| In our Mock Draft from Daniel Flint (below), the name “Gabe Jacas” appeared – he’s an edge from Illinois. We envisioned a possibly unfortunate pronunciation for his last name, but according to the Illinois bio – the “J” is silent. It’s “ACK-us.” |
| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITName to know – the electric WR IDAAC TeSLAA. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: Lions rookie WR electric again. The Isaac TeSlaa hype train keeps on speeding down the track. For the third consecutive preseason tilt, the third-round pick found pay dirt. On Saturday, TeSlaa burned past Texans cornerback D’Angelo Ross and hauled in a perfect Kyle Allen parabola for a 33-yard score. Playing on the outside, the rookie made a solid move off the line, threw up late hands, and tapped his feet down the sideline without bobbling the ball as he went to the ground. Bonus points for a perfectly executed worm celebration. Each week, the rookie has displayed traits that will translate to the regular season. It’s notable that his TD came from the outside in the formation. That’s where he’ll find potential for more snaps. TeSlaa’s brand of size and speed made him an enticing prospect. His production in the preseason indicates he should have a role in 2025. How big a role, and whether he can push Tim Patrick for snaps, remains to be seen. Regardless, the Lions offense has yet another explosive piece. |
| MINNESOTAThe Vikings have shuffled QB SAM HOWELL III off to the Eagles and signed QB CARSON WENTZ. Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com: The Minnesota Vikings shook up their depth behind starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Sunday, signing Carson Wentz and trading backup Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles. For Howell, the Vikings received a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Eagles. Philadelphia also got a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Vikings. The additional pick gives the Vikings more resources to pursue a veteran receiver to fill another hole in their depth chart. They have inquired about Carolina veteran Adam Thielen, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, but the Panthers have been reluctant to part with him. In another quarterback move Sunday, the Vikings released veteran Brett Rypien. Wentz had been a free agent since his contract with the Kansas City Chiefs expired in March. The Vikings are his sixth team in as many seasons, but they hope he will be a quick study in their offense after spending 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams, whose scheme is similar to the one Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell uses. Wentz also played with Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown when both were on the Eagles’ roster in 2019. Wentz’s arrival marks the end of the Vikings’ surprisingly difficult journey to find a suitable quarterback to pair with McCarthy. Veterans Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones turned down offers in March, knowing McCarthy would be the likely starter after missing his rookie season because of a torn meniscus in his left knee. The team also considered an overture from Aaron Rodgers, who ultimately signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Howell, 24, struggled for much of training camp and some of the preseason after the Vikings acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks in April for a swap of draft picks. Coaches have been impressed with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who could be the Vikings’ No. 3 quarterback, but the staff wanted more experience behind McCarthy. The trade to the Eagles marks the third time Howell has been dealt since being selected by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. The Eagles waived/injured defensive back Lewis Cine to open a roster spot for Howell.. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLAST LA’EL COLLINS may have reached the end of the line. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: La’el Collins’ latest stint with the Cowboys didn’t last long. The Cowboys are cutting Collins today, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. Collins signed in Dallas at the start of this month and played in all three preseason games, but he didn’t do enough to earn a spot on the offensive line. A first-round draft prospect coming out of LSU, Collins signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2015 after false rumors of his involvement in a homicide tanked his draft stock. He played with the Cowboys through 2021, signed with the Bengals in 2022, then had another brief stint with the Cowboys in 2023 and a brief stint with the Bills in 2024. At age 32, he may now have reached the end of the line. |
| WASHINGTONWill QB JOSH JOHNSON survive the cut? Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com: Backup QB trouble in D.C.? Washington has some concerns behind Jayden Daniels under center. Marcus Mariota has been sidelined by Achilles tendinitis, and Sam Hartman is a turnover machine. In his second start of the season, Hartman had a hard time moving the ball against Baltimore backups. Save for a 52-yard catch and run from Colson Yankoff, Hartman was 11-of-16 passing for 62 yards with three turnovers (two picks, one fumble); those Baltimore takeaways turned into 13 points. Josh Johnson had the honors in the second half, finishing 7-of-13 passing for 50 yards and throwing a pick himself. Neither signal-caller moved the needle, but could Washington part ways with the second-year Hartman in favor of the more established and mobile Johnson come cutdown day? |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVER |
| KANSAS CITYThe Chiefs traded for a defensive tackle, familiar to the team, who was no longer wanted by the Jets. Nate Taylor of ESPN.com: The Kansas City Chiefs acquired veteran defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi through a trade Sunday with the New York Jets. The deal also includes a 2027 draft-pick swap, with the Chiefs receiving a conditional seventh-round pick in exchange for a conditional sixth-round selection. Entering Sunday, the Chiefs desperately needed a veteran interior lineman for early downs. The Chiefs also couldn’t risk the possibility of the Jets trading Nnadi to another team before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET cutdown day deadline, when teams must trim their rosters to 53 players. Before signing with the Jets as a free agent this offseason, Nnadi had spent his entire seven-year career with the Chiefs. Nnadi was made available when it became clear over the past few days that he was unlikely to make the Jets’ roster. He played 66 defensive snaps in the preseason and made five tackles. The additions of defensive tackles Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs, both acquired last week in trades, made Nnadi expendable. Nnadi helped the Chiefs win three Super Bowls and has been known for his durability, playing 115 career games. Nnadi is not expected to be the starter, but he’ll be a rotational defender often next to Chris Jones, the Chiefs’ best pass rusher. |
| LAS VEGASA wrist fracture has cost the Raiders the services of QB AIDEN O’CONNELL into October. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: The Raiders need some help at backup quarterback. With Aidan O’Connell going down with a wrist fracture that could keep him out for the season’s first couple of months, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters on Sunday that the club is going to add a signal-caller. “All possibilities are available right now,” Carroll said, via Ryan McFadden of ESPN. “I mean, wherever they come from, and we’re looking everywhere to see [if] we find the best guy that fits us.” Carroll added experience is an important factor. Vinny Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal noted Ryan Tannehill could be a possibility for the Raiders. The Browns also released Tyler Huntley on Sunday, and he would fit the mold of an experienced backup. If the Raiders wanted to go the trade route, Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has plenty of experience with Philadelphia’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson, as Kelly was Thompson-Robinson’s head coach at UCLA. But Thompson-Robinson has much less experience than Tannehill or Huntley. After Carson Wentz signed with the Vikings on Sunday, C.J. Beathard is currently one of the best available free agents at the position. It should be noted that QB DORIAN THOMPSON-ROBINSON, mentioned above, has been waived by the Eagles. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDTE HAROLD FANNIN is a name to know. Erik Edholm of NFL.com: Browns TE of the future? Third-round pick Harold Fannin Jr. played only six snaps in the preseason opener and sat out the second game at Philadelphia Eagles. But the rookie tight end not only looks like a roster lock but also projects to be a key offensive contributor this season. He was on the field for 11 of the first 17 offensive snaps with the Browns’ starters and caught two passes, including a pretty seam shot for a 15-yard TD pass from Joe Flacco. David Njoku also played 12 snaps in that span and had a few nice connections from Flacco, so it appears the Browns will use a lot of multiple-TE formations this season. Cleveland’s offense was solid in three drives with the starters, but starting center Ethan Pocic left the game with a knee injury. |
| AFC EAST |
| NEW ENGLANDWith the help of injuries, the Patriots won’t get much from the 2024 draft class, the one chosen on Jerod Mayo’s coaching watch. Mike Reiss of ESPN.com: ’24 class: When the Patriots ultimately make their final roster decisions to get to 53 players, there’s a growing possibility that quarterback Drake Maye will be the lone selection remaining from the 2024 draft. Guard Layden Robinson (fourth round) was with the third unit for most of the preseason, and guard/tackle Caedan Wallace (third round) and receiver Javon Baker (fourth round) didn’t build decisive momentum in recent weeks while hanging on the roster bubble. Meanwhile, receiver Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) is expected to land on injured reserve due to shoulder surgery, while cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. (sixth round) was already on IR after tearing his ACL. Quarterback Joe Milton III (sixth round) was traded in April and tight end Jaheim Bell (seventh round) was waived Friday. This is one reason depth on the roster isn’t ideal. A team having its draft class almost entirely wiped out after one year is almost unheard of. One silver lining for the Patriots: Vrabel has come in with a decisive vision for what he’s looking for in players, and the personnel department which is largely the same group from 2024 has delivered better results this year. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| AUSTIN MOCK PROJECTS THE NFCAustin Mock of The Athletic has a scientific projection model that doesn’t much like the Vkings in the NFC: The Philadelphia Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champions, so it’s no surprise they’re my NFL Projection Model’s favorite to conquer the NFC again this year, with a 15.5 percent chance at going back-to-back. That said, the competition is close, as my model projects the NFC to be very strong this year, from top to … almost the bottom (sorry in advance, Giants and Saints fans). The Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all teams my model gives at least an 8 percent chance to win the NFC this season, and the 2024 NFC runners-up, the Washington Commanders, barely missed out on qualifying for that arbitrary point at 7.8 percent. Each of those teams must prove they can rise to the Eagles’ level, but the real takeaway is that the NFC isn’t much like the AFC. While the AFC is top-heavy with its Big Three, the NFC is brimming with contenders. Wins Playoff odds SB odds1 Eagles 10.9 85.7% 7.6%2 49ers 10.4 73.3% 4.6%3 Lions 10.2 72.7% 6.5%4 Buccaneers 9.8 73.1% 4.1%5 Packers 9.8 66.3% 5.7%6 Rams 9.7 59.5% 4.9%7 Commanders 8.8 48.5% 3.8%8 Cardinals 8.7 40.6% 2.8%9 Seahawks 8.6 37.0% 2.1%10 Vikings 8.3 35.6% 2.3%11 Falcons 8.2 38.2% 1.6%12 Cowboys 7.9 29.2% 1.5%13 Bears 7.4 19.3% 1.2%14 Panthers 6.5 12.9% 0.4%15 Giants 5.6 4.6% 0.2%16 Saints 5.2 3.5% 0.0% Note: Austin Mock’s NFL Projection Model takes into account various metrics to forecast the quality of each team and then simulates each game of the regular season and playoffs until a Super Bowl champion emerges. That process is repeated 100,000 times to provide a realistic measure of how likely a team is to make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. NFC EastWill we see the first back-to-back NFC East champion since 2004? Probably. The defending champs need to replace some of the talent lost from last year’s elite unit, but outside of that, things are looking sunny in Philadelphia. The Eagles have a 68.8 percent chance to win the East, the second-best odds of any projected division winner, trailing only the Buffalo Bills (73.6 percent). So, who is No. 2 in the East? It’s still the Commanders, but the Dallas Cowboys are closer than some would believe. Of course, that assumes team owner Jerry Jones can get a deal done with star pass rusher Micah Parsons, but if that happens, the Cowboys will be in the hunt for a wild-card spot. The other reason the Cowboys might be closer to Washington is that while most expect Commanders QB Jayden Daniels to improve on an outstanding rookie season, I have my doubts. I certainly believe Daniels is good, but he had a lot of high-leverage plays break his way last season. Is that luck repeatable? Unlikely. He will need to be more efficient in other areas to improve. Lastly, the Giants round out the division. Though we likely won’t see him to start the season, Jaxson Dart is the future at quarterback, and while throwing to star receiver Malik Nabers should make his life easier, I don’t have high hopes for this offense, no matter who is playing QB. However, I do think the defense, especially the line, could make offenses dread facing the Giants this season. Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and first-round pick Abdul Carter is about as good as it gets rushing the passer. NFC NorthThis is the best division in football, and I’m not willing to argue that. This division saw three teams win 11 games last season, and the bottom-dweller Chicago Bears hired Ben Johnson, the hottest name in the coaching carousel the past two cycles. Will three teams win double-digit games again? No, but the worst team won’t win only five games, either. The Lions are back-to-back NFC North champions for the first time and are favored to make it three in a row. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t questions. Losing an offensive mind like Johnson, as well as defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, will sting. How will QB Jared Goff transition to new offensive coordinator John Morton’s way of doing things? We’ll soon see, but one thing that will help mitigate some of the losses for the Lions is getting a healthy Aidan Hutchinson. The star pass rusher was wreaking havoc on the NFL last season before fracturing his tibia and fibula in Week 6. The Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Bears round out the rest of the division, with the Packers getting the nod because of certainty at quarterback. The Packers are much closer to the Lions than the Vikings despite what last year’s records indicate (Minnesota, 14-3; Green Bay 11-6), as the Vikings turn the keys over to unproven QB J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy is in a favorable situation, but it’s tough to know how good he can be until we see him play. Chicago is where things get interesting in the North. The Bears have been an offseason hype team in recent seasons, but this year, there is an actual reason to hop on the bandwagon. Johnson should make life much easier for QB Caleb Williams, as should the offseason investments made on the offensive line. But is the roster ready to compete for a playoff spot when Chicago is in such a strong division? My model isn’t ready to go there yet. NFC SouthTampa Bay’s streak of four straight division titles is likely to reach five, and it’s not because my model sees the Buccaneers as world-beaters, but rather because the rest of the division is either unproven or just plain bad. The Bucs offense has to prove it can function at a high rate without esteemed offensive coordinator Liam Coen (now in Jacksonville), so it won’t be an easy road, but Tampa Bay sure feels like a lock to win the South. My model puts the odds of doing so at 64.2 percent. The model has the Atlanta Falcons as the second-best team in the division, and, admittedly, I don’t love it. QB Michael Penix Jr. is a bit of an unknown, and the defense still has a ways to go despite the Falcons’ huge investments in the pass rush during the draft. Luckily for them, the Carolina Panthers have even further to go on defense, which dampens the exciting second half of the season produced by QB Bryce Young and the offense. As for the New Orleans Saints, my model doesn’t care if rookie Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler wins the starting QB job; they’re going to be a contender for the No. 1 pick in the draft no matter the outcome. NFC WestWhile the NFC North is the best division in football, according to my model, the West should be the most exciting. Only two wins separate the top from the bottom this year, and Rams QB Matthew Stafford’s lingering back injury brings even more uncertainty. Right now, my numbers have the 49ers as the favorite — they’re dealing with their own injury issues right now — and that’s mostly driven by their schedule being much easier than the Rams’. I actually would favor the Rams over the 49ers on a neutral field, but the difference in schedules gives San Francisco the advantage. Most divisions have a team or two you don’t really need to pay attention to, but that’s not the case in the West. The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks have great chances to deliver winning records this season. Both teams have at least a 14 percent chance to win the division and a 37 percent chance to make the playoffs. If the injury bug becomes too much for the 49ers and/or Rams to overcome — and that’s happened before — these two will be right there to take advantage. |
| NEW COACHES: WHO HAS THE BEST CHANCE?Nate Payne of ESPN.com has a model that says Brian Schottenheimer has the best platform for success of the seven new coaches: We set out to quantify what kind of situation each of 2025’s new head coaches is walking into. Specifically, we created a regression model that looks at last season’s team quality (using a mix of Elo ratings and SRS ratings); average roster age across offense, defense and special teams; and the age and track record of their quarterbacks (using a QB’s established level of Approximate Value, or AV, per season from the past three years). For all seven hires — Ben Johnson (Bears), Pete Carroll (Raiders), Mike Vrabel (Patriots), Liam Coen (Jaguars), Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys), Aaron Glenn (Jets) and Kellen Moore (Saints) — we fed the numbers into the model to estimate expected wins over the next five seasons. Of course, each coach will change the trajectory of the franchise from here on out in his own way. Think of these rankings less as predictions and more as snapshots of the foundations they’re starting from. So which sideline boss landed in the cushiest spot, and who drew the short straw? 1. Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas CowboysExpected 5-year wins: 41.1Starting QB: Dak Prescott (9.8 weighted AV per season; age 32)2024 Elo: 19th | Offense: 21st | Defense: 30th2024 average age: 26.7 (18th youngest) Key stat: Out of the 18 NFL teams who missed the playoffs last season, Dallas had the most total wins over the three seasons prior to that (36). Fans and analysts might have disagreed with the choice of Schottenheimer — a longtime coordinator who has never been a head coach before — as Mike McCarthy’s replacement. But there’s no question that he is walking into a situation ripe with possibilities. Dallas went 7-10 in 2024, even in a nightmare season with Prescott sidelined for more than half the schedule. Plus, they are just a season removed from a 12-5 campaign in which they ranked fifth on defense and led the league in scoring, breaking 500 points for just the second time in franchise history. Much depends on the availability of the team’s high-end talent, which is perpetually in question due to factors ranging from injuries (Prescott) to contract disputes (Micah Parsons). Still, Schottenheimer inherits a team with a proven track record of winning ballgames, and it has the potential to make the playoffs again right away. 2. Ben Johnson, Chicago BearsExpected 5-year wins: 40.7Starting QB: Caleb Williams (9.0 weighted AV per season; age 24)2024 Elo: 24th | Offense: 29th | Defense: 9th2024 average age: 26.4 (10th youngest) Key stat: With an AV of 12 last year, Williams is coming off the best rookie season by a Bears QB ever, topping the previous mark of 8 co-owned by Jim McMahon (1982) and Mitchell Trubisky (2017). Excitement is high in the Windy City ahead of the 2025 season and with good reason. Johnson was the genius playcaller behind the offensive success of the Detroit Lions over the past three seasons, during which time they never ranked lower than fifth in scoring, and Jared Goff led all quarterbacks with 13,642 passing yards. What he has to work with now is the talent of Williams now behind an improved offensive line, a solid set of pass-catching targets (led by D.J. Moore) and a defense that was top-10 by SRS last year that will now be coordinated by Dennis Allen. In addition, the Bears were the unluckiest team in the league in terms of actual wins versus what we would expect from their point margin, so some improvement there is likely. The formula is still a bit conservative on them simply because Chicago has had exactly one winning season in the past 12 years, but the ingredients are there for Johnson to succeed where so many other Bears coaches have failed over the years. 3. Liam Coen, Jacksonville JaguarsExpected 5-year wins: 39.5Starting QB: Trevor Lawrence (9.2 weighted AV per season; age 26)2024 Elo: 26th | Offense: 27th | Defense: 28th2024 average age: 25.8 (2nd youngest) Key stat: No Jaguars head coach has a winning record with the franchise, except for Tom Coughlin (at 68-60). The latest product of the Sean McVay NFL coaching tree, Coen will go from helping the career rehabilitation of Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay to helping Lawrence salvage his reputation as a generational quarterback prospect in Jacksonville. There are worse tasks to be assigned to, and Lawrence was tied for the 16th-most AV by a QB ever at ages 23-24 before a miserable, injury-marred mess of a 2024 season. Despite the shine coming off a bit, his potential is far from squandered. And then there’s the game-changing ceiling of 2025’s No. 2 overall pick, Travis Hunter, whose possible impact on both sides of the ball is nearly unparalleled in NFL history. You could have made hay betting against new Jags coaches since Coughlin (see above), so nothing is guaranteed, but Coen has the key players who might finally turn the franchise around. 4. Aaron Glenn, New York JetsExpected 5-year wins: 39.2Starting QB: Justin Fields (9.1 weighted AV per season; age 26)2024 Elo: 22nd | Offense: 23rd | Defense: 21st2024 average age: 27.7 (31st youngest) Key stat: The Jets’ current playoff drought of 14 seasons is not only the longest active skid in the league, but it’s also double the next-longest drought (Carolina and Atlanta at seven seasons apiece). In addition to his résumé leading the Lions to the league’s seventh-best scoring defense a year ago, Glenn was hired in part to bring a culture of toughness and professionalism to the Jets, in the mold of the Bill Parcells teams he played for in New York. If you squint, you can see the resemblance in what Glenn has to work with here, from the reclamation project quarterback (Fields as Vinny Testaverde) to the outspoken wide receiver (Garrett Wilson as Keyshawn Johnson), the multipurpose running back (Breece Hall as Curtis Martin), the star pass rusher (Quinnen Williams as Mo Lewis) and the Pro Bowl cornerback (Sauce Gardner as Glenn himself). OK, fine, so maybe that’s all a bit of a stretch — but the point is that Glenn has the blueprint for a turnaround, if not the full foundation. 5. Pete Carroll, Las Vegas RaidersExpected 5-year wins: 39.0Starting QB: Geno Smith (12.3 weighted AV per season; age 35)2024 Elo: 27th | Offense: 26th | Defense: 26th2024 average age: 26.4 (9th youngest) Key stat: Carroll has finished below .500 just four times in his 18-year NFL coaching career. The Raiders have finished above .500 just twice in the past 22 years. Something’s gotta give! The Raiders are an interesting case here, because Las Vegas had one of the 10 youngest rosters in the league last season, with all but two of their 13 best players by AV sitting under age 30 — highlighted by 22-year-old tight end Brock Bowers, who ranked third in the NFL with 1,194 receiving yards. Long-term projection models love young talent like that, but the signature Raider moves of the offseason were bringing in a coach who will turn 74 in Week 2 and a quarterback who will turn 35 just before Week 6. Both have an established track record of success — including their work together in 2022-23 — and thus offer Vegas a chance to improve right away. But the need to find another new coach/quarterback combo sooner rather than later is a drag on their projection. 6. Mike Vrabel, New England PatriotsExpected 5-year wins: 38.8Starting QB: Drake Maye (6.0 weighted AV per season; age 23)2024 Elo: 28th | Offense: 30th | Defense: 22nd2024 average age: 26.4 (8th youngest) Key stat: New England has lost more games in the past five years (51) than in the 14 seasons prior to that (50). Everyone agreed that Vrabel’s reunion with the Patriots made far too much sense to not happen. With it, there will be an infusion of that familiar Belichickian ethos of no-nonsense grit, plus the experience of a coach who went 54-45 with three playoff appearances in five years with the Tennessee Titans. (And he brought back one of the great offensive coordinators in Josh McDaniels.) Still, expecting a true revival of the Pats’ dynasty is a bit premature. Maye’s passing efficiency remains a work in progress, though his mobility propped up his QBR. The team was one of just seven with an SRS rating of -1.9 or worse on both sides of the ball, which was a sign of how much renovation was needed. However, an offseason spending spree has locked them into a bunch of big bets right away — a risk when we consider how unpredictable the outcomes of offseason moves can be. All of this explains why the Patriots rank lower than their fit with Vrabel would seem to indicate. 7. Kellen Moore, New Orleans SaintsExpected 5-year wins: 38.0Starting QB: Spencer Rattler (1.5 weighted AV per season; age 25)2024 Elo: 25th | Offense: 25th | Defense: 18th2024 average age: 27.6 (27th youngest) Key stat: No matter whether Rattler or Tyler Shough starts at QB, 2025 will feature the most inexperienced Saints primary QB by previous career AV since at least Steve Walsh — who had 2 previous AV — in 1990. The drop-off from the situations above to what Moore is inheriting in New Orleans is steep, reflecting a team that just posted its worst record since 2005 and then abruptly lost starting QB Derek Carr, who retired from the NFL. (Safety Tyrann Mathieu followed him into retirement in July.) What’s left is a full-scale rebuild, with only Cam Jordan, Demario Davis, Alvin Kamara, Carl Granderson, Davon Godchaux and Brandin Cooks offering proven production from their careers or recent seasons. At 36, Moore is the league’s youngest head coach — which lines up with the long-term timetable for New Orleans to contend again, if he can endure the losses likely to pile up in the meantime. |
| 2026 MOCK DRAFTDaniel Flick of SI.com offers this 2026 Mock Draft before the 2025 season is played. We will be looking for Arizona State QB SAM LEAVITT – and we didn’t have to look that far: Texas redshirt sophomore quarterback Arch Manning is not included due to a lack of sample size and the belief that he’ll return to school for the 2026 season. Here’s Sports Illustrated’s final preseason 2026 mock draft … Note: The order was created through DraftKings’ Super Bowl champion odds, adjusted to fit the playoff requirements for each conference. 1. New Orleans Saints: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSUThe Saints enter 2025 hoping either second-year passer Spencer Rattler, a former fifth-round pick, or second-round rookie Tyler Shough will show enough to win the starting quarterback job moving forward. The odds appear ominous. Nussmeier, a local product whose father is the Saints’ offensive coordinator, is a much better bet. He can thread tight windows, maneuver the pocket under pressure and push the ball to each part of the field. If he limits mental errors this fall, Nussmeier could be the first quarterback off the board next April. 2. Cleveland Browns: Cade Klubnik, QB, ClemsonWhere the Browns go at quarterback this fall is anybody’s best guess. Joe Flacco will start, but how much will 2025 third-round pick Dillon Gabriel and fifth-round choice Shedeur Sanders factor into the equation? Regardless, if Cleveland finds itself at No. 2, it’s fair to assume the season didn’t produce a franchise quarterback. Klubnik has the arm, athleticism and three-level accuracy to be the answer. 3. New York Jets: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateNew York signed star receiver Garrett Wilson to a four-year contract extension worth up to $130 million—but the Jets still need to give Wilson a sidekick. Enter Tyson, a smooth-moving 6′ 2″, 195-pound pass catcher and reigning Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. Tyson explodes in and out of his breaks, and he’s a nuanced route runner who may be the draft’s best separator. He’s also dynamic after the catch with the vision and elusiveness to generate yards. 4. Tennessee Titans: T.J. Parker, edge, ClemsonThe Titans boast several quality pieces on their defensive line, but Parker gives them a bell-cow pass rusher who can make an immediate impact next fall. Sports Illustrated’s No. 1 player from summer scouting, Parker has tremendous hands, strength and effort. He defeats blocks quickly and is disruptive against the run and the pass. Parker, who’s totaled 32 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in two years at Clemson, is the complete package. 5. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateThe Giants have a strong back line with Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin, but Downs is a do-it-all piece who can elevate an entire defense. The 6′ 0″, 205-pounder has the instincts and athleticism to wear a lot of hats defensively, and he played all over the field for Ohio State. He’s sticky in coverage and has the range to make plays moving both downhill and sideline to sideline. New York has a litany of talent up front, but Downs gives the Giants’ secondary a tremendous youth infusion. 6. Carolina Panthers: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, TexasCarolina was a popular landing spot for versatile Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker during the 2025 predraft process, but the Panthers ultimately passed on adding help to the middle of their defense. Hill may prove to be too good. At 6′ 0″ and 237 pounds, he has the size and speed to fit gaps and pursue to the perimeter. He’s still developing his feel and vision, but his physical tools and production—he had 16.5 tackles for loss last season—create plenty of optimism. 7. Indianapolis Colts: Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaIf the Colts are picking in the top 10, it’s certainly possible that coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard won’t be turning in the card. It also means Indianapolis’s quarterback battle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones likely proved futile. Mendoza, who transferred to Indiana from Cal after the 2024 season, has generated steady buzz throughout the summer. The 6′ 5″, 225-pounder has prototypical size, a strong arm and the athleticism to extend plays. Mendoza is in line for a strong season under quarterback ace Curt Cignetti, and there’s plenty of value in the Colts staying local. 8. Las Vegas Raiders: Peter Woods, DT, ClemsonThe Raiders need to add help next to star pass rusher Maxx Crosby, and Woods brings value in multiple aspects. At 6′ 3″ and 315 pounds, Woods can occupy blocks inside, but he’s also quick and athletic enough to make plays inside. Clemson used him as a defensive end in 2024, but his powerful hands and stack-and-shed skills translate well to defensive tackle. 9. Miami Dolphins: Avieon Terrell, CB, ClemsonMiami lacks both talent and depth at corner, and Terrell, the younger brother of Falcons standout A.J. Terrell Jr., significantly aids both aspects. Though he lacks elite size at 5′ 11″ and 180 pounds, Terrell is quick-footed, fluid and explosive. He’s instinctual and physical, which helps him punch above his weight in coverage and at the catch point, and he doesn’t allow much separation. Terrell has a real chance to be a Day 1 starter on the perimeter. 10. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): Kadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaConsistent health and availability remain question marks for Browns left tackle Dawand Jones, and right tackle Jack Conklin will be a free agent after the 2025 season. In a draft full of quality tackles, Proctor is hard to miss—literally. He blends his monstrous 6′ 7″, 360-pound frame with strong hands and linear explosiveness, and when he latches on in pass protection, the rep essentially ends. Proctor needs to operate more consistently and refine his technique, but he has the tools to be a stout blindside blocker for the foreseeable future. 11. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona StateThe Rams need to start planning for life beyond Matthew Stafford, and Leavitt is an intriguing fit. His rocket of a right arm and in-pocket creativity resemble Stafford, though Leavitt will require seasoning. Embracing the mundane and winning within structure are essential steps for him. Still, his athleticism, arm talent and moxie—he firmly believes he can make any throw at any time—form a quality foundation. 12. Seattle Seahawks: Spencer Fano, OT, UtahSeahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas has missed more regular-season games (21) than he’s played (13) the past two years, and he’s a free agent after this season. Though Lucas is a solid player, his availability concerns may force Seattle to move on. The 6′ 6″, 302-pounder must add weight, but he’s quick, twitchy and smooth in pass protection, and his mobility should appeal to zone-blocking teams. He’s played both left and right tackle, and as he physically matures, his ceiling grows only more attainable. 13. New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, edge, AuburnThe Patriots had a productive offseason, turning a roster full of holes into a much more respectable unit. New England could still add to its pass rush, but the 6′ 6″, 270-pound Faulk is smart with violent hands, two prerequisite traits for Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. Faulk has the length and explosiveness to impact games as both a run defender and pass rusher, and while he needs to fill out his frame, his upside is tantalizing. 14. Arizona Cardinals: Antonio Williams, WR, ClemsonThe Cardinals hope 2024 first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. emerges as a premier pass catcher this fall. Yet, either way, complementary receivers Greg Dortch and Zay Jones are set to be free agents after the season. Williams caught 75 passes for 904 yards and 11 touchdowns in ’24, flashed as a ballcarrier and is a dangerous punt returner—he’s versatile, athletic, sudden and nuanced, and he’d alleviate pressure from Harrison in ’26. 15. Dallas Cowboys: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameDallas enters the season with a patchwork, by-committee running back room. Often linked to ballcarriers earlier in the offseason, the Cowboys appear poised to tap into the market next spring, and Love is the early favorite to be the first runner off the board. The 6′ 0″, 212-pound Love has the speed and quickness to win with finesse, and the strength and toughness to win with power. He’s also a quality pass catcher capable of aligning out wide. Versatile and well-rounded, Love would be a big get for America’s Team. 16. Chicago Bears: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, MiamiThe Bears capitalized on their deep bag of cap space in the spring, filling holes and building a solid roster around Caleb Williams. Still, they have long-term questions surrounding their perimeter pass rush. Bain, a 6′ 3″, 275-pounder, is a speed-to-power rusher who condenses pockets and has the arsenal to discard blockers when necessary. He’s still developing his rush plans, but his flashes inspire confidence that there’s more to untap. 17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB, Penn StateWith Aaron Rodgers saying 2025 will be his final NFL season, the Steelers will once again be in the market for a quarterback. Allar has the tools to be off the board much sooner than No. 17. The 6′ 5″, 236-pounder is strong-armed, advanced at working through progressions inside of structure and can manage the pocket. Finding more consistent accuracy and reducing turnovers will be significant for Allar, who, in this case, the Steelers hope delivers better results than another in-state passer in Kenny Pickett. 18. Minnesota Vikings: Jermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeJ.J. McCarthy’s first year as a starter will carry significant weight in the direction of this pick. Regardless of McCarthy’s performance, the Vikings need more talent at corner. McCoy is wiry, yet explosive at 6′ 0″ and 193 pounds, and he had four interceptions last season. His route recognition and ability to disengage in run defense must improve this fall, but he reads quarterbacks’ eyes well, has an explosive trigger and he pairs fluidity with physicality. 19. Houston Texans: Caleb Lomu, OT, UtahThe Texans are encouraged by the early signs from second-round rookie Aireontae Ersery, who will start at right tackle this season, and could give him a long-term bookend in Lomu. Young and lacking mass at 6′ 6″ and 304 pounds, the redshirt sophomore is fleet-footed, powerful and allowed only two sacks last season. Lomu is just scratching the surface of what he should ultimately become, and Houston could benefit in the middle portion of the first round. 20. Los Angeles Chargers: LT Overton, DE, AlabamaPerhaps underappreciated nationally this summer, Overton may not have the flash of others in his class, but his skill set and upside are intriguing. The 6′ 5″ 280-pounder is strong, long, quick and disruptive. His power at the point of attack helps him make plays on rushing downs, and he can move blockers with his strength and hand nuance as a pass rusher. The Chargers are upgrading their defensive line, and Overton adds another valuable commodity. 21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateThe future of Tampa Bay’s linebacker corps post-Lavonte David is murky. Styles, a 6′ 4″, 235-pounder who converted from safety to linebacker before the 2024 season, has the upside to be part of the solution. Styles is rangy and physical, can rush the passer, and his hand usage is more advanced than expected for a player still new to the position. As he grows more comfortable, his instincts and feel in coverage should improve, and his physical tools provide him a lofty ceiling. 22. Los Angeles Rams: Domani Jackson, CB, AlabamaThe Rams have questions at linebacker and in their secondary, and addressing corner—after using their other first-round pick on Stafford’s replacement—is a logical next step. Jackson, who hails from nearby Santa Ana, Calif., is scheme versatile and excels in man and zone coverage. He’s fast, quick, fluid, competitive and instinctual, which translates to quality positioning in bail technique and in-phase coverage against expanded route trees. 23. Denver Broncos: Eli Stowers, TE, VanderbiltThe Broncos signed Evan Engram to a two-year contract this spring and subsequently waited until the seventh round to add another tight end in the 2025 draft. Still, they need to plan for their future at the position. Stowers is similar to Engram when he came out of Ole Miss in 2017—both are fluid, explosive and quality separators. Giving Stowers a year to push and learn from Engram is a quality formula for Denver. 24. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Banks, DT, FloridaWhile much of the Bengals’ drama has centered around defensive ends Shemar Stewart and Trey Hendrickson, their defensive tackles pose a concerning question. Banks has plenty to improve upon before cementing himself as a first-round pick, but at 6′ 6″ and 325 pounds, he’s a physical, violent piece on the defensive interior. He recorded 29 total pressures and 4.5 sacks last season, and he’s more athletic than his size suggests. Banks is an intriguing riser who, with a strong 2025, may soar up boards in the spring. 25. Green Bay Packers: Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge, Penn StateThe Packers ended their 23-year drought without drafting a receiver when they selected Matthew Golden in 2025. They’ll return to their more traditional avenue in 2026. Over the past 10 drafts, Green Bay has selected four defensive linemen or pass rushers in the first round. The 6′ 5″, 265-pound Dennis-Sutton, who’s loose and has a deep bag of moves, is a quality value pick in the final quarter of the first round. 26. San Francisco 49ers: Francis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiThe 49ers can upgrade over right tackle Colton McKivitz, and questions persist around left tackle Trent Williams’s longevity. Mauigoa, who’s entering his third season as Miami’s starting right tackle, has a chance to go off the board much sooner. He’s a firm pass protector with a strong base, tremendous anchor and refined hands. Mauigoa may be limited to right tackle, but the 49ers need one, and the 6′ 6″, 315-pounder projects favorably to Kyle Shanahan’s offense. 27. Washington Commanders: Matayo Uiagalelei, edge, OregonWashington needs to keep adding quality bodies to its pass rush, and Uiagalelei, who will only be 20 years old on draft day, certainly fits the bill. An All-Big Ten selection last season after collecting 10.5 sacks and 31 pressures, Uiagalelei wins primarily with finesse. He’s quick off the ball and has the hand refinement to defeat tackles with a swipe, club or rip move. Uiagalelei can also use power, and his rush sequencing is impressive for a young player. 28. Detroit Lions: Gabe Jacas, edge, IllinoisThe Lions are still searching for a long-term complement to Aidan Hutchinson off the edge, and Jacas has the tools to be the answer. A third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2024 who tallied 13 tackles for loss and eight sacks, Jacas is long-levered, powerful and athletic. At 6′ 3″ and 275 pounds, Jacas explodes off the ball and wins with speed, strength and technical refinement. He has the tools and poise to take another step this fall. 29. Kansas City Chiefs: Max Klare, TE, Ohio StateHow much longer will Travis Kelce play, and who’s going to fill his spot in the Chiefs’ passing game? There’s hardly a defined answer. While backup tight end Noah Gray is signed through 2027, Kansas City would benefit from adding Klare, an athletic pass catcher who separates during routes and can make plays after the catch. Though he’s not a traditional in-line tight end and lacks blocking acumen, the 6′ 4″, 236-pound Klare projects as a dangerous H-back or big slot receiver. 30. Baltimore Ravens: Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, USCThe Ravens don’t often hesitate to add talented receivers in the first round, and the 6′ 4″, 195-pound Lane gives Lamar Jackson a big target with a wide catch radius. Another positive? Lane moves with a degree of fluidity and athleticism that’s uncommon for most receivers with his body type. He’s competitive and has terrific ball skills, and with more week-to-week consistency this fall, he’s capable of going much sooner. 31. Philadelphia Eagles: Christen Miller, DT, GeorgiaThe Eagles have found plenty of success drafting Georgia players, and more specifically, former Bulldog defensive linemen. Add Miller to the list. He has only 2.5 sacks in 29 career games, but he’s loaded with traits and will have the snaps to break out this fall. The 6′ 4″, 305-pounder knocks back linemen at the point of attack, can win with quickness and is getting better with his hands. He’s a bit of an upside swing, but if he can turn traits into production in 2025, he’ll warrant a first-round look. 32. Buffalo Bills: Eric Singleton Jr., WR, AuburnWhether Buffalo still needs a receiver heavily depends on Keon Coleman’s second season. Either way, Singleton gives Josh Allen a dynamic weapon who’s often the fastest player on the field. He’s a smooth, explosive route runner with the hands to finish through contact and the concentration to make catches in tight spaces. Singleton is still developing his route nuance, but he’s as fast and athletically gifted as any receiver in the 2025 class. |
