| It’s Draft Week – for a draft that doesn’t have very many people excited. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com with an overview: It’s easy enough to figure out the top picks in this draft. Miami quarterback Cam Ward is expected to go to Tennessee with the top pick, while Colorado standout Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter are expected to be gone by New England’s turn at No 4. But that’s where it gets murky — and this year might be murkier than any other in recent memory.Multiple teams have said the player who will be drafted at No. 10 is the same quality as the player drafted at No. 32. It will be about each team’s preference, but in the opinion of multiple personnel people, there is not a tremendous amount of difference.At least one team does not have a first-round grade on any of the quarterbacks in this draft. The general manager of another team said there are “no surefire quarterback solutions” and the top-rated passer in this class — Ward — would be the seventh-rated passer in last year’s class. “And I don’t think it’s close,” he added. Some teams and prognosticators have predicted four quarterbacks to go in Round 1, but there are smart people around the league who believe there might only be one or two who go in the top 32 picks.There is a scenario in which Friday night could be more interesting and active for quarterbacks than Thursday night. If fewer quarterbacks are drafted in Round 1, Rounds 2 and 3 set up to be explosive. Currently, the Browns are scheduled to hold pick No. 33, Friday night’s opening selection. The Giants are next at No. 34, and the Saints are scheduled to pick No. 40 but already are making calls about trading up. In the eyes of some around the league, It’s possible there could be more signal-callers selected in the first eight picks on Friday than there are in the 32 picks on Thursday.Additionally, there isn’t an elite offensive tackle in this draft. No cornerback is, in the eyes of evaluators, a can’t-miss prospect. There seem to be more questions in this draft than answers. Multiple teams consider the value to be not in Round 1, but in Rounds 2 and 3 and maybe bleeding into Round 4. This from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic: If you’re an NFL defensive line coach, you love the 2025 NFL Draft. Two pro defensive line coaches I spoke to in the past week said they think there are at least a dozen legitimate first-round talents this year — twice as many as were picked last year. But if you need a quarterback primed to step in and play, well, things look bleak.Last year’s draft featured three quarterbacks in the first three picks and six among the top 12. Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick, and Bo Nix, the No. 12 pick, already have established themselves as solid starters. That group also created a fascinating dynamic for the rest of the first round.“Last year was a really good draft, but all those good quarterbacks went early. So Brock Bowers (a rookie tight end who made the Pro Bowl) got pushed back (to No. 13) as did other really good players who normally would’ve gone earlier,” said NFL offensive coordinator No. 1. “But this is such a bad quarterback class. I think they’re all developmental guys.”The hope is that this year’s quarterback crop proves better than most coaches expect. Coaches, however, are excited about the running backs, tight ends and the secondary in addition to the defensive linemen. More from Schefter: This draft already has made a mark all on its own: Now that it is three days away, this is the closest to the start of Round 1 that there have been no trades for first-round picks in the common draft era (since 1967).One of the biggest reasons for the lack of movement is what evaluators perceive to be the lack of blue-chip quarterbacks; for most teams, there isn’t a quarterback outside of Cam Ward (Miami) worth trading up for. The Browns inquired about the possibility trading up from No. 2, and the Giants at No. 3 were even more persistent in their efforts to try to trade up for the top pick with Tennessee. The Titans have resisted those overtures and are expected to hold on to their pick.On the other side of things, the Steelers (No. 21) are among the teams interested in moving back from their first-round slot. That list also includes the Jaguars (5), Panthers (8), 49ers (11), Falcons (15), Seahawks (18), Buccaneers (19) and Vikings (24), who currently have four picks, the fewest any team.There has been, however, a lack of teams willing to trade up — at least so far. Denver is one of those: The Bronco have made inquiries about moving up in Round 1, according to sources. But there aren’t many others. This always could change when players start falling and teams are on the clock.Draft weekend is also a busy time for trades of players already on rosters. Here are players on rookie contracts who could be deemed expendable:• Will Levis, QB, Titans• Treylon Burks, WR, Titans• Kayvon Thibodeaux, Edge, Giants• Evan Neal, OL, Giants• Jalin Hyatt, WR, Giants• Sam Howell, QB, Seahawks• Tyree Wilson, Edge, Raiders• Greg Newsome II, CB, Browns• Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jaguars• Odafe Oweh, Edge, Ravens• George Pickens, WR, Steelers• Rachaad White, RB, Bucs• Kayshon Boutte, WR, PatriotsAnd here are veterans who could be available via trade:• Jalen Ramsey, CB, Dolphins• Jaire Alexander, CB, Packers• Kirk Cousins, QB, Falcons• Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles• Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens• Trey Hendrickson, Edge, Bengals Bruce Feldman’s panel at The Athletic loves the running backs: What’s not to love about the running backs?As underwhelming as the quarterbacks seem, there is a lot of love for this year’s running backs.OC No. 1 said, “There is so much depth. You can get a legitimate dude in the second, third or fourth round.”Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the headliner. The 5-8 1/2, 211-pounder put up remarkable numbers (2,601 yards, 29 TDs) last season and finished second to Hunter in the Heisman race.OC No. 1 stopped short of saying Jeanty is the top running back in the class. “He is also a good receiver, but I think it’s open for debate that he’s the best. I think he’s a little liability in pass protection, and I don’t know how flat-out fast he is. The one big opponent he played and played well against was Oregon. He ran by their secondary, but I don’t think their secondary was very good. I watched him in the Penn State game, and he was a question for me, speed-wise. Don’t get me wrong, he’s really good. He’s certainly a first-round talent, but I don’t know if he’s a top-10 pick kinda talent.”Running backs coach No. 1 cited the Oregon game for his evidence about Jeanty’s wheels. Against the Ducks, one of two power four opponents Boise State faced in its 14-game schedule in 2024, he ran for 192 yards on 25 carries for three touchdowns. Against Penn State in the College Football Playoff, he was limited to 104 yards on 30 carries.“I don’t know how fast he is, but those guys in the secondary at Oregon are pretty fast, and he broke away from them,” he said, comparing him to Maurice Jones-Drew. “He’s like a little bowling ball.”OC No. 2 said, “I like his seriousness about the game, his loyalty to his team, to stay there. Everybody knew they were gonna hand him the ball and he still really produced.”RB coach No. 2 said Jeanty’s “contact balance, elusiveness, acceleration, competitiveness all jump out at you off the tape,” but that “his pass protection is bad. That bothers me right there.”Scouting director No. 1 said Jeanty is the clear top running back: “Those other guys are good players. If you want to poke holes in Jeanty’s game, you got to realize he’s getting the ball 30 times every game, so there might be some preservation to his game, but he knows he’s getting it 30 times. I thought he really proved himself.”I expected that coming out of the combine in early March, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, a 6-0, 221-pound back who ran 4.46 in the 40 and broad jumped almost 11 feet in Indianapolis, would be the prospect most likely to challenge Jeanty for the top spot. But from my conversations, it might be Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson. He’s a smaller back at 5-10, 202, and didn’t run much faster at the combine than Hampton, going 4.43 in the 40. But his film has been a big hit with the NFL coaches.Said RB coach No. 1, “He’s the second-best guy, behind Jeanty. I think he’s better than Hampton. He’s physical. He’s violent. He’s so twitchy, so elusive. He can catch too.”RB coach No. 2 also gave Henderson very high marks: “He’s the most dynamic of this group. He’s got the juice. He can run with enough power. He can catch the ball and he can block. He shows everything on tape that you like.”How deep is this class?On Iowa’s Kalen JohnsonRB coach No. 2: “He’s smooth. Really good zone runner. Runs with good pad level. Has good hands. Not the shiftiest guy or a blazer but it’s not like he ran a 4.8. He’s a 4.5 guy, and I think he’s a true tough guy. I like his disposition.”OC No. 1: “He’s very good but he’s not fast. I think he’s got to go to a zone scheme, and he’s good in pass protection.”On Ohio State’s Quinshon JudkinsRB coach No. 2: “He’s not as dynamic as TreVeyon Henderson, but he’s a hard runner; he’ll hunt guys down and run through their faces. He’s got some stuff that you like. Some of the pass protection stuff I didn’t like that followed him from Ole Miss — he was a guy who liked cutting people. That stuff won’t fly.”Scouting director No. 1: “I like Quinshon better than Omarion. I think he’s a little more instinctive. He has real acceleration at the line of scrimmage and is such a tough guy to tackle. Both of those things translate well in the NFL.”On Arizona State’s Cam SkatteboRB coach No. 1: “He’s a fun guy to watch. The first guy never tackles him. He breaks tackles. He’s tough. He’s no home-run guy, though. He gets caught.”OC No. 1: “I like him. He’s got unbelievable contact balance, low to the ground. He’s a lot like Jeanty. But I do worry about his ball security. I think he had 10 fumbles (in the past three years), which is really high.” |
| NFC EAST |
| PHILADELPHIAWR A.J. BROWN offers a deal to a Philadelphia car thief: @NFL_DovKleimanAwful: AJ Brown says his car was stolen outside his house in Philly last night at 3:45AM:“Bring back my car and I won’t press charges, or when I find you today, it’s going to be what it’s going to be. Take it or leave it my guy.”People love to hate on greatness 😔💔– – -The Eagles have locked up CAM JURGENS (though not the way that A.J. Brown might want to lock up the car thief). Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: Jason Kelce had a long run as the starting center in Philadelphia and Cam Jurgens is set for one as well.The Eagles announced on Monday that they have agreed to a four-year contract extension with Jurgens. Per ESPN, Jurgens stands to make $68 million under the terms of the deal with $39.4 million in guaranteed money.Jurgens was heading into the final year of his rookie contract, so he is now locked up through the 2029 season.Kelce’s 13-year stint with the Eagles ended with his retirement last year and Jurgens moved over from guard to replace him. The switch did nothing to change the Eagles’ success running the tush push that they installed with Kelce at the pivot and Jurgens was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.The agreement sets the Eagles up for continuity across the offensive line as left tackle Jordan Mailata, right tackle Lane Johnson, and left guard Landon Dickerson are also tied to the team through at least the 2027 season. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTAWhat Adam Schefter of ESPN.com is hearing about the Falcons and QB KIRK COUSINS: Publicly, the Falcons have said they’re not interested in trading quarterback Kirk Cousins. Privately, they have had discussions with teams — and have asked for a lot in return, per sources.Atlanta has asked for any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $45 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins’ contract. To date, no has been willing to do that, and no team is expected to be willing to. But what happens this weekend — and which franchises come out of the draft with or without rookie quarterbacks — could influence how much guaranteed money a team might be willing to absorb on Cousins’ contract.There is a feeling around the league that a team, whether it is the Vikings or Steelers, might be willing to pay down roughly $10 million. How much any team would be willing to pay also would influence the compensation it gives up. The higher the payment, the lower the draft compensation; the lower the payment, the higher the draft compensation. The Falcons and Cousins recognize their future is not together, and how it will play out could very well be influenced by this draft.What could the Falcons do in the draft? As much as anything, they need pass-rush help. They have not had a player record seven sacks in a season in any of the past five years. No other team since 1982 went five straight years without a player reaching at least seven sacks in a season. Atlanta’s sack leaders since 2020: Deion Jones (4.5 in 2020); Dante Fowler Jr. (4.5 in 2021); Grady Jarrett (6 in 2022); Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell (6.5 in 2023); Arnold Ebiketie (6 in 2024).There is a belief that the Falcons’ pick at No. 15 could be used on a pass rusher — if they don’t trade back. They have only five picks in this draft; if they can find a trade partner, they’d be willing to move back to stockpile extra picks. |
| TAMPA BAYThe Buccaneers may not pick at number 19: @JCAllenNFLAccording to Adam Schefter, the Bucs are among several teams that have already started making exploratory calls trying to move back in the first round of the NFL Draft. That #19 is a good spot for teams like the Rams or Browns to get in front of the Steelers for a QB like JAXSON DART. |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOThis from Chris Simms to Mike Florio is interesting as Simms has close ties to one Kyle Shanahan: The 49ers have embarked on a reset of sorts, with nearly half the starters from Super Bowl LVIII gone — and with a plan to break the bank for quarterback Brock Purdy. The situation invites fair speculation and analysis as to whether Purdy will perform as potently with lesser help around him.The team seems undeterred, with an apparent plan to pay Purdy more than $50 million per year in new money.On Monday’s PFT Live, Chris Simms threw a curveball into the equation. Should the 49ers hit the reset button and trade Purdy?Someone would have to want him, obviously. And someone would have to be willing to pay him what he wants. Or close to it.At this point, who would it be? The Saints and the Steelers are the only two obvious possibilities, unless some other team would upend its current depth chart to get him.But it’s fair to ask the question. With the 49ers partially tearing it down, why not fully tear it down and start over at the quarterback position?The problem is that the 49ers had multiple misadventures at quarterback before they found Purdy with the last pick in the 2022 draft. What would they do next? Trade for Kirk Cousins? Sign Aaron Rodgers?It most likely won’t happen. If they were going to do it, they should have done it earlier in the offseason. But with the draft approaching, it’s fair to at least ask the question and to wonder whether it makes sense.Before the 49ers could move on, someone would have to want Purdy to move in. Is there a team that would give the 49ers significant compensation and pay Purdy? If not, should the 49ers wait to pay Purdy?They seem to be ready to go. He’ll likely get a market-level deal. And then the question will be whether the 49ers will be able to remain in the championship-level window. |
| SEATTLECould QB SAM HOWELL III be on his way to a third team in three years? Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson of ESPN.com: The Seahawks are open to trading Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams interested in acquiring their backup quarterback, sources have told ESPN.That interest comes on the heels of the Seahawks adding Drew Lock last week, re-signing Geno Smith’s former backup to potentially fill the same role behind new starter Sam Darnold. Jaren Hall is their fourth quarterback, giving Seattle a potential surplus at the position.General manager John Schneider told Seattle Sports 710-AM on Thursday that the Seahawks are prepared to have Howell and Lock compete for the backup job. The team long kept only two quarterbacks on its 53-man roster under former coach Pete Carroll, but it had three by season’s end last year under Mike Macdonald after promoting Hall from the practice squad. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak kept three during his previous OC stints with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints.Seattle acquired Howell in a trade last March with the Washington Commanders, giving up third- and fifth-round selections in exchange for Howell and picks in the fourth and sixth rounds. The Seahawks beat out three other teams who were also negotiating with Washington, a source told ESPN at the time.Howell, 24, was unremarkable over the offseason and struggled badly in a relief appearance of Smith in December. After Smith hurt his knee midway through the third quarter of a 30-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, Howell completed only 5 of 14 attempts for 24 yards and an interception.Howell, a fifth-round pick by Washington in 2022, started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2023, throwing for 21 touchdowns and a league-high 21 interceptions. He also led the NFL with 612 attempts, completing 63.4% of them while throwing for 3,946 yards. The Commanders went 4-13, traded Howell to Seattle and drafted Jayden Daniels second overall.“Sam was put in a very hard spot last year,” Schneider told the radio station. “He comes in, he’s learning a new system. The year before, I think he led the league in attempts, and they didn’t run the ball at all. We loved the toughness and everything. He comes in, learns a whole new system that was heavy, heavy dropback and gets thrown into a game where we’re behind, we’re throwing the ball every play, backed up. It didn’t go well for him. He would admit that, probably from a preparation standpoint, too. But he wasn’t put in a great spot.”Schneider previously described Howell’s mobility as being a good fit for Kubiak’s offense, with its emphasis on quarterback bootlegs. |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHThe Steelers like QBs SHEDEUR SANDERS and JAXSON DART. Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that the Steelers “have a first-round grade on Jaxson Dart, and they really like Shedeur Sanders,” but view drafting a defensive tackle as the priority.Dulac said that defensive tackle prospects Mason Graham, Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon and Kenneth Grant sit atop the Steelers’ draft board. The Steelers have reportedly offered Aaron Rodgers a one-year deal and are “willing to wait” for his decision, at least for now. Dulac said that the Steelers “are still spooked by the whole Kenny Pickett evaluation,” adding that “they took the best quarterback of a very average draft class, and I don’t think they want to make that mistake again.”Per Dulac, both Dart and Sanders will be “in the conversation” for the Steelers, if their preferred defensive linemen prospects are gone, but the “pecking order” is believed to be “defensive line, running back, wide receiver and quarterback, and you throw a cornerback in there somewhere.” Dulac “firmly” believes that the Steelers are “all in” on trading up for a “marquee” quarterback prospect in 2026, if nothing pans out this year. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONThis from Aaron Wilson of NBC Sports Houston: The Texans would like to add a “speed” running back in the 2025 draft according to.Wilson said that the idea is to pair “a speed back to go with Joe Mixon,” noting that the Texans actually told Texas RB Jaydon Blue that they plan to draft a running back. Blue was clocked at the second-fastest 40-yard-dash time, positionally, running it in 4.38 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine. He is an accomplished receiver out of the backfield and would fit the mold as a passing-down complement to Mixon. In his 2024 regular season at Texas, Blue rushed 125 times for 706 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 33-of-48 targets for 302 yards and four touchdowns. |
| AFC EAST |
| NEW YORK JETSHas any team ever picked up three fifth-year options in one day like the Jets did? Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: The Jets had three first-round draft picks in 2022, and they’re committing to all three of them at least through 2026.Jets General Manager Darren Mougey said today that the team will exercise fifth-year options on 2022 fourth overall pick Sauce Gardner, 10th overall pick Garrett Wilson and 26th overall pick Jermaine Johnson II.That means Gardner gets a guaranteed base salary of $20.1 million in 2026, Wilson gets a guaranteed $16.8 million and Johnson gets a guaranteed $13.4 million.That’s a lot to guarantee three players, but the Jets are lacking in talent, and hitting on their three first-round picks in 2022 was one of the few things they’ve done right in the personnel department in recent years. So they don’t want to let any of those three players go.The Jets will likely try to negotiate long-term contract extensions with Gardner, Wilson and Johnson, but even without any additional negotiations, they’ll all be with the Jets for two more years. |
| THIS AND THAT |
SADJenna Lemoncelli of the New York Post on the latest arrest for WR JUSTIN BLACKMON: Former NFL wide receiver Justin Blackmon was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with public intoxication in Payne County, Oklahoma, according to multiple reports.Blackmon, 35, the former No. 5 overall pick by the Jaguars in the 2012 NFL Draft, whose career was derailed by off-the-field incidents, appeared unrecognizable in a mug shot photo that stunned fans on social media.The mug shot image was not included in the online records from the Payne County Sheriff’s Office in Payne County as of Monday.![<image.jpeg>” src=”cid:ii_m9rb16r30″><em>It showed a male with scruffy facial hair and stated that he was arrested at 2:17 a.m. on Saturday, April 19. </em><em>The reported arrest comes after Oklahoma State announced last month that Blackmon will be inducted into the Cowboy Football Ring of Honor this coming season.</em><em>The ceremony is set to take place on Nov. 15 when Oklahoma State plays Kansas State at Boone Pickens Stadium.</em><em>In 2010, Blackmon set an NCAA sophomore record by totaling 1,782 receiving yards.</em><em>The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Blackmon also had 20 touchdowns that season, which was the seventh-most ever.</em><em>In 38 games at Oklahoma State, Blackmon caught 252 passes for 3,564 yards and 40 touchdowns.</em><em>He finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting in 2010, the same year he was a unanimous All-American and named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.</em><em>After the Jaguars traded up with the Buccaneers to select Blackmon with the No. 5 pick in the 2012 draft, he went on to have a standout rookie season, tallying 64 catches for 865 receiving yards and five touchdowns.</em><em>Blackmon’s career was quickly ruined by multiple arrests for alcohol and drug-related incidents.</em><em>Blackmon was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame last year.</em> Stillwater and Oklahoma State University are located in Payne County. </td></tr><tr><td><strong>LOUIS RIDDICK’S DRAFT FAVORITES</strong>ESPN’s Louis Riddick has five first rounders he really likes – and they could be the first five off the board. He also has some outside Round 1 favorites: <em>I wanted to pick a few prospects who jumped out to me on tape. The first five are names you already know — true can’t-miss first-rounders who are going to be stars. The second five are Day 2 sleepers I really like. These are guys I’d target if I were running an NFL team, and I could see all of them outperforming their eventual draft slots.</em><em>My 2023 list had C.J. Stroud and Jayden Reed, and my 2024 list called out Jayden Daniels, Edgerrin Cooper and Quinyon Mitchell. This year’s list begins with the quarterback expected to go No. 1 overall and ends with a safety who might have to wait until later in Day 2 to get picked; I tried to hit a little bit of everything. Let’s get to it.</em><strong><em>Five can’t-miss Day 1 prospects</em></strong><strong><em>Cam Ward, QB, Miami</em></strong><em>Ward has gone from zero-star recruit to Incarnate Word (FCS) to Washington State to Miami. And now he seems destined to be the No. 1 pick after throwing for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns last season. It’s an incredible journey, and it’s a testament to his determination and resilience.</em><em>He is totally deserving of being the top selection for the Titans. Ward blends competitiveness, high football IQ, leadership traits and impressive physical skills. I love his command at the line of scrimmage and the way he recognizes coverage rotations after the snap. His overall arm strength and lightning-quick release make opponents defend every blade of grass. There’s so much horsepower in his right arm. And Ward (6-foot-2, 219 pounds) is mobile enough to throw on the move from different platforms and creative enough to let it fly from different arm angles.</em><em>I just don’t see many limitations. Ward has all the traits you want in a modern NFL quarterback.</em><strong><em>Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State</em></strong><em>Think Emmitt Smith with breakaway home-run speed. That’s Jeanty. He has it all:</em><em>Great vision and instincts to find rushing lanes</em><em>A low center of gravity and supernatural strength in his lower body and core to break arm tackles with ease</em><em>Impressive foot quickness and flexibility at 5-foot-9, 211 pounds to jump cut, accelerate and get to the third level</em><em>A big-play mentality and competitiveness that screams, “I’m a threat to go the distance at any time”</em><em>Good hands out of the backfield as a receiver and a willingness to step up as a blocker</em><em>Jeanty will be a superstar the second he touches the field in the NFL. He ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. He forced 126 missed tackles. He even caught 23 passes. The potential fit with the Raiders at No. 6 would be fantastic; Las Vegas had a rough ground game last season. But he would also be tremendous with the Bears at No. 10.</em><strong><em>Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado</em></strong><em>Hunter is one of the best athletes to ever play college football. If you don’t believe me, go ask his coach, Deion Sanders — who has his own case for that distinction. Hunter played an incredible 1,458 snaps last season, and he dominated on both sides of the ball. Consider that he was fifth in receiving yards (1,258) and tied for second in receiving TDs (15) in the FBS last season on offense, and he also had four interceptions and 10 pass breakups on defense.</em><em>I originally believed Hunter should begin his NFL career as a cornerback — where he could be an All Pro in Year 1 — and gradually increase his role as a receiver. But I might be changing my mind. He has some of the most natural hands and ball-tracking skills I have ever seen. Hunter is smooth and as fluid as water in the way he glides through routes. And he is always under control and can adjust his 6-foot, 188-pound body to make incredibly difficult catches look routine.</em><em>Hunter is tough and better conditioned than anyone in this class. He wants to be great, and he has the skill set to do it. He is the very definition of a unicorn prospect. I love the potential of him in Cleveland, where he could improve that offense and help lift the defense.</em><strong><em>Will Campbell, OT, LSU</em></strong><em>Campbell has smooth and efficient movement traits which allow him to handle speed (and speed-to-power) off the edge. He is 6-foot-6, 319 pounds, but he moves like a 255-pound defensive end. I see flexibility, quickness and fluidity on tape, and he can get out in space to make blocks on screens.</em><em>But Campbell also displays brute strength and a nasty play mentality. He has the leverage and strength to be a force in the power-run game.</em><em>I believe Campbell — who has 38 starts of experience — is one of the top players in this class, regardless of position. Much has been made of his lack of ideal arm length (32⅝ inches), but I don’t see it as an issue. This guy has sledgehammers for hands when he lands his punches, and he can sink and anchor to control any kind of pass rusher that opponents send his way. If New England picks him at No. 4, he’d immediately help the pass protection in front of Drake Maye.</em><strong><em>Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State</em></strong><em>Before the 2024 season began, Carter asked the Penn State coaching staff to be moved from off-ball linebacker to the edge. It sure seems like it was a very smart thing to do. Carter dominated last season with 12 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss and 61 pressures. Those numbers all ranked in the top 10 in the FBS.</em><em>His Von Miller-like get-off quickness and bend as a pure speed rusher really stand out. NFL teams will drool over his pass-rush tools — the cat-like quickness to counter inside with a spin move, or the ability to win with an up-and-under move. At 6-foot-3, 250 pounds, Carter also has a speed-to-power move that will get better as he gets stronger, and he will continue to improve in setting the edge in the run game and getting off blocks. Again, he just moved to the edge full-time last season; there’s still untapped potential.</em><em>That positional versatility is the cherry on top of his evaluation, and the team that drafts him could deploy him like Micah Parsons in Dallas. The Giants have a strong pass-rush depth chart, but I keep thinking Carter would be great on that defense at No. 3.</em><strong><em>Five sleepers outside Round 1</em></strong><strong><em>RJ Harvey, RB, UCF</em></strong><em>If you want explosive plays, this is your guy. Harvey is lightning in a bottle at 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds, with 4.4 speed in the 40 and really solid vision and instincts as a runner. He has instant juice, able to go zero to full speed in the blink of an eye. His 54 rushes for 10 or more yards tied for second in the nation behind Jeanty last season. In all, he had 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Harvey shows patience and decisiveness to exploit any creases, and he runs right through arm tackles. He can make multiple defenders miss in a phone booth.</em><em>Harvey also has good hands out of the backfield, with three TD catches last season. He will compete in pass pro, too, with improving technique and toughness. Teams can use him on all three downs, and someone could get an impact rusher early in Round 3.</em><strong><em>Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Arkansas</em></strong><em>TeSlaa is going to be a problem for opponents as a slot receiver at the next level. His size (6-foot-3, 214 pounds), speed (4.43) and explosive movement traits make him a matchup nightmare in the middle of the field. Despite his bigger frame, he can get off the line with good foot quickness, hits another gear when he gets to the third level and tracks the deep ball well. TeSlaa also shows the body control in the short/intermediate pass game to get separation against man coverage, along with the instincts to uncover when facing zone.</em><em>He ultimately finished last season with 28 catches for 546 yards and three scores. But with size, speed, hands, after-the-catch upside and the ability to put defenders on the ground as a blocker, the lack of big-time production doesn’t phase me. I like his skill set a lot, and I’m watching for TeSlaa to come off the board by the end of Round 2.</em><strong><em>Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Bowling Green</em></strong><em>His measureables won’t blow you away, at 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds with 4.71 speed. But Fannin’s fundamentals, production and competitiveness are outstanding. He caught 117 passes for 1,555 yards last season — both No. 1 in the FBS — and scored 11 scrimmage touchdowns.</em><em>Fannin can align as a Y or flex out in the slot, showing good release quickness, vertical push and body control. And I see exceptional courage and concentration when catching in traffic. Fannin is as tough as they come after the catch as a runner, and he’s effective in that department. His vision, elusiveness and play speed led to huge gains and an FBS-high 882 yards after the catch last season.</em><em>If you like pure football players, you will love this prospect. I have him circled near the top of Round 3.</em><strong><em>Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville</em></strong><em>There is a premium placed on turnovers in the NFL, and Riley has a knack for producing them. He has 15 interceptions over his 55 career games at Middle Tennessee and Louisville. He also added 39 pass breakups and a forced fumble over that time.</em><em>Riley is a former high school state champion in the 100- and 200-meter track events, and he ran a 4.48-second 40-yard dash at the combine. At 5-foot-11, 194 pounds, he has the physical tools to play anywhere — outside on the perimeter or inside in the slot, and in man, zone, press or off-coverage. You name it, he can do it. The exclamation point on his evaluation is that he is tough and will set the edge against the run in Cover 2, which we know is uncommon for players at his position. Riley would be a good pick at the bottom of Round 2.</em><strong><em>Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas</em></strong><em>Pound for pound, play for play, Mukuba is the toughest player in this class. He has an incredible competitive spirit. He landed one of the hardest hits that I have ever seen in college football, knocking Georgia QB Gunner Stockton’s helmet off in the SEC Championship. He is a heat-seeking missile with 4.45 speed.</em><em>Mukuba also has excellent man cover skills, positional versatility and range. He has the instincts to make plays in the deep middle part of the field or in half-field zone looks, as seen by his five interceptions last season. All he lacks is ideal size — he’s 5-foot-11,186 pounds — which will come into play if his tackling technique is not sound against bigger running backs and tight ends.</em><em>I’d want this guy on my team. No doubt. He could be an awesome pick at the bottom of Round 3.</em> </td></tr><tr><td><strong>RANKING THE QUARTERBACKS</strong>Gilbert Manzano of <a href=]() SI.com assesses the 2025 quarterback crop: The Tennessee Titans are either on the verge of making a foolish mistake or will soon land a franchise quarterback that wasn’t supposed to be available in this draft class.For months, the quarterback prospects in the class of 2025 were called weak, not close to being on the level of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye—the top three picks in last year’s draft. But it’s now been weeks since the Titans made it pretty clear they’re set on picking Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first pick April 24 in Green Bay. There hasn’t been enough discussion about what that signifies. Titans brass said back in January that they wouldn’t pass on a generational talent, but here they are getting ready to say no thanks to Abdul Carter, a pass rusher being compared to Micah Parsons and Von Miller. They’re also O.K. with not drafting Travis Hunter, a dynamic two-way player with a strong chance of flourishing at wide receiver and cornerback. It might not be a bad draft for quarterbacks after all if Ward is a virtual lock to be the No. 1 pick over players as talented as Carter and Hunter. Of course, the weight of needing a franchise quarterback is a factor here, but the Titans haven’t shown much interest in trading down, a strong sign that Ward is significantly better than the other quarterback prospects.With Ward’s knack for backyard plays and effortless fast balls, maybe he’s somewhere between last year’s first tier (Williams, Daniels and Maye) and second group (Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix). If that’s the case, it’s not right to label this quarterback class as overly weak, because it’s definitely not 2022 with Kenny Pickett as the lone first-round quarterback or ’13 with EJ Manuel as the same. And maybe it wouldn’t even be fair to compare them to the crop of ’11, when Cam Newton panned out but Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder didn’t. Who knows how these quarterback prospects will do at the next level, but the Titans seem pretty confident that Ward has what it takes to be a star. He has the moxie—watch how he trash talked with Shedeur Sanders during a recent workout and told the Titans he’s the right choice at No. 1. Some might call it arrogant, but it’s really not that with the kind of backstory Ward had in college. He’s a no-star recruit who had to work his way up at Incarnate Word to get his shots at Washington State and Miami. “You watch what [Ward] was before Miami, it was more of a scramble around, make plays,” Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson told Sports Illustrated. “Here, it was throw from the pocket, timing, getting in and out of plays, we moved tight ends around. There was a little bit more communication. We dumped a lot on him, but his capacity is so high. His football IQ is off the charts. It was a pleasure to be around.”A player with that much grit and the talent to support it could be the right combination for the Titans to finally land their franchise quarterback. We believe Tennessee is making the right decision—if the signs are true about him being the presumptive No. 1 pick. Ward is the No. 1 quarterback on the MMQB’s draft rankings for the position. Here are quick thoughts on the other QBs ranked. 2. Shedeur Sanders, ColoradoConsider reading Conor Orr’s column if you’ve seen the recent reports about a potential draft slide for Sanders. He’s probably a top-30 prospect who plays a position that teams highly covet. So if he lands to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21 or the Los Angeles Rams at No. 26 or a team trades into the back end of the first round to take him, that’s not a slide and more of a correct projection.With Sanders, I tend to focus more on his accuracy and the rhythm he has for playing within a scheme. I’d be more afraid of the quarterbacks who struggle in these areas. For example, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis in 2023. Both their draft projections were all over the place. One went No. 4 overall and the other fell to the second round. Neither have made meaningful strides as pocket quarterbacks. That probably won’t be an issue with Sanders, but he’ll need to learn how to get rid of the ball quicker and not take so many bad sacks, which occurred often in Colorado.Sanders should be a solid starting quarterback if he takes a less-is-more approach. Maybe he’ll end up being C.J. Stroud or Brock Purdy or somewhere in between. Geno Smith is another popular comp. Overall, pocket quarterbacks who know how to run an offense efficiently often find success at the pro level.3. Jalen Milroe, AlabamaSeeing Milroe over Jaxson Dart might be a bit surprising to some, but if this is the scenario in the second round, I would rather take the player with the higher upside. You can’t teach the skill set the strong-armed, ultra-athletic Milroe possesses. Yes, this could be another Richardson with the Colts situation because Milroe struggles with accuracy and controlling his velocity, but it’s worth the gamble outside the first round.Milroe would benefit from taking a redshirt season with a playoff-ready roster, similar to Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles or Colin Kaepernick with the San Francisco 49ers a decade earlier. Or maybe a team like the Las Vegas Raiders who aren’t in a hurry to start a rookie because they just gave Smith a new contract. Milroe needs time to develop into a consistent passer or he could have a similar rocky start to what Justin Fields had with the Chicago Bears. Even a Fields-like career would be worth the dice roll with Milroe in the second round.4. Jaxson Dart, Ole MissDart’s a bit tough to gauge because even his strengths come with concerns. He knows how to move in the pocket and rarely bails early, trusting his reads for quick throws. But Dart needs to improve his footwork, especially with throws that come after his early reads. There are also concerns about Dart benefiting too much from a simple offense in college. If he struggles with reading defenses, Dart would be better off watching and learning for a year or two.With Dart being more of a pocket quarterback than Milroe, he would be a better fit for coach Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams. Even if Dart is unable to clean up some of his mistakes as a passer, he has enough mobility to make throws off bootlegs on days he needs help establishing a rhythm. He’s not as accurate as Sanders, but he knows how to protect the ball and throws a pretty ball with back-shoulder fades.5. Tyler Shough, LouisvilleShough had a unique college experience, which began with being Justin Herbert’s backup at Oregon six years ago. He also dealt with injuries during three seasons with Texas Tech. But it came all together during his lone season at Louisville. He’s a pro-ready quarterback with arm strength and prototypical size at 6′ 5″, 225 pounds.But being a 26-year-old rookie (when the season starts) with low upside might scare off a few teams. He could be attractive to a few teams with coaches who need fast results in 2025. Perhaps the New York Giants if they don’t take a quarterback with the No. 3 pick. Or maybe coach Shane Steichen ditches Richardson for Shough’s passing gifts to finally build consistency with the Colts’ offense. 6. Quinn Ewers, TexasEwers’s draft stock took a hit this season due to killer turnovers and questionable decisions against well-disguised coverages. But he deserves credit for running Steve Sarkisian’s complex offense that features plenty of pre-snap motions, which could benefit Ewers at the next level. Yes, Ewers made many head-scratching decisions, but he also had many clutch moments against the best teams in college football. 7. Will Howard, Ohio StateHoward doesn’t get enough credit for quickly grasping Chip Kelly’s offense and guiding Ohio State to a national championship in his lone season as the starter there. His numbers improved when it mattered most during the Buckeyes’ four playoff games. He has the size at 6′ 4″, 236 pounds, but he lacks in many other physical areas, including arm strength. But there’s no denying that he showed plenty of heart and toughness last season.8. Kyle McCord, SyracuseSome might knock McCord from shying away from competition when he decided to part with Ohio State. But he might have had the right idea given his seamless transition during his one season with Syracuse. He played fast and freely in a pass-heavy offense. McCord’s confidence with reading defenses and ball placement could make him a better option than Howard and Ewers to some teams. Thoughts from NFL folks interviewed by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic: At the end of the 2024 college season, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward were grouped as the top two quarterback prospects in this class. From what I’ve been hearing, Ward is the clear No. 1 — and Sanders is closer to the next tier than Ward.“Cam’s stroke is top 10 in the league immediately,” said passing game coordinator No. 1. “His arm talent is ridiculous. There’s still a lot of growth for him. He has a lot of potential. It just depends on the scheme fit and there’s a lot of development from a mental standpoint.”Scouting director No. 1 said Ward’s talent puts him in the same class as the half-dozen quarterbacks who were picked in the top 12 in 2024: “If Cam would’ve been this year’s Cam last year, I think he would’ve gone in the top 12. He has a live arm, a lot of pure arm talent. He has a clean slate with injuries. I like how he’s wired. I was impressed with him.”OC No. 2 views Ward as a legitimate top-10 talent. He doesn’t think Sanders is, but added, “He’ll probably go there because of necessity. I felt so much better about all those guys last year and C.J. (Stroud) the year before. Shedeur has some leaks in his throwing motion. But I do like the kid. I think he’s smart. He’s tough. I hate the system he played in. He got sacked 94 times in the last two years. I get it (he had a terrible O-line), but I don’t. Get the ball out!”The passing game coordinator said he thinks Sanders potential is “really high.” It’s a plus that Sanders has been really good every year he’s played in college, he said. You can’t say that about many of the other higher-ranked QBs in this class. “If he buys in, he has a chance.”OC No. 2 said he doesn’t think Sanders is close to being ready to be a legitimate NFL starting quarterback, but added that Sanders is “tough as hell. He’s not overly mobile. That’s where Cam really separates from him.”The biggest concern with Ward is how well he takes care of the football. Rival coaches said he was reckless in carrying the ball and with his decision-making. It improved over his five-year career, which began at FCS Incarnate Word, then Washington State, and then at Miami, where he threw for 4,313 yards and a school-record 39 touchdown passes against seven interceptions.Said the passing game coordinator, “He’s the kind of guy that reeling in would be fun because there are about five plays a game that he makes that you can’t teach. They did some good stuff there (at Miami), and whoever drafts him probably needs to add it to their game-plan because he’s so good at it.”While there’s been a lot of talk about Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart being the next-best prospect, the coaches I spoke to didn’t see it that way.“I like Tyler Shough better,” said OC No. 2. “I’m not saying he’s Joe Burrow, but he’s got some Joe Burrow to him. I think he has the best feet in this quarterback class. I know he’s had injuries, and if he didn’t, I think he’d be a first-round QB.”The 6-5, 219-pound Shough ran a 4.63 40 at the NFL Scouting Combine, does have a lengthy injury history. He began his career at Oregon, where he spent three seasons before transferring to Texas Tech in 2021. He started three years there, but each was derailed by a season-ending injury. His age also has become a talking point; he’ll be 26 in September, making him older than Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud.“He’s probably the most pro-ready to go in and run an offense and be able to operate,” said passing game coordinator No. 1. “Some people bring up his age — nope, don’t care. This isn’t baseball, where you’re drafting 18-year-olds. He’s athletic. He’s a good interview. Smart. Arm talent is good.”Scouting director No. 1, though, said he could see Dart being the second quarterback taken: “No knock on Shedeur, but Dart has a stronger arm, is a bigger man, has more mobility. I see him as a more polished Drew Lock.”Dart is much younger than Shough, only 21. He was the first-team All-SEC quarterback in 2024, throwing for 4,279 yards. He was a more polarizing prospect than I expected.“I think he’s the furthest away from being ready,” said OC No. 2. “When I see him against the better talent of the SEC, he wasn’t as his best. I like Jaxson, but I think he might have the most to overcome (of these top QBs). I think he has an average arm.”Passing game coordinator No. 1 also viewed Dart as a project: “He has some mechanical things in his lower body that he needs to work on. It is a weird offense to study, but he got better every year. He ran for 500 yards in the SEC twice. There is potential there. He seems like a really good dude.” It’s “shuck” if you were wondering. Here are some sleepers from Feldman’s panel (the two national championship game quarterbacks would be sleeping in plain sight): Who is your sleeper that you don’t think is getting talked about enough?OC No. 2: “(Notre Dame’s) Riley Leonard. He’s the best one to develop. I think he has a lot to work with. He’s a great athlete. Really good basketball player. Smart. Really tough.”Scouting director No. 1: “I don’t know if Leonard gets enough credit for his toughness. I thought he did such a good job of getting his team as far as he got them, and at the combine, he looked confident and comfortable out there playing quarterback.”Passing game coordinator No. 2: “I think Will Howard has a chance. It’s hard to call a guy who just led his team to a national title a sleeper, but I don’t think a lot of people are talking about him. I like the efficiency with which he operates. I kind of like (Syracuse Kyle) McCord. He doesn’t move great, but he’s accurate and I think he can replicate that.” |
| MOCK DRAFT FROM CHAD REUTERChad Reuter of NFL.com has a seven-round Mock Draft. The whole thing is here, the first round is below: U2 guitarist The Edge once said that “a U2 album never gets finished, it just gets released.” That’s how I feel about my annual seven-round mock draft.The following projection of all 257 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft (which will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin on April 24-26) accounts for the value of prospects and team needs (for this fall and beyond) while tossing in some surprise selections that occur every year.Since this is released nearly a full week before the event occurs, it won’t include last-minute information reported about teams’ interest in prospects. I still predict five trades and potential matches between teams and players in Round 1, however, along with providing a wide-angle view about where teams can find value at positions of need throughout the event.1 Tennessee TitansCam WardMiami · QB · SeniorWard’s been my pick for the Titans at No. 1 overall since the Super Bowl. He reminds me a bit of successful 2024 rookies Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix because of his extensive college experience (57 starts) and willingness to make plays from the pocket or on the move. His plus ball velocity and ability to change arm angles allows him to lead receivers at all three levels of the field. He’ll be the quarterback Tennessee needs to compete in the AFC.2 Cleveland BrownsTravis HunterColorado · WR/CB · JuniorHunter is going to be a special player. He’s the best cornerback and receiver in the draft class and should have his wish of playing both ways fulfilled, even if it doesn’t happen full-time. The Browns need a big-play receiver alongside Jerry Jeudy, who finished with more than twice as many receiving yards (1,229) as the next closest player on the team. Hunter could also line up across from Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward at times to limit options for opposing quarterbacks.3 New York GiantsAbdul CarterPenn State · Edge · JuniorYes, the Giants already employ pass rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux (who, it should be noted, missed five games in 2024) — but Carter would be quite the fill-in for Azeez Ojulari after Ojulari’s departure via free agency. Carter also has the versatility to play off the ball if the team wants to get him on the field more regularly.4 New England PatriotsAshton JeantyBoise State · RB · JuniorIn this scenario, the Patriots take the best player on the board and meet their need at offensive tackle with picks in the second and fourth rounds. New head coach Mike Vrabel knows the value that a premier back can bring, having watched Derrick Henry carry his previous Titans teams to the playoffs. While Jeanty’s not as big as Henry, he has considerable power through contact and the burst to create explosive plays in the run game.5 Jacksonville JaguarsMason GrahamMichigan · DT · JuniorIt seems like this pick is meant to be — the Jaguars did not address their defensive line needs in free agency. Graham’s ability to attack the backfield and maintain the line of scrimmage make him a clear top-five value to me.6 Las Vegas RaidersShedeur SandersColorado · QB · SeniorSanders to the Raiders makes all kinds of sense. Geno Smith‘s new deal includes no guaranteed money after the 2026 season, per Over the Cap, potentially giving the team an out. Sanders would continue his relationship with minority owner Tom Brady and learn under Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly, giving the QB a chance to maximize his potential.7 New York JetsArmand MembouMissouri · OT · JuniorWith nimble feet and a willingness to finish blocks, the 21-year-old Membou has a chance to be a very good starter at right tackle. Last year, the Jets took Olumuyiwa Fashanu in the first round to man the blind side; this year, they follow the Steelers’ lead (Pittsburgh drafted Broderick Jones in 2023 and Troy Fautanu in 2024) in picking a second consecutive Day 1 tackle.8 Carolina PanthersJalon WalkerGeorgia · Edge · JuniorWalker steps into the Panthers’ scheme as a pass rusher, a role in which he showed great promise at Georgia. His quick, strong hands help him win after the snap, and his quickness to the ball make him a menace when teams try running plays to his side of the field.9 New Orleans SaintsJaxson DartMississippi · QB · SeniorI considered Dart at this spot even before we learned Derek Carr‘s 2025 availability is in doubt, thanks to a shoulder injury. Dart would be a good fit with new head coach Kellen Moore, distributing passes from the pocket and running for tough yardage when required in a way that might remind Moore of QBs he’s coached in the NFL before, like Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts.10 Chicago BearsWill CampbellLSU · OT · JuniorTackles with sub-34-inch arms (Campbell’s checked in at 33 inches at his pro day) are not typically taken in the top 10. Campbell’s pass-protection skills and ability to move defenders in the run game, though, are too strong for the Bears to ignore here.11 San Francisco 49ersWill JohnsonMichigan · CB · JuniorThe departure of Charvarius Ward leads the 49ers to pick Johnson. His lack of demonstrable elite long speed (he has not run a public pre-draft 40, thanks in part to a hamstring injury, and suffered a season-ending foot injury last year) might make him available here. Johnson’s ball awareness and secure tackling as a zone defender jibe with the zone-heavy scheme Kyle Shanahan and Robert Saleh leaned on when last together in 2020.12 Dallas CowboysMatthew GoldenTexas · WR · JuniorGolden was the engine of Texas’ offense in the second half of last season, thanks to his speed and late-play separation ability. He would be a nice complement to CeeDee Lamb.13 Indianapolis Colts PROJECTED TRADE WITH MIAMITyler WarrenPenn State · TE · SeniorThe Colts don’t typically trade up, but GM Chris Ballard could be enticed by a desire to fend off other teams who might be trying to acquire the large, agile, sure-handed Warren. In the fourth one-spot Round 1 move of the past six drafts (the Bucs went from No. 14 to 13 for Tristan Wirfs in 2020; the Eagles went from No. 10 to No. 9 for Jalen Carter in 2023; the Vikings went from No. 11 to No. 10 for J.J. McCarthy in 2024), Indy surrenders its fourth-round pick, with one of Miami’s seventh-rounders coming back.14 Miami Dolphins PROJECTED TRADE WITH INDIANAPOLISJahdae BarronTexas · CB · SeniorI already had Miami selecting Barron — and then we learned the Dolphins are working with Jalen Ramsey on a trade elsewhere. Barron’s 4.39 speed and competitive nature make him a natural pick here.15 Atlanta FalconsJihaad CampbellAlabama · LB · JuniorCampbell would be a great fit for the Falcons, who want to be more multiple on defense under new coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Campbell has the speed to make plays inside the box, in coverage and as a blitzer.16 Arizona CardinalsKelvin Banks Jr.Texas · OT · JuniorThe Cardinals took Paris Johnson Jr. sixth overall in 2023, started him at right tackle as a rookie, then moved him to the left side last season. They could approach Banks’ NFL transition in a similar fashion, thanks to his length, strength and mobility, starting him at left guard as a rookie, then shifting him to the right tackle spot, either this year (if Jonah Williams, who played in six games last season, misses time to injury again) or in 2026 (if Williams moves on as a free agent).17 Cincinnati BengalsMykel WilliamsGeorgia · Edge · JuniorCincinnati re-signed Joseph Ossai to a one-year pact, but 2023 first-rounder Myles Murphy took a step back in 2024, and All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson could be on the move in the near future. Williams is the pick because of his potential as a strong, long edge defender who can pressure quarterbacks and play the run.18 Seattle SeahawksTetairoa McMillanArizona · WR · JuniorTrading DK Metcalf away opened a spot in Seattle for a big receiver like McMillan, who can win in the short and intermediate areas, as well as in the red zone. He would be a great final piece for this rebuilt receiver group, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cooper Kupp joining 2023 first-rounder Jaxon Smith-Njigba.19 Green Bay Packers PROJECTED TRADE WITH TAMPA BAYEmeka EgbukaOhio State · WR · SeniorWe haven’t seen the Packers draft a receiver in Round 1 since 2002 — but we did see them move up in Round 2 for Christian Watson three years ago. With the top cornerbacks no longer available in this mock, Green Bay swaps a third-round pick for a fifth-rounder to nab Egbuka.20 Denver BroncosOmarion HamptonNorth Carolina · RB · JuniorHampton is the kind of true lead back the Broncos haven’t had since Sean Payton took over in 2023. He has more juice than his predecessor in Denver in this scenario, fellow former North Carolina back Javonte Williams, while also presenting the power to make tacklers look like turnstiles.21 Pittsburgh SteelersDerrick HarmonOregon · DT · Junior (RS)With Hampton off the board, Pittsburgh addresses a need on defense. The team moved on from Larry Ogunjobi after three seasons this offseason, opening a spot for the active Harmon to play 5-technique across from four-time All-Pro Cameron Heyward, who will turn 36 years old in May.22 Los Angeles ChargersColston LovelandMichigan · TE · JuniorJim Harbaugh picks one of his former Michigan players to serve as Justin Herbert‘s new safety valve — don’t forget that Herbert won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 with tight end Hunter Henry serving as his second-most-targeted pass-catcher. Loveland’s strong hands and quick feet will make him an excellent starter in short order.23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers PROJECTED TRADE WITH GREEN BAYShemar StewartTexas A&M · Edge · JuniorThe Buccaneers could use Stewart as a 5-technique because of his size and strength at the point of attack, potentially setting him up to replace Logan Hall if the veteran departs as a free agent in 2026. Stewart will also stand up at times because of his athleticism, making him a great fit in Tampa Bay’s scheme.24 Buffalo Bills PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTAMike GreenMarshall · Edge · Junior (RS)Buffalo has already invested in the pass rush this offseason, signing Joey Bosa and Mike Hoecht and extending Gregory Rousseau. Then again, Bosa has a history of injury issues, Hoecht is facing a suspension for the season’s first six games, A.J. Epenesa is entering a contract year and the Bills still have not found a hybrid player to replace Von Miller — a vacancy that fits Green’s game. Minnesota receives two fourth-round picks from the Bills in the deal, which is ideal for the Vikings, since they otherwise have just four selections due to past trades.25 Houston TexansJosh SimmonsOhio State · OT · Junior (RS)Signing Cam Robinson stabilized the left tackle spot after the Texans traded starter Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders. Still, Robinson’s deal is only for one year, and he’s struggled to stay on the field at times. Simmons is a solid pass protector and strong run blocker on either side of the line; he’ll be a first-round pick if teams receive positive medical reports on the knee injury that sidelined him for much of 2024.26 Philadelphia Eagles PROJECTED TRADE WITH LA RAMSWalter NolenMississippi · DT · JuniorNolen’s quickness and motor would make him a perfect replacement for Milton Williams, who left in free agency after helping power the Eagles’ Super Bowl run. Philadelphia sends its second-rounder to the Rams for this pick and a third-round selection.27 Kansas City Chiefs PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMOREAireontae ErseryMinnesota · OT · SeniorPhiladelphia’s domination of the line of scrimmage in the Super Bowl leads the Chiefs to find another tackle early in the draft, even after signing Jaylon Moore to a major free-agent deal. They send a third-round selection to Baltimore to bring in the big-bodied but agile Ersery — regaining some value by swapping second-round picks with the Ravens.28 Detroit LionsTyler BookerAlabama · OG · JuniorBooker’s powerful presence would help fill the huge hole left by Kevin Zeitler on the Lions’ offensive line. Though he played primarily on the left side, Booker logged time at left and right guard at Alabama, and veteran Graham Glasgow has started on both sides, setting the team up to find a combination that maintains the strength of Detroit’s top unit.29 Washington CommandersDonovan EzeiruakuBoston College · Edge · SeniorEzeiruaku brings speed off the edge as well as a very effective spin move. In Washington, he could be used as a designated pass rusher as a rookie, giving the team needed juice after losing leading 2024 sacker Dante Fowler in free agency.30 Minnesota Vikings PROJECTED TRADE WITH BUFFALONick EmmanworiSouth Carolina · S · JuniorEmmanwori and Harrison Smith would form a nice safety duo for the Vikings. The rookie could play in the box, over slot receivers and cover the back end when called upon.31 Baltimore Ravens PROJECTED TRADE WITH KANSAS CITYMalaki StarksGeorgia · S · JuniorHere, the Ravens acquire another chess piece in the secondary. Starks can switch between playing inside, in the box and deep, just like Kyle Hamilton did as a rookie.32 Los Angeles Rams PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIALuther Burden IIIMissouri · WR · JuniorTutu Atwell might get more playing time than Burden would in L.A. in 2025, but Burden’s ability to avoid or run through defenders’ tackle attempts should intrigue the Rams. Opposing defensive coordinators, on the other hand, might be nauseous trying to deal with Burden, Atwell, Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. |
