The Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday will bring down the curtain on the NFL's 2024 season. But as one season comes to a conclusion after six months on the field, off the field the slow drip leading up to the 2025 regular season is about to turn into a torrent.
First came last week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL. At the end of the month, it's the NFL Combine in Indianapolis followed closely by the beginning of free agency in mid-March. Through it all, the laser focus of GMs, HCs, scouts -- and of course the league's rabid fans -- will be on the NFL Draft April 24-26 on the (thawing) tundra of Green Bay in northeastern Wisconsin.
At the Senior Bowl, team reporter Ethan Greenberg of newyorkjets.com corralled a handful of the top draft analysts -- Dane Brugler (The Athletic), Matt Miller (ESPN), Jordan Reid (ESPN), Connor Rogers (Pro Football Focus) and Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports) for their thoughts on the deepest position groups ahead of the draft.
In the Trenches: Offensive and Defensive Line
"First and foremost, it's a loaded defensive line class, both interior and on the edges, which I think is music to the ears of a lot of people around the league," Dane Brugler of The Athletic said.
Among the top players in the DL group are: Abdul Carter, Penn State (6-3, 252) who made the move from linebacker to edge this past season; Mason Graham, Michigan (6-3, 320); Walter Nolan, Ole Miss (6-3, 305); Kenneth Grant, Michigan (6-3, 339); Deone Walker, Kentucky (6-6, 245); and Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M (6-6, 290).
"It's a great interior defensive line group," Matt Miller of ESPN said. "I think I have like 15 defensive tackles in my top 64 right now. And then we look at the edge group. You got guys like Mike Green [Marshall, 6-4, 251] having a great performance out here [at the Senior Bowl], and that goes through the class. My No 1. overall player is an edge rusher, Abdul Carter from Penn State."
The big guys on the offensive line generally don't get the publicity of the "skill" players, but their impact can't be overstated.
"A lot of these guys are going to kick into guard at the next level, but there are guys that could play tackle, whether it's Armand Membou [6-3, 325] from Missouri," Miller said. "You have Josh Conerly [Oregon, 6-3, 315]. I love his ability, he was a running back in high school. And then Josh Simmons [Ohio State, 6-5, 310].
Grey Zabel (North Dakota State, 6-5, 316) turned heads at the Senior Bowl.
"I always love the small-school guys," Miller said. "I think he's going to be a guard or center. He comes down here, through two practices he's dominated. So seeing those small school guys get to hold their own against the power four conferences is really what makes this event [the Senior Bowl] so great."
Get a peek at the action going on in Mobile, Alabama with the best photos from the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl. Check out standout QBs Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel as they begin the road to the 2025 NFL Draft.
American team quarterback Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss (2) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Bhayshul Tuten of Virginia Tech (33) catches a pass as National team linebacker Karene Reid of Utah (32) while they run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jalen Milroe of Alabama runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team defensive lineman David Walker of Central Arkansas (33) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Dillon Gabriel of Oregon throws a pass as he runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Bhayshul Tuten of Virginia Tech (33) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Taylor Elgersma of Laurier throws a pass as they run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team quarterback Tyler Shough of Louisville throws a pass as he runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back LeQuint Allen Jr. of Syracuse (24) catches a pass over National team linebacker Nickolas Martin of Oklahoma State (4) as they run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery of Minnesota (69) and offensive lineman Marcus Mbow of Purdue (63) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jalen Milroe of Alabama runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala.. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Shemar Stewart of Texas A&M runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team linebacker Cody Lindenberg of Minnesota stretches during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Deone Walker of Kentucky runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. of Georgia runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team tight end CJ Dippre of Alabama (81) catches a pass as American team defensive back Billy Bowman Jr. of Oklahoma (22) closes in during drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team running back Trevor Etienne of Georgia (3) catches a pass over American team linebacker Eugene Asante of Auburn (7) during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team head coach Bubba Ventrone of the Cleveland Browns during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Eugene Asante of Auburn runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Tim Smith of Alabama (5) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team tight end Thomas Fidone II of Nebraska (85) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive back Dante Trader Jr. of Maryland runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team running back Trevor Etienne of Georgia (3) catches a pass as American team linebacker Jalen McLeod of Auburn (35) defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team offensive lineman Miles Frazier of LSU (70) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss (2) throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive back Upton Stout of Western Kentucky (24) and American team wide receiver Arian Smith of Georgia (11) run through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jalen Milroe of Alabama (4) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell of Texas (4) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Shemar James of Florida (6) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Riley Leonard of Notre Dame (13) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Barryn Sorrell of Texas (4) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Jalen Milroe of Alabama (4) throws a pass during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Riley Leonard of Notre Dame runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Deone Walker of Kentucky (0) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Cam Jackson of Florida runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team linebacker Tim Smith of Alabama (5) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team quarterback Seth Henigan of Memphis (16) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team offensive lineman Grey Zabel of North Dakota State (77) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American team defensive lineman Deone Walker of Kentucky runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team wide receiver Tez Johnson, right, of Oregon, catches a pass as National team defensive back Jaylin Smith (21), from Southern California, defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Donovan Edwards, of Michigan, carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team wide receiver Da'Quan Felton, right, of Virginia Tech, catches a pass for a touchdown as National team defensive back Azareye'h Thomas, of Florida State, defends during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National team running back Damien Martinez, of Miami, carries the ball during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The Good Hands People: Wide Receiver and Tight End
In the modern NFL offense, wide receivers are the game's human mushroom clouds -- they have the size, skill and speed to be part of an explosive play each time they touch the ball.
Connor Rogers of Pro Football Focus is partial to Tetairoa McMillian (Arizona, 6-5, 212). "Six-foot-five, big body movement skills, red-zone monster. You like your wide receivers to kind of balance each other out." Rogers expects McMillan to jump off the board, possibly among the top 10 picks.
Jordan Reid of ESPN likes Jalen Royals (Utah State, 6-0, 205), calling him "a dynamic run-after-catch guy," but is also high on Tez Johnson (Oregon, 5-10, 165) "another run-after-catch guy" and Xavier Restrepo (Miami, 5-10, 198), "just a route-running savant."
If it's the dudes on the outside scoring TDs and making the big dollars, it's the guys running seams, the tight ends (while also playing pivotal roles blocking).
"But in terms of positions, of depth, you're talking about tight ends," said Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports. "The depth gets interesting after Day 1, there'll be a handful of guys within Day 2 and Day 3 you're going to find guys who can help you."
Among the top players at TE are: Tyler Warren (Penn State, 6-5, 261), Gunnar Helm (Texas, 6-5, 250) and Elijah Arroyo (Miami, 6-4, 251), to name a few.
"Tyler Warren's a fan favorite from Penn State," Rogers said. "But the group's deeper than that. You have Day 2 names, whether it's a guy like Helm and Arroyo. I mean 251 pounds [Arroyo], and he runs like a wide receiver. That's exciting for an offense. It really opens up the seam."
Under Center: Quarterback
After a half-dozen QBs were taken among the top 12 of the 2024 NFL Draft, most draft analysts believe the QB class in the 2025 draft is top heavy -- but with some talent likely to be available in later rounds. Cam Ward (Miami) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) could come off the board among the top 10 picks.
"After that, you could get into Jaxson Dart [Ole Mills]," Jordan Reid said. "And there's some others that you can keep an eye on as well. But Dart, (Alabama QB Jalen) Milroe, that could be Day 2 range."
Matt Miller said he sees value at the QB position later in the draft if a couple of guys are given enough time to acclimate to the professional game.
"Dart, he's going to need some time coming out of that Lane Kiffin scheme, but he has all the tools to be a good quarterback," Matt Miller said. "Quinn Ewers, coming out of Texas, needs here to get healthy. He needs a year to kind of rebuild his frame. He's battled injuries, but he has tools. He's one of the highest-rated quarterbacks ever to come out of high school in Texas. Those tools are still there. Those guys just need time to be reworked a little bit. So they're in the mix. Jalen Milroe is such a fantastic athlete he's going to get some Josh Allen comps [comparisons], because he's got to build his base from the bottom up and correct some mechanical things that are going on.
"But the developmental quarterback, quote, unquote, was kind of gone in the NFL. But those three guys, I think you're looking at Day 2, players that have some starter ability. It just has to be developed."
