Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2025 NFL Draft:
New York Giants:
The Falcons cruised over the Giants and dropped New York to 2-13. With the Raiders beating the Jaguars, Big Blue is now in position to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. With only two games left, the Giants are in the driver’s seat. If New York holds onto the No.1 pick, they should take Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders to be their franchise quarterback.
Las Vegas Raiders:
The Raiders ended their 10 game losing streak, but the win over the Jaguars cost Las Vegas the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Las Vegas is 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.
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:
Detroit Lions: Mike Green, DE, Marshall 
The Lions offense dominated the Bears with Jared Goff throwing touchdowns to Jamison Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. They forced two fumbles from Rome Odunze, and Detroit also had field goal drives to cruise over Chicago. This offseason, Detroit could use more edge rush talent for deph and rotational purposes to go with Aidan Huchinson, Za’Darius Smith, and Josh Paschal.
Green has been a monster for the Thundering Herd this season, with a ton of big plays for the Marshall defense. Thus far in 2024, Green has 17 sacks with three forced fumbles, 81 tackles, and two passes batted. The 6-foot-4, 248-pounder is very fast and explosive off the edge. In 2023, Green had 43 tackles with 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Green could be a dynamic speed rusher for the Lions.
Atlanta Falcons: Mykel Williams DE, Georgia 
The Falcons got a win in the first start for Michael Penix Jr., and while Penix did not dominate, he had a solid debut for Atlanta. While they had three sacks against the hapless Giants, the lack of pass rush has been a problem all year for the Falcons. Adding a defender like Williams would help their pass rush and add size to their run-defending front. Williams is bigger and stronger than Matt Judon or Arnold Ebiketie.
In 2024, Williams has 20 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles thus far. He missed the month of September with an injury. Williams totaled 16 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two passes batted in 2023. As a freshman backup in 2022, he recorded 4.5 sacks and 28 tackles. The 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has a lot of upside and an excellent skill set. Williams would be a solid and safe first-round pick for Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers: Abdul Catrer, LB, Penn State 
Carolina has come close to some huge wins in recent weeks, and it finally came through with an overtime win over the Cardinals. The Panthers should have beat Tampa Bay if it weren’t for a Chuba Hubbard fumble and should have beaten the Eagles if Xavier Legette didn’t drop a touchdown. Still, this time, Carolina found a way to finish in overtime, with Hubbard scoring from 21 yards out. James Conner ran well against Carolina, and the Panthers also need an edge rusher to replace Brian Burns. Abdul Carter would help with both issues.
In 2024, Carter has 63 tackles with 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three passes broken up. Carter notched 49 tackles, 4.5 sacks, five passes defended, and one interception in 2023. In 2022, he made his presence felt as a freshman with 56 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four passes defended. Carter is extremely fast off the ball, and his rare explosiveness is even more dynamic with his ability to bend off the edge. While Carter (6-3, 250) is a dangerous speed rusher off the edge, but given his size, he will have to be Sam linebacker that rotates to rush off the edge in the sub package. Penn State lines him up at inside linebacker as well as rushing off the edge so he already has experience moving around the defensive front. Carter would be a superb pick for the Panthers in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Baltimore Ravens: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia
The Raven’s pass defense has struggled this season despite a ton of resources used on the secondary. Odafe Oweh has been a productive pass rusher, but David Ojabo has not been a good contributor. Baltimore was fortunate that Russell Wilson had a huge fumble near the Ravens’ end zone and a pick-six to Marlon Humphrey, but the Ravens’ edge rushers did not produce enough pressure on Wilson. This offseason, Baltimore should add more pass-rush talent.
Walker is a dangerous edge rusher for the Bulldogs, showing speed and athleticism off the edge. In 2024, he has 58 tackles with 6.5 sacks and one pass broken up. Walker had five sacks as a rotational player in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 245-pounder is too undersized to be a base edge rusher in the NFL, so he will have to be a linebacker that rotates to rush off the edge in the sub package. Walker could make sense for Baltimore as a late first-rounder.
Indianaplis Colts: Trey Amos, CB, Ole Miss 
The Colts held on for an eight-point win over the Titans, with Jonathan Taylor rolling over Tennessee. Taylor ran for 218 yards and three touchdowns. His dominant game on the ground allowed Anthony Richardson to have an easy game, attempting only 11 passes. Mason Rudolph threw three interceptions, but Chig Okonkwo and Calvin Ridley had some success against Indianapolis. This offseason, the Colts could use a true No. 1 corner as that is one of the only flaws on their roster. If they get a No. 1 corner and Richardson makes strides in year three, Indianapolis could make a big jump next year.
Amos flashed on tape for Alabama in 2023, and he has picked up where he left off after transferring to Ole Miss. Thus far in 2024, Amos has 47 tackles with three interceptions and 13 passes broken up. Amos (6-1, 190) has good size, speed, and athleticism. He could be a perfect first-round pick to help the Colts next season.
Kansas City Chiefs: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
The Chiefs got a win on Saturday afternoon, improving to 14-1 on the season. Once again, the Chiefs offense was not prolific, but the defense stepped up with two interceptions. This offseason, Kansas City could use more receiving options for Patrick Mahomes and a young tight end to groom as the replacement for the aging and declining Travis Kelce.
Warren is a big-bodied tight end who has shown some receiving ability in the past two seasons. In 2024, he has 92 catches for 1,095 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.
Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan 
The Chargers generated 15 points in the fourth quarter to get a huge divisional win over the Broncos. Improving to 9-6, Los Angeles is on the cusp of clinching a wild card spot. Los Angeles got a good game out of Ladd McConkey (6-87), but they need more weapons for Justin Herbert. No other player had four catches or 42 yards. They could use a tight end upgrade for a mismatch receiving weapon and a player that could also help their run blocking.
In 2024, Loveland has 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns. Michigan had more experienced tight ends, but Loveland was so good that he forced his way onto the field. In 2023, he caught 45 passes for 649 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder would be capable of producing more if he played in a passing offense. He has quality size with quickness and athleticism. Loveland has the potential to be a good pro starter, and he would be an ideal second-round pick for Los Angeles.
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.
Cincinnati Bengals:
The Bengals have an elite quarterback in Joe Burrow, one of the best receivers in the NFL with Ja’Marr Chase, and some other quality talent on the offense. However, the Cincinnati defense has lost some key players in recent offseasons, and the struggles of their defense is the reason why the Bengals will end up missing the playoffs. Cincinnati has to improve their defense this offseason to get back into post-season contention next year.
One of the most painful free-agent losses was safety Jesse Bates going to Atlanta in 2023. Cincinnati has missed the playmaker, and Bates has been phenomenal for the Falcons. In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have the Texans taking South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori, and he would be a true replacement for Bates. Emmanwori would give them a force on the back end that offers ball skills, playmaking ability, and an imposing presence. Cincinnati could also consider Georgia safety Malaki Starks to help upgrade the back end.
Aside from safety, the Bengals could consider some help on the inside of their defensive line. Cincinnati has missed D.J. Reader this season, and they could use a tackle upgrade next to Kris Jenkins. In the top 20, there could be some good tackle prospects that would be excellent additions. Reuniting Jenkins with Kenneth Grant and Mason Graham would be a great improvement. Other tackle options include 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.
Defensive end is another position that could be an option. Trey Hendrickson needs to be re-signed to an extension, but the Bengals have yet to get that extension done. With other big contracts already given out and needing to pay Ja’Marr Chase a monster contract, perhaps Cincinnati will let Hendrickson leave. Even if Hendrickson is re-signed, the Bengals could consider an end to go with him, as Sam Hubbard has declined, and Myles Murphy has yet to break out. The Bengals may not pick high enough to land Penn State’s Abdul Carter or Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr, but they could have other quality prospects to consider like Marshall’s Mike Green, LSU’s Bradyn Swinson, Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, and Georgia’s Jalon Walker.
There should also be some good defensive line prospects on day two, so a good plan could be to take Emmanwori in the first round and then defensive line help on the second day. If the Bengals improve their defense this offseason, Cincinnati could return to Super Bowl contention next year.
Cleveland Browns:
The Browns have had a miserable 2024 season when they entered the season hoping to challenge for the Super Bowl. Quarterback Deshaun Watson was struggling mightly before going out for the season, and the Watson trade has been a disaster. Cleveland will finally be back in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, so the Browns must hit on this draft to close the gap with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals.
In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have the Browns taking Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, and he would be a tremendous addition to their defensive line. Grant has a freaky skill set and could be a dynamic interior disruptor with Myles Garrett. They could consider other defensive tackle options like Michigan’s Mason Graham, Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams, Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott, and Oregon’s Jordan Burch.
The Browns also could add a defensive end to go across from Garrett. They traded veteran Za’Darius Smith, and Cleveland could use a young edge difference-maker to help hunt the quarterback. Early in the first round, the Browns could consider dynamic speed rushers like Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. 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 if the Browns were to move down.
While Watson deserved some blame for the Browns’ slow start, other factors really hurt the offense, including injuries on the offensive line, Nich Chubb being out, Amari Cooper dropping passes, and not featuring Jerry Jeudy with Cooper on the roster. Watson played like garbage, but those other issues hurt Cleveland significantly. On the second day of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Browns could look to get a potential starting quarterback and a young player to compete with Watson for the starting job. Cleveland could consider options like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Texas’ Quinn Ewers. Either could be a nice option, as they have starting potential for the NFL.
Adding more defensive line talent in the first round and a quarterback on day two could be a good plan to help the Browns immediately next fall and potentially help build the team for years to come. Cleveland has to turn Watson around and draft well to get back as a playoff competitor next season. This will be a critical draft for general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski. If it doesn’t go well, Cleveland could have a new regime starting a rebuild come 2026.
