As the 2025 NFL Draft nears, The GM Shuffle’s Dave Ross and Geoff Schwartz dive into which teams have the most to fix and the most to prove.
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While the Tennessee Titans are expected to take Cam Ward with the first overall pick, he notes they still have significant holes across their roster.
“I guess if you love the quarterback, you might as well take him,” Schwartz says, reflecting on Tennessee’s mindset.
With the second pick, Schwartz says the Browns need a quarterback. He initially thought the same was true for the Giants. However, given New York’s acquisition of Russell Wilson, who is expected to start, and Jameis Winston, likely to serve as the backup, Schwartz thinks they should shift their focus to other positions. Schwartz says the Giants lack playmakers, especially on the back end of their defense, making Travis Hunter an intriguing option at cornerback. They also need help at wide receiver, as Schwartz isn’t sold on the Giants having enough “game wreckers.”
If any team desperately needs a left tackle, it is the New England Patriots. Even If Abdul Carter and Hunter are available at pick four, which is unlikely, Schwartz says he would not be surprised if they took a left tackle. Schwartz says the Patriots’ goal this season should be to find out if Drake Maye is their guy. He argues that the only way to do that is to surround him with talent, starting with someone to protect his blind side. He points to LSU left tackle Will Campbell as a name to watch for the Patriots at this spot.
Of course, we cannot forget about the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are moving on from Justin Fields and Wilson and waiting ever so patiently for Aaron Rodgers’ decision, which has some questioning about what they will do at quarterback. Schwartz says Rodgers is central to the conversation. If he signs, they have their guy. But in the long term, the Steelers still need to figure out who their quarterback of the future will be. Schwartz thinks the Steelers need to be bold. He points out they’re never bad enough to land a top-five pick, but maybe that’s the sacrifice they need to make to secure a franchise quarterback. They could also be bold and trade up for a quarterback, although Schwartz does not think this draft class is strong enough to justify it. Either way, the Steelers need a quarterback, and bringing back Mason Rudolph won’t cut it. Schwartz says there’s no shame in taking one in the second round, and if there’s a QB they like at No. 21, they shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
Listen to the full episode below for the complete discussion and more from The GM Shuffle!
Show Breakdown
NFL Team Needs and Futures Bets
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