INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard opened their NFL draft by taking the playmaking tight end they desperately needed.
He closed it by following the script — heavy on offense, plugging holes on defense.
Ballard found a versatile, over-the-middle pass catcher for whichever player wins the starting quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, a running back to reduce the workload of Jonathan Taylor, depth on the offensive line and, yes, even a developmental quarterback.
Author: Michael
Yes, the 2025 NFL Draft just ended. But it’s not too early to look ahead to the 2026 draft. Especially given the potential depth at quarterback.
Just two QBs were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft as No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward was the only QB taken in the top 20 before the Giants traded up to get Jaxson Dart at No. 25. Tyler Shough was the only QB taken in the second round before two quarterbacks were selected in the third round.
The possible 2026 QB class could be more like the 2024 NFL Draft class.
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The questions about Shedeur Sanders’ NFL draft experience the last three days that will go a long way in determining his future is whether he learned anything? And can he use that to improve?
In that regard, the newest addition to the Cleveland Browns quarterback room seems on the right path. Sanders, drafted in the fifth round (144th overall) on Saturday, seems to be reaching for perspective.
“Do I have any regrets?” Sanders said, repeating a question during his first media availability since the draft began. “I feel like in life it’s always a way I can improve.
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Now that the 2025 NFL Draft is over, it’s time for the Detroit Lions to sign players who went undrafted.
We’ll keep track of all the UDFA additions. Keep in mind these are unofficial signings often reported by agents, and they might include rookie minicamp invites and not actual contract offers.
For those that do officially sign with the Lions (or any team), it’s a three-year contract worth the combined league minimum for those three seasons. In 2025, that figure is $2.965 million.
Here’s a curve ball to help close out the 2025 NFL draft. The New Orleans Saints selected former UCLA Bruins tight end Moliki Matavao in the seventh round at No. 248 overall, adding a big blocker with some underrated receiving ability. Some experts projected Matavao to be a fifth-round pick, so this is another example of the Saints looking for value in this year’s draft class.
Matavao, 22, grew up in the Las Vegas area and was rated as a four-star recruit coming out of high school. At one point he was the top-rated recruit in all of Nevada.
Jerod Mayo lasted just one season in New England, with the Patriots going 4-13 before firing Mayo and hiring former Patriot Mike Vrabel as the new head coach. Vrabel, who won three Super Bowls as a player in New England, takes over a team which has had three straight losing seasons, including back-to-back 4-13 seasons in 2023 and 2024.
For the second straight year, the Patriots have a top four pick in the NFL draft. After taking QB Drake Maye with the 3rd overall pick last year, New England has the 4th overall pick this year.
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