Now that we have pretty much ended the early segment of NFL Veteran Free Agency I am attempting to project what will transpire at the April Draft, with the added information on what teams gained, and what they lost. For some teams the signings changed little, while for others it was a big deal. Also note that I now have the entire official info on who Picks where for all 257 Picks of the 2025 Draft.
The NFC South is another relatively weak division with many needs for most team members. This division has only 31 total Picks for the key early Rounds of the Draft to patch things up.
TENNESSEE: The TITANS have 8 Picks total in their quiver, including the Number One Pick overall. They need a lot of new talent, and QB may still be their top need. At last count the team had signed 8 VFA, with 2 of them being returning players from their December roster. And none of them played QB. In fact backup QB MASON RUDOLPH moved on, heading back to the Steelers for 2025. So does WILL LEVIS have one more chance as a starter, or is he on his way out of town. I am not sure, but the more important question for now is whether they Draft CAM WARD with Pick One.
Pick 1 CAMERON WARD QB Miami (Fla) In reality I might trade out of this slot, but I pretty much ban trades in my Mock. So let’s have them making a start on their next Franchise QB. He is a dynamic leader, who has improved every season in college as he moved from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami . He might have been the 4th or 5th QB out of last year’s QB prospects, but then was then and now is now, and I don’t think they can wait for ARCH MANNING in 2027.
Pick 35 MAXWELL HAIRSTON CB Kentucky He sewed up a top 40 Draft slot when he was the fastest player at the recent Combine at 4.28. He’s solid at 5’11/185 and the questions about his tackling in 2024 may be explained at least in part because of a nagging shoulder injury. He’ll play early and start for sure once injuries occur.
That’s all for them in the Top 100.
JACKSONVILLE: Next up would be the JAGUARS who are shoring up their roster after hiring a new coaching staff and General Manager. They now have 10 overall Picks to work with in the Draft. Job One will be fixing TREVOR LAWRENCE who seems to have regressed in recent years. Secondly, they need to address the overall talent on their roster.
Pick 5 MASON GRAHAM DT Michigan There was a bit of a buzz when a player who was listed as having played at about 320 lbs. last season at Michigan came in at 296 at the Combine. Maybe they bulk him up, or maybe they like the quickness he gained in losing weight. But he should help them gain pocket pressure up the middle somewhere in between those 2 numbers.
Pick 36 MASON TAYLOR 6’5/250 TE LSU Gotta luv his size and his genetic background. He can block and he can catch. ENGRAM has gone to Broncos and quite frankly I don’t think they will miss him with TAYLOR & STRANGE manning the TE spots.
Pick 70 QUINSHON JUDKINS RB Ohio State Excellent between the Tackles runner who it pains secondary defenders to take on when he gets a full head of steam. At 5’11/221 he can take and hand out punishment and ran a 4.40 at the Combine.
Pick 88 TATE RATLEDGE OG Georgia Long & strong IOL at 6’7/308. He also ran a sub-5.00/40 at the Combine. He likely is the guy replacing SCHERFF, which is a tall order, but his age and cost make this well worth the selection here. He starts!
INDIANAPOLIS: The COLTS have a real dilemma to resolve at QB where the still raw ANTHONY RICHARDSON may be in a legit job competition with VFA DANIEL JONES was just signed and might flourish under HC SHANE STEICHEN. They have a solid receiver group and an elite RB in JONATHAN TAYLOR. They need some help in the OL, at TE and their Secondary. So let’s roll…
Pick 14 JAHDAE BARRON CB Texas Seasoned vet from the Longhorns secondary group. Can play almost any secondary spot as they need help on in their back end D. He should find a starting job as a Rookie for the Colts.
Pick 45 ELIJAH ARROYO TE Miami (F) Came on strong as a prospect in 2024. Good athlete with nice size (6’5/250) who can block a bit and catch a lot. Their TE group is not a position of great need, but he certainly upgrades a spot in 12 Personnel.
Pick 80 JONAH SAVAIINAEA OT/G Arizona This huge man (6’4/324) will get a try at OT first, I think. If that doesn’t work out he can certainly handle an OG slot. With FRIES & KELLY both gone some young talent is needed along that OL. They may look for another OL on Day 3.
HOUSTON: Despite a bit of a slip down amidst an array of injury issues, the Texans were still a Play-Off team and division Champ with a 10-7 record. But QB STROUD took a step back, often due to poor OL play and major injuries to receivers to DIGGS & DELL. They fired their OL Coach and traded LT TUNSIL away. Team GM Nick Caserio, from the Patriots Front Office system likes to fill out his roster each year with fresh faces, most of whom are on one year, show-me contracts. They have added a dozen players thru trades & VFA as I write this. Now they will use their 6 Picks to fill a few more holes.
Pick 25 GREY ZABEL OL N. Dakota State The big guy, from the small school absolutely blew away scouts with his work in the Senior Bowl and Combine. He’s large (6’6/312), he’s mobile (5.00/40 @ Combine) and may just earn a starting job as a Rookie. Perhaps even at an OT slot.
Pick 58 DONOVAN JACKSON OG Ohio State The big man bounced back from a mediocre 2023 season to dominate in Big Ten play. When injuries plagued their OL in ’24, he moved out to OT and was outstanding as the Buckeyes won a National Championship. Look for him to replace SHAQ MASON with fresh Rookie legs and a much beefier body, at 6’4/315, than MASON.
Pick 89 ISAISH BOND WR Texas The ‘ Bama transfer to Texas was banged up much of the 2024 college season. But he was healthy at the Combine and showed he still has exceptional speed, recording a 4.39/40. He’s smallish, but not tiny at 5’11/180. Look for him to save their bacon in the WR room where DELL may miss the 2025 season to knee rehab/rest, and a guy named DIGGS may move on to another team as a VFA. BOND played for SARK in Austin, and thus is acquainted with life in a pro style Offense.
Between VFA and the Draft the Texans still look like the clear leader of the pack in the AFC South. The COLTS have a lot of talent if they can count on steady QB play by someone. I thought the JAGS had really improved their roster overall last season, but didn’t play like it, and had no chance when LAWRENCE went to IR. Now it’s almost all new and LAWRENCE has to show out. The TITANS are poor on the field and even worse in the Front Office and Ownership.
Cheers Pigskin Paul
Moving on to the AFC NORTH for early next week.
