Race for the No. 1 Pick of the 2025 NFL Draft:
Tennessee Titans:
With the Patriots getting a win over the Bills and the Titans losing to the Texans, Tennessee earned the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. It was a great result for Tennessee as they now can draft a quarterback and will not have to trade up to ensure they get the quarterback they want. The Titans badly need a franchise quarterback, as Will Levis has proven not to be the answer. Now, Tennessee has a choice between Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward.
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
- Las Vegas Raiders executive DuJuan Daniels
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:
New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan 
The Jets are in store for a fascinating offseason as they hire a new general manager, and head coach and are likely to move on from Aaron Rodgers. They have a number of holes to fill on their roster including a defensive tackle to pair with Quinnen Williams. That need was given more evidence on Sunday when Devon Achane had success running on New York.
In 2024, Graham had 46 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one pass batted. A former star recruit, Graham flashed as a freshman in 2022, collecting 28 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, and a pass batted. He recorded 35 tackles, three sacks, one pass batted, and one forced fumble in 2023. Graham (6-3, 318) has good size and is a disruptive presence. He has serious power to shed blocks, bull into the backfield, and stuff runs at the point of attack. Graham also has the quickness and athleticism to create some interior pass rush. Team sources say Graham has a bad body and looks like “the marshmallow man.” They think he could be a mid-first-round pick. Graham would be a dynamite tackle to pair with Quinnen Williams.
Carolina Panthers: James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee 
The Panthers got a surprising overtime win over the Falcons to end their season on a high note. Bryce Young continued his improved play with three touchdown passes. Carolina got a sack out of Jadeveon Clowney, but that was the only sack the Panthers defense had in the season finale. This offseason, the Panthers have to get an edge rusher to replace Brian Burns. Clowney was a nice signing but is not a long-term starter at this point of his career.
Pearce had 38 tackles, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one pass batted and 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, but that could be inflated. Pearce is very similar to Burns in 2019 coming out of Florida State. Pearce could provide an immediate impact across from Clowney and next to Derrick Brown.
Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado 
The Browns lost on Saturday in an embarrassing season for Cleveland. The Deshaun Watson trade has been a disaster, and because of his ridiculous contract, the Browns are stuck with Watson for the 2025 season. They could sign a veteran starter to compete with him, and draft a top talent to help their roster high in the first round. Hunter could give them a playmaker for their offense and a corner upgrade to go with Denzel Ward.
In 2024, Hunter had 96 receptions for 1,258 yards with 15 touchdowns receiving and one rushing. He has 35 tackles with four interceptions, 11 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. As we reported in the Hot Press, teams are divided on whether Hunter should be a wide receiver or a cornerback in the NFL. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder possesses other-worldly ball skills, athleticism, superb instincts and feel as a receiver or corner. He would be a real talent upgrade for the Browns.
Houston Texans: Jihaad Campbell, ILB, Alabama 
The Texans were able to get back on the winning track with a win over the Titans. It was cool to see Tennessee wearing the Houston Oiler uniforms, but the Texans got a needed win to help them establish some momentum heading into the playoffs. Houston could use help at linebacker as Devin White is not a long-term starter and they could use a playmaker in the middle of their defense.
The 6-foot-3, 244-pound Campbell is a big linebacker with speed and athleticism to go with his size. Campbell has showed versatility by dropping into coverage, defending the run well, and rushing the passer. In 2024, he has 108 tackles with five sacks, two forced fumbles, one interception, and two passes broken up. Campbell looks like a first-round talent for the 2025 NFL Draft, and he would be an excellent fit for Demeco Ryans defense in Houston.
Indianapolis Colts: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Colts got an overtime win over the Jaguars with Joe Flacco leading the Indianapolis offense. Indianapolis could be stuck with Anthony Richardson at quarterback next season as they aren’t picking high enough to draft a worthy replacement. Defensively, the Colts could use a cornerback upgrade and they struggled with Brian Thomas in Week 18 after getting ripped up by Malik Nabers in Week 17.
In 2024, Johnson has recorded 14 tackles, two interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), and three passes defended. He returned 86 yards for a touchdown. Johnson played really well for the Wolverines in 2023 and provided very good coverage late in the year during their championship run. He totaled 27 tackles, four interceptions and four passes defended. In 2022, he recorded 27 tackles, three interceptions, and three passes broken up. The 6-foot-2, 202-pounder has a good skill set and upside. He would be a great first-round pick for Indianapolis.
Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU 
The Bears got their first win over the Packers since December 16, 2018 in Lambeau Field. Chicago really should have beaten Green Bay twice this season but a blocked field goal in the previous meeting stole a defeat from the jaws of victory. Caleb Williams led a game winning drive, and throughout the game he made some nice plays dodging sacks in the backfield. This offseason, Chicago should improve their offensive line to make Williams job easier with better protection.
Campbell earned the starting left tackle job in training camp as a true freshman in 2022 and started 13 games there. He then held onto the spot as a sophomore in 2023, protecting the blind side of Jayden Daniels. The 6-foot-6, 325-pound Campbell is big and enters the NFL with a lot of experience. Team sources say that Campbell plays well with his hands, has good technique, is big, and strong. However, in 2024 he has had some issues with playing over his toes too often and getting off balance. Campbell is a safe prospect to be a solid starter at tackle or guard. He would make sense for the Bears’ first round pick.
New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona 
With Buffalo starting Mitch Trubisky, New England was able to get a win with Joe Milton III filling in for Drake Maye. Kayshon Boutte (9-117-1) had a big game for the Patriots, but clearly New England needs more receiving weapons to help Maye in his second NFL season. The win cost the Patriots the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but New England could still have a shot at a top receiving weapon to help Maye.
In 2024, McMillan had 84 receptions for 1,319 yards and eight 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 enough speed to be effective. He could be a perfect No. 1 receiver for Maye for 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 is a backup caliber player.
In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have Titans taking Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and Tennessee needs a trigger man with natural passing instincts for Callahan’s offense. Callahan had that with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, and Levis’s lack of instincts and feel is why he slid out of the first round. With the top pick, Sanders would be a great selection as he has excellent accuracy, is tough, smart, and a natural leader. It will be interesting to see if the Titans become enamored with Cam Ward during the draft process and take him over Sanders, but in this analyst’s opinion, Sanders is a far better prospect.
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 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 early second-round 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. Egbuka might go in the first round, but if he slipped to the second, he would be an excellent scheme fit and wide out to pair with Sanders.
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 and some veteran additions on the offensive line to help their young quarterback. A franchise quarterback is the top priority; after that, they must upgrade their offensive line and wide receivers. This offseason will determine whether Carthon and Callahan can start leading the Titans back to playoff contention.
New York Giants:
If it weren’t for a meaningless win in Week 17, the Giants would have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. As it stands, New York will pick third, and they are more perplexing. New York must get a starting quarterback to replace Daniel Jones, and there likely will be at least one off the board. The Giants also could have a team trade up with the Browns at pick No. 2 to get the second quarterback. Thus, New York may have to consider trading up one spot to ensure they get a starting quarterback in the first round.
In my latest mock 2025 NFL Draft, I have the Giants taking Miami quarterback Cam Ward. Ward led some point-machine offenses in college and is also said to be a great leader. He could bring a badly needed-presence to the New York offense. Ward has some skill set and passing limitations. Thus, many sources have said that Ward is a poor man’s Russell Wilson for the NFL, so the Giants have to build up their roster to help Ward with a loaded team around him.
Aside from quarterback, the Giants could use more early-round picks to help their offense. Evan Neal has been a disappointment, so adding a right tackle would be a good plan. That would allow them to move Neal inside to guard and upgrade their line at two positions. Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery, N.C. State’s Anthony Belton or Georgia’s Earnest Greene could be right tackles to consider early in the second round.
The Giants could also consider adding more cornerback talent early in the second round. Some corners they could target include East Carolina’s Shavon Revel, Ole Miss’ Trey Amos, and Georgia’s Daylen Everette.
It will be a fascinating early January in New York to see if they start a regime change in the front office and on the coaching staff. It could be time for the Giants to start over with a new head coach and general manager. It would make sense to do it now. If New York lets Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll draft a quarterback, a year from now, that quarterback could be forced on a new coach, and now the quarterback would have a change in scheme after one season. Schoen and Daboll have not done a good job, but it sounds like the Mara’s are want to retain them. With mismanagement at the top, the Giants could be in store for a long and painful rebuilding project.
