| JJ WATT played Augusta National on Monday and filed this report: @JJWattAugusta National Round Update:– Played from Member tees– Sunday pins– Ball-in-hole– No gimmes, no free drops, etcFirst 9: 49Second 9: 54Total: 103Extremely pleased with that result.What an unbelievable experience at an unbelievable place. Very grateful.#Masters2025 His lone par came on the first hole. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASThe Cowboys open their offseason program and EDGE MICAH PARSONS is in the house per Todd Archer of ESPN.com: — The Dallas Cowboys opened their voluntary offseason program with Pro Bowl pass rusher Micah Parsons in attendance Monday, according to a source.In the previous two seasons, Parsons has worked out mostly on his own before taking part in some of the organized team activities and the mandatory minicamp. Parsons is entering the final year of his rookie contract, set to play on the fifth-year option.At the annual league meeting two weeks ago, new head coach Brian Schottenheimer said he expected Parsons to be a part of the voluntary work.“I feel very comfortable. Micah said he’s going to be around. I think that he wants to be,” Schottenheimer said then. “I think we’re all very comfortable with that. And at the end of the day, he’s a great player and we think he’s just getting started, to be honest with you. I have no question in my mind that he’ll be around.”Dak Prescott took part in the entirety of the offseason program last year, but CeeDee Lamb did not. Lamb missed most of training camp as well before signing his four-year, $134 million extension. Prescott signed his four-year, $240 million extension at the start of the season.The Cowboys and Parsons have made no secret about wanting to get a contract extension done. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he and Parsons came to an agreement on most of the issues surrounding a new deal — length, guarantee and overall money — after the two met for “five or six hours,” at the player’s request last month.To date, a contract is not done in part because of the finer details that need to be worked out between Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones and Parsons’ agent, David Mulugheta, but Jerry Jones caused a stir by saying he did not know Mulugheta’s name.Parsons responded on X by saying there would be no deal without Mulugheta’s involvement. |
| NEW YORK GIANTSAre the Giants on a collision course with QB SHEDEUR SANDERS? Jason Owens ofYahooSports.com can’t avert his eyes: The New York Giants overdrafted Daniel Jones in 2019 to disastrous results.Will they risk doing the same thing again with Shedeur Sanders?Per multiple reports, the Giants have scheduled a private workout with Sanders for Thursday, one week before the first round of the NFL Draft. The workout suggests the Giants, who hold the No. 3 pick in the draft, are strongly considering selecting the Colorado quarterback.The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this offseason. But they remain desperate for a long-term solution at quarterback, thanks in no small part to their decision to select Jones with the No. 6 pick in 2019 despite little analysis suggesting he was worth the expenditure of a premium pick. Jones ultimately flamed out in New York, and the Giants released him in November, not two full years removed from signing him to an extension to his rookie contract.Sanders is rated by many as the No. 2 quarterback in this year’s class. But by most accounts, the gap between Sanders and the presumed No. 1 quarterback, Cam Ward, is wide.Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice rates Wards as the No. 7 overall prospect in the draft. He possesses a package of arm talent, athleticism and results on the field that can reasonably convince a team in need of a quarterback to overlook superior talent at other positions to select him. The Tennessee Titans are widely expected to do just that with the No. 1 overall pick.Sanders is a different story. He doesn’t possess elite arm talent, athleticism or size for an NFL quarterback and is projected by many as a project. Tice has Sanders rated as the No. 41 prospect in the draft.This is all to say that selecting Sanders No. 3 overall would add up to a considerable stretch by almost any reasonable analysis. And, again, it appears the Giants are considering doing just that.Former NFL star Vontae Davis’ cause of death ruled undetermined by medical professionalsCaleb Williams admits Bears were ‘annoyed by’ Matt Eberflus’ handling of Hail Mary gameDoing so would not only mean selecting a player well above his projected value. It would also mean passing on truly elite talent elsewhere. If, as expected, the Titans do select Ward No. 1 overall, they’ll allow coveted talents with enormous upside at other positions to slide.Two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter are supreme talents with game-changing upside who would demand consideration as the No. 1 overall selection in many NFL drafts. If the Titans take Ward, that means that one of those elite prospects will certainly drop to the Giants at No. 3.And what would the Giants do then? |
| NFC SOUTH |
| NEW ORLEANSAre we wrong to think that the implication here is the QB DEREK CARR’s shoulder is good enough to play for teams other than the Saints? Albert Breer of SI.com: Over the weekend, my buddy and old NFL Network colleague Ian Rapoport reported that Carr’s dealing with a shoulder injury that could jeopardize his 2025 season, and that he’s weighing options, including surgery. And it’d be easier for folks across the league to take that at face value, were it not for the drama that preceded this most recent revelation.I’ll say that I think the New Orleans Saints’ response to this one, when they do address it publicly, will be interesting, because of all the recent history.Dennis Allen was a huge reason for Carr being in New Orleans in the first place. The coach who helped bring Carr into the league in Oakland in 2014 was fired in November. So that was the first sign that material change could be coming in the team/quarterback dynamic. Soon after Kellen Moore was hired in mid-February, a second sign emerged—with rumors percolating that Carr might want out.While how and when and whether at all the trade request officially went in is unclear, other teams were under the impression that Carr was seeking a new home, as some quarterback-needy ones considered him a potential option for 2025.The door seemed closed on that in early March when the Saints converted $28.745 million of his $30 million base salary into a signing bonus (taking his base all the way down to the league minimum). In doing so, it locked New Orleans into paying that money for 2025, meaning if Carr was traded, the Saints would be paying Carr to play for someone else this fall. The move also was made without Carr’s blessing, since the Saints had the contractual right to do that (it’s common that teams have that conversion lever written into a contract).So at that point, you essentially had a quarterback who was at best uneasy with his new circumstances, and a team doing everything it could to show him they weren’t going to let him go, whether he wanted to stay.Which brings us to where we are now. The Saints knew about this shoulder issue. What I’m less sure about is if they view it as something that was actually threatening his 2025 season. The story I’ve heard is that Carr’s camp has told people that this actually stems from his ’23 AC joint sprain, which never fully healed.Either way, this situation is a strange one. If Carr’s not the Saints quarterback this fall, I’m not sure who will be. They could try to make a late run at Rodgers. It seems unlikely that the Falcons would trade Cousins to a division rival, but New Orleans could make a call on that. Or maybe they look at Sanders or Jaxson Dart 10 or 11 days from now.Regardless of the course the Saints choose, Moore’s clearly got his first big challenge as the team’s new head coach. We’ll see how he and GM Mickey Loomis attack it. |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONAAfter 13 seasons, DB PATRICK PETERSON is calling it quits as a Cardinal. Nick Shook of NFL.com: Patrick Peterson’s illustrious career came to an official conclusion Monday in the place it began: Arizona.Peterson returned to the desert and the franchise that made him the fifth-overall pick out of LSU in 2011 to hang up his cleats once and for all. Unlike some other recent retirees, Peterson isn’t leaving the door cracked open to a return. He knows he’s finished and would prefer to use his experience on camera, not on a field.“I wanna, you know, get behind the camera and be able to express my thoughts, input, being able to get the fans and viewers something that they may not know about the game,” Peterson explained during a celebratory news conference on Monday. “So, that’s what I want to do because I love the game still, dearly, and I still can play, but I do not want to play. So, let’s just get that out there — I can still play, but I do not want to play. I’m having a good time right now, enjoying my time with the family, golfing with my buddies, still traveling.”Peterson last walked onto an NFL field in the 2023 season as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers but spent the majority of his 13-year professional career with the Cardinals, proving himself as a shutdown corner with incredible athleticism, a nose for the ball and a knack for making big plays. In his 10 years with the Cardinals, he earned eight Pro Bowl trips, three first-team All-Pro selections and landed on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.When folks considered elite defensive backs in the 2010s, Peterson always came to mind immediately. He left Arizona after 10 seasons with 28 interceptions, 91 passes defensed and 499 tackles, rattling off an incredible streak of regular-season starts that began with his very first NFL game in 2011 and lasted through the 2018 season before missing six contests in 2019. With 154 games played as a Cardinal — plus three more starts in the postseason — Peterson knew there was only one place to go to finish his NFL journey.“It was a no-brainer,” Peterson said. “You know, there was a lot of things said and, you know, it wasn’t the greatest departure, but at the end of the day this is where my legacy is — this is where my legacy started. Me and (Cardinals owner) Mr. (Michael) Bidwill had an opportunity to have conversations leading up to this and, like I said, it was a no-brainer because being able to achieve some of the things that I achieved as an Arizona Cardinal, only so many people had the opportunity to do that, like going to eight straight Pro Bowls, a three-time All-Pro one time as a specialist — being named to the 2010 All-Decade team. So, my career is here. It lives here. So, like I said, it was a no-brainer for me to come back here and retire a Cardinal where it all started.”With the Cardinals rebuilding and Peterson looking to play meaningful football in his final few seasons, he left Arizona for a two-year stint in Minnesota, appearing in 30 regular-season games and adding six interceptions and 20 passes defensed as a veteran defender in the Vikings’ secondary. He enjoyed a rejuvenated 2022 campaign, racking up five of his six picks in that season as part of a Vikings team that made its name on winning close games, finishing 13-4 in coach Kevin O’Connell’s first season.With gas still left in his tank, Peterson made one more move in his career, heading to the AFC North to play for the Steelers in 2023, an experience that informed him on how he might proceed in his future.Peterson finished his final season with two interceptions, but the effects of aging were visible on the tape. He posted the second-worst coverage grade of his career in 2023 — the lone season spent in Pittsburgh — and his second-worst overall defensive grade in the last decade, according to Pro Football Focus. Such an admission doesn’t diminish a single ounce of what Peterson accomplished in his career, however, he knew his time in the NFL was finished, especially after he went unsigned in 2024.Peterson has no issue with how his career ended. He’s happy to retire, emphasizing how much he’s enjoying spending time away from the game. As he said, he believes he could still play in the NFL, but also knows he doesn’t want to if he can’t meet his standard.“This is a young man’s game now,” Peterson said. “You see all these grays on my chin now. Quite frankly, at my position, I’m not accepted anymore, but I can live with that because, at the end of the day, I had a great 13-year career. There’s no regrets.“Me and my wife, we talked about this ever since I wasn’t able to be picked up last year. I’m perfectly fine with my decision. I’m very, very happy where I’m at in life and my career. My cement is dry now. So, now it’s in God’s hands if I did enough to be where I really want to be at the end of my career, and that’s football heaven.”Fortunately, he already set an elite standard in Arizona years ago. They’ll honor him accordingly by hanging his No. 21 in the rafters in the future in honor of a career that could be destined for a final stop in Canton. Is he headed to Canton? Eight Pro Bowls is a good start to the resumé. His 36 INTs rank 16th among players since 2000. We would guess he makes it, although probably not the first year of eligibility. |
| SEATTLESeahawks GM John Schneider sees plenty of intriguing QB prospects in the draft. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: The consensus surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft is that the quarterback class lacks surefire Day 1 starters. That doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of signal-callers snatched up during the selection process.Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider pushed back on the notion that it might be a weak QB class overall during his radio show last week.“I’d be careful when you hear people say this isn’t a great draft [for quarterbacks],” he said, via the team’s official website. “I think it depends on the team, the player, the quarterback, how you’re going to acquire him, where you’re going to acquire him.”Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are the consensus top two signal-callers in this year’s draft. Yet, even they come with a wide range of outcomes, particularly Sanders, who has been projected anywhere from a top-three pick to falling into the teens or 20s. Several QBs like Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough could be high-upside players with seasoning. Some productive college QBs like Quinn Ewers, Kyle McCord or Will Howard could excel in the right system.It could be a class that sees a host of middle-class players enter the NFL as backups with a chance to work their way into something more. For reference, Dan Bulger of The Athletic has 14 QBs with draftable grades, from Ward with a first-round grade to Memphis’ Seth Henigan with a seventh-round grade.The context of Schneider’s answer came as the Seahawks brought in a few QBs during the pre-draft visit process. The GM said not to read too much into those visits as they’re sometimes simply filling in gaps in the scouting process.“Bringing him through the building is really about, is really we need more time, we need more answers, and we need more time with this player based on the questions that we need answered in terms of the vision we see for this player and the fit,” he said. “It’s separate how you can acquire the play on draft weekend.”Since Schneider took over in Seattle in 2010, he’s drafted two quarterbacks. Famously, he snagged Super Bowl-winner Russell Wilson in the third round in 2012. He also drafted FIU’s Alex McGough in the seventh round in 2018.The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold this offseason after trading away Geno Smith. The Darnold contract, however, gives the club an out next year if things don’t go as planned. The signing of Drew Lock as a backup and the presence of Sam Howell gives the Seahawks a pretty stocked QB room. It’s probably not a position Schneider will look to add early in the draft, but in those middle or later rounds, it could be a consideration — particularly if he genuinely believes that it could be a deep draft at quarterback. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASEDGE MAXX CROSBY is emulating Tom Brady (announcer and football executive) as another Raiders figure who is multi-tasking. Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com: Las Vegas Raiders standout pass rusher Maxx Crosby has been named the assistant general manager for the Eastern Michigan football program, the university announced Monday.Crosby is the first active NFL player to hold the position. He will help Eastern Michigan evaluate high school and portal prospects, manage its NIL budget and also serve as special assistant to the fundraising, alumni relations and student-athlete support.“There is no place more important to my personal and athletic development than Eastern Michigan University,” Crosby said in a statement released by the school. “It truly is an honor for me to not only be named the Assistant GM of the EMU, but together with my wife Rachel, make another donation aimed at creating opportunities for other athletes to be impacted by the EMU program, community, students and alumni.”Crosby is one of the best defensive players to ever come out of Eastern Michigan. In three seasons, he set the program record with 20 career sacks, and his 41 tackles for loss are the third most in school history.Crosby, a fourth-round pick in 2019, has recorded 59.5 sacks in six seasons with the Raiders. He was rewarded by the Raiders this offseason, signing a three-year, $106.5 million contract extension in March.In addition to his role as assistant general manager for EMU, Crosby also launched the “Maxx Match,” which is a fundraising challenge in which he will personally match all donations to the Eastern Michigan football program, up to $100,000, made before the end of May.In 2023, Crosby and his wife Rachel donated $1 million to the football program.“Maxx Crosby’s return to EMU in this leadership role is a transformative moment for our football program,” athletic director Scott Wetherbee said in the release. “His passion, vision, and generosity are inspiring, and the Maxx Match is a powerful example of that. … With him on board, we’re building a better football program and a stronger future for EMU athletics.”While Crosby is the first NFL player to take an administrative job with an NCAA team, he is not the only athlete. Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry became the assistant general manager at Davidson College, his alma mater, last month. Will he really be looking at film, evaluating high school and portal prospects? Cool, if so. Wife Rachel also went to EMU, where she played soccer.- – -Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com explores whether or not it is a good idea for the Raiders to take RB ASHTON JEANTY with the 6th overall pick: Ashton Jeanty should probably thank Saquon Barkley. And Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Joe Mixon as well.The 2024 NFL season was largely about the rebirth of the running back. Multiple veteran free agents signed with new teams and had huge impacts. Barkley helped his team all the way to a Super Bowl win. And Jeanty’s timing couldn’t be better.With The Year of the Running Back fresh in the minds of NFL teams, Jeanty enters the NFL Draft. He’s on a rare plane of running back prospects, perhaps the best since Barkley in the 2018 draft. He’s No. 2 overall on the final big board from Yahoo Sports’ Charles McDonald.However, even though running backs had a surge last season, it’s still behind many other positions in terms of how NFL teams value it. That means the No. 2 prospect in the draft has virtually no chance of going second overall. But is he worth the sixth overall pick to a rebuilding team?Ashton Jeanty favored to go 6th overallThe NFL Draft odds on Jeanty at BetMGM mirror plenty of mock drafts. Jeanty is the favorite to go No. 6 overall, a pick the Las Vegas Raiders currently own, and there’s a pretty big gap to the second favorite on the list:Jeanty: -145Jalon Walker: +700Will Johnson: +750Mason Graham: +1000All other players are +1500 (15-to-1) or longer to be taken with the sixth pick.NFL odds aren’t always predictive, but the Jeanty odds reflect what the market believes the Raiders will do (though BetMGM’s odds are for which pick Jeanty will be selected, and theoretically, the Raiders could trade No. 6 to a team that takes Jeanty).It’s an interesting situation. Even the most optimistic Raiders fan would probably admit the team is still in a rebuilding phase. They have a new head coach in Pete Carroll, a new quarterback in Geno Smith, are turning over plenty of the defense after losing multiple starters in free agency and play in a division with three other playoff teams from last season. The Raiders were 4-13 last season and while they could be better with the quarterback upgrade, there’s a long way to go to be competitive in the AFC West.Does a running back, even one as dominant as Jeanty, change that?Will the Raiders take Jeanty?Jeanty was a force at Boise State, a worthy Heisman Trophy candidate who would have won in most years but had the misfortune of going against Travis Hunter’s historic two-way season. Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and Boise State made the College Football Playoff. It was one of the all-time great college running back seasons.It wasn’t just the production for Jeanty. He is explosive with great balance, and has a special ability to break tackles. There’s a good reason he’s in the Barkley class of prospects.Presumably, when the Raiders go on the clock in the draft, Jeanty will be the best player available. And it’s hard to fault them for taking Jeanty based on that. But it’s also hard to see the Raiders as being a running back away from contention. The common thread between Barkley, Henry, Jacobs and Mixon is they all went to 2023 playoff teams and made them better. They didn’t go to a 4-13 team and elevate it to the postseason. That’s a lot to ask for any running back. Barkley was the second pick to the Giants, had more than 2,000 scrimmage yards as a rookie and won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Giants still went just 5-11 that season.Former NFL star Vontae Davis’ cause of death ruled undetermined by medical professionalsBut the Raiders have to start somewhere. They nailed the pick of tight end Brock Bowers last season. They upgraded at quarterback with Smith, though he’s in the middle class of NFL quarterbacks and is unlikely to ascend to the next tier. If the Raiders can get the next few drafts right, maybe Jeanty will still be at his peak — and still on his rookie deal — by the time the team can compete with the Chiefs, Chargers and Broncos in the division. That would be the dream anyway.Carroll had his greatest NFL success with an offense led by Marshawn Lynch. Before that, his best teams at USC had Reggie Bush and LenDale White forming a dominant backfield. That could matter in the Raiders’ mindset when it comes to Jeanty. And there’s no doubt Jeanty would help a Raiders offense that was absolutely inept at running the ball last season. It’s just a question of how much he’d help.The Raiders still have plenty of holes to fill. A running back probably won’t get them to the playoffs this season. But Jeanty isn’t your normal running back prospect. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIThe Dolphins and CB JALEN RAMSEY are looking to part ways. Josh Alper ofProFootballTalk.com: Cornerback Jalen Ramsey may be on the move.NFL Media reports that the Dolphins and Ramsey have mutually agreed to explore trade options heading into the 2025 season.Ramsey signed a three-year extension with the Dolphins before the 2024 season, but the first new year of the deal is not until 2026 so he is under contract through the 2028 campaign. The last guaranteed money included in his deal comes this year, however, and he’s due around $25 million in salary and bonuses for the coming season.Ramsey started every game for the Dolphins last season and recorded 60 tackles, two interceptions and a sack. He was not selected for the Pro Bowl for the first time since his rookie season and the three-time All-Pro has not been selected for that roster since he was with the Rams in 2021.Next week’s draft could provide an opportunity to move Ramsey for draft pick compensation and such a move could signal a shift in focus for the Dolphins after they failed to reach the playoffs last season. |
| NEW YORK JETSJustin Breech of CBSSports.com on why QB JUSTIN FIELDS did not return to the Steelers, instead embarking with the new Jets management and coaching team: After spending the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Justin Fields had an offer on the table to return in 2025. Instead, he decided to spurn his old team to sign with the New York Jets in free agency.Fields started six games for the Steelers last season and went 4-2, but he got benched for Russell Wilson heading into Week 7. Although Fields clearly wasn’t happy with the decision, he said the benching had nothing to do with his decision to leave Pittsburgh.“You can’t take things personal,” Fields said this week, via ESPN.com. “That’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, not to take anything personal.”The former first-round pick claims that’s not why he isn’t holding any grudges against his former team.“Coach [Mike] Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team, and I’m never going to go against that,” Fields said. “I’m not a selfish guy whatsoever, so I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.”One big reason that Fields ended up signing in New York is because he wanted to play for new Jets coach Aaron Glenn.“At the end of the day, I was just excited of what the Jets had going on here with AG [Aaron Glenn] and just with the coaching staff, so it didn’t really have anything to do with Pittsburgh,” Fields said.Another possible reason for Fields’ decision to sign with the Jets over the Steelers likely had to do with money. The quarterback is getting $30 million guaranteed, including $10 million in guarantees for the 2026 season. However, the Steelers weren’t willing to guarantee him any money beyond the 2025 season, according to CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala.Over the past two seasons, Fields has gone 9-10 as a starter, which includes going 8-4 in his past 12 games. Not only did he go 4-2 with the Steelers, but he went 4-2 during his final six games with the Chicago Bears in 2023.“I think I did what I was asked to do and I’ve never had a problem with that,” Fields said of his time in Pittsburgh and Chicago. “I’ve always been a team player.”One other reason Fields likely picked the Jets is because going to New York will reunite him with several former college teammates. Tight end Jeremy Ruckert, offensive lineman Josh Myers and star wideout Garrett Wilson all played with Fields at Ohio State, so the Jets new quarterback is already familiar with plenty of his new teammates. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| VONTAE DAVISAfter a year of study, the Broward County Medical Examiner is unable to say how former NFL CB Vontae Davis passed away last year. Zach Powell of The Athletic: The cause and manner of the death of Vontae Davis, the 10-year veteran NFL cornerback, was ruled undetermined, according to an autopsy report from the Broward County (Fla.) medical examiner’s office Friday.“Due to the totality of the circumstances, including inconsistencies between the scene and the findings at autopsy, the cause and manner of death in this case is best classified as undetermined,” Rebecca MacDougall, Broward County’s chief medical examiner, wrote in a statement signed and dated March 30.Davis was found dead on the floor by his personal assistant inside his home gym in Southwest Ranches, Fla., in April 2024. He was 35 years old.Police previously said preliminary information suggested foul play was not involved.Under “evidence of injury,” the examiner’s report noted a red abrasion near Davis’ right eye and a small “subgaleal hemorrhage” over his right temporal occipital bone, “with hemorrhage into the right temporalis muscle.” The “layering” of the muscles in his back also revealed hemorrhage in the deep muscles of the upper back, and Davis had a 1/4-inch laceration on his right elbow and a 1/2-inch yellow-red abrasion on his left forearm, according to the report.The toxicology report indicated that Davis tested positive for multiple substances, including amphetamines/methamphetamines and cannabinoids.The medical examiner reviewed autopsy findings that also included “review of the scene photographs, analysis of home surveillance videos, meetings with crime scene personnel and law enforcement and a return visit to the home” before ruling that a cause of death could not be determined.Davis spent three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, six with the Indianapolis Colts and one with the Buffalo Bills. He emerged as a star in Indianapolis, making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 2014 and 2015. |
| 2025 DRAFTAlbert Breer with some insight on deficiencies with QB SHEDEUR SANDERS: I’m having a really hard time finding coaches or scouts who believe Sanders is a first-round talent. This, by the way, is separate from any issue anyone has with his personality. Those questions exist, but lots of teams have made exceptions in that department in the past to take on guys with special talents.The problem seems to be that too many folks don’t think Sanders has those types of gifts.What I keep hearing—and this has nothing to do with anyone having some personal issue with Sanders, or looking for him to fall in the draft so they can draft him—is that he isn’t a great athlete on tape, doesn’t have exceptional arm talent, and too often does things that simply won’t translate to the NFL game.Now, it’s not like Sanders is devoid of ability. Even his critics will tell you that he’s accurate, smart and tough, and credit him for winning consistently at programs where it’s hard to do that. There’s production there that doesn’t happen if a kid can’t play.But one interesting point that was raised to me in comparing Sanders to Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart a couple months ago was interesting. The coach I was talking to said, simply, that when you watch those two under duress on tape, you see Dart moving forward, and Sanders moving backward. That essentially means that where Dart would climb the pocket, Sanders would bail out the back of it, and run away from defenders to create time to throw.It’s a little thing, but to this coach, it was an example of how Dart’s game may translate to the NFL better—and how in a league with freakish pass rushers all over the place, the quarterback who manipulates the space around him has a much better chance than the one trying to create space on his own.Anyway, I don’t think Sanders is going in the top three. And at this point, it feels like it’d be surprising if the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets or Saints took him in the top 10.I’ve had more than one person say to me that if Sanders goes in the first round, it’ll be because an owner got involved. That, of course, is a bit of a guess from a few guys who are clued into how Sanders is viewed. But it’s also a bit of a window into the way evaluators are looking at the Colorado star.– – -Today’s Mock Draft is from Jordan Plocher of ProFootballFocus.com: While many don’t consider the 2025 NFL Draft’s quarterback class to be loaded with elite talent, it is still the most important position in sports, and that will always push quarterbacks up draft boards. That’s what happens in this mock draft.1. TENNESSEE TITANS: QB CAM WARD, MIAMI (FL)In this mock scenario, the Titans decide to move on from Will Levis and start a new era with Cam Ward at the helm.Ward was the best quarterback in college football in 2024, as his elite 92.9 PFF overall grade and 39 touchdown passes both led the nation. He parlays that on-the-field production into being the No. 1 overall pick here.2. CLEVELAND BROWNS: WR/CB TRAVIS HUNTER, COLORADOThe Browns don’t reach for a quarterback at No. 2 here but instead take the best — and most versatile — player in the draft. Hunter would improve a Browns’ wide receiver group that featured only one player with a PFF overall grade above 70.0 last season (Jerry Jeudy, 73.5).3. NEW YORK GIANTS: QB SHEDEUR SANDERS, COLORADOJameis Winston and Russell Wilson‘s presence shouldn’t prevent the Giants from continuing to hunt for their franchise quarterback. The team’s signing of Wilson will allow Sanders to ease into the quarterback spot.Sanders is effective on deep throws, producing 14 touchdowns and just one interception on passes thrown 20-plus yards downfield in 2024. Sanders and Malik Nabers should combine for some big plays.4. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: EDGE ABDUL CARTER, PENN STATENew England stays put and gets one of the draft’s few blue-chip players. In 2024, Carter earned a 92.3 PFF pass-rushing grade to go along with 13 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 43 hurries on 352 pass-rushing snaps. The Patriots should be well positioned in the second round to draft an offensive lineman.5. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: DI MASON GRAHAM, MICHIGANGraham would be a big body and a stout run defender for the middle of the Jaguars’ defense. His 92.6 PFF run-defense grade in 2024 ranked first in college football among interior defenders. This pick would give Jacksonville one of the league’s scariest defensive lines.6. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS: CB JAHDAE BARRON, TEXASWhile the thought of drafting running back Ashton Jeanty has to be tempting for new Raiders head coach Pete Carroll, this is a deep running back class in which a starter can be acquired later in the draft.Here, Carroll goes for his first positional love: a talented defensive back. The versatile Barron started at outside cornerback, slot cornerback and safety in college. His 91.1 PFF coverage grade in 2024 ranked first in the draft class among all defensive backs.7. NEW YORK JETS: TE TYLER WARREN, PENN STATEThe Jets nab the versatile, playmaking Warren, who averaged 6.7 yards after the catch per reception in 2024. His catch-and-run ability will give New York a middle-of-the-field threat to complement Garrett Wilson’s play on the outside.8. CAROLINA PANTHERS: EDGE JALON WALKER, GEORGIAWalker is a versatile player who can line up both on and off the ball. In 2024, he played 249 snaps on the line of scrimmage, 311 as a second-level box defender and 61 as a second-level overhang defender. The Panthers would likely use him as an edge to get the biggest return on their draft investment.9. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: QB JAXSON DART, OLE MISSNews broke this past week that starting quarterback Derek Carr has a shoulder injury that might require surgery, leaving his 2025 status up in the air. In turn, the Saints decide to get younger at the position by drafting Jaxson Dart.Much like Carr, Dart excels at throwing deep. He tossed 17 touchdown passes on deep passes (20-plus yards downfield) and posted a 92.6 PFF passing grade on deep throws in 2024.10. CHICAGO BEARS: RB ASHTON JEANTY, BOISE STATEA workhorse running back like Jeanty should help take some pressure off quarterback Caleb Williams. In addition to his well-established ground-game ability, Jeanty is also an excellent pass catcher who averaged 11.1 yards after the catch per reception and forced 41 missed tackles as a receiver during his college career.11. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: T ARMAND MEMBOU, MISSOURIThe 49ers haven’t drafted an offensive tackle in the first round since 2018. Trent Williams will be back in 2025, but he will be 37 years old and in his 15th season. Membou would give the 49ers an athletic tackle who fits what they want to do schematically.Membou earned an 80.7 PFF run-blocking grade in 2024 on outside zone runs, a concept the 49ers deployed on 50% of their run plays.12. DALLAS COWBOYS: WR TETAIROA MCMILLAN, ARIZONAAt 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, McMillan has a vastly different body type and skill set from CeeDee Lamb and would provide Dak Prescott with a big-bodied threat on the outside while Lamb does his damage in the slot. McMillan is also a run-after-the-catch threat, having tallied 29 forced missed tackles in 2024.13. MIAMI DOLPHINS: T WILL CAMPBELL, LSUThe Dolphins luck out as Will Campbell falls into their laps. They get to fill one of their biggest needs with one of the most talented players in the draft class.Terron Armstead’s retirement meant the Dolphins simultaneously lost their starting left tackle and highest-graded player on offense (89.4 PFF overall grade). Campbell recorded an 80.6 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024 and can step in to fill that void for Miami.14. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: LB JIHAAD CAMPBELL, ALABAMAWith the top tight end prospect gone, the Colts turn to getting an athletic and versatile front-seven player in Campbell. He showed what a well-rounded linebacker he is in 2024, garnering an 81.0 PFF run-defense grade and an 80.1 PFF coverage grade to go with eight sacks.15. ATLANTA FALCONS: EDGE SHEMAR STEWART, TEXAS A&MThe Falcons address their need for a talented edge defender with Shemar Stewart. He has tremendous size at 6-foot-5 and 281 pounds with 34 1/4-inch arms. Stewart will be a great draft-and-develop prospect after earning an 88.2 PFF run-defense grade in 2024 amid continued improvements as a pass rusher.16. ARIZONA CARDINALS: CB WILL JOHNSON, MICHIGANThe Cardinals could have used an interior defender or a speedy wide receiver, but they take Will Johnson here to improve a secondary that needs help at outside cornerback. Garrett Williams played very well in the slot last year, earning an 83.7 PFF coverage grade, but none of the team’s outside cornerbacks sported a PFF coverage grade above 66.0 in 2024.17. CINCINNATI BENGALS: EDGE MIKE GREEN, MARSHALLThe Bengals may still trade star edge defender Trey Hendrickson as he searches for a long-term contract. Mike Green is a premier pass-rusher to help the Bengals try and keep pace in the competitive AFC North. Green notched 17 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 32 hurries as the FBS’ highest-graded edge defender (92.4) in 2024.18. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: EDGE DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, BOSTON COLLEGEThe Seahawks would have hoped Jihaad Campbell fell here, but it wasn’t in the cards. They instead take the best edge rusher available. Ezeiruaku had a dominant pass-rushing season in 2024, earning an elite 90.5 PFF pass-rushing grade to go along with 14 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and 26 hurries.19. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: S MALAKI STARKS, GEORGIAStarks can play in multiple spots, having logged 544 snaps in the box, 1,191 snaps at free safety and 664 snaps in the slot over his college career. He also excels as a run defender, with PFF run-defense grades of 84.8 and 85.6 in the past two seasons.20. DENVER BRONCOS: TE COLSTON LOVELAND, MICHIGANYes, the Broncos just spent money on Evan Engram, but he is entering his ninth season. This selection also prevents Loveland from going to the division-rival Chargers.The Michigan product posted a very impressive 2.67 yards per route run in 2024 to go along with his 90.6 PFF receiving grade. The pick should lead to an increase in the Broncos’ use of 12 personnel.21. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: QB JALEN MILROE, ALABAMASteelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is drooling over the thought of having a rushing threat at quarterback. In 2024, Milroe earned an 81.8 PFF rushing grade and forced 32 missed tackles on the ground.Milroe ran a reported 4.40-second 40-yard dash at Alabama’s pro day, so he brings rare speed to the quarterback position. Smith’s run-first offensive approach will ease his NFL development, as he won’t be asked to drop back and throw the ball 40 times per game.22. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: DI KENNETH GRANT, MICHIGANWith the top tight ends gone and no need for one of the talented offensive tackles still on the board, the Chargers turn to big-bodied run stopper Kenneth Grant. He recorded an 87.5 PFF run-defense grade in 2024, and his selection continues the Chargers’ defensive line rebuild.23. GREEN BAY PACKERS: EDGE MYKEL WILLIAMS, GEORGIAThe Packers like to use early draft picks on the defensive trenches. Williams is so athletic that he can play multiple positions along the line and rush standing up or down in a stance. He is still developing as a pass rusher but is a great draft-and-develop edge prospect who boasts a 6-foot-5 and 260-pound frame along with very long 34 3/8-inch arms.Williams is already a stout run defender, with PFF run-defense grades above 80.0 in each of the past two seasons.24. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: G GREY ZABEL, NORTH DAKOTA STATEZabel played left tackle last season for North Dakota State and garnered a 93.1 PFF pass-blocking grade after allowing only one sack, two quarterback hits and four hurries on his 453 pass-blocking snaps as he helped his team win an FCS national championship. Zabel has the ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line but would start at guard initially for the Vikings.25. HOUSTON TEXANS: T KELVIN BANKS JR., TEXASThe Texans address their biggest need by improving their offensive line. Banks can start at guard if needed before becoming the team’s left tackle of the future. His 89.9 PFF pass-blocking grade in 2024 ranked third among tackles in the draft class.The run on wide receivers hasn’t started yet, so Houston could still look to select a wide receiver in the second round with Pick No. 58.26. LOS ANGELES RAMS: CB TREY AMOS, OLE MISSNone of the Rams’ outside cornerbacks earned PFF coverage grades above 63.0 in 2024. Trey Amos is a scheme-diverse cornerback who tallied 75.0-plus PFF grades in both man and zone coverage in 2024.27. BALTIMORE RAVENS: EDGE JAMES PEARCE JR., TENNESSEEThe 2025 draft class is deep at edge rusher, and the Ravens are lucky enough to land one as talented as Pearce with the 27th overall pick. Pearce’s athleticism and ability to win consistently as a pass rusher led to him collecting more than 50 pressures in each of his last two seasons of play against SEC offensive lines.28. DETROIT LIONS: EDGE NIC SCOURTON, TEXAS A&MScourton gives the Lions another young edge defender to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. He has a different body type than Hutchinson, bringing a shorter and stockier build, so the two should complement each other. Scourton earned an 80.6 PFF pass-rush grade in 2024.29. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: CB MAXWELL HAIRSTON, KENTUCKYThe Commanders didn’t have a single secondary player with a PFF coverage grade above 65.0 in 2024. Hairston’s 2024 campaign was shortened by injury, but he posted an 85.3 PFF coverage grade along with five interceptions and four pass breakups in 2023.30. BUFFALO BILLS: DI WALTER NOLEN, OLE MISSThe Bills should be drafting the best defensive player available at Pick No. 30. Nolen is one of the top interior defensive linemen in the class and had an elite 91.6 PFF run-defense grade in 2024, which ranked second in the FBS — behind only Mason Graham.31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: T JOSH SIMMONS, OHIO STATEAfter the Chiefs’ lackluster offensive showing in Super Bowl 59, it became apparent that upgrading their offensive line should be their top priority. Simmons has the ideal size for an NFL tackle at 6-foot-5 and 317 pounds with 33-inch arms. He had an injury-shortened season in 2024 but earned an 82.0 PFF pass-blocking grade before getting hurt.32. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: S NICK EMMANWORI, SOUTH CAROLINAThe Eagles already have the best roster in the NFL, and now they add a physical outlier to their defense. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Emmanwori measured in at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, ran a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and had explosive jumps of 43 inches in the vertical and 11 feet, 6 inches in the broad.While it almost seems like a luxury pick, Emmanwori earned an 86.8 PFF coverage grade in 2024 and should be able to help the backend of Philadelphia’s talented defense. |
