| The Competition Committee is said to be strongly split on whether or not to allow Philadelphia to keep its winning version of the QB sneak. Kalyn Kahler ofESPN.com has a long breakdown with a little bullying from Nick Siriani at the end: The Green Bay Packers’ proposal to ban the push sneak, popularly known as the tush push, has support within the competition committee, a source with direct knowledge told ESPN on Sunday.Another source with direct knowledge of competition committee thinking said the proposal would be “hotly contested” among the coaches, general managers and owners as they gather for league meetings this week.The league office staff presented the rules proposals during the football operations meeting Sunday afternoon, and two sources in the meeting described the back and forth as “heated” regarding the proposal to “prohibit an offensive player from pushing a teammate who was lined up directly behind the snapper and receives the snap, immediately at the snap.”During the Sunday afternoon session, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, assistant general manager Jon Ferrari and two head coaches on the competition committee, Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams and Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills, gathered in a hallway outside of the ballroom to have a private and animated side conversation about the Packers’ proposal.Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has not spoken publicly about the team’s proposal, and declined to comment on it when approached by ESPN on Sunday afternoon. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst also declined a question from ESPN on Sunday. “I’ll leave that for someone else to talk about,” he said.Teams putting forth a proposal will often save their argument for the day of voting, which in this case, will be Tuesday morning.Green Bay listed two reasons within its proposal to prohibit the play the Eagles have made famous: player safety and pace of play. Multiple sources who have been in competition committee meetings about the play told ESPN there was no injury data to support the ban, but rather a hypothetical conversation centered on potential injuries.The league presented the injury risk of the push sneak based on data modeling, saying defensive players are at risk while launching head-first, and offensive linemen at risk because of their bent posture operating in a narrow window, which could lead to neck injuries.“It’s not backed by data,” one club executive said. “It was all subjective.”Another source in the competition committee meetings said that “it’s not about player safety. It’s just a different play and it just looks different.”The tush push has had critics around the league since the Eagles debuted the play during the 2022 season. Coaches, executives and players have argued it’s not a football play, with some comparing it to a rugby play.This is the third offseason that the competition committee has reviewed the play, but the first time a club has submitted a rules proposal aimed at eliminating or restricting it. The first source with knowledge of competition committee thinking said a “s— show” series in the NFC Championship Game between the Washington Commanders and Eagles helped build momentum toward the current rules proposal.During the fourth quarter of that game, the Commanders committed four defensive penalties (one offsides, three encroachment) on six consecutive push sneak plays that started at their 1-yard line, preferring to take the yardage penalty at such a short distance (half the distance) to surrendering a touchdown. The Eagles replayed second down four times, in a sequence that took a minute off the game clock and prompted referee Shawn Hochuli to make an official warning to the Commanders that if they committed another “palpably unfair act,” he would award the Eagles a touchdown. The Eagles scored a touchdown on the sixth tush push attempt.“That’s more because of the look of the play,” said the source who was in competition committee meetings. “To the folks that know how they want football to look on Sundays to the [fans]. Do [fans] want that play run 50 times down the field?”But only two teams, Philadelphia and Buffalo, ran the push sneak more than five times last season. And of the 35,415 total plays last season, the push sneak accounted for only 101 of those plays, 0.28%.“The thing that nobody likes about the discussion we are having and the question you just asked, is that the rule is directed towards two teams,” Atlanta Falcons CEO and competition committee chairman Rich McKay said. “We have rules that come in about some play or some tactic or something that was never contemplated and all of a sudden was introduced, and there is a rule put up to say maybe we shouldn’t have that tactic or that play, so I don’t think any of us like the fact that there are teams associated with this rule proposal.”The competition committee doesn’t screen or limit the number of rules proposals before they are raised for conversation at owners meetings.“There’s no lens that we look at, or filter, for any club proposal,” McKay added. “Any club is allowed to propose whatever they want and then we [competition committee] will take a position, but we are only individual votes by our clubs, and then they have to get to 24 to pass.”One club source told ESPN that their team would be voting against the proposal because they don’t believe the proposal is “honest about the reason.”An NFL head coach told ESPN he thinks the proposal is motivated by pettiness because some clubs don’t have quarterbacks capable of running a push sneak.“It’s weak,” the club executive said. “It’s punishing a team who became excellent at executing the play. In 2022, when Philadelphia was the only team doing it, there was a concern that it made the game less compelling because fourth-and-short was no longer in doubt. Then other teams copied it, and they can’t do it as well.“It reeks of jealousy.”After the competition committee session ended Sunday, Dallas Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones explained the committee’s view on examining the play, and the Packers proposal.“We’re looking for consistency as a committee, and we don’t allow pushing,” Jones said. “We don’t allow the linebackers to push the defensive linemen on extra points and we’re just trying to be consistent. These quarterbacks, I’m sure they would be wildly successful whether you’re pushed or not. I’m sure [Jalen Hurts] he’ll make first downs at a high rate, whether someone’s pushing him or not, because he’s an inordinately strong special athlete. So we’re just trying to be consistent with the rule. Green Bay really brought something to our attention that we felt like certainly needs to be vetted in the meeting room and amongst the owners and see where we come out on it.”Jones and New York Giants owner John Mara, two division-opponent owners of the Eagles, both sit on the competition committee.Does Jones think it’s fair that this proposal appears to target one team, the most recent Super Bowl champion?“I think it’s just being consistent with our rules, and I think Green Bay brought this to our attention, and that’s what we’re looking at as a committee, and certainly membership will weigh in on it,” he said.There is plenty of gray area as the rules proposal is written now:“No offensive player may immediately at the snap, push or throw his body against a teammate, who was lined up directly behind the snapper and received the snap, to aid him in an attempt to gain yardage.”Said one NFL general manager: “They can’t regulate every successful play that a team comes up with. If it passes, it’ll be rewritten about six times. How do you determine what ‘immediately’ is? You’re allowed to push a running back on the perimeter?”Another club executive said he needed more information on what such details meant before his club decided on how it would vote.NFL Network reported the Eagles expect to have allies in former Philadelphia coordinators who are now head coaches for other clubs, Kellen Moore with the New Orleans Saints, Shane Steichen with the Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Gannon with the Arizona Cardinals.“All I will say about it is Gannon, Steichen and Moore better vote for it,” coach Nick Sirianni told NFL Network. “They are in the [head coach] position right now because of that play. So all three, I better have those three votes right there and the Eagles’ vote. I at least know we have four.”The owners of all 32 clubs are expected to vote on all proposals Tuesday morning. The DB doesn’t like it because the ball spot is so difficult to make accurately, with all the traffic making ball location and whether or not the quarterback’s forward progress was stopped so difficult to confidently determine.- – -Longtime NFL General Counsel Jeff Pash is retiring and his replacement, from outside league circles, has been selected. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The NFL has a new top lawyer.Ted Ullyot replaces the retiring Jeff Pash. The league disclosed the move to owners today, reports Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal.Ullyot previously served as the primary in-house lawyer at Facebook, from 2008 through 2013. He also has served in the George W. Bush White House. He founded Torridon Law in 2022 with former U.S. attorney general Bill Barr.He will start on May 1.It was announced last May that Pash would be leaving. He’ll presumably make his exit on April 30. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSHmmmmm. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: More than a month ago, the Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford struck a deal on a new contract for 2025.The contract has not yet been signed.“We sent it to [agent] Jimmy Sexton this week and so I think it’s just semantics,” coach Sean McVay told PFT Live on Monday. “I don’t know if they’ve officially signed that or not. But unless he has a change of heart, it’s — semantically, it is done.”McVay added that, when it’s done, it will reveal the true compromise the two sides reached.“It’s gonna be a great representation of the selflessness of Matthew Stafford, the ability for us to be able to say, ‘All right, we had some hard conversations but we were able to come to a collaboration and understanding of, Hey, we love you. We want you here. This is how we’re able to build the right team around you but also make you feel appreciated.’ And he did, you know he made some sacrifices to continue to stay with us and for that I’m damn grateful.”Stafford is currently due to make $27 million in 2025. That’s the number that will remain on the books until the new contract is signed. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASGetting traded to the Raiders means that QB GENO SMITH will get a new deal. Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com: Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek didn’t provide any detail on a potential contract extension for quarterback Geno Smith but is confident a deal will get done “fairly soon.”“We really look forward to having him not just this year, but for the years to come,” Spytek said Monday morning at the annual league meeting.Spytek’s comments came after coach Pete Carroll said the team was working on a new deal for Smith, who was traded from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick. He has one year and $31 million left on a three-year, $75 million contract that he signed in March 2023.Seahawks general manager John Schneider told reporters after the trade became official at the start of the new league year that the team dealt Smith after first trying to extend him. A source told ESPN’s Brady Henderson that Seattle offered Smith a two-year extension that would have paid him $40 million in 2025. “It became apparent that we weren’t going to be able to get a deal done,” Schneider said.Spytek mentioned the deal to acquire Smith happened pretty quickly due to Carroll’s previous knowledge of him. In Seattle, Smith played in 37 games under Carroll and threw for 8,641 passing yards, 55 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.Carroll said Smith was a prominent name in my mind when the team explored a number of options at quarterback because he knew exactly what to expect from the veteran signal caller.Carroll added that he has an in-depth relationship with Smith and the two had been in contact with each other throughout the 2024 season, while the 74-year-old stepped away from coaching.“When it came time to get to it, it was automatic that we would take a shot at [Smith],” Carroll said. “Fortunately, Seattle was willing to listen, and John Spytek [made] his first big time deal. We pulled it off exactly in the manner that we wanted to. [Smith] gives us a great kick start to what’s going on.”Even though Smith will turn 35 in October, Carroll expects to get a number of years out of the two-time Pro Bowler. Smith started in 29 games during the first two seasons of his career but transitioned to a backup quarterback from 2015 to 2021. During that span, Smith played in only 15 games and made five starting appearances.“The guy sat for almost six years, and didn’t get the wear and tear,” Carroll said. “So that’s why he moves so well.”Carroll called Smith an “immediate fix” at quarterback after the franchise watched six players start at the position after moving on from Derek Carr following the 2022 season. However, he didn’t rule out the possibility of taking a quarterback at some point in the draft.Carroll mentioned the team will get creative in the draft and explore all options in improving the team. “Every single opportunity we have, we’re going to investigate,” Carroll said.Spytek shared similar remarks and said the team will continue to deeply evaluate this year’s quarterback class. But the addition of Smith has been a sigh of relief for the organization.“We could take one anywhere, but I feel like we got a guy that can go play football right now,” said Spytek. “So, the need and anxiety at that position is not as high as it was a month ago.” |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDWe suppose we should give credit for Browns owner Jimmy Haslem for agreeing with 99.9% of Browns fans that the signing of QB DESHAUN WATSON was a horrible error. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: The Browns’ decision to trade three-first round picks, a third-round pick and two fourth-round picks to the Texans for Deshaun Watson, and then give Watson the biggest guaranteed contract in NFL history, was a disaster. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam knows that.Haslam spoke to reporters at the league meeting today and said that he accepts that the ultimate blame falls on him and his wife as the owners of the team.“We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had the quarterback, we didn’t and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we’ve got to dig ourselves out of that hole. [The trade] was an entire organization decision and it ends with Dee and I, so hold us accountable,” Haslam said, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.Haslam certainly does deserve to be held accountable for the sorry state of his franchise, and his comments raise the question of what kind of relationship the Browns will have with Watson going forward. Watson is still on the roster, but he’s unlikely to play at all in 2025, both because of his torn Achilles and because he has been awful on the field and the Browns desperately need better quarterback play.Ultimately, all Haslam can do now is support his football people as they attempt to dig their way out of the big hole they’re in after their big swing and miss. It won’t be easy given the draft picks and salary cap space they wasted on Watson. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| JACKSONVILLEThanks to the Jaguars, the NFL could have 10 international games in 2026. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: The NFL will play seven international games in 2025 — that number is set in stone.But as the game continues to grow globally, there could be more international games in 2026.NFL executive vice president, club business, international & league events Peter O’Reilly explained on Monday that the league has an “eye toward” raising the number of international contests next year.“Right now the resolution that the owners passed is for up to eight regular season games. That’s part of the current resolution. That does not include what we call the club opportunity model, which the Jaguars take advantage of. So, this year the seven is the six [NFL international games] plus the Jaguars game [at Wembley Stadium]. We have the ability to go up to eight via the resolution, not including [the] Jaguars game — or games. That’s the framework at which we look at 2026.”With their home stadium undergoing an extensive renovation, the Jaguars could push that number of international games to nine or 10 in 2026. The agreement between the franchise and Jacksonville notes that the club can play a total of six international games between 2025 and 2027, with a maximum of three in the first two years. The team is set to use just one of those in 2025 by hosting its usual game at Wembley Stadium in London.Set to play at a reduced-capacity EverBank Stadium in 2026, it stands to reason that the Jaguars could then play two international games that year. And if that’s the case, the NFL could potentially have 10 international games — eight from the league, plus the Jags’ two.The league has noted that 2024 was its most-watched season outside the United States. As the NFL continues to position itself as a rising global brand, it’s reason able to expect the number of games played outside the country will continue to increase. |
| AFC EAST |
| NEW YORK JETSThe Jets have told all of the 170 employees who work for them without a contract, we don’t care if you work here or not. Ben Fischer and Terry Lifton of Sports Business Journal: Approximately 170 of the N.Y. Jets’ 250 employees must decide today whether to accept a buyout offer issued earlier this month, a deal that would give the most senior employees more than 18 months of full salary and health insurance if they leave.The offer was sent to all non-contractual employees, sources said. There is no financial target in mind, and there will not be involuntary job cuts if fewer people take the buyout than hoped, a source close to the team said.Management’s motivation is cultural, not financial, sources said, hoping that the offer causes workers to reflect on their long-term career goals, personal interests, and whether they fit with the franchise’s. The buyouts follow a recently completed “comprehensive study” of the organization and growth priorities, a spokesperson said.“The exercise has identified opportunities to operate, align, and innovate more effectively,” the spokesperson said. “As we position ourselves for this future growth, we felt it was essential to provide our employees with the opportunity to make an informed, autonomous decision about their careers given the direction of the company.”Unlike many buyouts, there is no minimum threshold for years of service.The eligible employees fall into one of three tiers:Employees with fewer than 10 years’ experience are offered two weeks of pay for every year of service, plus a sum equivalent to their 2024 bonus.Employees between 10-20 years’ experience would receive three weeks of pay for every year of service, plus their health insurance premium for that period, and their 2024 bonus.Employees with 20 or more years – and all vice presidents and above by title – were offered 80 weeks of pay and health insurance, plus their 2024 bonus.It’s unclear how many people fit in each tier.The buyouts come after the Jets’ ninth consecutive losing season, and their 14th straight without a playoff appearance, the NFL’s longest draught. In December, The Athletic wrote a lengthy article about the team’s dysfunction that called owner Woody Johnson the “root” of the problems.Despite the on-field futility and growing chorus of criticism for Johnson, the Jets’ business staff is generally well-regarded around the NFL for maintaining attendance and growing sponsorship revenue despite the long winning draught.Today is the end of the Jets’ and the NFL’s fiscal year. Meanwhile, Woody Johnson won’t admit his treatment of players is well below league average. Rich Cimini of ESPN.com: New York Jets chairman Woody Johnson, the only owner to receive an F grade in the NFL Players Association annual team report card, dismissed the findings Monday, calling the survey “totally bogus.”Johnson said he values his relationships with the players and their opinions, but he questioned the integrity of the poll. Asked what was bogus about it, he replied, “The whole thing.”In the latest survey, 1,695 players graded their respective teams in various categories. The results were released Feb. 26. The NFLPA was critical of the Jets’ top leadership and culture.Johnson, speaking to reporters at the annual league meeting, took issue with “how they collected the information [and] who they collected it from. [It] was supposed to be according to the agreement we have with the league. It’s supposed to be a process [where] we have representatives, and they have representatives, so we know that it’s an honest survey.“And that was violated, in my opinion. I’m going to leave it at that, but I think there are a lot of owners that looked at that survey and said this is not fair, it’s not balanced, it’s not every player, it’s not even representative of the players.”The Jets’ overall ranking, based on grades in 11 categories, was 29th — a drop from 21st in 2023.“We want to get better every day in every category,” Johnson said. “We want to be No. 1 in everything. All of our people do. … If there are areas we can improve — and I think there are always areas we can improve, not because of this bogus report — we’re going to do it.”The NFLPA, on its website, explains the methodology, saying it used research experts from an independent group to provide guidance on best practices for conducting the survey. It was administered from Aug. 26 to Nov. 20, 2024, and was done online and anonymously. Every rostered player at the time of the survey was provided access to the poll.Though he disputed the results, Johnson said he will try to create better communication with the players. The longtime owner, heavily criticized by fans and media for the team’s bitterly disappointing 2024 season, said in a January interview that he will try to improve.“If [the players] are getting bored with the food or bored with the way the place looks, let me know,” he said. “I can’t do anything if they don’t tell me, so I think we’re going to have a lot better communication with the players in terms of what they’re looking at every day. Because if I was looking at the same thing every day, I might get bored with it, too.”Johnson said he doesn’t believe the unflattering report card is impacting the team’s ability to attract free agents. He emphasized that “the essence of the game is the players. That’s what it’s all about. Anything we can do to make their lives and their families better, we’re going to do.”The Jets missed the playoffs for the 14th straight year, a dysfunctional season that saw Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas fired as the coach and general manager, respectively. Another casualty was quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was released earlier this month.“Both Aaron [Glenn, the new coach] and the general manager made the decision it was time to move on,” Johnson said, commenting publicly for the first time on Rodgers’ ouster. “The experiment was a good experiment, to bring him in, but it just didn’t work out, as you can see. I have a lot of respect for Aaron Rodgers. He is a great player, a Hall of Famer player. I’m sorry it didn’t work out, but we made a choice. I think we made the right choice. They made the right choice.”Johnson confirmed a Sports Business Journal report that said the Jets have offered voluntary buyouts to approximately 170 of their 250 employees. The deadline for accepting was Monday. There will be no layoffs, the Jets said. Johnson said the team decided to offer buyouts, in part, to help improve the culture.“We thought this is a good time to give everybody a chance to reevaluate what they’re doing in their lives,” he said. “We want people that are all-in, 100 percent to what the plan is, what we’re trying to do on the football side. On the business side, they have to be exactly the same. They have to be together to serve our public and serve our players in a much more innovative way than we have.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| MATCHING THE ROOKIESIt’s not a Mock Draft, but Matt Bowen of ESPN.com matches 20 rookies with teams where they would thrive: I took 20 top prospects in the 2025 draft class who are projected to get picked in the first two rounds and found realistic NFL team fits that just make too much sense. I factored in player skill sets, organizational needs, schemes and coaching staff tendencies. The idea was to find spots where players would be put in a position to succeed because of their traits and the team’s existing infrastructure.Which pro teams make the most sense for Shedeur Sanders, Ashton Jeanty and other draft prospects with star potential? Here are 20 ideal player-and-team matches for Rounds 1-2.QB Shedeur Sanders to the BrownsHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 212College: ColoradoWhere Cleveland could get him: Pick No. 2Sanders is accurate (74% completion rate last season), plays with poise and shows toughness in the pocket, so I see him as a smart fit for Kevin Stefanski’s offensive structure. The Browns could mirror their run and pass games to set Sanders up with play-action opportunities — which in turn create timing throws. That’s a foundational part of their offense. The Browns’ 155 play-action attempts in 2024 were the fourth most in the league. And with Sanders’ processing ability from the pocket, Stefanski could give him leveled reads to distribute the ball.Sanders doesn’t have high-end mobility or arm talent, but he could produce in a Browns system that would maximize his traits.CB/WR Travis Hunter to the JaguarsHeight: 6-0 | Weight: 188College: ColoradoWhere Jacksonville could get him: Pick No. 5Hunter would fit as a playmaking option with both the Giants (No. 3) and the Patriots (No. 4). And he might not still be on the board at No. 5. But I like the Heisman Trophy winner in Jacksonville because I see All-Pro upside with Hunter in that secondary. He’d tilt the field on that side of the ball. With his premium ball skills and closing speed, Hunter can cover the deep areas and take the air out underneath. He’d start at corner opposite Tyson Campbell to give the Jags a difference-maker in the secondary. He had four interceptions last season.New coach Liam Coen could also create packages of plays for Hunter on offense. Hunter would bring juice to the perimeter in the pass game, as his 23 receptions of 20 or more yards last season tied for the second most in the nation.RB Ashton Jeanty to the RaidersHeight: 5-9 | Weight: 211College: Boise StateWhere Las Vegas could get him: Pick No. 6Part of the identity of Pete Carroll’s past teams has been the run game, and the Raiders have a weakness there. They were last in rushing last season, averaging 79.8 yards. But they could add a No. 1 running back with high-end NFL traits early in Round 1. Jeanty led the nation with 2,601 rushing yards and 126 forced missed tackles in 2024.Under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, we’ll see gap schemes in Las Vegas, which would allow Jeanty to stay on the run track. Kelly’s zone concepts would also give Jeanty an opportunity to press the edges or find cutback lanes. And he could also operate as an underneath outlet in the pass game for quarterback Geno Smith.OT Armand Membou to the SaintsHeight: 6-4 | Weight: 332College: MissouriWhere New Orleans could get him: Pick No. 9The Saints could go multiple directions with this pick, but I like the idea of new coach Kellen Moore adding Membou to pair him with 2024 first-rounder Taliese Fuaga. That would give the team two bookend tackles of the future. I see Membou playing at the right tackle spot, where he can use his lower-body balance and foot quickness to handle speed in pass pro, while still displacing defenders in the run game. Moore saw the value of winning the edges in Philadelphia last season, and he could build up front in New Orleans.TE Tyler Warren to the ColtsHeight: 6-6 | Weight: 256College: Penn StateWhere Indianapolis could get him: Pick No. 14In Indianapolis, Warren would open up the middle of the field in the pass game. He would also give coach Shane Steichen more opportunities to script matchups out of 11 and 12 personnel groupings. Warren had 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns last season.He reminds me of George Kittle on tape. He can work multiple levels as a receiver, and he’s a rugged mover after the catch. Warren will secure the edges as a run blocker, too. He’d be a great fit with Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.CB Will Johnson to the FalconsHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 194College: MichiganWhere Atlanta could get him: Pick No. 15Johnson is more smooth than sudden, with explosive forward ability. He has the physical traits to play man coverage, but I like him best in a system that allows him to play top-down on the ball. That fits under coach Raheem Morris in an Atlanta defense that played zone coverage — both split-safety and single-high — on 61.2% of opponent dropbacks last season (12th in the league).Pairing Johnson with A.J. Terrell would give the Falcons two long and fluid corners. Johnson has a playmaking element to his game, posting nine interceptions and three defensive scores at Michigan. Atlanta needs that kind of turnover production.G/C Grey Zabel to the SeahawksHeight: 6-6 | Weight: 312College: North Dakota StateWhere Seattle could get him: Pick No. 18Zabel would upgrade a Seahawks front that is talent-deficient at the guard position. He has the traits to fit their offensive system — which is built on outside zone runs — under new coordinator Klint Kubiak. Zabel was the best player I watched on the practice field at the Senior Bowl; he is a tone-setter with the movement skills to combo and climb, along with the power to hold off interior rushers. He’d help reset the identity of the Seattle offensive line.WR Tetairoa McMillan to the BroncosHeight: 6-4 | Weight: 219College: ArizonaWhere Denver could get him: Pick No. 20McMillan fits in Denver as a big slot target for quarterback Bo Nix. It’d be very similar to how coach Sean Payton used receiver Marques Colston in New Orleans. McMillan can stretch the seams, run the deep overs and create interior matchup advantages with his high-rising ability at the catch point and great ball skills. He’s a long strider who is more smooth than fast. McMillan caught 174 passes over his final two seasons in Arizona, including 18 touchdowns.RB Omarion Hampton to the SteelersHeight: 6-0 | Weight: 221College: North CarolinaWhere Pittsburgh could get him: Pick No. 21Hampton would step in as the lead runner for the Pittsburgh offense, allowing Jaylen Warren to maintain his role as a change-of-pace back. Hampton can play downhill, using his contact balance and lower-body power to drive the pile. I could see him producing as a zone runner for coordinator Arthur Smith, picking his running lanes to get vertical and creating explosive plays. Hampton produced 45 rushes of 10 or more yards last season. He would also give the Steelers a bump in the pass game on swings, screens and unders.CB Maxwell Hairston to the PackersHeight: 5-11 | Weight: 183College: KentuckyWhere Green Bay could get him: Pick No. 23Hairston is a sticky coverage corner who can create on-the-ball production, and I believe the Packers want to play more man coverage under coordinator Jeff Hafley. They played man only 29.2% of the time last season, the second-lowest rate in the league. But they lacked the right personnel. Hairston, though, would give the Packers a perimeter defender who can pattern match down the field with his 4.28 speed.With the future of Jaire Alexander in Green Bay still unsettled, Hairston would fill a need here. He picked off six passes over the past two seasons at Kentucky.S Nick Emmanwori to the VikingsHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 220College: South CarolinaWhere Minnesota could get him: Pick No. 24Emmanwori has great size, 4.38 speed and rare physical tools, so he’d be able to play a disruptive role in Brian Flores’ defense, which is built on creating chaos. Emmanwori has the split-field range to play top-down in Cover 2, plus he can spin down to play an enforcer role in the underneath zones. And with the ability to match tight ends in coverage or create pressure out of Flores’ multiple blitz packages, Emmanwori would be in a position to make splash plays as a rookie. He had four picks last season, and he returned two for TDs.Edge Mike Green to the CommandersHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 251College: MarshallWhere Washington could get him: Pick No. 29Green is an easy fit for the Commanders because of the schemed defensive fronts we see from coach Dan Quinn. In Washington, Quinn creates one-on-one matchups based off alignment, and that works for Green given his traits as a pass rusher.Green is a highly skilled prospect with a deep toolbox of counters, speed off the ball and the effort level needed to make plays late in the down. He can rush off the edge, loop inside on stunts and play as a standup 3-technique to work on interior linemen. He had 17 sacks in his final season at Marshall.S Xavier Watts to the BillsHeight: 6-0 | Weight: 204College: Notre DameWhere Buffalo could get him: Pick No. 30The Bills need to add speed and playmaking ability to their defensive structure, and Watts fits that profile. A safety with range and ball skills, Watts had 13 interceptions over his final two seasons at Notre Dame. He can play in the post to track the ball and close the middle of the field. Plus, he could overlap throws to the boundary or jump in-breakers from split-field alignments in the Bills’ foundational zone schemes.DT Walter Nolen to the EaglesHeight: 6-4 | Weight: 296College: Ole MissWhere Philadelphia could get him: Pick No. 32The Eagles could add more disruptive talent to the defensive front with Nolen, an explosive mover who can create backfield havoc. His tape is loaded with impact plays (6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss last season), and he’d give coordinator Vic Fangio another interior defender with three-down ability. That’s important now that Philly has lost Milton Williams in free agency.RB Kaleb Johnson to the BearsHeight: 6-1 | Weight: 224College: IowaWhere Chicago could get him: Pick Nos. 39 or 41The Bears could target Johnson early on Day 2 to pair him with D’Andre Swift in the backfield. He’s a linear glider with the north/south acceleration to create big plays. Last season at Iowa, he rushed for 21 touchdowns and added 43 carries of 10 or more yards.Johnson would be a good fit for the outside zone scheme that new coach Ben Johnson has run in the past. And with an uptick in usage in an NFL pass game, he’d produce on screens and backfield releases for Chicago.TE Mason Taylor to the JetsHeight: 6-5 | Weight: 251College: LSUWhere New York could get him: Pick No. 42Tanner Engstrand, the Jets new offensive coordinator, was previously the pass game coordinator with the Lions. That’s relevant because I believe Taylor can be schemed in the route tree just like Sam LaPorta has been schemed up in Detroit. Taylor has the three-level ability to run the deep corners and seams, and Engstrand could get him loose on crossers and boot concepts. Taylor — who had 546 receiving yards last season — has strong hands and a wide catch radius, so he’d quickly develop into a reliable target for quarterback Justin Fields.(And yes, this would mean Taylor would be playing for one of the three teams that his father, Jason, played for during his Hall of Fame career.)CB Darien Porter to the 49ersHeight: 6-3 | Weight: 195College: Iowa StateWhere San Francisco could get him: Pick No. 43This might be a little sooner than Porter is expected to come off the board, but I see a really good fit here in the 49ers’ defense under new coordinator Robert Saleh. Porter has all the tools to play press man. He’s long with 33⅛-inch arms and has 4.3 speed. He disrupts receivers’ releases, opens and runs with them. But Porter also has the zone vision to sink in the flat or get to depth in the outside third of the field — along with the closing speed to drive on the ball.The 49ers would be betting on the traits, but it’s a bet that could pay off big time.RB TreVeyon Henderson to the CowboysHeight: 5-10 | Weight: 202College: Ohio StateWhere Dallas could get him: Pick No. 44The Cowboys signed Javonte Williams in free agency, but Henderson would split touches with him. The Cowboys need the help; they had a league-low six rushing touchdowns last season and averaged just 4.0 yards per carry (tied for 27th). Henderson is a slasher in the run game with big-play ability once he gets through the second level.But Henderson would bring a dynamic element to the Dallas offense with his receiving skills, too. He can operate as a receiver out of the backfield or split out wide to create matchup advantages. Henderson caught 77 passes during his time at Ohio State, and he will see an expanded route tree as a pro, which includes third-down reps thanks to his refined pass blocking.CB Shavon Revel Jr. to the BuccaneersHeight: 6-2 | Weight: 194College: East CarolinaWhere Tampa Bay could get him: Pick No. 53With his physical play style, Revel is a strong fit for the Bucs’ zone-heavy scheme under coach Todd Bowles. In 2024, Tampa played zone coverage on 71.7% of opponent dropbacks, the most in the NFL. Revel could use his great backfield vision to identify route concepts and break on the ball. Plus, he has the traits to disrupt and challenge wide receivers when the Bucs switch to more man coverage on third down. Revel missed time with a torn ACL in 2024, but he had two interceptions in three games.WR Jayden Higgins to the PanthersHeight: 6-4 | Weight: 214College: Iowa StateWhere Carolina could get him: Pick No. 57Adding Higgins to the Carolina offense would give quarterback Bryce Young an inside/outside target with good ball skills and the physicality to play through contact. Higgins could align as a boundary X receiver in 11 personnel, while also occasionally moving inside as a middle-of-the-field stretch option. He can make splash plays on 50-50 throws, which would provide Carolina with some red-zone upside. He caught 87 passes for 1,183 yards and nine scores last season. |
| 2025 DRAFTWith his second Mock Draft of 2025, Erik Edholm of NFL.com forecasts a big win for the Browns: With my second mock of each draft cycle over the past few years, I’ve made a habit of projecting a few trades and taking some bolder swings than I did in Version 1.0.I think I like this approach.If the first effort is for trying to match players with range and reasonable (pre-free agency) needs of teams, then the second mock draft should be about sticking your neck out there a little bit. Hey, if you’re wrong, there’s always Mock 3.0 to help clean up the mess.With that in mind, I’ve projected three hot trades below, including one for a quarterback. I was prepared to add another one involving QB Jaxson Dart but couldn’t find the right combination.I will admit this simulation’s not as spicy — or QB-dominant — as my colleague Charles Davis’ first mock, which had passers going 1-2-3. And that makes me nervous. Why? Despite that mock being a few weeks old — in fact, Charles just dropped his own 2.0 — I bring it up because, well, look how close Charles was with the quarterbacks in his first 2024 mock, even nailing Bo Nix to the Broncos at 12 and J.J. McCarthy being a top-10 pick. Those weren’t universally held beliefs back when CD tossed them out, but the mindset supported a general notion that quarterbacks ultimately tend to go higher than we anticipate.With that in mind, there’s a chance I might have to go even harder in the paint on my third try. This’ll have to do for now.1 Tennessee TitansCam WardMiami · QB · SeniorI think Ward ends up going to the Titans or Giants in this draft slot. Tennessee’s offseason moves have pointed toward a rookie QB for some time, and Ward is a natural playmaker who can raise the Titans’ tide after three years of the franchise heading south. He reasonably could have Bo Nix-like production in Year 1.2 Cleveland BrownsAbdul CarterPenn State · LB/Edge · JuniorA Carter-Myles Garrett pairing would be an absolute blast to watch — and it could swiftly develop into one of the most destructive pass-rush duos in the league. Passing on a quarterback at No. 2 would require some patience and hope, but with Cam Ward off the board, I don’t currently believe the Browns would pull the trigger on a QB here.3 New York GiantsTravis HunterColorado · CB/WR · JuniorHunter would give the Giants another elite talent after last year’s top-10 selection of Malik Nabers. Not to mention, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner could probably start for New York at either corner or receiver right away, so Big Blue almost can’t go wrong here.4 New England PatriotsArmand MembouMissouri · OT · JuniorThere’s a scenario where the Patriots could get Hunter, but I think they’d be comfortable settling for a promising tackle such as Membou. With Morgan Moses almost certainly locked in at right tackle, however, that likely means playing Membou at another spot; he was strictly an RT for three years at Mizzou.5 Jacksonville JaguarsTyler WarrenPenn State · TE · SeniorWith a first-year general manager/head coach combo — and the talent not synching perfectly with need — it’s tricky to forecast the Jaguars’ pick. They’ve made two big offseason additions in the secondary, but I think Liam Coen wants to add pieces to this offense. The versatile Warren can give him a more dangerous Tyler Higbee (whom Coen coached in L.A.).6 Las Vegas RaidersAshton JeantyBoise State · RB · JuniorIn my first mock a couple months ago, I sent Jeanty to the Raiders … and had people laughing at me on X. Now, projecting Jeanty to the Raiders is all the rage. Just remember who first sent you. With Geno Smith, Brock Bowers and Jeanty, the offensive identity would start taking shape — even if the WR room still needs major help.7 New York JetsMason GrahamMichigan · DT · JuniorThe Jets have needs at receiver, tight end and right tackle, but new head coach Aaron Glenn also could use another difference-maker on the defensive front. Graham lacks special physical traits but is the kind of tone-setter Glenn’s former team in Detroit always sought out in the trenches.8 Carolina PanthersMykel WilliamsGeorgia · Edge · JuniorI think the Panthers would be happy to land a very young, ascending talent for a defense that just allowed the most points in NFL history. Some team sources I’ve spoken to anticipate Williams going later in Round 1, but his massive upside should be appealing after an injury-plagued year.9 New Orleans SaintsShemar StewartTexas A&M · Edge · JuniorI could see new head coach Kellen Moore wanting to continue attacking the offensive line, but Stewart will be an enticing edge talent who can eventually take Cam Jordan’s spot. Stewart’s college production was disappointing, but he has star traits.10 Chicago BearsWill CampbellLSU · OT · JuniorWith Ashton Jeanty, Tyler Warren, Mykel Williams and Armand Membou off the board, this would almost be a nightmare scenario for GM Ryan Poles. Thankfully, Campbell remains available, and he’s capable of supplanting Braxton Jones at left tackle and completing Chicago’s OL remake.11 San Francisco 49ersJalon WalkerGeorgia · LB · JuniorThe 49ers are now without LB Dre Greenlaw and edge Leonard Floyd; technically, Walker can help at both spots. Finding his exact role and position will be key, but the dynamic Georgia defender can be a traditional off-ball linebacker on typical run downs and rush the quarterback in passing situations.12 Dallas CowboysOmarion HamptonNorth Carolina · RB · JuniorIf the Cowboys truly want to aid their new coach, why not give him a workhorse back who can grow into the spotlight in Dak Prescott’s later years. Brian Schottenheimer has always been a run-heavy, ball-control play-caller, although Texas WR Matthew Golden could tempt Dallas in this slot.13 Miami DolphinsWill JohnsonMichigan · CB · JuniorThere are big needs on both lines of scrimmage, but the Dolphins also don’t have a clear-cut starter opposite Jalen Ramsey at corner. Johnson could fit better in a man-heavier scheme, as Miami was a big Cover 2 team last season. That said, the Fins might be thrilled that he’s even available at No. 13; the pedigreed cover man would have been projected to go much higher had injuries not derailed his 2024 season.14 Indianapolis ColtsColston LovelandMichigan · TE · JuniorThe Colts really need a receiving upgrade at tight end. Loveland provides that, even if he won’t be cleared for contact until July following shoulder surgery. Despite playing through the injury for most of last season, Loveland was targeted more than twice as often as any other pass catcher in a limited Michigan passing game.15 Cleveland Browns PROJECTED TRADE WITH ATLANTA FALCONSShedeur SandersColorado · QB · SeniorI don’t know if this is exactly how it would go down, but the Browns could jump back into the first round — giving up high picks in Rounds 2 (No. 33 overall), 3 (No. 67) and 4 (No. 104) — to get the passer who best fits a Kevin Stefanski offense. Cleveland’s coach wants a tough, smart, accurate pocket passer, and those are Sanders’ best qualities.16 Arizona CardinalsJahdae BarronTexas · CB · SeniorBarron moved outside last season and proved he could handle that duty. I think the Cards could take a chance on his ballhawking skills, and — at worst — he’s a hybrid defender or a nickelback. Those have had increased value around the league in the past few years, especially the ones with a knack for playmaking.17 Cincinnati BengalsMike GreenMarshall · Edge · Junior (RS)Teams must fully vet Green’s background, but on the field, he’s a ready-made pass-rush talent who has boosted his profile significantly over the past eight months. He’s not the longest, thickest pass rusher in the class, but Green plays full tilt and has an arsenal of moves to get home.18 Seattle SeahawksTyler BookerAlabama · OG · JuniorThe Seahawks seem to be leaning into a ball-control, run-heavy offense, even with the addition of QB Sam Darnold. There is a starting job open at guard, where the ascending Booker can establish himself as a fixture for years. He’s not an elite athlete but is blessed with great power and finishing ability as a run blocker.19 Tampa Bay BuccaneersJihaad CampbellAlabama · LB · JuniorThe Bucs have traditionally not strayed too far from their primary needs under GM Jason Licht in Round 1, so snagging Campbell makes perfect sense — and could be a home run selection. I believe he’s a top-15 player in this draft and could be the franchise’s next great linebacker.20 Denver BroncosTetairoa McMillanArizona · WR · JuniorIf McMillan were to fall into this range, I could see a team like the Packers trying to trade up for him. But the Broncos would welcome another big target for Bo Nix, and they’ll want to plan for the potential loss of Courtland Sutton, who is heading into a contract season.21 Pittsburgh SteelersKenneth GrantMichigan · DT · JuniorThe Steelers have spent ample resources on the offensive line over the past few drafts and now must turn their attention to the other side of the trenches. The 330-pound Grant would fill a massive need inside, with Cameron Heyward turning 36 in May.22 Los Angeles ChargersDonovan EzeiruakuBoston College · Edge · SeniorGetting Khalil Mack to re-up on a reasonable deal was a coup, but he’s 34 and due to hit free agency again in a year. The similarly sized Ezeiruaku can operate as the third edge in a rush-heavy role in 2025 while preparing to take over for Mack in 2026.23 Green Bay PackersMatthew GoldenTexas · WR · JuniorWith Christian Watson recovering from a January ACL tear, the Packers might want to add another deep threat, even if Golden wasn’t extensively used downfield at Texas. It’s well-documented that the Packers have not drafted a receiver in Round 1 since Javon Walker in 2002, but I won’t be shocked if the run ends here.24 Philadelphia Eagles PROJECTED TRADE WITH MINNESOTA VIKINGSMalaki StarksGeorgia · S · JuniorWill it surprise anyone if Howie Roseman a) moves up aggressively to fill a top need and b) drafts a Georgia player? Starks is a cerebral defender with a lot of fans in league circles. First-round safeties are always a gamble, but there’s no team better equipped to take that risk.25 Houston TexansKelvin Banks Jr.Texas · OL · JuniorI thought about putting North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel here, but Texans GM Nick Caserio has used his high picks on Power Four prospects. Banks checks that box, and he could be prepped to start at guard in Year 1 before potentially kicking out to tackle later. One of Banks’ best games at Texas came as a freshman vs. Will Anderson Jr., a tape Caserio surely watched.26 Kansas City Chiefs PROJECTED TRADE WITH LOS ANGELES RAMSDerrick HarmonOregon · DL · Junior (RS)From 2016 through 2019, the Chiefs drafted six interior defensive linemen, five in the top 85 overall; since then, they’ve drafted one DT (Keondre Coburn, a sixth-rounder in 2023). Hence the desire to trade up ahead of some DL-needy teams for Harmon, who could be an eventual replacement for Chris Jones with his length and athletic twitch.27 Baltimore RavensJosh SimmonsOhio State · OT · Junior (RS)Near the end of Round 1, the Ravens have the luxury of taking Simmons, who’s coming off an ACL injury, and thinking more long term. They’ve taken chances on injury risks in the draft and had some payoff from that approach. Simmons might have been OT1 had he not gotten hurt.28 Detroit LionsGrey ZabelNorth Dakota State · IOL · SeniorDan Campbell and Brad Holmes will preach fit over need until they’re Honolulu Blue in the face. But with Zabel, they might check both boxes with one pick. After watching Zabel at the Senior Bowl, dispatching one defender after another, I thought, This guy just looks like a pro. Detroit has a gaping hole at right guard, and Zabel can fill it.29 Washington CommandersLandon JacksonArkansas · Edge · SeniorPerhaps this is a surprising name to some here, but Jackson’s elite length and athletic explosion could upgrade Washington’s edge group. His traits would work in a Dan Quinn defense and match many of the benchmarks the 49ers looked for when Commanders GM Adam Peters was scouting there.30 Buffalo BillsAzareye’h ThomasFlorida State · CB · JuniorIf the Bills don’t plan to bring back Rasul Douglas, I could see them targeting a longer corner such as Thomas. The Kaiir Elam experiment flopped, but that shouldn’t dissuade Buffalo from taking Thomas, who also had some great camp battles with Keon Coleman in their one season together at Florida State. A D-lineman could also make sense here.31 Los Angeles Rams PROJECTED TRADE WITH KANSAS CITY CHIEFSNick EmmanworiSouth Carolina · S · JuniorJust a wild guess here, but I can imagine the Rams being fans of Emmanwori. And I could see DC Chris Shula using Emmanwori where he’s best: in the box, as a pseudo linebacker. Shula’s mentor, Wade Phillips, deployed Mark Barron that way in L.A. Emmanwori’s path to success might be similar.32 Minnesota Vikings PROJECTED TRADE WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLESMaxwell HairstonKentucky · CB · Junior (RS)Moving back eight spots and landing a potential starting corner would be good work by the Vikings. Trading down would help Minnesota replenish a limited supply of draft picks (four at the moment). The Vikings could go with a guard here, but corner is the higher-priority position.BONUS PICKI have Atlanta trading out of Round 1 — but consequently picking at the top of Round 2. Might as well give Falcons fans a selection to chew on …33 Atlanta Falcons PROJECTED TRADE WITH CLEVELAND BROWNSWalter NolenMississippi · DT · JuniorThe Falcons have added pieces inside for Jeff Ulbrich’s defense, though there are few difference-makers on the D-line. Nolen isn’t a refined player just yet, but he’s a high-energy disruptor who can add to the pressure up front. |
