| NFC EAST |
| PHILADELPHIANot every Super Bowl participant has played four games, in fact most haven’t, but this still is impressive. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: With their 40-22 win at Super Bowl LIX, the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles finished a playoff run in which they scored more points than any team has ever scored in a postseason. The Eagles also beat the Packers 22-10 in the wild card round, the Rams 28-22 in the divisional round and the Commanders 55-23 in the NFC Championship Game to total 145 points in the playoffs, the most in NFL history. The previous record was set by the 1994 49ers, who scored 131 points during their postseason run. The Eagles’ average of 36.3 points per game in the playoffs does not break the per-game record set by those 49ers, who averaged 43.7 points per game during their three-game postseason run. The Eagles’ 145 points came from five touchdowns each from Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts, two from A.J. Brown and one each from Cooper DeJean, Jahan Dotson, Dallas Goedert, Will Shipley and DeVonta Smith. They also got 10 field goals and 13 extra points from Jake Elliott. After 50 points in the first two games, a record didn’t seem to be in order.- – -The Eagles could go in-house for their new OC, but Kellen Moore wants Kevin Patullo in New Orleans as well. Now that Kellen Moore officially is the Saints’ head coach, he can begin the process of filling out his staff. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Eagles associate head coach/pass-game coordinator Kevin Patullo will receive “strong consideration” for both the Eagles’ and the Saints’ offensive coordinator jobs. The Eagles need to replace Moore, and Moore worked well with Patullo last season. Patullo would call plays for the Eagles; Moore has said he will call plays for the Saints. Patullo has spent the past four seasons in Philadelphia, the first two seasons as the pass game coordinator and the past two as the pass game coordinator/associate head coach. He also has coached for the Chiefs (2007-08), Bills (2010-12), Titans (2014), Jets (2015-16) and Colts (2018-20). Patullo also has spent five seasons in the college ranks, including as a senior offensive analyst at Texas A&M in 2017. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTAMatt Verderame of SI.com has Falcons GM Terry Fontenot on his list of “losers” in 2024 over his handling of the QB position: Terry Fontenot’s judgment call on Kirk CousinsFontenot may turn out to be an excellent general manager with the Atlanta Falcons, but his management of the quarterback position over the past year can only be described as a complete mess. Atlanta signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed at the dawn of free agency. Then, less than two months later, the Falcons drafted quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick. Effectively, there were two outcomes for Atlanta. Either Cousins wasn’t going to fully recover from his 2023 Achilles tear and the contract would be an albatross, or Penix was going to sit for years on his rookie deal despite entering the league at 25 years old. The result? Cousins was benched after 14 starts, throwing nine interceptions with one touchdown over his final four games. On the bright side, Penix looked good in his three games, but it wasn’t enough for Atlanta to reach the playoffs. Now, Cousins is almost certain to be moved this offseason, either by a trade or release. History says it will likely be the latter, which would mean the Falcons eating $65 million in dead money next season unless it’s a post-June 1 designation, which would mean $40 million in 2025 and $25 million in ’26. Yikes. If Perbix proves to be as good a pick as QB JALEN HURTS was for the Eagles, who drafted him with QB CARSON WENTZ established, then 2024’s miseries will be forgotten quickly. But if Perbix goes to Bustville… |
| NEW ORLEANSKellen Moore may be announced as the Saints coach by the time you read this. Patrick McAvoy of SI.com on the next big decision: The New Orleans Saints reportedly have found their next head coach. After weeks of rumors and speculation, the Saints reportedly are hiring Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to be the team’s next head coach. Moore just helped lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl win and now will get a raise and promotion to be the Saints’ next head coach. Clearly, things are trending in the right direction for Moore, but he will have a tough decision to make pretty quickly with New Orleans. The Saints have the lowest cap space in football and there have been rumblings about Derek Carr’s future. Will he be back? Or will the team decide to go in a different direction this offseason? That decision is up in the air but ESPN’s Adam Schefter said he “probably” will be back because the team wouldn’t get much cap savings without him. “The Saints enter the offseason roughly $60 million over the cap, and they can’t get much relief from quarterback Derek Carr, who has $10 million guaranteed for 2025 with another $30 million scheduled to kick in March 15,” Schefter said. “Moving on from Carr would save them only a couple of million dollars, meaning he probably will be the team’s QB1 entering 2025.” Clearly, Moore isn’t going to be able to sit around and celebrate for long. Free agency will kick off in March. We should know more about his future in the near future. It looks like more is bringing a Philly guy with him to be OC: |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSKevin Seifert of ESPN.com has Adam Schefter speculation that the Rams would rather have QB SAM DARNOLD in 2025, not QB MATTHEW STAFFORD: Where will Stafford and Darnold be in 2025?Stafford and Darnold should be the first free agent dominoes to fall. Stafford, 37, is signed through 2026 but has no guaranteed money left on his contract. Assuming he decides to play next season, the Rams could adjust his contract, trade him or release him. Darnold, a pending unrestricted free agent, is a natural fit to replace Stafford in Los Angeles after spending 2024 in Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense, which is derived from Rams coach Sean McVay’s scheme. The Raiders could also emerge as a Darnold suitor, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That’s assuming the Vikings decide not to bring back Darnold, as they have 2024 No. 10 draft pick J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings. They could sign Darnold to a multiyear contract or use the franchise tag. Other available passers could include Aaron Rodgers (Jets), Russell Wilson (Steelers), Justin Fields (Steelers) and Jameis Winston (Browns). |
| SAN FRANCISCONick Wagoner of ESPN.com with a look at the 49ers and WR DEEBO SAMUEL: — As San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. made the rounds at radio row in New Orleans last week, nothing he said raised as many eyebrows as what he was wearing. Samuel bounced from interview to interview wearing a No. 11 kelly green Philadelphia Eagles jersey in honor of his close friend A.J. Brown. For 49ers fans, it was jarring to see Samuel, who has never shied away from his dislike of the Eagles, in another team’s jersey. As it turns out, it’s a sight that the 49ers and their fans are likely going to have to get used to. In his end-of-season meeting with coach Kyle Shanahan, Samuel requested that the team trade him elsewhere. And it’s a request the Niners are willing to accommodate as they granted Samuel and his agent, Tory Dandy, permission to find a trade partner, Samuel told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday. “It was a hard conversation to have with Kyle because of the relationship that we have,” Samuel said. “But I have to do what’s best. I’m more than thankful for the Niners giving me the opportunity of a lifetime but now I think it’s best that we find another team.” While Samuel’s request isn’t a total surprise, it does leave plenty of questions worth answering as the 49ers look at life beyond Deebo. Why did Samuel request a trade now?Samuel’s request is a way of getting ahead of a divorce that has felt inevitable since last offseason when the 49ers drafted receiver Ricky Pearsall No. 31 overall and signed wideouts Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk to contract extensions. The 49ers were likely always going to have to choose between Aiyuk and Samuel at some point, and now Samuel is trying to make that decision for them. Samuel, 29, has dropped off since a dominant 2021 season, carries a $15.87 million cap charge and is part of a crowded offense — which makes parting with the 49ers more logical than it has at any point previously. In 2022, Samuel requested a trade during a contract dispute but ultimately signed a three-year, $71.5 million extension to stick around. At the time, the 49ers viewed Samuel as the versatile player who could unlock their entire offense. In 2021, he had 1,770 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns and helped carry the Niners to a Super Bowl appearance. Since, Samuel has struggled to replicate that performance, averaging 56 receptions for 731.3 receiving yards and four touchdowns with 40 carries for 197.7 yards and three touchdowns over the past three years. In particular, 2024 was one of his worst NFL seasons. He finished with 806 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns, both of which were career lows (save for a 2020 season in which he played just seven games). He dealt with calf, wrist, oblique and rib injuries as well as an illness that cost him two games and limited him in others. Most alarming, Samuel’s success as a running back declined. He averaged 3.2 yards per carry, the lowest of his career and a far cry from the 6.2 he averaged in 2021. Considering those diminishing returns — and with Aiyuk, Pearsall, Jennings, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle still in the fold — opportunities for Samuel figure to be harder to come by in 2025. That seemed to already be a problem this past season when Samuel tweeted that he was “not struggling at all just not getting the ball!” in December. What’s more, while general manager John Lynch said in January that the team does not intend to release Samuel, a request for him to take a pay cut could also have been in the offing given his high cap charge. While it will be a difficult pill for the 49ers to swallow because of their affinity for Samuel and what it’s going to cost them against the salary cap, this seems like the right time for both sides to go their separate ways. What are the financial ramifications of trading Samuel?This is the tricky part for the 49ers, since they restructured Samuel’s contract in September. If they trade Samuel before June 1, they would absorb a $31.55 million dead money hit on the salary cap. Samuel is also due a $15.4 million option bonus on March 22, which means the 49ers almost certainly need resolution to this situation before then. Despite Lynch’s statement, a release remains possible. If that were to happen, the Niners could use one of two post-June 1 designations (along with the planned release of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave), to split Samuel’s cap hit up over the next couple of seasons. Releasing Samuel after the new league year begins on March 12. but before the option bonus is due 10 days later with the post-June 1 designation, would decrease the dead money hits to $10.75 million in 2025 and around $20 million in 2026. Those hits would be the same if the Niners held on to Samuel past June 1, though they can’t trade Samuel before then and designate it as such. What can the 49ers realistically expect to get for Samuel?Last offseason, when they were working through contract negotiations with Aiyuk, the Niners fielded offers around the 2024 NFL draft on both of their receivers. While San Francisco had no intention of giving either Samuel or Aiyuk away, it was willing to listen if a team made the right offer. As it turned out, the type of offers the 49ers received for Aiyuk — believed to be late in the first round or early in the second — were the kind of offers they would have considered for Samuel. Absent that kind of return for Samuel or something in the top part of the first round for Aiyuk, the Niners held on to both players for one more run. Finding a comp for Samuel is difficult in large part because Samuel isn’t a traditional receiver. When the Buffalo Bills traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans last April, the Bills received a 2025 second-round pick but attached a 2024 sixth-round selection and a 2025 fifth-round choice to Diggs to make it happen. At the time, Diggs was coming off a 107-catch, 1,183-yard, eight touchdown season. Because Samuel is coming off a down year and is entering the final year of his contract with other top receivers set to be available in free agency or trade, a Day 3 draft pick and perhaps another late-round pick would probably satisfy the 49ers. If there isn’t much of a trade market, the Niners might have to settle for less unless they package picks with Samuel. What’s the 49ers’ plan at receiver if Samuel is traded?Many of the 49ers’ receiver aspirations hinge on Aiyuk’s health as he recovers from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. Aiyuk suffered that injury in October, so it’s conceivable he could be ready for the start of the season, though that’s uncertain. If that happens, Aiyuk, Jennings and Pearsall would be the primary trio of in-house options with Jacob Cowing, Trent Taylor and Terique Owens among the other wideouts remaining on the roster. Suffice to say, adding to this group will be a necessity in the offseason, whether through free agency, the draft or both. Considering the other big-ticket business that needs doing, namely contract extensions for Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy, spending big dollars on another receiver seems unlikely. But a midlevel veteran free agent along the lines of Robert Woods, Darius Slayton or Amari Cooper would make sense for depth and to provide stability until Aiyuk is ready to return. Further, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 49ers spend at least one draft pick on a receiver and, since Samuel has been a fallback at the position, at running back. Which teams could be in the mix for Samuel?Any team acquiring Samuel would be best served using him as a chess piece all over the field, as opposed to a traditional outside receiver. The Washington Commanders come to mind as a viable option; offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury could utilize him as a complement to Terry McLaurin. While McLaurin had 82 catches for 1,096 yards this season, Olamide Zaccheaus was the next-best wideout on the Commanders with 45 receptions and 506 yards. The Pittsburgh Steelers have scoured the earth for receiver help, too, and should have a long file on Samuel after lengthy trade talks with San Francisco regarding Aiyuk last summer. Samuel could pair with George Pickens to improve that offense. Another intriguing team is Houston, which could be looking for a middle-of-the-field option alongside Nico Collins. The Texans might be without Tank Dell as he recovers from a bad knee injury, and Diggs is a free agent (and recovering from his own knee injury). – Jeremy Fowler |
| SEATTLEWR TYLER LOCKETT’s continued employment is not assured. Bob Condetta in the Seattle Times: @bcondottaAsked whether Tyler Lockett will be on roster in 2025 Macdonald said Seahawks are “working through that” right now and will make those decisions over next month or so. A Condetta commentor thinks he pierced the code: @BJEllefsonThat means “no” lol. Very different response to questions about DK and Geno. |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYAgree with this? @Arrowhead_AdamThe Chiefs traded up to replace Alex Smith with a QB who was an explosive play factory and then slowly turned that QB into Alex Smith. |
| AFC EAST |
| BUFFALOThe link is worth a minute of your time: @Matt_BoveWhen Josh Allen won MVP he gave a shoutout to ‘Slick Rick’ in the mailroom. I wanted to know more about him. https://x.com/i/status/1889383717426323738 – – – Chris Tabor, the interim head coach of the Panthers at the end of 2023, is the new Bills special teams coach. He has 13 total years of experience as an NFL special teams coordinator |
| NEW YORK JETSThe Jets had some conditions in order to embrace a return of QB AARON RODGERS. What is unclear is whether or not Rodgers said he wasn’t going abide and they cast him aside – or whether they just went ahead and turned him loose anyway. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: The Jets recently told quarterback Aaron Rodgers that they’re moving on. They had a separate message for him before letting him know he’ll be moving out. Via Brendon Kleen of AwfulAnnouncing.com, Dianna Russini said on the last episode of the Scoop City podcast that the Jets previously told Aaron Rodgers that, if he returns, he’ll have to ditch the weekly appearances with ESPN’s Pat McAfee. The Jets also reportedly told Rodgers that he’ll be expected to participate in all offseason activities. The connection between the Jets’ two-part mandate and the eventual decision to move on from Rodgers isn’t clear. If they were going to go in a different direction anyway, the finger wagging seems superfluous. Or perhaps they simply wanted to see how he’d react to the news, making that a factor in their final decision. Then there’s this — the team has no right under the Collective Bargaining Agreement to restrict a player’s off-field media activities or to demand that he participate in any portion of the voluntary offseason workout program. They could have offered him a revised deal with a massive workout bonus to incentivize that he volunteers to put in the work. But the CBA is clear; no one from the team may say or do anything to suggest that the voluntary portion of the offseason program is not voluntary. Last year, Rodgers was around for most of the voluntary workouts. He made waves by ditching the mandatory minicamp for a trip to Egypt that he could have taken in the break between the offseason program and the launch of training camp. Rodgers has been silent in the wake of the recent news about his status with the Jets. He’s likely opting to be patient and measured, since anything he says about the Jets could be used against him by coaches or executives who don’t want their team signing him. Beyond the ammunition he already has given to skeptics during his three-year heel turn, any shots fired at the Jets will support an internal argument that, if we give this guy a job, we’ll eventually be on the wrong end of his venom, too. Still, Rodgers likely won’t be able to resist popping off permanently. At some point, likely during an appearance with McAfee, the devil on the left shoulder will win. And Rodgers will make a snide comment about the Jets telling him what’s what before telling him what’s not. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| BOLD PREDICTIONSEric Williams, writing at FOXSports.com offers 10 bold predictions for 2025. Number 10 is kind of “duh”, but the others are a nice blend of bold, but not crazy: We take a shot at some bold predictions for 2025. 10. Say goodbye to first-down markersIt’s time. While it’s comforting to see the traditional use of first-down markers on the sideline, it’s also frustrating when the ball spot is in question at critical moments on the brightest NFL stages. Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters last week that the NFL will continue to test electronic systems for measuring first downs and ball placement on the field. “We’re continuing [discussions] with our partners on how to advance that as quickly as possible so we can get to that place,” Goodell said. The United Football League has been using ball-spotting technology for years with Tru Line Technology. The NFL already has the technology in place and has been testing it in preseason and regular-season games, with mixed results. A majority of 24 out of 32 NFL owners must approve using this technology during the regular season. 9. Rookie Shedeur Sanders throws for 4,000 yards … in Las VegasThe quarterback class this year is considered weaker than last year, when six QBs were taken in the first 12 selections. The 2024 draft class lived up to the billing, with productive rookie seasons by Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. Even though this year’s class isn’t as highly regarded, Sanders has a chance to match or even surpass those players statistically if he lands in the right situation. And the right place is with Las Vegas and new head coach Pete Carroll. Raiders minority owner Tom Brady also has a connection with Sanders. Carroll has already shown what he can do with an ultra-confident quarterback in Russell Wilson’s rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks in 2012. Sanders has the pedigree, poise and talent to play in a similar manner for the Raiders. Only five rookies have thrown for more than 4,000 yards: Andrew Luck, Justin Herbert, C.J. Stroud, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston. Sanders threw for 4,134 yards in 13 games in his final season at Colorado and has a chance to join that 4k group in the NFL. 8. The Chicago Bears will be the NFL’s breakout teamChicago secured the best head coaching candidate among this year’s crop in former Detroit Lions offensive whiz Ben Johnson. Paired with Williams, last year’s No. 1 overall pick, the two should build an explosive offense that can consistently put the ball in the end zone. Along with that, the Bears have a talented defense that will allow Chicago to play complementary football. Yes, the offensive line remains an issue, and the Bears play in perhaps the toughest division in the league in the NFC North, but Johnson has a chance to turn things around quickly in Chicago. 7. Aaron Rodgers headed to Colts With FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer reporting that Rodgers and the Jets are parting ways, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans are early betting favorites as potential landing spots. But Indianapolis makes the most sense for the 41-year-old signal-caller. First, the Anthony Richardson experiment has not worked for the Colts, with the Florida product having trouble staying on the field due to injuries and playing inconsistently when he has been available. Head coach Shane Steichen and GM Chris Ballard are under intense pressure from owner Jim Irsay to win now, which means they must take a big swing to change the trajectory of the franchise. And Ballard has already shown a willingness to bring in veteran QBs in an effort to jump-start the offense, including Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan and, most recently, Joe Flacco. The Colts also play in a winnable division in the AFC South. 6. Bill Belichick returns to NFLSpurned by NFL teams, the greatest coach in league history is now a college coach, leading the North Carolina Tar Heels. But his buyout after June 1 is just $1 million, more than manageable for any NFL owner who wants to bring Belichick back into the NFL after one season. Teams with impulsive owners like the Dallas Cowboys or Carolina Panthers could be willing to take a flyer on Belichick, who won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots. The 72-year-old Belichick is supremely motivated to prove he still has gas left in the tank: He remains 14 wins behind Don Shula’s record for the most victories in NFL history (including postseason). 5. Jayden Daniels wins NFL MVPThe dynamic quarterback for the Washington Commanders was this season’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns while running for another 891 yards and six scores. Daniels helped turn around a downtrodden franchise in Dan Quinn’s first season, leading the Commanders to within a game of the Super Bowl. Daniels finished seventh in MVP voting this season. Next year, he’ll win the award. Here’s why. Washington has the third-most salary cap space in the NFL heading into free agency and seven draft picks, so they can continue to build around Daniels. With GM Adam Peters and Quinn, the Commanders are aligned and know what a championship football team looks like. That means Daniels should be even better in his second season. 4. Brian Schottenheimer surprises in DallasThe Cowboys’ choice for head coach didn’t exactly inspire confidence within the team’s fan base, particularly with owner Jerry Jones failing to cast a wide net and interview some of the best coaches available on the market. Schottenheimer, however, has a family coaching pedigree and, at age 51, he has 25 years of NFL coaching experience. Plus, as a Cowboys assistant for the past three years, he already has an established relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott and the rest of the team. Prescott will not have to learn a new offense, so that provides continuity. And Dallas still has talented pieces on defense like Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, so new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus should hit the ground running. 3. Travis Hunter a two-way NFL player? YepThe reigning Heisman Trophy winner was a highly productive player as a wide receiver and cornerback for Deion Sanders at Colorado. While NFL scouts see Hunter’s path to playing time on defense because of his ball skills, innovative coaches will find a package of plays to use him on offense as well. Like during Sanders’ NFL days, the expectation for Hunter is that he will mainly play cornerback and can be used as a spot player on offense. In that role, Hunter will provide “wow” plays for the team that takes him at the top of the draft board. 2. Chiefs miss the playoffs in 2025Kansas City’s weaknesses were exposed during the team’s embarrassing loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Specifically, the Chiefs failed to protect their most important asset in Patrick Mahomes. Expect Kansas City’s chief rivals — the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals — to use Philadelphia’s blueprint and attempt to do the same thing next season. Also, the Chiefs have won the AFC West nine straight times, but with heavyweight coaches like Jim Harbaugh, Sean Payton and now Pete Carroll in the division, the road to the playoffs will get much harder for the Chiefs. They’ll suffer a Super Bowl hangover and miss the postseason for the first time since 2015. 1. Josh Allen and the Bills finally break through, win Super BowlThis season, Allen finally won his first NFL MVP award. Next season, he’ll take his team to the Super Bowl for the first time. The Bills defeated Kansas City during the regular season but once again lost when it mattered most, in the AFC Championship Game. But Allen and the Bills just need to clean up a few mistakes and get that AFC title game in Buffalo. Next season, not only will the Bills make it to Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium, they’ll beat the upstart Commanders 30-24 — and Allen will be named MVP. We definitely can see the Chiefs not winning the AFC West next year. |
| 2025 DRAFTWe have a Mock today from Field Yates of ESPN.com: I’m not wasting any time — I put together a new mock draft of all 32 first-round picks, predicting landing spots for top prospects and three quarterbacks. The draft order is locked in, with Philadelphia picking at No. 32, and no team has traded its Day 1 pick yet, meaning everyone gets a first-rounder here. I’m not projecting any pick swaps today, either. I’ll wait for more intel there as we get closer to the draft. We still have a long road ahead, with the combine in two weeks and pro days coming in the weeks after that. Teams have interviews and medical checks that will further influence the draft board. But for now, this is how I see Round 1 playing out based on current team needs, my personal rankings and what I’m hearing from people around the league. Let’s begin with the Titans’ tough call at No. 1 1. Tennessee TitansTravis Hunter, CB/WR, ColoradoThe Titans have made it clear they won’t force the quarterback issue at No. 1 if they don’t deem one of the passers worthy of the pick. Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders will be in the mix here, given Will Levis’ struggles, but Tennessee could go another direction. And that opens the door for a spirited debate in picking between Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. While there is little precedent for a prospect playing both sides of the ball in the NFL, Hunter has a rare skill set. Scouts have noted his determination and focus as reasons why he was able to play an astounding 1,458 snaps this past season. The Titans need help at both WR and CB, and Hunter — whom I’m ranking at corner right now — could boost either spot. He caught 15 touchdown passes and had four interceptions in 2024. 2. Cleveland BrownsAbdul Carter, Edge, Penn StateThe Browns — like the Titans — will do their homework on the top of the quarterback class, and I wouldn’t rule out one of Ward or Sanders going here. But considering the recent trade request by Myles Garrett and Carter’s overall value as a prospect, the Browns might decide to sort the QB situation at a later pick or in free agency. Carter was dominant in his first full season on the edge after sliding over from off-ball linebacker. He created pressure on 18.5% of his pass-rush reps this past season and finished with 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss; all three numbers were among the top seven in the nation. 3. New York GiantsCam Ward, QB, MiamiThe two teams most pressed to upgrade at quarterback this offseason are the Giants and Raiders, and I wouldn’t rule out New York pursuing a veteran via a trade before we even get to the draft. Under present roster constructions, though, I have the Giants taking the electric Ward as the first signal-caller off the board. Ward dazzled during his lone season at Miami, throwing for the most touchdown passes (39) and second-most passing yards (4,313) in the FBS. Though he must clean up his footwork and decision-making, Ward has a high ceiling. He brings a powerful arm, can be an innovator on the field and has a steely demeanor in big moments. The Giants, who moved on from Daniel Jones during the 2024 season, have to find stability at QB after finishing 28th in QBR (44.9) and managing only two more TD passes (15) than interceptions (13). 4. New England PatriotsWill Campbell, OT, LSUThere is a case for taking the best player available, and per my own board, that would be Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Not a bad fit. But offensive tackle is a massive need for the Patriots, and Campbell is my highest-graded player at the position in this class (No. 6 overall). He has excellent footwork to mirror opposing pass rushers screaming off the edge and the body control to absorb power and then reset his feet. New coach Mike Vrabel has stressed the importance of fixing the offensive line — and any investment that supports second-year quarterback Drake Maye should take priority. New England was 31st in pass block win rate (50.9%) and gave up the league’s fifth-most sacks (52) in 2024. 5. Jacksonville JaguarsMason Graham, DT, MichiganThe Jaguars need major repairs on defense after finishing 31st in yards allowed per play (5.9), last in net passing yards allowed per attempt (7.5), 30th in interceptions (six) and 28th in sacks (34). Graham is one of my top three players, as he combines elite quickness off the ball as an interior disrupter and the strength to change the complexion of a run defense. From the day he stepped onto Michigan’s campus, he was a difference-maker. He could be that again in Jacksonville between Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. 6. Las Vegas RaidersShedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoWe’ll see whether the Raiders feel the need to try to move up the board to secure a quarterback, but in this scenario, they can land the best pure passer in the draft right at No. 6. This season, Sanders trailed only Ward in touchdown passes (37) and was fourth in the FBS in passing yards (4,134). He throws with touch and precision when given time and space in the pocket. Las Vegas hired Pete Carroll as its new coach, and now it needs to stop the revolving door at QB with a long-term fix. Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t the answer. Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell couldn’t take hold of the job. But Sanders could quickly improve this situation. 7. New York JetsMykel Williams, Edge, GeorgiaIt sounds as if the Jets are going to move on from Aaron Rodgers and make a change at quarterback. But with the top two passers off the board, the Jets probably would have to look elsewhere at No. 7. Perhaps they look at the Day 2 quarterbacks or just address the spot in free agency. Regardless, I think New York turns to the defense here, and Williams would boost a pass rush that needs more of an edge presence to complement Will McDonald IV, who broke out in 2024 with 10.5 sacks. Williams has rare length, power and more pass-rush juice than his sack numbers suggest (14 over three seasons). 8. Carolina PanthersJalon Walker, Edge/LB, GeorgiaWalker will generate some fascinating debates in draft rooms, as those who view him as an edge player at the NFL level (as I do) must account for his modest length for that position. That being said, the tape is absurdly good for Walker, who challenges Carter for the best first step off the edge in the class. No Panthers defender reached even six sacks in 2024, and Carolina was 31st in pass rush win rate (28.1%), so this is a major hole to fill. 9. New Orleans SaintsTetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaAs the Saints navigate a tricky rebuild, wide receiver falls among the areas they must address sooner rather than later. Chris Olave missed time because of concussions this season, Rashid Shaheed is coming off a knee injury and Marquez Valdes-Scantling is a free agent. McMillan is a huge wideout (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) who runs clean routes and has an incredible catch radius to snag balls thrown outside his frame. He was third in receiving this season (1,319 yards) and could be an asset in the red zone. 10. Chicago BearsKelvin Banks Jr., OT, TexasAs the Bears work to get the best version of Caleb Williams under new playcaller Ben Johnson, they’ll need to invest significantly in the offensive line. Williams took more sacks than any other quarterback in the NFL this past season (68). Banks has very good footwork and balance for a 320-pound player, and I believe his extensive experience (42 starts) will make for a smoother transition to the NFL. He gave up only four pressures on 510 pass-blocking snaps in 2024, one of the lowest pressure percentages allowed by an FBS lineman. A lack of length has some convinced he’d be a better guard than tackle in the NFL, but I see the skill of a starter at left tackle. 11. San Francisco 49ersJosh Simmons, OT, Ohio StateTrent Williams will be 37 years old in July and sat out seven games in 2024. So if San Francisco wants to return to form and keep its contention window open, it must invest in the offensive line this offseason. Simmons is coming off a knee injury sustained in October, so his range is much wider than most prospects slotted this high — medicals will be key for him. But if they check out throughout the process, Simmons’ elite physical traits and quickness give him a chance to emerge as the best left tackle in the class. Learning from Williams would also be invaluable tutelage and buy San Francisco time if Simmons needs a longer recovery window (though he is expected to be fully cleared by training camp). 12. Dallas CowboysWill Johnson, CB, MichiganThough going with an offensive lineman was strongly considered here, Johnson would help fortify a Cowboys cornerback room that has plenty of questions as the offseason begins. Trevon Diggs is recovering from a knee injury that required surgery, DaRon Bland has only one year left on his rookie contract and Jourdan Lewis will be a free agent in March. There are some in the scouting world who see a healthy Johnson as one of the highest-upside players in the class. He has elite 6-foot-2 size and ball skills (nine career interceptions). Even if the Cowboys are concerned with his speed, it won’t be an issue in new coordinator Matt Eberflus’ zone-heavy scheme. (And yes, Dallas could think running back, but I think the team waits and takes advantage of a deep class at the position.) 13. Miami DolphinsTyler Booker, G, AlabamaSimply put, the offensive line must be better in Miami. And that applies to both tackle positions and the interior. The Dolphins were in the bottom five in pass block win rate this season (55.7%). Booker would shore up a lot of the interior problems that were created when Robert Hunt left in free agency last offseason; much like Hunt, Booker is a people mover in the run game. He is on the short list for strongest player in the class and gave up only one sack in his college career. And though Booker is definitely a guard in the NFL, the fact that he was able to kick out and play 68 snaps as a left tackle in 2024 for Alabama is a testament to his great footwork. 14. Indianapolis ColtsTyler Warren, TE, Penn StateThis would qualify as a “sprint the card to the podium” pick if the order falls this way. Warren — my ninth-ranked prospect — would be a great value for a Colts team desperate for an X factor at tight end. He can make some incredibly difficult catches and is one of the most dangerous run-after-catch players in this class. He blends power and fearlessness to break tackles at will, forcing 21 missed tackles on catches this past season. Warren could be instrumental in boosting Anthony Richardson and the entire Indianapolis passing game. 15. Atlanta FalconsMike Green, Edge, MarshallGreen led the country with 17 sacks in 2024, so he can get home to the quarterback. The Falcons need some of that after finishing with 31 sacks (31st in the league). Trading for Matthew Judon in August was supposed to help, but he had only 5.5 sacks and is now a free agent. Green, meanwhile, combines an explosive first step with knock-back power and an arsenal of pass-rush moves. And in his biggest test of the past season, he sacked Ohio State’s Will Howard on a nasty spin move coming off the left side of the defense. 16. Arizona CardinalsShemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&MStewart is a really fascinating prospect, and I think he’s a lock for the first round. He is 6-foot-5, 281 pounds and will be one of the stars of the combine thanks to his ridiculous speed — but he posted exactly 1.5 sacks in each of his three college seasons. Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort could take a big swing by landing him here, going all-in on his upside and immense potential. The Cardinals were 26th in pressure rate (28.6%) this season, and their midseason trade for Baron Browning spoke to their pass-rush issues. 17. Cincinnati BengalsWalter Nolen, DT, Ole MissThe Bengals have potentially huge holes opening on offense — receiver Tee Higgins is a free agent, for one — but they need to hit defense hard this offseason. They gave up 25.5 points per game in 2024, more than all but six teams. Nolen, meanwhile, is an elite disruptor with a combination of active hands and strength to routinely cause negative plays for opponents. He could take free agent B.J. Hill’s spot on the interior in Cincinnati. 18. Seattle SeahawksArmand Membou, OT/G, MissouriThe Seahawks will undoubtedly work to shore up the offensive line this offseason, and I like the fit for Membou. Few players helped their stock as much during this past season as Membou did; the 20-year-old anchored the right tackle spot for Missouri with legitimate power and tenacity. Though Membou is just 6-foot-3, he has outstanding length, which keeps the door open for staying at right tackle. (Seahawks RT Abraham Lucas has struggled to stay on the field.) But many scouts view him as a guard at the NFL level, and Seattle might have a hole there if Laken Tomlinson leaves in free agency. 19. Tampa Bay BuccaneersJames Pearce Jr., Edge, TennesseeTampa Bay’s pass rush was in the middle of the pack this season, finishing 13th in pressure rate (31.9%). But it needs some reinforcements off the edge. The Bucs’ top two sack getters — Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea — play inside. Pearce has a lightning-quick first step and the body control to swoop around and underneath tackles. He had 7.5 sacks this season, and though his production slipped a bit from 10 sacks in 2023, the upside of Pearce is unquestionable. 20. Denver BroncosAshton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateIt was hard to go 19 picks without Jeanty coming off the board — he’s one of my five highest-ranked prospects in the class. But he also plays the deepest position in this draft and one on which many teams philosophically are not inclined to use a premium pick. But this would be a dream scenario for the Broncos. They tied for 20th in yards per rush (4.1) and Javonte Williams is a free agent. Jeanty would take over the lead role behind an excellent offensive line (the Broncos ranked first in run block win rate in 2024) and pair with second-year quarterback Bo Nix to give coach Sean Payton an offensive boost. Jeanty can be a Pro Bowl-level player very early in his career, as his speed, power, contact balance and receiving profile are all excellent. He ran for 2,601 yards this past season. 21. Pittsburgh SteelersJaxson Dart, QB, Ole MissYes, free agents Russell Wilson or Justin Fields could be back. But the Steelers’ pedestrian offense has held them back from playoff success in recent seasons, and Dart had a prolific college career. Over the past two seasons, he has 7,633 passing yards, 51 touchdown throws and 11 interceptions. He’s a capable thrower to all levels of the field and has enough mobility to operate outside the pocket and on the run. Dart also took advantage of Senior Bowl week with a strong showing in front of Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin, who was on the field at each practice. This projection represents a big rise up the board from where Dart currently ranks outside my top 32, but quarterbacks always have a chance to climb given positional value. Keep an eye on Dart here as we get closer to April. 22. Los Angeles ChargersColston Loveland, TE, MichiganLoveland — who played under Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan — is my 13th-ranked prospect and would completely change the passing game in Los Angeles. He’s an effortless route runner who can line up at a variety of spots to beat man coverage and has the catch radius to haul in contested balls. Despite Michigan’s quarterback struggles this season, Loveland set a career-high with 56 catches. He could be a reliable target for Justin Herbert in this offense. 23. Green Bay PackersMaxwell Hairston, CB, KentuckyThe Packers have to look at their cornerback room this offseason. Improvements would allow them to play more man coverage under coordinator Jeff Hafley after tying with Tampa Bay for the lowest percentage of man coverage snaps in 2024 (29.2%). Hairston sat out some time because of a shoulder injury this past season, but he led the SEC with five interceptions in 2023 — two of which were returned for touchdowns. He’s a playmaking ball magnet who is going to fly in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Hairston pairs well opposite Jaire Alexander. That duo could help shore up the Green Bay pass defense that gave up a 67.4% completion rate this season, 25th in the league. 24. Minnesota VikingsDerrick Harmon, DT, OregonWe know the Vikings can create pressure with their deep edge-rush group and coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme, but one thing they lacked in 2024 was a difference-making pass rusher from the interior. Harmon would fill that gap and more; he led FBS defensive tackles in pressures (34) during his breakout 2024 season at Oregon. Harmon has outstanding length and the power to control opposing offensive linemen at the point of attack. 25. Houston TexansLuther Burden III, WR, MissouriInjury attrition hit the Texans hard this season, leaving them paper thin at wide receiver in the playoffs and staring at the possibility of being without Tank Dell (knee) for all of next season. There’s a really good argument for Houston to find an offensive lineman here — Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. maybe? — but Stroud also needs pass catchers with Stefon Diggs coming off a torn ACL and hitting free agency. Burden had an amazing 2023 season before struggling some in 2024 with middling QB play. But his combination of size, power and instincts as a run-after-catch player would be awesome for Houston. 26. Los Angeles RamsJosh Conerly Jr., OT, OregonThe Rams will be in the market for at least one starting offensive tackle this offseason (Alaric Jackson is a free agent), and this would be good value on a player I have as a fringe top-20 prospect. Conerly gave up a total of two sacks in his three years at Oregon and had one of his best games against Penn State’s Carter in the Big Ten championship. He’s a controlled and disciplined mover who has plenty of size and length to start from day one. 27. Baltimore RavensMalaki Starks, S, GeorgiaThe Ravens’ defense found its way by the end of the season, but the secondary gave up far too many big plays — 58 completions for 20-plus yards this past season, third worst in the NFL. I’m watching the safety spot this offseason — Marcus Williams was benched for much of the season and probably will be released this spring. Starks is versatile, has excellent ball skills and would pair nicely with Kyle Hamilton. He has six career interceptions. 28. Detroit LionsGrey Zabel, G/C, North Dakota StateZabel had a great week at the Senior Bowl that had me thinking about cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in 2024. Like Mitchell did before the 2024 draft, Zabel dominated at a lower college level and then looked every bit the part against top competition at the all-star event. Zabel projects as an interior player in the NFL, which is the only part of the Lions’ offense that looks vulnerable on paper going into 2025. He is powerful, marries his quick feet with active hands in pass protection and is ridiculously tough — he plays like a Lion. Regarding the defense … yes, I thought about bringing in some help on that side of the ball here. Maybe Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau or Boston College’s Donovan Ezeiruaku could fit opposite Aidan Hutchinson. 29. Washington CommandersEmeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio StateAs the Commanders look to surround Jayden Daniels with more playmakers, they could tap back into the Ohio State receiver pipeline to pair Terry McLaurin with Egbuka, who leaves Columbus with the most catches in school history (205). Egbuka is among the most ready-made prospects in this class, as he features pristine route running, reliable hands and a selflessness as a blocker that the Commanders would undoubtedly love. He caught 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes this season. 30. Buffalo BillsKenneth Grant, DT, MichiganObviously teams don’t shape their draft plans to fit one specific opponent, but I can’t help but think back to the AFC Championship Game. The Chiefs imposed their will on the ground against Buffalo in short-yardage situations, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Grant is gigantic at 339 pounds and would be a tremendous asset to Buffalo’s run defense. But he also brings pocket disruption as an inside pass rusher. Putting him in rotation with Ed Oliver and DaQuan Jones would make for a really good interior. 31. Kansas City ChiefsDonovan Jackson, OT/G, Ohio StateThis one is probably pretty obvious after watching the Super Bowl, when Patrick Mahomes was pressured on 16 dropbacks. Four years ago, the Chiefs lost to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl and then fixated on their offensive line in the offseason. The additions helped them win two titles in a three-year span. So while I believe the Eagles’ defensive front is good enough to give even the best offensive line fits, the Chiefs have to again attack the trenches this offseason. Jackson played guard up until October of this past season, when he kicked out to left tackle to replace an injured Simmons. He’s a better fit at guard and could replace Trey Smith if the Chiefs can’t re-sign the standout free agent. But Jackson’s ability to play outside would give Kansas City some flexibility, considering its left tackle concerns. He is powerful, dependable and versatile. 32. Philadelphia EaglesJihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaThis Super Bowl champion Eagles team could sustain its success for multiple years, but it will have a few areas to address this offseason to stay on top. With Zack Baun scheduled to be a free agent (and earn a huge pay raise) and Nakobe Dean’s patellar tendon injury, Philly could add the best inside linebacker in the class in Campbell. His sideline-to-sideline range shows up against both the run and the pass. And as a bonus: Campbell showed some juice as an occasional pass rusher at Alabama. He had 112 tackles, 12 run stops and 5 sacks this season. |
