Although there’s chatter that Manning could stick around for one more year with the Longhorns, it would be an unprecedented move if he were to return to school if he’s projected to be the top pick come the end of the 2025 season.
A year after drafting Abdul Carter with the No. 3 pick, the Giants dip right back into the EDGE market and take Parker, who’s solidified himself as the top pass rusher in the class. Giants’ EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux has a team option for the 2026 season and would likely command a big contract — the addition of Parker is much cheaper, and it infuses more youth into that position in New York.
Despite adding Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round in 2025, the Browns are headed for a season mired in uncertainty at the game’s most important position, with five passers currently on the roster. Once again expected to have a top pick, Klubnik could shore up Cleveland’s QB woes, as he’ll have been in the limelight as Clemson’s signal-caller for three full seasons and has performed extremely well at the college level.
From the beginning, QB Justin Fields’ two-year contract wasn’t viewed as a long-term solution for the Jets. After landing the fourth pick, Sellers is the third QB taken in the draft and represents a similar type of player to Fields, albeit not nearly as fast. He needs to show improvement in refining his mechanics, but he’s a guy who has a very high ceiling, and that’s what New York is set to bank on.
After taking their franchise QB in Cam Ward with the first overall pick in 2025, the Titans shore up their porous offensive line by taking the best tackle the draft. Mauigoa is massive, standing 6’6″, 315 pounds and could be Ward’s protector for the long run.
Widely regarded as one of the best players in college football for the past two seasons, Downs joins the Panthers in defending a suddenly high-level QB division. With Manning, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield, and Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., Carolina could greatly benefit from a rangy, aggressive player in the middle of the field.
Star DT Christian Wilkins already has injury concerns heading into the 2025 season and the Raiders aim to replace him with the explosive Woods. Wilkins and Woods have a very similar body type and could play next to each other for a season before the Clemson DT takes over next to EDGE Maxx Crosby for the future.
Using the Jaguars’ first-rounder gained in the Travis Hunter trade, the Browns take their first step in protecting Klubnik by adding Fano.
Uiagalelei has all the tools to become a top-tier pass rusher in the NFL and New England badly need a difference-maker at that position. Head coach Mike Vrabel knows the importance of a pass rush and grabs the Oregon EDGE here, who’s as physically imposing as it gets at 6’5″, 270 pounds.
While the cupboard isn’t completely bare at wide receiver for the Colts, their pass-catchers have repeatedly disappointed in recent years. The speedster Williams is projected as the top WR in the dr,aft and he finds a home here. It’s not inconceivable for Indianapolis to take a QB, but I’m betting on Anthony Richardson showing promise and the organization giving him one more go-round.
