Mock draft: Aaron Rodgers impacts first-round projections for two teams
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Aaron Rodgers' unknown landing spot continues to cloud at least a couple teams' 2025 outlook at the quarterback position.
In his latest mock draft, Paste BN Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz accounts for those teams' long-term needs at quarterback. Elsewhere, the overwhelming bulk of free agency money already has been allotted, so teams have shown their hands on at least part of their offseason plans. With that in mind, here's a look at how the top five might shake out in the 2025 NFL draft:
- Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.): With two weeks having passed since the first free agent deals were reached, Will Levis has only been joined by Brandon Allen on Tennessee's roster, and the team doesn't appear to be in the mix for any other quarterbacks who would be seen as a potential bridge starter.
- Cleveland Browns – Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State: Pairing Myles Garrett with Carter, the draft's pre-eminent disruptive force, would be a sensible way to optimize assets early, with a quarterback still potentially in play later on.
- New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: If Big Blue has to move even further down its list of desired veteran signal-callers in the coming weeks, taking on Sanders as well might be the only way out of quarterback purgatory.
- New England Patriots – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado: With the Giants' pick shaping up to be the inflection point of the first round, the Patriots are left to ponder whether one of this year's premier talents will fall into their lap or if they'll need to pivot to focusing on sizable voids at left tackle and wide receiver.
- Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan: After making a handful of mid-tier moves in early free agency, first-year general manager James Gladstone is preparing for a youth movement, saying, "We're going to allow these rookies to get a chance to get out on the field and help us this coming fall." One area that looks ripe for help through the draft is the defensive line, where Graham could help establish a new tone with his hyperactive pursuit.
You can read the full mock draft right here.
➤ 8 college football stars undervalued in the NFL draft
➤ Complete 2025 NFL draft order
NFL free agency grades
It's been more than a week since the official start of the new league year. During the NFL's version of March Madness, teams have been active adding free-agent acquisitions and making trades ... some more than others, however. While there are plenty of teams that improved their rosters tremendously over the last few days, there are others that will leave fans scratching their heads.
Even with some notable free agents — big-name quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson among them — Paste BN Sports' Nate Davis examines how every team has performed so far in free agency and in making trades. Here's a sampling of the most noteworthy grades:
Chicago Bears: A — Though it might not have been readily apparent a year ago, GM Ryan Poles and the organization didn’t put enough around Caleb Williams to precipitate a truly successful rookie campaign. The hiring of rookie head coach Ben Johnson was the first step toward remedying that, and then Poles began proactively progressing toward what Johnson enjoyed in Detroit.
Philadelphia Eagles: B+ — GM Howie Roseman’s abbreviated offseason began by voluntarily sweetening Saquon Barkley’s contract, something he later did for Lane Johnson – those are also nice recruiting pitches to players everywhere – before he did an un-Roseman thing and broke the bank for an off-ball linebacker.
Kansas City Chiefs: B- — So they owe Patrick Mahomes (another) debt of gratitude, his latest restructure saving the AFC champions about $50 million. Yet despite that breathing room, the left side of an O-line that got overrun in the Super Bowl exported Joe Thuney and couldn’t do better – for now anyway
Dallas Cowboys: D — They got off to a nice start, extending DT Osa Odighizuwa for four years and $80 million without having to franchise him … and then Jerry Jones and Co. reverted to form.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Incomplete — After they royally screwed up with Justin Fields, who’s the quarterback now? 🤷🏽♂️ Best case … Aaron Rodgers? Apparently? Worst case … Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart? (Mason Rudolph … seriously??) And how big is the relative delta regardless when you factor in immediate expenditures and future availability with these varying options?
➤ NFL power rankings: Where do all 32 teams stand after free agency?
📷 NFL players on the move in 2025
NFL news, notes and analysis
➤ The NFL playoffs are due for an overhaul: The Detroit Lions are proposing a change to the NFL's playoff format that is long overdue. If it passes, no more rewarding mediocrity.
➤ NFL world continues to wait on Aaron Rodgers: While the Minnesota Vikings reportedly are not pursuing the veteran quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is over it, saying, "I ain't doing that darkness retreat. I don't need any of that crap." This whole saga has been predictably lame.
➤ Jameis Winston heading to New York: The New York Giants have signed the 10-year NFL veteran quarterback. Will he be the starter? Will the team draft a quarterback in the first round? Will the team also sign Aaron Rodgers? Only time will tell!
➤ NFL QB met up with JuJu Watkins after USC's March Madness win: USC Trojans sensation JuJu Watkins had a special guest watching her during USC's NCAA tournament win over UNC Greensboro.
When does the UFL season start?
It's a looooong wait until Thursday, Sept. 11 when the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will take on an opponent to be named later in the NFL's annual kickoff game. For football enthusiasts looking for on-field action this spring, the UFL has you covered.
The spring pro football league enters its second season following the USFL and XFL merger, and will feature the same eight-team lineup, 40-game regular season and two-week postseason format.
The season kicks off Friday, when the Houston Roughnecks host the St. Louis Battlehawks (8 p.m. ET on FOX).
- What is the UFL? Who owns it, teams, more to know about spring league
- UFL expansion timeline: Why spring league is exploring new cities, teams
- UFL championship odds for 2025 season: Which team is favored?
NFL classics: Straight from the YouTube algorithm 🏈🎞️
This is where we reprise some NFL lore and recall classic, memorable moments from yesteryear.
Six years ago today, March 24, future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski announced his first retirement after nine seasons with the New England Patriots.
Of course, Gronk would come out of retirement when his buddy, Tom Brady, opted to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. The two would help the Buccaneers win Super Bowl 55, with Gronk catching two touchdown passes from Brady. Gronk played one more season in Tampa before hanging up his cleats for good and later embarking on a career as a television analyst for FOX and pitchman for USAA and Pizza Hut.
To mark the anniversary of Gronk's first retirement, please enjoy this compilation of Gronk spikes set to Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.
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