| This is the week where for mysterious reasons, the NFL has relaxed its TV rules and given FOX and CBS each a 4:25 national game. And the schedule makers picked well as Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com reports: On Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, the 10-3 Bills and 12-1 Lions will kick off in Detroit, and at the same time the 10-3 Steelers and 11-2 Eagles will kick off in Philadelphia. That gives the NFL a great pair of late-season games, the likes of which football fans rarely get to experience.The last time the NFL had two different games matching up teams with double-digit wins in Week 15 or earlier was in 1985. That year, Week 15 saw the 13-1 Bears beat the 10-4 Jets, while the 10-4 Dolphins beat the 10-4 Patriots.Bills-Lions and Steelers-Eagles are a great pair of games, but the unfortunate thing is that they kick off simultaneously, meaning football fans can’t give their undivided attention to both. Many fans will watch on two screens with one showing Bills-Lions on CBS and the other showing Steelers-Eagles on Fox, but it would have been great to have at least one of those games in prime time.These are two of the best games of the season, with major implications for playoff seeding in both conferences. And they might just be a preview of the Super Bowl. More from Mike Florio: It’s a joint CBS/FOX doubleheader weekend, and each network will broadcast an awesome late afternoon game. CBS has the 10-3 Bills at the 12-1 Lions. Fox has the 10-3 Steelers at the 11-2 Eagles.Elsewhere at 4:25 p.m. ET, the 7-6 Bucs visit the 8-5 Chargers in a game that oozes with playoff implications. Also, the 6-7 Colts travel to Denver to face the 8-5 Broncos in a showdown highly relevant to the wild-card chase.That’s four late-afternoon games with significant relevance to both teams. Now, look at the 1:00 p.m. ET window: Cowboys-Panthers, Chiefs-Browns, Dolphins-Texans, Jets-Jaguars, Commanders-Saints, Ravens-Giants, Bengals-Titans.And how about Monday night? It’s a staggered doubleheader featuring Bears-Vikings and Falcons-Raiders.It’s just a strange weekend. Why have two great games on at the same time? One of them could have been played at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Or on Monday night.– – -Echoing the words of President John F. Kennedy (“Ich bin ein Berliner”), the NFL is headed to Berlin: The National Football League will play its first-ever regular-season game in Berlin, Germany in 2025 as the league continues to prioritize global growth and expand its global footprint.The 2025 NFL Berlin game will be played at the Olympic Stadium as part of a multiyear commitment to playing games in the sports metropolis.The NFL has successfully held regular-season games in Munich and Frankfurt since 2022, with the game in Berlin set to mark the fifth NFL regular-season game in Germany and the first in the German capital.“Germany has a rich tradition of American football, and the NFL has a deep history with the city of Berlin,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We first held a preseason game at the Olympic Stadium 34 years ago, before it was home to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder in the early 2000s. Now, with almost 20 million NFL fans in Germany, we’ll make a historic return to the city playing a regular-season game for the first time as we open the next chapter in our relationship with Berlin.”“This long-term partnership with the NFL will continue to boost Berlin as a global sports metropolis, as well as excite fans at the Olympic Stadium,” said Senator for the Interior and Sports, State of Berlin, Iris Spranger. “The 2025 NFL Berlin game means worldwide visibility, numerous international guests, increased tourism and high economic value across the city. We’re looking forward to an incredible game and an ongoing successful partnership with the league, as we continue to strengthen the presence of American football throughout the state.”In addition to the game, the NFL will work with the Berlin Senate across their major sports development program to grow and develop flag football — the non-contact format of the game that will be included in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) — in Berlin’s schools and clubs.The NFL played five American Bowl games at the Olympic Stadium between 1990 and 1994, and it was also home to NFL Europe’s Berlin Thunder from 2003-07. The Olympic Stadium has hosted the 1936 Summer Olympic Games, the FIFA Men’s World Cup (1974 and 2006), a FIFA Women’s World Cup (2011), six UEFA EURO 2024 matches, including the final, and world and European athletics championships. The Olympic Stadium is also the home of the football club Hertha BSC.Beginning in 2025, the NFL can schedule up to eight league-operated international regular-season games per season. A commitment to playing two regular-season games in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and one game in Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium — home to Real Madrid C.F., have already been announced for 2025. Other games and locations will be confirmed in the weeks and months ahead.Fifty-five regular-season NFL games have been played around the world throughout the league’s history, with London, Munich, Frankfurt, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto all hosting games to date.The NFL will announce participating teams, schedule and ticket information in the coming months. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASThe Cowboys hard season got harder Monday night with a devastating injury to LB DEMARVION OVERSHOWN. Don’t count on him being back until 2026. Josh Alper ofProFootballTalk.com: Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is set for surgery after suffering a severe knee injury on Monday night and head coach Mike McCarthy said the second-year player has “a long road” ahead of him in terms of getting back on the field.That road may extend through the end of next season. Overshown reportedly tore his right ACL, MCL, and PCL during the loss to the Bengals and McCarthy was asked at his press conference if it’s likely that Overshown will miss the 2025 campaign.“I think that’s fair,” McCarthy said. “Because of time of year, obviously we’re in December. You have the surgery and the rehab is a long process. That’s very realistic.”McCarthy said Overshown’s talent as a player speaks for itself and called the 2023 third-round pick “such a bright light” while talking about how much the Cowboys will miss him. |
| WASHINGTONWR NOAH BROWN has taken a turn for the worse, ending his season. Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com: The Commanders may not have a key offensive piece for the rest of the season.Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters in his Wednesday press conference that Noah Brown suffered a “significant internal injury” during the Week 13 victory over the Titans. Brown exited the contest with a hip issue.“During the game, between him and the medical staff, they did a really good job to address what was a serious injury,” Quinn said, via Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post. “Fortunately, he’s going to be OK. But it’s going to knock him out for a bit.”While it’s uncertain Brown will be out for the rest of the season, Quinn said, “it’s likely heading that way.”Brown, 28, had been putting together one of his best pro seasons. He’s caught 35 passes for 453 yards with a touchdown — the game-winning score against the Bears. He’s third on the club in receptions and receiving yards.After their Week 14 bye, the Commanders will be back in action against the Saints this weekend. Brown’s injury had been listed as a “rib” injury. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| TAMPA BAYJeff Darlington: @JeffDarlingtonDoing research ahead of Lions-Bills game this weekend — and came across a subtle nod to the Bucs in the process: Lions & Eagles are currently a combined 23-3. They’re 0-2 against Bucs… 23-1 vs rest of NFL.Neither team has lost since playing TB, winning combined 20 straight. |
| NFC WEST |
| SAN FRANCISCOKyle Shanahan realizes that something has been amiss with WR DEEBO SAMUEL’s level of contribution to the 49ers offense. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would prefer if wide receiver Deebo Samuel’s keeps his feelings about the team’s offense inside the building, but the fact that Samuel didn’t isn’t anything he’s concerned about.Samuel wrote on X that he is “not struggling at all just not getting the ball” over the last few weeks. He later deleted the post and added that he wasn’t being critical of anyone with the team, but the feelings that Samuel shared were not news to Shanahan.“Deebo and I talk every day, so I understand Deebo saying that,” Shanahan said at his Tuesday press conference. “Deebo wants to help us out and the only way he helps us out is getting the ball more, and we’d like to get it to him more. We’ll continue to work at that.”Shanahan went on to make it clear that Samuel’s comments aren’t going to cause any issues inside the building.“Is it a distraction in our building? No,” Shanahan said. “We gotta answer questions about it. It’s the first time I’ve talked about it is right here but Deebo and I see each other every day and talk about stuff every day. My advice is to not let outside frustrate you because just answering those things isn’t gonna help you in any way. It usually only hurts you. But as far as what we deal with in our relationships and our team, it’s water under the bridge.”Samuel has 40 catches for 553 yards and a touchdown to go with 32 carries for 92 yards and a score. Someone on Twitter snapped at Samuel for dropping passes, but SportRadar has him credited (or discredited) with five which is not a terrible number, although most on the 49ers. |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYThe Chiefs wide receiver room expects a Christmas present from Hollywood. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: Chiefs wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown isn’t back yet, but it sounds as if it won’t be long before he makes his 2024 debut.Andy Reid didn’t give a specific date for Brown’s return to practice, but the coach offered an encouraging update.“He’s getting close,” Reid said Wednesday, via Pete Sweeney of arrowheadpride.com. “He’s champing at the bit to get back out there, but he’s got to visit with the doctor to make sure he gets clearance there.”Brown injured his sternoclavicular joint on his first play of the preseason, requiring surgery and a long rehab.The Chiefs have targeted Week 16 or Week 17 for Brown’s return.Brown will join DeAndre Hopkins, Xavier Worthy and JuJu Smith-Schuster in the wide receivers room to give Patrick Mahomes plenty of weapons in the postseason. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CINCINNATIThe South American gang of master burglars who have been working their way from LA to Kansas City, may have found there way to Anderson Township, east of Cincinnati. The AP: – Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was broken into during Monday night’s game against the Cowboys in the latest home burglary of a pro athlete in the U.S., authorities said Tuesday.No one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked, according to a report provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.Deputies weren’t immediately able to determine what items were stolen. A person who is employed by Burrow arrived at the Anderson Township home Monday night to find a shattered bedroom window and the home in disarray. The person called their mother, and then 911 was contacted, according to the report.Deputies reached out to neighbors in an attempt to piece together surveillance footage.“Our investigators are exploring every avenue,” public information officer Kyla Woods said.The homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home broken into Nov. 2, and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley’s home was burglarized on Sept. 15 while he was at a Minnesota Vikings game.Portis had offered a $40,000 reward for information.The NFL and NBA issued security alerts to players after those break-ins, urging them to take additional precautions to secure their homes. More on the caller from Athlon Sports: Earlier Tuesday afternoon news broke that the home belonging to Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was broken into during his team’s game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.According to Emily Sanderson of WLWT, police received a 911 call from a young woman staying at Burrow’s home. The woman’s mother later also phoned police and detailed the incident.“Someone is trying to break into the house right now,” the mother said. “My daughter is there. This is Joe Burrow’s house. She is staying there. He’s at the football game. She’s wondering what she should do, if she should be hiding, or if she should go outside? She said someone was in the house.”According to TMZ the young woman who made the call has been identified as 22-year-old model Olivia Ponton.TMZ received documents from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, which wrote that Ponton called in the break-in at around 8:14 p.m. ET. She allegedly told officers she noticed a “shattered bedroom window and the room ransacked.”TMZ stated Ponton could be headed on a phone call with police stating, “Someone broke into my house … It’s like completely messed up.” A statement from the sheriff’s office revealed Ponton is “employed by Mr. Burrow,” but it’s unclear in what capacity.Ponton is an accomplished model and social media superstar. She boasts nearly three million followers on Instagram and over 7.5 million followers on TikTok. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOAs the Bills take on investors, co-owner Terry Pegula grieves for his still-stricken wife. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The Bills announced the addition of 10 limited partners to the ownership group. Two women — Sue McCollum and Theresia Gouw — are among the non-controlling, minority interests, something important to owner Terry Pegula.Pegula’s wife, Kim, was heavily involved in the organization until a debilitating cardiac arrest 2 1/2 years ago, and her presence is missed, Terry Pegula said.“One of the things I wanted to accomplish also was to bring in some women,” Pegula said from the NFL owners meetings in Irving, Texas. “We’ve got two female ambassadors who are very successful business people. You know I’ve got three daughters who are involved in the team and hopefully more so in the future, and I think that’s a good thing for them to learn some business acumen and have some female input, because when Kim went down that was a big loss of influence on my daughters as far as the business side goes. She’s unable to be involved now.”Kim Pegula made a public appearance in July, breaking down the team’s post-practice huddle. She experienced “significant expressive aphasia and memory issues” from a brain injury following her cardiac arrest shortly after her 53rd birthday in June 2022, per an essay her daughter, pro tennis player Jessica Pegula, wrote for The Players Tribune in February 2023.“We all miss her, especially I do,” Terry Pegula said Wednesday. “She was always the personal part of it, sending out Christmas cards, making cookies for the coaches. She’d be up at 3 o’clock in the morning every Sunday when we played making cookies for the coaches. We all miss that.” |
| MIAMIAre the Dolphins worth $8.1 billion? This from The Athletic on a sale of 13% of the team. For the first time in NFL history, private equity firms have bought into league ownership. NFL owners voted to approve private equity firm Ares Management’s bid to purchase a stake in the Miami Dolphins along with private equity firm Arctos Partners and private equity firm Gridiron Capital’s bids to buy into the Buffalo Bills at the special league meeting Wednesday.Ares Management purchased 10 percent of the Dolphins, the team announced after the vote. Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty owner Joseph Tsai also purchased three percent of the Dolphins. In total, 13 percent of the Dolphins’ shares were sold. According to Bloomberg, the Dolphins’ stakes were sold at a valuation of $8.1 billion. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross will remain the controlling owner. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| PRAYERS FOR RANDY MOSSWe now have a specific reason that Randy Moss has left his duties at ESPN. Andrew Graham at On3.com: NFL legend Randy Moss has been out of the spotlight of late dealing with what has been a mysterious health issue. And it is reportedly quite a serious one.Moss has liver cancer, according to longtime sports reporter Larry Fitzgerald Sr., who shared that he’d learned this at the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame ceremony. Fitzgerald relayed the news with a brief message on social media.“66th NFF Hall of of Fame Ceremony here in Las Vegas just heard that Vikings HOF Randy Moss has liver cancer.Let’s show the power of prayer and pull Moss through this,” Fitzgerald said, along with several praying hands emojis. “I love you Randy.”Moss has been out of the public eye and stepped away from his role as an NFL analyst on ESPN while dealing with his health. His absence from ESPN’s NFL coverage was announced in early December. |
| BROADCAST NEWSA ratings report from Mike Florio: The Cowboys still draw a decent crowd, even when the Cowboys are barely decent.Last night’s Bengals-Cowboys game on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 generated an average audience of 18.7 million viewers.That said, the combined broadcast and cable audience wasn’t much bigger than Thursday’s streaming-only Packers-Lions audience initially reported by Prime Video, at 17.29 million. (Updated numbers released on Monday pushed the figure to 18.48 million.)The NFL has expanded the ABC simulcasts in 2024, given the sluggish numbers being generated by the non-ABC telecasts.The press release from ESPN also discloses the audience for the ManningCast at 900,000. This year, ESPN had not disclosed audience information when it dipped below one million.No viewership details were provided for the Simpsons twist on the game, which was available only on ESPN+ and Disney+. Wild guess? Whatever it was, it wasn’t worth whatever they put into it. |
| 2025 DRAFTA Mock Draft from Field Yates of ESPN.com: We have reached the point of the 2024 NFL regular season when most fans fall into one of two camps: hoping for a Super Bowl, or hoping for a high draft pick and top prospect. With only four weeks left before the playoffs (and the college football regular season now behind us), we’re starting to look more and more to the 2025 NFL draft. So it’s a perfect time to dive into another mock draft, predicting first-round landing spots for the best players in next year’s class.The draft order here is based on the current standings after Week 14 — where all 32 teams would slot if the season ended right now. No first-round picks have been traded yet, and I’m not projecting any moves today, either.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 24. We still have bowl season, the College Football Playoff, pre-draft events, pro days and countless shifts in rankings and team needs ahead. But for now, here is where things stand and how I’d project Round 1. (Note: Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.)1. New York Giants (2-11)Shedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoThe Giants’ multiyear quest to find a quarterback — recall they tried to trade up in last April’s draft — should come to an end in 2025. They benched and subsequently cut Daniel Jones last month, ending his six-season era in New York. Sanders has put together an incredible final college season, leading the FBS in completion percentage (74.2%) and ranking top-three in touchdown passes (35) and passing yards (3,926). He is at his best delivering from the pocket, as he throws with natural touch and is extremely poised. Sanders has met big moment after big moment at Colorado, and that unflappability bodes well for his NFL future.2. Las Vegas Raiders (2-11)Cam Ward, QB, MiamiThe Raiders also must find a true quarterback of the future this offseason, as Las Vegas missed out on all six of the top QBs in the 2024 class. Gardner Minshew (broken collarbone) and Aidan O’Connell (knee) have underwhelmed, and neither is healthy right now. It’s time for a big change. Ward, meanwhile, is an improvisational signal-caller with a hose of an arm and the capacity to throw from many different arm angles. He leads the FBS with 36 touchdown passes and is second with 4,123 passing yards.3. New England Patriots (3-10)Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado*The most electric player in the class and top-ranked prospect on my board, Hunter offers difference-making ability on both sides of the ball. He has rare acceleration and high-end playmaking traits as a receiver, but I also see lockdown cover skills — including elite ball skills and instincts — as a cornerback. Consider that he not only is sixth in receiving yards (1,152) and second in TD catches (14) on offense, but he also has four interceptions and 10 pass breakups on defense.The Patriots have a significant need at left tackle, so targeting someone such as Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr. is at least a conversation. But once factoring in holes at both receiver and the cornerback spot opposite of Christian Gonzalez, Hunter is too good to pass up.4. Carolina Panthers (3-10)Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn StateEdge rusher will be a priority for Carolina this offseason, as only Atlanta is worse in pass rush win rate (28.1%). And this draft class is deep there. Carter transitioned to a full-time edge role this season after previously playing primarily as a standup inside linebacker. We’ve seen his emergence, as he has 10 sacks and 20 tackles for loss this season. He has more juice and a faster get-off than any other pass rusher in this class, proving the ability to consistently make plays behind the line of scrimmage.5. Cleveland Browns (3-10)Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas*The Browns have several needs to address on offense, including potentially the QB position, but they simply must add reinforcements to the offensive line. The Browns have given up the second-most sacks in the NFL this season (53). Additionally, left tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. has played only 13 games over the past two seasons and is a free agent in 2025. Banks is my top-ranked offensive tackle, and he has excellent footwork, quickness, movement skills and anchoring ability against power rushers off the edge. He gave up pressure on just 0.3% of dropbacks this season, the best among all FBS offensive tackles.6. New York Jets (3-10)Mason Graham, DT, Michigan*The Jets’ draft-day direction will be an interesting storyline to follow. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future is uncertain, but enough young core players are in place that a new GM and coach might not view this as a rebuild, but instead a team that can make strides in a hurry. Defensive tackle figures to be an issue, and Graham is a hand-in-glove fit for any defense given his versatility and explosive skill set. He is powerful, dynamic getting off the ball, instinctive and relentless. Graham and Quinnen Williams would form quite a duo.7. Tennessee Titans (3-10)Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona*There have been some recent signs of improvement from Will Levis, though I don’t believe a quarterback investment here can be totally discounted for Tennessee. But there just isn’t a third quarterback after Sanders and Ward that I believe merits consideration this high. Plus, the Titans have to find another wide receiver to complement Calvin Ridley — the only pass catcher over 400 yards this season — in this offense.McMillan is a smooth big-bodied wideout with exceptional route-running skills and a huge catch radius. His ability to run the entire route tree at 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds makes him a very distinctive talent, and he has totaled 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight TDs this season.8. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-10)Will Johnson, CB, Michigan*A recent extension for Walker Little makes using a premium pick on an offensive tackle seem less likely for Jacksonville, despite the weakness there. That’s especially true when you look at the defensive issues; the Jaguars give up a league-high 6.0 yards per play.Part of the problem is the cornerback spot opposite Tyson Campbell, where Johnson would fit will. He combines outstanding size with lockdown man coverage skills and a nose for the ball. He returned three of his nine career interceptions for touchdowns. Johnson has sat out a significant portion of this season because of a toe injury, but when healthy, he is a dominant force.9. Chicago Bears (4-9)Will Campbell, OT, LSU*No team has surrendered more sacks this season than the Bears (56), who saw Caleb Williams get dropped seven times Sunday against the 49ers. Campbell is an incredibly balanced player with terrific footwork — I’d argue better than any other offensive lineman in the class — and has 37 career starts worth of experience. He was a day one starter at left tackle for LSU, and while Campbell is still 20 years old, he brings plenty of polish to the position.10. New Orleans Saints (5-8)Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia*The SEC championship game was a great chance to see why Williams is such a tantalizing prospect. He notched two sacks in an overtime win against Texas, giving him five on the season. Williams is as impressive physically as any player in the class, as he has rare length and fluidity for the edge position. His ability to bend the edge and generate pressure projects to a potential Pro Bowl-level pass rusher in the NFL, particularly when he is asked to pin his ears back and rush more than he has for a deep Georgia front.The Saints need the help, ranking 28th in pass rush win rate (35.0%). Cameron Jordan will be 36 next season, and Chase Young is signed for only this season.11. Cincinnati Bengals (5-8)James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee*Pick an area on defense and it could make sense here. Other than Trey Hendrickson’s dominant season, this team has disappointed on that side of the ball, posting the second-worst defensive efficiency in the NFL ahead of only the Panthers. The pass rush has been especially poor, as Hendrickson’s 12.5 sacks account for more than half of Cincinnati’s total of 24 (tied for second worst).Pearce has an exceptional first step and the kind of acceleration off the edge that travels to the NFL. He leads the FBS in pressure rate at an incredible 19.8% this season and has piled up 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons.12. Dallas Cowboys (5-8)Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*Do the Cowboys have several key issues, including at more premium positions? They unequivocally do. But Jeanty is a remarkable prospect, and this Dallas offense has been largely bereft of playmakers besides CeeDee Lamb. Plus, the Cowboys are 28th in rushing (91.2 yards per game), and Rico Dowdle — who has emerged as the team’s clear-cut No. 1 back — is a free agent this offseason.Jeanty blends breakaway speed and lateral agility to make defenders miss in the hole and then shows the supreme contact balance to absorb hits to keep on trucking. Though Jeanty’s near-historic rushing totals this season (2,497 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns) have earned deserved attention, I think his receiving ability is underrated, too. He had 569 receiving yards in 2023.13. Miami Dolphins (6-7)Malaki Starks, S, GeorgiaRegardless of whether Miami can retain free agent Jevon Holland, it must address the safety position this offseason. The lack of speed and playmaking from the Dolphins’ safety group has been a significant issue, and the starting duo of Holland and Jordan Poyer has combined for zero interceptions and only three pass breakups this season. Starks is the best safety in the class by a wide margin and among the most versatile players available regardless of position. He has legitimate range and ball skills to handle center-field duties, but he also has the man-to-man coverage traits to hover over the slot. Starks is a special prospect.14. Indianapolis Colts (6-7)Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon*There are a couple of factors that make Harmon an ideal addition to Indianapolis’ defense. First, the Colts’ run defense has struggled this season, giving up 4.6 yards per rush. Only Carolina has given up more rushing yardage (147.0 per game), and that sort of gashing cannot go unaddressed. Harmon is a long, disruptive, powerful and high-effort player who would provide a spark there, as well as with the pass rush from the inside.Second, the Colts need a long-term replacement for DeForest Buckner (31 years old next season and under contract through 2026). Harmon transferred from Michigan State before this season and has been a force for the Ducks (five sacks, 10 run stops).15. San Francisco 49ers (6-7)Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss*With the possibility of a massive extension for Brock Purdy this offseason, the 49ers could have some evolving team needs. They have so many big deals on the books and can only keep so many players. That being said, San Francisco should beef up the interior of the defensive line and get younger there no matter what. Nolen is a disruptor with excellent interior pass-rushing traits, tallying 6.5 sacks this season. He has very good strength, an explosive first step and powerful hands to disengage from blockers and chase down the quarterback.16. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)Jalon Walker, LB/Edge, Georgia*The Cardinals have made significant progress this season, but can we get them some juice off the edge? No Cardinals defender has more than 4.5 sacks this season, and their top sacker in 2023 was Dennis Gardeck at six. Walker is an intriguing prospect because though he is tied for the Georgia team lead in sacks this season (6.5), he has also played more snaps as a standup inside linebacker than at edge rusher. Given the value of edge players in today’s NFL, Walker could easily become a full-time player in that role — but the versatility is also a fantastic part of his game.17. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M*The Falcons’ need for an edge rusher is no mystery — their 19 sacks rank last in the league this season. The return of 2024 third-rounder Bralen Trice (who sustained a torn ACL in the preseason) will help, but they must invest in this position. Enter Stewart, whom I view as one of the most fascinating prospects in the class. Stewart has just 4.5 career sacks but boasts power, agility, fluidity and length coming off the edge. Several scouts have pointed him out as a player who could skyrocket during the pre-draft process as a combine standout.18. Los Angeles Rams (7-6)Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio StateSimmons was playing terrific football before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in late October. He has great footwork and quickness, making him an elite pass-protecting offensive tackle. Though Simmons has played left tackle for Ohio State, he did play the right side early in his college career while at San Diego State, and that versatility only boosts his stock.The Rams are looking for long-term investments at both left and right tackle; Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom are on expiring deals, and Rob Havenstein is signed through only 2025. Simmons will reportedly be ready for the start of training camp next summer, but he might not be called upon to start right out of the gates in L.A. — an ideal arrangement off injury.19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M*Though the Buccaneers have been able to scheme up pressure in Todd Bowles’ blitz-friendly system, they don’t have an edge rusher who can create disruption on his own. In fact, they don’t have an edge rusher with more than three sacks. Scourton has five sacks this season after leading the Big Ten with 10 at Purdue last season. His power, leverage and diverse set of pass-rush moves are evident on tape — traits that keep an offensive tackle guessing for 60 minutes.20. Washington Commanders (8-5)Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri*It has been a joy to watch the Jayden Daniels-Terry McLaurin duo thrive this season, but this offense needs more playmakers at receiver. I like the Burden fit; he’s powerful and explosive, thriving with the ball in his hands as one of the best run-after-catch players in the class. Burden has had a modest 2024 season (676 receiving yards, six TDs) after a dominant 2023 campaign, but much of the downward shift can be attributed to a pedestrian Mizzou offense around him. Pairing McLaurin and Burden would be fun in D.C.21. Denver Broncos (8-5)Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan*Coach Sean Payton has often referred to wanting a “Joker” player in his offense — a running back or tight end “with exceptional ball skills.” There is no one more qualified for that role in this draft class than Loveland. He showed his receiving traits this season despite Michigan’s major offensive woes, catching 56 passes for 582 yards and five scores. Denver has relied on a collection of tight ends this season, but none have more than 13 catches or more than 158 receiving yards. Loveland could be key for quarterback Bo Nix taking the next step.22. Houston Texans (8-5)Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, ArizonaAs the Texans work to fix their porous interior offensive line, Savaiinaea — an offensive tackle who could slide inside in the pros — would provide some immediate relief. This is a value relative to my personal rankings (No. 15 overall), and Savaiinaea brings a ton of versatility to the table. He split time this season between right and left tackle but previously played guard for the Wildcats. Savaiinaea has light feet and a huge frame, packing as much power as any lineman in the class.23. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)Tyler Booker, G, Alabama*The Seahawks have had to shuffle the interior of the offensive line this season, and I expect them to address guard and center in the offseason. (There isn’t a surefire first-round center.) Booker is a tone-setter with excellent size and power. He holds up well in pass protection, surrendering two pressures and zero sacks all season. Those pass-blocking traits would help Seattle, which has given up 40 sacks (ninth most) and has Laken Tomlinson potentially hitting free agency.24. Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)Tyler Warren, TE, Penn StateThe Chargers’ identity under Jim Harbaugh seems ideal for Warren. He’s tough, physical, fast and explosive, and he does damage as a run blocker on top of his receiving production. I could make a case that Warren is among college football’s best players with the ball in his hands, with 615 of his 1,062 yards coming after the catch this season. The Chargers have leaned on Will Dissly as their top tight end, but Warren would offer more big-play upside.25. Baltimore Ravens (8-5)Mike Green, Edge, Marshall*Sure, the Ravens are once again near the top of the NFL in sacks (41, third), but they can always use more youth in the pass-rushing group. Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh are signed only through next season. Green broke out this season with an FBS-leading 17 sacks (up from 4.5 the previous season) and 51 pressures. He didn’t play a schedule full of NFL-level offensive tackles in Conference USA, but he sure looked the part of a first-round pick against Ohio State early in the season, displaying power and explosiveness.26. Green Bay Packers (9-4)Kyle Kennard, Edge, South CarolinaThe South Carolina defensive line is among the best position groups in the FBS this season, with Kennard bursting onto the scene in his first season with the program. He is tied for fifth in the nation with 11.5 sacks, and his length and acceleration made him a challenge to block this season. (Kennard drew six penalties on opposing dropbacks, tied for the most in the country.)Green Bay is middle-of-the-pack in sacks (33) but ranks 28th in pressure rate (28.3%). Kennard can improve that situation.27. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3)Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky*When studying Hairston’s 2023 film over the summer, his instincts and feel for the game stood out to me. He has a subtle way of knowing the perfect time to attack and create turnover opportunities. That has continued in 2024, accumulating a pick-six (his sixth career interception), two forced fumbles, five pass breakups and a sack over seven games. Pittsburgh must continue to add at cornerback with Donte Jackson scheduled for free agency, and Hairston would help the Steelers stay among the top turnover-creating defenses in the NFL.28. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)Cameron Williams, OT, Texas*The Eagles’ approach to the draft feels like a team facing a second-and-1 situation — they are usually playing ahead of the sticks, creating optionality to think for now or the future. This one is about the future. Right tackle Lane Johnson is still a top player in the NFL. He’s also turning 35 years old before next season and might play only two or three more years. Williams, meanwhile, moves very well for his size, though he needs to be more consistent. He would have time to develop here, and few teams have a better OL development program than Philadelphia.29. Buffalo Bills (10-3)Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio StateThe Bills are in a distinctive spot at wide receiver — the lack of difference-makers at the position hasn’t necessarily held them back offensively, but it does feel as if they should address it with Amari Cooper set to hit free agency. And Josh Allen would love Egbuka running routes for him. He is such a tough and reliable player, making so many clutch catches for Ohio State during his productive career in Columbus. This season, he has 60 catches for 743 yards and nine TDs. He’s an all-effort receiver who also earns his keep in the running game.30. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)Shavon Revel Jr., CB, East CarolinaA torn ACL cut Revel’s final season short in September. If not for that, we’d be talking about him much closer to the top 10. Revel has terrific size, speed, acceleration and ball skills, as he snagged two interceptions in three games this season. It’s unclear whether Brian Flores will still be the Vikings’ defensive coordinator next season (or if he will land a head coach job elsewhere), but it’s worth nothing that Minnesota dials up pressure and relies on its corners a lot. And with Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaquill Griffin set to be free agents in March, the Vikings need cover guys like Revel.31. Kansas City Chiefs (12-1)Aireontae Ersery, OT, MinnesotaAt 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, Ersery has excellent size, length and footwork. He has been Minnesota’s left tackle for the past three seasons, giving up only four sacks over 39 career starts. It’s too soon to write off 2024 second-rounder Kingsley Suamataia, but when you are in the midst of an epic run like Kansas City, you must act urgently to address key needs.32. Detroit Lions (12-1)Donovan Jackson, G, Ohio StateThe Lions seek out tough and selfless players. Jackson fits that bill. He is one of the better guards in college football, but he kicked to left tackle to replace Simmons for Ohio State this season, playing more than 50% of his snaps out of position. The willingness to play a new position speaks volumes for his draft stock, and he would help Detroit as it eyes the future on the interior offensive line. The Lions’ starting guards are currently 32 (Graham Glasgow) and 34 (Kevin Zeitler) years old. |
| DON’T LIKE THIS CFP? DON’T WORRY, IT’S GOING TO CHANGEIf you didn’t like this year’s 12-team format with SEC complaining, don’t worry, change is afoot. Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com with an eye to more games on Championship Game weekend: For some, a reconsideration of the College Football Playoff can’t come fast enough. Days after the announcement of the first CFP 12-team field there is already meaningful movement in changing the structure and format for 2026 sources told CBS Sports.On the table is the continued sensitive subject of automatic qualifiers going forward. The question is how to implement such a structure seemingly preferred by the SEC and Big Ten.One format being discussed is so-called play-in games during the regular season that would decide at least some of those automatic qualifiers on the field.The championship Saturday could be enhanced by not only the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds meeting for the league title but teams below those two playing for automatic berths.Think of the top six teams – at least — being involved in a massive championship Saturday three-game play-in. Using this season’s Big Ten and SEC standings this is how it would look.Big TenNo. 1 Oregon vs. No. 2 Penn State.No. 6 Iowa vs. No. 3 IndianaNo. 5 Illinois vs. No. 4 Ohio StateSECNo. 1 Texas vs. No. 2 GeorgiaNo. 6 Ole Miss vs. No. 3 TennesseeNo. 5 LSU vs. No. 4 AlabamaThe three winners would advance to the CFP. It is not known if or how a fourth automatic qualifier would be added. That fourth team could come from an additional play-in game or merely including the championship game loser.“I heard rumors of it. I haven’t studied it,” CFP executive director Rich Clark told CBS Sports Tuesday. “Ultimately that’s a Big Ten [and SEC] decision on how they play within their conference and a commissioner decision on how we look at that in regard to the playoff.”Earlier this year, the Big Ten proposed a 14-team playoff with three automatic qualifiers each for the SEC and Big Ten. There would be two each for the ACC and Big 12.The pushback from other FBS conferences was significant. The issue was tabled under early next year. The 12-team bracket would almost certainly have to expand to accommodate such a structure. The most commonly mentioned number is 14 teams beginning in 2026.Such a change would lessen the need for the CFP selection committee to actually select teams. In this model, the SEC and Big Ten would determine some of their participants on the field on that championship Saturday.“The commissioners are going to look at it … In the end, they’re going to look at whether14 is a better number. That doesn’t mean that is a foregone conclusion,” CFP executive director Rich Clark said Tuesday from the Sports Business Intercollegiate Athletic Forum in Las Vegas.Fourteen might be easier to sell to rightsholder ESPN than a jump to 16. Either way ESPN would be asked to pay more for a contract that already is at $7.8 billion beginning in 2026 and running through 2031.Before the playoff expanded there were concerns from industry sources regarding how the impact of early-round games would have on the value of the contract.In May, the CFP announced ESPN had sublicensed some playoff games to TNT.The substantial change to the structure and format of the CFP would be the latest indicator of the influence of the SEC and Big Ten on the postseason. In the first field, the Big Ten ended without four teams. But there was outcry from Alabama and others in the SEC when the Crimson Tide, 9-3, weren’t included in the field.Alabama AD Greg Byrne posted an impassioned tweet regarding the situation that eventually got community-noted.It’s already known the two power conferences have weighted voting in determining the future structure and format of the CFP. That fact is already written into the CFP contract with ESPN.“Contractually they have influence on it,” a person familiar with the negotiations said.What is not known is the degree of impact that weighted voting has. In other words, could the seven other FBS conferences combine to overcome the power two conferences’ influence?“ESPN has said absolutely not [on automatic qualifiers] because then it’s an invitational,” said one Power Four administrator outside the Super Two. “They love the tournament style. It’s a mini-version of the NCAA tournament. Yeah one [spot] for your champion but not multiple. Do you think the American public will put up with that?”The two conferences announced earlier this year they had formed a joint advisory group. That sent shock waves through the industry. The leagues are also in talks about possibly playing a series of non-conference games against each other to ostensibly enhancing schedule strength..It’s almost certain there will be some changes to the structure and format. CBS Sports last week detailed how the SEC and Big Ten have “serious concerns” about the human element of the selection committee.Adding those play-in games would decide things more on the field but also cause concerns about the AQs.By the third week of January everyone involved will have had a full season to absorb a 12-team format. Change could come in CFP meetings among stakeholders as soon as February, according to one source.Going to a play-in format for AQs would possibly challenge other conferences below the SEC and Big Ten to do the same. There will already be existing complications with the two power conferences most likely going back to rightsholders for more money to televise those play-in games.One model mentioned for other conferences is declaring a regular-season champion and then playing an AQ game between the second- and third-place teams to get a second team in.The first season of the 12-team playoff was largely considered a success because it created more interest in the back half of the season. CBS Sports noted at the beginning of November that as many as 45-50 FBS teams were still realistically in contention.The idea of such a play-in isn’t far-fetched. Yahoo Sports reported in the early days of modeling the four-team bracket there was discussion of seeding the field after the major bowls were played.Early on, Notre Dame agreed to never getting a bye in return for not playing a conference championship game. That means in years when the Irish would be ranked No. 1, the highest they could finish was with the fifth seed. This season Notre Dame got the No. 7 seed after finishing fifth in the final rankings. We think Dodd is talking about a format that would include, 4 SEC4 Big Ten2 ACC2 Big 121 Notre Dame or Wild Card1 Group of 5 This year something like –SEC – Georgia, Texas, Ole-Miss-Tennessee winner, LSU-Alabama winnerBig Ten – Oregon, Penn State, Iowa-Indiana winner, Illinois-Ohio State winnerACC – SMU, Miami-Clemson winnerBig 12 – Arizona State, Colorado-Iowa State winnerNotre DameBoise State We were thinking about how SEC fan boys think the 12-team format should look Big Ten championBig 12 or ACC championGroup of 5 champion to automatically play SEC team in 1st round2 Wild Cards7 SEC teams The Travis Bracket 5 – Alabama12 – Boise State 4 – Tennessee 8 – South Carolina9 – Notre Dame 1 – Georgia 6 – LSU11 – Arizona State 3 – Oregon (grudgingly) 7 – Ole Miss10 – Penn State 2- Texas First round games at Tuscaloosa, Columbia, Baton Rouge, Oxford Still the complaint – SEC getting shafted, Texas A&M is better than Arizona State, they should be in. And what about Missouri or Florida? |
