| It looked to some like the NFL was going to get new NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell to agree to the coveted 18th game without much of a fight, even with an amendment to the CBA that runs until 2030. But the rank and file has let Howell, an outside hire, how much they don’t like the idea of any more games. Mike Florio: NFL Players Association executive director Lloyd Howell has changed his tune. Wisely. Last year, Howell said this about the possibility of expanding to an 18-game regular season: “It sounds attractive. Who doesn’t want to see more football, myself included?” On Wednesday, Howell made it clear that plenty don’t want to see more football. “Right now when I have talked to players over the last two seasons, no one wants to play an 18th game,” Howell said at the NFLPA’s annual press conference. “No one. 17 games, for many of the guys, is too long.” Obviously, the two statements don’t mesh. It’s impossible to reconcile the nonchalance about more football from last year with the claim that, over two seasons, no player wants to add another game. Still, it wasn’t a mistake. It was a strategic reversal. It’s a realization that, to get the best possible deal for an agreement to add another regular-season game, the union’s message needs to be far closer to “never ever” than “whatever.” That’s how collective bargaining works, especially if the NFL wants to get the players to agree to add a game before the current CBA expires and the owners threaten/promise to lock the players out until they cry “uncle” on expansion. (And the owners surely believe they will.) Howell’s shift came a day after Commissioner Roger Goodell tried to downplay the league’s desire to add another game sooner than later. Regardless, we’ve reported that the NFL has a “laser focus” to get an agreement to add another game by the end of the year. And if that becomes part of CBA negotiations, so be it. The CBA can be extended or rewritten at any time. For now, the league has strategically created the impression that it’s in no hurry, even if it is. And the union has strategically created the impression that it doesn’t want 18 games, even if it will eventually relent. It’s all about posturing for the best deal. At some point, there will be 18 games. The questions are this: (1) when will they begin?; and (2) how much will the league give up to get an extra game? |
| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITA coaching addition to the Lions staff: @AdamSchefterDetroit Lions are adding former NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to their staff as an offensive assistant coach, per source. Gradkowski — who played 11 years in the NFL with the Bucs, Raiders, Bengals, Steelers, and Browns — spent the past two seasons as the Offensive Coordinator and play caller of the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL. He informed the Lions last night of his decision to take his first NFL coaching opportunity. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| TAMPA BAYThe Buccaneers have retained a key member of their braintrust in cap wizard Mike Greenberg who opted not to follow Liam Coen to Jacksonville. Rick Stroud in the Tampa Bay Times: For those keeping score, the Bucs have piled up some victories this offseason. Despite offensive coordinator Liam Coen reneging on a deal to remain with the Bucs to take the Jaguars head coaching job, general manager Jason Licht has been successful keeping his coaching and front office staffs mostly intact. On Tuesday, Tampa Bay assistant general manager Mike Greenberg withdrew his name from consideration for Jacksonville’s GM position. Greenberg indicated his decision had more to do with the 15 years he has enjoyed with the Bucs working with Licht and the Glazer family that owns the team than any reservations he might have had about Coen or the Jaguars organization. The Bucs could ill-afford to lose Greenberg, especially in the same offseason that assistant general manager John Spytek was hired as the Raiders GM. Greenberg’s loyalty to Licht and the Glazers heavily factored into the decision. He has been with the Bucs since 2010, starting as the team’s player personnel assistant. He rose steadily up the ranks, becoming a creative manager of the team’s salary cap. Greenberg was the third member of the Bucs organization that Coen and the Jaguars attempted to interview. Tampa Bay denied Jacksonville permission to speak with offensive line coaches Kevin Carberry and Brian Picucci because they would be making lateral moves. Tampa Bay could not prevent Greenberg from talking with Jacksonville, but it didn’t have to. Earlier this offseason, Greenberg interviewed for the Jets general manager position that went to Broncos assistant GM Darren Mougey, a longtime scout and executive in Denver. But that opportunity was a unique one for Greenberg, who began his NFL career as a football administration intern with the Jets in 2008. The Bucs have won four straight NFC South titles and been to the playoffs five consecutive years, the longest streak in the NFC. That’s due in no small part to Greenberg. He deftly managed the salary cap through the free-agent acquisition of Tom Brady and many high-priced free agents that resulted in a Super Bowl 55 championship following the 2020 season. When the Bucs became burdened by cap restrictions, Greenberg helped them stay relevant and become the league’s third-youngest team while maintaining the same standard. Last offseason, Greenberg helped Licht retain free agents such as wide receiver Mike Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield Jr., while extending the contract of All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSMelbourne, not Sydney, will be the host of the NFL’s first regular season game in Australia in 2026. But, as was rumored, the Rams are the home team. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The NFL announced what was anticipated — a multiyear commitment to play regular-season games in Melbourne, Australia. The Rams will kick things off in 2026 as the home team in a game to be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). “Expanding to Melbourne, Australia, a beautiful city with a rich sports history, underlines our ambitions to become a global sport and accelerate international growth,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Together with the Victorian State Government, Visit Victoria and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and with the Los Angeles Rams in 2026, we look forward to making history in what is an important market for the NFL and a significant next step in expanding our international footprint.” Australia is a new global market for the NFL with a growing fan base of 6.6 million. The Rams, along with the Eagles, hold marketing rights in Australia as part of the league’s Global Markets Program, an initiative that awards NFL teams international marketing rights to build brand awareness and fandom beyond the U.S., through fan engagement, events and commercial opportunities. Since being awarded those rights, the Rams have expanded their presence in Australia through partnerships and key player initiatives. The Rams’ opponent, along with game date and kickoff time, will be announced at a later date. “When we first identified Australia as one of our global markets, it was not only because of our passionate fans who reside there, but also because of the important role Los Angeles plays in serving as a gateway to Australia and many countries across the Pacific,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. “Today is an exciting day for Rams fans across the world, especially in Australia, where our players and organization have received an enthusiastic reception over the past few years when we have been in market. Even though Los Angeles is about as close to Australia as you can get in the mainland United States, it’s still about 16 hours (if your jet has enough fuel). So we think that’s the longest flight any team has ever taken to host a regular season NFL game (obviously the visiting team could be up to five hours further away). We see that Philadelphia to Sao Paulo, for example, is about ten hours. Los Angeles to Munich is 11 hours.- – –The Athletic has this on who might want WR COOPER KUPP. Jordan Rodrigue is the Rams correspondent fielding offers from other writers: A trade in which Kupp goes to a competitive team (he stressed the latter factor in his post) would be a best-case scenario for the Rams, who may have to take on part of his salary to do so. But which fit would be best? Our beat writers acted as their teams’ general manager to pitch their offers — with Rams reporter Jourdan Rodrigue making the final call. Atlanta FalconsRams get: 2025 fourth-round pick, 2025 seventh-round pickFalcons get: KuppThe Falcons might take a look here but shouldn’t be expected to break the bank for four reasons. First, Ray-Ray McCloud was a pleasant surprise this season, catching a career-high 62 passes for 686 yards in his first year in Atlanta. Second, acquiring Kupp would take away slot snaps from Drake London, who was very effective out of that alignment in 2024. Third, they don’t have a lot of expendable assets, and lastly, Kupp’s age (31) and injury history. Still, it’s possible former Rams assistant and current Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson would want to reunite with Kupp. Putting Kupp with London and Darnell Mooney would give Atlanta one of the deepest starting wide receiver units in the league. — Josh Kendall Baltimore RavensRams get: 2025 fourth- and sixth-round picksPatriots get: Kupp, Rams paying down part of Kupp’s contractTo be clear, this is a long shot. The Ravens have very little salary-cap flexibility and also feel good about their top two receivers, Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman, and their two pass-catching tight ends, Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. However, the Ravens have had success adding 30-plus-year-old wide receivers (Steve Smith Sr., Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin, to name a few) in the past, and it feels like an obligation on their behalf to kick the tires when another quality veteran becomes available at the position. The Ravens will need to add to their receiving corps this offseason with both their No. 3 receiver (Nelson Agholor) and No. 4 (Tylan Wallace) eligible for free agency. Quarterback Lamar Jackson loves working in the middle of the field, where Kupp is so dangerous. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta will also have as many as 11 draft picks to work with, so dealing two Day 3 selections for offensive help isn’t a difficult price to pay. The big question would be whether the Ravens can make the money work, and that’s certainly debatable. Still, they loved Kupp coming out of the 2017 draft and were disappointed when the Rams selected him five spots ahead of them in the third round. This could be a low-cost, better-later-than-never addition. — Jeff Zrebiec Dallas CowboysRams get: 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-round pickCowboys get: Kupp, Rams paying portion of Kupp’s 2025 salaryA fourth-round pick is probably what should be offered here, but the Cowboys traded theirs to Carolina in November for WR Jonathan Mingo. Dallas is far more conservative than the oddsmakers still continue to believe. The Cowboys are usually one of the Vegas favorites when a big-time player becomes available, yet they haven’t made a headline-grabbing move since trading a first-round pick to the Raiders for Amari Cooper in 2018. Seeing them among the favorites for Myles Garrett is laughable. But the compensation in this offer is similar to what Dallas gave up for Brandin Cooks two years ago. Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones recently sounded like they could be willing to be more active in improving their roster beyond just the draft. A No. 2 wide receiver is needed to play alongside CeeDee Lamb. As long as Kupp is healthy, this could be a good fit in Brian Schottenheimer’s first season as head coach and offensive play caller. The fan base is certainly frustrated about the current state of the franchise. Apathy is setting in. Jerry Jones has proven that he enjoys making moves for wide receivers. This one could make sense to him. — Jon Machota Denver BroncosRams get: 2025 sixth-round pickBroncos get: Kupp and Rams paying major portion of his 2025 salaryThe Broncos must become more efficient at attacking the “inner triangle” of the field, coach Sean Payton said at his end-of-season news conference late last month. Finding a running back and a tight end who can create mismatches in that area is a major priority for Denver this offseason as it aims to take another step offensively, but the team has also lacked a consistent slot receiver presence who can do the same. Kupp has not approached the production he provided as the NFL’s triple-crown leader in receiving in 2021, but he is still a weapon in tight space who could be a security blanket for a young quarterback like Bo Nix. The Rams will almost certainly have to eat a major portion of Kupp’s 2025 salary to facilitate a trade — perhaps all but the $5 million to $7 million he might be worth on the open market. After that part of the deal is in place, the Broncos could offer one of their two sixth-round picks in 2025. A deal like this could make sense for the Rams as a way to ensure Kupp doesn’t land with an NFC rival. — Nick Kosmider Houston TexansRams get: 2025 fourth-round pick, WR John Metchie IIITexans get: Kupp, Rams paying portion of his 2025 salaryHaving felt like they could have one of the league’s better wide receiver corps heading into the season, the Texans now must rebuild its WR room aside from Nico Collins this offseason. Tank Dell’s knee injury leaves his status for 2025 in doubt. Stefon Diggs, who also suffered a season-ending ACL injury, is a free agent. After that, there are a few what-ifs and question marks. Enter new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who’s spent the last two years as the Rams’ tight ends coach and passing game coordinator. Caley’s arrival and Kupp being on the trading block makes Houston an obvious connection. There would have to be some salary-cap gymnastics on the Texans’ part, though. It’s only February, but Houston currently has $101,553 in cap space, according to Over The Cap. With a $7.5 million roster bonus ($5 million guaranteed) and $12.5 million base salary due in 2025 and just north of $19 million due in 2026, Kupp may have to be willing to rework his deal to come to Houston. The Rams may have to take on some of his salary, too. All that could be true for any team trading for Kupp. Might it be easier to just re-sign Diggs on a team-friendly deal? Might it be easier to focus on the draft? Would it be better to keep assets and sell out for the Jets’ Garrett Wilson, if he becomes available via trade? Perhaps. But a team chasing the Chiefs and Ravens, among others, in a crowded AFC should turn every stone this offseason, and acquiring Kupp — despite his injury history and age — should at least be up for discussion. — Adam Coleman Los Angeles ChargersRams get: 2026 fourth-round pickChargers get: KuppThe Chargers got a fourth-round pick for Keenan Allen last offseason, and that feels like a good comparison. Allen was entering his age-32 season. Kupp is entering his age-32 season. Allen had a cap number of $23.1 million in 2024, according to Over the Cap. Kupp’s is $29.7 million in 2025. Allen was actually coming off a career season in yards and catches. Kupp is now four years removed from his career season in 2021. Kupp has not played more than 12 games in a season since that first-team All-Pro year. Durability is a concern. Allen missed seven games in 2022 and four games in 2023 before his trade. Allen was a more consistent producer before his trade. Kupp had a much higher ceiling, as evidenced by his 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021. I think the draft capital return for Kupp should be in the ballpark of Allen. The Chargers need a receiver. Kupp is not necessarily a perfect fit. He played more than 60 percent of his snaps in the slot over the past four seasons, according to TruMedia. Ladd McConkey spends most of his time in the slot, as well. The Chargers would likely be eyeing more of a true outside receiver. But Kupp is a bigger receiver than McConkey and can function outside more effectively. — Daniel Popper New England PatriotsRams get: 2025 fourth-round pickPatriots get: Kupp (and his contract)Kupp is past his prime, and the injury concerns are legit. That said, the Patriots aren’t in a position where they can say no to talented receivers just because their best is behind them or the contract is high. So Kupp should be a target for the Pats, especially because if they lose out in the Tee Higgins free-agency sweepstakes, there aren’t many great options. So this is a low-risk move for the Pats. If Kupp is frequently injured for them, then all they gave up is a Day-3 pick. If he stays healthy, then Drake Maye has a reliable and savvy route runner to throw to. — Chad Graff New York JetsRams get: WR Davante Adams and 2025 fifth-round pickJets get: Kupp and 2025 fourth-round pickA trade of convenience. Assuming Aaron Rodgers doesn’t return to the Jets, Adams won’t either. And as long as Adams would be open to going to the Rams, this could work out for both sides. Adams still has something left in the tank — over the last six games of 2024, he had 41 receptions for 576 yards and six touchdowns. Kupp is no longer the player he once was but he can still be a productive receiver in Tanner Engstrand’s Detroit-inspired offense, and he wouldn’t have to be the No. 1 in New York with Garrett Wilson still around. Financially, Adams has a big cap hit ($35.6 million base salary) but it’s entirely non-guaranteed and, thus, easy to renegotiate. — Zack Rosenblatt Pittsburgh SteelersRams get: 2025 fourth-round pickSteelers get: KuppThe Steelers plan to address wide receiver significantly this offseason and should be exploring all avenues to make it happen, including a trade like this one. While Kupp’s hefty salary-cap hit, injury history and age should help drive down the price, the veteran receiver does many things that would fit well in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme. Kupp’s willingness to work over the middle of the field meshes with Smith’s preferences in the passing game, and his effort as a blocker fits in Smith’s run-heavy offense. By bolstering the receiver room early in the offseason, the Steelers would gain some flexibility. They could then pursue the possibility of trading George Pickens, who is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract and could “hold in” to try to force the Steelers to hand over guaranteed money early. In that way, trading for Kupp could be part of a larger makeover. — Mike DeFabo Washington CommandersRams get: 2025 sixth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick (that could turn into a fourth or fifth)Commanders get: Kupp, the lowest of Rams’ three 2025 sixth-round picks, Rams paying portion of Kupp’s salaryThe excitement over the Commanders’ offseason opportunities is palpable. Lots of cap space and bandwagon momentum. Also, hello, who doesn’t want to play with Jayden Daniels? Beyond Daniels, a selling point for Kupp is Washington’s veteran rehabilitation program. Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz, Austin Ekeler, Jeremy Chinn and Dante Fowler arrived last offseason with various forms of “prove it” attached to their reputation. They all did. Injuries have dinged Kupp’s numbers and market value, but he has the size and route-running prowess to become an exceptional target for Daniels opposite Terry McLaurin. L.A. would have to eat a good chunk of Kupp’s 2025 compensation, and the 2026 draft pick turning into more than a sixth is based on the receiver’s production. The Rams would move up 18 spots in this year’s sixth round. — Ben Standig Rodrigue responds – Hang on a minute, not every team here is demanding that the Rams pay at least part of Kupp’s remaining contract? Which, to my knowledge, L.A. is willing to do for the right offer? That would normally narrow things down quite a bit, especially when — in the case of a great offer from the Jets — an above-average-to-excellent player like Adams is also in the mix. Yet there are some other factors in consideration, especially for a franchise that has frequently taken less in a trade return in order to work with outgoing players on preferred destination (yes, many fans hate this — so say my social media mentions): Houston just hired Caley as its new offensive coordinator, and Caley is very familiar with Kupp (plus the level of ability he still has) as well as how Kupp could fit into all-important blocking and pass protection schemes Caley must now install for C.J. Stroud. Which teams will legitimately be contenders? While the Jets’ offer looks nice, Kupp was clear in his statement on Monday that the Rams would help him go to a competitive team. If, as the offer states, the Jets move on from Rodgers — what is the quarterback plan? Unless … (don’t say it, Jourdan) … the Jets are planning on bringing over Matthew Stafford, too?! Through that lens, the Ravens, Commanders, Texans and perhaps the Broncos look like fits for Kupp. The Steelers, who league sources said made calls on Kupp in 2024 as they went receiver shopping ahead of the trade deadline, could be a nice fit especially for Kupp as a blocker. … But I’m in charge here. Kupp will head to Washington, rekindle some of those good football vibes with Daniels, Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury. If the Rams are paying some of the salary and one of the picks is production-based, the Commanders aren’t getting a pick in return. Come on, now. Work with me, Ben/Adam Peters! |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYMike Jones on the way Andy Reid has kept the Chiefs locked in for their run of over a decade, with Super Bowls in five of the last six seasons: Throughout what will go down as a legendary NFL coaching career, Andy Reid has routinely drawn praise for strong leadership skills, attention to detail and a highly creative mind that enables him to tailor offenses to his players’ strengths. Indeed, Reid has proved himself as a masterful offensive architect and play caller. However, his greatest superpower just might be his ability to safeguard his players against the fatal flaw of complacency. Hats off to Chiefs general manager Brett Veach and his talent evaluation staff for the work they have done over the years. Kansas City is a well-constructed, talented juggernaut with perfectly fitting puzzle pieces. However, the Chiefs’ sustained success — three Super Bowl victories in the last five seasons, five Super Bowl appearances in the last six years and this week’s shot at an unprecedented three-peat — can be traced to Reid and the mental edge he has imparted to his players while installing a culture fueled on an undying quest for greatness. Football is a game full of ever-changing variables with outcomes determined by inches and only a handful of plays. Physical prowess often carries players and teams a long way. However, the mental fortitude often defines the elite, and the Chiefs seemingly have mastered this aspect of the game. The great Mia Hamm once said, “It is more difficult to stay on top than to get there.” That proves true because the team that reaches the mountaintop suddenly becomes the hunted, drawing the best efforts from every opponent. But it’s also hard to remain on top because success often breeds complacency, and, as a wise man once said, “Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive.” I wouldn’t call the Chiefs paranoid, but they do possess a healthy respect for the game and their opponents, as well as a humility that keeps them mindful of the fact that their perch atop the league could end at any time. They drew that understanding from sermons preached by Reid year after year, offseason after offseason, practice after practice and game after game. “We have a great head coach that instilled that — like, at any given moment, we could get knocked off,” Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu said. That reminder helps prevent Kansas City’s players from relenting. Said center Creed Humphrey: “It’s the culture that’s been built within the building, you know? From everybody in the front office, to coaches, to players. There’s a great culture in Kansas City, and it’s been maintained well. And I think that’s the biggest thing. You’ve got the leaders of the team making sure everybody’s living up to that standard every day.” We have long heard of “The Patriot Way,” and Bill Belichick’s “Do your job” slogan. Reid may be an offensive genius with a head and playbook full of dazzling formations, concepts and play designs. But he — not unlike Belichick — takes a very simple and straight-forward approach to instilling a winning mindset in his team. “We try to focus on the game,” he said Tuesday when asked for his keys to protecting his players over the years from complacency. “Try to keep it at that. ‘Work hard.’ A lot of times when you work hard, it keeps everything focused more so than backing off. Our guys have done that. They do it from training camp on, and they’ve been doing it up to this week. I’ve got a good locker room on top of that. The senior veterans in there don’t let things slide. So a good locker room and great coaches that help me with this.” Chiefs players say everyone takes their cue from Reid, who devotes the same level of detail to planning and communicating the plan for the team’s offseason conditioning program as he does a week of Super Bowl preparation. The consistency and detailed approach then has a trickle-down effect. The Chiefs’ roster is built on elite-level cornerstones like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Chris Jones, Joe Thuney, Humphrey and Trent McDuffie, who all have multiple All-Pro or Pro Bowl nods on their resumes. But all of those players, along with less-heralded leaders, also are among the hardest-working players on the roster. Reid entrusted them with the task of setting a team-wide tone of diligence, dedication and accountability. Reid credits Veach for the environment within the locker room because he found “the right kind” of players — guys with mindsets of unquenchable thirst for growth and improvement. But Reid also empowered his players by embracing their creativity and integrating their ideas into the playbook. And when you’re a young player and you see Mahomes and Kelce working on the side to perfect or create new play concepts, that proves contagious. The same goes for defensive players, who closely observe Jones’ relentless approach. “He’s just very passionate,” young defensive end George Karlaftis said of Jones. “When a guy is still like that and has had all that success … they have this much success and this much passion that they wear it on their sleeve, you can’t help but have that too.” Winning never gets old for the Chiefs. Their passion never fades because Reid sets the tone on Day 1 of a new season, having turned the page on the previous Super Bowl run. Meanwhile, his veteran players strike a balance between drawing on the experiences of success but never taking them for granted. “We have such an appreciation for the process and how hard it is to get to the Super Bowl,” Mahomes said. “We start from the beginning. We don’t just rely on what got us there the year before. We just really go back to ground zero. We work our tail off just to be the best that we can be, knowing that it’s going to be a hard process and journey to get back to the Super Bowl. And so when we have a bunch of guys like that, it kind of fuels you to be the best you can be every single day.” There’s always room for growth, Mahomes reminds his teammates. He said he regularly consults Tom Brady and Peyton Manning for critiques of his game, for keys to manipulating and attacking defenses and how to better control game tempo. And Omenihu said that although reaching a third straight Super Bowl was always the goal, one major point of emphasis all year was greater regular-season excellence. Well before the season kicked off, Reid and team leaders pointed out the Chiefs’ 11-6 record in 2023, and that the six losses were their most since 2017. “It was a big thing for us to have a great regular season, and that’s what we did, and it led to us having the No. 1 seed in the playoffs,” said Omenihu, whose Chiefs went 15-2. “Now we’ve got to finish.” Finishing will require the same simple, unwavering and complacent-free commitment to excellence, Reid said. “We keep it that simple, really, and know that it’s about the game,” he said. “All this other stuff doesn’t necessarily matter. It matters to people on the entertainment part of the business, but for our guys, it’s focusing on the game, and the guys, our coaches, myself, we never really let the focus get too far from what’s real, and that’s playing the game.” |
| AFC NORTH |
| CINCINNATIThe Bengals are staring at losing WR TEE HIGGINS and EDGE TREY HENDRICKSON to free agency, plus WR Ja’MARR CHASE needs mega millions. QB JOE BURROW has put his math skills to work and thinks they can be paid enough to all stay in the Queen City of the Ohio. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is continuing his push for the team to keep the band together. Burrow has expressed his preference that the Bengals hold onto wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as well as defensive end Trey Hendrickson on many occasions and he did so again during an appearance on Fox Sports’ Breakfast Ball on Thursday. Burrow added impending free agent tight end Mike Gesicki to the mix and said that the team has the cap space to work out deals with all of the players. “I do. I do,” Burrow said, via Paul Dehner of TheAthletic.com. “We have the cap space to get it done. I want to make it happen. Everybody involved Trey, Tee, Ja’Marr, Mike G, we all want to stay together. When you have guys that are motivated like that I think you can get those things done.” Burrow’s mention of the team’s cap space is notable and a simple restructure of Burrow’s contract would clear more cap space now by moving some of his $46.25 million cap hit into the future. It wouldn’t do anything to reduce the total payout, however, and that has been a sticking point for the Bengals when it comes to holding onto their own players over the years. Outside of Burrow redoing his deal to take less money, there’s not much he can do to change that part of the equation which may mean that the saber rattling stops short of bringing him the result that he wants. |
| CLEVELANDIf the Browns cave to the contract request of EDGE MYLES GARRETT, CB DENZEL WARD might follow per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com: “(The request) has a huge impact, honestly,” Ward told cleveland.com on radio row Wednesday at Super Bowl LIX, with Garrett also making the media rounds. “I want to play with Myles Garrett. He’s a Hall of Fame player. I came in the league, he was on the team and that’s my guy. So I’ve been talking to him and I know he said he wants out, but you’ve just got to hear where he’s coming from. He wants to win, so we’ll see what the near future holds.” Is Ward suggesting he might follow suit and ask out if Garrett gets dealt? “I want to be in Cleveland,” he said. “I want to win. I’m definitely keeping an eye on what Myles has going on and what’s he doing. I’m just interested in seeing how everything plays out. Like I said, I want to play with Myles Garrett, and we’ve just got to wait and see.” The No. 4 overall pick in 2018 out of Ohio State, Ward is a Cleveland native and four-time Pro Bowler who’s wanted nothing more than to win a Super Bowl for his hometown team. But like Garrett, his championship window is narrowing and he wants to contend. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| JACKSONVILLELaim Coen is filling out his offensive staff with the addition of Shane WaldronL Former Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has found a landing spot for 2025. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Waldron is joining the Jaguars’ coaching staff, likely as pass-game coordinator. Waldron, 45, coached with Coen on the Rams from 2018-2020. The Bears hired Waldron last year after he’d spent 2021-2023 as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator. But things did not work well, as the club then fired him on Nov. 12 after just nine games. Waldron was with Los Angeles from 2017-2020 as tight ends coach, passing game coordinator, and QBs coach. Jacksonville hired Grant Udinski to be Coen’s first offensive coordinator on Wednesday night. Coen has said he will call plays for the club in 2025. Udinski is only 29. Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: Udinski, who just turned 29 in January, comes over from the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent 2024 as Kevin O’Connell’s assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach “Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville,” Coen said in a statement. “He is a rising star in this league that has been a pillar of success for the Vikings organization and we can’t wait to have him lead our offense.” Udinski had a hand in Sam Darnold’s career campaign, as the former No. 3 overall pick registered the most wins by any quarterback in NFL history in their first season with a team (14). Darnold completed 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and led the NFL in completions (34) and completion percentage (49.3%) on throws 20+ yards downfield. Udinski coached a total of three seasons with the Vikings. He also spent two years with the Carolina Panthers as a coaching assistant after connecting with Matt Rhule as a graduate assistant at Baylor. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| HALL OF FAME PREDICTIONThe NFL has moved NFL Honors to Thursday night from Saturday (among other reasons it would allow players from the two competing teams to be in the audience so someone like Saquon Barkley could pick up the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award in person). And that means we find out the Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Let’s see who Adam Rank of NFL.com thinks gets in: “The knock.” It’s coming. The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled its 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2025 back in December: Eric Allen, CBJared Allen, DEWillie Anderson, OTJahri Evans, OGAntonio Gates, TETorry Holt, WRLuke Kuechly, LBEli Manning, QBSteve Smith Sr., WRTerrell Suggs, DE/OLBFred Taylor, RBAdam Vinatieri, KReggie Wayne, WRDarren Woodson, SMarshal Yanda, OG/OT Up to five of those players will be revealed as Hall of Famers on Thursday night at NFL Honors, which will air live at 9 p.m. ET on FOX and NFL Network and stream on NFL+ from the Saenger Theater in New Orleans. This has easily become one of the best parts of Super Bowl week. Who’s it going to be this year? Here’s my best guess, and just to be clear — yes, these are predictions and not necessarily a reflection of how I would vote. Adam Vinatieri, KNew England Patriots, 1996-2005; Indianapolis Colts, 2006-2019I don’t think special-teamers have received a fair shake over the years. Kicker Jan Stenerud was a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 1991 and we didn’t see another pure specialist inducted until punter Ray Guy in 2014. Since then, kicker Morten Andersen (2017) and return specialist Devin Hester (2024) have been enshrined. So, we’re cool with special-teamers now? OK, good. So, I believe Vinatieri will get in on the first ballot, no question. He made the game-tying and game-winning kicks in the famed “Tuck Rule” game. He hit the walk-off against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV, and kicked the game-winner against the Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. He provided plenty of other memorable moments. I mean, he’s the all-time leader in career points (2,673). This one is pretty easy. Torry Holt, WRSt. Louis Rams, 1999-2008; Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009Speaking of that Rams team, it’s time to break up the logjam at the wide receiver position. There are a lot of worthy Hall of Fame candidates at the position, and the field is only going to get more stacked next time around when guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Dez Bryant and Julian Edelman become eligible for the first time. I would love to see Holt in the Hall of Fame. He deserves it as one of the most dominant receivers of his era. This is long overdue. Antonio Gates, TESan Diego/Los Angeles Chargers 2003-2018Did you know Gates played basketball in college? Just kidding. I mean, he did, but it seemed like announcers couldn’t wait to mention that in every game he played. Seriously, though, Gates was one of the premier tight ends of his era. He was one of the most reliable targets for Drew Brees and Philip Rivers during his time in San Diego. I’m kind of shocked Gates didn’t get enough votes in 2024, his first year of eligibility. Luke Kuechly, LBCarolina Panthers, 2012-2019Kuechly played for just eight seasons, that is true. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year (2012) and Defensive Player of the Year (2013) in his first two seasons. He was also a five-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler. And you might think to yourself, those credentials are a lot like the credentials of Patrick Willis, and it took Willis years to get into the Hall. You would be right, but I don’t believe Kuechly is going to be made to wait. WHICH LEADS US TO … Eli Manning, QBNew York Giants, 2004-2019Again, I’m not saying how I would vote here. However, if Manning does not get in on the first ballot, he would join Jim Plunkett, for at least a year, as the only Hall-eligible starting quarterbacks to win two Super Bowls and not be enshrined in Canton, Ohio. The case against Eli is that he was never one of the truly elite quarterbacks of his era when you compare him with his older brother, Peyton, Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. But Eli’s teams also beat Rodgers and Brady twice during Super Bowl runs. People love to say wins are not a quarterback stat, but the truth is Super Bowl wins matter a lot in this context. My PREDICTION is the voters will put Manning in this year. The voting isn’t always easy to predict, but that’s how I see it playing out this time. The DB disagrees with Rank, we don’t think special teamers are under-appeciated in the Hall. In fact, if Morten Andersen got in, then a whole lot of other kickers should be admitted such as Jason Hansen, Jason Elam, Robbie Gould, Gary Anderson, Matt Stover and untold others yet to come. That said, even though his actual kicking power was average, we would be okay with Vinatieri going into the Hall as the all-time leading scorer and multi-time Super Bowl champ. Should he go in as a First Ballot Super Hall of Famer? Not so sure on that. We know it would be two wide receivers in the same class, but we would vote for: ANTONIO GATES – should have gone in last yearTORRY HOLTSTEVE SMITH, Sr.JARED ALLEN – he’s waited long enoughERIC ALLEN – 19th year of eligibility We would be fine with Eli Manning, Luke Kuechley and Vinatieri. |
| THE THEME OF THE DAYDan Wetzel of YahooSports.com agrees with The Commish that it is ridiculous to think that the Chiefs have benefitted from a long run of favorable and controversial calls because of any sort of plot from the league office and its officials. But he admits, the belief has taken hold. Early last week I wrote a column rejecting the ridiculous conspiracy that the NFL, via its referees, were trying to fix/influence games to the benefit of the bottom line (TV ratings, sponsorships) by helping the Kansas City Chiefs. The reasons were myriad. Many, if not most, of the 3,200-plus comments rejected my take on it. While I can’t believe any reasonable person could take the conspiracy seriously, they can’t believe I’d be so naïve to not. So be it. Except the refs remain the topic of the week here as everyone builds to Sunday’s Super Bowl between Kansas City and Philadelphia. The NFL would love the focus to be on the players or strategies or pretty much anything else, but the drumbeat that the games are rigged is drowning everything out. “This reminds me a little bit of the script; that I write a script for the entire season, right?” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. Some people apparently believe that as well. Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, meanwhile, turned the tables and asked something to the “media.” “Why are you guys leaning into this whole ref thing?” Kelce asked. Good question. Or perhaps, a good question a decade or two ago. Back then, “media” was more clearly defined and you could, perhaps, count on them to be informed enough to recognize that such a vast conspiracy to alter the outcome of games — refs, league executives, other owners, etc. — is impossible to pull off in silence. You could likewise expect the “media” to understand that the risk of federal felony charges and massive civil suits would outweigh getting Fox an extra percentage point of viewership from Taylor Swift fans. (I even argue that Buffalo being here would have resulted in bigger ratings, higher ticket prices and certainly more excitement.) The “media” would ignore the tin foil hat brigade and not play along. Those days are gone now though — and this isn’t to wax nostalgic, just to point it out. Fan voices are loud and the ones calling for conspiracies are particularly loud as they get amplified online. This is no longer one crank at the end of the bar. “A lot of those theories are things that happen on social media and they get a lot of life,” Goodell acknowledged. “I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion.” Traditional media, meanwhile, is clinging to life. Ignoring what fans are talking about is risky. These are the customers. As such, outlets provide content that draw eyeballs. And with this Super Bowl, that means the refs. The NFL kicks off Super Bowl week with a mass gathering of “media” hitting players and coaches with “questions.” Credentialing is lax as the league seeks to reach audiences far from the traditional sports channels. These are not just your local newspaper beat writers. It is branded, sponsored and televised. The goal for many outlets is to produce a viral clip. That means being outlandish, even essentially insulting players such as Kelce and Patrick Mahomes with questions that they would never dare ask in a more intimate setting. “Patrick, for your whole career you have had so many great people help you win,” Mahomes was asked. “So, who is your favorite ref?” “That’s hilarious,” Mahomes said, seemingly playing along because he knows getting upset or insulted would make it only bigger. “All the refs are great, man. All the refs are great. They do the best they can. We go out there and play the game the right way.” “Is there one you give a Christmas card to possibly?” he was asked. “Not that I can remember,” Mahomes said. “I’ll have to ask my teammates to try and figure it out.” Kelce was soon a target as well. “Travis, what do you love more: Taylor Swift or phantom 15-yard roughing the passer penalties in the playoffs?” “That’s a good question,” a not amused Kelce said. “Anybody else?” The bits went viral — including being repeated here. Content! Engagement! These may have been rude questions to ask, but they also tapped into what a lot of fans actually want asked and in the pointed manner they want it asked. Was it the right thing to do? It doesn’t matter, that’s the environment we live in. It was successful. Kelce can understandably wonder why he has to deal with this kind of stuff, but it wasn’t the “media” that put him up on a stage to be hit with these kinds of loaded queries. The NFL did that, determining that this is part of the job — which gets excused by the fact the job is so lucrative that Mahomes is on his way to becoming a billionaire and Kelce is dating perhaps the most famous woman in the world. Sure, in a perfect world, common sense, respect and restraint would prevail. This isn’t a perfect world. And the truth remains: a lot of fans think the Chiefs get the benefit of a favorable whistle. The only way to combat this is to try to refute it, which the referees are trying. “Officiating crews do not work the same team more than twice each regular season,” said Scott Green of the referee’s association. “It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team.” Good start but also, good luck with that. The reality is enough of the public believes otherwise and enough media plays to that worldview making the biggest storyline of the biggest game of the year what it is. Even Goodell acknowledges that. “[It’s] a ridiculous theory, for anyone who might take it seriously,” the commissioner said. “But at the end of the day, it’s something we always have to continue to work on.” Especially when, inevitably, a blown call goes in Kansas City’s favor. |
| 2025 DRAFTPenn State DL ABDUL CARTER has taken over as the consensus top prospect in the upcoming draft. The question remains – is he good enough to be taken even by a quarterback-needy team like the Titans? In his Mock Draft, Mason Cameron of ProFootballFocus.com says he is: With the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl officially in the books, the pre-draft evaluation process shifts into high gear. After the week of practices, drills and game action in Mobile, scouts and analysts have gathered valuable insights into this year’s top prospects. Now, it’s time to break down how these players stack up and project where they may fit in the 2025 NFL Draft class. 1. Tennessee Titans: ED Abdul Carter, Penn StateAll eyes are on the Titans at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft, as the franchise faces several glaring roster needs and could take multiple paths to address them. Their decision will have a cascading effect on how the rest of the draft unfolds. One player who has gained momentum in recent weeks is Abdul Carter, whose betting odds to be the No. 1 overall pick have shortened significantly. The explosive junior pass rusher delivered another dominant season in 2024, earning a 92.3 pass-rush grade — his second straight year eclipsing the 90.0 mark. Over the past two seasons, he has ranked in the 99th percentile in several of PFF’s most stable pass-rushing metrics, including pass-rush grade against true pass sets and pass-rush win rate. If selected by the Titans, Carter would provide an immediate boost to a pass rush that ranked bottom five in team pass-rush grade, pass-rush win rate, and pressure rate in 2024. 2. Cleveland Browns: QB Cam Ward, Miami (FL)After reinjuring his Achilles, Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the entire 2025 season. And even if he had stayed on track in his recovery, his limited availability (he’s made just 22 starts since signing his deal in 2022) and lack of consistent production (he earned an 80.0-plus passing grade in only one game) make a strong case for the Browns to seek his replacement. Ward, who led the FBS with a 91.7 passing grade in 2024, could provide the fresh start Cleveland desperately needs at quarterback. 3. New York Giants: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado With two-way star Travis Hunter still on the board, the Giants would face a difficult decision: add one of the most talented skill players to enter the draft in decades or prioritize the game’s most valuable position. Ultimately, investing in a quarterback would be the logical move for a front office under pressure in 2025, especially with limited proven options available through other avenues. Sanders has a strong foundation as a passer, with fundamentally sound throwing mechanics that give him the tools to develop at the next level. However, his most impressive trait may be his ability to limit mistakes. Since moving to the FBS, he has produced a negatively graded throw on just 10.9% of his dropbacks, a 97th-percentile mark. 4. New England Patriots: WR/CB Travis Hunter, ColoradoLanding the greatest two-way threat in college football history would be a massive win for Mike Vrabel as he looks to rebuild a Patriots roster with plenty of holes to fill. While New England has significant cap space to address its needs in free agency, adding a uniquely versatile talent like Travis Hunter would provide an instant impact on both sides of the ball. Hunter, who earned 89.0-plus PFF grades as both a receiver and coverage defender in 2024, would allow the Patriots to allocate resources elsewhere, particularly toward protecting their young quarterback, Drake Maye. 5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DI Mason Graham, MichiganDespite having quality edge rushers in Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, the Jaguars struggled to generate pressure in 2024, posting the seventh-lowest pressure rate (30.8%) in the NFL. The primary issue was the interior, where Jacksonville’s defensive tackles recorded a league-worst 8.9% pass-rush win rate. Graham would provide an immediate impact. Since the start of 2023, he has posted elite marks in the stable metrics for interior defenders, ranking in the 96th percentile or better in pass-rush grade against true pass sets and run-stop percentage. 6. Las Vegas Raiders: WR Tetairoa McMillan, ArizonaWhether it’s Russell Wilson, as some reports suggest, or another quarterback under center, the Raiders would be wise to set up their next signal-caller for success by adding a true X receiver with difference-making size. McMillan pairs impressive acceleration for his stature with strong play at the catch point, making him one of the nation’s most dangerous deep threats. Since the start of 2023, he has secured 25 receptions of 20 or more yards—the most in the Power Five. 7. New York Jets: CB Will Johnson, Michigan With Aaron Glenn now leading the Jets, Gang Green’s defensive identity isn’t going anywhere. In Detroit, Glenn deployed the highest rate of Cover 1 in 2024, emphasizing cornerbacks who excel in man coverage. Johnson’s combination of size and understanding of leverage made him highly effective in those situations. He earned a 90.8 PFF grade in man coverage in 2022 and 2023 before battling injuries in 2024. With D.J. Reed set to hit free agency, finding a cornerback to pair with Sauce Gardner will be a top priority for New York. 8. Carolina Panthers: S Malaki Starks, GeorgiaAlthough this defense desperately needs pass rushers, the 2025 draft class is loaded with talent at the position, making it likely that a quality option could fall to them on Day 2. However, high-end safety prospects are far less common in this year’s class — with the exception of Starks, who stands well above the rest as the premier talent at the position. Carolina ranked 31st in EPA allowed per dropback in 2024, struggling particularly against the deep ball. The Panthers allowed a 48% completion rate on passes targeted 20 or more yards downfield, the second-highest mark in the NFL. Starks’ fluid hips and top-end speed would be a pivotal addition to Carolina’s secondary, providing the range and coverage ability needed to help shore up their deep-passing vulnerabilities. 9. New Orleans Saints: TE Tyler Warren, Penn StateWith Taysom Hill suffering a serious knee injury at age 34 and Juwan Johnson set to enter free agency, the Saints could use a physical, game-changing receiving threat like Tyler Warren at tight end. The Penn State standout delivered in a big way in his senior season, hauling in 34 receptions of 15 or more yards and averaging 2.71 yards per route run. His dominance in the passing game earned him a 93.3 PFF receiving grade, the highest among Power Five tight ends in 2024. Warren would be a natural fit in a Saints offense that utilized 12-personnel at a top-eight rate last season. 10. Chicago Bears: T Will Campbell, LSUBen Johnson’s first priority as Chicago’s head coach must be fixing the offensive line, particularly in pass protection for Caleb Williams. The Bears allowed the highest sack rate in the NFL (9.9%) in 2024, making it critical to provide their young quarterback with better protection. While the tackle spots are more secure, finding the best five-man combination up front will be essential to the team’s future success. 11. San Francisco 49ers: T Kelvin Banks Jr., TexasThe 49ers are preparing to invest heavily in Brock Purdy, with a massive extension on the horizon. That deal will likely limit their spending in free agency, making protecting their franchise quarterback an even greater priority. With Aaron Banks’ contract expiring and Trent Williams entering his age-37 season while coming off an injury, selecting the Texas tackle would address both an immediate need on the interior and provide a long-term solution at tackle. 12. Dallas Cowboys: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State Sometimes, the simplest answer is the right one. It’s rare for a prospect of this caliber and fit to fall outside the top 10, making this an easy decision. Ashton Jeanty is ranked No. 5 on PFF’s big board for a reason. His 96.6 rushing grade in 2024 is the highest ever recorded by an FBS running back with at least 100 carries in PFF’s college football grading history. 13. Miami Dolphins: T Josh Simmons, Ohio StateGiven the massive investment in Tua Tagovailoa—and his injury history—premium pass protection will always be a priority for Miami. Although he is coming off a knee injury that ended his season, Simmons is expected to fully recover by training camp. His pass-blocking ability is undeniable. Before going down in Week 7, he posted an 88.4 pass-blocking grade and allowed zero pressures on 148 pass-blocking snaps. 14. Indianapolis Colts: ED James Pearce Jr., TennesseeAlthough the Colts’ defensive front dealt with injury misfortune in 2024, even at full strength, the unit lacked the explosive pass-rushing presence needed to change a game. Enter Pearce, a twitchy edge rusher with fast hands and an impressive speed-to-power transition for his size. His 89.9 pass-rush grade reflects his disruptive ability, which could immediately boost a Colts defense that ranked 28th in pressure rate last season. 15. Atlanta Falcons: WR Luther Burden III, MissouriWith Michael Penix Jr. set to take over as the starter in 2025, surrounding him with more offensive firepower would be a smart way to set him up for early success. Luther Burden is a natural playmaker out of the slot, excelling with the ball in his hands. Over the past two seasons, he has ranked in the 87th percentile in yards after catch per reception, showcasing his dynamic ability in the open field. Pairing Burden with Darnell Mooney and Drake London, who is coming off his best season as a pro, would give Penix one of the most talented receiving corps in the NFL. 16. Arizona Cardinals: OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia While Walker played both on the edge and off-ball at Georgia, he has quickly emerged as a promising edge defender, where he’s shown the most upside. He also thrives in big moments, recording all four of his sacks in 2024 against College Football Playoff teams (Clemson, Texas and Tennessee). With Jonathan Gannon looking to revamp a pass rush that ranked 29th in pass-rush win rate, Walker would be a natural fit on the edge for this Cardinals defense. 17. Cincinnati Bengals: DI Kenneth Grant, MichiganWith B.J. Hill’s contract expiring, the Bengals face a significant void on the interior defensive line. Even with Hill, Cincinnati struggled mightily up front in 2024, ranking 31st in pass-rush win rate from the interior and featuring just one defensive tackle — Hill himself — who earned a run-defense grade above 54.0. Adding Grant to the interior would be a much-needed solution, immediately upgrading both the pass rush and run defense for a unit needing reinforcements. 18. Seattle Seahawks: ED Shemar Stewart, Texas A&MSenior Bowl week may be just the first phase of the pre-draft process, but no player elevated their stock more than the Texas A&M edge rusher. Stewart dominated throughout Senior Bowl practices, firmly thrusting his name into the first-round conversation. Mike Macdonald’s defense generated pressure at a top-three rate in 2024, but much of that success may have been driven by scheme and circumstance. The unit ranked inside the top six in both unblocked and clean-up pressures, suggesting some potential variance in sustainable pass-rush production. Adding an explosive edge rusher like Stewart would make a true difference off the edge, helping to stabilize and elevate the pass rush beyond scheme-driven opportunities. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: ED Mike Green, MarshallEven among a deep group of Power Five prospects, Mike Green has risen up the ranks. After a standout season at Marshall, where he finished as the highest-graded edge defender in the nation, Green validated his talent at the Senior Bowl, flashing against NFL-caliber competition. With the Buccaneers holding just one proven edge rusher — Yaya Diaby — under contract and limited cap space, Green could step in and make an immediate impact on Tampa Bay’s defense. 20. Denver Broncos: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio StateThe Broncos’ top priority this offseason must be surrounding Bo Nix with more weapons as he enters Year 2. Emeka Egbuka would give Sean Payton’s offense a dynamic slot threat who uses his elite body control, speed and football IQ to create separation consistently. While an injury in 2023 limited his production, he proved his playmaking ability in 2022 and 2024, earning an 82.0-plus receiving grade while surpassing 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in both seasons. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Matthew Golden, TexasWith reports suggesting that Pittsburgh will likely bring back Justin Fields as its starting quarterback in 2025, adding young talent to the receiver room would be a logical next step. Golden showed steady improvement throughout his college career, culminating in a breakout 2024 season. He delivered his best performances under pressure, excelling in Texas’ three postseason games, where he posted an 84.2 receiving grade and averaged 3.58 yards per route run. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: TE Colston Loveland, MichiganLike their division rivals in Denver, the Chargers need more playmakers—beyond Ladd McConkey—to step up and provide Justin Herbert with reliable targets. Colston Loveland took his game to another level in 2024, earning a career-best 90.6 receiving grade, highlighting his natural pass-catching ability and refined route-running. Having already won a national championship together at Michigan, a Loveland-Jim Harbaugh reunion in Los Angeles would be a low-risk, high-upside move for the Chargers offense. 23. Green Bay Packers: Nic Scourton, Texas A&M Although the Packers finished top-five in sacks during the regular season, they led the NFL in unblocked sacks, raising concerns about the sustainability of their pass rush. Among Green Bay’s four edge rushers with 150 or more pass-rush snaps in 2024, only Rashan Gary posted a double-digit pass-rush win rate. That wouldn’t be an issue for Nic Scourton, who has exceeded a 19.1% win rate in each of the past two seasons. The former Aggie and Boilermaker brings versatility, capable of rushing with his hand up or down from either side, giving the Packers defense a much-needed disruptive presence off the edge. 24. Minnesota Vikings: CB Jahdae Barron, TexasWith multiple expiring contracts in the secondary, the Vikings must prioritize addressing the position early in the draft. Barron brings a highly sought-after skill set for Brian Flores’ scheme, excelling in spot zone coverage with strong instincts and anticipation across multiple alignments. His Power Five-leading 90.2 coverage grade further highlights his ability to impact the game, making him a good fit for Minnesota’s defense. 25. Houston Texans: DI Walter Nolen, MississippiWhile Houston would love to add a receiving threat, with the top options off the board, this pick can be used to revitalize a struggling defensive interior. In 2024, Texans defensive tackles combined for a 38.6 run-defense grade, ranking 28th in the NFL. Enter Walter Nolen, whose 90.4 run-defense grade ranked second among FBS interior defenders, trailing only projected top-10 pick Mason Graham. His presence would provide an immediate boost to a Texans front in need of reinforcement. 26. Los Angeles Rams: T Armand Membou, MissouriWith Alaric Jackson set to test free agency and Rob Havenstein entering his age-33 season in the final year of his contract, the Rams will undoubtedly prioritize offensive tackle in this draft. Membou, who earned a 90.4 overall grade in 2024, graded in the 87th percentile or better as both a run and pass blocker. His athleticism and versatility would provide the Rams with a flexible, high-upside option on the outside. 27. Baltimore Ravens: T Josh Conerly Jr., OregonFilling the void at left tackle left by Ronnie Stanley’s impending free agency will be a top priority for the Ravens’ offense. Josh Conerly Jr. would be a natural fit on the left side after posting an 83.0 pass-blocking grade in 2024. He also allowed just a 0.6% knockdown rate across 1,000-plus pass-blocking snaps. 28. Detroit Lions: CB Benjamin Morrison, Norte DameWith Detroit promoting Kelvin Sheppard to replace Aaron Glenn as defensive coordinator, the Lions are expected to continue deploying one of the heaviest Cover 1 rates in the NFL. That makes Benjamin Morrison an ideal fit. The Notre Dame cornerback is at home in man coverage, having played a high volume of Cover 1 while ranking above the 87th percentile in both single-coverage grade and coverage grade when no pressure is generated. 29. Washington Commanders: ED Mykel Williams, GeorgiaAdding more firepower to Dan Quinn’s defense is always a wise investment, especially with Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell set to hit free agency. That makes Williams a compelling replacement—an explosive, high-ceiling pass rusher with the violent playing style Quinn covets. Williams’ exceptional length allows him to use leverage effectively as a pass rusher and run defender. While he is still developing as a pass rusher—he will turn 21 this summer—he has already excelled against the run, ranking in the 97th percentile in run-defense grade at his position, giving him a solid floor early in his career. 30. Buffalo Bills: CB Trey Amos, MississippiOutside of Christian Benford, no player in Buffalo’s secondary earned a coverage grade above 70.0 in 2024. Without Benford on the field in the AFC Championship Game, the unit was picked apart, ultimately finishing the season with a 31.8 team coverage grade — 31st in the NFL. Amos would bring much-needed athleticism and playmaking ability to Buffalo’s secondary. A multi-sport athlete with strong instincts in coverage, he has posted a 22%-plus forced incompletion rate since 2021, ranking in the 98th percentile at his position. 31. Philadelphia Eagles: ED Jack Sawyer, Ohio StatePhiladelphia’s core philosophy is to generate pressure without blitzing, making high-end pass rushers a constant priority. With Josh Sweat likely to test free agency, the Eagles will almost certainly be in the market for an edge rusher this offseason. Sawyer joins a franchise with a championship pedigree, though he brings a title-winning resume of his own after helping lead Ohio State to a national championship. Over the past two seasons, he has posted an 89.0-plus overall grade each year, positioning him for early success in the NFL. 32. Kansas City Chiefs: OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota StateOne of the biggest risers at the Senior Bowl, Zabel has catapulted himself into first-round consideration. While he played tackle at NDSU, he took extensive snaps on the interior during Senior Bowl practices, where he excelled in pass protection — a performance emblematic of his 93.1 pass-blocking grade in 2024. With Trey Smith likely to land a lucrative contract in free agency, the Chiefs can find a high-upside replacement in Zabel. A key piece in North Dakota State’s championship run, he brings a winning mentality to an offense that thrives on elite interior play. |
