2025 NFL draft

[tower912]

Rooms still available if you want to drive up and make a weekend of it.

Perhaps because Detroit drafts so late and nobody can predict #28,  perhaps due to the lack of sure fire starting  QBs, I have seen very little consistency in the mocks.

[Jockey]

I think there is always less interest when there aren't many QBs that are any good in the draft.

Not a single sure fire guy this year. I don't even know that Ward is a better prospect than Anthony Richardson and no one eke should even go in the 1st round.

[GB Warrior]

I don't think this is going to be a year teams force QBs. It won't be like the Kenny Pickett draft, but it's definitely not going to be like last year.

For the Packers sake, I hope there are a couple that sneak in, along with a couple of running backs.

[Pakuni]

The debate over Jeanty in the top 10 is fascinating to me, especially in this draft with so few blue-chip prospects.

[tower912]

I would be surprised if Detroit packaged Jameson Williams to move up in the draft, and chalk it up to pre-draft speculation.  However, Brad Holmes loves to move up and down and all around in the draft.

[MU82]

The debate over Jeanty in the top 10 is fascinating to me, especially in this draft with so few blue-chip prospects.

Agree. I've seen as high as 5 but no lower than 10. The success of elite backs last season - Barkley, Henry, Robinson, Jacobs, etc - and their very positive impact on their teams has made the "oh, any ol' running back is OK" philosophy less of a sure-thing talking point.

Jeanty is often compared to Barkley, and folks look at what Barkley did for the Eagles. Of course, Barkley didn't have anywhere near that success (especially team success) when he got relatively little support with the NYG.

It's definitely an interesting subject.

[JWags85]

I think there is always less interest when there aren't many QBs that are any good in the draft.

Not a single sure fire guy this year. I don't even know that Ward is a better prospect than Anthony Richardson and no one eke should even go in the 1st round.

I mean, in what sense are you even comparing them? 

Richardson was over-drafted because he's an athletic freak with a cannon, but still insanely raw.  Cam Ward is a polished and very accurate passer who has excelled at escalating levels of college football.  He's the kind of QB that goes top 10ish in almost any draft (I think he still probably goes Top 10 in a stacked QB draft like last year above Penix and McCarthy).

While I don't think he's sure fire and I don't disagree with that, I don't think he's a complete flier like Richardson.  I think if he gets on a team with a decent offensive coach, who can reign in his tendency to play hero ball, he could be really solid.

[Jockey]

I mean, in what sense are you even comparing them? 

Richardson was over-drafted because he's an athletic freak with a cannon, but still insanely raw.  Cam Ward is a polished and very accurate passer who has excelled at escalating levels of college football.  He's the kind of QB that goes top 10ish in almost any draft (I think he still probably goes Top 10 in a stacked QB draft like last year above Penix and McCarthy).

While I don't think he's sure fire and I don't disagree with that, I don't think he's a complete flier like Richardson.  I think if he gets on a team with a decent offensive coach, who can reign in his tendency to play hero ball, he could be really solid.

I wasn't comparing their qualities, per se. I just don't think either will ever be a top 10 QB in the NFL.

[The Sultan]

Rooms still available if you want to drive up and make a weekend of it.

I was never fully on board with the crowd numbers they have quoted - especially those who were going to be spending a night or two. I think you will have a lot of people there, many of them locals, but I doubt it will be as many as some of the early projections.

[Pakuni]

Agree. I've seen as high as 5 but no lower than 10. The success of elite backs last season - Barkley, Henry, Robinson, Jacobs, etc - and their very positive impact on their teams has made the "oh, any ol' running back is OK" philosophy less of a sure-thing talking point.

Jeanty is often compared to Barkley, and folks look at what Barkley did for the Eagles. Of course, Barkley didn't have anywhere near that success (especially team success) when he got relatively little support with the NYG.

It's definitely an interesting subject.

Yeah, I think last year, with all the QBs, OTs and high-end pass catchers, it would be hard to defend taking a back in the top 10. This year's class is not only short on QB prospects, but seems really weak at the top - Hunter, Jeanty and Carter feel like the only other real blue-chippers, along with possibly Mason Graham and Will Campbell if you're OK with their length. So a running back is much more justifiable that early, especially one who is graded as the top RB prospect since Saquon.

[Jockey]

Agree. I've seen as high as 5 but no lower than 10. The success of elite backs last season - Barkley, Henry, Robinson, Jacobs, etc - and their very positive impact on their teams has made the "oh, any ol' running back is OK" philosophy less of a sure-thing talking point.

Jeanty is often compared to Barkley, and folks look at what Barkley did for the Eagles. Of course, Barkley didn't have anywhere near that success (especially team success) when he got relatively little support with the NYG.

It's definitely an interesting subject.

Conventional thinking.

[Pakuni]

I mean, in what sense are you even comparing them? 

Richardson was over-drafted because he's an athletic freak with a cannon, but still insanely raw.  Cam Ward is a polished and very accurate passer who has excelled at escalating levels of college football.  He's the kind of QB that goes top 10ish in almost any draft (I think he still probably goes Top 10 in a stacked QB draft like last year above Penix and McCarthy).

While I don't think he's sure fire and I don't disagree with that, I don't think he's a complete flier like Richardson.  I think if he gets on a team with a decent offensive coach, who can reign in his tendency to play hero ball, he could be really solid.

Interesting thought experiment ... if we didn't know what we know now, would Richardson be considered the better prospect than Ward? I tend to think so. Lack of experience aside, he's bigger, more athletic and has a better arm. Some offensively minded head coach - like Shane Steichen - would still think "I can make that work."

[WhiteTrash]

I was never fully on board with the crowd numbers they have quoted - especially those who were going to be spending a night or two. I think you will have a lot of people there, many of them locals, but I doubt it will be as many as some of the early projections.

Shutting down the boarder with Illinois hurts. But it will keep Wisconsinites safe.

[GB Warrior]

I was never fully on board with the crowd numbers they have quoted - especially those who were going to be spending a night or two. I think you will have a lot of people there, many of them locals, but I doubt it will be as many as some of the early projections.

You're wrong there will be crowds like no one has ever seen. Crowd sizes are always wrong except for these which are also wrong because the real crowds are much bigger.

Detroit bussed in its crowds.

Which is safe, really, need to avoid the dentists.

[jesmu84]

Conventional thinking.

Any ol running back is absolutely fine... Assuming you don't have the scheme or OL to let a RB cook.

The difference between Barkley in NY vs Phi is the OL.

A great OL/scheme can allow a bad/average RB to succeed.

A great RB doesn't do much for bad/average scheme/OL.

[Jockey]

Any ol running back is absolutely fine... Assuming you don't have the scheme or OL to let a RB cook.

The difference between Barkley in NY vs Phi is the OL.

A great OL/scheme can allow a bad/average RB to succeed.

A great RB doesn't do much for bad/average scheme/OL.

Disagree. Almost all teams that won SB without a marquee Running Back in the last 25 years did so with MVP caliber QB.

[Pakuni]

Any ol running back is absolutely fine... Assuming you don't have the scheme or OL to let a RB cook.

The difference between Barkley in NY vs Phi is the OL.

A great OL/scheme can allow a bad/average RB to succeed.

A great RB doesn't do much for bad/average scheme/OL.

Obviously a running back is going to have more success with a better OL/scheme. But how is that different than a QB is going to have more success with a good OL/scheme or any receiver is going to have more success with a good QB/scheme?
These debates, to me, always seem to hold backs to a different standard in terms dinging them for needing good players around them, which is pretty much true of any position.

Likewise, the argument that goes something like "the Giants didn't win with Saquon, so taking a back that high is bad" is silly. Joe Thomas is one of the best OTs of all time, and he never played a playoff game. Calvin Johnson is arguably the second-best receiver ever, and the Lions were 49-88 during his career.
But no one would argue that drafting a left tackle or receiver in the top 10 is a bad idea.

The only good argument against taking a running back high is the cap argument ... you're paying him like a top 5ish back right away, whereas a good QB, WR, OT or edge rusher on a rookie deal is a massive cap savings.

[JWags85]

Interesting thought experiment ... if we didn't know what we know now, would Richardson be considered the better prospect than Ward? I tend to think so. Lack of experience aside, he's bigger, more athletic and has a better arm. Some offensively minded head coach - like Shane Steichen - would still think "I can make that work."

Fair point.  I think it just totally depends on what the coach thinks they can do. In your scenario, Ward has a lower ceiling but I'd argue he also has a higher floor. I think he's actually got a lot of similarities with Baker Mayfield.

I think the success of Josh Allen has made people disproportionally inclined to thinking they can unearth the potential of the raw inexperienced super athlete college QB.

[Jockey]

Anyone but Shemar Stewart.

We already have 2 of him already. My one huge criticism of Gutey is using the 1st round for potential.

[forgetful]

Disagree. Almost all teams that won SB without a marquee Running Back in the last 25 years did so with MVP caliber QB.

How many had an MVP caliber QB without great protection (i.e. Great OL/Scheme).

[MU82]

How many had an MVP caliber QB without great protection (i.e. Great OL/Scheme).

Few if any.

[Jockey]

How many had an MVP caliber QB without great protection (i.e. Great OL/Scheme).

You're missing my point, which is that a great running back makes a team better. A great OL makes a team better. As does a great QB, WR, or pass rusher or CB.

People here talk about RBs like they are meaningless. Do you really think the Lions would have had the best record in the NFL if they still had Swift instead of Gibbs. They dumped Swift & drafted Gibbs because Gibbs was a difference maker.

Feel free to think that RBs are interchangeable if you want, but you would be wrong. (I'm not saying it is your opinion).

[Dish]

Titans should not take Cam Ward, this is as simple as take the best player available.

Tennessee is going to be bad this year, no matter who they take. They'd be better off taking Hunter or Carter now and going QB next year. I don't dislike Ward, but throw him into last year's draft or next year's draft, and there's no way he's one of the first three QB's off the board.

[Uncle Rico]

Titans should not take Cam Ward, this is as simple as take the best player available.

Tennessee is going to be bad this year, no matter who they take. They'd be better off taking Hunter or Carter now and going QB next year. I don't dislike Ward, but throw him into last year's draft or next year's draft, and there's no way he's one of the first three QB's off the board.

Or traded out of the top spot.  They may not have gotten hauls of the past but I'm in agreement on Cam Ward.  I like him, but as the first pick?

[The Sultan]

I would take Hunter. That type of player can make a difference to the franchise.