It's the holiday season and the playoff race is in full tilt -- as is the race for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Each week through the end of the NFL regular season, we'll take a glance at how the top 10 might fall. With the Raiders and Giants currently atop the board after Week 14, what's that mean for the early picks? Let's take a look.
We start with the self-described "worst team" in football. The Raiders have been kicking the QB can for way too long, and with this year firmly off the rails, it seems as if the draft order might actually cooperate.
Do I think Sanders is the best player in America? No. Neither he nor Miami's Cam Ward would rank in my top 20. I think each is worthy of a first-round pick in this particular class, but you'd have to be desperate and armed with a great plan to take either in the top five. We know the Raiders are desperate -- we'll see if they have a plan.
Part of me believes Ward is the better long-range prospect, but Sanders is more ready to start a game right away, if need be. The latter's confidence, name and swagger wouldn't hurt in Vegas, either.
Same rules apply as above: The team drafting Ward early in the first round has to have a plan in place.
Let's not rule out that Ward will be ready to start by next September. It's definitely possible, as he's made major developmental strides every season. Same time, even after five years in college, he still has many habits in need of breaking -- which is going to take time and patience.
If the Giants draft Ward with a lame-duck coach and GM fighting for their respective jobs, then wind up forcing Ward into the fray before he's ready, this would be a mess. If they draft Ward and surround him with a real long-term strategy, incorporating people who are going to be there, then it would have a chance.
Landing at No. 3 could be a great scenario for New England, one of the only teams toward the top of the current draft order that can confidently say it doesn't need a quarterback. There should be at least some trade value for Hunter, the best player in the draft, especially if he's still available here.
New England also could just take Hunter and make him Drake Maye's new best friend. The Patriots could use help on defense, too, so Hunter's addition would be a win-win. The Heisman favorite likely will have to settle into a home on one side of the ball, even if he's going to attempt playing both ways at the next level. But going to a team that needs a little bit of everything Hunter can do makes sense.
A lot of people around Penn State's program spent last year explaining how former edge Chop Robinson reminded them of Micah Parsons. And the Nittany Lions did have a prospect last year comparable to Parsons -- but it was Carter, not Robinson.
While it's been more flash than consistent substance this season, Carter has improved weekly as a full-time edge rusher and has shown off his insane blend of power and burst every time he's played. The Big Ten title game against Oregon was no exception. His numbers in the box score won't impress a lot of people, but his athletic testing could make money as a streaming event.
Carter is a top-five talent who hasn't come close to his best football yet. He could be a long-term answer for Carolina on the edge -- and anywhere else up front.
With Trevor Lawrence done for the season with a concussion, it's pretty clear the Jaguars need offensive line help. Not just at tackle, either -- they need an upgrade at guard, possibly even at center. There's a chance Campbell could play any of those positions at the next level, and it'll be interesting to see where he winds up.
A three-year starting left tackle in college, Campbell's lack of length will turn off some scouts. Not unlike current Chargers lineman Rashawn Slater, though, Campbell's athleticism is good enough to play inside or out. His football IQ is advanced, and he plays like a man with solutions to all problems. He could be a major tone-setter for the Jags.
One of my favorite football players in the draft, regardless of position, Walker is a more polished but a bit less freaky version of Carter -- he's another player who plays a bit like Parsons. A terrific athlete in his own right, Walker could add value to an NFL roster as an edge or a stack linebacker with a relentless motor.
The Titans could go a few different ways here. Depending on who declares for the draft (and who doesn't) in the coming weeks, QB probably shouldn't be ruled out one way or another. This feels too high for OT2, though, and we're not attempting any trades. Bottom line: The Titans need a lot, most important on the list being someone who can help set a culture.
It's hard to project what the Jets' biggest needs will be moving forward, because we don't know whom Woody Johnson is going to hire to run his team next. New York has to find a new direction at QB, post-Aaron Rodgers (whenever that time comes), and there are still needs on defense.
But the Jets also could add the best receiver in the draft here. McMillan would be able to make it work with any quarterback as a big-play threat or just a down-to-down possession player.
This somehow feels too low for Graham, who just declared for the draft Tuesday. Tennessee could justify selecting him at No. 6; Carolina might be able to the same at No. 4. Graham is the most destructive interior defensive presence in this draft and, as he showed some at Michigan this year, he can widen out and rush the edge in odd-front situations.
Every ounce of Graham's body comes with power and twitch. He's incredibly tough to knock over (or move in general), and he plays football the way we'd imagine an actual bear might. He's that kind of guy.
The Bears probably would prefer Graham here, if we're being honest, as their bigger defensive need up front right now might be inside. However, Williams is arguably the most athletic big man in this draft and versatile enough to wear a few hats. He's not going to be an over-the-ball run stuffer, but he absolutely can add pass-rush pop over a guard, if need be, while he continues to grow as a long, quick, explosive edge with limitless potential.
Williams has to stay healthy and on the field. If he has a big College Football Playoff run for Georgia in the coming weeks, we could be talking about him in the top five.
This still feels too early for OT2, at least in this class, and that's even if Kelvin Banks Jr. potentially could help New Orleans fill a need at guard. Michigan CB Will Johnson would fill a need for the Saints, too -- though Johnson, who missed most of his junior year with various injuries, could slide in Round 1.
Pearce is another player with an opportunity to make money for himself in the upcoming Playoff. How players perform against the best of the best goes a lot further than anything else they've done, fair or not.
Pearce is going to be a little light for some teams, but his gas off the edge is undeniable.