Inside: Discover five crucial defensive players to know, get the latest trade rumors surrounding the No. 1 pick, and understand the NFL’s challenges in developing quarterbacks.
Before the Browns sign another quarterback — they just inked a one-year deal with Joe Flacco worth $4 million, potentially rising to $13 million with incentives — let’s jump in.
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Defensive Line Dominates This Draft
Elite draft talent often shifts dramatically. The 2024 draft kicked off with a record 14 consecutive offensive players, including six quarterbacks, while only nine defensive players made first-round selections.
Consequently, this year’s draft is defense-focused. A quick glance at The Beast indicates that four of the top five players projected to be selected are defensive talents:
Top Defensive Players
Abdul Carter, Edge (No. 2 overall)
Quote: “Carter’s development as a true edge rusher is promising, showcasing explosive starts and competitive intensity,” according to Dane.
Stats: In his first season at Penn State, Carter led the FBS with 23.5 tackles for loss and was second in pressures with 66.
Comp: “He resembles Von Miller in terms of bend and speed,” remarked a coach.
Mason Graham, DT (No. 4 overall)
Quote: “Graham was pivotal on Michigan’s championship team and excelled even further in 2024,” according to Dane.
Stats: Though his stats (5 sacks, 7 TFL) may not jump out, his PFF grade of 91.1 was the highest among FBS defensive tackles.
Comp: “His style can be compared to Aaron Donald,” said a coach.
Trade Rumors and Quarterback Development
Dianna’s Update: There’s little buzz regarding trades for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. Most analysts suggest the Giants could target the Titans’ pick, but they would need to meet a steep asking price.
Moreover, many teams seem uninterested in trading up this year, though some would entertain moving down if the opportunity arises.
The Difficulty of Drafting Quarterbacks
Recent data explored earlier this week illustrates that only 40% of the first quarterbacks drafted have turned into the best professionals. The second quarterback selected has a success rate of 24%. The rest of the quarterbacks drafted tend to show a 36% success rate for finding the top passer among them.
This indicates that finding a successful quarterback continues to be a complex process. Mike Jones discussed how perceptions of players at 21-22 are largely projections based on potential rather than proven success.
Ultimately, the combination of talent and circumstances is crucial. For instance, Bryce Young faced challenges due to supporting casts that differed significantly from quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.
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(Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
