Football

A handful of players stand out in the 2025 NFL draft class, but a number of prospects will likely go under the radar.

With the 2024 NFL season now in the books, teams are hoping to find the gems of the draft. ESPN's Mel Kiper and Field Yates identified a handful of those sleeper picks in this year's class.

Kiper and Yates named Iowa tight Luke Lachey, Kansas running back Devin Neal, Oregon defensive back Jamaree Caldwell, Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, Marshall safety J.J. Roberts and Central Arkansas edge David Walker.

Lachey's numbers don't jump out, as he had only 28 catches for 231 yards and no touchdowns in 2024 for the Hawkeyes. But considering Iowa has a subpar offense, averaging 8.3 yards per reception isn't a bad feat. Lachey also has NFL size at 6'6" and 247 pounds.

Neal, who spent all four of his college seasons with the Jayhawks, recorded three consecutive seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards, He had 1,266 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.

Caldwell had a career-high 29 tackles, three passes defended and a forced fumble for the Ducks in 2024. The 6'1", 340-pounder also showed off his ability to get to the quarterback in 2023 when he recorded 6.5 sacks.

Phillips also had a productive year on Maryland's defensive line, racking up 29 tackles.

Roberts didn't get the same attention as some NFL prospects because he played at a smaller school, but that didn't stop him from having a career year. The fifth-year senior had 94 total tackles, 12 passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble.

Walker was in a similar boat this year while playing for Central Arkansas, but he'll likely get some attention ahead of this year's draft. Walker had 68 tackles, 10.5 sacks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles in 2024. He ended his three-year collegiate career with 30 sacks.

While the names Kiper and Yates mentioned don't stand out as much as players like Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Travis Hunter, the talent is there and it won't be a surprise to see some of those players hear their names called earlier than expected.

The latest mock draft from NFL.com's Chad Reuter featured several intriguing early selections.

Reuter projected the Cleveland Browns to select Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders was drafted by the New York Giants at No. 3 in the mock.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders were projected to add Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall selection.

Here's the full top 10 from Reuter's mock draft.

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Chad Reuter's Top 10 Picks

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
7. New York Jets: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
8. Carolina Panthers: Walter Nolen, DT, Mississippi
9. New Orleans Saints: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
10. Chicago Bears: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

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This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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Russell Wilson is reportedly remaining confident in the possibility he will return for a second season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I was with Russell on Friday, and I'm just telling you, the tone that I got from him was entirely different than reports that are out there," ESPN's Adam Schefter said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show. "And we'll see what winds up happening, whether or not he's back there. But I think he feels like there's definitely a chance he's going to be back there.

"He's having conversations with the organization about the future, and where it's going to go. There's still a lot that's going to play out here, but I think he definitely thinks that he may be back in Pittsburgh."

"I was with Russell Wilson on Friday and he feels like there's a chance he's gonna be back in Pittsburgh..

He's having conversations with the organization about the future" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/7ld5P0B88E

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 10, 2025

Both Wilson and Justin Fields hit free agency after the 2024 season, and team owner Art Rooney said last week the Steelers "probably won't wind up bringing them both back."

"I think both of them see themselves as starters, and I don't know that they want to share the same job again next year," Rooney said, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Both Wilson and Fields have expressed interest in being the Steelers' QB1 next season.

Days after the Steelers were eliminated from the Wild Card round with a Jan. 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Wilson told reporters returning to Pittsburgh in 2025 was "the plan."

"I just love the guys," Wilson said. "I love the locker room. I love Coach Tomlin... I love playing the game. And, you know, if it works out that way, I'm excited to do that for the black and gold again."

Two weeks earlier, Fields had told Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he wanted to be in Pittsburgh next season.

"I'm kind of tired of learning a new offense every year," Fields said. "This will be my third in four years. Of course I'd love to be back, but that's all up to God at the end of the day. I'll be where God wants me to be."

Schefter reported on Sunday night that the Steelers have spoken with both Fields and Wilson so far this offseason.

As of Sunday, the Steelers were "still undecided" as to which of the free agent quarterbacks they would re-sign, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.

Per Pelissero and Rapoport, the Steelers are looking to sign one Wilson or Fields to "a short-term deal while also continuing to seek a long-term answer, potentially through the draft."

That matches what Rooney said earlier this month, when he said the Steelers would be targeting quarterbacks in the 2025 and 2026 drafts, per Pryor.

Wilson, who turned 36 in November, is likely to be targeting a short-term contract regardless of where he ends after the dissolution of his previous deal with the Denver Broncos.

Fields, who will turn 26 in March, could look to earn a longer-term contract if he can take the next step in his development on a prove-it deal next season.

Schefter said Sunday there were "a number of teams interested" in Fields should he depart from the Steelers this offseason. Free agency interest from other franchises could encourage the Steelers to make their quarterback decision as soon as possible.

The Minnesota Vikings' decision to sign Daniel Jones following his departure from the New York Giants may have been part of a contingency plan for the potential free agency loss of Sam Darnold.

ESPN's Adam Schefter said Monday on the Pat McAfee Show that he believes the Las Vegas Raiders plan to pursue Darnold this offseason.

"I think the Raiders are going to make a play for Sam Darnold. I think Sam Darnold's a candidate to be the Raiders' quarterback," Schefter said. "We'll see whether Minnesota lets him go or not, but let's see if that works out with Sam Darnold winding up in Vegas. And so, if he goes there, then the Vikings have to bring in another quarterback. J.J.'s obviously going to be there; J.J.'s coming along.

"And I think that was part of the reason they brought in Daniel Jones because they were kind of getting him up to speed in their system in their organization in the event that they do lose Sam Darnold."

The Vikings signed Jones to their practice squad in November and elevated him to the active roster in January. The former Giants starter has not seen game action since he was waived by New York.

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This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

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Jameis Winston was thrilled to see Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown take his suggestion to do the cha-cha slide after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

"I told him to do that celebration... this is epic," Winston told comedian Bert Kreischer from the stands at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Winston continued: "I've just been on the Jumbotron, and I technically celebrated in the Eagles end zone. Let's go!"

"OH MY GOD HE DID IT?! I TOLD HIM!" @Jaboowins was HYPED when A. J. Brown did the Cha Cha Slide celebration he asked him to do on Opening Night 🔥🕺 #JameisOnFOX pic.twitter.com/7nvqTbqlhL

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 10, 2025

Winston made his request to Brown when speaking with the Eagles wideout during media availability in Super Bowl week.

"I know that at family reunions, we talk about the cha-cha slide," Winston told Brown. "I want you to slide to the left, slide to the right, criss-cross, eat a W."

Brown and offensive tackle Mekhi Becton did exactly that after catching a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts to put the Eagles ahead by 24 points in the second quarter.

After the Eagles' 40-22 championship win, Brown confirmed the celebration idea had come from Winston.

"We got it from Jameis," Brown told reporters. "Shoutout to Jameis."

Winston, who joined Fox Sports as a digital correspondent, could potentially be on track for a post-playing media career, should he decide to pursue it. For now, the quarterback will hit NFL free agency following the expiration of his contract with the Cleveland Browns.

Tom Brady offered Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts some helpful advice immediately after the Philadelphia Eagles' 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.

Brady told Hurts to keep close tabs on his game jersey, saying that "I had a few of those stolen over the years."

The champs! https://t.co/ABWw3c6a4I

— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) February 10, 2025

The locker room of the winning team is a frenzied place at the Super Bowl. Players and coaches are celebrating the triumph. Some are getting pulled aside for interviews and media hits. Nobody is focused too much on their lockers.

As Brady can attest, that opens the door wide open for something bad to happen.

In one famous example, the FBI led an investigation in 2017 that pointed to an international media member taking two of Brady's jerseys and a helmet potentially belonging former Denver Broncos star Von Miller while covering the Super Bowl.

Of course, entering and exiting the Eagles locker room means going through "Big" Dom DiSandro, the team's chief security officer. Good luck trying to sneak one of Hurts' jerseys past him.

One NFL agent believes Aaron Rodgers' departure from the New York Jets will be a prelude to his exit from the league entirely.

"I bet he doesn't (play again)," the agent said to The Athletic's Mike Sando. "He won't want the teams that will want him."

Sando cited a different executive who said Rodgers would "definitely" be an upgrade for some teams, but The Athletic insider wrote, "smart team builders will struggle with adding everything else that comes along with Rodgers."

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Rodgers met with Jets officials last week and was told the team is moving on. As a result, the four-time MVP will be hitting the open market.

The early backpage: BYEAHUASCA

Jets tell Aaron Rodgers they’re moving on from QB in face-to-face meeting

Read: https://t.co/2MOPat0qya pic.twitter.com/NazDjsZ1Pn

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) February 10, 2025

What kind of market Rodgers will have is anybody's guess.

His career résumé speaks for itself. The 41-year-old is one of the greatest QBs of his generation and a shoo-in to be voted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. But past achievements will only go so far.

Rodgers is coming off one of his worst seasons as a starting quarterback and isn't getting any younger. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and his 48.0 QBR ranked 25th in the league, per ESPN.com.

Then there's the general circus that surrounded Rodgers and the Jets over the last two seasons. Not all of the problems belong at his doorstep, but he was a contributing factor.

If you're a team with serious Super Bowl aspirations, then it's fair to wonder whether Rodgers is worth signing at this point. From the player's perspective, meanwhile, the idea of joining a franchise that might be middling at best probably isn't too enticing.

Some legendary quarterbacks get to leave on top. John Elway and Peyton Manning both retired on the heels of winning a Super Bowl. They're often the exceptions, though.

In the case of Rodgers, he'd be far from the first to have such a disappointing conclusion to an impressive career.

HEIGHT: 6'6"

WEIGHT: 310

HAND: 9¾"

ARM: 32¾"

WINGSPAN: 81¾"

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POSITIVES

— Effective on double-teams and combo blocks with proper aiming points and spacing to cover up his target, overtake, and timely release to the second level.

— Has solid play strength to dig out and widen the gap on angle-drive, base, and kick-out blocks.

— Can sit down on the bull-rush and keep rushers off of his frame to anchor.

— Understands the play's intent in the run game and works hard to stay between his man and the ball.

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NEGATIVES

— High-cut frame with an upright playing style.

— Minimal range to expand his set points against high-side speed rushes.

— Marginal foot quickness, body control and recovery skills.

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NOTES

— 4-star and top overall recruit in Wisconsin from the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Originally committed to Wisconsin where he appeared in 35 games with eight starts before transferring to Indiana for the 2024 season

— 21 career starts at right tackle (18), right guard (two) and left guard (one)

— Accepted his invite to the 2025 Shrine Bowl

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OVERALL

Trey Wedig is a two-year starter with 13 starts at right tackle in 2024 inside Indiana's 58-42 run-pass split, multiple-run scheme.

Wedig wins as a run blocker with proper aiming points to hit his landmark, and he uses his size to cover up targets on double-teams and combo blocks with timely releases to the second level. He can cover up and widen the gap on angle-drive blocks with solid leg drive and upper body strength. Wedig's upright play style and lower-body stiffness leads to persistent leaning that leads to getting overextended late in the rep, sapping his sustain and finishing skills.

In pass protection, Wedig has a solid anchor to combat the bull rush, but his marginal foot quickness and lack of range make him a liability on an island and will necessitate a move inside as a pro.

Overall, Wedig is a functional run blocker due to his understanding of the play's intent, size, and decent upper-body strength. Still, marginal athletic ability, body control, and recovery skills will make it an uphill battle to make an active roster, barring a move inside where he has minimal experience.

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GRADE: 5.3 (Backup/UDFA with roster potential)

OVERALL RANK: 200

POSITION RANK: IOL30

PRO COMPARISON: Austin Schlottmann

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn

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Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 323

HAND: 9⅞"

ARM: 33⅝"

WINGSPAN: 81"

40-YARD DASH: 5.29

3-CONE: 8.03

SHUTTLE: 4.72

VERTICAL: 29"

BROAD: 8'4"

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POSITIVES

— Thick, stout and well-rounded build with good arm length.

— Takes fluid pass sets with solid initial and lateral quickness to get to his spot first.

— Has the range to expand his set points and extend/widen high-side rushes past the QB's drop.

— Uses his size and length to cover up targets on down blocks with enough leg drive to seal off lanes.

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NEGATIVES

— Unrefined, raw run blocker with choppy footwork and a bad habit of dropping his eyes and leaning into contact.

— Still figuring out how to consistently transition into his anchor leaving him vulnerable to getting jolted backwards against speed to power.

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NOTES

— Born July 4, 2001

— Played basketball in high school and did not start playing football until his first year at Chabot Community College in 2021

— Transferred to Washington State prior to the 2023 season after spending his first two years at Chabot

— 21 career starts at left tackle

— Accepted his invite to the 2025 Shrine Bowl

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OVERALL

Esa Pole is a two-year starter at left tackle inside Washington State's 54-46 run-pass split, multiple-run scheme. Pole didn't start playing football until his first year of junior college in 2021. He has a thick, stout, and well-rounded build with good arm length, solid athletic ability, and adequate play strength.

Pole wins as a run blocker using sheer size, length, and leg drive to wall off defenders on down blocks with enough burst to close space and cover up targets on pulls. He struggles to sustain due to clunky footwork and a bad habit of leaning into contact that saps his balance.

In pass protection, Pole is a fluid mover who understands how to play long, keep rushers at his fingertips, and expand his set points to protect the corner. He can also redirect to stay attached and slow down inside moves. While Pole has promise against high-side speed rushers he has an inconsistent anchor due to choppy footwork.

Overall, Pole is new to football with extremely raw areas of his game that are far away from being ready for the NFL, but he has good size with natural mirroring skills in pass protection that give him a chance to earn a backup role at tackle or guard.

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GRADE: 5.7 (Backup/Draftable — 6th/7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 261

POSITION RANK: OT19

PRO COMPARISON: Travis Glover

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Brandon Thorn