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 — can be finding out the group of prospects intently 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 — similar to Penn State’s Abdul Carter — than we noticed final April. The Tennessee Titans have the highest choose for the primary time since 2016 (once they traded it to the Los Angeles Rams), they usually’ll management loads of what occurs in Spherical 1. However the remainder of the highest 10 presents 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.
Bounce to a workforce:
TEN | CLE | NYG | NE | JAX
LV | NYJ | CAR | NO | CHI
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’ resolution to commerce up for Patrick Mahomes in 2017, and he’ll need to strongly contemplate 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, however it’s fairly clear the group continues to be trying to find a franchise QB.
“Nicely, we bought one quarterback below contract [Levis],” Callahan mentioned throughout his season-ending press convention. “The opposite two are free brokers, and we’re in place to probably draft a quarterback.”
Callahan has been by means of 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 wish to have greater than the 2 picks the Titans at present have within the high 100, although. Tennessee hasn’t mentioned it is open for enterprise but, however a commerce out of the primary choose may simply handle the group’s want so as to add extra draft picks. — Turron Davenport
Does Deshaun Watson reinjuring his proper Achilles tendon imply the Browns will undoubtedly go QB at No. 2, or are different choices nonetheless in play?
The Browns had been at all times 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 basic supervisor Andrew Berry has usually preached a philosophy of sticking to his board and taking the perfect participant out there. 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 provides us a chance to essentially pivot if we have to,” Berry mentioned. — Daniel Oyefusi
Are the Giants extra more likely to handle their QB spot within the draft or free company?
It will not be an both/or proposition. The Giants have made it their “No. 1 subject” this offseason to seek out their quarterback of the longer term, in response to proprietor John Mara. Their plan coming 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 may dictate that the Giants handle the place in each free company and the draft.
Tommy DeVito can be their solely quarterback below contract this offseason. They may possible want a robust contingency from free company in March, simply in case they can not get a quarterback on the high of the draft. Bear in mind, Mara made it clear the stress is on to supply in 2025. — Jordan Raanan
Is that this an apparent spot for one of many high offensive tackles within the class, or may the Patriots handle 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 are in a position to defend the quarterback and dictate the movement of the sport offensively; ensuring that up entrance we’re sound, we’re robust — whether or not that is by means of free company or the draft — that is one thing that is vital,” Vrabel mentioned.
The Patriots have ranked final within the NFL in move block win charge every of the previous two seasons. However that does not imply they may mechanically choose an offensive deal with at No. 4. They want blue-chip gamers at different positions, similar to receiver, defensive position and move rusher. — Mike Reiss
What are the Jaguars’ largest roster weaknesses headed into the offseason?
All the pieces has to do with move protection. The security play has been subpar they usually possible will not re-sign Andre Cisco. They want one other cornerback reverse Tyson Campbell, and the move rush — exterior 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 move 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 file 10 or extra sacks in consecutive seasons. Transferring Arik Armstead again inside might increase 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 may play a task within the Raiders’ QB search?
The Raiders, who added Brady as a minority proprietor, want a coach and basic supervisor earlier than making a alternative on QB1. Nonetheless, Raiders proprietor Mark Davis mentioned the seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion would certainly be concerned.
“Though Tom cannot play, I feel he may also help us choose a quarterback sooner or later and probably prepare him as nicely,” Davis mentioned in October, when Brady’s possession stake was accepted.
After all, that brings us to the prospect with whom Brady has already been linked — Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. In truth, it was Davis who informed Sanders at a Las Vegas Aces recreation on Oct. 5, “Who is aware of, you is perhaps house proper now.” — Paul Gutierrez
Exterior of quarterback, what different wants may 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 may use extra blue-chip expertise within the room aside from Quinnen Williams. Edge rusher is not a serious want, assuming defensive finish Jermaine Johnson returns to kind after his proper Achilles tendon harm, however it will be onerous to move on an elite prospect.
The general drafting philosophy can be formed by the brand new basic supervisor and head coach. Scheme will play an necessary consider these choices. — Wealthy Cimini
What can we learn about whether or not it is protection all the way in which 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. Normal supervisor Dan Morgan, a former Professional Bowl linebacker, took it personally that his workforce 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 proper course with quarterback Bryce Younger and different key gamers returning. So including an edge rusher, security assist and an enormous 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 workforce 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 working again. — David Newton
With the Saints’ massive wants and cap points, is that this wanting 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 need to draft for want. However their largest want is open to interpretation. They’re searching for successors at defensive finish and linebacker for 35-year-olds Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, respectively. Additionally they may use one other huge receiver to fit alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, in addition to everlasting fixes to the offensive line.
A quarterback is perhaps on their thoughts, too, relying on the needs of the Saints’ subsequent coach. However as basic supervisor Mickey Loomis identified at his end-of-season information convention, they do not have the luxurious of a high choose to try 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 probabilities that streak ends in 2025?
The Bears have main wants to deal with within the trenches, so it is honest to say Chicago utilizing its first-round choice on a move rusher is at 50%.
When requested about high defensive finish Montez Sweat’s disappointing season (5.5 sacks), basic supervisor Ryan Poles mentioned including extra expertise is one of the best ways to defeat the variety of double-teams and chips that Sweat receives. Creating extra one-on-one matchups would enable Chicago’s move rush win charge 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
