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Grading all 32 first-round picks from 2025 NFL Draft: Which high-profile rookies have thrived? Flopped?

Which high-profile rookies have impressed? Disappointed? With less than a month remaining in the regular season, Bucky Brooks provides grades for all 32 first-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Bears or Patriots: Which current No. 1 seed has more potential this season -- and beyond?

Nobody expected the Bears and Patriots to sit atop their respective conferences at the outset of December. Which surprising No. 1 seed has more potential this season -- and beyond? Plus, who will win the NFL's best division? Bucky Brooks has the answers.

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Jaxon Smith-Njigba is NFL's best receiver; will Myles Garrett break sack records for season AND career?

In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks gives Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba a lofty title. Plus, a look at Myles Garrett's transcendent performance in 2025. The single-season sack record is squarely in his sights, but can the Browns pass rusher break the career mark?

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Shedeur Sanders' first NFL start: What should we expect from Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback?

In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks explains what to watch for in Shedeur Sanders' highly anticipated starting debut. How will the Browns rookie fare against the Raiders? Plus, a ranking of the top five candidates in a hotly contested Comeback Player of the Year race.

AFC anarchy: Will all 4 divisions have new champs? Appraising the Broncos, Colts, Patriots and Steelers

Will all four divisions in the AFC finish the regular season with new champions? Bucky Brooks assesses the Broncos, Colts, Patriots and Steelers, ranking each of their chances to remain at the top. Plus, a new offensive trend that is putting defensive coordinators in a bind.

Top 10 NFL MVP candidates at midseason: Drake Maye and Jonathan Taylor headline my ranking

At the midpoint of the 2025 NFL regular season, who's in the race for the league's most prestigious individual award? Bucky Brooks provides his top 10 MVP candidates. Who's at No. 1? Which running backs and defensive players make the ranking?

Scariest NFL defenders to block in 2025: Ranking the top five right now

In a special Halloween edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks ranks the top five scariest defenders to block in 2025. Is Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons at No. 1? Plus, a look into the making of a frightening defense.

Ranking top 10 players from loaded 2024 NFL Draft class: Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye at No. 1?

The 2024 NFL Draft class provided immediate returns in Year 1 -- and the group continues to ascend this season. With that in mind, Bucky Brooks ranks his top 10 second-year pros. Which dynamic quarterback earns the No. 1 spot: Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye?

Eagles' offense headlines struggling units that can be fixed; Jets' defense among those that are cooked

Can the Eagles' offense get back on track? Will Aaron Glenn be able to straighten out the Jets' defense? In the latest edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks spotlights three struggling units that can be fixed -- and three that are broken beyond repair.

Travis Etienne, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Javonte Williams for real? Plus, 2 trades fueling 1 contender

Is rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt the real deal? Are fifth-year pros Travis Etienne and Javonte Williams back for good? Bucky Brooks assesses the sustainability of five running backs off to surprisingly hot starts. Plus, two trades that have significantly boosted one contender.

Baltimore Ravens cooked at 1-3? What's wrong with Sauce Gardner? Kansas City Chiefs truly back?

With Baltimore at 1-3 and Lamar Jackson injured, are the Ravens already cooked? Bucky Brooks provides his assessment in this edition of the Scout's Notebook. Plus, the truth about Sauce Gardner's downturn and the key to Kansas City's revival.

Jeff Hafley could become NFL's hottest head-coaching candidate; Jaxson Dart scouting report

Is Jeff Hafley becoming one of the hottest head-coaching candidates in the NFL? Can Jaxson Dart thrive as the Giants' new starting quarterback? And what is a 'dirty kick'? Bucky Brooks answers those questions in this edition of the Scout's Notebook.

Chiefs in danger zone with impotent offense, while Steelers disappoint on defense; plus, 3 NFL closers

With the Chiefs sitting at 0-2 for the first time since 2014, Bucky Brooks identifies the biggest problem in Kansas City. Two other topics covered in this edition of the Scout's Notebook: a proud defense that is experiencing serious struggles and three true NFL closers.

Justin Herbert poised for MVP-caliber season; Indianapolis Colts equipped to end playoff drought

Is Justin Herbert poised to make a serious run at league MVP? Bucky Brooks says the polarizing passer is ready to silence his critics and join the ranks of the quarterbacking elite. Plus, a team everyone should stop sleeping on and a highly impactful rule change.

NFL Week 1 debuts I can't wait to see: Will Micah Parsons make Packers Super? The Travis Hunter plan

Can Ben Johnson lift the Bears over a talented division rival? How will the Jaguars deploy Travis Hunter in his first full NFL game? Does Micah Parsons immediately shift the balance in Sunday's Lions-Packers bout? Bucky Brooks spotlights 10 debuts he can't wait to see in Week 1.

Ten non-first-round picks who showed they can make an impact as rookies in the 2025 NFL season

Which non-first-round picks showed serious flashes when they stepped into the preseason spotlight? Bucky Brooks highlights 10 rookies who popped, including Browns fifth-round QB Shedeur Sanders.

2025 Heisman Trophy watch list: QB Arch Manning, WR Jeremiah Smith among top eight candidates

With the college football season kicking off this week, Bucky Brooks identifies his top eight candidates to win the 2025 Heisman Trophy. Where do Texas QB Arch Manning and Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith rank? Plus, an intriguing dark horse from a former powerhouse program.

Ranking NFL's top three defensive lines, secondaries in '25: Giants loaded up front; Texans make both lists!

Do the New York Giants boast the NFL's best collection of game-wreckers? Who has the league's stickiest coverage unit? Bucky Brooks provides his rankings of the top three defensive lines and top three secondaries in 2025 -- and one team makes both lists!

Which new NFL head coach will win most in 2025? Brian Schottenheimer, Ben Johnson top my rankings

Which new head coach will win the most games in the 2025 NFL season? Bucky Brooks provides his rankings, 1-7, with lofty slots for Chicago's Ben Johnson and Dallas' Brian Schottenheimer. Who tops the list?

Stop dismissing Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers in AFC; ranking top three challengers to Eagles' NFC throne

Even though Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season, Bucky Brooks warns against dismissing the Aaron Rodgers-led Steelers in 2025. Plus, the three biggest challengers to Philadelphia's NFC throne.

What is the Jaguars' plan for Travis Hunter? Will the Chiefs be fun again? Tyrann Mathieu = Hall of Famer?

How do the Jacksonville Jaguars plan to deploy two-way star Travis Hunter? Will the Kansas City Chiefs be fun again? Is Tyrann Mathieu a Hall of Famer? In this edition of the Scout's Notebook, Bucky Brooks examines those three intriguing questions.

2025 NFL All-Breakout Team, Defense: Packers boast 2 selections in Lukas Van Ness and Edgerrin Cooper

Which up-and-coming defensive players could achieve stardom in the 2025 NFL season? Bucky Brooks spotlights 11 names to know on his All-Breakout Team, including a pair of Packers.

2025 NFL All-Breakout Team, Offense: Rome Odunze, Xavier Worthy to lead Bears, Chiefs passing attacks

Which up-and-coming offensive players could achieve stardom in the 2025 NFL season? Bucky Brooks spotlights 11 names to know on his All-Breakout Team, including a pair of first-round receivers from the 2024 draft class.

Baker Mayfield for MVP? Josh Jacobs for OPOY? Long-shot picks for major NFL awards in 2025

Could Baker Mayfield be the NFL MVP in 2025? How about a running back taking home Offensive Player of the Year honors for the third year in a row? Bucky Brooks provides his long-shot picks for seven major individual awards in the coming season.