NFL Analysis

2/13/25

26 min read

NFL QB Power Rankings: Which Teams Have the Best (and Worst) Plans?

Jan 18, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws a pass during the first quarter against Detroit Lions in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Having a quarterback plan — whether it be developing a young player or building around a veteran — is arguably the most important thing an NFL team needs to have every offseason. Hitting on a quarterback can be a franchise-changing move and being prepared to take advantage of that player is just as important.

With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at and rank the quarterback outlooks for all 32 teams. This will include quarterback quality, investment and how that impacts the rest of the roster, as well as what the plan looks like for the upcoming season.

TIER 1: ThIs Guy Makes Life Easier

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

1. Kansas City Chiefs

2024 review: We saw the pros and cons of leaning on Patrick Mahomes for everything. Mahomes still finished 10th in EPA per play during the regular season while the offense never felt fully cohesive. Still, that got the Chiefs to the Super Bowl. However, we saw the limits of that with the offensive line crumbling and Mahomes having one of the worst games of his career.

2025 outlook: This is still Patrick Mahomes, so there’s as big of a margin for error as there could be in trying to surround the quarterback with working pieces. However, after coming up short for the past few seasons—which again included two Super Bowls and another Super Bowl appearance—the Chiefs need some bigger hits on offseason additions.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson makes a pass against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021.

2. Baltimore Ravens

2024 review: Lamar Jackson led the league in EPA per play and was named the first-team All-Pro at quarterback. Jackson was one of the league’s best pocket passers in the second year under Todd Monken and his rushing ability combined with the threat of Derrick Henry opened up the running game.

2025 outlook: Jackson’s continued development will allow the Ravens to have a top-tier offense whenever he’s on the field, and more could be added to the offense this offseason to continue opening up the passing game. 

Jan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) rushes the ball past Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner (27) during the second half in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

3. Buffalo Bills

2024 review: Josh Allen was the 2024 NFL MVP and deserved the honor for having the best season of his career in a year when the Bills were going through a soft rebuild on offense. Allen’s ability to play a more controlled style of offense while mixing in his wild throws untapped another level to his game.

2025 outlook: As with the two quarterbacks above, Allen’s presence alone sets a high floor, making it easier to build around him. The Bills might be more likely to keep course and allow the young players to develop at receiver, but as we saw with the Amari Cooper trade, Buffalo is not averse to taking a swing at a potential No. 1 if available.

Jan 26, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs with the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

4. Washington Commanders

2024 review: Jayden Daniels exceeded all expectations as the second overall pick. The Commanders had a clear development plan for him and added more to the offense each week, which resulted in Daniels finishing seventh in EPA per play and leading Washington to the NFC Championship Game.

2025 outlook: There’s nothing better than a star quarterback in the early years of his rookie deal. The Commanders now get to double down on that with around $75 million in cap space this offseason. Given how this offense was set up and the clear structure around it, it’s difficult to think about a potential sophomore slump. Daniels is likely to be in a better environment in Year 2 and his own play is a big reason for that.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws from the pocket in the first quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

2024 review: Statistically, Joe Burrow had one of the best seasons of his career. He was eighth in EPA per play and second in success rate but one of the league’s worst defenses stopped the Bengals from winning enough games to make the playoffs.

2025 outlook: With Burrow paid and Ja’Marr Chase about to be, the Bengals might not have enough left to pay Tee Higgins. That could limit the offense while the defense still doesn’t have a path to immediately improve. It’s a uniquely Bengals dilemma when other teams are finding ways to pay multiple players near the top of the market but Burrow does set a baseline for success regardless of how Cincinnati approaches the rest of the roster.

TIER 2: Good quarterbacks, need help

Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

6. Los Angeles Chargers

2024 review: Through an uneven season, Justin Herbert had some of his best games at the end of the year and found success with his legs. He finished 12th in EPA per play without much help on the offense and the Chargers made the playoffs.

2025 outlook: Herbert, as of now, sits just outside the quarterbacks of the tier above — setting enough of a floor but not completely able to lift up everything around him. But like the Bills, 2024 exceeded expectations in a soft reset and the Chargers did it with a coaching staff change. Having Herbert should speed up the process of building a more complete offense around him.

Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

7. Green Bay Packers

2024 review: Jordan Love didn’t exactly improve on his hot second half of the 2023 season but he also didn’t completely fall off. While missing some games and playing through injuries, which Love admitted sapped some of his willingness and ability to run, he still finished 13th in EPA per play. 

2025 outlook: Love got a big contract in the offseason but it’s paid in a way that doesn’t hinder the Packers from doing anything in free agency, if they choose to do so. Green Bay only has $32 million charged on the cap at quarterback for the 2025 season. With a full season of health, Love should look more like the 2023 version, making the throws he still showed he could make with fewer forced passes leading into turnovers.

Jan 18, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) drops back to pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs in a 2025 AFC divisional round game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

8. Houston Texans

2024 review: Even if anyone suspected a sophomore slump, no one would have predicted C.J. Stroud would finish the season 28th in EPA per play. The ineffective early-down run game put too much pressure on Stroud throughout the season and he regressed in some of the areas that allowed him to overcome those shortcomings as a rookie.

2025 outlook: Bobby Slowik is out and Nick Caley is in as the team’s offensive coordinator. Caley comes from the Rams and will bring some of the traditional McCay offense offense with the Matthew Stafford adjustments. That should help Stroud, who still has plenty of talent entering his third season. 

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

9. Philadelphia Eagles

2024 review: The Eagles won the Super Bowl. Jalen Hurts had his two best games of the season in the NFC Championship and the Super Bowl, helping to lead the Eagles to their second Lombardi Trophy. Hurts had an uneven season as a passer but often made enough plays to be supported by the talent around him and then played his best in the most important games.

2025 outlook: Because of how the Eagles manage their cap, there’s little worry about keeping this version of the team together while so many players are paid at the top of the market. With Kellen Moore leaving to be the head coach of the New Orleans Saints, the Eagles will have to hire a new offensive coordinator and figure out what they want this offense to look like but Hurts has proven he can be a catalyst for the offense. Unlike the other teams in this tier, the help is already on the roster and the Eagles just need to keep everything in place.

Nov 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) scrambles against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

10. Dallas Cowboys

2024 review: Things did not go well. The Cowboys struggled when Dak Prescott was healthy and then a hamstring injury forced the quarterback to miss most of the season. The offense was stale, something Prescott was able to overcome with great success in 2023 but could not continue in 2024 as there were no meaningful additions to the roster.

2025 outlook: Prescott is still one of the league’s best quarterbacks, so we’ll start there. He’s currently set for the highest cap hit in the league at $89.9 million, but that will be restructured and lowered. However, it’s unclear how much cash spending that will open up, especially with Micah Parsons due for a deal on the defensive side of the ball. The offense is a question mark, with Brian Schottenhimer now taking over as head coach after spending the past two years as the offensive coordinator under Mike McCarthy. 

TIER 3: Developing the young guys

Jan 5, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up before the start of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

11. New England Patriots

2024 review: After Drake Maye started the season behind Jacoby Brissett on the depth chart, he showcased his ability to lift the talent of those around him. The offensive line wasn’t as much of a problem and Maye ended up 15th in success rate, second-best among the rookie quarterbacks behind Daniels, despite being in the worst situation among that group of quarterbacks. 

2025 outlook: Maye was already able to cover up some of the structure and talent issues during his rookie season and now the Patriots head into the offseason with the most cap space in the league. New England could fix the offensive line, bring in more receiving weapons, or both. There’s a clear path to build around a talented quarterback in his second season.

Jan 5, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

12. Chicago Bears

2024 review: The situation was that widely billed as the best supporting cast for a first overall pick turned out to be not that. Caleb Williams was often forced into creation mode because of poor pass-blocking and offensive structure. When he wasn’t forced, he bailed early expecting some to go wrong. Williams finished 31st in EPA per play.

2025 outlook: Put together Williams’s best eight games and they’re borderline top-10 quarterback play. He’s a talented passer who now should get the benefit of a better offensive system under new head coach Ben Johnson. If the floor can be raised, this will look closer to the situation we believed Williams would be in as a rookie.

Jan 12, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws downfield during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

13. Denver Broncos

2024 review: The Broncos figured out the best fit for an offense built around Bo Nix. It was heavy with play-action and screens that helped open up some shots down the field. It was enough to get Nix to finish 17th in EPA per play as a rookie — much better than most expectations but not nearly as good as his biggest defenders would suggest.

2025 outlook: With the question of how to structure the offense now handled, the Broncos will go into Year 2 with a better plan from the start. Much of that includes a plus offensive line — Nix was 27th in success rate under pressure — but Denver isn’t losing anyone there and has the financial flexibility to add more at receiver to continue opening up the offense.

TIER 4: Brock Purdy is about to get expensive

Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

14. San Francisco 49ers

2024 review: Brock Purdy was still effective as the 49ers went through a ton of injuries throughout the 2024 season and Purdy took on a heavier load but the offense wasn’t otherworldly as it was in 2023. There was no Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk was lost for most of the season, and Deebo Samuel was not the same player. 

2025 outlook: Performing without those players — or without them at 100 percent — could be foreshadowing with a new deal for Purdy on the horizon. There is no bigger leap than a seventh-round rookie deal to whatever Purdy is due on the market, even if it’s somewhere around the Baker Mayfield deal. Purdy showed he could do some of the lifting in the San Francisco offense, but it will be an entirely different build with the quarterback as the foundational piece instead of the players around him.

TIER 5: Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up before an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

15. Jacksonville Jaguars

2024 review: The worst tendencies from the 2023 Jacksonville offense carried over to 2024. Trevor Lawrence was 24th in EPA per play and when he was on the field, it looked as if everything was as difficult as it could be to make the offense function. There were few easy buttons to help the quarterback out. 

2025 outlook: With Liam Coen now at the helm, the Jaguars should have more of those easy buttons to lessen the load on Lawrence. That, in turn, should help raise the ceiling because the bigger throws will also be built into the offense instead of desperation heaves on third-and-long. While Lawrence was another quarterback who signed an extension near the top of the market last offseason, the Jaguars only have a $17 million cap hit for that deal for the upcoming season.

TIER 6: Expensive veterans 

Jan 18, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Washington Commanders in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

16. Detroit Lions

2024 review: Detroit fell short of their Super Bowl aspirations after the Washington defense found a way to pressure and disrupt Jared Goff. Goff finished the regular season second in EPA per play but was certainly flustered in that playoff loss, highlighting some of the limits to a good-but-not-great quarterback helped by ideal surroundings.

2025 outlook: Things will start to change a bit for the Lions in 2025 because obviously, not having Ben Johnson as the offensive coordinator could be an adjustment. But this could be the last open window for the Lions before other monetary realities sink in. Goff has a $32 million cap hit in 2025 but that bumps to $69 million in 2026. That’s similar for a number of players on this roster, adding more weight to the 2025 season.

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

17. Arizona Cardinals

2024 review: Kyler Murray was 14th in EPA per play and eighth in success rate with an inconsistent deep ball. The chemistry with Marvin Harrison Jr. was not immediately there but Murray was able to find success in the middle of the field throwing to Trey McBride. 

2025 outlook: Murray and Harrison Jr. will get a full offseason to figure out how to get the best out of each other — hopefully with fewer static back-shoulder throws and more movement across the middle of the field. He’ll count for $43.3 million against the cap, but he just came off a season with a $49 million cap hit and if the team is more comfortable moving forward with Murray, that number could be lowered by converting some of his $37 million salary into a signing bonus.

Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) attempts a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

18. Miami Dolphins

2024 review: Tua Tagovailoa missed another chunk of games with a concussion, but he was one of the most efficient quarterbacks when he was on the field. Tagovailoa ranked fourth in EPA per play and third in success rate during the regular season. However, the lingering concern around his head injuries was a bigger focus than his play.

2025 outlook: Without the support of a running game — the Dolphins ranked 31st in EPA per rush — it didn’t matter how efficient the passing offense was. With so much money tied into the wide receivers and the quarterback — Tagovailoa will jump from a $9.5 million cap hit in 2024 to $39 million in 2025 — the shortcut was to try to piece together an offensive line, especially on the interior. While this is an offense where the quarterback allows that type of shuffling, it has come up as an issue late in the season over the past two years and whenever the Dolphins need to shift to a more traditional dropback game.

Jan 12, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws during the second quarter of a NFC wild card playoff against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2024 review: For the second season in a row, getting a good season out of Baker Mayfield got the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator a head coaching job. Mayfield finished sixth in EPA per play and played more within himself under Liam Coen — often getting the ball out quickly and avoiding his tendency to break the pocket early and try to make something happen.

2025 outlook: Josh Grizzard, the team’s passing game coordinator, was promoted to offensive coordinator, so while there will be another new coordinator for Mayfield, there won’t be an entirely new system implemented. Still, as Mayfield’s cap hit goes from $6.9 million to $35.8 million and Chris Godwin hits free agency, this could be a much different-looking offense.

Jan 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) scrambles away from Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0) and throws for a touchdown in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

20. Seattle Seahawks

2024 review: Geno Smith was another quarterback stifled by a poor offensive line and a bad run game. While Smith had some impressive individual throws and performances, he only ranked 21st in EPA per play and was pressured at one of the highest rates in the league.

2025 outlook: Now entering his age-35 season, Smith only has one year remaining on his contract at a $44.5 million cap hit. Seattle could extend Smith and keep him into his late 30s, they could just ride out the year to see what happens, or they could start planning the next step at the position. The hope is Smith won’t be under so much duress with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) calls a play from the line of scrimmage in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

21. Los Angeles Rams

2024 review: There were some really good Matthew Stafford games and some not-so-good but the Rams made the playoffs and Stafford finished 14th in EPA per play. He still has the arm to make unbelievable throws and was playing his best at the end of the season, ranked sixth in EPA per play from Week 11 on.

2025 outlook: There have been rumblings about a Stafford trade, as he just turned 37 years old and has two years left on his contract with only $4 million guaranteed remaining on it. Cooper Kupp has already announced the team will trade him, which is starting the shift to get younger and cheaper on that side of the ball as they did on defense.

TIER 7: Still unknown quality on rookie deals

Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes on the run against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

22. Carolina Panthers

2024 review: The Panthers benched Bryce Young early in the season and got some decent play from Andy Dalton before a thumb injury from a car accident put Young back in the lineup. From his return, Young played the best football of his career and ranked 18th in EPA per play from Week 8 on.

2025 outlook: As it looked like the Panthers might have been ready to bail from Young, his play over the second half of the season got him another year as the Carolina starter. If he can continue the confidence — he was strong in the pocket and stopped taking sacks — and some of the younger receivers step up, the Panthers might have a decent foundation on offense.

December 31, 2022; Glendale, Ariz; USA; Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy (9) throws a pass during the pregame before the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Ncaa Fiesta Bowl Game

23. Minnesota Vikings

2024 review: Sam Darnold played better than anyone could have imagined as the Vikings were one of the league’s best teams and had a shot at the No. 1 seed in the regular season finale. However, Darnold only ranked 16th in EPA per play, despite the ideal surroundings, but the final two games looked more like the old Darnold, impacted by pressure.

2025 outlook: The Vikings have a decision to make. Minnesota could just ride with J.J. McCarthy, the 11th overall pick from last year’s draft, but the status of his knee could make that risky for the start of the season. Should the team re-sign Darnold? Even a franchise tag would be an expensive option. But letting Darnold leave for nothing also seems less than ideal given the interest he’s likely to get as the top free-agent quarterback. 

Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

24. Atlanta Falcons

2024 review: Signing Kirk Cousins did not work as expected. He was 18th in EPA per play, but his mobility got worse throughout the season instead of better after his Achilles injury. Cousins was benched late in the year for eighth-overall pick Michael Penix, who will be the starter going forward.

2025 outlook: It’s now Penix’s team, but the Falcons will need to decide what to do with Cousins. Cousins still has a $40 million cap hit and $65 million in potential dead money. They could trade Cousins to open up $2.5 million but would need to find another team willing to take on his $27.5 million salary.

Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) gives a thumbs up before the snap during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

25. Indianapolis Colts

2024 review: Any development that was expected from Anthony Richardson did not come. He was benched in the middle of the season but his play was worse than his rookie season flashes when he was on the field. Richardson ranked 33rd in EPA per play and 35th in success rate. He continued to miss routine throws and the highlight throws did not hit at the same rate.

2025 outlook: The Colts will go into another season with Richardson but there will need to be vast improvements for this pairing to move on past this year. Outside of Richardson’s overall struggles, the personnel hasn’t completely meshed with the ideal way the quarterback wants to play. A lot of things need to be figured out while structuring this offense around Richardson in Year 3.

TIER 8: Who is playing quarterback?

Nov 10, 2024; Munich, Germany; New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) carries the ball against the New York Giants in the second half during the 2024 NFL Munich Game at Allianz Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

26. New York Giants

2024 review: Daniel Jones was bad, got benched, and then released. Then things got worse. Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock, and Tim Boyle got playing time at quarterback for the Giants. The team as a whole ranked 31st in EPA per pass play. 

2025 outlook: The Giants have no quarterbacks on the roster for 2025. With the third overall pick, they could be in range for Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, either by hoping their preferred quarterback falls or by trading up to guarantee the pick. The Giants have also been rumored as a Stafford trade destination. The blank slate at the position could mean anything. It could also lead to a desperate scramble to get anything in the building at the position.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) hands off to running back Tony Pollard (20) during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

27. Tennessee Titans

2024 review: Betting on Will Levis didn’t work. Levis continually showed why some of his flaws may be fatal and his mistakes outweighed any highlights he had during the year. Levis ranked 36th of 36 qualified quarterbacks in EPA per play and was replaced by Mason Rudolph at points during the season.

2025 outlook: Tennessee has the first overall pick, so they could have a path to a quarterback if they want it — but the question is whether the Titans feel like one of these quarterbacks is worth that pick and investment. If not, the Titans are in the same boat as the other teams searching for a quarterback without many available options.

Jan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) warms up before an AFC wild card game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

28. Pittsburgh Steelers

2024 review: The Steelers bought low on Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. Neither found consistent success in the passing game as there wasn’t much of a structure around it. The only successful piece of the offense became Wilson's deep balls to George Pickens, but when those didn’t hit, the offense stalled. 

2025 outlook: Both Fields and Wilson will be free agents, forcing Pittsburgh to find a new starting quarterback for 2025. The only quarterback on the roster right now is Skylar Thompson. Pittsburgh, with the 21st pick, doesn’t have a path in the draft but with $40 million in cap space could be a Darnold destination.

Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) throws the ball against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

29. Las Vegas Raiders

2024 review: The offense was a mess. Gardner Minshew was one of the league’s least efficient quarterbacks when he was on the field. Aidan O’Connell was better 19th in EPA per play while Minshew was 35th — but he didn’t show enough to warrant him being an unquestioned starter going into the 2025 season, especially with a new coaching staff in the building.

2025 outlook: The Chip Kelly effect will be something to monitor. He got an insane season out of Nick Foles when he was with the Eagles and has evolved his offense since returning to the college game. Las Vegas has the sixth overall pick, so the Raiders could find themselves in the mix at the top of the draft but with $92.5 million in cap space, they could be a team willing to throw the bank at a player like Darnold in an attempt to catch up to the rest of the division.

Dec 29, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor (2) throws the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

30. New York Jets

2024 review: Any hope Jets fans had that Aaron Rodgers could return to his old form and lead the Jets to the playoffs was quickly wiped away. Rodgers finished 27th in EPA per play, looked uncomfortable in the pocket, and couldn’t hit enough big plays to make up for the down-to-down inconsistency. 

2025 outlook: Rodgers won’t be back, so the Jets will be wandering into the quarterback abyss this offseason. Tyrod Taylor could stay as a bridge option. Since it’s the Jets, a desperation reunion with Darnold seems unlikely, which means the team will have to get creative to fill the position this offseason. 

Tier 9: Just keep restructuring

Dec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) scrambles during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

31. New Orleans Saints

2024 review: The Saints started off as the hottest team in the league and then fizzled just as quickly. Derek Carr was quietly 11th in EPA per play when he was on the field, but only played 10 games. Spencer Rattler looked overmatched at times when he was on the field, placing hesitation on the thought that he could be the potential replacement.

2025 outlook: We’ll see what new head coach Kellen Moore thinks of the situation. Carr turns 34 at the end of March and has a $51.5 million cap hit with $10 million in guaranteed salary. He could be traded to free up $11 million in cap space but holding onto him would likely mean another restructure, pushing more money into the future for a 35-year-old quarterback in 2026. 

Browns QB Deshaun Watson throws as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons closes in during the first half, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, in Cleveland.

32. Cleveland Browns

2024 review: You saw.

2025 outlook: What do the Browns do with Deshaun Watson? With the Achilles injury, it’s likely he never sees the field again but there is still so much money tied into the quarterback. He has a $76 million cap hit for 2025. The Browns could continue restructuring that deal, eventually getting far enough down the line that cutting bait won’t be as tenuous. That’s the most likely option because the Browns are currently $30 million over the cap. That still leaves the Browns with a massive investment at the position and no actual answer for it.

NFL Analysis

2/13/25

5 min read

2025 NFL Free Agency: 5 Best Fits For Baltimore Ravens OL Ronnie Stanley

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.

While playmakers like Tee Higgins and Chris Godwin steal the spotlight in the 2025 free agent class, there are still extremely solid players at more "boring" positions, like offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley hitting the open market.

At 30 years old, Stanley is a two-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in 2019. The sixth overall pick in 2016, he's been an extremely solid tackle when healthy and played a key role in protecting Lamar Jackson and paving the way for Derrick Henry in the run game this past season.

The 33rd Team's Dan Pizzuta has Stanley as the seventh-best free agent available this offseason. While he is older, Stanley could be seeking a premium long-term deal given how valuable left tackles are in today's league, making him a coveted piece for teams with the cap space and positional need.

Let's dive into a few teams that make the most sense for Stanley.

Ronnie Stanley Landing Spots

Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter in an AFC wild card game.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) and quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third quarter in an AFC wild card game. Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images.

Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens logo

As a franchise staple for the Ravens, general manager Eric DeCosta will likely prioritize keeping Stanley in Baltimore.

Unfortunately, that's easier said than done for the Ravens. They currently have less than $6 million in cap space, and the majority of that space will go to signing rookies after the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Ravens can still make some cap-saving moves to bring Stanley back. Whether it's contract restructures or outright cap casualties, DeCosta and his front office can find ways to clear enough cap space to bring back key free agents like Stanley.

Even if that's the case, the Ravens also need Stanley to want to stay in Baltimore and potentially be willing to take a hometown discount to stay with the team that drafted him.


New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs with the ball while Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) defends during the second half at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs with the ball while Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) defends during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images.

New England Patriots New England Patriots logo

The New England Patriots found their long-term answer at quarterback in Drake Maye. Now, they just need to do everything they can to protect him.

Maye was sacked 34 times despite playing in 13 games and suffered a concussion in his first season. They ranked 31st in pass block win rate, and their only reliable offensive lineman, David Andrews, suffered a season-ending injury in September.

Stanley would be an instant upgrade over Vederian Lowe, who has allowed 11 sacks and 71 pressures over the last two seasons. The Patriots have $120 million in cap space, more than $30 million more than second place in the league, so they could offer Stanley a long-term deal that could beat out any of the competition to get Maye a reliable left tackle.


Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan calls the play during the first half at Nissan Stadium.
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan calls the play during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports.

Tennessee Titans Tennessee Titans logo

No matter who was playing quarterback for the Titans last year, they were constantly throwing while under pressure.

The Titans allowed a combined 208 pressures and 37 sacks this past season. Nicholas Petit-Frere struggled mightily, allowing 41 pressures and 10 sacks. First-round tackle JC Latham didn't fare much better but could benefit by flipping from left tackle to either right tackle or guard, where he played in college.

Regardless of who plays where, the Titans need an upgrade at left tackle, especially if they plan on taking a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. They have $44 million in cap space to work with, and a large portion of that should go toward upgrading the offensive line.

Stanley should be the top priority on Tennessee's wish list for free agency to protect whoever plays quarterback in 2025.


Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images.

Washington Commanders Washington Commanders logo

If Stanley wants to keep playing for a contender, and the Ravens can't afford to keep him, then the Washington Commanders made a lot of sense.

An upgrade at left tackle is needed for Washington, even with Jayden Daniels being so elusive and dynamic as a dual-threat quarterback. Brandon Coleman struggled to protect Daniels' blind side, allowing 41 pressures and 10 sacks over the course of the season.

Now, with Samuel Cosmi potentially out for most (if not all) of the 2025 season, the offensive line is an even bigger priority for Washington as the Commanders try to protect their most valuable asset in Daniels.

Not only could the Commanders afford to sign Stanley, but they could make a run at another one or two offensive linemen with over $75 million in cap space to work with.


Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.

Las Vegas Raiders Las Vegas Raiders logo

If the Raiders are planning on making a run at a big-name quarterback this offseason, they need to surround him with a strong offensive line.

The Raiders actually did an impressive job finding OL value in the 2024 NFL Draft, finding a pair of starting-caliber players in Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze. Kolton Miller has been a mainstay at left tackle, but it might be time to find his replacement as he enters the final year of his contract coming off of one of his worst years as a pro, allowing 38 pressures and seven sacks.

Stanley could come in on a long-term deal and be a significant upgrade at left tackle, protecting the blind side of whoever ends up being the Raiders' next quarterback.

That's all dependent on how the new front office and coaching staff feel about Kolton Miller, but with $92 million in cap space to spend, a reliable starter like Stanley could be a great piece on that offensive line.

NFL Analysis

2/13/25

6 min read

2025 NFL Free Agency: 5 Best Fits For New York Jets CB D.J. Reed

New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) reacts after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium.
New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) reacts after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After a few strong seasons with the New York Jets, cornerback D.J. Reed looks like the best cornerback available on the free agent market.

While he hasn't earned any league-wide accolades, Reed has had a strong first seven seasons in the NFL. He has six interceptions and 50 pass breakups in 101 games and has allowed a passer rating of just 83.0 during that span.

The 33rd Team's Dan Pizzuta has Reed as the fifth-best free agent on the market. He isn't the biggest corner at 5-foot-9 and 188 pounds, but he's held his own throughout his career and could be the perfect CB2 for a team needing help at corner with another starting corner already on the roster.

Let's take a look at some of the best landing spots for Reed, both financially and from a team-fit standpoint.

D.J. Reed landing spots

Aaron Glenn is introduced as the new head coach of the New York Jets at a press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
Aaron Glenn is introduced as the new head coach of the New York Jets at a press conference at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.

New York Jets New York Jets logo

It's a new era for the New York Jets, and that could make it awfully enticing for Reed to come back to the franchise.

Perhaps the top selling point for Reed to go back to the Jets is the hiring of Aaron Glenn as their new head coach. Not only was he a phenomenal defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions during the last few seasons, but he's also a former three-time Pro Bowler at cornerback with 41 career interceptions.

That kind of coach should be a dream for any veteran cornerback to play for. On top of that, Reed would also be able to continue playing with Sauce Gardner and keep making the push to be the NFL's best cornerback duo.

The Jets only have about $20 million in cap space right now, but that cap situation could drastically change based on what they decide to do in the coming weeks.


Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray rolls out against the New York Jets during the first half at State Farm Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) rolls out against the New York Jets during the first half at State Farm Stadium. Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images.

Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals logo

Garrett Williams has been a very solid slot corner for the Cardinals, but they're in major need of some competition at cornerback.

Despite a lack of top-tier talent at most spots, the Cardinals' defense was surprisingly solid, ranking 14th by defensive DVOA in 2024. Rookie Max Melton showed some promise in his first year in the league, and while fellow cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting has been solid, he could be a cap casualty after the 2025 season as a cap-savings measure.

Reed would be an upgrade over either of Arizona's current starting cornerbacks. They also have $71 million in cap space to work with, so finding some productive and reliable veterans to bolster the defensive side of the ball should be a top priority for their front office.


Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (56) celebrates with cornerback Carrington Valentine (24) after Cooper intercepted the ball. Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.

Green Bay Packers Green Bay Packers logo

It's unclear what the Packers plan to do with Jaire Alexander this offseason. The star cornerback has struggled to stay healthy the last few seasons, and the team could save at least $6.8 million by cutting him.

However, the Packers have a serious lack of depth at cornerback, with Keisean Nixon being forced out of the slot and onto the outside in 2024 while Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine battled for playing time. Valentine brings some long-term potential to the table, but none of those options looked like starting-caliber corners this past season.

Regardless of Alexander's future, the Packers need to add depth and talent to bolster their secondary. Reed is an ideal fit, not just because of his coverage ability, but his willingness as a tackler, making him the ideal cornerback for Jeff Hafley's aggressive scheme.

The Packers have $42 million in cap space before any other cap-saving moves, so they could afford to take a swing on a player like Reed.


Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings logo

There probably isn't another team having to deal with more decisions at cornerback this offseason than Minnesota.

Four of the team's top outside cornerbacks, Byron Murphy Jr., Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Griffin, and Fabian Moreau, are all set to hit the open market. Mekhi Blackmon and Dwight McGlothern are the only two outside cornerbacks currently on the roster.

The good news for the Vikings is that they have $58 million in cap space and will likely bring back at least one of those corners, presumably Murphy. However, even if they do bring him back, there's still a major lack of depth outside of him at the position.

That's where another veteran, or an early draft pick, could come into play. Some of the cap space could be used to bring back Sam Darnold at quarterback, but if the Vikings want to focus on adding talent elsewhere and riding with JJ McCarthy, then signing another starting-caliber corner like Reed would be a wise move.


Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) celebrates his sack in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Las Vegas Raiders Las Vegas Raiders logo

The Las Vegas Raiders have cash to spend, and they need to improve their defense.

With 11 unrestricted free agents on that side of the ball, the Raiders defense could look significantly different in 2025. Although it's unlikely, there are also trade rumors constantly swirling around their biggest star on that side of the ball in Maxx Crosby, who could want to go play for a contender instead of staying for another rebuild.

With over $92 million in cap space, the Raiders will need to find as many starting-caliber free agents as possible for reasonable prices. Reed may be the top cornerback on the free agent market, but it's unlikely that he'll be demanding top-of-market money at the position when talking to teams.

Reed could be a cost-effective starter for the Raiders while reuniting with his old head coach in Pete Carroll, with the two having worked together for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020 and 2021, which were two of his best seasons as a pro.

NFL Draft

2/13/25

6 min read

Jacob Parrish 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Kansas State Wildcats CB

American team defensive back Jacob Parrish of Kansas State (10) lines up during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
American team defensive back Jacob Parrish of Kansas State (10) lines up during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images.

Height: 5097 (verified)

Weight: 196lbs (verified)

Year: Junior

Pro Comparison: Byron Murphy 

Scouting Overview

Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Jacob Parrish projects as a starting cornerback with some scheme versatility at the NFL level. He’s a highly proficient man corner with an effective punch and transitional quickness to play in press.

He’s built compact but still offers passable length to play on the perimeter as a hands-on cornerback. Yet, his frame offers a center of gravity that allows for sudden deceleration and transitions when playing isolated in space or overtop of routes. Parrish plays the game with an edge and physicality that you’d typically expect from a bigger corner and boasts an effective appetite for supporting the run, as well. 

2025 NFL Combine Results

TBD

Positives

  • Combative press-man corner who is well adjusted to playing on an island against receivers when tight to the line of scrimmage
  • Angles out of the break often put him in a position to undercut throws that break in or outside 
  • Very likable tackler who cut his missed tackle rate in half in 2024

Negatives

  • Lacks truly elite stature and length, which can show up in the margins when defending the catch point
  • Modest ball production in 2024 and failed to convert multiple interception opportunities 
  • Aggressiveness at the top of the route can get the better of him on whips & double moves

Background

Parrish is from Olathe, KS, and played high school football for Olathe North HS. There, he was a multi-position weapon who played running back, wide receiver, and defensive back while also participating in basketball and track & field (10.47s 100m personal best). Parrish was ranked as a 3-star athlete who collected offers from FCS powerhouses North Dakota State and South Dakota State, plus service academy programs like Army and Air Force. He ultimately committed to Kansas State and quickly found the field.

Parrish played in 14 games as a true freshman in 2022, split between special teams and as a defender. Entering his sophomore season, he assumed a full-time starting role with the Wildcats and started every game until the end of the regular season of his junior year in 2024. Parrish was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in both 2023 and 2024. 

Parrish, as an underclassman, accepted an invitation to participate in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl


Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Rashod Owens (10) is brought down by Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) during the second quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium.
Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Rashod Owens (10) is brought down by Kansas State Wildcats cornerback Jacob Parrish (10) at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Tale Of The Tape

Parrish is a scheme-diverse talent with a strong profile to play in either man or zone-heavy schemes at the NFL level. His exposures to high-difficulty and isolated assignments bode well for a transition to the pros — Parrish played more reps in Cover 1 man than any other coverage in 2024. His frequent play in press has honed and developed a skill set that should transition and allow him to disrupt the timing of opposing offenses and receivers in their releases. 

Parrish, as a man coverage defender, is physical with his press technique and capable of completely smothering route releases vs. stale athletes at the line of scrimmage. Thanks to his compact frame, he boasts a lot of punch power to offset an initial burst off the line.

When flipping and carrying routes within the contact window, Parrish shows strong pressure and displacement ability to re-route the stem and further disrupt the landmark timing of breaks. Parrish possesses smooth hips and the ability to quickly gather in off-man when playing soft coverage and leveraged overtop of the break. There are times when he looks to trigger and explode across the face of the break, and he can be baited into a double move or whip/return. These reps force him into recovery and test the fringes of his tackle radius if the ball is targeted promptly off the pivot. 

On the body of receivers, Parrish is fairly disciplined in staying well positioned on the inside shoulder. He isn’t often caught too far on the upfield half and protects himself well to leverage the boundary as an extra defender to further squeeze the catch point. 

Parrish could see more ball production and generate more turnovers if he was more consistent with flipping his eyes back to the quarterback and locating the ball in flight. As is, he’s much more likely to find a pass defensed by playing leveraged overtop of the route break and trusting the burst in his feet and initial acceleration to run through the catch point and undercut a pass.

He’s done this on a number of occasions, and it also illustrates the awareness of keying the quarterback in shallow zones as a clouded flat or hook defender, sinking into intermediate throwing lanes to break up passes. 

Parrish has the plant-and-trigger ability to play in zones underneath, and he’s also been charged with inverting as a motion check to rotate high and play in the deep post. He offers nickel versatility thanks to his physicality and processing. There’s no shortage of ways this player can be maximized in a coverage scheme, and Parrish is potentially a matchup player in man-to-man coverage roles as well.

Parrish plays well from a side saddle technique when asked to invert to a deep half or play a deep third coverage while stemming his coverage from a pre-snap press look. 

As a run defender, it is easy to love the appetite for contact. He’s a physical run insert player and when playing to the run strength or fitting as motion away puts him as a D-gap defender. Parrish is unafraid of contact and even triggered in the hole to make a competitive tackle challenge on Cam Skattebo in a short-yardage situation for minimal gain. He is combative and offers enough length to punch and jolt receivers who are attempting to seal him on the perimeter. He is swift enough to step up and square along the perimeter. 

In all, Parrish has the ability to be an impact NFL starter. He’s already groomed for the high-stress life of playing in a pressure scheme, and he boasts the play demeanor of a quality starter who can check most of the boxes. He misses NFL prototype measurements, which may hurt him in the eyes of some as a perimeter player, and his overaggressiveness and lack of consistent ball identification loom as areas of growth. But on the whole, this is one of the best cornerbacks eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.


Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Parrish projects as a man-coverage scheme cornerback at the NFL level. His stature may project him more favorably to play inside in the nickel — and his run-defense demeanor and tackling would support the role.

However, his press technique, length, foot speed, and transitional ability would be hard to turn down in a role on the perimeter. Parrish should be expected to compete for a starting role quickly upon entry to the NFL. 


Grade: 77.50/100.00, Second Round Value

Big Board Rank: TBD

Position Rank: TBD


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NFL Draft

2/13/25

6 min read

Jaylin Noel 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Iowa State Cyclones WR

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) receives a pass defended by Miami Hurricanes defensive back D'Yoni Hill (19) in the fourth quarter.
Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) receives a pass defended by Miami Hurricanes defensive back D'Yoni Hill (19) in the fourth quarter. Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Height: 5096 (verified)

Weight: 196lbs (verified)

Year: Senior

Pro Comparison: Sterling Shepard

Scouting Overview

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel projects as a complementary pass catcher at the NFL level. He lacks some of the marquee physical traits to be a featured player in isolation as an X-receiver or playing a lift role as a traditional Z-receiver.

However, what he does offer is sharp route-running ability, alignment versatility in condensed formations, a surprisingly large catch radius, and the ability to keep the offense on schedule with a bevy of target opportunities.

Noel is a dense, well-built receiver who offers good contact balance through his route stems, although he is a modest vertical speed threat to stack on the vertical plane. He complements his pass game profile with an accomplished special teams career that should boost his touch opportunities and keep him on the field even in a situation with a deep wide receiver room. 

2025 NFL Combine Results

TBD

Positives

  • Is a consistent separator on routes that break on all kinds of angles 
  • Offers surprising body control and a large catch radius relative to his frame
  • Special teams value with the ball in his hands in addition to likable skill set to serve as a primary slot receiver

Negatives

  • Has had some frustrating drops (seven percent career drop rate per PFF), although he had his best season here in 2024
  • Boasts only modest vertical speed, and many of his successful stacks downfield came against safeties in the middle of the field
  • Is not an overly twitchy or creative run-after-catch threat to maximize soft coverage targets from the slot

Background

Noel is from Kansas City, MO, and played high school football for Park Hill HS. There, he lettered in track & field and football — he was a sprinter (11.07s 100m) in addition to his play on the gridiron. Noel was ranked as a 3-star wide receiver recruit (247 Sports) coming out of Park Hill while also serving as the team’s returner. Noel chose Iowa State over offers from schools like Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Iowa. 

As a true freshman in 2021, Noel started three times with play in 13 contests and served as a complementary pass catcher and the team’s primary returner. By 2022, Noel was a primary starter and would go on to start eight times in 12 games that season and 11 games in 12 contests in 2023. He was named Second Team All-Big 12 for his play as a junior wide receiver in 2023. 

2024 brought more success. For the second straight year, Noel was a co-captain for the program and posted career-best numbers in every receiving category. He was also named First Team All-Big 12 as a return specialist. 

Noel finished his college career with a big game against the Miami Hurricanes in an upset win and then accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl


Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field.
Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field. William Purnell-Imagn Images.

Tale Of The Tape

Noel is a detail-oriented player who precision and timing-based offenses are likely to love. This talent boasts a variety of route releases and breaks at the top of route stems. His ability to set up defenders and process coverage leverage on the fly allows him to find space and separation at a high degree of consistency. 

As a pass catcher, Noel has been predominantly implemented as a slot receiver at Iowa State. Given his stature and initial explosiveness, this usage at the pro level will afford him a lot of early access and space to attack coverage. He is sharp on out-breaking patterns that break outside the numbers and tough across the middle of the field. Noel values the geometry of the game and does well in taking proper angles to maintain a throwing window for his quarterback at the catch point, as compared to drifting off the top of the break and surrendering real estate. 

Noel has run a bevy of routes, including go’s, fades, outs, hitches, crosses, and posts. He offers variety in his field access, particularly when releasing in motion or from the slot. His frame is compact, and Noel offers quick feet, which can pose challenges for some corners if he’s drawing press coverage or contact in the first five yards. His second gear doesn’t scream “burner,” and you saw a lot of contested opportunities up the sideline when targeted outside the numbers. 

Noel combats some of these elements of his game with how he works the catch point. Anatomically, he does not boast a large wingspan or reach outside of his frame. But Noel was an impactful player on the fringes of his catch radius and showcases high-end processing of the ball’s trajectory and timing, plus concentration and body control to adjust in contested opportunities when he can't create separation. 

His game shines with how he snaps off stems and sets up defenders for a clean break at the top of the route. 

Noel’s value as a slot receiver is boosted by some prolific numbers as a return man. He’s thickly built and able to absorb some high-speed collisions that returners are vulnerable to. Noel shows good initial vision, as well as field kicks and set-up blocks. This added element of his game could be a nice tiebreaker amid a crowded tier of Day 2 pass catchers. 

After the catch, Noel has been successful with the ball in his hands as a “run to daylight” player. His ability to process creases after the catch is useful and aided by his return experience — allowing him to maximize available grass. He isn’t overly loose or creative in close quarters, so don’t expect too many rabbits to be pulled out of hats when a number of rallying defenders box him. 

In the run game, Noel’s energy was largely invested in running tagged routes or spacing and pulling eyes from defensive backs away from the core. He has a likable squatty frame to play combative from the slot and create good initial pop on nickel defenders and safeties, but it wasn’t generally where his assignments cast him at Iowa State.

That leaves some projections about how he’ll handle run-game assignments if he lands in an offense that puts added pressure and focuses on dictating and claiming space within the core as a slot player.


Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Noel projects best as predominantly a slot receiver at the NFL level. He possesses the ability to stack the second level and utilize his route-running acumen to create separation against safeties. Noel offers good separation ability to most levels of the field and projects well into most NFL passing schemes as a result. 


Grade: 74.00/100.00, Third Round Value

Big Board Rank: TBD

Position Rank: TBD


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NFL Draft

2/13/25

8 min read

2025 NFL Draft: Superlatives For This Year's DL Class

Nov 9, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Ty Son Lawton (17) runs with the ball while Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) defends in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, I’ve started a superlatives series to preview each position group.

This series will cover a wide range of prospects and highlight the players who stand out the most in specific categories. Today, we’re breaking down the loaded interior defensive line class.

QB Superlatives | RB Superlatives | WR Superlatives TE Superlatives OL Superlatives EDGE Superlatives

2025 NFL Draft DL Superlatives

Michigan defensive lineman Mason Graham (55) and defensive end Derrick Moore (8) tackle Texas running back Jaydon Blue (23) during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, September 7, 2024.

MOST COMPLETE

Mason Graham, Michigan

Mason Graham didn’t qualify for any of the other superlatives, but he’s the best defensive tackle in this class overall and is extremely well-rounded as a prospect.

He’s explosive off the line of scrimmage and has the lateral quickness to cross his opponent’s face and slice into gaps. After he wins leverage he’s able to bend his rush angle from the edge of the block directly to the quarterback. He also channels his burst into a potent bull rush.

As a run defender, Graham has rare technical prowess for a player of his age. He’s a stack-and-shed machine, attacking blocks with precise hand placement and disengaging with violent upper-body torque. His only true flaw as a prospect is his below average anchor, but he offsets that with outstanding footwork, technique, and core strength and is definitely a net-positive in the run game.

There are other players with more upside, but Graham’s floor is higher than any defensive tackle in this class and he has an extremely high likelihood of at least being a quality starter.

Honorable Mention: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State


Nov 16, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Shemar Turner (5) defends in coverage against the New Mexico State Aggies during the first half at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

BEST ATHLETE

Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

Considering the full package of size, length, and movement skills, I think Shemar Turner is the best overall athlete in this defensive tackle class. Turner played his first three years at Texas A&M on the edge, but converted to three-technique for the 2024 season. He’s listed at 6-foot-3, 300-pounds and has verified 33 ¼-inch arms (51st percentile) from summer measurements.

Even after putting on additional weight last offseason, Turner is still a rare athlete. He has elite upfield burst and lateral twitch to shoot gaps and capture angles as a pass rusher. He can sink his hips and bend at the top of the rush like a 260-pound speed rusher. He also has incredible pursuit speed to chase ballcarriers sideline to sideline.

Turner looks like a first round pick off the bus and occasionally looks like one on the field, but he’s very inconsistent and shouldn’t be expected to produce as a rookie. He has a chaotic play style and lacks balance and precision in every aspect of his game.

He hurls into the backfield at max speed with no control of his pursuit angle and left a lot of potential backfield production on the field. In 2024 he missed 23.3% of his tackle attempts. He’s a reckless bull-in-a-china shop pass rusher who occasionally stumbles across something that works, but doesn’t seem to have a deliberate plan of attack. While he has flashes of violent, but coordinated hand usage, he struggles to cleanly execute a pass rushing move more than once or twice per game.

Turner’s lack of technical refinement also shows up in the run game and he ends up on the ground as often as anyone in this class. He’s still a bit undersized for a defensive tackle, but his eyes are a more pressing issue than his anchor. He doesn’t read or anticipate blocks consistently, which allows offensive linemen to establish early control and wash him out of the play.

Despite his lack of polish, however, Turner has a good chance of being selected in the second or third round and I wouldn’t be opposed to taking him that high. You can’t teach his physical traits and there are flashes on tape that show he at least knows what to do. Consistent execution will take some time to develop, but he only has one full year of experience as an interior defender.

Honorable Mention: Jordan Phillips, Maryland


Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott of Tennessee (55) works through drills during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

BEST SPEED/FINESSE RUSHER

Omarr Norman-Lott, Tennessee

Omarr Norman-Lott is an electric pass rusher who will be an absolute weapon on third downs. He checks every box for a pass rushing specialist with 33 5/8-inch arms (68th percentile), a diverse set of moves, and elite burst and flexibility.

If there was a “quickest first step” superlative, I’d give the nod to Norman-Lott. He catapults out of his stance and dusts blockers off the line of scrimmage, gaining ground upfield before they can even attempt to recover. He also has outstanding bend at the top of the rush to redirect his angle towards the quarterback. His diverse arsenal of moves keeps blockers guessing and he had multiple wins with a bull rush, swipe, cross-chop, and club-swim.

Norman-Lott was under-utilized at Tennessee, only playing 17.4 snaps per game in 2024, but that shouldn’t raise any red flags in terms of his conditioning. Tennessee had a deep defensive line rotation that was essentially a platoon system, so nobody played anything close to a full-time role. It does make the evaluation a bit more complicated, however, as its hard to feel too confident in a grade that’s based on just 225 snaps.

Honorable Mention: Aeneas Peebles, Virginia Tech


Jan 30, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; National team offensive lineman Grey Zabel of North Dakota State (77) works against National team defensive lineman Darius Alexander of Toledo (9) during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

BEST POWER RUSHER

Darius Alexander, Toledo

Darius Alexander is a heavy-handed three-technique with a devastating bull rush. While he isn’t the most explosive athlete and he doesn’t always play with ideal pad level, his initial strike is so powerful that those deficiencies don’t end up mattering.

He secures most of his wins the moment he engages with the block. He fires his hands into the blocker’s frame with authority, creating early knockback and shattering his opponent’s anchor on first contact. With 34-inch arms (78th percentile), he has the reach to strike from a distance and protect his own frame from counter punches. After landing his punch, he locks his arms and fully extends to uproot the blocker and create an entry point into the pocket.

He didn’t face the best competition in the MAC, but he capped off the 2024 season with the best performance of his career against Pittsburgh and had an outstanding week at the Senior Bowl. Barring a disastrous combine workout I would expect Alexander to end up as a day two pick.

Honorable Mention: Walter Nolen, Ole Miss


Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Alfred Collins (95) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

BEST RUN DEFENDER

Alfred Collins, Texas

Alfred Collins doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher, but he’s one of the best run defenders to enter the draft in the last few years. He has an enormous frame and well-distributed mass to dominate blocks on the line of scrimmage. At the Senior Bowl he measured in at 6055 (93rd percentile), 319-pounds (82nd percentile), with 34 6/8-inch arms (93rd percentile).

Collins is an elite block-shedder who rarely gets moved or sealed at the point of attack. He uses his length to lock out iso blocks and establish separation from his opponent and most offensive linemen can’t even reach his frame when he fully extends. He reads through traffic into the backfield and when the ballcarrier approaches his gap he tosses the block aside like he’s pulling a weed.

When linemen are able to get their hands on his frame, he has a sturdy anchor and rarely loses ground to single blocks. Against double teams he does a great job of corkscrewing his post-leg and holding the point in the A-gap. As a taller player, he needs to be conscious of his pad level to avoid getting out-leveraged. There were a couple plays this year where he tried to swim over a double team, but he stood up and exposed his frame, causing him to get washed out of his gap. This was a rare occurrence, however, and he was incredibly consistent overall.

At 319-pounds, his pursuit range is below average, but he compensates for his lack of speed with exceptional play recognition and a turbo-charged motor. He made more tackles in the alley on screens and outside runs than any defensive tackle I’ve watched this year.

Collins doesn’t show much ability as a pass rusher, but he’s a plug-and-play nose tackle who will immediately upgrade a team’s run defense.

Honorable Mention: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State

NFL Analysis

2/13/25

8 min read

2025 NFL Free Agency: Predicting This Year’s Mega-Contracts

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

We are officially less than a month away from 2025 NFL Free Agency opening, and there will be several players on the market who will earn deals exceeding $20 million per year.

This isn’t the deepest class in recent memory, but there are a few players that should earn top-end-of-the-market deals. How much money could they get in free agency? Here are the eight players that are expected to earn the most money this offseason:

Predicting 2025 Offseason Mega Contracts

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Projected Contract: 3 years, $120 million ($40M/year)

Sam Darnold isn’t the best player on the market, but he’ll get the biggest contract because of the position he plays. In fact, he might make $10 million more per year than any other free agent. Still, he deserves it after having a career year with the Vikings in 2024.

Darnold will also benefit from a weak quarterback class in the 2025 NFL Draft, which could lead a team like the Raiders to pay him now rather than wait for someone to fall to them. Darnold is only 27 but has a lot of experience, having started 73 games in the NFL.

The best landing spot would be with a veteran coach and a roster full of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but considering he hasn’t earned a big payday yet in the NFL, the money could ultimately dictate where he lands.

Potential Suitors: Raiders, Giants, Titans


Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Projected Contract: 3 years, $100 million ($33M/year)

The Cincinnati Bengals would be foolish to let Tee Higgins hit the open market, but it does seem like a real possibility next month. Higgins is the best free-agent receiver to hit the market in at least a decade, and there is no telling how much he could get paid.

Higgins isn’t in the tier of Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson, and CeeDee Lamb, but none of those players hit the open market, either. With several teams needing a No. 1 receiver, we could see a massive bidding war for Higgins’ services that make him one of the league's highest-paid receivers.

Because of his age (26) and lack of viable receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft, we could see as many as a dozen teams interested in Higgins this offseason. There could be some unexpected suitors for him, including teams like the Rams, Bills, and Ravens, who are all trying to win now and would be willing to mortgage the future to get him. Look for Higgins to be the second-highest-paid free agent this offseason, should he hit the market.

Potential Suitors: Patriots, Steelers, Chargers


Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (65) against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Trey Smith, OG, Kansas City Chiefs

Projected Contract: 4 years, $84 million ($21M/year)

The top offensive lineman in free agency is none other than Trey Smith, who fell to the sixth round in the 2021 NFL Draft due to some injury concerns. Since being drafted, he has missed just one start in four years and played a total of 79 games, including 13 playoff starts.

He made the Pro Bowl for the first time during the 2024 season and is just 25, which means his best football could still be ahead of him. Considering all of his experience, play, and age, it’s likely that Smith could end up being one of the highest-paid interior offensive linemen in the league after free agency.

Smith should have plenty of suitors, as teams with young quarterbacks will be willing to overpay to solidify the middle of their offensive line. Expect him to have a robust market early in free agency.

Potential Suitors: Bears, Seahawks, Patriots


Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes (15) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19) in Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes (15) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat (19) in Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Josh Sweat, EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles

Projected Contract: 4 years, $88 million ($22M/year)

There is nothing like having the best game of your career in the Super Bowl. But that’s what Josh Sweat did as he led the Eagles in pressures and sacks. He had a really strong argument for being the MVP of Super Bowl 59, but the voters decided to give it to Jalen Hurts instead.

Sweat has been a productive player for the Eagles, racking up 33 sacks in the last four seasons. He has a lot of experience (appeared in 104 games), but he’s only 27. Teams around the league won’t be hesitant to give him big money, and we should see him sign a deal that locks him in for at least three seasons.

Expect Sweat to earn a deal more than $20 million per season, but there is no telling how high that number might get as there will be a bidding war for his services. He has the size, length, athleticism, and production of a No. 1 EDGE rusher and will be paid accordingly here next month.

Potential Suitors: Cardinals, Falcons, Titans 


Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79)  after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates with offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images.

Ronnie Stanley, LT, Baltimore Ravens

Projected Contract: 2 years, $42 million ($21M/year)

There are several starting tackles available in free agency, but most of them are well past their primes or have significant injury concerns. Ronnie Stanley is clearly the best tackle on the market, and the fact that he’s started 34 games (including playoffs) in the last two seasons has quieted some of the injury concerns that haunted him early in his career.

The injury history could force Stanley to take a shorter deal, but he still should earn a nice payday in free agency. The Ravens would be smart to bring him back, but they might not have the cap space to get it done. Expect a half-dozen teams or more to be in on Stanley once the free-agent window opens up.

Projected Suitors: Patriots, Commanders, Dolphins


Philadelphia Eagles guard Tyler Steen (56) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97).
Philadelphia Eagles guard Tyler Steen (56) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97). Eric Hartline-Imagn Images.

Osa Odighizuwa, DT, Dallas Cowboys

Projected Contract: 3 years, $63 million ($21M/year)

This is not a particularly deep class when it comes to interior defensive linemen, but there are two top-end talents who will get massive deals. The first is Osa Odighizuwa, a four-year starter for the Dallas Cowboys after being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft

He led all interior defenders in quarterback hits this season and is a force as a pass rusher despite less-than-stellar sack totals. He is on the smaller side for a defensive tackle, but teams prioritizing pass-rush ability and durability will fall in love with Odighizwua this offseason.

Look for Odighizuwa to earn a contract worth at least $20 million per season. Given the lack of depth at defensive tackle in free agency, it wouldn't be a surprise if he earned significantly more. We saw Christian Wilkins sign a deal worth upwards of $27 million last year, and Odihizuwa is younger and far more durable.

There could be some sticker shock when his deal is announced early in free agency.

Projected Suitors: Bengals, Commanders, Giants


Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) celebrates a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) celebrates a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.

Milton Williams, DT, Philadelphia Eagles

Projected Contract: 3 years, $63 million ($21M/year)

It’s going to be fascinating to see who earns more on the open market between Odighizuwa and Milton Williams. Odighizuwa has more experience and more starts, but Williams is the better overall athlete and is only 25. You can also make a case that he is an ascending player and will only get better with more snaps.

His postseason performance will certainly help him out, as he was fantastic in the final two games of the season. Performing well on the biggest stage has historically helped players when it comes to free agency, and we shouldn't expect anything different from Williams.

Williams has just 19 career starts and has never played more than 501 snaps in a single season. Still, it’s hard to blame him, considering that he’s played behind the likes of Jalen Carter, Fletcher Cox, and Jordan Davis for much of his rookie contract. Still, he’s got the type of athleticism that is hard to find and should be paid handsomely this offseason.

Potential Suitors: Lions, Vikings, 49ers


Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Byron Murphy, CB, Minnesota Vikings

Projected Contract: 3 years, $50 million ($16.6M/year)

Cornerback is another spot that lacks depth in free agency, but Byron Murphy could benefit from that in a big way this offseason. Murphy had a career-high six interceptions with the Vikings this season, playing on the outside and in the slot.

Murphy has dealt with some injuries in the past, but he has 79 career starts in six seasons, and he just turned 27. The fact that he has this much experience but is still this young bodes well for his chances in free agency.

Don’t expect him to earn a record-breaking deal or anything like that. Still, somewhere between $15-$17 million per season is about right for Murphy.

Potential Suitors: Giants, Packers, Jaguars

NFL Draft

2/12/25

5 min read

Jamaree Caldwell 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Oregon Ducks NT

National team defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell of Oregon (90) celebrates after a play during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
National team defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell of Oregon (90) celebrates after a play during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images.

Height: 6020 (verified)

Weight: 342lbs (verified)

Year: Senior

Pro Comparison: BJ Raji

Scouting Overview

Oregon Ducks nose tackle Jamaree Caldwell projects as a space-eater in the heart of an NFL defense. Caldwell offers a dense, squatty frame and an excellent center of gravity. He absorbs solo blocks and double teams on the interior and will be a useful weapon for keeping his linebackers clean so they can flow to the football.

Caldwell has flashes of surprising athleticism and quickness, offering some upside for impact on early downs out of base personnel. He plays with an effective lateral mobility that allows him to flow with the front, help stay in his fit, and prevent interior blockers from climbing up to the second level. 

2025 NFL Combine Results

TBD

Positives

  • Boasts the ideal frame for playing as a space-eating nose tackle 
  • Surprising first step quickness and ability to play through lateral contact in penetration opportunities 
  • Plays with active hands to fall off blocks and play cut back opportunities effectively

Negatives

  • Offers only modest length and separation ability for lock/peek/shed technique 
  • Despite his flashes as an attack player, his profile will likely cede reps to a more dynamic talent in passing situations
  • Dominance in the middle waned against some of the better competition on the schedule

Background

Caldwell is from Newberry, SC, and played high school football for Newberry HS. There, he was an unheralded recruit who was set to enroll and play at Hutchinson Community College but did not play for the program. He instead enrolled at Independence Community College and played four games for the program before he began receiving offers as a JUCO transfer.

Caldwell enrolled at Houston in the summer of 2022 and played two seasons with the program as a part of the defensive line rotation. Caldwell earned Second Team All-Big 12 honors for his play in 2023. 

When Caldwell entered the transfer portal ahead of the 2024 season, he was ranked as a 4-star transfer (247 Sports) and landed with the Ducks. He played in 14 games before foregoing his final season of college eligibility. Caldwell accepted an invitation to the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl


National team defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell of Oregon (90) works through drills during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
National team defensive lineman Jamaree Caldwell of Oregon (90) works through drills during Senior Bowl practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images.

Tale Of The Tape

Caldwell is an active and physical defender at the heart of Oregon's defense. He boasts the ideal frame for playing as a two-gap defender and nose tackle — don’t let anyone tell you otherwise or that he’s too short. Caldwell, at 6-foot-2, offers the exact kind of natural leverage that you hope to find for a space-eater, and he does well with his anchor to drop his hips and provide a ball of mass that opposing combination blocks struggle with. 

As a run defender, Caldwell can tackle double teams in a variety of ways. He can drop a knee and immediately pull the e-brake on movement when feeling himself losing ground at the point of first contact. He offers good recovery ability in these instances and will latch onto the frame of blockers to reset himself and ensure he isn’t bowled backward. He can attack half a man and deteriorate blocks from the middle as well. 

Caldwell doesn’t boast top-end length, which necessitates how effectively he can leverage the line of scrimmage with his build. He has just over 32-inch arms, which give him enough extension to bench press blockers off of his chest, but longer blockers can maintain pressure on his frame. When the point of attack creates flow, he can get run past a disengagement and miss a clean fall back into the gap. When Caldwell plays these blocks square, he’s more effective in maintaining his functional strength and challenging the back. 

There’s a surprising amount of initial quick twitch to Caldwell’s athletic profile. During his time in Houston, he played much more prominently in the B-gap and overtop of tackles as an alignment-diverse talent. The wiggle room there was lessened when making the leap to Big Ten play, and when projecting Caldwell forward to the NFL, he feels unlikely to find robust success or even modest consistency in his disruption opportunities on passing downs. Still, he’s quick and nimble enough that you can live with some ability to push the pocket or overtake soft sets by centers in neutral down passes. 

Part of Caldwell’s limitation in his valuation is that he will likely be capped at around a 40-45 percent snap share due to his projected ideal role. How do teams value that in a relatively deep defensive tackle class?

If a team sees a pathway or opportunity to align him more in B-gap opportunities, he may see his name called on Day 2.


Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Caldwell projects best as a 2-gapping nose tackle at the NFL level. He offers pleasant upside as a supersized A-gap rusher, but his marquee role is that of a space-eater in base defense and on short-yardage down and distance opportunities. 


Grade: 73.50/100.00, Fourth Round Value

Big Board Rank: TBD

Position Rank: TBD


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NFL Draft

2/12/25

6 min read

TreVeyon Henderson 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Ohio State Buckeyes RB

Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half the CFP National Championship college football game.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs with the ball against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half the CFP National Championship college football game. Brett Davis-Imagn Images.

Height: 5100 (Unofficial)

Weight: 208lbs (Unofficial)

Year: Senior

Pro Comparison: TBD

Scouting Overview

Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson is a productive, well-rounded runner who should offer some level of appeal to most offensive systems. Henderson offers vision, sharp-cut ability, and home run-hitting ability in a compact frame, and his passing down profile is that of an NFL contributor quickly upon his entry into the league.

Henderson’s injury history may keep him from ever becoming a full-time featured player at the position, but as needed in spurts, Henderson has the versatility to be a hot hand that gets fed the football in volume. He’d be a valuable part of any rotation. 

2025 NFL Combine Results

TBD

Positives

  • Boasts explosive open-field burst to tear apart pursuit angles on the second level
  • Possesses an excellent track record in pass protection to contribute on passing downs
  • Light, rapid foot fire allows him to make subtle track adjustments as he presses the line of scrimmage

Negatives

  • Early disruption can force extra cuts that create some avoidable minus runs
  • Sufficient pass catcher out of the backfield with just eight targets beyond five yards of the line of scrimmage
  • Has had an extensive injury history the past few seasons when workload opportunities have risen

Background

Henderson is from Hopewell, VA, and played high school football for Hopewell HS. There, he was a standout 5-star recruit (247 Sports) who was ranked among the top recruits in the entire country. Henderson, in addition to his play on the gridiron, was a sprinter in the 100m (10.94s personal best). He was named Gatorade’s Virginia Player of the Year in 2019, and he collected offers from just about every major program in the country before committing to play at Ohio State. 

Henderson joined the Buckeyes as a member of their 2021 recruiting class and exploded onto the scene as a freshman. He averaged 96 yards a game while being voted a Freshman All-American across 13 games. His production dipped while missing nearly half of the season in 2022 due to a broken bone in his foot, and then nagging injuries cost him more time in 2023. The arrival of Quinshon Judkins in the Buckeyes backfield in 2024 helped keep Henderson fresh and on the field for all 16 games — a cautionary tale for Henderson’s NFL role. 

He finished his college career with First-Team All-Big Ten (2023), Second-Team All-Big Ten (2021), and Third-Team All-Big Ten (2024) honors. 


Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) celebrates with the trophy following the 34-23 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) celebrates with the trophy following the 34-23 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to win the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Tale Of The Tape

Henderson is a gifted player with a number of qualities that have him primed to be a productive NFL player. Playing on a talented Ohio State offense, Henderson was the best version of himself during the bookends of his college career. As a freshman, he posted 19 touchdowns on 210 touches. As a senior, he posted a career-high 7.6 yards per touch. 

As a runner, Henderson is well-built and offers a low center of gravity and explosive burst. He projects well to gap schemes, thanks to that burst to explode through holes and break pursuit angles on the second level. Simultaneously, he projects well to zone schemes that allow him to press the line of scrimmage with patience before using his cut ability to stick his foot in the ground and pop against the grain. 

Chip Kelly’s scheme in 2024 offered a diverse run attack with an assorted variation of inside and outside zone concepts, including counters, pin and pull, crack toss, duo, and inside zone. Henderson illustrated good competence in these schemes and was afforded a wonderful final audition for the pros. 

Henderson showcases good but not elite contact balance, and there are times when he’s forced to cut laterally, and he can be chopped down by pursuing defenders without heavy contact. But then you get glimpses of Henderson running downhill and putting his pads firmly into a late-fitting safety, and he can run through them and finish a punishing run.

Henderson’s contact balance is best described as slippery — he’ll slide off tackle challenges and effectively run his feet to adjacent space to slide off the challenge and buy himself extra yardage. 

In the passing game, Henderson is a modest pass catcher who has not been overly active beyond the line of scrimmage. Most of his targets are within five yards of the line as basic checkdowns, slide flats out of run action, and rails and swings that carry him wide and immediately into the flat. He isn’t frequently used as a screen option; he’s credited by TruMedia with just a handful of target opportunities across the last three seasons in this regard, but he did bust a 75-yard score against Texas off a delayed screen in the final minute just before halftime. 

He’s a much more robust player in pass protection. Henderson showcases good eyes, strong framing, an understanding of full protection assignments, and the aggressiveness to step up and deliver stiff blows to linebackers in protection.

He’s a pro-ready pass protector and one of the draft's best backs in this regard. Henderson doesn’t take the cheap way out and cut free runners frequently, instead showing the ability to keep his head up and properly punch in the strike zone while maintaining the depth of the pocket. 

Henderson has zero career fumbles on 667 career touches, giving him another notch in his proverbial belt in the ancillary elements of the position. 

Between the pass protection profile, ball security, explosiveness, and vision as a ball carrier, Henderson projects as an NFL starter and can be a viable fit in almost any scheme. However, his durability looms as a potential threat to an optimal NFL career.

How will Henderson survive if put in a position to be a primary ball carrier? He’s surpassed 175 touches once in four seasons and dealt with injuries in 2022 and 2023. 


Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Henderson offers universal scheme appeal, but his vision and quick feet will play quite well in a zone-heavy rushing system. There, he can make reactive cuts and set up second-level defenders to create creases to attack in the running game.

Henderson’s pass protection profile presents him as a potential early-down option before he cedes reps to a more profound pass catcher. 


Grade: 77.50/100.00, Second Round Value

Big Board Rank: TBD

Position Rank: TBD


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NFL Draft

2/12/25

6 min read

2025 NFL Draft: Iowa State's Jaylin Noel Is Ready To Be NFL's Next Great Slot Receiver

Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field.
Iowa State Cyclones wide receiver Jaylin Noel (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at GEHA Field. William Purnell-Imagn Images.

Slot receivers are perceived as shifty, underneath route runners who get the ball in the quick game to pick up first downs.

Iowa State's Jaylin Noel wants to change that perception at the NFL level.

Noel started generating significant buzz ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft after a strong week at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Alabama. After shining in 1-on-1s and team drills, Noel was named the top wide receiver on the national team as voted on by opposing cornerbacks and safeties.

"It meant a lot to win an award voted on by my peers at the Senior Bowl," Noel told The 33rd Team. "It was very cool to see the work I put into that point, and it's just an honor to compete at such a prestigious event to show off my talents."

A former 3-star recruit out of Park Hill High School in Kansas City, Missouri, Noel played as many sports as possible growing up, including track, basketball, and soccer, but his love of football always kept him around the game. His offers included programs like Wisconsin, Kansas State, and Iowa, but Noel ultimately decided to play for the Iowa State Cyclones.

It didn't take long for Noel to see the field in Ames, but it wasn't until the past two seasons that he became a focal point of Iowa State's offense. His career year came this season, catching 80 passes for 1,194 yards and eight touchdowns, putting him fourth in school history for career receiving yards (2,855) and TD catches (18).

Noel is a unique prospect because he's spent a lot of time sharing the spotlight with another top wideout at Iowa State, Jayden Higgins. A 6-foot-3, 217-pound outside receiver, Higgins had more than 2,100 yards and 15 touchdowns in the last two seasons playing alongside Noel.

Despite sharing targets, both receivers shined for the Cyclones, and they quickly established a strong relationship after Higgins transferred in from Eastern Kentucky.

"That's my brother," Noel said. "He came in my junior year, and we really established a connection quickly, just because we're both competitors and pushed each other. We have the same love for the game and really just feed off of each other."

Noel and Higgins became one of the best wide receiver duos in college football last season, both exceeding 1,100 receiving yards on the year. Noel says that wouldn't be possible without the help of Iowa State WR coach and pass game coordinator Noah Pauley.

"He's one of the best coaches I've ever been around," Nole said of Pauley. "He's really put a lot of emphasis on the detail of our route running. Those small little things in our routes to beat defenders, and him just giving us that knowledge of when and how to use it."

Pauley has steadily climbed up the coaching ranks, but his most recent stop before Iowa State was coaching receivers for four seasons at North Dakota State, where he helped Christian Watson become an FCS All-American before being drafted by the Green Bay Packers.

While Noel's teammate in Higgins more closely resembles Watson's size and play style, the explosive slot prospect models his game after some different receivers. Jaylen Waddle and Jordan Addison are the two players Noel models his game after because of their explosiveness, ability off of the line of scrimmage, and fluidity as route runners.

The tape supports Noel's thoughts on who he models his game after. At just under 5-foot-10 and 196 pounds, he's not the biggest prospect, but he's a unique vertical threat out of the slot. He finished his college career with seven touchdowns of 50 or more yards and was a consistent deep threat because of his impressive breakaway speed.

However, speed alone can only get you so far as a vertical threat. Noel explained to The 33rd Team how important it is to attack leverage and work the edges.

"If you can get a DB to get off of their leverage that they want to be in initially, then it can be very hard for them to cover a guy that's not just fast, but knows how to manipulate them with their route," Noel said. "It's really about manipulating their leverages and making them feel uncomfortable."

Noel's greatest traits are his explosiveness and separation ability, but he also takes pride in his ability to make contested catches. Despite his smaller frame, according to Pro Football Focus, Noel made 13 contested catches on 25 attempts in 2024.

"I feel like this previous year I showed I could come away with tough catches," Noel said.

On top of the electricity he brings offensively, Noel has significant special teams value as a return specialist, particularly on punts. He averaged 15.3 yards per punt return in 2024 on his way to being named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year.

"Special teams is how I found my way at Iowa State to get on the field early," Noel said. "I understand how important it is, especially in the NFL, to stay in the league and have value there."

Despite the strong performance at the Senior Bowl and the tape that Noel put up in his college career, there's still plenty of work to be done ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. He's expected to attend the NFL Scouting Combine and was trying hard not to smile when asked about how he's expecting to perform in Indianapolis.

"Some people, for some reason, don't think I'm the fastest, but that's OK," Noel said. "I'm going to run fast, and I'm going to do well in the drill work. It's going to be fun to get to Indy and be able to show people what I guess they might not think is actually true."

With his dreams of making it to the NFL so close, Noel understands that it wasn't just himself who got him into this position. He credits his family, along with his teammates and coaches, for helping him get to this point.

"To see them be proud of me and the work that I've put in and them continuing to support me means everything to me," Noel said. "It keeps me going each day, waking up knowing that I have a great support system around me."


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