NEWSLETTER
It’s December, and teams have begun to be officially eliminated from playoff contention, meaning some are shifting gears to the NFL Draft prep. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler dropped a fresh mock today to help quench that thirst—that and more in today’s NFL Notes.
Dane Brugler’s Mock Draft Has Travis Hunter Going No. 1
The Jacksonville Jaguars currently hold the top selection in the 2025 NFL Draft in April. While they may not need a quarterback, they might need a new head coach. If things shake out the way they stand now, whoever that coach is will have his pick of the litter in April. The Athletic’s NFL Draft guru, Dane Brugler, has Jacksonville taking Colorado’s Travis Hunter in that spot in his latest mock draft.
2025 NFL DRAFT: Bears Fans Will Love Dane Brugler’s Latest Mock Draft
Hunter is a two-way phenom at the college level and could probably play either position in the NFL, but which one remains to be seen. Either way, Jacksonville lands one of the best wide receivers or cornerbacks at the top of the draft in this scenario.
Brugler has Hunter’s Colorado cohort heading to the New York Giants at No. 3, with Miami quarterback Cam Ward heading to Las Vegas at No. 2.
“It might be tough for owner Mark Davis to pass on the Sanders name, but Ward speaks the Raiders’ language with his ability to create explosive plays. Although his loose play style will sometimes lead to head-scratching moments, Ward has shown clear progress in his decision-making and placement, and his calm demeanor will help smooth his transition to NFL action,” Brugler writes of the Ward to Vegas selection one spot ahead of Sanders.
Brugler also has the Chicago Bears taking Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas at No. 11, a selection Chicago fans would be elated about. Other notable selections include running back Ashton Jeanty going to Washington at No. 21 and no other quarterbacks being taken in the first round.
Tom Brady’s “Mixed Emotions” on Azeez Al-Shaair’s Hit
Tom Brady expressed nuanced views on the controversy surrounding the late hit on Trevor Lawrence, suggesting quarterbacks bear some responsibility for their own safety when running outside the pocket. While acknowledging the dangers defensive players pose, Brady argued it’s unfair to place all blame on defenders for hits on running quarterbacks. He proposed penalizing QBs for sliding too late to create a more balanced approach.
Brady also criticized offensive play callers for designing too many quarterback runs, increasing injury risks. He stressed that keeping quarterbacks in the pocket is a better strategy for long-term protection.
Addressing the specific incident involving Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, Brady noted the challenge defensive players face in such situations. Al-Shaair apologized, explaining the hit wasn’t intentional, while Texans GM Nick Caserio defended his character against the backlash on Tuesday.
“I think where we take umbrage is the picture that’s been painted about Azeez, his intentions, who he is as a person — quite frankly, it’s b—–,” Caserio said.
Brady reflected on his own experience of sliding late during his career and emphasized the need for quarterbacks to time their slides better to avoid contact. He also mentioned the risk faced by mobile quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, highlighting that while their athleticism is impressive, running exposes them to significant dangers. Ultimately, Brady called for a shared responsibility between offensive players, coordinators, and defenders in ensuring quarterback safety.
“I see (Buffalo Bills quarterback) Josh Allen running a lot, I see (Baltimore Ravens quarterback) Lamar Jackson running a lot, and it’s a great skill to have. I wish I had that skill set,” Brady said. “And at the same time, when you run, you put yourself in a lot of danger, and when you do that, I don’t think the onus of protecting an offensive quarterback whose running should be on a defensive player. I don’t really think that’s fair to the defense.”
Micah Hyde Returns to Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills are strengthening their roster as they prepare for a potential Super Bowl run, adding veteran leadership and depth at key positions. On Sunday, the team welcomed back linebacker Matt Milano, who returned from a 14-month injury absence during the Bills’ dominant 35-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The return of Milano, a key defensive anchor, was already a significant boost for Buffalo’s defense.
Just days later, the Bills announced another notable addition: safety Micah Hyde, a beloved member of the franchise since 2017, has rejoined the team. Hyde, a pivotal figure on and off the field, had previously hinted at retirement but decided to return to aid the Bills during their playoff push. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed the move on Wednesday, stating that the team signed Hyde to their practice squad, leaving the door open for him to contribute during the critical final stretch of the regular season and playoffs.
Hyde has been instrumental in the Bills’ success over the past seven years, earning respect as both a playmaker and a locker-room leader. His return reinforces the Bills’ safety unit, which includes starters Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin, rookie Cole Bishop, and veteran Kareem Jackson. McDermott emphasized Hyde’s value as a trusted voice and experienced player but tempered expectations regarding his immediate impact.
As a practice squad member, Hyde can be elevated to the game-day roster for up to three of the Bills’ remaining five regular-season games. He could be elevated without restrictions in the postseason, providing much-needed depth and leadership during high-pressure moments.
The timing of Hyde’s return aligns with the Bills’ pursuit of their first Super Bowl championship in franchise history. With Milano and Hyde back in the fold, the team is in an excellent position to solidify its defense and make a deep playoff run.
Austin Ekeler Discusses His Second Concussion of the Season
Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler opened up about the aftermath of his second concussion this season, which occurred in Week 12 against the Dallas Cowboys. Speaking in an interview on D.C.-area radio station 106.7 The Fan, Ekeler shared details of his symptoms, including “fogginess,” neck pain, and short-term memory loss. He recalled being unaware of how he left the field and only began regaining memory once he was being evaluated in the locker room.
“I didn’t even remember how I got off the field,” Ekeler said. “I just remember coming to — as far as remembering stuff — I had short-term memory loss. I remember my wife was sitting in the room, and I’m getting evaluated by our medical staff in the back room. That’s when I started to remember things, and then all of a sudden, OK, we’re getting in the back of the ambulance to go get a CT scan. I was definitely concussed and seeing some major symptoms there.”
Ekeler has a history of concussions, with prior diagnoses in 2018, 2021, and earlier this season in Week 3. After his latest injury, he was placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games and making him ineligible to return until Week 17. Although he hasn’t cleared concussion protocol, he expressed optimism about his recovery, emphasizing a cautious, week-to-week approach.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn underscored the importance of following medical protocols for concussions, praising Ekeler’s progress and acknowledging the team’s commitment to his well-being. Ekeler, who has been a key contributor this season with 4.8 yards per carry and 346 receiving yards, expressed gratitude for the organization’s support as he navigates decisions about his future on the field.
“The best thing about this is the team has my back, pretty much on any decision that I make. I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and (general manager) Adam Peters for being there and being open to helping me out.”
