| Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com points out that five elite NFL QBs, including QB BAKER MAYFIELD, turn 30 soon: The NFL’s young quarterbacks aren’t so young anymore.Baker Mayfield, the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, turns 30 today. (Happy birthday.) Others aren’t far behind.Within the next 21 months, the top four quarterbacks in the NFL will exit their twenties. First up is Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, on September 17. Next will be Bills quarterback Josh Allen, on May 21 of next year.Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow gets there next, on December 10, 1996. Less than a month later, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson arrives in Club 30.All five are in their prime. All five will keep achieving at a high level. Four of them are chasing their first Super Bowl win.And while Mayfield isn’t in the same category as the other four, he’s closer than most realize. And the Buccaneers are quietly loaded for another potential division title — and maybe plenty more. Who is the best QB in the NFL born after Jackson on January 7, 1997? Here are the nine QBs who had 200+ Fantasy Points last year born after that date (also the state they played high school football in): Jayden Daniels 2000 355.8 CaliforniaBo Nix 2000 316.2 AlabamaJalen Hurts 1998 315.1 TexasSam Darnold 1997 308.0 CaliforniaKyler Murray 1997 297.2 TexasJustin Herbert 1998 285.4 OregonBrock Purdy 1999 266.9 ArizonaCaleb Williams 2001 254.5 D.C. (not a state)Jordan Love 1998 233.9 CaliforniaC.J. Stroud 2001 220.4 California |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOThe Bears have extended CB KYLER GORDON. Coral Smith of NFL.com: The Chicago Bears and Kyler Gordon have agreed to terms on a three-year extension with $40 million in new money and $31.256 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday.This makes the 25-year-old Gordon the new highest-paid slot cornerback in the league with his $13.33 million per-year average salary, Rapoport addedGordon was the first draft pick for Bears general manager Ryan Poles, who selected him No. 39 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Washington. Gordon quickly found his place in the lineup, starting 14 games in his rookie year and grabbing three interceptions. He started seven games in his sophomore season despite suffering a hand fracture early in the year.In 15 games (13 starts) in 2024, Gordon finished with career-highs in tackles (75) and fumble recoveries (3), also recording five passes defensed and a forced fumble. That earned him a 76.0 overall PFF grade, good for 20th among all cornerbacks.Now, with 2025 set to be Gordon’s final season under his rookie deal, Poles instead locks in the young defender for the long term.The Bears are heading towards a 2025 season marked by change, starting with the hiring of head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who will be Gordon’s third DC in his short career. But one thing that has remained the same is the defense’s core cornerback group. Along with Gordon, the Bears extended Jaylon Johnson last offseason and also return Tyrique Stevenson, who started 17 and 14 games, respectively.With other areas of need to address in the draft a couple weeks from now, Chicago could be running it back with the same starting CB group as last season, one of whom just got paid. |
| DETROITThere was talk at the time he was injured that DE AIDAN HUTCHINSON might return for the playoffs. Turns out, it’s April and he is not quite ready to go as of yet. Bobby Kownack of NFL.com: A week ago, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson posted a video of himself running and weaving down the field, showing off his recovery from a season-ending broken fibula and tibia.Two days ago, Hutchinson shared he’s just about finished the rehab process.“I’m there. I’d say I’m good,” Hutchinson told Marty Smith on Thursday at the Masters. “I’ve got my last evaluation tests when I get back, I leave today and I go back tomorrow to the rehab. I’m gonna finish those evals and once I knock them out of the park, I’ll be on my way and done with rehab. It was a long process, I’ll tell you that.”Hutchinson was already in the midst of a monster third season when he suffered his leg injury during a Week 6 a blowout of the Dallas Cowboys. Most notably, he delivered a Herculean 4.5-sack performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2 — a half-sack more in a single game than any other Lion managed the entire season. His injury took him out with 7.5 sacks, 19 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble through just five games.It’s little wonder Detroit held out hope Hutchinson could miraculously return if the team managed to reach its first-ever Super Bowl. The one-time Pro Bowl pass rusher even said he was on track to do so in mid-December.Such a comeback story was not to be, however, as the Lions fell to the Washington Commanders in a Divisional Round shocker, causing heartbreak for the franchise but also allowing one of its most important players to continue rehabbing sans deadline. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASIt’s April and QB DAK PRESCOTT says he could play if needed. ESPN.com: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott says he is progressing in his recovery from his season-ending hamstring injury.So much so, in fact, that Prescott said he would be able to suit up right now if needed.“If I had to play a game today, I definitely could do that,” Prescott said Friday at the 35th annual Children’s Cancer Fund gala. “It’s about moving forward healthy to make sure I can play 17 times, 20 [games] — whatever we get to when the time’s right.”Signed to a four-year, $240 million contract extension in September that made him the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history in terms of annual average value, Prescott played just eight games before sustaining his season-ending injury.With 11 touchdown passes and eight interceptions, Prescott was on pace for one of his worst statistical seasons.Prescott, 31, said Friday that he plans to participate in organized team activities in some capacity after they begin next month.“I’m getting close to where I want to be. I don’t want to put a percentage on it,” Prescott said. “I know we’ve got team activities coming up, imagine myself being involved in some sort if not all.“Then again I just understand my age, what I’ve had, what I’ve went through, it’s about being my best in the fall. So I’m not rushing anything, but I’m where I want to be.” |
| NFC SOUTH |
| NEW ORLEANSAll of a sudden, it’s not so simple as to say QB DEREK CARR will continue as the Saints QB in 2025. Nick Shook of NFL.com: The Saints have encountered an unexpected bump in their road toward the 2025 season that could prove significant.Quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that threatens his availability for the upcoming season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday afternoon.Carr is weighing his options — including the possibility of surgery, per Rapoport. The Saints hold the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which could be impacted heavily by Carr’s shoulder and decision on how to proceed.Carr, 34, is coming off a 2024 season – his second with New Orleans – in which he missed seven games due to hand and oblique injuries.Brandin Cooks rejoining Saints, who drafted him in 2014 first roundCarr’s 2025 has already been fraught with uncertainty. For a period of time following the early February hiring of coach Kellen Moore, Carr’s future in New Orleans was uncertain, with some expecting him and the Saints to part ways before agreeing to convert his salary into a signing bonus, effectively locking them into a partnership for 2025.That agreement solved the immediate question under center but did not resolve their long-term uncertainty. With the draft approaching, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if New Orleans spent a pick on a quarterback to develop for the future, even if veteran edge rusher Cameron Jordan isn’t interested in entertaining the thought as he enters his 15th NFL season.Now, they might be forced to adjust their draft plans. If Carr cannot play for any amount of time, the Saints will be thrust back into the same scenario that hindered them in 2024, facing a choice between Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener (and in a less likely scenario, Ben DiNucci) to fill the starting job. They’ve already seen an ample amount of playing time from Rattler and Haener, with Rattler emerging as the slightly better option with an admittedly much lower ceiling than Carr provides.With veteran Joe Flacco signing with the Browns on Friday, the Saints’ options for a veteran are limited. Aaron Rodgers is still available but seems to be headed toward a partnership with Pittsburgh before too long.If they must, don’t be surprised to see the Saints consider a quarterback much more seriously — and much earlier — in the draft later this month. |
| NFC WEST |
| SEATTLEIt looks like QB DREW LOCK is returning to the Seahawks after his foray with the Giants. Michael-Shawn Dugar and Cale Clinton of The Athletic: The Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback offseason overhaul continues, this time with a familiar face. The Seahawks are expected to sign quarterback Drew Lock, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.Initially part of the 2022 trade package Seattle received for sending Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos, Lock competed for the starting quarterback role that offseason. After Geno Smith won the job, Lock served as the team’s backup quarterback for two seasons. He started two games for Seattle, finishing 1-1 while throwing for 543 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.In 2024, Lock signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants. Mostly a backup, Lock was thrust into a starting role following the release of Daniel Jones and an injury to Tommy DeVito. Going 1-4 in his five starts, Lock’s lone win saw him throw for four touchdowns, commit zero turnovers and rush for an additional score in a 45-33 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Lock finished the season with 1,071 passing yards, six passing touchdowns and five interceptions.Lock is the Seahawks’ second quarterback addition of the offseason. In March, they signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. They also have former Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell on the roster. |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVERWR COURTLAND SUTTON is eying a contract extension. Sarah Wallace of The Score: Courtland Sutton is confident that current contract negotiations will allow him to remain a Denver Bronco for life.“My team has had a really good conversation with the guys up there in the front office, and I think it’s working in the right direction,” Sutton told The Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel on Saturday.Sutton added: “I’m open and optimistic about the fact that I’ll be able to be here for the rest of my career.”The 29-year-old wide receiver is entering the final year of the four-year, $60.8-million deal he inked with the Broncos in 2021. He skipped all of the team’s voluntary offseason work last season before signing a revised two-year contract in July.Broncos general manager George Patton expressed his desire for Sutton to stay in Denver at the NFL combine in February.“Courtland is one of our guys,” Patton said. “Team captain. I have said this for a couple of years in a row. We want him here.”Sutton had a productive 2024 campaign, totalling 1,081 receiving yards and eight touchdowns with a career-high 81 receptions. The SMU product has been with the Broncos since he was selected by the team in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft.The Broncos finished 10-7 in 2024 and grabbed the last playoff spot in the AFC. The team bowed out of the postseason after losing in the wild-card round to the Buffalo Bills. |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHThe Steelers players are frustrated that QB AARON RODGERS is playing hard to get. Andrew Vazquez of USA TODAY: The Black and Gold faithful aren’t the only ones frustrated by the Aaron Rodgers waiting game, as it was recently reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room is growing increasingly irritated with the lack of direction regarding the future of the quarterback position.Insider Tom Pelissero, guest-hosting a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, detailed how uncertain players within the Steelers organization are beginning to feel about the Rodgers situation:“Cam Heyward, who then proceeded to try and walk that back several times when he said, ‘Hey, you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t.’ That opinion, from everything I’ve been told, is not solely Cam Heyward’s. There are other people—certainly in the organization, in the locker room—who are just going, ‘What are we doing? We’re back for offseason workouts in like 10 days. We’re coming up on the draft. What is the plan?’”Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers were already worried that Rodgers would bring unnecessary drama to the Black and Gold locker room—and the fact that it’s already starting before he’s even made the Steel City his home is a troubling development. One that falls squarely on the shoulders of Art Rooney II, Omar Khan, and Mike Tomlin. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| TENNESSEEIf the plaintiff, Christian Nshimiyimana, is to be believed, he was sitting in his car in a Dallas-area auto dealer’s parking lot when persons in a Lamborghini Urus owned by Titans DB L’JARIUS SNEED opened fire on him, but hit nothing. Said persons were arrested, but Nshimiyimana wants cold hard cash for his distress. Turron Davenport ofESPN.com: Tennessee Titans defensive back L’Jarius Sneed is being sued for $1 million by a Texas man who says the NFL player or his personal assistant shot at him while he was sitting inside a Mercedes-Benz on a dealer lot in December.Christian Nshimiyimana, who owns an exotic car rental business and was researching vehicles for his company, was sitting inside the Mercedes G-Wagon on Dec. 6 in Carrollton, Texas. Neither he nor anyone else was hit by bullets fired from a Lamborghini Urus driving past One Legacy Motors.Attorney Levi McCathern said in a statement Friday that Sneed and his accomplice were arrested by the Carrollton Police Department on allegations of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after the shooting. Much of what happened is redacted in the police report obtained by The Associated Press.The Titans, in a statement, said they are “aware of the matter and have been in contact with NFL Security per league protocol.”Nshimiyimana, 23, filed the lawsuit Feb. 20 in Dallas County, Texas, accusing Sneed and a defendant listed as “John Doe” of “an unprovoked attack in cold blood and broad daylight.”“The proof is there,” McCathern said in his statement. “There is video surveillance from the dealership showing the car and the person who opened fire on Christian. We want to know why this happened. We’re thankful no one was shot, but we continue to search for the reason behind this incident.”McCathern also accused Sneed and a woman who identified herself as Sneed’s mother of calling and threatening Nshimiyimana afterward, urging him to not cooperate with police or retain an attorney.According to the lawsuit, Nshimiyimana remembers seeing Sneed and his assistant at the car dealership but didn’t recognize Sneed from his NFL career or television. Nshimiyimana also does not recall ever meeting Sneed before that day. The lawsuit says the defendants might have mistaken Nshimiyimana for someone else.The Titans traded for Sneed, 28, last March and signed him to a four-year, $76 million deal. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, Sneed played in five games in 2024 before landing on injured reserve because of a quadriceps injury. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| KYREN LACYWith his career prospects in ruins after a fatal traffic accident, LSU WR KYREN LACY became distraught, led police on a chase and killed himself. John Talty ofCBSSports.com: Former LSU wide receiver Kyren Lacy has died at the age of 24, an LSU official confirmed to CBS Sports on Sunday. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in Houston, Texas, police were originally called to investigate a disturbance involving Lacy where he allegedly discharged a weapon into the ground during an argument with a family member. Lacy was not on scene when police arrived, but they were able to track down his vehicle which led to a chase across several miles.The car Lacy was driving eventually crashed, but when police approached the vehicle and attempted to make an arrest, they discovered that Lacy had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.“We’re saddened to learn of the tragic passing of former LSU Football student-athlete Kyren Lacy,” an LSU spokesperson told ESPN. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones, as well as his former teammates and coaches impacted by his passing.”Once considered a potential high NFL Draft pick, Lacy was arrested in January and charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle. The charges stemmed from a Dec. 17 crash that killed a 78-year old man and injured two others.“As Lacy was illegally passing the other vehicles, the driver of a northbound pickup truck abruptly braked and swerved to the right to avoid a head-on collision with the approaching Dodge,” a Louisiana State Police news release read. “Traveling behind the pickup was a 2017 Kia Cadenza whose driver swerved left to avoid the oncoming Dodge Charger. As the Kia Cadenza took evasive action to avoid impact with the Dodge, it crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound 2017 Kia Sorento.”Following the accident, police said Lacy drove around the crash scene and fled without stopping to offer help or call emergency services.Lacy spent two seasons at Louisiana-Lafayette before transferring to LSU where he was the Tigers’ leading receiver in 2024. He finished his career with 162 catches for 2,360 yards and 26 touchdowns. |
| BROADCAST NEWSThe Lions and Cowboys are grandfathered in as hosts on Thanksgiving, something many wondered about just a few years ago when Detroit wasn’t very good. Mike North, the NFL’s scheduling poohbah says no other team is likely to take their place for events like Christmas and Black Friday. Mike Florio approves: The Chiefs reportedly have volunteered to become a permanent fixture on Christmas Day. The NFL is not prepared to accept the offer.Mike North, the NFL’s V.P. of broadcast planning & scheduling, recently addressed that and many other topics during an appearance on the It’s Always Gameday in Buffalo podcast.“I’m not sure that’s gonna become a tradition quite the way Thanksgiving is,” North said. “I mean, think about what it took for that tradition, right? The Lions since the ‘30s, the Cowboys since the ‘60s. We didn’t commit to a third site on Thanksgiving when we brought that back about 20 years ago. We rotated that around. I imagine we’re gonna keep rotating Christmas around, too.”He noted that it’s a lot to expect from a team’s fans to show up for a Christmas game every year. He also made the point that we mentioned when the report first surfaced. The Chiefs won’t be good forever. It makes far more sense to select the slate every year — and possibly to preserve a flex option.“Never say never,” North said. “Let’s see what the next few years bring. But I don’t think we’re today gonna commit to a permanent third host for Thanksgiving, a permanent host for Black Friday, or a permanent host for Christmas.”It’s the smart play. Christmas games will be a permanent fixture of the NFL landscape. The impressive worldwide live broadcast on Netflix makes it an even bigger deal.Making the Netflix broadcast even more impressive is the now-common claim, as repeated by North, that the Christmas 2024 games on Netflix reached “200 countries.”That’s one hell of a feat, given that there aren’t 200 countries on the entire planet. Worldometers places the number of countries at 195 – although that includes Palestine. There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.Not included in this total count of 195 countries are:Taiwan – the United Nations considers it represented by the People’s Republic of ChinaThe Cook Islands and Niue, both states in free association with New Zealand which are members of several UN specialized agencies and have been recognized “full treaty-making capacity”, but are neither member states nor non-member observer states.Dependencies (or dependent territories, dependent areas, dependencies) and Areas of Special Sovereignty (autonomous territories)Other countries recognized by the United Nations as not being self-governing Here is a list of 38 non-countries – some of which seem to quack like countries: Dependency of1 Taiwan 23,112,793 China2 Hong Kong 7,396,076 China3 Puerto Rico 3,235,289 U.S.4 Réunion 882,405 France5 Macao 722,007 China6 Western Sahara 600,904 (disputed)7 Guadeloupe 373,791 France8 Martinique 340,439 France9 Mayotte 337,011 France10 French Guiana 313,666 France11 New Caledonia 295,333 France12 French Polynesia 282,465 France13 Curaçao 185,487 Netherlands14 Guam 168,999 U.S.15 Aruba 108,147 Netherlands16 U.S. Virgin Islands 84,138 U.S.17 Isle of Man 84,118 U.K.18 Cayman Islands 75,844 U.K.19 Bermuda 64,555 U.K.20 Faeroe Islands 56,002 Denmark21 Greenland 55,745 Denmark22 Turks and Caicos 46,855 U.K.23 American Samoa 46,029 U.S.24 Sint Maarten 43,923 Netherlands25 Northern Mariana Islands 43,541 U.S.26 Gibraltar 40,126 U.K.27 British Virgin Islands 39,732 U.K.28 Caribbean Netherlands 31,338 Netherlands29 Anguilla 14,728 U.K.30 Cook Islands 13,263 partly New Zealand31 Saint Barthelemy 11,414 France32 Wallis & Futuna 11,194 France33 Saint Pierre & Miquelon 5,574 France34 Saint Helena 5,197 U.K.35 Montserrat 4,359 U.K.36 Falkland Islands 3,469 U.K.37 Tokelau 2,608 New Zealand38 Niue 1,821 partly New Zealand Puerto Rico has an Olympic team. Faroe Islands has a soccer team eligible for the World Cup. So does Taiwan. So does Curacao. Greenland is in the news. We had a vague island where most of these places, usually islands, were located. We had to look up Mayotte (Indian Ocean, near Madagascar) and Wallis & Futuna (Pacific, near Samoa). |
| 2025 DRAFTJeff Legwold of ESPN.com has the names of seven players who are shooting up draft boards:With the 2025 NFL draft less than two weeks away, let’s look at some players who have gained the most ground over the past seven months. Last year’s list included quarterback J.J. McCarthy (pick No. 10), tight end Ben Sinnott (No. 53) and offensive tackle Patrick Paul (No. 55), among others.Here are some of the top risers in 2025, starting with two players in the trenches who made significant leaps from their preseason evaluations.Armand Membou, OT, MissouriScouts Inc. ranking: 8How far he climbed boards: There were league scouts and evaluators who had Membou as a late Day 2 or early Day 3 possibility before the start of the 2024 season. But his play this season and his workouts during the predraft circuit have shot him up draft boards. He’s now entrenched as a first-round pick, might get picked in the top 10 and could even be the first lineman off the board.Turning point: At 6-foot-4, 332 pounds, Membou is a powerful presence who jolts defenders at the line of scrimmage with his first punch. There wasn’t a specific performance that led to his rise like others on this list. Instead, evaluators got to see him dominate every Saturday against SEC pass rushers, who are among the best prospects at their position in the 2025 and 2026 classes. He allowed one sack over 12 games in 2024.Why he rose: Because Membou doesn’t have prototypical tackle height, some evaluators hastily slated him to move inside to guard. But his tape and predraft testing showed upside at tackle, which immediately enhanced his first-round value. Membou’s 82-inch wingspan at the combine is on par with some of the tallest tackles in this class.What they’re saying: “At tackle, you have to be a little more athletic to handle that speed off the edge. I think most teams think I’m athletically capable enough to play tackle … it just depends on what their needs are.” — Membou on where NFL teams see him playingGrey Zabel, C/G, North Dakota StateScouts Inc. ranking: 41How far he climbed boards: Like Membou, Zabel opened the season well below his current ranking. Many in the league saw the versatile lineman as a quality option early on Day 3. Now, he’s most likely to hear his name early on Day 2 or even late in Round 1.Turning point: A first-team FCS All-America selection at left tackle this past season, Zabel has put plenty on tape through two national championship wins with the Bison. But he rose up draft boards after dominating essentially every drill during Senior Bowl practices. He sent everybody home from Mobile, Alabama, wanting to dive further into his evaluation.Why he rose: He started games at left tackle, right tackle, left guard and right guard in college; he has also shown scouts he could play center during the predraft process. Zabel’s power in the run game was unquestioned, but he also progressively showed improvement in handling power in pass protection last season.What they’re saying: “The biggest thing is understanding the different responsibilities depending on which hand you have down, which stance you’re in, and even if you have to snap the football. You never know where a team might need you in any given week, so just being the best football player you can be is the most important thing. … I think my ability to play multiple spots is something that teams value.” — Zabel on where he could play in the NFLDarien Porter, CB, Iowa StateScouts Inc. ranking: 53How far he climbed boards: Porter was a Day 3 “maybe” for some teams because of his quirky resume. He’s 24 years old, he played six college seasons, he switched from wide receiver to defensive back in 2022, and all seven of his collegiate starts came in 2024. But he has worked his way into being a solid Day 2 selection.Turning point: Porter made an early mark in Iowa State’s second game of the season, snagging two interceptions in a 20-19 win over rival Iowa. He only registered one more interception over the rest of the season, but he is the classic potential over production player — fitting the typical riser profile.Why he rose: His measurements stood out at the combine, as his 6-foot-3 height and 33⅛-inch arm length gives him the coveted reach defensive coaches want. His 4.3-second 40-yard dash also tied for third among all players who ran. Porter showed that he has elite traits and is still an ascending player despite his age. Porter is also a high-value special teams player, with five blocked kicks in his career.What they’re saying: “I had to work a lot on my press [coverage skills]. I converted from wide [receiver] to corner, and especially with my frame, I’ve got long arms and really make receivers uncomfortable at the line of scrimmage. … I had great success this past season but still think that there’s a lot left. And really I’m just scratching the surface. My best football is still ahead of me.” — Porter on moving from receiver to cornerJack Bech, WR, TCUScouts Inc. ranking: 58How far he climbed boards: Bech was also considered a late Day 3 pick when the 2024 season started. But after becoming only the fifth TCU player to have a 1,000-yard receiving season (1,034), and his work at the Senior Bowl, Bech is solidly a Day 2 pick.Turning point: After two years of limited playing time at LSU and a 12-catch season at TCU in 2023, he showed smooth, precise routes with impeccable hands throughout last season. He then was one of the best players of Senior Bowl week. He finished it as the game’s MVP only a month after his brother, Tiger, died in the pickup truck attack in New Orleans.Why he rose: His 2024 season drew attention, especially the confidence he showed with his routes and in contested-catch situations. He showcased his willingness to compete with the best defensive backs in the country in Mobile, consistently creating separation and finishing plays.What they’re saying: “I feel like I have the best hands in this draft class. That comes with just a lot of hard work after practice, trying to catch the most Jugs, not only on the team but out of anybody in the country, day in and day out. There wasn’t a practice that I skipped, where I wasn’t out there catching extra Jugs balls. That’s just where my confidence comes from.” — Bech on his potentialKyle Williams, WR, Washington StateScouts Inc. ranking: 105How far he climbed boards: A transfer from UNLV, Williams was well down in the Day 3 range when last season began. Thanks to his a 17.1 yards per catch average and down-the-field explosiveness, he could get selected early on Day 3 or even late on Day 2.Turning point: Anytime a player has 14 touchdowns in a season, that’s going to be an attention grabber. It was the second-best single-season total in Washington State history and included back-to-back three-touchdown games against Utah State and New Mexico.Why he rose: His 4.4-second 40 at the combine confirmed the dynamic vertical speed scouts saw on tape. Many wide receiver coaches see a player who can bring some position versatility as well. And even though Williams did not return punts at Washington State (he returned one career kickoff), he caught punts at the combine for several team representatives.What they’re saying: “He’s got the easy speed. There’s some drops and he’s late with his hands sometimes, but when he crosses the field he creates space, and I watched him beat press over and over again.” — NFC personnel executiveMac McWilliams, CB, UCFScouts Inc. ranking: 209How far he climbed boards: If you asked scouts about McWilliams’ draft stock after the 2023 season, there would not have been a lot of excitement. But he made the most of his one season at UCF after four years at UAB and could find his way into early or middle Day 3 if the right situation presents itself.Turning point: McWilliams’ 2024 tape was filled with instances of him attacking the line of scrimmage in run support, including five tackles for loss and one forced fumble. That’s a skill which sticks out to defensive backs coaches who want willing tacklers. He can be a potential nickel corner for a team with a heavy menu of zone coverages.Why he rose: The improvement he made between his past two college seasons indicates there is even more room for him to grow. He also has plenty of special teams potential in punt coverage, and his 4.41 40 at the combine didn’t hurt.What they’re saying: “I wish he located the ball better — he doesn’t always find it when he’s not facing the play — but he’ll tackle and he’s got some burst when he closes to the ball. Think people can work with that.” — AFC area scoutThomas Perry, G/C, MiddleburyScouts Inc. ranking: UnrankedHow far he climbed boards: Like most Division III players, Perry was not on anyone’s board until recently. He’s worth a Day 3 selection, or maybe even higher, for those willing to look beyond the college competition he routinely overwhelmed.Turning point: He was the only D-III player invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl this year and consistently displayed his exceptional play strength in practices. He quickly became “Thomas the Tank” in some social media missives and took reps at center for the first time in his career.Why he rose: Perry may be one of the most powerful players in this class and has shown lower-body flexibility in his play. Take his strength, add in potential position versatility and mix in a heavy dose of football knowledge, and Perry is a hidden gem. There are offensive line coaches who hope other teams don’t take a chance on him before they do.What they’re saying: “Talk to the kid, you’re impressed with all of it. I’ll say in our meetings there’s a place for this guy and let’s see what he becomes.” — AFC area scout– – -With the news that QB DEREK CARR has a bum shoulder, Cody Benjamin ofCBSSports.com has the Saints moving up for QB SHEDEUR SANDERS in his latest Mock Draft: The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and much of the intrigue regarding the first round of action starts with the No. 2 overall selection. The Tennessee Titans are now widespread favorites to address quarterback atop the draft, with Miami’s Cam Ward emerging as the club’s preferred answer there. Which leaves the Cleveland Browns, who are next up in the order, as the likely difference-maker when it comes to the top tier of remaining prospects.The latest reports indicate the Browns are leaning toward Colorado’s Travis Hunter, a two-way star at the college level, but not long ago, the team picking directly after them, the New York Giants, was reportedly convinced Cleveland would use its top pick on a quarterback. All that is to say, no one really knows how the first round of the draft will play out until, well, it actually does.But it can be fun to forecast! That’s exactly what we’ve done here, projecting all 32 first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, as well as four Day 1 trades, including one by a team moving into the top five for a quarterback:1 TENNESSEECam Ward QBMiami (FL) • Sr • 6’2″ / 219 lbsSimple: The Titans need a franchise quarterback. Ward may have some risky freestyling to his game, but he’s got more than enough arm zip and pocket poise to reshape Tennessee’s offense. Hopefully he gets solid protection at the NFL level.2 CLEVELANDTravis Hunter ATHColorado • Jr • 6’0″ / 188 lbsShedeur Sanders would give them someone other than Kenny Pickett under center. Hunter, his Colorado teammate, is more of a surefire impact player considering his upside at both receiver and cornerback. He could start at either spot.3 CAROLINA Mock Trade from NY GiantsAbdul Carter EDGEPenn State • Jr • 6’3″ / 250 lbsThe Panthers have lacked an imposing sack artist for a while. They could take advantage of the Giants being boxed out of coveted options like Cam Ward and Travis Hunter, jumping up to secure the top edge rusher of the class.4 NEW ENGLANDMason Graham DLMichigan • Jr • 6’3″ / 296 lbsThe Patriots need to fortify their offensive trenches. But Mike Vrabel isn’t going to turn down added defensive reinforcements, let alone a former wrestler. Graham could be a pocket-wrecker alongside veteran addition Milton Williams.5 NEW ORLEANS Mock Trade from JacksonvilleShedeur Sanders QBColorado • Sr • 6’2″ / 212 lbsThe Saints might be able to sit tight and get Sanders at No. 9 overall. They could also leapfrog the Raiders just to be safe, giving new coach Kellen Moore a traditional pocket passer to develop behind Derek Carr. New Orleans needs an arm of the future.6 LAS VEGASAshton Jeanty RBBoise State • Jr • 5’9″ / 211 lbsIt’s the popular pick for the Raiders, but it makes sense: Pete Carroll wants to run the rock as he once did in Seattle, and Jeanty is the total package at his position. His addition would instantly lessen Geno Smith’s burden.7 NY JETSArmand Membou OTMissouri • Jr • 6’4″ / 332 lbsA playmaker on either side of the ball might be tempting, but their new regime is focused on building a foundation. That starts with the front, where the quick-footed Membou arguably has the most upside of any tackle prospect in the class.8 NY GIANTS Mock Trade from CarolinaWill Campbell OTLSU • Jr • 6’6″ / 319 lbsThis wouldn’t necessarily calm the masses in New Jersey, but you usually can’t go wrong addressing the trenches. Campbell’s experience coming out of LSU could make him a Day 1 starter at guard, and/or a long-term option at tackle.9 JACKSONVILLE Mock Trade from New OrleansTyler Warren TEPenn State • Sr • 6’6″ / 256 lbsThe Jaguars could also stand pat with their original pick and target Warren, whose combination of size (6-5, 256), toughness and versatility could make him Trevor Lawrence’s best friend in new coach Liam Coen’s offense.10 CHICAGOColston Loveland TEMichigan • Jr • 6’6″ / 248 lbsThe Bears went all in on O-line upgrades during free agency. It stands to reason they could prioritize added weaponry for Caleb Williams here. Loveland (6-6) has the pass catching acumen to be Sam LaPorta 2.0 for new coach Ben Johnson.11 SAN FRANCISCOJalon Walker EDGEGeorgia • Jr • 6’1″ / 243 lbsSan Francisco endured plenty of cost-cutting subtractions this offseason. Walker could help offset the defensive exodus, offering tone-setting power that could replace Dre Greenlaw at linebacker and/or aid Nick Bosa off the edge.12 DALLASTetairoa McMillan WRArizona • Jr • 6’4″ / 219 lbsDallas needs a running mate for CeeDee Lamb, and McMillan could be the perfect complement, offering big-bodied jump-ball ability to pair with Lamb’s explosiveness.13 MIAMIJahdae Barron CBTexas • Sr • 5’11” / 194 lbsMiami needs a little bit of everything on the back end after losing Jevon Holland and entering 2025 with an aging Jalen Ramsey as the top corner. Barron could be the antidote, considering he lined up all over the place at Texas.14 INDIANAPOLISJihaad Campbell LBAlabama • Jr • 6’3″ / 235 lbsA tight end would be a nice safety valve for whichever maligned quarterback wins their summer competition, but the Colts could also use a difference-maker on “D.” And Campbell’s tenacity could make him a multipurpose star.15 ATLANTAWill Johnson CBMichigan • Jr • 6’2″ / 194 lbsAs always, an edge rusher could be in order. Atlanta could also use a long-term cover man opposite A.J. Terrell, and Johnson’s height and ball skills stand out.16 ARIZONAKelvin Banks Jr. OTTexas • Jr • 6’5″ / 315 lbsIt wouldn’t be stunning to see Jonathan Gannon go pass rusher here, even after adding Josh Sweat. Yet Arizona still needs added stability on the offensive side, and Banks is fundamentally sound enough to play any spot in front of Kyler Murray.17 CINCINNATIMike Green EDGEMarshall • Soph • 6’3″ / 251 lbsBasically any defensive addition would be welcome in Cincinnati. Green is a relentless edge presence who could help offset Trey Hendrickson’s potential departure.18 SEATTLENick Emmanwori SSouth Carolina • Jr • 6’3″ / 220 lbsThe Seahawks need O-line help more than just about anything. Emmanwori has the looks of ex-Seattle great Kam Chancellor, however, with a tantalizing blend of size, speed and physicality. Mike Macdonald could make him a true chess piece.19 HOUSTON Mock Trade from Tampa BayEmeka Egbuka WROhio State • Sr • 6’1″ / 202 lbsAre the Texans really going to make Christian Kirk their top investment at wide receiver after an injury-marred 2024? Egbuka registers as a plug-and-play starter with the toughness and versatility to become an early C.J. Stroud favorite.20 DENVEROmarion Hampton RBNorth Carolina • Jr • 6’0″ / 220 lbsLike Ashton Jeanty with the Raiders, Hampton just fits the Broncos to a tee. Denver could use a featured back to pair with young quarterback Bo Nix, and Hampton’s bulldozing style could make him the apple of Sean Payton’s eye.21 PITTSBURGHDerrick Harmon DLOregon • Jr • 6’5″ / 310 lbsAddressing quarterback with someone like Jaxson Dart could be in play, but would that be a repeat of the Kenny Pickett selection? It might depend on Aaron Rodgers’ decision. Either way, they could also use an interior force like Harmon.22 LA CHARGERSMatthew Golden WRTexas • Jr • 5’11” / 191 lbsJim Harbaugh has prioritized physicality over athleticism in some of his biggest moves around Justin Herbert. With the trenches mostly shored up and a new big back in town, Golden’s field-stretching potential could be a nice complement to Ladd McConkey.23 GREEN BAYMykel Williams EDGEGeorgia • Jr • 6’5″ / 260 lbsThey could go a number of directions here, but the Packers might not pass up such a gifted pass-rushing project if he’s still available, especially after parting ways with Preston Smith during the 2024 campaign.24 BALTIMORE Mock Trade from MinnesotaMalaki Starks SGeorgia • Jr • 6’1″ / 197 lbsThe Ravens cleared the way for a new Kyle Hamilton partner by releasing Marcus Williams this offseason. Starks could be that guy, drawing high marks for both his positional versatility and on-field leadership at Georgia.25 TAMPA BAY Mock Trade from HoustonJames Pearce Jr. EDGETennessee • Jr • 6’5″ / 245 lbsHaason Reddick gives the Buccaneers a proven pass rusher, but he’s a rental on a one-year deal. Pearce, meanwhile, could be a long-term fixture of Todd Bowles’ defense, possessing elite length and power-rushing potential.26 MINNESOTA Mock Trade from BaltimoreTyler Booker IOLAlabama • Jr • 6’5″ / 321 lbsMinnesota poured big money into both fronts during free agency. That doesn’t mean the Vikings won’t do more to make life easy for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. And Booker projects as a Day 1 starter on the interior coming out of Alabama.27 LA RAMSMaxwell Hairston CBKentucky • Jr • 5’11” / 183 lbsThe Rams made a run in 2024 in large part due to their young, ascending defense. Adding to that unit feels appropriate. Hairston is speedy and plays bigger than he looks, making him a potential impact cover man for Los Angeles.28 DETROITDonovan Ezeiruaku EDGEBoston College • Sr • 6’3″ / 248 lbsThe Lions tried to squeeze some edge-rushing juice out of Za’Darius Smith late in 2024. Branded a “finisher” at Boston College, the technically exquisite Ezeiruaku could be a higher-upside successor opposite Aidan Hutchinson.29 WASHINGTONShemar Stewart EDGETexas A&M • Jr • 6’5″ / 267 lbsThe Commanders aren’t averse to investing in high-profile, if inconsistent, prospects (see: Javon Kinlaw). Also needing a bona fide edge rusher, they could trust Dan Quinn to get the most out of Stewart, a freak athlete with low sack numbers.30 BUFFALOWalter Nolen DLOle Miss • Jr • 6’4″ / 296 lbsA move up for a speedy wideout like Matthew Golden could be in the cards. Otherwise, they might be content to sit tight and let the best available defender fall into Sean McDermott’s lap. Nolen has the physical tools to become an All-Pro.31 KANSAS CITYGrey Zabel IOLNorth Dakota State • Sr • 6’6″ / 312 lbsAndy Reid’s offense needs a better line after Super Bowl LIX’s embarrassing defeat. With Joe Thuney gone and questions remaining at left tackle, the gritty and versatile Zabel could be the perfect addition as a utility man of sorts.32 PHILADELPHIAJosh Simmons OTOhio State • Sr • 6’5″ / 317 lbsThe Eagles don’t have obvious pressing needs after winning it all. They never shy away from forward-thinking investments in the trenches, however, and Simmons fits the bill. A potential Lane Johnson successor, he’d likely have the benefit of sitting and recovering from injury to open his career in Philadelphia. |
