| Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com has a panel of college coaches who dish on the players taken in the draft. We have several excerpts down below – and here is one comparing and contrasting the two Big Ten tight ends that went in the first round: Many expected Penn State’s Tyler Warren to be the first tight end drafted, but the Chicago Bears bypassed the Mackey Award winner in favor of Michigan’s Colston Loveland at No. 10. Loveland had 649 receiving yards for Michigan’s national championship team in 2023, then led the squad last season with 56 receptions — a record for Wolverines tight ends — as one of few bright spots for a passing game that ranked 130th nationally. “The quarterback play [in 2024] kind of killed him, he didn’t have anybody to throw him the ball,” a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. “But I think he’s pretty special. He’s more of a receiving tight end, where Tyler can kind of do it all. Two good ones, though. No doubt about it.” Another Big Ten coordinator said the Loveland-Warren question comes down to “personal preference.” “Warren’s more of hard-nosed, tough, physical, along with being a good receiving threat,” the coach said. “Loveland’s a little bit more of a better receiver, a little less blocking. I don’t know if it was the injury or what this year, but they didn’t really use him a ton to block. So is it, he can’t do it or he was banged up? Penn State’s guy is a little bit more of a complete player.” And these thoughts on the running backs: “(Ashton Jenty’s) a really good player and he doesn’t have a specific weakness where he has to come off the field or anything like that,” a Mountain West coach said. “He can pass protect, he catches the ball pretty well. The only thing I would question is how many miles got put on him in college.” There were debates among coaches about the next-best back. Some liked North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, the only other running back selected in the first round (No. 22, Los Angeles Chargers), while others pointed to Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Henderson, who shined during Ohio State’s College Football Playoff run, received more buzz entering the draft but actually went two spots behind Judkins early in the second round. Judkins was picked at No. 36 by Cleveland, while Henderson went to the New England Patriots at No. 38. “Henderson had a phenomenal final year, as a complete player,” a Big Ten defensive coordinator said. “His blocking was next level, and he stayed healthy, because that’s been the knock on him, his health issues. At the end of the year, you thought maybe [Henderson] might be a little bit better, but they’re both elite.” An NFL running backs coach added: “Judkins, his Ole Miss film was better than his Ohio State film. Put on Ole Miss versus Alabama or Ole Miss versus LSU, it’s different.” UCF’s RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos) was the only other running back selected in the second round, and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers) became the sole third-round selection. Rounds 4-7 featured 19 backs being drafted. The list could have been even longer, as accomplished backs like South Carolina’s Raheim Sanders went undrafted. Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting, went early in the fourth round to the New York Giants. An NFL assistant who scouted Skattebo described him as a “hard charger” who lacks top-end speed but wills his way for yards. “Can he stay healthy?” a Big 12 coach asked. “He’s a battering ram and he’s going to be hitting people who are a little different.” |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSCB JALEN RAMSEY could be returning to the Rams. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, and Jalen Ramsey remains a Miami Dolphin. With several possible landing spots for the veteran corner still available, a reunion with the Los Angeles Rams isn’t off the table. During an interview with Adam Schein of SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio last week, Rams head coach Sean McVay was asked about the possibility of once again trading for the star corner. “There’s not too much of an update,” McVay said, via Rams Wire. “He is a total stud, and you look at, obviously he has continued to play at a really high level. He and I have kept in great touch even since we ended up trading him to Miami. Special competitor, great person, great father. “There are a lot of layers when you’re talking about a player of his caliber with regards to the contract, the compensation that they would be looking for in exchange for receiving a player of his magnitude. And so those conversations are ongoing, as I’m sure they are with multiple teams. And we’ll see, but we’re never going to shy away from opportunities to increase the competitiveness of our roster or add great players as long as it fits within the framework of everything that an acquisition like that would entail.” Since the Dolphins and Ramsey agreed to search for a new home for the corner, the Rams have been a logical destination. Neither general manager Les Snead nor McVay has closed the door. It’s not a glaring need for L.A.. Still, Ramsey would certainly bring championship experience and upgrade a crew headlined by veterans Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, nickel Quentin Lake, Cobie Durant and others. L.A. didn’t use a pick on a corner during the 2025 NFL Draft. With the draft in the rearview mirror, there is little rush to get a deal done at this stage — waiting until after June 1 would allow Miami to split some of the cap hit. The big question in moving Ramsey will be how much money the Dolphins will have to eat in a deal and what the draft compensation will look like. Ramsey was a Rams from 2019 to 2022. The “ongoing conversations” are about if the Dolphins are going to pay some of Ramsey’s contract. This from Cameron DeSilva of USA TODAY: Jeremy Fowler of ESPN provided an update on “SportsCenter” Sunday, saying the Dolphins’ reluctance to pay some of Ramsey’s guarantees has been a “sticking point.” Fowler also noted that the Rams are “certainly” a team to watch in the Ramsey sweepstakes as they consider a move to reacquire the star corner. “The sticking point here is that $24 million in guarantees,” Fowler reported. “My sense after asking around is Miami has not been overly eager to cover some of that bill, which sort of makes a trade hard to pull off right now.– – -Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com on what is essentially a one-year deal for QB MATTHEW STAFFORD: In the NFL, no deal is ever done until it’s done. Now that quarterback Matthew Stafford’s new deal with the Rams is officially done, the two-year deal will once again tee up the question, after the next season, of whether the Rams and Stafford are done. He ends up with $44 million this year, with no guarantees beyond 2025 — for injury or otherwise. The Rams will have until the fifth day of the next league year in March, when his 2026 salary of $40 million becomes fully guaranteed, to cut him. The Rams also will have the ability to trade Stafford, since they’ll hold his contractual rights through 2026. We don’t, and won’t, know whether the Rams have informally agreed to grant Stafford his outright release, if he decides he wants to finish his career elsewhere. If a new team can sign him without giving the Rams a draft pick or two, that’s more money they’ll be willing to pay Stafford next year. He could have gotten a firm $90 million (or more) on a two-year deal with the Raiders or Giants. But Stafford seems to be content to go one year at a time with the Rams, confident that another team (if not the Rams) will pay him fairly in 2026. It’s a good deal for the Rams. At $42 million per year on his new contract, Stafford currently ranks 15th in the NFL. And he’s still better than the 15th best quarterback. And Stafford, unlike plenty of starting quarterbacks, is willing to play in the current year with no financial security beyond it. |
| AFC WEST |
| LAS VEGASDan Pompei of The Athletic has a long look at GM John Spytek, fresh off his first draft with the Raiders. Good insight into his relationship with Tom Brady and Brady’s current role with the Raiders. In a banquet room decorated for Christmas, a group of coaches’ kids were entertained by Santa Claus. There were awesome presents for the Michigan football team — high-end swag, including commemorative watches. The Wolverines were gathered at the Eden Roc Hotel Miami Beach the night before Christmas to prepare to play Alabama in the 2000 Orange Bowl, and this was a night of celebration. John Spytek, though, wasn’t feeling very festive. He wouldn’t be playing in the game. A redshirt freshman linebacker, Spytek was physically worn down from spending the last five months on the scout team and getting driven into the ground by Steve Hutchinson and Jeff Backus, both future NFL stars. He missed home. He wondered if he belonged. It had been a long season that began with a shattered thumb in training camp. Playing with a cast, he then sprained his shoulder. The week before Michigan’s season opener against Notre Dame, he went all out in practice. The next day, after a Michigan win, Spytek was given a T-shirt in a team meeting. “Scout Team Player Of The Week,” it read. It was the highlight of his year, along with a November practice. That week, in preparation for Penn State, Spytek was assigned to play the part of LaVar Arrington on the scout team. Arrington was on his way to winning the Butkus Award, the Bednarik Award and the Lambert Trophy. Wearing Arrington’s No. 11 was an honor, and Spytek took it seriously. So did Tom Brady. The senior quarterback threw a deep ball to running back Anthony Thomas, who ran a wheel route. Often, scout team defenders run hard and then ease up at the end so the offensive player can finish the play. But Spytek closed on the ball, reached out and batted it down. Brady, unsurprisingly, would be more difficult to beat on game day. Down by 10 in the fourth quarter, he calmly brought Michigan back, throwing the winning touchdown pass with under two minutes remaining. It wasn’t the only time Brady flipped a game’s script that season. There was a late touchdown drive to beat Notre Dame and two touchdown drives in the final 16 minutes to overtake Ohio State. If not for Brady, Spytek and his teammates would not have been in Miami preparing for the Orange Bowl. Spytek brought his meal back from the buffet at the Eden Roc and sat at a table with other redshirt freshmen who were feeling like him. They looked down at their plates and didn’t say much. Then someone walked up and put his plate on the white tablecloth. “I think I’ll have dinner with the young bucks tonight,” Brady said. Then the team captain and MVP was somehow one of them. For about an hour, Brady talked with the freshmen about nothing and everything, lifting their spirits and making them feel they belonged. “It was a small glimpse of who he is, the grace he operates in,” Spytek says. “He probably doesn’t remember it. But the rest of us could never forget it.” It is more than an indelible memory. It was the beginning of a connection that would help make NFL history. On New Year’s Day, Brady led another comeback to beat Alabama in the Orange Bowl. Then, 11 years passed before he and Spytek crossed paths again. Brady, a sixth-round pick, became arguably the most unlikely success story in the NFL’s grand history, winning three Super Bowls and establishing himself as football’s best quarterback. After Brady left, Spytek finally got on the field at Michigan, playing 37 games and making 37 tackles over three years. Then the Lions gave him $250 a week to run errands in the operations department. He bartended three nights a week to get by. Spytek began scouting with the Eagles and worked in Philadelphia for five years before becoming the Browns’ college scouting director. On the field before a 2010 game between the Patriots and Browns, Brady caught up with his Michigan classmate Aaron Shea, then the Browns’ director of player engagement. Spytek moved in and reintroduced himself to Brady. The interaction didn’t last more than 10 seconds before Spytek walked away, unsure if Brady remembered who he was. Another decade went by. Brady had won his fourth, fifth and sixth Super Bowls and was widely considered the best quarterback of all time. But the partnership between Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick had frayed, and the Patriots somehow convinced themselves they would be better without him. As the Patriots concluded that Brady was descending, Spytek was ascending. After three years with the Broncos, where he won a Super Bowl with Peyton Manning, he became the right-hand man to general manager Jason Licht with the Buccaneers. In Tampa, Jameis Winston, the former first pick in the draft, arguably had the best season of his career in 2019 under new coach Bruce Arians. The assumption was that the Bucs would commit to Winston long term, even though he had led the league in interceptions. Spytek’s job, however, was to open his mind and the minds of others. Late in the season, he studied tape of veteran quarterbacks he thought might be available. Among them were Teddy Bridgewater, Drew Brees and Philip Rivers. One day, Licht walked into the draft room, which was adjacent to his office, and saw Spytek watching Brady. Spytek told him Brady’s contract was expiring, and he didn’t see any drop-off in his play. Licht chuckled. Nobody respected Brady more than Licht. He was part of the front office that drafted him and spent seven years with him in New England. But it was almost impossible to envision Brady leaving the Patriots, let alone becoming a Buc. Two days later, Licht approached Spytek at practice. “I watched Tom,” he said. “He’s still pretty f—ing good.” Licht and Arians decided it was worth a shot, even if it was the longest of long shots. Licht, Arians, Spytek, Rob McCartney, who was the director of pro scouting at the time, Mike Biehl, the director of college scouting, and Mike Greenberg, who handled contracts, devised a plan. They knew if their interest became public, it would create a firestorm that could affect other options if Brady stayed in New England, so they decided to keep their pursuit between the six of them and team ownership. They would use code words to describe their mission. Licht asked Spytek if he really thought Brady might come to Tampa. Spytek, looking at the Bucs’ impressive depth chart, pointed out the roster would be a selling point. “If you build it,” Spytek said, “he will come.” “That’s from a movie,” Licht said. And so they dubbed their project “Operation Shoeless Joe” after the Shoeless Joe Jackson character in “Field of Dreams.” Anytime they spoke of Brady, they called him “Shoeless Joe.” Licht became “Ray Kinsella,” the Kevin Costner character in the movie who built the baseball field that drew Shoeless Joe from the great beyond. They began calling Bucs owner Joel Glazer “Terrance Mann” after the James Earl Jones character who disappeared into the cornfield with Shoeless Joe. They recited lines from the movie. “Go the distance.” “Ease his pain.” Operation Shoeless Joe worked, and Brady told the Bucs he intended to play for them. But he still hadn’t officially parted ways with the Patriots. He told Licht he would visit Patriots owner Robert Kraft one evening to convey his intentions in person. The Bucs feared Kraft would convince him to stay. Early the next morning, Spytek was stuck at a traffic light on his way to work. He picked up his phone. The first story on his Instagram feed was from Brady, thanking New England and saying he was going to take his football journey elsewhere. By the end of the day, he was a Buccaneer. The Bucs closed their offices that day because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first time Spytek and Brady met as Bucs was at training camp in a BioReference trailer, where both were getting nose swabs for COVID tests. “Hey, Tom, John Spytek,” Spytek said through his mask. “We played together a long time ago.” “Yeah, yeah, great to see you again,” Brady said through his mask. “It’s been so long.” Spytek wasn’t sure Brady remembered the batted pass or the Christmas Eve dinner, but he was certain Brady had done his homework on him. During Brady’s New England years, he met with Belichick leading up to games and was given a detailed report on the defense he would be opposing. In Tampa, he asked Licht for a similar arrangement. Licht suggested to Spytek that a couple of young scouts could handle the assignment. “No,” Spytek said. “I want to do it. We can’t send a young scout in to meet with the greatest player of all time.” Spytek wanted McCartney with him because he respected McCartney’s knowledge. Licht agreed and told Brady, who had questions about both. “Are they going to know the league?” Brady asked. Brady showed them a sample report of what he expected. To prepare, Spytek put in the equivalent of a full day’s work, as he would before every meeting with Brady. He knew Brady would want a full report on the second nickel and fourth safety, as well as the star linebacker. In their first meeting, they talked about the Saints for about an hour. It didn’t take long for Brady to challenge the information. Sptyek told him Marshon Lattimore was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. “He’s not Darrelle Revis,” Brady shot back. Spytek warned him that Saints safety Marcus Williams could hurt him if he hung a ball up in the middle of the field. He described Janoris Jenkins as a twitchy corner who will play off and take chances and said if a quarterback is late with a throw, Jenkins could come up with an interception. Both players intercepted Brady. The game was lost, but trust was won. As the weeks went on, the meetings became casual and longer, sometimes lasting as long as 2 1/2 hours. Their conversations were about more than their upcoming opponent. Often, the first 20 or 30 minutes of the meeting were about their experiences at Michigan. They laughed about how the strength coaches emphasized thick necks. By then, neither had Michigan necks as Spytek had become a marathon runner and Brady had spent years training for pliability. Brady came to Tampa on a plant-based diet that excluded processed foods, dairy, gluten, sugar and nightshades. But at Michigan, it wasn’t quite like that. They reminisced about gorging on Cottage Inn Pizza at all hours, pigging out on Mister Spots wings, taking down deli sandwiches from Maize and Blue Deli and trying to bulk up with prime rib and cheese fries from Outback Steakhouse. “I got to listen to it all, and then eventually was like, come on, can we get to the meeting?” McCartney said. Brady took the prep work seriously, even if he knew his opponents as well as Spytek and McCartney before showing up for the meeting. He even wanted to meet before training camp joint practices. When it was established that he would play in a preseason game in Houston, he asked Spytek and McCartney to meet in their hotel the morning of the game. “I need to be at my best because people are coming to watch me,” he told them. After their prep work was done, Brady often started storytelling, which he did about as well as quarterbacking. He talked about idolizing and hanging with Joe Montana, Steve Young and Dan Marino and playing golf with Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers in “The Match.” Despite an uncomfortable parting, Brady spoke reverently about Belichick and his processes, game planning and motivational techniques. He said playing for him helped him see the game from a defensive perspective, which empowered him at the line of scrimmage. Belichick taught him that certain defensive alignments meant he didn’t have to concern himself with every coverage possibility. That helped him process more quickly. He told tales of teammates, opponents, games, drives and plays. Brady gushed about Julian Edelman and Rodney Harrison, saying you almost had to kill them to get them off the field. He also expressed admiration for Danny Amendola, Dave Andrews, Rob Gronkowski, Matt Light, Wes Welker and others. “When he talked about what made them special, it rarely was about how fast or skilled they were,” Spytek said. “It was how tough they were and how much they loved to play. You got a peek into his mind about what was important to him.” Part of Brady’s alchemy was that he seemed to remember almost every blade of grass he played on, but his recall appeared selective about the 2015 AFC Championship Game, when Spytek’s Broncos beat Brady’s Patriots. In Brady’s first season in Tampa, the Bucs won 11 games and made the playoffs as a wild-card team. Moments before the offense took the field in their first playoff game at Washington, Spytek noticed Brady reading something on the sideline. Brady put it down and jogged off. Spytek looked again at what he was reading. It was the report he and McCartney had given him that week. “The last thing he did before walking on the field to start the playoff run that led to a championship was read the writeup we gave him,” Spytek says. “It was one of the most poignant moments of my career.” Their work also affected Super Bowl LV. The scouting reports had a video element with 20 to 25 plays. After Spytek and McCartney showed Brady the video of Chiefs defenders before the Super Bowl, Brady gathered his receivers, tight ends and running backs to share the videos with them. It was the first time he did that, and it helped the Bucs put up 31 points in a one-sided victory. As Brady ran through the end zone and headed for the tunnel after the game, he saw Spytek and his wife, Kristen, in the southwest corner of Raymond James Stadium. He stopped and changed directions. Brady bear-hugged Spytek. Spytek had thought about what he wanted to say if this moment came. “I want you to know that working with you has been the honor of my career,” Spytek told Brady. “You’re awesome,” Brady said. “Love you.” Nine months later, Spytek ran in the New York City Marathon to raise funds for the National CMV Foundation, a charity he and Kristen helped establish. Their daughter Evelyn had congenital CMV, or cytomegalovirus, an infectious disease that can be fatal. Evelyn lived until she was 21 months old. Shortly before the marathon, Licht told Spytek he should tell Brady about why he was running. Spytek demurred, but Licht told Brady anyway. A couple of days later, the CMV Foundation received the most generous donation in its history, courtesy of Brady. Brady played two more years with the Bucs before retiring at 45 with 23 NFL seasons behind him. Last year, he became a game analyst for Fox and was approved as a minority owner of the Raiders. Before each of the three Bucs games Brady was assigned to, he visited with Spytek. By January, the Raiders were searching for a general manager. Brady, not the typical minority owner, called Licht. “We had a couple long conversations about Spy,” Licht said. “He knew him well, so I don’t really think he wanted reassurance. He was just kind of telling me, ‘This is what we want here. Do you think he would fit?’ And, of course, I said yes.” Spytek was interviewed on a video call by Brady, Raiders owner Mark Davis and minority owners Egon Durban and Mike Meldman. Spytek had interviewed for the Raiders’ general manager job in 2021 but felt like he had no chance. This was different. Brady asked many of the questions. The interview was cut off after 90 minutes because Spytek had to fly to Nashville to interview with the Titans for their general manager position. But the Raiders knew everything they needed. When Spytek agreed to become the Raiders’ general manager, Brady told him, “Just be you. That’s good enough.” They have talked on the phone quite a bit since. Spytek keeps him updated on everything the Raiders are doing. Spytek says Brady asks many questions but has not objected to anything. “Cool, babe, trust you,” is a typical response. Sometimes, they just talk about what’s happening in the league. “He’s as consumed with it as I am, and our love affair with the game is what we have most in common,” Spytek says. Brady, aware of how his physical presence changes the dynamic in a room, contributes remotely for the most part. But when the Raiders were vetting quarterbacks, he came to Las Vegas for a few days. He met with Spytek and coaches to discuss the veteran possibilities. He spent another day with Spytek discussing college quarterback prospects. “When we are looking at quarterbacks, we’d have to be fools not to involve him,” Spytek says. “Tom is the foremost expert on quarterback play I’ve ever been around.” Of course, Raiders coach Pete Carroll was a driving force in the trade for Carroll’s former quarterback Geno Smith. But Brady endorsed the move. “He really respected Geno — the way he can process and throw the football,” Spytek says. During the draft, Brady stayed away but was in constant communication and was on board with the selection of quarterback Cam Miller in the sixth round. “He liked the way he threw it, his technique, throwing from the ground up and his motion,” Spytek says. “And he thought he had the potential to improve.” Like Brady, Miller has a history of winning, having won two FCS national championships at North Dakota State and 32 of 35 starts at Solon High in Iowa. Dating to their days together at Michigan, Brady shaped how Spytek thinks about quarterbacks — how they should comport themselves, which traits are essential and which are superficial. Their football values, milled in Ann Arbor and reinforced in Tampa, are the same. What matters to both is the team above all, a wholehearted commitment, unrelenting perseverance and unadulterated accountability. In Tampa and even at Michigan, they helped bring out the other’s best. Even if neither realized it, they have been intertwined for 26 years, all the while building for now. After Spytek formally accepted the offer to become general manager, he received a text from Brady. He looked at his phone and saw three letters, an acronym Brady was associated with during the time he and Spytek shared in Tampa. “LFG,” it read. |
| AFC NORTH |
| BALTIMOREThe Ravens announced what had seemed inevitable as both poor performance and the furor over the lawsuits he faces led to the once-unthinkable demise of PK JUSTIN TUCKER. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The Ravens announced Monday they are releasing kicker Justin Tucker. Jeff Zrebiec of TheAthletic.com reports the team will designate Tucker as a post-June 1 release. The move will allow the Ravens to spread out Tucker’s $7.5 million in dead cap money — the biggest dead cap hit in NFL history for a kicker — over two years. Tucker’s $4.2 million salary in 2025 was not guaranteed, so the Ravens will gain $4.2 million in cap space for 2025. Tucker signed a four-year, $22 million contract extension in August 2022, making him the league’s highest-paid kicker at the time. He had three years remaining on the deal. The Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop in the sixth round nine days ago, signaling the end to Tucker’s career in Baltimore. Tucker, 35, is subject of an NFL investigation into allegations by 16 massage therapists of inappropriate sexual behavior. Tucker has denied the allegations. |
| CLEVELANDAdam Rittenberg of ESPN.com surveys some college coaches on the fall of QB SHEDEUR SANDERS: The biggest story during the first two days of the draft was a player not selected: Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Once projected as a top-five pick, Sanders fell all the way to No. 144, going in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns. Coaches tracked the Sanders saga throughout the weekend. A defensive coordinator who faced Sanders wasn’t surprised by the initial hesitancy, saying, “I thought he’d fall but not like this.” “I was shocked,” a Big 12 coach said. “You never know what the interview process, how that went. I thought besides Cam [Ward], he was the second [best] guy.” Others noted that if teams weren’t drafting Sanders as a clear-cut starter based on ability that couldn’t be bypassed, they had to assess how he would fit into a quarterback room that likely had an established starter. “[The NFL teams] probably figure, once it gets to this point, is it even worth dealing with anymore, but there’s no way around that,” a Big 12 coach said. “… If you’re not drafting the guy to be your starter, it really doesn’t matter where you pick the guy.” A Group of 5 coach added: “If you’re Tampa and you’ve got Baker Mayfield, do you want the noise associated with [Sanders] being your backup quarterback? There’s a lot of teams that don’t need quarterbacks.” A coach who faced Colorado in 2024 said Sanders could end up being a strong NFL starter but understood the concerns about bringing him in as a likely backup initially. “I see him competing hard on the grass, trying to win the job, making the team better,” the coach said, “but making that room better?” Some coaches questioned the concerns about Sanders’ demeanor. “People have taken a lot worse,” an SEC defensive assistant said in terms of players with questions or off-field issue. Sanders’ talent level drew plenty of takes in the media, but coaches saw him as a capable pro quarterback who also had some question marks. “He’s got a bigger, stronger body, he does a great job of extending things, got the crap beat out of him with a subpar [offensive] line,” a Big 12 coach said. “But how many times did he make a rhythm-and-timing throw in a window? It’s either quick stuff out to the boundary or extended plays that he could get the ball deep. That would have been my question: Is he completely there enough to be a first-round pick? That doesn’t mean there aren’t reasons he shouldn’t have gone second through fourth.” |
| PITTSBURGHOne of Adam Rittenberg’s college panel likes what the Steelers did with QB WILL HOWARD: “I don’t see the evaluation of Gabriel over [Will] Howard,” a Power 4 defensive coordinator said, referring to Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, who wasn’t picked until the sixth round by the Steelers. “I’m not saying either one of them is more talented than Sanders, but Will Howard’s a better pro prospect than Gabriel with the size, arm strength, the passing tree that he had to throw at Ohio State.” |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONSad to hear this. Evan Massey of Athlon Sports: The Houston Texans saw young up-and-coming star wide receiver Tank Dell go down with a gruesome knee injury late in the 2024 NFL season. Dell tore torn ACL, damage to his MCL, LCL, and meniscus, as well as a dislocated kneecap. With those injuries all coming at the same time, his 2025 season has been viewed as being in jeopardy. C.J. Stroud and Dell had formed great chemistry with each other. He had become the young star quarterback’s favorite target and the future was bright between the two. A new update has been given about Dell’s status for the 2025 season. It’s not news that Texans fans will be happy to hear. According to a report from Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, Dell is expected to miss the entire upcoming campaign. “Dell will more than likely miss the 2025 season and be placed on the physically unable to perform list, given the nature of his knee injury and the timing of his ACL surgery, which took place just two months ago,” Alexander wrote. “The timetable for ACL injuries is typically six to 12 months. Dell also dislocated his knee, tore other ligaments and damaged his meniscus.” |
| JACKSONVILLEAdam Rittenberg’s ESPN panel of college coaches with praise for ATH TRAVIS HUNTER: The Jacksonville Jaguars made a splash in trading up three spots for Hunter, who will attempt to play both wide receiver and cornerback at the pro level. “Travis is like the rubberband man,” said an assistant coach familiar with Hunter. “He understands football, knows routes off splits, ball skills are out of this world. His ball skills are the best I’ve ever seen. His endurance is what’s really crazy.” A Big 12 coach added, “There’ll be a fight to see who gets to use him,” referring to the Jaguars’ coaches. And this about a video that surfaced from draft day. Mathey Gibson of YahooSports.com: Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter isn’t your typical NFL superstar — and now the internet knows it. On Monday, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft made headlines off the field after going viral for his surprising reaction to a Rolex watch gifted to him by his fiancée. The moment? Honest, unexpected, and very on brand. “Y’all tripping,” Hunter said with a laugh. “Don’t expect these type of gifts from me. That ain’t happening, my boy. These type of gifts ain’t happening — not from me.” Hunter, known as much for his personality as his playmaking, admitted he’d rather receive a boat than a high-end timepiece. “I could’ve bought a new boat” he added, reaffirming a truth fans have known for years — Hunter loves to fish. The watch, which is a presidential Rolex, is estimated to be worth around $30,000. Whether he’s relaxing in the offseason or recharging during bye weeks, fishing has become a signature part of his lifestyle. Clearly, he wants the water more than the wristwear. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2025 DRAFTPlenty of thoughts on the draft from ESPN’s panel of experts who in general love what the Browns and Patriots did: Which rookie class will make the biggest impact this season? Stephania Bell, fantasy football analyst: New England Patriots. They saw potential in quarterback Drake Maye in 2024, but he needed support to fully realize it. They drafted offensive tackle Will Campbell to accompany free agent additions Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury on the O-line. Then they added multiple offensive playmakers in subsequent rounds, making for a well-constructed rookie roster that can yield immediate results. Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: Cleveland Browns. The Browns secured future draft assets with the trade back to No. 5, plus they got impact players in this cycle. Both defensive tackle Mason Graham and linebacker Carson Schwesinger give the Browns more disruption on defense. Quinshon Judkins has the traits to start at running back. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. can operate as a move/matchup player, while fourth-round RB Dylan Sampson is a dynamic ball carrier. Plus, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders will at least add competition in the QB room. Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: Browns. They got starters out of their first four picks. Graham and Schwesinger will elevate the defense with playmaking. Judkins symbolizes a much-needed new era for the Browns’ running game. Fannin is the perfect complement at tight end to David Njoku. And the Browns could get meaningful snaps out of Gabriel or Sanders without spending an early pick on either QB. Dan Graziano, national NFL reporter: Tennessee Titans. I’m not sure anyone else got their Week 1 starting quarterback in this draft, so that puts Tennessee right out in the front. And a good number of their other picks should get a chance to make an impact early on this roster. In particular, I wouldn’t be surprised to see fourth-round wide receiver Elic Ayomanor outperform his draft spot. Kalyn Kahler, national NFL reporter: Carolina Panthers. While some criticized them for taking the top receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first round instead of an edge rusher, they addressed those defensive needs in the second round with Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. McMillan will boost the development of quarterback Bryce Young, who enters an important season. Pamela Maldonado, sports betting analyst: Chicago Bears. They’ve built a legit roster with real potential. Colston Loveland is a 6-foot-5 tight end who runs clean routes and will be a dependable target for Caleb Williams. Luther Burden III brings juice from the slot, as a quick separation, pure playmaker. They didn’t stop there, adding depth at O-line and defensive tackle. It’s been a full and thoughtful build. Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: Patriots. They had a theme throughout the draft and aimed to add speed for new coach Mike Vrabel. That was accomplished — even Campbell and Jared Wilson were among the most agile offensive linemen. TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams will both increase the team’s big-play ability on offense. Eric Moody, fantasy football writer: Patriots. They wisely used their first four picks on offensive support for Maye. Campbell, Henderson, Williams and Wilson should all play significant snaps while making an immediate impact. Henderson may stand out the most, as a three-down back who can protect Maye and produce big plays. Dan Orlovsky, NFL analyst: Patriots. They landed a potential playmaker at left tackle in Campbell, a big-time running back in Henderson and a receiver in Williams who brings downfield speed. This was all needed for New England. Jason Reid, Andscape senior NFL writer: Kansas City Chiefs. If general manager Brett Veach is right about Josh Simmons, the Chiefs got one of the best recent left tackle prospects with the last pick of the first round. That’s called high value. Second-round defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott could be an impact rotational player immediately and consistent starter eventually. Fourth-round wide receiver Jalen Royals is great after the catch and could be helpful early in the return game. Even seventh-round running back Brashard Smith can provide a boost to the running game. Jordan Reid, NFL draft analyst: Patriots. They needed instant impact players on both sides, and they were able to do that on offense in the early rounds. On Day 3, New England started adding depth to its defensive front. Joshua Farmer and Bradyn Swinson were wise picks. Both are likely to see playing time early on in their rookie seasons. Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: Patriots. Campbell may not end up being a long-term All-Pro at left tackle, but he certainly strengthens the Patriots at their weakest position. Henderson gives the Patriots a receiving back in the Kevin Faulk/James White mold, and he can also hit a home run with a long carry. And don’t be surprised to see a lot of pass-rushing defensive tackle Farmer. Ben Solak, NFL analyst: Patriots. By midseason, I think we could see all four of their early-drafted offensive rookies taking a majority of the snaps at their respective positions. Campbell and Wilson, in particular, can dramatically raise the floor of the Patriots’ offense, which will allow Maye to shine in his sophomore season. Mike Tannenbaum, NFL front office insider: Browns. I believe that Graham, Schwesinger, Judkins, Sampson and one of the rookie QBs will all contribute meaningfully this season. Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter: Patriots. They made a clear commitment to surround quarterback Maye with the tools he needs to improve the offense. Expect all four offensive picks to be called upon immediately by Vrabel, as they try to improve a unit that averaged a measly 16.5 points per game in 2024 (30th in the league). Seth Walder, NFL analyst: Titans. Like everyone else, I took a long look at the Patriots for this question. But the possibility of Tennessee getting an average-ish starting QB performance out of Ward would be such a huge upgrade from last season. It has to be the Titans. Field Yates, NFL analyst: Titans. It’s not a stretch in my eyes to think that each of the Titans’ first six selections will contribute this season, and Ward is the only rookie quarterback that I expect to start Week 1. Tennessee worked hard to build up the infrastructure around Ward on Day 3, with receiver Chimere Dike, tight end Gunnar Helm and Ayomanor having a shot to earn a role out of the gates. I’m excited about the future in Nashville. Who was your favorite pick in the entire draft? Bell: Running back Ashton Jeanty to the Raiders (No. 6). I love when draft picks have an immediate impact, and Jeanty can do exactly that. The Raiders were last in the league in rushing yards in 2024 (1,357), while Jeanty led the FBS (2,601). His talent as both a pass catcher and runner offers versatility for new coach Pete Carroll, who is looking to make the Raiders’ offense more dynamic. Bowen: Safety Malaki Starks to the Ravens (No. 27). With Starks playing opposite Kyle Hamilton in the secondary, the Ravens have two interchangeable safeties to disguise coverages and change the picture post-snap. Starks is a versatile defender with playmaking ability, capable of impacting multiple levels of the field as a rookie. Fowler: Offensive tackle Josh Simmons to the Chiefs (No. 32). My favorite picks typically come with some level of risk but tremendous upside. Simmons embodies that. Multiple scouts told me his tape was the best of any offensive tackle. Injury concerns are there, but if Kansas City maximizes Simmons’ potential, it has a premier left tackle for Patrick Mahomes’ next chapter. Graziano: Starks to the Ravens. Baltimore has built much of its recent success on being strong up the middle of the defense, and Starks should be a perfect fit with that plan. The Ravens had their eye on Starks predraft, thinking his center-field abilities would allow them to play Hamilton closer to the line of scrimmage more often. The pair should complement each other well. Kahler: Receiver Tommy Mellott (No. 213) and quarterback Cam Miller (No. 215) to the Raiders.Yes, I’m writing about Mellott again, but I really loved the back-to-back FCS picks by Las Vegas. Mellott will likely convert from quarterback to receiver and become a Taysom Hill-like gadget player on special teams. Miller was a favorite developmental quarterback for several scouts. He had a really impressive pro day and could prove to be a great pick. Maldonado: Wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter to the Jaguars (No. 2). This trade up was bold and exactly what this team needed. Hunter is a unicorn with his ability to be a shutdown corner and playmaker. His infectious energy could reinvigorate Jacksonville’s entire locker room. Miller: Wide receiver Luther Burden III to the Bears (No. 39). I love the value of Burden early in Round 2 after ranking him as my No. 13 overall player. It was a smart team-building pick after Chicago already filled so many needs in free agency. I like the team’s determination to surround Caleb Williams with top-tier targets. Moody: Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to the Panthers (No. 8). Coach Dave Canales has a strong track record with X receivers, and the Panthers landed the best one in the 2025 class. Drafting McMillan, the NCAA leader in contested catches over the past two seasons, allows 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette to shift into more of a situational role. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young should be excited about McMillan’s arrival. Orlovsky: McMillan to the Panthers. He reminds me so much of Atlanta’s Drake London, and a QB loves a big-body wide receiver who catches everything. It will build confidence in Young. Jason Reid: Simmons to the Chiefs. He could have been a top-five pick if he hadn’t sustained a knee injury in October. He displays a rare combination of power and quickness at the position. The Chiefs expect him to be ready by training camp. Jordan Reid: McMillan to the Panthers. Carolina’s receiver room consists of a lot of secondary options. But Young needed a go-to playmaker on the perimeter for his crucial third season. McMillan can develop into a true alpha WR1. Schatz: Edge rusher Jalon Walker to the Falcons (No. 15). We know the Falcons needed to improve their pass rush, and Walker is a super-versatile player who can rush the passer or drop into coverage. Plus, the Falcons got him a couple picks later than his position on consensus boards. Solak: Cornerback Jacob Parrish to the Buccaneers (No. 84). Parrish is a classic Todd Bowles cornerback — feisty, instinctive in zone, able to press and an excellent tackler in space. He reminds me of Tykee Smith, a 2024 third-rounder who emerged as a key nickel defender for Tampa Bay. The Bucs needed to add depth to their secondary, and they got a perfect scheme and culture fit in Parrish. Tannenbaum: Jeanty to the Raiders. This is a tone-setting pick for Carroll and GM John Spytek. Jeanty gives the Raiders a much-needed explosive playmaker, and he’s an ideal fit in new coordinator Chip Kelly’s offense. Thiry: Guard Grey Zabel to the Seahawks (No. 18). The Seahawks’ offensive line has been in need of help, and it wasn’t found in free agency. But selecting Zabel in the first round signals that the Seahawks are committed to improving their offense from the inside out, putting new quarterback Sam Darnold in a position to succeed. Walder: Edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku to the Cowboys (No. 44). My sack model had Ezeiruaku essentially tied with James Pearce Jr. for the third-best forecast in the class. Despite not playing for an elite team in college (which can sometimes boost a player’s sack numbers), he racked up 16.5 sacks in 2024. Dallas only had to use a second-round pick to get him. Yates: Guard Donovan Jackson to the Vikings (No. 24). Jackson was 20th overall on my board, as I am extremely bullish on his positional versatility, power, toughness and overall play temperament. The Vikings began this offseason saying they would get their trenches in order and have done it. Who was the biggest head-scratching pick of the draft? Bell: Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka to the Buccaneers (No. 19). This may turn out not to be a head-scratcher at all if Chris Godwin’s recovery from ankle surgery has slowed. On the surface, the Bucs appeared well-stocked at the position with Mike Evans, Godwin and up-and-comer Jalen McMillan. But their move to take a first-round slot receiver (where Godwin lined up over 60% of the time last season) suggests they are making contingency plans. Bowen: Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa to the Lions (No. 70). I can see the traits with TeSlaa. He’s a 6-foot-4 target with seam-stretching ability, and he posted explosive testing numbers (4.43 40-yard dash, 39½-inch vertical). However, he is still a developing prospect, and it cost the Lions two 2026 third-rounders to trade up for him. Fowler: Wide receiver Jack Bech to the Raiders (No. 58). Bech has the ball skills and competitiveness to make a quick impact on the Las Vegas offense, and the Raiders had a solid draft in Spytek’s first year at the helm. But several scouts from around the league — even ones that really like Bech — felt the second round was a bit high and the third round might have been a more sensible range. Graziano: Edge rusher James Pearce Jr. to the Falcons (No. 26). This isn’t about the player; it’s about the price the Falcons paid to move up for him. Atlanta needed edge rush help and already got some earlier in the round with Jalon Walker. Trading next year’s first-round pick to get Pearce felt like a massive overpay, especially after the Giants gave up only two third-round picks to trade up to No. 25. Kahler: Quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel (No. 94) and Shedeur Sanders (No. 144) to the Browns.Several scouts and executives I spoke to really started scratching their heads with the Gabriel pick, but the Browns also taking Sanders made even less sense. Neither quarterback has prototypical size for the position, and I’m not seeing the plan on how these two will split reps with Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett in camp. Maldonado: Quarterback Tyler Shough to the Saints (No. 40). It made little sense, especially for a team that needs long-term stability under center. Shough will be 26 with a laundry list of major injuries, including two separate collarbone breaks and a broken fibula from a hip-drop tackle. He holds the ball too long, invites pressure and doesn’t get through reads fast enough — traits that only increase his risk of taking more hits. Miller: Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant to the Dolphins (No. 13). This was both a poor value — Grant was an early-Round 2 player for me — and a luxury, given the Dolphins’ needs at cornerback and safety. Grant is certainly a good player, but the value just felt off. Moody: Linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II to the Bears (No. 132). This fourth-round selection was shocking because many analysts predicted Hyppolite could go undrafted. I thought this was a major reach in the middle rounds by general manager Ryan Poles. Orlovsky: The Cowboys not taking a single wide receiver in the draft. I fully expected them to take one after they had to force the ball to CeeDee Lamb last season. Taking guard Tyler Booker in the first round was fine, but they should have tried to find a secondary receiving option in any of the other early rounds. Jason Reid: Gabriel/Sanders to the Browns. Two developmental rookie QBs with Flacco and Pickett under contract? In camp and the preseason, how will Gabriel and Sanders get enough reps to adjust to the NFL and prove they deserve roster spots? I don’t get it. Jordan Reid: Edge rusher Shemar Stewart to the Bengals (No. 17). I thought the Bengals would pursue a more proven finisher off the edge. Stewart is a risky gamble for a team that has to find immediate impact players opposite Trey Hendrickson. Stewart has impressive traits, but he had only 4.5 sacks in three college seasons. Schatz: TeSlaa to the Lions. He scored basically zero in my Playmaker Score article featuring WR projections. ESPN’s Scouts Inc. rankings did have TeSlaa listed but as the No. 17 receiver and No. 157 prospect. And yet, the Lions dealt two 2026 third-round picks for him. He’s at best a duplicate of Detroit’s best receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown. Solak: Gabriel to the Browns. It’s tough for me to find a rosy future for Gabriel, who lacks the size necessary to make all the throws on an NFL field. He also doesn’t have the compensatory arm talent and movement skills that shorter quarterbacks like Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson have. I struggle to find a world where Gabriel really makes waves in that Browns QB room, even if Sanders wasn’t there. Tannenbaum: The Falcons trading up for Pearce. While his ability is undeniable, giving up a future first-round pick is always risky, especially since Pearce’s predraft evaluations were all over the place. Walder: The Falcons trading up for Pearce. Surrendering a future first-round pick to move up for a non-QB is almost always bad business, but it’s a particularly poor move for the Falcons. That’s because Michael Penix Jr. has three career starts, so there are plenty of worlds where the Falcons gave up a top-10 or even a top-five pick in this deal. (I’ll also throw the Vikings in here because they could’ve made a deal with the Falcons (or Giants) and traded out of the first round. Minnesota needed more picks.) Yates: Wide receiver Pat Bryant to the Broncos (No. 74). This was a reach relative to my own rankings, as I thought Bryant was a Day 3 pick after posting a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. There are traits of Bryant’s game I admire: He’s a strong route runner, has extremely reliable hands and was a clutch performer in college. This pick was just earlier than expected. |
