ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes takes a timeout to talk some 2025 draft and other offseason news with Post columnist Steve Serby.
Q: If you were Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll, what would you do with the No. 3 pick?
A: I would take either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, or I would see if there’s somebody willing to trade up for the pick.
Q: Who do you like better?
A: I think Travis Hunter’s the best player in the draft, and I also think the positions that he plays align a little bit better with the New York Giants — edge is one of the few things they really don’t have a glaring need at. That said, though, I don’t think it would be a mistake to take Abdul Carter, even with [Brian] Burns and [Kayvon] Thibodeaux on the roster. You view how much the top edges in the NFL are getting paid right now — quarterback money, right? — and the value of having a star at that position on a rookie contract is just immense.
Q: Does Carter remind you of Micah Parsons?
A: Obviously Penn State, [No.] 11 and he played off the ball, but Micah as a prospect had more power, and used it both on the pass rush and against the run. Carter’s built a little bit smaller, super fast, super explosive, but he doesn’t have the same play strength as a Parsons.
Q: Would you use Hunter more on defense or offense?
A: Oh, golly. … Well, if you’re New York, I think if he was with the Giants, I would want him to play corner with some wide receiver mixed in, because quite frankly, in a vacuum, it’s probably the best outcome for him — just because his ball skills are so unique as a cornerback. He has the ability to shut down his part of the field in a way that is really, really impactful ,and it’s easier to play corner full-time with some receiver than the reverse, right? And then, obviously, the Giants had drafted so well last year with [Malik] Nabers. That said, you definitely would want to get him and Nabers on the field [together] sometimes, too, and that would be pretty cool.
Q: What are your thoughts on Shedeur Sanders?
A: There’s a lot to like. He is accurate, he is tough, he throws over the middle of the field — there’s a lot of offenses around the NFL, especially ones from the Shanahan-Kubiak tree that really are drawn to that set of tools as quarterbacks. I do think he’s gotta speed up his time to throw, just because he’s not a plus athlete for a quarterback in the NFL, so he’ll be able to bail himself out the way he sometimes did in college. But if he can play faster, I definitely think his accuracy and toughness would make him a good starting quarterback in the right situation.
Q: If he does slide, how far do you see him sliding?
A: It’s hard for me to imagine him getting past the Saints at 9, especially with the revelation that there’s some issues that Derek Carr’s future with the team seems a little bit unclear right now. I don’t think that should affect whether or not they take a quarterback — either they should or they shouldn’t, quite frankly. But I do feel like that seems like the bottom for the second quarterback taken in the draft.
Q: So if you were Saints GM Mickey Loomis, you would take Shedeur?
A: I would not, personally. I think that the roster’s not in great shape to support a rookie quarterback, quite frankly. As you know all too well in New York, you can really set up these guys to fail. I think there’s just so many positional needs on that team, and I would focus on that if I were them.
Q: How about Shedeur in Pittsburgh?
A: That makes more sense to me, actually, just because that is a team that is closer. Obviously, they were in the playoffs last year. I think there’s better infrastructure there. There are still some needs and other positions that they need to improve upon — running back, maybe offensive tackle — but I think it would be a great situation for someone like him to walk into. And I think he would be a good quarterback for them, too, because he is fairly pro-ready and I think they need a quarterback that starts pretty quickly.
Q: Your thoughts on Jaxson Dart?
A: Very toolsy. He’s got an absolutely NFL-caliber arm, it’s very live, he can make difficult throws to all parts of the field. Really good athlete, that’s what stood out to me watching him on tape was just how good he is as a scrambler. I think it can be hard to evaluate quarterbacks in that type of offense. We’ve seen that in the past because a lot of what he was asked to do at Ole Miss just is really different from what he’ll be asked to do in the pros, it’s so much RPOs, play-action. In my mind, he is a quarterback who, unlike Sanders, I actually would like to see sit and develop for a little bit.
Q: Would you be surprised if he was drafted before Shedeur?
A: I would, based on my own evaluation, but I also wouldn’t based on all the smoke around him now (laugh) or the reports. So I guess at this point it wouldn’t be that shocking, but if you asked me that before, even during the college football season, I would have been very surprised.
Q: Your thoughts on Jalen Milroe?
A: Similar to Dart, an exciting developmental prospect. One of the best runners at the position that we’ve seen in quite some time since [Lamar] Jackson, different style of runner. But not only is he extremely fast and elusive, he also runs with great vision, and then he’s got a cannon arm. But I just think there’s a lot of question marks around accuracy. Just needs to sit, maybe, and learn at the position a little bit, but I can see why a team would be interested in taking a flier because of the tools.
Q: How about Tyler Shough?
A: He was a fun watch for me because I wasn’t on to him during the college football season at all. Really interesting arm talent, that’s the first thing that jumps out. He makes throws from a variety of different arm angles on the move. He’s got a strong arm as well, and I think he is also quite plug-and-play. Your older prospect that’ll affect where he’s drafted, and I think he’s a little bit pressure averse, shall we say? But a team like the Browns, for example, that’s a quarterback I would target if I were them later in the draft.
Q: How many quarterbacks do you think will end up in the first round?
A: I think three, given all of the noise around Jaxson Dart at this point.
Q: Could you see Milroe in the first?
A: I would be very surprised, but he’s going to Green Bay, so who knows (laugh).
Q: What do you think of Russell Wilson in New York?
A: Obviously an exceedingly reasonable contract. He’s certainly a competent veteran quarterback.
Q: Is there a scenario where he could lead the Giants to a wild-card playoff berth?
A: I have to say I find it pretty unlikely, personally. Especially the NFC East being what it is right now with the Eagles and the Commanders rising.
Q: What do you think will happen with Aaron Rodgers?
A: I think he’s either gonna be a Pittsburgh Steeler or he’s gonna retire, and I certainly hope if I’m the Pittsburgh Steelers, he makes that decision in the next few days.
Q: What was your reaction when the Jets decided to move on from him?
A: It made sense. It just felt like they had to just kind of turn the page on that whole era, right? It was completely understandable to me.
Q: Can he be a playoff quarterback again?
A: If he was with a team like the Vikings, absolutely. A team like the Steelers, they were in the playoffs last year with pretty up-and-down quarterback play, so it’s certainly possible, but winning playoff games or competing in that division, I don’t see it.
Q: What kind of player would fit Aaron Glenn?
A: I feel like it’s chalk at this point to give them [Armand] Membou, the right tackle out of Mizzou. I get it, it would be great for them to continue addressing that offensive line, especially in a transitional year at the quarterback so that if they draft one next year, the team’s in good shape. So if I’m a Jets fan, I’m thrilled with that pick. I’d also suggest Tyler Warren for them. … It may be a little bit high, though. I can see them balking there, even a receiver’s an option. But I think focusing on the offensive line does make a lot of sense.
Q: Your thoughts on Justin Fields?
A: I think of all of the sort of bridge quarterbacks who were available, if I’m a Jets fan I’d be pretty happy that they went with him because there’s more upside, and then his dynamism as a dual-threat quarterback. Given the situation the Jets were in, the amount of money [two years, $40 million] they spent, it makes a lot of sense.
Q: What should Jets fans’ expectations be for this season?
A: I think it’s a transitional season. What you can expect and what you should hope for is that the defense gets back on track and plays up to its talent level with Aaron Glenn running the ship. And that offensively you start to build an identity, offensive coordinator’s [Tanner Engstrand] coming from the Lions, I think trying to replicate what they did, not off the bat, right? But that was a team that was built from the trenches inside out, and then developed a really strong run game from there, the play-action pass attack off of that, and I think that’s kind of the same trajectory he wants to do with the Jets. I actually really like the way the Jets have approached this offseason, and in general it just felt like they had to turn the page. I think they’re very realistic about who they are this year. They didn’t reach for a quarterback, they’re not even being linked to quarterbacks in this draft, and candidly, I think that’s a good thing. I think that the team seems more realistic. … There’s been so little noise around them ahead of this draft, rumors or anything, and frankly, after the last few years, I think that’s pretty refreshing.
Q: Your Seattle Seahawks and Sam Darnold?
A: I understand why they picked him in particular, it’s a very reasonable contract [three years, $100.5M], and Darnold is a good fit in that type of offense with Klint Kubiak, it’s gonna be very similar to what he ran in Minnesota. … But I have questions about the offseason as a whole, given that I think they didn’t get better and also have some real glaring holes on that offensive line.
Q: Do you have a favorite player in this draft?
A: I’m a really big fan of Jihaad Campbell. I just absolutely loved watching him on tape. I think he has all the tools to be one of the best linebackers in the NFL.
Q: He has a shoulder issue though, doesn’t he?
A: He does, and that’s why he might fall in the draft, and I think if he does, some team is gonna get an absolute steal.
Q: Who might be a sleeper?
A: I liked watching Trey Amos, the cornerback at Ole Miss. I thought he was a really fun guy to watch, great length, can play man, zone.
Q: Who are some general managers and front offices you expect to knock it out of the park?
A: The ones who always do well: Howie Roseman with the Eagles, Eric DeCosta with the Ravens, I think Brandon Beane’s done a good job with the Bills, Les Snead with the Rams, too. They’re the same names for a reason.
Q: What kind of trade activity would you expect in the first round?
A: I think there’s gonna be less than maybe expected because my sense is there’s the view that while there’s good players, and there’s some truly great ones at the top, this isn’t like a really stacked top 10, so maybe you’ll see a trade, maybe even two at the top, but then that might be it.
Q: Why is draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. a first-round pick?
A: Oh, ’cause he’s encyclopedic. He’ll pull out references and comps from like 15, 20 years ago like it was yesterday.
Q: ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, whatever comes to mind …
A: The consummate pro. I’ve seen him in every possible situation breaking news, and he is just so polished and so good at his job. It’s cool to watch. Also a very good teammate.
Q: Field Yates?
A: Superstar. Ascending for a reason. I think the thing that I would highlight about him is he works so damn hard, and I hope people see that ’cause I do think it translates in his work, but his work ethic is absolutely unbelievable. He’s put so much into this role and I think he really deserves it.
Q: Any others you want to mention?
A: The cast at “NFL Live” is my family. Very excited to do the draft with them. Laura Rutledge in particular, I think, is just the perfect person to be hosting our show during the draft because she also does a lot of college football work during the college football season, so by the time the draft rolls along, she’s just so geeked on talking about these guys, and also when we learn about them, I’ll be like, “Damn, Tyler Shough can kind of sling it,” and she’s just so happy to talk about him ’cause it’s been part of her life for the last few months. She’s right at the nexus of the NFL and college football, and this is like her sweet spot. … The dudes on “NFL Live” are awesome, and I can’t wait to see them in Green Bay, they’re truly like my brothers — Marcus Spears, Ryan Clark, Dan Orlovsky. And I just love talking draft with them. Ryan is someone who I talk defense with. We’re constantly texting each other about cornerbacks as we’re watching them. I think that those conversations help make our show even better.
Q: How much fun is draft night for you?
A: It’s a blast, especially when things are surprising. Last year, I still remember Marcus and I, our eyebrows flying off our heads when the Falcons took [Michael] Penix (laugh). Like, what? Every year we think we know what’s gonna happen and every year we’re taken by surprise, and I just love that.
Q: How much fun is the War Room for you?
A: Oh, I love it! It’s honestly one of my favorite things I’ve been doing every year.
Q: Describe Lenny for me and how that whole thing began.
A: Lenny’s my dog. I adopted him more than 10 years ago at this point, and when I launched my podcast, I felt like I needed a co-host. He didn’t talk too much, so I gave him the job.
Q: What kind of dog is he?
A: He is a true mutt. Like every breed.
Q: And why did you name him Lenny?
A: We just liked the name, honestly. Didn’t have a great story. It’s not Lenny Dykstra, or Lenny Kravitz. Just liked Lenny.
Q: Tell me the story about how you adopted Lenny.
A: He was from Alabama and [my husband and I] were living in New York at the time, and sometimes shelters in New York would accept dogs from, like, the south, kind of a supply-demand thing. I saw his photo on Petfinder. Shelter held a little meet-up, and he goes to Upper West Side so we went up there. I vividly remember it because the Seahawks had just lost and I was in a bad mood, and he cheered me up.
Q: Is he a good co-host?
A: He is, unless I’m recording around his dinner time, in which case he’s the worst co-host.
Q: What can you tell me about your high school valedictory speech?
A: To be very frank, I don’t remember much of it (laugh). I think I was probably overly earnest.
Q: Three dinner guests?
A: A: Marshawn Lynch, Danny McBride and Zadie Smith.
Q: Why Marshawn Lynch?
A: Oh, I just love him. Just think he seems like the best hang on earth.
Q: Favorite movie?
A: “Groundhog Day.”
Q: Favorite meal?
A: Korean food.
Q: What drives you?
A: Just trying to be a little bit better at my job every day.
Q: The biggest obstacle you had to overcome?
A: I guess making the transition from being a writer and a reporter to being an opinionater was quite an obstacle because it’s a completely different job, it requires a completely different set of skills … and sort of developing the confidence in my own beliefs is something that took a while.
Q: How would you characterize your television style?
A: I think genuine. I’m really just trying to be myself. I’m not trying to be an inauthentic version of myself. I don’t say anything I don’t believe. I’m not trying to get a reaction, I’m just trying to be honest and give thoughts that are based on the work that I’ve done.
Q: What are you most proud of about your career?
A: I’m proud of the fact that I’ve kind of earned the acceptance of the people I work with, the guys that I work with in particular on “NFL Live,” but in other places who have just been the best teammates on earth. Being on our show and feeling like I belong with them, and then that they’re so kind to me and so welcoming, that makes me proud. And then, normalizing, I think, to some degree, the fact that somebody like me can even do this is something I’m proud of. I hear a lot from young women, people who didn’t play the games, that seeing me has kind of inspired them to be into it as well.
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