About USA TODAY Sports’ 30 Days to the NFL Draft series, which started March 25: Every five days, we focused on a unique aspect of the 2025 draft, which is April 24-26. This is the final installment.
The 2025 NFL draft is almost here and hopefully you’ve got your big board in order. Sandwich board, that is. May your snacks be ready and mocks complete. Hydrate, stretch, charge your phones. We’re just about there.
Overall, this draft season has been low key. Not a lot of news or controversies. Lacking in big names. But the actual draft could be interesting. There are still a number of questions about who will go where early on, particularly when it comes to Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
This draft, sleepy so far, could actually be fun. Maybe even super fun.
And yes, there are still many questions. So take some notes. Draft school is in session. It starts with 20 questions.
1. What surprise move could happen in the first few picks?
The Giants trading back a few spots to select LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. He’s the best offensive lineman in this draft and that’s where the Giants need help. Also, keep an eye on Jalen Milroe from Alabama going at the end of the first round.
2. Are the Titans a lock to draft Cam Ward?
There’s no such thing as a lock in the draft. There are lock adjacent things and Tennessee is in that lock adjacent mode. All signs point to Ward going there. It’s always possible the Titans trade out of the pick. It’s highly unlikely they stay at No. 1 and pick a player other than Ward. If that happened, there would be mass draft chaos. Which I hope happens. Draft chaos would be delicious.
3. You’re a nerd so asking who is the best Star Trek captain?
What does that have to do with the draft? But glad you asked! It’s a tie between Ben Sisko and Kathryn Janeway.
4. What are the best snacks for the draft?
For this draft: cheese curds. Honor your fellow American Cheeseheads on the draft being in Green Bay, even if you’re a Bears fan.
5. Why do I keep hearing about Tyler Shough?
He’s the Louisville quarterback and take this for what it’s worth: teams are saying privately he could be the surprise pick of the draft. Which leads to the next query.
6. What is lying season?
Around this time, many team officials plant fake stories in the media, or even lie, in order to throw off other teams. It’s a total misinformation campaign. That’s lying season. I first heard the team decades ago from George Young, the late New York Giants general manager. When I ran a rumor about the Giants past him, Young replied: ‘Do you know what season it is?’ Me: ‘Christmas season?’ Young: ‘Lying season.’
7. Should you ever yell ‘get in the hole’ during the draft?
No, this isn’t golf. And people who do that during golf tournaments are goofs, anyway. Don’t be a goof. Especially don’t be a draft goof.
8. For us draft newbies, how should we watch?
Draft coverage will be on both the NFL Network and ESPN. Personal preference? A tie. I love Rich Eisen on the NFL Network and I feel the same about Louis Riddick on ESPN. Flip back and forth between the two channels like the freak you are. I am. We are.
9. Can I call in sick to work Friday since the draft runs so late?
In this economy? Also, why are you asking me? I’m not your mom.
10. Is this the Shedeur Sanders draft?
In a way, yes. Where the Colorado quarterback is selected could reconfigure a swath of the first round. We still don’t have a firm answer about where he’s going to be picked. The range is still pretty big.
11. If you had to guess, where will he go?
The Browns at No. 2 overall.
That’s a stupid guess.
That’s not a question.
12. What about his former teammate Travis Hunter?
One of the certainties of this draft is that Hunter will go high. He’s perhaps the most talented player in it. My dream scenario is the Titans take Hunter first overall and the draft becomes so full of hot takes that it folds in on itself and collapses into a draft black hole.
13. What is your favorite song?
Anything by Chic.
14. Chic? LOL the 70s called and wants its polyester back
Watch it, buddy.
15. Why is the NFL draft such a big deal?
Despite the fact the draft has become so intensely commercialized, it remains one of the more genuine and sincere moments on the NFL calendar. You get to see young men realize their dreams. There are controversies and issues and imperfections with the process. There are things that go wrong, but we get to see the future of the league flash before our eyes. There’s no action. No games. And it’s still riveting.
16. Why is there even a draft in the first place?
Finally, a smart question from you. In an ideal world, there wouldn’t be. Players would be able to go to whichever team they wanted. But the NFL has a stranglehold on players’ rights. If there was ever a fair draft process, players would be able to earn far more money than they do as rookies. Question 16 has been brought to you by your local union.
17. What do run the 40-yard dash in?
You’d need a sundial to measure my time.
18. Why does Roger Goodell hug players?
The short answer is it’s become a tradition that started over a decade ago. It’s always funny seeing Goodell hugging players he might later fine.
19. Will the draft determine the Super Bowl participants?
Maybe not directly but watch the Philadelphia Eagles in this draft. Howie Roseman, the team’s general manager, is a magician. Maybe the best GM in all of sports. He’ll use the draft to further armor an already deep roster. I do think the Eagles will repeat as Super Bowl champions.
20. What will you be doing for the draft?
Working and eating sandwiches.
Enjoy the draft everyone.