Inside: The latest here in Indianapolis. Plus, we’re looking at this offseason’s top 19 players available, whether via the draft, free agency or trade.
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With coaches, general managers and prospects (along with The Athletic staff) flooding the area around Lucas Oil Stadium this week, answers to pressing NFL questions feel almost as crucial as excessive steak consumption.
By the end of this week, here’s what we can expect to learn more (💡) or not enough (❓) about:
❓ Shedeur Sanders’ arm strength. The QB2 in this draft (per the highly bookmarkable consensus Big Board) will be the latest to skip combine drills. (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Bryce Young sat out in recent years, while C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson raised their stock with strong performances.) Sanders is here for interviews, but uncertainty around his physical traits will linger at least until Colorado’s pro day next month, when he’s expected to throw.
💡 Kirk Cousins’ future in Atlanta. HC Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot haven’t spoken publicly in the three weeks since the 36-year-old QB suggested an undisclosed shoulder injury had plagued him after Week 10. Tomorrow, we’ll hear whether they’re still considering keeping both Cousins and 2025 starter Michael Penix Jr.
💡 Detroit’s plan. A 15-win season cost the Lions their star coordinators (Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn). Tomorrow, we’ll hear from Dan Campbell, who hopes to avoid the fate of the 2023 Eagles, a team that needed an extra year to adequately replace Shane Steichen (Colts) and Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals).
❓ Myles Garrett. The Browns are still trying to avoid trading their All-World defensive end, and as beat reporter Zac Jackson wrote this morning, “expect that to continue publicly in Indy.” More immediately, GM Andrew Berry’s focus will be on evaluating the top quarterbacks.
💡 Travis Hunter’s position. On his way to winning the Biletnikoff Award as college football’s top receiver and the Bednarik Award as the top defender (oh, and the Heisman), Hunter caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 15 touchdowns while making plays like this as a cornerback:
Could the Deion Sanders protege do the unthinkable and become a full-time NFL two-way player? The Athletic had current pros weigh in on the only debate surrounding the potential No. 1 pick.
💡 Quarterback questions. What did Colts GM Chris Ballard mean at his year-end news conference when he said the team will add “competition” at QB? How do the Giants, Jets, Raiders, Steelers, Titans and Browns plan to find a viable starter? We should get some clues this week.
❓ Identifying the Broncos’ Joker. Last year at this time, Sean Payton was clearly looking for a quarterback, but few considered Bo Nix as a realistic No. 12 pick. This year, Payton’s spoken incessantly about adding a multi-talented weapon (think Alvin Kamara or Taysom Hill). Here are some names to watch.
💡 Packers No. 1 receiver. At GM Brian Gutekunst’s season-ending news conference, he said it’s time to start competing for championships, noting a need “to ramp up our sense of urgency.” During Super Bowl week, Josh Jacobs said the quiet part out loud, telling media outlets that Green Bay needed a proven No. 1 WR. Matt Schneidman shared seven other topics to follow.
Another lingering question: the future of Justin Tucker. As Jeff Zrebiec has noted, it’s unlikely that any of Baltimore’s staff will discuss the ongoing NFL investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against the kicker. John Harbaugh and GM Eric DeCosta are scheduled to answer questions tomorrow.
Your turn. What would you like to hear from us this week? Indy is packed with NFL people — the night before the event, within one 30-minute period, I saw an NFL head coach, a team executive and a Super Bowl ring. Tell me what you want answered. Twist my rubber arm, and I’ll attend as many meetings, steakhouse dinners and media sessions as humanly possible.
Over to Dianna for more on this week.
While the main focus here in Indy is on evaluating draft prospects, the real buzz is already centered around free-agent and veteran quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold are the biggest names in the conversation, as teams and agents will be actively discussing potential moves.
The wide receiver market is shaping up to be just as intriguing. Stefon Diggs and Chris Godwin are set to hit free agency, while San Francisco’s Brandon Aiyuk could be a trade target. All three suffered season-ending injuries in 2024, so teams will be closely monitoring their recoveries before making any big offers. Receiver-needy teams are facing a tough decision: spend big on a veteran or try to find hidden gems in a draft class that isn’t considered top-tier?
Jacob has more on many of those players below.
This morning, The Athletic published our list of the top 150 free agents. We’ve also written plenty about this year’s best draft prospects, realistic cut/trade candidates and needs for all 32 teams.
I took on the challenge of combining those lists into one. I tried to best weigh each player’s value-add, age, risk and cost, which was a lot to juggle. (I excluded anyone I expect to remain with their current teams — such as Tee Higgins, Zack Baun and Chris Godwin.)
1. Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter (21 years old). The generational talent won’t last beyond the top four picks. When The Athletic asked those NFL players where Hunter should play, this answer from Jets cornerback Qwan’tez Stiggers gave insight: “I know a lot of people try to put a limitation on what he can do, but if he feels like he can go on offense and defense — let him rip it! Be a better Deion Sanders.”
2. Penn State edge Abdul Carter (21). There’s Hunter, Penn State’s Carter and then a big gap in this year’s class. This pass rusher has a game-changing ability reminiscent of fellow Nittany Lion alum Micah Parsons. Cleveland holds the No. 2 pick and should be interested in Carter, especially if they plan to move Myles Garrett. Speaking of …
3. Browns DE Myles Garrett (29). The NFL’s best edge rusher is also the most expensive player available, with Cleveland expecting at least two first-round picks for their All-Pro. Whoever lands him also likely signs him to a three- or four-year deal averaging $35 million per season. Best fits: Falcons, Bears, Lions, Packers, Commanders … Eagles?
4. Rams QB Matthew Stafford (37). It’s difficult to get a true read on Stafford’s contract situation, though he and Los Angeles want to run it back. He’s still talented enough to instantly change an organization’s outlook.
5. Miami QB Cam Ward (22). He doesn’t bring the same safety of a Stafford, but has upside. Considering Dane Brugler’s Steve McNair comparisons, fans in Tennessee would likely be glad to see their franchise take Ward first overall.
6. Chiefs G Trey Smith (25). He’s entering his prime and free agency at the same time, rare in today’s NFL. PFF’s 14th-best guard in 2024, he can expect a contract above the $20 million average given to Panthers G Robert Hunt last offseason. Ideal fits include the Patriots, Bears and Chargers, though Dianna has noted the Chiefs are looking to keep him.
7. Michigan DT Mason Graham (21). The spectacular postseason from Eagles DT Jalen Carter underscored the importance of a strong interior presence. The 320-pounder, this year’s consensus No. 4 prospect, is an immediate starter with a high floor.
8. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty (21). This might be too low for a player who drew comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson while challenging Barry Sanders’ rushing record. Jeanty, who attended a high school near Dallas, could land with the Cowboys, holders of the No. 12 pick.
9. Jets WR Davante Adams (32). No longer a superstar, he still averaged an elite 2.05 yards per route run in 2024 and can be a serviceable No. 1. If the Jets cut him, a one-year deal near $23 million makes sense, and he is reportedly open to joining the Rams, Chargers or 49ers.
10. Vikings QB Sam Darnold (27). Last year, he showed why he was once an early draft pick. His high ceiling mixes with his low floor, though, evidenced by his EPA per dropback dropping to season-low marks in his two biggest games of the season.
11. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (23). He led FBS in completion percentage (74 percent) while winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the top upperclassman quarterback. The Giants and Raiders seem the favorites here.
12. Falcons QB Kirk Cousins (36). If the shoulder injury was as big a factor as he’s hinted, and if his play reverts to early-2024 form (top-10 EPA from Weeks 1 to 8), he’s a starting quarterback.
13. Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (41). He played better in 2024 than most are admitting, though his baggage factors into any signing decision. Officially a Jet until March 12, he is allowed to speak with other teams, which might include anybody looking for a bridge option.
14. Michigan CB Will Johnson (21). Dane’s noted Johnson is a starting-caliber player who could go in the top five. The consensus big board has him sixth.
15. Eagles DE Josh Sweat (28). No. 7 on our list of the top 150 free agents, he is currently a level below the Danielle Hunter types, but in a new environment, could see an emergence similar to Trey Hendrickson’s 2021.
16. LSU OT Will Campbell (21). The top-ranked offensive lineman, he allowed just two sacks in his last 30 games in the highly competitive SEC. He could play guard or tackle, depending on where he lands. Miami, Chicago or San Francisco could be a fit.
17. Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan (21). The 6-5, 212-pounder’s size and body coordination remind me of Nico Collins or Tee Higgins. The Patriots nab him at No. 4 in Dane’s most recent mock.
18. Ravens LT Ronnie Stanley (30). Among the players who made this list, he is the veteran closest to the “I think they stay where they are” border. But his lengthy injury history could force him to take the biggest payday he can find, which is likely elsewhere.
19. Packers CB Jaire Alexander (28). If we could turn injuries off, he would skyrocket up this list. Elite when available, he’s missed 21 games over the past two seasons due to four injuries and a suspension. Matt Schneidman noted, current teammates “seem to figure Alexander won’t be back.”
For much, much more, read our full list for the top 150 free agents, and here’s that consensus Big Board again.
Wednesday: A full NFL combine preview, including records to watch, which drills matter and historic results. See you then. In the meantime, Dane shared which prospects have the most to prove this week.
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