THE BOLD EDITION
Last week I published my bold predictions for free agency and one of them has already come to pass. With a week to go, I decided to do a bold mock draft. To help facilitate trades, I did two full rounds. Without further ado, I give you my boldest mock draft of 2025. *NFL Mock Draft Database was used for this mock.
ROUND ONE
ROUND TWO
As we get closer to the NFL’s annual free for all known as free agency, I thought I’d look into some of the players and teams beyond my usual focus on the Chicago Bears. Let’s start with the most important position in all of sports, the quarterback. *All rankings come from Pro Football Network:
QUARTERBACKS
There are two players, not free agents, who are the biggest dominoes to fall before the quarterback market can start to sort itself out. Those are the Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins and the Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford. Also not listed because he’s technically not a free agent, yet, is the New York Jets’ Aaron Rodgers.
Cousins will surely be traded or released, I cannot envision Atlanta paying him that much to lurk on the bench behind Michael Penix Jr. The Rams have reached a contract impasse with Stafford and have given him permission to explore a trade. Ultimately, I think a deal will be worked out with the Rams. The Jets will release Rodgers, but it will be a post June 1st designation for salary cap purposes. Rodgers can’t sign with another team until then, but we could get a good idea of his next destination well before then.
Sam Darnold resurrected his career in Minnesota and has earned himself a significant payday. I think it’s unlikely that the Vikings would sign him to an extension with 2024 first round pick, JJ McCarthy, in the fold, but the franchise tag is a possibility. If Darnold does hit the open market, he should garner significant interest. The Giants and Raiders would have to be considered the favorites to land him.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will re-sign either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson as their 2025 starter. If Fields hits the open market he could garner interest from every quarterback needy team outside of Tennessee. Wilson would garner interest from teams on the cusp of contention like the Jets or Colts.
Of the remaining quarterbacks on the above list, only Mac Jones and Jameis Winston could possibly land starting gigs, or at least the chance to compete for a starting role in 2025. Winston could be re-signed by the Cleveland Browns as their starter or to compete with a rookie. If he leaves Cleveland it will be for strictly a back up role.
Jones is relegated to back up duties if he stays in Jacksonville, so I think he’ll look for a team that would give him a chance to earn the starting gig in 2025. The Giants, Raiders, Browns and Colts would make sense, with the Saints being a dark horse candidate.
The last two names on the above list hold a little intrigue for me. Teddy Bridgewater came out of retirement late in 2024 to be Jared Goff’s backup in Detroit. If he doesn’t go back into retirement, I see him either returning to Detroit or following Ben Johnson to Chicago to lend a veteran voice to their quarterback room.
Trey Lance was the third overall pick in 2021 and he’ll only be 25 years old on opening day in 2025. His vast potential has been largely untapped. Some teams should be willing to take the chance of signing him to a minimal deal with the hopes of unlocking that potential. I like teams with veteran, non-elite level, starters. Teams like the Saints and Seahawks. Miami could make a ton of sense, given Tua Tagovailoa’s troubling injury history. Even teams like the Lions or Buccaneers as a hedge against regression of their incumbent starters.
Bold Predictions- Steelers re-sign Justin Fields. Rams sign Matthew Stafford to an extension.
Bolder Predictions- Giants sign Sam Darnold. Jets sign Russell Wilson. Browns sign Mac Jones. Dolphins sign Trey Lance. Bears sign Teddy Bridgewater.
Boldest Predictions- Raiders trade for Kirk Cousins. Colts sign Aaron Rodgers.
RUNNING BACKS
There’s been a lot of talk about the running back resurgence in the NFL because of the impact of the 2024 free agent class. Saquon Barkley was MVP level for the Super Bowl Champion Eagles. Derrick Henry had a monster season for the Ravens. Josh Jacobs, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon & JK Dobbins were all key contributors on playoff teams. Even Tony Pollard and D’Andre Swift had decent seasons in Tennessee & Chicago, respectively.
This year’s class doesn’t have remotely the same level of firepower. JK Dobbins and Nick Chubb have significant injury histories. Aaron Jones and Kareem Hunt are on the back end of their careers. Najee Harris and Javonte Williams have never quite lived up to expectations. The rest of the above list have never been the primary ball carrier for an NFL team.
I think Aaron Jones could garner significant interest if Minnesota lets him hit the open market, but Najee Harris will probably reap the bigger contract.
Rico Dowdle and Kareem Hunt are probably looking for another chance to be the primary ball carrier for their team, while Nick Chubb might be chasing a ring at this point in his career.
Bold Predictions- Chargers re-sign JK Dobbins. Steelers re-sign Jaylen Warren. Vikings re-sign Aaron Jones.
Bolder Predictions- Raiders sign Najee Harris. Giants sign Rico Dowdle.
Boldest Predictions- Panthers sign Kareem Hunt. Chiefs sign Nick Chubb.
WIDE RECEIVERS
In 2022, wide receivers Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams, AJ Brown, Amari Cooper & Marquise Brown were all traded. 2025 could rival that wild offseason.
The Rams have given Cooper Kupp permission to explore a trade and the 49ers did the same for Deebo Samuel. The Jets are likely to release Davante Adams, the Seahawks could release Tyler Lockett and several former Pro-Bowlers are set to hit the open market.
On top of all that, I think there’s a reasonable chance that Tyreek Hill could be traded, again.
If he hits the open market, Tee Higgins is easily the top receiver in free agency. Cincinnati has floated the possibility of using the franchise tag on him, however.
Chris Godwin is coming off a season ending injury, but he was having a career year before the injury and should have a robust market. Stefon Diggs also had his season cut short by injury but he should have a few more years left as a legitimate number one receiver.
Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins both underwhelmed after mid-season trades, but they’re both savvy veterans that could provide value in the right situation. Keenan Allen is another savvy veteran coming off a disappointing season. He’s open to returning to Chicago, but I don’t think the Bears will meet his asking price.
Two other names on the above list intrigue me. Tim Patrick is a good candidate to follow Ben Johnson to Chicago on a cheap deal. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was a touchdown machine in 2024 and has shown flashes in the past that could convince a team that he can handle a bigger role.
The Raiders are flush with cap space and need more pass catchers beyond Brock Bowers. New minority owner, Tom Brady, won a Super Bowl with Chris Godwin.
The Cowboys and Steelers have been searching for a strong second receiver for years. The Steelers have kicked the tires on trades for a receiver in the past and I think they could again. Stefon Diggs’ brother, Travon, plays in Dallas.
The Texans and Packers both have young, talented receiving corps that could benefit from a veteran presence.
The Rams will have to replace Cooper Kupp and Keenan Allen would probably prefer a return to the west coast.
The Chiefs would be better served using cap space to improve their offensive line, but a reunion with Tyreek Hill is fun to consider.
Bold Predictions- Bengals franchise tag & eventually sign Tee Higgins to an extension. Bears sign Tim Patrick.
Bolder Predictions- Raiders sign Chris Godwin. Cowboys sign Stefon Diggs. Packers sign Amari Cooper. Texans sign DeAndre Hopkins. Rams sign Keenan Allen. 49ers sign Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
Boldest Predictions- Steelers trade for Cooper Kupp. Commanders trade for Deebo Samuel.
BOLDEST OF THE BOLD Prediction- Chiefs trade for Tyreek Hill.
TIGHT ENDS
I don’t see a robust market for tight ends this year, so I’ll just quickly move to predictions.
Bold Prediction- Patriots sign Mike Gesicki.
Bolder Prediction- Eagles sign Zach Ertz.
Boldest Prediction- Seahawks sign Juwan Johnson.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
NFL teams don’t let quality offensive tackles hit free agency very often, so you have to question any of the players on this list that actually hit the open market.
Ronnie Stanley will probably be the biggest name available, but he comes with a history of injuries. Tyron Smith has also battled injuries in recent years and may opt to call it a career. Trent Brown was an elite offensive tackle, once upon a time, but his better days are behind him and he’s also coming off a season ending injury.
Alaric Jackson and Dan Moore Jr would both have several suitors if they hit the open market, but I’m not sure they will.
Cam Robinson will probably get paid handsomely, but you have to wonder about a player that two franchises decided to move on from in less than a year.
Bold Predictions- Rams re-sign Alaric Jackson. Steelers re-sign Dan Moore Jr.
Bolder Predictions- Patriots sign Ronnie Stanley. Tyron Smith retires from the NFL.
Boldest Predictions- Titans sign Cam Robinson. Chiefs sign Trent Brown.
INTERIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Please forgive me for making this section very Bears- centric. It’s a well known fact that Chicago drastically needs to improve the protection for 2024 first overall pick, Caleb Williams. Both of their starting guards and their starting center from last season are free agents. Teven Jenkins is a high end guard, the issue for him has been availability. With his extensive injury history, I doubt the Bears will commit significant money to him.
Jenkins’ relative youth and skills should make him one of the more sought after guards after the consensus top dog, Kansas City’s Trey Smith. Smith could become the highest paid guard in the NFL, and it’s starting to sound like the Chiefs may find a way to make that happen.
Mekhi Becton has followed a similar career arc as Jenkins. Drafted as a tackle, he was a bust in New York, partly due to injuries. He moved to Philly, kicked inside to guard and had a stellar season that ended with a Super Bowl victory. My question with Becton is has the position change unlocked his talents or was his rebound season a result of playing on the best offensive line in the NFL? Becton could be worth the risk at the right price.
Matt Pryor was thrust into a starting role with Chicago and he performed well. I’d like the Bears to bring him back but merely as a depth piece, as was the original plan.
Kevin Zeitler, at 35 years of age, would be a short term solution, but he’d come at a reasonable price and he knows Ben Johnson’s offense.
Center has been an issue for the Bears pretty much since Olin Kreutz departed in 2011. They need to stop trying stop gap measures and get serious about finding a long term solution. Atlanta’s Drew Dalman is the top center, that would be a long term fit, set to hit the market. The Bears have the cap space to make it happen.
Bold Predictions- Bears re-sign Matt Pryor. Eagles re-sign Mekhi Becton.
Bolder Predictions- Chiefs re-sign Trey Smith. Bears sign Kevin Zeitler.
Boldest Predictions- Bears sign Drew Dalman. Vikings sign Teven Jenkins.
EDGE RUSHERS
I’ll start by addressing the elephants in the room. MYLES GARRETT & MICAH PARSONS ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE! Garrett has requested a trade from Cleveland, but it makes no financial sense for the Browns to trade him. They’re already cap-strapped and the dead money hit they’d take from a trade is just infeasible.
Micah Parsons is due an extension, one that should make him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. The Cowboys just handed out big contracts to Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb last year, and some wonder how they can make a third huge contract work. Dallas will somehow find a way.
The fact is that NFL teams do not let high end edge rushers leave.
Josh Sweat was already the top edge set to hit free agency, then he had a monster Super Bowl that earned him an even heftier contract.
Khalil Mack is the biggest name available, but he’s no longer in his prime. He still has the ability to be highly productive as part of a rotation and he may want to chase a ring at this point in his career.
Three names that intrigue me are Chase Young, Azeez Ojulari and Dayo Odeyingbo. All three have never quite reached their potential for various reasons, but the flashes are there to attract teams in need of pass rushers.
Haason Reddick would probably like to have a do-over for 2024. His disastrous hold-out and lack of production once he returned to the field cost him a lot of money. He’ll probably need to accept a cheap, one year prove-it deal.
Bold Predictions- Bears sign Chase Young. Packers sign Dayo Odeyingbo.
Bolder Predictions- Raiders sign Azeez Ojulari. Buccaneers sign Haason Reddick.
Boldest Predictions- Lions sign Khalil Mack. Chargers sign Josh Sweat.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
This year’s draft class is loaded with quality interior defensive linemen. High end contributors can and will be found through all seven rounds. For this reason, I don’t anticipate a robust market for interior defensive linemen. I’ll skip right to the predictions and I only have one:
Bold Prediction- Eagles re-sign Milton Williams.
LINEBACKERS
Off ball linebackers have been devalued quite a bit in the NFL. I don’t see a lot of big money deals coming for this group.
One player that did earn himself a huge pay raise is Zack Baun. On a one year, prove-it deal, Baun was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year for the Super Bowl champion Eagles.
Bobby Wagner and LaVonte David are both past their prime, but still provide production and valuable leadership to their respective teams. I cannot imagine David playing for any team other than the Buccaneers. The Commanders had a special season and the future is bright, I think Wagner may want to stick around for the next chapter.
The two names on this list that I could see changing teams are Nick Bolton and Dre Greenlaw.
Bold Predictions- Buccaneers re-sign LaVonte David. Commanders re-sign Bobby Wagner.
Bolder Prediction- Eagles re-sign Zack Baun.
Boldest Predictions- Titans sign Nick Bolton. Raiders sign Dre Greenlaw.
CORNERBACKS
Corners are always in high demand and this year’s crop of free agents is pretty deep and could get deeper. The Packers and Jaire Alexander seem destined for a split. The Eagles will surely release James Bradberry, and Darius Slay could be released to create extra cap space.
The Vikings will do everything possible to retain both their corners, Byron Murphy & Stephon Gilmore. I think they’ll do it, if they can convince Gilmore to take a team friendly deal.
Their division rival, Detroit Lions, should also do their best to keep Carlton Davis.
The Jets’ DJ Reed and Saints’ Paulson Adebo will probably be the top corners to hit the open market because both the Jets & Saints have salary cap issues.
Asante Samuel Jr has flaws in his game, but his youth and coverage ability should make him attractive to teams. Charvarius Ward and Rasul Douglas both have the pedigree that teams will covet.
Bold Predictions- Lions re-sign Carlton Davis. Vikings re-sign Byron Murphy & Stephon Gilmore.
Bolder Predictions- Eagles release Darius Slay. Packers sign Charvarius Ward. Raiders sign Paulson Adebo. Cardinals sign Asante Samuel Jr. Jets sign Rasul Douglas.
Boldest Predictions- Bills trade for Jaire Alexander. Commanders sign DJ Reed. Jaguars sign Darius Slay.
SAFETIES
Like off ball linebacker, the safety position has been devalued in today’s NFL. There are some good players on this list, but I don’t see a very robust market developing. I’ll skip right to the predictions.
Bold Prediction- Raiders re-sign Tre’Von Moehrig.
Bolder Prediction- Packers sign Will Harris.
Boldest Prediction- Jaguars sign Jevon Holland.
Just because I’m addicted to mock drafts and I’m already bored with the offseason, I thought I’d publish my first seven rounder for the Chicago Bears. A lot can change between now and the draft. We’ll have the scouting combine in Indianapolis, where player rankings will start to come into more focus. Then, there’s free agency where team needs will be clarified. Individual pro days will eventually lead to a more refined idea of what players teams are focused on.
For now, this is how I see the draft going for the Bears:
ROUND ONE, PICK #12
Kelvin Banks Jr, OT, Texas
The Cowboys came calling and I assumed it was for Ashton Jeanty. I think a first round running back is a luxury pick, one the Bears aren’t in a position to make yet, so I accepted the deal to move down two spots and added an extra third round pick.
To my surprise, the Cowboys passed on Jeanty and I strongly considered him here, given Ben Johnson’s use of the two back system in Detroit, but I still think the trenches are where they’ll focus.
I believe the Bears will add two interior offensive linemen in free agency, leaving a need for another guard. Tyler Booker is the top guard on my board, but the 49ers grabbed him with the previous pick. Looking at offensive linemen and edge rushers, Banks was the top player on my board.
Some believe that Banks will kick inside to guard in the NFL, which would be fine considering the Bears still have a need there, but I think he has the physical tools to stay at left tackle. Braxton Jones has been a serviceable left tackle, especially given that he was a fifth round pick, but Banks offers a much higher ceiling.
ROUND TWO, PICK #39
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M
The Bears need a pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat and I don’t think they’ll land a long term answer in free agency. Stewart is a freak athlete with the size to be a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL. Personally, I see him as a first round talent, but some inconsistencies in his game could push him into the second. If he’s there at number 39, the Bears have to pounce.
Stewart has dominant potential as an edge rusher if his minor inconsistencies can be cleaned up. He and Sweat could form a fearsome duo.
ROUND TWO, PICK #41
Grey Zabel, OT, North Dakota State
I have the Bears double dipping on the offensive line with one of my favorite players in the draft. Right now, Zabel is listed as a tackle, but I think he’ll find a home as a starting guard. He does give the Bears positional versatility as he’s excelled at all five positions across the offensive line.
ROUND THREE, PICK #72
Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
The Bears stay in the trenches and add an absolutely massive human being to their defensive line. Walker has the size to be a run stuffer and the athleticism to be a disruptive interior pass rusher.
ROUND THREE, PICK #76
Kyren Lacy, WR, LSU
With the pick acquired from Dallas earlier, I have the Bears adding another weapon to Caleb Williams’ arsenal. Lacy is more of a big bodied, contested catch type receiver like Keenan Allen than the take the top off the defense type that the Bears currently lack, but LSU receivers have excelled in the NFL and I think Lacy will carve out a nice role for himself in a Ben Johnson offense.
ROUND FIVE, PICK #149
Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
The Bears have an underrated need at safety. Kevin Byard was fine, but his best days are behind him and he’s a potential cap casualty. I have concerns about Jaquan Brisker’s health given that he missed the last 12 games of the season recovering from a concussion.
Moore is a ballhawk and excels in coverage. He’s also a decent tackler, though not a physical thumper. He’s a liability as a box safety, but if Brisker is healthy he can fill that role.
ROUND SIX, PICK #204
Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
The Bears have needed a secondary tight end for years, they’ve tried adding one in free agency but the results have been severely underwhelming. Lachey never reached the levels of production many thought possible and he’s an average blocker. He’s also an older prospect, but given Iowa’s strong track record of producing high quality NFL tight ends he’s worth a shot in the sixth round.
ROUND SEVEN, PICK #235
Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
Many Bears fans are probably eyeing a running back earlier in the draft, but I don’t think it’s as high a priority as most. Neal’s home run threat upside offers plenty of potential for a seventh round pick.
ROUND SEVEN, PICK #242
Jermari Harris, CB, Iowa
In the NFL, a team can never have enough depth at corner. Harris has limitations, but has shown sufficient ball skills to make him worth a late seventh round pick.
SYNOPSIS
If free agency goes the way I, and many Bears fans hope, Chicago will have completely revamped and vastly improved their offensive line in one offseason. Banks could be the long term answer at left tackle or, at worst, a high end starting guard. Zabel has starting potential and at minimum offers depth across the entire offensive line.
Stewart and Walker have the potential to significantly upgrade the Bears defensive front, making them a formidable unit.
Lacy and Lachey should both carve out roles in Ben Johnson’s offense, while Moore has starting potential.
Neal and Harris could add valuable depth if they can make the 53 man roster.
It’s worth noting that the Bears could gain an extra third round pick should Ian Cunningham land the general manager position in Jacksonville.
The 2024/25 NFL season is in the books. There is still no three-peat champion in NFL history. A few quick thoughts as we embark upon the long, long march to the 2025/26 season…
Super Bowl LIX- I wish I had been more firm in my conviction that the Philadelphia Eagles were the team to dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs. I picked them, but I left a sliver of doubt because of KC’s legacy. Philly left no doubt on the field. This was as thorough a domination of a Super Bowl as we’ve ever seen.
The Eagles were superior at every level and every position. There wasn’t a single area in which they weren’t clearly the better team. Even the Chiefs collection of legendary championship stars: Mahomes, Kelce, Chris Jones looked pedestrian. KC’s vaunted coaching geniuses, Andy Reid & Steve Spagnuolo were thoroughly outclassed by Nick Sirianni, Kellen Moore and the real star of the Super Bowl, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Hell, even the maligned Eagles kicker, Jake Elliott, outshone the best clutch kicker in the game.
The only gripe I have, and it’s a minor one, is awarding the MVP to Jalen Hurts. Hurts was good, but Philly won this game because of an absolutely dominate defense. A defensive player should have gotten the nod. Any of Josh Sweat, Zack Baun or Cooper DeJean would have been a fine choice. Alas, this is an award that invariably goes to the star quarterback of the winning team and Jalen Hurts is worthy of recognition for his accomplishments.
Building a Champion- Howie Roseman deserves all the accolades he’s gotten for building the Eagles roster into the best in the NFL, but I think most people are paying more attention to the free agency moves and trades to acquire talent instead of the masterclass in drafting he’s displayed the last few years.
Going back to the 2021 draft, he was able to work out a deal with rival Cowboys, to jump the rival Giants and land DeVonta Smith. The price paid was minimal as well.
How about 2023? He again moved up to get his guy. Maybe he didn’t need to move up one spot for Jalen Carter. The Bears were obviously not interested (more on that later), but they were also obviously shopping the pick. Howie didn’t take the chance of another team jumping him and a fourth round pick is a small price to pay.
Last year’s draft might have been the best yet. I liked Quinyon Mitchell for the Eagles but thought they would have to move up for him. Howie stood pat and let Mitchell come to them. He then doubled down on corners by taking Cooper DeJean in the second round ( I had DeJean going in the first round). The Eagles collapse in 2023 was mainly because their secondary imploded down the stretch. In one draft, Howie Roseman remade it.
Going further, the Eagles and Chiefs met in the Super Bowl two short years ago. The Eagles entered this Super Bowl with an almost completely new defense. The 2022/23 Eagles defense was good, this 2024/25 Eagles defense is historically great. It wasn’t just Vic Fangio, it was Howie Roseman deftly remaking and retooling the defensive roster.
Jalen Carter- A lot of people on Bears social media continue to gripe about the Bears passing on Carter, and I get it. Carter looks like he may well be the next Aaron Donald. He’s dominant and just going to get better. I remember being disappointed when Donald went one pick ahead of the Bears in 2014, then watching him become the most dominant defensive player since Reggie White. I wanted Donald, and I’d love to have a guy like Carter.
The thing is, there’s no guarantee Carter would have become the player he is in Chicago. There were character red flags coming out of Georgia and I’m not alone in questioning his maturity.
He landed in Philadelphia, who had seasoned veterans like Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham to mentor him. Then he got a defensive mastermind in Vic Fangio to coach him up and unleash his potential.
Chicago had none of that. Carter’s natural, physical talent was undeniable, but we’ve seen many a physical talent flame out in this league when they don’t have the proper coaching and guidance. Maybe he would have excelled in Chicago, but my instinct says he would never have gotten to be as good as he already is in Philly. It was a risk a young, rebuilding team like the Bears couldn’t take.
Kellen Moore- The Saints have hired Moore as their next head coach, thereby completing the 2025 coaching cycle. The Saints job was perhaps the least desirable of the seven available. New Orleans continues to be in cap hell because of years of kicking the can down the road. They’ve got a mix of aging veterans and young talent with holes at every level of their roster. This is not a quick rebuild, but one that could take years.
Still, they did well landing Moore. He just won a Super Bowl by building an offense around the strength of the players at his disposal. I said a couple weeks ago that a possible Moore hire would garner a B grade from me, I’ll up that to a B+. It’s a solid hire for the Saints.
Here’s my rankings of the new head coaches heading into 2025:
Quarterback Carousel- Free Agency will be very interesting, as always, but perhaps more so this year. There are eight teams with decisions to make at quarterback, with two more lurking as possibilities. How things shake out will go a long way in determining how the draft will go.
Speaking of the draft, it’s a down year for quarterbacks. I think only 2 will go in the first round, and neither would have cracked the first round last year.
Here’s the starting caliber quarterbacks that I think could be available via free agency or a trade:
There’s also some veterans that are better suited to be backups that could land a starting role as a bridge QB. Those include Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Gardner Minshew & Mac Jones.
Now, here’s the teams that I think are in play for a QB:
The Falcons aren’t in the quarterback market but they do have to decide what to do with Cousins. The 49ers need to extend Purdy, which could have repercussions throughout the league.
Free Agency- Teams have until March 12 to re-sign or tag their own players, so right now it’s pure speculation on who might be available. That being said, here’s my wishlist for the Chicago Bears:
I wanted to write a longer, more detailed analysis of the upcoming Super Bowl, but unfortunately I’ve been stricken with a seasonal virus. So, this the condensed version.
On paper, everything tells me the Eagles should win this. They came so close two years ago and they’re actually a much better team this time around. The defense is dominant and Saquon Barkley may well be the X factor.
The problem is the team on the other side is full of X factors. Andy Reid & Steve Spagnuolo have a long track record of making the right decisions in the biggest moments. Mahomes has made a career of being clutch. Kelce always seems to raise his game on the biggest stages.
As I look at this matchup, on paper I think Philly has the advantage, factor in the intangibles and KC pulls even. Go one step further, and kicker Harrison Butker is why I think the Chiefs are slight favorites.
If I had to put money on it, I’d follow my own advice of never betting against Mahomes and Reid. But, there’s no money involved so I’m going to follow my gut. This is Philly, and more importantly, Saquon Barkley’s year.
Give me the Eagles (+1.5).
Philadelphia 33
Kansas City 24
Super Bowl LIX MVP- Saquon Barkley
My first mock draft of 2025. The top 30 positions are set with only Philadelphia and Kansas City’s yet to be determined. Mock drafts prior to the combine and free agency are really just a guessing game, but it helps to get started learning these players early.
Seven teams will have new head coaches in 2025, including my beloved Chicago Bears. Here’s some quick thoughts on the six coaches that have been hired, and the one opening still remaining.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Robert Kraft did Jerod Mayo dirty and made a mockery of the Rooney Rule, but the hiring of former Titan’s head coach and Patriots legend, Mike Vrabel, is a home run.
While I don’t believe Vrabel was a perfect fit for every job opening (more on that in a bit), he is probably perfect for New England. Former head coach, Jerod Mayo, famously called his team soft during the 2024 season. That will not be an issue under Mike Vrabel. Vrabel will make the Patriots a tougher football team.
I’m not as sure about bringing back offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels to help further Drake Maye’s development. McDaniels has been an abysmal failure as a coach when not paired with Tom Brady. Brady is the GOAT and he’s more responsible for McDaniels’ success than the other way around.
Overall, I give the Patriots hiring of Mike Vrabel an A, even if I don’t respect the process they took to get there.
CHICAGO BEARS- This move should have come a year ago. Everyone outside of the Bears top brass questioned the wisdom of pairing of a first overall picked quarterback with a defensive minded coach who had left a lot to be desired in his two years at the helm.
The Bears exacerbated the issue by letting Matt Eberflus choose the offensive coordinator who would be tasked with Caleb Williams’ development. Like every other decision made during his short tenure, Eberflus chose wrong.
Ben Johnson was the most sought after coach alongside Mike Vrabel. Rumors have it that he wanted the Bears job last year, but Chicago retained Eberflus. We’re lucky, as Bears fans, that Caleb Williams still held the allure for Johnson a year later.
Every team with a young franchise caliber quarterback wants to find their own Sean McVay or Sean Payton. I can’t say with absolute certainty that Ben Johnson is that, but he was easily the best candidate for that mantle available.
The Bears, for once, deserve a lot of credit for landing the big fish. They targeted Johnson early and when he became available to hire, they wasted no time.
I give this hire an A+. After a monumentally disappointing season, the hiring of Ben Johnson has revived my hopes in the Bears future.
NEW YORK JETS- Aaron Glenn played for the Jets and he was probably the top first time head coaching candidate from the defensive side of the ball. Glenn did amazing work with Detroit’s banged up defense until they ran out of gas against Washington.
I like Glenn and I think he’s deserving of a head coaching position, I just feel like the Jets have taken this road before. The Jets still have the same issues; a meddling owner and a forty something quarterback whose best days are far, far behind him.
I’ll grade the hiring of Glenn as a solid B, with the caveat that Glenn has a tall task in front of him. At least the Jets paired him with a familiar face at GM, who hopefully will be on the same page.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- I never bought the notion that Vegas was a realistic option for Ben Johnson. The fact that none of the other available top offensive minds ever considered the Raiders confirms my view.
The Raiders need an NFL caliber starting QB and they have no real viable path to landing one this year. The Raiders are also in dire need of a culture change, but that is more on ownership than any coach they could have hired.
If Tom Brady can instill patience in Raiders ownership and Pete Carroll has the juice, at 73 years old, to see through what will not be a quick rebuild, this hiring will be great. Carroll knows how to build a winning culture. Until those questions are answered, however, I’ll give this grade a B.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Jacksonville botched this from the start. The Jaguars’ ownership are the only people in the known universe that didn’t realize how despised former GM Trent Baalke was.
Had they parted ways with Baalke at the same time they fired Doug Pedersen, they might have been able to land Ben Johnson. I still think Chicago offered the better situation, but the chance to handpick his own GM might have been enough for Johnson to pick Jacksonville.
Liam Coen deserves his own share of criticism here. After pulling out of consideration, presumably because of Baalke, and agreeing to an extension with Tampa Bay, Coen childishly ghosted the Bucs after Baalke was let go while he worked out a deal with Jacksonville.
Coen may end up as a decent head coach, but the whole situation was ugly for all involved, because of that I can only give it C- grade.
DALLAS COWBOYS- This one makes sense only in the mind of Jerry Jones. Moving on from Mike McCarthy is one thing, but elevating his former offensive coordinator, who didn’t even call plays, is just downright insane. Philadelphia OC, Kellen Moore, was reportedly interested in returning to Dallas and the Cowboys didn’t even wait to get an in person interview with him.
Brian Schottenheimer has a good pedigree, but he has the look of nothing more than a yes man for Jerry Jones. The Cowboys championship window might not have been opened very wide with McCarthy, but it’s completely closed now. Those high priced stars will soon realize this, if they haven’t already.
I’m grading this hire as a D, only because I don’t feel like being mean enough to hand out an F.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- This is the only head coaching opening yet to be filled. The Saints have their perennial salary cap issues, a serviceable but uninspiring QB and holes on both sides of the ball. No matter who gets the job, it may be a couple years of treading water before they’re actually a viable contender.
My instincts tell me Kellen Moore is the favorite for the job. New Orleans seems to be waiting on the chance to interview him in person. If it doesn’t work out with Moore, I think Mike McCarthy is the fall back.
I’d grade Kellen Moore a B hire. Mike McCarthy would be a B-.
When I started writing this blog a decade ago, I just wrote whatever came to mind. I posted a lot of political writings, some very divisive political writings. Starting today, that changes.
From this point forward, Nickels and Dimes blog will be exclusively about sports, mostly the NFL and the Chicago Bears specifically. I’ll do my mock drafts, which have become one of this blog’s staples, as well as sharing thoughts on news and happenings in the world of sports.
While the main focus of this blog will be the National Football League, I’ll occasionally delve into Major League Baseball, the NBA, college football and basketball and even golf. Don’t be surprised if at some point I write about hockey, auto racing or the Olympics, but mainly this will be dedicated to professional football.
I’ve scrubbed my archives of all non sports related posts, leaving up my past sports themed posts (I enjoy going back to see my predictions). I thought about changing the name of my blog, but Nickels and Dimes is actually perfect for football.
I’ll start later this week with my thoughts on the recent coaching changes and predictions for the upcoming Super Bowl.
Thanks for reading.
MY TOP FIVE DRAFT CLASSES:
1. PITTSBURGH STEELERS
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
3. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
4. CHICAGO BEARS
5. LOS ANGELES RAMS
MY BOTTOM FIVE DRAFT CLASSES:
32. ATLANTA FALCONS
31. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
30. DENVER BRONCOS
29. TENNESSEE TITANS
28. MIAMI DOLPHINS
DAY TWO QUICK REACTIONS
ARIZONA CARDINALS
ATLANTA FALCONS
BALTIMORE RAVENS
BUFFALO BILLS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
CHICAGO BEARS
CINCINNATI BENGALS
CLEVELAND BROWNS
DALLAS COWBOYS
DENVER BRONCOS
DETROIT LIONS
GREEN BAY PACKERS
HOUSTON TEXANS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
LOS ANGELES RAMS
MIAMI DOLPHINS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Day 1 Grade: B
Day 2 Grade: N/A
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
NEW YORK GIANTS
NEW YORK JETS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
TENNESSEE TITANS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
DAY THREE MOCK DRAFT
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Nickels and Dimes 