NFL Draft Buzz: Colts plan for life after Daniel Jones; Giants target O-line depth

It is hard to believe we are entering the final stretch of the 2025 NFL season. While plenty is still undecided on the field, the picture for the 2026 NFL Draft is starting to come into focus now that the college football season has wrapped up.

This week’s NFL Draft Buzz looks at how several teams are already positioning themselves for April. From the Colts preparing to address quarterback early, to the New York Giants targeting offensive line depth, to major defensive and skill-position needs elsewhere, the early draft board is beginning to take shape.

Colts in the quarterback market

There was early-season buzz that the Colts finally solved their quarterback problem with Daniel Jones. He played like a top-ten quarterback through the first half of the year. That conversation is over. Jones is out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury and he will hit free agency in the offseason. Indianapolis is back in the quarterback hunt, and they will be digging into the top passers in the 2026 NFL Draft.

They would love to land local star Fernando Mendoza, but without a first-round pick that is basically a fantasy. That pushes the Colts into the second or third-round quarterback tier.

One name that fits what they do is LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. His accuracy is his calling card. He completed 67 percent of his passes this year despite working with a mediocre supporting cast. He also mirrors Jones in how he plays. Both are athletic pocket passers who can extend plays when protection breaks down.

The reason Nussmeier could slide is simple. His 2025 season was a step back. His production dipped by nearly 100 passing yards per game, he threw five interceptions in nine games and the year ended early due to injury. That combination is enough to push him out of Round 1.

Even with the rough ending, the tools are still there. If he stops forcing throws and has a dependable run game behind him, he has the talent to start in the NFL.

Giants right tackle option

Heading into the 2025 season, right tackle looked like one of the Giants’ biggest needs. Jermaine Eluemunor has changed that fast. He has turned in a steady year and has only allowed four sacks, which is a major reason outlets like ESPN no longer project the Giants to target an offensive tackle in the first round.

The Giants still need a long-term answer at the position. Eluemunor is over 30 and will be a free agent after the season. If he leaves, the need becomes urgent. Even if he stays, they need depth and a future starter, so the middle rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft remain a realistic place to address it.

Penn State’s Drew Shelton is a player the Giants have kept close tabs on. Assistant GM Brandon Brown got an up-close look when he scouted the Nittany Lions against Rutgers.

Shelton is a strong fit for the Giants. He has seen significant playing time at both right and left tackle at Penn State, and he has also logged limited snaps at both guard spots. That versatility matters with both of the Giants' starting guards scheduled for free agency.

Physically, Shelton has the movement skills to line up anywhere on the line. He shows the foot quickness to stay in phase with edge defenders and the agility to be an effective puller in the Giants downhill run game at guard. He also brings the flexibility and length NFL teams look for. If he cleans up his fundamentals, especially his footwork, he profiles as a high-upside mid-round target in the 2026 draft.

Pass rushers needed

There is zero doubt that one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL this season is the Baltimore Ravens who despite entering the season widely projected to make the Super Bowl now sit at 6-7 and with one more loss will likely have no shot at making the playoffs. One of the biggest reason for their lack of success this season is a defense that has had trouble getting to the quarterback.

Entering the team’s big contest against Cincinnati, the team is 31st in pressure rate (29.6%), and dead last in pressure rate when rushing just four defenders (23.9%). This means the Ravens will need to prioritize the defensive line come next April in the 2026 NFL Draft.

While most of the talk is around who the Ravens will take in the first round, the key might be is if they can add a key pass rusher or two on day two or three of the draft. One player who could be just the type of pass rusher the team needs is Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas.

Thomas has the quickness of the edge Baltimore desperately needs and this quickness off the ball allowed the Sooner to record 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in just nine games this season. In addition to his impressive burst off the ball he has one of the best motors in the 2026 NFL Draft consistently showing the tenacity to play through the whistle.

These traits could make him a great value in the second, where he is currently projected to go in the 2026 NFL Draft. The biggest reason he will likely fall to day two is a lack of ideal size coming in at just 6-foot-2 and 249 pounds. Also, his history of injuries including missing several games this year don’t help his draft stock. Which could all lead to Baltimore getting great value in the second round if they add him.

Steelers must rework wide receiver core

The Steelers have one of the weakest wide receiver rooms in the league. PFF ranks the unit 29th, and outside of DK Metcalf there is very little to build around. The additions of Adam Thielen and Marquez Valdes-Scantling help in the short term, but neither is a long-term solution.

That reality puts wide receiver squarely on the Steelers’ draft board in 2026, both early and again in the middle rounds. One mid-round name to watch is Miami’s CJ Daniels. Pittsburgh clearly has interest, sending two scouts to watch Daniels when the Hurricanes faced Pitt.

Daniels currently carries a fifth-round grade on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus board and would make sense as a Day 3 target. His standout trait is his ability to finish through contact. He caught 80 percent of his contested targets this season and made one of the best catches of the year against Notre Dame.

Adding Daniels would give the Steelers much-needed depth at receiver and pair well with a wideout taken in the first two rounds. More than anything, it would finally give whoever is playing quarterback in Pittsburgh next season a functional group of targets.