CHICAGO

Mike Florio says the Bears new stadium might still end up in Arlington Heights.  Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com:

The Bears eventually will get a new stadium in the Chicago area. Where that is remains to be seen.

With efforts to build a replacement for Soldier Field on the downtown lakefront stalling, Arlington Heights hopes to get back in the mix.

The biggest impediment has come from property tax issues related to the property purchased by the Bears with the goal of building a new facility. Now, via the Arlington Heights Daily Herald, the Bears have received and responded to a proposed settlement from Arlington Heights as to the outstanding tax issue.

As of last year, the Bears were offering $4.3 million and the town wanted $7.9 million. (Per year, presumably.)

“We’ve worked very hard to come to an agreement with the school districts that I think the Bears can be comfortable with, and that’s been communicated to the Bears, and that’s what we’re discussing now,” Arlington Heights mayor Tom Hayes told the Daily Herald. “So I feel very comfortable that should the Bears re-engage with us and continue to explore the Arlington Park site, that the road is going to be much easier than we found in past months.”

Officially, the Bears say they’re focused on the lakefront option. Team president Kevin Warren, however, has said that the team is not yet ready to put the property in Arlington Heights up for sale.

Thus, as long as the Bears own the site, the Bears could end up building a stadium there.

Sounds like Warren putting pressure on the City of Chicago.

LAS VEGAS

Jon Gruden finds his case sent to NFL arbitration as his last appeal in Nevada state court is denied, so we won’t get juicy discovery on who and how his emails were leaked.  Mike Florio lays out the issues:

The Nevada Supreme Court has spoken. Again.

On Monday, the court rejected former Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s request for reconsideration of the ruling that ordered his claims against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell to arbitration. Gruden’s only remaining move is to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take up the case.

Good luck with that. Even if they take it (and they likely won’t), count on a 6-3 ruling that Gruden is required to submit the case to arbitration presided over by one of the people he has sued.

The case arises from Gruden’s forced resignation in October 2021, days after someone began leaking emails he sent to former Washington executive Bruce Allen. The emails created a groundswell for Gruden’s ouster. Gruden’s case focused on the selective weaponization of supposedly confidential emails from the investigation into the Washington franchise by someone in the fairly small universe of people who had access to the materials.

If Gruden takes the case to the Supreme Court, the effort to reach the merits of the dispute will continue to be delayed. At some point, he’ll have to take his chances before the secret, rigged, kangaroo court that the league has developed both to control the adjudication of all claims made against it by non-player employees — and more importantly to keep it all secret.

Secrecy is critical to the league. For example, even if it manages to reverse last week’s massive verdict in the Sunday Ticket class action, things came to light that the NFL would have preferred to keep in the dark.

Despite the fact that the coverage of the case by many outlets was lacking, to say the least, the truth remains that the mere act of having the dispute unfold in open court allowed anyone who bothered to notice to learn that, yes, the NFL deliberately rigged for years the pricing of Sunday Ticket, overcharging those who were willing to pay the price and depriving those who weren’t of the option to watch games other than those provided by their local CBS or Fox affiliates.

Although the league has benefited from the media’s malaise when it comes to connecting the dots for consumers, few if any of the details would have been publicly known if the league had the silver bullet of mandatory arbitration at its disposal.

In Gruden’s case, someone connected to the league office or one of its teams decided to take out Jon Gruden by handing those emails to the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times. Unless Gruden manages to convince a Supreme Court that is already stacked against him to undo the Nevada ruling, the public will never know the answer to that question.

Some would say we don’t have the right to know the inner workings of a private business. Others would say that, as long as that private business relies on the public at large to consume its product and to pay for its stadiums, we absolutely have a right to know.

Our right to know is enhanced by the fact that it happened during football season, necessarily undermining the integrity of the 2021 campaign by suddenly leaving one of the NFL’s 32 teams without its head coach.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Kris Rhim of ESPN.com has three takeaways from Jim Harbaugh’s first offseason as Chargers coach including the ascendancy of rookie WR LADD McCONKEY:

In February, when Jim Harbaugh walked to the stage at SoFi Stadium’s YouTube Theater for his introductory news conference as the Los Angeles Chargers’ new head coach, the moment was a celebration for the team’s leadership.

An organization criticized for being cheap and fighting for relevance in a crowded L.A. sports market had gotten one of the biggest names in football to be their head coach.

And despite taking over a team that was 5-12 last season, Harbaugh promised he would deliver championships.

In the months since that celebratory news conference, the Chargers have reshuffled their team, moving on from some of the best players in team history, as Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz navigated salary cap constraints to build a roster that best fit this version of the Chargers.

“Every year you feel like you’re going to attack it, you feel like you’re the team to beat, you feel like you’re going to win the Super Bowl,” safety Derwin James said, “but this year it just feels right.”

Here are three takeaways from the Chargers’ offseason:

The stars are excited

Quarterback Justin Herbert has never been the kind of player to speak with the media for long, extended periods. His news conferences often range from five to 10 minutes; he keeps many of his answers team-focused and short. But in his first time talking to the media since the Chargers hired Harbaugh, Herbert was different.

He spoke for 26 minutes, making jokes about his desire to throw the ball as many times as possible and even his appearance at a Zach Bryan concert, where he sang on stage.

“No, there’s no nerves up there. You get up there, and it’s just like playing a football game. It just happens to be a concert,” he said with a smile.

Outside linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack also joined Herbert in the unusually long and jolly news conference department for their first time speaking since the Harbaugh hire.

Mack revealed to reporters that his nickname is “Smokeshow” because he “smokes” the younger players in a linebacker drill. He joked with one reporter who asked whether 2024 would be his final season and said they needed to “turn on the film” because he was “rolling.”

As he walked off the podium, Mack admitted how different his news conference was from his typical interactions with the media, “Y’all got a lot out of me today. I don’t usually give y’all that much,” he said with a smile.

While Mack and Herbert were energetic about their new head coach and lauded Harbaugh, Bosa was the most direct in his appreciation for the new regime. Most notably, Bosa said he appreciated that under Harbaugh, the messaging from leadership is clear and doesn’t “get mixed up as it’s moving down the ladder,” which he’s experienced in other situations.

“I feel like coach is leading the team the way it should be led,” Bosa said.

Herbert is getting comfortable with sticking out

Quarterbacks typically wear a distinguishable color at practices so defenders know to keep away from the team’s most important asset. Harbaugh implemented a gold jersey for this purpose, but only for Herbert. The other quarterbacks wear white like the rest of the offense.

“Quarterback, we try to have a two yard halo around him,” Harbaugh said. “The gold jersey is just a reminder: Two yards for all the quarterbacks, but the guy wearing the gold jersey, let’s make that two and a half or three.”

Hebert generally shies away from things that draw attention to himself, so the gold jersey was an unnatural fit for him. He asked Harbaugh if the other quarterbacks could also wear gold, but Harbaugh declined.

“He said it was his rule and so if it’s his rule, I’m following it,” Herbert said. “It doesn’t matter what color it is, I’ll wear it.”

Rookies making an impact

The Chargers drafted nine players in April’s NFL draft, and a few of them have already begun to have an impact. Perhaps the biggest has been cornerback Tarheeb Still, drafted in the fifth round from the University of Maryland.

Still secured an interception against the first-team offense and had multiple pass deflections throughout minicamp. Still’s play drew the attention of James, who told reporters he’d been impressed with Still, and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, who said he appreciated the leap Still has made from the beginning of the offseason program to the end of minicamp in June.

Harbaugh named first-round rookie Joe Alt among the five offensive linemen that separated themselves during camp, likely solidifying Alt as the team’s starting right tackle. This announcement was more a formality for Alt, who was almost guaranteed to be a starter, but having already been named a starter before the team was even in full pads indicates that Alt has made a positive impact in his first weeks in LA.

“He’s got all the right stuff,” offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. “He respects the veterans, guys that have done it before him; He’s got a great demeanor about him, great work ethic, and he’s the kind of guy you want in the foxhole with you.”

Second-round rookie receiver Ladd McConkey has been perhaps the team’s best route runner in the offseason program, his quickness and preciseness in routes is what made the Chargers trade up to get him in the second round. He impressed Herbert with his maturity — and he bonded with Herbert off the field at the Zach Bryan concert.

After an offensive overhaul that saw the departures of some of Herbert’s favorite receiving options in running back Austin Ekeler, tight end Gerald Everett, and receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, McConkey has an opportunity in year one to have a significant role in the Chargers passing offense.

“He’s just picked up the offense so easily. It’s like he’s been a four- or five-year vet,” Herbert said. “He understands the game.”

INDIANAPOLIS

WR ALEC PIERCE wants to be more than a deep threat.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:

Wide receiver Alec Pierce’s first two NFL seasons have shown that he has a role as a deep threat in the Colts offense, but that hasn’t made him a frequent target of passes.

Pierce ranked 93rd in the league in targets during the 2023 season despite averaging 16.1 yards on his 32 catches. The targets and catches were down from his rookie year, so playing with Gardner Minshew might not have done him any favors given his role on the team.

Anthony Richardson’s return might help on that front and Pierce said “it goes both ways for sure” in terms of showing that he can provide more to the Colts offense.

“I think it’s my job to go into camp and prove that,” Pierce said, via Stephen Holder of ESPN.com. “Just gotta let my work on the field speak for itself.”

Second-round pick Adonai Mitchell figures to be Pierce’s top competition for playing time alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, so the pressure will be on for him to show a more varied skill set right out of the gate this summer.

THIS AND THAT

RANKING THE OFFENSIVE TACKLES

Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com says these are the top 20 offensive tackles in the NFL at this moment – and the Eagles and Lions have two of them.

One of the most scrutinized positions in the NFL is offensive tackle, a position where numbers have been noticeable through the sacks and pressures a player has given up rather than the elite pass rushers those same players are containing. While it’s hard to judge how good an offensive tackle is, it’s even harder to evaluate the position.

The advanced statistics have given a better evaluation how good an offensive lineman is, and how valuable they are for the offensive system they’re in. Ranking the best of the best offensive tackles is still difficult, based on a valuation of a left tackle versus a right tackle (a position that doesn’t get enough respect).

There are other factors in play. Does run-blocking matter more than pressure rate? Are great offensive tackles the ones who protect the quarterback? Can they make their teammates they line up next to every week better?

The qualification for these tackle rankings is how good the player was in 2023. We’ll use success over the past few seasons to help weigh the ranking, but 2023 performance is the key equation in the formula. This is a ranking of the best offensive tackles right now, not entirely based on past or future success.

Before the 2024 offensive tackle rankings are dropped, these were the rankings from last year (we only did the top 10 in 2023):

Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers)

Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles)

Laremy Tunsil (Houston Texans)

Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Andrew Thomas (New York Giants)

Terron Armstead (Miami Dolphins)

Jordan Mailata (Philadelphia Eagles)

Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers)

David Bakhtiari (Green Bay Packers)

Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions)

Without further adieu, the top-20 offensive tackles in the NFL:

1. Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers)

Williams’ throne as the best tackle in the game is getting challenged, yet he’s still at the top heading into 2024. A First-Team All-Pro for the third consecutive year, Williams didn’t allow a sack in 413 pass-blocking snaps last season. He allowed just 18 pressures and a pressure rate allowed per dropback of 4.4%.

Going up against Micah Parsons, Josh Allen, and Myles Garrett last year — Williams remained unscathed. He’s made 11 of the past 12 Pro Bowls for a reason, while also remaining one of the game’s dominant run blockers.

Williams is still the best tackle at 35, but there’s legitimate competition for that top spot coming.

2. Penei Sewell (Detroit Lions)

The biggest threat for the top spot is Sewell, who already is one of the elite tackles in the game. A First-Team All-Pro last season, Sewell allowed just one sack in 643 pass-blocking snaps last season. The best right tackle in the NFL last season allowed just 19 pressures while playing all 17 games, and had a pressure rate per dropback of 3.0%.

Sewell was dominant in run blocking as well, the complete package at tackle for a rising team in the Lions. He’s the best player on the Lions and a superstar at 23. Sewell may hold the top spot on this list next year.

3. Tyron Smith (New York Jets)

Smith’s last season with the Dallas Cowboys was capitaved with a Second-Team All-Pro selection, a fitting end to a dominant career in Dallas. He allowed just one sack in 499 pass-blocking snaps, while letting 16 pressures with a pressure rate allowed per dropback of 3.2%.

The oft-injured Smith played 13+ games for the first time since 2019, still dominant at 33 years old. He also had only three penalties, a career-low for playing 10+ games in a season. When healthy, Smith is one of the best tackles in football.

4. Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles)

Johnson allowed an uncharacteristic 29 pressures in 547 pass-blocking snaps last season (5.3% pressure rate per dropback), a victim of a helter-skelter Eagles offense that didn’t get rid of the football quick enough.  Despite the numbers, Johnson still earned Second Team All-Pro honors, making an All-Pro team for the third straight year.

Johnson kept Nick Bosa and Montez Sweat without a sack in the three combined meetings against them, and still was good in run blocking last season. Despite the down year, Johnson is still one of the best tackles in the game.

5. Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

The transition to left tackle did affect Wirfs’ numbers, but he was still one of the elite players at his position. Wirfs was still good in pass protection despite playing left tackle for the first time, allowing 20 pressures on 639 pass-blocking snaps (3.1% pressure rate allowed per dropback).

The sack numbers did go up for Wirfs, as he allowed five sacks in 2024 after allowing just six over his first three seasons. An ankle injury late in the year slowed down Wirfs, but he was still one of the best at his position in 2023.

6. Jordan Mailata (Philadelphia Eagles)

One of the elite run blockers at his position, Mailata spearheaded that strength into remaining one of the top tackles in the league. The former rugby player is one of the game’s top left tackles, still evolving as a left tackle at 27 years old.

Mailata cut his sacks allowed in half from six in 2022 to three in 2023, even though he allowed 43 pressures in 650 pass-blocking snaps (pressure rate allowed per dropback a career-high 6.6%). A new-look offense focused on getting rid of the ball quicker will help Mailata’s numbers in pass protection.

7. Terron Armstead (Miami Dolphins)

Armstead is still one of the better pass blockers in the league when healthy. The problem is he’s missed 13 games over the last two years. When Armstead is on the field, he allowed just two sacks and six pressures in 303 pass-blocking snaps last season — a career-low pressure rate allowed per dropback of 2.0%.

Back and knee injuries hindered a dominant season in pass protection, but Armstead is really good in that area when he’s on the field.

8. Andrew Thomas (New York Giants)

Injuries to Thomas affected his status amongst the elite left tackles in the game, even though he’s one of the best when he’s healthy. Hamstring and knee injuries hampered Thomas in 2023, causing him to miss seven games.

Regardless, Thomas allowed four sacks and 16 pressures in 363 pass-blocking snaps leading a putrid Giants offensive line (pressure rate allowed per dropback at 4.4%). His run blocking was average, but that could also be a project of the talent around him.

Thomas is a franchise left tackle, and should be in store for a bounce back year in 2024.

9. Christian Darrisaw (Minnesota Vikings)

One of the underrated left tackles in the game, Darrisaw is one of the complete players on that side of the line. Darrisaw protected four quarterbacks last season, yet allowed a pressure rate allowed per dropback of 4.6% in 2024 (seven sacks and 28 pressures in 612 pass-blocking snaps).

Just 25 years old, Darrisaw has played his way into franchise left tackle consideration. The performance protecting Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall showcased how valuable Darrisaw is to the Vikings.

10. Braden Smith (Indianapolis Colts)

Smith played his way back into the conversation of elite right tackle status after a huge 2023 campaign. He didn’t allow a sack in 308 pass-blocking snaps last season (10 games), benefitting from the uniqueness of Shane Steichen’s offense.

Only allowing 13 pressures and a pressure rate allowed per dropback of 4.2% last season, Smith was even better in run blocking in 2023. Smith just has to stay on the field, as he’s missed 6+ games in two of the past three seasons.

11. Laremy Tunsil (Houston Texans)

Tunsil is still one of the great left tackles in football, coming off a season which he allowed five sacks and 20 pressures in 518 pass-blocking snaps (3.9% pressure rate allowed per dropback). His run blocking was graded the highest in years, with the tape backing up the grade.

A franchise left tackle in Houston, Tunsil is still only 29 years old. He has good years ahead of him.

12. Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers)

Slater did have a down season in 2024 compared to a dominant first two years in the league, yet remains one of the best young tackles in the game. He allowed three sacks and 35 pressures in 720 pass-blocking snaps last season (pressure rate allowed per dropback of 4.9%), yet remained healthy and played all 17 games last season.

An elite pass blocker, Slater will have to be better against the run in Jim Harbaugh’s offense.

13. Kolton Miller (Las Vegas Raiders)

Easy to consider Miller as a top-10 tackle in the game, especially coming off a season which he allowed a career-low pressure rate allowed per dropback of 3.9%. An improving player each year, Miller allowed four sacks and 16 pressures in 407 pass-blocking snaps in 2023.

Miller had a his best season in pass protection while battling a shoulder injury and protecting subpar quarterback play. He could be in line for a big year in 2024.

14. Bernhard Raimann (Indianapolis Colts)

One of the breakout tackles in the league last season, Raimann is establishing himself as the Colts left tackle for years to come. He cut his sacks allowed in half from eight to four as the pass-blocking snaps increased from 406 to 586. Raimann’s pressure rate allowed per dropback was at 5.5% (four sacks and 32 pressures allowed).

Raimann is becoming one of the top pass-blocking tackles in the game, a player to watch in the coming years.

15. Taylor Decker (Detroit Lions)

A model of consistency at left tackle, Decker has been reliable in pass and run blocking for the majority of his career in Detroit. The Lions are one of the better run blocking lines in the NFL because of Decker at left tackle and Penei Sewell at right tackle, but Decker also has stayed on the field (missed just two games over the last two years.

Decker had a down year in pass protection (eight sacks, 37 pressures allowed, 6.5% pressure rate allowed per dropback), numbers that are expected to improve — even in his early 30s.

16. David Bakhtiari (Free Agent)

Still a free agent in July, a knee injury was the reason Bakhtiari was limited to just one game last season. Bakhtiari is heading into his mid 30s (32), yet is still one of the top left tackles in football when he’s on the field.

Bakhtiari has missed 38 games over the last three seasons (played just one game in two of the past three seasons). A First-Team All-Pro in 2020, Bakhtiari made five straight All-Pro teams prior to those injuries catching up to him. He allowed just one sack and 10 pressures in 11 games in 2022.

Bakhtiari could be a major bargain for a team if he can remain on the field.

17. Kaleb McGary (Atlanta Falcons)

McGary regressed a bit after a breakout season in 2022, but still improved in pass protection last year. He allowed five sacks and 16 pressures in 457 pass-blocking snaps, a career-low pressure rate per dropback of 3.5% (3.7% the year prior).

McGary allows a lot of sacks for a right tackle, but is consistent in pass protection. The sacks allowed should decrease with Kirk Cousins at quarterback.

18. Garett Bolles (Denver Broncos)

Bolles deserves credit for being able to line up at left tackle for 17 games last season, allowing just three sacks and 27 pressures in 607 pass-blocking snaps (played over 1,000 snaps total). Responding from a 2022 season where he played just five games, Bolles returned to form as a good pass blocker and remaining consistent in run blocking.

While Bolles isn’t one of the elite tackles, he’s a good starter that has a pressure rate per dropback allowed of 3.7% over the past four seasons.

19. Rob Havenstein (Los Angeles Rams)

Havenstein has spent nearly a decade in the NFL (one of the remaining St. Louis Rams) and tied a career low with two sacks allowed in 2023. He allowed 23 pressures and had a pressure rate allowed per dropback of 4.7% last year, while remaining one of the best run-blocking right tackles in the game.

Even at 32, Havenstein is a constant performer on the Rams offensive line.

20. Zach Tom (Green Bay Packers)

Tom had a breakout campaign in his first season as a full-time starter in the NFL, emerging as one of the top run-blocking right tackles in the league. He allowed two sacks in 625 pass-blocking snaps, with 31 pressures and a pressure rate per dropback allowed of 5.0%.

Just 25 years old, Tom is a rising star on the offensive line in Green Bay. He’s part of a young core of stars on that offense.

2025 DRAFT

It’s never too early for a Mock Draft.  This from Matt Miller of ESPN.com:

The 2025 NFL draft is still more than nine months away, but I’m already digging into tape on the top prospects in the class, including a handful of potential franchise quarterbacks. And with NFL training camps on the horizon and the start of the 2024 college football season not far behind, I’m doing an early projection of all 32 first-round picks for next year’s draft.

Our draft order for this exercise comes from ESPN’s Football Power Index, which uses thousands of simulations to predict the 2024 NFL season. In turn, that gives us a 1-32 order, starting with the Patriots at No. 1. But would New England hang onto the top pick or trade it away to a QB-needy team? Spoiler: I projected two trades in this mock draft, including a deal involving the No. 1 selection.

Of course, a lot will change before teams are actually on the clock next April. Prospects will rise and fall on draft boards, and some of these players will ultimately return to school for another year. We have an entire season of game tape ahead of us — and I admittedly haven’t watched a ton on everyone just yet. So what follows is just an early look at what could happen based on what I’ve seen, what I’m hearing, what each team might need and what could make sense. Let’s jump in.

Note: Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

Projected trade: Giants come up to No. 1 overall

We might not have a generational talent like Caleb Williams in this class, but there are some really good quarterbacks. And given that the Patriots just used a 2024 top-three pick on Drake Maye, I’d bet they would be listening on trade offers if they were to have the top pick next year. I like the idea of the Giants moving up, and the trade package could look similar to what Carolina sent to Chicago in 2023, when the Panthers slid up to No. 1 from No. 9. I have the Giants dealing their No. 6 pick, a 2025 second-rounder, a 2026 first-rounder and a 2027 second-rounder to get this done.

1. New York Giants (via projected trade with NE)

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia*

The Giants threw 15 touchdown passes last season (fifth fewest in the league) and Daniel Jones is coming off a season-ending ACL injury, but the team is running it back this year. Veteran Drew Lock was added as a backup, but there still isn’t a long-term answer under center on this roster. So the front office might get aggressive in finding one. Beck — my QB1 in the class at the moment — is a steady pocket passer with a big arm and great processing speed. And he is primed for a breakout season after throwing 24 touchdown passes and completing 72.4% of his throws in his first season as a starter in 2023.

Projected trade: Raiders jump up the board for a QB

Despite picking at No. 13 this past April, Las Vegas missed out on the 2024 class’s top six quarterbacks. The Raiders might not want to chance it again in 2025, and I could see a scenario where they’d give the No. 8 pick, a 2026 first-rounder and a 2027 second-rounder to Carolina for the chance to get one of the top two signal-callers available. This, of course, would be assuming that Carolina would be willing to trade back and stick with Bryce Young.

2. Las Vegas Raiders (via projected trade with CAR)

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Raiders went 8-9 last season, and the late-season 5-4 surge under coach Antonio Pierce didn’t have much to do with the quarterback play. The team had 20 passing touchdowns to 18 interceptions, as rookie Aidan O’Connell replaced Jimmy Garoppolo for 11 games. O’Connell may prove his status in Year 2, but the early read on Las Vegas is that it needs a quarterback. Sanders is a legitimate Heisman contender if Colorado can string together some wins. His accuracy, toughness and poise would make him a rookie starter for the Raiders and give the offense some much-needed swagger. He threw 27 touchdown passes to three interceptions for the Buffaloes last year.

3. Denver Broncos

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan*

The Broncos could look at offensive tackle with Garett Bolles’ contract set to expire after the 2024 season, but this is a team in “best player available” territory. Johnson’s tape from his first two seasons at Michigan is some of the best cornerback tape I’ve seen. The 6-foot-2 playmaker’s closest comparison as a college prospect is Pat Surtain II, whom he’d be lined up opposite in this scenario in Denver. Johnson has seven career interceptions, he is an active tackler, and he has the size and speed to erase receivers.

4. Tennessee Titans

James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee*

This is a prove-it season for quarterback Will Levis as a second-year starter, but the early returns were good enough that we can forget about quarterbacks at the top of the draft for now. Instead, the Titans could land my preseason No. 1 overall player — and an in-state prospect. At 6-foot-5 and 242 pounds, Pearce has special quickness around the edge, picking up 9.5 sacks last season. He also flashed his all-around game with a 52-yard pick-six last season. Pearce would be an instant boost opposite Harold Landry III.

5. Washington Commanders

Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas*

If the draft were tomorrow, we’d be talking about left tackle and edge rusher as massive needs for the Commanders. That could change between now and April, but general manager Adam Peters could definitely address the blindside of the line; Washington has to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels after allowing 65 sacks last season (tied for second most). Banks is a prototypical left tackle with a powerful 324-pound frame, and the junior has allowed just two sacks over his two full seasons starting for the Longhorns.

6. New England Patriots (via projected trade with NYG)

Will Campbell, OT, LSU*

The Patriots ranked last in the NFL in pass block win rate last season (43.4%), and even after signing Chukwuma Okorafor and bringing back Mike Onwenu this offseason, addressing the offensive line next offseason is a must. Campbell is part of college football’s best tackle duo alongside LSU teammate Emery Jones Jr. He’s a two-year starter who didn’t allow a single sack and only 15 total pressures last season. He could be long-term protection for Drake Maye in this offense.

7. Minnesota Vikings

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan*

The Vikings made big additions in the 2024 first round, adding quarterback J.J. McCarthy and defensive end Dallas Turner. But the interior of the defensive line should get a big look next year, and Graham is a legitimate contender for the class’s top overall prospect. His stats won’t blow you away, thanks to Michigan’s defensive line rotation and assignments — he had three sacks in ’23 — but Graham’s explosion and power jump off the tape.

8. Carolina Panthers (via projected trade with LV)

Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri*

In this scenario, the Panthers are able to move back and still land a playmaker, continuing to focus on building an offensive support system around Bryce Young after investing in guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt this offseason. Burden is the most explosive player in college football — he averaged 14.1 yards per catch and had 1,212 yards on 86 receptions last season — and brings a Deebo Samuel-like ability to make defenders miss post-catch. And he does it with legitimate 4.3 speed. Pairing Burden with Diontae Johnson and 2024 second-rounder Xavier Legette would give Young the type of wideouts he needs to excel.

9. Arizona Cardinals

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado*

Arizona is building a solid foundation, and the front office could realistically turn to a “best player available” approach next April. Hunter is a two-way star who logged 984 snaps last season, including 412 on offense and 572 on defense, and proved himself as a playmaker and elite cover man. His 57 receptions and five touchdowns over nine games made him an early Heisman candidate, and he added three interceptions and seven pass breakups on defense. There will be a debate about which side of the ball makes more sense for Hunter in the pros, but he is a throwback do-it-all football player that the Cardinals could deploy in a number of roles.

10. New Orleans Saints

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas*

The 2024 season will be crucial for the future of starting quarterback Derek Carr in New Orleans and perhaps provide a window into what the team has in rookie fifth-rounder Spencer Rattler. At this time, it doesn’t appear that either quarterback is the future here. Ewers has talent worthy of a first-overall pick heading into his third season as a starter at Texas. At 21 years old, he has to cut down on poor decisions during games, but his accuracy, mobility and arm strength are that of a future NFL starter. Ewers threw for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdown passes last season.

11. Seattle Seahawks

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*

Seattle has one of the NFL’s best receiving corps, but it’s also a unit poised for a breakup. Tyler Lockett — who is entering his age-32 season — and DK Metcalf both have potential outs in their contracts after this coming season. Yes, second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will factor into the Seahawks’ future plans, but adding a true No. 1 receiver with size is a sneaky need. McMillan is massive at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, and his catch radius seems unlimited. He grabbed 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and is poised for another huge year with quarterback Noah Fifita returning.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Harold Perkins Jr., Edge, LSU*

Perkins was misused at linebacker last season, but he will move back to edge rusher in new defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s scheme this year. And we could see him use his great speed to eclipse his 13 career sacks this season alone. That might entice the Buccaneers, who are looking for a defensive end to break out and emerge as a true threat to opposing offenses. Veteran Shaquil Barrett is gone in free agency, and Tampa Bay’s 27.3% pressure rate ranked 24th in the league last season, so adding to this group could be a frontline need come next offseason.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame*

Cornerback and wide receiver were equally considered here, but the former seemed like the more pressing issue. Pittsburgh has Joey Porter Jr., Donte Jackson and Cameron Sutton there, but both Jackson and Sutton are short-term solutions; the Steelers really need a long-term, high-upside running mate for Porter. Morrison has big-time talent with nine career interceptions over two seasons of starting, and his 13 pass breakups in 2023 tied for eighth in the league.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan*

Who could resist the temptation to give Anthony Richardson more playmakers? Tight end remains one of the team’s few offensive question marks, and Loveland will be a top-10 player on my preseason board thanks to his ability as a receiver and expert run blocking. He caught 45 passes for four scores in the run-heavy Michigan offense last season, and the 6-5 junior has elite agility and speed in the open field as a receiving option.

15. Jacksonville Jaguars

Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU*

The biggest weakness on the Jacksonville roster is at offensive tackle; Anton Harrison struggled on the right side as a rookie, and Cam Robinson was among the worst run-blocking left tackles in the league last season. But Jones — who starts at right tackle for the Tigers — has easy movement skills despite a 6-foot-6 and 315-pound frame, and I see the agility and balance to play left or right tackle in the pros. He has to clean up some timing issues, but his jump from freshman starter to sophomore standout (seven sacks allowed in Year 1 compared to four in Year 2) showed his potential.

16. Cleveland Browns

Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Cleveland has the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year in pass-rusher Myles Garrett, but there’s room to add more to the defensive line if a player like Carter is on the board. He’d slide in opposite Garrett — where veteran Za’Darius Smith is now — and boost an already elite unit. Carter has played off-ball linebacker in previous seasons, but he is moving into a full-time pass-rusher role in 2024 and has the juice to become a game-changing performer in that role. He has 11 sacks over two seasons.

17. Chicago Bears

Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia*

General manager Ryan Poles has done a masterful job rebuilding the roster in Chicago, but the defensive line could use someone like Williams. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior has experience playing both inside and outside alignments, but his future is off the edge in the pros. His nine sacks in two seasons of rotational work point to the impact he can make with full-time reps in 2024. Williams’ combination of power and a sudden first-step could get him drafted in the top 10.

18. Los Angeles Chargers

Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon*

A look at the Chargers’ depth chart right now shows question marks throughout the wide receiver room, where rookie Ladd McConkey will be asked to make an immediate contribution. Bolstering the group next offseason has to be a priority. Stewart is a former five-star recruit who is transferring to Oregon from Texas A&M, and incoming Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel figures to get him the ball early and often. Stewart (6-foot, 175 pounds) will compete with returning starter Tez Johnson for targets, but his burst and ability in the open field remind me of Jaylen Waddle during his time at Alabama.

19. Los Angeles Rams

Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M*

In the leadup to the 2024 draft, sources around the NFL told me often that the Rams were a sneaky team to keep an eye on with the quarterbacks. That didn’t ultimately play out, but I’m watching them closely in 2025 with Matthew Stafford now 36 years old. Weigman started just four games for A&M last year before a season-ending foot injury, but he flashed with eight touchdowns through the air and two more on the ground. He is more of a projection at this stage, but the talent is there for him to push into the Round 1 conversation — and potentially be L.A.’s QB of the future.

20. New York Jets

Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame

Aaron Rodgers is turning 41 years old this season and will be coming off a torn Achilles. Sure, he might play several more seasons, but the Jets still have to think long-term about the roster. That means being prepared for his eventual exit. Leonard, a transfer from Duke, has been talked about by scouts for two seasons as a potential first-rounder. He played in seven games last season, missing time with ankle and toe injuries, and he struggled with just three touchdown passes and three interceptions. But the accuracy, mobility and decision-making he showed in 2022 have scouts believing he’s ready to break out in a new scheme.

21. Miami Dolphins

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky*

If you like Derrick Brown and Dexter Lawrence, you’re going to love Walker. The 6-foot-6, 348-pounder is an anchor in the middle of the Kentucky defensive line but also has the quickness and agility to get after the quarterback, notching 7.5 sacks in 2023. He would immediately plug the nose tackle hole in Miami, allowing speedy edge rushers Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson and Bradley Chubb more true one-on-one looks coming off the corner.

22. Atlanta Falcons

JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

The Falcons finished 32nd in the league in pass rush win rate last season (30.9%) and then didn’t make any additions at outside linebacker until the third round of the draft. Tuimoloau, who displays some special footwork, is poised for a big season as a senior after posting five sacks last year. If he can string together more consistent performances in 2024, the 270-pound rusher could soar up the board.

23. Houston Texans

Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Arizona

The Texans’ roster is very good, but the interior of both lines could still use work. Why not bring in one of the best right tackles in college football and kick him inside — a move scouts believe will push Savaiinaea into the first-round conversation — to help protect C.J. Stroud? The 6-foot-5 330-pounder locked down the right side for Arizona last season opposite first-rounder Jordan Morgan and stood out with his power in the run game. He would improve a Houston offensive line that finished 25th in the league in run block win rate (69.5%) last season.

24. Green Bay Packers

Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Green Bay has a solid group of outside pass-rushers, but the interior could be up for a reset with Kenny Clark potentially hitting free agency next spring. Second-year player Devonte Wyatt showed promise last season, but there’s room for Williams here beside him if Clark leaves. Williams’ burst off the snap pops at 6-2 and 290 pounds. He had just three sacks last season but has flashed impressive pass-rush moves and Round 1 upside throughout his career.

25. Cincinnati Bengals

Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas*

Tee Higgins may have signed his franchise-tag tender, but that doesn’t mean the Bengals have a long-term resolution yet for the talented WR2. The Bengals drafted Jermaine Burton to replace Tyler Boyd but could still have receiver high on the list of needs during the next draft. Bond, a transfer from Alabama, will fill the Xavier Worthy role in the Texas offense with his elite downfield speed. He averaged 13.9 yards per catch with four touchdowns last season, even as the Alabama offense struggled to find consistency in the pass game. And in Steve Sarkisian’s system, Bond has huge potential.

26. Buffalo Bills

Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M*

The Bills’ early top needs for 2025 look a lot like they did in 2024. But after selecting Keon Coleman to pair with Khalil Shakir and Curtis Samuel at receiver, GM Brandon Beane might opt to address the team’s pass rush, Buffalo’s other looming issue, next spring. Greg Rousseau is a talented player, but relying on Von Miller after this season isn’t a given. And Scourton posted 10 sacks at Purdue in 2023 and has the strength at 6-4 and 280 pounds to take over the SEC now that he’s at A&M. Turn on his tape against Michigan from last year, when he tallied two sacks, and you can see the impact he brings to a defense.

27. Dallas Cowboys

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State*

We’re back to running backs in the first round!? Judkins has elite talent, and Dallas ignored the position throughout this offseason beyond a reunion with 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott. Judkins rushed for 2,725 yards and scored 31 rushing touchdowns over two years with Ole Miss before transferring to Ohio State. He will share carries with TreVeyon Henderson there, but the new Buckeye has Heisman-level talent and the burst and balance to be a great NFL running back.

28. Philadelphia Eagles

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Make your jokes about Philadelphia drafting a defender from Georgia, but Starks would fill a big hole for the 2025 Eagles. He was a consensus first-team All-American in 2023 after grabbing three interceptions and making 52 tackles. And Starks is a do-it-all safety who has experience playing press coverage in the slot. You’re going to hear comparisons to Kyle Hamilton, and they’re warranted given his three-down impact.

29. Baltimore Ravens

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama*

The Ravens lost guards John Simpson and Kevin Zeitler to free agency and did very little to replace them, relying now on backup Ben Cleveland and former seventh-rounder Andrew Vorhees. Booker, meanwhile, is the best guard in the nation and would have likely been the top true guard in the 2024 draft class had he been eligible. He’s powerful and pancakes defensive linemen with ease. In 2023, he surrendered just four pressures and one sack over 13 starts at left guard. This is the type of no-nonsense interior blocker whom the Ravens covet.

30. Detroit Lions

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

I expect that general manager Brad Holmes will put some focus on receiver depth next offseason. The Lions are waiting to see what Jameson Williams can be in his third season after a series of setbacks due to injury and suspension, but the WR3 role is open for business. Egbuka is a savvy route runner with sure hands and toughness over the middle that would fit Detroit’s offense. The senior should bounce back from a down year in 2023 (41 catches for 515 yards and four TDs) and post numbers closer to his huge 2022 season (74 catches for 1,151 yards and 10 TDs).

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Anthony Belton, OT, NC State

Despite how well the Chiefs have put together and managed their roster, there’s a lack of answers at offensive tackle. The Kingsley Suamataia pick in the second round likely solves one tackle spot, potentially replacing right tackle Jawaan Taylor, who struggled last season. Belton, a two-year starter at left tackle, allowed one sack last year and wows with his easy movement at 6-5 and 345 pounds. If the Chiefs like Suamataia on the right side (where most scouts pegged him pre-draft), then Belton could fit well at left tackle to give Patrick Mahomes more time in the pocket.

32. San Francisco 49ers

Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon*

It was tempting to put Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke or Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen here, but the 49ers have to address the offensive line after ignoring a problem area (again) in the 2024 offseason. In his first year as a starter, Cornelius locked down the right side of the Oregon line with zero sacks and four pressures allowed. At 6-5 and 308 pounds, he has the length and lateral agility to fit the 49ers’ zone-blocking scheme while also giving them a long-term plan for Trent Williams’ eventual retirement.