Tag: NFL Draft news

Raiders-Falcons final score helped 49ers 2025 NFL draft position

The 49ers needed that Flacons win over the Raiders on Monday.

The San Francisco 49ers’ postseason hopes are over, which means each week now becomes about where they land in the 2025 NFL draft order.

By virtue of missing the playoffs, the 49ers have secured at least a top-18 pick. Losing Thursday helped their draft pick, but it took until Monday night for the 49ers to ensure they’d get into the top 15 after 15 weeks.

Because they hold an extremely high strength of schedule, the likelihood the 49ers will get a better pick in a tiebreaker is low, so getting clear of the slew of other 6-8 teams is crucial if the club is to maximize its pick in next year’s draft. That’s why the Las Vegas Raiders’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday helped San Francisco.

With Atlanta’s 15-9 win over the Raiders, they moved to 7-7 and snapped a four-game losing skid. Had the Raiders won, the Falcons have been 6-8 and above the 49ers in the draft because of the tiebreaker. Alas, the 49ers are now slated to pick No. 15 overall because they leapfrogged the victorious Falcons in the order.

Here’s what the NFL draft order looks like with three games to go:

1. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12)
2. New York Giants (2-12)
3. New England Patriots (3-11)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11)
5. Carolina Panthers (3-11)
6. Tennessee Titans (3-11)
7. Cleveland Browns (3-11)
8. New York Jets (4-10)
9. Chicago Bears (4-10)
10. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
11. Miami Dolphins (6-8)
12. Indianapolis Colts (6-8)
13. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8) 
14. Dallas Cowboys (6-8)
15. San Francisco 49ers (6-8)
16. Atlanta Falcons (7-7)
17. Arizona Cardinals (7-7)
18. Seattle Seahawks (8-6)

Given the logjams in the top and middle of the first round, there’s a ton that could change over the next few weeks. The 49ers still face the Dolphins and Cardinals in two of their final three games, and both will be massive in determining how the 2025 NFL draft order shakes out.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

49ers fill biggest offensive need in 2025 NFL mock draft

OL help is the 49ers top priority in this mock draft:

Finding help for quarterback Brock Purdy needs to be a priority for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 NFL draft.

However, that help doesn’t necessarily need to come in the form of weapons. Running back Christian McCaffrey figures to return at full strength. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk should return at some point next season. Tight end George Kittle is still an excellent player, wide receiver Jauan Jennings is having a breakout season and rookie WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jacob Cowing will have another year to get acclimated to the offense.

The offensive line is a different story, and that’s where the 49ers get to work in the first round of a mock draft from Owain Jones at Pro Football Network. San Francisco at No. 17 overall selects Kelvin Banks Jr., a seasoned starting tackle from the University of Texas.

Via PFN:

Kelvin Banks Jr., a three-year starter at the University of Texas, is entering the NFL Draft with valuable experience and potential to secure the starting right tackle position in the Bay Area. As a talented athlete, he demonstrates fluid movement, effectively preventing agile pass rushers from getting around the edge.

However, to improve his draft stock and be considered a top-10 selection, he must refine his hand technique, enhance his footwork, and strengthen his lower body.

Finding a long-term answer at right tackle needs to be a priority for the 49ers in the offseason, and preferably that player would be one who could eventually swap over to the left side when Trent Williams decides to hang up his pads.

Banks has played left tackle his entire tenure with the Longhorns so moving to the right side would be an adjustment, but he has the physical tools to conceivably make the swap temporarily before moving back to his natural position in the post-Williams era.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

No supplemental draft in NFL this year a devastating development

What?! No supplemental draft this year?!?!

The NFL won’t be doing a supplemental draft in 2024 according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This is a truly devastating development.

Without the supplemental draft it will be nigh impossible to discuss whether teams did or did not use a supplemental draft pick. Additionally, we won’t be able to dive into the supplemental draft prospects and determine whether the 49ers will or will not use a pick on that player.

Never mind that only 46 players have been selected via supplemental draft since 1977. And never mind that no players have been selected via supplemental draft since 2019.

San Francisco has twice used supplemental draft picks, including once in 1978 to pick up USC running back Rod Connors with a Round 12 (!) pick. They also used a Round 8 selection in 1985 to add Florida State RB Roosevelt Snipes. They haven’t used a supplemental pick in the seven-round draft era and neither Connors nor Snipes played a game for the team.

So, that’s where that’s at. No supplemental draft. On to training camp.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

9 Georgia Bulldogs selected in ESPN’s 7-round NFL mock draft

Here’s where each Bulldog landed in ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft…

Georgia set a modern NFL draft record with 15 selections in last year’s draft.

Although the Bulldogs don’t have as big of a draft class this year, Georgia should be well represented in Kansas City.

ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft is full of Bulldogs: nine selections through seven rounds, including three in the first-round — all in the top 10.

Here’s a look at where each Bulldog landed, along with notes on top selections from ESPN’s Jordan Reid and position rankings from Draft Wire.

 

ESPN predicts 2 Georgia Bulldogs as top 10 NFL Draft picks

2 Dawgs named 2023 top-10 picks…

ESPN’s Matt Miller has released his 2023 NFL draft first round predictions and two Georgia Bulldogs have been included in the top-10 picks: Defensive tackle Jalen Carter and cornerback Kelee Ringo.

The Bulldogs just set an NFL draft record with 15 picks this spring, incluidng the No. 1 overall selection Travon Walker.

With Carter and Ringo both predicted to go top-10 by ESPN and being the No. 1 overall players at their respective positions by Pro Football Focus, the Dawgs could be in for another huge draft in 2023.

First up in Miller’s early mock draft is Carter, who is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Houston Texans.

“Some might argue for a quarterback to restart things in Houston — and we’ll have to see how second-year signal-caller Davis Mills plays after a promising first season — but it wouldn’t be a surprise for general manager Nick Caserio to give Mills more time to develop. Mills is on an inexpensive contract and has yet to play with much offensive support, and the Texans aren’t close to competing in the AFC South.”

Sep 25, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) tackles Vanderbilt Commodores running back Rocko Griffin (24) for a loss during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

“Carter was arguably the best prospect on Georgia’s national title team in 2021 when you talk to scouts and watch his disruptive ability as an inside or outside pass-rusher. He’s built (6-foot-3, 310 pounds) to produce from a 3-technique position and would make an instant impact in Houston.”

Next up is Ringo, who Miller expects to be taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 6 overall.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Head oach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates with Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs after a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

“With rookie first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett on the roster, the Steelers could look to improve in other places. Ringo had eight pass breakups and two interceptions on a loaded defense last season, and you might remember his clinching pick-six in the title game. If the 6-foot-2 corner can make plays without 10 future NFL starters around him, his coverage ability and physical traits will put him in the running for CB1 in this class.”

Miller also has Georgia transfer receiver, who is now at Alabama, projected as the No. 28 overall pick by the Detroit Lions.

Following NFL draft, Cardinals’ offensive ceiling has exponentially increased

Following the recent acquisitions of Trey McBride and Hollywood Brown, the Cardinals offense features a ridiculous group of playmakers.

Following a quiet free agency, many Arizona Cardinals fans were growing frustrated with the team’s lack of signings and additions. While they were able to re-sign most of their core free agents, they let two key players from last season go without replacing them, those being Chandler Jones and Christian Kirk.

In the past week, however, those sentiments have quickly changed for many. The Cardinals made a shocking trade Thursday night when they sent the 23rd overall pick for Ravens star receiver Hollywood Brown.

Perhaps an equally surprising move was their second round selection of Trey McBride, the consensus top tight end prospect from this year’s class. In a tight end room that already features Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams, it was initially shocking to see the Cardinals technically spend their first draft pick on a tight end.

Following the surprise and discontent from some fans, however, the McBride’s potential was very obviously too good to pass up. Many are comparing his game to that of 49ers’ star George Kittle.

The addition of two standout receiving threats gives the Cardinals a better group of offensive skill position players than they had in 2021, which is saying a ton considering they were the No. 1 statistical offense in the league prior to injuries to both Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins.

The wide receiver room now features Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, Rondale Moore and A.J. Green. Having Green, who had over 800 yards receiving last year (with some missed time) as WR4 illustrates the surplus of firepower general manager Steve Keim is providing the offense. Antoine Wesley, who flashed towards the end of last season, is also a notable name there.

The running back group took a hit with the loss of Chase Edmonds to Miami, but the lead man is still Pro Bowler James Conner. Third-year pro Eno Benjamin figures today to be the No. 2 back, though the team has recently looked at free agent RB Darrell Williams.

The tight end room is arguably as impressive as the receiving room, with 3x Pro-Bowler Zach Ertz leading the charge. Maxx Williams, who was playing great football prior to injury is an excellent complement in both the passing attack and run game. Both of those two should be great help to the newest member of the room in Trey McBride.

The group of skill position players is, as of right now, absurdly talented. Defenses will still focus primarily on containing Hopkins, but the plethora of other playmakers makes that so difficult to do. And if they do shift coverage away from Hop, leaving him one-on-one, that’s where the ball is going.

If the group can maintain relative health through next season, the Cardinals offense has the potential to be even better than they were prior to injuries last season.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

Cardinals get an A for Hollywood Brown trade

CBS Sports had plenty of praise for the Cardinals after they acquired Hollywood Brown from the Ravens.

The Arizona Cardinals made all the breaking news headlines Thursday night with a surprising trade for wide receiver Hollywood Brown. The trade was completely out of nowhere as the Cards had to operate with total secrecy as to not put Baltimore at a disadvantage in the draft.

There are some who believe the Cardinals gave up too much draft capital for Brown, but the general consensus is the offense is significantly better after the trade.

One of those is CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, who gave the Cardinals an A for their overall draft haul.

With Christian Kirk departing via free agency, Brown’s arrival allows the aging A.J. Green to slide back into more of a rotational role behind DeAndre Hopkins and takes pressure off Rondale Moore as the presumptive No. 3. It’s a truly sensible gamble, potentially solving a slew of issues at once. Not only are the Cards potentially placating their star QB, who’s angling for his own payday and will benefit from an additional deep threat, but they’re getting a possible long-term playmaker at a premium position.

Benjamin and others have given props to the Cards for addressing a number of issues with this trade. They filled one of the biggest needs on the team, as they were without a WR2 and lost Christian Kirk to the Jaguars. They also needed elite speed on the outside to pair with Hopkins. Very few players in the league offer the same sort of speed as Hollywood Brown.

The Cardinals also made a long term commitment to their franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, pairing him with a strong offensive weapon who also happens to be one of his best friends.

Most media outlets have given the Cardinals a respectable grade in the B grade range, but it’s refreshing to see CBS Sports give the team high praise for their acquisition of Brown.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

Why the Cardinals’ trade for Hollywood Brown is outstanding

The Cardinals trade for Hollywood Brown was an excellent move that immediately makes the team better

As projected, the Arizona Cardinals used their first round draft pick to acquire a wide receiver. The surprise came when the pick was traded for an established star wideout, as opposed to moving up for one of the top prospects.

The Cardinals sent pick No. 23 for Ravens’ star receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and a third rounder. They were met with optimism for the deal but also a fair amount of skepticism. Former Titans wideout A.J. Brown was traded for a similar package.

There are a few reasons for this that are going over the head of the casual twitter general managers. First, A.J. Brown wanted to play with the Eagles. That has been made clear. Second, while he has put up better stats than Hollywood to this point, the Cardinals were looking to pair elite speed with DeAndre Hopkins. The team also has two extra years of affordable control.

Oh – and the obvious. Hollywood played with Kyler Murray in college and the two were one of the most exciting duos in the country.

Sitting at pick No. 23, it was always going to be a longshot for the Cardinals to land one of the big four receiver prospects, those being Drake London, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jameson Williams. All were gone by pick No. 12.

General manger Steve Keim mentioned in his press conference following the first round that he thought most of the prospects the team coveted would be gone by pick No. 23. This came true, with the likes of Treylon Burks, Zion Johnson and Jahan Dotson all being selected in front of them. There wasn’t a better offensive player to be had than Hollywood at pick No. 23.

Acquiring Brown (and a bonus third-round pick) immediately brings a known commodity into the offense, as opposed to taking a gamble with a college receiver.

In his final season with the Ravens, Brown had 91 receptions for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. This is an impressive feat considering the run-heavy scheme by offensive coordinator Greg Roman. Baltimore’s star quarterback Lamar Jackson missed the last month of the season which severely hindered Brown’s opportunities to make plays.

There’s a good chance Hollywood’s production increases in Arizona. First, Kliff Kingsbury’s offense is far more receiver-friendly than that of the Ravens in terms of production. Second, opposing defenses draw most of their focus on DeAndre Hopkins. Brown will see a ton of one-on-one coverage with the safeties drawn towards D-Hop.

Last season was hands down Brown’s best. He was operating as the No. 1 receiver on the depth chart. The sky is the limit for him alongside Kyler Murray and the arsenal of offensive firepower at the Cards’ disposal.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

POLL: Grade the Cardinals’ 2022 NFL draft class

What grade would you give the Cardinals for this year’s NFL draft class?

The 2022 NFL draft has finally concluded, with teams now looking to add the best remaining undrafted free agents. The Cardinals drafted eight total players, but acquired nine including the trade for Hollywood Brown.

The Cards went offense early, drafting their first player in the second round in tight end Trey McBride. They followed up with back-to-back edge rushers in hopes that at least one can help fill the void from Chandler Jones’ departure.

For the sake of this poll, we’re including Brown as part of the draft class since he was essentially their first round pick.

Here’s a look at the entire Cardinals draft class with that in mind:

Round 2- TE Trey McBride, Colorado

Round 3 – DE Cameron Thomas, San Diego State

Round 3 – DE Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati

Round 6 – RB Keontay Ingram, Southern California

Round 6 – OG Lecitus Smith, Virginia

Round 7 – CB Christian Matthew, Valdosta State

Round 7- LB Jesse Luketa, Penn State

Round 7 – OL Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma

[polldaddy poll=11105488]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

and

Georgia OL Jamaree Salyer selected in sixth round of 2022 NFL draft

Jamaree Salyer is a Charger!

Georgia offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer was selected in the sixth round with the No. 195 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers.

That extends the program record to 13 draft picks in one draft.

The Atlanta native anchored the Georgia offensive line for 47 games in Athens jc.

The All-SEC second team selection had his best season in a national title year, shutting down Alabama star LB Will Anderson Jr. in the championship game.

Salyer’s versatility as a lineman who’s played multiple positions along the front will make him a steady pro.