Mock Drafts

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Mock Drafts

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April 23rd 

Former NFL Coach: “I would take Shedeur at No. 3” 

From CBS Sports … The New York Giants are in prime position at No. 3 overall to select their quarterback of the future on Thursday night, but most believe they will pass on this opportunity. The curious case of Shedeur Sanders has become curiouser over the past month, as he’s a prospect who went from being mocked No. 1 overall, to being mocked out of the first round completely.

Sanders is CBS Sports’ No. 2 quarterback in this class, but No. 28 overall prospect. Where should he go in the 2025 NFL Draft? One former NFL head coach and Giants assistant coach believes Sanders would be a great fit in New York, and if he were calling the shots for the Giants, the former Colorado quarterback would hear his name called at No. 3 overall.

“I would take him No. 3 overall. Without a question,” Matt Rhule told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Rhule, who now coaches at the University of Nebraska, has gotten a good look at Sanders. The son of NFL legend Deion Sanders threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-14 victory over Rhule’s Cornhuskers in 2023, but Nebraska got its revenge in 2024 with a 28-10 victory over Colorado in which Sanders threw for 244 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

… Continue reading story here …

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But … Longtime NFL Assistant Coach on Shedeur: “He’s not that good”

From CBS Sports … Shedeur Sanders is the biggest story of the 2025 NFL Draft. It seems that everyone has a strong opinion on him, and that includes a longtime NFL assistant coach who recently made some critical comments about the former Colorado quarterback just ahead of the draft.

The unnamed coach told NFL Media that his interview with Sanders was “the worst formal interview I’ve ever been in in my life. He’s so entitled. He takes unnecessary sacks. He never plays on time. He has horrible body language. He blames teammates. … But the biggest thing is, he’s not that good.”

It’s important to remember that we are in peak misinformation season. Teams don’t want to tip their hand regarding their draft plans, so what they say this week may not reflect that they actually plan to do when the draft starts on April 24. It’s hard to know who and what to trust.

For all we know, the unnamed longtime NFL assistant coach may have criticized Sanders in an effort to hurt his draft stock so that his team can be in a better position to draft him. That’s why it’s important to take any quote you see between now and the start of the draft with a Texas-sized grain of salt.

… Read full story here …

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Jimmy Horn; LaJohntay Wester hoping to hear their names called on Saturday: “It’s a dream come true”

From the Daily Camera … The simple path for LaJohntay Wester would have been to stay at Florida Atlantic and put up monster numbers again in 2024.

Jimmy Horn Jr. could have gone the easy route, too, remaining at South Florida to continue his upward trajectory.

Both receivers bet on themselves, however, and took a chance on the upstart Colorado Buffaloes. Now, both are in position to potentially get their names called during the NFL Draft this weekend.

“It’s a dream come true, me just being here in this moment right now, coming from Palmetto, Fla.,” Wester said at CU’s pro day earlier this month. “It’s not a lot of people make it to this point. So me being here right now means everything, not just to me, but to my hometown as well.”

Going into this week’s draft, which runs Thursday through Saturday, receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders are both projected as first-round picks, but they are the only CU players who appear to be locks to hear their names called.

Several other Buffs are potential draft picks, but may have to sweat through the final rounds. Horn and Wester, in particular, are intriguing because of their all-around ability, as well as the maturity gained during their time in Boulder.

Still, neither one is projected as a top prospect.

Horn is rated as the No. 30 receiver by CBS Sports, No. 31 by Pro Football Focus and No. 34 by ESPN. Wester is No. 36 by ESPN and PFF and No. 54 by CBS. In 2024, there were 35 receivers selected in the seven-round draft. There were 33 picked in 2023 and 28 in 2022.

Despite the rankings, Horn and Wester believe their time at Colorado got them ready for this step. Both got to not only catch passes from Sanders, but were mentored by CU head coach Deion Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback who played some receiver, as well.

… Continue reading story here …

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April 22nd

ESPN: Which teams would be the best fit for Shedeur?

From ESPN … I got a text from a buddy a couple of weeks ago. Broncos fan. Watches college football casually. He wanted to know why Cam Ward (Miami) had so clearly become the consensus top quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft over Shedeur Sanders — a player who, every time he watched Colorado, seemed to always have the big throw in his bag, always escape the sack, always lift the team and strap it to his back.

It was a fair question. Throw out all the trappings of the scouting process — traits and developmental arcs and personalities and leadership and culture fits and scheme fits and other buzzwords — and Sanders looks like a really good pro quarterback. His dad, Deion, taught him a thing or two about that — and he can clearly play the position well. Of all FBS quarterbacks since 1956 who attempted at least 875 pass attempts, only one completed more than 71% of his passes: Sanders (71.8%).

But as my buddy texted me, Sanders’ slide in mock drafts was beginning — not just to the clear second quarterback selected after Ward, but into a muddled race for that spot. Three weeks ago, ESPN BET had Sanders listed at -1600 to be the No. 2 quarterback selected, an implied probability of about 94%. Now, he’s down to -280 — an implied probability of around 74%. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) is gaining steam, but behind him is Jalen Milroe (Alabama) — a surprise invitee to the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin, usually an honor withheld for likely first-round picks. Draft analyst Field Yates’ bold prediction for the top of the draft is that Sanders won’t be the second quarterback off the board.

It feels like Sanders is falling down draft boards. But draft slides are often more media concoctions than reflections of reality for two reasons. The first is that players don’t really “fall” during the draft process, except for major events such as injury or poor athletic testing. Rather, the media’s opinion on a player in January is mostly just that — the media’s opinion. Perhaps it is informed by a few casual conversations with decision-makers such as general managers and head coaches, who haven’t yet watched the tape or met the individual, and by a few more conversations with scouts who have done that legwork, but don’t get the final say. But the information in January is a trickle. By April, the tap opens. Good reporters extract the truth of how teams really see these players, and prospects “rise” and “fall” accordingly, as the media opinion correlates more closely to the league’s opinion.

The second reason is that, despite those good reporters doing their due diligence, the media are often wrong. It is not hard to go year by year and find an example. For all of the quarterback-centric reporting, Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 to the Falcons last year still left everyone’s jaws on the floor. Will Levis, Malik Willis and Matt Corral all attended the first night of the 2022 draft and didn’t hear their names until Day 2. The week of the 2018 draft, the Browns were choosing between Sam Darnold and Josh Allen until, suddenly, dark horse candidate Baker Mayfield took the spot.

So, Sanders might be falling. Dart might be the second QB selected, another team might trade up for Milroe and Sanders might hear his name called on Day 2. Or Sanders might not be falling, and he’ll go in the top 10, where he was projected to go in January. We don’t know, and we won’t know, until Thursday.

Which team would be the best landing spot for Sanders? And which team might value him above the rest? Here’s how I rank Sanders’ landing spots:

1. New York Giants

Systematically, the Giants are almost certainly the best fit for Sanders’ play style. Head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka’s offense has relied on RPOs, but they’re not a cornerstone of the system. In general, they’ve had a gun- and spread-heavy approach that encourages quick targets to the underneath areas of the field — Sanders’ strengths.

2. Cleveland Browns

As constructed, the Browns are not good for Sanders — or anyone. Their best receiver is Jerry Jeudy, who would pair nicely with Sanders for their improvisational skills and willingness to extend plays. But Jeudy is not a reliable pass catcher, especially with contact, and Sanders throws his receivers into lots of contact.

3. New Orleans Saints

The Saints are awkwardly built. Their offensive line was constructed with a heavy run game, and accompanying play-action pass, in mind. Left tackle Taliese Fuaga and right tackle Trevor Penning are better run blockers than pass protectors, and receiver Rashid Shaheed excelled as a downfield target off deep play-action fakes.

… Continue reading story here …

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April 21st 

Ranking Draft Hopefuls by College Career: Travis and Shedeur in Top Ten

From CBS Sports … It’s NFL Draft season, which means that professional teams around the country are working frantically to evaluate prospects and put the finishing touches on their big boards. That also means a lot of the current discussion is centered around those players that have elite athletic traits, as the NFL Combine and individual pro days are an integral part of the pre-draft process.

While things like the 40-yard dash and three-cone shuttle drill can be indicative of a prospect’s athletic ability — an important facet of the game, no doubt — nothing truly replaces top production at the collegiate level. After all, the three to four years that a player spends in college provide them the opportunity to land on the NFL Draft radar.

So it should come as no surprise that the top of the 2025 CBS Sports NFL Draft Prospect Rankings are filled with recent college football stars. But there are tons of super productive players that may drop out of the first round because for various reasons like age, injury history or the fact that their athletic profile doesn’t warrant such a lofty draft slot.

That certainly does not mean that they are bad players, and plenty of athletes taken beyond the first round go on to have successful and lengthy careers. With that in mind, though, it felt appropriate to rank the top 32 prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft based solely on their collegiate careers.

1. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Hunter might just be the best two-way player in college football history. Not only did he win the 2024 Heisman Trophy, but he also became the first athlete to ever capture both the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver and the Bednarik Award as the sport’s top defender. Though he regularly played over 100 snaps per game, his production never dipped below an elite level — on both sides of the ball.

8. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Sanders flourished under his father, Deion. Like Ward, he won the 2021 Jerry Rice Award at Jackson State and then followed the elder Sanders to Colorado in 2023. Last season, Sanders posted 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns passing while leading Colorado to its best record since 2016. He had at least 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns through the air in each of his four years at the collegiate level.

… Read full story here …

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April 18th

Travis Hunter subject of cover story in Sports Illustrated

From Sports Illustrated … Hunter will have a new job and a new set of teammates soon, after his name is called very early at the NFL draft. The two-way star from Colorado is the most intriguing—and perhaps divisive—pro prospect in a very long time, one who played both wide receiver and defensive back full-time in college at an All-American level. Two-Way Travis defied 60 years of precedent in doing so, averaging more than 100 snaps a game, and he intends to keep defying precedent as a professional.

Whichever team drafts Hunter would be foolish to put limitations on him before seeing exactly how much he can handle. There is a school of thought that his best position will be cornerback, with a limited package of plays as a receiver. As of now, Hunter has no interest in those limitations.

“I’m not going to let anybody tell me that I can’t do something that I’ve already done,” he says

Here’s the thing about Travis Hunter: He could be a pro cornerback, a pro wideout … or a pro fisherman. He grew up fishing canals and ponds in Florida, and now, at 21, his angling skills are considerable. In roughly two hours on that private Texas lake, Hunter landed half a dozen quality bass, with a high weight of 5 ½ pounds. (He says his personal record is a 12-pounder.)

He’s an accurate caster with an advanced eye for reading a body of water and deducing where bass might lurk. He understands lure choice, water conditions and weather variables—he’s a quick study, befitting his Academic All-American status at Colorado. He pilots a boat with assurance. And, just like on the football field, Hunter can go all day.

… While his tolerance for crowds is low, his tolerance for work is limitless. The training staff at AP Ranch has a million drills to enhance strength, speed and aerobic conditioning, yet they’re still trying to get to the physical bottom of Hunter.

“I’ve worked with a lot of elite athletes—Olympic sprinters, NBA guys—and by far Travis is the most unique,” says Greg Sholars, director of AP Ranch and a former NCAA champion sprinter himself. “He has the aerobic capacity of an elite middle-distance runner or miler, but he has the sprint speed of a world-class sprinter. He’s different.

“There’s been two questions I’ve never heard him ask: How many? or Are we done? Most people, that’s the first thing they want to know. He just goes and goes and goes. We should dedicate his body to science.”

… Read full story here …

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April 14th 

Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig on draft status: “My message to NFL teams is to watch the tape”

From the Daily Camera … When Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig sat down for a press conference following his performance at Colorado’s pro day on April 4, he joked, “I’m glad the underwear and T-shirt contest is over with. I can play football again, so I’m happy.”

Workouts such as pro day are part of the pre-draft process for NFL prospects such as Silmon-Craig, but that’s not the environment in which he shines. His numbers from that day were solid, but not eye-popping.

“My message to NFL teams is to watch the tape,” former Buffaloes’ safety said. “Go out there and watch the tape and you break me down how you break me down on the field.”

From his time in high school and throughout his college career, Silmon-Craig has often been overlooked. He doesn’t fit the typical mold, at just 5-feet, 10-inches tall and weighing in at 188 pounds, yet when game days hit, Silmon-Craig is a beast – or, rather, a shark.

He took on the nickname “The Shark,” because a coach told him “you can’t drown a shark.” Silmon-Craig has a shark mentality of never stopping, and hunting from his safety position.

Last season, he led the Buffs with 93 tackles (most for a CU defensive back in 15 years), including 10 tackles for loss (most for a Buffs DB since 2015), two sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries, one that he returned for a touchdown.

… Continue reading story here …

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April 9th

Full Seven Round CBS Mock Draft – Shedeur a Jet; no Buffs taken after Travis and Shedeur

… Note … Still looking for a full seven round mock draft which has any other Buffs taken. If you spot one, drop me a note at cuatthegame@gmail.com … 

From CBS Sports …The time has come. The glorious time for a full seven-round mock draft, predicting all 257 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. One of those overly ambitious mocks that also includes trades from Round 1 through Round 7.

The only bad part about reading this mock draft? Afterward, there’ll be no need to even watch the actual draft — I’ve been handed the script. Every single pick. Yep. That’s right. No mistakes below. This is how all 257 picks will all play out from April 24 to 26 from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Below, check your favorite team’s entire draft haul. All 257 picks. With trades.

A quick sneak peak — the first round three two trades — one for a tight end, and the other two for clubs to land a defensive tackle in this coveted class at that position.

Round 1 – Overall Pick No. 2 – Cleveland Browns … Travis Hunter, Colorado … Easy. Best player available for the rebuilding Browns.

Round 1 – Overall Pick No. 7 – New York Jets … Shedeur Sanders, Colorado … The Jets plan for the future at the quarterback spot and prepare for a Sanders/Justin Fields quarterback battle that’ll surely grab headlines in August.

… Continue  reading story here ..

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April 8th 

Defensive End BJ Green: “Being an underrated guy … It’s a familiar burn”

… Note … I have yet to see a full seven round mock draft which has BJ Green being drafted. If you’ve seen one, let me know in the comments section … 

From the Daily Camera … BJ Green II was already an all-conference player before he jumped in the transfer portal a year ago.

He came to Colorado, however, to refine his craft. After one year with the Buffaloes, Green is now doing his best to make an impression on NFL scouts and hear his name called during the draft April 24-26.

“A lot of guys end their college career and that’s it,” he said after participating in CU’s pro day last Friday in front of 70 NFL scouts. “So being able to have this opportunity (at pro day) is a blessing. … I attacked it from the start of January all the way to here. I’m pretty proud of what I put out today.”

During the Buffs’ pro day, Green, a 6-foot, 250-pound defensive end, looked sharp in defensive line drills and ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, improving his time of 4.7 from last month’s Big 12 pro day. He also improved his vertical leap from 30 inches to 31.5.

“You leave everything you have on the field, there’s no more regrets,” he said.

At CU this past season, he was first-team All-Big 12 and was named the Big 12’s defensive newcomer of the year. He posted 33 tackles, 12 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits.

“Polish and refinement – being able to refine my game,” he said when asked how he got better at CU. “I’ve been who I am, but being able to come somewhere that’s uncomfortable, being able to be pushed farther than where you thought you could go. Being able to learn a guy like (CU defensive line assistant coach) Warren Sapp, being able to learn those little things how to conduct yourself in this process, how to conduct yourself as a rookie, how to answer questions when people ask you stuff.

“Being able to come to a place like this that prepares you to go to the next level, because that’s what they want to see. That’s what they’ve done. Being able to walk in the path of people that walked before you, those are the big things.”

… Continue reading story here …

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April 6th

Mel Kiper’s Big Board update: Travis Still No. 1 Overall

From ESPN … As we move closer to the 2025 NFL draft, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of the best players in the class. I’m updating my Big Board for 2025, ranking the top 25 prospects.

This is not a mock draft or a prediction of where players will be drafted. These are my personal rankings. Sure, I want to have a realistic board based on how the draft will play out, but my goal is to include the best players based on what I’m seeing and my own evaluations. In addition to the top-25 list, I also ranked the best prospects at every position at the bottom.

Let’s dig in — and be sure to check back regularly from now until Round 1 begins April 24. I plan to keep updating this Big Board this month, and I will expand beyond 25 names once we get to draft week. (Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.)

1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado*

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 188 | Prev. rank: 1

2024 stats over 13 games: 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, 15 receiving TDs, 36 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

Hunter has a great feel for the game on offense and defense, and he played a whopping 1,458 snaps over 13 games this past season. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways, though I’m ranking him as a receiver right now. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling each other to use him.

Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but the Heisman winner also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential.

5. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 212 | Prev. rank: 5

2024 stats over 13 games: 74.0% completion rate, 4,134 passing yards, 37 TD passes, 10 interceptions, 4 rushing TDs

You won’t find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers. I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.

… Read full story here …

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April 5th

ESPN Draft Analysts – On Shedeur: “I thought his poise and confidence shined through”

From ESPN … We’re less than three weeks from the start of the 2025 NFL draft on April 24, and most top prospects are done working out at their pro days. Colorado completed its workout Friday, featuring a throwing session from quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Amid a ton of buzz about early picks and the quarterback class, we asked NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates to break down the latest intel from around the league.

How did Sanders fare in his throwing session? Do teams have a preference for where wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter will play at the next level? Which organizations could trade down in the first round? And which prospects could be sleepers on Day 3? We get into all that and then let Miller, Reid and Yates project the perfect draft for three teams picking outside the top 10.

Finally, our experts empty their scouting notebooks with what they’re hearing, seeing and thinking ahead of Round 1. Let’s start with what Yates learned from attending Colorado’s pro day.

What are your biggest takeaways from Colorado’s pro day?

Yates: Quarterback Shedeur Sanders had an impressive showing at his pro day, as his signature accuracy and ball placement were on full display. What stood out to me was his downfield accuracy. He drove the football and gave his receivers a chance on every pass. There was just one pass in the entire session that I thought was truly off-target, while everything else was or should have been caught. Travis Hunter ran routes for Sanders, but he did not participate in any other on-field drills.

Catching up with Sanders after the showcase, I thought his poise and confidence shined through. The task of being a young quarterback on a potentially bad NFL roster is daunting, but he is willing to embrace the challenge.

The atmosphere of the showcase also stood out, as it felt like the NFL epicenter for a day. All 32 teams were represented, with multiple head coaches and general managers on hand. Even Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was in attendance.

What are you hearing on which position teams prefer Travis Hunter to play?

Miller: It varies team by team. I’ve spoken to scouts who rave about his ball skills and ability to make defenders miss as an elite receiver. Others talk up his instincts and change-of-direction skills, which would make him a top-tier cornerback. There isn’t total agreement on his best position, and it could completely depend on where he lands.

When considering his fit with the Browns — who own the No. 2 pick — it’s easy to see him playing wide receiver given the team’s desperate need for a viable option opposite Jerry Jeudy. There could be more of a split with the Giants (No. 3) and Patriots (No. 4), since those teams have No. 1 receivers (Malik Nabers and Stefon Diggs, respectively) and could use him on some defensive snaps. The Giants might be Hunter’s most likely destination as a primary cornerback, because of Nabers and the team’s lack of a true top cover man, despite signing Paulson Adebo in free agency.

Reid: I’m siding with Matt in that there is still a wide array of opinions on Hunter’s position. And both sides of the argument make sense. Scouts in favor of him playing wide receiver frequently mention teams can control how many times they put the ball in his hands. Hunter’s ball skills and his ability to potentially shut down one side of the field are the reasons some evaluators want him on defense full time. I’m in favor of Hunter playing defense full time, and then involving him in an offensive package of 20-25 plays per game.

Yates: The teams I’ve spoken to have had a slight lean toward a higher ceiling for him at wide receiver. But it’s telling that there isn’t a definitive answer, which is what makes Hunter — who is No. 1 overall in the ESPN consensus rankings — so special.

Two other very important notes: I haven’t yet spoken to a team that thinks Hunter will play one side of the ball exclusively (all envision at least a part time role on the side where he isn’t featured), and I’ve yet to find a team that thinks his ceiling is low at either spot. Hunter’s Pro Bowl upside at wide receiver or cornerback is very real.

… Continue reading story here …

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April 2nd

Bruce Feldman’s In-Depth Mock Draft has Buffs going No. 3 and No. 4 overall 

From The Athletic … This is my fifth annual NFL mock draft based on all the intel I’ve gathered from speaking to dozens of college coaches and NFL sources during the past two months.

My goal with this project is to provide unique insight directly from the eyes of rival coaches who have not only studied and scouted these prospects but game-planned for and then faced each of them — in many cases, more than once. Those sources, granted anonymity to speak freely about the prospects, know exactly what they’re dealing with and what they’ve tried to do against these players in real-game situations.

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2. Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, edge, Penn State

3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

The Giants have a big need at quarterback. Sanders, the son of football legend Deion Sanders, is a polarizing prospect. He and his dad arrived at Colorado two years ago and revived a program that had been left for dead. They, along with fellow Jackson State transfer Travis Hunter, made the Buffaloes nationally relevant immediately. The younger Sanders sparked the Buffs to a season-opening road win at TCU, a team that played in the national title game the previous season. In 2024, the Buffs improved from 4-8 to 9-4 and finished in the Top 25.

In two seasons, despite playing behind a woeful O-line, Sanders amassed a 64-to-13 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

“I think he has good arm talent and really good poise,” a Big 12 defensive coordinator said. “I think he’s almost too cocky, at least at the college level, where he would take some really bad sacks. Decision-making-wise, I think he thinks he’s better than everybody else, and that does help him elevate his game, but it also gets him into some bad situations. And if he doesn’t shake that, he’s gonna take way too many sacks in the NFL.”

At 6-1 1/2, 212 pounds, Sanders does not have his dad’s remarkable athleticism. Rival coaches estimate Sanders is probably a high 4.7, low 4.8 (40) guy.

“Even though he’s not fast, he was pretty elusive,” the Big 12 defensive coordinator said. “What I thought he does very well is when plays broke down, that was a strength. Once the first read wasn’t there and he broke the pocket, he kept his eyes downfield and really had a nice touch and was accurate. Especially when he’s on the run, that’s when he’s most dangerous. I don’t know if he has any elite physical traits, but I do think he has elite processing and feel for the game.”

One former NFL coach who watched a lot of Sanders was reminded of when Mac Jones came out of college, wondering whether he has any elite traits.

“Yeah, he’s smooth, and he operates well,” the coach said, “but if he operates so well, why does he take so many sacks? I know his O-line is awful, and I get that to an extent, but I’m watching him, and like 40 percent of the sacks are on him. Dude, just throw the ball!”

But that coach also believes Sanders is very accurate.

“He throws a very catchable ball,” the coach said, “and knows what kind of ball to throw, and his pocket movement is good, and those things do translate, but his clock is way too slow. It might be because he always thinks he has to make a play, but that’s not gonna go well in the NFL.”

Said a Big 12 secondary coach, “I think he really understands football and is very smart, and their OC did a good job of playing to his strengths. I don’t think he’s gonna be a bust.”

4. New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Hunter is the best pure athlete in this draft. He is a rare talent, an elite cornerback who doubles as a dynamic wideout with a gas tank like college football has never seen. Other special DBs like Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey have dabbled on offense. None have played as many snaps as Hunter or made as many big plays on that side of the ball and excelled deep into games after remarkably high snap counts.

The 6-0, 188-pound Hunter won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top player, the Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver and the Bednarik Award as the top defensive player. He can help second-year QB Drake Maye immediately, even if cornerback is his primary position.

“I think he’s a better DB than he is a receiver,” a defensive coordinator said. “But he’s a really good receiver. He understands space. He’s such a smart player, period. People don’t give him enough credit for that. He’s very savvy, very instinctual. He knows where to sit down and how to create space. He has elite change of direction. Elite. His ball skills are also elite. He’s got long levers. But I think he’s a better DB because it is harder to find a shutdown corner like that. There’s only so many possessions in the NFL in a game, and he can turn the ball over, he can get it for you. He will.”

Hunter’s size isn’t eye-popping, especially for a receiver, and scouts don’t think he’d run in the low 4.3s. Still, people rave about his play speed. One Colorado coach guessed that Hunter probably would run a high 4.3 or around 4.4 but added that if you lined up all the fastest guys at the NFL Scouting combine this year and had a race, Hunter would end up winning it.

“Yeah,” a Big 12 defensive coordinator said after hearing that take on Hunter, “I think that nails it.”

He added his team didn’t have any answers for Hunter as a receiver. It tried to play him soft and keep him covered up over the top, but CU adjusted and threw screens to him. Hunter was so dynamic that he didn’t need much of an opening, and he was gone.

“I think he’s damn good,” the Big 12 DC said. “He’s got that ‘it’ factor. He’s going to find a way to make a big play, and he’s got that competitive speed, where he’s gonna run away from whoever is chasing him. And when the ball is up in the air, whether he’s playing offense or defense, he’s gonna out-jump whoever is up against him.”

“His upside is scary,” a Big 12 secondary coach said. “He made this one pick, and I was like, ‘Holy s—!’ It was crazy how he went up to go get it. This guy has crazy ball skills.”

… Read full story here …

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March 26th

College Football News Mock Draft: Buffs go No. 2 and No. 6

From College Football News … It’s a rough time to need a quarterback if you’re Tennessee, Pittsburgh, the Giants, Jets, or Las Vegas.

Will Seattle win a Super Bowl with Sam Darnold? No.

Will the Raiders do much of anything after trading for Geno Smith? Probably not.

Will anyone do anything but implode with Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson? Please.

Will the Jets crank it up with Justin Fields? Uhhhh, maybe. That’s at least a shot for the stars.

The 2025 NFL Draft won’t bring too much help. It’s nowhere near the quarterback class of 2024, but Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart are all almost certain first round picks.

Below are each team’s top free agent pickup so far, the team needs before free agency – to see how they’re being addressed – and then each team’s projected pick in the mid-March, free-agency-just-started latest NFL mock draft.

1 Tennessee Titans

3 Biggest Needs: QB, OT, WR
Top Free Agent Signing: OT Dan Moore
Mock Draft Pick: Cam Ward, QB Miami

2 Cleveland Browns

3 Biggest Needs: QB, S, LB
Top Free Agent Signing: None Yet
Mock Draft Pick: Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado

3 New York Giants

3 Biggest Needs: QB, OL, DB
Top Free Agent Signing: CB Paulson Adebo
Mock Draft Pick: Abdul Carter, EDGE Penn State

4 New England Patriots

3 Biggest Needs: OL, WR, RB
Top Free Agent Signing: DT Milton Williams
Mock Draft Pick: Armand Membou, OT Missouri

5 Jacksonville Jaguars

3 Biggest Needs: DB, OL, DT
Top Free Agent Signing: OT Patrick Mekari
Mock Draft Pick: Mason Graham, DT Michigan

6 Las Vegas Raiders

3 Biggest Needs: DB, DL, RB
Top Free Agent Signing: S Jeremy Chinn
Mock Draft Pick: Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado

… Read full story here …

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March 25th

NFL Analyst: Why Shedeur Sanders should be drafted ahead of Miami’s Cam Ward

From CBS Sports … With the 2025 NFL Draft now just a month away, most people in and around the league have University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward as the top player at his position. Some, though, go in another direction, with Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders in the top spot.

Former Super Bowl-winning cornerback and CBS Sports NFL analyst Bryant McFadden is one of the latter group. He forcefully argues that Sanders should not fall in the draft due to any reported concerns about what may or may not have happened during interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“Me, personally, I have Shedeur Sanders as my QB1 above Cam Ward,” McFadden said on CBS Sports HQ. “If Tennessee selects Cam Ward, I’m OK with that, but Shedeur should not drop at all. These false narratives that we’ve seen associated with Shedeur Sanders’ name doesn’t make any sense. How can a player lose draft leverage when the season is over? I thought we watched tape. I thought you dissect game in and game out — either live action or just watch the tape.”

McFadden also addressed some of the specific concerns about Sanders’ game.

“Everything about Shedeur Sanders, when you turn on his tape, it says a franchise quarterback,” he said. “‘Well, he doesn’t have the strongest of arms in terms of pushing the ball down the football field.’ Last time I checked, he does a pretty good job of throwing deep passes. And every quarterback won’t have a Josh Allen-like cannon attached to their shoulder. That shouldn’t prevent them from being drafted where they’re supposed to be.”

McFadden also spoke to the fact that Sanders played with a subpar supporting cast.

“Name me another quarterback in college football who has been comfortable being uncomfortable,” McFadden said. “Shedeur Sanders had no stability in terms of offensive line production. Yet and still, he elevated the offensive linemen. He balled out. Had no significant signs of a consistent running game. Yet and still, he balled out. Every other quarterback that we’re talking about in terms of first-round grades, second-round grades — they had a better offensive structure surrounding them.”

… Continue reading story here …

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March 19th

How to Watch Big 12 Pro Day

From Sports Illustrated … The Big 12 conference holds its own Pro Day to feature the talent within the conference as they prepare for the NFL Draft. Several Colorado Buffaloes will be featured in the Pro Day. The Big 12 Pro Day will take place from March 18-21.

How to Watch:

The Big 12 Pro Day will take place March 18-21 in Ford Center at The Star, in Frisco, Texas. The Big 12 Pro Day will be broadcast on NFL Network, starting at 12 p.m. MT on March 19 and 20.

On Wednesday, March 19, the offensive lineman, linebackers, and defensive lineman will have their workouts. On Thursday, the Pro Day will feature the running backs, tight ends, quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defensive backs. Friday’s workout will be shorter, featuring the specialists.

Attending from CU …

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March 13th

Big 12 Pro Day (March 18th-21st) will include 12 Buffs (including Travis and Shedeur)

Press release from the Big 12 Conference ... The 2025 Big 12 Pro Day is set for March 18-21 inside Ford Center at The Star. The second annual event, operated in partnership with the NFL, will feature more than 200 Big 12 football athletes with nearly 300 NFL scouts and personnel in attendance. The NFL Network will showcase the event as Big 12 athletes begin the next chapter of their careers.

In addition to the nationally-televised workouts and interviews on the field, Big 12 Pro Day will feature the return of the Allstate Institute, which offers robust programming in dynamic leadership, branding and mental health to help prepare these future NFL athletes for life on and off the field. The second annual Allstate Women and Girls in Football Day will also return with a free clinic for Dallas-Fort Worth youth who are interested in growing their Flag Football skills.

NOBULL will continue as the official shoe and apparel sponsor for all Pro Day participants.

The NFL Network will provide live Big 12 Pro Day coverage with expert commentary and analysis of the event from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. CT on March 19 and 20. Coverage will also be featured within additional NFL Network programming and promoted across NFL+ and NFL digital and social channels.

Player workouts will begin at 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, March 19 with the offensive linemen followed by defensive linemen and linebackers. Running backs and tight ends will kick off the action on Thursday, March 20 at 9:15 a.m. followed by quarterbacks and defensive backs. Friday will be the specialists’ morning on the field.

Big 12 Pro Day is open to the public on March 19 and March 20 from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT with the March 21 session open from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Parking will be available in any of the public garages and lots surrounding The Star.

Attending from CU …

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March 9th

New York Post Mock Draft: Buffs go No. 2 and No. 4

From the New York Post … Free agency beckons this week, so here’s the way it looks before the stampede for the Brinks trucks begins.

One trade at the top of Serby Mock 2.0 gives Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll a quarterback of the future for the Giants — if their designated veteran quarterback bridge over troubled waters gets them a future.

Woody Johnson’s boys Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey land themselves a stud for the defensive line.

1. Giants (from Titans)

Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.)

Even if Joe Schoen is forced to surrender the 34th-overall pick, and a third-rounder in 2026, and a non-controlling minority stake in the team if need be. The old upside argument. Chip on his shoulder. Reminds ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky of Baker Mayfield.

2. Browns

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Assuming Daddy Prime approves of coach Kevin Stefanski. Son of Prime would at least help vaporize the Deshaun Watson stench. Doesn’t need elite arm talent to find a way to win. Tough as hell.

3. Titans (from Giants)

Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State

New GM Mike Borgonzi can’t pass on Micah Parsons Lite. Instant double-digit sacker as long as the stress fracture in his foot cooperates.

4. Patriots

Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

A dynamic chess piece opposite (former Buff) Christian Gonzalez to combat Josh Allen and a dynamic toy for Drake Maye as well.

… Read full story here …

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March 8th

Mel Kiper’s updated Big Board: Travis Hunter still No. 1 overall

From ESPN … As we move closer to the 2025 NFL draft, we’re starting to get a clearer picture of the best prospects in the class. We had the 2024 college football season to size up the top talents. Then we had the opportunity to watch them at the Senior Bowl and the Shrine Bowl. And we just had the NFL combine, where many top names ran their 40-yard dashes and worked out in positional drills. So, how do the best of the best in this class stack up?

I’m updating my Big Board for 2025, ranking the top 25 prospects in the class. Remember, this is not a mock draft or a prediction of where players will be drafted. These are my personal rankings. Sure, I want to have a realistic board based on how the draft will play out, but my goal is to include the best players based on what I’m seeing and my own evaluations. In addition to the top-25 list, I also ranked the best prospects at every position at the bottom.

Let’s dig in — and be sure to check back regularly from now until Round 1 begins April 24. I plan to update this Big Board often as players rise and fall. Underclassmen are noted with an asterisk.

1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado*

Height: 6-0 | Weight: 188 | Prev. rank: 1

2024 stats over 13 games: 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, 15 receiving TDs, 36 tackles, 10 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

Hunter has a great feel for the game on offense and defense, and he played a whopping 1,458 snaps over 13 games this past season. I really think he has a chance to play both sides of the ball early in his pro career and make an impact both ways, though I’m ranking him as a receiver right now. The offensive and defensive coordinators for the team that ultimately drafts him are going to be battling each other to use him.

Hunter has tremendous hand-eye coordination and elite ball skills. His physical traits and quickness are off the charts, but the Heisman winner also thinks about the game at a high level. He is a highly competitive prospect who works hard to maximize his potential.

2. Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

3. Mason Graham, DT, Michigan*

4. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State*

5. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 212 | Prev. rank: 5

2024 stats over 13 games: 74.0% completion rate, 4,134 passing yards, 37 TD passes, 10 interceptions, 4 rushing TDs

You won’t find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers. I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.

6. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

… Continue reading story here …

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March 6th

Updated ESPN Mock Draft has Buffs going No. 2 and No. 4 overall

From Jordan Reid at ESPN … The NFL combine is over, and we’re getting closer to the 2025 NFL draft. Top prospects were measured and underwent medical exams, and many of them worked out for teams over the course of the event. I wanted to sort through all of the combine’s top risers, fallers and standouts with a brand-new mock. And this time I’m going two full rounds with predictions for the opening 64 picks.

A lot can still change before April 24, when the draft rolls into Green Bay, Wisconsin. Schools will conduct their pro days, and players will visit NFL team facilities. Teams will also start addressing offseason needs when free agency opens next week. So take this mock draft as a barometer of where things are right now. Tennessee has the No. 1 pick, and all 32 teams currently own their first-round picks, but trades will likely happen — I even projected one below.

Here are my projections for every pick in the first two rounds of the upcoming draft. Let’s get going.

Projected trade: Giants leap into the top spot

With Matthew Stafford agreeing to return to the Rams, the Giants’ 2025 quarterback options seem to be down to Aaron Rodgers or drafting a quarterback of the future. We’re projecting the latter here, with New York sending its first-rounder (No. 3) and second-rounder (No. 34) in this draft and its third-round pick in 2026 to the Titans to have their choice between Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.

1. New York Giants (via projected trade with TEN)

Cam Ward, QB, Miami

A team hasn’t traded up from No. 3 to No. 1 since 1975, when the Falcons moved up to select quarterback Steve Bartkowski. Several sources at the combine told me the Giants are exploring multiple options at quarterback, but the Giants can’t exit this draft without their QB of the future. Holding the No. 3 pick in a draft with two surefire first-round quarterbacks means New York might have to trade up for a concrete chance at either of them.

Ward is the top QB of this class. His combination of physical ability, improvisational skills and poise in big moments makes him an ideal selection for coach Brian Daboll. His 88.7 QBR was second in the FBS, and his 29 completions of 20-plus air yards tied for fifth.

2. Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

With the Browns facing a lot of pressure to win next season, both internally and externally, they must figure out a long-term solution at quarterback to dig themselves out of the rubble of the failed Deshaun Watson trade. Sanders is a picture-perfect fit as a polished pocket passer with toughness and excellent ball placement — traits of quarterbacks who have excelled in Kevin Stefanski’s scheme. Sanders has been in the spotlight his entire life and would welcome the challenge of boosting the Browns’ last-place scoring offense.

3. Tennessee Titans (via projected trade with NYG)

Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

Does first-year GM Mike Borgonzi feel comfortable tying his tenure to either one of the QBs? Based on the intel I gathered at the combine, Tennessee will explore trading down while staying in range to pick the first non-QB off the board, as it does here. In his first full season as an edge rusher, Carter tallied 12 sacks and registered an 18.5% pressure rate, which ranked third in the FBS. With Harold Landry III being granted permission to seek a trade, the Titans currently have minimal pass rush. Picking Carter could be a great start to Borgonzi’s rebuild.

4. New England Patriots

Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Patriots have a lot of needs, with offensive tackle and receiver being the biggest. They can address some of those issues using their $129.6 million in cap space in free agency (the most in the league, per Roster Management System), then drafting the best player on the board. That would be Hunter. His two-way ability would pair well opposite Christian Gonzalez at cornerback and give Drake Maye a talented option out wide.

… Continue reading story here …

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March 2nd 

Sports Illustrated: LaJohntay Wester could go anywhere from the third to sixth round

… Like Jimmy Horn, Wester ran a 4.46 at the NFL Combine … One CBS commentator called Wester “The Biggest Surprise of the Combine”, noting: “What makes him so special is he is a legit route runner. He can win at all levels of the field. That dude can ball. And he’s got a lot of talent” … 

From Sports Illustrated …

LaJohntay Wester is a fascinating receiver prospect who continues to rise on draft boards despite not fitting the traditional NFL wide receiver mold. Standing at 5’11” and weighing 177 pounds, Wester is on the leaner side, but his production at Florida Atlantic speaks for itself. Over his five-year career, he demonstrated remarkable consistency, with his breakout 2023 season cementing his status as FAU’s all-time leading receiver. That year, he earned All-AAC First Team honors, recording 108 receptions for 1,168 yards and eight touchdowns—numbers typically associated with bigger, prototypical WR1s.

Beyond his on-field skills, Wester has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates. His leadership and work ethic were rewarded when Coach Deion Sanders honored him with the coveted No. 1 jersey—an honor given only to those who prove themselves through dedication and performance. If he can add some weight without sacrificing speed, Wester has the potential to be drafted higher than expected. With his production, versatility, and intangibles, he could become an impactful player at the next level.

Strengths:

-Threatening speed

-Plays bigger than his frame

-Produced touchdowns consistently over four years

-Football IQ allows him to manipulate routes while staying on time

-Elite ability to adjust to the ball mid flight

-Great teammate and potential locker room glue guy

-An unrelenting positive attitude

Weaknesses:

-Route running technique could be tighter, more disciplined

-Rarely fights through routes, not much of a 50/50 ball guy

-Smaller than average catch radius for a receiver his size

-There can be some rigidity in middle torso that can limit his route running

-He’ll need to get into the 180s weight wise before injury potential is less of a concern

LaJohntay Wester’s Draft stock has moved gradually and seems to continue to do so. His big play for Colorado in 2024 ensures his name would come up, but it has been his work after the season that is turning heads. Wester had not been invited to the Combine until after his work during the East West Shrine Game practices. Wester is a “just get him in the room” prospect. His stock should rise a little after individual interviews. His range could be anywhere from the 3rd round to the 6th round. His ability to contribute on special teams (2023 All-AAC Special Teams Player of the Year) should also add to his draft stock before Draft Day.

… Read full story here …

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March 1st

Sports Illustrated: Jimmy Horn could rise from a Day Three to a Day Two draft pick

… Horn ran a 4.47 and a 4.46 at the NFL Combine, but ran a WR prospect best 19.81 in the “Gauntlet Drill” … 

From Sports Illustrated …

Overview:

Jimmy Horn Jr. is a dynamic wide receiver whose size may raise concerns for NFL teams, but his speed and playmaking ability cannot be ignored. At 5’7”, he lacks the traditional height and catch radius of an outside receiver, yet he compensates with elite agility and acceleration. His ability to separate from defenders and exploit openings in zone coverage makes him an intriguing slot option at the next level.

Horn thrives in short and intermediate routes, utilizing his quickness to create space and make plays after the catch. He’s not afraid to work across the middle, and if defenders don’t bring him down immediately, he can turn short receptions into big gains. While he may not fit the mold of a deep threat, his route-running ability and quick bursts allow him to be a reliable target underneath.

Strengths:

-Deceptively fast for his size, if he is underestimated he can beat defenders

-Quality change of direction mid route without sacrificing speed

-Could be valuable in almost any trick play situation

-Yards after the catch should be a serious concern for defenses

-Plays scrappy as if he doesn’t believe he’s smaller

-His college tape has fair share of ‘wow’ plays

Weaknesses:

-His frame creates serious injury and longevity concerns

-Experienced a rough stretch in 2023, short of injury that was remedied in 2024

-Will likely need to develop route tightness as the windows will be smaller

-Is somewhat less effective against press coverage

Draft Projection:

The narrative on Horn and his draft stock is all over the board. Before the East West Shrine Game, the most common range was rounds 5-7. Since then, Horn has had legitimate mid-to-late round buzz. His work during the combine should help to focus that range. If he runs as fast as most think and looks good running drills, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Horn could rise from mid-late on Day 3 to late Day 2. Provided a team can downplay the size issue.

… Read full story here …

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February 27th

Updated CBS Mock Draft: Shedeur and Travis go No. 3 and No. 4 overall

From CBS Sports … The NFL Scouting Combine is underway from Indianapolis, while trade and free agency rumors are running rampant. Raiders minority owner Tom Brady reportedly met with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford at a ski resort and the Giants are said to have interest as well.

The reality is that the NFL Draft is just a portion of a team’s offseason plans. Positional needs will evolve in the coming weeks as free agent deals are signed, so the picture will not come into focus until later in March. Some of the other big dominoes to fall include the potential trade availability of Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Allen and others.

One big piece of news that surfaced Wednesday night is that Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter — the potential No. 1 overall pick — has a foot injury that may require surgery. My initial reaction is that it will not hurt his stock significantly, if at all, because it is a potential eight-week recovery, according to Carter’s agent, which would have him back on the field during organized training activities or, at the very least, training camp.

If teams are worried about the injury creating long-term problems, then that will impact his stock. Carter and Colorado athlete Travis Hunter have separated themselves from the rest of the pack atop this draft class.

In today’s thought exercise, we take another look at pre-free agency positional needs while also anticipating some of the prospects who could rise into the first round with strong combine performances.

No. 1 … Tennessee … Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State … Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are the two best players in this draft. The Titans have said they view Hunter as a cornerback. Carter plays a more premium position. In the wake of the Carter injury news, the odds of Tennessee trading out of the pick rise, but there may not be a team willing to present the Titans with a considerable haul for this quarterback class. It is more difficult for the Titans to pivot elsewhere this year, specifically, because there are fewer of those game-altering prospects. Carter ends up being the pick.

No. 2 … Cleveland … Cam Ward, QB, Miami … Cleveland is going to come out of this draft with a quarterback. The only question is whether that happens in the first round or on Day 2. If both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are available, then odds are better that the Browns will like one of them. Ward has a higher ceiling.

No. 3 … New York Giants … Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado … New York wants a reason to be excited and a young quarterback delivers that belief. The Giants are desperate for an upgrade at the game’s most important position, and Shedeur Sanders is more than capable of handling the pressure in the Big Apple.

No. 4 … New England … Travis Hunter, CB/WR … New England still needs to address its offensive line issues, but those looked better with Drake Maye installed at quarterback. It should remain a priority, but the Patriots are not going to have a better opportunity to add a playmaker like Travis Hunter to the offense.

… Read full story here …

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February 25th

The Athletic Compilation: Travis and Shedeur go in the first six picks

From The Athletic … NFL Draft season is in high gear, with prospect interviews already underway in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine. As the league’s offseason spotlight turns to college stars and how they might fit at the next level, there’s no group better qualified to assess them than the writers who covered them in college.

Below, eight members of The Athletic’s college football staff — Cameron Teague Robinson, Scott Dochterman, Audrey Snyder, David Ubben, Chris Kamrani, Antonio Morales, Matt Baker and Grace Raynor — team up to offer their insight and projections for this NFL mock draft. No trades were allowed in this exercise.

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

The Titans have their pick between Ward and Shedeur Sanders, but Ward’s measurables are more impressive, and the impact he made at Washington State and Miami looks a lot like what Jayden Daniels did for LSU. Ward may be slightly less accurate than Sanders, but he’s a better processor and a much better athlete with a much stronger arm. Travis Hunter is the best prospect in this draft, but an elite quarterback can singlehandedly change the trajectory of a franchise. Ward is the best bet in this draft to become one.

3. New York Giants: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

The Giants also need a quarterback, but Hunter is the best prospect in the draft and one of the most exciting playmakers of the 21st century. He may already be an All-Pro caliber player. If New York’s quarterback situation doesn’t improve in 2025, Texas’ Arch Manning and Penn State’s Drew Allar will be waiting in 2026.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

It wouldn’t be a total shock if the Raiders went defense here — it’s Pete Carroll, after all — but Vegas has to address the long-term outlook at quarterback at some point, and it might not get a better chance to do so than right now. Sanders was one of the most prolific and accurate passers in the nation last season and would be another building block for a unit that doesn’t have much going on outside of Brock Bowers.

… Read full story here …

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February 16th 

CBS Sports Mock Drafts: Raiders trade up to take Shedeur No. 1 in one; Travis to Raiders at No. 6 in another

From CBS Sports … Ryan Wilson’s mock Draft …

The With the First Pick RV is back in the garage after making stops at the Shrine and Senior Bowls the last two weeks. It’s always good to see these players in person — and yes, I’ve been accused (mostly by my podcast co-host Rick Spielman) of falling in love when I finally get eyes on these guys after watching them on tape for the last couple seasons — and the 2025 draft cycle is no different.

There are still just two quarterbacks going in Round 1, but the all-star game circuit confirmed what my eyes saw in the fall: This class is deep along the defensive line, both on the interior and at edge rusher. And while the offensive line looked thin(nish) at times, there are some dudes, especially on the inside.

Put another way: Don’t be distracted by the “This is a weak class” talk in the coming weeks. It’s not “six QBs in the top 12” deep, but there are are some special talents who will hear their names called early, and the depth at certain positions will run well into Day 3. That, in some ways, makes it more exciting as we work our way up to the actual draft on April 24.

No. 3 – New York Giants … Shedeur Sanders … (Cam Ward going No. 1 to Tennessee Titans) … Good luck finding someone tougher than Sanders. He’ll stand in the pocket and take hit (after hit after hit) to make a play downfield. He’s not the best athlete and doesn’t have the arm strength of Cam Ward, but he does a lot of things really well. Would like to see him play on time more consistently, but part of that has to do with Colorado’s inconsistent offensive line.

No. 6 – Las Vegas Raiders … Travis Hunter … Hunter is the best athlete — and the best player — in this draft class. We’ve had otherworldly cornerbacks and wide receivers in previous classes but he’s a two-fer, able to dominate on both sides of the ball and take over games. The big question where will the team that drafts him want him to play. And if it’s, say, at cornerback, how big will be the package of offensive plays for Hunter. Because lining up for 120 snaps a game, like he’s done for the Buffs, isn’t sustainable in the NFL.

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From CBS Sports … Chris Tapasso’s Mock Draft …

With Super Bowl LIX behind us, the 2025 NFL offseason has officially begun, so it’s time to start working in more trades into mock drafts.

It could be the offseason of the pass rusher, with Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby and even Micah Parsons could be on the move in what would each be seismic swaps with huge ripple effects across the league. And, heck, after watching what the Eagles did up front to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, more clubs could very well be enticed by the idea of adding a premier pass-rushing talent to their roster, even if it’d be costly do to so.

We don’t even know if any of those elite rushers will be moved, yet it feels like at least one of the dominoes will fall. I previously experimented with the idea of Garrett being traded to the Commanders. For this mock, let’s check a scenario in which the Browns keep Garrett on a Great Lake and send him to Detroit.

I feel the Browns will ultimately trade Garrett and the Titans will ultimately trade out of the No. 1 overall pick without a transcendent type at the quarterback position. Tennessee sliding back occurs in this mock too.

Here are the parameters for both trades:

• Raiders get: No. 1 overall, 2025 fifth-rounder (No. 168 overall)
• Titans get: No. 6 overall, 2025 second-rounder (No. 37 overall), 2025 third-rounder (No. 68), 2026 first-rounder, 2026 fourth-round pick
• Lions get: Myles Garrett
• Browns get: 2025 first-rounder (No. 28 overall), 2026 conditional second-rounder that can become a first, 2026 third-round pick

No. 1 … Las Vegas Raiders … Shedeur Sanders … Let’s run back the idea of Tom Brady and Co. making a move to land Sanders at No. 1, just so they assure themselves they land him in this draft.

No. 4 … New England Patriots … Travis Hunter … While Will Campbell would be sensible as a building block — pun intended — for Drake Maye, the Patriots feel better about landing suitable offensive linemen later in the draft and can’t pass on the supremely gifted Hunter here. They also need more dynamic playmakers on the roster.

… Read full story here …

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February 14th

NFL Executives poll: Is Shedeur QB1? Is Travis the No. 1 pick overall?

From ESPN … The 2025 NFL draft is just over two months away. It kicks off on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the Tennessee Titans will be on the clock first with the No. 1 pick. But what does the top of the draft board look like right now?

We used the recent Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl events as opportunities to get a sense of the top of this class. Who is the top overall prospect? Who is the top quarterback? Will the top pick be a QB or non-QB, and will it be the Titans making the selection? Four of our NFL Nation reporters who were on the ground — Turron Davenport, Jeff Legwold, Daniel Oyefusi and Katherine Terrell — polled NFL executives, coaches and scouts to help answer those questions. (Each reporter asked one question, and the number of responses differs from question to question.)

Who is the top quarterback in the class?

Cam Ward, Miami: Four votes
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado: Three votes

Ward and Sanders have established themselves as the headliners of this year’s quarterback class, and Ward narrowly edged out Sanders in our poll of league execs, coaches and scouts. While both are expected to be the first two signal-callers selected in April’s draft, multiple people at the Shrine Bowl noted that this class is watered down compared to the 2024 group, which saw a record six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks.

One player personnel executive called the top of the draft “generally good, not great.” And a national scout said Ward and Sanders would have been ranked similar to Bo Nix, who went No. 12 overall to the Broncos this past April.

“The top guys in this class wouldn’t be in the top three from last year’s crop, in my opinion,” that scout said. “Good debate on if they would be in the top five actually.”

The general consensus from those polled was that Sanders is a more refined pocket passer, but Ward’s arm talent and mobility give him the upper hand as a long-term prospect. Ward led the nation with 39 passing touchdowns at Miami, while Sanders was just behind with 37 at Colorado.

“The experience, arm talent, decision-making … I think he has a nice package,” an AFC area scout who voted for Ward said. “Overall, I think he’s the top prospect and should be the first [quarterback] off the board.”

An AFC coach who voted for Sanders acknowledged Ward had a higher ceiling but had one cause for concern: “The thing that scares me with [Ward] is some of the risks he does take … you can’t do that at this level,” the coach said.

That coach went on to call Sanders “the safer pick,” saying, “He’s very accurate and has really good footwork.”

Who is the best prospect in the class, regardless of position?

Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State: Seven votes
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado: Five votes

An informal poll of a dozen evaluators at the Senior Bowl gave the narrow edge to Carter over Hunter here — with an asterisk of sorts that one NFC general manager might have described the best.

“Carter is everything you want in a prospect — highest grade on the board with a very specific, defined path into your lineup. You know exactly what he is, how you’ll project him,” he said. “But you can’t deny [Hunter] is the most uniquely talented guy. I mean, [he] did things we haven’t seen in a long time and might not see again. It’s just a matter of where the coaching staff sees him, where a team sees him and how quickly everybody finds a rhythm with how it looks. … You just know how gifted he is and just find a way to play him.”

Carter, an explosive snap-to-whistle force, was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year with 12 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss and 61 pressures this past season. Most of those polled added that elite pass rushers routinely adapt to the NFL quicker than rookies at other positions, so that enhances Carter’s value at the top of the board.

Hunter, meanwhile, finished with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a receiver to go with four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 36 tackles at cornerback. While the lure of offense in the public domain has many saying Hunter’s future is at receiver — one scout said he could see team owners preferring Hunter on offense — most of the evaluators polled actually think Hunter is more refined as a cornerback.

“You just really don’t want to stifle his development. He has some rough edges in technique as a receiver. He wins with talent now, and NFL corners will force him to be a better route runner,” another NFC executive said.

It’s typically more difficult to find a cornerback of his talent, and it would likely be easier in the day-to-day world of the NFL to have Hunter primarily on defense and then carve out a situational role on offense (rather than the other way around). But regardless, those polled acknowledged it will be a big decision for the coaching staff who ultimately drafts Hunter.

… Read full story here …

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February 10th

The Sporting News: Travis at No. 3; Shedeur drops out of Top Ten

From The Sporting News … Here are the latest projections for every team with the order set to be set.

1. Tennessee Titans 3-14

• Cam Ward, QB, Miami (6-2, 223 pounds)

The Titans, like other teams, should see that Ward is standing out a bit when evaluating him with Shedeur Sanders. Ward has the bonus of dynamic athleticism, including a polished, accurate arm, which gives some Jayden Daniels vibes in this year’s class. The Titans can’t mess around with Will Levis or a veteran bridge when they need their true franchise QB.

3.  New York Giants 3-14

• Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (6-1, 185 pounds)

The Giants need to consider quarterback early, but it will also be difficult to ignore that Hunter may fall right into their lap to be an instant ball-hawking defensive star in New York while also giving Malik Nabers some receiving help at times.

18. Seattle Seahawks 10-7

• Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (6-2, 215 pounds) 

The Seahawks might shock some by taking a quarterback in the first round despite still having Geno Smith playing rather well, but they are looking for a more reliable downfield passing game under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. A lesser shock might be Sanders falling, and they can’t pass up this great fit beyond the double alliteration because he profiles as their ideal, strong-armed pocket passer.

… Read full story here …

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February 8th

NFL.com drafts: Travis No. 1 in one; Shedeur No. 1 in another 

From Cynthia Frelund at NFL.com … I always do my NFL mock drafts a little differently from the traditional method, in that my team-prospect pairings are based on optimizing for wins in the upcoming season only. Here’s a quick look at my process:

No. 1 … Tennessee Titans … Travis Hunter … Hunter’s upside and overall value in the 2025 class are too hard to ignore. If the Titans lock in on Hunter at No. 1, they have the benefit of addressing other needs — like quarterback — in free agency (as well as later in the draft). As of now, Hunter comes off the board no later than third overall in 81 percent of one million simulations by my model.

No. 9 … New Orleans Saints … Shedeur Sanders … The Saints’ head coach vacancy throws a bit of a wrench into my model’s pick for New Orleans, but Sanders would be an exceptional value at No. 9, no matter who lands the job. My model is high on Sanders for his accuracy and very high on him for his playmaking skills on downs after he’s been pressured. In that latter area, he ranks near the top among all QB prospects in my 10-season sample. If you use that metric as a proxy for toughness, and then consider his relatively small size for his position, it’s even more impressive.

… Read full story here …

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But … 

From Bucky Brooks at NFL.com … Less than a month away from the NFL Scouting Combine, it’s time to start thinking about where the top prospects could end up.

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February 3rd 

ESPN’s Matt Miller’s Mock Draft: Travis to Cleveland; Shedeur to Las Vegas 

From ESPN … I spent time over the past two weeks at the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl all-star events, watching top 2025 NFL draft prospects in action. There were some clear risers, including players who could get picked in the first two rounds. So I’m projecting where the best players in the class — including 22 Senior Bowl participants — could land with a full mock draft of Rounds 1-2.

Yes, there’s still a lot of time for changes. The combine later this month will shuffle draft boards, and NFL free agency in March will alter the needs of each team. Pro days and countless interviews come after that as we count down to Round 1 on April 24. But this is where things stand at the moment. The top 30 picks of the draft order are set, but I based the order for Nos. 31-32 here on my personal prediction for Super Bowl LIX.

Let’s get to it. Here are my first- and second-round projections for April’s draft, including landing spots for the Senior Bowl’s top risers, Shrine Bowl standouts and four quarterbacks.

1. Tennessee Titans … Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State

2. Cleveland Browns

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

The Browns are facing questions about quarterback Deshaun Watson’s future, so it’s logical to think they would be all-in on a passer here. But Cleveland isn’t a lock to draft a QB given the money it has committed at the position. Instead, the Browns might go with the most dynamic player in the draft.

Hunter wowed en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while still finding time to pick off four passes at cornerback. He played an FBS-high 1,458 snaps. The debate over which position he should play in the NFL is ongoing, but the Browns need help at receiver and corner.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Sometimes dots connect themselves in the NFL draft. Sanders has worked with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady in previous offseasons and would land with his mentor here. The Raiders have two foundational stars in tight end Brock Bowers and defensive end Maxx Crosby, but they need a strong leader to cultivate an offensive identity.

Sanders stays poised within the pocket and displays excellent toughness, with a knack for timing-based throws. He doesn’t have blazing speed or superior arm strength, but he is extremely accurate, as his 6.5% off-target percentage in 2024 was second among quarterbacks in this class.

… Read full story here …

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January 24th 

CBS Sports Mock Draft: Raiders move up to take Shedeur with No. 1 pick

From CBS Sports … Tom Brady and Shedeur Sanders go way back, having established a football relationship since Sanders’ days as a high school quarterback.

And with Brady seemingly very much involved in the decision-making process for the Raiders now that he’s a minority owner, let’s assume the legendary quarterback makes sure his team can draft the Colorado quarterback in April.

Las Vegas has the No. 6 overall pick — so there are no guarantees Sanders is wearing Silver and Black in September. If the Raiders trade up to No. 1 overall, that can, of course, happen.

In this mock, in his first seismic move as part owner, Brady and Co. — whomever they hire as GM — make a deal with the Tennessee Titans and promptly select Sanders to be the club’s next quarterback. It’d fill a need. Sanders is reasonably pro-ready from a full-field read perspective.

And if you hit on the quarterback, no one ever remembers, or cares, what you sent in a draft-day trade to get him.

No. 1 – Shedeur Sanders – Las Vegas Raiders

We cannot rule out the possibility of the Raiders — and new minority owner Tom Brady — making an aggressive push to draft Shedeur Sanders. There’s a chance Sanders’ connection with Brady will make it too dicey for Las Vegas to simply hope and wait for him to fall to No. 6 overall.

No. 4 – Travis Hunter – New England Patriots

Travis Hunter to the Patriots would be tremendous for everyone involved. New England gets a ridiculous two-way player, and Hunter can be featured prominently right away.

… Read full story here …

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Mel Kiper (ESPN): Shedeur and Travis go No. 2 and No. 3 

We’re roughly three months from the 2025 NFL draft. The college football season is officially over — congrats to the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes — and we’re down to four teams in the NFL playoffs. That means three things:

1. We have a full final season of tape for top prospects, so evaluations are becoming clearer.
2. The draft order for the first 28 picks is locked in, with the Tennessee Titans sitting at No. 1.
3. It’s a perfect time for my debut mock draft for the 2025 class.

This class isn’t loaded with quarterback talent like we saw in 2024. But I still have a few passers going early in Round 1, and there is plenty of talent at other positions. Remember, there is a lot of time before the draft begins April 24, and the board will continue to change with predraft events. This is merely an exercise to show what I’m thinking three months out, factoring in my Big Board rankings and what I’m hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league. I’m not projecting any trades right now; it’s just too early to gauge which teams could move up. And I used ESPN’s Football Power Index to project the draft order for the final four picks.

1. Tennessee Titans …. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2. Cleveland Browns … Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Know how I just said the Titans had the league’s second-worst QBR and INT total? Well, the Browns were the worst in both categories. Deshaun Watson also retore his right Achilles and Jameis Winston is a free agent, so taking Sanders isn’t out of the question. But I think Cleveland is more likely to address another hole here and find QB reinforcements in free agency and/or later in the draft. (Trading back for more picks with another QB-needy team could be part of the equation, too.)

Plus, Hunter is just that good. I see elite quickness and ball skills on both sides of the ball, traits that helped him to 15 touchdown catches and four interceptions this season. The Browns would likely use him primarily at receiver and then sprinkle him in at cornerback in specific situations.

3. New York Giants … Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

This is the best-case scenario for the Giants. Their Week 17 win over the Colts slid them to No. 3, and now finding a new QB1 in the first round isn’t guaranteed. But Daniel Jones is gone and Drew Lock is a free agent, so the Giants have to do something to clean up one of the worst passing games in the league. New York will be weighing all options, and it might ultimately be forced to trade up into the top two to get its guy. But here, Sanders falls into the Giants’ lap without any extra moves.

Sanders is super accurate, completing 74% of his throws this season. He could step in right away and lift the entire offense, including standout 2024 first-rounder Malik Nabers. Time is running out for GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll; they have to get this right.

… Read full story here …

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The Sporting News: Travis Hunter the No. 1 pick

From The Sporting News … The first-round NFL Draft order for April 24 is almost set. Four more teams were eliminated from the 2025 playoffs in the divisional round, officially locking in picks No. 1-28 ahead of the conference championship games.

Of course, offseason trades can (and will) happen, which will further shake up the order, but that’s another worry for another post-Super Bowl day.

Here’s looking at the updated projections for all the teams who know where they’ll be picking — for now — on Day 1.

1. Tennessee Titans 3-14

• Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado (6-1, 185 pounds)

The Titans will be urged to draft a quarterback with this pick, but they could also use cornerback help after both Chidobe Awuize and Roger McCreary struggled in coverage. They could use a little more big-play flash at wide receiver to help Calvin Ridley, as well. Hunter has the big defensive game they need along with high-impact WR energy as a unique, Heisman-winning talent.

3.  New York Giants 3-14

• Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado (6-2, 215 pounds)

There are reports of Sanders falling off some teams’ first-round boards because of how he played at the end of the Buffaloes’ season, changing the narrative on his entire body of work as a clutch, accurate downfield passer. But there’s no indication that the Giants are one of those teams, with reports to the contrary reflecting their growing desire for Sanders to shine in returning coach Brian Daboll’s offense. New York has set itself up for getting a “prime-time” franchise QB, and that aligns with being a desired destination for Deion’s son.

… Read full story here …

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Tags: Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter
This post, about the Spring Practices game, from the 2025 Season, is filed under Article.
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