NFL
Carolina Respect
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2025 NFL season coming off a mediocre 7-9 season and panthers fans seem to be filled with disappointment from recent failures, yet excited with a positive outlook in hopes they can change things around with what the team has done this offseason.
Since 2017, they’d stumbled through coaching swaps, heartbreaking finishes, and morale‑sapping losses, but as spring arrived in Charlotte, there was an unmistakable shift: young voices building chemistry on the practice fields, defensive reinforcements arriving in waves, and a confident quarterback ready to prove he belongs.
Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick back in 2023, now stands at the heart of this team. Year 3 isn’t just another chapter, it’s pivotal to the confidence of Young and this Panthers’ team.
After a sophomore year that saw flashes of brilliance towards the end with three straight weeks of 20+ fantasy points and some late‑season magic—Young earned another opportunity at getting the starting job back.
Front office whispers have now confirmed young would be their guy going forward and that there would be no QB controversy in 2025.
Still despite the growth from Young, most have to believe the 2025 season is the make-or-break year for him. If he doesn’t perform this year, I think the Panthers may have to once again become a team back on the market for a new starting quarterback.
The offense the Panthers have constructed around him is very compelling. The front office added a plethora of new playmakers like Tetairoa McMillan, who they drafted in Round 1 of this past draft.
McMillan is believed to be a go‑to receiving target for Young right out of the gate. I’m excited to see how McMillan and Xavier Legette are going to pair up together and if they challenge each other to work harder for that #1 spot.
They also grabbed former Colorado Buffalo, Jimmy Horn Jr in the 6th round and signed former Las Vegas Raider Hunter Renfrow.
In the backfield they added Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne for some quality extra depth behind starter Chuba Hubbard .
Switching over to the defensive side of the ball, they had a tragic story of their own. The Panthers defense had a disastrous 2024 season, surrendering 534 points over the season, which was bad enough to put them as the worst in the NFL.
So, the Panthers went in and added some much needed muscle and skill to their defensive unit.
They brought in Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III to fill up the interior of the D-Line, Patrick Jones II and rookie edge rusher Nic Scourton to bring some pressure off the edge, and brought in safety Tre’von Moehrig
They were able to extend Jaycee Horn with a four-year $100 Million contract, which made him the highest paid defensive back in NFL history, while Mike Jackson also earned a contract extension of his own.
Even though they have these two guys locked down for some time now, there are still some voices out there saying their cornerback depth is still too “thin” especially in the nickel and strong safety spots.
But on a more positive note, Sharp Football Analysis ranked the Panthers 2025 schedule as the 7th easier in the entire NFL. So maybe they can take advantage of the lack of difficult opponents and try to get some early season momentum started up.
Now with the preseason quickly approaching, the story almost feels cinematic.
They had a young promising QB with a statement to make, along with some new weapons to help him, a defense that was eager to shake off its embarrassment from last season, and a schedule that leaves fans to have a more optimistic outlook.
It seems like for this 2025 Panthers squad it isn’t just about the statistics but about getting redemption and giving the Carolina faithful with what they’ve been waiting for.
When September 7 comes around and the Panthers take a trip down to Jacksonville for the season opener, I’m sure you can expect to see eager Panthers fans lined up to see how this 2025 season will kick off.
They’re not there chanting for a Super Bowl banner, they just want to see stability, and competitive games to give them real hope at their first winning season since 2017.
Swash-Buc-Ling
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for their 50th season in the NFL, there’s more than nostalgia in the air—there’s anticipation.
Following a 2024 campaign that saw them clinch their third straight NFC South title, the Bucs are eyeing another playoff push behind a retooled roster, a familiar core, and one of the most intriguing schedules in the league.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield enters the season with a renewed contract and growing confidence as the leader of Tampa Bay’s offense. Last season, Mayfield silenced critics after a 10-win season and a playoff victory.
He returns with trusted weapons in wideouts Mike Evans—still among the league’s elite—and Chris Godwin, while dynamic second-year back Bucky Irving is poised to become a focal point in both running and passing.
Evans, chasing his 12th straight 1,000-yard season, could tie Jerry Rice for the most in NFL history— one of the many potential milestones in this golden-anniversary campaign.
The Bucs stayed busy in the offseason, aiming to solidify a defense that was inconsistent in 2024.
The headliner additions include linebacker Haason Reddick and rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who are expected to boost the Buc’s pass rushing and secondary coverage.
On offense, Tampa drafted wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, giving Mayfield another explosive option.
One big change: offensive coordinator Liam Coen departed for a head coaching job and his replacement, Dave Canales, returns to Tampa after a stint in Seattle.
Canales’ history with Mayfield from 2022 in Carolina could help smooth his transition.
The Bucs’ 2025 schedule is balanced in terms of home and road games with a challenging midseason stretch that will define their season.
They open on the road against division rival Atlanta—a team with a new quarterback and playoff ambitions—followed by a Monday Night Football clash with the Houston Texans in Week 2.
The first big test comes in Weeks 4 through 7, when Tampa faces the Eagles, Seahawks, 49ers, and Lions—all playoff teams in 2024. This brutal gauntlet will test the depth and resilience of the roster.
Back-to-back road games late in the year at Buffalo and Los Angeles, followed by a short-week Thursday night matchup at home against the Falcons, make for a tricky stretch in Weeks 11–13. Fortunately, the Bucs enjoy a Week 9 bye that lands perfectly in the middle of the season, allowing recovery and strategic recalibration.
The NFC South remains wide open. The Saints, Falcons, and Panthers all made moves to improve in the offseason. The Bucs’ path to another division crown will hinge on winning these three key matchups. They face all three rivals at least once in the season’s final six weeks, including a season finale at home against Carolina that may carry major playoff implications.
Tampa Bay is scheduled for multiple prime-time games, including a Monday night at Detroit and a Thursday night against the Falcons. These nationally televised games reflect the team’s rising reputation and offer a chance to showcase their stars to a broader national audience.
With nine to ten wins projected by most analysts, the Bucs are considered slight favorites in the NFC South. But if their offense gels under Canales, and the revamped defense can create turnovers- this team has the pieces to make a deeper postseason run.
As the Bucs celebrate their 50th year in the league, expectations are high. With Mayfield entrenched as the leader, Evans chasing history, and a hungry defense, the 2025 season promises fireworks in Tampa Bay.
If they survive the midseason and maintain divisional dominance, a fourth straight playoff appearance (possibly more) could cap off this golden anniversary in fitting fashion.
Who-Dat
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The New Orleans Saints head into the 2025 season hoping to turn the page after a rough 5-12 finish last year.
The “Who Dats” had their worst record since 2005, and their first time at the bottom of the NFC South since 2008.
With that in the rearview, the franchise is kicking off a new chapter under former Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who takes over as head coach after Dennis Allen was let go midway through last season.
Moore steps into a situation full of question marks. The Saints actually started 2024 hot, going 2-0 while putting up over 40 points in both games, but things quickly unraveled with a seven-game skid.
Quarterback Derek Carr showed some progress in his second year but missed seven games with injuries and decided to retire this offseason.
Rookie Spencer Rattler didn’t do much to steady the ship, and the team turned around and spent a second-round pick on Tyler Shough, a talented but injury-prone QB out of Louisville who will have a shot to start Week 1.
Alvin Kamara is still the focal point on offense, but he’s heading into his ninth season and starting to show signs of wear, even if his efficiency ticked up slightly.
The Saints added rookie Devin Neal and veteran Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the backfield, though neither seems like a long-term answer.
Chris Olave, who missed half the season with concussions, is still the go-to receiver. They added some veteran help with Brandin Cooks and Donovan Peoples-Jones, and tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau are back to give the passing game some stability.
Taysom Hill, meanwhile, is recovering from a torn ACL and turns 35 this year, so it’s unclear how much more he can give in his trademark utility role.
The offensive line was a big problem last year. With Ryan Ramczyk now retired, first-round pick Kelvin Banks Jr. will have to step into a key role right away. Erik McCoy is back at center and still a bright spot, but the rest of the line is a patchwork with injury concerns and question marks. Former Charger Will Clapp moves to left guard, and Banks is going to be tested from the start
Defensively, things can only improve. The Saints were 30th in total defense, and near the bottom against the run.
Cameron Jordan is clearly past his prime, and while Bryan Bresee (7.5 sacks) and Chase Young (5.5 sacks) had moments, the team still doesn’t have a true difference-maker off the edge. Demario Davis continues to produce, but at 36, he can’t be counted on forever.
At linebacker, Pete Werner continues to be a steady presence and rookie Danny Stutsman brings size, but needs improvement in pass coverage.
The secondary took some serious hits with the exits of Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Kool-Aid McKinstry, a promising pick from 2024, and Alontae Taylor are the likely starters at corner, but there’s not much depth behind them.
Safety help comes in the form of veterans Justin Reid and Terrell Burgess, plus rookie Jonas Sanker, who’s smart but not the most athletic.
The Saints have one of the weakest strengths of schedule for 2025, and they have new leadership in place, so maybe there’s a chance for some improvement.
Major questions remain, especially at QB, on the offensive line, and in the pass rush.
Kellen Moore’s first season feels more like a building year than a playoff push. At this point, New Orleans looks closer to competing for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft than challenging for the NFC South crown.
As much as it pains this Saints fan to say it, 5-12 may be the best New Orleans can hope for.
Falcons to Thrive in 2025?
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 season is shaping up to be a turning point for the Atlanta Falcons.
There’s a new energy around the team, thanks to a mix of fresh talent, major roster shakeups, and a schedule full of primetime matchups. One name already making headlines is rookie linebacker Jalon Walker. He has the makings of a superstar.
Walker, a former Georgia Bulldog and Butkus Award winner, was a first-round pick this year and already has big expectations on his shoulders.
He made a name for himself in Athens with a monster 2024 season, and now he’s bringing that fire to the NFL, hoping to spark a new era for Atlanta’s defense.
And speaking of Bulldogs, one of the biggest games on the Falcons’ upcoming schedule will have a full-circle moment for Georgia fans.
The Falcons will face the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football, and that means Walker will go head-to-head with Rams quarterback, and fellow Bulldog legend, Matthew Stafford.
Stafford was the No. 1 overall pick back in 2009 and is still one of the most respected QBs in the league. It’ll be the first time these two Bulldogs share the field, and it’s happening right back in Georgia.
But that’s just one of several big-time games on Atlanta’s radar. The Falcons are set to appear in five primetime games this season, which shows the league sees them as a team worth watching.
They’ll host the Bills and Rams on Monday Night Football, hit the road to take on the Vikings and 49ers on Sunday Night Football, and battle the Bucs on Thursday Night Football.
Oh, and don’t forget, the Birds are heading to Berlin in Week 10 to play the Colts in the NFL’s first-ever game in the German capital.
Last year, the Falcons went 3-2 under the lights, picking up wins against the Eagles, Raiders, and Bucs. They handled the spotlight relatively well last season, and they’ll get plenty more chances to show that they belong in primetime this year.
Of course, the team isn’t without its challenges. Grady Jarrett, a longtime anchor on the defensive line, is no longer with the team and his absence leaves some big shoes to fill.
That’s where Walker, fellow rookie James Pearce, and hopefully a few veteran additions come into play. There’s even talk that Atlanta could bring in someone like Jadeveon Clowney to help solidify the front seven.
And then there’s the quarterback situation. It appears Michael Penix Jr. is firmly entrenched as the starter, but it’s going to be fascinating to see if the Falcons hold on to Kirk Cousins, who would potentially be the highest paid backup quarterback in league history if some other team doesn’t try to pry him away.
Would Atlanta consider dealing him to a conference rival after the news that Derek Carr is retiring and the New Orleans Saints are left with only rookie Tyler Shough and the unproven Spencer Rattler?
Still, there’s plenty to be excited about. Drake London is blossoming into a star, the defense is getting younger and faster, and the schedule is packed with marquee matchups. It won’t be easy, but the Falcons are clearly aiming to build something sustainable.
The success of the Falcons will depend on how the pieces come together, but with so many eyes on Atlanta in 2025, fans won’t have to wait long to find out if this team is ready to “Rise Up”, or if they struggle to fly from the nest.
Either way, it should be a wild ride.
On To Duval
By: Cameron Miller
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 NFL Draft has come to an end, so let’s take a look at how the Jacksonville Jaguars come out of the Draft with an NFL.com grade of A-.
The Jaguars and new GM James Gladstone began the draft with a bang right out of the gate, by trading up from Round 1 Pick 5, to get Round 1 Pick 2.
The Jaguars traded the Cleveland Browns, Pick No 5 in 2025, 2025 Pick No. 36, 2025 Pick No. 126, and a 2026 1st Round Pick, and in exchange they got back 2025 Pick No. 2 (Travis Hunter), 2025 Pick No. 104 (Bhayshul Tuten), and 2025 Pick No. 200 (Rayuan Lane III).
As a Die-Hard Jaguars fan I am beyond pleased with the outcome of this year’s draft.
Starting out with the most notable selection is Round 1 Pick 2 Colorado WR/DB Travis Hunter.
Hunter was the No. 1 Recruit in the Nation out of High School. In his 2024 season he was able to obtain a mountain of Awards and Accolades such as the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year, winning the Biletnikoff Award (Best WR) and Chuck Bednarik Award (Top Defender), the Lott IMPACT Trophy (Top Defensive Player who exhibits Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity), being named Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, winning the Paul Hornung (Most Versatile Player), all while also being named Big 12 Player of the Year, 1st-Team All-Big 12 WR, 1st-Team All-Big 12 CB, 1st-Team Associated Press All-American All-Purpose & CB, 2nd-Team Associated Press All-American WR.
Hunter tallied up a ridiculous stat line for the 2024 season. On Offense he caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards, and 16 total touchdowns. On Defense he had 35 Tackles, 1 FF, 4 INTs, 11 PBUs, only allowed 23 Catches and 1 TD on 41 Targets.
Although he has shown if he had chosen one position in the draft he probably would have been WR1 or CB1 the Jaguars have recently announced that Hunter will start out on the offensive side of the ball and gradually work into defense.
Next is Round 3 Pick 88 Caleb Ransaw, a DB from Tulane who could potentially become a starter for the Jaguars at slot corner at some point this season. Ransaw finished his 2024 season with 34 Tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 Sack, 3 PBUs, which was enough for him to be named 2024 3rd-Team All-American Athletic Conference
With their third selection they drafted the West Virginia OT Wyatt Milum at Round 3 Pick 89. Milum was named 2024 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also was 1st-Team All-Big 12, and 2nd-Team Associated Press All-American. Fun fact about Wyatt is he was Originally committed to pitch as a lefty for the University of Marshall Baseball Team, before he switched and became a 4-year starter for West Virginia’s Football Team
Their next selection came in Round 4 where they drafted Virginia Tech HB Bhayshul Tuten with Pick 104. Tuten could definitely see some work early on in the season especially on special teams and maybe even see him come in on some early down formations.
In 2024 he rushed for 1,159 yards on 183 carries and punched in 15 touchdowns. That was good enough for him to make 2nd-Team All-ACC for the second year in a row.
Next pick was Round 4 Pick 107 where they selected Jack Kiser, the linebacker from Notre Dame. Throughout his time at Notre Dame, he played in 70 total games which was enough for him to set the school record for most games played.
In 2024 Kiser had 90 Tackles, 5 TFLs, 2 Sacks, 1 PBU, and 2 FFs. He was named the Notre Dame Man of the Year and was a Finalist for the William V. Campbell and Wuerffel Trophies.
In Round 6 they got one of the biggest steals of the draft, with pick 194 they drafted Auburn linebacker Jalen Mcleod.
In 2024 he had 13.5 TFLs, 8 Sacks, 2 FFs, 57 Tackles, and 1 PBU. Even though he was a late round pick, with the physicality and speed of Mcleod at the strongside linebacker position I really believe the Jags got a player who could potentially come in and have an immediate impact, especially with the consistent injury history of starter Ventrell Miller.
The Jags used their Round 6 Pick they acquired in the Browns trade to get Navy Safety Rayuan Lane III at No. 200.
In 2024 he had 3 FFs, 70 Tackles, 2 INTs (1 Returned for a TD), and 4 PBUs, and made 1st-Team All-American Athletic Conference
In Round 7 they also had 2 picks, pick 221, which they used to get USC OL Jonah Monheim.
Monheim was a very versatile Offensive Lineman throughout his tenure in college, he played 18 games at RT, 3 games at RG, 12 at LT, and 12 at C. His senior year he earned 3rd-Team All-Big Ten Honors.
Even though he is now primarily a center, it seems as if Monheim could potentially be used as a plug-n-play kind of guy on the Offensive Line.
They also had pick 236, which landed them Syracuse HB LeQuint Allen Jr.
In his final year at Syracuse, he rushed for 1,021 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Allen Jr also led all of FBS HBs with 64 Receptions (521 yards & 4 TDs). A season like that allowed him to be an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2024.
After the draft was finally completely finished Jacksonville made 20 more calls and signed a bulk of Undrafted Free Agents such as Elon WR Chandler Brayboy, Boise State WR Cam Camper, Indiana DL James Carpenter, Wake Forest LB Branson Combs, North Carolina TE John Copenhaver, Oklahoma DL Ethan Downs, Colorado DL B.J. Green II, Memphis QB Seth Henigan, Oregon TE Patrick Herbert, Arkansas RB Ja’Quinden Jackson, North Carolina WR J.J. Jones, North Dakota State DL Eli Mostaert, Oregon DB Jabbar Muhammad, Duke WR Eli Pancol, Arkansas DL Keivie Rose, Colorado S Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig, Arkansas DB Doneiko Slaughter, Minnesota DL Danny Striggow, North Carolina State DB Aydan White, and Penn State OL Sal Wormley.
After all that I think it’s safe to say Jacksonville touched on all the key points that were essential to them in this year’s draft.
I believe out of all the other teams in the NFL, they definitely had one of the best overall drafts this year and I can’t wait to see them put all of these new options to work this off-season.
Drafted To The Benz
By: Kenneth Harrison
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The 2025 NFL Draft is over. We are going to take a look at the Atlanta Falcons draft and see how they did.
Atlanta Falcons: Draft picks
Round 1 (No. 15) Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
Round 1 (No. 26) Edge James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
Round 3 (No. 96) S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame
Round 4 (No. 118) S Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma
Round 7 (No. 218) OT Jack Nelson
I like the fact that Atlanta has addressed the need for pass rushers. That has been an issue for several years. I thought last season that should have been addressed first in the draft.
Instead, they picked QB Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick. If they did not sign Kirk Cousins in free agency that would have been a good pick.
“It’s like, ‘Man, how do we get two of these studs,’” general manager Terry Fontenot.
“’Let’s figure out a way to do that and let’s really impact this thing.’”
They did trade up to get the 26th pick to select Pearce. They gave up a 2026 first-rounder for that so they have to hope he lives up to his potential. As a Falcons fan I can’t help but think of recent draft picks that did not pan out.
Defensive end Takk McKinley was picked No. 26 by Atlanta in the 2017 draft. They declined his fifth-year option on his contract and he was waived during the 2020 season.
Linebacker Vic Beasley was selected No. 8 in the 2015 draft. He had a breakout second season in 2016, with 15.5 sacks. That was his only season with double-digit sacks in the five years he played for the Falcons.
Watts is a ball hawking safety and he addressed a huge need in the secondary. They were docked a 2025 fifth-round pick for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy related to signing free agents Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner.
Bowman should develop into a starter at strong safety. He might play nickel in 2025, if needed.
Nelson will play behind Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary. He can play either right or left tackle.
“It doesn’t always line up to where the need matches the board in terms of the players that are there,” Fontenot said. “But it really worked out for us and we truly were able to bring in impact players in all areas.”
The biggest needs to address after the draft are center, wide receiver and corner back.
Atlanta signed 11 undrafted rookie free agents after the draft. They are Miami DT Simeon Barrow, Kansas CB Cobee Bryant, Michigan State RB Nathan Carter, Oregon State guard Joshua Gray, North Dakota State LB Nick Kubitz, Oregon CB Dontae Manning, South Carolina TE Joshua Simon, San Jose State WR Nick Nash, Vanderbilt WR Quincy Skinner, Georgia Tech OL Jordan Williams and Iowa State S Malik Verdon.
“We kind of talk about this draft and the fact that we do believe it’s a deep draft,” Fontenot said. “I keep saying this, but it’s true: there is an eighth round this year. We’re going to be aggressive there and get some good players when the seventh-round ends.”
Mel Kiper graded the Falcons draft a C-. I give them a B because they addressed the need for pass rushers.
Prankster
By: Robert Craft
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
The Atlanta Falcons, alongside defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and his son offered public apologies on Sunday to Shedeur Sanders regarding a prank call during the second round of the NFL Draft.
Jax Ulbrich, son of Jeff Ulbrich, also offered an apology via Instagram.
The Falcons have decided not to punish their defensive coordinator for his son’s actions, according to team sources.
While the Cleveland Browns eventually stopped Sanders’ highly publicized slide to the fifth round, a prank call to Sanders’ draft phone Friday night claimed that he would be taken with the 40th pick by the New Orleans Saints.
“This is Mickey Loomis here, (general manager) of the Saints. It’s been a long wait, man. We’re gonna take you with our next pick right here, man,” the caller said. The prank call was captured on video by Well Off Media, a YouTube channel run by Deion Sanders Jr., Shedeur’s older brother.
“Yes sir, let’s be legendary,” Sanders said.
“But you’re gonna have to wait a little bit longer, man. Sorry about that,” the caller said before hanging up. The Saints eventually picked Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough.
Over the weekend, a video that appeared to capture the exchange from the prank caller’s point of view began circulating on social media.
The call was made to a phone Sanders purchased specifically for the draft. He received the phone Thursday and only shared the number in an email thread that the NFL sent to teams.
Prank calls are not uncommon in the long history of the NFL draft. Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean received a prank call during the 2024 draft while in the green room just before his eventual selection, and several other players have their own draft day prank stories.
“Nobody has that number but coaches, strictly for that reason,” Sanders said. “Why get mad? They want you to have a certain type of reaction to it. They want you to feel bad. But I ain’t trippin’.”
Let me just get right to it — from the start of the draft Thursday night until Saturday afternoon (when Sanders was finally picked), I was fascinated by Mel Kiper Jr. and his off the rails behavior; between his accolade as the most prolific and prominent draft analyst of all time, and the reality that his assessment was rejected by the entire league, over and over and over caused Kiper Jr. to lull and backtrack
When Sanders was finally drafted, Kiper Jr. embodied his enthusiasm and rapid-fire cadence like he was suddenly given a shot of adrenaline — a clearly practiced monologue he had been waiting 42 hours and 18 minutes to make. It felt less like a victory for the athlete and more like a catharsis for the analyst.
Let’s take a look at the subsequent 20-minute discussion about Shedeur by ESPN — especially when Rece Davis and Louis Reddick thoughtfully discussed what Sanders needed to take from his draft experience.
Suddenly, Mr. Mel let 48 hours of frustration explode, culminating in this absolute banger of a quote:
“The NFL has been CLUELESS evaluating quarterbacks!”
Was the Shedeur Sanders story compelling TV or, especially in the end, a little lamentable? What do we think of the relationship between the media frenzy and the end result?
Draft Day
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
On April 24th, the NFL world flocked to Lambeau Field where over 100,000 fans from across the 32 NFL teams showed out to see who the newest additions to NFL rosters would be as the home of the Packers hosted the 2025 NFL Draft.
The first couple of picks were as expected in the sense of which players were going with which pick, but there was a little shakeup with who would be taking those players.
The night began with Miami QB Cam Ward going first overall to the Tennessee Titans.
Ward has an incredible story of climbing from FCS Incarnate Word to Washington State before finishing his college career for the Hurricanes in Coral Gables.
Ward took the ACC by storm leading all of FBS with 39 touchdowns, and I think could see even more success in the NFL in a pro system.
Not many were shocked to see Travis Hunter go off the board with the second pick, but there was a “Draft Day”-like trade made as the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to pick up the second overall selection from the Cleveland Browns.
The Jags and first year Head Coach Liam Coen get what many have called “the Unicorn” of football as Hunter is expected to continue to play both offense as a wide receiver and contribute as a defensive back on the flip side as well like he has for Coach Prime at Colorado and Jackson State.
This can be a franchise changing and possibly league changing selection if it goes how DUVAL expects. Like the way the Shohei Ohtani has changed the Dodgers and the game of baseball as a two-way player, Hunter can be that for the Jags and the NFL.
The trenches took the show for much of the first round as eight of the next eleven selections (3-13) were a combination of four offensive linemen and four defensive linemen.
The hometown Atlanta Falcons would stay in the state of Georgia and select a Georgia Bulldog from Athens as LB/DE Jalon Walker would become the newest “Dirty Bird.”
Rece Davis shocked many by bringing up the fact that the Falcons had never picked a UGA player in the first round in the modern history of the draft, but this selection finally addresses a need that the Falcons have had for a number of years in pass rush.
I think you may see Walker more as a defensive end in the Atlanta version of the red and black, but the versatility of Walker makes him an extremely appealing selection for the Falcons.
Walker was the second Kirby Smart disciple off the board as four picks earlier, the San Francisco 49ers would select Georgia Edge rusher Mykel Williams.
The 49ers have a huge history of developing pass rushers, and Williams becomes a fantastic option to play opposite of Nick Bosa for San Fran.
The Falcons made a late trade for the 26th overall pick from the LA Rams in order to add another SEC pass-rusher with the selection of Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr.
I was concerned when I saw the Falcons give up a 1st rounder for next year’s draft as part of the trade, but love where Atlanta goes with this pick.
In the span of about an hour, Atlanta completely changed the outlook of the defensive side of the ball in the Benz.
As Ohio State O-Lineman Josh Simmons was selected by the Chiefs to wrap up the first round, the final tallies have come in.
The trenches continued to run the show as 8 O-Line and 10 D-Line were taken in the first 32 picks.
There were also only 2 QBs (Cam Ward 1st overall and Jaxson Dart 25th overall) and 4 DBs off the board.
Non-surprisingly the SEC led the way with 15 picks hailing from the SouthEastern Conference and the Big Ten setting a conference record with 11 1st round selections.
We mentioned earlier that there was a lot of “chalk” in the first round, but a couple of surprises of names that have to wait for day two would be Will Johnson (Michigan CB) who has been dealing with questions about injuries over the years and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado QB) who, along with his dad, have been vocal about being “picky” of what team to select.
With The 1st Pick
By: Colin Lacy
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
“With the First Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select Cameron Ward, Quarterback, Miami…”
That’s not only the phrase that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell uttered making Cam Ward the first overall selection in the Draft on Thursday night, but it’s also a phrase that many people would have laughed at even a year ago. Cam Ward’s path is one that isn’t replicable but it’s one that is special and untraveled.
Ward’s story really takes off at Columbia High School, a (in relation to Texas High Schools) smaller school less than 60 miles southwest of Houston. The Columbia High tradition isn’t of star quarterbacks going to the NFL, their tradition is…. the wing-T offense.
In an offense that is well known for quarterbacks that are more magicians than gunslingers, Ward’s offense ran the ball four times as much as throwing.
Cam’s family knew the talent that ward possessed in the arm, and his mom, Patrice (who was a basketball coach at Columbia) went to the coaches to talk about it. Cam finally told his mom to not say anything else and he would “show everyone in time.”
The first glimpse of stardom came at a 2019 football camp at Incarnate Word. UIW’s head coach at the time was Eric Morris who was the one who recruited Patrick Mahomes to Texas Tech when he was the offensive coordinator for the Red Raiders.
Morris saw Ward standing out pass after pass and asked his QB Coach, Mack Leftwich and asked, “Who is this kid?” and the response was “I have no clue.” As the day went on and Ward continued to impress Morris and Leftwich tracked down his name and directly after the camp to look at the tapes and were surprised to see the Wing-T offense.
Through a relatively light recruiting process, Ward would land at Incarnate Word and hit the ground running as a freshman. In year one as a collegiate quarterback, Ward would upset the FCS #19 McNeese State on the road in his first college start and average 47 pass attempts per game including 65 pass attempts in one game.
Two seasons at Incarnate Word would see 71 touchdowns and just shy of 7,000 passing yards, then questions would come.
Ward has said that he would have been content to play his entire career as an FCS quarterback, but after his sophomore season, Eric Morris would get the chance to become the Washington State offensive coordinator.
Because of the trust between Morris and Ward, Cam would follow to the Pacific Northwest. Although Morris would only spend one season with the Cougs before returning to the Lone Star State to North Texas, Ward stayed for two seasons at Washington State then declared for the NFL Draft.
Ward thought that a mid-round selection would determine his path, but his cousin, Quandre Diggs (NFL Pro-Bowl Safety) convinced him to return to college. Ward says that Diggs told him “If you’re not a first-round pick, you’re looked at as a project. Sometimes it works, sometimes you get buried in the organization.” With that in mind, Ward welcomed offers to transfer and finally landed in Coral Cables, Florida with Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes.
It turned out to be a great decision as Ward paced the FBS with 39 touchdowns and finished second in the nation with 4,313 passing yards. That sets Ward up for the night he’s always dreamed of.
In the shadows of Labeau Field, Cam Ward became a Tennessee Titan and looks to get the franchise that has struggled mightily the last few years back on track, and through all the naysayers, against all odds, Cam Ward is the number one pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
On The Clock
By: Michael Spiers
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, the Jacksonville Jaguars have the entire league guessing. Sitting at the No. 5 overall pick, they’ve become one of the hardest teams to predict, maybe even the hardest.
What once seemed like a sure thing now feels wide open, and nobody really knows what they’re going to do.
For months, the Jags were closely tied to Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham.
That talk didn’t slow down before or after the NFL Combine, or even once free agency hit.
But now? Doubts are creeping in. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, one of the most plugged-in voices in football, recently said on the Unsportsmanlike Podcast that he no longer thinks Jacksonville is going to take Graham at No. 5.
“I don’t believe Mason Graham will go No. 5,” Schefter said. “I feel pretty comfortable in saying that.” Instead, he hinted that the Jags could be looking at offense. Names like Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan have started getting thrown around as possible targets.
It’s a bit of a shock, especially considering how consistently Graham’s name had been tied to Jacksonville. But not everyone is sold on Graham’s fit, especially among analytics-driven teams. Ole Miss tackle Walter Nolen is a higher-ranked prospect, but Nolen has some character red flags to clear up.
There’s also talk that Jaguars head coach Liam Coen wants to bring in another offensive weapon to help quarterback Trevor Lawrence. That would make sense. Lawrence has had a lot on his plate, and adding a dynamic playmaker, whether it’s a running back like Jeanty or a wide receiver like McMillan, could help take some of the pressure off him and last year’s rookie sensation, wideout Brian Thomas Jr.
Other options on offense include LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou if they’re looking to beef up the O-line instead. But no matter who it is, it’s clear that offense is on the table in a big way.
Another twist? Jacksonville might not even stay at No. 5. Some pundits see the Jags as a team that could trade down, and that’s something that starts to make a lot of sense once you look at their roster.
Right now, they’ve only got 59 players under contract, the fewest in the NFL. Even if they use all 10 of their picks, they’ll still be relying on a bunch of undrafted free agents just to fill the team out. Trading back and getting more picks could help with that.
James Gladstone, the Jags’ new GM, comes from the Rams, where he helped turn things around with a massive draft haul of 24 picks over two years.
He’s already said he wants to build through the draft, so don’t be surprised if he tries something similar in Jacksonville.
Then there’s the Travis Etienne situation. Schefter named him as one of the players who could be traded during draft week. No one’s saying the Jags are definitely shopping him, but it’s interesting that his name came up at all.
Etienne hasn’t exactly lit it up lately, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry over the last two seasons, and the O-line hasn’t helped much. Still, he’s been a big part of the passing game and could be a fit in Coen’s offense.
But if the Jaguars do take a running back early, it could mean fewer carries for Etienne, and maybe even a fresh start elsewhere for him.
The running back position is important in Coen’s system, so if they’re planning a change, they’ll have a replacement ready.
The Jaguars are a great example of what makes the NFL draft so interesting. They could really go in any direction with their current No. 5 pick by drafting for offense, for defense, by trading down, or maybe even a surprise move I haven’t even thought about yet.
One thing’s for sure though, with a new coach, a new GM, and a franchise QB still looking to fully break out, this pick has to count. And until they’re on the clock, the mystery rolls on.
