Analysis: Shedeur Sanders is a second round pick who gives me Johnny Manziel vibes. Take this from the guy who was right about his hunch following the Browns selecting Baker Mayfield and Denzel Ward in 2018. The 2025 quarterback class is terrible at the top, but Tennessee needs one. The former Hurricane and Cougars signal caller has the tape. My best comp or equivalent for him right now would be Bo Nix when it comes to experience heading into the league. This should take the choice out of Cleveland's hands to draft a quarterback until Day 2 and land either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter.
Analysis: There have been a lot of mixed thoughts about where Sanders could go in the draft. Some have even said that he's more of a second-round QB. However, after making perhaps the worst trade in NFL history, the Browns have put themselves in a position where they need to draft a QB (yet again!). Sanders isn't as athletic as Cam Ward, but he does have some mobility, which could work in Kevin Stefanski's offense.
Analysis: The Giants picked the wrong draft to have the strengths of their team be their offensive and defensive lines because in the trenches is the value of this draft. It's no secret the team needs weapons to compliment Malik Nabers, but Abdul Carter is still here on the board at three, and the Giants are not going to let maybe the best overall player in the draft slip past them.
Analysis: Travis Hunter is an interesting prospect. He's out-of-this-world talented, and there's a chance he could be the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL if he can truly play both offense and defense at an All-Pro level at the pro football level. That's the type of talent he needs to be if he's picked this high. New England has their signal caller of the future in Drake Maye, and while they could (and need to) upgrade their offensive line, they desperately need skill players for Maye and help on the back end. Using Hunter in packages on both sides of the ball just feels like a Mike Vrabel speciality to me.
Analysis: The Jaguars may get the best defensive tackle in the draft in Graham, who if it wasn't for Carter's versatility, may have been a Top 3 pick. He's a true dominant force inside.
Analysis: Josh, I believe that with some speculation posted by Daryl Ruiter on April 1, Sanders drops to the Giants or to Vegas. Yes, that's right. Geno Smith is the god of false hope and will not be a long-term solution. Given the stipulations of our draft, Sanders is off the board. Pete Carroll is the head coach so why not give him his Marshawn Lynch of the present in Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty! It goes beyond the Raiders going for the flashy pick, but Jeanty is in a class of his own when it comes to the 2025 running backs. Even after signing Raheem Mostert, the hole Josh Jacobs left in the Raiders ground game (to say nothing of other needs) still needs plugged. Mostert is coming off a down season, but if not Jeanty, perhaps cornerback to cover Rashee Rice, Ladd McConkey and other receivers could be in play.
Analysis: New Head Coach Aaron Glenn saw how the Detroit Lions built their team through their offensive line and after taking Olumuyiwa Anthony Fashanu out of Penn State last year, the Jets get their second tackle anchor in Campbell, who is the best out of a strong tackle bunch, with hands that are active, a good base, and good size and power. His small hands may turn him into more of a guard in the NFL, but the fact he's here at seven the Jets cannot pass up.
Analysis: Bryce Young started to make great strides as the starting QB for the Panthers this past season, but there were times where Young needed a security blanket, and Warren would provide that for him. Often times, Penn State QB Drew Allar would look for Tyer Warren in tight situations, and Warren typically rewarded Allar for that decision.
Analysis: In our first trade of the draft, Miami moves up to improve their secondary in Jahdae Barron, a long versatile, physical corner who gets his hands on WR's and can play both outside and in the slot.
Analysis: If Ashton Jeanty was here, the Bears would swoop him up. With him off the board, the Ben Johnson Era in Chicago starts with the best available player on the board right now in a hard-hitting safety in Starks, who plays very similar to a safety already on their roster in Kevin Byard, as with Jalen Johnson already locked up, new Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen will have a really good secondary to work with, something he was known for in New Orleans.
Analysis: There isn't a wide receiver to reach for at No. 11 overall in this draft, but a myriad of needs along the line on both sides of the ball have cropped up. It's tempting to go with a defensive lineman given the recent history of developing good or great talent in the trenches, but your golden goose (Brock Purdy) is due a hefty extension this year. The 2022 Mr. Irrelevant will be getting PAID and needs to stay upright. Somehow, Membou slips outside the Top 10 and right into San Francisco's lap! He's one of the best linemen in this draft cycle, and even if John Lynch is a whizz with defensive players, the value is too good to pass up (while screwing over the Cowboys in the process).
Analysis: Outside of CeeDee Lamb, who's putting the punch into the Cowboys' offense? Golden could provide that because he can take the top off of tthe defense and show that he's more than just a speed threat. Plus, it would give Lamb a partner.
Analysis: Tet McMillan is a controversial prospect because of video that has surfaced online that he says he doesn't watch film. There's real discourse out there about when the video had been taken. He's become the Laremy Tunsil of this draft, but I would be shocked if he falls to 13, but the Saints will be happy. He's a DK Metcalf esk-WR, who's 6'5 with great hands. He has a chance to be an All-Pro WR.
Analysis: If you are projected to go in the middle of the first round, and you're from a MAC School (Quinyon Mitchell last year), you're a football player who's likely going to hit. Green adds to a Colts defensive line that needs better pass rush and has a violent quick step. Needs to be a better run defender at the next level.
Analysis: Atlanta must be stewing over the fact the pass rusher with 17 sacks came off the board right before them. However, NFL General Managers must be salivating with linebacker Jalon Walker and cornerback Will Johnson both dropping outside the Top 10. Walker can still contribute as an edge but could be an off ball linebacker. If you can't get Green, you can get a Top 10 potential talent at a slight discount.
Analysis: There is a chance that the Cardinals could go get a pass rusher here even though they added Josh Sweat formally of the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, but Arizona needs to continue beefing up their offensive line given Kyler Murray's injury history. The Cards showed flashes of what they could become, but they need a strong offensive line to take that next step.
Analysis: The Bengals spent a huge amount of money on the offensive side of the ball over the offseason, but their defense couldn't stop a cold last season, and it looks to be the same way in 2025. Burrow and the offense will have to score at least 40 points a game to give Cincy a chance, so selecting a defensive player feels like a no-brainer in this case and given that Campbell play at Bama, you know he's most likely going to produce. This pick is very much dependent on the future of DE Trey Hendrickson, so we'll see how that plays out.
Analysis: The Seahawks don't usually go with an offensive skill position player in the first round of the draft, and that trend will continue in 2025, as they select Will Johnson out of Michigan in an effort to continue solidifying the back half of their defense in order to slow down some of the powerful offenses they have to deal with in the NFC, and it'll help second year head coach Mike McDonald construct a Baltimore-type defense in the Pacific Northwest, as McDonald was previosuly the defensive coordinator for the Ravens.
Analysis: While an argument can be made to strengthen the receiver room and the interior offensive line, the Bucs defense needs to stop giving up big plays on the defensive end. The Tampa Bay defense gave up 54 passing plays of 20 or more yards last season, eighth most in the NFL. So we address that with South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori. I'll save you the ramble and say he's a 6'3, blazing fast and ridiculous freak for a safety. Pair him with Antoine Winfield Jr. and watch the magic happen.
Analysis: After a rookie campaign that ended with the Denver Broncos getting into the playoffs, Bo Nix looks to take that next next step in his sophomore year. To help him keep improving, Denver should continue adding to his supporting cast and a great way to do that is to grab a running back like Hampton out of North Carolina. The hard-charging Hampton represents Sean Payton's chance to take a major swing and invest in the lead back he hasn't typically gravitated toward. It could be the start of Peyton putting the pieces in place to build a New Orleans type of offense in the Rocky Mountains.
Analysis: The Steelers biggest hole is the most important: Quarterback. They lost both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields this offseason, and even if Aaron Rodgers joins the team, they need a plan for the future. I think they want Sanders, but with him off the board, Pittsburgh has shown interest in Milroe, who I do think needs to sit a year, but has shown flashes of being potentially Jalen Hurts or Lamar Jackson.
Analysis: Normally my first thought would be to go interior offensive line to protect the golden goose (Justin Herbert). That's where we take a twist. Who else does Herbert really have to rely on outside of Ladd McConkey? If you think Egbuka is a reach, consider this: With C.J. Stroud in 2022 and Will Howard in 2024, Egbuka's respective receiving lines for those two seasons, in order: '22: 74 REC; 1,151 yds; 15.6 avg yards/rec; 10 TD; Long of 69 yards. In 2024: 81-1,011-12.5-10-68. And the big reason I definitively say Kyle McCord is an NFL backup is this statline with nine regular season games Egbuka played in: 41 reception, 515 yards, 12.6 average on yds/rec, 4 Touchdowns, 28 long reception. Egbuka might be the sneakiest receiver in this draft, albeit a slight reach depending on the evaluator.
Analysis: The Packers clear No. 1 need is WR, and they would have loved to have Egbuka fall to them, but Burden is a nice backup plan. At 5'11, he's more of a slot WR when they need somebody on the outside, but his talent is too high here not to pass up on.
Analysis: Cornerback and defensive tackle are two other needs but keeping J.J. McCarthy upright will make this an easy call. The 2024 National Champion and First-Team All-American is as safe a pick as you can make. Ohio State offensive lineman in the late first-round seem to have a decent hit rate, too.
Analysis: With McMillan off the board much earlier than Houston would have hoped, the logical move is to go back to the offensive line. Let's stay in the trenches with a defensive tackle. In Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates' April 15 Mock Draft, Yates had Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen going in the Top 20 but noted a need for more consitency to unlock the next level. The Texans and DeMeco Ryans are contenders, so let's go to the PAC-12 -- Whoops! Big Ten -- Oregon nose tackle Derrick Harmon. As Yates notes, Harmon led all FBS players in pressures from a DT alignment last season, with 34 such instances. If Pittsburgh eschews a quarterback and swipes Harmon, perhaps Nolen comes into play or even Michigan tight end Colston Loveland
Analysis: The Rams are shocked that the Vikings went with Jackson over Simmons and immediately turn the card in. Simmons is coming off an ACL tear in 2024, but his hands and moter are seen as elite at the NFL level. Yes, the Rams are in win-now mode, but they have not gotten the OL right since Andrew Whitworth retired after the team won the Super Bowl in 2021, and it is their most glaring need.
Analysis: With this pick, the Baltimore Ravens could choose to address the interior of their offensive line or defensive line, but Baltimore has built on defense for years (even though they have Lamar Jackson at QB), and I don't see that changing with the 27th pick in the draft as they select Kenneth Grant out of Michigan. When you're having to face quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Bo Nix, you need to be able to get them on the ground. Grant's athleticism and explosiveness could be a great addition to Baltimore's DL.
Analysis: With the loss of Kevin Zeitler, there's a HUGE hole on the Lions' offensive line. As such, they need to address it, and they do by selecting Tyler Booker, OG, out of Alabama. Booker primarily played on the left side, though he's also spent time on the right side. Meanwhile, veteran Graham Glasgow has played on both sides of the OL, so it would be easy for the Lions to plug Booker in, and there's no pressure on him.
Analysis: The Commanders made an unexpected and seismic jump last season that saw them get all the way to the NFC Championship. There are a number of different directions that the Commanders could go in with this pick, but DL makes the most sense here because based on what I saw, that was the weakest part of that side of the ball. As such, they address that by taking Shemar Stewart, defensive end outt of Texas A&M. He's got all the talent to become a dominant DE, however, he also had 4.5 sacks over three seasons. We saw what Dan Quinn can do with the Legion of Boom in Seattle, so if anyone can help Stewart put it together, it's Quinn.
Analysis: Standing 6'1, Amos could be an impact rookie given his size and ability to break up passes. Buffalo's boogeyman follows right behind them, and the Bills seem pretty set at the tight end spot, so how about a way to counter any size receiver opponents can throw at the secondary, along with an ability to thrive in man or zone coverage. It doesn't have to be a flashy pick.
Analysis: Kansas City needs a Joe Thuney replacement, and Booker coming off the board really throws a wrinkle into the Patrick Mahomes protection plan. So what now? Whether or not you believe Travis Kelce has started to lose a step, maybe there's a way to keep him fresh (not to mention giving Mahomes a new toy who won't get into offseason shenanigans). Colston Loveland's slide ends here, with the Wolverine product forming a similar dynamic to what Lamar Jackson has in Baltimore with the Isiah Likely-Mark Andrews combo. We know the Chiefs will find someone on Day 2 or Day 3 to turn into a star, but it's always a good idea to have a security blanket -- and I mean that both figuaritvely and literally.
Analysis: A HUGE reason why the Eagles won Super Bowl 59 was because of the havoc that their defense, but specifically their defensive line, caused. Over the course of the offseason, that side of the ball has seen some departures such as Milton Williams. The Eagles need to find a way to fill that void and what better way to do that than by going to the SEC well once again though it's not Georgia this time. Nonetheless, Nolen is a disruptive interior defensive tackle who has shown an ability to penetrate and get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In his one season at Ole Miss, picking up 6 1/2 sacks and 14 tackles for loss and he could fill that void in the middle of the Eagles defense left by the departure of Williams.
