AAF Report: Best Kept Secret of 2025 NFL Draft Delivers

The World Famous All Access Football Report brings you inside the world of football with top headlines from around the globe on EVERYTHING pigskin!

Sep 10, 2025

∙ Paid

The World Famous All Access Football Report, Read By 50k+ Subscribers From 70 Countries Around The World & All 32 NFL Teams is Presented By Sports Management Worldwide. The SMWW 2026 Football Career Conference Is The Biggest Networking Event of the Year! Plan ahead and save $150 with early bird registration, we’ll see you there!

AAF DAILY SHOW: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

In this episode of the All Access Football Daily Show, host Ric Serritella welcomes NFL insider Howard Balzer for a look back at NFL Week 1 and a look ahead at Week 2. Plus, special guest FCS insider Craig Haley of The Analyst. Topics include a look at the latest FCS Poll, top small school prospects for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, plus an update on first time head coaches Mike Vick of Norfolk State and DeSean Jackson of Delaware State. Serritella also dishes on the latest news from around the world of football from The World Famous All Access Football Report, read by 50k+ subscribers from 70 countries around the world and all 32 NFL teams. All Access. All Football. All The Time.

NFL TNF PREVIEW: COMMANDERS AT PACKERS

Two of the more impressive teams from NFL Week 1 will matchup on Thursday Night Football with the Washington Commanders visiting the Green Bay Packers. One player who caught our attention along the scouting trails during the all-star game circuit was Jacory Croskey-Merritt (photo: Washington Commanders), who we dubbed ‘the best kept secret of the 2025 NFL Draft.’ The little-known running back popped onto our radar during the Hula Bowl practice week, as he was clearly a superior talent compared to other players in attendance. For those not familiar with his story, Croskey-Merritt was forced to sit out his entire senior year at Arizona due to an NCAA eligibility issue, which arose from his previous tenure at Alabama State in 2019. However, kudos to the East-West Shrine Bowl, who sent a scout to the Hula Bowl and recognized the talent. That would then lead to Croskey-Merritt taking home Shrine Bowl MVP honors. Despite the impressive performance, NFL teams were reluctant to spend a high draft pick on the talented runner. The Washington Commanders now look to have the biggest steal of the entire 2025 NFL Draft Class in Croskey-Merritt, who was chosen with the 245th overall selection during the seventh and final round. By the way, in case you didn’t get the memo, he prefers to be called Bill now. Don’t worry Bill, you’re on your way to becoming a household name after a ravishing rookie debut.

More REAL Football Talk! Tune-in to the latest Sports Rage Podcast, as AAF founder Ric Serritella joins host Gabriel Morency to discuss JJ McCarthy's historic debut, Packers vs. Commanders Preview, and best bets.

CFL SNAPSHOT: TEAMS EXPAND PRACTICE ROSTERS

With 14 weeks completed, the CFL enters the final leg of the season in a wide open race for the playoffs. Every team is still alive in the playoff hunt heading into a highly competitive slate of upcoming games in Week 15, featuring doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-6) will visit the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-5) on Friday at 7:00pm eastern time. Hamilton added wide receiver/return man Myron Mitchell (previous stints in the UFL and with Minnesota Vikings) to their practice squad this week, while parting ways with wideout Joseph Ngata (previously of Calgary, UFL and Philadelphia Eagles). On Friday at 10:00pm eastern time, the Ottawa Redblacks (4-8) visit the BC Lions (5-7), who added defensive end Bradlee Anae (a previous member of five NFL teams) to the practice roster, as they seek a late season boost. The Saturday double-dip features the Edmonton Elks (5-7) at the Toronto Argonauts (4-8), who are scrapping and clawing to keep their hopes alive to defend their Grey Cup crown. The Elks added defensive lineman Eli Mostaert (previously of Jacksonville Jaguars) to their practice roster. That game will kickoff at 3:00pm eastern time. Meanwhile, the Montreal Alouettes (5-7) will visit the first place Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-2) on Saturday night at 7:00pm eastern time. Montreal recently added running back Eno Benjamin (previous member of three NFL teams), while Saskatchewan has signed Josh Ali (formerly Atlanta Falcons). The Calgary Stampeders (8-4) are on a bye this week. You can catch all the CFL action for free on CFL+. (photo: CFL)

ELF: STUTTGART DEFEATS VIENNA VIKINGS IN FINAL

The Stuttgart Surge were crowed the European League of Football (ELF) champions this past week, as they defeated the Vienna Vikings 24-17, becoming the first team to claim the title at their home stadium in Germany, where the game was hosted in front of 36,784 spectators. Former NFL wideout Reece Horn had seven catches, for 116 receiving yards and one touchdown in a losing effort. Former NFL quarterback Reid Sinnett took home league MVP honors, setting an ELF record with 3,594 passing yards, along with 44 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 11 games played. The future of the league is at a crossroads moment entering the offseason, as it has been plagued by numerous uncompetitive teams that lack necessary funding. In an attempt to establish a new league, featuring stable franchises, the European Football Alliance has been formed, featuring 11 teams who previously competed in the ELF. That has lead some to speculate the demise of the ELF. However, the ELF released a statement on Wednesday, announcing that they also have 11 teams contracted for the 2026 season. We will continue to monitor this story as it develops. (photo: ELF)

ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL QUICK LINKS

Here’s a look at some of the latest posts from the past week here at All Access Football, in case you missed it:

SCOUTING THE LEAGUE: A WEEK IN AN NFL FACILITY

The intensity of a week in an NFL building is hard to quantify; routine is good, comfort is not. But what goes into each day and how does a scout get through? Former NFL scout Rodrik David brings you behind the scenes.

Subscribers: Keep Reading For The World Famous All Access Football Report.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to All Access Football to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.