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Latest draft buzz:
One nugget, though: While I generally lean away from the Saints taking a QB with the ninth pick, some evaluators believe Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Louisville's Tyler Shough are legitimate targets for the Saints over the course of the draft.
Miller: Selling. The Saints have clear deficiencies all over their roster, which is bloated with bad contracts. Reaching for a passer at No. 9 won't change their outlook. This is the same front office that drafted Spencer Rattler in the fifth round last year, and a source told me that they still like his ability and upside a lot. New coach Kellen Moore could change that dynamic, but this isn't a team that's a quarterback away, from a team-building standpoint.
Reid: Buying. The Saints' offseason moves signal they believe they're a "win now" team, including bringing back edge rusher Chase Young on a three-year dealand adding safety Justin Reid. But in reality, they just need to rebuild. And one of the best ways to maneuver an expensive QB on the roster during a rebuild is drafting a potential long-term answer on a rookie deal. With Sanders and Rattler, the Saints would have two inexpensive options under center while the Carr situation becomes more clear. If Sanders is still there at No. 9, I think New Orleans jumps at the chance to add him.
Yates: My vote is trading up to land Dart late in the first round. It's plausible, and it's not cost-prohibitive. There's a possibility Dart is long gone by this point, but if he does last until, say, the Texans' No. 25 pick, the Browns would be smart to consider a move up. Remember, the Giants could be lurking in the QB class, too, and could try their own trade up the board. New York has the 34th overall pick, so Cleveland might not be able to stay put at No. 33 and assume Dart will still be there.
Miller: I'm agreeing with Jordan on Milroe, but I think he will be available at No. 67. It's unlikely a rookie will immediately unseat Flacco or Pickett, given their veteran experience. Milroe will require some development, so the best-case scenario for his growth would be keeping him at QB3 and getting him on the field as a rookie in some running packages.
Yates: Dart (or even Shough) could go ahead of Sanders as QB2. Look, I still think Sanders is the second QB drafted. I've never even had Dart graded ahead of Sanders in this process, and they are 19 spots apart on my final board. But I've spoken with people around the league who think it's possible Dart winds up following Miami's Cam Wardamong the passers. Regardless of how highly rated a QB is on our own boards, the order they are taken is going to be decided by a small group of QB-needy teams that see each of them differently. And I'll throw Shough in this conversation, too.
Miller: I've heard talk that Missouri's Armand Membou could be the first offensive lineman taken, before LSU's Will Campbell. The right tackle prospect has received rave reviews from scouts because of his elite movement skills and power in the run game. There's a belief that his agility could allow him to move to left tackle in the pros, which would put him in play for the Patriots at No. 4 overall.
Reid: Texas cornerback Jahdae Barronwill be drafted before Michigan's Will Johnson. Barron is one of the few corners in this class who hasn't been injured or missed parts of the predraft process. He had a standout 2024 campaign with five interceptions, earning the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's best defensive back). Meanwhile, Johnson missed six games this season with a toe injury and then Michigan's pro day with a hamstring injury.
On Monday, Johnson held a private workout for scouts. I talked to scouts who had good things to say about it, but Johnson elected not to run a 40-yard dash, which leaves plenty of question marks about his evaluation and overall speed. So Barron could be picked ahead of Johnson -- maybe even as early as No. 6 to the Raiders.
Reid: True. Keep an eye on the Bears at No. 10 overall; I could see them getting some calls. If the Saints don't take a QB at No. 9, things could get really interesting from that point on. Yes, teams won't be scrambling to trade up compared to previous years, but there could be a surprise depending on which of the top prospects are still left on the board. Multiple NFL teams need a versatile tight end in their offense, so don't be surprised if someone jumps at the chance to take Penn State's Tyler Warren or Michigan's Colston Loveland. And I could see a team vaulting up the board for a top pass rusher, too, even though this defensive line class is deep.
Yates: True, though it'd likely come toward the back half of the top 10. If we get one, I think it'd manifest from a team trying to get Warren or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (though Jeanty could be a prime target for the Raiders at No. 6). The Bears lurk as an obvious potential home for either prospect, so an interested team might give Carolina (No. 8) or New Orleans (No. 9) a call to leapfrog Chicago. Both the Panthers and Saints might be interested in loading up on picks.
Miller: The Minnesota Vikings trade No. 24 to the Cleveland Browns for Nos. 33 and 94. With only four picks in the draft, Minnesota needs to collect more draft capital and continue adding young, inexpensive players to the roster. Big contracts for the Vikings' stars could soon put them up against the salary cap. Moving back nine places allows them to do that. Cleveland, meanwhile, gets the chance to jump back into Round 1 if Dart or even Sanders are still available.
Reid: The Philadelphia Eagles trade Nos. 32 and 168 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Nos. 36 and 107. With 10 draft picks, Jacksonville can be aggressive in addressing holes on the roster. Finding a WR2 alongside Brian Thomas Jr. should be a priority. If Missouri's Luther Burden III or Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka are on the board at the end of the first round, then this is a move that's worth making. New general manager James Gladstone was part of a Rams front office that wasn't afraid to make a bold trade up for a player. Los Angeles did it last year to get Braden Fiske.
Yates: The Washington Commanderstrade Nos. 29 and 128 to the New England Patriots for Nos. 38 and 77. A theme of this Patriots offseason has been aggressiveness, as they spent huge in free agency to address several needs. That could continue into the draft, especially if they can fill a critical need with a player late in Round 1. I'd be watching the wide receiver or offensive tackle groups. Washington, meanwhile, has only five picks and would get an earlier opportunity at No. 77 to tap into the depth of this year's class.
www.espn.com
Are you buying or selling Shedeur Sanders to the Saints?
Yates: Selling. There's little chance Derek Carr's shoulder injury was a surprise to the Saints, so I don't expect it to dramatically change their stance at No. 9. Ultimately, for New Orleans to take a quarterback that high, the decision-makers have to be in love with that prospect. I have not gotten the sense that the Saints are there with Sanders. But it's important to remember very few parties are motivated to reveal their intentions before the draft, which makes it difficult to know what's true. It's smokescreen season. I'll sell this ... for now.One nugget, though: While I generally lean away from the Saints taking a QB with the ninth pick, some evaluators believe Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Louisville's Tyler Shough are legitimate targets for the Saints over the course of the draft.
Miller: Selling. The Saints have clear deficiencies all over their roster, which is bloated with bad contracts. Reaching for a passer at No. 9 won't change their outlook. This is the same front office that drafted Spencer Rattler in the fifth round last year, and a source told me that they still like his ability and upside a lot. New coach Kellen Moore could change that dynamic, but this isn't a team that's a quarterback away, from a team-building standpoint.
Reid: Buying. The Saints' offseason moves signal they believe they're a "win now" team, including bringing back edge rusher Chase Young on a three-year dealand adding safety Justin Reid. But in reality, they just need to rebuild. And one of the best ways to maneuver an expensive QB on the roster during a rebuild is drafting a potential long-term answer on a rookie deal. With Sanders and Rattler, the Saints would have two inexpensive options under center while the Carr situation becomes more clear. If Sanders is still there at No. 9, I think New Orleans jumps at the chance to add him.
If the Browns pass on the QBs at No. 2, what fit makes the most sense later in the draft?
Reid: Connecting Jalen Milroe to the Browns makes sense and would likely have to happen at No. 33 overall to kick off Round 2. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees worked with Milroe at Alabama in 2023, so he understands Milroe's strengths and weaknesses well. Cleveland has Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, which means Milroe would have time to sit and develop. He needs refinement as a passer, but his dual-threat skill set makes him intriguing. And Cleveland could play him in spurts in designed packages catered to his mobility and big arm.Yates: My vote is trading up to land Dart late in the first round. It's plausible, and it's not cost-prohibitive. There's a possibility Dart is long gone by this point, but if he does last until, say, the Texans' No. 25 pick, the Browns would be smart to consider a move up. Remember, the Giants could be lurking in the QB class, too, and could try their own trade up the board. New York has the 34th overall pick, so Cleveland might not be able to stay put at No. 33 and assume Dart will still be there.
Miller: I'm agreeing with Jordan on Milroe, but I think he will be available at No. 67. It's unlikely a rookie will immediately unseat Flacco or Pickett, given their veteran experience. Milroe will require some development, so the best-case scenario for his growth would be keeping him at QB3 and getting him on the field as a rookie in some running packages.
What's your boldest first-round prediction based on what you're hearing?
Yates: Dart (or even Shough) could go ahead of Sanders as QB2. Look, I still think Sanders is the second QB drafted. I've never even had Dart graded ahead of Sanders in this process, and they are 19 spots apart on my final board. But I've spoken with people around the league who think it's possible Dart winds up following Miami's Cam Wardamong the passers. Regardless of how highly rated a QB is on our own boards, the order they are taken is going to be decided by a small group of QB-needy teams that see each of them differently. And I'll throw Shough in this conversation, too.
Miller: I've heard talk that Missouri's Armand Membou could be the first offensive lineman taken, before LSU's Will Campbell. The right tackle prospect has received rave reviews from scouts because of his elite movement skills and power in the run game. There's a belief that his agility could allow him to move to left tackle in the pros, which would put him in play for the Patriots at No. 4 overall.
Reid: Texas cornerback Jahdae Barronwill be drafted before Michigan's Will Johnson. Barron is one of the few corners in this class who hasn't been injured or missed parts of the predraft process. He had a standout 2024 campaign with five interceptions, earning the Jim Thorpe Award (nation's best defensive back). Meanwhile, Johnson missed six games this season with a toe injury and then Michigan's pro day with a hamstring injury.
On Monday, Johnson held a private workout for scouts. I talked to scouts who had good things to say about it, but Johnson elected not to run a 40-yard dash, which leaves plenty of question marks about his evaluation and overall speed. So Barron could be picked ahead of Johnson -- maybe even as early as No. 6 to the Raiders.
True or false: We will see a team trade up in the top 10.
Miller: False. Unless the Steelers get antsy and trade up for a quarterback, it's very difficult for a team to find value in moving up this year. The question that I think about is, "Who would a team be trading up to get?" There simply aren't enough blue-chip prospects at money positions in this class worth paying high draft capital to land.Reid: True. Keep an eye on the Bears at No. 10 overall; I could see them getting some calls. If the Saints don't take a QB at No. 9, things could get really interesting from that point on. Yes, teams won't be scrambling to trade up compared to previous years, but there could be a surprise depending on which of the top prospects are still left on the board. Multiple NFL teams need a versatile tight end in their offense, so don't be surprised if someone jumps at the chance to take Penn State's Tyler Warren or Michigan's Colston Loveland. And I could see a team vaulting up the board for a top pass rusher, too, even though this defensive line class is deep.
Yates: True, though it'd likely come toward the back half of the top 10. If we get one, I think it'd manifest from a team trying to get Warren or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (though Jeanty could be a prime target for the Raiders at No. 6). The Bears lurk as an obvious potential home for either prospect, so an interested team might give Carolina (No. 8) or New Orleans (No. 9) a call to leapfrog Chicago. Both the Panthers and Saints might be interested in loading up on picks.
Propose a late-Round 1 or Round 2 trade that could make sense.
Miller: The Minnesota Vikings trade No. 24 to the Cleveland Browns for Nos. 33 and 94. With only four picks in the draft, Minnesota needs to collect more draft capital and continue adding young, inexpensive players to the roster. Big contracts for the Vikings' stars could soon put them up against the salary cap. Moving back nine places allows them to do that. Cleveland, meanwhile, gets the chance to jump back into Round 1 if Dart or even Sanders are still available.
Reid: The Philadelphia Eagles trade Nos. 32 and 168 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for Nos. 36 and 107. With 10 draft picks, Jacksonville can be aggressive in addressing holes on the roster. Finding a WR2 alongside Brian Thomas Jr. should be a priority. If Missouri's Luther Burden III or Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka are on the board at the end of the first round, then this is a move that's worth making. New general manager James Gladstone was part of a Rams front office that wasn't afraid to make a bold trade up for a player. Los Angeles did it last year to get Braden Fiske.
Yates: The Washington Commanderstrade Nos. 29 and 128 to the New England Patriots for Nos. 38 and 77. A theme of this Patriots offseason has been aggressiveness, as they spent huge in free agency to address several needs. That could continue into the draft, especially if they can fill a critical need with a player late in Round 1. I'd be watching the wide receiver or offensive tackle groups. Washington, meanwhile, has only five picks and would get an earlier opportunity at No. 77 to tap into the depth of this year's class.
NFL draft intel, one week out: QB plans for the Saints and Browns, plus bold predictions and trade buzz
Could Shedeur Sanders slide to New Orleans? Would Cleveland trade up for a QB? And which draft prospects could go earlier than expected?
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