scrimmage. Attrition up front is inevitable in this game, so it made perfect sense to see Detroit improve the talent level on its defensive line, while also creating competition for the vacant guard job. The Lions will remain in contention as long as they’re dominant up front, and I’m glad they recognize that fact. 1. Philadelphia Eagles (no change)I’m not sure this Eagles draft class will be as impactful as last year’s, but it doesn’t need to be. When you’re the world champs and you retain several key players in free agency, the draft can be about maintaining your depth. That appears to be what Philly has done, while adding a possible star in linebacker Jihaad Campbell. The rich got richer. Helman is bold to have the Steelers at #30, but maybe this is the year the wheels fall off the cart. We don’t understand, if these are power rankings for 2025 on-field performance, how the Jaguars could go south with the addition of generational talent ATH TRAVIS HUNTER? They may have mortgaged some of 2026 and beyond, but isn’t the current value of the team higher? On the other hand, he already had the Jaguars at #20 which seemed high to start with. |
