| Chris Cwik of YahooSports.com on two other rules/game management changes we may not have covered yesterday: NFL expands use of replay assistThe second rule change for the 2025 season involves which penalties can be subject to replay review. Under the new policy, “hits on a defenseless player, grabbing the facemask, performing a horse-collar tackle, tripping, and running into or roughing the kicker” can be reviewed, according to Pro Football Talk.That proposal comes with a catch, however. Those penalties can only be reviewed if officials throw a flag on the play. If a coach believes the flag was not warranted, he can challenge and potentially have the penalty overturned. In cases where no flag is thrown by an official on a play, coaches will not be eligible to challenge. If an official misses a penalty, a coach can’t use replay to change the situation.NFL introduces Hawk-Eye cameras to measure first downsThe NFL also announced it will utilize Sony’s Hawk-Eye cameras to measure first downs in 2025. The cameras will effectively replace on-field chain gang measurements on crucial plays. The league will use six 8K cameras to track the ball’s position on the field.The league stated the entire measurement process will take roughly 30 seconds, which will save roughly 40 seconds compared to the manual chain-gang measurements.The chain gang isn’t going away completely, and will continue to be used “in a secondary capacity.” We would think that the chain gang will be most useful to the fans in the stadium who don’t have an electronic yellow line and scorebug with down and distance to watch while calculating down and distance scenarios. |
| NFC EAST |
| PHILADELPHIAThere may have been doubt after 2023, but not now. Nick Sirianni will be getting an extension soon. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni went from the hot seat to the precipice of a long-term extension.Eagles owner and CEO Jeffrey Lurie indicated this week that an extension for Sirianni, who enters the final year of his contract, is on the way following Philly’s Super Bowl run.“Yeah, superb job. I mean, Nick’s going to be our coach and we don’t talk publicly [about contracts], never have,” Lurie said Tuesday from the Annual League Meeting. “You guys, I’m sure, will find out soon enough that Nick will be our coach going forward, and he’s done an outstanding job.”After the 2023 debacle and an early-season stumble, Sirianni was squarely on the hot seat, with the 43-year-old screaming at Philly fans characterizing his standing. The coach and club, however, turned things around and romped through the playoffs.“When we were 2-2, we went 16-1 after that, and the one was when Jalen Hurts, we were winning the game, got a concussion,” Lurie said. “So it’s not easy to go 16-1 in the National Football League, four of which are against playoff teams, one of which was the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. So, outstanding job.”In four years in Philly, Sirianni has compiled a 48-20 record, making the postseason in each of his four seasons and leading the Eagles to two Super Bowls, including this year’s Lombardi-lifter.“Everything that I had hoped for with Nick, he embodies,” Lurie said. “Whether it’s connection, intelligence in so many ways, from football intelligence, emotional intelligence, managing of people, hiring of assistant coaches, growth mindset at all times… These are all the things that we embody, appreciate and are a big contributor to the culture we have. So everything that I had hoped for early on, identifying Nick as the next head coach, has come to pass and great to work with, and he has a growth mindset, he’ll get better.” |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONAThe Cardinals have persuaded DE CALAIS CAMPBELL to play an 18th season. As Grant Gordon of NFL.com recounts his splendid and enduring career, we have to ask if he is not Hall of Fame worthy? Calais Campbell is headed back for his 18th season — and headed back to where it all began.Campbell has agreed to a one-year, $5.5 million deal worth up to $7.5 million, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday. The Cardinals announced the single-year pact, officially bringing Campbell back to the club that drafted him in 2008.The signing also concludes discussion on whether Campbell, owner of six Pro Bowl selections and 110.5 sacks, would retire. Instead, he’s heading back west to Arizona after a single season with the Miami Dolphins.Campbell, 38, aims to bolster a revamped pass rush for the Cards. Arizona has added defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and pass rusher Josh Sweat, while re-signing outside linebacker Baron Browning. 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson is also still a fresh face, having missed much of his rookie campaign due to injury and should also be able to learn plenty from the venerable Campbell.Campbell is continuing on a whirlwind tour as of late, though he’s back in a familiar setting.His career began with the Cardinals (2008-2016; two Pro Bowls) and carried on with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-2019; three Pro Bowls), Baltimore Ravens (2020-2022; one Pro Bowl) and Atlanta Falcons (2023) prior to last year’s last dance with the Dolphins.Having contemplated retirement prior to previous seasons, Campbell, is likely to contemplate it again around this time next year.For now, he’s continuing quite a career.Campbell, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-2010s Team, was the 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year and the 2024 NFL Players Association Alan Page Community Award winner.Campbell has played 261 games (242 starts) and has been a model of durability, never having missed more than four games in a campaign. He’s racked up 917 tackles, 266 QB hits, 18 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries.Campbell was taken in the 2008 NFL Draft’s second round by the Cardinals. His rookie campaign saw Arizona advance to the Super Bowl, a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in which Campbell recorded two tackles. Campbell went without a start or a sack as a rookie, but it was hardly a sign of things to come.Campbell became a fixture in the Cardinals’ starting lineup over the next eight seasons, rising to become a Pro Bowl defensive end. He posted 56.5 sacks with Arizona, which ranks fourth all time for the franchise.Now he’s returned to play under head coach Jonathan Gannon, who’s just three years older than him at 41.Campbell is still playing stellar ball. He didn’t miss a game in either of his last two seasons, with his 2024 campaign in Miami seeing him post 52 tackles and five sacks, often proving to be the highlight of a downtrodden Dolphins D. The Dolphins were reportedly open to releasing Campbell late last season to give him an opportunity to catch on with a contender, but Miami’s postseason hopes, albeit slim, carried on until Week 18 and he stayed put in South Beach.Ranked 34th in NFL.com‘s Top 101 Free Agents of 2025, Campbell had his suitors, but has decided that a return to Arizona was in the cards. |
| SAN FRANCISCOThe 49ers have made the decision to give QB BROCK PURDY big money – and as a result they are hemorrhaging players. Tyler Lauretta of SI.com: The bill has officially come due San Francisco 49ers.After three seasons of relatively easy payroll management thanks to the massive advantage having a quarterback on a rookie contract provides, Brock Purdy is due for an extension. It means cuts have been forced to be made across the franchise.San Francisco has already seen a mass of talent leave in the offseason, with players like Deebo Samuel, Aaron Banks, Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Dre Greenlaw and more all leaving via trades or free agency. While one could argue their departures came just because the 49ers didn’t want to pay them, there’s more to it than that—they have to pay someone else.49ers owner Jed York addressed the financial elephant in the room at the NFL’s annual meetings on Tuesday.“I’ve been called worse,” York said, when asked about accusations of being “cheap,” per a story by ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “I get it. Fans care. You want to win. And when you’re in a world where everybody is watching the NFL the first week of free agency or at least the first few days of free agency, it’s a frenzy. … When you’re not overly active in that space, it gets easy to say, ‘Oh, you don’t want to win.’ … I don’t know that, as we looked at the board, that there was somebody that we felt made that type of an impact more so than making the decision to try to go pay Brock.”Once the literal last pick in the NFL draft, Purdy has emerged as a stellar starting quarterback for San Francisco, including a performance in the 2023 season that saw him finish fourth in MVP voting.In his career thus far, Purdy has taken the 49ers to two NFC championship games and turned one of those trips into a Super Bowl appearance, but has earned just $2.8 million since joining the league. Given the massive deals the likes of Joe Burrow and Trevor Lawrence have signed in recent years, Purdy’s extension with the 49ers could easily surpass $50 million a year in new money.As things stand, no deal is in place with Purdy, and head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the possibility of his quarterback holding out heading into 2025 should an extension fail to materialize.“I know Brock doesn’t want to do that. We don’t want to do that. I mean, no one wants to do that,” Shanahan said at the NFL annual meeting in Palm Beach. “But these are negotiations that go on between agents and our organization, and it’s over a lot of money and stuff.”There’s still a long way to go between April 1 and a holdout, but San Francisco is undoubtedly eager to get the matter settled and start planning for the future. After three seasons of playing loose with their salary cap, the 49ers’ math just got a lot harder. |
| AFC WEST |
| DENVERNFL GMs are impressed with what is happening in Denver according to Mike Sando ofThe Athletic: Denver drew high marks for adding safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw from San Francisco, plus tight end Evan Engram from Jacksonville.“Denver is pushing,” one exec said.Some see coach Sean Payton, who averaged 10.1 victories per season with New Orleans from 2006 to ’21, implementing his Saints vision in Denver.Greenlaw fills the Jonathan Vilma role as quarterback of the defense. Hufanga becomes his Malcolm Jenkins. Engram becomes a version of Jimmy Graham. Incumbent receiver Courtland Sutton resembles Marcus Colston in some ways. Comparing quarterback Bo Nix to Drew Brees is unfair, but both are extensions of Payton.“Sean is getting some of the guys that fit what he has had in the past,” another exec said. “Does he go with a running back in the draft?”Greenlaw and Hufanga combined to play in only nine games last season, so durability is a concern despite their relatively young ages (Greenlaw turns 28 in May, while Hufanga turned 26 in February).“They are really good players when healthy,” another exec said. “I’ll bet you Evan Engram catches at least 75 balls next year. He will have a big year because he can run and catch. Sean will make him the focal point of their offense on third downs.” |
| LAS VEGASMike Sando and his panel of anonymous GM types liked what the Raiders did in free agency, especially getting QB GENO SMITH: The jump from former starting quarterback Gardner Minshew to the newly acquired Geno Smith could deliver about three additional wins for the Raiders based on the projected change in Total QBR.“Getting Geno was as good as they could have done in their situation,” an exec said. “They aren’t getting a quarterback they feel confident in where they are picking in the draft (No. 6). They get a guy who has won.”The floor has been raised, but what is the ceiling?“I don’t know if the rest of the team is going to be reflective of Geno’s ceiling this year, but I think they will win 8-9 games even if they are good around him, because of his inconsistency,” an exec said. “That goes up if they can build a top-five defense.”Smith’s history with new Raiders coach Pete Carroll makes the assimilation easier. But after initial reports suggested Smith would likely get a new deal with the Raiders, that story went cold until Carroll and GM John Spytek suggested this week a deal could be forthcoming.“They can franchise him twice, so why would they lock themselves into him unnecessarily?” another exec said. “Tom Brady is not going to rip it up and give him $45 million a year. They should go year to year.”The Raiders got Maxx Crosby’s extension done for $35.5 million per year before Cleveland extended Myles Garrett at $40 million. They saved in the back seven by signing safety Jeremy Chinn and linebacker Elandon Roberts for about 40 percent of the combined APY that former starters Trevon Moehrig and Robert Spillane commanded in free agency. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CINCINNATIMike Sando of The Athletic on the Bengals big signings: The Bengals took a victory lap for re-signing receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins after critics questioned whether the organization would make the necessary financial commitment.One exec joked that the credit should go to de facto GM Joe Burrow.“It just proves that our league is becoming more like the NBA, with top players having more control,” one said.Waiting until the last minute before re-signing Chase and Higgins surely cost the Bengals more than if they had done deals last offseason. How much more? That depends upon what Chase or Higgins would have accepted before.“They definitely needed to retain Chase, and then Higgins should have been a tag-and-trade candidate because you need the draft capital and you have to rebuild your defense,” another exec said. “You could have made Trey Hendrickson happy (with a new deal) and have a draft pick if you moved on from Higgins.”Hendrickson’s situation remains unresolved, but the team could still extend him. Trading Higgins might have upset the de facto GM.“The thought of keeping their quarterback happy is good,” another exec said, “but how can you build around him to get him where he needs to go? I’m going to go with fronts and defense over skill, especially when you already have one of the highest-paid receivers. To sign another one (Higgins) is interesting to me.”The Bengals also invested in their No. 3 pass catcher, tight end Mike Gesicki.As for the offensive line, Cincy added Lucas Patrick from the Saints for $2.1 million per year.“They got a nice bargain signing with Lucas Patrick,” an exec said, “but he just played his best football with Klint Kubiak’s system in New Orleans, which is nothing like the pure dropback game in Cincy, where they try to throw the ball all over the yard.” |
| CLEVELANDAre the Browns playing a long game with an eye on QB ARCH MANNING? Mike Sando of The Athletic: The Cleveland Browns’ new deal for Myles Garrett reset the market for pass rushers while upping the price Cincinnati paid for Ja’Marr Chase after the Bengals promised to make their receiver the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback.Giant as that move was, execs around the league remain most interested in what Cleveland has planned at quarterback.“It’s such a weak quarterback draft and free-agency class at the position,” one exec said. “Is there a temptation to suck for Arch Manning?”Not all are convinced the Browns will select a quarterback at No. 2 in the draft.“Are they drafting or tanking?” another exec asked. “If you are tanking, then you would be down to one year left on Deshaun (Watson). I’m sure they are like, ‘Hey, Joe Flacco got us to the playoffs and we can do whatever.’”What about Kirk Cousins as a post-draft trade acquisition?“(Kevin) Stefanski knows him, but I cannot see them going with another guy who is older and injured,” another exec said. “Not that Deshaun is old, but he never got going.”Another exec thought Cousins and the newly acquired Kenny Pickett would be an upgrade for Cleveland.“If I’m Cleveland, and I don’t love Shedeur (Sanders) at pick No. 2, I have a two-time Coach of the Year, a GM that got a second contract, so could that regime possibly survive a worst-team-in-the-league season to get Arch Manning next year?” the first exec said.The NFL previously cleared the Browns of tanking allegations raised by former coach Hue Jackson.“You are not guaranteed Arch Manning is going to come out, or that he will agree to go to Cleveland, so my guess is, they draft a quarterback this year,” one of the execs said. “If you were tanking, I don’t know why you would give Myles Garrett all that money.”There’s no advantage to Cleveland broadcasting its plans now.“This offseason, what veteran quarterback is there in free agency where you are like, ‘Oh, I feel much better about having this guy on my roster compared to the unknown?’” another exec said. “If your options are what Cleveland is doing or what the Giants did, that doesn’t make me excited.” |
| PITTSBURGHMike Sando and his anonymous execs snicker at the Steelers: Adding Metcalf and possibly Rodgers to an offense with receiver George Pickens would make the Steelers must-see TV.“Rodgers with Pickens and DK, if it’s not ‘Hard Knocks,’ it had better be,” an exec said. “I can’t think of a worse combination for all this to play out.”Throw in a sometimes testy offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, with a strong head coach, Mike Tomlin, and the theater might be epic.“In what world do you look at DK and go, ‘Let’s give that guy ($30 million) a year and trade a 2 for him?’” the exec asked. “That struck me as, you are in on Brandon Aiyuk, you’ve been in on all these guys, you have not gotten them, and you finally found one. Maybe Tomlin brings out the best in him. I could see elements of why they like it. Pairing him with Rodgers seems odd.”Metcalf ranks 12th in receiving yards over the past three seasons and was 25th with 992 yards in 2024.“Any time Pittsburgh brings in a receiver, I’m tending to say, ‘OK, they have gotten it right more times than not, so they probably know something I do not know,’” another exec said. “But I question the mix. Are we seeing the first signs of Pittsburgh panic?”Talk that Rodgers might retire felt like a money play, another exec said.As for the Steelers’ overall plan at the most important position, could they select one in the draft at No. 21, three years after selecting another, Kenny Pickett, at No. 20?“Before Ben Roethlisberger, they always kind of just found a quarterback,” an exec said. “They grouped together some talented guys, they had their own play style, their own culture and it just kind of worked most of the time. Are they back to that? Is that what we are seeing now?” Meanwhile, Roethlisberger thinks Rodgers really wants to do a full Favre and go from the Packers to the Jets to the Vikinigs. Andrew Vazquez at YahooSports.com: Not everyone is buying the Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers hype just yet—even with his recent UCLA throwing session with DK Metcalf.Although Steelers President Art Rooney II remained optimistic that the four-time MVP would make his way to the Steel City, the legendary Ben Roethlisberger argued that Rodgers may be prolonging the signing for one massive reason—a potential opening with the Minnesota Vikings.The future Hall of Fame Steelers quarterback elaborated on the never-ending Rodgers-to-Pittsburgh rumors on his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger:“I think Aaron [Rodgers] is secretly still holding out for Minnesota—which is why he hasn’t signed with the Steelers. Why else would you go throw with DK and working out, and blast it to everybody that ‘I’m throwing to these guys,’ but you won’t sign?”He further added that Rodgers may see the Minnesota Vikings as a more complete team—a perfect scenario for the 41-year-old QB chasing his second Super Bowl ring.Is Rodgers truly holding onto the hope that the Vikings could secretly want his services in 2025, or is it truly the upcoming Big Night AHT on April 9th with Pat McAfee that’s to blame for the delay? |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOMike Sando of The Athletic on why the Bills extended QB JOSH ALLEN and signed EDGE JOEY BOSA:Extending Josh Allen’s contract with four years remaining on his old one created little immediate salary-cap flexibility, so why the rush? Execs saw this deal as instructive for Buffalo’s situation. In short, keeping Allen happy is priority No. 1 for a franchise owing nearly all its relevance to him. The team is building a new stadium in a market that is not a free-agent destination.“I view it like the NBA and Giannis (Antetokounmpo) or one of those other stars in a market where you may not be able to keep stars,” one exec said. “You want to do the max deal as early as possible, because in this case, you don’t have a franchise without Josh Allen.”In this context, if the Bills set a precedent for revisiting Allen’s deal with multiple years remaining, so be it.Joey Bosa’s addition on a one-year, $12.6 million deal reflects the former star’s diminished production: 14 sacks in 28 games over the past three seasons. He turns 30 in July. Buffalo also extended defensive end Greg Rousseau, cornerback Christian Benford, receiver Khalil Shakir and linebacker Terrel Bernard (all four were entering contract years), while adding receiver Josh Palmer, defensive end Larry Ogunjobi and linebacker Michael Hoecht.“Bosa is better than Von Miller; hopefully he will be available more,” another exec said. “Josh Palmer will be a starting receiver for them, just a good all-around player and a guy they needed. Hoecht is interesting because the Rams never really knew what to do with him. Jack-of-all-trades, master of none. It’ll be interesting to see where Buffalo plays him.” |
| MIAMITwo different approaches to 2025 free agency in the AFC East. The Dolphins, per Mike Sando, were quiet: Big spenders in the past, the Dolphins handed out only two contracts worth more than $5 million per year, one to former Steelers guard James Daniels ($8 million APY), another to backup quarterback Zach Wilson ($6 million APY).“It feels like a team that invested in some older players the last couple years and it did not work out for them,” one exec said. “I could see this being the start of a little reset for them.”Daniels is coming off a torn Achilles tendon suffered in September.“I like James Daniels — good player — and the Pharaoh Brown signing will be good for them, as he’s become a blocking tight end,” another exec said. “Zach Wilson is a good reclamation project. He is similar to Tua (Tagovailoa) in that the ball comes out quick, he is accurate short — all the things he has not been asked to do yet.”With left tackle Terron Armstead expected to retire, the focus this season will again be on whether Miami has done enough to bolster its offensive line.“They just don’t have enough there to warrant that they are going to have a better commitment to the run game and better protection for Tua,” another exec said. “Contrast them with Chicago, which made two trades for starting linemen before free agency. That has not been the Dolphins’ way up front.” |
| NEW ENGLANDOwner Woody Johnson threw shade at the compilation of the NFLPA grades. Robert Kraft is more conciliatory. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: The Patriots ranked 31st in the NFL in the NFL Players Association’s report card, with players surveyed criticizing the team for an outdated weight room, locker room and team plane, among other issues. Patriots owner Robert Kraft acknowledged his team needs to be better on that front.Kraft said he’s already in the process of investing in improving upon the issues that were brought to light by the NFLPA survey, and that he appreciates hearing where the players stand.“It was an eye-opener for me,” Kraft said. “In 31 years, going through these last two years and the way things were and the culture was there, it really opened my eyes in a way because we think we’re bonding and we have things, but it just was not a good environment, and we want to do everything we can to make this . . . one of the best places you can go. I think we had that for quite a while in terms of winning and people wanted to come here. The last couple of years changed it. Now it’s management and ownership’s job to do everything they can to create the culture that this is a place people want to come to. I really believe it is happening. Now we have to produce on the field.”The Patriots are coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons that Kraft called “brutal” and “the worst two years of our ownership.” He said he believes he now has the right people in place to improve the team on the field, and he’s going to do what it takes to make the off-field experience better for what he thinks can be a playoff team this year.– – -Meanwhile, unlike the Dolphins, the Patriots splurged, per Sando: The Patriots turned loose a cash fire hose in free agency, especially on defense.“With Mike Vrabel as the head coach, it tells you he understands that toughness and strength on defense helps you more than stocking up with offensive weapons,” one exec said. “He feels he’ll be in position to help the O-line and skill positions in the draft.”Paying $26 million per year to former Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams, a player with 11.5 sacks and 19 starts in four seasons, served notice New England was willing to pay whatever it took to upgrade a weak roster.“They have the rookie quarterback contract, they have a huge talent void, they are trying to build a culture, they don’t want to just suck the first year with Vrabel,” another exec said.The Patriots spent on offense as well, signing Stefon Diggs after pursuing Chris Godwin, Metcalf and others. They had interest in Stanley of the Ravens, but signed lower-tier veterans Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury to help protect second-year QB Drake Maye.Diggs signed a deal with $22.6 million in total guarantees, less than Cooper Kupp ($26.5 million) and Adams ($25 million).“That is not an accident,” another exec said. “The number for Diggs is not problematic. That is the difference in having a coach like Mike Vrabel, who is not going to be scared off by a player like Diggs. You watch, they will make a mark this year and be a tough out. They will beat a Buffalo or someone like that.”A signing to watch: receiver Mack Hollins.“I love Hollins because he can play a lot of positions, factor in on special teams and he doesn’t need a lot of reps,” an exec said. “He is really a savvy, smart player, a low-cost, high-upside signing.” |
| NEW YORK JETSMike Sando of The Athletic on why the Jets turned to QB JUSTIN FIELDS: Justin Fields will earn more from the Jets ($30 million fully guaranteed on a two-year, $40 million deal) than he earned during his first four seasons in the league ($18.9 million). He’ll do this after losing the two starting jobs he has held, first with Chicago and then with Pittsburgh.Two potential contributing factors: Fields topped 100 yards rushing three times in five games against Detroit when new Jets coach Aaron Glenn was the Lions’ defensive coordinator; and there weren’t attractive alternatives.“If you are a defensive coordinator, there are things about Fields that you hate playing against, while an offensive coordinator would not want him as his quarterback,” one exec said. “But again, what were your realistic options this year?”The Jets were stuck after moving on from Rodgers and heading into the draft with the No. 7 pick. They weren’t going to pursue Darnold, their former first-round pick.“They are betting that with Justin, they have someone who is going to be big, strong, can play in the run game as they get the quarterback they want for the future,” another exec said. “The question is, do they draft one in the top 10? Do they draft Jaxson Dart or one of these other guys? I think they went in with a plan to get Justin and one other guy.”This offseason has been as much about whom the Jets have subtracted as about whom they might add. Even with Rodgers still unsigned, the Jets have had four players from their 2024 roster sign deals for at least $14 million elsewhere: Davante Adams, D.J. Reed, Javon Kinlaw and Haason Reddick. San Francisco and Philadelphia are next with two apiece. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2025 DRAFTNate Tice and Charles McDonald of YahooSports.com offer this alternating Mock Draft: In this edition, Nate makes the odd-numbered picks and Charles makes the even.1. Tennessee Titans — Cam Ward, QB, MiamiThe no-doubt QB1 of this draft class. Ward’s combination of calm demeanor and creativity makes him a fun watch, with a higher floor than you’d think. The Titans beefed up their offensive line and could nab another weapon later in the draft to pair with Calvin Ridley and create a fairly healthy ecosystem to drop Ward into.2. Cleveland Browns — Travis Hunter, CB/WR, ColoradoThe Browns could certainly use a young quarterback to groom, and get out of the ditch they’ve dug themselves faster, but with Cam Ward off the board they’ll default to the best player in the draft. Hunter is a legitimate top prospect at either cornerback or wide receiver, so here the Browns take him as they continue to take their medicine with the Deshaun Watson contract.3. New York Giants — Shedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoEven if the Giants end up signing one of the remaining free-agent quarterbacks, they could still be looking at a longer-term plan in the draft, akin to something they did over 20 years ago with drafting (technically trading for) Eli Manning and signing Kurt Warner in the same offseason. Sanders has a good arm and is a tough operator from the pocket. And while I might not have him rated this highly, quarterback desperation is real and the Giants could see enough in Sanders’ game to build into a solid starter. Sanders didn’t throw at the Big 12’s joint pro day, but he plans on showing off his arm on April 4 at Colorado’s pro day session.4. New England Patriots — Armand Membou, OT, MissouriSurprise? It shouldn’t be that big of one, considering how many boxes Membou has checked off throughout the draft cycle. He has a legitimate case to be the first offensive tackle off the board. The Patriots need an OT still and Membou has the skills and talent to play either on the right or left side of the line.5. Jacksonville Jaguars — Mason Graham, DT, MichiganThe Jaguars could go in a variety of directions here, but end up with the explosive Graham. His arm length (32 inches at the combine) might scare off some teams, but new Jaguars general manager James Gladstone comes from the Rams, a place that has been more than fine with taking players who may lack ideal measurements or backgrounds but whose play does the talking. Graham in between Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker would create a dangerous front, while also filling a hole, with an interesting mix of skills.6. Las Vegas Raiders — Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateThe Raiders had one of the worst rushing attacks in recent memory last season, needing a clear boost of talent at running back. Jeanty would be an immediate upgrade with the ability to be a long-term solution at the position as well. With Geno Smith in the fold at quarterback for the next few seasons, a running back becomes a more defensible pick this high, and Jeanty’s talent shouldn’t be questioned.7. New York Jets — Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn StateThe Jets would be flying to the podium if this scenario were to unfold. Carter is the No. 2 overall player on my big board and has real game-wrecking potential as a pass rusher. He would inject some real juice into a front and unit that tapered off in 2024.8. Carolina Panthers — Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&MStewart’s production makes him a risk, but for a team that needs juice off the edge like the Panthers, his potential makes him an intriguing dice roll at the top of the draft. Some teams will look at Stewart’s build and his 4.59 40-yard dash from the scouting combine and fall in love sooner than later. According to TruMedia, the Panthers’ defense finished dead last in pressure percentage last season (25.2%). This may be the type of risk the Panthers are willing to take.9. New Orleans Saints — Will Johnson, CB, MichiganThe Saints are a wild card here. Any position would seem feasible and understandable. They nab Johnson in this scenario, a cornerback with ideal size (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) but who lacks ideal long speed. Johnson could start right away for the Saints and give New Orleans a long-term solution at the position after trading away Marshon Lattimore and losing Paulson Adebo in free agency.10. Chicago Bears — Will Campbell, OT, LSUThe Bears have completely revamped the interior of their offensive line and now they find a long-term option at left tackle to finish their efforts up front. Campbell, Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson would be a massive improvement over what they had last year and they already have a quality player at right tackle in Darnell Wright. Campbell could go much higher than this, so this is a nice get for the Bears.11. San Francisco 49ers — Derrick Harmon, DT, OregonThe 49ers start to rebuild and reinforce their roster with a pick in the trenches. Harmon is equally adept at defending the run and pass, and can be asked to fill a variety of roles along the interior. He would be great in the 49ers’ heavy use of twists and stunts, and he gives San Francisco a young player to start replenishing its recently tenacious front.12. Dallas Cowboys — Tetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaDallas is set at slot receiver with CeeDee Lamb, but they could use an upgrade on the outside. Luckily, McMillan falls right into its lap to give Dallas what could be an explosive passing game with Dak Prescott returning from injury.13. Miami Dolphins — Malaki Starks, S, GeorgiaJevón Holland left for the Giants in free agency, and while the Dolphins signed a couple of veterans at the position, Starks would give them a fun chess piece to be used around the defensive back end.14. Indianapolis Colts — Mykel Williams, Edge, GeorgiaThe Colts drafted Laiatu Latu in the first round last year, but they still could stand to add another player off the edge. Williams is more of a power player than a finesse rusher, but he would be a great addition to a Colts defense that lost edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to the Bears in free agency this year.15. Atlanta Falcons — Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, GeorgiaWalker heads right down the road from Athens to bring his infectious play to a defense badly needing some juice. Any defensive position makes sense for the Falcons here, and while Walker is a bit of a ‘tweener between off-ball linebacker and pass rusher, the Falcons need both. Just get him into this front seven.16. Arizona Cardinals — Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio StateOffensive tackle isn’t the biggest need for Arizona, but the Cardinals can potentially get a huge boon pick here with Simmons. He is one of the more athletic OTs in the draft, but a patellar tendon injury may have him getting off to a slower start to his NFL career. Jonah Williams is likely going to start again at right tackle for the Cardinals, but Simmons gives them a long-term option to pair with Paris Johnson Jr..17. Cincinnati Bengals — Tyler Booker, G, AlabamaDefense? Nah, let’s quadruple down on the offense after the Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase extensions. This time with more beef up front. Booker is a classic gap-scheme guard who could create some powerful double-teams in the Bengals’ at-you run game.18. Seattle Seahawks — Tyler Warren, TE, Penn StateTight ends play a big role in the offense that new coordinator Klint Kubiak is installing in Seattle, but the Seahawks don’t have a big-time talent at tight end. Insert Warren, who is one of the best players in the draft and could be a steal in Seattle’s offense given his athleticism and wide array of skills.19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaOne of my favorite player-team-need fits of this draft. The Buccaneers’ roster could look to add a pass rusher here, instead go with Campbell to bridge between now and a post-Lavonte David world. Campbell is a real three-down off-ball linebacker whose pass rushing ability would be unlocked in Todd Bowles’ aggressive scheme.20. Denver Broncos — Omarion Hampton, RB, UNCA bit of a luxury pick maybe, but Hampton would give the Broncos a steady and reliable RB1 for their offense — and form a strong trio with second-year running back Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin.21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Kenneth Grant, DT, MichiganGone is Larry Ogunjobi, and Cameron Heyward, despite an inspiring 2024, will be 36 this upcoming season. Grant is inconsistent but his best football is in front of him, with strength and plugging. but also twitchiness that points to more upside as a pass rusher.22. Los Angeles Chargers — Mike Green, Edge, MarshallWith Joey Bosa gone and Khalil Mack on a one-year deal, the Chargers could use a boost and infusion of youth to their edge rush. Enter Green, who falls a bit here despite leading the NCAA in sacks last season.23. Green Bay Packers — Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East CarolinaWhatever the conclusion is of the Jaire Alexander Experience, the Packers look to find his successor (and the successor to the recently departed Eric Stokes). Revel injured his knee early in the 2024 season, but his body of work was already pointing toward the first round. He has the size, twitch and most of all the toughness to be an impact player on the outside.24. Minnesota Vikings — Jahdae Barron, CB, TexasThe Vikings have done a good job adding talent up front to their defense, but they could still use an upgrade at slot corner. Barron is built to be an NFL slot defender and would form a nice tandem with the recently re-signed Byron Murphy Jr.25. Houston Texans — Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota StateI mean, Laken Tomlinson or Ed Ingram can’t be the plan, right? Zabel has played all over the offensive line and would give the Texans, or any offensive line, the ability to play their best five. Whether it’s center or guard, he would give C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense some steadiness.26. Los Angeles Rams — Colston Loveland, TE, MichiganCooper Kupp is out, but the bigger-bodied Loveland can handle a lot of the same responsibilities as a big body from the slot. Loveland isn’t a great blocker like a lot of traditional tight ends, but he has the speed and receiving skills to be a clean fit for Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford.27. Baltimore Ravens — Donovan Jackson, OG/OT, Ohio StateWhile Jackson’s film at tackle was surprisingly encouraging, I view him best as a guard. He has length and the explosive strength to really jar holes open. His ability to bump outside in case of emergency is a bonus, and his size fits right in with the Ravens’ pretty robust line (sans Tyler Linderbaum).28. Detroit Lions — Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, TexasWhen you don’t have many needs, take a lineman. Banks could immediately compete for a starting spot at right guard and eventually kick out to left tackle later in his career. This offense is built on elite line play, might as well keep the pipeline going.29. Washington Commanders — James Pearce Jr., Edge, TennesseeThe Commanders have been using the trade market to add to their offense, so they look to the draft to help bolster their defense. Pearce is all about speed and joins a team, defense and head coach that loves to emphasize it.30. Buffalo Bills — Nick Emmanwori, S, South CarolinaThe Bills need some athleticism and speed at safety, so here comes the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Emmanwori, who was one of the stars of the scouting combine with a 4.38 40-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical. He would be a nice upgrade over what they have now, even though he’s got some room to improve in terms of physicality.31. Kansas City Chiefs — Matthew Golden, WR, TexasOffensive line is very much in play here, and there are some interesting names the Chiefs could look at. They instead dip their pen back into the Longhorn ink and take another Texas wide receiver in Golden. He is a smooth athlete who can win against press. He would give Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense yet another weapon to open things up, beat man coverage and hold the fort until Rashee Rice returns from injury.32. Philadelphia Eagles — Josh Conerly Jr., OT, OregonConerly is a perfect stash pick for the Eagles to put behind 34-year-old Lane Johnson. Conerly is a younger prospect who might benefit from playing behind Johnson for a couple seasons as he finishes out his career in Philadelphia. |
