| NFC EAST |
| DALLASTodd Archer of ESPN.com says there is a chance, a chance, the Cowboys could make the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys needed a break over the weekend. They just finished a span of four games in 18 days with their 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday, which ended a three-game win streak and dropped them to 6-6-1 on the season. Bodies were sore. Minds were worn. “I do think it’s good for our players to get their bodies back right,” coach Brian Schottenheimer said as preparations began for Sunday’s home game against the 5-8 Minnesota Vikings (8:20 p.m. ET). While players rested, the coaches went through a self-scout process to seek out trends in their offensive and defensive schemes, even though they won three of their past four games. The organization’s analytics department was given another task: figure out the Cowboys’ playoff chances. ESPN Analytics puts the Cowboys’ postseason chances at 10% with Week 14 complete. While there is a way the Cowboys can make the playoffs even if they don’t win their final four games, they would need as much help as a toddler driving an 18-wheeler. So let’s examine the premise that the Cowboys must win out against the Vikings, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders and New York Giants. That would put them at 10-6-1 on the season but needing help to make the playoffs in Schottenheimer’s first year. What else needs to happen to lock up a playoff spot? Win the NFC EastThe easiest path to the playoffs is to win the division. The Philadelphia Eagles are in position to become the first repeat champions in the NFC East since the 2003-04 Eagles, but things have not gone swimmingly for the defending Super Bowl champions. NFC East standingsTeam Record Div ConfEagles 8-5 2-2 7-3Cowboys 6-6-1 3-1 3-5-1Commanders 3-10 1-1 1-7Giants 2-11 1-3 1-8 This seems like 2023 all over again for the Eagles. With Monday’s loss to the Chargers, they have dropped three in a row and are 8-5. The offense has been stagnant. The defense is missing tackle Jalen Carter. But the schedule seems to favor the Eagles. Their final four games are against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11), Buffalo Bills and Commanders (3-9) twice. Philadelphia would win the division with wins against the Raiders and a sweep of Washington. Continue the free fall and lose two more games, and the Cowboys would win the NFC East and keep the no-repeat champ streak intact by winning out. Earn a wild-card berthThere will be three wild-card spots in the NFC. At 6-6-1, the best the Cowboys can do is 10 wins. Their conference record is 3-5-1, so they would be 6-5-1 if they win out. So how does Dallas stack up against the other teams in the NFC wild-card race? (After explaining how likely the NFC West is to get two of the three Wild Cards) The NFC North is in the lead for at least one wild-card spot. The Packers lead the division, followed by the Bears and Lions. After playing the 3-10 Browns this week, the Bears close with the Packers, Niners and Lions. The Cowboys need the Bears to lose their last three to get the wild-card nod over the Bears. The Lions play the Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6), Vikings and Bears. The Cowboys need the Lions to lose two of their last four but also beat the Bears, should Chicago beat Cleveland. The NFC South is a two-team fight between the 7-6 Buccaneers and 7-6 Panthers. They play each other in two of the last three weeks. So one team will have seven losses. And that could save the final wild-card spot for the Cowboys — should they win their final four games and get all kinds of help. None of that matters to Schottenheimer right now. “At the end of the day we’re focused on beating Minnesota,” Schottenheimer said. “We’re going to do what we got to do, and if you start looking too far ahead of, ‘Ok, if this happens, if that happens,’ you’re going to drive yourself crazy. And I’m not going to do that.” |
| NEW YORK GIANTSIs Marcus Freeman, the coach at snubbed Notre Dame, a legitimate candidate for the Giants job? This at Heavy.com: The New York Giants‘ head coaching search is expected to be wide-ranging, with assistants, coordinators, and college coaches all getting a look. According to ESPN’s Giants insider Jordan Raanan, the job is expected to be extensively sought after by candidates thanks to some of the young, high-upside players already in place. “It’s not like they won’t have options. One source with intimate knowledge of the opening described the Giants job as ‘highly coveted’ due to it’s young core and — they are the New York Giants, still a marquee franchise,” wrote Ranaan. “It was a sentiment also shared by several other agents with candidates who are interested in the position.” But one coach in particular has been attracting a lot of buzz as of late, thanks in part to his NCAA football team’s snubbing from the College Football Playoff. Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman’s Giants BuzzMarcus Freeman, head coach for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, has been generating interest in NFL circles as a potential head coaching candidate thanks to his team being left out of the 12-team playoff bracket. NorthJersey.com’s Art Stapleton was first to report on the New York Giants’ interest in Freeman as Big Blue’s next on-field leader. @art_stapletonGood for Notre Dame declining the bowl invitation.More time for Marcus Freeman to prepare for his interview with the Giants … and for the Giants to find that speculated $50 million in the couch cushions for the buyout. The Giants’ interest in Freeman likely stems from his pedigree as a player’s coach and his ability to build connections with his team. Brian Daboll, for all of his offensive ingenuity, wasn’t exactly the “CEO-type” head coach that SNY’s Connor Hughes reported New York is now looking for. “The Giants now want a CEO-type coach — someone with command of all three phases of the game. They want a leader who can capture the locker room and master the details to tilt close games in their favor,” wrote Hughes. It remains to be seen if Freeman even has any interest in making the jump to the NFL level, but if Stapleton has heard there will be an interview, where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com points out the Freeman could be doing covert interviews with the Giants or Titans even as we speak: With NFL teams possibly planning to swoop in on South Bend, Notre Dame is scrambling to keep coach Marcus Freeman. Here’s the reality: Teams with vacancies are permitted to interview him now (if they haven’t already). Those teams are the Titans and Giants. There’s no requirement for those teams to announce or even to disclose that they have interviewed Freeman. That’s the rule as it relates to any coach who currently isn’t working for another NFL team. The mad dash to request permission to interview assistant coaches comes after the regular-season ends. Paperwork is filed with the league office, and the official inquiries inevitably, if not immediately, are leaked to reporters who are employed by the league. For unemployed coaches and/or current college coaches, there’s no external paper trail. Whether Freeman would be interested in the Titans or the Giants is unknown. Both teams have been dysfunctional in recent years, with revolving doors and chronic struggles. It could be a hard sell to get Freeman interested in either job. Freeman also can be discreetly contacted by teams that have yet to fire their current head coaches, with no league rules violated. As the end of the 2025 regular season approaches, teams that know they’ll be making a change will be (or should be) trying to identify all potential candidates. Freeman and/or his representation can be contacted without consequence. Given that Notre Dame has made clear its desire to keep Freeman, he doesn’t have to rush for the first bad opportunity in the NFL. He can wait, if he wants, for a good, stable job to come upon. The Steelers or the Ravens, for example, would be attractive, since both teams have kept their current coaches for 19 and 18 years, respectively. And what if Andy Reid retires in the next few years? Who wouldn’t want to coach Patrick Mahomes — even if the rest of the roster currently needs plenty of work? Regardless, the potential pursuit of Freeman isn’t something that must wait until the regular season ends. It can begin right away, and the teams that are talking to him can keep it as quiet as they choose. |
| PHILADELPHIACoach Nick Sirianni was more involved in the Eagles offense Monday night – and after five turnovers he will continue to provide extra input. Tim McManus of ESPN.com: Coach Nick Sirianni confirmed he was more involved with the Eagles offense last week and suggested he’ll continue to be as the team looks to end a three-game slide. “I’m the head coach so my attention goes to places that I feel like it needs to go,” Sirianni said following Monday’s overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. “This week was with the offense, and I’ll continue to go in there with those guys and grind it out through the weeds with them and continue to move forward with that.” Sirianni was more vocal in meetings with the offense and was presenting material alongside coordinator Kevin Patullo last week, sources previously told ESPN. One source said he has been addressing the group for longer than usual at the top of the meetings before ceding to Patullo, who continues to run them. Philadelphia is searching for answers on the offensive side of the ball. It ranks 24th in total yards (309.4 per game), 22nd in passing (198.9 yards per game), 22nd in rushing (110.5 yards per game) and 19th in points (22.2) despite having the highest-salaried offense in the NFL. There were some signs of progress against the Chargers; the Eagles amassed 365 yards and Saquon Barkley got going with a 52-yard touchdown run off a fake tush push. But most critically, they committed five turnovers, including a Jalen Hurts interception at the 1-yard line in overtime to end the game. “I think we had a lot of opportunity out there. Nick stepped in, and I think he played a very good role this week,” Hurts said. “He provided some structure and kind of organized some things for us. Obviously, we still have ways and room for improvement, but I look at myself first, I look at the man in the mirror first and say how can I respond to all those things? The mentality is to execute everything that’s called and try and bring the strategy that we’re taking in that game to life as best as I can, and I just want to continue to find ways to improve that.” Hurts threw four interceptions and had a fumble against the Chargers. He was charged with all five giveaways, tied the most by an Eagles player since play-by-play was first tracked in 1978, matching Donovan McNabb during his rookie year in 1999. Players and coaches noted afterward it does not all fall on Hurts. Receiver A.J. Brown took accountability, including for a drop over the middle that resulted in a turnover. There were some noticeable tweaks to the offense, including more empty sets and more motion than usual, but the results remained underwhelming. The Eagles will look to bounce back Sunday at home against the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders. “I thought we moved the ball and did a lot of good things today, but we didn’t finish drives for multiple reasons and had some turnovers for multiple reasons,” Sirianni said. “You always look [to] improve the process, and we’ll get back to work and grind through it again and I anticipate being in there still.” |
| WASHINGTONThe lost season of QB JAYDEN DANIELS continues to spiral downward. John Keim of ESPN.com: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels won’t play Sunday against the New York Giants, coach Dan Quinn said Wednesday. Daniels was knocked from Sunday’s 31-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings after landing hard on his left elbow, which he had dislocated in Week 9. Quinn said Daniels could have returned to the game, but with the score 17-0 late in the third quarter, the coach decided to insert backup Marcus Mariota. Quinn said that Daniels aggravated the injury but that further examinations by doctors Monday showed that there was no structural damage or setback. Quinn said there is a chance Daniels will return the following week against the Philadelphia Eagles. Sunday will mark the seventh game Daniels has missed because of injury this season. He left each of his past three games because of an injury. After dislocating the elbow against the Seattle Seahawks, Daniels missed the ensuing three games but was cleared to return last week. That was the first time Daniels and his top three receivers were available in the same game this season since Week 2. While trying to chase down linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel after a third-quarter interception, Daniels was blocked to the ground. He briefly remained on the ground after the play, then ran off the field and to the bench, showing frustration. Daniels’ second season has been hampered by injuries. He missed two games with a sprained left knee, another with a hamstring issue and then the three because of the initial elbow injury. |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYAlthough he wouldn’t talk to the media after Sunday night’s loss, TE TRAVIS KELCE did speak with his brother. Nate Taylor of ESPN.com: Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ star tight end, was rather candid in sharing his frustrations Wednesday during the “New Heights” podcast he co-hosts with Jason Kelce, his brother, when discussing Kansas City’s 20-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday night. The game was the first time in Kelce’s illustrious 13-year career — regular season or playoffs — that he finished with more drops [two] than receptions [one]. “You put in all this f—ing work and hope that it pays off,” Kelce, 36, said in Wednesday’s episode. “And right now, it’s just for whatever f—ing reason, man, it’s little things. I feel like I’ve always had the answers in years past. And this year, I just can’t find them. “I keep thinking if I show up to work and I put in the work and I fix the issues through my practice habits and through perfecting the game plan and my fundamentals and what I’m being taught, and go out there and try and play my ass off for my guys next to me, it’s all going to come together like it has in years past. And this year it is just not, man.” Late in the fourth quarter, when the Chiefs trailed by seven points, Kelce dropped the ball on back-to-back snaps, the second leading to Mahomes’ third interception, ending the Chiefs’ last chance for a comeback. The Chiefs finished with five drops, tied for the second most by any team this season. Inside the locker room, Kelce declined to answer questions from reporters and was one of the last players to take off his uniform. He sat in front of his locker for several minutes with his hands on top of his bowed head. “Every season I’ve had with him these last few years, I try to cherish because you never know [if this will be his last],” quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of Kelce after Sunday’s game. “He got himself in great shape this year and he’s played great football. He’ll have the option to do whatever he wants to do after this season, but I know one thing: He’ll give everything he has for the rest of this season to try to give us a chance to make a playoff run. “We know the chances are getting lower and lower.” The loss dropped the Chiefs to 6-7 and ended their run of nine consecutive AFC West division titles, which was the second-longest streak in NFL history and was the longest active division title streak by any team across the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, according to Elias Sports Bureau research. The Chiefs’ chances of clinching a postseason berth dwindled to just 12%, according to ESPN Analytics. All four of the Chiefs’ remaining games are against AFC opponents, too. “If there’s a game to be played, I’m going to f—ing make it the most important game in the world,” Kelce said. “But obviously looking at the playoffs, this is a tough reality to be in, especially with how we’ve always found a way in years past. “So, it’s a s—ty f—ing feeling, especially dropping the f—ing ball late in the game like that when we were on our last f—ing chance to make something shake. It’s a s—ty feeling, man. You put in all this work to be there for your guys.” |
| AFC SOUTH |
| INDIANAPOLISMike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com explores Rivers’ retirement as a Charger earlier this year: In July, the Chargers signed quarterback Philip Rivers to a one-day retirement contract. What connection, if any, did that development have to the ability of Rivers to sign with the Colts’ practice squad? None whatsoever. Per the Chargers, it wasn’t an official contract. It was ceremonial. That’s because the Chargers had their full allotment of 90 players under contract. If it had been a real contract, Rivers would have been moved to the reserve/retired list. And if he hadn’t been released from that designation before the trade deadline, Rivers would have be required to pass through waivers before signing with the Colts. That doesn’t mean anyone would have claimed him. But it would have slowed things down — and it also would have given the Chargers the ability to slam the brakes on the process, forcing him to potentially unretire with the Chargers before being released through waivers. While there’s no reason to think the Chargers would have played hardball with Rivers, they are competing with the Colts for a potential wild-card berth. Why help the Colts fill a glaring need at the most important position on the roster? |
| AFC EAST |
| NEW YORK JETSQB BRADY COOK will be busy on Wednesday. Too early to tell if he will also be busy on Sunday versus Jacksonville. There will be plenty of reps for quarterback Brady Cook at Wednesday’s Jets practice. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced at his press conference that neither Tyrod Taylor nor Justin Fields will participate in the team’s first practice session of the week. Cook is the only other quarterback on either the active roster or the practice squad. Glenn has not named a starter for this Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. Taylor was knocked out of last Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins by a first-half groin injury. Fields was inactive for that game due to knee soreness, which left Cook to get his first NFL regular season action. The undrafted rookie was 14-of-30 for 163 yards and two interceptions. Glenn said that running back Breece Hall will also miss practice with a sore knee. Isaiah Davis, Kene Nwangwu, and Khalil Herbert are the Jets’ other backs. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| MESSAGE TO QBs: STAY IN SCHOOLJeff Howe of The Athletic says most NFL teams are fine with QBs taking the big NIL bucks and staying in college. They point to TREY LANCE and ANTHONY RICHARDSON who, retrospectively, would have been better off with more NCAA seasoning: With money, fame and opportunity as accessible as ever in college football, NFL teams hope quarterbacks are enjoying that lifestyle enough to stay in school, rather than rushing into the draft. That’s never been truer under the current landscape than this NFL Draft cycle. The crop of eligible quarterbacks was largely uninspiring this season, prompting teams to cross their fingers that these players will return to school to refine their skills. There’s no substitute for experience, and it’s advantageous for all involved if the QBs accumulate snaps in a more controlled environment than the NFL. “It doesn’t benefit us (in the NFL) if all these guys come out early and aren’t ready,” said an NFL team executive, who was granted anonymity so he could speak openly. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Alabama’s Ty Simpson, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Texas’ Arch Manning have generated the most attention from teams as potential first-round picks among draft-eligible quarterbacks. However, Manning is expected to return to school, and there’s a case to be made for the rest to follow suit. All five have enough tools to grow into NFL starters, according to evaluators. All five would also benefit from an extra season of college — some, of course, more than others. “I don’t know why any of them would consider leaving,” a second executive said. “Why not go play college football and build yourself to get to that level? I think it helps everybody. I think it puts a better product on the field in college. It helps us evaluate them longer, as they get real reps to amass experience before coming to our level. “It helps our evaluation. It helps their preparation. It helps their maturity. They learn how to lead better. They learn how to handle adversity better.” Mendoza seems to be the most likely quarterback of the group to declare. He’s a well-rounded prospect who is under consideration to be the top QB picked in the 2026 NFL Draft, and should fit into the first round either way. However, teams want to feel more comfortable with his personality and leadership ability. And if he stayed in college to work on areas that’d help him take over games, that could make him a far more valuable prospect. Moore could soon become the poster child of this year’s stay-or-go debate. The 20-year-old is also being considered as the top quarterback in the class. However, while he has a high ceiling due to his athleticism, it’s still a projection given his inconsistencies over 17 collegiate starts. If Moore stays long enough to ride a Jayden Daniels-type of trajectory, he’ll lock himself into being a top-five pick. One executive, who said he’d take Moore as the top QB this year, also didn’t believe Moore was ready for the NFL because of a shortage of playing time. Therein lies the debate’s dichotomy — the player’s draft stock is high enough even if his readiness is not. “You never want to put him on the field before he’s ready,” a Power 5 director of player personnel said. Simpson and Sellers aren’t all that different from Moore. Simpson has played the best of the group, but he’s a first-year starter who caught evaluators by surprise with his rapid ascension. He has played well in challenging SEC environments, but let’s not pretend an extra season of adjustments, refinements and the like wouldn’t aid his NFL preparation. Could he play one more season and gain more command of the offense, not unlike Joe Burrow’s improvements from 2018 to 2019? Sellers, also 20, has immense physical traits, to the point where he was a strong preseason candidate to emerge as the No. 1 pick in the draft. But South Carolina’s offensive line has presented challenges in Sellers’ evaluation, and he is also more of a projection than a certainty. More time in a better system could get him back into the QB1 conversation. “The longer they stay in college,” a second Power 5 director said, “the more info (NFL teams) have to confirm or deny what they thought about the kid.” In a sense, it’s never been easier to advise players to stay in school. The two Power 5 directors said starting quarterbacks can earn between $1 million and $5 million per season in NIL and marketing opportunities, with projected draft prospects at premium schools earning closer to the higher end of that spectrum. And since players can transfer more freely, they can seek out better opportunities, coaching or systems to develop weaker areas. Last year, Cam Ward jumped from Washington State to Miami and skyrocketed from a mid-round prospect to the No. 1 pick. The Hurricanes knew the NFL wanted to see Ward featured as an offensive catalyst, sold him on the plan and delivered. Recruiters have to be refreshingly honest with players in the transfer portal. “This is what the NFL thinks of you. This is what your teammates think of you,” the second college director said of a typical pitch. “Let’s help you.” It’s easier to find help in college than in the NFL, where first-round quarterbacks often double as shields for a coach’s or general manager’s job security. Or they are thrust into action earlier than expected to soothe a frustrated fan base. It’s one thing for a team to say it will sit a young QB for an extended stretch, as the Green Bay Packers did with Jordan Love. However, it’s another thing to follow through with that plan. Those are just some of the elements that come with the territory before a quarterback even sniffs the field. From there, it’s another beast entirely. “It’s a lot easier to develop in a college program, a place and an offense you know against college teams and college players — not against pro players who are fighting for their jobs in both practice and games,” a third NFL executive said. “If you don’t play a good game (in college) and this defensive end from Oregon State hits you, OK. “But if you do that, and it’s Myles Garrett hitting you, that’s just different. And then the next guy next week is going to be out to destroy you. It’s a lot easier to bounce back and handle the growing pains in college than to do it in the NFL. “You’re getting thrown to the wolves. The NFL is not forgiving.” While finances shouldn’t be the singular driving force in the decision to leave school, NFL money is hard to turn down. Ward’s four-year, fully guaranteed contract is worth nearly $49 million. Jaxson Dart, the No. 25 pick in April, landed $17 million fully guaranteed over four years. For reference, third-rounder Jalen Milroe got a four-year, $6.26 million deal, with $1.2 million guaranteed. Fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders, speculated as a first-rounder throughout the pre-draft process, got a signing bonus worth $447,000 — a massive pay reduction from his final season at Colorado. Draft-eligible underclassman can ask the NFL College Advisory Committee for an evaluation, which includes their projected draft grade by round. One of the college directors said it’s typically not even worth asking a player with a first-round grade to return because the money is better in the NFL. NFL teams can’t meet with college players until the draft process, but scouts and executives can gauge a college staff to understand where a player is leaning in the draft. And if a player is expressing his desire to leave too early, some early feedback can be relayed through similar channels. While returning to school is typically advantageous, there are concerns. For example, those quarterbacks tend to get picked apart without mercy throughout their final season. Just consider the backlash Manning has faced with every errant throw, not to mention the reckless overreaction to his season debut against Ohio State. It may not be a perfect illustration because Manning wasn’t eligible for the 2025 draft, but his spotlight invited more criticism than anything someone like Mendoza has seen this season. However, that’s nothing compared to entering the NFL too early and getting lost in a place without a direction. “Because of the NIL piece of it, I don’t know why you’d turn down guaranteed millions when you don’t have a clear path at our level,” the second NFL executive said. “It is so hard to get to that path at our level. And you’re the man at Texas, or Miami, or Georgia or wherever, that’s not a bad life. Just slow down and take advantage of that opportunity.” Trey Lance, Anthony Richardson, and J.J. McCarthy are recent examples of first-round picks who declared early and got stuck in no-man’s-land at the start of their careers. Lance only played one full season at North Dakota State, which postponed all but one game from its 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so he entered the 2021 draft a full year removed from live action. Lance didn’t win the San Francisco 49ers’ starting job as a rookie, suffered two season-ending injuries and is now a backup for the Los Angeles Chargers, his third team, after being traded from San Francisco to the Dallas Cowboys while still on his rookie contract. He’s started six total games since 2020, so his lack of experience in college got compounded by an absence of experience in the NFL. Richardson tallied just 13 starts at Florida before the Indianapolis Colts took him at No. 4 in the 2023 draft. He dealt with injuries and maturity issues, only started 15 games in his first two seasons and was outclassed by Daniel Jones in the team’s training camp competition. It would take an improbable combination of factors for Richardson to figure into the Colts’ plans at the position, meaning they’ve burnt a highly valuable asset at a crucial point of their rebuild. McCarthy was a two-year starter and national champion at Michigan, so he had playing experience. But teams were concerned before the 2024 draft that McCarthy was too much of a projection because he hadn’t been asked to carry the Wolverines’ passing attack. He missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus and has struggled badly in six starts, with more injuries. The Vikings appear torn between strategies of trying to win now or developing McCarthy for the future. If their patience expires this offseason, McCarthy could become the latest lost soul banished to the backup circuit. If Lance played it differently and tried to transfer to a Power 5 school, if Richardson had stayed for another year in Gainesville and if McCarthy found a collegiate system with a more dynamic passing attack, it’s not a stretch to imagine their NFL careers being more fruitful. “I think that’s why these guys aren’t as desperate to come out,” the first NFL executive said. “It’s good for the league. It’s good for everybody. The only place they’re going to get these live reps is in college. I think you’re going to see that as a trend.” Their careers aren’t dead, not as Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones have shown. However, those circuitous routes came with a financial blow and a few uppercuts to the ego. There’s never a magic, all-encompassing answer with the draft, especially at quarterback. Returning, like Daniels and Drake Maye chose to do after the 2023 season, prepared both for wildly early success, but it’s anything but a guarantee. It’s entirely plausible Penn State’s Drew Allar and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier would’ve had better draft stock if they declared in 2025, although it remains to be determined how the extra time in college prepared them for the next step. Kenny Pickett attempted the third-most collegiate passes of any first-round pick over the past decade and is on his fourth team in four years. But Josh Allen was an unknown commodity at Wyoming, with limited experience, throwing fewer passes in college than McCarthy, and he is the reigning NFL MVP. For every Peyton Manning, there’s a JaMarcus Russell. For every Dart, there’s a handful of Paxton Lynches. For every Tom Brady, there are dozens upon dozens of sixth-rounders living in obscurity. The NFL Draft is a guessing game, but there’s an alternative path that brings a dose of certainty. By staying in school, quarterbacks collect life-altering paychecks while being afforded the requisite time to round out their games — all without the pressure of saving a franchise. With reservations over the readiness of the upcoming draft class, NFL evaluators are hoping the long-term approach can help everyone involved. |
| TROY AIKMAN INTERVIEWRichard Dietsch of The Athletic with a nice interview with Troy Aikman: Troy Aikman has rightfully earned his reputation as someone who brings honesty to a broadcast, particularly when it comes to NFL officiating. You hear it each week when Aikman and Joe Buck call games for ESPN/ABC’s “Monday Night Football.” “I never try to make anything personal,” Aikman said. “I do try to be honest, and I don’t think I’m the Lone Ranger in that regard. I think everybody tries to be honest. But there are a lot of times where that’s difficult. The biggest thing that I try to do is I try to be fair. There’s that fan who’s sitting at home that has a real vested interest in their team and wants to see them win. “With the emphasis or the popularity currently going on with sports betting, not only do they want to see their team win, but there’s money that’s exchanging hands. I keep that in mind as well because some of these calls certainly impact that. So I try to draw attention to it when I can, but not in a way that I hope is is attacking officials. It’s more about the call or what my opinion of it might be.” Coming off of one of Aikman’s biggest games this season — the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles losing to the Chargers in L.A. in the Week 14 edition of ESPN’s “Monday Night Football — Aikman spoke to the Sports Media Podcast, where he hit on a broad number of topics including his not wanting to call games into his 70s. (He’s 59.) Below, an edited version of that conversation. You once told me you were very close to walking away from broadcasting. In the years since, it seems like you are enjoying this more than ever. What changed?It was the Super Bowl in Arizona [February 3, 2008], Eli Manning hitting Plaxico Burress for the touchdown against the Patriots. I was at the hotel after the game having dinner with my then-wife, and I just remember thinking that could be the greatest game that I will ever call. It was a tremendous Super Bowl, a great finish, a historical game. Yet after the game I felt more empty than I did at any moment in my life. I just thought, “Wow, if this is how I feel, maybe I’m in the wrong profession?” I didn’t do anything to address that. I didn’t go into the offseason thinking anything differently, But I did think at that moment, maybe I should be doing something else. With that said, it was the last time that I felt that. I don’t know why it turned, quite honestly. I went back the next year, I broadcasted, had a great time. Then every year I’ve enjoyed it more and more. At some point I’ll walk away. Hopefully, it’s my decision whenever that time comes. But for right now, I’m really enjoying my time at ESPN. I love working with Joe [Buck]. I love the people I work with. It’s been a lot of fun. I don’t see the end coming anytime soon. But obviously at my age and as long as I’ve been doing it, there will be an end at some point. Could you see yourself doing this in your 70s, health permitting?No. I’m a little careful about saying that because I know there are executives that listen to your podcast, and I’d hate for them to think that okay, well, he’s here for x number of years. But as I kind of map out my life and what I have left of it, I do not see myself doing this at 70 years old. Not because I couldn’t do it, not because I wouldn’t still be enjoying it. But I have not had falls off since I was a kid. There’s just things that I want to be able to go do and things I want to see before my time on earth is done. And I want to be able to do it in the fall (laughs). Why do you think you and Joe have seen a more positive response to your work in recent years, which clearly seems to the be the case?Really since going to ESPN, I feel like maybe we’ve been recognized more than we had been prior to that. I think that’s a fair evaluation. But I was proud of the work we did in the years prior to that. The interesting thing from my perspective about broadcasting is it is all about opinion. Whatever one person likes is their opinion. If they like this broadcast team, that’s great. If someone else likes this other broadcast team, that’s great too. Nobody’s right, nobody’s wrong. Because of that, there probably is some frustration on everyone’s part that’s in this profession. So you just keep your head down and keep doing your job as best you can. You don’t pay a whole lot of attention to it. Whereas in sports, there’s a scoreboard. You have an idea as to who’s doing what and who’s doing it well and who’s doing it the way it needs to be done. I’m thankful for whatever accolades or whatever positivity people have about our team, but it’s kind where it ends. I know when I feel like I’ve been good or when I feel like man, that wasn’t to the level that I expect. It’s more of a personal scoreboard for me than what somebody might say. How would you define culture at ESPN versus Fox Sports’ culture?Fox was really more of a mom-and-pop operation. [Former Fox Sports Media Group Chairman & CEO] David Hill and [former vice chairman of Fox Sports Media Group] Ed Goren, they were boots on the ground from Day One. They were the decision-makers. Whenever talent or anyone had an issue or a question or a suggestion, you went directly to David Hill or Ed Goren. Then after they stepped down, you had [CEO of Fox Sports] Eric Shanks and [President of Production and Operations and Executive Producer of Fox Sports] Brad Zager, and they became those people. So the culture at Fox remained consistent because Shanks had been there with David Hill and Ed Goren and so had Brad Zager. They understood how it had been done, and they continued with that. Even though they’ve added more properties since then, it still has remained this mom-and-pop type operation. ESPN is a conglomerate, as you know. It’s like the U.S. government (laughs). There are people on top of people. There’s so much content, and everything that goes into that here. ESPN is far more corporate than what I experienced at Fox Sports. How does someone who has been broadcasting as many years as you have get better at the job?Well, the game’s always changing. It’s a far different game today than the one I played and far different today than the one that was played 10 years ago. So it’s keeping up with the trends. Analytics has become a huge part of our game. I remember the first time we called a game years ago, there was a team down 14-0. They scored a touchdown, and they were going for two. I remember on the air saying, “This makes no sense to me.” I have no idea what this team is doing right now. That was my first introduction into analytics. All of a sudden everybody’s saying here’s why they are doing that. I realized right then that if I’m the voice for the fan at home that’s watching the game, I can’t simply say this makes no sense. I may not agree with it, but I’ve at least got to be able to explain why the coach is doing what he’s doing. Then I can go into, yeah, this is why I don’t agree with it. In off-seasons past, I’d reach out to [former NFL head coach] Ron Rivera. I’d say, “Hey Ron, I said, I’ve been away from the game for a while, even though I’m still calling the game. I’d love to come to your OTAs for three days, sit in on the meetings. I won’t use anything publicly. It’ll just be for my own consumption, but it’ll give me a chance to kind of sit in the meetings, hear what’s being coached, what’s being taught to the players. It will help me as a broadcaster.” He said, “Great, come on down.” The following year I spent some time with Sean McVay and the Rams. I call coaches in the offseason and say, hey, explain this to me or what are you guys doing? ESPN’s first-ever Super Bowl is coming in February 2027. How much are the on-air people such as yourself thinking about it at this time or is this more of a production-focused thing right now?This is only on the production side right now. Our producer and director were at the Super Bowl a year ago and they’ll be at the Super Bowl this year during the week leading up to it. Joe and I obviously were a part of the rotation every three years. It’s something we grew accustomed to. Now when we call next year’s Super Bowl, it will have been eight years or so. It’ll be much different. But I think one of the great things about the way we approached the Super Bowl at Fox, at least from within our game crew, was we treated it just like any other game. It’s easy to say to that because you know that it’s not. The broadcast is totally different. The buildup to the Super Bowl for those two weeks is huge. Obviously, you want it to be your best broadcast. With all that said, we really did approach it that way. Our meeting the night before the game was just like it was in Week 3 of the regular season. That really has been kind of my message to our crew even though we are still a full year away. Whatever is happening beyond our game crew, great. Let ESPN, let Disney, let ABC, all the people involved, let them build it up as big as they want it to be. But for us, we gotta have trust and confidence in what we do as a crew to prepare as we have each and every week. The trick is is not getting psyched out and and believing it to be something bigger than what it is, because then you just paralyze yourself. On a totally different topic: How do you view Lane Kiffin moving from Ole Miss to LSU?College football has become the Wild West, as everybody knows. Forget about Lane Kiffin for a minute, but starting with NIL, there just has been no guardrails. I’m on the National Football Foundation Board, so I hear firsthand from a lot of the commissioners and athletic directors and the people involved in all of that. It’s gotta get cleaned up, first and foremost. I was a transfer. I went from Oklahoma to UCLA, and I’ve always felt that if a coach is able to pick up and leave, that a player should have the same opportunity if a coach leaves. What’s happened obviously over the years since I got out of college football is that in recent years with NIL, there’s been no accountability on the players. So the players pick up and now they’re leaving all the time whereas before it was typically the coach. The player used to have to sit out a year. Now, the players can up and go regardless of whether or not they’ve been paid. It’s every man for himself. I think it has created somewhat of a culture with that mentality to where the idea of team, whether it’s from the staff or from the players, it just seems like it’s a harder thing to put together. Lane Kiffin’s motivation? Is it his thoughts that it’s a better opportunity for him at LSU? Possibly. Is it money? Possibly. Is it lifestyle? Possibly. I can’t answer any of those questions. But whatever his motivation is, he feels like LSU is the right place for him. So I don’t fault him for that at all. I know there’s always hard feelings. Ole Miss did not want to lose Lane Kiffin. Once he made the decision to leave, now he’s a pariah. Let’s get this guy just as far away from us as we can. I understand that as well. Everybody gets a little bit jaded. Where I’m at is I think there’s gotta be some leadership at the very top that kind of cleans all of this up. Starting with players that accept money, there’s gotta be some accountability and responsibility on their behalf to have to stick with a program. I gave money to a kid. I won’t mention who. I’ve done it one time at UCLA. Never met the young man. He was there a year, he left after the year. I wrote a sizable check, and he went to another school. I didn’t even get so much as a thank you note. It’s one of those deals to where I’m done with NIL. I mean, I wanna see UCLA be successful, but I’m done with it. A couple of months ago Michael Jordan mentioned on NBC he had not picked up a ball in many years and felt pressure on making a free throw in front of a big group of people. I want to ask a similar question to you. If you went out on a field today, realistically, how accurate could you throw the football?Right now I’ve got something going on with my shoulder. But I’ll say this: I’ve got a place in Santa Barbara. I go to the beach in the summertime, and there’s always some seven- or eight-year-old kids on the beach. Their parents will tell them, hey that guy over there used to play in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. So the kids want me to throw the ball to them and of course I will. But kids also want to run 60 yards down the beach and they want me to hit ’em in stride. I gotta wave ’em back in (laughs). I can’t throw it that far. But I’ve always had the ability to to throw a ball, whether it’s a baseball or football, or shooting a basketball. I’ve always had an ability to put it where I wanted to put it. That hasn’t changed. I think my accuracy would still be on target. It wouldn’t get there as fast and I wouldn’t be able to be be as accurate as far down the field. But otherwise, I think I could pretty much do it. |
| 2026 DRAFTField Yates of ESPN.com drops a Mock Draft: I did my first mock draft for this cycle in August, but a lot has changed since then. We had a handful of trades mix up the first round, as four teams now have multiple Day 1 picks: the Rams (from the Falcons), the Browns (from the Jaguars), the Cowboys (from the Packers) and the Jets (from the Colts). And some teams with rookie quarterbacks — like the Browns, Giants and Saints — might be satisfied enough to not select another quarterback in 2026. Team needs are already shifting. As we say before every mock draft, it’s important to remember things will change a good deal before the draft gets rolling on April 23. We still have bowl games and predraft events for the prospects, and free agency will shake up NFL teams’ rosters. We don’t even know the real draft order yet; the order below is based on the inverse of the standings through Week 14. But for now, here is where things stand and how I’d project Round 1. (Note: Underclassmen are identified with an asterisk.) Jump to a projected trade:NYG-NYJ Projected trade: Jets move up to No. 1The Giants drafted their quarterback of the future in Jaxson Dart and a building-block pass rusher in Abdul Carter this year, making this a scenario where they would likely field offers to move down if they do end up with the No. 1 pick. The Jets, meanwhile, can make an aggressive move up for a QB; Justin Fields, Tyrod Taylor and now Brady Cook haven’t stabilized their quarterback situation. The Jets are equipped with more premium draft picks than any other team after their deadline dealings. In this mock draft trade, the Jets would send both of their first-round picks (Nos. 7 and 18) and a Day 2 pick to the Giants for the top selection. 1. New York Jets (via projected trade with 2-11 NYG)Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana*Mendoza has had a remarkable season at Indiana, showing off excellent accuracy and a powerful right arm to pair with much improved pocket awareness and sack avoidance after two seasons at Cal. He leads the FBS with 33 passing touchdowns this season and just handled an extremely tough test against Ohio State, leading Indiana to its first Big Ten Championship since 1967. The Jets are currently 27th in QBR (40.5), needing a long-term answer for coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey to cement themselves within the organization. 2. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)Dante Moore, QB, Oregon*Moore received immense hype after five starts as a true freshman at UCLA in 2023, but 2025 has been his true breakout year. While he has a slender build at 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds, he has shown strong functional mobility and high-level downfield accuracy (third-best completion percentage in the FBS). He has a unique ability to change his arm angles when navigating pressure, too, making him a very creative quarterback overall. Moore hasn’t made his intentions clear about declaring, but there’s little doubt he would go very high if does enter the 2026 draft. And for the Raiders, it’s clear that Geno Smith is no longer a viable starter; he’s tied for the league lead in interceptions (14) and has its second-lowest QBR (32.5). Moore could be the centerpiece for an offense that already has an elite pass catcher (Brock Bowers) and a potential star running back (Ashton Jeanty). 3. Tennessee Titans (2-11)Arvell Reese, Edge/LB, Ohio State*The Titans and Giants are the only teams with a better than 5% chance at the No. 1 pick that are not in the QB market (per ESPN’s Football Power Index). But Tennessee is missing the young edge rusher talent that New York likely got in 2025 with Abdul Carter. It can find that here — Reese has a case to be the best overall prospect in this entire draft class. After just 0.5 sacks as mostly a linebacker last season, he posted 6.5 sacks as a primary edge rusher this year. Reese has exceptional burst and power, plus the frame to be a standout NFL edge rusher. As an every-down player, he would form a perfect pairing next to defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. 4. Cleveland Browns (3-10)Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State*The Browns will likely have conversations about the quarterback position, but Shedeur Sanders’ growth in three games as the starter has been encouraging. And in this scenario, the two clear-cut best signal-callers in my rankings are off the board. But the Browns also have work to do within the offensive supporting cast, including at offensive tackle and wide receiver. Tate is the next first-round lock from the Ohio State receiver room, and he would be awesome in the Cleveland pass game. He has very good size, runs terrific routes and can make contested catches. He would bring a vertical ability, as he averaged 17.5 yards per catch this season. Also of note: Tate has zero drops on 58 targets this season. No Browns wide receiver has reached 40 catches or 500 receiving yards this season. Time for an upgrade. 5. New Orleans Saints (3-10)Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami*New Orleans has seen promising play from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and could opt against drafting a top signal-caller, even in the top five. Taking an offensive tackle in the first round for the third straight season might seem odd, but the Saints could move 2024 draftee Taliese Fuaga from right tackle to right guard in this scenario. Mauigoa has been a three-year starter for Miami, playing all but 13 of his snaps at right tackle over the past three seasons. He has excellent mauling power and size at 6-6, 315 pounds, and he holds up extremely well in pass protection. Mauigoa allowed a pressure on just 0.5% of dropbacks this season, the best of any FBS offensive tackle. The Saints, meanwhile, are 31st in pass block win rate (54.5%). 6. Washington Commanders (3-10)David Bailey, Edge, Texas TechThe Commanders have relied on an extremely veteran group of edge rushers this season, lacking a true difference-maker at the position. Von Miller leads Washington with six sacks at 36 years old. But there’s no better pure rusher in this class than Bailey, who had the second-most sacks (13.5) and pressures (62) in the FBS during his only season at Texas Tech. That makes for a good fit. Bailey’s first step puts offensive tackles on their heels in a hurry, and he has eight forced fumbles over the past two seasons. 7. New York Giants (via projected trade with 3-10 NYJ)Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State*After trading down from No. 1 in this mock draft, the Giants can hammer away at their needs — and one of them is more playmakers for Dart. The Giants struggled to piece things together on offense without Malik Nabers for much of this season (torn ACL), and top fill-in receiver Wan’Dale Robinson will be a free agent in March. Tyson brings a package of size, versatility and explosiveness that would pair great next to Nabers. When the ball is in Tyson’s hands, he is tenacious and flexes excellent acceleration. His production dipped this season (711 receiving yards, down from 1,101 in 2024), but he missed three games with a hamstring injury and was without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt for all of November. 8. Arizona Cardinals (3-10)Spencer Fano, OT, Utah*The Cardinals are closer to getting on track than their record indicates, and right tackle is where they could start the process. Jonah Williams has been the team’s preferred right tackle over the past two seasons, but he has played in only 15 games, is currently on injured reserve after shoulder surgery and will be a free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, Fano has surrendered just one sack in two years at Utah. His lighter frame has made some scouts think he could thrive at guard, but Arizona could start him out at right tackle and move him inside if needed. Whether it’s Kyler Murray, Jacoby Brissett or someone else under center for the Cardinals, they’re going to get better protection. 9. Los Angeles Rams (via 4-9 ATL)Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State*The Rams are in rare territory as a strong Super Bowl contender with a potential top-10 pick in April — thanks to the Falcons. While they have the option to make another move with the pick, they could use it here on one of the best safety prospects in recent memory. Downs is a versatile, tone-setting defender who has the chance to be the first safety picked in the top 10 since Jamal Adams went No. 6 to the Jets in 2017. Downs has played in an NFL scheme at Ohio State for much of his college career; he can handle coverage deep in the middle of the field and be a menacing force in the box. Los Angeles has a ton of young talent up front on its defense, but it might lose players on the back end this offseason. Safety Kam Curl is a free agent in March. 10. Cincinnati Bengals (4-9)Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami*Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai (who leads the teams in sacks) are scheduled to be free agents in Cincinnati. The Bengals tried to prepare for this future by taking Shemar Stewart in the first round this year, but he has been a nonfactor. Cincinnati really needs to look at the defense again. The Bengals are allowing 6.3 yards per play, worst in the NFL. While some scouts think Bain’s lack of length could make him a late first-round pick, all of them agree he’s one of the best prospects at his position. I like him in Cincinnati. His relentless, powerful and explosive traits helped him to ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors this season. Expect much more debate around Bain and his ceiling in the coming months, but no offense had a real answer for him at the collegiate level. 11. Minnesota Vikings (5-8)Mansoor Delane, CB, LSUA notable need for the Vikings is cornerback, where the team is lacking depth behind Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. Enter Delane, who took his game to another level after transferring from Virginia Tech before this season. He has excellent size for the position (6-foot, 190 pounds) and thrives using force at the catch point to disrupt the ball. Delane is at his best playing off coverage and reading the quarterback, though he is also a willing run defender who could thrive in Brian Flores’ aggressive system. When targeted as the primary coverage player this season, he surrendered the third-lowest completion percentage in the FBS (27.8%). 12. Miami Dolphins (6-7)Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn*The Dolphins need pass-rush help with Bradley Chubb turning 30 this offseason and Jaelan Phillips now on the Eagles (traded on Nov. 3). They’re also currently 21st in pass rush win rate (36.5%). Faulk had seven sacks and a forced fumble last season, with all the measurables of a prototypical NFL edge rusher. He is a fluid mover at 6-6, 285 pounds, and his pass rush arsenal is developed enough to where scouts believe he should be high draft pick despite a modest 2025 campaign (2.0 sacks). He can set the edge against the run, too. 13. Baltimore Ravens (6-7)Peter Woods, DT, Clemson*With Travis Jones scheduled for free agency and Nnamdi Madubuike out for the year with a serious neck injury, defensive tackle is an area of need for Baltimore. It’s always wise to look beyond the box score with defensive tackle prospects, and that’s especially the case with Woods. He has only 5.0 sacks in three seasons, but he can create havoc at the line of scrimmage. Woods has the agility and quickness that could allow him to move out to the edge for some snaps as well. His overall length is a question mark for some scouts, as he has sub-32-inch arms and is listed at 6-2. Regardless, he’s a lock in the first round. 14. Kansas City Chiefs (6-7)Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame*As Kansas City enters an unusual offseason that will likely start when 14 other teams advance to the playoffs, it’s clear the offense needs another playmaker. The Chiefs’ running backs are averaging just 3.8 yards per carry this season. Is it likely that Love drops to No. 14 to fix that? I have my doubts, but most NFL teams are wary of using a first-round pick at running back when they could address needs at more premium positions. The Chiefs might have some pause after their 2020 selection of Clyde Edwards-Helaire (No. 32) didn’t work out, but Love is too good to pass on here. He’s an amazingly explosive, agile and balanced runner who effortlessly makes defenders miss (60 forced missed tackles this season on just 199 carries). The Heisman Trophy finalist is also a legitimate threat in the passing game, with 10.4 yards per catch and three receiving touchdowns this season. 15. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio StateThe Cowboys have needs on multiple levels of their defense, which is allowing the second-most points per game this season (29.7). They could address linebacker first with Styles, who has made the impressive transition to the position after beginning his collegiate career at safety. He has outstanding length, movement skills and range at the second level. And on top of the coverage skills from his time at safety, Styles can be an effective blitzer when called upon; he had 6.0 sacks during Ohio State’s national title run last season. Styles could thrive in any defensive circumstance for the Cowboys, who just boosted their linebacker room with the return DeMarvion Overshown and addition of Logan Wilson. 16. Carolina Panthers (7-6)CJ Allen, LB, Georgia*Carolina is still in need of a game-changing edge rusher, but there’s hope for internal development with 2025 draftees Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. Linebacker, however, is an area where the team’s depth has been tested this season, and I’ve gone back and forth between Styles or Allen as my top player at the position. Allen has the benefit of quarterbacking Georgia’s defense, which has produced a strong lineage of NFL linebackers. He is a missile as a tackler, bringing force and physicality to every aspect of his game. And Allen’s nine pass breakups speak to his ability to impact the passing game as well. The Panthers could benefit from him as a tone-setter in the middle of their defense, especially with Christian Rozeboom on an expiring contract. 17. Detroit Lions (8-5)Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah*While most of the picks so far have been to address immediate needs, the Lions could anticipate a future hole by selecting Lomu. Starting left tackle Taylor Decker is already 31 and has two more years on his current deal, so Detroit must be mindful of the position this offseason. Lomu is just steady in virtually every way. He moves fluidly at 6-6, 304 pounds, serving as a gifted striker in the running game and a dependable pass blocker. Lomu did not allow a single sack this season, giving up a measly six pressures. 18. New York Giants (via projected trade with 3-10 NYJ)Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson*After our projected trade, the Giants get their second chance to hammer away at needs by addressing cornerback, where Deonte Banks has struggled this season and Cor’Dale Flott will be a free agent. The younger brother of Falcons star cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr., Avieon has some big-time game of his own. He’s on the smaller side at 5-11 and 180 pounds, but he makes up for it with excellent quickness to trigger back to the ball in coverage. He’s also a very capable blitzer and disruptor, recording 3.0 sacks and five forced fumbles this season. The Giants are giving up the ninth-most passing yards per game this season (231.5). 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon*With tight end Cade Otton slated to became a free agent in March, the Bucs are potentially thin at the position. Sadiq is one of best prospects in this class in terms of athletic ability, and he has been great after the catch at Oregon. Scouts have questions about Sadiq’s length, but he’s extremely versatile and can make an impact in an NFL offense. He has 40 catches for 490 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. With aging offensive playmakers in Mike Evans (32) and Chris Godwin Jr. (30 in February), the future of Tampa Bay’s offense could be built around Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Bucky Irving and Sadiq. 20. Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)Makai Lemon, WR, USC*Besides DK Metcalf, the Steelers do not have a receiver that strikes fear into opposing defenses. Pittsburgh is one of two teams with fewer than 100 catches from wide receivers this season (97). Lemon could change that reality. The best way I can describe him: certified baller, as his average size (5-11, 195 pounds) hasn’t slowed him down in any way. We are in an era where dominant receivers don’t come exclusively in the form of 6-3, 200-plus pound players with 4.4 speed. Lemon has one of the best catch radiuses I’ve studied over the past three classes, and he has dropped the ball only once in each of his three seasons. It would not shock me if he goes a few spots higher than this in April. 21. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee*The Eagles need to add to their cornerback depth opposite Quinyon Mitchell, and we know Philly is a team that always finds value. This would be a calculated risk, as McCoy did not play at all this season after an ACL tear in January. Some scouts believe he is a top-10 prospect, while others are dubious he will even go in the first round without any tape this season. But his elite skill set was obvious with the Volunteers last season, resulting in four interceptions and nine pass breakups. And the Eagles have taken a chance on injured prospects before, drafting linebacker Jihaad Campbell in April despite some concern over a left shoulder injury. 22. Houston Texans (8-5)A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon*While it seems like the NFL’s top scoring defense has it all, Houston’s defensive tackle position could use some youth and depth. Sheldon Rankins is set for free agency in March and Mario Edwards Jr. will turn 32 in January. Washington is becoming one of my favorite prospects to watch, and I expect him to be discussed as a top-20 player in due time. He has just 1.5 career sacks after becoming a full-time starter this year, but he has the quickness, power and length required to ram through offensive linemen in the NFL. His pass-rushing upside would be fascinating in DeMeco Ryans’ defense, where there’s room to work in between Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. 23. Chicago Bears (9-4)Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&MCoordinator Dennis Allen’s defense has exceeded expectations with an NFL-high 27 takeaways despite plenty of injuries. But this team needs a spark on the defensive line opposite 29-year-old Montez Sweat. And at this spot, Howell would be the most explosive pass rusher on the board. He stepped into a much larger role for the Aggies this season and thrived, as his 11.5 sacks are tied for fourth most in the FBS. His ability to torque his body and turn a corner tightly is among the best in the class. The Bears are tied for the worst pass rush rate in the NFL (28.6%), so this match makes sense. 24. Los Angeles Chargers (9-4)Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State*The Chargers’ offensive line issues have been headlined by injuries to tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, but their healthy interior has also been disappointing. Ioane is my No. 1 guard in this class, as he would help any offensive line get tougher and more physical. He uses his excellent strength to dominate in the running game and he’s also a standout pass protector. Over the past two seasons, Ioane has not allowed a single sack. This season, he has given up just two pressures. Penn State’s offensive scheme also highlighted his ability to get out and play in space, which only strengthens his draft outlook. 25. Buffalo Bills (9-4)Denzel Boston, WR, Washington*It’s no mystery that the Bills are still looking for a game-altering receiver after Keon Coleman’s down year and Khalil Shakir’s inconsistent campaign. Boston has the potential to check that box for Buffalo with his size at 6-4 and alignment versatility. He routinely got the better of defenders in the red zone over the past two seasons, using his frame to snag 19 receiving touchdowns. He was dependable in the big slot role, too, with two drops on 189 targets since 2024. The Bills have 15 attributed drops this season, which is tied for 17th in the NFL. 26. San Francisco 49ers (9-4)Caleb Banks, DT, FloridaSimply put, the 49ers need more disruptors on defense. They currently rank dead last in sacks (16), 30th in pass rush win rate (29.3%) and 30th in pressures (111). The injuries to Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams obviously impacted that, but the defensive line could still use more help in 2026. Banks’ evaluation is a little tricky because he logged just 90 snaps in three games this season before fracturing his foot. He has a huge frame, with over 35-inch arms, and generates major shock at the point of attack. Banks is the type of player that could help the 49ers put teams into less favorable passing situations. 27. Cleveland Browns (via 9-4 JAX)Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama*When evaluating options for the Browns at No. 4, it came down to wide receiver or offensive tackle. This pick would check off both boxes after they took Tate earlier. Yes, some scouts aren’t convinced that Proctor will hold up against twitchy NFL edge rushers. But there are no doubts about his experience (three years at starting left tackle) and overwhelming power in the running game. After allowing nine sacks as a true freshman, he has surrendered just four over the past two seasons. Cleveland has cycled through multiple options at left tackle because of injuries this season. 28. Dallas Cowboys (via 9-3-1 GB)Damon Wilson II, Edge, Missouri*The defensive investment would continue for the Cowboys here via Wilson, who broke out in 2025 after transferring from Georgia before this season. His 9.0 sacks with the Tigers nearly tripled his 3.5 sacks over the first two seasons of his collegiate career. Wilson has very good length, first-step quickness and torque to bend the edge. He also brought it in big games this season, with four sacks against teams ranked in the top 10. After shoring up their interior defensive line by trading for Quinnen Williams, Wilson could be a game changer on the edge for the Cowboys. 29. Seattle Seahawks (10-3)Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina*Seattle is searching for a cornerback to play opposite of Devon Witherspoon, as the team has relied upon Josh Jobe this season and Riq Woolen is in the final year of his rookie deal. Cisse is an ascending corner who showed off impressive man coverage skills after transferring from NC State in the spring. He broke up 10 passes over the past two seasons, allowing a completion percentage under 40% in 2025. He’s extremely comfortable lining up opposite bigger-bodied perimeter wide receivers, which could be asked of him in Mike Macdonald’s defense. 30. New England Patriots (11-2)Colton Hood, CB, TennesseeUnder coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have made such a leap that they don’t have an immediate need to fill if the board falls this way. But the team generally needs more cornerback depth behind All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, as Carlton Davis III will turn 29 in a few weeks. Hood has some areas to clean up with his technique, but there’s an infectious energy that you see every time you watch him play. He posted 10 pass breakups this season — his first with Tennessee after spending one season at Colorado and his freshman year at Auburn. Hood loves the challenge of man coverage and can be an aggressive player in run support. 31. Los Angeles Rams (10-3)Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama*Let’s start by acknowledging that Simpson is no lock to declare for the draft (just 13 starts over his career) and his recent play has been concerning. However, his performances early in the season were strong enough to keep him in the first-round conversation in the right circumstances. This would be exactly that. Since Matthew Stafford is still playing at an MVP level and under contract next season, the Rams would likely not need Simpson to play at all in 2026. That would give him time to develop — and there’s perhaps no better quarterback tutor in the game than coach Sean McVay. Simpson has nifty in-pocket movement, the ability to be an accurate passer and a strong arm when he can set his platform. Given their extra first-round pick, the Rams can afford to take a chance on their quarterback of the future. 32. Denver Broncos (11-2)Chris Bell, WR, LouisvilleFor the second straight offseason, there might not be a roster with fewer glaring needs than the Broncos, who are currently on a 10-game winning streak with second-year quarterback Bo Nix. Is another wide receiver a must? No, but it couldn’t hurt to have another inexpensive option behind Courtland Sutton. At 6-2, 220 pounds, Bell has some of the best size of any of the touted receivers in this class. He was scorching hot in the first six games of this season, with six touchdowns and three 100-plus-yard games. He did not score or reach 80 yards in any of his final six games of the regular season, but he still displayed uncommon power and burst for a player of his stature. |
