By Tanner Ostrowski
June 21st, 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals are known as one of the most frugal franchises in the league and that shows up in their negotiations with one of their star players, along with their first round pick from this past draft. It is quite shocking that it is taking them this long to sign these players.
One of those players, pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, has not received the contract he wants. He is considered as one of the best at his position and brings tremendous value to the Bengals’ defense and he has produced 17.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons, per the official NFL website. On June 18th, ESPN’s Adam Schefter went on the Pat McAfee Show to explain what was happening. According to him, it is about how long the contract should be. Schefter said that the Bengals only want to give him a one-year extension, while Hendrickson wants a longer contract. Money also plays a big factor, as he is not getting paid like a top pass rusher compared to others at his position. This situation has been going on for months, with no solution in sight.
Another player that has not been signed to a contract is rookie pass rusher Shemar Stewart. It makes no sense why he is not under contract yet. All the Bengals need to do is sign him to a rookie contract, as the money he makes is already set in stone due to where he was selected in the draft. It should not be this complicated. However, he and the team are in a disagreement about future guaranteed money and how the team can void them per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. In fact, Stewart was complaining to the media about how ridiculous the entire issue is, and this includes him mentioning Hendrickson as an example. After this, it became so bad that Stewart left minicamp (which are offseason workouts) early per ESPN’s Ben Baby, which is quite astonishing.
It should be noted that Shemar Stewart’s situation is quite fascinating because of a very rare scenario that could happen. According to John Breech of CBS Sports’ website, Stewart could sit out this year and reenter the draft next season. Breech states that this is in the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement), specifically stated in Article 6. It is a very interesting tidbit, and the fact that this could even happen scares Bengals’ fans, but this is a big “what if.” What will probably happen is that Stewart ends up signing the contract, since he has almost no leverage due to his rookie status. Nevertheless, if Stewart refuses to back down, he could take that route, but that is doubtful.
These deals should have been done and over with already due to the value these players bring to the team’s defense. Hendrickson is the most impactful player on the Bengals’ defense and Stewart’s contract should have been completed already, but Cincinnati somehow found a way to make everything difficult. Everything stated explains why the Bengals are one of the most stingy franchises in the entire NFL.
By Tanner Ostrowski
June 11th, 2025
Four months after former New York Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers was told he was going to be released, he has officially signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal. The contract is worth $13.6 million, with $10 million guaranteed and has a max value of $19.5 million according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
This may give some fans hope and make others’ pessimistic about the team’s current outlook. However, the latter is more likely. When he was near the end of his Green Bay Packers’ tenure, he would drive many fans crazy with his ridiculous statements. Not only that, but his play did not reflect previous years. A little bit after the 2022-23 season, he decided to join the Jets via a trade.
When he joined the Jets, it immediately became a disaster, as he tore his achilles four plays into the 2023-24 season and was not able to play the rest of that year. The following season, he played like his age and did not live up to the team’s expectations. There was also drama in the locker room due to their losing record, eventually resulting in multiple firings on the team. People could say he played a part in that drama, but many people outside the organization may never know for sure.
All of this has led up to this moment, where the Steelers are relying on him as the one missing piece to take them to the Super Bowl and win it all. Can it happen? As said previously, there are multiple factors going against him and the team, but there is one positive and it’s their defense. The unit has been one of the best year in and year out, and helps the team float around .500, even with their offense consistently being one of the worst.
If Rodgers can prove himself to the world that he still has the ability to play at an above-average level, he can take the franchise to a Super Bowl. If he does not though, and causes drama in the locker room, there could be massive repercussions. There could possibly be firings for one of the most stable franchises in sports, which might include long-time head coach, Mike Tomlin, despite being a highly regarded head coach in the NFL.
Overall, this is a go big or go home type of move, but based on recent history, it would not be shocking to see the Steelers fall apart. That would be unfortunate for not only the team, but the Steelers’ fan base.
By Tanner Ostrowski
May 9th, 2025
On April 24th, 2025, the NFL Draft’s 1st Round was not very entertaining in terms of trades because there were only four trades. However, two of those trades were big and two of the teams, in separate trades, may have given up too much compensation in order to get the players they wanted. It should be noted though that one of the trades involved a potential generational talent in the NFL that would be the equivalent to Designated Hitter/Pitcher Shohei Ohtani in the MLB.
This article focuses on the selections made in the 1st Round and the reasons the team took the player they did. It also considers trades as a factor into how good the selection is. Finally, grades will be shown to indicate whether the draft pick was satisfactory for each team’s best interests.
1. Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, Miami, 6’2” and 219 pounds:Ward presents a massive upgrade at QB for the Titans over current starter Will Levis. While there are other pressing needs for the team, this was the right move. As said in the past, Ward has some attributes reminiscent of Kansas City Chiefs’ QB Patrick Mahomes, one of the most talented QBs in the NFL.
Grade: A+
2. Jacksonville Jaguars - WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado, 6’0” and 188 pounds (received this pick from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for pick 5, pick 36, and pick 126 in 2025, including a 2026 1st Round pick): The Jaguars pay a steep price and move up to select Hunter, who could possibly play on both offense and defense. This is definitely a “go big or go home” type of move. If this works out, the Jaguars will come out looking like geniuses.
Grade: A
3. New York Giants - EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State, 6’3” and 250 pounds: Drafting Carter is definitely a smart decision. It beefs up their pass rush, as the Giants also have Weakside Linebacker Brian Burns and Nose Tackle Dexter Lawrence. Opposing QBs will be scared to face this defense when they fight it out.
Grade: A
4. New England Patriots - OT Will Campbell, LSU, 6’6” and 319 pounds: Will Campbell is the top OT on the board, so they jump at the opportunity to draft him. He will be their cornerstone OT to protect franchise QB Drake Maye, who showed lots of potential last year. Thus, Maye will be able to develop at a faster pace because of the Patriots’ improved offensive line.
Grade: A+
5. Cleveland Browns - DT Mason Graham, Michigan, 6’3½” and 296 pounds (received this pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for pick 2, pick 104 and pick 200 in 2025): Graham adds some juice to Cleveland’s pass rushing abilities, who already have one of the best pass rushers in the game with DE Myles Garrett. They needed to improve their defense, considering the division they play in, the AFC North, is all about defense. Because of their draft choice, this will keep the Browns competitive in more games this year.
Grade: A-
6. Las Vegas Raiders - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, 5’8½” and 211 pounds: Jeanty is exactly who the Raiders needed. Raiders’ new head coach, Pete Carroll, is all about the run game setting up his QB for success. Jeanty was a beast in college and that is expected to happen in the NFL too. Jeanty is one of the top RBs in recent memory, with his explosion, speed, and tackle-breaking ability. It should be noted that Raiders’ QB, Geno Smith, is used to playing in this system, as Carroll was his coach in Seattle, so this will make the Raiders much better compared to last year.
Grade: A+
7. New York Jets - OT Armand Membou, Missouri, 6’4” and 332 pounds: Another steal in this draft, OT Membou is one of the most athletic offensive linemen. He is also one of the most consistent OTs in the nation. The Jets drafted him with the expectation that he will provide stability and security for the Jets’ new QB, Justin Fields.
Grade: A+
8. Carolina Panthers - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, 6’4” and 219 pounds: McMillan was selected one spot after in the mock draft, but this is still a decent pick. QB Bryce Young now has a big body to throw the ball to, and will potentially be a dangerous weapon, while being a security blanket at the same time. This will let Young prove himself even more after almost being listed as a huge bust last season before his resurgence.
Grade: A-
9. New Orleans Saints - OT Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas, 6’5” and 315 pounds: Considering the fact that OT Ryan Ramczyk recently retired, this is a sneaky selection. However, it is also a questionable move, as they already have two decent OTs. Banks Jr. might have to sit for a year because of the situation, and one of their more pressing needs is at WR, but some teams do not draft for need.
Grade: Grade: B-
10. Chicago Bears - TE Colston Loveland, Michigan, 6’6” and 248 pounds: his decision is very interesting, considering they have TE Cole Kmet already. They have two good TEs, and their offense will be on fire this year, due to all of the talent they have. They should have gone with RB Omarion Hampton (more on him later) because the Bears’ new head coach, Ben Johnson, drafted Detroit Lions’ RB Jahmyr Gibbs and signed RB David Montgomery all in the same offseason when he was with the team as their offensive coordinator. It is shocking that he did not try to copy something like that in the 1st Round.
Grade: C+
11. San Francisco 49ers - EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia, 6’5” and 260 pounds: Mykel Williams is one of the top talents in this entire draft. However, he played at 60% with an ankle injury the entirety of last season. While this does show his toughness, it does amplify some injury concerns, whether it warrants it or not. However, if he turns out to be a major contributor to their defense, this pick will go from a reach to a steal.
Grade: B-
12. Dallas Cowboys - OG Tyler Booker, Alabama, 6’5” and 321 pounds: One of the Cowboys’ greatest OGs ever, Zack Martin, retired in the offseason, so they grab his replacement, who is ready to rumble against opposing defensive lines. Booker is a good draft pick in the sense that new head coach, Brian Schottenheimer, emphasizes the run game. However, it is baffling why they made the selection they did, as they could have gone RB. They do not have adequate talent for the position and Hampton was still on the board. Not only that, but their only good WR is CeeDee Lamb, so a WR2 could have helped.
Grade: B
UPDATE: The Dallas Cowboys made a trade for WR George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers. More details included on the NFL Trades page.
13. Miami Dolphins - DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan, 6’4” and 331 pounds: The Dolphins should have picked a CB due to the possibility of trading CB Jalen Ramsey, but looking into the pick, it definitely makes sense now. Grant will be a monster to deal with in the middle, and the opposing offense will also have to deal with Weakside Linebacker Jaelen Phillips and Strongside Linebacker Bradley Chubb. Now, that will give the opposition nightmares.
Grade: B+
14. Indianapolis Colts - TE Tyler Warren, Penn State, 6’5½” and 256 pounds: This is a brilliant move by the Indianapolis Colts, who land the top TE in this draft. There is some luck involved though, as the Bears took Loveland. Overall, he can do everything the Colts ask him to do, such as blocking or breaking tackles with the ball in his hands.
Grade: A+
15. Atlanta Falcons - EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6’1” and 243 pounds: They draft their EDGE rusher opposite Weakside Linebacker Leonard Floyd for the foreseeable future. This provides pass rushing ability for the Falcons, though Walker should have gone much later in Round 1 compared to where he was drafted. Atlanta should have chosen DT Derrick Harmon (more on him later), but it addressed the need for more pass rushers, whether that would be from the DT or EDGE rusher spots. The question is whether Walker is the right choice. Only time will tell.
Grade: B-
16. Arizona Cardinals - DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, 6’4” and 296 pounds: This is a good pick for the Cardinals, because they go defense and get a player to pair up with their excellent, new pass rusher in DE Josh Sweat. Nolen is already good as it is, as he stops the run, but can also learn how to pass rush. He is very young and still has the chance to develop into an even better player. While I did have them selecting an offensive lineman, this is still a proficient draft move.
Grade: A-
17. Cincinnati Bengals - EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6’5” and 267 pounds: The Bengals make a very risky pick, taking Stewart, who only had 4.5 sacks in his college career (which was three years). While he is a freak athlete, Stewart barely had any production, as previously stated, and there is a possibility that he may be their second best option if DE Trey Hendrickson gets traded. Stewart is not ready for that role and needs plenty of development before that happens.
Grade: D
18. Seattle Seahawks - OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, 6’6” and 312 pounds: The Seahawks go the safe route and upgrade their offensive line with Zabel. Even though new QB Sam Darnold did not get a good, young WR, Seattle gets an offensive lineman to protect him. In fact, Zabel was projected to go one pick before this and is a solid pick for Seattle.
Grade: A-
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, 6’1” and 202 pounds: A surprising pick for many people, Egbuka is a pick for the future. It is very confusing because they re-signed WR Chris Godwin and still have WR Mike Evans, who is one of the most consistent WRs in the league. There must be some circumstances involved, whether it is that they are not feeling good about Godwin’s prospects or they are preparing for life without Evans. Either way, a 1st Round pick is projected to be a WR3 if Godwin recovers from his devastating injury.
Grade: D+
20. Denver Broncos - CB Jahdae Barron, Texas, 5’11” and 194 pounds: While the Broncos improve their top-notch secondary, they only have WR Courtland Sutton as their dependable offensive weapon. The RBs need to improve and show they are capable of playing a good amount of snaps, while the WRs behind Sutton are relatively unproven. Another offensive weapon would have been a great pick here.
Grade: C
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon, 6’4½” and 313 pounds: The Steelers did not take the opportunity to draft a QB to develop for the future. However, they do get a good defensive piece in Harmon. He was projected to go earlier in the 1st Round, but Pittsburgh gets a good value out of the pick. And the division they play in, the AFC North, is all about defense, so this helps them keep games closer with his pass rushing ability. The one question mark about this team is whether they go into the season with QB Mason Rudolph as their starter or somebody else, per se, QB Aaron Rodgers. Otherwise, this is a good selection.
Grade: B-
22. Los Angeles Chargers - RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, 6’0” and 221 pounds: This is a puzzling pick, as the team just signed RB Najee Harris in the offseason. Not only that, but Hampton and Harris are very similar RBs. They could have used this pick in a much better way, for example, improving their pass rush. It is a baffling decision.
Grade: F
23. Green Bay Packers - WR Matthew Golden, Texas, 5’11” and 191 pounds: The Packers went with the perfect pick in the 1st Round. They need a WR to take the top off of defenses, as WR Christian Watson is recovering from a torn ACL. They did exactly that, as Green Bay selected WR Matthew Golden. He ran a 4.29 40-yard dash, the fastest time for a WR in the NFL Scouting Combine. This is why the Packers take a WR in Round 1 for the first time since 2002.
Grade: A+
24. Minnesota Vikings - OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, 6’4” and 315 pounds: Minnesota takes Jackson as their future OG, who could also be an immediate contributor. Booker was projected to go to the Vikings, but he was already taken by the Dallas Cowboys. He is the second-best option for the team, and this is a nice selection by the team, as they needed serious help in this area.
Grade: A
25. New York Giants - QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, 6’2” and 223 pounds (received this pick from the Houston Texans in exchange for pick 34 and pick 99 in 2025, along with a 2026 3rd Round pick): The Giants make the right choice and draft Dart, who has lots of potential. He gets to sit behind two veteran QBs named Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, who have been in the league for a very long time. This will give Dart multiple resources to go to about how to improve himself as a player. Dart has an unbelievable arm, but needs seasoning as he played in one of the least friendly pro-style offenses. This is one of the best landing spots for him. Just watch out for the media there.
Grade: A
26. Atlanta Falcons - EDGE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee, 6’5” and 245 pounds (received this pick and pick 101 in 2025 from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for pick 46 and pick 242 in 2025, in addition to a 2026 1st Round pick): The Falcons trade into the 1st Round and take yet another pass rusher. Now, it is never a bad thing to have too many pass rushers, and Pearce Jr. is one of the best in this draft with his incredible speed. However, they give up too much compensation, despite Pearce Jr.’s status. They must have really liked him to give up that much, but is the compensation really worth it? Who knows.
Grade: B-
27. Baltimore Ravens - Safety Malaki Starks, Georgia, 6’1” and 197 pounds: The Ravens choose Starks to be Safety Kyle Hamilton’s running mate. This is a great selection by the team, as they get the second-best option. In the mock draft, they got Safety Xavier Watts from Notre Dame, but Starks was not available at this point. The Rams were projected to take him, but they traded out of Round 1, so the Ravens had some massive luck when it came to selecting Starks.
Grade: A+
28. Detroit Lions - DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State, 6’3” and 334 pounds: Tyleik Williams presents the future of the DT position for the Lions, adding some energy to the defensive line while learning from veteran DTs Alim McNeill and DJ Reader. This is a great pick for the upcoming years, but the pick may not help them right away. Despite them being in win-now mode, they decide to look out for the future, which is smart.
Grade: B
29. Washington Commanders - OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon, 6’5 and 311 pounds: This move committed by the Commanders is a little bit confusing. They just made a trade for OT Laremy Tunsil, one of the top 10 OTs in the NFL. Now, they could replace OT Andrew Wylie, which is the most likely scenario, but Conerly Jr. is still a rookie, so it might take a while for him to get the starting job. This is a move looking towards the future.
Grade: B
30. Buffalo Bills - CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, 5’11” and 183 pounds: The Bills select Hairston, who will be CB Christian Benford’s running mate. Hairston has much more upside though, as he ran a 4.28 in the NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest amongst all prospects in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He also has great instincts and is very fluid. All of the aforementioned attributes will make a potential CB1 for the Bills. In the mock draft, he was taken 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so the Bills got a massive steal by making this selection.
Grade: A+
31. Philadelphia Eagles - Linebacker Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6’3” and 235 pounds (received this pick from the Kansas City Chiefs for pick 164):The Eagles make a huge value pick, picking Jihaad Campbell, who would have gone much higher if not for injury concerns. In the mock draft, he went 7th overall to the New York Jets, and because of this, they won the award for making the steal of the draft. Jihaad Campbell is a versatile player, playing both Linebacker and on the EDGE. And as stated in the mock draft, he scored a RAS of 9.85 out of 10.
Grade: A+
32. Kansas City Chiefs - OT Josh Simmons, Ohio State, 6’5” and 317 pounds (received this pick from Philadelphia Eagles):This an interesting move by Kansas City, as they do not go for a RB to pair with RB Isiah Pacheco. They do not even draft a WR or think about the future of their TE position (though it could be argued that the value was not there at the time of this pick). Instead, they decide to select an OT. Credit to them because Simmons could become an immediate starter on the offensive line. The Chiefs stuck with their guts and decided to protect their future first-ballot Hall of Famer. Admittedly, it is a boring pick, but as said, it is still a good one.
Grade: A-
By Tanner Ostrowski
May 4th, 2025
This exercise talks about the Green Bay Packers’ draft picks and my analysis about each individual draftee. It includes what I think about the selections, which will be indicated by my grades.
Round 1(23) - Matthew Golden, WR, Texas, 5’11” and 191 pounds:This scenario worked out perfectly for the Packers, as they addressed a position of need at a great value. Golden was the fastest WR in this year’s combine, running a 4.29 40-yard dash. He can take over the Christian Watson role, who is recovering from a torn ACL. He has an excellent change of direction and can run routes well too. He can make the adjustments in order to catch the contested ball. He can also play on the inside. Overall, he can take over Watson’s role, but can do so much more and gives QB Jordan Love a dangerous weapon to use all over the field.
Grade: A+
Round 2(54) - Anthony Belton, OL, NC State, 6’6” and 335 pounds:The pick is somewhat confusing at first, due to the fact that the team has OT Rasheed Walker and OT/OG Jordan Morgan (the latter is their 1st Round pick from last year). However, when I think about it more, it now makes sense. Rasheed Walker is entering the last year of his contract and it sounds like the Packers think Belton can also play OG. Current RG Sean Rhyan is another one in the final year of his contract. Belton is very athletic for his size, scoring a 7.72 RAS out of 10 as an OT and 8.80 as an OG. He is a big man and can maul defensive linemen with ease. He is best suited at OG due to his athleticism, strength and stature. This selection is for the future and the offensive line could look like this after this season - LT Jordan Morgan, LG Aaron Banks, Center Elgton Jenkins, RG Anthony Belton, RT Zach Tom.
Grade: B-
Round 3(87) - Savion Williams, WR, TCU, 6’4” and 220 pounds:He is an athletic freak, running a 4.48 40-yard dash at his size. At college, he was used as a WR, and surprisingly, was also utilized in the backfield, whether that would be at RB or at wildcat QB. He can run through people with his combination of speed, size, and toughness. However, he is more of a gadget player than a pure WR at this point. He can drop the ball easily, despite his build and his large 10 ¼” size hands. Savion Williams needs to get this issue under control to become a more integral part of the offense in the future, otherwise, he will remain a gadget player and that is not what the Packers drafted him for.
Grade: C-
Round 4(124) - Barryn Sorrell, EDGE, Texas, 6’3” and 256 pounds:Sorrell has great athletic abilities that allow him to get into the backfield. He can shed blocks and get to the runner. He also never gives up on a play, always showing 100% effort the entire time he is on the field. He looks the part of a developed player, because of the fact he played in 49 games throughout his four years in college. He accumulated 25 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks in his last three seasons at Texas according to Sports Reference's website. Overall, this is an excellent value pick considering the type of player Sorrell is.
Grade: A+
Round 5(159) - Collin Oliver, EDGE/Linebacker, Oklahoma State, 6’2” and 240 pounds: Oliver has elite speed for his size. He is at his best when rushing the QB, both at the Linebacker and EDGE rusher positions. However, he is better off on the EDGE due to his lack of instincts at Linebacker. Not only that, but because of his smaller build, he will most likely be used as a situational pass rusher. While his traits are brilliant, his size is what worries me the most.
Grade: B-
Round 6(198) - Warren Brinson, DL, Georgia, 6’5” and 315 pounds:While Brinson’s athleticism pops out on tape, his lack of strength also sticks out. From what I have seen, it looks as if he cannot finish off plays most of the time. That is concerning. Another reason to be alarmed is that he was mostly a part-time player. If he cannot be a full-time starter at Georgia, how will that work out in the NFL? Not very promising.
Grade: C-
Round 7(237) - Micah Robinson, CB, Tulane, 5’11” and 184 pounds:Robinson is a smaller CB who plays primarily on the outside. He is fast, running a 4.42 according to people that were at his pro day. He has good instincts and seems to be a sure tackler. However, he does not have the athleticism that many people would like from a smaller CB, as he has a RAS of 6.41 out of 10. That limits his upside at the pro level.
Grade: C+
Round 7(250) - John Williams, OL, Cincinnati, 6’4” and 322 pounds:John Williams is a brilliant selection at this point in the draft. He was primarily a LT at college, but could transition to Guard due to his size. He has the athleticism to play OT and the strength to play as an OG. He takes on pass rushers with ease. Overall, this is a sneaky upside pick by the Packers. They could develop him into a valuable swing offensive lineman, or maybe even a starter. This is definitely one of my favorite picks considering Green Bay’s track record with turning late round offensive linemen into starters.
Grade: A+
Overall Summary and Grade
Things can (and will) change in the future, but for the sole purpose of this exercise, I will give this draft class a grade of a B-.There are some excellent picks like WR Matthew Golden, EDGE Barryn Sorrell, and OL John Williams. However, there are selections that are mind-boggling, such as the decision to draft WR Savion Williams in the 3rd Round, along with drafting DL Warren Brinson and CB Micah Robinson. If it were not for the three previously mentioned picks, the class would have received a B+ to A-.
By Tanner Ostrowski
April 23rd, 2025
This mock draft will simulate who will be selected in the 1st Round and there are no trades included. There is also an explanation about why each team picked each player.
Note: RAS (Relative Athletic Score) goes up to 10, which is the highest score in terms of athleticism. Created by Kent Lee Platte.
1. Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, Miami, 6’2” and 219 pounds:Ward is the top QB in the class and the Titans would be smart to take him, considering their lack of talent at the position. Ward has a lot of experience as he played for multiple colleges. He can also throw from multiple arm angles, which is somewhat reminiscent of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes.
2. Cleveland Browns - EDGE Abdul Carter, Penn State, 6’3” and 250 pounds:Carter is one of the most talented players in the entire draft. If Cleveland were to make this pick, they would end up pairing Carter with one of the most disruptive players in the game, DE Myles Garrett. With this combination, their defense would scare opposing offenses.
3. New York Giants - OL Will Campbell, LSU, 6’6” and 319 pounds:Will Campbell can play OT and OG. The point is that he is one of the best offensive linemen in this draft class. The Giants need some reinforcements and this would, hopefully, solve the team’s problems.
4. New England Patriots - OL Armand Membou, Missouri, 6’4” and 332 pounds:Membou is one of the most athletic offensive linemen this year and he scored a 9.82 RAS out of 10. He was not a crazy commodity before the combine, but now, he is one of the top options on the board. He can also play many positions on the offensive line too.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado, 6’0” and 188 pounds:The Jaguars’ need for a CB is bad, so they decide to take one of the most unique players in the modern era. Jacksonville can also use Hunter at WR if it is absolutely warranted. Hunter is elusive, quick and fast. His hands are excellent, as he seemingly never drops the ball.
6. Las Vegas Raiders - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, 5’8 ½” and 211 pounds:The Las Vegas Raiders General Manager, John Spytek, is on the record during a news conference stating that he values the RB position. Jeanty is one of the best RBs to go through the draft process in recent memory. He is fast, strong, and has a compact build. All of these factors make him an attractive option for the Raiders.
7. New York Jets - Linebacker Jihaad Campbell, Alabama, 6’3” and 235 pounds:The Jets draft Jihaad Campbell, who is one of the top linebackers in the draft. He is very athletic, scoring a 9.85 RAS and the Jets have a serious need for this position. He can also play on the EDGE too.
8. Carolina Panthers - DT Mason Graham, Michigan, 6’3 ½” and 296 pounds:In this scenario, Graham falls down in the draft, so the Panthers take the opportunity to draft one of the top prospects in this class. Based on the tape, Graham is athletic. However, there is not a lot of official athletic testing that he completed. Despite that, he is an absolute steal at this stage in the draft.
9. New Orleans Saints - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona, 6’4” and 219 pounds:The Saints might have a long term need at WR as Rashid Shaheed is a deep threat, Brandin Cooks is getting older, and Chris Olave has had concussion issues. Ultimately, they decide to draft a WR for the future that could also be an immediate contributor named Tetairoa McMillan. He brings a new element to the passing attack with his playing style and complements the receiving corps. He plays like Atlanta Falcons WR Drake London, and most of the Saints WRs are speedsters, so this should help the Saints offense.
10. Chicago Bears - RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, 6’0” and 221 pounds:According to Matt Miller of ESPN, the Bears wanted Jeanty, but since he is off the board, they go with the second best RB option on the board. Hampton would complement Bears’ RB D’Andre Swift excellently, as Hampton would be the thunder to Swift’s lightning. Head coach Ben Johnson, who was the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, had a very similar situation. Johnson had RBs Jahymr Gibbs and David Montgomery, who were also a lightning and thunder combination. Overall, he might try to repeat this.
11. San Francisco 49ers - CB Jahdae Barron, Texas, 5’11” and 194 pounds:Barron plays CB, in addition to playing in the slot and Safety. He will help the 49ers in that aspect, as they have a need for a CB and Safety. Since he plays those positions, this helps the 49ers tremendously and Barron does his job at a high level.
12. Dallas Cowboys - WR Matthew Golden, Texas, 5’11” and 191 pounds:Golden will complement WR CeeDee Lamb very well, as Golden has elite speed and can take the top off of the defense. He will be an upgrade over WR KaVonte Turpin, and even though Turpin is also a speedster, he is much smaller, and would not do well in a full-time role due to his stature. Ultimately, Golden will be a better WR and has better size.
13. Miami Dolphins - CB Will Johnson, Michigan, 6’2” and 194 pounds:Johnson will eventually take over the role left by CB Jalen Ramsey, who the team is trying to trade according to the Dolphins’ General Manager Chris Grier in a news conference. Johnson is a great replacement, and at one point, was regarded as the top CB in the draft.
14. Indianapolis Colts - TE Tyler Warren, Penn State, 6’5 ½” and 256 pounds:The Colts have a desperate need at TE, so Warren is their decision, who is the best TE in the class. He is big and athletic. In fact, he is very tough and blocks well because of his stature. He also trucks people and drags defenders with him once in a while.
15. Atlanta Falcons - DT Derrick Harmon, Oregon, 6’4 ½” and 313 pounds:The Falcons have a need at DT, so they take Harmon here. This position is one of their main weaknesses and Harmon can take one of the defensive linemen spots. This selection will help the team with their pass rush in the future or even immediately.
16. Arizona Cardinals - OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, 6’6” and 312 pounds:Zabel has the ability to play all five positions. He would most likely play OG or Center due to Arizona’s weaknesses in those areas of the offensive line. Zabel is also super athletic, so this will help the team immensely.
17. Cincinnati Bengals - Safety Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina, 6’3” and 220 pounds:Emmanwori will be a nightmare for opposing offenses. His size, speed, and explosion gave him a perfect 10 out of 10 RAS. He plays in slot and linebacker too according to multiple sources. He will most likely play Safety, where the Bengals need him the most. He will make a big impact for their defense.
18. Seattle Seahawks - WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, 6’1” and 202 pounds:The Seahawks have had success in the past drafting an Ohio State WR, so they do the same thing here. Egbuka has been a highly regarded prospect for multiple years now and is very versatile. He could possibly be the second best option behind former Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith Njigba, despite the presence of Seattle’s new WR, Cooper Kupp.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky, 5’11” and 183 pounds:Hairston is a fast and fluid ballhawk. Not only does he do that well, but he is a great blitzer according to many sources. Bowles is a huge fan of blitzing, so Hairston fits Todd Bowles’ defensive scheme well.
20. Denver Broncos - WR Luther Burden III, Missouri, 6’0” and 206 pounds:Burden III is a great WR, especially in the slot. He is one of the most talented WRs in the draft, and plays anywhere on the field. He is quick, elusive, and makes difficult catches. Burden III has much more potential to fulfill and can excel with Bo Nix as his QB.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers - QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, 6’2” and 223 pounds:The Steelers current QBs are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, which does not provide confidence in any sort of way. This situation makes Pittsburgh take Dart, who has an excellent arm and can throw it into tight windows. However, Dart did not play in a pro-style offense in college, so the transition to the NFL could prove to be difficult. Either way, PIttsburgh rolls the dice and hopes for the best.
22. Los Angeles Chargers - DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss, 6’4” and 296 pounds:A DT who is already good at his position and will only get better because of his youth, Nolen can contribute to the Chargers run defense immediately. He still needs some work when it comes to pass rushing the QB, but he has so much more development ahead of him. He could be a dangerous DT for years to come.
23. Green Bay Packers - EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia, 6’5” and 260 pounds:According to Williams himself, he played at 60% during the 2024 season due to an ankle injury. This shows his toughness and how he approaches the game. The Packers are betting on a player, who when healthy, is unstoppable. He can be an immediate contributor, and has potential to become an even better player.
24. Minnesota Vikings - IOL Tyler Booker, Alabama, 6’5” and 321 pounds:Booker can be a contributor in his first year, but may have to sit for a bit. The reasoning for this selection is that the Vikings are looking towards the future. Booker is mean and willing to bully opposing defensive linemen. That is what makes him attractive to Minnesota.
25. Houston Texans - OL Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, 6’4” and 315 pounds:Jackson is the future starting OG for the Texans, but for now, he will have to be a backup. He is athletic and can also play OT in a pinch if needed. He will help Houston exceptionally.
26. Los Angeles Rams - Safety Malaki Starks, Georgia, 6’1” and 197 pounds:Starks can play Safety, along with nickelback. That versatility will be the reason why the Rams pick Starks, as he fills those needs. He plays the positions well but takes unnecessary risks trying to pick off the ball. Otherwise, this is a great pick for the win-now Rams.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Safety Xavier Watts, Notre Dame, 6’0” and 204 pounds:Watts is a ballhawk and is consistently in the vicinity of where the ball is at. He would be a great running mate with fellow Safety Kyle Hamilton. He could also replace Ar’Darius Washington, who wants more money, which he is unlikely to get from Baltimore. Watts is a long term pick.
28. Detroit Lions - Linebacker/EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia, 6’1” and 245 pounds:Walker is a great value pick for the Detroit Lions. He can play one of the Linebacker spots while contributing on the EDGE once in a while, especially before DE Aidan Hutchinson plays and starts to get acclimated, becoming a full-time player once again. Walker’s athleticism, strength, and versatility help him become the pick for Detroit.
29. Washington Commanders - TE Colston Loveland, Michigan, 6’6” and 248 pounds:The Commanders get their TE of the future in Loveland. He is very athletic and is used all over the field. He is quick for his size and plays all over the field. He can be used in motion and would be a great weapon for QB Jayden Daniels.
30. Buffalo Bills - CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss, 6’1” and 195 pounds:Amos does not have one attribute that stands out, but the combination of traits give him a high-floor. That makes this selection a safe pick for the Bills.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State, 5’10” and 202 pounds:The Chiefs pick up a big-time RB to pair with RB Isiah Pacheco. This combination will make the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense more dangerous, as they lacked a running game during the 2024 season. Henderson is the lightning to Pacheco’s thunder. Henderson is extremely quick and muscular. Henderson is also a three-down back.
32. Philadelphia Eagles - EDGE Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M, 6’5” and 267 pounds:Stewart is an athletic freak, one of the best in the draft to be exact. The Eagles love pass rushers and know how to develop them. If Stewart can learn some pass rush moves, it will allow him to get many more sacks. Ultimately, it is a gamble by Philadelphia, and based on their history, they have good odds to make Stewart an impactful pass rusher.
By Tanner Ostrowski
April 21st, 2025
The mock draft above was completed on Pro Football & Sports Network, four days before the draft occurred. It includes trades and the simulation covers the entire draft (Rounds 1-7).
Round 1
The Packers had the 23rd pick originally but there was not much value, so I traded down to the 30th pick overall and selected Defensive Tackle Walter Nolen (6’4” and 296 pounds) out of Ole Miss. Nolen has a lot of upside because he is 21 years old and will only continue to develop his great athleticism and pass rush moves. Ultimately, his tremendous potential is what gets him drafted here.
Round 2
The first pick of this round was received via a trade up, which allowed me to get one of my favorite Wide Receivers, Utah State’s Jalen Royals (6’0” and 205 pounds). He has a great ability to gain many yards after the catch and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash. He has easy acceleration too, as he runs a 1.49 10-yard split, which tied for first at the NFL Combine. The ability to escape, along with his great speed and acceleration makes him a good selection.
As part of the compensation I received for 23rd pick, I got the 58th pick and selected Arkansas EDGE Landon Jackson (6’6” and 264 pounds), who is an athletic marvel with a RAS of 9.78. He is an absolute monster and at his stature, could also play on the Interior Defensive Line if he gains more weight.
Round 3
I traded up for the 100th selection and picked Cornerback Jordan Hancock (6’0” and 205 pounds) from Ohio State. First, he has some very good athleticism, scoring a 9.82 RAS, which will meet Green Bay Packers’ General Manager Brian Gutekunst’s standards for athleticism. He can also play Safety and in the slot. However, he was not my number one choice, as I was hoping to get another Cornerback, but they were flying off the draft board. This meant I decided to take one before the decent ones were gone. I panicked and it was not smart. This is my least favorite pick.
Round 4
This time around, there was a player falling down so I took that opportunity and traded up plenty of spots to get him. That player is none other than Stanford Wide Receiver Elic Ayomanor (6’2” and 206 pounds). This is my favorite pick because the opportunity presented itself to trade up and select this player. He also ran a 4.44 40-yard dash and is somewhat a great route-runner, as he is able to find his way to the ball seemingly a lot of the time. He shows his willingness to get better on the field due to his brilliant work ethic according to multiple sources. It should be noted that the Packers also used a top-30 visit on him.
Round 5
No one was drafted as the pick(s) were traded away.
Round 6
The next selection was Wisconsin Offensive Tackle Jack Nelson (6’7” and 314 pounds), who could become a very good swing/backup Tackle for the Packers. He has some athleticism but there is no official testing, so his athleticism is in question. He was given draftable grades by websites, and the Packers usually draft Offensive Linemen, so I took one here.
Round 7
At this point in the Draft, the selections are lottery tickets. The players have high potential, but also a very low floor. These next two picks are exact examples of that. The first of two 7th Round picks was Nebraska Wide Receiver Isaiah Neyor. He is a freakish athlete at 6’4” and 218 pounds, with a RAS of 9.98. He ran a 4.40 40-yard dash and a 38” vertical jump. He could take over Packers’ Wide Receiver Christian Watson’s role as the deep threat because of his height, weight, and speed. However, this will probably not happen as Neyor has a tendency to drop many passes. That is the reason he will be drafted late, and if he could catch, he would be drafted much earlier.
The final pick was used on Florida Cornerback Trikweze Bridges (6’2” and 196 pounds), who was not even invited to the NFL Combine this draft cycle. However, he showed out at his pro day, getting a 9.16 RAS. He is very similar to Jordan Hancock, the previous selection, as he can play Safety and even in the slot too. Some sources said he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and others have timed it at 4.45. He would be an excellent depth piece and probably has a higher floor than his fellow 7th Round pick.
By Tanner Ostrowski
February 13th, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs went into New Orleans with the dream of being the first team in the Super Bowl era to three-peat. The Packers did win three consecutive championships, it should be noted that the first win was not a Super Bowl win. However, the Philadelphia Eagles ended those hopes and annihilated the Chiefs 40-22. The Chiefs played terribly, especially through the first three quarters when they were losing 34-6. It was a shame for some fans and some would say it was an embarrassment for the Chiefs, because they had one of the best defenses, and had a player some people consider the GOAT, Quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs defensive plan was to stop Eagles RB Saquon Barkley from running all over them and to dare Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to throw the ball. The game plan did make sense, because the Eagles were almost unstoppable because of Barkley. They executed that part of the plan impressively, and he had only 57 yards on 25 rushing attempts.
Since Barkley was struggling, Hurts had to step up to the challenge and that is what he exactly did. Hurts showed the Chiefs that he was not just a “sidekick” to Saquon, but somebody that can take control of the offense when necessary. Hurts proved that he can be the “boss” when he scored three TDs (two passing and one rushing). Additionally, the Chiefs were so focused on hunting down Saquon, they forgot Hurts could run; he had 72 rushing yards on 11 attempts, which is good for an average of 6.5 yards. Hurts showed that he could make the big-time throws when he threw a 46-yard pass to fellow teammate WR DeVonta Smith for a spectacular TD.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had one of his worst games, with two interceptions, one of them returned for a pick-six by Eagles CB Cooper DeJean. For someone that is known as one of the most clutch players in the entire NFL, he overwhelmingly underperformed and failed. However, there is a good explanation for this performance. Mahomes was under constant pressure, taking six sacks throughout the entirety of the game.
The Chiefs offensive game plan did not help them at all. They should have run the ball more at the beginning of the game. The RBs ran the ball three times the entire 1st Half while Mahomes threw an astronomical amount of passes in comparison to the number of rushing attempts they had. Because of this, the Eagles defense was keened in on Mahomes. They should have run the ball much more which would have made the Eagles defense off balance. Philly would have needed to focus on the running game a little bit more, thereby giving Mahomes a chance to play like he usually does. Mahomes would have faced much less pressure. Mahomes did throw three TDs, but it was too little, too late. The Chiefs' offensive line could not hold up against the Eagles vaunted defense. This result, to say the least, is shocking and unexpected.
The Eagles offense and defense had a fire lit under them, proving themselves to be the best, despite people stating the Chiefs were going to win the game. Ultimately, the Chiefs' quest ended in misery and the Eagles were the better team all along. Not many people expected the dominance that the Eagles showed during Super Bowl 59.
By Tanner Ostrowski
February 4th, 2025
The Philadelphia Eagles are seeking vengeance against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are currently on a quest for a three-peat. The Eagles actually started the Chiefs' journey to this piece of history. It started on February 12th, 2023, where the teams faced off at Glendale, Arizona, with the Chiefs beating the Eagles by three points, 38-35.
The following season ended in back-to-back Super Bowl wins for Kansas City, as on February 11th, 2024, the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22, another three point win. The Chiefs are looking to be the first team in the Super Bowl era to three-peat. And they are one game away from accomplishing this.
Both teams have had their struggles and strides throughout the season. The Chiefs won a lot of games during the season, going 15-2 this season. However, the Chiefs got beyond lucky a majority of the games throughout this season. Beginning Week 1, Baltimore’s Tight End, Isaiah Likely, caught a possible, game-tying touchdown pass but it was overturned due to his toes being out-of-bounds. Their good luck streak continued into Week 14, when Kansas City’s backup kicker, Matthew Wright kicked a game-winning field goal, despite the football hitting the field goal post in the process. After this, the Chiefs went on fire, as their offense ignited the flames (with the exception of their last game, as the Chiefs’ backups lost 38-0 to the Denver Broncos’ starters). They went on to beat the Buffalo Bills to get into the Super Bowl.
The Eagles started their season 2-2 to begin the season, and at one point, there were rumors that the coaches would get fired. That drama ended fairly quickly, as they went 12-1 the rest of the way before making the playoffs. Then, the team dominated the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card Round, beat the Los Angeles Rams, and then obliterated their rivals, the Washington Commanders in order to make it back to the Super Bowl.
There are three major factors that will impact the game. The first factor is obvious, as Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes needs to play at his best. The Chiefs run game is modest to say at the least, so Mahomes will need to keep on doing what he usually does, which is winning games. However, the pressure is on a whole other level, as he is trying to write him and his team down in the history books.
The second factor is Eagles RB Saquon Barkley. Will he be able to carry his team like he has had most of the season? There are no guarantees that Barkley will keep on dominating like he has before this event. This will be his first Super Bowl game and will have to rise to the occasion, which many are expecting him to.
However, both of these factors hinge on one thing, which is how well the defenses will play. Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio are some of the top defensive minds in the game, and will try whatever it takes to beat their opposition. Spagnuolo will probably load the box and make Eagles QB Jalen Hurts beat them with his arm, and after that, Spagnuolo will bring on the blitz, as he is very well known for. Vic Fangio will have a tougher time, as Mahomes slices and dices through defenses like he normally does, attacking whatever they give him. But there has to be some confidence in Vic Fangio, as he is an excellent defensive coordinator.
The Chiefs will try their hardest to do something that has never been accomplished in the Super Bowl era. Meanwhile, the Eagles will have a chance for redemption to stop Kansas City from continuing their dynasty. It will be tough for both teams, due to the pressure, but it should be a close and entertaining game to get the most coveted trophy in all of the United States, the Lombardi Trophy.