| RB ASHTON JEANTY thinks he’s going between #6 and #12. Which leads Mike Florio to wonder if someone wouldn’t trade to take his at #5 or if the Giants might take him at #3. Ashton Jeanty is widely believed to be the best running back in the draft class. In three days, we’ll find out where he lands. On Monday afternoon, Jeanty visited with #PFTPM, thanks to the fine folks at USAA. Jeanty addressed his ceiling and his floor in round one. He believes the highest he’ll be drafted is No. 6, to the Raiders. Jeanty thinks the lowest spot will be No. 12, to the Cowboys. The possibility of the Raiders taking Jeanty at No. 6 opens the door to someone trading up to No. 5, with the Jaguars. Also, it’s hard to not at least wonder whether Giants co-owner John Mara will be tempted to try to rectify last year’s Saquon Barkley blunder by pouncing on Jeanty. And, yes, if the Giants pass on Jeanty, he could end up in the NFC East, with the Cowboys. Regardless of where he lands, Jeanty could end up being an NFL superstar. If that happens, it won’t matter where he was picked. And whoever passed on him will regret it — unless they get a superstar of their own. We have also seen Jeanty go at #4 in some Mock Drafts to New England where new coach Mike Vrabel knows how to work with an elite back.- – -Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com has made some adjustments at the top of his Big Board: The big move at the top is Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter vaulting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter for the No. 1 slot. I’ve been thinking about making this change for a while and finally decided to move Hunter up one spot. Obviously, both players are tremendously impressive. I just think there’s something special about Hunter’s ability to impact the game on both sides of the ball. One other notable move is Missouri’s Armand Membou overtaking LSU’s Will Campbell as my top offensive tackle in the class. I still believe it’s highly likely Campbell will be the first offensive tackle drafted on Thursday. The change is more of a statement about my belief in the upside of Membou. The more I watch him, the more I see some similarities to a player I was around during my time scouting for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Peters. Membou has also been moving ahead of Campbell in a number of Mock Drafts we have seen. |
| NFC NORTH |
| MINNESOTAQB J.J. McCARTHY has been declared healthy. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: J.J. McCarthy is ready to roll as the Minnesota Vikings open their offseason program. “I’d consider him full. Really, no limitations,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Monday. “I want to credit J.J. for how he’s handled these last two, two-and-a-half, three months or so where I think he’s ready to hit the ground running as of today.” McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a preseason knee injury. After learning on the side in 2024, the Michigan product sets sail as the clear-cut starter at this stage in 2025. O’Connell noted that with a year to learn and develop his game outside the spotlight, McCarthy ramped up his technique and mental acumen. “He’s done a phenomenal job [with] what I would really call [those] invisible habits, invisible work that he’s done when really nobody’s been watching, in many ways solidifying and finalizing his rehab,” O’Connell said. “Then, on into a phase where he’s really been able to push it on the field from a throws [standpoint] and working his technique and fundamentals and then ultimately the mental side of it as well.” O’Connell said that Phase One of the offseason program, starting with classroom work and rehab training, sets up “perfectly” for McCarthy. Moving forward, the question is whether and when the Vikings might add a veteran signal-caller. Minnesota was outbid for veterans Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones, with both leaving for better paths to playing time. Aaron Rodgers’ name has been floated about as a potential veteran addition, but the Vikings plan to give McCarthy the reins. “We’ve been patient, and we’ve really evaluated a lot of different ways we could potentially do that,” O’Connell said of adding a veteran QB. “There’s potential trades and free agency and still the draft. We’re going through a process of just figuring out who is the player we want to solidify that room with. … When that happens, the timing of it remains to be seen.” At this point, McCarthy getting the majority of early offseason reps — mental and physical — is best for his development. With Brett Rypien the only other quarterback on the roster, someone will be added before training camp. The type of signal-caller — whether simply a camp arm or otherwise — could depend on the progress McCarthy continues to make. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASCalvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News says he hears the Cowboys will pick up the 5th year option on G TYLER SMITH: The Cowboys are expected to pick up the fifth-year option for 2022 first-round pick Tyler Smith, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Dallas Morning News. It’s no surprise considering the left guard has made two Pro Bowls in three seasons and has emerged as the best player on the offensive line. During the offseason retirements of right guard Zack Martin and left tackle Tyron Smith, both said Smith is the next elite offensive lineman for the franchise. “I feel like Tyler has came in and set the standard that he wants to be great when he first got here,” Tyron Smith said of the North Crowley product. “And he has just increased his potential every year. His work ethic and what he puts into this game [and] how dominating he is on the field, it just shows he is getting better. He has the potential to be one of the greats and I can’t wait to see that show.” NFL teams have until May 1 to decide on fifth-year options for players. Smith’s projected salary for the 2026 season will be $23.4 million because he’s made multiple Pro Bowls. Smith, the 24th pick of the 2022 draft, signed a four-year, $13.3 million deal with the Cowboys. He will earn a base salary of $2.5 million in 2025. The Cowboys are also interested in locking up Smith long-term based on what he’s already done in his career. The first steps in that process are being taken. |
| PHILADELPHIAChase was on the case from Paw Patrol, or so thinks WR A.J. BROWN’s son – and the stolen vehicle has been recovered and a perpetrator captured. “I’ll tell y’all a funny joke. This morning, when I was talking to the police, my little son comes up and goes ‘Dada, Paw Patrol!’ I said, ‘Everybody’s got jokes this morning.’ Now the joke’s on you,” he added. Fox 29 in Philadelphia, citing sources, reported that the car was found in Camden, New Jersey, and that police had the suspect in custody. ESPN has reached out to the Camden Police Department for comment. |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOEven as the 49ers try to squirrel away money to give QB BROCK PURDY a contract suitable to the recently inflated market, two of the team’s other top players are also demanding raises. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The 49ers begin their offseason program Tuesday, and it is uncertain whether tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner will show up to the voluntary workouts, Michael Silver of TheAthletic.comreports. Both players want contract extensions. The 49ers have yet to have “any substantive talks” with Warner’s camp about a contract extension, according to Silver, and the team and Kittle remain “far apart in discussions.” Warner has two years remaining on his deal, but he has a cap hit of $29.174 million for the 2025 season. He signed a five-year, $95 million extension in 2021, and he has made the Pro Bowl and All-Pro three times since. Kittle is heading into the final year of a five-year, $75-million deal, and both sides have expressed a desire to get an extension this offseason. Kittle has a cap number of $22.026 million for 2025 and is scheduled for $13.6 million in dead money in 2026 due to void years. He has made the Pro Bowl the past four seasons and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2023. |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVERAre the Broncos looking to move up? Nick Kendell of SI.com: After last week’s conference call with NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah, conversations about Denver potentially trading down to No. 33 or No. 34 in a move with the Browns or Giants, respectively, appeared to be a legitimate option. On the contrary, though, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday the Broncos are among the few teams making calls regarding a trade-up in the first round of the draft. “There has been, however, a lack of teams willing to trade up — at least so far. Denver is one of those: The Broncos have made inquiries about moving up in Round 1, according to sources,” Schefter wrote. “But there aren’t many others. This always could change when players start falling and teams are on the clock.” What happens next on the Broncos beat? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second, sign up for our free newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily! What might a trade-up look like? It depends entirely on how far the Broncos want to move and what prospect is available. With so many teams looking to move down, it could be argued this is a buyer’s market, but that doesn’t mean Denver will be getting a discount. “On the other side of things, the Steelers (No. 21) are among the teams interested in moving back from their first-round slot,” Schefter added. “That list also includes the Jaguars (5), Panthers (8), 49ers (11), Falcons (15), Seahawks (18), Buccaneers (19) and Vikings (24), who currently have four picks, the fewest any team.” Who may Denver be moving for? Given general manager George Paton’s comments that the club views the projected prospects in picks 10-20 to be relatively similar, the Broncos are likely aiming to secure one of the few true first-round grades on their big board. Could the Broncos make an aggressive play for running back Ashton Jeanty if he falls past the Raiders at No. 6? Maybe despite landing Evan Engram, the Broncos could trade for tight ends Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland? Would Denver make a small move up to guarantee RB Omarion Hampton? Is there a dark horse such as pass rusher Mykel Williams? Or a cornerback like Will Johnson? All truths will be revealed in short order. But with the talk of Denver moving up, moving down, or simply standing pat, the scenarios are endless. Regardless, no matter what assortment of players the Broncos walk away with this upcoming weekend, the decision makers in Dove Valley deserve the benefit of the doubt in whichever direction they take the organization. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CINCINNATIThe Bengals braintrust understands a defensive improvement is needed to go deep into the playoffs. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: The Bengals have invested a fortune in salary cap space in building the offense around Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin spent a lot of time during his pre-draft press conference talking about why it’s now time to invest in the defense as well. “I feel as strongly about the defense as I feel about the offense in terms of necessity, and it’s got to work together,” Tobin said. “You’re always going to be a little heavier on one side of the ball or the other, depending on how you’re paying your team. There can be an imbalance based on that, but you still have to have a complementary team. We believe we can outscore anybody. That’s our mindset, that’s who we are, that’s what we’ve always been about. But you always have to take care of the other side of the ball.” The Bengals are expected to address their defensive line and secondary in the draft, and Tobin acknowledged they need to do that. “Defense is important. A lot of people believe defense wins championships, and maybe that’s true. If we get a little better over there, maybe we will,” Tobin said. Tobin said he believes the Bengals are a team that can win a Super Bowl. Especially if they get a little better on defense. “I believe that our football team can go win a championship, absolutely,” Tobin said. “It’s a unique group of guys, it really is, and we will add pieces, and defensively we have to elevate ourself.” |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONQB C.J. STROUD has won his fight to get more control of the Texans offense. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud won offensive rookie of the year under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik in 2023. But Stroud regressed in 2024, costing Slowik his job. Slowik is now in Miami as the senior passing game coordinator, replaced in Houston by Nick Caley. Stroud asked for more ownership of the offense, and he said Monday that Cauley’s scheme will allow him to “take control” on the field. Stroud will do “a little bit more pre-snap” to “put my guys in the best position.” It’s something Stroud said he didn’t work on the past two years. “I’m going to get what I want and that’s been really cool just to see that [Caley has] bought into me and he doesn’t really know me well yet,” Stroud said, via Sam Warren of the Houston Chronicle. “He talked about it today, having blind trust, and I have a lot of trust in him already.” Stroud said Cauley will change Houston’s pre-snap philosophy to allow the quarterback to run the show as Matthew Stafford and Tom Brady did at Caley’s previous stops. |
| INDIANAPOLISThe Colts don’t seem to be expecting a clear winner as QBs ANTHONY RICHARDSON and DANIEL JONES do battle. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: The Indianapolis Colts have kicked off voluntary offseason workouts, which means the quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones is about to get underway. Phase One of the offseason program is meetings and workouts — not on-field football — but it will lay the ground for the battle that will last throughout the summer. On Monday, general manager Chris Ballard said the team isn’t entering the process with any preconceived notions, and the decision will ultimately come from a collective choice between coach Shane Steichen, offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, owner Jim Irsay and himself. Ballard added that the struggles both Richardson and Jones have experienced in their respective careers can be good for each. “Sometimes you’ve got to be bad before you can be good at playing this game,” he said. “Sometimes you’ve got to struggle before you can be good, all right? We’ve got two guys that have had some really strong flashes and have had some bad moments, too, and that’s OK. I think both of them will be better because of this, and I think the team will be better because of it. You know, competition brings out the best in everybody, and I think we’ll see that. “To sit here a day before we even start the offseason and have a vision of how. … You don’t want to begin with an end in mind. We’re not gonna do that. It’s like the draft. You don’t want to begin with an end in mind. You’ve got to let things play out the way they should and compete and who gives the team the best chance to win. Look, if I’m a betting man, at some point, both of them will help us.” Indy imported Jones, who was cut last season from New York, in March to compete with Richardson. The Colts’ former No. 4 overall pick was benched for two games last season and missed four others due to injury. Ballard was asked if being open-minded about the quarterback position meant he would consider drafting one in the first or second round of this week’s draft. “If there’s a player that we deem is worthy of it, absolutely, yeah,” the Colts GM said. “Why wouldn’t we? Yeah.” Asked if that would mean it’s a three-QB competition, Ballard responded: “Sure. If you want to write that story, you can.” The more likely reality is that the Colts bolster the rest of the roster while letting Richardson and Jones duke it out for the Week 1 starting gig. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| RANKING THE LAST FIVE DRAFTSNick Baumgardner of The Athletic on ranks them 1 to 32 on how much talent teams have added in the last five drafts. The team he puts first began those five drafts by completely blowing the 3rd overall selection. Below is a look at how each NFL team has performed over the past five drafts. I’ve charted the number of top 50 picks each team has had in that stretch, along with the number of Pro Bowl selections and starting seasons those picks have produced. Additionally, I’ve used the Approximate Value metric (created by Pro Football Reference’s Doug Drinen) as a basic guide to rank teams based on which ones have gotten the most out of their recent picks. The number next to each team is that franchise’s average Approximate Value per selection from 2020-24. It’s important to note here that Approximate Value is what it sounds like: an approximation. Nothing is final here, especially considering how much second- and third-year players are still developing. But here’s a rough look at who’s done the most — and the least — with their past five drafts: 1. Detroit Lions (10.53 average Approximate Value)Top 50 picks: 12Pro Bowls: 13Starting seasons: 35Best pick: OT Penei Sewell (No. 7, 2021); Worst pick: CB Jeff Okudah (No. 3, 2020); Best value: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (No. 112, 2021)Brad Holmes’ first three classes — aided by the 2021 Matthew Stafford trade — featured Sewell, Alim McNeill, St. Brown, Aidan Hutchinson, Kerby Joseph, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta. Detroit has put on a masterclass in how to rebuild an organization from the ground up. 2. Kansas City Chiefs (9.46)Total 50 picks: 5Pro Bowls: 4Starting seasons: 39Best pick: C Creed Humphrey (No. 63, 2021); Worst pick: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (No. 32, 2020); Best value: G Trey Smith (No. 226, 2021)No team has done more with less in recent drafts than the Chiefs, which consistently have picked toward the bottom of the first round. Humphrey (technically, the third center off the board in 2021) was one of the NFL’s best interior linemen by the end of his rookie season and remains so today. 3. Baltimore Ravens (8.95)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 11Starting seasons: 37Best pick: S Kyle Hamilton (No. 14, 2022); Worst pick: edge David Ojabo (No. 45, 2022); Best value: DT Nnamdi Madubuike (No. 71, 2020)Getting Hamilton and Tyler Linderbaum in 2022 made for one of the best Day 1 hauls a team could want. Some front-office executives are still afraid of taking safeties early, but Baltimore held strong on Hamilton. The Ravens always take the best player on their board and have had almost zero premium whiffs in this stretch. 4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8.94)Top 50 picks: 7Pro Bowls: 5Starting seasons: 34Best pick: OT Tristan Wirfs (No. 13, 2020); Worst pick: QB Kyle Trask (No. 64, 2021); Best value: edge YaYa Diaby (No. 82, 2023)Wirfs is only 26 and has already become the first player in NFL history to earn first-team All-Pro honors at both right and left tackle. Tampa Bay also snagged Antoine Winfield Jr. in 2020 and has continued to grind the middle rounds as well as any team in the league (Cade Otton, Bucky Irving, Cody Mauch). 5. Dallas Cowboys (8.76)Top 50 picks: 6Pro Bowls: 15Starting seasons: 34Best pick: edge Micah Parsons (No. 12, 2021); Worst pick: DT Mazi Smith (No. 26, 2023); Best value: CB Daron Bland (No. 167, 2022)Parsons, CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs and Tyler Smith were all elite picks from 2020-22 — no one can claim the Cowboys are lacking top-end talent. Of Dallas’ 43 picks in this stretch, 18 came in the top 100. 6. Miami Dolphins (8.75)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 35Best pick: WR Jaylen Waddle (No. 6, 2021); Worst pick: CB Noah Igbinoghene (No. 30, 2020); Best value: RB De’Von Achane (No. 84, 2023)The Dolphins had just 37 total picks from 2020-24, but 15 of them were top-100 selections. And though some of Miami’s best value picks (Jevon Holland, Robert Hunt) left via free agency, the franchise has done a nice job maximizing a somewhat short-handed pick arsenal. 7. Cincinnati Bengals (8.48)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 6Starting seasons: 33Best pick: QB Joe Burrow (No. 1, 2020); Worst pick: S Daxton Hill (No. 31, 2022); Best value: LB Logan Wilson (No. 65, 2020)The Bengals hit the jackpot with Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in back-to-back years, but an inability to find quality offensive linemen via the draft has hindered their progress since making Super Bowl LVI. 8. Buffalo Bills (8.46)Top 50 picks: 4Pro Bowls: 1Starting seasons: 33Best pick: edge Gregory Rousseau (No. 30, 2021); Worst pick: CB Kaiir Elam (No. 23, 2022); Best value: WR Khalil Shakir (No. 148, 2022)Like the Chiefs, the Bills have done a terrific job maxing out the draft, despite spending most of the last five years near the bottom of the first round. The Elam miss hurts, but picks such as Shakir, James Cook, O’Cyrus Torrence and Spencer Brown have been huge — and a testament to Buffalo’s scouting department. 9. Philadelphia Eagles (8.45)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 7Starting seasons: 24Best pick: QB Jalen Hurts (R2: No. 53, 2020); Worst pick: WR Jalen Reagor (R1: No. 21, 2020); Best value: LB Nakobe Dean (No. 83, 2022)The 2020 draft was strange, but it also produced one of the smartest QB picks of the last decade. Since then, Howie Roseman has continued to feast in just about every area of the draft. Getting Jalen Carter at No. 9 was a steal, and bringing in Cam Jurgens before Jason Kelce’s retirement made for one of the best picks in the last five years. 10. Los Angeles Chargers (8.41)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 3Starting seasons: 32Best pick: QB Justin Herbert (No. 6, 2020); Worst pick: G Zion Johnson (No. 17, 2022); Best value: OL Jamaree Salyer (No. 195, 2022)Injuries and coaching changes have gotten in the way here, but the Chargers followed the Herbert pick by adding quality in Rashawn Slater and, most recently, Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey. Even Johnson hasn’t been bad. There’s a reason why Jim Harbaugh was able to get this team off the mat quickly — the Chargers have talent. 11. Chicago Bears (8.18)Top 50 picks: 9Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 41Best pick: QB Caleb Williams (No. 1, 2024); Worst pick: QB Justin Fields (No. 11, 2021); Best value: OL Braxton Jones (No. 168, 2022)Finding talent through the draft hasn’t been a problem for Ryan Poles. Drafting Fields before the team was ready hurt, though. The Bears have struggled to find pieces that mesh well together and have fallen behind the deepest division in football as a result. 12. Pittsburgh Steelers (8.18)Top 50 picks: 7Pro Bowls: 1Starting seasons: 35Best pick: edge Alex Highsmith (No. 102, 2020); Worst pick: QB Kenny Pickett (No. 20, 2022); Best value: WR George Pickens (No. 52, 2022)Highsmith is Pittsburgh’s best pick and best value during this stretch. But the Steelers, with just 36 total picks from 2020-24, have done a nice job consistently finding quality in the mid-rounds. Zach Frazier and Payton Wilson are the latest examples. It’s helped keep the team competitive, despite missing big on Pickett. 13. Seattle Seahawks (7.92)Top 50 picks: 9Pro Bowls: 4Starting seasons: 27Best pick: CB Devon Witherspoon (No. 5, 2023); Worst pick: WR D’Wayne Eskridge (R2: No. 56, 2021); Best value: CB Riq Woolen (No. 153, 2022)The Seahawks also have made some to-be-determined selections (Charles Cross and Boye Mafe) but hit gold with Woolen and Witherspoon. The results could be better, but they also could be much worse. 14. Houston Texans (7.76)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 5Starting seasons: 31Best pick: QB C.J. Stroud (No. 2, 2023); Worst pick: G Kenyon Green (No. 15, 2022); Best value: WR Nico Collins (No. 89, 2021)Houston’s had some whiffs, from Green to Ross Blacklock and John Metchie III. But the Texans also have had their share of slam dunks — Stroud, Will Anderson Jr. and Tank Dell in 2023 made for one of the best top-100 trios of any in this era. 15. Denver Broncos (7.34)Top 50 picks: 5Pro Bowls: 7Starting seasons: 26Best pick: CB Patrick Surtain II (No. 9, 2021); Worst pick: WR KJ Hamler (No. 46, 2020) Best value: edge Jonathon Cooper (No. 239, 2021)The Russell Wilson trade hurt Denver, but it’s hard to argue the Broncos haven’t done a great job finding quality players in the mid- and late rounds. Cooper, Quinn Meinerz, Nik Bonitto and others have made life easier. 16. New York Jets (7.33)Top 50 picks: 11Pro Bowls: 3Starting seasons: 37Best pick: CB Sauce Gardner (No. 4, 2022); Worst pick: QB Zach Wilson (No. 2, 2021); Best value: LB Jamien Sherwood (No. 146, 2021)The Joe Douglas-Robert Saleh era didn’t implode due to a lack of talent — the only team with more top 50 picks in this stretch was Detroit. So, though hits like Gardner, Garrett Wilson and Joe Tippmann have worked out, there have also been hiccups. But if Aaron Glenn can rally the troops (and find a QB), New York has the talent to make a jump. 17. San Francisco 49ers (7.30)Top 50 picks: 5Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 25Best pick: QB Brock Purdy (No. 262, 2022); Worst pick: QB Trey Lance (No. 3, 2021); Best value: S Talanoa Hufanga (No. 180, 2021)A huge reason why the 49ers just went through major roster changes is the failed trade-up for Lance, which cost San Francisco three firsts and a third. The 49ers have had just one first-round pick since 2021, and the Purdy steal, though helpful, has not been a cure-all. San Francisco has been able to find quality talent in the middle rounds, though, including Hafunga, Deommodore Lenoir and, most recently, Dominick Puni. 18. Green Bay Packers (7.28)Top 50 picks: 10Pro Bowls: 0Starting seasons: 35Best pick: QB Jordan Love (No. 26, 2020); Worst pick: edge Lukas Van Ness (No. 13, 2023); Best value: OL Zach Tom (No. 140, 2022)The Packers believe in internal player development as much as, or possibly more than, any team in the league. They will take chances on first-rounders who might need more time — Love and star edge Rashan Gary are great examples. Right now, though, Green Bay is still waiting on jumps from Van Ness, Devonte Wyatt and Jordan Morgan. The Packers haven’t drafted poorly of late, but they certainly could’ve done better in a few areas. 19. Atlanta Falcons (7.08)Top 50 picks: 10Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 30Best pick: WR Drake London (No. 8, 2023); Worst pick: DT Marlon Davidson (No. 47, 2020); Best value: C Drew Dalman (No. 115, 2021)Atlanta’s had a slew of premium picks over the last five years, but the results, as the team’s record suggests, have been middling. London has been a home run; Kyle Pitts has struggled to live up to an elite rookie season. Bijan Robinson and Matthew Bergeron were great picks to start the 2023 draft; Michael Penix Jr. and Ruke Orhorhoro from the ’24 class haven’t hit yet. Atlanta has struggled in the second round, particularly with Marlon Davidson, Troy Andersen and even Richie Grant coming up a bit short. 20. New York Giants (7.07)Top 50 picks: 10Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 29Best pick: WR Malik Nabers (No. 6, 2024); Worst pick: OT Evan Neal (No. 7, 2022); Best value: LB Micah McFadden (No. 146, 2022)The Giants have had four top-10 picks since 2020, but it’s hard to say they’ve done enough with them. While Nabers and Andrew Thomas have been great, Kayvon Thibodeaux has been hit or miss and Neal has struggled. The bigger issue (apart from the lack of a QB) has been New York’s inability to find value in the mid-to-late rounds. However, the 2024 class appears to have real promise. 21. New Orleans Saints (7.06)Top 50 picks: 9Pro Bowls: 1Starting seasons: 25Best pick: WR Chris Olave (No. 11, 2022); Worst pick: edge Payton Turner (No. 28, 2021); Best value: CB Paulson Adebo (No. 76, 2021)The biggest problem here has been a lack of resources, as New Orleans made just 29 picks from 2020-24. So, although there have been hits (Olave, Taliese Fuaga), every so-so pick (Turner, Trevor Penning, Isaiah Foskey) has hurt that much more. 22. Washington Commanders (7.00)Top 50 picks: 9Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 29Best pick: QB Jayden Daniels (No. 2, 2024); Worst pick: edge Chase Young (No. 2, 2020); Best value: OT Brandon Coleman (No. 67, 2024)The 2024 class saved the day, and it wasn’t just because of Daniels. Coleman, Mike Sainristil and Jer’Zhan Newton all produced as rookies. Picks such as Young and Jahan Dotson have been frustrating, but Washington has done a solid job finding late-round value. 23. Jacksonville Jaguars (6.82)Top 50 picks: 11Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 36Best pick: QB Trevor Lawrence (No. 1, 2021); Worst pick: CB C.J. Henderson (No. 9, 2020); Best value pick: S Andre Cisco (No. 65, 2021) Few teams have done less with more since 2020 than Jacksonville, which recently fired GM Trent Baalke. Travon Walker is a good microcosm for how the Jaguars have drafted in this stretch — he’s improved a lot since his rookie season, but in no world should he have been taken in front of Aidan Hutchinson. 24. Indianapolis Colts (6.73)Top 50 picks: 6Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 37Best pick: RB Jonathan Taylor (No. 41, 2020); Worst pick: QB Anthony Richardson (No. 4, 2023); Best value: CB Jaylon Jones (No. 221, 2023)That Richardson (who could still turn it around) is the worst pick here sort of tells the story — non-draft factors have been behind the Colts’ recent decline. In many ways, the franchise is still reeling from Andrew Luck’s retirement and the decisions made in the aftermath. GM Chris Ballard and company have made solid selections during his time (Josh Downs, Bernhard Raimann, Kwity Paye), but the Colts haven’t had an elite selection since Taylor. 25. Carolina Panthers (6.58)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 1Starting seasons: 24Best pick: DT Derrick Brown (No. 7, 2020); Worst pick: QB Bryce Young (No. 1, 2023); Best value: RB Chuba Hubbard (No. 126, 2021)Don’t give up on Young yet, but taking him over C.J. Stroud — and trading so much to do so — has not aged well. The other problem has been the lack of hits from the Panthers’ front office after the first two rounds. 26. Minnesota Vikings (6.43)Top 50 pick: 8Pro Bowls: 4Starting seasons: 32Best pick: WR Justin Jefferson (No. 22, 2020); Worst pick: S Lewis Cine (No. 32, 2022); Best value: CB Cam Bynum (No. 125, 2021)Not getting anything from either J.J. McCarthy or Dallas Turner last year impacted Minnesota’s number, because the front office has done a nice job with picks, including Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, Jordan Addison, Ezra Cleveland and more. Still, McCarthy and Turner are the only top-20 selections Minnesota has had since 2020. 27. Cleveland Browns (5.95)Top 50 picks: 3Pro Bowl: 0Starting seasons: 25Best pick: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (No. 52, 2021); Worst pick: OT Jedrick Wills (No. 10, 2020); Best value: CB Martin Emerson (No. 68, 2022)Swing and a miss. The Deshaun Watson trade, which has kept Cleveland out of the first round since 2021, does a lot to explain this ranking. Cleveland hasn’t had enough assets in the draft to keep its roster healthy, while premium investments like Wills haven’t panned out. 28. Las Vegas Raiders (5.89)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 1Starting seasons: 28Best pick: TE Brock Bowers (No. 13, 2024); Worst pick: WR Henry Ruggs III (No. 12, 2020); Best value: OL Dylan Parham (No. 90, 2022)Bowers broke a horrible streak of first-rounders for Las Vegas — Damon Arnette, Alex Leatherwood, Ruggs and Tyree Wilson have all gone in the books as misses (though Wilson still has time to turn it around). The good news? Bowers, Jackson Powers-Johnson and Delmar Glaze were all great picks in 2024. 29. Los Angeles Rams (5.58)Top 50 picks: 3Pro Bowls: 3Starting seasons: 28Best pick: WR Puka Nacua (No. 177, 2023); Worst pick: G Logan Bruss (No. 104, 2022); Best value: RB Kyren Williams (No. 164, 2022)This is the other side of the Stafford trade, though this ranking doesn’t tell the real story. That the Rams have remained competitive with hardly any premium picks over the last five drafts is a testament to Les Snead and his staff. Nacua is the best Day 3 pick of the last five years, and the Rams also nailed their top two selections in 2024 (Jared Verse and Braden Fiske). 30. New England Patriots (5.58)Top 50 picks: 9Pro Bowls: 2Starting seasons: 29Best pick: QB Drake Maye (No. 3, 2024); Worst pick: QB Mac Jones (No. 15, 2021); Best value: OL Mike Onwenu (No. 182, 2020)Despite his yearlong ESPN public relations tour, there are reasons why Bill Belichick’s time in New England needed to end. From 2020-2022, New England’s top three picks were Josh Uche, Jones and Cole Strange, respectively. The Patriots have a lot of work to do. 31. Tennessee Titans (5.0)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 0Seasons started: 19Best pick: OT JC Latham (No. 7, 2024); Worst pick: OT Isaiah Wilson (No. 29, 2020); Best value: TE Chigoziem Okonkwo (No. 143, 2022)Wilson, who played just four snaps with the Titans and is currently out of football, was one of the worst-performing first-round picks of all time. Taking Caleb Farley and Treylon Burks in 2021 and 2022, respectively, also didn’t help. 32. Arizona Cardinals (4.9)Top 50 picks: 8Pro Bowls: 1Starting seasons: 22Best pick: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (No. 4, 2024); Worst pick: LB/Edge Zaven Collins (No. 16, 2021); Best value: WR Michael Wilson (No. 94, 2023) The Cardinals’ best picks of this stretch have come in the last two drafts, so if we recalculate in two years, they likely would be much higher on the list. GM Monti Ossenfort has done a very nice job kick-starting a rebuild for a team that could be solid in 2025. |
| MOCK DRAFT – JONATHAN JONESJonathan Jones of CBSSports.com believes that this is the one year that NFL teams won’t overdraft quarterbacks. Here is his Mock. We’re just a few days away from the most unpredictable draft I can remember since the 2020 year when no one knew what the hell was going on. Despite that unpredictability, I developed some irrational confidence about how the top two, top three, top five picks would go as the weeks rolled along. They mostly align with the consensus, which is usually not a great thing when it comes to the draft. But in a draft that seemingly lacks Gold Jacket guys (and we’ll need a decade-plus to determine how accurate that sentiment is), the answers may be plainly in front of you. It has been repeated throughout this pre-draft process that this is a great year to trade back. The problem with that is someone has to want to trade up, and then both teams have to agree on the compensation. If the entire market wants to trade down, you can assume the price will be lower than it typically is. Will GMs be willing to take a value less than what their chart dictates? Will they understand this draft — like all other drafts — is an entity all to itself? That’s something I’m keeping in mind in the upcoming week, especially where it concerns new GMs. The Jaguars, Raiders and Jets are picking No. 5-7 and all have new men in charge. It’s possible, if not likely, one of them will be the first team to trade back, and the rest of a reactive league will be able to copy off their paper when it comes to the value of a trade back. Will a new GM — someone who has dreamed for decades of finally being in this chair — be willing to potentially take less compensation than in previous years to execute a trade-back in the top-10? Here’s my one and only mock for the 2025 NFL draft. You may notice there’s no Shedeur Sanders — or any quarterback of any name other than Cam Ward — in this mock. Sanders could be the next rookie Giants quarterback at No. 3, as I write below. Or he could be a target in the late-first or early-second rounds like other quarterbacks, as referenced in here. 1 TENNESSEECam Ward QBMiami (FL) • Sr • 6’2″ / 219 lbsThis one has been known for more than a month. The Titans didn’t make a play for a legitimate QB in free agency because they were already locked in on Ward. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Tennessee deal Will Levis at some point before training camp, and I would expect them to add a pass rusher and/or receiver on Day 2. 2 CLEVELANDTravis Hunter ATHColorado • Jr • 6’0″ / 188 lbsThe Browns are saying they’ll play him at receiver more than corner, which Hunter must love considering the payday coming his way in three years if he plays the position well. Yes, they need a quarterback, but after Ward goes to Tennessee, they weren’t getting a signal caller at No. 2. They’ll have to settle for the top player on the board. 3 NY GIANTSAbdul Carter EDGEPenn State • Jr • 6’3″ / 250 lbsBig Blue has done nearly two years of homework on Shedeur Sanders and a crash course this week on everyone else. I can’t rule out a QB at No. 3 here, but I don’t think that’s what happens. The Giants take the draft’s best pass rusher and solidify that front for years to come. 4 NEW ENGLANDWill Campbell OTLSU • Jr • 6’6″ / 319 lbsEven if Carter is available here, I still think the Pats take an offensive tackle here. Campbell appears to be the pick. The arm length doesn’t seem to be a factor, especially since the pre-draft measurements were all over the place and he’s closer to 33 inches anyway. 5 JACKSONVILLEMason Graham DLMichigan • Jr • 6’3″ / 296 lbsThe Wolverine has a championship pedigree and wrestling background that will fit perfectly in what the new Jags regime is trying to build. Graham fits an obvious need for Jacksonville, even if he doesn’t have the desired length inside. 6 LAS VEGASAshton Jeanty RBBoise State • Jr • 5’9″ / 211 lbsThe longer the wait for the draft, the more nit-picking goes on about top players. Jeanty isn’t the perfect running back prospect to be taken in the top-10, but he’s a home-run hitter who can change a game. The Raiders need more play-makers, and they’ll figure out their corner issue somewhere this weekend 7 NY JETSArmand Membou OTMissouri • Jr • 6’4″ / 332 lbsThis pick is all about maximizing Justin Fields. You could convince me this will be Tyler Warren here, especially after the Jets missed out on Brock Bowers last year, and I wouldn’t bat an eye. Many around the league see Campbell and Membou as equals. 8 CAROLINAJalon Walker EDGEGeorgia • Jr • 6’1″ / 243 lbsMocks have the Panthers taking Walker and for good reason. One executive told me he’s “Roquan Smith with a lot more pass rush.” This defense needs some dudes and Walker is a dude. 9 NEW ORLEANSKelvin Banks Jr. OTTexas • Jr • 6’5″ / 315 lbsSome view him as a guard due to his length, but I think it’s more because he’s such a solid run-blocker. Barely 21 years old and 6-foot-5, he can grow as a pass blocker. Whether he sticks at tackle or guard, New Orleans gets position versatility here. 10 CHICAGOTyler Warren TEPenn State • Sr • 6’6″ / 256 lbsChicago has to worry that New Orleans could get Warren here (or trade back and let someone else get him), but the sit patiently and get the tight end. The Bears already have Cole Kmet, but a move like this isn’t unprecedented. The Eagles drafted Dallas Goedert after Zach Ertz’s fifth season in the league to ensure they had the position locked down for a decade-plus. 11 SAN FRANCISCOWalter Nolen DLOle Miss • Jr • 6’4″ / 296 lbsNolen’s talent is undeniable, but there are several teams who wouldn’t take him this high. It could be a risky pick, but it fits an obvious need for San Francisco and Nolen can mature his entire game with the Niners. 12 DALLASMatthew Golden WRTexas • Jr • 5’11” / 191 lbsThe Cowboys could go any number of directions here, including pass rusher, but I’m not sure they’ll be able to resist adding a receiver with their first pick. Dallas watched the Texas (and Houston) product crush the win-or-go-home games down the stretch last season and then saw him run a 4.29. 13 MIAMIJosh Simmons OTOhio State • Sr • 6’5″ / 317 lbsMultiple sources have indicated Simmons’ knee looks great upon medical rechecks, so he passes there. His play is a good scheme fit for Miami too. Many believe there’s a chance he could have been OT1 in this draft. I know some teams also wouldn’t take him this high, but Miami takes a chance on a position of need. 14 INDIANAPOLISColston Loveland TEMichigan • Jr • 6’6″ / 248 lbsNearly every year Chris Ballard has one of the tallest teams in all of football, so why not add the 6-foot-5 tight end to the mix? Indy lost Kylen Granson in free agency and needs all the weapons it can get to make sure the Colts make the right decision at quarterback. 15 ATLANTAJames Pearce Jr. EDGETennessee • Jr • 6’5″ / 245 lbsThe Falcons have the fewest sacks in the entire NFL since 2018, so that must change with their first-round pick. At this point in the mock, Pearce has to be the best pure pass rusher on their board, with 17 1/2 sacks in the past two seasons along with three forced fumbles. 16 SEATTLE Mock Trade from ArizonaTetairoa McMillan WRArizona • Jr • 6’4″ / 219 lbsIf the Colts hadn’t spent so many recent draft resources on receivers, McMillan would be in Indy. Seattle knows Cards GM Monti Ossenfort loves to trade back, and Seattle has the capital to move up a couple picks with the division rival to get a much-needed receiver. 17 CINCINNATITyler Booker IOLAlabama • Jr • 6’5″ / 321 lbsThe Bengals could go defensive line or linebacker here, but there’s clearly a need along the offensive line and you probably won’t get anywhere near the player Booker is later in the draft. An earlier version of this mock had Booker going No. 25, and after more calls last week I realized he shouldn’t be there then. 18 ARIZONA Mock Trade from SeattleMykel Williams EDGEGeorgia • Jr • 6’5″ / 260 lbsHe’s long and strong and not even 21 years old yet. In reality, Arizona may not mess around and trade back with him on the board, but this is my mock. And for a third year in a row they use a top-41 pick on a pass rusher. 19 TAMPA BAYWill Johnson CBMichigan • Jr • 6’2″ / 194 lbsThe Bucs tried to get a corner in free agency and missed out on their top targets. After Hunter, Johnson is the top cornerback in this draft but slips because of a lack of speed. Tampa Bay is just fine with that. 20 DENVEROmarion Hampton RBNorth Carolina • Jr • 6’0″ / 220 lbsThis pairing seems to obvious to me and the rest of the NFL that the Broncos may actually have to trade up to make sure they get the guy everyone believes they’ll take. Denver’s made no secret of needing a running back, and the Tar Heel is clearly the best available here. 21 PITTSBURGHKenneth Grant DLMichigan • Jr • 6’4″ / 331 lbsIf you’re waiting for a QB to be drafted here, keep waiting. Cam Heyward doesn’t have many years left and Pittsburgh needs interior defensive line help. Grant is remarkably athletic for his size. 22 LA CHARGERSShemar Stewart EDGETexas A&M • Jr • 6’5″ / 267 lbsThe draft can be cruel, and that’s seen above where Pittsburgh takes a Michigan man just before Jim Harbaugh is on the clock. No matter, the Chargers eye a pass rusher in Stewart, who is always around the quarterback but never finishing (which is what causes him to fall in this mock.) The Bolts need some youth at pass rush, and they’ll coach up Stewart to get the sacks. 23 GREEN BAYJahdae Barron CBTexas • Sr • 5’11” / 194 lbsI had one coach call Barron the “best defensive back in the draft,” meaning he could ultimately play a number of positions in the span of his career. It seems extremely unlikely Jaire Alexander is back with the Pack, so nabbing Barron here makes a lot of sense. 24 CHICAGO Mock Trade from MinnesotaNick Emmanwori SSouth Carolina • Jr • 6’3″ / 220 lbsThe Vikings have just four picks in this draft, and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has never been shy about trading in his division. Here, the Bears use one of their second-round picks to nab the South Carolina safety who may not even be available by pick No. 24 but surely won’t be there when the deep-playoff teams from last year begin selecting. Bears continue a very aggressive offseason with two first-round trade-ups! 25 HOUSTONGrey Zabel IOLNorth Dakota State • Sr • 6’6″ / 312 lbsThis is usually around the time a center gets taken in the draft, but the Texans could use Zabel as a center or guard moving forward. Houston’s offseason plan has been to add a couple linemen in the draft, and they start early with the versatile interior lineman. 26 LA RAMSJihaad Campbell LBAlabama • Jr • 6’3″ / 235 lbsAs much as I would love to send L.A. a quarterback here, there are simply greater needs for the championship-window Rams and the value is off the charts. It’s possible Campbell goes to Cincy or Tampa in the teens, and I think the Rams would be quite pleased to get the Alabama backer right here. I’m told his recovery from shoulder surgery is going well and there shouldn’t be concerns for his 2025 availability. 27 BALTIMOREDonovan Ezeiruaku EDGEBoston College • Sr • 6’3″ / 248 lbsHere’s a guy who has shot up boards because of how well he’s handled the entire pre-draft process. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year could deliver similar sack production in Baltimore in a way that’s desperately needed there. 28 DETROITJosh Conerly Jr. OTOregon • Jr • 6’5″ / 311 lbsDetroit obviously needs an edge rusher, but great teams keep their strengths strong. Conerly has a great athletic background that showed in his pre-draft testing, and Dan Campbell will love how much he loves ball. 29 TENNESSEE Mock Trade from WashingtonLuther Burden III WRMissouri • Jr • 6’0″ / 205 lbsWashington scoots back just to 35 to let the Titans come up and get the receiver. Tennessee gets Cam Ward a slot target with great run-after-the-catch ability whose talent is that of a player getting picked in the teens. 30 BUFFALOMaxwell Hairston CBKentucky • Jr • 5’11” / 183 lbsThere are a few positions the Bills could go here, and trading back is definitely in the cards. Most teams have Hairston at a tick below Johnson and Barron but above the next crop of corners. The Tre White signing from last week hardly precludes the Bills from doing business at that position here. 31 KANSAS CITYDonovan Jackson IOLOhio State • Sr • 6’4″ / 315 lbsKansas City needs offensive linemen, and it’s better to get one here than wait and hope for one in the 60s. Aireontae Ersery is tantalizing here (in part because he’s a local), but the Chiefs also need a lineman with some versatility. Jackson showed he can play guard and tackle at the highest level last season for the Buckeyes. 32 – LAS VEGAS Mock Trade from PhiladelphiaEmeka Egbuka WROhio State • Sr • 6’1″ / 202 lbsHowie Roseman is always willing to make a deal, and he slides back five spots here. The Raiders have to get pass catchers, and they’d be stoked if a pro’s pro like Egbuka is here waiting for them. |
