I thought the Commanders took their medicine in Round 1 by drafting an offensive lineman to further the development of Jayden Daniels, allowing them to pounce on CB Trey Amos, a physically impressive player out of Ole Miss who many had a first-round grade on. His versatility makes him a player who can fit in schemes, not one who has to have something built around what he does well. Washington was our 17th-rated defense a season ago and was a unit that improved with time. Amos gives this team a good chance to continue that upward trajectory and maybe push for an NFC East crown in 2025.
Round 1, Pick 6
Ashton Jeanty, RB | Boise State
Grade: A
Drafting a running back this early would usually have detractors, but Ashton Jeanty is different. Jeanty drew comparisons to a modern-day Barry Sanders, and his production in 2024 followed suit. Jeanty’s level of competition could be scrutinized, but he has the profile to be just as impactful in the NFL, especially with a Raiders offensive line that was trending up last year. At 5’8” and almost 220 pounds, Jeanty has an enthralling mix of contact balance, lower-body density, explosiveness, agility, flexibility, and creative IQ. On top of his running ability, he’s also a versatile and well-versed receiver, and he holds legitimate third-down value. On one hand, the Raiders could’ve selected Armand Membou and forged an elite offensive line, but young pieces such as Jordan Meredith and DJ Glaze showed promise last year, and Jeanty’s creative ability can elevate the unit in front of him.
Round 1, Pick 31
Jihaad Campbell, LB | Alabama
Grade: A
Edge, safety, and cornerback are still needs, but Jihaad Campbell’s value simply couldn’t be passed up. Campbell won’t be available immediately due to a torn labrum, for which he underwent surgery after the NFL Combine. But the Eagles have the time and the infrastructure to be patient with his return, and once he’s fully available, he and Zack Baun will comprise perhaps the deadliest LB duo in the league. At 6’3”, 235 pounds, Campbell has truly unmatched potential. He’s a former EDGE recruit with elite burst and bend in the pass-rushing phase. He’s a high-level coverage defender with the range and hip-leverage IQ to drop in zone and the quickness and fluidity to man up TEs and big-slot WRs. And if he can improve his play strength and take-on technique in run defense, it’ll be all he needs to reach his astronomical ceiling. He’s an X-factor in every sense of the word.
The Miami Dolphins are valued at $6.76 billion, reflecting a remarkable 29% increase in valuation. Owned by Stephen Ross, the Dolphins are renowned for completing the NFL's only perfect season, which included victories in Super Bowls VII (1972) and VIII (1973).
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner is a lock to have his option picked up, but given that he’s extension-eligible, it’s also possible he gets his mega-deal as well. The issue is that the Texans beat the Jets to the punch by extending Derek Stingley Jr. Stingley is now making $30 million per year with an average of $16 million guaranteed per year. Gardner has a claim to earn the same contract as Stingley. Although Stingley has allowed fewer yards per target, Gardner has had better availability and suppressed targets more than Stingley. The Jets have plenty of cap space to spare in future years, so an extension should happen for Gardner at some point. The only question is whether New York will get the deal done now or wait and see the price tag rise higher.
The San Francisco 49ers are now valued at $6.86 billion, an 11% increase from last year. Owned by Denise York and John York, the franchise has won five Super Bowl titles (XVI, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, and XXIX).
The New England Patriots are valued at $7.31 billion, representing a 9% increase in their valuation. Owned by Robert Kraft since 1994, the Patriots have become a modern NFL dynasty, winning six Super Bowl championships (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XLIX, LI, and LIII) under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.
The New York Giants are valued at $7.65 billion, reflecting a 9% increase from last year. Co-owned by John Mara and Steve Tisch, the Giants have a storied history dating back to 1925. The franchise has won four Super Bowls (XXI, XXV, XLII, and XLVI).
The Los Angeles Rams haven’t picked a first-round defensive back since 2006, when they took Tye Hill at No. 15 overall. To be fair, the Rams made no first-round picks from 2017-23, so their first-round drought doesn’t encompass as many picks. Still, the Rams haven’t even taken a DB in the first two rounds since 2019, when they drafted safety Taylor Rapp in the second. Based on their current roster composition, that trend should change. Los Angeles needs defensive help after ranking 24th in PFSN’s Defense+ metric last season. Conversely, the Rams are currently set to run back last year’s starting secondary with no changes. That feels like an untenable outcome, and a pick on a corner like Texas’ Jahdae Barron at No. 26 overall could make for a strong fit in Los Angeles’ zone-heavy coverage scheme.
The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season unraveled after Dak Prescott’s injury, but even when healthy, this team had some major flaws. Dallas had the worst red zone defense since the 2021 Raiders, allowing opponents to score touchdowns on 75% of trips inside the 20-yard line. No playoff team last season had a red zone defense worse than 64%, so if Dallas doesn’t improve in this area, even a healthy Prescott won’t be enough to push them into the top half of the rankings. Losing DeMarcus Lawrence to Seattle is another huge blow. His departure caps the defense’s upside.
