Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2025 NFL Draft:
Carolina Panthers:
The Broncos dropped the Panthers and Carolina fell to 1-7 on the season. 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.
Tennessee Titans:
The Lions blew out the Titans to drop them to 1-6 on the season. Tennessee is a prime contender for the No. 1 pick with Will Levis or Mason Rudolph at quarterback.
Top General Manager Candidates:
- Detroit Lions director of scouting development Mike Martin
- Detroit Lions assitant general manager Ray Agnew
- 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
- Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen
- Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson
Head Coach Hot-Seat Tracker:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson
- Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy
- New York Giants: Brian Daboll
- New Orleans Saints: Dennis Allen
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
Atlanta Falcons: Josaiah Stewart, OLB, Michigan 
The Falcons held on to get a five-point win at Tampa Bay. It was a huge win for Atlanta to sweep the Buccaneers and take control of the NFC South eight games into the season. The big issue for the Falcons this season has been a lack of pass rush and adding a quarterback hunter is the top priority for Atlanta this offseason.
In 2024, Stewart has 6.5 sacks with 27 tackles and two forced fumbles. Stewart (6-1, 245) has been a dangerous pass rusher for Michigan throughout his collegiate career. In 2021, he had a breakout season with 12.5 sacks, 43 tackles, and three forced fumbles. In 2022, he had 37 tackles with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble. As a junior in 2023, Stewart had 38 tackles with 5.5 sacks. Stewart would fit best as a 3-4 outside linebacker edge rusher in the NFL. Stewart does not have the size to be a base end in a 4-3 defense. In a 4-3 scheme, he would have to be a Sam linebacker that rushes off the edge in the sub package. Stewart could make a lot of sense for Atlanta in the early rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Detroit Lions: Patrick Payton, DE, Florida State 
The Lions blew out the Titans in dominant fashion as their offense had a series of short fields thanks to some long returns on special teams and turnovers from the Tennessee offense. The one issue that Detroit had was Calvin Ridley getting loose for some big plays. With Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport out, the lack of pass rush is the critical weakness for the Lions. This offseason, they should draft another young end to pair with Hutchinson.
In 2024, Payton has 22 tackles and four sacks thus far. 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 would make a lot of sense as a late first-rounder for Detroit.
Cleveland Browns: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas 
The Browns pulled off a shocking upset with a last-second home win over the Ravens. Cleveland ended Baltimore’s five-game win streak in their first game with Jameis Winston replacing the injured Deshaun Watson. Given his massive contract, the caliber of play, injury, and controversy, the Browns appear stuck with Watson. Cleveland could draft his replacement and let them compete before transitioning to the new quarterback.
In 2024, Ewers completed 69 percent of his passes for 1,389 yards with 14 touchdowns and six 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.
Houston Texans: Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma 
The Texans held on for a three-point win over the Colts in Houston on Sunday. The Texans defense allowed only 10 completions on 32 attempts from the inaccurate Anthony Richardson, but they did allow the Colts to run for 163 yards on 26 attempts (6.3 average). Houston has missed Blake Cashman this season and they could use an upgrade at middle linebacker.
Stutsman (6-4, 241) is a tough linebacker for the Sooners, making a lot of tackles and some splash plays for his defense. Thus far in 2024, Stutsman has 70 tackles. In 2023, he totaled 104 tackles, three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles, and three passes defended. In 2022, he recorded 124 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and five passes broken up. Team sources said Stutsman is athletic, quick, and instinctive. They said he has good size and length but lacks ideal strength and physicality. He also has some limitations in coverage. They called Stutsman a less strong, more finesse version of Pete Werner. He could be a nice day-two pick for Houston.
New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
The Patriots pulled off an upset over the Jets despite rookie Drake Maye getting injured. Rhamondre Stevenson had two rushing touchdowns, and 11 fourth-quarter points led to a 25-22 win. This offseason, New England should target a mismatch No. 1 receiver for Maye.
In 2024, McMillan has 57 receptions for 982 yards and five touchdowns. To open the season, McMillan had an amazing performance with 10 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns taking on New Mexico. Arizona had an impressive 2023 season while featuring a dangerous passing attack. Wide receiver Jacob Cowing was a known factor for 2023, but McMillan emerged as a playmaker that season. The sophomore caught 90 passes for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns. McMillan notched 39 catches for 702 yards and eight scores as a freshman. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder McMillan has mismatch size for the NFL and he would be an outstanding first-round pick for New England.
Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina 
The Chargers cruised over the Saints as the New Orleans offense continues to miss Derek Carr while he is out with an oblique injury. Los Angeles tried to establish the run, but the New Orleans defense was able to limit J.K. Dobbins. This offseason, the Chargers should get a feature back for Jim Harbaugh’s ground based offense.
In 2024, Hampton averaged 5.6 yards per carry for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns with 23 receptions for 172 yards. The big back Hampton ran well for North Carolina in 2023, averaging 5.9 yards per carry for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also caught 29 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot, 220-pound Hampton is built well for the NFL, and he is a physical load that breaks a lot of tackles while ripping off a lot of yards after contact. He would be a superb second-round pick for Los Angeles.
Washington Commanders: Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas
The Commanders pulled off a miracle with a Hail Mary win over the Bears on what will be one of the most shocking plays of the 2024 season. Despite giving up the lead late, the Washington defense played well to limit Chicago to 15 points. While the Commanders have a veteran offensive line, they could use some youth to help them improve their blocking to protect Jayden Daniels and open holes for Brian Robinson Jr.
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. Banks would be a versatile blocker for Washington that could help them at guard or tackle for many years to come.
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.
Tennessee Titans:
Under former head coach Mike Vrabel, the Titans came close to the Super Bowl, but some mistakes made by the front office, like trading A.J. Brown and some draft picks not working out, led to the closing of a Super Bowl window with former star running back Derrick Henry. General manager Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan have a big rebuilding project, and it starts with finding a starting quarterback as second-year pro Will Levis looks like a backup caliber player.
In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have Titans taking Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Tennessee needs a player natural passing instincts for Callahan’s offense. Callahan had that with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, and Levis’ lack of instincts and feel is why he slid out of the first round. If the Titans end up with the top pick, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders would be an ideal pick. If Sanders is off the board, they could consider other options like Ewers, Miami’s Cam Ward, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Georgia’s Carson Beck. Of those options, Ewers might be the most natural passer after Sanders. Ward isn’t far behind while Milroe needs some development as a pocket passer operating the short to intermediate part of the field. Tennessee should be able to land a future starter in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
After quarterback, the Titans could use an upgrade at right tackle. In the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, some quality options could be considered, like Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery, N.C. State’s Anthony Belton, Texas’ Kelvin Banks, or Georgia’s Earnest Greene. Some might go in the first round, but Tennessee should have some available early on the second night of the draft.
After trading away DeAndre Hopkins, the Titans also could consider some wide receiver help. Tyler Boyd is an aging veteran and not a long-term starter. Treylon Burks has been a disappointment, and the Titans need more receiver talent to go with Calvin Ridley. Some day-two receivers that could be good options to consider include TCU’s Savion Williams, Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, Oregon’s Evan Stewart, or Maryland’s Kaden Prather.
Tennessee has a good defense that is capable of limiting good scoring attacks. In the 2025 offseason, they must hammer the offense with their early-round picks. A franchise quarterback is the top priority; after that, they must upgrade their offensive line and wide receivers. This offseason is going to determine whether Carthon and Callahan can start leading the Titans back to playoff contention.
Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings were not expected to be among the elite teams in the NFL this season as Minnesota looked poised for a rebuilding year after losing Kirk Cousins in free agency. They drafted Cousins’ replacement in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft with J.J. McCarthy, but McCarthy went out for the season during training camp. It was a painful loss to have McCarthy miss a year of development with missed practice and game reps to help him grow as a pro. However, young veteran Sam Darnold took over and led the Vikings to a 5-0 start, with the Minnesota defense led by astute defensive coordinator Brian Flores playing excellent football. The Vikings suffered their first loss in Week 7 to the Lions, and like all teams that have played Detroit, they lost their next game after playing the Lions. Minnesota has the talent to turn things around, and it would be surprising if they didn’t get into the postseason.
In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have the Vikings taking a cornerback upgrade in Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, and that was given evidence with the success that the Lions and Rams receivers had versus Minnesota. Veteran Stephon Gilmore is a one-year solution, and they could use a long-term corner that can help take on the passing attacks of Detroit, Green Bay, and Chicago. Cornerback should not be a need for the Vikings. The Vikings had the 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. That selection was turned into Jamison Williams going to the Lions, with Minnesota taking safety Lewis Cine at the end of the first and Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth in the second round. Both of Minnesota’s picks were busts, and they helped their division rival land a dangerous playmaker. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah blew his first draft two years ago, and he needs to fix cornerback with a player like Morrison, Ole Miss’ Trey Amos, or East Carolina’s Shavon Revel.
Aside from the cornerback position, Minnesota could consider adding some talent for the interior of the defensive line. Having a dangerous interior pass rusher between Jon Greenard and Dallas Turner would allow Flores to drop more men in coverage and blitz less often. Some defensive tackle options include Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams, Tennessee’s Omar Norman-Lott, and Kentucky’s Deone Walker.
Offensively, the Vikings have a lot of weapons for McCarthy to work with in 2025. They could consider some more interior offensive line talent and look to add that in the third round. After dealing it to the Texans last spring, Minnesota is without their second-round pick.
It will be a fascinating offseason in Minnesota to see if Darnold is brought back as insurance in case McCarthy struggles in his first year of playing time in the NFL. That will be a risky decision because it could create a quarterback controversy, but not having Darnold as an option could anger the locker room if McCarthy struggles. The Vikings have a lot of weapons on offense and one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL. That should lead to them being a dangerous team and Super Bowl contender for years if they get good quarterback play.
