There are simply three extra video games within the 2024 NFL season, after which all eyes will flip to the offseason. And groups with top-10 picks within the 2025 draft — which begins on April 24 — shall be learning the group of prospects carefully and beginning to make plans for his or her picks.
This draft class is highlighted by a battle between Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders for the QB1 spot, and it’s anticipated to have extra high-end defensive gamers — corresponding to Penn State’s Abdul Carter — than we noticed final April. The Tennessee Titans have the highest choose for the primary time since 2016 (after they traded it to the Los Angeles Rams), they usually’ll management lots of what occurs in Spherical 1. However the remainder of the highest 10 affords intrigue, too.
We requested our NFL Nation reporters, who cowl groups with top-10 picks, to reply one massive query concerning the early picks. Are the Titans, Browns and Giants all leaning towards discovering a brand new QB within the draft? Is Tom Brady going to assist the Raiders in their very own QB search? Will the Bears choose a defender for the primary time since 2018? Let’s dive in.
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After they employed new GM Mike Borgonzi, what do we all know concerning the Titans’ early plans at No. 1?
Borgonzi performed a major function within the Chiefs’ determination to commerce up for Patrick Mahomes in 2017, and he’ll should strongly think about taking a quarterback right here. Titans coach Brian Callahan will get a more in-depth have a look at the highest prospects throughout each the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowl weeks. He did not shut the door on Will Levis returning subsequent season, nevertheless it’s fairly clear the group remains to be trying to find a franchise QB.
“Nicely, we acquired one quarterback beneath contract [Levis],” Callahan stated throughout his season-ending press convention. “The opposite two are free brokers, and we’re in place to doubtlessly draft a quarterback.”
Callahan has been by the No. 1 choose course of earlier than with the Bengals, who took Joe Burrow in 2020. President of soccer operations Chad Brinker informed ESPN he’d prefer to have greater than the 2 picks the Titans at present have within the high 100, although. Tennessee hasn’t stated it is open for enterprise but, however a commerce out of the primary choose might simply deal with the group’s need so as to add extra draft picks. — Turron Davenport
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Does Deshaun Watson reinjuring his proper Achilles tendon imply the Browns will certainly go QB at No. 2, or are different choices nonetheless in play?
The Browns had been all the time going to seek for quarterback choices in free company and the draft, even earlier than Watson’s setback. However a quarterback at No. 2 is not a given.
Cleveland must love one of many high prospects, and common supervisor Andrew Berry has typically preached a philosophy of sticking to his board and taking the very best participant obtainable. He has additionally proven a propensity to commerce again and accumulate further picks, which is one thing he alluded to in his end-of-season information convention.
“With having the second choose within the draft, whether or not we choose a participant or use it to maximise in one other approach, it offers us a chance to essentially pivot if we have to,” Berry stated. — Daniel Oyefusi
Are the Giants extra more likely to deal with their QB spot within the draft or free company?
It is probably not an both/or proposition. The Giants have made it their “No. 1 subject” this offseason to seek out their quarterback of the longer term, based on proprietor John Mara. Their plan getting into this previous season was to draft a quarterback if it did not work out with Daniel Jones. However the timing of all of it following Jones’ launch in November might dictate that the Giants deal with the place in each free company and the draft.
Tommy DeVito shall be their solely quarterback beneath contract this offseason. They may possible want a robust contingency from free company in March, simply in case they cannot get a quarterback on the high of the draft. Bear in mind, Mara made it clear the stress is on to provide in 2025. — Jordan Raanan
Is that this an apparent spot for one of many high offensive tackles within the class, or might the Patriots deal with different holes?
New coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged the offensive line as a high precedence in his introductory information convention. “You have a look at the groups which might be capable of shield the quarterback and dictate the stream of the sport offensively; ensuring that up entrance we’re sound, we’re robust — whether or not that is by free company or the draft — that is one thing that is crucial,” Vrabel stated.
The Patriots have ranked final within the NFL in go block win price every of the previous two seasons. However that does not imply they may routinely choose an offensive sort out at No. 4. They want blue-chip gamers at different positions, corresponding to receiver, defensive position and go rusher. — Mike Reiss
What are the Jaguars’ largest roster weaknesses headed into the offseason?
All the pieces has to do with go protection. The protection play has been subpar they usually possible will not re-sign Andre Cisco. They want one other cornerback reverse Tyson Campbell, and the go rush — outdoors of defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker — was spotty this season.
The Jaguars had been final within the league in passing yards allowed per recreation (257.4, the third-worst mark in franchise historical past), picked off solely six passes and gave up 23 go performs of 30 or extra yards. Hines-Allen dipped from 17.5 sacks in 2023 to eight, although Walker grew to become the second participant in franchise historical past to document 10 or extra sacks in consecutive seasons. Transferring Arik Armstead again inside might enhance the inside rush, however the Jaguars want one other edge rusher and to enhance in protection. — Michael DiRocco
What are you listening to on how a lot Tom Brady might play a task within the Raiders’ QB search?
The Raiders, who added Brady as a minority proprietor, want a coach and common supervisor earlier than making a selection on QB1. Nonetheless, Raiders proprietor Mark Davis stated the seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion would certainly be concerned.
“Though Tom cannot play, I believe he can assist us choose a quarterback sooner or later and doubtlessly practice him as properly,” Davis stated in October, when Brady’s possession stake was authorised.
In fact, that brings us to the prospect with whom Brady has already been linked — Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Actually, it was Davis who informed Sanders at a Las Vegas Aces recreation on Oct. 5, “Who is aware of, you could be dwelling proper now.” — Paul Gutierrez
Exterior of quarterback, what different wants might the Jets fill with their first-round choose?
Assume protection. The Jets completed twenty third in defensive EPA, which was approach down from third in 2023. They may want a cornerback to pair with Sauce Gardner, assuming they lose their second choice D.J. Reed in free company. And there was some expertise drain on the once-formidable defensive position, which might use extra blue-chip expertise within the room aside from Quinnen Williams. Edge rusher is not a significant want, assuming defensive finish Jermaine Johnson returns to kind after his proper Achilles tendon damage, however it could be arduous to go on an elite prospect.
The general drafting philosophy shall be formed by the brand new common supervisor and head coach. Scheme will play an essential consider these choices. — Wealthy Cimini
What can we learn about whether or not it is protection all the best way for Carolina at No. 8?
Carolina will not be all-in on protection with 9 picks, however the high picks ought to be heavy on that aspect of the ball. Common supervisor Dan Morgan, a former Professional Bowl linebacker, took it personally that his group ranked final in whole protection (404.5 yards allowed per recreation) and towards the run (179.8 yards allowed per recreation). He stored defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, implying this was extra of a personnel downside.
The offense is headed in the suitable course with quarterback Bryce Younger and different key gamers returning. So including an edge rusher, security assist and a giant run stopper would be the focus. Simply do not search for this to be a defensive sweep because it was in 2020, when Carolina grew to become the primary group in NFL historical past to make use of all of its seven draft picks on protection. It nonetheless wants an elite receiver and extra depth at operating again. — David Newton
What to know for the 2025 NFL draft
• Mocks: Kiper | Reid | Yates | Miller• Rankings: Kiper | Reid | Yates | Miller• 10 questions | QB Board | Pos. ranks• Choose order | Scouting evals | Extra
With the Saints’ massive wants and cap points, is that this trying like a best-player-available strategy proper now?
At $70.6 million over the cap in 2025 (per Roster Administration System), the Saints are possible going to should draft for want. However their largest want is open to interpretation. They’re in search of successors at defensive finish and linebacker for 35-year-olds Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, respectively. In addition they might use one other vast receiver to fit alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, in addition to everlasting fixes to the offensive line.
A quarterback could be on their thoughts, too, relying on the needs of the Saints’ subsequent coach. However as common supervisor Mickey Loomis identified at his end-of-season information convention, they do not have the luxurious of a high choose to do this. And Derek Carr has two years remaining on his four-year, $150 million contract. — Katherine Terrell
The Bears have not used a first-round choose on protection since 2018. What are the possibilities that streak ends in 2025?
The Bears have main wants to deal with within the trenches, so it is truthful to say Chicago utilizing its first-round choice on a go rusher is at 50%.
When requested about high defensive finish Montez Sweat’s disappointing season (5.5 sacks), common supervisor Ryan Poles stated including extra expertise is the easiest way to defeat the variety of double-teams and chips that Sweat receives. Creating extra one-on-one matchups would permit Chicago’s go rush win price to enhance from its 37% end in 2024, which was a slight step up from the earlier season however nonetheless ranked twenty fourth within the NFL. — Courtney Cronin
