Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2025 NFL Draft:
New York Giants:
The Ravens cruised over the Giants and dropped New York to 2-12. If New York lands the No.1 pick, they should take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders to be their franchise quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders:
The 2-11 Raiders play the Falcons tonight. They are dealing with the ramifications of many terrible decisions by Mark Davis. Allowing the NFL league office to force him to fire Jon Gruden was a crucial mistake. Davis then followed it up by not keeping Rich Bisaccia after the Raiders went to the playoffs, and then Davis made the terrible move of hiring Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler. Las Vegas has a bad roster after the McDaniels-Ziegler years and needs a massive rebuild, including a true replacement for Carr. If Las Vegas gets the No. 1 pick, they should select Sanders.
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
- Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick
- Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson
- Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn
- Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik
- 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
- Former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel
Head Coach Hot-Seat Tracker:
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Doug Pederson
- Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy
- New York Giants: Brian Daboll
Let’s Play Matchmaker:
Cincinnati Bengals: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina 
The Bengals offense has seen a prolific season from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, but they were not at their best in this game. Burrow had three turnovers, and Chase averaged 10.4 yards per catch, but they were still too good to lose to the Titans. Cincinnati is a dangerous team that must improve their defense this offseason. They have not found a true replacement for Jesse Bates, and that was illustrated by Tyjae Spears having six catches for 87 yards and a touchdown, with Tony Pollard also scoring on the ground. Getting a replacement for Bates could be a huge addition for the Bengals.
Emmanwori has 83 tackles, two passes broken up, and four interceptions with two returned for a touchdown. He had an interception returned for a touchdown against Kentucky, another returned for a score against Oklahoma, and had a 102-yard touchdown pick-six that had the return whipped out on a suspect penalty versus LSU. Emmanwori (6-3, 220) is a huge safety with rare coverage ability for a player that big. He has been a steady contributor for the Gamecocks for the past two seasons. In 2023, he had 71 tackles, 10 passes broken up, and two interceptions in 11 games. The previous season, he totaled 85 tackles as a freshman. Emmanwori is a freak athlete with instincts and speed and can flash some physicality. He would be a superb first-round pick for the Bengals as a true replacement for Bates.
Washington Commanders: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri 
Washington held on for a one-point win over the Saints, and it was surprising that New Orleans was able to keep Jayden Daniels out of the end zone in the second half. Terry McLaurin caught two touchdowns, but no other receiver had four catches or 40 yards. This offseason, they have to get more receiving weapons for Daniels.
In 2024, Burden has 61 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns. Burden played really well as a sophomore in 2023, putting up 86 receptions for 1,212 yards and nine touchdowns. As a freshman, he flashed with 45 catches for 375 yards and six scores. He also ran the ball somewhat that season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns. The 5-foot-11, 208-pound Burden is an explosive playmaker and could be a dangerous receiver at the NFL level. Burden would make sense as an option for Washington in the first round.
Los Angeles Rams: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State 
Los Angeles won a defensive battle on Thursday Night Football, and it was surprising how both the Rams and 49ers passing attacks struggled. Puka Nacua (7-97) had a solid game, but no other Ram player three catches or 22 yards through the air. Cooper Kupp had zero receptions. While Kupp is still a good player, he is aging, expensive, and has a lot of mileage. Getting a young receiver to groom behind Kupp and eventually pair with Nacua would make sense for Los Angeles.
In 2023, Egbuka had 60 catches for 743 yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder turned in 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022. He emerged as a potential No. 1 receiver or really good No. 2 wideout. At other schools, Egbuka would have had an even bigger year, but he was the No. 2 receiver for Ohio State across from Marvin Harrison Jr. While injuries were a factor in 2023, Egbuka needs a bounce-back season in 2024 as he looked much faster in 2022 compared to his 2023 performance. Thus far in 2024, Egbuka has 56 catches for 692 yards and nine touchdowns. In the third round of the 2025 draft, Egbuka could be a solid pick for Los Angeles if he gets there.
Baltimore Ravens: Bradyn Swinson, DE, LSU 
The Raven’s pass defense has really struggled this season despite a ton of resources used on the secondary. Odafe Oweh has been a productive pass rusher, but David Ojabo notched only his second sack of the season against the Giants. Baltimore cruised over a terrible New York team, but they need more pass-rush talent for the 2025 season.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Swinson is a tough defender at the point of attack. He is strong to shed blocks and has the speed to run around the corner. In 2024, Swinson has 54 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Swinson is not big, but he has some size to him, and he could play in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. Swinson looks like a future NFL starter who could be a nice option for Baltimore in the early rounds.
Dallas Cowboys: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss 
The Cowboys offense got a big game from Rico Dowdle with 149 yards on 25 carries while CeeDee Lamb caught nine passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. The lack of a consistent rushing attack has plagued Dallas, and they also need more receiving talent for Dak Prescott next season. Against Carolina, no other receiver caught four passes or had 35 yards through the air. The Cowboys need more receiving mismatch weapons.
Harris (6-3, 210) has been one of the most productive receivers in the nation in 2024 despite missing some time with an injury. Thus far, he has 60 catches for 1,030 yards and seven touchdowns. Harris is a big wideout that is dangerous on contested catches. Harris had a productive season in 2023 (54-985-8) in his debut with Ole Miss. The previous three seasons Harris played at Louisiana Tech. Harris could be a nice day-two pick for Dallas.
Buffalo Bills: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia 
The Bills went on the road and ended the Lions 11-game winning streak. Josh Allen continued his dominant play, and the injury-ravaged Detroit defense was too undermanned to limit an elite quarterback. While Buffalo’s offense was superb, the secondary had issues with the Lions’ passing attack and allowed some big plays vertically. The Bills could use a deep coverage safety upgrade to help their defense.
Thus far in 2024, Starks has 73 tackles, three passes defended, and an interception. In 2023, Starks racked up 52 tackles, three interceptions, and seven passes defended. He recorded 69 tackles, two picks, and seven breakups in 2022. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder’s size gives him versatility. Starks is a good coverage safety deep down the field and has some flexibility to cover slot receivers. Late in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Starks would be a good pick for Buffalo.
New York Jets: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State 
The Jets scored 25 in the second half to get a road win in Jacksonville. Regardless of what happens with Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, New York could use a tight end upgrade to help their passing attack. A receiving tight end would make sense to add to their offense even if Rodgers and Davante Adams come back next season.
Warren is a big-bodied tight end who has shown some receiving ability in the past two seasons. In 2024, he has 88 catches for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns. The previous season he had 34 receptions for 422 yards and seven touchdowns. The 6-foot-6, 257-pounder has the size to be Y (blocking) tight end as well as contribute as a receiver. Warren would be a good second-round pick for New York.
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.
Houston Texans:
The Texans have had some surprising losses this season, but Houston is a tough team that has a lot of promise for years to come. With stars like C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, and Will Anderson entering the prime years of their career, Houston is opening up a Super Bowl window and the Texans are capable of challenging the elite of the AFC. Former general manager Rick Smith built a Super Bowl roster with J.J. Watt, Deshaun Watson, DeAndre Hopkins, and Jadeveon Clowney. Unfortunately for Houston, Bill O’Brien squandered that great talent roster. To avoid that repeat of history, the Texans must draft well to help support their building blocks in Stroud and Anderson.
The Houston defense has some good talent to get after the quarterback with Anderson and Danielle Hunter, but it would help them to add some playmakers on the backend. In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have the Texans taking South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, and he would be a great fit next to Jalen Pitre. Emmanwori would give them a force on the back end that offers ball skills, playmaking ability, and an imposing presence. Houston could also consider Georgia safety Malaki Starks to help upgrade the back end.
Aside from safety, the Texans could consider some help on the inside of their defensive line. In the back half of the first round, they could target some good value picks like Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams, Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott, and Oregon’s Jordan Burch. Any of that trio would be a dangerous inside pass rusher to go between Anderson and Hunter.
The Texans have the makings of being a true Super Bowl contender, and O’Brien isn’t around to squander it this time. Houston needs a couple more good drafts to continue building up their roster, which could lead the Texans to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
Kansas City Chiefs:
Even if the Chiefs fall short this year, the Kansas City dynasty with head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes has plenty of Super Bowl runs left in them. The offense has not been as prolific this year, but it had some slow moments in 2023 before finding ways to win in the post-season to get another Lombardi Trophy. That could easily happen again this year, but if they fall short in January, they could be one good offseason away from returning to championship form in 2025.
The Chiefs offense will return to dominant form if Kansas City can fix their offensive line. In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have the Chiefs taking Alabama guard Tyler Booker, and that would make sense as they are highly likely to lose Trey Smith in free agency. Creed Humphrey signed a mega-extension, so it would be surprising if Brett Veach devoted that many resources to the interior of the offensive line, considering they are already paying Joe Thuney a large salary. Booker would be a plug-and-play starter that would help improve their power in the run game.
I had the Chiefs drafting Kingsley Suamataia in my final 2024 NFL Mock Draft, and Suamataia is being developed as a backup right now. 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris did not work out at left tackle, and veteran D.J. Humphries has been brought in. Suamataia could still pan out, but he may end up being a replacement for right tackle Jawaan Taylor in a year or two. That would still leave a hole at left tackle. In the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Kansas City could consider options like Texas’ Kelvin Banks or Oregon’s Josh Conerly. LSU’s Will Campbell and Banks may not make it to their pick, but Conerly could be a good prospect to consider.
Defensively, Kansas City could consider some more youth on the defensive line. They might want to add a defensive tackle to go with Chris Jones. They also could consider tackles like Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams, Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott, and Oregon’s Jordan Burch. They might have a shot to land a steal at edge rusher as this draft is very strong for pass rushers. Prospects like Marshall’s Mike Green, LSU’s Bradyn Swinson, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, and Georgia’s Jalon Walker would be worth considering as rushers to pair with George Karlaftis.
The Chiefs Super Bowl window will be open for many years to come. Bolstering their trenches in the 2025 NFL Draft could help Kansas City hoist up more Lombardi Trophies in the next few seasons.
