Tag: No. 1 pick

Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Titans clinch No. 1 pick in 2025 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tennessee Titans wore Houston Oilers throwback uniforms for their season finale against the Texans on Sunday.

After a sixth straight defeat to end the season, the Titans are on the clock for the first time since the Oilers days.

Tennessee is one of three teams to finish the season at 3-14, joined by the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. The Titans got the nod in the tiebreaker by posting their record against the weakest strength of schedule out of that trio (.521).

The franchise will pick first overall for the first time since the Oilers drafted running back Earl Campbell in 1978. The only other time they went first overall was 1973, when the Oilers took defensive end John Matuszak.

Cleveland will pick second overall and New York will go third. All three teams could be in the market for a new franchise quarterback.

Rounding out the top five are the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars, who are 4-13. The Patriots could have secured the top pick with a loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday because their strength of schedule was weaker than Tennessee’s. Instead, they upset playoff-bound Buffalo 23-16.

The order of selections 1-18 will be finalized by the end of the day. The New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders (4-12) were active in the late-afternoon window and their draft order is still up in the air, but they cannot break into the top five.

–Field Level Media

Bears general manager Ryan Poles speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Bears GM Ryan Poles feigns suspense around No. 1 pick: ‘Tune in Thursday’

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Bears general manager Ryan Poles knows the identity of the No. 1 overall pick, but two days before the 2024 NFL Draft, he’s not quite ready to share.

“We know what we’re going to do,” Poles said Tuesday at a pre-draft press conference. “Everyone’s gotta tune in on Thursday to watch.”

The Bears hold the No. 1 pick via a trade with the Carolina Panthers and draft night in Detroit will bring Poles’ two-year plan to fruition when quarterback Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy winner in 2022, likely becomes the third player drafted first overall in Chicago’s storied history.

Beyond the ever-present smoke around the Bears and Williams, there are other reasons the majority opinion holds merit. Chicago has only two quarterbacks on the current depth chart — undrafted Tyson Bagent and journeyman backup Brett Rypien — making the position a massive need.

“We’re proud of where we’ve come from,” Poles said. “It’s going to be hard to make this team now.”

When Poles traded the No. 1 pick to the Panthers weeks before the 2023 draft and received a 2024 first-rounder as part of the return package, he said the prevailing thought was to be in position to draft a quarterback should 2021 first-rounder Justin Fields not prove he’s worthy of the QB1 role.

Leadership changes in personnel and top coaching spots often drive decisions to move on from quarterbacks drafted by previous regimes.

Fields, drafted 11th overall when then-GM Ryan Pace and the Bears moved up from No. 20 in a deal with the New York Giants, was traded to the Steelers last month to be the backup to Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh.

The new brass has tracked Williams incessantly.

Poles, head coach Matt Eberflus, offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and other members of the organization have spent countless hours to reach this point. The Bears met with Williams at the NFL Scouting Combine — where Eberflus offers prospects the option of playing darts or putt-putt before the more intensive interview begins — before his pro day workout (where new Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen made an appearance) and were the only team to host Williams at team headquarters for a “top 30” visit.

“The journey to collect all the information is different for everyone,” Poles said. “There’s guys on our board that are high that didn’t come in for a 30-visit that we’ve had other touchpoints. Our networks in the building know the player inside and out that we really, really trust.”

Poles called reports the Bears are shopping the No. 9 overall pick speculation and said he doesn’t feel the need to make a trade to add picks despite holding an NFL-low four selections over seven rounds.

“I feel really good with where we’re at,” Poles said.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) runs with the ball after a catch in the second half against the Atlanta Falcons at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Bears clinch No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL Draft via Panthers

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A season ago, the Chicago Bears received the No. 1 overall draft pick and traded it to the Carolina Panthers. The swap included Carolina’s first-round pick in 2024 heading to Chicago.

On Sunday, the Bears secured the first overall pick once again as the Panthers clinched the worst record in the league with their latest loss.

The Panthers lost 26-0 to the Jacksonville Jaguars for their eighth loss in nine games and fell to 2-14.

With the Arizona Cardinals upsetting the Philadelphia Eagles 35-31 to improve to 4-12, Carolina is two games clear of every other team in the standings with one week left in the regular season.

Chicago (7-9) has won four of its last five games after routing the Atlanta Falcons 37-17 on Sunday. Wide receiver DJ Moore, acquired from the Panthers when the Bears traded out of the No. 1 slot, racked up nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta. Moore has 92 receptions and has set career highs of 1,300 yards and eight receiving scores.

The Bears will have to decide whether to move on from second-year quarterback Justin Fields and select a different signal-caller with the top overall pick — like Southern California’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye — or stick with Fields and draft another position.

Chicago has held the first overall pick twice, not counting the 2023 selection it traded away. The Bears drafted halfbacks Tom Harmon in 1941 and Bob Fenimore in 1947.

Arizona is tied with the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots at 4-12. Based on tiebreakers, Washington would pick second if the season ended Sunday, followed by New England third and Arizona fourth.

–Field Level Media

Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Alabama quarterback Bryce Young walks the NFL Draft Red Carpet before the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers draft Alabama QB Bryce Young No. 1 overall

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Quarterback Bryce Young was the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday, revealing the target of the Carolina Panthers’ two months of wheeling and dealing and what the franchise hopes is a turning point.

Young was 24-3 as a starter at Alabama and won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore in 2021.

Young spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa, winning a national championship as a backup to 2022 first-rounder Mac Jones. He won the Heisman in his first season as Crimson Tide starter. In 36 games, he threw 80 touchdown passes and completed 624 passes for 8,356 yards. He posted a record of 24-3 as a starter and holds numerous program records, including five games with five touchdown passes and single-season marks for passing touchdowns (47) and passing yards (4,872).

Young is praised for his ability to succeed off-script and find passing lanes with creativity and anticipation, but skeptics question Young’s size. He’s far from the requisite body type of NFL quarterbacks at 5-foot-11, 204 pounds, which calls into question durability and longevity.

But the Panthers pointed to experience when downplaying the scouting strife of drafting a quarterback without prototypical height and weight.

General manager Scott Fitterer was with the Seattle Seahawks when the team selected 5-foot-11 Wisconsin prospect Russell Wilson in the third round, and head coach Frank Reich mentioned production and instincts as winning traits that far exceed size requirements. Fitterer said Seattle’s review of all game film found Wilson had three pass attempts batted down in his college career; Young had two.

The Panthers acquired the No. 1 pick by trading the No. 9 pick, their second-rounder (No. 61 overall), a 2024 first-round pick and a 2025 second-rounder to the Chicago Bears in March.

Quarterback was the No. 1 offseason priority for Panthers owner David Tepper, who attended pro day and private workouts with Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.

The top quarterback on the depth chart when voluntary workouts began last week was Andy Dalton, ahead of 2022 third-round pick Matt Corral.

Tepper hired Frank Reich as head coach in January and another former NFL quarterback, Josh McCown, joined the staff to work with quarterbacks.

Carolina failed with two reclamation projects: Sam Darnold, who was acquired from the Jets and was drafted third overall in 2018, and Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in the same draft acquired from the Cleveland Browns.

The Panthers were 7-10 last season and three quarterbacks — Darnold, Mayfield and PJ Walker — attempted at least 100 passes. The trio combined for 16 touchdown passes and 16 turnovers (13 interceptions).

The last Carolina starting quarterback with more than 15 touchdown passes in a season was Kyle Allen (17) in 2019.

Nine teams in the modern draft era (1967) have drafted first overall and made the playoffs the next season. The last time the Panthers drafted first, Carolina selected quarterback Cam Newton from Auburn. Newton was NFL MVP in 2015 and led the team to Super Bowl 50, a loss to the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning.

Newton was still Carolina’s quarterback in 2018, the last time the Panthers reached the playoffs.

Young is the fourth QB in five years to win the Heisman Trophy and be selected with the No. 1 pick. He becomes the fourth Crimson Tide player to roll from Heisman winner to the first round of the NFL draft since running back Mark Ingram (2009 Heisman, 2011 first-round pick of the New Orleans Saints at No. 28).

–Carolina Panthers quarterbacks drafted in the first round:
1995 5th Kerry Collins Penn State
2011 1st Cam Newton Auburn

–First overall pick history since 2000:
2000 Courtney Brown DE Penn State Cleveland Browns
2001 Michael Vick QB Virginia Tech Atlanta Falcons
2002 David Carr QB Fresno State Houston Texans
2003 Carson Palmer QB USC Cincinnati Bengals
2004 Eli Manning QB Ole Miss San Diego Chargers
2005 Alex Smith QB Utah San Francisco 49ers
2006 Mario Williams DE North Carolina State Houston Texans Pro Bowl (2008, 2009, 2013, 2014)
2007 JaMarcus Russell QB LSU Oakland Raiders –
2008 Jake Long T Michigan Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
2009 Matthew Stafford QB Georgia Detroit Lions Pro Bowl (2014)
Super Bowl champion (LVI)
2010 Sam Bradford QB Oklahoma St. Louis Rams Heisman Trophy (2008)
Rookie of the Year (2010)
2011 Cam Newton QB Auburn Carolina Panthers Heisman Trophy (2010)
Pro Bowl (2011, 2013, 2015)
Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011)
NFL MVP (2015)
2012 Andrew Luck QB Stanford Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl (2012, 2013, 2014, 2018)
2013 Eric Fisher T Central Michigan Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl (2018, 2020)
Super Bowl champion (LIV)
2014 Jadeveon Clowney DE South Carolina Houston Texans Pro Bowl (2016, 2017, 2018)
2015 Jameis Winston QB Florida State Tampa Bay Buccaneers Heisman Trophy (2013)
Pro Bowl (2015)
2016 Jared Goff QB California Los Angeles Rams Pro Bowl (2017, 2018, 2022)
2017 Myles Garrett DE Texas A&M Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl (2018, 2020, 2021, 2022)
2018 Baker Mayfield QB Oklahoma Cleveland Browns Heisman Trophy (2017)
2019 Kyler Murray QB Oklahoma Arizona Cardinals Heisman Trophy (2018)
Offensive Rookie of the Year (2019)
Pro Bowl (2020, 2021)
2020 Joe Burrow QB LSU Cincinnati Bengals Heisman Trophy (2019)
Pro Bowl (2022)
2021 Trevor Lawrence QB Clemson Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl (2022)
2022 Travon Walker DE Georgia Jacksonville Jaguars –
2023 Bryce Young QB Alabama Carolina Panthers

–Field Level Media

Alabama Crimson Tide Bryce Young (left) and Ohio State' Buckeye C.J. Stroud (center) pictured in a file photo with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett talk with ESPN Game Day before the game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Odds swing sets Bryce Young as heavy favorite at No. 1

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Following the long-held believe that Vegas always knows, oddsmakers adjusted the futures betting markets in a big way with Alabama’s Bryce Young now a runaway favorite to be selected first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Young, who met with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday, had trailed Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud for most of March and briefly pulled to even odds this month.

On Wednesday, bettors placing a wager on the No. 1 pick found that Young jumped well ahead of the pack.

Young is now -360 to be the first pick in the draft at DraftKings, -270 at FanDuel and -300 at BetMGM. Stroud is running second at almost every sportsbook. Young was as high as +350 to be the No. 1 pick last month.

FanDuel lists Stroud at +200 and he’s +210 at BetMGM. Books have universally come to the realization the Panthers are down to two options at No. 1.

The third-best odds belong to Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson at +2000 (FanDuel, BetMGM, DraftKings).

Richardson’s odds to be drafted in the top five has also shifted with an over-under at 4.5 now +135 (over) at DraftKings. The under is -165.

–Field Level Media

Bryce Young throws during Alabama's pro day. Syndication Tuscaloosa News

Odds shift briefly makes Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud co-faves at No. 1

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It’s all up to the Carolina Panthers which college prospect — specifically, which potential franchise quarterback — will be made the No. 1 overall pick in this month’s NFL draft.

Where Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud was once the heavy favorite, the odds have fluctuated plenty throughout the spring, especially Thursday.

FanDuel Sportsbook moved Alabama quarterback Bryce Young into co-favorite status with Stroud at -110 on Thursday at 12 p.m. ET, amid reports that several people within the Panthers organization prefer the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner.

By Thursday evening, though, Stroud was bet back up to sole favorite status; he sat at -195 with Young not far behind at +140.

On March 10, the day after the Panthers traded with the Chicago Bears to obtain the No. 1 pick, Stroud was a -320 favorite at FanDuel to be selected first overall.

The Panthers hired Frank Reich as their new head coach this offseason, replacing Matt Rhule. Longtime NFL quarterback Josh McCown will be Reich’s offensive coordinator, and according to NBC Sports, McCown has raved about Young to friends, one of “several influential voices in the organization” leaning Young’s way.

The odds gap is narrow at other sportsbooks, as well; BetMGM has Stroud a -175 favorite and Young at +130, and DraftKings also lists Stroud at -175 with Young at +125.

Stroud worked out at Ohio State’s pro day on March 22, and Young followed suit at Alabama’s pro day the next day. Several key NFL decision-makers were present at both pro days.

The Athletic reported Thursday that the Panthers have scheduled top-30 visits with the top four quarterback prospects — Young, Stroud, Anthony Richardson of Florida and Will Levis of Kentucky — for next week.

Young threw for 8,356 yards and 80 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. His 47 touchdown passes in 2021, the year he won the Heisman, set an Alabama program record.

Stroud finished his Ohio State career with 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 25 games (21-4) as a starter. He was a two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year and the first quarterback in conference history to have back-to-back seasons with 30 or more touchdown passes.

–Field Level Media

Jan 31, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers head coach Frank Reich speaks at his introductory press conference at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Griffin Zetterberg-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Panthers acquire No. 1 pick from Bears in blockbuster

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Carolina is on the clock after the Panthers traded two first-round picks, second-rounders in 2023 and 2025 and wide receiver DJ Moore to the Chicago Bears for the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, several reports said Friday night.

The Panthers are in position to draft the quarterback of their choice, owning the top pick for the first time since selecting Auburn quarterback Cam Newton in 2011.

Chicago general manager Ryan Poles made his intentions clear at the NFL Scouting Combine — he intended to trade the pick to the highest bidder while committing to Justin Fields at quarterback.

The Bears stand to lose out on several top-ranked prospects in the deal by taking Carolina’s first-round pick in the 2023 draft, No. 9 overall, and the Panthers’ second-rounder (61st). But Poles made it clear in Indianapolis that the Bears felt they would get a “great player” regardless of the deal, which sets the franchise up with multiple first-round picks for the 2024 draft and multiple second-rounders in the 2025 draft.

Carolina hired Frank Reich as head coach after Matt Rhule was let go during the 2022 season. The Panthers made multiple trades in an attempt to fill the quarterback spot under Rhule.

But former No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield didn’t pan out last season and Sam Darnold, originally drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, failed to secure the position.

Other quarterback-needy teams who had hoped to move up in a trade with the Bears included the Indianapolis Colts (fourth overall) and Las Vegas Raiders (seventh overall).

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Bears GM heads to combine, where offers for No. 1 pick await

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A deal for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is likely to be in place before the end of the Scouting Combine, which gets underway this week in Indianapolis.

Hometown general manager Chris Ballard is among the known bidders for the first pick in the draft, which currently belongs to the Chicago Bears. General manager Ryan Poles and Ballard were co-workers and shared an office in the Kansas City Chiefs’ scouting department.

Poles and the Bears are unlikely to draft a quarterback with Justin Fields entering his third season, but two top-rated defensive linemen would make staying put at the top tempting. Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. are viewed as blue-chip players, but quarterback demand almost always raises prospects at that position in April.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud are expected targets of the Colts, who would like to move up from No. 4 to avoid losing out on an elite passer. The Houston Texans own the No. 2 pick and are also in the QB market, as are a number of teams with selections in the top 10 who could be willing trade matches when Poles begins comparing offers.

Poles said in January he would listen to any offer, not immediately rejecting the notion a team could trade for Fields instead of the No. 1 pick. The Bears also plan to meet with quarterback prospects during in-person interviews in Indianapolis this week.

General managers often spend countless hours meeting with agents of their own veteran players at the combine with free agency opening in two weeks.

They’ll also be in the company of their peers during and after player testing periods at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The No. 1 pick has been traded before draft day 12 times since 1967. This is the first time the Bears own the No. 1 pick entering the draft since selecting Bob Fenimore in 1947. The “Blonde Bomber” was a halfback at Oklahoma A&M.

–Field Level Media

8. Atlanta Falcons -- Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida Syndication Ocala Starbanner

Florida QB Anthony Richardson is No. 1 bet in top draft pick futures

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Two months before the 2023 NFL Draft, Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson has drawn more bets to go No. 1 overall than any prospect in the class.

Richardson opened at +10000 when BetMGM released top pick futures in January. By Tuesday, the polarizing prospect had jumped to +1000, and he climbed further to +700 on Thursday.

BetMGM data analyst John Ewing explained the rise of Richardson began Monday, when 13 percent of bettors had placed wagers on the quarterback going first in the draft. After multiple draft-focused sites began discussing Richardson as a serious option for the top pick — including NFL.com and Pro Football Focus — the public rode the flame to the window and Richardson currently leads all prospects at 22.6 percent of those bets.

Field Level Media rates Richardson as the No. 4 quarterback in the 2023 draft behind Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Kentucky’s Will Levis.

Quarterbacks are the top four in the No. 1 pick futures odds at DraftKings.

Young (-160) is ahead of Stroud (+380), Levis (+650) and Richardson (+750). Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter is +850.

Richardson is drawing athletic comparisons to Cam Newton, who by way of Florida and then Auburn rose up draft boards after leading the Tigers to the national title and winning the Heisman Trophy. Newton was the No. 1 pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2011.

A word of caution when ingesting pre-draft buzz as gospel: The 2022 case of Liberty quarterback Malik Willis, the prohibitive favorite to be the first quarterback drafted who went closer to pick 100 than pick No. 1.

Willis was +4500 to be the No. 1 pick before the NFL Scouting Combine last February, then wowed in throwing sessions open to media and entered the top four in the top pick future.

Willis was productive in college — he threw for 5,117 passing yards and 47 touchdowns, rushing for 1,822 yards and 27 touchdowns — and in media interviews.

Willis was -200 to be the top quarterback drafted on the eve of the NFL draft. The over-under for his draft slot at pick 9.5 was -140.

But the Auburn transfer wound up falling all the way to No. 86 and the Tennessee Titans.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) runs with the ball against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Fields ‘would love honesty’ in Bears’ draft plans

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In an interview on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Super Bowl radio row Friday, Chicago quarterback Justin Fields addressed the possibility that the Bears might use the No. 1 overall draft pick on another quarterback and said he’d like the team to be transparent with him throughout the spring.

Fields was selected in the first round (11th overall) of the 2021 draft, with 2022 being his first full season as the Bears’ starter. He finished the year with 2,242 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions plus 1,143 yards on the ground with eight rushing scores.

The Bears went 3-14, losing their final 10 games (Fields missed two due to injury) and passing the Houston Texans on the final day of the regular season for the worst record and top overall pick.

Fields said he had not spoken with the Bears about their plans, only having a standard exit meeting at the end of the season. Eisen asked Fields if he would want the Bears to keep him in the know if they “do their due diligence” of working out top prospects like Alabama’s Bryce Young or Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.

“Oh, yeah, for sure. I think everybody would love honesty in the process,” Fields said, “so I would definitely like to know that. And, you know, it’s a business. So totally understand, no hard feelings. But like I said, I control what I can control. Control my work ethic, control how I carry myself each and every day.”

Fields was then asked if he felt he already has “proven (his) worth” as the Bears’ franchise quarterback.

“I think I’ve shown a little bit, but I don’t think I’ve shown the world what I can do in terms of playing the full quarterback position and playing it consistently,” Fields said, pointing to his final game against Detroit, when he completed just 7 of 21 passes for 75 yards.

Chicago general manager Ryan Poles could go a number of directions with the No. 1 pick — replace Fields with an even younger high-quality prospect, select a defensive player to help a unit that ranked last in points allowed last year or trade out with a quarterback-needy team.

–Field Level Media