| Scott Phillips of The Athletic on how the Patriots and Seahawks defying the odds to reach the Super Bowl is unprecedented: After an NFL season filled with upsets, twists and unexpected surprises, it’s only fitting that Super Bowl 60 is a showcase of true long shots. Over the last four months, the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots both developed into credible title contenders with identical 14-3 records, built on strong defenses and emergent quarterback play. But before the season started, BetMGM didn’t paint such an ideal picture for the eventual conference champions. Starting the season as Super Bowl long shots, the Seahawks (+6000 or 60-to-1) and Patriots (+8000) were both postseason afterthoughts and preseason long shots typically don’t do damage in the playoffs. Researching every Super Bowl matchup on Sports Odds History dating back to 1978, showed the 1981 San Francisco 49ers (+5000), 1999 St. Louis Rams (+15000) and 2001 Patriots (+6000) as the only long-shot Super Bowl champions with preseason odds greater than +5000. Among a recent string of favorites raising the Lombardi Trophy, the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles (+4000) are the only Super Bowl champion in the last 13 years with preseason odds greater than +1200 (12-to-1). When the Seahawks battle the Patriots, it will be the first Super Bowl matchup between two teams with preseason odds both greater than +6000. Only two other Super Bowls since 1978 are even close to the collective long-shot status shared by Seattle and New England. So how did we arrive at such an unlikely Super Bowl matchup? Seahawks, Patriots defy preseason expectationsSeattle and New England both entered the 2025 season as long shots for differing reasons. For the Seahawks, the NFC West loomed as one of the toughest divisions in the sport, with strong preseason expectations for both the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. With the uncertainty of a new-look offense helmed by free-agent acquisition Sam Darnold, Seattle was last among NFC West teams in preseason odds to win the Super Bowl — even behind the Arizona Cardinals. Throughout the NFL’s offseason, even after Darnold’s signing, Seattle lingered in the +6000 odds range (implying a less than 2 percent probability of winning it all) with minimal Super Bowl buzz. New England, coming off a 4-13 season, brought in veteran coach (and former Patriot) Mike Vrabel. The Patriots’ offseason was spent overhauling the roster outside of foundational pieces like second-year quarterback Drake Maye. In the opening odds last February, New England was +12500 (a less than 1 percent implied chance). An acclaimed draft and notable offseason additions boosted New England to +6600 odds by May 1. In mid-July, New England’s odds settled back at +8000 before the season. A slow start to the regular season also hindered both teams from quickly rising in the odds. Both teams lost at home in Week 1. After a Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay, Seattle started to steadily climb. A seismic leap from +5000 odds in Week 6 to +1200 odds by Week 12 vaulted the Seahawks into the Super Bowl conversation. Over the final two months of the regular season, Seattle was one of the Super Bowl favorites, regularly flipping the top spot among NFC contenders with the division-rival Rams. Meanwhile, New England seized an opportunity in the AFC East by pouncing on the sluggish Buffalo Bills in Week 5 and the Patriots jumped from +12500 to +6000. Riding a winnable schedule during the middle of the season, the Patriots were up to +1600 as a credible Super Bowl threat by Week 12. With Maye flourishing into an MVP favorite, New England’s rebuild accelerated much faster than anticipated. After no preseason expectations and middling starts through five weeks, Seattle and New England both finished the regular season at 14-3. Dominating the league since early October, both teams only lost one game each after Week 5 of the NFL regular season. Long-shot Super Bowl participants are rareSeattle facing New England in Super Bowl 60 is such an unlikely matchup because long-shot entrants are becoming increasingly rare. Since 2000, only seven Super Bowl teams carried preseason odds greater than +5000 — with only the 2021 Cincinnati Bengals (+15000) and 2016 Atlanta Falcons (+8000) appearing in the game as long shots since 2009. Between 1982 and 1995, the Super Bowl didn’t feature a single long-shot entrant until the San Diego Chargers (+7500) defied preseason expectations and made it to Super Bowl 29. The 1998 Atlanta Falcons (+6000) were the only other long-shot Super Bowl team between 1982 and 2000. The Chargers lost to San Francisco by 23 and the Falcons lost to Denver by 15. Two such teams playing for the Super Bowl almost never happens. Apart from this upcoming Super Bowl, 1982 is the only other year in which two teams with odds greater than +5000 met for the title. Fresh off the memorable Joe Montana-to-Dwight Clark touchdown in the NFC Championship Game, the San Francisco 49ers (+5000) outlasted the Cincinnati Bengals (+6000) in Super Bowl 16. If you widen the scope to two teams with +3000 odds or longer, Super Bowl 34, where “The Greatest Show on Turf” St. Louis Rams (+15000) held on in a thriller over the Tennessee Titans (+3000), is the only other one that meets the criteria. While the Seahawks and Patriots won’t be able to claim the title as the greatest Super Bowl long shot over the 2000 Rams, Super Bowl 60 is the perfect end to a completely unpredictable 2025 NFL season. The Patriots will be wearing white uniforms for the SB – all white as John Beech of CBSSports.com breaks down: For their 12th Super Bowl appearance, the Patriots have decided to wear a uniform combination that they’ve never worn in the big game. As the home team in Super Bowl LX, the Patriots got to make the first choice on which uniform to wear and they’ve decided to go with their white jersey over white pants. The Patriots have worn white before in the Super Bowl, but they’ve never gone with an all-white look. This will mark the sixth time in their record-setting 12 Super Bowl appearances that the Patriots have worn a white jersey. In five of those games, they paired their white jersey with blue pants, and in one game, they paired their white jersey with silver pants. Overall, the Patriots are 4-2 in the Super Bowl with their white jerseys and that includes a win over the Seahawks back in Super Bowl XLIX. Here’s a breakdown of the six previous times that New England wore white in the Super Bowl: Patriots: Four wins in white — Super Bowl XXXIX (Patriots 24-21 over Eagles), Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots 28-24 over Seahawks), Super Bowl LI (Patriots 34-28 over Falcons), Super Bowl LIII (Patriots 13-3 over Rams) Patriots: Two losses in white — Super Bowl XXXII (Packers 35-21 over Patriots), Super Bowl LII (Eagles 41-33 over Patriots) This will mark the first time in five years that the “home” team in the Super Bowl has worn white (the AFC is the home team in even-numbered games, while the NFC is the home team in odd-numbered games). The last time it happened came in 2020 when Tom Brady’s Buccaneers chose to wear white for their Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. Speaking of Brady, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s in attendance on Super Bowl Sunday at Levi’s Stadium to watch his old team in action. Brady won six Super Bowls in New England, with the most recent one coming in 2018. For the Patriots, it makes a lot of sense to wear white and that’s because they went undefeated in their white uniforms this season. The Patriots wore their white jerseys in six games this year and went 6-0, including their 10-7 win over the Broncos in the AFC Championship game. Out of those six wins, they wore the white-on-white combination in five of those games. White has been a solid color for any team to wear in the Super Bowl over the past two decades. Over the past 21 years, the team wearing white has gone 16-5. That said, the team in white has lost two straight Super Bowls, which could be good news for the Seahawks, who are expected to wear their Navy blue jerseys, although they haven’t made an official announcement yet. This will be Seattle’s fourth time in the NFL’s biggest game. The Seahawks wore Navy blue in two of their previous three Super Bowls and lost both times. Seahawks: 0-2 in Navy blue — Super Bowl XL (Steelers 21-10 over Seahawks), Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots 28-24 over Seahawks) The Seahawks wore blue pants in both of their Super Bowl losses, so they could change things up by wearing their grey pants. The Seahawks’ only Super Bowl win in franchise history came in a game in which they wore their white jerseys. In Super Bowl XLIX against the Patriots, the Seahawks were the home team and they could have opted to wear white, but instead, they decided to go with their Navy blue jersey. |
| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSMarc Wallberg lookalike Charlie Weis, Jr. may not be coaching with Lane Kiffin at LSU this season afterall. Connor Hughes of SNY.com: @Connor_J_HughesTalking to sources around the NFL, the name garnering a lot of attention for the #Giants OC job (now that Todd Monken is the HC of the Browns) is Charlie Weis Jr. @JordanRaanan was on that one way back in Week 18. Weis arrived at Ole Miss the same year as Jaxson Dart (2022) and served as his QB coach, offensive coordinator (although Lane Kiffin called plays) all three years. The two remain close. Wouldn’t go as far yet to say he’s the favorite, but he’s the name that keeps coming up in league circles. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| TAMPA BAYThe Buccaneers have reached out to deposed Buffalo coach Sean McDermott for an undefined position. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: The Buccaneers had some interest in a recently fired coach to join head coach Todd Bowles’ revamped 2026 staff. But at this point, that’s not going to happen. Greg Auman of FOX Sports reported on Wednesday that Tampa Bay talked to former Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott about a role with the franchise. But McDermott is still planning to take 2026 off of coaching and reevaluate his options in 2027. It was previously reported that even though McDermott initially planned to continue coaching, he changed his mind and was likely to take a year off. McDermott and Buccaneers G.M. Jason Licht were both with the Eagles from 2003-2007, with Licht working in the club’s front office and McDermott on Andy Reid’s coaching staff. The Buccaneers have new offensive and special teams coordinators under Bowles heading into 2026, with some members of the defensive staff also not retained. |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVERFired OC Joe Lombardi knows the perils of coaching for Sean Payton. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: Ex-Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi could sense The Turk was coming for him. After being fired this week, Lombardi told Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette that he was not surprised that coach Sean Payton made a coaching staff change. “Sean decided to move on, and I guess that’s all there is to say,” Lombardi told Tomasson in a phone interview. “I don’t think it’s ever a surprise (in the NFL). Not really. … I think you could tell he (Payton) was in one of those moods where he felt like some changes needed to be made and I guess he decided one of those was me. So I’ve been around him long enough to kind of read the tea leaves, I guess.” Lombardi joined the Broncos when Payton was hired in 2023. He’d been with Payton, on and off, throughout his NFL career, spending 12 years under him across two stints with the New Orleans Saints. The 54-year-old isn’t new to being fired. He was let go from his first OC job in Detroit after just 23 games (2014-15). After two years as the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator (2021-22), he was fired by Brandon Staley. As such, he said his latest pink slip from a longtime friend in Payton won’t hinder their relationship. “I think it’s part of the business,” he said. “I mean, he employed me for a long time. I’m appreciative of that.” Payton calls the offense, with Lombardi and others helping build the weekly scheme and coaching up players. Lombardi dismissed the idea that he was the fall guy for the postseason failure, with backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham starting against New England. “Well, we made it to the AFC Championship,” Lombardi said. “I don’t know why there needs to be a scapegoat, so I’m not sure what I’m being scapegoated for. I thought it was a good season. So, no, I didn’t feel like that in any way. I just think (Payton) just wanted to go in another direction.” If passing game coordinator and QBs coach Davis Webb doesn’t land the Las Vegas Raiders coaching job, he’d be a logical choice to get a promotion that keeps the rising star in Denver. Another in-house option could be assistant head coach and run game coordinator Zach Streif, who played under Payton in New Orleans. Thoughts from Jay Gruden on Lombardi’s departure, relayed by Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette: @christomassonI talked to ex-NFL coach Jay Gruden, who had tweeted about it, on #Broncos coach Sean Payton firing Joe Lombardi 1/3: “I hate the scapegoat part. Denver had a heck of a year. They overachieved & it came down to a backup QB & a (4th-and-1) call that should have been a field goal.. “It sure seems like scapegoat to me from the outside looking in although there could be some other things going on we don’t know about. But it looks bad to me because Sean is the one with the play sheet. He’s the one putting the plays… & game plan together. “ “I don’t think any coach should be fired when they go to the AFC Championship Game with a backup quarterback and they lose by three points based on a decision that the (head) coach made. That’s what bothers me.” |
| LAS VEGASFrank Schwab of YahooSports.com explains why the Raiders job is the best of the two remaining to be filled: The last teams waiting to fill their top spots: the Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals. Here’s why I give the edge to the Raiders over the Cardinals in desirability: 2. Arizona CardinalsThe Cardinals lost 14 of their last 15 games. Injuries impacted their season, but not that much. It was simply a bad team. And what’s the main selling point? General manager Monti Ossenfort will stay, and in this era of GMs and coaches coming in a package deal, that might not be a positive. Kyler Murray’s time with Arizona seems to be over, and even if he returns, that’s not a great thing either. There’s no quarterback, the team’s best player is a tight end, the defense was bottom six in points and yards allowed, and the franchise has just one playoff appearance (a one-and-done loss) since the 2015 season. Maybe the possibility of drafting a quarterback third overall will be appealing, but it’s not like this is a great quarterback class. Arizona has been a dead-end job for many years, and there’s not much reason to believe that will change soon. 1. Las Vegas RaidersThe Raiders are a flailing organization. They hired the oldest coach in NFL history and traded for a 35-year-old quarterback last offseason just to go 3-14. There never seems to be any plan. The search for Pete Carroll’s replacement will be led by general manager John Spytek and limited owner Tom Brady, the latter of which was a great quarterback but has no track record of helping lead a coaching search. But he’s a big name, which is what team owner Mark Davis likes. The one selling point to the new coach would be having the first overall draft pick and a choice of quarterbacks to start fresh with. Brock Bowers is a great talent, Ashton Jeanty should be a good running back with a little help, and Maxx Crosby is either a fantastic defensive star or a prime trade piece. There are some things to like, but it’s the Raiders. Everyone knows how bad this franchise has been for decades. From what the DB knows, Carroll steered the ship impulsively and ineffectively in 2025 with Spytek along for the ride. Spytek is a bright guy, and now he will have a window to make the right picks – at coach and in the draft (Carroll was more involved than you would think in last year’s draft). So, we’re saying there is a chance… |
| LOS ANGELES CHARGERSWho is this Chris O’Leary who will replace Jesse Minter as Jim Harbaugh’s DC? Kris Rhim of ESPN.com: The Chargers have hired Western Michigan’s Chris O’Leary as their new defensive coordinator, the team announced Wednesday night. O’Leary replaces Jesse Minter, who left last week to become coach of the Baltimore Ravens. The hiring comes two days after the Chargers named Mike McDaniel their new offensive coordinator. The Chargers also hired Butch Barry as their offensive line coach Wednesday, a source told ESPN, confirming news first reported by NFL Network. O’Leary returns to the Chargers after coaching safeties in the 2024 season. In his lone season at Western Michigan, his defense ranked ninth in the FBS and second in the Mid-American Conference in scoring defense (17.4 points allowed per game). It also was the MAC’s second-best unit in total net yards allowed per game (305.5), which ranked 19th in the nation. Before the Chargers and Western Michigan, O’Leary spent six seasons at Notre Dame, starting as a defensive analyst before eventually becoming defensive backs and safeties coach, where he coached current Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. O’Leary will be responsible for sustaining what has been one of the NFL’s best defenses for the past two seasons under Minter. Linebacker Daiyan Henley expressed excitement over O’Leary’s hire, posting on X, “The vibes are up,” shortly after the team’s announcement. Also voicing their support were safeties Tony Jefferson and Elijah Molden. In 2024, with O’Leary coaching the position, Molden posted career highs in interceptions (3), pass deflections (7), tackles (75) and fumble recoveries (2). |
| BUFFALOIt was the second interview that got Joe Brady the job: @NickVeronicaBrandon Beane says Terry Pegula was so impressed with Joe Brady’s second interview that he said “I think you’re the next head coach” and Beane had to pump the brakes: “Terry, I gotta talk to his agent.” |
| NEW ENGLANDMattress Mack has chosen the Patriots. David Purdum of ESPN.com: The largest reported Super Bowl bet so far — $2 million on the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl — belongs to a Houston furniture salesman. Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale placed the $2 million bet last week on the AFC to win the Super Bowl with Caesars Sportsbook. At 2-1, McIngvale would win a net $4 million if the Patriots upset the favored Seattle Seahawks. It’s the largest Super Bowl bet that Caesars has taken this year as of Wednesday. Mattress Mack is hedging his bet with one of his go-to promotions at his Gallery Furniture store: Spend $4,000 on a mattress and gear with McIngvale’s Gallery Furniture, and if the Patriots beat the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, you get your money back on your purchase. McIngvale, a beloved figure in Houston for decades, turns 75 in February. He has tied such giveaways to big sports wagers regularly for years. In 2022, he won approximately $75 million on bets he made on the Houston Astros to win the World Series, believed to be one of the largest sports betting payouts in U.S. history. McIngvale has had mixed results on the Super Bowl, otherwise, winning big on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021, but suffering a multimillion-dollar loss on the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. He also twice lost seven figures on bets on the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team to win the NCAA tournament. McIngvale hedges his total exposure with any boost in mattress sales generated by the giveaways. He sat out last Super Bowl recovering from heart surgery, but he’s back this season and siding with the underdogs for multiple reasons. Getting plus odds on the underdog helps with the promotion, but he also respects the Patriots’ personnel. “I really like their quarterback [Drake Maye], coach [Mike Vrabel] and offensive coordinator [Josh McDaniels], plus Robert Kraft is always there,” McIngvale told ESPN on Wednesday. Last year, there were no disclosed $1 million Super Bowl bets reported by U.S. sportsbooks. This year, there have been at least two, both of which are on the underdog Patriots. On Monday, sportsbook Circa reported taking a $1.1 million wager on the Patriots to win the game outright at +188 odds. |
| NEW YORK JETSThe New York Jets are having almost a complete coaching staff turnover, but it hasn’t reached the head coach. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The possibility of a one-and-done stint for Jets coach Aaron Glenn was real, and a significant buyout likely became a major factor in getting him another season. The massive overhaul in the initial coaching staff Glenn hired says plenty about where things may go if the situation doesn’t improve. Glenn fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks during the season. This week, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand was fired. In between, Glenn fired quarterbacks coach Charles London, pass game coordinator Scott Turner, linebackers coach Aaron Curry, defensive line coach Eric Washington, assistant defensive backs coach Dre Bly, defensive assistant Alonso Escalante, and defensive assistant Roosevelt Williams. That’s nine of 21 assistants, dumped after one year. Which definitely creates buyout obligations. But nothing like the $40 million or more than Glenn would have been owed for the remaining four years on his contract. The changes to a group of coaches Glenn hired only one year ago makes it clear that the clock is already ticking, and that the heat is already rising for Glenn. Wink Martindale was going to be the Jets new defensive coordinator. But now, he’s not and someone named Brian Duker will be the new DC. Connor Hughes of SNY: Martindale and Glenn began discussing a partnership in December, with talks heating up to the point Martindale pieced together a staff who began telling sources SNY touched base with it was a ‘done deal.’ The plan was to have Martindale run the defense. Saturday, Martindale flew to Florham Park for an in-person interview. This was believed to be a formality – dot the I’s, cross the T’s, here’s your office and there’s the cafeteria. Upon Martindale’s arrival, talking to sources close to the situation, the original plan discussed between him and Glenn changed. The Jets head coach said he wanted to call the defensive plays. This was not something previously discussed with Martindale, or other candidates the Jets touched base with. This is where a potential partnership between Martindale and the Jets fell apart, and why Jim Leonhard was never considered a realistic option. Sources told SNY on Monday that the Jets now preferred a lesser-known coordinator with Glenn calling the plays. They found that in Duker.” Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com on Duker: Duker, 36, was most recently the passing game coordinator and secondary coach for the Miami Dolphins. He spent time with current Jets coach Aaron Glenn on the Detroit Lions’ coaching staff from 2021-23, when Glenn was defensive coordinator and Duker was a rising assistant. “During our time in Detroit, Brian consistently demonstrated a high-football acumen and an aggressive approach to defense,” Glenn said in a statement. “I’m confident that his energy and knowledge of the game will help elevate our players and push this team forward.” Frank Reich is among those interviewing for the OC job for Gang Green. Dennis Waszak, Jr. of YahooSports.com has the details: The New York Jets completed video interviews with five candidates for their offensive coordinator vacancy, including former NFL head coach and current Stanford adviser Frank Reich. The team announced Wednesday night it also had remote meetings with Darrell Bevell, Ronald Curry, Greg Roman and Lunda Wells. The Jets are looking for an offensive coordinator after Tanner Engstrand and the team agreed to part ways Tuesday, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. Coach Aaron Glenn and Engstrand had been discussing Engstrand’s role before the sides agreed to move on, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t announce the move. Glenn is turning his focus to finding a leader for his offense after hiring former Miami Dolphins assistant Brian Duker on Wednesday to be New York’s defensive coordinator. Duker replaces Steve Wilks, who was fired with three games remaining in the Jets’ 3-14 season. The new offensive coordinator will inherit a unit that finished last in the NFL in yards passing and 29th in both total yards per game and points per game. After Justin Fields was benched after starting just nine games, the Jets are also likely to add a veteran quarterback in free agency and perhaps target a potential future starter in the NFL draft. The 64-year-old Reich was 4-8 as Stanford’s interim coach last season and is currently in a senior adviser role for the Cardinal, who hired Tavita Pritchard as their coach in November. Reich, a 14-year NFL quarterback who was with the Jets during the 1996 season, has an extensive coaching history. He went 40-33-1 with two playoff appearances in 4 1/2 seasons as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts before being fired in 2022. Reich went 1-10 in a brief stint as Carolina’s coach in 2023. He previously had stops as the offensive coordinator for the Chargers and Eagles, helping Philadelphia win the Super Bowl during the 2017 season. Bevell was the Dolphins’ quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator the last four seasons. He was Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator in 2021 and was the Jaguars’ interim coach for the final four games that season. Bevell oversaw Detroit’s offense for two seasons and also served as the Lions’ interim coach for five games during the 2020 season. He was previously the offensive coordinator for Minnesota and Seattle, where he was part of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl winner in the 2013 season. Curry, a former NFL wide receiver, was Buffalo’s quarterbacks coach the past two seasons. He has familiarity with Glenn, with whom he was on the same staff for five years an assistant in New Orleans. Curry was an offensive assistant for the Saints in 2016, was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2018 and quarterbacks coach in 2021 before working as New Orleans’ quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator for two seasons. Roman is a longtime NFL assistant who has had stints as an offensive coordinator with four teams, including the Los Angeles Chargers the past two seasons. He has also been in charge of the offenses of Baltimore (2019-22), Buffalo (2015-16) and San Francisco (2011-14). Among Roman’s other stops, he was Houston’s quarterbacks coach during the 2004 season, when Glenn was a cornerback for the Texans. Roman was the AP Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019 under John Harbaugh in Baltimore. Wells has been Dallas’ tight ends coach the last six seasons after serving in various roles over eight years with the Giants, including as the tight ends coach (2018-19), assistant offensive line coach (2013-17) and offensive quality control coach (2012). |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2026 DRAFTA Mock Draft from The Athletic: In our latest mock draft, T senior writer Nick Baumgardner and college football writer Scott Dochterman alternate picks (odd-numbered selections made by Scott, even-numbered by Nick, except for a flip for the Broncos and Patriots’ selections). Where are the best fits in this draft class? 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, IndianaThe Raiders ranked last in total offense this season. They not only need a quality quarterback, but also a franchise game changer. Enter Mendoza, who blends the requisite rocket arm with every positive intangible teams desire. Don’t mistake his unbridled optimism for weakness — he’s as tough as any quarterback in the game. 2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio StateIf a chance to select a quarterback presents itself later in the first round, New York should be ready. But the Jets need so much and can start here by taking the best player available. Reese has traits that are awfully reminiscent of what we’ve seen from Micah Parsons. 3. Arizona Cardinals: Francis Mauigoa, OT, MiamiMauigoa allowed only two sacks (and none from Week 4 on) and three QB hits all season, according to PFF. A consensus All-America left tackle for the College Football Playoff runner-up, Mauigoa could walk in and anchor the Cardinals’ offensive line for a decade. 4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio StateThe Titans could go edge at No. 4 (Texas Tech’s David Bailey), but everything in GM Mike Borgonzi’s world right now has to be about helping quarterback Cam Ward. There are spots in need of upgrades all over the place, but the Titans are pretty desperate for a true WR1. Tate (or Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson) fits. 5. New York Giants: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona StateTyson has everything necessary to become WR1 on an NFL depth chart, and a Pro Bowler. He was one of the nation’s most prolific pass catchers the past two years and is a complete route runner. If he rejoins former teammate Cam Skattebo and combines with a healthy Malik Nabers, this Giants offense would be radically improved. 6. Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, UtahThe Browns are starting over at head coach (again), and this feels like another situation that will not be very friendly toward a young QB, be it Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel or a new face. Cleveland still needs so much help offensively that it’d be smart to spend these precious assets on its core. Fano is my favorite offensive lineman in the draft. He’s an outstanding athlete, with potential as a right or left tackle. 7. Washington Commanders: David Bailey, edge, Texas TechAlong with their offensive injuries, the Commanders’ 27th-ranked defense was a major reason for the team’s plummet. Bailey was a force on the nation’s No. 3 total and scoring defense. A unanimous first-team All-American, he finished with 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. He would change Washington’s defense in an instant. 8. New Orleans Saints: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio StateThere may not be a better pound-for-pound football player in this draft class. Incredibly intelligent, explosive and absolutely fearless, Downs is one of the most unique defensive backs we’ve seen in quite a while. He could help a team’s culture overnight. 9. Kansas City Chiefs: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, MiamiMiami led the nation in sacks, and Bain was an offense-wrecking machine. He frequently drew double teams, yet still finished with 9.5 sacks and 83 total pressures, according to PFF. Lined up alongside Chris Jones, Bain immediately would revitalize the Chiefs’ slumping defense. 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Keldric Faulk, edge, AuburnOne of these years, the Bengals will figure out the trenches. For now, though, defensive line remains an area of need. Faulk, one of the youngest prospects in the class, is a freaky talent at 6 feet 6 and 285 pounds. He could help solve a few different problems in Cincy. 11. Miami Dolphins: Jermod McCoy, CB, TennesseeMcCoy was considered one of the top cover cornerbacks entering the season after posting four interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2024. But he wound up missing the year while recovering from a torn ACL suffered last January, though he’s expected to be fine for his rookie season. The Dolphins allowed quarterbacks to complete an incredible 72 percent of pass attempts last season, so McCoy would help right away. 12. Dallas Cowboys: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateOne of the most unique players in the draft, Styles is a 6-4, 243-pound linebacker who used to be a safety — and still runs like one. He brings coverage instincts, improved (and improving) work as a run fitter and a pretty fearless mindset. Styles could be the linebacker version of Seattle safety hybrid Nick Emmanwori. 13. Los Angeles Rams (from ATL): Makai Lemon, WR, USCNo college football pass catcher displayed better hands, route running or toughness than Lemon, who won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver. Perhaps his dimensions (5-11, 195) won’t wow scouts, but his production and intangibles are top-shelf. He was the reason USC won nine games this season and would be a gift for Matthew Stafford and company. 14. Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane, G, Penn StateA big, powerful athlete with quick hands and plenty of grit in the run game, Ioane played both guard spots, right tackle and even a bit of center at Penn State. One of the few consistent bright spots for the Nittany Lions this season, Ioane just feels like a Raven. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, OregonInjuries stunted much of Tampa Bay’s offensive success, but the Bucs really could have used a high-level tight end. Enter Sadiq, who caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns this season. He’s a physical marvel, a mismatch for defenders and a willing blocker. He’s TE1 in this draft class. 16. New York Jets (from IND): Ty Simpson, QB, AlabamaThis is a bit higher than where the Giants selected Jaxson Dart last year, but the idea would be similar. Simpson has high-level potential as a processor plus arm talent and legit athleticism. His level of experience is incredibly low for a potential first-round QB, though, so a complete scouting effort will be necessary. 17. Detroit Lions: Caleb Lomu, OT, UtahThe Lions’ offensive line could use a youth infusion, and Lomu, more than any of the other available offensive tackles, would fit perfectly with what Dan Campbell wants. He is durable (800 snaps at left tackle last season) and allowed only two quarterback hits all year, according to PFF. It’s possible he could step in at guard before shifting outside, if required. 18. Minnesota Vikings: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre DameThis feels like the steal of our mock, but if Kansas City passes on Love at No. 10 and no one else trades up, this isn’t an unimaginable outcome. The Vikings need help in the backfield, and Love could enter the Bijan Robinson-Jahmyr Gibbs-Christian McCaffrey tier before long. 19. Carolina Panthers: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio StateA massive interior defender with both one- and two-gap capabilities, McDonald is an elite run stopper who also would help the Panthers’ pass rush, which finished tied for 28th in production this season. McDonald isn’t necessarily a pass rusher himself, per se, but his presence would allow others to find openings. 20. Dallas Cowboys (from GB): Brandon Cisse, CB, South CarolinaCisse was known as one of the fastest players in South Carolina’s program last year after transferring from NC State. That’s some serious gas on a team that includes world-class sprinter Nyck Harbor, who has topped 22 miles per hour on the GPS. Dallas gets the corner it needs. 21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kadyn Proctor, OT, AlabamaWhether or not Aaron Rodgers returns at quarterback, the Steelers need an anchor at left tackle. Proctor has incredible size (6-7, 366) and freakish athletic ability. He’s still young and needs development, but if he reaches his potential, watch out. 22. Los Angeles Chargers: Peter Woods, DT, ClemsonIs this too low for Woods? His stock ultimately could depend on testing and interviews, as his final year at Clemson was not on the level of his first two (though most of the team struggled in 2025). The Chargers would be getting a player with serious potential here. 23. Philadelphia Eagles: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&MThe SEC’s defensive player of the year, Howell finished with 11.5 sacks and 41 total pressures, according to PFF. He has a sleek build (6-3, 248) but holds up well on the edge, and his explosiveness ranks among the best in this year’s class. 24. Cleveland Browns (from JAX): Denzel Boston, WR, WashingtonTrying to land QB2 in this draft class (whether it’s Simpson or another prospect) should be on the table for Cleveland, either by trading up or sticking at 24 and hoping he falls. If that doesn’t work, though, landing Boston — a big receiver who runs like a smaller receiver (with great ball skills) — would be a fine alternative. 25. Chicago Bears: Caleb Banks, DT, FloridaA preseason foot injury cost Banks (6-6, 330) all but three games this season, but he returned for the Gators’ final two contests. Perhaps no interior defensive lineman can match Banks’ skill set, and he’s likely to blow up at the Senior Bowl this week. If that happens, though, Banks will not be around at No. 25. 26. Buffalo Bills: CJ Allen, LB, GeorgiaAn outstanding run fitter capable of playing all three downs, Allen is a future NFL green-dot player (the defender who wears the helmet communication system), perhaps even as a rookie. His size (6-1, 235) is a touch below ideal, but his explosion and nose for the ball more than make up for it. 27. San Francisco 49ers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&MInjuries crushed the 49ers’ offense, but San Francisco also sorely missed that all-purpose threat formerly occupied by Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Concepcion was the nation’s most versatile performer and would give Kyle Shanahan a major weapon all over the field, as well as in the return game. 28. Houston Texans: Anthony Hill, LB, TexasHill could be a bit of a wild card, but his blend of size (6-3, 238) and athleticism is basically ideal for an NFL stack linebacker. Can he continue to grow in terms of processing the run game in the NFL, though? Hill is a tempting talent, but his landing spot likely will depend on how he interviews. 29. Los Angeles Rams: Avieon Terrell, CB, ClemsonACC offenses wisely stayed away from Terrell this year, but that didn’t limit his impact. The younger brother of Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, Avieon didn’t record an interception but broke up nine passes and forced five fumbles. His play is reminiscent of former LSU and NFL star Tyrann Mathieu. 30. Denver Broncos: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUDon’t look at Delane’s statistics (two interceptions) and instead see how he defended elite talent — according to PFF, he held opponents to just 14 catches for 165 yards all season. The Broncos don’t necessarily need a corner, but they shouldn’t pass up Delane if he’s available. 31. New England Patriots: Monroe Freeling, OT, GeorgiaA great athlete at 6-7, 315, Freeling could physically handle either tackle or either guard position. A balanced, powerful and bendy tackle with limited experience, Freeling should have his best days ahead of him. 32. Seattle Seahawks: T.J. Parker, edge, ClemsonParker had an elite close to the 2025 season, with four sacks and 10 pressures in the finale versus South Carolina. The problem? He totaled just six sacks in what was a pretty disappointing junior year. His freshman and sophomore tape, however, is outstanding. Interviews and testing will be big for Parker’s stock. |
