Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2025 NFL Draft:
Tennessee Titans:
The 1-4 Titans had a bye this week. Tennessee is a prime contender for the No. 1 pick with Will Levis at quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Jaguars got their first win of the season with a home win over the Colts. Jacksonville is married to Trevor Lawrence after giving him a massive contract extension. If the Jaguars land the No. 1 pick, they should trade down and add more picks to build up their talent on both sides of the ball.
Carolina Panthers:
The Panthers lost to the Bears and fell to 1-4. Carolina is still in their rebuild and should challenge for the No. 1 pick this year. If they land it, they could take a new quarterback like Shedeur Sanders and move on from Bryce Young.
Cleveland Browns:
The Browns fell to 1-4 after getting blown out by the Commanders. If Cleveland lands the No. 1 pick, they should look for an upgrade to replace Deshaun Watson. He clearly is not the player he was prior to his near two-year hiatus from playing football.
Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals are 1-4 after losing at home to the Ravens. Cincinnati has too much talent on their roster, and while they are disappointing this year, they probably will enough games where they won’t be picking at the very top of the first round.
Top General Manager Candidates:
- Detroit Lions director of scouting development Mike Martin
- Atlanta Falcons vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith
- Indianapolis Colts chief personnel executive Morocco Brown
- Buffalo Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray
- Tennessee Titans director of pro scouting Brian Gardner
- Philadelphia Eagles director of scouting Brandon Hunt
- Miami Dolphins assistant general manager Marvin Allen
- Washington director of pro scouting Eric Stokes
- New England Patriots executive Alonzo Highsmith
Top Head Coach Candidates:
- Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden
- Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn
- Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley
- Green Bay Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia
Head Coach Hot-Seat Tracker:
- Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy
- New York Giants: Brian Daboll
- New York Jets: Robert Saleh
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson
- Chicago Bears: Matt Eberflus
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
Washington Commanders: Shavon ReveI Jr., CB, East Carolina 
The Commanders rolled the Browns on Sunday with Jaylen Daniels having his way with the Cleveland defense. Washington has a dangerous young offense led by Daniels, and this offseason they could use more cornerback talent to help Dan Quinn’s defense.
In 2024, Revel has two interceptions, two passes broken up, and eight tackles. Revel (6-2, 188) is a big cornerback that has impressive speed and athleticism for a big cornerback. In 2023, he had 55 tackles with 12 passes broken up and one interception. Revel has the potential to be a riser like Quinyon Mitchell did for the 2024 draft. He could be a nice pick for the Commanders in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Baltimore Ravens: Patrick Payton, DE, Florida State 
The Ravens won an overtime thriller in Cincinnati to make it three in a row for Baltimore. Ja’Marr Chase shredded Baltimore to the tune of 10 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens have young talent in the secondary, but they need more pass rush talent.
In 2024, Payton has 14 tackles and four sacks thus far. His run defense looks improved this season. Payton (6-5, 240) was superb in 2023, making many clutch plays for the Seminoles. He totaled 43 tackles, seven sacks, and nine passes batted on the year, but he also was more disruptive than the numbers illustrate. In 2022, he totaled 31 tackles, five sacks, and three passes batted. Payton could make sense for the Ravens in the first round next April.
Arizona Cardinals: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee 
The Cardinals are an underrated team in the NFL. They outplayed the Bills for a lot of the season opener, blew out the Rams, played the Lions tough, and now they pull out a road win in San Francisco. They struggled to defend Branon Aiyuk, and they also have dealt with a lack of edge rush talent this year. Arizona could use a difference maker to hunt the quarterback with Darius Robinson and Zaven Collins.
Pearce has 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks but has produced a lot of pressures thus far in 2024. Pearce was a big-time presence for the Volunteers in 2023, making a lot of splash plays and producing a lot of pressure on the quarterback. He totaled 28 tackles with 10 sacks, 14.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, two passes batted, and an interception. Pearce is listed at 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, and he is working to improve his run defense for the NFL. Pearce could be a nice fit for the Cardinals in the first round.
Green Bay Packers: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas 
The Packers pulled off a comeback win in Los Angeles, and Green Bay was able to rally in the second half. Kobie Turner had two sacks, and the Packers could use more talent at right guard. The Packers could take a tackle like Banks and kick him inside to upgrade guard, and also give them tackle depth.
Banks played well as the starting left tackle for the Longhorns in 2023 and as a freshman in 2022. At 6-foot-4, 324 pounds, Banks has adequate size, but some might view him as having more of a guard-type body – depending on how long his arms are. Banks has blocked well in 2024 and looks like a safe pick to be a solid starter in the NFL. For Green Bay, Banks could be an upgrade at guard that could also play tackle if they have injuries.
Miami Dolphins: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
The Dolphins got a road win in New England as their defense clamped down on the Patriots abysmal offense. Tyler Huntley had some good drives, but clearly Miami’s offense is nowhere near as potent as they are with an effective quarterback. Regardless of what happens with Tua Tagovailoa, this offseason Miami should add a cheap starting quarterback to give them another starting option.
In 2024, Beck has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,359 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. In 2023, Ewers completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Ewers flashed potential for Texas in 2022. Ewers completed 58 percent of his passes that season for 2,177 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions. There is no doubt that Ewers can make all the throws with pocket-passing ability. He has a live arm, reads the field well, and has serious passing talent with the ability to throw accurately downfield. Team sources said Ewers has good makeup, football I.Q., and should interview well. Ewers would make a lot of sense for Miami’s first-round pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado 
The Jaguars got their first win of the season after blowing a 14-point lead and allowing the Colts to score 24 points in the fourth quarter. Jacksonville hit a last-second field goal to avoid an 0-5 start to the season. Joe Flacco threw for 359 yards with three touchdowns, and he ripped the Jaguars secondary. Travon Walker had three sacks, but Jacksonville needs more coverage talent to help tighten up on the back end.
In 2024, Hunter has 46 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns. He has 16 tackles with three interceptions, two passes broken up, and a forced fumble on defense Hunter flashed dominant cover ability in 2023 with 31 tackles, three interceptions, and five passes defended before getting injured and missing some time. As a receiver, he provided some big plays to the Buffs’ offense, catching 57 passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder possesses other-worldly athleticism alongside superb instincts and feel. He could be a full-time cornerback for the Jaguars that also contributes some as a receiver.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M 
The Bucs defense was ripped on Thursday Night Football with Kirk Cousins throwing for over 500 yards, leading Atlanta to a last-second field goal to force overtime, and then throwing a walk-off touchdown pass soon after the kickoff. The pass rush and edge rush for the Buccaneers is a huge problem. It hasn’t been the same since the Super Bowl season when Shaq Barrett was dominant. Todd Bowles is a genius blitz schemer, but Tampa Bay needs a game-wrecking edge rush talent to pair with Yaya Diaby.
In 2024, Scourton has 14 tackles with three sacks in four games. While playing at Purdue in 2023, Scourton broke out with 50 tackles, 10 sacks, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder showed impressive quickness and athleticism for a big-bodied defensive lineman. After the season, Scourton transferred to Texas A&M. He is a thick-bodied lineman who could help the Tampa Bay run defense and edge rush. Scourton could be a hybrid end and tackle in the NFL, and that is a great fit for the Buccaneers, considering the variety in Bowles’s scheme. Bowles moves around the defensive linemen all over the front, and Scourton is a perfect fit to line up versus tackles, guards, or centers.
Team Draft Report:
In this section, we take a deeper look at specific teams and where they stand in regards to the 2025 NFL Draft.
Denver Broncos:
The Broncos have played much better than expected this season, and a suffocating defense has led them. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has done a phenomenal job, and while they don’t have any stars in their front seven, they are a physical and tenacious front that can stop the run while getting after the quarterback. After this season, the focus for the Broncos 2025 draft class has to be helping quarterback Bo Nix improve in year two of his career.
In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have Broncos taking Oregon’s Josh Conerly, and that would help protect their investment in Nix. Between Garett Bolles being inconsistent in his career and Mike McGlinchey dealing with injuries, adding a tackle talent could make sense for Denver. Conerly needs to get stronger to anchor, but he is athletic and quick and projects to be a good edge blocker to shut down speed rushers. Other tackle options to consider in the first round include Other tackle options to consider in the first round include LSU’s Will Campbell, LSU’s Emery Jones Jr., Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea, Georgia’s Earnest Greene, and Texas’ Kelvin Banks.
The Broncos also could use more receiving talent for Nix. They have some big receivers in Josh Reynolds and Courtland Sutton, but Sutton’s contract situation leaves his future in doubt. It will be interesting to see if speedy Troy Franklin emerges this season, but Denver could use more explosive weapons for Nix. Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III would be a great fit in Sean Payton’s offense as a shifty, fast wideout who can uncover quickly for the quarterback. However, Burden may not get to the Broncos’ first-round pick if Denver stays in the AFC playoff race throughout the season.
Denver also could use help at running back unless Javonte Williams finishes the season running better than he started this year. Williams does not look like he has the same burst as he used to. On day two of the draft, they could find a good back like North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton or Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins. They also could consider Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, depending on where they are picking in the first round.
The Broncos could add one of those offensive tackles in the first round and add more skill position talent on day two. Denver looks like a team that is heading in the right direction. Nix will continue to improve as he gains experience and learns under Sean Payton. Building talent around him could get the Broncos back to challenging to be among the elite teams in the AFC.
Atlanta Falcons:
The Falcons have shown serious resilience this season with three last-second wins to jump out to a 3-2 start. In the first couple of games, Kirk Cousins showed some rust coming off his Achilles injury, but he was on fire on Thursday night, throwing for over 500 yards against Tampa Bay while leading the Falcons to a last-second field goal to force overtime and then throwing a walk-off touchdown pass on the opening drive. Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris has done a great job of managing the game to help get his players in a position to make these comebacks. The players are playing hard and clearly love playing for Morris. This offseason, Atlanta has some clear positions of need to address on the defensive side of the ball.
In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have the Falcons taking Florida State edge rusher Patrick Payton, and the pass rush is the biggest weakness on the Atlanta roster. Matt Judon was a nice acquisition, but Judon is a free agent after this season. Even if Judon is re-signed, they could use more pass-rush talent to go with him. Other edge rushers they could consider include Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., Georgia’s Mykel Williams, and Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton.
If there isn’t a quality pass rusher available when Atlanta is set to pick, they could consider helping their defense by adding a cornerback to pair with A.J. Terrell. The Falcons won’t be picking high to land Colorado’s Travis Hunter and probably will be too low to have a shot at Michigan’s Will Johnson. Other cornerbacks they could consider include Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison or East Carolina’s Shavon Revel.
Under general manager Terry Fontenot, the Falcons have built up a lot of special and unique players on their offense by taking the best player available. That’s how they have an offense with young, dynamic players like Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts. If there isn’t a good pass rusher or cornerback available when Atlanta is on the clock, Fontenot won’t reach to fill a need, as evidenced by those first-round picks. If the best player available is an offensive tackle, that is a position the Falcons could address, as Jake Matthews is aging and Kaleb McGary struggles in pass protection. It would be dangerous to have McGary as the blind side blocker for Michael Penix Jr. In the draft’s first round, there could be tackle options like LSU’s Will Campbell, LSU’s Emery Jones Jr., Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinaea, Oregon’s Josh Conerly, Georgia’s Earnest Greene, and Texas’ Kelvin Banks.
Atlanta has been drafting well under Fontenot, and now they have a strong coaching staff under Morris. Another good draft could put Atlanta as a dangerous Super Bowl contender for many years to come.
