Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Taking a closer look at the safeties who performed well at the 2025 NFL Combine. The middle portion of on-field drills kicked off at the 2025 NFL Combine featuring the safeties, which put a bow on the defensive participants at this year’s event. While not a pressing need for the Detroit Lions, they can always use depth, and we take a look at which prospects could help them achieve that. Here are the position groups we’ve covered so far: Interior defensive lineman Edge rushers Off-the-ball linebackers Cornerbacks Also, if you missed it previously, here’s a look back at our article previewing the safeties group ahead of the Combine. And with that, let’s look at the safeties who stood out on Day 2 of on-field drills. Nick Emmanwori, SAF/Cover LB, South Carolina (6-foot-3, 220) stole the show during the measurables, running a 4.38 40-yard dash, hitting 43-inches on the vertical jump, and clearing 11-foot-6 in the broad jump—all insane numbers for his size. Unfortunately, he shut it down for the day after that and elected to not participate in on-field workouts. Malaki Starks, NB/FS, Georgia (6-foot-1, 197) was the big winner during on-field drills, showing out in nearly every activity. He ran two 4.5 second 40s, which was more than efficient for his game. Starks had some of the best hips of the safety group, and looked like a corner in backpedal drills. He was not afraid to turn and run—clearing over 20 mph in multiple drills per the broadcast—and was routinely able to turn and locate the ball on time. His ball location skills were on point, his hands were easy, and he high-pointed the ball regularly. Incredibly light on his feet, Starks floated around the football field, and everything looked easy for him. Georgia safety Malaki Starks recorded the fastest top speed among safeties in five different drills. Short Shuttle: 15.24 mph W Drill: 17.92 mph Gauntlet Drill: 18.39 mph Line Drill: 18.66 mph Teryl Austin Drill: 18.74 mph : https://t.co/p64vRez1Gn pic.twitter.com/ZC0UQ9ezoI — Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 1, 2025 Lathan Ransom, S/Box, Ohio State (6-foot-0, 206) didn’t run (a common theme amongst Buckeyes because they played late into the playoffs) but took part in on-field drills. Ransom was an easy mover and ran incredibly hard in every drill, showcasing tremendous effort. His burst out of his cuts was impressive, committed to each drill, and proved he has the hands to make plays on the ball. Billy Bowman, S/NB, Oklahoma (5-foot-10, 192) had a very good day, and if he was a better tackler, he probably would’ve been on my Lions watchlist. He ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and didn’t appear to make a mistake during any of the drills. He has a very complete resume—save his tackling—and surely improved his stock with his performance. Jonas Sanker, S, Virginia (6-foot-0, 206) ran better than expected (4.48 40-yard dash) and showed nice traits in drills. He stayed low in his hips, was willing to put his head down and go, because he trusted his ability to track the ball well. Sanker was smooth in his transitions, showed nice hands, and looks like he could be a high-end reserve.
2025 NFL Combine results: 5 standouts from the safeties group
2025 NFL Scouting Combine: Winners from the defensive back and tight end workouts
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images Who helped themselves on Friday? The second day of the 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and it was a significant one for the New York Giants. The news of the day was obviously the return of Matt Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, but the on-field workouts were significant for the Giants as well. The Giants could be in search of a starting cornerback opposite Deonte Banks if they aren’t confident in Cor’Dale Flott, as well as a third safety to pair with Tyler Nubin and Dane Belton. The good news is that this is a strong group of defensive backs, even with the top prospects not working out. This is also a good group of tight ends, with well rounded prospects who could appeal if the Giants want someone in the pipeline behind Daniel Bellinger. So who made themselves money on Friday evening? Cornerbacks Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky) The Giants have selected players out Kentucky in two of their last three drafts, and last year’s selection of Dru Phillips has widely been hailed as a home run. With the Giants paying close attention to Kentucky’s defense a year ago, Hairston has to be on their radar. Hairston came in a bit below ideal size at 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, but he laid down the first 4.2 40 of the Combine with a 4.28 on his second run. He’s a playmaking cornerback who’s generated 8 turnovers over the last two years, including 5 interceptions in 2023 — two of which he returned for touchdowns. He also had a great showing in the field drills. Hairston has quick feet, fluid hips, and crisp movement skills. He was always under control and was arguably the best corner on the field. Maxwell Hairston box drill. Smooth and fluid pic.twitter.com/q9mh7xUyDa — Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2025 That level of speed and playmaking ability will catch plenty of teams’ attention. Darien Porter (Iowa State) Hairston’s time was soon matched by Darien Porter out of Iowa State. Porter is a very different corner from Hairston, and is a very long player at 6-foot-3 with 33-inch arms. Porter combining 95th percentile length with 4.3 speed will boost him up draft boards and some could compare him to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Porter looked surprisingly fluid in field drills despite his lanky build, though his backpedal is high. He changed directions well and was able to keep a good line while flipping his hips and backpedaling. It’s notable that Porter is a converted wide receiver who only transitioned to corner in 2022. He’s just scratching the surface of his potential. Trey Amos (Ole Miss) Amos is a big, physical cornerback who can go toe-to-toe with receivers in man coverage as well as play well in zone. The big question with him was with regards to his athleticism, but he answered those with his workout. His 4.44-second (unofficial) 40 spoke to his speed, while a fluid field workout should reassure those who worry about his feet and hips. Amos was one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC and looked really good in his workout Friday. Zah Frazier (UTSA) Frazier is a very intriguing small-school corner who will likely draw comparisons to UTSA alum Riq Woolen. Frazier isn’t quite as big as Woolen, but he has similar length at 6-foot-3 and speed at 4.37, in addition to excellent ball skills with 6 interceptions in 2024. So while Frazier is a sleeper right now, the combination of length, speed, and the ability to generate game-breaking plays won’t keep him a sleeper for long. Safeties Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) We love athletic freaks, and Emmanwori is a freak among freaks. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound safety jumped 43 inches in the vertical and 11 feet, 6 inches in the broad jump. He backed that up with an equally absurd 4.38-second 40-yard dash. We already knew Emmanwori could move like a normal-sized defensive back, but his raw athleticism is astonishing — watching him move just doesn’t make sense. Nick Emmanwori is reportedly being “coined” as the DK Metcalf of safeties among scouts in attendance at the combine. Emmanwori stands at 6’3″, 220 pounds, and was able to produce a 4.38 40-yard dash (2nd among safeties). A 1.49 10-yard split, which is the best of any player to… pic.twitter.com/LQrvx4h6wO — NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) March 1, 2025 The question now might not be whether Emmanwori goes in the first round, but perhaps how early in the first he’ll go. Billy Bowman (Oklahoma) You might not have heard of Billy Bowman, but he’s favorite of film buffs. He had three interceptions returned for a touchdown in 2023 and is a tough, angry defender. He also proved that he could move in space with a good 4.47-second 40-yard dash and some impressive movement skills in the field drills. His hips and feet were quicker than expected and his hands proved that 2023 wasn’t a fluke. Billy Bowman backpedal and 45 degree break pic.twitter.com/fskx5CmY2k — Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 28, 2025 Tight end Terrance Ferguson (Oregon) Most of the top tight ends elected to skip the on-field workouts for various reasons and in their absence, Ferguson paced the field with a 4.63-second 40. Ferguson is a pretty well-rounded tight end prospect who could be the sole tight end in an 11-personnel package. He’s a solid blocker as well as a reliable receiver, and his athleticism hints at additional upside in the passing game. He averaged 13.7 yards per catch this past year and could be a legitimate weapon with more development in a more aggressive offense. Gavin Bartholomew (Pitt) Bartholomew is one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft. He understands how to place his hands, uncoil his hips, create movement and sustain his blocks. He has good size and ran a solid 40 at 4.70 seconds, and while he didn’t get great passes to catch in the ball tracking drill, but did well in the Gauntlet. Bartholomew will likely have
Rams sign Alaric Jackson to 3-year deal
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images The Rams and Alaric Jackson agreed to a contract, according to ESPN Hours after keeping Matthew Stafford happy with a new contract agreement, the Los Angeles Rams are said to be close to a deal with left tackle Alaric Jackson, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. In a report posted on Twitter on Friday, Fowler says that while a deal is not done, the two sides are “getting close” and that the talks are trending in the right direction for Jackson to remain with the Rams long-term. UPDATE: The Rams and Jackson agreed to a three-year contract with up to $57 million. Jackson’s deal will be for three years and $57M with $35M guaranteed, source confirms. https://t.co/QjEzuuEQ8a — Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 28, 2025 This would solidify that the offense will have the same quarterback and left tackle next season, if L.A. can sign Jackson to a new contract before he hits free agency in March. The #Rams and offensive tackle Alaric Jackson are getting close on a long-term extension, per sources. The deal is not done but is trending in the right direction. pic.twitter.com/jkzH5jhe2T — Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 28, 2025 The former undrafted free agent out of Iowa has turned in an impressive career, overcoming doubts at draft time to become a full-time starter for the Rams at one of the NFL’s hardest positions to master. If the Rams can sign Jackson, it gives them one less thing to do in the offseason. In my Rams offseason plan, I had the Rams restructuring Stafford’s contract to keep him, parting ways with Cooper Kupp, and re-signing Alaric Jackson.
There’s skepticism in the NFL that Tee Higgins is worth $30+ million annually; Patriots no longer pursuing
Photo by Nick Grace/Getty Images Higgins’ market may not be as high as strong as once thought. There are a number of teams that would love to have Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins on their roster. However, one of Higgins’ more serious suitors now seems to be out of the running. According to The Athletic’s Chad Graff, the New England Patriots are going to focus on building the trenches now that they have a new head coach in Mike Vrabel. Here’s what Graff wrote: New England’s blueprint for the offseason does not include pursuing Higgins, the No. 1 free agent-to-be on our top-150 big board. As the Patriots are reshaped in Mike Vrabel’s likeness, they want to prioritize building through the offensive and defensive lines and will make that goal No. 1 of this offseason. So expect their biggest free-agent signings to come in the trenches — not at wide receiver. The Athletic author also wrote that “some decision-makers around the league are skeptical Higgins would be worth the roughly $30 million per season he could command in free agency”, adding fuel to the speculation that his injury history will hurt his value in free agency. Instead of pursuing Higgins, which would likely need to happen via trade since the Bengals reportedly plan to tag Higgins, Graf writes that New England is looking at the trade market for receivers and could potentially pursue Cooper Kupp or Deebo Samuel. Of course, the Bengals still have the opportunity to sign Higgins if they want to meet his salary demands. Higgins and QB Joe Burrow had some of their best moments late last season. Re-live those plays by watching the video below. Cincy Jungle comes loaded with the best Cincinnati Bengals links, news, and analysis. Find us on Twitter and Facebook. Check out the #1 Bengals Podcast on YouTube, iTunes, Spotify, or the Bleav channel. Who DEY!
Colts should target Jahdae Barron after Texas standout shined to elevate draft stock at NFL Scouting Combine
Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron (DB04) runs in the 40 yard dash during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium — February 28, 2025. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images “I’m just dialed,” Barron said. “I pay attention to my craft and I’m executing at a high pace. Everything I did in the past, it led me to this point, so I want to most definitely show that.” When Jahdae Barron was just a freshman at Pflugerville Connally high school in North Austin, he wrote down two goals on a piece of notebook paper. His first objective was to stay in-state and commit to Texas. His next long-term goal was to win the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best collegiate defensive back. Barron would wake up and start his day by asking himself a motivational question written on his mirror: “Can I be committed to the process of what I’m doing without emotionally being attached to the result of what I’m doing?” Nine years later, the Austin-native exercised a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise his draft stock with an immaculate showcase in Indianapolis at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. When Barron took his final steps off the turf Friday inside Lucas Oil Stadium, he made sure NFL scouts remember he was locked-in and prepared to compete at his pro workout. “I’ve always believed my NFL dream was in reach,” Barron said. “I’ve always had faith in that and I always put my faith in God, so I just knew I had to do my part to put the work in over the years. I grew up to be a mature person on and off the field and it allowed me to be here today.” Barron posted an impressive 4.39, 40-yard dash and his 1.50, 10-yard split was tied for the second-fastest start of the combine through Friday’s workouts. Barron reached a top speed of 23.3 mph, the fifth-fastest mark among DBs that participated in on-field drills. Jahdae Barron vs. some of today’s young DBs : #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork : Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/u69VePsRvt — NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2025 “I’m just dialed,” Barron said. “I pay attention to my craft and I’m executing at a high pace. Everything I did in the past, it led me to this point, so I want to most definitely show that.” Barron thrived in his cornerback role in five seasons at Texas, but acknowledged NFL teams have discussed his versatility to play nickel or safety. In three seasons as a starter with the Longhorns, Barron compiled 205 total tackles, 28 pass breakups and eight interceptions. His cinematic highlight reel features unreal closing speed and the physicality needed to secure tackles despite taking on blockers in the open field. Barron is a skilled robber who recognizes route concepts, then makes plays with excellent ball skills and hand-eye coordination to detach contested passes away from opposing receivers. Texas’ Consensus All-American played more snaps in 2024 than any cornerback in the nation and never allowed a single touchdown. Barron posted a 90.7 Pro Football Focus defensive grade and a 91.1 coverage grade, which are both the best among DBs in this year’s draft class. Barron caught five interceptions against a minuscule 34.2 NFL passer rating allowed, third-lowest among all FBS cornerbacks. Opposing QBs would have been better off spiking the football rather than targeting PFF’s No. 7 overall college player from the 2024 season. Texas CB Jahdae Barron has perhaps the most important attribute for the position — what I call “match feet.” Where the receiver goes, he goes, and his feet lead the way. 34.2 opponent passer rating in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Xn4W7fUJ9j — Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 23, 2025 Barron thrived in zone coverage by reading the opposing quarterback’s dropback and using his instincts to anticipate where the football would be thrown. Texas often ran Cover 3 Match and Saints defensive passing game coordinator Terry Joseph taught Barron to use a reading system called “red light, yellow light, and green light.” Red light alerted Barron a tempo throw was coming quick, because the opposing quarterback did not move after receiving the snap from shotgun. Yellow light was engaged after QBs took a four to five-yard dropback aiming to hit deeper hitch routes near the sticks. Barron recognized green light after a quarterback took a substantial six to seven-yard dropback, alerting him to anticipate a deep shot beyond 15 yards downfield, which primarily entailed posts, comebacks and dig routes. “We matched a lot of red lights, so that’s how I had a lot of PBUs on red lights,” Barron said. “I’m most definitely confident in my ability. I’m the most efficient and the most consistent DB and can just play all four roles. I play dime corner, safety and nickel, so just having that in my bag and knowing I could be moved around in adjustment and just benefit anybody else’s team. I know that will help.” 14. Indianapolis Colts: Jahdae Barron – (CB Texas) Barron is a fast riser in this NFL draft class and for good reason. The senior had 5 interceptions this past year for the Longhorns and was impressive in the biggest games of his life. Barron has the positional versatility to… pic.twitter.com/yMTlkpfE9i — Drew Scuilla (@DrewScuilla) February 25, 2025 At 5-10, 194-pounds, one NFL comparison with a similar build and versatile playing style is Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie. If Barron is available on April 24, at No. 14 overall, the Colts could address the lack of depth in their secondary with the nation’s most efficient defensive back. The most emanating issue Indianapolis faces before next season is figuring out how to upgrade its worst position group. Newly hired defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo would discover how to best utilize Barron in different alignments. Barron could immediately compete for a starting job at cornerback or safety before training camp.
Combine Day 4 recap: Howard ‘would love opportunity’ to play for Kelly again
Will Howard | Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images Quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs hit the podium, defensive backs work out INDIANAPOLIS — Day 4 of the NFL Combine was a big one for the Las Vegas Raiders as the team’s biggest need, and the most important position on the field, spoke to the media with the top quarterbacks stepping up to the podiums. But that wasn’t the biggest quarterback news surrounding the Raiders to drop on Friday, as it was reported that Matthew Stafford will be staying with the Los Angeles Rams. The word around Indianapolis is that Las Vegas was the favorite to land Stafford as recently as Thursday night. However, part of the reason Los Angeles allowed Stafford to seek a trade was to see how the rest of the league values him. Then, when the Rams saw what type of contracts the Raiders and New York Giants were willing to give the veteran quarterback, they decided to give him a new deal. So, the Silver and Black will have to pivot toward another quarterback, potentially someone we’ll hear from below. Quarterbacks Ohio State’s Will Howard had a bumpy start to the season but has entered the QB3 conversation in the 2025 draft class, primarily due to his performance during the College Football Playoffs. When asked about his run at the end of the campaign, Howard replied: “I played my best ball when it mattered most.” It’s hard to argue that, and the former Buckeye has connections to the Raiders with Chip Kelly taking the offensive coordinator job in Sin City. Howard talked about his relationship with Kelly while also diving into what quarterbacks he likes to study. Will Howard on Chip Kelly #NFLCombine #Raiders pic.twitter.com/UTF9wu9dfD — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Will Howard on which 3 QBs he likes to study the most #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/OWRzBI5qNJ — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 At the top of the position group, Miami’s Cam Ward talked about playing for the Raiders at the combine. While the team would likely have to trade up to get him, Ward had good things to say about playing in Kelly’s offense, in addition to shining some light on his leadership style. Cam Ward on playing for the #Raiders #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/BZRqoCFjZx — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Cam Ward on his leadership #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/ppYYCKdFAO — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 On top of the need, part of the reason why Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders has been linked to Las Vegas is his relationship with new minority owner Tom Brady. Sanders dove into the connection with Brady at the podium. Shedeur Sanders on his relationship with @Raiders minority owner Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/nGQXBUJ16q — Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) February 28, 2025 Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss is another QB3 contender but has faced criticism about his ability to read the field and handle a more complex offense than the one he played in. However, he feels that’s a “lazy narrative.” Dart also dove into his growth over the years and mentioned that he’s talked with Jackson Powers-Johnson about playing for the Raiders. Jaxson Dart on the “lazy narrative” about the concerns with Lane Kiffin QBs translating to the pros due to his scheme. #NFLCombine @AtoZSportsNFL pic.twitter.com/2IVtE7c9uL — Travis May (@FF_TravisM) February 28, 2025 Jaxson Dart on his growth over the years. Also said he’s talked to JPJ about playing for the #Raiders#NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/0KQwcubICb — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Another quarterback to keep an eye on is Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, or UCF’s/Oklahoma’s/Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel. The well-traveled passer has six years of experience as a starter in college to give teams plenty of tape to study, which he feels will speak for itself. Dillon Gabriel says he’s letting the tape speak for itself #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/KTd6yCNNYm — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Dillon Gabriel on what traits are needed to make the transition to the next level #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/FHnDNRYL2T — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Louisville’s Tyler Shough is another recent riser and well-tenured college quarterback, as Shough spent seven years in school with stints at Oregon and Texas Tech before this past season. Shough’s age is a potential concern as he’ll turn 26 in September, but teams haven’t brought that up in his meetings. He also discussed what he can bring to a team and what he learned from Justin Herbert, who Shough backed up at Oregon. Tyler Shough on what he brings to the table, also said a team hasn’t expressed a concern about his age yet #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/Rrqt8lYsNa — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Tyler Shough on his mental processing #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/mkn593VwNS — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Tyler Shough on learning from Justin Herbert #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/ZDwBDh9SAR — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Offensive Skill Positions Ashton Jeanty from Boise State is widely considered the top running back in the class, and the Silver and Black will be looking to improve their backfield this spring. So, Jeanty has been connected to the club and said he’d be interested in playing for Pete Carroll, given Carroll’s history running the football. Also, Jeanty was asked to compare his game to Saquon Barkley’s and what similarities he thinks they share. Ashton Jeanty on Saquon Barkley and the similarities in their games #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/J4H1hpz3vk — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Quinshon Judkins is another former Buckeye who should be on the Raiders’ radar, given the connection with Kelly. Judkins talked about his meeting with the club and reconnecting with the offensive coordinator. Quinshon Judkins on his meeting with the #Raiders and reconnecting with Chip Kelly #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/C596sh8ger — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 Trey Henderson, also from Ohio State, has drawn plenty of headlines for his rushing ability. But an underrated portion of Henderson’s game is his blocking, and that’s something he takes pride in. Trey Henderson on his blocking #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/6T93wNH49r — Matt Holder (@MHolder95) February 28, 2025 One more former Buckeye, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, described his
How should the Dolphins approach their backup quarterback search?
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Would you trust a rookie quarterback in a must-win season? The Miami Dolphins signed Tua Tagovailoa to a four-year, $200 million extension last offseason, but the quarterback position is far from secure. The Dolphins have appeared in three playoff games over the last 15 years — two of those starts were by backup quarterbacks. Finding one capable quarterback is hard enough, let alone finding both a starter and a backup. Miami’s lack of a reliable fallback played a large role in last season’s collapse. The Dolphins, with high-priced playmakers across the offense, failed to exceed 15 points in four of six games started by either Skylar Thompson or Snoop Huntley. Urgency is building for a franchise entering its 25th-straight season without a playoff win, and the Dolphins must have a plan to move the football if Tagovailoa were to miss time, considering he’s played a complete 17-game regular season schedule just once in his five-year career. “I prioritize people that are adept at passing,” coach Mike McDaniel said when asked about the backup quarterback position at the combine. “That’s my first – young, old – I think all things are on the table. There’s some guys that we’re pretty interested in in free agency, and there’s guys in the draft as well. “So I think both avenues afford us an opportunity to improve the room at that position, which I think was pretty obvious, it’s on everybody’s tip of the tongue that needs to be a focus of ours and it is.” McDaniel’s comments aren’t surprising after last season’s struggles, but it’s hard to imagine the Dolphins enduring a rookie quarterback’s growing pains in a prove-it year for the coaching staff and front office. Not only would this be a rookie quarterback, but with holes across the board, this would likely be a day two or three pick. This isn’t to say the Dolphins shouldn’t invest in a rookie quarterback on day two or three of the draft, but the franchise’s failures with Tagovailoa out of the lineup only help the case for an experienced backup. ESPN’s Adam Schefter linked former Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota to Miami, and there’s a large pool of quarterbacks, including Taylor Heinicke, Jameis Winston, Carson Wentz, Zach Wilson, and many more soon to hit free agency. All these quarterbacks have flaws, but they wouldn’t be available in free agency otherwise. The Dolphins don’t need a backup who can throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns every game—those quarterbacks simply aren’t available. Still, the offense must improve beyond 14 points per game when Tagovailoa is out, and a proven backup may be the safest solution.
2025 NFL Combine results: 10 standouts from the cornerback group
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Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart Speak on Their NFL Futures
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images As the Giants explore their quarterback options, Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart share their thoughts on the NFL Draft and what they bring to the next level. The New York Giants were reportedly one of the teams interested in Matthew Stafford, but with the veteran quarterback staying put in Los Angeles, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are going to have to look elsewhere for a solution under center. While signing a veteran could still be on the table, the Giants may have their best chance at building long term success in April’s draft. At the NFL Scouting Combine, several quarterbacks projected to go in the first few rounds spoke about their skill sets, mindsets, and how they approach the game—all factors that could help the Giants determine their next move. Cam Ward One of the options on the top of every quarterback needy team’s draft board is Quarterback Cam Ward. The former Miami standout has met with multiple teams, including the Giants, Titans, Browns, and Jets, but he isn’t concerned with where he lands. “It doesn’t matter where I go, my focus is on winning,” Ward said. “I’ve been overlooked before. It’s nothing new.” His ability to extend plays and make off-platform throws has drawn comparisons to Josh Allen, the quarterback Brian Daboll helped develop in Buffalo. Ward believes his playmaking ability is what sets him apart. “I make plays when things break down,” he said. “If I have to roll out and make a throw on the run, I can do that. If I have to stand in the pocket and take a hit, I’ll do that too.” Shedeur Sanders Another popular fit for the Giants is Shedeur Sanders, who has been one of the most confident voices in this draft class. The son of Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has made it clear that he’s looking for a team willing to embrace his style of play. “If you’re not ready for change, don’t draft me,” Sanders said. He prides himself on being a leader, something that was evident during his time at Colorado. “I hold my teammates accountable, and I expect them to do the same for me,” he added. “The best teams have leaders who push each other to be great.” Sanders also emphasized his football IQ, pointing out his ability to process defenses quickly. “I know where I want to go with the ball before the snap,” he said. “I study film constantly because I want to have an advantage.” Jaxson Dart For a team like the Giants, who may not want to spend a high first-round pick on a quarterback, a player like Jaxson Dart could be an option later in the draft. The former Ole Miss quarterback has met with the Giants, Seahawks, Raiders, and Steelers, and while he’s not necessarily expecting to start right away, he’s ready to prove himself. “I’ve never been a backup before, but I’m willing to learn from a veteran,” Dart said. He compared his style of play to Jalen Hurts, noting that his mobility gives him an edge. “I can move around and make plays with my legs, but I’m also comfortable in the pocket,” he said. “I try to keep my eyes downfield and extend plays when I need to.” Dart understands the challenges that come with being a young quarterback in the NFL but believes his experience playing in multiple offensive systems at the college level will help him adjust quickly. “I’ve had to learn different schemes, different terminology, and different coaching styles,” he said. “That’s helped me become more adaptable.” With Stafford off the market and no clear veteran solution available, Schoen and Daboll face a crucial decision. Whether they opt to draft or trade up for a quarterback like Ward or Sanders, or target a developmental player like Dart, or even sign a veteran free agent the Giants can’t afford to get this wrong. The 2025-26 season will be a pivotal one for the franchise, and how they address the quarterback position could shape their success for years to come.
Matthew Stafford agrees to stay with Rams in 2025
Kara Durrette/Getty Images ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that despite testing the waters, Matthew Stafford is going back to the Rams The Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford have agreed to a restructured deal that will keep him in L.A. for the 2025 season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The report and new contract terms puts an end to several weeks of speculation, and meetings with both the Raiders and Giants at the combine, that Stafford could be traded. It’s now set in stone that Stafford is going to play for the Rams in 2025 and get back to work in trying to help L.A. return to the Super Bowl. LA’s quarterback is back: the Rams and Matthew Stafford reached agreement today on a restructured deal that keeps him in Los Angeles and quashes any and all trade speculation, per sources. The first significant off-season QB domino has fallen. pic.twitter.com/wNwydqn49R — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 28, 2025 Stafford, 37, was said to be asking for the typical market price of at least $50 million per season if he was going to stay with the Rams. Former Rams quarterback Jared Goff signed an extension in 2024 that is worth $53 million per season, but Stafford has by and large had the better career. The Rams and Stafford agreed to some new contract terms in 2024, but nothing that would secure his place in L.A. beyond last season. Now that Stafford has tested the market and seen what other teams are willing to pay him, the Rams have decided to close the deal with the quarterback and keep him in L.A. for at least another year, if not two or three.